Just a note to say the blog will not be updated tomorrow morning. Mrs Blog and I will be away overnight.
I do have some recruiting news that will be up when I get a chance.
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SB Boston says Emil Igwenagu has received an invite to the February NFL combine.
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The Gazette reprints an AP story about Victor Cruz and his journey to the NFL. It's also nice that Victor is staying down-to-earth.
Giants 101 says it will be Victor Cruz and the G-men's defense against the Cowboys.
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Terry Bowden has his work cut out for him at Akron.
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The FCS Championship game is January 7th, and for once, the game is a hot ticket.
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Saturday 31 December 2011
Friday 30 December 2011
Year ender: DBC sweeps major titles in 2011
(This article by Cheska D. Geli appeared on Sun.Star Cebu on Dec. 31)
FOR Don Bosco College (DBC), which secured all the major titles in this year�s local tournaments, an impressive sweep of the Milo Little Olympics football titles capped a great year.
DBC started its dominance after its elementary and secondary teams bagged the Milo Little Olympics Football title, dethroning defending champions Canduman Elementary School, 6-1, for the elementary division and Abellana National School (ANS), 3-1, for the high school crown.
(Milo Little Olympics national finals foto by Alex Badayos)
Its title run continued when it dethroned the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 3-1, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) secondary football, winning back the crown DBC lost last year when it was forced to forfeit a Cesafi game due to a scheduling conflict.
And two weeks later, DBC scored another sweep, this time in the tough Cebu City Olympics, which serves as the selection process for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association. The Joselito Bono-coached elementary squad blanked Bright Academy in the elementary finals, while DBTC foiled ANS anew in the secondary finals, 4-2.
(Milo Little Olympics national finals foto by Alex Badayos)
DBC set the bar high again in the Milo Little Olympics finals, sweeping both titles with the secondary team�led by Junjay Arrizabal, Valentino Calvo and Jerome Vestil among others � showing it is a cut above the rest with a 24-0 rout of Luzon, a 15-0 humbling of the National Capital Region, and a 4-0 win over Mindanao. The elementary squad, which had Glenn Thomas Ramos and Agustin Rafael Roa, also beat Luzon, 2-0, Mindanao, 4-2, and NCR, 11-1.
Palaro
The four teams could meet again in the Palarong Pambansa after both DBTC teams got the Cviraa titles, with a 7-0 win over Bayawan in the high school finals and a 6-0 win over Mandaue in the elementary finals.
While DBC was busy harvesting titles, the Cebu Football Association also got busy with seminars and the launching of a province-wide grassroots program.
The CFA sent coaches Eleazar Toledo, Oliver Colina and Bro. Mari Aberasturi to the Fifa Grassroots Pro-Active Instructors Course in San Carlos City, where it introduced the Festival-type format for grassroots football and also hosted the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) B License Coaching Course at Don Bosco Boys Home.
In the collegiate scene, the University of San Carlos also ended a five-year drought after beating the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in a tough finals.
Cebu joins UFL
The success of the Philippine Azkals and the rise of football also led to a growing interest in the United Football League, the country�s premier tournament.
And for the first time, a team from Cebu�the Cebu Queen City United FC�joined the fray, spending almost P500,000 on airfare alone as the 25-man squad flew in and out of Manila every weekday. Though the team failed to score a goal, it is preparing anew for a better showing in the UFL Division 2.
(UFL foto by Dr. Joel pascual)
A few Cebuano booters also suited up for various national teams, while two successful local coaches got an extended stint.
The list is bannered by young Cebuano goalkeeper Paolo Pascual, who made the Southeast Asian Games squad and was named to a couple of Azkal matches. Pascual, now based in Manila, also plays for Global Smartmatic FC in the United Football League.
Collegiate players Hanesin Prince Anthony and Dan Villarico also made it to the Under-19 Philippine Team that played in the Asian Football Federation Championship in Myanmar, while Dean Ebarle, Mario Lorenzo Ceniza, Moiselle Angelo Alforque, Vincent Lobitos, Kintaro Miyagi and Lawrence Colina joined the Little Azkals Under-13 national team under Cebuano coach Oliver Colina.
The successful DBC coach, Glenn Ramos, also headed the Teen Azkals Under-16 in the AFF Under-16 and had Cebuano Koko Gaudiel in his lineup.
FOR Don Bosco College (DBC), which secured all the major titles in this year�s local tournaments, an impressive sweep of the Milo Little Olympics football titles capped a great year.
DBC started its dominance after its elementary and secondary teams bagged the Milo Little Olympics Football title, dethroning defending champions Canduman Elementary School, 6-1, for the elementary division and Abellana National School (ANS), 3-1, for the high school crown.
(Milo Little Olympics national finals foto by Alex Badayos)
Its title run continued when it dethroned the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 3-1, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) secondary football, winning back the crown DBC lost last year when it was forced to forfeit a Cesafi game due to a scheduling conflict.
And two weeks later, DBC scored another sweep, this time in the tough Cebu City Olympics, which serves as the selection process for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association. The Joselito Bono-coached elementary squad blanked Bright Academy in the elementary finals, while DBTC foiled ANS anew in the secondary finals, 4-2.
DBC set the bar high again in the Milo Little Olympics finals, sweeping both titles with the secondary team�led by Junjay Arrizabal, Valentino Calvo and Jerome Vestil among others � showing it is a cut above the rest with a 24-0 rout of Luzon, a 15-0 humbling of the National Capital Region, and a 4-0 win over Mindanao. The elementary squad, which had Glenn Thomas Ramos and Agustin Rafael Roa, also beat Luzon, 2-0, Mindanao, 4-2, and NCR, 11-1.
Palaro
The four teams could meet again in the Palarong Pambansa after both DBTC teams got the Cviraa titles, with a 7-0 win over Bayawan in the high school finals and a 6-0 win over Mandaue in the elementary finals.
While DBC was busy harvesting titles, the Cebu Football Association also got busy with seminars and the launching of a province-wide grassroots program.
The CFA sent coaches Eleazar Toledo, Oliver Colina and Bro. Mari Aberasturi to the Fifa Grassroots Pro-Active Instructors Course in San Carlos City, where it introduced the Festival-type format for grassroots football and also hosted the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) B License Coaching Course at Don Bosco Boys Home.
In the collegiate scene, the University of San Carlos also ended a five-year drought after beating the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in a tough finals.
Cebu joins UFL
The success of the Philippine Azkals and the rise of football also led to a growing interest in the United Football League, the country�s premier tournament.
And for the first time, a team from Cebu�the Cebu Queen City United FC�joined the fray, spending almost P500,000 on airfare alone as the 25-man squad flew in and out of Manila every weekday. Though the team failed to score a goal, it is preparing anew for a better showing in the UFL Division 2.
(UFL foto by Dr. Joel pascual)
A few Cebuano booters also suited up for various national teams, while two successful local coaches got an extended stint.
The list is bannered by young Cebuano goalkeeper Paolo Pascual, who made the Southeast Asian Games squad and was named to a couple of Azkal matches. Pascual, now based in Manila, also plays for Global Smartmatic FC in the United Football League.
Collegiate players Hanesin Prince Anthony and Dan Villarico also made it to the Under-19 Philippine Team that played in the Asian Football Federation Championship in Myanmar, while Dean Ebarle, Mario Lorenzo Ceniza, Moiselle Angelo Alforque, Vincent Lobitos, Kintaro Miyagi and Lawrence Colina joined the Little Azkals Under-13 national team under Cebuano coach Oliver Colina.
The successful DBC coach, Glenn Ramos, also headed the Teen Azkals Under-16 in the AFF Under-16 and had Cebuano Koko Gaudiel in his lineup.
dili kamo nag-iisa
PASIG, Philippines � A charity football match featuring a team whose core will be composed of members of the Philippine Men�s National Team (�the Azkals�) playing against Internacional de Madrid will be held on Saturday, January 7th at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Gate receipts and other proceeds from the match will be donated to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) to benefit the victims of Typhoon Sendong.
Internacional de Madrid plays in the Tercera Division Grupo 7 (Third Division Group 7) of the Spanish League System. It currently lies in 12th place in its group close to the midway point of the season. On its website the team said �El Internacional de Madrid�es especialmente sensible a este tipo de tragedias, m�xime en este caso por la cercan�a que nos une al pueblo Filipino (Internacional de Madrid is particularly sympathetic to this type of tragedies, moreso because of the historical and cultural ties between Spain and the Philippines).�
The Philippine Team will be called the Azkals Alyansa. The team is expected to be lead by Azkals co-captain Chieffy Caligdong who will skipper the team in the absence of injured national team captain, Aly Borromeo. Also slated to play are James and Phil Younghusband, Ian Araneta, Anton del Rosario, Nate Burkey and Jason Sabio. The team will also include members of the developmental squad including OJ Clarino, Jinggoy Valmayor, Paolo Pascual and Raymark Fernandez. Rounding out the initial list of players are Eduard Sacapano, Roel Gener, Nestor Margarse, Misagh Bahadoran and Lexton Moy.
The match will be televised by ABS CBN as well as shown live (or on a slightly delayed basis) by Telemadrid for the Spanish TV audience.
More ladrido.net
Barotac Nuevo December Cup
Ilaud 1-1 ISCOF , Ilaya 2-1 Tabuc Suba
Ilaya 7-3 Ilaud
Day 3 :
Ilaud 7-2 Tabuc Suba, Ilaya 1-1 ISCOF
Source : Stallion FC Facebook
Recruiting 2012--Jameson McShea
 |
| McShea#83 /Ryan Killian/ ESPN image |
UMass has now offered to him.
McShea's ESPN page here.
Rivals page here.
Senior high video here.
McShea also holds an offer from Harvard. He's considering BC, Dartmouth and Maryland.
Friday--December 30, 2011
Matty V. says Coach Molnar is recruiting champions. Note that Molnar says he wants a staff with FCS experience.
The article says Shane Waldron, a graduate assistant from Notre Dame is expected to join the staff at UMass.
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Jeff Thomas also reports on the addition of Phil Elmassian as defensive coordinator at UMass.
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Notre Dame could've used Charlie Molnar as the Irish got poor QB play and fell 14-18 to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. Most coaches will tell you they'll take accuracy over a big arm every time.
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The Boston Globe tells us Toledo beat BYU in the Military Bowl.
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The article says Shane Waldron, a graduate assistant from Notre Dame is expected to join the staff at UMass.
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Jeff Thomas also reports on the addition of Phil Elmassian as defensive coordinator at UMass.
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Notre Dame could've used Charlie Molnar as the Irish got poor QB play and fell 14-18 to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. Most coaches will tell you they'll take accuracy over a big arm every time.
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The Boston Globe tells us Toledo beat BYU in the Military Bowl.
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Fair Play: A few of my favorite 2011 stories
(This is a draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu's Dec. 31 issue)
TWO of my most favorite athletes did well in 2011 and I couldn�t be more happy for them. Knowing how hard these folks work to get to where they are, I�m glad that their hard work resulted to big pay days for them.
One of my most favorite boxers of all time is Donnie Nietes and this year the guy who�s used to be known for bringing his pet snake with him on the ring finally accomplished a rare feat�winning his second world title in a second world division.
What I like most about Donnie is not just his skills on the ring, it�s his demeanor off it. This humble former janitor turned world champion doesn�t have the air that some athletes sadly develop once they get to the limelight and I hope Donnie continues that way.
My favorite Nietes tale happened in 2007, hours after he won his first world title with a unanimous decision win over Pornsawan Porpramook on Sept. 30 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug.
And during a post-match gathering, I saw ALA himself, sporting a grin that mirrors that of a lotto winner, approaching Donnie. He held Donnie�s face with both hands, and the two were lost in a conversation only they could hear amidst a gathering of supporters and family, and the boxing patriarch hugged his boxing ward the way any proud father would his son.
It was also at that time that I learned Donnie was a former janitor and I thought at that moment if Donnie ever dreamed of getting to that point when he traded his cleaning tools for boxing gloves.
To Donnie and ALA, stay foolish, stay humble.
Back in 2009, I got to interview the winner of the Sinulog 21K.
She was small, I tell you but one thing I noticed about Mary Grace delos Santos in the Sinulog run, and in the previous four runs she joined in Cebu, was how she blew away the competition.
I wrote a few running stories before that and I always noticed how the top three in the women�s division never changed but when she came along? They couldn�t keep up with her.
In that Sinulog Run, it was only because of the generosity of a foreigner that Grace got to join the event. I remember her saying that the foreigner paid for her and coach Sherwin Managuil�s boatfare from Cagayan, so they could join the Sinulog Run.
Now, the former new face in the Cebu running scene is the latest toast in the national circuit, having won the elite women�s division of the Milo Marathon national finals.
I hope that earns Grace a spot in the Philippine team and I hope she gets to hear the national anthem played when she competes for the country, abroad.
Of course, I can�t end this year without my favorite football story and it involves my friends Graeme Mackinnon and Dan Palami.
At the tail-end of 2010, Graeme was on the outside looking in the Philippine football scene, while Dan was reaping the fruits of a year�s sacrifice for the Azkals.
And just last Feb. 9, Graeme had the worst time of his life in his best time of his life�enduring 120 minutes on his injured knees to cheer for the Azkals at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
Graeme also served as Dan�s escort when the manager was our presidential awardee in the Sportswriters Association of Cebu, and a few months later, I was nursing a hangover when Dan told Graeme:
�I want you to coach Global, Graeme.�
That woke me up and when Dan left for his usual pre-match routine�he doesn�t eat anything on the day of a match�I asked Graeme, �Is he serious?�
Just recently, Graeme also got himself an assistant. Dan fractured his foot and because he can no longer suit up, he will now concentrate as the Global assistant coach.
To Dan and Graeme, I hope 2012 would be a good one for Global, and of course, I hope it will be a great one for all Philippine footie fans.
QOUTE OF THE YEAR. �We are at Plantation Bay!� members of the Philippine national team moments after checking in at Plantation Bay, which had a huge �Welcome Philippine Azkals� sign but whose staff told Sun.Star Cebu, which was denied entry in the hotel, that they were under instructions kuno not to reveal where the Azkals were staying.
One of my most favorite boxers of all time is Donnie Nietes and this year the guy who�s used to be known for bringing his pet snake with him on the ring finally accomplished a rare feat�winning his second world title in a second world division.
What I like most about Donnie is not just his skills on the ring, it�s his demeanor off it. This humble former janitor turned world champion doesn�t have the air that some athletes sadly develop once they get to the limelight and I hope Donnie continues that way.
My favorite Nietes tale happened in 2007, hours after he won his first world title with a unanimous decision win over Pornsawan Porpramook on Sept. 30 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug.
And during a post-match gathering, I saw ALA himself, sporting a grin that mirrors that of a lotto winner, approaching Donnie. He held Donnie�s face with both hands, and the two were lost in a conversation only they could hear amidst a gathering of supporters and family, and the boxing patriarch hugged his boxing ward the way any proud father would his son.
It was also at that time that I learned Donnie was a former janitor and I thought at that moment if Donnie ever dreamed of getting to that point when he traded his cleaning tools for boxing gloves.
To Donnie and ALA, stay foolish, stay humble.
Back in 2009, I got to interview the winner of the Sinulog 21K.
She was small, I tell you but one thing I noticed about Mary Grace delos Santos in the Sinulog run, and in the previous four runs she joined in Cebu, was how she blew away the competition.
I wrote a few running stories before that and I always noticed how the top three in the women�s division never changed but when she came along? They couldn�t keep up with her.
In that Sinulog Run, it was only because of the generosity of a foreigner that Grace got to join the event. I remember her saying that the foreigner paid for her and coach Sherwin Managuil�s boatfare from Cagayan, so they could join the Sinulog Run.
Now, the former new face in the Cebu running scene is the latest toast in the national circuit, having won the elite women�s division of the Milo Marathon national finals.
I hope that earns Grace a spot in the Philippine team and I hope she gets to hear the national anthem played when she competes for the country, abroad.
Of course, I can�t end this year without my favorite football story and it involves my friends Graeme Mackinnon and Dan Palami.
At the tail-end of 2010, Graeme was on the outside looking in the Philippine football scene, while Dan was reaping the fruits of a year�s sacrifice for the Azkals.
And just last Feb. 9, Graeme had the worst time of his life in his best time of his life�enduring 120 minutes on his injured knees to cheer for the Azkals at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
Graeme also served as Dan�s escort when the manager was our presidential awardee in the Sportswriters Association of Cebu, and a few months later, I was nursing a hangover when Dan told Graeme:
�I want you to coach Global, Graeme.�
That woke me up and when Dan left for his usual pre-match routine�he doesn�t eat anything on the day of a match�I asked Graeme, �Is he serious?�
Just recently, Graeme also got himself an assistant. Dan fractured his foot and because he can no longer suit up, he will now concentrate as the Global assistant coach.
To Dan and Graeme, I hope 2012 would be a good one for Global, and of course, I hope it will be a great one for all Philippine footie fans.
QOUTE OF THE YEAR. �We are at Plantation Bay!� members of the Philippine national team moments after checking in at Plantation Bay, which had a huge �Welcome Philippine Azkals� sign but whose staff told Sun.Star Cebu, which was denied entry in the hotel, that they were under instructions kuno not to reveal where the Azkals were staying.
Thursday 29 December 2011
Thursday--December 29, 2011 Update
Elmassian's Purdue bio. His hiring story at the Boilermakers.
Indonesian Mess
Not written much about the current mess in Indonesia for a while but did you know nothing has been sorted? Hard to believe, I know. The current leadership of the PSSI is proving to be deeply unpopular even among its own members who want to hold a special meeting some time next year. FIFA has given PSSI until early next year to sort the mess or face sanctions. Just give them a ban now and have done with it.
Cambodian Team Enter Malaysian Competition
Cambodian team Preach Khan Reach will be competing in the Malaysian FA Cup. They follow champions Phnom Penh Crown who have entered the Singapore Cup the last few years and likely will do so again next year.
Palmer would be flattered by Pierce comic book
The front and back covers of the Paul Palmer comic book.
This may or may not be a moot point, depending upon whether or not Bernard Pierce comes back for his senior year, but it's something I had to ask the other great Temple running back.
"Would you mind if Temple used the same comic book campaign for Bernard Pierce than it used for you?" I wrote him.
I just got the reply this morning.
"I'd be flattered," Paul Palmer said.
Heck, I know that Bernard has a tough call in the days ahead.
Not tough for me or Steve Addazio, but for him.
 |
| Paul Palmer (middle, between Vinny Testaverde and Brian Bosworth) at Heisman awards: "I'd be flattered" by a Bernard Pierce comic book. Notice all three are wearing Temple-colored ties. |
That's reasonable. If there is money now (by comparison a paltry and not guaranteed amount), it only figures to double and triple next year and then it becomes guaranteed money as a No. 1.
I think, and Addazio seems to agree, that Bernard can raise his stock one or two rounds with another solid year at Temple.
And, who knows, if everything breaks right, catapult himself into a Heisman Trophy race.
These are things that are all weighing heavily on Bernard's mind right now, so maybe a little comic relief is in order.
As in comic book relief.
I came out in favor of this comic book as early as Bernard's sophomore year but Temple's promotions people went all high-tech on me with a Facebook page and a Bernard for Heisman website.
Nice, but sometimes the old ideas are the best ones.
Simply replace every Palmer image and stats with those of Pierce and you got yourself a damn good Heisman campaign for 2012 right there. The template and story board is right there. Replacing Palmer's life story and stats with Pierce's should be a snap.
The only missing element would be someone to draw the illustrations.
If the illustrator for that is dead, there's a sports anchor guy in Allentown named Troy Hein who wrote a children's book and has the best illustrator around. Hire that gal (her name is Kathryn Roman).
Heck, Temple would be stealing its own terrific idea and Palmer benefited from it to the tune of a second-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting of 1986. The Owls' promotion department send 1,050 comic books to 1,050 Heisman Trophy voters. It was the best $10,000 Temple spent on anything. It came back 10,000,000-fold (that's 10 million) in terms of viewers who saw Temple associated with good football while watching the Heisman Trophy ceremony on CBS-TV that year.
That (and a 1,866-yard season) got Palmer a seat at the table in between Miami's Vinny Testaverde (the eventual winner) and third-place finisher Brian Bosworth of Oklahoma.
It also might have helped Palmer get drafted in the first round.
I've watched every game of both careers and I happen to think Bernard is the better player (sorry, Paul). I usually (though not always) side with the older guys (nobody can tell me that Mo Wilkerson was better than either Joe or Dan Klecko), so that's saying something.
If Bernard comes back, he should get that comic book and whatever help Temple can offer him along the path to a Heisman and a first-round pick.
YGBC eyes more teams in 2012 football season
More teams are expected to join the 2012 Yanson Group of Bus Companies, starting with the 1st Conference of North Football League set to open on January 15 at Ayala North Point pitch in Talisay City.
Tournament director Ramon Janeo said football clubs from San Carlos and Kabankalan cities expressed their interest in joining the 2012 season.
With the participation of the two teams, Janeo said matches will be more competitive and more talents will emerged from the tournament.
Based on their 2012 tournament calendar, the first conference will end in April and the second conference will immediately start in May up to August. The third conference is scheduled to open in September and will end on December, Janeo said.
�This is our contribution to the development of football in Negros and we are glad to see that the teams are getting stronger every season,� he added.
In the third conference this year, Ceres Liner beat Dynamic Builder, 2-1, to foil the latter�s grand slam bid.
Minulu-an Talisay, salvaged third place honors after blanking Trimaxi Agro, 3-0.
Most Valuable Player in the third conference was Jason Panhay with Nyan Brean Jardio of Minulu-an-Talisay receiving the most improved player award; Michael Casas of Ceres Liner as best goalkeeper; Jason Cordova of Dynamic Builders, best defender; Rolando Ian Treyes of Dynamic Builder, best midfielder; Ali Go, also from Dynamic Builder, best Striker, and the Las Buenas Football Club as recipient of the Fair Play Award.*NAB
Source : Visayan Daily Star
Recruiting 2012---Mali Evans
Thursday December 29, 2011
Inside the Irish Blog has a writeup on the Champs Bowl. UMass Coach Charlie Molnar gets a mention.
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Toledo outlasted Air Force in the highly entertaining Military Bowl. That runs the MAC's 2011 bowl record to 3-1.
Meanwhile, an older and wiser Terry Bowden returns to coach the Zips.
The last MAC bowl will be the GoDaddy.com bowl on January 8th. NIU coach Dave Doeren does a question-and-answer session with ESPN.
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Back in FCS, TSN has memorable storylines in 2011.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz doesn't think he's a Pro Bowl snub.
Yahoo Sports Blogger (and UMass alum), Taurus Londono comments on Cruz's selection.
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Toledo outlasted Air Force in the highly entertaining Military Bowl. That runs the MAC's 2011 bowl record to 3-1.
Meanwhile, an older and wiser Terry Bowden returns to coach the Zips.
The last MAC bowl will be the GoDaddy.com bowl on January 8th. NIU coach Dave Doeren does a question-and-answer session with ESPN.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in FCS, TSN has memorable storylines in 2011.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz doesn't think he's a Pro Bowl snub.
Yahoo Sports Blogger (and UMass alum), Taurus Londono comments on Cruz's selection.
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Wednesday 28 December 2011
Limpag: Bring a pal to Azkals� friendly match
Fair Play
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
AT 4 p.m. on Jan. 7 next year, the Philippine Azkals will face Spain�s CF Madrid team in a charity match aimed to raise funds for victims of Tropical Storm Sendong.
The match, dubbed �Dili kamo nag-iisa,� is meant to highlight the country coming together to help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao by raising funds and gathering donations for them.
The move, interestingly enough, started on a tweet, which was soon picked up by the movers of Philippine football and the United Football League who got together to make it a reality.
Let�s do our part and show them that they, indeed, are not alone?
By the way, why the mish-mash of Bisaya and Tagalog in Dili kamo nag-iisa? I think it�s rather obvious, isn�t it? I�m sure, if it was possible, the organizers would have a mish-mash of all Philippine dialects, but that really isn�t possible.
Now back to the friendly, which will have friendly prices.
Tickets are priced between P100 and P500, but organizers are hoping that those who can afford to pay more will.
�That way they are making a real donation for the victims but affordable as well.
However if you can pay more please consider making a donation,� one of the organizers, Craig Burrows, posted in his Facebook account.
In a year that saw the cheapest football tickets go from P200 to P2,000�just a year after when it was considered obscene to pay for a PH football game�I hope fans will come in droves.
I�m sure they will, because we can always rely on the footie fans to support the Azkals but this time, I hope the veteran supporters of the team will bring in the newbies.
Let�s bring a pal, shall we?
Not just for the game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, but for public viewings for fans outside Manila.
I know Na Ning will be showing the game in Tacloban; so too, would Bacolod�s Dugout.
In Cebu, we have the Azkals Sports Bar and Grill, whose owners�Helga and JM Javier�have promised to give half of their earnings for the night to charity.
Everything is set.
The only thing needed is for fans to fill the stands and the public viewing places.
So, let�s show up, shall we?
So, let�s show up, shall we?
A good match, a chance to have a great time and you get to help our brothers and sisters, too.
What�s not to like?
Jan. 7 makes for a great post-holiday gathering.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on December 29, 2011.
Recruiting 2012--Eric Hayward
 |
| Rivals image |
Hayward's ESPN page here. ESPN two star recruit.
Rivals.com three star recruit.
Averaged 8+ yards a carry this year.
Hayward also holds offers from Illinois, Arkansas State and Southern Mississippi.
Wednesday--December 28th, 2011
Victor Cruz was named a Pro-bowl alternative. He's currently third in the NFL in total yards receiving.
Besides football, Cruz is also an entrepreneur.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the Little Caesar's Bowl and Western Michigan lost a game to Purdue that they could have easily won. The Bronco's QB turned the ball over six times (two fumbles and four INT's). That runs the MAC's bowl total to 2-1.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next up for the MAC is tomorrow's Military Bowl with Toledo playing Air Force at RFK Stadium in DC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Besides football, Cruz is also an entrepreneur.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the Little Caesar's Bowl and Western Michigan lost a game to Purdue that they could have easily won. The Bronco's QB turned the ball over six times (two fumbles and four INT's). That runs the MAC's bowl total to 2-1.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next up for the MAC is tomorrow's Military Bowl with Toledo playing Air Force at RFK Stadium in DC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Play: Let's bring a pal to Azkal friendly
(This is the draft for my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Dec. 29)
AT 4 p.m. on Jan. 7 next year, the Philippine Azkals will face Spain�s CF Madrid team in a charity match aimed to raise funds for victims of Typhoon Sendong.
The match, dubbed �Dili kamo nag-iisa,� is meant to highlight the country coming together to help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao by raising funds and gathering donation for them.
The move, interestingly enough, started on a tweet, which was soon picked up by the movers of Philippine football and the United Football League who got together to make it a reality.
Let�s do our part and show them that they, indeed, are not alone?
By the way, why the mish-mash of Bisaya and Tagalog in Dili kamo nagiisa? I think it�s rather obvious, isn�t it? I�m sure, if it was possible, the organizers would have a mish-mash of all Philippine dialects, but that really, isn�t possible.
Now back to the friendly, which will have friendly prices.
Tickets are priced between P100 to P500, but organizers are hoping that those who can afford to pay more will.
�That way they are a real donation for the victims but affordable as well. However if you can pay more please consider making a donation,� one of the organizers, Craig Burrows, posted in his Facebook account.
In a year that saw the cheapest football tickets go from P200 to P2,000�just a year after when it was considered obscene to pay for a PH football game�I hope fans will come in droves.
I�m sure they will, because we can always rely on the footie fans to support the Azkals but this time, I hope the veteran supporters of the team will bring in the newbies.
Let�s bring a pal, shall we?
Not just for the game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, but for public viewings for fans outside Manila.
I know Na Ning will be showing the game in Tacloban; so too, would Bacolod�s Dugout.
In Cebu, we have the Azkals Sports Bar and Grill, whose owners�Helga and JM Javier �have promised to give half of their earnings for the night to charity.
Everything is set.
The only thing needed is for fans to fill the stands and the public viewing places.
So, let�s show up, shall we?
A good match, a chance to have a great time and you get to help our brothers and sisters, too.
What�s not to like?
Jan. 7 makes for a great post-holiday gathering.
The match, dubbed �Dili kamo nag-iisa,� is meant to highlight the country coming together to help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao by raising funds and gathering donation for them.
The move, interestingly enough, started on a tweet, which was soon picked up by the movers of Philippine football and the United Football League who got together to make it a reality.
Let�s do our part and show them that they, indeed, are not alone?
By the way, why the mish-mash of Bisaya and Tagalog in Dili kamo nagiisa? I think it�s rather obvious, isn�t it? I�m sure, if it was possible, the organizers would have a mish-mash of all Philippine dialects, but that really, isn�t possible.
Now back to the friendly, which will have friendly prices.
Tickets are priced between P100 to P500, but organizers are hoping that those who can afford to pay more will.
�That way they are a real donation for the victims but affordable as well. However if you can pay more please consider making a donation,� one of the organizers, Craig Burrows, posted in his Facebook account.
In a year that saw the cheapest football tickets go from P200 to P2,000�just a year after when it was considered obscene to pay for a PH football game�I hope fans will come in droves.
I�m sure they will, because we can always rely on the footie fans to support the Azkals but this time, I hope the veteran supporters of the team will bring in the newbies.
Let�s bring a pal, shall we?
Not just for the game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, but for public viewings for fans outside Manila.
I know Na Ning will be showing the game in Tacloban; so too, would Bacolod�s Dugout.
In Cebu, we have the Azkals Sports Bar and Grill, whose owners�Helga and JM Javier �have promised to give half of their earnings for the night to charity.
Everything is set.
The only thing needed is for fans to fill the stands and the public viewing places.
So, let�s show up, shall we?
A good match, a chance to have a great time and you get to help our brothers and sisters, too.
What�s not to like?
Jan. 7 makes for a great post-holiday gathering.
Tuesday 27 December 2011
Baguio FC eyes UFL 2nd Division
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
BAGUIO Football Club (BFC) remains upbeat of another stint in the 2nd division of the United Football League which opens January 2012.
And with the core still intact, BFC coach Carl Bello said they are hoping to join the country�s largest football league as part of the 12 teams which will make up the division.
�We have yet to receive the confirmation, and in case we will be taken in, will be having the core of our original line up but there will be some changes,� said Bello.
Seven new clubs have been tapped by the United Football League (UFL) to participate in the league after the UFL Executive Committee decided to expand the second division to twelve teams after Nomads FC, Stallions FC and Pasargad FC were promoted to the first division, which saw seven teams last season and was won by the current cup champions, Air Force Phoenix.
The new clubs are not new to the UFL as these clubs already participated in the UFL Cup and have created a buzz amongst fans most notably, Team Socceroo FC, which was demolished by cup runner up Loyola Meralco Sparks FC 1-15 in their first match in the UFL, and Pachanga FC, which topped the infamous �Group of Death� featuring clubs such as Global FC, Stallions FC and fellow new club Cebu Queen United FC.
Baguio finished dead last in group A of the recent UFL Cup with a draw and two losses due to scheduling management by the tournament organizers.
The league opening on January 14 could see a changing of the guard with teams from the Armed Forces-Air Force, Army and Navy - expected to encounter tougher opposition from new UFL powerhouses Kaya-Cignal, Global and Loyola Meralco playing in the first division.
Also seeing action in the first division are Green Archers United and newly promoted sides Nomads, Stallion FC and Pasargad.
In league play, the team with the most points after playing against each squad twice in the division wins the title. A win is worth three points with a draw awarded a point.
The roster of teams in the second division has yet to be finalized with more squads expressing interest to join. The second division champion automatically gets a slot in the first division next season.
Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on December 28, 2011.
Tuesday--December 27, 2011
Dave Sollazzo's Maryland bio.
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ESPN has an extensive writeup on today Little Cesar's Bowl between Western Michigan and Perdue.
Official Bowl site here.
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Central Michigan brought in 17 of their 19 recruits in on one weekend.
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NewsDay asks if Victor Cruz will receive an invite to the Pro Bowl?
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Jeromy Miles has 16 tackles on special teams for the Bengals. Note that 15 of them are solo.
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ESPN has an extensive writeup on today Little Cesar's Bowl between Western Michigan and Perdue.
Official Bowl site here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Michigan brought in 17 of their 19 recruits in on one weekend.
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NewsDay asks if Victor Cruz will receive an invite to the Pro Bowl?
 |
| Julio Cortez/AP image |
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Jeromy Miles has 16 tackles on special teams for the Bengals. Note that 15 of them are solo.
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Monday 26 December 2011
Philippines join AFC U-22 Qualifiers
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will join one more international tournament next year, adding the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Championship Under-22 qualifiers to an already packed schedule for 2012.
No venue or date has been announced yet for the tournament, but PFF president Mariano Nonong Araneta Monday confirmed that the federation will be sending a team to the maiden staging of the event.
We want to join as many tournaments as possible, said Araneta.
The main tournament, which will have 16 teams, including the host country, is slated in 2013.
Hoping to fill the competition vacuum after the Under-19 level, the AFC plans to make the Under-22 Championship a biennial event with the 2015 tournament doubling as a qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in 2016.
The PFF's busy schedule for 2012 also includes the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy competition in Brunei, where the country plans to send an Under-21 team in February as well as the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal and the Suzuki Cup for the Azkals.
http://sports.inquirer.net/30045/pff...ment-next-year
No venue or date has been announced yet for the tournament, but PFF president Mariano Nonong Araneta Monday confirmed that the federation will be sending a team to the maiden staging of the event.
We want to join as many tournaments as possible, said Araneta.
The main tournament, which will have 16 teams, including the host country, is slated in 2013.
Hoping to fill the competition vacuum after the Under-19 level, the AFC plans to make the Under-22 Championship a biennial event with the 2015 tournament doubling as a qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in 2016.
The PFF's busy schedule for 2012 also includes the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy competition in Brunei, where the country plans to send an Under-21 team in February as well as the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal and the Suzuki Cup for the Azkals.
http://sports.inquirer.net/30045/pff...ment-next-year
Leyte FA - Pasko Rayhak 2011
"PASKO RAYHAK 2011 - A benefit tournament for our brothers in Mindanao" will be held on December 27 and 28, 2011. The Under 10, 13, 17 and Women's Open will be on the 27th, while the Men's Open is on the 28th
Albay-Legazpi Football Association (ALFA)
Episode II - Smiley Football Championship 2012. Tentative Date: January 28 to 29, 2012 Venue: Bicol University Football Field, Legazpi City, Philippines. Age Category: Under-15 ( Born on or after January 27, 1997) and Under-19 (Born on or After January 27, 1993)
Contact : 639396318267
Episode II - Smiley Football Championship 2012. Tentative Date: January 28 to 29, 2012 Venue: Bicol University Football Field, Legazpi City, Philippines. Age Category: Under-15 ( Born on or after January 27, 1997) and Under-19 (Born on or After January 27, 1993)
Contact : 639396318267
Monday--December 26, 2011
UPDATE: Football Scoop is saying Villanova defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo will be joining the UMass staff as defensive line/assistant head coach .
Sollazzo's Villanova bio.
Quote from Sollazzo's bio:
"He was also the Terrapin recruiting coordinator for the previous five years. During his last four years at Maryland, the Terps signed 72 student-athletes ranked among the top 100 nationally at their positions, including 17 All-Americans."
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The Notre Dame football team is enjoying its stay in Orlando. The story has a mention of Coach Molnar.
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If you haven't seen Victor Cruz's 99 yard TD against the Jets, it's the YouTube clip above. One of the remarkable things about the catch is that it was not busted coverage. Cruz makes three different Jet DB's tackle air.
Rex Ryan calls Cruz " a Jets killer".
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After the first of the year, I going to revise the format of the Blog. I'm going to take out the FCS links and add MAC and FBS sites. One of the links I'm going to have is one you might like to keep. It's future UMass schedules.
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Western Michigan plays Perdue in the Little Caesar's Bowl tomorrow. The Broncos have knocked off a number of BCS teams since 2005.
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Sollazzo's Villanova bio.
Quote from Sollazzo's bio:
"He was also the Terrapin recruiting coordinator for the previous five years. During his last four years at Maryland, the Terps signed 72 student-athletes ranked among the top 100 nationally at their positions, including 17 All-Americans."
 |
| Image credit unknown |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Notre Dame football team is enjoying its stay in Orlando. The story has a mention of Coach Molnar.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you haven't seen Victor Cruz's 99 yard TD against the Jets, it's the YouTube clip above. One of the remarkable things about the catch is that it was not busted coverage. Cruz makes three different Jet DB's tackle air.
Rex Ryan calls Cruz " a Jets killer".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the first of the year, I going to revise the format of the Blog. I'm going to take out the FCS links and add MAC and FBS sites. One of the links I'm going to have is one you might like to keep. It's future UMass schedules.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Michigan plays Perdue in the Little Caesar's Bowl tomorrow. The Broncos have knocked off a number of BCS teams since 2005.
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Forza Fc Alabang
Forza FC Alabang win Div 2 poll in Filipino Football.
Votes :
1 . Forza Fc 47 votes
2. Pachanga 37 votes
3. Cebu Queen City 26 votes
Total : 147 votes
Next is Div 1 Poll !
?2011/12 UFL League 2nd Division venue
- Turf BGC, the artificial grass field near Mercato in Bonifacio, is almost readySource : UFL Facebook
Sunday 25 December 2011
Young Azkals join Brunei tourney
MANILA, Philippines � Looking to put behind the poor showing of the Under-23 team in the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Football Federation is sending a squad to contest the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei starting Feb. 21, 2012.
Azkals manager Dan Palami has been tasked to assemble the squad for the HBT which is primarily an Under-21 competition with five over-aged players to reinforce the teams.
Palami has stressed the importance of preparing early for the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar and sees the participation in the HBT as an important component of the buildup.
The move to allow the over-aged players in the team stemmed from the Brunei�s decision to rely on the team that saw action in the SEA Games�an Under-23 event�where the Sultanate nipped the Philippines, 2-1, for its only win.
The Under-23 Azkals wound up with one victory against four losses in the SEA Games, dooming their chances of making the semifinals for the first time in 20 years.
PFF general secretary Chito Manuel Sunday said the PFF has confirmed its participation in the HBT that hopes to lure teams in Southeast Asia.
Dato Paduka Abdul Rahman, president of the National Football Association of Brunei, said they are eyeing at least 10 teams to compete in the tournament.
Manuel said Brunei, which was only reinstated by International Football Federation in May after a two-year ban because of government intervention, has agreed to shoulder the airfare and accommodations of teams competing in the tournament.
Team official Josef Malinay said several members of the Under-23 side that saw action in the SEA Games are still eligible for the HBT like goal scorers Joshua Beloya, Manny Ott and OJ Porteria.
Also included in the pool that will start training on Jan. 4 are Marwin Angeles, Paolo Pascual and Filipino-Belgian winger Jeffrey Christiaens.
inquirer.net
inquirer.net
Saturday 24 December 2011
Merry Christmas 2011
The Blog and Mrs Blog would like to wish all UMass fans and players and extended football family a very merry Christmas and a happy holidays.
The very best thing about writing the Blog has been meeting other people who follow UMass football.
May 2012 bring everyone peace, health and good fortune.
If Santa brought us a half a dozen three star recruits, it wouldn't hurt either :)
Saturday--December 24, 2011
Victor!!!
Victor Cruz ties NFL record with 99 yard catch.
Cruz sparks Giants win.
Victor Cruz sets two franchise records.
ESPN says it was one Giant play.
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Emil Igwenagu, Tyler Holmes and Jesse Julmiste all made Phil Steele's post-season 2012 FCS All-America teams (.pdf download).
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Phil Steele also rates Akron's hiring of Terry Bowden has the top coaching hire of 2011.
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Boston college's 2012 verbals.
UConn's 2012 verbals.
National team rankings BC #58 UConn # 61
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Forbes rates Texas as the most valuable football team in the USA as the Longhorns brought in $129 million to the university.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz ties NFL record with 99 yard catch.
Cruz sparks Giants win.
Victor Cruz sets two franchise records.
ESPN says it was one Giant play.
 |
| Chris Pastier/Getty Image |
Emil Igwenagu, Tyler Holmes and Jesse Julmiste all made Phil Steele's post-season 2012 FCS All-America teams (.pdf download).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil Steele also rates Akron's hiring of Terry Bowden has the top coaching hire of 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston college's 2012 verbals.
UConn's 2012 verbals.
National team rankings BC #58 UConn # 61
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forbes rates Texas as the most valuable football team in the USA as the Longhorns brought in $129 million to the university.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 23 December 2011
PSV Latest Embarrasment For PSSI
With the Indonesian Football Association struggling for credibility at home the news that PSV Eindhoven have cancelled their proposed dates in Jakarta won't be the best christmas present they'll ever receive.
With Indonesia only able to call on players from the Indonesia Premier League the promoters pulled the plug citing concerns the hosts won't be able to put up a credible team to face the Dutch visitors.
Despite the IPL being the official league in Indonesia, the biggest teams and best players play in the rebel league and FIFA have said the ISL players could not e considered for international duty.
Fair Play: Wish list for 2012
FOR Cebu sports fans, it�s been quite a year�we�ve had two Davis Cup ties, the explosion of the Pinoy Pride boxing series, the return of Southwestern University in the boxing scene, the entry of Cebu Queen City United in the United Football League and the success of Team Visayas and Mary Grace delos Santos in the national finals of Milo sports events.
Will 2012 be an even greater year?
I hope so.
Will 2012 be an even greater year?
I hope so.
And top on my list for 2012 is Queen City United earning top flight entry in the UFL.
The club, which has beefed up its players after a hurried UFL Cup preparation, will be competing in the UFL Division 2, and if it finishes on top, or even the Top 2 (I�m not familiar with UFL rules), it will be promoted to Division 1.
In the local scene, I hope the elections in the Cebu Football Association in 2012 will lead to a harmonious relationship among all stakeholders. I also hope that whoever takes over the CFA will continue the projects of the current board�let bygones be bygones for the love of the game.
In running, I hope Councilor Ed Labella�s ordinance gets passed, and I hope there�s going to be a body that will oversee local running events in Cebu City, heck, even in Metro Cebu. Organizers, race directors should stop asking, �what�s in it for me� but rather should realize how lucky they are that they have a political figure who�s into their sport and support his initiatives. If Councilor Labella was a footie nut, he�d be worshipped.
I hope the next Cebu City Marathon will break records, too, and I hope the indefatigable Dr. Potenciano �Yong� Larrazabal III will have more races to organize.
Like the CCM, I hope his Kawasan Marathon becomes an institution.
Another public official who�s crazy about sports is Ed Hayco, who has taken his Dancesport Team Cebu City blueprint to the Cebu City Sports Commission. Color me biased, but I don�t think there�s a more active sports commission in Cebu, or even the Philippines, and I hope 2012 will be an even greater year for Sir Ed. A few weeks� of rest for the hardworking chairman is something that he deserves, too.
Aside from running, another sport on the rise in Cebu City is cycling and like running, the boom can�t be attributed to one group or one person. It seems guys and girls just decided to buy their bikes and take up the sport.
And I only have two wishes for cycling�that they don�t go the way of cycling in the Philippines, where politics is so toxic that development has stagnated and I hope the groups can band together to organize the Metro Cebu championships. Let�s set the bar for the others to follow, shall we?
Aside from football, table tennis and tennis are two other sports I learned as a kid, sports that I want to see reach a new high in Cebu. We�re lucky that we have Jessica Jawad-Honoridez, a top-notch trainer who has produced some of the most promising players and I hope she gets her dream of having a table tennis training center in Cebu.
For tennis, I wish the Lagman family success for its planned men�s open tennis circuit in Cebu, so fans can see the country�s best again. I hope, too, that Jacob will be successful in his chase for ITF glory. I�ve seen this kid since he was a pudgy unisex campaigner and I hope to see him blossom into a top-flight international player.
In the national sports scene, I only have one wish�that we finally end the gold medal drought in the Olympics in London 2012. To be honest, since Sydney 2000, we�ve made so many �back to the drawing board� calls after a flop in a major sporting event that not only do we own the drawing board, we�ve made it our permanent residence.
Let�s leave the damn drawing board, shall we?
Addazio's sound advice for Bernard Pierce
One last time, Derek "Bonecrusher" Dennis leads the Diamond Marching Band in bowl-championship T for Temple U. Bernard Pierce will do that after the national title game next year (hopefully).
At this time of the year around the turn of the century (last one, not this one), a young girl named Virginia wrote a letter to a newspaper editor asking if there really was a Santa Claus.
What followed was about the best response to a letter to the editor in the history.
"I've always been a believer if you have a chance to be a first-round pick, that's great. But, if not, I think you come back and get your degree and enjoy your senior year and be a marquee player in the country and all the great things that go with it."
_ Steve Addazio
Steve Addazio isn't an editor, but he gave Bernard Pierce just as good response on whether or not he should enter the NFL draft.
The basic tenant of which was, yes, Bernard, there will be an NFL next year (and the year after that) and if you are not going to be a first-round pick THIS year, stay in school, get that degree, and possibly get guaranteed first-round money NEXT year.
I haven't seen one first-round projection this year, but I can easily envision it after a solid senior season for Bernard.
Here are some highlights from the Addazio press conference:
"I have (sat down with Bernard) and he's got to sit down with his family and evaluate the situation. Those are personal decisions and they've got to make them based off the facts.
"You put your stuff into the NFL and get feedback and let them process the information, that's all you can do. I've got friends in the league and give them feedback. You give him all the information that's factual and doesn't have an agenda to it.
 |
| Four of the estimated 6,000 TU fans in Owlbuquerque. Thanks, CT, for the great photo |
"All you can do is offer your help. Do I have all the answers? No. I have some experience in it. All you can do is offer your opinion."
On whether the decision to come out should be made on whether or not he's a first-round pick:
"Me, yeah. That's not just me. That's a pretty strong consensus out there. I mean, Stay in school. Get your degree. Play college football. You are supposed to be in college for four years.
"Guys came out of school early for one reason. The money got so grand in the first round ... I mean, that's why but not to just do it. The NFL is a rough business. Stay in college. Enjoy yourself as long as you can. Get your degree. It's all about getting your degree. Get your life set. Joy is fleeting. Knowledge is everlasting. Don't get away from those fundamentals."
Very profound.
Not exactly as profound as "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" but certainly "Yes, Bernard, there will be an NFL next year" rings just as deeply.
Heck, I've always written that Bernard is a first-round draft pick. I maintained that since his freshman year but that assumption was made on the basis of a four-year career.
If he stays for his senior year, he will be one just as certainly as there is an NFL.
Santa Claus?
I'll leave that question for the newspaper editors.
PH Azkals eye Bahrain, Dubai training camps
MANILA, Philippines � The Philippine Football Federation is eyeing Bahrain and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as possible locations for the Philippine Azkals� training camp in preparation for the AFC Challenge Cup in March.
PFF president Mariano �Nonong� Araneta Friday said that Bahrain has expressed interest to host the national side in its buildup for the eight-nation Challenge Cup in Nepal.
Araneta said that the offer from Bahrain includes free accommodations aside from arranging friendly matches for the Azkals.
The Azkals also held camp in Bahrain last July and gained a huge following in the oil-rich nation as they toughened up for their World Cup Qualifying second round match against Kuwait.
�We could save money if we hold camp in Bahrain,� said Araneta, noting that a camp in Dubai would cost about P2.5 million.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami said the planned 10-day camp is scheduled on the second week of February.
The Azkals will play Malaysia in a friendly on Feb. 29 at Rizal Memorial Stadium, before flying to Kathmandu for the Challenge Cup, where they will face North Korea, Tajikistan and India.
Several members of the national side will be back in action as early as Jan. 7 when the Azkals along with stars of the United Football League battle Spanish fourth division team Internacionale de Madrid in a charity match dubbed �Dili kamo nag-iisa� that will benefit victims of Typhoon Sendong in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Araneta said work on the FIFA project to transform the PhilSports pitch into an all-weather artificial turf will begin in March.
The PFF head, who met with FIFA consultant Marcus Keller recently regarding the project, said the pitch should be ready by June.
�The pitch in Ultra is very important as we won�t have to use the Rizal Memorial Stadium all the time for national team practices,� said Araneta.
The Philsports pitch will be used for training by national teams as well as for competitions like, the United Football League, the NCAA and the UAAP.
�With an all-weather turf, there won�t be any postponements just because of an unplayable field,� said Araneta.
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