- 08:30 AM
- 04/22/18
With all the talk (distraction?) last season - will he or won't he sign a new contract? - I think this has become Exhibit A for someone staying one season too long.
It's being considered a resignation, not a retirement, but where would Arsene go? I couldn't see him staying in the Premier League: he's now likely "damaged goods" to the large clubs; the others couldn't/wouldn't pay him the salary he would demand. Maybe one of the large French clubs (his home nation)?
posted by jjzucal at 02:25 PM on April 20
This was a solution in search of a problem: the losing team had eight previous innings to NOT be the losing team but could get a "Get Out of Jail Free" card by selecting their starting hitters?
As for the quote, to cite "star" players in other sports is a flawed argument. Basketball, hockey and football have free substitution, so players could go to the bench for rest and return; thus, the "stars" often are in at game's end. Soccer doesn't have free substitution, so the "stars" must be physically able to go 90/120 minutes or potentially find themselves sidelined.
One beauty of baseball is "strategy" -- pinch-hitters, defensive replacements and relief pitchers are part of late-inning strategy. Here's the GOJF card: I pull my 25-HR, .300 hitting 3B in the 7th for defensive purposes, but I get to bring him back to hit in the 9th. If my new 3B hits just .240 (but is a vacuum with great range), I could skip him in the order, let my first 3B hit, then bring the defensive 3B back if the 10th inning is needed. No strategy there!
posted by jjzucal at 03:19 PM on February 23
I'd love to see the period between innings trimmed to 1:30, but it means fewer commercials: less money that comes to the clubs. I really have a problem with the visits, especially since it includes players that "do not require either to vacate their position": an infield/pitcher meeting often is one to discuss strategy on defense or how to pitch to a batter; will infielders now have to yell strategy to the pitcher?
Why do I have a feeling much of this will be forgotten by the All-Star break? Sort of like defining the strike zone, then the strike zone returns to whatever umpires call.
posted by jjzucal at 09:37 PM on February 20
I was thinking about him: players must stand for National Anthem, no players with criminal backgrounds. It seems Vince is looking to attract the "Boycott NFL" folks but I believe he'll learn something quickly: that group is small (relative to all NFL fans) and will get smaller as more objectors return to watching the NFL by the end of 2019.
posted by jjzucal at 10:22 AM on January 27
If only I remembered to post for two weeks ...
Many congrats, Tron; thanks, rcade ... now I'll sit for four months of SportFi Premier League fantasy "garbage time."
posted by jjzucal at 10:03 AM on January 05
There's a bug that has jjzucal out of sort in the standings.
The "bug" was my brain going into massive lock mode. Didn't realize until Monday night I forgot to make my picks.
Baltimore by 13 LOCK
Minnesota by 12 LOCK
Chicago by 14 LOCK
Cincinnati by 5 LOCK
L.A. Rams by 6
Kansas City by 7 LOCK
New England by 23 LOCK
Atlanta by 3 LOCK
N.Y. Jets by 3
Washington by 10 LOCK
Carolina by 13 LOCK
San Francisco by 6 LOCK
Seattle by 5
Arizona by 10 LOCK
Philadelphia by 18 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 15 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 10:07 AM on December 23
Well, isn't this embarrassing! I just realized, as I saw the Patriots escape from Pittsburgh, that I missed these. Guess who won't be third any more!
posted by jjzucal at 07:26 PM on December 17
Who raised that damn hurdle over which I tripped? ... I must have lost quadruple points for blowing two chances at an Eagles' NFC East championship.
Atlanta by 5
Buffalo by 14 LOCK
Cincinnati by 10 LOCK
Green Bay by 13 LOCK
Oakland by 7 (without penalties to extend the game)
Dallas by 20 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 9 LOCK
Minnesota by 5
San Francisco by 10
Denver by 3
Arizona by 6
L.A. Chargers by 7
Philadelphia by 16 LOCK
Seattle by 13 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 17 LOCK
New England by 21 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 07:45 PM on December 07
According to many media outlets, it appears the justices may be inclined to overturn the federal ban.
posted by jjzucal at 05:17 PM on December 04
I was among those who voted against the referendum, not because of the betting, but because of the limitations on where bets could be placed. While betting parlors/offices and online betting are standard in many countries, New Jersey would limit betting sites to the racetracks and casinos, presumably to attract business to each.
Here's more background on the law and history.
posted by jjzucal at 04:42 PM on December 03
I was out all day and got in just in time to see Shania Twain perform in a snowstorm ... which, I presume, she's never done.
Watching the blockers running with Cassius Vaughn's 109-yard fumble return, I had one thought: "Get out of the way!" Thankfully, one went for a block, the others gave room, and my frown turned to a smile. You know the rest of the story.
The Eagles went to 10-1 and the Argos won the Grey Cup. All in all, it was a terrific day!
posted by jjzucal at 07:26 PM on December 01
A) The draw was conducted inside the State Kremlin Palace. B) Russia was the first ball selected. C) Russia received a fairly easy Group A. I'll go full-blown conspiracy theorist: did Putin play with the balls before the draw?
In Group B, who was the last team Portugal would have wanted to face? Diego Maradona now may be more hated in Portugal than in England.
Group G: England is England ... you could group England with Basingstoke, a SportFi club and 23 random players and they'd still figure a way to screw up.
posted by jjzucal at 03:53 PM on December 01
Washington by 13 LOCK (E-A-G-L-E-S win NFC EAST!)
Minnesota by 3 (Case Keenum: NFL's Some Guy Not Named Carson Wentz Offensive Player of the Month for November)
New England by 20 LOCK
Chicago by 15 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 6
Houston by 5
Miami by 7
Kansas City by 13 LOCK
Jacksonville by 17 LOCK
Baltimore by 11 LOCK
L.A. Chargers by 23 LOCK
Oakland by 20 LOCK (Say a prayer for Geno Smith)
New Orleans by 10 LOCK (Play the OVER)
L.A. Rams by 7
Philadelphia by 17 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 6 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 08:21 PM on November 30
Mike Francesa is a few weeks from ending his career at WFAN-AM, but not before he issues a classic rant in McAdoo's direction.
posted by jjzucal at 07:12 PM on November 28
Toronto by 10
S.J. Green
Over
623
posted by jjzucal at 11:52 AM on November 24
Minnesota by 13 LOCK
Dallas by 5
Washington by 17 LOCK
Atlanta by 10
Cincinnati by 20 LOCK
Tennessee by 9 LOCK
Kansas City by 15 LOCK
New England by 23 LOCK
Carolina by 10 LOCK
Philadelphia by 21 LOCK
Seattle by 7 LOCK
Oakland by 3
New Orleans by 8
Arizona by 3
Pittsburgh by 19 LOCK
Baltimore by 14 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 10:36 PM on November 22
I went back to our predictions: five poor souls took Buffalo. They have our condolences.
posted by jjzucal at 07:33 PM on November 21
I'm no fan of Rowdy, whose proportions are weird and face kind of terrifying. But I can't call him the worst in a world where Boltman exists.
I stand corrected ... there's Sammy the Shrimp at Southend United.
posted by jjzucal at 11:46 AM on November 21
Opening of Bills' post-game article: "It was a bold decision by head coach Sean McDermott to start rookie Nate Peterman ..."
Erm, yeah.
Peterman to Bills' receivers - 6 completions, 66 yards. Peterman to Chargers' "receivers" - 5 completions, 84 yards, 1 TD.
posted by jjzucal at 10:28 AM on November 20
Five Reasons to Hate the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday:
1) Jerry Jones
2) "America's Team"
3) That damn midfield star
4) League's dumbest mascot
5) Drew Pearson's NFL Draft speech
(Yes, I have been trolling Cowgirls' fans on Twitter)
(Yes, I am praying that doesn't blow up in my face)
Cleveland by 2 (Jags step into gopher hole)
Chicago by 9
Baltimore by 7
Tampa Bay by 10
L.A. Rams by 13 LOCK
New Orleans by 15 LOCK
Kansas City by 16 LOCK
Arizona by 6
L.A. Chargers by 10
Cincinnati by 20 LOCK
New England by 9 LOCK
Philadelphia by 24 LOCK
Atlanta by 6
posted by jjzucal at 08:24 PM on November 18
Saskatchewan by 13
Calgary by 15
Never diminish Glenn Magic
Saskatchewan
posted by jjzucal at 10:21 PM on November 17
Cixelsyd, thank you. I'd venture Mr. Kraft and Mr. Jones would not have had the guts to go after Pete Rozelle. They have made Roger Goodell into a weak duck; now they want to go for the kill.
Would this conversation be occurring had the key suspensions been a second- or third-string quarterback or running back and not Tom Brady or Ezekiel Elliott? The owners would have had the lesser names serve their suspensions, then force their releases.
A final note: remember Lucky Whitehead? The Cowboys' wide receiver was released after reports of an arrest warrant in Virginia surfaced ... except one day later authorities stated the warrant was based on a false identity. Was he reinstated ... nope. It seems Jones' current whining makes him a hypocrite.
posted by jjzucal at 07:25 PM on November 17
I read the UEFA plan. I'd fear what a flow chart would look like.
I see the benefit for the smaller countries, some of which are more "part-time" clubs with few international friendlies. I'm not sure about benefits for the larger countries other than these would replace what would reduced friendly availability in Europe.
posted by jjzucal at 03:48 PM on November 17
Would we have this discussion had the national teams (especially the U.S.) done their duty when it counted? Nope.
It should be noted that Soccer United Marketing is the for-profit marketing arm of Major League Soccer and controls media rights for the league and U.S. Soccer Federation. USSF, SUM ... and MLS would love for this to happen as all three win while some fans believe the winner actually can claim a "trophy."
posted by jjzucal at 06:20 PM on November 15
Saskatchewan by 20
Edmonton by 5
Medlock
Over
posted by jjzucal at 01:43 PM on November 10
Last place last week ... just shows I'm not perfect!
Seattle by 10
New Orleans by 13 LOCK
Chicago by 17 LOCK
Detroit by 9 LOCK
Cincinnati by 5
Pittsburgh by 20 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 7
Washington by 10
L.A. Chargers by 4
L.A. Rams by 21 LOCK
Atlanta by 8
N.Y. Giants by 10 (if there was ever a game that deserved 0-0 ...)
New England by 23 LOCK
Carolina by 6
posted by jjzucal at 10:20 PM on November 08
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets ABSENT
Baltimore by 10
New Orleans by 5
N.Y. Giants by 3
Philadelphia by 13 LOCK
Atlanta by 11
Cincinnati by 7
Houston by 6 LOCK
Arizona by 10 LOCK
Seattle by 7 LOCK
Dallas by 9 LOCK
Oakland by 7
Green Bay by 6 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 09:17 AM on November 05
This has been like hanging with the pack until the bell lap. Now we're gasping for air.
Hamilton by 6
Calgary by 14
Edmonton by 5
Toronto by 18
posted by jjzucal at 11:32 AM on November 02
Since I'm probably the most hated person on SportFi this week (you obviously haven't checked the EPL fantasy table), I'm calling this week from the Witness Protection Program:
Baltimore by 13 LOCK
Minnesota by 5
Oakland by 2
Cincinnati by 19 LOCK
New England by 20 LOCK
New Orleans by 14 LOCK
J-E-T-S by 6
Philadelphia by 23 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 7
Seattle by 3
Washington by 6
Pittsburgh by 13 LOCK
Kansas City by 10
posted by jjzucal at 07:24 PM on October 26
Hamilton by 9 (weird upset, indeed)
Saskatchewan by 22
Winnipeg by 15
Calgary by 8
posted by jjzucal at 10:25 PM on October 25
I went back and checked ... hit 6 of 7 locks. Atlanta blew the perfect streak.
Oakland by 2
Buffalo by 3
Carolina by 13
Tennessee by 16 LOCK
New Orleans by 9 LOCK
Jacksonville by 17 LOCK
L.A. Rams by 3
Miami by 10 LOCK
Minnesota by 7
Dallas by 18 LOCK
Seattle by 14
Pittsburgh by 10 LOCK
Denver by 13 LOCK
New England by 13 LOCK
Philadelphia by 17 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 08:15 PM on October 19
Not to be a pain from last week (OK, I'm a pain!), I got the two extra points this week; I didn't get the two extra points for hitting Edm-Mtl spread the previous week.
Calgary by 15
Toronto by 10
Edmonton by 7
Montreal by 12
posted by jjzucal at 09:15 AM on October 19
Philadelphia by 13 LOCK #FlyEaglesFly
Atlanta by 14 LOCK
Green Bay by 10
New Orleans by 7
New England by 9 LOCK
Washington by 16
Baltimore by 2
Houston by 10 LOCK
Arizona by 5
L.A. Rams by 13 LOCK
Oakland by 14 LOCK
Denver by 10 LOCK
Tennessee by 11 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 07:45 PM on October 12
The USA can join Wales, Scotland and Holland in a consolation cup. Everyone gets a participation trophy.
posted by jjzucal at 10:36 AM on October 12
(Takes a bow for Hamilton pick)
Should I have 2 more points for hitting Edmonton spread?
Calgary by 15
Saskatchewan by 10
Winnipeg by 6
Edmonton by 12
posted by jjzucal at 08:49 AM on October 12
Four years ago, the USA crushed Panama's bid for the World Cup with two late goals in the final match. Payback came last night with a late Panama goal against Costa Rica (OK, and a phantom goal).
posted by jjzucal at 07:06 PM on October 11
Cincinnati by 13
J-E-T-S by 5 LOCK
Carolina by 14 (better question: how many questions will Cam take?)
San Francisco by 3
Tennessee by 6
N.Y. Giants by 3
Philadelphia by 6 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 17 LOCK
Oakland by 14
L.A. Rams by 20 LOCK
Green Bay by 3
Kansas City by 6
Chicago by 3
posted by jjzucal at 02:00 AM on October 07
OK, I'm game ... Hamilton by 4
Toronto by 10
B.C. by 15
Edmonton by 18
posted by jjzucal at 04:34 PM on October 05
Both Jagr & Keith Tkachuk were drafted in the 1st Round of the 1990 Draft.
Which begs the question: are there any SportFi'ers who were yet to be born in 1990? "Sit around, children, and let us tell you a story ..."
Damn, I'm getting old! (54)
posted by jjzucal at 07:24 PM on October 02
Green Bay by 2 LOCK
New Orleans by 8
Atlanta by 14 LOCK
Cleveland by 3
L.A. Rams by 6
Detroit by 10
New England by 15 LOCK
Jacksonville by 11
Pittsburgh by 7 LOCK
Houston by 10
Arizona by 4 LOCK
Philadelphia by 17 LOCK
N.Y. Giants by 5
Oakland by 10 LOCK
Seattle by 15 LOCK
Kansas City by 12 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 08:19 PM on September 28
Saskatchewan by 3
Calgary by 10
Toronto by 7
Edmonton by 13
posted by jjzucal at 09:18 PM on September 27
Saskatchewan by 3
Calgary by 10
Toronto by 7
Edmonton by 13
posted by jjzucal at 09:17 PM on September 27
Looking at the U.S. Attorney's press statement, I cannot see this as being the end. This looks like the activities of a large industry; I expect more schools and companies will be targeted.
posted by jjzucal at 04:34 PM on September 27
Near the bottom of the standings here. Checked our EPL league ... ditto. Maybe we could find a rugby league so I could hit the Trifecta of Suck?
L.A. Rams by 20 LOCK
Baltimore by 8
Denver by 14
Chicago by 3
Atlanta by 17
Cleveland by 7
Minnesota by 3
New England by 18
N.Y. Jets by 2
Philadelphia by 10
Carolina by 5
Tennessee by 7
Green Bay by 20 LOCK
Kansas City by 17 LOCK
Oakland by 10 LOCK
Dallas by 15 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 05:07 PM on September 21
Winnipeg by 13
B.C. by 20
Toronto by 3
Calgary by 16
posted by jjzucal at 05:01 PM on September 21
I'm presuming the points column wasn't changed?
Anyhoo, still within striking distance as the days grow shorter and the snow gets nearer.
Saskatchewan by 19
Toronto by 3
Calgary by 10
Montreal by 7
posted by jjzucal at 06:51 PM on September 14
Cincinnati by 13 LOCK
Baltimore by 12 LOCK
Carolina by 7
Arizona by 17 LOCK
Tennessee by 3
Philadelphia by 9
New England by 5
Pittsburgh by 6
Chicago by 7
L.A. Chargers by 7
Oakland by 13 LOCK
Dallas by 10
L.A. Rams by 6
Seattle by 2
Atlanta by 6
Detroit by 10
posted by jjzucal at 06:33 PM on September 14
1. Alex Smith picks New England's "lock."
2. Harry Kane scores twice after I transfer him for Firmino.
3. Hamilton won? Seriously?
Think I'll stay in bed tomorrow in case West Ham wins 6-0.
posted by jjzucal at 04:33 PM on September 10
B.C. by 18
Saskatchewan by 17
Ottawa by 12
Edmonton by 3
posted by jjzucal at 09:13 PM on September 07
Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules!
posted by jjzucal at 07:47 PM on September 07
New England by 17 LOCK
N.Y. Jets by 10
Philadelphia by 5
Oakland by 3
Houston by 13
Detroit by 2
Pittsburgh by 20 LOCK
Atlanta by 7
Cincinnati by 9
L.A. Rams by 3
Carolina by 13
Green Bay by 17
Dallas by 14
New Orleans by 6
Denver by 17
Since nothing for CFL this week has been posted, just for funsies: B.C. by 18, Saskatchewan by 17, Ottawa by 12, Edmonton by 3.
posted by jjzucal at 12:15 PM on September 07
Montreal by 5
Saskatchewan by 15
Calgary by 14
Toronto by 7
posted by jjzucal at 04:49 PM on August 30
The key words: "It survived." It would have been easy to sell the property to a developer, demolish the stadium and build a huge Olympic Tower with commercial space and luxury apartments.
posted by jjzucal at 10:27 AM on August 30
At least one Inuit leader called for a name change in 2015, calling it a "colonial legacy."
The Edmonton Journal editorial board was in agreement.
posted by jjzucal at 08:35 PM on August 24
Montreal by 3
Edmonton by 23
B.C. by 17
Calgary by 10
posted by jjzucal at 09:46 PM on August 19
Edmonton by 8
Ottawa by 13
Calgary by 10
Toronto by 7
posted by jjzucal at 09:33 AM on August 17
Had to stop in at halftime: 29-0? WTH, did someone give Kevin Glenn some youth juice before the game?
posted by jjzucal at 09:40 PM on August 13
Rudiger, Kante ... and Cahill ... against Burnley. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
posted by jjzucal at 07:12 PM on August 12
Just give me the trophy at Christmas! Oh, wait, the season doesn't end until May ...?
posted by jjzucal at 12:11 PM on August 09
Arsene Wenger is Leaving Arsenal
There aren't any managers left who are synonymous with a club.
Among the top four tiers, only one manager - Paul Tisdale at League 2 Exeter - remains of managers who took over their club in the 2000's. The longest tenured Premier League managers will be Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) and Sean Dyche (Burnley), who became their clubs' managers 18 days apart in October 2011.