soccer10k

Jeremy Bloom signs contract with Eagles

ESPN Story He'll be replacing Jose Contreras. Even though he didn't get elected to the game, I'm glad he finally got appointed. He sure deserves it.

I agree mostly...it's got to get old when you are being asked about it 50 times a day and the players really have no inside info for the reporters. Plus what does the media think Eyre is going to say? "Yeah, fire the filthy bum!" The one part of what Eyre said that I don't agree with though is: What was hurting the teams ability to play back in May before the controversey of Dusty's job status arose? I'll give you that. It's a valid point.

It's the truth.

I hate to say this, but I see Jason Schmidt going to the Mets. Sabean has a recent history of STUPID trades (AJP for Nathan/Bonser/Liriano, Williams/Aardsma for Hawkins, and Hawkins for Kline), and I could see Sabean trading Schmidt for Bannister (or Heilman) and Fernando Martinez, BASED on his recent history. I am saying based on Sabean's RECENT history, not what the Giants. My guess is...Sabean will NOT get enough for Schmidt, if he trades. You are never going to get enough in return if you trade somebody who will be a Free Agent at the end of the year. If Schmidt had another year left on the contract, then you could get more in return. But nobody is going to overpay to rent somebody for three months. If an extension is reached, that would change everything.

That thought crossed my mind too, but I'm still having trouble seeing a team only 3.5 games back in their division and only 1.5 games back in the wild card trading their ace. Like you said, no way the Giants trade their ace when they are this close to the playoffs. Anybody could win the NL West and I would guess that the Giants would be more likely to make a trade to bring somebody in to help the team than to get rid of Schmidt. The only exception is if they go on a big losing streak to start the second half and are 10+ games out of a playoff spot by the end of July. Otherwise Schmidt will stay a Giant.

Don't count out the Angels and Dodgers seeing as both have been known to shell out big money for free agents (re: Vlad, Furcalholic) in the past. I realize that Boras is Zito's agent but he might take a little less from a West Coast team to stay in the warm weather. As much as I would like to have Zito, I don't think the Cubs should pay him what he is going to command. I don't know if the Angels will go after Zito. They do have some pretty good young pitching with Weaver and Santana, Joe Saunders could be in that rotation next year too and is a good looking prospect. I think they will be looking more for a big bat, however if they do have to give up Santana for that bat, which they don't want to do, then they may go after a pitcher....but then they may not be able to afford it. Good point.

I love Tool. Awesome band.

Ramones. Not just because they are a great band but because I can't stand Soundgarden.

Can they both lose?

Without question it's Bruce.

Can't stand either band.

I think Zidane was the best player in the tournament between the two finalist teams. Zidane didn't even play in their last group stage game against Togo because he received yellow cards in the first two group stage games. IMO either Cannavaro or Buffon should have won the Golden Ball award. Italy didn't allow their opponents to score a goal during the flow of play during the tournament. The two they let in were an own goal and Zidane's penalty kick. I don't see how it's possible to not give the award to either their captain and central defender or their goalie. It's ludicrous to think that a guy that didn't play well until the elimination round of the tournament be given the MVP award.

I didn't know Materazzi was a cheap shot artist. That's great and all, but it still doesn't excuse what Zidane did. I don't care if Materazzi claimed he had sex with Zidane's sister before the match, there is no excuse for what Zidane did. None. So basically, you're OK with players uttering racial slurs or family insults on the pitch? Sounds great. Truff, when you're the captain of your team in OT of the final, you don't lose your composure like that, no matter what was said or done. You have to rise above. I think even Zidane would say he should have kept his head about it. There are very few things that, if said to me, would set me off. But, I expect that those few things that shouldn't be said will not be said. Everyone is focusing on the reaction, but nobody seems to mind that the Italian player might have said something really offensive. I guess it's a good move if it gets the other player to lose his mind, but I'd like to think that there is still a little sportsmanship left in the world. I am in no way condoning what Materazzi said and did. But USSoccer hit it right on the head. It is one thing if you are just another player on your team. But you have to factor in that this was the World Cup final, Zidane was the captain and one of the best players of our generation. You don't think he's had nasty things said to him before? These things go on all the time. As a defender you want the offensive player focused on you as a defender and not on the goal. Obviously Materazzi succeeded in distracting Zidane. Trash talk happens in every single sport. Don't you think that cornerbacks say inappropriate things to wide receivers? I guarantee they do. Fact is, Zidane lost his cool and I wouldn't let him off the hook if he was just another player. But he isn't. Again, not condoning what Materazzi said, but Zidane has to be bigger than that.

Zidane still won the golden ball for the tournament's best player. Which is crap. He shouldn't have won it anyway even if he didn't get the red card. Link

Actually, Premiership starts on 08/19. Even in England, that is still summer. 8) That's a lie. Everyone knows there is no summer in England. It just rains all the time. :)

I didn't know Materazzi was a cheap shot artist. That's great and all, but it still doesn't excuse what Zidane did. I don't care if Materazzi claimed he had sex with Zidane's sister before the match, there is no excuse for what Zidane did. None.

Were you trying to be sarcastic?

Do the Cubs play today? Rational, I have a question- who do you cheer for in the N.L. Central? My point is, how can any White Sox fan act incredulous when Cub fans cheer for someone other than the Sox in the A.L. Central? I mean, you do know Cubs fans and Sox fans generally dislike the other team, right? The Cubs play the Brewers, by the way. Who you pullin' for? :D The Red Sox are my 2nd-favorite AL team. My favorite AL team is anyone playing and/or making havoc for the White Sox. Right now, that would be the Tigers, Twins, and Indians And he proves everyone right yet again.

Really going out on a limb there aren't you? Considering the Mets are seemingly the only lock to make the playoffs, I would say there is a very good chance this will happen. I predict that somebody from either the AL or NL will win the World Series.

I would be ticked too if I was Scott. I wouldn't want to answer constant questions about my coach. Don't you think all of Bonds's teammates got tired of answering steroid questions about Bonds? I guarantee they did. Who cares if Eyre says this about Baker. It didn't even sound like he was completely defending Dusty. The "if something happens, it happens" part definately doesn't sound like he's defending him. Eyre is repeating what Hendry has said, which is what you should be doing as an employee. And I agree with Bruno and saying "Eyre took time out from eating hohos and injuring Derrek Lee" is flat out uncalled for. First, Furcal injured Lee, not Eyre. HE'S BEEN OUR BEST RELIEVER THIS YEAR!! Why are you insulting a guy with a 2.41 ERA? Everyone overreacting about this needs to just can it. Insult Rusch and Neifi if you want to. But if Z said these quotes, would you be ripping into him as well? Didn't think so.

Especially after the Cubs take 2 of 3 from the Mets after the ASB. You know it will happen. Then management won't trade anybody away.

Don't count out the Angels and Dodgers seeing as both have been known to shell out big money for free agents (re: Vlad, Furcalholic) in the past. I realize that Boras is Zito's agent but he might take a little less from a West Coast team to stay in the warm weather. As much as I would like to have Zito, I don't think the Cubs should pay him what he is going to command.

Somehow I think the former will be true even though I wish the latter was true.

Goalkeepers can play effectively into their mid 30's quite easily. Defenders can play effectively into their low 30's and sometimes mid 30's if they are a star. It is rare for midfielders to play effectively past 31, 32 with the exception of a bigtime star (re: Zidane, Figo, etc.). Once forwards hit 30 they are likely done (Ronaldo is 29 right now). Obviously this isn't a rule and there are exceptions but it is a trend. All of this is for the national teams, not club teams.