February 24, 2010

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 06:00 AM - 21 comments

Even though I'm not an Eagles fan, I'll miss seeing Brian Westbrook in that uniform. I admire his drive and versatility, everything he brought to the game.

Some people are referring to him today as game breaking and electrifying. I don't know about that. To me, he was a talented (but not outrageously athletic) hard-nosed guy who got the most out of his ability and who brought it on every snap and made the most out of every play.

The other word that comes to mind when I think about Westbrook is "overworked".

The Eagles counted on him way too much for too long. He'd probably still be on the roster if they'd had a talented enough offense to be able to spread the ball around a bit more over the years.

Every team in the league knew how much he meant to the Philly offense and prepared accordingly, and he still got it done.

posted by beaverboard at 09:47 AM on February 24, 2010

Another reason why the Olympic hockey tournament is so awesome:

Latvia pushing the Czech Republic to overtime, while the Canadian crowd chants "Lat-vi-a! Lat-vi-a!".

posted by grum@work at 11:09 AM on February 24, 2010

Just heard on MLB Network, Barry Larkin explaining people who "only care about numbers" will never understand baseball because they would look at te Spring Training ERAs of good pitchers and cut them. I'd prefer to think that proves people who play baseball for a living will never understand numbers.

posted by yerfatma at 01:15 PM on February 24, 2010

The other word that comes to mind when I think about Westbrook is 'overworked'.

Westbrook was 31.4% of the Eagles' offense in 2006 and 36.7% in 2007, then slacked off to 23.9% in 2008. He's their career leader in yards from scrimmage, #2 in yards rushing, #3 in receptions and TDs, and owns the franchise single-season record for most yards from scrimmage in a season and and most receptions in a season.

He's 30 and coming off a low-impact year due to injury. I think he's got some gas left in the tank and I wouldn't mind the Vikings picking him up if they let Chester Taylor go. But then if they're stupid enough to let Taylor go they aren't smart enough to pick up Westbrook.

posted by kirkaracha at 02:25 PM on February 24, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar breaks another record.

posted by owlhouse at 03:34 PM on February 24, 2010

Owl, someday I'm going to sit down and acquaint myself with that game. It looks interesting and the terminology is awesome, but I could not understand a word of that.

posted by wfrazerjr at 06:29 PM on February 24, 2010

Right there with you fraze. I have a leg up in that my brother-in-law's a fanatic, but I need regular doses of the real thing to learn. A few drunken matches of Big Beach Sports cricket on the Wii didn't help me.

posted by yerfatma at 08:20 PM on February 24, 2010

I don't know who's watching the Canada-Russia hockey game right now ... but at 7-3 (Canada) with 8 minutes left in the 2nd ... you should be!

Scary thing is that the four goal cushion for Canada isn't enough in this game yet!?!?

posted by Spitztengle at 08:48 PM on February 24, 2010

Fraze: Now you know how I feel about baseball, although I'm trying to learn.

posted by owlhouse at 09:09 PM on February 24, 2010

I, too, was at a loss reading the Tendulkar cricket article -- except for the second paragraph, where I think they were talking about Eldrick Woods.

posted by beaverboard at 09:32 PM on February 24, 2010

What were the Latvians doing wearing Russian sweaters?

Smoked 'em!

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:29 PM on February 24, 2010

What's wrong with you guys?

The Indian opener carried his bat for a double century, working his wide selection of wristy shots through both off and leg and taking advantage of the bowler's pace off the track to set the record for an ODI innings.

It's like you're not trying to understand.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:40 PM on February 24, 2010

The day belonged to Tendulkar who delighted the spectators with his rich strokeplay, executing breathtaking shots on both sides of the wicket

Last time I tried that I spent a week in jail for indecent exposure.

When the beginner's cricket lessons start be sure to save me a spot, I want to learn just to be able to speak it.

posted by dviking at 10:58 PM on February 24, 2010

dviking we had a some a couple of years ago. I'm getting close to a basic understanding, enough now that I can enjoy watching the few times it shows up on a channel I get.

posted by billsaysthis at 11:22 PM on February 24, 2010

This happened just the other night. Probably easier for a baseball fan to follow.

posted by owlhouse at 11:48 PM on February 24, 2010

I've tried watching an ODI on an internet feed a couple of times. I'm still very confused, but I get it a little bit. Still read the over-by-over coverage on the Guardian when it pops up, regardless of how little sense it makes to me.

posted by boredom_08 at 12:31 AM on February 25, 2010

I read it and all I can think of is this.

Maybe Owl would be so kind as to write a beginner's dictionary of cricket for us yearnin' to be learnin'.

Cricket is a beach sport on Wii?

posted by wfrazerjr at 08:11 AM on February 25, 2010

It's the only available Wii cricket game in the US. They're surprisingly hard to find on any platform. Stupid region codes.

posted by yerfatma at 09:19 AM on February 25, 2010

I think I linked this page back before the Ashes in '06. It's a good place to start if you really want to learn to "speak cricket."

Just think of the fun you'll have at parties then.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:34 AM on February 25, 2010

Parties? Now I'll have friends!

posted by yerfatma at 11:47 AM on February 25, 2010

Just think of the fun you'll have at parties then.

"Someone call a doctor! Grum has started speaking British again, and can't stop."

posted by grum@work at 01:36 PM on February 25, 2010

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