Disqus - Latest Comments for Jeff

Re: Mo Edu on the Move

Jeff — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:57:30 -0000

What was the transfer fee?

Re: MLS Focus Shifting to Africa and Latin America

Jeff — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:34:10 -0000

There simply isn't enough talent difference between the average MLS roster player and the average USL player. Not DPs but average players. MLS then limiting roster spots makes for too much instability and in fact ruining any sort of chemistry.

Montreal for instance has been together for a long time as a team. The Impact and the Islanders both despite their "route one" football you decry could win alot of games in MLS. Maybe not win MLS Cup but both teams would be strong. I'm glad to see you admit partisanship to USL. Inspite of the title of this site, I am sure to check it out more.

Re: Different Night, Same Story: USL Triumphs, MLS Fails

Jeff — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:37:46 -0000

Undrafted is clearly an MLS kool aid drinker.

Here is the bottom line:

Beyond DPs and maybe 2-3 players per team, almost no difference exists between MLS and USL players.

Secondly because of the salary cap and roster limits, USL has a much more stable setup and the teams generally play with one another for longer. For example, Vancouver, Charleston, and Montreal have had the same core of players for years while MLS team are constantly in flux.

Thirdly, USL clubs are used to fixture congestion and traveling cheap and being forced to play in less than ideal conditions. That fits this continental championship perfectly.

Re: MLS 2.0: Can it Work?

Jeff — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:49:42 -0000

undrafted got a nice bonus check from league hq the other day. He's earned another one here.

let me remind you it was garber himself as this article mentions that emphasized the results for mls sides in concacaf competitions. it was also garber and co that kept the open cup winner out of the champions cup for fear a usl team would qualify. garber completely disparaged dc united's performance versus pachuca and then the league on numerous occasions played up the champions league as a true test of the us versus mexico and central america because it was played during mls season.

now that the results have gone against mls, it does not matter and the superliga does?
international and domestic credibility is at stake. i've been a proponent of mls but many soccer fans of the european ilk in this country are asking me how i can watch mls if the league performs worse than a second division that plays in 2,000 seat stadiums in the champions league. when i say they are focusing on their own title, the response, is what is an mls title worth if the league is so poor when they step out?

i have had this conversation with probably about 10 people since the new england-joe public fiasco. one friend who likes the premier league now threw down $50 for usl live.

so basically if mls is trying to win over core fans of the game it's losing. if the goal is to win over casual american sports fans by inflating its own image and downplaying international events not controlled by the league then maybe that's another strategy.

undrafted you don't get it. usl has never been a rival for mls. it is run fundamentally differently. maybe it's a bad business but it is about soccer. mls is about money and image. the grassroots partnerships set up in a usl market by the clubs seem to always exceed that of mls local partnerships. the owners are mostly local and they can actually control their clubs.

without a viable second division brining soccer to the masses in smaller markets and working with the youth level we have zilch.

mls is as it is becoming nothing more than a retirement home for washed up foreign players. and unlike the nasl they are not getting the biggest names in the world.

mls as it is currently constituted is bordering on worthless.

Re: USL Quarterfinal Wrap

Jeff — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:28:37 -0000

DC United could use DeRoux right now but sadly they let him go. The same for Nolly. No wonder United is missing the playoffs.

Re: Whitecaps win USL-1 Title

Jeff — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:43:12 -0000

This was the best game all year played in North America. That being said it would still be a second rate game in Europe. My comment is more a statement about how unbearable MLS is than the quality of USL. It was entertaining though.

Re: Sentimental Favorite St Louis Launches MLS Bid

Jeff — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:26:32 -0000

Miami and NYC 2 are done deals for 17 and 18.

The real question is if MLS expands to 20, which of the other cities have a chance? I say Portland first, Vancouver second. Relocate KC to St Louis, That's your 20 team league and let the other markets settle for USL.

Re: Time for Coop to Step Up & other ACC thoughts

Jeff — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:40:12 -0000

Coop to me is a player that is over hyped and would not have been a factor in most of Miami's backfields of the past. He's not durable and doesn't have the breakaway speed you and others claim he has. I'd like to see more of McNeal and Chambers and less of Cooper.

Re: Why do the Noles Chronically Underachieve?

Jeff — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:18:20 -0000

Talk about spin. It's like he doesn't want to admit that record is valid. They beat UCLA. Great. We beat Texas A&M who beat Texas last year.

BC was overhyped and was going to lose that game. I wish we had caught them that week, quite honestly.

Re: Not Good Enough

Jeff — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:24:21 -0000

Considering the ACC is the worst major conference, this run of futility we are on is all the more unacceptable.

Bag on Coker all you want, Kartik but his last season we NEVER fell behind 24-0 or 31-0 in the first half of games. NEVER. Even with Kirby Freeman and Kyle Wright, Baby J as a freshman and horrible WRs we kept games manageable. We just made mistakes at the end against VT, GT and MD that cost us those games including dropped passes and untimely INTs. Behind Freeman we came from behind to beat BC late and knock them out of the ACC title game. Maybe they were playing for Coker that day knowing he'd be fired the next morning, but honestly that team showed me more than this group.

Our front seven is terrible other than Spence. Spencer Adkins? Are you kidding me? Stephen Wesley? These aren't Miami caliber players. What about Arthur Brown? Is he a recruiting flop? I thought only Coker had those, Kartik, not your buddy Shannon? How about DVD, another Shannon recruit? He's is awful. I mean the guy is a joke. Jo Jo Nicolas is another Shannon recruit. Is he typical Miami safety, Kartik?

I'm sorry things are worse for us than they have ever been. You've outlined that in this post but cleverly manage to avoid discussing the staff that has brought this situation. Another fun fact for you Kartik. Shannon is 1-5 all time at home in the ACC. Is that the worst ACC home record EVER for a coach who isn't at Duke?

Re: Give Shannon Time: Patience Required

Jeff — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:20:30 -0000

I agree with Jorge. I believe Shannon is doing things the right way, but seriously this J. Harris thing has arguably cost us the last two games. Sure we've gotten FGs on drives that likely would have been TD drives with Marve. The whole flow is disrupted, and you essentially spot the opponent points.

I cannot understand why Shannon does this. I don't like losing but I see signs of us turning it around as you state except this Harris thing.

Seriously, I think Harris playing every game does mean Shannon should lose his job. You're either going to make a decision as to who your guy is or not. If you cannot you are not a leader and should not be coaching.

Re: Give Shannon Time: Patience Required

Jeff — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:35:06 -0000

Haith inherited a better team than Shannon. Hite, Diaz, etc. Shannon inherited Wright, Freeman, etc.

Re: Give Shannon Time: Patience Required

Jeff — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:13:10 -0000

The people who are panicking and saying they don't want to watch this team again are losers. Kartik you need to chill out to. No need to respond to trash who aren't real fans. Just ignore them instead of inciting them.

Re: Give Shannon Time: Patience Required

Jeff — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:14:09 -0000

Randy has worked it out in his mind that putting togeather player packages and player rotations will insure freshness and harmony among his players.

Well quite frankly I see linebackers that are out of position to make plays on defense and quaterbacks that cant get in sink with their recievers.Defensive backs that dont know their positions.

Not to mention penalties for too many men on the field.Players and coaches calling time outs when they shouldnt be.

Coaches that dont know when to go for two point conversions...

TELL ME DOES ANYONE KNOW WHATS GOING ON AROUND HERE!!!!!!!!! THIS IS ALL ON COACHING!

Re: Party Like 1999?

Jeff — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:02:53 -0000

We had gone 9-3 the previous season not 5-7. That was part of the reason we were still ranked at 2-3.

Seriously you are drawing at straws here. The only comparable season was 1998 coming off the 5-6 season in 97 you referred to in another post, and we didn't lose our 3rd game that year until late November.

It's not looking good.

Re: Looking Ahead

Jeff — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:07:48 -0000

I think you are under estimating UCF. They will come in hungry wanting to beat one of the big boys in the state and we're mortally wounded. I simply we hope we get through today with a win.

Re: Randy Shannon's Post-Game Press Conference

Jeff — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:32:58 -0000

Not turning the ball over against Wake was an accomplishment no doubt. But the further we go along, the more we need to make a decision at QB.

Re: Miami Basketball Picked 4th in ACC

Jeff — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:08:59 -0000

My feeling about Asbury is that DeQuan Jones will take his minutes this year anyhow.

How many votes did Jones get for Rookie of the year?

Re: Basketball: Canes Ranked #16 in Initial Coaches Poll

Jeff — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:14:19 -0000

Three of the top five are on our schedule BTW.

Re: Basketball: Canes Ranked #16 in Initial Coaches Poll

Jeff — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:07:36 -0000

I'd like a football recap here and am upset one isn't up. But seriously UM Basketball deserves more coverage than any sport at the U right now. The team is undercovered and is actually being talked about across the country where Basketball is big like where I live in the Carolinas. I patron this site because unlike some other blogs it covers Basketball like a first class sport.

Re: The Big Night

Jeff — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:18:56 -0000

If we win tonight, the season will be a success even if we don't win the ACC. THIS IS BIG!

Re: Corner Turned

Jeff — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:10:00 -0000

Great defensive game. Offense is more diffcult to develop than defense and you have to remember the qb's are a redshirt freshman and a true freshman. However, I think the offensive schemes are inconsistent. I think the approach that Shannon is taking, especially in a agame against someone like VT, is to keep it conservative and let your defense lead the way. Nix is told to call plays to fit the overall game plan. Hey, it worked! They will have a similar game against GT next week. This was a good win especially with all the freshman and sophomores playing.

Re: Miami-Florida Southern Thoughts

Jeff — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:50:38 -0000

Where is McGowan from? I know he was a transfer.

Re: Syracuse 1998 Redux

Jeff — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:59:10 -0000

HEY KARTIK.......................I GUESS YOUR BOY COOP ISN'T GETTING TO A 1,000 YARDS. HE IS NOT EVEN GOIN TO SNIFF IT!

IT'S TIME WE WENT BACK TO BABY J. COOP ALWAYS PICKS THE WRONG ALLEY AND HAS NO POWER. HE IS ALSO TOTALLY INDECISIVE. WHERE IS THAT BREAK AWAY SPEED YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST? HECK, MCNEAL AND CHAMBERS BOTH HAVE AS MUCH GOING FOR THEM AS HIM.

Re: Syracuse 1998 Redux

Jeff — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:10:55 -0000

I really don't think Nix has to go. While there are certain play calls that I don't always agree with, i applaud him for doing so much with all this young talent and keeping two QBs playing.

Just because it is easy to run an offense on your xbox doesn't mean it is that easy in real life. I think that this offense has shown signs of life and Nix wouldn't be under any ehat if we didn't drop so many passes.

I think Jacory should be the starter. He seems to have a calmness about him much like Dorsey. I really think another year with Nix will pay dividends. But he must choose Jacory if he wants to stick around long term.

Re: #22 Miami vs San Diego Live Blog

Jeff — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:01:14 -0000

The Canes fell five spots for losing to the #2 ranked team?

I don't get it.

Re: #22 Miami vs San Diego Live Blog

Jeff — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:19:24 -0000

sounds like rios is doing okay though.

Re: #22 Miami vs San Diego Live Blog

Jeff — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:28:07 -0000

Do those channels cost more $$$$?

It's asking me to order them on my Directv by calliing customer service.

Re: #22 Miami vs San Diego Live Blog

Jeff — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:40:41 -0000

GO CANES!

Re: #22 Miami vs San Diego Live Blog

Jeff — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:53:48 -0000

Is Adrian Thomas even playing this year or is he now the 12th man?

Re: #22 Miami vs San Diego Live Blog

Jeff — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:34:33 -0000

YEAH GUYS! JIMMY TAKING OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Canes Rising Morning Digest: Canes Beat Kentucky on National TV

Jeff — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:14:21 -0000

The Rivals story basically trashes Kentucky and says nothing good or bad about the Canes.

Re: A Cane Life Without Marve

Jeff — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 09:59:58 -0000

If Marve wanted to play in this game he could and if he is thinking of a transfer this could be his last game in quite a while. There seems to be a pattern here, he gets into trouble before the season and then at the end of the season. No way UM is holding him out because he might transfer, they monitor classes and he knows it but was still late.

Miami needs Marve to stay and he would be dumb to transfer. JC will not hold up over 12 games. First good hit he took all year and was injured. All it takes is for Marve to step in and play well then its his job. I doubt Randy wants to rotate QBs next year so winner in spring plays until an injury or a bad loss.

Biggest issues this year were QBs and LBs. What if we had solid QB play for one guy all year, what if we had LBs who could stop the run and cover short passing game.

I like Marve but if JC starts and wins this game he is the starter moving forward. My guess is that this kid is a winner and he will win another start.

Re: Marve Suspended for Bowl Game

Jeff — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:01:22 -0000