danman31

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 12, 2007 -> 04:55 PM) This is one of those discussion where I don't think I'll ever be able to put into the correct words what I am getting at. I give!!!!! Anyway, like I said, I'll take others' word for his skills. I'll just say I think he might surprise some of you. That's fair, I think I understand where you are coming from. He was considered raw when we got him and I think he is one of the better bets to make the majors (and stick) from our system. I just hold a grudge of sorts against the people that think he's already better than Pods when they really don't know a thing about Owens. Not that I mean to include you in that, but I have a general feeling that Owens is overrated by a lot on this board.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Jan 11, 2007 -> 07:42 PM) This is from collegefootballnews.com, I agree with this completely and it has always been my feelings on college football: It's a good point that they bring up. I have been somewhat on the fence about 8 and 16 team playoffs. 4 seems like a good number to me, but the problem is that each year is different. The number of deserving teams seems to be very different year to year. Last year 2 was perfect. This year the number of deserving teams might have fit around 4, but it's different every year. It's impossible to pick a number because it doesn't always come out the same, bottom line.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jan 11, 2007 -> 11:32 PM) Yes, he is the best player in the MLS, I never said he wasn't, but that says a lot about the quality of play, which is poor compared to the rest of the world. And I wouldn't say he had a good World Cup. The first goal he accounted for was because on of the Paraguayan defender's headed it into his own net and his only credited goal came on a free kick I believe. You're right about #3 though, completely forgot about Stoichkov, who I loved when he was with the Fire. As far as #2, I added Klose into that group is because he's not happy at Werder Bemen right now and has been talking about being transferred, and also because he's been part of 2 world cups already. And what's with the soccer snob comment? If you think Beckham is the best player in MLS then why is it a bad move? The best player would dominate. In his case all he has to do is wave to the cameras and hit free kicks in the back of the net for SportsCenter. He'll draw attention (he's already done a lot of that) and make $$. That's all the move is supposed to do. There's a big difference between Klose at 28 and Beckham at 31. 28 means he has 3-4 years of top flight football as opposed to Beckham having another year or two at most.

Yeah, sorry Rex. Most of us have no idea where to begin in terms of the Evansville coach ha.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jan 11, 2007 -> 07:57 PM) This is a dumb move by the MLS IMHO. Beckham is not a great player anymore, and playing with the low level quality of the MLS is only going to make his decline faster. Real football fans in the US will be dissapointed with his play, expecting him to dominate in such a weak league. It's not going to happen. Ticket sales will boost for a while, jersey sales will boost for a while, but don't get your hopes up for football in the US. The smartest thing the MLS could have done was raise the level of play before bringing in a huge superstar for a ridiculously hilarious amount of money. Start off with same aging stars like Luis Figo, Miroslav Klose, or Jay Jay Okocha. Until today, Khodadad Azizi was the biggest international signing for the MLS...that says a lot. 1. Stop being a soccer snob. Beckham had a good World Cup and is the best player in MLS right now. 2. Klose is 28, don't throw him in with that group. 3. Hristo Stoichkov came to MLS with the Fire and was a European Golden Boot winner. He was the biggest international signing for MLS. Other than that I'd agree that they need to raise the talent level, but can't. If they are going to try the NASL experiment they have a better base than the NASL did. MLS is far beyond the quality of the NASL so they have that going for them. They continue to improve the facilities which is important, though they aren't quite top tier yet, especially in size (I have yet to go to Toyota Park, but it sounds nice). I think MLS needs one name on each team to make it big. Beckham is big for LA and other fans will come to see him when LA comes to town, but each team needs a draw. It's asking for a lot, but they need 12 more (one per team) aging stars like Beckham to add star power and quality to each team.

Beckham is still the best player in the league despite his drop off. The level of play in the league is really that far behind the top leagues and teams in Europe. I'd say the MLS champ from year to year would probably sit in the top half of the English Championship, which is their 2nd tier league as opposed to the Premiership. The MLS needs a spark because if they can build up some sort of a reputation for the league it will be possible to sign stars in their prime. The problem is that they can throw as much money out there as they want, Europeans don't dream of playing in MLS. It would be like an American or Caribbean baseball player getting an offer twice what he would here from the Japanese baseball league. Most people would turn that down until they could no longer make it here. Still, it's a step in the right direction.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Jan 10, 2007 -> 10:12 PM) Virginia put up a good effort tonight, but couldn't stay around in the 2nd half with UNC. Still, you won't find a better backcourt in the nation than Sean Singletary and JR Reynolds. Singletary is almost a Jameer Nelson clone. Is Singletary even a PG? I know he's talented but he's having a bad year. 38.1% from the field, and don't use the 'he takes a lot of 3s' argument because his percentage is about the same from both. Also, his assist/turnover is less than 2 to 1. Also, Jared Jordan of Marist should at least get mention. He's averaging 18.1 points, 8.6 assists, and 6.3 rebounds, which is at least worth mentioning.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Jan 9, 2007 -> 10:25 AM) I think he would have better numbers as a starter this year than Podsednik. Plus, he would steal bases at a better percetage and play better defense (even if its only a marginal difference.) I completely agree that he is not a starter, but nor is Pods. Ideally, he is the 4th outfielder of the future. Minor league steals don't translate at all to the bigs. Owens hit .262 in AAA...that's bad. Pods hit .261 in the bigs. Explain to me how Owens is going to do better than Pods?

I like Justin Cassel. He didn't get a shot as a starter until later in the season, but did very well at Great Falls and got a shot at Winston-Salem before the year was out. Give him a full season as a starter and watch him develop a ton this year. I also like Maurice Gartrell, but I don't know much about him. Kind of just a hunch.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 9, 2007 -> 02:48 PM) Figured, it seems like alot of the Big Ten games are on the HD channels but they never bring the gear. Im sure its permanently stationed at Duke. I see you edging us out tonight, but im sure we may bring payback in Columbus. Not to combat the Duke bashing, but I haven't noticed a HD game for them yet. The Va Tech game might have been, but that was ABC and I missed it. CBS is the first to do HD games this year that I've seen. I believe the LSU UConn game was the first HD game this year for the ESPNs.

QUOTE(T R U @ Jan 9, 2007 -> 03:51 AM) Ide also like to add Florida should send Ron Zook some sort of thank you for the National Title they won tonight.. Almost all of the starters were his recruits I'd like to add that they wouldn't have won the national title with him coaching. Obvious, probably, but felt someone needed to say it. Your point still rings true though.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 8, 2007 -> 07:14 PM) There is a reason this guy is pretty much a left fielder. Basically think of Pods out in the field. Jerry Owens is not a good defensively outfielder (That said I'm not saying he's terrible out in LF like Pods is, but nothing special). In general the only thing that really helps Owens is that he's fast and considered a good athlete. However, bottom line this guy is probably super over-rated by many Sox fans and quite possibly under-rated by others (myself included). Yeah, I never understood the uber love for him that many have. He had a poor year at Charlotte last year, but he does draw walks at a decent rate. I wouldn't consider this guy a future MLB starter.

Is OSU number 5 in the country now? Florida, LSU, USC, Boise in whatever order after Florida? People said LSU and USC would be better matchups for OSU than Florida and Boise is the lone undefeated so that is an interesting case. I have a hard time seeing OSU ahead of USC because USC beat up Michigan on a neutral field while OSU barely beat them on their on own turf, but it will be interesting as for the other 2 that could pass up the Buckeyes. QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 8, 2007 -> 10:49 PM) Posting from the game. How does that work?

Why the UCLA hatred in the polls? I thought they had a claim at #1 more so than anyone else. I'd be fine with them at 2, but 3 and 4? That's a bit much.

Players like Mercedes have jobs because affiliates still need to win games to sell tickets. That's why he would play over a 22 year-old with raw abilities. Of course if it's an actual prospect as opposed to a run of the mill younger guy Mercedes would find another organization.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 7, 2007 -> 01:38 PM) theres another bowl game tonight and the title game is tomorrow. The bowl game yesterday and the one tonight don't belong after New Year's, everyone knows it. I agree that the wait is a bit much.

Yeah, that's good and accurate stuff. Gives some credence to my Lopez argument in the sleeper prospect thread.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jan 6, 2007 -> 08:08 PM) Iowa State won because of their defense, pure and simple. If you were playing any other team I might agree with you, but Mizzou athletics find ways to lose things. Their athletic program is so bad it's not even funny, it's expected. It would figure that Mizzou would get screwed again. Hopefully they can do something in the NIT to gain experience or something.

Mercedes is a non prospect. Nanita and Oneli Perez both had good showings in their leagues, that's good news. Both had solid (or better for Perez) years last year and will push the 08 roster with duplicate campaigns in 07.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Jan 6, 2007 -> 12:28 PM) I don't get it, I know we have a lot of starting pitching depth, but starting pitchers are more valuable than relievers. Plus, Adam came into his own last year at Winston-Salem, it just doesn't make sense to me that a guy who really came into his own last year as a starter would shift to the pen. He never went long in any of his starts as it was. He was usually a short inning starter so his stamina wasn't spectacular and the org. thinks his stuff translates better as a reliever in the bigs.

It's no secret this Duke team isn't all that great. They have a young team that lacks an impact player. McRoberts is inconsistent and Paulus is simply garbage. They are rated based on the fact that their coach is one of the best out there. The team doesn't know their defensive assignments yet, which is a problem.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jan 6, 2007 -> 03:41 AM) If you don't enjoy their show, your probably one of the idiotic callers that they rightly make fun of to no end. It's must hear radio, great show. Yeah? Your opinion is better than others? Ok.

I think Russell is gonna shift to the pen this year.

QUOTE(thedoctor @ Jan 5, 2007 -> 05:41 AM) while that may be accurate across the board i think it's worth noting that most illinois basketball observers see simeon as the most fundamentally sound and disciplined team in the state. I can't say I've seen them much, but that would explain why they won state as opposed to the several years without a city champ.