THE BEAUTIFUL GAME AND THE NOT SO BEAUTIFUL -PART TWO

My last post was a commentary on some examples of what is good and bad in Sport. This could be the topic of many, many blog entries. Although I will not do that, I must continue to fill this Football Wasteland time period on the calendar with pertinent sports news. Thus, this is a follow up to the last post.

As I reported at that time, Marcus McNeil and Vincent Jackson were threatening to not sign their one year “tenders” and sit out all or part of the season. Well, as you all know, that has happened. Neither player wavered from their original statements and the team did not relent. In fact, the team went out and signed a new receiver in Reed from Buffalo and a new Tackle in Tra Thomas. Both veterans who can fill a need. However, you cannot just replace our two guys. These are two guys who are among the best at their positions and are rising stars (really, established stars) in the League.

Once again, I maintain that this is a ridiculous move by the players. They are turning their back on $3.1 + million for a year of work. For McNeil, I must admit I don’t understand why the Chargers have not signed him long term, but that is really not the point. The bottom line is that these guys got caught up in the time constraints of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the looming strike next year. This is bad luck for these guys. Plain and simple. Sometimes bad luck happens…we all know that. Sometimes players get lucky…like Darren Sproles getting $7 million this year. It just shows the uncertainty surrounding this situation and the fact that teams really do not know what will happen next year. The ONLY argument I have heard supporting McNeil and Jackson is that they are “risking injury and do not want to do that unless they have a long term deal”. That is crap. That is agent-talk and everyone knows it. We are talking about $3 million this year…and then the uncertainty of next year. This is about ego and “respect” and I think it is misguided. Especially from a guy in Jackson who has two DUIs and other infractions. Looking around the League, there are 10-12 other players who have chosen this route of not signing a tender. But, lucky for us (he says sarcastically), none of these players are even close to the impact and stature of our two guys. A good example of the other way to deal with that can be seen in Elvis Dumervil. He is a defensive end for the Broncos. A pro-bowler and one of the best in the business. He signed his tender for the same amount. For a worse team. He wants to play and make $3 million doing it.

This is a bad situation. Just when we think we have the complete team, something always happens. In 2008..we lost Merriman in the first game…in 2009 we lost Jamal Williams in the first game…in 2010 we lose Jackson and McNeil before the first game. Oh well. Play the team on the field. Let’s hope we can overcome…once again. It seems that these players will be signing and joining the team after Week 10 because 6 games in a season counts as a “year of service” toward the Collective Bargaining Agreement. So, will they play after Week 10?….will we be 3-7 then? Will we be 7-3? Will the coach want them to play? Stay tuned.

So…on to the Beautiful Game. World Cup group play round is coming to an end. The first teams have advanced. Although there have been wonderful moments…goals for the ages….and some huge wins by underdogs…unfortunately, referees have had far too much involvement in this Cup. Bad calls, red cards, non calls, etc. have marred many games. None worse than the call of a phantom foul against the US that cost us a game winning goal against Slovenia. Now, bad calls occur, anyone who has played soccer knows this. But…this was a travesty. The ref in this game has since been “benched” by FIFA..for good reason. He made other poor calls in this game and was overmatched. It is clear he was not fit to referee such a game. I understand that FIFA wants this to be a “World” event. That is why teams like New Zealand and North Korea can qualify and teams like the Czechs, Ireland, and others stay home. It gives the Cup flavor and makes it fun to watch these teams on the big stage. But…why extend this to referees?  This guy is from Mali and it is my understanding he does not work big games for major leagues. There is no place for this type of ref on this stage. The stakes are too high.

Anyway, it is what it is now. The US in a spot where they must win to advance. That is OK. If we cannot beat Algeria, we should not be playing in the second round anyway. Sure, it would be wonderful to have a 3-2 win and complete control of our group. But, we are still alive and control our destiny. England’s dismal performance thus far has sparked a lot of debate. Tomorrow’s concurrent games will be high drama. Algeria is an organized, solid team with some flair. They don’t score a lot, but they have good defense and will give us a hard time. The US needs to overcome a sad history of poor performance in the final group play game. To wit:

1990 – 3-0 loss to Austria

1994 – 1-0 loss to Romania (still advanced)

1998 – 1-0 loss to Yugoslavia

2002 – 3-1 loss to Poland (still advanced)

2006 – 2-1 loss to Ghana

So, unlike 1994 and 2002, we cannot back in this time. We need to win (or tie and hope for a grievous England result). Gotta go in the front door boys. Go USA!! Lets do it. No fear.

Finally, on to Zenyatta. Anyone who tuned in on June 13 was treated to another wonderful and spine tingling performance. Zenyatta came from last again to get by a very good horse who was carrying 10 less pounds. She got up in the last two jumps with her ears pricked…having fun out there. She then strutted around in front of the grandstand and walked to the winners circle. She just thinks that is part of her day. She has run 17 times now…she has been in the Winners Circle 17 times. It is a fantastic sports story. It is a shame that Horse Racing cannot get out of its own way and promote this horse all the time. She is the best I have ever seen. She has a running style that does not make it easy on her. She comes from behind…usually from last place….leaving her at risk to pace problems, traffic problems, and track surface inconsistency. It looks like her next race may be at Del Mar on August 7. Hope so. We will be there…cheering on the beautiful part of sports.

Note: Thanks to the efforts of my brother, a new and much more interesting and dynamic format for the Bolt Analysis is under construction. Stay tuned!