The Fall of Arsenal

The Untouchables seem a long way off. The days of Vieira, Henry, Pires, and Bergkamp are gone and have been replaced by "The Kids", as have the wins. Arsene Wenger's squad has seemed to lack something the past few years when it comes to big games, but today's 8-2 embarrassment has finally driven home the point: Arsenal missed the spending boat.

As owners in Europe continue to splash cash at problems, Wenger and crew continue to buy cheap and hope to develop the talent. Well, they did it! Nasri, Fabregas, and Van Persie are all world class players. The problem is that there is only one left at the club. The exodus of '11 has shown the lack of depth in the Gunners' side from up top all the way to the back line. RVP by himself looks lost. He has zero distribution from the midfield and the team lacks the pressure to get the ball back after losing possession. At this time, Jack Wilshere would be the best option in the midfield; however, his ankle injury continues to put him on the sideline.

The back line is the most troublesome for Arsenal with no real major players being center backs. Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny, Carl Jenkinson, and Johan Djourou clearly do not strike the fear of opposing teams like the Vidics, Terrys, and Piques of the world. No real commanding figure or leadership can be seen on the pitch and Wenger can not seem to figure out what to do. If the money does not get spent, this team is in extreme trouble. Nobody would have ever thought that 5 years would pass without a trophy in any competition and that Arsenal would looking up at Swansea and Norwich City on the table. 


Overall, Arsenal needs to spend money. Does it need to be top dollar? Not at all and just look at other recent signings that are making impacts (Young, VDV, Adam) for support. Gunners don't need to overpay, they need to find established players that can sure up their squad or else the big 4 just got a replacement.


Play it back to play it forward.

Why Brazilian Soccer is Overrated

For the past few years, I've dug myself into the soccer realm and have enjoyed every second 0-0 dull games. There's one thing that continues to dawn on me and that is the Brazilian National team. It's the summer so international football is alive with the Copa America and the recently completed Gold Cup, and this team just epitomizes what I have been thinking since before the '10 World Cup: It is overrated. Sure, five world cups leads the entire planet, but the roster has been completely watered down since its last win in '02.

After watching the team struggle to 2-2 draw against Paraguay, it is becoming more and more obvious the team lacks the same star power that Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Pele brought. It is young, I will say. With Pato, Ramires, and Neymar, the talent is relatively young. Robinho, Lucio, and Elano continue to hit the tail end of good careers. Robinho might only by 27, but he has lacked the same explosiveness since his Madrid days.

Quarterfinal exits when highly favored in both '06 and '10 World Cups with a bad showing so far in the Copa are microcosms of what the team has show for the past 5 years. They have lacked that strong midfield player that can distribute (Ronaldinho) with a less than confident back line. Julio Cesar continues to be one of the best in the world, but Lucio can't continue forever. David Luiz will step in and Thiago Silva is growing up to be one of the best defenders in the world. Is the overall quality of South American football down? I don't think so especially with Chile, Paraguay and Argentina still thriving.

Time will tell, especially tonight, Brazil need a good result to go through or else the critics are going to be coming out.

When it doubt, play the ball back to play it forward.

Back on to the Ole Grind

Might have been 4 to 5 months give or take, but it's back. I'm bringing back the blog as Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals arrives tomorrow and the baseball season gets into full swing. Notice how there's no mention of the NBA, because it's a terrible sport to watch now even though seeing Lebron lose is quite interesting.

Anyways, this Cup Finals has been a great series with the home team holding the advantage with two completely different home ice advantages. The Canucks were the best team all year in pretty much every category you could find, but have yet to use their power play to an advantage. The B's on the other hand, have been dreadful with the man advantage even putting Gregory Campbell up front?? Yet, we're at a game 7 in Vancouver. FOr the Bruins to win, I see three main things that must happen:

1. Shoot the Puck - when the Bruins put the puck on the net, they win games. Luongo is a struggle at best, but he is more comfortable at home. Instead of looking for the perfect shot and passing the puck more often on the power play, put the rubber on the net.

2.Be aggressive- the Bruins have been a lot more Physical at home than on the road and tonight would be the perfect time to take Vancouver out of their element. Eleiminate chances BUy being physical with their defenseman and the injuries that they have.

3. Win faceoffs- krejci, bergeron, and Kelly are huge keys to keep the puck in the offensive zone as well as neutralizing kesler off draws. Historically, if the Bruins win draws, they win games. Not a better time to win a game than tonight.

That's all folks and enjoy the game. As always, play it back to play it forward.

NFL Playoffs are Here

I've been nonexistent since week 3 due to many things including schoolwork and the holidays, but I am back for the playoffs. First off, the Win total over/under victor is Capozza with 21 out of 32 correctly. Second, this week I've invited Jon Impemba into the discussion for no reason at all. Lastly, this will be getting updated more regularly as I just want to write about sports, roll tide.

On to the match ups, this is predicting the entire playoffs: winners with reseeding. Capo has a job so he'll just chime in with overall wildcard match ups.

Well start with the first round match ups due to begin on the weekend of the 8th and 9th followed by the divisional and championship games

AFC

Jets at Colts(-3)
RT: Another week comes and another week goes all with Rex Ryan opening his mouth and overshadowing the game. Jets D has struggled as of late and Sanchez has impressed none with post-season form. It's Peyton Manning and the running game has come alive. Colts at home shows how disappointing the once 9-2 Jets finish. COLTS

AC: Jets vs. Colts à Jets

JI: Colts are getting healthy, they are home and they have that guy named Manning.  With that being said Im taking the Jets in this game.  Their defense is going to step up and as long as Braylon Edwards doesn’t get a DUI on the way to the stadium, Cotchery, Holmes, Edwards, Keller, LT and Green are enough weapons for Sanchez to control the game. I'm looking at the Jets D to pressure Peyton force some turnovers which have been very common for Peyton this season. Final Score Jets-28 Colts 21

Ravens (-3) vs. Chiefs
RT: Classic case of how not getting a higher seed hurts. Chiefs loss to the Raiders costs them as they face Baltimore and the D you don't want to see this time of the year. Chiefs have 1 win versus a .500 team, which came back in week 1. Cassell's great season ends as Bowe gets shut down and the Ravens offense finds a rhythm. RAVENS.

AC: Ravens vs. Chiefs à Ravens

JI: I look for the Ravens to do exactly what they did to the Pats last season in the playoffs, Go on the road and run the ball down the chiefs throats.  Ray Rice is a weapon all by himself; Flacco has the experience in the playoffs needed to win these type of road games.  The Ravens defense is stout, Ed Reed is an ultimate ball hawk 8ints in 10games played, Ray Lewis and the rest of that defense is going to stop the run and force Cassel to throw the ball more than he wants to.  Chiefs are a very young team offensively maybe next year.

Final Score Ravens -27 Chiefs -17

DIVISIONAL ROUND

Ravens vs. Patriots

RT: Rematch from earlier in the season and the Pats overtime win. With a bye week and rest, the Pats are deadly. However, Flacco can play and Ray "Minute" Rice is talented to run all over the weakened secondary. Spikes' return is key and the Pats need the Law Firm to establish himself for a successful passing game. PATRIOTS.

Jets vs. Patriots

AC: Jets vs. Patriots à Patriots

JI: Remember what happened 5 weeks ago Jets walk into New England talking trash and end up getting spanked 45-3.  I don’t see that type of blow out happening again unless of course it snows outside.  Patriots should score and score often but so should the Jets.  Maybe Im giving the Jets offense too much credit or the Patriots defense not enough.  I look for the typical end of game bend not break defense of the Pats to come up with a timely turnover late in the fourth quarter. Final Score Patriots-38 Jets -32

Colts vs. Steelers

RT: Steelers power overwhelm Peyton and his boys. Steelers are a scary team and not getting any love because Big Ben likes women too much. STEELERS.

Ravens vs. Steelers

AC :Ravens vs. Steelers à Ravens

JI:This game is going to be absolutely ugly.  You have two bitter rivals from the AFC North who split the season series with the HOME team losing both games.  It’s going to be anther low scoring defensive minded game but when it comes down to it im taking the 2 time super bowl winning Rothlesburger and the Steelers.  Defensively they match up, offensively they matchup Ed Reed and Troy Polomalu will prolly each have 2 ints. But Big Ben finds Heinz ward for a late Td to put the game away. Final Score Steelers -17 Ravens-10

Steelers vs. Patriots

RT: Pats own the Steelers. No different here as Foxboro comes alive and wins another AFC championship. The team knows how to win and the Steelers can't figure out Belichick. PATRIOTS.

JI: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick hate the Steelers and they make sure whenever they play them they beat them and they beat them good.  I expect nothing less than a blowout here.  Brady doesn’t lose at home as it is.  He doesn’t lose to the Steelers PERIOD!! Just total destruction will occur. Final Score Patriots-45 Steelers-14

Ravens vs Patriots

AC: Ravens vs. Patriots à Patriots

In the AFC I think the Ravens are the one team who can oust the Pats before the Superbowl, as they eliminated them last year in the Wildcard Round.  However, the Pats are a completely different animal this year, and playing possibly the best football they’ve ever played, including 2007.

Super bowl below

NFC

Saints(-11) vs. Seahawks

RT: The spread is big as the Hawks are terrible with their 7-9 record, but I can see an upset. If you look at the teams that have beaten the Seahawks this year, it is teams with a running game. The Saints? They don't even have a running back. Bush isn't an every down back and Orange Julius Jones is back at Qwest Field. Drew Brees has been prone to the turnover, something that Hawks desperately need. However, talent wins out and Brees gets his first playoff road win, pushing the Saints to the divisional round

AC: Saints vs. Seahawks à Saints

JI: Yep your defending super bowl champs opening the playoffs on the road vs the 7-9 NFC West Champions.  No Thomas, No Ivey, No problem Drew Brees is going to go up and down the field at will vs this non contender.  Easy win. Final Score Saints-42 Seahawks-7

Packers vs. Eagles(-3)

RT: The Tom Coughlin Bowl sponsored by Halls pits two teams that both have the quality to make the Super Bowl, yet are stuck battling it out in the first round. Tough game all around with the Eagles playing less than inspiring football and the Packers falling into the playoffs. The ball gets thrown around the lot, but the Eagles secondary shows up some how and makes a play. Rodgers hasn't shown he can win in the playoffs and it's still Vick no matter how many turnovers he has. EAGLES.

AC: Packers vs. Eagles à Eagles 

I think an overall theme to the playoffs this year will be that homefield advantage will be supremely overrated.  And we’ll apply that here as the Eagles are the only home team to survive Wildcard Weekend.

JI:Vick is being exposed to the blitz and this defense is fast enough to contain him, add in the fact that the Packers have in my mind the best quarterback in the NFC in Aaron Rogers and its going to be a long day in Philadelphia. Final Score Packers 35-Eagles-21  

DIVISIONAL ROUND

Saints vs Falcons

RT: Matty Ice gets revenge as the running game does in the Saints as Brees tries to do to much to end the Super Bowl repeat. FALCONS.

AC: Saints vs. Falcons à Falcons

Packers vs. Falcons

JI: This game is an interesting one, mainly because it should have been played in the NFC Championship but Aaron Rodgers concussion cost the packers two wins thus costing them the division.  What a game this will be however, Matty Ice has looked amazing and rarely ever loses at home.  He is however up against the top rated defense in the NFC, but if they can get Michael Turner going they can control the clock thus the game and keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. Taking the Falcons Final Score Falcons-28 Packers -24

Eagles vs. Bears

RT: Vick eats Urlacher and the fighting Jay Culters see that Jay Cutler is their quarterback. And Lose. EAGLES

AC: Eagles vs. Bears à Eagles

Rematch weekend here for the Divisional Round as 3 of the 4 matchups would involve divisional rivals meeting for the third time this year, and the Eagles/Bears would be a rematch from Week 12.  Overall, I’m going with 2 more road teams here to advance to the Championship Round.

Saints vs. Bears

JI: Jay Cutler is a fraud no idea how the Bears won this many games but I don’t like them at all.  Give me the Saints doesn’t matter that they have no running game Cutler will turn the ball over plenty enough to give the Saints scoring opportunities. Just don’t kick the ball to fucking Hester. Final Score Saints-30 Bears-21

NFC Championship

Eagles vs. Falcons

RT: Falcons like domes, but so do Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Fast paced game where it might be last team on the field. I'll take David Akers at the end to end the fairy tale story  of Vick's return. EAGLES.

AC: Eagles vs. Falcons à Eagles

The matchup everyone wants in the NFC (especially FOX) is a reality as Vick returns to Atlanta with a trip to the Superbowl on the line.  The Falcons have had a great season, but I just don’t think they’re ready to make the next step, as the storybook season continues for Vick and the Eagles.

Saints vs. Falcons

JI: This is a rematch of divisional rivals who split the season with again the HOME team losing both games. This going to be Matt Ryans coming out party, I again look for them to control the clock just pounding the ball with Michael Turner while connecting downfield with the likes of Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Final Score Falcons 23- Saints 17

SUPER BOWL

EAGLES VS. PATRIOTS

RT: After watching this team dominate for the latter half of the year, the Patriots just don't make mistakes while the Eagles do. Belichick outcoaches Andy Reid again and the Pats take title number 4 out of the last 9. Wes Welker MVP with 2 touchdowns. 38-34 PATRIOTS

AC: This would be a really fun Superbowl to watch and we could expect lots of points from two prolific and exciting offenses.  With it being rematch of Superbowl 39, let’s call it another 3 point Patriot win, 30-27, and Deion Branch takes home his second Superbowl MVP trophy against the Eagles.

FALCONS VS. PATRIOTS

JI:Here we have it the two best teams respectively from the AFC and the NFC.  Unfortunately this is where Matt Ryans cinderella story comes to an end. And no Im not picking the Pats cause Im a homer.  I am taking the Patriots because they are the best team.   Patriots don’t lose super bowls.( Omitting that giants super bowl from memory, that fucker isn’t even in the league anymore catches the ball on his head. Fuck him.)  Brady is typical Brady just picking apart whatever defense the Falcons try and throw at him. Danny Woodhead is making plays both catching and running the ball, The Lawfirm keeps reminding people of Antoine Smith, and Deion Branch thinks it’s 2004, this offense is just clicking. All the while Matt Ryan can’t figure out the defense schemes. Mayo, Wilfork and Spikes shut down the running game, Mccourty has 2ints Merriweather has at least 2 personal fouls for blows to the head,  Chung is flying around making tackles,  Tate takes back the opening kickoff after halftime for a touchdown.  It’s a thing of beauty just thinking about it.

Final Score Patriots -35 Falcons- 17. Super Bowl MVP Danny Woodhead with 160yds of total offense and a TD

Jon writes a lot comes from pent up rage. All is good. Three choices, one champ: The Patriots.

That's all from us. Cheers to the playoffs and their new overtime scheme. 

Sometimes, you have to play back to play it forward.