Eagles Look to Make a Splash in Free Agency

When the players and owners of the NFL decide to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement, which looks to be before the fourth of July, the chains on the NFL can finally be unlocked and free agency can begin for teams looking to add firepower or depth.  

The Philadelphia Eagles look to be one of those eager teams that are willing to make a splash in free agency.  Rumors are circulating about possible players they may acquire. The following are the possible pick-ups the Eagles are hoping to make: 

1.  Acquiring Reggie Bush: Bush is on the free-agent market list and is looking to land with a contending team. The Eagles love running backs who are quick, small and can catch passes out of the backfield.  Bush fits the Eagles offense perfectly, yet Lesean McCoy is the starter.  Bush wants to be a starter, however, who would say no to an already explosive offense.  I am sure a tandem of Bush and McCoy would look pretty intimidating to opposing defenses.  Bush could add his talents to kick and punt returning as well, giving Desean Jackson a break and reducing his chances of getting injured.  The Eagles also have to think about their fifth round draft pick, Dion Lewis(Univ of Pitt), and his opportunities of becoming a part of the one-two punch.  According to Yahoo Sports, Bush has also received interest from the Dolphins, Steelers, Seahawks and Giants.  

2.  Acquiring Plaxico Burress: Burress is looking to rebound and mimic Michael Vick's path to recovery after recently being released from jail because of several gun charges.  He might have the chance to do that in an Eagles uniform.  The Eagles are not new to giving players a second chance; just ask Michael Vick.  Burress could provide a spark in the red zone for the Eagles, creating a new threat at the receiver position.  Jackson is an explosive, down-the-field type receiver, while Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant are possessive type receivers who will take a hit in the open-field for the first down.  Burress will compliment these receivers and give them another weapon to their collection.   

3.  Acquiring Albert Haynesworth:  Haynesworth caused a lot of havoc in Washington from his complaints about the Redskins defensive scheme to not being able to pass the team's conditioning test.  However, with newly acquired defensive-line coach Jim Washburn, the Eagles may take a risk on the run-stuffing abilities of Haynesworth.  Washburn, who was Haynesworth's former defensive line coach at the Tennessee Titans, wants Haynesworth and feels he can make him into the dominant player he was when he was with the Titans.  Ranked 15th in the NFL in run defense, the Eagles look to fix that issue by adding a plug into the hole of their defense.  Ryan Starks of the Green Bay Packers exposed it, now will Haynesworth be the one to stop it?  

Other possible acquisitions: Nnamdi Asomugha (CB/Oakland Raiders) and Ike Taylor (CB/Pittsburgh Steelers) 

MAV-TASTIC

                     Dirk Nowitzki: 1                LeBron James: 0

After last night's game six finale, Nowitzki earned a step over James in the championship ring category.

The Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA title in franchise history, beating the Heat 4-2 in a series that contained both drama and class. (For once, I was rooting for a Dallas team.  I guess for basketball it is different.)    

The drama was started by none-other-than the duo of James and Wade.  Cameras caught them mocking Nowitzki before game five by faking their coughs and laughing as they walked into the stadium.  This came from a guy (Wade) who had to get wheel-chaired off the court because of a shoulder injury and another (James) who whines to the refs for a foul every time he drives to the basket.

Before James came to Miami, Wade never was criticized for his controversial actions.  Wade was a soft-spoken man who played and acted with class.  James' demeanor has now caught on to Wade as well as Bosh and the rest of the Miami Heat.  This may be a reason why they are considered the villains of the NBA.    

Nowitzki was upset to find out about the mocking and thought of it as immature and disrespectful.  His response, however, was not to get caught up with the drama and just let his play do the talking; now that's class at its finest.  

Nowitzki's play set the tone for the series.  This series will be remembered in the NBA films memorabilia as Nowitzki hitting huge shots in crunch time and propelling his team to their first NBA title.

With a possible NBA lockout looming in the off-season, the Heat may not have the luxury of having the big three together for another year.  So for James, it is either finding a new team with an All-Star squad or staying in Miami and trying to win a championship in order to keep his Michael Jordan comparisons alive. On the other hand, Nowitzki's Larry Bird correlations are certainly still in tact. 

  

Mavs, Heat Meet in the NBA Finals

Photo courtesy of callthecomputerdoctor.com

The Dallas Mavericks are matched up against the Miami Heat in an epic NBA final showdown.  The NBA got exactly what they wanted, two high-powered offensive teams.

What can you say about the 2011 NBA playoffs?  They have been a thrill to watch this year.  Every match-up has been intense, even with teams that got swept or only won one of the four games.

The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls series, which ended last Thursday night, didn't feel like a five-game series at all.  Derrick Rose and the Bulls put their sweat and tears into the series, but LeBron James and company were just too much to handle.

Rose came up short.  James came up big.  Simple as that.

Time and time again in the series, Rose had chances to be a hero and help his team come out victorious.  However, Rose came up small.  Instances such as having two opportunities in the closing minutes to put his team up ahead in game four as well as a missed free throw in game five with 25 seconds left in regulation.  

On the other side of the court, James showed how dominant he really is.  I am not too fond of his character, but the man is a force to be reckoned with.  Erik Spolestra, the Heat coach, had difficulty of choosing who to give the ball to for a game-winning shot during the season.  He should have no problems now because James is on a mission; a mission for a ring.

Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have also chipped in tremendously as well.  Wade's shoulder had been bothering him the last couple of games, however, he came up strong when his team needed it the most, blocking two shots in the final two minutes of game five.  Bosh's jumpers from just inside the three-point line has reeked havoc on defenders. Bench help from Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem is important because resting the big three will provide a possible late run in the fourth quarter.

Now, we will go to the Heat's opponent in the finals, the Dallas Mavericks.

Led by Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs are creeping closer to their first NBA title.  Nowitzki has received comparisons to Larry Bird, deservingly so, with his shot making abilities.  Yet until he has a ring on his finger, those comparisons will diminish.

Contributions by Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and Tyson Chandler are key for Nowitzki to be successful, whether it would be in the paint or perimeter shooting.  JJ Barea is also an asset off the bench with his quick-drives to the basket, three-point shooting and intelligence of distributing the basketball.  

This should be a finals to remember.  It is a finals of two admirable superstars in the league looking for their first ring (James and Nowitzki).  Both are craving for a championship and want their legacy to be known.

Who will welcome the challenge and guide their team into history?  We will find out in the weeks to come.

Most Underrated Soccer Players

10.  Park Ji Sung- The Korean native, who plays club ball for Manchester United, has been a key asset to United's winning ways.  Sir Alex Ferguson loves his tenacity; it's like he has a motor that never stops moving.

9.  Wesley Sneijder-  The Dutch native, who plays club ball for Inter Milan, has won a Champions League title as well as making it to a World Cup final.  He is the heart and soul for his teams in the central of the park.  His intelligence and physical style of play has won the hearts of many fans, yet he still seems to not make the headlines as often as he should.  

8.  Dirk Kuyt-  The Dutch native, who plays club ball for Liverpool, always has a knack for scoring.  While he was paired up with Fernando Torres at Liverpool, Kuyt did his job well, but Torres would usually take his shine.  His work-rate and commitment to the game has been a major factor of why he is still at Liverpool.  Post Torres, Kuyt has excelled, topping his goal count from previous seasons in the Premier League.

7.  Gianluca Zambrotta-  The Italian native, who plays club ball for AC Milan, is one of the top defensive-wingers ever to play.  He has played for elite clubs such as Juventus and Barcelona.  Zambrotta is known for his consistent play in the back as well as going forward.

6.  Alex De Souza-  The Brazilian native, who plays club ball for Fenerbahce, has made his presence heard in the Turkish League.  Also a left-footer, De Souza has 152 goals with Fenerbahce and has made several appearances with the Brazilian national team.  He, as many have said, is the Lionel Messi of Turkey.

5.  Michael Essien-  The Ghanaian native, who plays club ball for Chelsea, is the definition of a midfielder.  He is known for his feisty defensive play as well as being an offensive threat in the final third.  His cracking strike, which was 30 yards out and traveled at 64 mph against Arsenal, will be remembered as one of the best goals of all time, in my opinion.  It defied the laws of physics.

4.  Andrea Pirlo-  The Italian native, who plays club ball for AC Milan, is considered as the best midfielder Italy has ever produced.  However, he doesn't get the recognition he greatly deserves.  Pirlo's creative passes are a delight to watch, usually chipped over a defender's head and placed perfectly onto the foot of an ongoing striker.  He helped Italy win a World Cup in 2006 and has won two Champions League titles to add to his resume.  

3.  Arjen Robben-  The Dutch native, who plays club ball for Bayern Munich, is a speedster with excellent skill.  He was one of the main reasons why the Dutch made their first World Cup final appearance since 1978.  He has a crafty left foot that intimidates defenders when making his cut towards goal.








2.  Ryan Giggs-  The Wales native, who plays club ball for Manchester United, is known for his class.  The left-footed sensation wows crowds with his elegant first-touch.  He seems to come up big whenever United needs someone to step up.  Imagine if he had an international team that could do damage in the World Cup.  He is 38 years old and is still at his prime.  He is a legend.

1.  Andres Iniesta-  The Spanish native, who plays club ball for FC Barcelona, is a gem to the Barcelona organization.  The witty midfielder mesmerizes his defenders with his quick silky touches and genius on-the-field IQ.  Barcelona has always counted on him as a big-time player even through his younger years in the academy.  He has won a World Cup, two Champions League titles and the Euro 2008. He is best known for his goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final that helped them reach the finals.

2011 NBA Playoffs

Photo courtesy of NBAsoup.com

The 2011 NBA playoffs have kicked off to an emphatic start.

There are thrilling teams in the Eastern Conference like the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls.  The Western Conference includes strong teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Every matchup has been highly competitive and a pleasure to watch for fans like Edmon Roberson, a WPU business major, who feels the intensity of playoff basketball has risen.

                “A lot of the games have been where the better team gets behind early and ends up coming back to win or makes it a pretty good game,” said Roberson. 

A perfect example of this was between the number one seeded Chicago Bulls and eighth seeded Indiana Pacers.  The Bulls, who won the series 4-1, had several instances where they were trailing and could’ve lost.  However, their MVP candidate guard, Derrick Rose, was able to rise to the occasion and help them win.

Another series that was thought to be a good matchup, turned out to be the total opposite.  The number six seeded, New York Knicks, and the number three seeded, Boston Celtics, looked to be a potential seven-game series after games one and two.  However, the Knicks fell apart in games three and four, handing the Celtics a broom for their 4-0 sweep. 

“Everyone was saying that this is the series that can go to seven, but no, they get ousted in four,” said Adam Clarkson, a communication major.  “Yes they can score 105 (points) a game, but when you give up 110, they are not going to win.”

The Spurs, a number one seed, seemed to have drawn the “bust” card as well.  Facing the number eighth seeded, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio appeared to have lost their swagger.  The Grizzlies took advantage of the Spurs in game one, when they were without standout guard, Manu Ginobili, because of an elbow injury.

Roberson thought the Grizzlies would give the Spurs a series but did not think they would burst out to a commanding 3-1 lead. 

“They (the Grizzlies) are a young team with a lot of heart and I believe they can go far in the playoffs,” said Clarkson. 

The New Orleans Hornets were a team that challenged their high-seeded opponents to a battle.  Talented guard, Chris Paul, guided the seventh seeded Hornets to a great series against guard, Kobe Bryant and the second seeded Lakers.  The two teams went to six games, but in the end the Lakers came out as the victor 4-2.

Clarkson said the Hornets kept up with the defending champs and never gave up.   

“Everyone had the Lakers in four or five games,” said Clarkson.  “They have proved everyone wrong and Chris Paul carried the team on his back.”

Overall, this year’s playoffs have brought excitement back to the NBA.  They’ve had games go down to the wire from 76ers guard Lou Williams game-winning three with eight seconds left in game four against the Heat to Spurs guard Gary Neal’s game-tying three at the end of regulation in game five.

“The playoffs are where moments happen,” said Clarkson.

Which superstar or unknown name will step up for their team next?  This answer lies in the upcoming rounds. 

Sixers 'Happy' on Easter

ALL PICS COURTESY OF ASSOCIATED PRESS AND GETTY IMAGES

My first playoff experience, a success!

On Easter Sunday, I made a trip to the Wells Fargo Center for game four of the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat series.  This would be an Easter I would never forget.  

As I departed on the PATCO train from Collingswood to Philadelphia, I witnessed many Heat fans aboard.  I was thinking, when did Philadelphia turn into Miami? O wait, since the Big Three consisting of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh set sail in Miami; it seems like everyone decided to hop on their bandwagon.      

Making our way into the stadium, my friend and I observed the playoff atmosphere around us.  Decorations including balloons, rally towels and "Show Ya Luv" t-shirts were set on display by fans as well as souvenir stands.  

As we checked our tickets, we took the escalators up to section 210 row 15.  Yes people, we had the the tippy-top seats known to many as the "nose bleeders."  However, our seats had a great view of both teams and we didn't need to worry about sitting down for the people behind us.    

The introductions of the Sixers players were literally a "blast" to watch.  Flames blew directly upwards as each person was introduced; you could actually feel the steam of the HEAT rub against your face.  

Finally, the game had begun.  Terrific teamwork plays by Wade and James were amazing to watch.  The athleticism of these two men were incredible, looking a step faster than any other player on the court.  

Despite the spotlight being on the superstar-stacked Heat team, the main story of the day were my Sixers. 

They came out to a strong start, leading by as many as 16 at one point in the first half.  

Then, as expected, the Heat started their comeback and led at halftime.  

As the game wore on into the 4th quarter, the Sixers showed their intensity.  Key plays by Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday propelled the Sixers to a lesser deficit.  

With 8 seconds left, Williams hit an unexpected three and gave the Sixers a two point lead.  Williams's three secured the Sixers a win after James and Wade missed their final shot attempts in the closing seconds.  

When that three swished through the basket, my friend and I exploded with joy, high-fiving everyone in our row.  The excitement of the crowd was overwhelming and a sight that I will remember for a long time.  

I know the series is at 3-1, but you never know with a dangerous young team like the Sixers.  They may pull an improbable comeback against Goliath and advance into the next round.  I know it is unlikely, yet as Philly fans, we are always faithful and have pride in our teams no matter the circumstances.

I got three words for you: BEAT THE HEAT!    

P.S.  The Flyers and Phillies won as well...What a great day it was to be a Philadelphia fan!

El Clasico

Photo courtesy of oleole.com

Can't get enough of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid?  Well, the month of April is your lucky month.

First we start with El Clasico, which begins tomorrow (Apr.16 at 4 p.m.).  It is considered by many soccer fans globally as one of the most heated rivalry club games ever to be played.     

This meeting, however, is slightly different compared to the last 5-0 whooping Barcelona put on Real Madrid last November; tomorrow's game will be less significant to others played in the past because of situations that have occurred in La Liga standings (Barcelona ahead 8 points over Madrid) and Champions League play.  As you all of heard by now, Barcelona will be facing Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on Apr. 27.      

Decisions on both sides will have to be made whether to start their starters or give them a much needed rest for the Champions League semi-final. 

I'm sure Barcelona and Madrid fans will not appreciate their team "playing scared" or showing a "lack of effort" per say, in a game that not only represents a team, but a section of Spain.  Pride is what Spaniards live off of and being embarrassed by your rivals will simply not be tolerated.  

I believe coaches Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola will seek the fan's perspective and play their starters come Saturday night.  Resting players will benefit their health for the future, but El Clasico is a spectacle that cannot be ignored.  It is history on wheels.  

On-lookers will be able to witness the tenacious, yet brilliant play of Lionel Messi as well as the skillful play of Cristiano Ronaldo.  Xavi Hernadez's elegant play in the midfield will also be shadowed by the prodigy Mesut Ozil.  Carles Puyol, now scheduled to make an appearance Saturday night, will clean up the dirty work in the back, giving Victor Valdes a safety valve.  On the other side of the pitch, Pepe will be the man backing up Iker Casillas. Strikers David Villa and newly-acquired Emmanuel Adebayor will hope to punish opposing defenders and continue their streak of goals.            

When Saturday night comes to an end, soccer fans will enjoy a series of three more games between Real Madrid and Barcelona.  The Copa del Ray final (Apr.20) is another Spanish Cup that will have the two intertwine again.  Last but not least, the two legs of the Champions League semi-final will be where the pit bulls are released from their cages.  Two superiors going at it in a battle for a spot in the Champions League final.  

Who will come out victorious you ask?  The month of April will provide you with those answers.

STAY TUNED MY FRIENDS!

Playoff Bound Sixers

As I walked into the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Friday night, I felt a playoff type atmosphere looming in the vivacious crowd.  Being a 76ers fan, which usually means not experiencing the excitement of playoff basketball as often as I would like, probably since the Pat Croce era, finally felt good for once.

Even though I arrived 30 minutes late, thanks to a reckless person I will not mention, I still felt the excitement rub off onto to me from the fans who still were most likely redeeming themselves from a Phillies walk-off win Friday afternoon.

The Sixers fed off the Phillies victory by crushing the struggling New Jersey Nets 115-90, clinching a playoff spot.

Every Sixer, in my book, had a great game.  Yes, even Jason Kapono got some minutes.

However, Thaddeus Young stood out in my mind, racking up 22 points.  He highlighted the team with some spectacular dunks and alley-oops, wowing the crowd.

He is currently the MVP for the Sixers.  Avery Johnson, coach of the New Jersey Nets, even had great things to say about the youngster saying if it wasn't for Young the Sixers would not be in the position they are in right now, according to an article in the Courier Post.

Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday, Elton Brand and Jodie Meeks all played their role well.  They all hit their shots in key moments of the game to keep the momentum on their side and not let a struggling team get back into the game.

Doug Collins, coach of the Sixers and in my opinion coach of the year, has this team  rolling on all cylinders.  He can bring players off the bench such as Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams, Evan Turner and Andres Nocioni and still feel confident in their contributions.

Battling back from a 3-13 start to a 40-36 record is very impressive in my book.  A lot of credit has to go to the coach having faith in his players and giving them the inspiration they need in turning the ship around.

The Sixers have won their last three and hope to continue their streak against Milwaukee tonight.

Can you say "bring on Miami or Boston in the playoffs?"

Shining Stars

Photo courtesy of nj.com

The US National team had yet another "never say die" moment Saturday night at the New Meadowlands in a friendly match against South American power house Argentina.  When the game looked all but over by the first half, Juan Agudelo came to the rescue in the 59th min to hold a 1-1 draw.  

Looking like they held practice sessions with FC Barcelona during the week, Argentina ran a clinic with the Americans, making them chase every which way for the ball during the first half.  Sergio Batista, the Argentine coach, had his squad well prepared.  They dominated in possession and had the Americans on their leash.

However, the Americans always have a knack for surprises.  Bob Bradley, the American coach, made a crucial substitution taking out Jermaine Jones and placing the young phenom, Juan Agudelo, at the start of the second half.  Turned out to be a genius decision on Bradley's part.

Agudelo, who plays for the New York Red Bulls in the MLS, seems to always be at the right place at the right time.  This is not his first time scoring a clutch goal.  He did it against South Africa last November in the 85th min.  That's where his popularity gave birth to American fans.

Besides Agudelo taking over the headlines, Tim Howard, in my mind, was the man of the match for USA.  He made crucial saves in key moments of the game.  The sliding save by Howard in the 47th min was the stop of the game.  A pass across the box forced Howard to come out, stoning Lionel Messi's attempted chip over him; the chip did not work like it did against Arsenal in the Champions League.

Contributions by new faces for the Americans seemed to be a theme Saturday night.  Timmy Chandler, who plays for FC Nuremberg in the German Bundesliga, showed his speed and crossing abilities on the right side.  He had an impressive debut.

Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan helped set up Agudelo's game tying goal.  Donovan put a beautiful ball in off a free kick where Bocanegra got a head onto it and forced the keeper to make a save, creating a perfect rebound for Agudelo to finish.  

On the other side of the pitch, Argentina had the Americans in their grasp, yet couldn't finish them off.  They made two versus five look like a cakewalk in the park.

Messi was held scoreless, but had a wonderful assist on Esteban Cambiasso's goal in the first half.  Ezequiel Lavezzi had chances to score as did the Real Madrid product Angel Di Maria.

Batista seems to have put the memories of Diego Maradona's tactics in the trash.  It looks like he just wanted his players to play their game.  Argentina is definitely a team to watch for in the future.

Bradley's decision making looks to be effective and his changes in their style of play looked better in the second half.  This is something that they need to keep up for 90 minutes though.  

As Justin Beiber would put it, "never say never" to these Americans.  

Ocho Cinco: the new futbol star?

Desperate times call for desperate measures.  This saying is knocking on the door of Chad Ocho Cinco's brain right about now.     

Because of the NFL lockout due for 2011, Ocho Cinco started his first tryout with Sporting Kansas City, an MLS team, Wednesday morning.  According to Yahoo Sports, he wants to try his luck at a sport he hasn't played since he was in 10th grade.    


His first love was actually soccer before football.  He started playing at the age of four. 

Ocho Cinco can be seen juggling a soccer ball before NFL games as his pre-game warm-up.  He has visited teams such as Real Madrid, meeting Ronaldo, Kaka and the rest of the squad.  

You can also see his soccer traits on the football field.  He has kicked an extra point and performed a kickoff in a pre-season game for the Bengals when the kicker went down with an injury.  His form looked quite impressive.   


Can I picture the last name of "Ocho Cinco" spelled across the back of a Sporting Kansas City jersey?  Honestly, I could.  He has the characteristics and qualities of being a threat on the soccer field.  His lightning speed would enable him to zoom past defenders, while his size could benefit him in shrugging off defenders and intimidating opponents.  


I have yet to see his actual skills on a soccer ball at game speed.  Soccer is a sport that requires coordination, balance, and a skillful touch on the ball with almost every part of the body except the hands (besides goalkeepers).  If Ocho Cinco has a decent touch, then the possibilities of him playing professional soccer increases that much more.   


Being in football shape is also much different than being in soccer shape.  Football provides players with a break in between plays, however, soccer is a sport without timeouts.  In soccer, players are running around constantly.  


“I would be a little winded being that I haven’t ran at this pace or this level since the end of our season of football. It was fun. I didn’t expect to come in here and be Superman,” said Ocho Cinco after his first tryout with Sporting Kansas City, according to Yahoo Sports. 


It's nice to see a change of scenery for professional athletes transitioning to a new game.  


Steve Nash, a point guard for the Phoenix Suns, had a chance of becoming a professional soccer player in Canada.  Instead he chose basketball and that probably was the right choice.  Look at him now (no Chris Brown were not looking at you).


Anyways, hopefully we will see Ocho Cinco again in the news.  It will go one or two ways, Ocho Cinco falls flat on his face or Ocho Cinco proves his doubters wrong.  

The Choice is Yours...Barcelona or Arsenal?

The first leg of FC Barcelona and Arsenal, pure genius.  Hopefully the second leg, coming to you live tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.on Fox Soccer Channel, will follow-up with the same intensity.  This battle is to earn a spot in the next round of the UEFA Champions League. 

     Arsenal received news to look forward to this past week.  Despite their failures in the Carling Cup as well as the EPL standings with Manchester United losing to a hot Liverpool squad last week, Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas are fit for Tuesday's match according to Soccernet.com.  This should benefit the Gunners tremendously because of Van Persie's sudden scoring touch and Fabregas' leadership.  Jack Wilshere, the 19-year-old phenom, will be depended on to control the Gunners' midfield with Fabregas still not at 100%.  He will have to keep at Xavi and Iniesta's pace as the game goes on into the final minutes.  Nicklas Bendtner also is showing his confidence, even though it is off the scale, with his recent hat-trick in the FA Cup.  He will probably have an opportunity to come in as a sub and make a difference.  Arsenal has to bring their "A-game"  Tuesday night (European time) to Camp Nou in Spain.  Tactically, they must come out the way they did in the second half of the first leg.  Goals are a necessity because Barcelona rarely ends a game at their own stadium without having at least a goal on the score sheet.  A tie or a win will put Arsenal through to the next round.

     On the other hand, Barcelona will have a different mindset.  They are down 2-1 in aggregate and hope to erase memories of the second half meltdown of the first leg.  Needing at least a 1-0 win on Tuesday night will put Barcelona into a favorable position to the next round as favorites to win it all (not like they weren't picked as favorites before Champions League started).  Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets are the masterminds of the Barcelona midfield; they will dictate how the game will flow.  With the additions of Ibrahim Allefay and Javier Mascherano, the depth for Barcelona will be stable.  Lionel Messi, the best player in the world (in my opinion), will have to showcase his abilities in the clutch, whether it'd be moving Barca to the next round or having the Champions League hopes and dreams door closed on them by Arsenal, handing them a pair of glasses that will only be visible to a La Liga title.  David Villa is a natural born goal scorer who will be expected to finish off goals like he did in the 2010 World Cup.  According to Soccernet.com, he has bagged 17 goals in 25 games in La Liga.  Last but not least, let's see if Pep Guardiola's swagger, even dealing with irritating back pains, can lift Barcelona to the next round and possibly a third title in five years.                  

     

Student-Athlete

I’ve got two words for you: Student-Athlete.   A student athlete is a person who combines their talents on the field for a specified sport and in the classroom.  Some people don’t understand the pride, effort, and passion it takes to represent your school.  I was fortunate enough to be a part of the William Paterson University soccer team that has excelled beyond our expectations this season.

            The professor, Coach Brian Woods, is our teacher on the soccer field, mapping out strategic plays and daily scouting reports on our opponents.  He knew we were going to be this good even during the beginning of the season; As well as our other coaches Anthony Pulizzano, Raffaele Lauretta, and Alex Wanless.  Any athlete on a sports team knows the concept of sports as a learning process.  There are many similarities between working on the field and working in the classroom. 

A student athlete must have a great deal of responsibility.  We are constantly on the run from prepping for tests and attending training sessions to joining clubs for the school and most importantly, from a coaches perspective, showing up on game time.  A determined mindset or work ethic is needed in order to succeed in becoming a student athlete.

We, as student athletes, must be accountable for our school work.  A certain G.P.A standard is now at a 2.5 in order to continue playing with a collegiate team.  This is when that determined mind set creeps in, persuading you to get the work done.  The determination has to come from inside of you just like sliding for a loose ball and kicking it in the back of the net for the game winner.  You will feel, emotionally and mentally, the satisfaction of getting the job done.  Sacrifices are mandatory in order for positive outcomes to occur. 

A student athlete’s best reward is the appreciation we receive from others.  The sense of knowing that we are representing the badges on our chests, along with the people of our school, is a phenomenal feeling.  It is another ingredient of the formula in winning games.  Don’t get fooled by the stereotypes that athletes are jocks and could care less about their education.  Those people have no respect, clearly blinded by ignorance.  They have no attempt in viewing both sides of the story.  The student athlete’s side consists of responsibility and representation.  We want our school to be on the world’s radar.               

2011 Super Bowl Commercials

            Every year, millions of viewers from around the world watch the football spectacle known as the Super Bowl.  Some are cheering on their team to bring them a championship.  Some just want to witness a competitive game.  However, most are watching it for the commercials. 

            “I watch football on the regular,” says Ingrid Reyes, a junior majoring in Secondary Education, “but I have to say that because of the teams that ended up going to the Super Bowl this year, the commercials were the main reason I watched the game.”

            On the flip side, there are those who balance the value of the game and commercials. Vincent Brevard, a junior marketing major, is a prime example.  He says the commercials add on to the reason why he watches the game.    

Super Bowl commercials tend to contain themes of comedy, action, or sex appeal; usually whatever catches the audience’s eye.  Advertisers are paying a considerable amount of money to have their commercials aired during the Super Bowl.  30-second commercials, during the 2010 Super Bowl on CBS, sold for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, according to TNS Media Intelligence.   

            The 2011 Super Bowl commercials seemed more conservative this year, using the middle lane instead of merging into the fast lane.  In previous years, advertisers took risks that also budged ethical boundaries. 

            “I thought some of the commercials were pretty funny, but none of them were serious and over the top like back in the day. Too many commercials were trying to be too funny when we were expecting it,” Brevard said. 

            Celebrities were the big buzz in this year’s commercials; celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Eminem, Kim Kardashian, Ozzy Ozborne and more. 

However, companies that had the privilege of having celebrities as their endorsers failed.  Snickers were one of them. Last year, they scored with Betty White playing football.  This year involved Roseanne Barr and Richard Lewis logging.  Roseanne complains about her back and gets nailed with a log.  It just didn’t receive the comical laughs that Betty White created when she got tackled in the mud.

As an advertiser, it is almost impossible to escape controversy when producing an appealing or entertaining commercial.  Sealy’s, Doritos and Sketchers experienced this.  All three used sexual themes in their advertisements. 

In the Sealy’s commercial, there are different shots of couples with satisfied looks on their faces lying in bed.  At the end, the screen depicts “It’s better on springs.  Whatever you do in bed, Sealy supports it.”  Sealy’s took the risky route on this one. 

Doritos pushed the boundaries on sexuality, specifically homosexuality.  The advertisement took place in an office and had a man craving for a taste of Doritos.  After one of his co-workers finishes eating a bag of Doritos, he licks his co-worker’s finger.  Later, another co-worker wipes Doritos stains on his pants; the craving Doritos man rips off his pants and sniffs them.  As expected, this caused a stir on online forums and blogs.   

Kim Kardashian’s Sketchers shoe commercial turned heads instantly to TV screens late Sunday night.  Kardashian, dressed in black yoga gear, breaks up with her trainer, telling him things aren’t “working out.”  After close up shots on her body, she explains what is “working out.”  You guessed it, her Sketchers. 

“Kim Kardashian is about to give Sketchers some good business,” said Kene Eze, an undeclared freshman, with a smile on his face.  “Every guy has a new perception on Sketchers now that Kim is advertising them.”

As controversial as the commercials were, there were companies that surprised many viewers and did shockingly well.  Volkswagen, Career Builder, E-Trade and Chevrolet took the crown in this category.

Volkswagen created simple storylines for their commercials.  They used a little boy, dressed in a Darth Vader costume, trying to use supernatural powers with his hands.  He attempts it on objects in his house, yet nothing seems to work.  Finally, he goes to his father’s car, which is a Volkswagen, and the car magically turns on.  The little boy is ecstatic, while the father is in the house watching him through the window pressing the automatic starter button.

“I thought the storyline of this commercial was precious,” said Reyes.  “It made me chuckle and brought back childhood memories.”

 Career Builder and E-trade probably created the most laughs this year.

 Career Builder’s commercial was based on monkeys parking cars at work.  They trap a man from getting out of his car by parking very close to him and another car ramming the side of his car.  The monkeys, wearing suits, walk away casually from the scene and head to work.

E-trade had their usual baby talking as an adult theme; it seems like people never get tired of this.

“Chevrolet’s commercial was my favorite,” said Sam Siegel, a freshman majoring in International business.

Chevrolet ran deep with its commercials this year as well.  In one of its commercials, there is a yellow Camaro, like the one from Transformers, being advertised to the public.  A mascot comes in the picture and starts hitting the car.  The Camaro suddenly turns into a transformer, and then throws the mascot across the lot. 

“The car transformed into a transformer,” said Siegel.  “It can’t get much better than that.”

As you can see, Super Bowl commercials this year had its ups and downs.  For the ones that struggled, there’s always next year.