BLACK

Arsenal had the opportunity to go to the top four in premier league for the first time this season but it was Wayne Hennessey who stood on their way to earn 10-men Wolverhampton a 1-1 draw. Wayne Hennessey Also kept Robin Van Persie at bay on 3 goals in a calender year and will have to wait for the remaining game against QPR to try break Thierry Henry's record or go to level with Alan Shearer's record of 36 goals.

Watch Wolvehampton Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey vs Arsenal
szólj hozzá: Arsenal vs Hennessey

Tottenham Spurs continue their superb form collecting all three point from Norwich City with 2-0 victory thank to Gareth Bale goals. Tottenham are now within 7 points to league leaders Manchester City and Manchester United. Gareth Bale crucial role at Spurs keeps showing up with Redknapp warning clubs off the unstoppable Wales international describing Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid as only clubs that can pay his wages. Bale scoring record is fast improving having score 11 goals in 41 games last season to 8 goals in 18 games this season.
Watch Tottenham Gareth Bale vs Norwich City

szólj hozzá: Norwich vs Bale

---

ESPN



Jesse Palmer wasn’t hired because he possesses some great insight into the game. He is the face of the game because he provided a draw for ABC’s “The Bachelor”, has a TV-polished delivery, and can accentuate the game experience. There isn’t anything wrong with that in itself. Networks exist to serve their share-holders and anything that beefs up the bottom line. Whether it’s a pretty face in the booth, a skirt on the sideline, and computer graphics peppered through the broadcast, its all about selling their brand.

This isn’t even hating on the world-wide leader in sports. They do a good job of expanding the game to a wide-reaching market. Simply understand that the 24/7 information cycle exists not because of necessity (there is so much that doesn’t need to be reported or evaluated), only because it is profitable. The bottom-line for ESPN is advertising revenue, and this is the entire thrust of this post. There are 3-hour pregame shows not because there is 3-hours of content to deliver, but that is the maximum draw ESPN can offer prime content advertising slots. To entice the viewer’s attention, they have to offer different hooks; human-interest stories, personal stories, and secret matchup scheme advantages you should watch for in a game. Again, not because you are really gaining anything out of this, but they want to build on that emotional identity you are associating with.



ESPN began taking off in the mid-1990s and has expanded its exposure over the last few decades. Try to remember what ‘sports reporting’ was like in the 70’s and 80’s. Even in the 90’s, before broadband speeds of the 2000s, they were primarily content-driven. Currently, they essentially reign without competitor, serving as king-makers and breakers depending on the chosen narrative.

So when you get done viewing one of their next “specials” or “analysis”, ask yourself if you really learned anything of substance, could the statements they made hold any relevance or be validated? If the answer is “no”, you may want to question why the fuck you watch this shit in the first place.


Another way to problematize what ESPN, FOX, and the new new kid on the block VERSUS do is locate it within perspective of the cheap drama of the average television sitcom. I add "cheap" here not to be snarky, but just not to disrespect the medium of drama. But back to my point: with their various pregame programs ESPN creates a narrative mode of emplotment for viewers to latch onto and follow; in a sense, its akin to the old Soviet master plots of Socialist Realist novels that, by and large, went something like this: boy meets girl, girl meets tractor and bam we got Utopia. These make for very nice page turners and the like, the one problem being that the players in the text no longer really matter at all; they are all interchangeable because their actions as indivduals have been subordinated to the needs of the plot. ESPN effectively offers a moderated form of this narrative, but from a slightly more capitalist perspective. ESPN is not interested in building socialistic Utopias, but in feeding an infernal system of consumption with the aid of maximizing share prices and returns.

I suppose that so long we are aware of the existence this plot then nothing is too problematic. Problems arise, however, when people actually begin to believe the plot, to believe, in other words, that what ESPN is offering is not reality, but a simulacrum of reality, a shiny, varnished, troping of a well played plot. Succinctly put, ESPN reinforces the point that perception is now reality.

And to this we can add one sidebar of sorts that is directly related to the way the plot of the NFL is executed on the "gridiron," where the fuck are you George Carlin when I need you. The subordination of the game to the plot of profit in the form shares and returns is evident in the commodified, big-box way the game is played. Small roster, smaller than those of any college program, as well as some high-school programs, combined with the intensified commodification of the game via free agency forces teams to play a generic "pro-style" of offense and defense. This combined with the odic figure of the QB, the "face" of every franchise, makes it exceedingly risky to employ a system, especially on offense, that would risk injuring the hero of the NFL-ESPN-FOX story. The reason we do not see the option, the Run-n-Shoot, or a true spread in the MIZZOU sense is not because they would not work or that NFL players are too fast, but because these styles of play would force teams to re-trope themselves in a way that departs significantly from the NFL script. The option could work in the NFL; a team would just need to design itself around the option, carry four QB, an make this their identity. What's Pat White doing these days anyway...?

---

RADIO


Before there was BooYah analysis, there was sports radio and the bombastic, concision-driven, dead-air killing rants of disc jockeys who troll for lulz on fan bases. The more obnoxious they could become, the greater the market share this personality could draw, and command a greater demand for advertising dollar. This type of format only exacerbated the one-liner simplicity that host and fans used. Deep and layered discussion was not embraced (boring) and inciting rivalries and spiking blood pressures is where the payoff resided. This formula, is what much of the network/Internet fan experience is founded upon. It isn’t because it is a natural course of sport appreciation, it is because that is how the game is sold to us as consumers.

Who the hell listens to radio anymore, though, amirite? It should be noted, though, that this very same cheap audience gimmick plays out daily in any medium you’re receiving sports information. This manipulative practice is what serves as the rudder in dialogue, which in turn drives the decision-making process of those selling the goods (i.e. the sports franchises).

---

INTERNET




You have websites prepackaged with content selling subscriptions, run largely by individuals who have little experience /knowledge in writing or fact-finding journalism, nor especially the game. Its one thing to deliver fan-centric content such as stats and tailgating experience and impressions from the game. It is quite another thing to provide analysis of coaching decisions with absolute certainty of the outcome when you have little understanding of what is taking place on the field and no experience what goes into teaching, applying, and managing a game (coaching staff).

You don’t have to be a Michelin-rated chef to be able to discern if a meal was palatable or if your dining experience was one to be remembered. It does help my critique as well as substantiate my perspective if I understand what goes into the process of food preparation, nutrition, presentation, and how tastes are to complement each other. If I do not have an understanding of these elements, I won’t be grounded in key factors to provide objective feedback. Unfortunately, much of the ‘analysis’ by these content providers is tantamount to a steak house review where the critic clamors on about how the steak was too rare and needed more ketchup. Don’t mistake snark for being insightful.

This will regrettably come across as a stern rebuke of fan-sites on the Internet. It is not meant to be such. They serve a purpose to heighten the fan experience and provide an inclusive support network (at a price?). This piece was intended to provide some perspective of how much of the information is being filtered to the consumer, who in turn shapes the discourse of college/pro football. This isn’t meant to disparage bloggers, either. I would argue that their perspective remains the most relevant and should be the least tainted of sports reporting. The danger lays in their attempts to mimic the ESPNs of the world with pseudo-analysis via clichés, gibberish, and rhetorical logic. These bloggers (network employees included) are often times fresh out of college with the crux of their understanding of the game founded on video games, junior high playing experience, and other cardboard analysis from cable television. It is what it is, let the consumer beware. Pump the brakes on serious analysis of coaching decisions, especially when they concern what programs should be doing behind closed doors or on the field of play. Nowhere is this more apparent than in evaluating the passing game. The fan-analyst will only see ‘bad calls’ and ‘good calls’ if they don’t factor in coverage vs passing concept, protection, concept progressions, and player execution. This is why a majority of sites will stress the run game so much because it can avoid much of the vagaries of passing the football. This insecurity / lack of confidence in subject matter contribute to the retardation of a critical response.



Also, understand the psyche of the single-minded sports fan (the people delivering the content). Emotions run high and each contest is seen through the lens of immediate gratification and pride. Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t a sound plan for financial security and neither is the rabid game-to-game evaluation of a team. As we say in coaching, “it is never as bad as you remember or as good as it seems. Watch the film”. What worked, what didn’t, film puts it all into appropriate perspective.



So what is the purpose behind this tangent? Simply to evaluate statements proffered by these mouthpieces. Don’t accept them just because they feel good, but challenge them (“why is this statement true? What is the counter-argument and what other factors are involved?”). THAT, truly is what the game of football is about. It isn’t about absolute answers, it is about presenting challenges, evaluating solutions, and determining through an economy of resources (time, athletes, odds, knowledge, etc ) what the appropriate response should be. The further you get from the field, the easier the game appears. In a game that elicits so much emotion, this is a petition for dispassionate understanding of what you’re consuming.

** UPDATE - so it's no surprise that both ESPN and the NFL are strong supporters of the obnoxious SOPA legislation
http://gizmodo.com/5870241/presented-without-comment-every-single-company-supporting-sopa-the-awful-internet-censorship-law

Arsenal FC legend and the current MLS side New York Red Bulls Striker Thierry Henry might move back to his former club on short loan deal on January transfer window. Thierry Henry once returned to Arsenal this year but was on a different club during Emirates cup which was won by New York Red Bulls.

Arsenal's Legend Thierry Henry might play for Arsenal again after his move to Barcelona and New York Red Bulls.

During his time at premier league Thiery Henry won two league titles, 3 FA cups in 8 years period before he moved to Barcelona in 2007  for £16 million and then New Yolk Red Bulls in 2010. The Frenchman still held the club's record  as all-time scorer, played 307 matches and scored 226 goals for the gunners, won 2 PFA player of the year awards and won premier league top scorers award four times. His contributions for Arsenal FC have been recognized official by the club by unveiling his statue at Emirates Stadium on club's 125th-anniversary.The Frenchman will be a perfect move for the gunner as replacement of Africa players; Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh who are expected to leave in January for the African Nations Cup.

Festus Baise scored a spectacular wonder own goal with what can be compared to a reverse scorpion or bicycle kick in Hong Kong first division fixture between Citizen and Sun Hei. The Nigerian centre back was even congratulated by team mates but he was glad that his team managed to come out with 3-2 victory. The kick has been compared to Wayne Rooney fantastic overhead bicycle-kick in 2010-2011 in Manchester United vs Manchester City derby.

1	Robin Van Persie	Arsenal FC	16
2	Sergio Agüero	Manchester City	13
3	Demba Ba	Newcastle	13
4	Wayne Rooney	ManchesterUnited	13
5	Edin Dzeko	Manchester City	10

Picture: Emmanuel Adebayor and Daniel Sturridge both scored in Tottenham vs Chelsea 1-1 draw: Source Zimbio.com

Chelsea had once again being held to a 1-1 draw but this time to a team one place above it on premier league table as Emmanuel Adebayor and Daniel Sturrigde score and set to enter premier league top scorers table. Tottenham are will be on third place on this Christmas with a game on hand.

Chelsea FC manager Andre Villas-Boas was impressed by his team performance despite a draw.

Here is a decent resource for getting a young quarterback grounded in some solid fundamentals on throwing mechanics (circa 1992).  Now, granted there are a few things in the video that don’t lead to efficiency, but, hey…..this was over 20 years ago.  You’ll see a young assistant coach named Sean Payton running quarterback footwork and throwing drills.

If you want a great indoctrination of flawless throwing, you’d better invest in Darin Slack C4 and R4 materials.
Darin Slack Quarterback Training

Chelsea FC have secured a third consecutive crucial win after beating premier league leaders Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and registered the first league loss for Mancini's boys and end Manchester City unbeaten run.

The win came after two over victories against Newcastle (3-0) and champions league decider match against Valencia (3-0). Having fall a goal behind just on second minutes after Mario Balotelli score the opener, Andre Villas-Boas's club was able to fight back and level the score on 34' minute through Raul Meireles. Manchester City were reduced to ten men after Gael Clicly received two yellow card and a third City red card in 6 premiership games. City self destruct continue when Joleon Lescott handed a ball on penalty box and Frank Lampard netted to give Chelsea a winner on 82'. Lampard who missed a penalty kick against Newcastle is now on level with 7 goals for Chelsea as Daniel Sturridge.

Once again Andre Villas-Boas praised his team 'Going 1-0 down so early in the game made things very difficult because it gave Man City even more motivation and belief,' He said.

Chelsea ended poor run of loosing to big teams having lost to Manchester United (3-1), Arsenal (5-3) and Liverpool (2-0) and move to third place, 7 points behind the league leaders and 5 behind second place Manchester United.

Chelsea vs Manchester City Video highlights of all goals.
szólj hozzá: Che 2-1 Mac
Chelsea vs Manchester City goal scorers

Right behind the Alex Gibbs staff clinic with the UF staff, this has got to be one of the most comprehensive instructions on zone running.  Rod Dobbs, a Gibbs disciple, who is now coaching at Chaparral High School in Denver, CO, clinics a high school staff while he was running the offense for Northern Colorado.  Dobbs goes over the entire scheme, technique, and how to make it work during a season in this 6 hour presentation.
This off-season, why not establish some relationships with other coaches and invite them in to get your staff on the same page for next year.