Archive for Football
Can FIFA Make the Right Call for the Next World Cup?
Posted by: | CommentsCongratulations to South Africa for putting together a beautiful World Cup. The country is a gem, and it is easy to see why they call it the birthplace of life. Congratulations are also in order for Spain taking home their first World Cup title. They played a gritty final game, and in the end were victorious over the Netherlands.
Now that the World Cup is over it is time for FIFA to take a step back and evaluate some serious issues that came up during this tournament. They are the governing body of the largest sport in the world, yet they seem to be behind in some critical areas that could make the game so much better.
The final game of the World Cup was watched by more Americans than any other. When the United States were still in the tournament viewership was also at an all-time high. The question raised now is how much of the ‘popularity momentum’ soccer gained in America was lost between the U.S. exit from the tournament and the final game. Again, FIFA has to put together some answers over the next four years, or soccer in America will continue to fly under the radar.
The sports world in America started to understand early on what technology could do for them. Now that some sort of replay is used in the NBA, NFL, MLB and even making way in some college sports, the games seem more fair. Coaches can contest a call they think the referee might not have seen. NBA referees are held accountable for the last second shot or a questionable three-pointer, and they rely on replays to make sure they get things right. Fans feel like they are getting more of a fair shake, and it is harder to argue biases among officials. Granted there are still flaws, but at least there is some headway being made.
This year at the World Cup the United States were not the only ones on the wrong end of a bad call. Too many goals were disallowed that should have been called fair. Outcomes of games could have been so much different if a replay could show the foul that was missed. There was just too much that was overlooked, and because of it the argument was made that some referees allowed biases onto the field. Shame on them.
In the end the sport of soccer loses a lot of ground it gained when this cup started. This is the richest country in the world, and we love our sports. Athletes are paid ridiculous amounts of money and billions of dollars are spent on apparel, endorsements, cable specials and more. Soccer is missing the boat by not addressing the problems which were screaming loudly from the field in South Africa.
So how can FIFA get those ‘on the fence’ fans who were hooked when the United States continued to come back? Those are the fans they need to address. Those are the fans who turned off their televisions once they saw the same thing happen to far too many teams. The spark that was ignited within them was not fanned into burning loyalty. Instead it sputtered out and left the building. They are now waiting for the sports they deem to be more fair to start.
How can the problem be solved? For starters how about some sort of goal-line technology that lights up when the ball crosses the line. An extra referee behind each net would be nice. Even a fifth official watching instant replays could call down to the head ref and call a play back. It wouldn’t even interrupt the real flow of the game. We saw it work in the NHL Playoffs just this year. Yes it created a pause in the action, but at least they got the calls right.
Soccer purists argue that adding these ideas to the game would take away from the beauty of the world’s biggest sport. Well, soccer purists need to understand their piece of the pie could be so much larger by getting a nation like the United States on board. Until that day America will continue to be the place where the world’s sport sends it superstars to retire.
Did they lose you? What do you want to see changed?
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You Have to Love College Sports
Posted by: | CommentsI’d be hard pressed to think of a time when I enjoyed myself more than when I was in college. Maybe it was because of that liberating feeling of freedom. Maybe it was because of all the great friends I met who I still keep in touch with (thanks Facebook). Or maybe it was because I was a good 30 pounds lighter. Whatever the reason, college was the time of my life which made college sports something I gravitated to from Day 1 in the dorms to the present day. On the eve of the NFL Draft, where collegiate stars are on the verge of becoming millionaires, I thought it might be a good idea to talk a little about my love for the purity that defines college sports.
College football has always been my greatest passion and growing up in southern California, I’ve been a lifelong USC Trojan fan. I know there are plenty of USC haters out there and I think that’s another reason college sports are so much fun; taking part in the spirited verbal jousting that takes place when USC plays UCLA or Notre Dame, in particular. It’s very juvenile, but a lot of fun. For me there is nothing better than being in that festival-like atmosphere of tailgating adjacent to Tommy Trojan a few hours before game time and then heading into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to see the men of Troy take the field.
Me with my two cousins tailgating before a USC game. Sorry guys, they’re both taken.
The other thing that makes college football so fantastic is just how passionate the fans really are. I mean, we get into the games and if our team loses, well, let’s just say fans can sometimes take it worse than some of the players or coaches. Just take a look at some of these completely dejected fans after their team lost. All I can say is thank goodness there wasn’t a camera on me when Texas QB Vince Young ran it in for the go ahead touchdown to beat USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl. I was CRUSHED!
The passion goes both ways in college sports, however. You can experience the lowest of lows as a fan, but you can also experience the highest of highs. Only in college sports are celebrations like this socially acceptable and part of what makes the experience great, especially if you are there in person.
And without college sports, the No. 4 would have much less meaning. Events like the Final Four and Frozen Four are becoming more and more a part of Americana where everyone’s got a bracket in hand and these young players get to showcase their talents in the biggest arenas in the land.
And lastly, at least for now, let’s take a moment to appreciate that more than anything college sports equals fun. When it’s all said and done, these are just young kids doing what they love. Just look at how much fun college baseball players can have during a two-hour rain delay. What’s not to love about this and could you ever see the pros having this much fun during a rain delay?
I could go on and on about all the things I love about college sports, but we’d like to know what it is you love about them? There’s no shortage on my list, but I’m sure fans of our Blog have plenty of favorite memories to share. Feel free to rush the field with your thoughts. In fact, it’s encouraged.
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2010 NFL Draft Preview: Jimmy Clausen
Posted by: | CommentsPlayer: Jimmy Clausen
Position: Quarterback
College: Notre Dame
Projected Draft Position: Top 15
Quarterbacks are always the focus of the draft, regardless of whether or not top talent is present. This year, there is an influx of QB talent; like many years previous, there are a lot of teams near the top of the first round that want them. Sam Bradford has largely been considered the top QB prospect ever since a dramatic improvement to his body structure, but previously it was all Jimmy Clausen, all the time.
Clausen was widely regarded as the best NFL ready QB at mid-season during 2009, with Jake Locker, Colt McCoy and Bradford all in the mix as well. Because he played in a pro-style offense, had vast improvement from his sophomore season to his junior, and had the body to do it, scouts were all over him. Once Locker decided to go back for his senior year and both Bradford and McCoy went down with injuries, Clausen stood alone at the top. After reviewing his stats for 2009, it’s quite easy to see why he is favored to go at the top of the first round, passing with a near 70% completion rate, 28 touchdowns and a miniscule 4 interceptions.
Of the teams drafting in the top ten, there are many likely landing spots for Clausen (though defensive and offensive line talent may prevent teams from taking a chance on a QB with other hugely talented prospects available). Seattle has a shot at taking him to play behind an aging Matt Hasselbeck who has struggled as of late. Despite their need, Seattle needs RB help more than anything, which could put the Bills on the clock with Clausen on the board at ninth. Buffalo may have Trent Edwards, but Edwards isn’t the kind of player you build your team around. Therefore, adding a player like Clausen could solve a lot of problems. Lastly, there is no way Clausen falls past Minnesota at 30, as Brett Favre is only one year away from retirement in a best case scenario. In all likelihood, I count ten picks out of 32 where Clausen can fit, and one team (Seattle) has two shots at him if necessary. Even Arizona at 26 has a need with Warner on the way out.
Because Clausen is a top prospect and a QB, collectors will have no problem chasing him throughout the card year. QB’s naturally command higher value, and he will not be an exception to this rule. Factoring in that he attended Notre Dame adds another level to his collectability thanks to the number of fans the school has. He will also have the possibility of dropping further into the first round and allowing for a better team to select him, thus adding more potential to a typically rough development in the league. If he is drafted by a team like Arizona or Minnesota, expect a situation similar to Joe Flacco, who has shown amazing superstar potential due to being on a great team.
Upper Deck will make players like Jimmy Clausen a focus in the beginning of 2010, along with many of the other elite prospects for upcoming releases. 2010 Sweet Spot Football will be back with a new style and a new face, but will still feature elements collectors have loved for years. It will feature players like Clausen, Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, Colt McCoy and others, all on hard signed custom helmet cards. Sweet Spot will also debut players like Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees in his Purdue garb, and Hall of Famer Dan Marino in his Pittsburgh uniform for all the collectors out there who follow their favorite schools.
Check back here at UpperDeckBlog.com for more draft profiles leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft on April 22!
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!).
Popularity: 4% [?]
McNabb Decision Looms Large for Eagles
Posted by: | CommentsWhat’s in store for Donovan McNabb? That seems to be the question that everyone wants to know the answer to. Recently, there has been much talk over the Philadelphia Eagles taking trade offers for star quarterback. This isn’t the first time the Eagles have had to consider the future of their QB: except this time, talks seem to be a lot more serious. Here are some reasons why the Eagles may trade McNabb:
Free Agency – At the end of the 2010 NFL season, all three of the Eagles’ quarterbacks will become free agents. The team cannot possibly satisfy the needs of all three: McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and Michael Vick. This poses a big threat to Kolb, a young quarterback who many Philadelphia fans see as the future of their franchise. The Eagles will have to make a decision between him and McNabb pretty soon.
Roster Bonus – Donovan McNabb’s contract certainly plays a role in talks of a trade. He only has one year left on his contract; like many teams who don’t have much of an interest in resigning their players, they’d like to trade them before the contract is up in order to receive something in return. Another huge factor is Donovan’s roster bonus of $6.2 million, which is due on May 5 if he is still an Eagle. In other words, if the Eagles can’t deal McNabb by May 5, 2010, they will owe him $3.5 million guaranteed from his contract, plus the $6.2 from his roster bonus. So if Philadelphia doesn’t find a way to trade him by Cinco de Mayo, we can be always assured that he will stay an Eagle, at least for another year.
Choking – Many Eagles fans, including myself, have severely criticized McNabb for not being able to win the big game. He has taken the Eagles to many winning seasons and playoff appearances, but in his 11-year career has not brought Philadelphia a Super Bowl victory. One of the turning points in this theory that he cannot and will not win the big game was when McNabb threw up in the huddle of Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005. McNabb threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns that game, but also threw three interceptions and the Eagles ended up losing to the New England Patriots, 24-21.
So now the question becomes: if McNabb is traded, when and where will he go?
Well, it is possible that we could see a deal for McNabb happen all the way into the end of April, at the 2010 NFL Draft. The Eagles have said they want a top 42 pick in the package for McNabb. No offers have been very serious at this point, but as May 5 approaches closer and closer, we should see even more details emerge.
Who is in the hunt for Donovan? Here’s a look at the main candidates.
Oakland Raiders – The Raiders, who seemed fixated with developing Jamarcus Russell into their star quarterback, may have had enough. Russell has not turned out to be the player that everyone hoped for, and Oakland’s passing game has been among the worst in the NFL over the past couple of years. As of today, they go into the 2010 NFL season with Russell, Charlie Frye, and Bruce Gradkowski as their three QBs. Those aren’t exactly the kind of guys you look for when trying to build your franchise back up. The Raiders also have two picks in the upcoming draft within the top 42 picks, and have even made it clear they are willing to part with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha in the bid for McNabb.
St. Louis Rams – Back in February, the Rams were one of the first teams to talk to the Eagles regarding trades for their quarterbacks (including McNabb). The Rams also have the 1st pick in the upcoming draft, so they may look to draft Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. However, if they decide not to, they could make a run for McNabb because they too haven’t quite found their guy at QB.
Buffalo Bills – The Bills are another team that fits the criteria of needing a great quarterback and having a couple of top 42 picks to give up for McNabb. They have expressed some interest in McNabb lately, however they are a little cautious about it because he is due $11 million in 2010, and is 33 years old. They aren’t sure about spending all that money for one season, and if they are going to give him a contract extension to a long-term deal, they don’t feel that would be the best since McNabb turns 34 this season.
Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings are most likely not a big candidate to land Donovan McNabb. Brett Favre has not officially stated whether or not he is coming back to play again in 2010, but if he decides to retire, that could open up the door. Donovan expressed interest in going to Minnesota earlier in the week, even though the Eagles have said that they don’t really care what McNabb wants.
This McNabb deal may be a little more complicated than people are shooting for it to be, but in my opinion, I think that the Eagles would be doing the right thing if they trade him. A lot of young quarterbacks have become stars in the NFL after taking over for a veteran QB who has been released, traded, or injured (i.e. Phillip Rivers, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers). I think it’s time for Philadelphia to move on and try Kevin Kolb on the last year of his contract. At the end of the year, if the Eagles don’t see him as the player they hoped he would become, then they can move on again. Who knows, maybe that could mean Michael Vick’s time to return to being a starter.
Richie Sliwinski, 14, is a young card collector who enjoys playing, watching, and talking about sports, hanging out with friends, going on the computer . . . and of course, collecting cards! He has been featured in Beckett Sports Card Monthly, Sports Illustrated for Kids, and was a kid blogger for Upper Deck Kids.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Exquisite Football 2009 Hits Shelves Today!
Posted by: | CommentsYou’ve seen us recap the history.
You’ve seen us review the exciting rookie class for the product.
You’ve even seen us packout the cards live on Facebook and Twitter.
The only thing left to do? Go out there and get your hands on a pack of the legendary product!
Exquisite Football 2009 hits store shelves today, and we’re excited to see it finally get into the hands of collectors. It’s always a big day when the big product arrives in stores, and we’re sure this year’s edition will carry on the legacy of quality and collectibility that comes with the Exquisite brand.
Click here to find a hobby store near you, and call to see if they have Exquisite on their shelf. Once you start cracking these high-end packs, make sure you post your hits to our Facebook page to show us your big pulls!
Popularity: 5% [?]
