bullets13

Tim Howard is healthy enough to play Friday: [Hidden Content]

England's Rooney, Cole resume full training: [Hidden Content]

Spain's Iniesta, Torres, and Fabregas cleared to play tomorrow: [Hidden Content]

Drogba comes on as sub with broken arm: [Hidden Content]

Back problem could end Buffon's cup for Italy: [Hidden Content]

Here's some injury news

Slovenia's Andrej Komec has predicted a win over the US on Friday.  I'm kind of glad to hear this, actually.  US is much better than them, but maybe a little added motivation will help keep the US from overlooking them.

Drogba played today, and Portugal's coach complained.  He thinks that FIFA is bending the rules a bit by letting him play with a cast because he's so culturally significant in Africa, and i'm kind of inclined to agree with him, although i'm glad Drogba is on the field.

i think it's funny that so many people hate the vuvuzelas.  after about 2 minutes of watching a game, i don't even hear them anymore, but i can't even imagine what it would be like to try and watch a game at the stadium.

the rangers have won their last 4 series, and start one with a pretty mediocre Florida team tonight.  they're currently 35-28.

a relatively boring day today.  two weak teams tie 1-1, IC vs. Portugal ends 0-0 in a game with about 2 good scoring chances the whole game, and at this point, at least, N. Korea has held Brazil 0-0 through 50 minutes.  That last fact is pretty impressive considering that Brazil is #1, and N. Korea #105 in the world...

[quote name="PNG Proud" post="812617" timestamp="1276570939"] [quote author=bullets13000 link=topic=70019.msg808729#msg808729 date=1275585696] We fished the intercoastal last weekend.  No trout, a few reds, and other assorted junk.  there are tons of crabs out there, if you're interested in loading up on blues. [/quote] Where are those crabs??? [/quote] all over the place.  launch your boat, take a right, find a cut, crab the point.

So i want to hear opinions about the world cup ball... here's what i think so far...  it's garbage.  through 7 games we've seen only 9 goals.  in 7 games i've seen exactly 0 quality free kicks that have been put on goal.  i have, however, seen at least a dozen full-field switches where a ball bounced 10 feet in front of the receiving player and still somehow bounced over his head out of bounds.  Another thing that i haven't seen is a long ball that's been connected.  I've probably seen at least 15 great long runs wasted when a quality long ball was sent to them, only to see the ball hit a couple of yards beyond them, and then inexplicably shoot well beyond their reach after a crazy superball bounce. of the 9 goals, i've seen two were what i would call great strikes.  one was SA's goal in the 1st game, and it really got my hopes up that this ball was going to be okay.  the other one was heintze's header for germany, which was a thumper from the PK spot.  other than that, we have: a tap-in volley and a ball that looked to be mishit into the ground that hopped over the keeper for S. Korea's two goals.  Mexico's goal was a can't miss from 2 yards.  one goal was a PK for Ghana.  Steven Gerrard's goal was nice, but it was essential just a pass with the outside of the boot, and there wasn't enough power on it to judge the ball.  this leaves the final two goals: Dempsey's goal against England, and Slovenia's goal against Algeria.  Both of those were on goalkeeper mistakes, and both times i wonder just how much the ball came into play.  Maybe i'm overreacting, but it seems like the quality of play has been effected some by this ball.  please feel free to refute this or chime in with your opinion.

it would be really nice if slovenia and algeria did us a favor and played to a draw.

A really solid performance by the US, and a very valuable point!

You're right, Bon, Torres and Buddle should be starting.

I didn't really feel like waking up for the S. Korea/Greece game, but i'm glad i did.  It's been much more entertaining than either game yesterday.  I've been really impressed with S. Korea.  They're up 2-0 right now with just a few minutes left.

[quote name="hj_hawk_60" post="811748" timestamp="1276301215"] [quote author=bullets13000 link=topic=70431.msg811499#msg811499 date=1276236730] good analysis, Chocolate, except i'd only give Australia a 20% chance of escaping their group. [/quote] Who do you see taking the second place if Australia doesn't?? Slovenia or Ghana? I'd Say Germany is by far the favorite to win the Group, but IMO Australia will more than likely take the second place [/quote] It's actually Serbia, and i kind of expect them to finish 2nd, but with this group anything could happen.  Australia didn't impress against the US, and they're in one of the toughest groups in the tourney.  It's not that i don't think they can advance, i just wouldn't go so far as to predict them to do so at this point, considering they're probably the 3rd best team in their group, and in one of maybe only 3 groups in the tourney where all 4 teams have a realistic chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

good analysis, Chocolate, except i'd only give Australia a 20% chance of escaping their group.

unbelievable start!  and he struck out the last 7 he faced... usually the batters do better after they've seen the pitcher a couple of times in the game.

I was pleased.  3 goals, none on set pieces, another goal that could've been allowed, two more shots on open nets that would've been put in by jozy, and only one goal allowed.  my only real concern was our defense of crosses, but landycakes blamed it on the ball, and i'm inclined to agree with him.  this was a pretty dominating win over #20 australia, especially considering the score could've been 6-1, and should've most certainly been at least 5-1.

[quote name="tvc184" post="808739" timestamp="1275587362"] This was my take from early this morning (about Midnight to 1:30AM) in the ship channel under the lights. The largest two were 20". The smallest one was 16.5". I caught about 20 but most were undersized at about 14.5". The seven I kept were fairly decent size though. [IMG][Hidden Content]] [/quote] you know, i'm off for the summer now... i'm out of town for a couple of weeks, but when i get back, we should go.  i like to fish, but i don't like to eat trout, so you'd be welcome to my haul...

[quote name="OldSkool97" post="809383" timestamp="1275705974"] The best college[s] basketball[/s] coach ever in my opinion! [/quote]

alright, i'm in.

starting to feel that way, brenham...