soccer10k

And so he can't criticize anybody? Why don't you look at the whole conversation. Both Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd are known as southern rock bands. I quoted Sweet Home Alabama and Derwood said Skynyrd are from Florida. I responded with the quote you see above. I didn't say Young can't criticize anybody so I'm not quite sure where you pulled that one out of. My point was at least Skynyrd is from the South (Florida) while Young (Canada) is not. That's it.

I edited my post quite a bit before you replied because I didn't want to egt into a big debate on this. Zidane is Muslim. By brown-skinned people, I mean people who aren't Muslim but are still targeted as "terrorists" for their skin color (like me). Did the derogatory name include connotations that MJ had killed thousands of innocent people? Zidane shouldn't have lost his cool in the situation, but I have a tough time thinking there's a derogatory name equivalent to "terrorist" in Western society, given its ramifications. Some of the people in this thread seem to dismiss the impact of that word. Don't forget that Zidane is Algerian and the second-class treatment they get in parts of Europe. No the derogatory name for a black man doen't include connotations that MJ killed thousands of innocent people. I'm not trying to dismiss the impact of the word and I realize it's a serious thing to say. But again, Zidane absolutely shouldn't have reacted in the way he did and I hope his legacy is tarnished by this. Just like Maradona with his coke addiction.

agreed. It's sad that Neil Young (a Canadian) writes better southern rock than Skynyrd. Well I heard mister Young sing about her Well, I heard ole Neil put her down Well, I hope Neil Young will remember A Southern man don't need him around anyhow Nuff said. As Ole Miss said, they were from Florida, not Alabama. And as you said, Neil Young is from Canada.

agreed. It's sad that Neil Young (a Canadian) writes better southern rock than Skynyrd. Well I heard mister Young sing about her Well, I heard ole Neil put her down Well, I hope Neil Young will remember A Southern man don't need him around anyhow Nuff said.

I don't know if he's Muslim or not but he sure isn't brown-skinned. Again, I'm not condoning what Materazzi said or did and am not saying he's a good person. But under no circumstances should you get a red card in a tie game in overtime OF THE WORLD CUP FINAL especially if you are the captain of your team. I could care less what Materazzi called Zidane. You can't lose your cool like that. I gave the same analogy earlier but I'll state it again. What if Jordan was called a derogatory name for a black person by Greg Ostertag during the fourth quarter of Game 6. Then Jordan headbutts Ostertag and gets ejected from the game and suspended for Game 7. The Bulls lose the series. The only difference is the NBA Finals happen every year and a good player will have 15 seasons to win. Realistically in soccer you will only have 3 or 4 chances to win.

Not sure if this was you, and tell me if it was, but somebody else said something like this in another thread and I couldn't agree more. Only 2 teams (Cubs, Pirates) are more than 10 games out of a playoff spot in the NL vs 5 in the AL. Look at the wild card standings as well. Only 3 teams within 9 games of the wild card leader (White Sox) in the AL. Only 2 NL teams are more than 9 games out of the wild card leader in the NL. I'm sure you can guess those two teams.

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.