Bleacher Report - Articles by Eric Gomez

2010 FIFA World Cup: Ten Must-Watch Group Stage Matches

Eric Gomez — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:32:36 -0500

Let the speculation begin. Now that we know who's playing who, it's up to experts and laymen alike to gauge the 32 participating nations' chances to move forward in next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. In all, 64 matches will be played in the group stage alone. However, some of those matches, quite frankly, will be hard to watch. We offer a helpful guide: Ten matches any football fan must circle on his or her calendar for June.

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2010 FIFA World Cup Draw: Mexico Locked in Group of Death

Eric Gomez — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:20:49 -0500

With the dreaded draw for next year's FIFA World Cup looming, Mexico and the United States' worst fears were realized when it was announced that they would share Bin Two with the weakest teams in the playing field.

Knowing full well that the odds were highly staked for them playing at least one exceedingly difficult team (Brazil, Argentina, etc.), the CONCACAF heavyweights braced for the worst.

In Mexico, pundits created deadly scenarios in which El Tri were often grouped with a South American giant, a strong European country, and an equally difficult African nation, rendering their chances of playing on almost nil.

Friday in Johannesburg, those fears were quelled for about 15 minutes or so.

It had seemed that Mexico had literally won the lottery, as they were paired up with host South Africa in Group A.

Historically, host nations get the easiest groups in order to facilitate them moving on to next rounds.

As Bin Two emptied, with Mexico surely grinning at the USA's dim fate when it was announced they'd share a group with England, that grin soon changed.

Bin Three's addition into Group A was arguably the most accessible South American team, Uruguay.

The two-time World Champions limped their way into the Cup, needing a play-off against Costa Rica to assure their spot.

Algeria, and then Slovenia, were put in Group B with the United States.

As Bin Four loomed to complete the group, the odds clearly favored Group A getting a substantially weaker European squad, such as Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, or Greece.

It is exactly at that point when the actors went off-script.

France was selected, effectively lumping the host nation with at least two stronger teams in its group.

With Mexico opening their group play (and the World Cup itself) against South Africa on June 11 in Johannesburg, it now becomes the match that will dictate how the group eventually ends up.

Should Mexico beat the hosts, it could easily secure its passage to the knockout stage by the third match, when it will face Uruguay.

Historically, Mexico has seven wins, seven draws, and only three losses against Uruguay.

Meanwhile, a loss to South Africa would mean that Mexico would be fighting for their life against France in the second match of the group stage, likely meaning they'd be out of the tournament quickly.

In six matches, Mexico has never defeated France.

Despite the harsh drawing, South Africa should also look to the past for comfort: No host country has ever been eliminated from the group stage or the first round.

With no other group looking as difficult on paper as of now (with the possible exception of Group G, featuring Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast), all eyes will be on Group A next June.

Should Mexico survive the group though, there is likely and added boon to their success: a possible rematch with the United States.

Groups A and B cross in the Round of 16. Thus, should the United States move on from their group and the second round, with Mexico doing the same, it could set the stage for the nations' second World Cup meeting in eight years.

On neutral ground, five matches have yielded two victories and a draw for each side.

However, since 2000, Mexico has only won four matches to the United States' nine.

And England? Outside of Mexico, El Tri have never defeated Fabio Capello's squad.

With everything said and done in South Africa, one thing's clearly sure for Mexico: They wouldn't mind returning that winning lottery ticket right about now.

Charged Up: Kansas City's Blunders Mean Another Win, San Diego May Run Table

Eric Gomez — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:20:31 -0500

So maybe Thanksgiving night was made a little less joyful by the Broncos taking down a quixotic Giants team (but I guess that's what you can expect when Kevin Gilbride is your offensive coordinator), but I'm betting the smile came back on everyone's face when they were reminded San Diego would face the Chiefs on Sunday.

Despite the constant warnings by the "experts" of a potential trap game (AKA "Sleeper game" or "Letdown game"), the Chargers came out firing and put the contest out of reach early.

You know it's going good when people are still smiling moments after LaDainian Tomlinson fumbles at the goal line (LT'S BACK!!!!!!!!!! version 4.0).

A plethora of big plays from a myriad of guys today. That's two big words in one sentence, people (thanks for my new thesaurus, grandma).

Paul Oliver on that crazy Cassel fumble, Larry English ripping a loose ball from Cassel, Malcom Floyd making a big catch at the goal line (presumably while Cassel watched), Antonio Gates, Philip Rivers, LT, et al.

However, the unquestioned MVP for the Chargers was Kansas City Chiefs Rudy Niswanger , whose two errant snaps meant two turnovers on a fumble and a failed fourth-down play.

He's definitely no David Binn.

Speaking of David, he played in his 250th game for the franchise this Sunday. Seriously, give this guy a medal. He's played here through the likes of Craig Whelihan , Moses Moreno and, yes, Ryan Leaf.

The Chiefs are so bad it defies logic.

Remember last season, when Herm Edwards was still running the show? Sure, they were just as awful, but at least they gave the Chargers a fight in both games.

Year one of KC and Denver's emulation of New England couldn't be going differently, but still, they might want to ask how that process went for Cleveland and the Jets.

Or Notre Dame.

Next week, it's off to Cleveland, where a preliminary forecast shows 38-degree temperatures under a partly cloudy sky.

It'll be interesting to see how the Chargers adjust to the near-freezing temperatures and the Browns def—oh man, I almost got through it, I really did.

There's no way the Chargers lose, barring a cataclysm of JaMarcus Russell-ian proportions.

Which begs the question, with six victories in a row, a manageable schedule down the stretch, and a division rival breathing down their neck, can the Chargers run the table?

Again, with all due respect to mathematicians and those "any given Sunday" guys, it's going to be exceedingly difficult if not impossible for the Browns to beat the Chargers.

After that, it's off to Dallas where the Cowboys are a deceiving 8-3.

I mean, other than Philadelphia and the Atlanta Falcons, they've beat Tampa Bay , Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, Washington (by a whopping score of 7-6) and Oakland.

Wondering what the combined record of those teams are? 27-50.

Scary.

Cincinnati's probably the toughest game on San Diego's remaining schedule. The Bengals are also 8-3 and playing great football.

However, this is a classic statement game for the Bolts.

If you can't beat a good team on your field in the regular season, how are you going to do the same in the postseason?

Tennessee has been resurgent, but they'll probably be 7-7 by the time they face their Chargers and a very unlikely candidate for the final Wild Card spot.

Some food for thought: The Chargers are 2-0 against Vince Young.

If Cincinnati and the Broncos keep winning, then San Diego will go into their game against Washington with both tie-breakers in hand even if they lose.

That probably means you'll see backups, but are you telling me you don't trust Billy Volek more than Jason Campbell?

That's what I thought.

Why Landon Donovan Going to Mexico's Club América Makes Sense

Eric Gomez — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:56:29 -0500

Cocky. Arrogant. Despicable.

Just a few of the choice words that Mexican fans have thrown Landon Donovan's way in the past decade.

Ever since the American's first experience against Mexico—an October 25, 2000 match in which he scored a goal—Donovan has been a perennial thorn in El Tri's side.

Despite only scoring four of his 42 international goals against them, they've all seemingly come at the worst possible times.

Case in point, his goal in 2002 was on the biggest possible stage, a World Cup. Donovan's header put the Americans up 2-0 and essentially deflated Mexico from any comeback.

The loss eliminated Mexico from the World Cup.

With Donovan being too good for MLS and yet failing in his attempts to excel in Europe, the 27-year-old midfielder's last chance at international relevance could very well come from the same country that professes a blatant hatred for him.

The perfect fit?

A team described as cocky, arrogant and despicable, among other things.

Club América of Mexico is a perennially polarizing figure.

Either completely adored or completely reviled, the yellow-clad Mexico City squad is one of the country's most successful.

Since the professional league was founded in 1943, the América Eagles have won a total of 21 domestic titles including league and cup championships, as well as eight international conquests.

They are one half of the country's most heated rivalry along with Chivas de Guadalajara, and are a common fixture in the Mexican postseason.

América, owned by Mexican television giant Televisa, also has a liberal spending policy able to attract the likes of Dirceu, Claudio López, Oscar Ruggeri, Iván Zamorano, Ilie Dumitrescu, Djalminha and Hugo Sánchez over the course of their history.

Thus, Donovan would be able to make a large sum of money without venturing too far out from his home country.

With the loss of Cuauhtémoc Blanco to the MLS and now to Veracruz, América are in search of a fiery leader with oodles of talent to direct the midfield. Donovan fits the bill.

Despite being a midfielder by trade, Donovan has more than 100 goals in his career, and is multi-functional, being equally adept to playing on the wing or towards the middle.

With a top striker like Salvador Cabañas prowling opposing boxes, Donovan would be a perfect addition to a midfield that already boasts Argentine international Daniel Montenegro.

The move would also benefit the U.S. men's national team, too.

Donovan's stellar record against Mexico has been tarnished somewhat by his inability to beat them at Estadio Azteca, El Tri's home stadium and a place where they've lost only once in a World Cup qualifying competition.

The Los Angeles Galaxy star has yet to score there.

By continually exposing Donovan to the harsh conditions that Azteca serves up (altitude and air contamination leading to extreme fatigue), Landon would no longer be a stranger to atmospheric adversity when playing against Mexico in future matches.

Finally, a move like this would revitalize Donovan's career, which has become stagnant. Even by losing the MLS Cup against Real Salt Lake this season, Landon has conquered the American scene.

With three league championships, six Player of the Year awards and being named to the All-Time MLS Best XI, Donovan has thoroughly conquered the league.

While former American stars such as Tab Ramos, Eric Wynalda and Marcelo Balboa have tried their luck in Mexico, none have left a truly lasting mark.

The possibility of adding to Mexico's most powerful club's trophy case, while making millions of dollars and winning some of the sport's most difficult fans?

Well, it wouldn't make Landon Donovan any less cocky.

Charged Up: Déjà Vu at Mile High As Broncos Choke, Chargers Top AFC West

Eric Gomez — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:09:33 -0500

Josh McDaniels, you truly are a disciple of Bill Bellichick.

You embody Bellichick's maverick spirit, going against the grain of conventional wisdom in order to storm your way to victory.

No, wait—it's one thing to go for it on 4th-and-2 in the waning moments of the fourth quarter in order to put a game out of reach, it's another thing to try and convert an onside kick in the third quarter, down by just ten points.

Really, Josh?

McDaniels' brilliant coaching mind is also responsible for three failed fourth-down attempts by the Broncos.

Also, why play Chris Simms right off the bat knowing full well that Kyle Orton could go if needed?

Did anyone really think Simms was going to lead the Broncos to anything other than misery?

Simms could have trouble running a Pop Warner offense, at this point.

Which reminds me, is it possible to sue someone for misuse of the family name? I can just see Phil Simms over the phone right now, asking Chris over and over again if he thinks this is the right career for him.

But, then again, McDaniels should also be questioned for his handling of Orton.

Having taken a couple of shots in the game, why leave him in there the rest of the way, risking injury?

Whereas Mike Shanahan was hailed after last year's Mile High Robbery for gambling on a two-point conversion at the end of the game, McDaniels will be vilified as the goat, or better yet—the donkey.

Makes you really happy we're coached by Norv Turner, doesn't it?

In other news, sound the horns and warn the defenses, LT 'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!! (version 3.0)

A lofty 73 yards on 20 carries and a hard-earned TD are shadowed by a spectacular play call by Norv having LT pass the ball back to Philip Rivers before Rivers found Antonio Gates for a big gain.

That was a good one, Norv.

That reverse off the wildcat to Vincent Jackson that went for a loss? Not so much. There comes a point where too much "surprise" is just overkill.

A big win on a big stage that vaults San Diego on the path to another AFC West title, after another slow, frustrating start.

But ah, I can hear the naysayers around the league already, downplaying the Bolts' triumph.

"You caught the Giants on a downward spiral. And the Eagles. And the Broncos. Plus, Chris Simms started the game."

I kind of have to agree with them on that last point, to be honest.

Speaking of which, what was today, anyway? "San Diego Chargers Appreciation Day"?

Not only did the Broncos do everything in their power to hand over the division lead on a silver platter, but the Chiefs and the Raiders beat legitimate AFC playoff contenders!

Kansas City knocked off the Steelers at Arrowhead putting them at 6-4 and one game behind the Chargers in the AFC playoff picture, potentially giving the Bolts a home game against them should they meet in January.

And with JaMarcus Russell's days in Oakland seemingly numbered (JaMarcus, meet Ryan Leaf. Ryan, meet JaMarcus. JaMarcus, do you play golf at all?), Bruce Gradkowski lead the Raiders over Cincinnati.

Here's how much I hate the Raiders: despite knowing full well that an Oakland victory would completely benefit the Chargers, I found myself screaming for Sebastian Janikowski to miss his go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter, just so I could poke fun at the Raiders.

The Bengals are now 7-3, tied with San Diego with a Dec. 20 game still pending at Qualcomm Stadium that as of now, has playoff implications.

Speaking of the Bengals, did anyone see Andre Caldwell's eyebrows? I wonder what the over/under of jokes aimed his way is in Cincy's locker room for those.

Child, please.

With the Chiefs coming to town next Sunday, their victory today if anything refocuses the Chargers and has them motivated to face a team that has played them hard in the recent past and shown they can beat a good team every now and then.

You know, so long as Charlie Batch is behind center during overtime.

Death of Mexican International Antonio De Nigris Raises Questions

Eric Gomez — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:47:28 -0500

It was a cruel blow for Aldo de Nigris.

The Monterrey forward had just helped qualify his team to the Mexican League playoffs. Better yet, they'd be squaring off against Club América, one of the country's elite teams.

This week was supposed to be about joy.

Now, it's about pain, mourning, and reflection.

"I want to play [...] I followed in [Antonio's] footsteps, tried to follow. Maybe someday I'll be able to do what he did," said Aldo, visibly shaken during a press conference.

His brother, Mexican international Antonio de Nigris, passed away last Sunday from a heart attack in Larissa, Greece at the age of 31.

The tall forward was a true globetrotter, playing in Spain, Turkey, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, as well as Greece during a 10 year career.

Well-spoken, charismatic, and charming, Antonio was almost universally liked, a point that was clearly seen by the outpouring of tributes all over the footballing world.

Antonio played wherever he could out of necessity, not choice.

A victim of Mexico's infamous "Gentlemen's Pact," which restricts players from moving from club to club after their contract expires, Antonio de Nigris famously avoided such involuntary servitude by going abroad.

According to Antonio, one such incident involving the pact occurred when playing for Santos in Brazil back in 2006, when de Nigris got a call from Monterrey brass who informed him he belonged to the club.

De Nigris was a free agent. The dispute cost him his place at Santos, eventually settling in Turkey.

He would never return to Mexico as a footballer.

Several troubling aspects surrounding Antonio's death should lead to a further investigation of what is happening in football.

Despite the fact that this was not a death on the playing field like Serginho's, Antonio Puerta's, Marc-Vivien Foe's, or many others, was there something unchecked about his physical condition that caused his demise?

Are club doctors overlooking certain things in their patients' medical histories?

This is but the latest of active footballer deaths that have rocked the sport in the past decade, with no significant change to the way player health is monitored.

Cries for investigation from FIFA and other bodies of international sport have basically gone unheard.

Just three months earlier, RCD Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque also died suddenly. The cause? A heart attack.

In 2007, Sevilla's Antonio Puerta also succumbed to the same fate, dramatically collapsing on the pitch during a Spanish league match.

In Puerta's case, an inherited heart disease was to blame. It was never tested for.

Whatever further diagnosis of Antonio de Nigris' autopsy reveals, the burden should squarely be placed on FIFA to produce a unified health screening process for footballers.

Warnings and even restrictions should be placed on players who possess certain ailments that endanger their lives.

Nutritional supplements, exercise routines, and regenerative practices that are common in every footballer's daily routine should also be taken into account.

Clubs should be compelled to test for absolutely every condition that could hinder a footballer's performance and shorten his lifespan, including heart defects.

If the worry here is the fact that promising or established players will be forced to reevaluate their playing careers or stop entirely, consider this:

The value of a young man's life will always supersede the amount of money that said young man can generate for himself and an institution.

Aldo de Nigris can surely attest to that.

Rule of the Lawless: FIFA Ignore, Enable Blatant Violations in Mexico

Eric Gomez — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:48:36 -0500

Last week, during a well-publicized trip to Mexico, reporters noticed something odd about FIFA president Joseph Blatter during a press conference.

No, it wasn't the occasional comical mishandling of the Spanish language, but more the fact that Blatter would dive his head into a few sheets of paper whenever a question pertaining to Mexico would come his way.

At the end of the session, a keen reporter noticed Blatter left the sheets behind.

What he discovered was a fax sent over by the Mexican Football Federation (FEMEXFUT) with a list of "hot" topics involving Mexican players, teams, and leagues.

Also included was the Federation's official stance on these matters, so as to heighten Blatter's understanding of what he was being asked.

This, in itself, is not at all shocking.

If we are to believe that Blatter is going to be completely up-to-date on what happens in every single one of the over 200 nations that he essentially administrates on a day-to-day basis, then we are quite simply being naive.

However, Blatter wasn't being asked about a player's new haircut, the current form of a specific team, or the inauguration of a new stadium.

He was asked about enforcing basic rules that make competition fair for clubs, and FIFA's negligence to do so. The apparent sudden change from FIFA's firm hand to a soft embrace in Mexican policies is surprising.

Why is FIFA ignoring the egregious violations to basic rules and codes in Mexico?

Furthermore, why is Blatter taking cues from Mexican officials to answer certain things in response to certain questions?

Just two decades ago, Mexico was harshly punished for forging birth certificates during qualifying matches for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. Their two-year ban from international competitions—including the 1990 World Cup in Italy—left the Mexican federation with a scar that is yet to completely fade away.

It's a lesson that that they have seem to forgotten.

Only four years ago, at the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany, two players were found to have failed doping tests. Despite allegations that they played after their results were handed down, no investigation or punishment was handed down.

Since then, one of those players, Salvador Carmona, tested positive a second time and was banned from the profession entirely. The ban caused his team, Cruz Azul, an elimination during the 2007 play-offs for playing him despite knowledge of the test.

Again, no further investigation was conducted by FIFA, and the matter seems to be completely disregarded.

Back to the now-famous piece of paper on Blatter's desk, here's a rundown of the spiny issues plaguing Mexican football, and the (in)action FIFA has taken in response to those problems:

1. Multiple Ownership of Teams

Mexico's first division is comprised of 18 teams, two of which (Club América and Club San Luis) are owned by Grupo Televisa, the nation's largest television network.

A year ago, it was three (Necaxa, who were relegated) of 18.

Understandably, various conflicts of interest have arisen due to this, with the most notorious being the Summer 2002 tournament final between Necaxa and América.

Other irregularities include CF Pachuca's owner, Jesús Martínez holding a minority stake until recently in Indios de Ciudad Juárez, another first division team.

FIFA's response to this would seem to indicate a non-rebuttal in the entire North American continent, as this problem is not exclusive to Mexico, with multiple ownership also occurring in the United States.

2. Labor Irregularities in Player Contracts

With the implementation of the Bosman rule in Europe almost two decades ago, a precedent was set for player-owner relations and the negotiation of contracts, as well as a clear establishment of labor rights for footballers.

Though the ruling doesn't technically apply outside of Europe, regular labor laws apply in Mexico that explicitly prohibit certain actions that Mexican owners and clubs take against their players.

Infamously, an under-the-table agreement commonly known as the “Gentlemen's Pact” does not allow for free agency and player rights in Mexico. A player can only move from club to club if the previous club allows it and receives a transfer fee, even if the aforementioned player's contract is up.

Blatter was predictably mum on the subject, preferring to answer fluff questions about Mexico's chances in the 2010 World Cup and what he thinks of the new stadiums that are being built in the country.

3. The “Two-Party” System

With three of the 18 teams under their ownership and the national rights for television broadcast split between them, television networks Televisa and TV Azteca rule Mexican football with an iron fist.

Teams that disagree with the payment for television rights from one network are immediately shunned by the other. Having only cable channels to shop their rights to, teams risk losing viewers and advertising money.

The disciplinary committee is a joke, favoring “big” teams and teams owned by the television networks. Case in point, Club América's Aquivaldo Mosquera was handed down a three-match ban for punching Morelia's Mauricio Romero during a game.

When Televisa executives protested the ban, it was reduced to only one game.

During the same season, considerably smaller club Estudiantes Tecos was handed down several multi-game bans for similar offenses, with their appeals not being heard. CF Puebla manager Jose Luis Sanchez was fined for comments against referees and CONCACAF brass.

Again, no appeal was heard.

Maybe Blatter, who has been involved in his own share scandals throughout his presidency, doesn't see fit to levy punishments upon a country that generates a large amount of revenue for World Cup broadcast rights.

Maybe it's because the country is sure to make a big sum of cash for the organization during the upcoming U-17 World Cup, hosted in Mexico.

Maybe, just maybe, with an upcoming election, Blatter needs votes from the region, and is trying to be as diplomatic as possible with the leaders of the nation.

Whatever the reason is, it sure as heck isn't for the good of the game.

Charged Up: Bill Belichick Benefits Chargers with Blunder vs. Colts?

Eric Gomez — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:20 -0500

Preface:

Game recaps are a thing of the past.

Let's face it, it takes way fewer than 1,000 monkeys banging on 1,000 typewriters for 1,000 years to churn out a decent NFL post-game stat sheet.

SportsCenter's on your iPhone and on the web, 24 hours a day.

Even if you missed that, by the time you pick up your morning paper the next day, you already heard about it on the radio and the morning news on TV.

Admit it, you didn't come here for no stinkin' recap.

You're here for fresh, hard-hitting analysis that takes no prisoners and has no vested interest in "playing nice" with Chargers players and brass.

And that's what you're going to get from now on with "Charged Up."

The Chargers beat a solid Eagles team last Sunday behind a balanced offensive attack and smart offensive playcalling in the early going.

Wildcat plays from Legedu Naanee and LT kept Philly's D at bay, not to mention a brilliantly drawn up pass to Mike Tolbert of all people, who scampered in for an easy score.

Up 28-9 in the third quarter, Norv Turner decided 45 minutes of football was enough, and put his dogs on a leash. Ron Rivera complied with the strategy.

The result? Donovan McNabb carves your defense up and marches down the field twice for 14 points in less than five minutes.

I guess Rivera didn't want to establish a pattern of violent behavior for Shawne Merriman now that Tila Tequila is suing Merriman for that incident back in September.

Listen, I get that the Chargers pass rush hadn't been able to put significant pressure on McNabb for the entire game, but why stop trying? When has playing the prevent defense actually stopped a Pro Bowl-caliber QB and his team from moving the ball?

Norv should just feel lucky that Antonio Cromartie didn't inadvertently pop the ball up into Jason Avant's hands during that final desperation heave with no time remaining.

He should also be relieved that it was Philadelphia and not, say, New Orleans or Indianapolis coming back on him. Right, Mr. Belichick?

Speaking of that Pats-Colts game, the fact that home-field advantage may already be won by Indy could work in the Chargers' favor.

Hear me out.

Not only do the Chargers have a superb track record against the Indianapolis Colts during the past few years, heck, they've traded better shots against the Patriots at times, but San Diego's offense is just as explosive and even more air-based than Indianapolis.

Assuming Indy doesn't implode in the playoffs like they usually do, you can expect to play one or two games at home and then travel to that over-sized garage in Indiana to face the Colts.

In the dome, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Pierre Garcon are just as dangerous as Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Antonio Gates.

Plus, the battle in the air between Rivers and Peyton Manning will draw attention away from the inevitably injured LT sulking on the sideline.

Too soon?

Is it just me, or is everyone else deranged, saying LT is "back" now that he scored twice and—nearly—ran for 100 yards last week?

Listen, I guess I hold LT to a higher standard than most. I know he's not going to attain 2006 form ever again.

But when did we ever get this excited about LT getting 96 yards in a game? Ever? In fact, it actually speaks volumes about his unfortunate decline.

If 2006 LT would've gotten news that his wife was pregnant before a game; he would've rushed for 850 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

In that game.

Last week, he finally gets in on whatever-and-goal inside the five on one play and then skips into the end zone on the O-line's first decent blocking play of the season from the 20.

Kris Dielman could've scored on that play with that blocking. Wearing concrete shoes. Carrying Rosie O'Donnell under his other arm.

Let him sustain this level for three or four games, and then we can start crowing about LT being "back."

What do we got next week? Oh, boy—Denver.

The grief San Diego fans get after every slow start about "disappearing" and being bandwagoners is overwhelming.

I got e-mails, Facebook comments, and IMs from seemingly every person in Colorado for the first month or so of the season.

Now?

Now I imitate cricket chirps every time I log on.

Now?

Now you've potentially got either Kyle Orton on one foot (who's been awful anyway these past three weeks) or Chris Simms (who's always awful) going against the Chargers at Mile High next week in a game that's going to define first place for the time being.

Ouch.

Better start icing up those calves now, Knowshon and Correll.

Sports, Politics, Radio, and How They're Making Us Want To Choke Someone

Eric Gomez — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:08:44 -0500

I've often wondered why talk radio is a medium that is almost completely dominated by two topics: sports, and politics.

People talk about a lot of stuff everyday, and lord knows that every other venue of mass communication isn't limited to those two topics.

Television, the Internet, and print media boast a variety of entertainment options for their viewers and readers, unless you're watching a serial drama, in which case your slices of life include the life of a lawyer, the life of a doctor, or the life of a police officer or any combination therein.

(I'm thinking of pitching a show about a New York lieutenant who moonlights as a brain surgeon at a local hospital and is trying to get his brother off of death row by using forensic evidence and uncomfortable close-ups of Laurence Fishburne.)

Ever since ESPN Radio invaded my local FM airwaves, I've been listening more and more to sports talk radio.

Deciding that it was better than channel surfing between the same five Black Eyed Peas, Flo Rida, Alice in Chains, Miley Cyrus, and Kanye West songs that are on infinite repeat in San Diego's stations, the time I've spent listening has gotten me to think.

Why is listening to a different group of guys talk about the same topics every three hours so appealing to me and many others?

Likening this to politics, I get my healthy fix of controversy from my two favorite morning shows, which are comedic in nature but usually get into some heated discussions, considering cast members are from both sides of the political aisle.

I usually stay away from political discussions. Not only are they not my forte, but I feel they don't get anywhere. Not a senator/congressman/governor/president? Not interested.

And from this, I've figured something out.

The point of talk radio is cruel and unusual. To get you to yell back at your radio, knowing full well no one on the other side is going to hear your reply.

Think about it.

When's the last time you heard some homer talk about why USC should still be in the national championship game despite the fact they are routinely upset by at least one Pac-10 team? Two losses? No problem. They beat Notre Dame.

Anyone with a decent understanding of college football will lash out at hearing this. But when is the last time you pulled over on the highway or sneaked under your desk at work and called to retort?

It's the same effect you get every time you hear some blowhard talk about fixing health care reform when you know he's totally and completely whacked out.

The only people who dare to call in are the host's immediate family and friends, or their loyal army of listeners who agree no matter what.

Then there are those who don't encourage listener feedback, remaining out there in their little island on radio land, immune to criticism and common sense.

And it's not like other mediums don't do this. Entertainment media dole out opinions on celebrities regularly, but rarely is anyone completely demonized or tortured by absolutely everyone ("Leave Britney alone!").

The problem is: we're all the same.

We think that our fundamental understanding of topics that we are passionate about (i.e. sports) are backed by undeniable truths.

It's why turkeys like me pen opinion columns, exalting or bashing a certain person or organization that we probably know very little about on a personal level.

I know I've read articles on this, and many other websites that have infuriated me to the point of wanting to shoot off a long e-mail or comment reply. Nine times out of ten, I get lazy and assume someone else out there is equally outraged and will do the job for me.

We are biased, we rarely look beyond our scope and criticize those who do the same.

Think about it.

Bah, Republicans. Pff, Yankee fans.

Oh, you Democrats are spineless hippies. Whatever, Raider fans have the IQ of a rock.

Capitalism is superior to Communism. Laker fans root harder than Celtic fans.

Based on what? According to whom? In sports, we tend to quantify things that are inherently impossible to measure.

The Steelers are going to win this game because their intensity level is so much higher than the Broncos. They have more heart .

Yeah, you're right. My intensitymeter is showing that the Steelers are a level 12 to Denver's six. My bad.

Political discussions usually devolve into moral gray areas and religious dogmas which satisfy no one.

So, you're telling me that Jesus is angry because we might be letting gay people get married? Tell me, when you and Jesus hung out at the bar, did he wear anything other than those long, white sheets? Did you have to pay for beer, or did you just order glasses of water and wait for the miracle?

That's interesting.

As I drive from work today, I'll probably figuratively bare my back to be whipped by the absolutes and intentionally polarizing opinions of radio hosts who will try to sell me on the idea that Barack Obama is Adolf Hitler reincarnate or that LeBron James will choose to play in Greece next year while I grit my teeth and amuse the guy next to me at the stoplight by yelling at my radio.

However, one thing remains clear in my mind:

I'm right, you're wrong—and I need a radio show to prove it.

It's Always Sunny at Petco Park: A Review

Eric Gomez — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:13:31 -0500

Article originally published on STADIUMJOURNEY.com

It took six years, numerous legal battles, a San Diego Padres pennant, and massive voter support to get Petco Park, the Friars’ current stadium, from the ballot to the heart of San Diego’s downtown.

Now, as I, and millions of satisfied visitors and San Diegans can attest, it was worth the wait.

Beginning construction in 1998, the stadium was scheduled to open in 2002. Lawsuits, injunctions, and other legal troubles stemming from unsatisfied politicians pushed the inauguration back to 2004, when it finally opened. I’ve sat in several sections at the park, with different price ranges. The result is pretty much the same each time, despite a relative closeness to the field from any seat, the action is always visible, always clear, always complete.

Petco Park was designed to evoke nostalgia in every baseball fan that walks through its gates, aiming to give the city of San Diego a taste of tradition in the vein of old parks like Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds, and other turn-of-the-century structures.

The fact that one has to walk into Petco Park (it has no immediate surrounding parking structures around the stadium itself), past local bars, restaurants and apartment buildings, gives it that retro flair. Unlike the stony coliseum a few miles east in Qualcomm Stadium, Petco Park is not closed off, allowing local traffic and passers-by to take a good peek into the field itself.

Beyond the centerfield wall, one can find the “Park at the Park”, a grassy area beyond the right-centerfield fence that is technically accessible to all who have purchased a ticket, but is specifically available for seating for a price of $5. It’s a wonderful, off-beat, and very “Southern California” idea that attracts its fair share of people.

Of course, the stadium is also state-of-the-art, and is packed with modern amenities. VIP skyboxes tower over the highest stadium section seating, the Western Metal Supply Co. building itself has a private section for parties and other events, the walking area around the seats boasts nearly 250 HDTVs for patrons to enjoy, and multiple LED video boards. Whenever I missed something, I could count on looking up at the screen for the replay.

The park’s unique arrangement allows for multiple restaurants, concessions, and bars to be part of the stadium itself, and these are almost all located outside of the seated, “dome” area of the park, instead populating the surrounding buildings and areas within the stadium. This seemed a little annoying to me at first, as I’m a firm believer that things should be close to the field of play so you don’t miss a lot of the action. However, this is compensated by the fact that there are numerous, and I mean numerous roaming vendors selling everything .

Despite the sometimes suspect product out on the field, Petco Park will keep me coming back for more. Like I said before, it was worth the wait.

Randy Jones’ BBQ

Address: 100 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA (inside stadium)

Barbecue. Barbecue hot dogs. Barbecue sandwiches. Barbecue corn on the cob. Heck, you can probably get the employees at Randy Jones’ BBQ (located beyond the outfield) to barbecue your beer. And it would probably taste good.

Underrated perhaps due to the team it is associated with, the Randy Jones Hot Dog is on par with—dare I say, the Dodger Dog—in terms of quality and taste. The BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich is also a delight, although anything and everything that features the delicious, smoky barbecue sauce can be considered as such because of the sauce’s flavor.

Beware the long lines, though—Randy Jones’ BBQ is no longer a well-guarded secret, and it is quite possible that a good size of the 20 to 40,000 people at Petco Park on any given night will be hoping to get a taste of the hot dog, assorted sandwiches, or the aforementioned corn on the cob. Regular, non-alcoholic drinks are featured, so that you can come away with a nice Coca-Cola, or lemonade with your food selection.

Altitude Sky Lounge at San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter

Address: 660 K Street, San Diego, CA (one block west of Petco Park)

Looking to party after the game’s over? You’re probably not dressed for it, but think about going back downtown with nicer threads and entering the Altitude Sky Lounge, atop the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Marriott.

If you’re still hungry after scarfing down all those cracker jacks and hot dogs, consider grabbing a bite from their appetizer menu, which features classics like chicken wings, potato skins, nachos, and some unique specialties such as a shrimp, mushroom, and spinach quesadilla.

The bar’s location allows for a breathtaking, panoramic view of San Diego’s downtown area, the Pacific Ocean, the isle of Coronado, and—on a clear night—as far south as Tijuana, Mexico.

As a trendy, well-to-do bar should, Altitude displays a full selection of cocktails, domestic and imported beers and specialty drinks for patrons to enjoy. Happy hour on weekdays is from 5-7 p.m., and all day Sunday. Bottle service is also available, with prices ranging from $66 champagne to a bottle of Louis XIII cognac topping out at a cool two grand.

Altitude doubles as a nightclub with mostly electronic dance music coming from its speakers, which means you’ll be able to cap off your day in San Diego’s downtown by reveling in your sweet dance moves.

FANFARE Review: 26

Food & Beverage: 5

Patrons should expect to get their choice of food and beverage when visiting Petco Park. Options for the hungry range from the usual fare of hot dogs (regular and specialty, such as in the case of Randy Jones’ BBQ) to fish tacos at Rubio’s, pizza from the award winning Oggi’s, as well as pot stickers and spring rolls from Pacific Wok. Buyer beware, these options are pricey, and if you’re visiting the park on a non-promotional day, you should expect to pay an average of $15 to $25 for two meals.

Those wanting to whet their whistle will find themselves in a bit of a pinch if they’re looking for something beyond a good selection of beers from the PCL Bar & Grill. There are at least seven full bars in Petco Park, but almost all of these are located within the Toyota Terrace area of the ballpark, a VIP section that can be accessed, but is about as out-of-the-way as can be for non-ticket holders. Again, these drinks will not come cheap. A domestic beer will run you at least $8.

Lastly, those not entirely interested in the game might want to check out the Hall of Fame Bar and Grill in the Western Metal Supply Co. Building, which features a buffet that changes daily and a full bar.

Atmosphere- 2

Visitors to Petco Park will be somewhat shocked that the people around them might not always be root, root, rooting for the home team. Southern California fans are notoriously bland, and Petco Park’s uber family-friendly confines make it so that even the rowdiest are forcibly muted amidst the apathy and onlooking kindergartners.

The flip side of having so many adjacent attractions to the stadium itself is, quite simply, that some will choose to engage in these more so than the actual game.

Not helping the matter is the fact that the Padres are a team that despite its long tradition, has not achieved a level of success that is concurrent with well-respected institutions. Looking to have a quiet, nice conversation while some stuff happens on the grass below? Perfect. Trying to get a wave or a chant going? Good luck.

Neighborhood: 4

Part of the reason behind building Petco Park was continuing the revitalization of San Diego’s downtown, a mission that has been thoroughly accomplished. The myriad of bars and restaurants ranging from hoity-toity to complete dives means you will have your pick of how to spend the rest of your evening, or the few hours before the event starts.

As is the norm in Southern California, the frugal crowd will need to clamp open their wallet to fully enjoy the sights and sounds. However, there are plenty of cheap, or free options available to all as well, as a stroll through the area will reveal the historic buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Convention Center, and the Port of San Diego, where will you most likely see several huge navy ships and commercial cruises docked at the port.

Fans: 3

It’s not completely unfair to tag San Diegans with the mote of fair-weather fans. However, there are plenty people with passion for their local colors, and many of those will be sitting around you as you take in your game.

As is the case with most modern parks and fanbases, yes, the electronic signs will indicate when it’s “appropriate” to make noise and give the home team a boost, but expect good-natured and honest support from the home fans a few times per game.

San Diego is one of the cities in the United States with the highest tourism rates, and this will also undoubtedly show. Whether it’s San Francisco, Washington D.C., or Houston, expect a healthy contingent of the other team’s fan base in the confines.

Access: 5

A foreseeable problem in building a stadium in the heart of a densely populated area is the fact that actually getting to the stadium might be easier said than done. With thousands of people going in all directions, another group of thousands pouring into one specific location might be a problem. However, San Diego’s city design, renowned public transportation system, large parking structures around the stadium, and police involvement before and after the game to re-route traffic make getting to Petco Park a cinch. Parking costs range from $5 to $25. In more than 20 visits to the stadium since 2004, I’ve never had to wait longer than 10 minutes to get into the park itself. Looking to make a quick run to the john? You’re never less than four sections, or so from finding one. The wide availability of facilities also reduces the lines for that, as well. Radio and TVs inside the restrooms will also mean you don’t miss a second of the action.

Return on Investment: 4

Depending on what type of game you’re going to be watching at Petco Park, you might think that what you paid for a ticket (from $5 to $65) was either completely worth it, or not at all worth it.

Concessions and merchandise are not cheap, but the variety of purchasing selections more than make up for it. Add to that the beauty, uniqueness and most likely, great weather that you’ll be experiencing at Petco Park, and the result is a pretty good value for your money.

Etc. (Everything Else or Bonus Points): 3

They don’t call San Diego “America’s Finest City” for nothing. Petco Park is just one of the wave of new structures built in the 1990’s and 2000’s, but by far—it is one of the best.

Not only is it a breathtaking baseball stadium that is catered to get the maximum experience from its visitors, but it is surrounded by a city that has hordes of activities and sights. In an area of less than 60 minutes away in distance by way of automobile you can go to Sea World, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Legoland, the renowned beaches of La Jolla, or even exit the country by visiting world-famous Tijuana, Mexico.

These and many other features display why San Diego and Southern California as a whole are the envy of the rest of the United States and many other parts of the world.

Chargers Squeak Out Win Against Oakland, Two Back in AFC West

Eric Gomez — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:59:37 -0500

File this under "the glass is half-empty."

Facing an Oakland Raiders (2-6) team that could not get any semblance of pass defense against San Diego's aerial attack, the Chargers (4-3) chose to run 30 times in 55 plays.

When the Raiders had the ball, the Bolts faced a team they knew would run at them (as their QB boasts a rating of 47.2), and yet they allowed nearly 100 yards on the ground and eight rushing first downs.

Going into halftime with a cozy 21-10 lead, the Chargers dozed, left the Raiders for dead, and found themselves defending on their own side of the field with 2:00 remaining as Oakland looked to potentially tie the game.

That, of course, didn't happen. But it wasn't San Diego's doing.

Two Oakland receivers smashed into each other, leading to a JaMarcus Russell sack and fumble (which caromed off of Chargers DE Jacques Cesaire's fingers, twice) that the Raiders eventually recovered.

A false-start penalty then made it 2nd-and-28, a sack made it 3rd-and-31, and just like that, the Raiders had successfully self-destructed, true to their nature.

The Raiders are a very, very bad football team.

Any halfway decent squad would've put up more of a fight in that situation, a fight that the Chargers allowed themselves to be roped in to.

Underestimating their rivals and overestimating their own capabilities have lead to some pretty poor outings from the Chargers this season; uneven, suspect play calling from the sideline has wasted some golden opportunities for San Diego.

San Diego's second-half performance at Qualcomm Stadium today was ugly, a symphony of mistakes both blatant and subtle.

Darren Sproles let a kickoff roll within two inches of the sideline at the five-yard line before deciding to pick it up, and then got tackled at the eight.

Sproles himself would later fumble a punt return that he appeared to fall on top of. In the ensuing scuffle, his 5'6" 180-pound frame was no match for Oakland's bigger bodies, and he lost the ball.

During a fourth-quarter drive, San Diego marched 83 yards down the field largely on the strength of the passing game, with Philip Rivers totaling 49 yards on just three passes.

It took seven rushes to get the other 34 yards.

With 1st-and-goal at the three, the Chargers committed a false start, allowed Philip Rivers to be sacked, and eventually settled for a field goal from Nate Kaeding.

Norv Turner ignored all logic and conventional wisdom by running the ball 33 times for 100 yards, a dazzling average of 3.3 yards per rush.

The average of yards per pass play? Nine and a half.

Why nibble and insist on feeding an increasingly finished LaDainian Tomlinson (who had a couple of nice runs, but again, mostly duds) when the big play is undoubtedly your best friend?

Why not blitz and fill up inside gaps as often as you can when you're playing against a good running team and an awful QB?

Why let the Oakland Raiders hang around for so long when you started off so hot (a TD off a Wildcat play? Attaboy, Norv) and could've potentially put the game out of reach early?

Norv must dabble part-time as a CBS executive, as his antics definitely made for great TV Sunday afternoon. Like their best crime dramas, the game had most on the edge of their seat.

Recently, I wrote that the Chargers weren't as good as we (and they) thought they were .

I still stand by that statement, and the proof is in the pudding.

When you can't put the Raiders away this season twice until very late in the fourth quarter, there's something wrong with your football team.

A point of comfort?

The glass might be half-empty here, but it's downright shattered in Oakland.

Media, Fans: Time To Employ "Tough Love" on the San Diego Chargers

Eric Gomez — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:39:05 -0400

Last night, a national audience realized that there are several things wrong with the San Diego Chargers.

Things apparent to Southern Californians and hardcore NFL observers were laid out plainly to Joe Football Fan during Monday night's lackluster performance.

Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers can't hang on to the football after contact.

Rivers' offensive line is wretched, failing to open up holes for the run and allowing pass rushers to consistently pressure the quarterback.

On the other side of the ball, pressure on the opposing QB is non-existent, and stopping the run in key situations? Forget about it.

Personnel shifts in the secondary will most likely not be finished with the dismissal of Clinton Hart, as corners blow assignments even when they are not required to linger out in coverage for too long.

Heck, even the special teams, San Diego's shining beacon in an otherwise horrendous night in Pittsburgh two weeks ago, gave up two touchdowns to Eddie Royal—his first scores of the season.

Expectations have been officially lowered for Norv Turner's squad, a team that has been consistently picked by preseason prognosticators to at least appear in the Super Bowl over the past few seasons.

The group's once sterling cast of performers have been silenced by injuries, age or opposing schemes.

LaDainian Tomlinson and Jamal Williams are done.

Shawne Merriman might be.

Nick Hardwick is extremely skilled, but extremely small for his position, and he will continue to get injured unless he bulks up.

Antonio Cromartie's mind is not on the football field, and it shows.

Philip Rivers continues to be the team's saving grace, but he can't do much under a pile of defenders.

Today, ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd could be heard saying that, "San Diego should have the best team in football every year. But [their media and fans] don't care."

His argument might be too broad and sweeping to be an absolute truth, but he's definitely on to something.

There's certainly excitement in town when the Bolts look good, and there's almost certainly bewilderment and frustration when they play like they did on Monday night, but after a while, it tends to fade away.

San Diego fans and media are content to shrug their shoulders in an "oh well" motion, and wait for Laker season and Padre season to begin, usually starting the process anew with those teams.

The level of involvement that this city has with its sports teams, most notably the Chargers, gives the players a bit of a free pass to turn in mediocre performances.

Where's the vocal outrage? Where's the outright questioning of the general manager, coaching staff and players?

Where are the team's beat writers and columnists for newspapers, local radio hosts and TV personalities demanding that Norv Turner be fired?

That A.J. Smith trade for offensive tackle help, or someone to help the pass rush?

Someone needs to get on the Chargers' case. Someone needs to stir up the emotions in the clubhouse, because it's obvious the coaches aren't doing it.

Gutless play calling, disturbingly stubborn managing of personnel and free agency, soft tackling, uninspiring play in the trenches and bad coverage aren't exactly hallmarks of a championship team.

Because they aren't a championship team.

It's time to let them know that.

Out loud.

BYU Faces SDSU in Hoke's First Big Test

Eric Gomez — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:09:23 -0400

Next Saturday, the 18th ranked BYU Cougars will roll into town to face the San Diego State Aztecs in Brady Hoke's first rivalry game as head coach of the school.

Since the start of the decade, this is a matchup that the Aztecs have only won twice, a 16-15 squeaker in 2000 and a 31-10 upset in 2005. In every other game, BYU has scored at least 34 points and won the game by an average of 26 points.

In last season's 41-12 thrashing, SDSU started the game by giving up 27 unanswered points and gave up more than 400 yards of total offense. The Aztecs would finish that season 2-10, resulting in the firing of Chuck Long and the eventual appointment of Hoke.

This season, the outlook doesn't seem to forecast something all too different. The Aztecs, while showing some promise and giving established teams like UCLA a fight this year, are young, inexperienced, and still under-talented when compared to the Cougars.

If the Aztecs hope to have a chance in this one, they must start fast and cut down on unforced errors.

In last year's game, the Aztecs' first seven drives amounted to five punts, an interception, and a fumble before finally getting on the board (with a field goal) at the conclusion of their eighth drive.

By then, of course, it was too little, too late.

Another point of interest is, of course, to find a way to slow down Redshirt JR QB Max Hall. In their last meeting, Hall carved up the Aztec secondary, going 25-30 for 317 yards and three touchdowns.

The 5-1 Cougars suffered a humbling loss against Florida State earlier in the season which has all but dashed their hopes for a national championship bid, however, their effort to obtain the MWC crown is alive and well, and also their best hope to make a significant bowl game, which makes this matchup all the more important.

An upset for 2-3 San Diego State would mean a huge boost for Brady Hoke's squad and a grand injection in confidence for Aztec players, alumni and fans.

When and Where: Qualcomm Stadium, Oct. 17th @ 3:00 PM

The Pick: BYU, 31-16

Elsewhere in the MWC (picks in italics ): Wyoming @ Air Force, Colorado St. @ TCU, UNLV @ Utah, New Mexico has a bye. So I pick the bye .

Message to FIFA: Too Much CONCACAF in World Cup

Eric Gomez — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:19:36 -0400

Now in the home stretch towards the 2010 World Cup, football fans have a clearer picture of who will be attending South Africa next summer.

Surprises and excitement have already been a part of the World Cup qualifying process, as we have seen established teams like Portugal and Argentina pushed to the brink.

As the pool for next year's championship is slowly completed, a few harsh truths about FIFA's current means for distributing spots to the different confederations are being realized.

From a quality standpoint, it is obvious that an ocean of talent separates certain confederations from others.

The most telling statistic for this argument is quite simply the fact that no country outside of Europe or South America has ever won the FIFA World Cup.

In North America, a whopping 3.5 spots were doled out to CONCACAF for the current qualifying process, a process that enters its final round with only six contestants.

That's right, in order to completely kill your chance of attending a World Cup in North America, you have to finish fifth...out of six.

At the most, CONCACAF should have two direct qualification spots.

Here's how putrid the zone has been: During the process, there have been three individual leaders of the competition, with one of the former leaders, Honduras, now stationed in fourth place and facing a possible playoff.

Mexico, who at one point was fifth and almost completely out, is now only one point off the leader.

Costa Rica fired their manager less than a month ago when it found itself fourth. Today, it is at least assured a playoff against a CONMEBOL team.

Up until Saturday, El Salvador, with only eight points in eight games, was still mathematically vying for a place in the World Cup.

Since 1990, only one team has gone further than the Round of 16, the United States in 2002.

Four years ago, the "half spot" or playoff spot out of CONCACAF faced opposition from an Asian team to decide who got to attend Germany 2006.

This time around, competition will be steeper, as the fourth-placed team will face the playoff winner from CONMEBOL in South America.

As of now, that match is shaping up to be any combination of Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador, or Venezuela against Honduras or Costa Rica.

Which brings me to my next point: Would you rather see Argentina in the World Cup, or Honduras? Uruguay, or Costa Rica? Bahrein, New Zealand, or Portugal?

Even with the large amount of spots given to continents like Europe and South America, FIFA's push for equality and distribution by making sure the other continents are well-represented is misguided.

If FIFA wants to keep CONMEBOL from having more than half their participants make the Cup, then it would be wise to keep a playoff spot.

FIFA should also be mindful of the way the UEFA qualifying groups are handled, and award a certain amount of spots to specific groups.

Group One has Denmark, Portugal, and Sweden. Group Two has Switzerland, Israel, and Greece.

Get the picture?

The World Cup should be about pitting the best against the best on the grandest scale of all.

Economically, having the best possible teams duke it out over a month every four years is also very attractive. What's the attendance going to be in a North Korea-Costa Rica game?

Outside of those two countries, what do you think the ratings are going to be for a match like that?

Now imagine a Portugal-Argentina, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi blazing about the pitch. Aguero and Pepe duking it out.

The removal of spots from certain confederations like CONCACAF and the AFC would also promote local football programs to better themselves, considering that there would be less to go around.

If anything, a move like this would make the game better.

It's time to sacrifice the less talented in favor of a greater spectacle.

In FIFA's words, it would be for the good of the game.

San Diego Chargers: Bye Week Means Relief for Fans, My Dad

Eric Gomez — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:27:09 -0400

My dad's a pretty old-fashioned guy.

Strong willed, doesn't say much, doesn't express much in the ways of emotion. What you see is what you get, and sometimes, things are better left unsaid. Which is why it's such a kick to watch him on Sunday afternoons.

Few things in life excite him as much as the National Football League does.

Sure, he always tells stories about how great it felt to watch his sons being born (I, of course, either wasn't there or don't remember), how great it is to reel in a marlin from the ocean that's twice your size (again, not there), but to me, the window into his true personality can be observed for a few faint hours on Sundays and sometimes Mondays or Thursdays.

Charger games bring out the best and worst in his emotional gamut every fall and winter.

Anyone following the Bolts this season even just a little bit might be able to guess where my father's gamut has been leaning this season.

At 2-2, anger has been present even in victories. Squeaking past the hapless Raiders? Unacceptable. Failing to score touchdowns in the red zone against the Dolphins? Ugh.

The losses, predictably, have been worse.

"What makes Norv think the same play is going to work twice in two weeks? You can run Sproles up the middle against the Raiders, but Ray Lewis and the Ravens? (expletives deleted)," he said after a tough loss to Baltimore.

"I haven't seen the team play this bad since Mike Riley was coaching the team."

(Letting you know that expletives were deleted from the second quote is useless considering I basically had to restructure and rephrase that quote from a tirade of insults and terms that would make George Carlin blush.)

My father, like many Charger fans, were upset with Marty Schottenheimer's life-long trauma when it comes to coaching in the playoffs, in which he and his pupils would freeze up and be unable to perform in January.

So, when Marty was fired a few years back, he was understandably relieved.

When general manager A.J. Smith hired Norv Turner to get the Bolts over the hump, he was wary, but optimistic.

"It's unfair to judge a guy who's never had this much talent on his roster in the past as a head coach," my father said.

Fair enough. Turner was the architect for many explosive Dallas Cowboys teams in his days as an offensive coordinator, but had failed miserably in Washington and Oakland when it came down to running the whole show.

Well, it's also fair to judge him now, as many already have, asking for his head in the process.

For two years, Turner's teams have been the antithesis of Marty's teams.

Mediocre underachievers in the regular season, but effective in the postseason to a point.

In 2007, they struggled out of the gate, only to finish strong in the second half at 11-5.

Victories over Tennessee and Indianapolis set up an AFC title game with the undefeated Patriots, and sans the injured Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson; but with Philip Rivers (who played on one leg), gave them trouble well into the fourth quarter.

In 2008, it took a massive Denver collapse and a massive Charger uprising to make the playoffs at 8-8.

In 2009? Injuries have decimated both sides of the football, and in that regard, it could actually be considered admirable that San Diego's hanging tough through it all.

Jamal Williams, Shawne Merriman, Tomlinson, Nick Hardwick, Travis Johnson, and Ryon Bingham are among those who are either lost for the year or have missed time with injuries.

Any time you're missing four Pro Bowlers, of which one is the main run-stopping cog in a 3-4 defense, or a Hall-of-Fame running back, an explosive pass rusher and one of the best centers in football, you're going to suffer.

For the Chargers, this has translated to being dominated on both the offensive and the defensive lines, having a non-existent running game, and putting little to no pressure on the quarterback.

Sure, we're only barely wrapping up Week Five, but elsewhere in the division, those pesky Broncos who were supposedly too rattled with inner turmoil and led by a bratty, immature, glorified assistant, are now 5-0.

Oh, and they're coming into town next Monday night.

The Broncos revamped their defense with what were seemingly spare parts and burned-out veterans, but now dominate their opposition with two things the Chargers sorely need.

Brutal physicality and inner fire.

There's hunger in their eyes, an underdog mentality and a will to win every time they're on the field.

Can the same be said for the Chargers?

My dad is having his own bye week right now, spending some down time in Europe as part of his second honeymoon extravaganza, (including two trips to Vegas this year already) but I was able to extract a quote from him before he left:

"We better not lose to the (expletive) Broncos, or else we're (expletive) screwed."

The rest of San Diego County probably echoes that statement.

San Diego Charging Toward Mediocrity... Again

Eric Gomez — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:38:26 -0400

For some, the bile, the discontent, and the disappointment take a little longer to fade away.

Others are luckier, their calm spurred on by that unknowable future.

The gamut of emotions is usually the same, commonly ending with a chuckle, a shrug, and a somewhat renewed desire to park in front of the television set the following weekend (or in this case, two weekends from now).

Today, however, San Diego Chargers fans should be warned against their complacency and feverish optimism, and talked down from their high horse, as the ugly truth rears its head once more.

Right now, this is not a Super Bowl caliber team.

This is not a team worthy of being included in that discussion.

Quite frankly, it hasn't been for a while. Multiple seasons, in fact.

Whether it's injuries, untapped potential, a lack of skill by players on the field or coaches and front office men off it—or a combination of factors, the Chargers are middling, awash in mediocrity.

Their record over the past two seasons proves it.

Including their 2-2 start in 2009 and their 1-1 postseason run last season, San Diego is 11-11 over their past 22 games.

Punished by injuries to star players, plagued by off-the-field distractions, and hurt by gutless decision making by the coaching staff, there is a far more troubling factor in that equation not many are talking about.

Commitment.

The Charger roster is increasingly becoming a collection of weak-minded individuals who fail to display their full talent week in and week out.

On defense, million-dollar athletes seemingly forget the most vital part of their job description: tackling.

On offense, receivers walk through routes and drop perfectly placed passes as if there exists a fear of being hit by a defender.

There are of course, exceptions. Several players show up week in, and week out, and demonstrate what they're capable of, often going above and beyond such capacities.

But, you know you're in trouble when those guys are the exception, not the rule.

The NFL season is far from a sprint, despite its shortened schedule.

With 12 games and three months remaining in the season, a myriad of things can happen that could have us looking more favorably upon San Diego in the coming weeks, and say, less favorably on a team like Denver.

At 4-0, their track record in '09 is asterisk-laden with such interesting little footnotes as "Brandon Stokley will never make another catch like that so long as he lives," and "Dallas is probably underachieving more than San Diego at this point."

However, their current status places them at a bit of calm after a tumultuous offseason; and a team that keeps winning games that they shouldn't normally win will start to change that initial perception very quickly.

San Diego cannot afford to fall behind more than the two games it has allowed itself to lag in 2009.

Right now, the glimmer of hope dictates that those two games can be made up with a visit to Invesco Field and a home game against the Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium.

But, why look forward to that when San Diego's personnel has already been so irrevocably hampered?

Jamal Williams, Nick Hardwick, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shawne Merriman ... these are guys you just don't go out and replace as easily as you do a missing button for a favorite shirt.

When you're missing some of your best soldiers and you're essentially hampering onto the battlefield to meet your enemy, you better hope to have an excellent strategy to minimize these weaknesses.

In order to have an excellent strategy, you need a brilliant strategist.

In this regard, Norv Turner is more Napoleon Dynamite than he is Napoleon Bonaparte.

By kicking field goals on third down, handcuffing his star QB in key moments by preferring an ineffective ground game or calling predictable play after predictable play, Turner is seemingly reviving the ghost of "Martyball" as opposed to "Air Coryell."

8-8 was enough last year, it probably won't be this year.

And while this isn't exactly the NFC East, the "class" of the division shouldn't be getting by with a win-loss record like that in the first place.

Twelve games remain, 12 morning afters to reflect, to dwell, to rejoice in happiness or try and dull the pain.

Twelve chances to ask the question:

"Are we really as good as we think we are?"

The answer, right now anyway, is not very encouraging.

And it's been that way for a while.

Juan Manuel Márquez Loses Cred As "Mexican" Boxer

Eric Gomez — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:30:17 -0400

When Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Juan Manuel Márquez exited the ring Saturday night at the MGM Grand, there was no doubt as to who was No. 1 in any language.

Never mind the post-fight theatrics between "Sugar" Shane Mosley, Mayweather, and an absolutely annoying HBO commentator in Max Kellerman.

Huge fights often fail to live up to the hype that is created in the prior months by the larger-than-life posters, the trash talk, the countless episodes of 24/7, and the circus that is a Las Vegas venue.

However, casual and hardcore boxing fans alike seemingly had a lot to look forward to when the hard-hitting Juan Manuel Márquez was paired up with the technically flawless Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

One of those men held up their part of the bargain by honoring their reputation.

It's not at all shocking that Márquez's punches were stifled more often than not by Mayweather's dazzling mix of speed and defensive skill. What is shocking is Juan Manuel's failure to consistently attack and display that style that he's known for.

Though Márquez was correctly billed by experts prior to the fight as being mainly an effective counter puncher, he is also a true Mexican fighter, one who can ignore an opposer's punches and evasive maneuvers in order to brawl to victory.

That is, until his fight with Mayweather.

The blood-thirsty Márquez seen against Juan Díaz and Manny Pacquiao was decidedly MIA at the MGM Grand, cautiously pawing at Mayweather and refusing to try to combine his attacks and execute consistent pressure.

Whenever Juan got a clean shot on his opponent, Mayweather would let the world know by smiling and playfully asking for more.

The Mexican never obliged.

Round after round, the story was exactly the same: Márquez threw a few punches that were slapped away by Mayweather, while "Money" connected a few strong jabs in between Marquez's futile advances.

Juan's failure to advance the "Mexican" style of boxing was a shock even to the men calling the fight.

Ultimately, the challenger's desperation opened up more offensive opportunities for Mayweather, who decided against risking too much, thus maintaining the fight's status quo.

The largely pro-Márquez crowd was silenced time and time again as it became apparent that their hero had been replaced on the ring by an impostor, and must've wondered if trainer Ignacio Beristain had placed some invisible restraints on Márquez's wrists.

By the time it was over, and before that unfortunate quarrel between Mosley (desperately seeking a big "Money" fight), Mayweather and the eye-rolling Kellerman, we caught a glimpse of Floyd's standard post-fight speech.

In praising Márquez, the champ was either clearly being nice, or was genuinely thankful that the Mexican had no interest in hurting him.

Meanwhile, the Juan Manuel interview was handled in a much less scandalous surrounding and environment.

Márquez's comments, however, were.

Before the fight, he downplayed that fact that Floyd came in at three pounds above the weight that was agreed upon, and gladly accepted a six-figure gift in exchange for the oversight.

After the fight, Márquez blamed the loss on his lighter frame.

Why'd he take the money, then?

He also excused himself about the fact that he had never fought at that weight class prior to that night, and stated that "two or three fights [to ease in] would've been good."

Why didn't he, then?

Surprisingly, he wasn't asked about the fact that he failed to be a consummate aggressor, that same one who made life miserable twice for Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather's next target.

A lack of fighting spirit? That's something you can't blame on a couple extra pounds, Juan.

John Manoogian's NFL Pick 'em: Week One

Eric Gomez — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:33:36 -0400

Much like Regina Falange or Art Vandelay, John Manoogian is my jack-of-all-trades alter ego. Here's his backstory and why you should trust him as an NFL prognosticator. A frustrated high school football coach from Huntsville, Missouri, John R. Manoogian was fired after a successful eight-year tenure at George Washington High after he kicked one of the opposing players as he was running down the sideline. "There were two blatant holds on the line. I was just evening the play out," Manoogian recalls. After interview requests with ESPN, CBS, NBC, FOX, Yahoo Sports, The Alaska Free Press and Puerto Rico Futbol Caliente were denied, Manoogian approached me for a regular spot on Bleacher Report. I calmly explained to him that he could create his own user and publish his analysis directly, but he refused. "Don't trust computers. Never have. In accordance with The Manoogian philosophy which states: 'Always be aggressive, play the whole 60 minutes and never trust computers." After several ideas for articles were discarded for being too specific and/or wacky ("Calculating how many times Philip Rivers lick his fingers during the third quarter and how often does this correlate to victory in October night games"), I've given him a weekly picks column to get his feet wet. This first week will be purely win/lose, while future weeks will also include spread lines. Take it away, John!

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CONCACAF Roundup: Mexico Dethrone Costa Rica in Wacky Qualifying Weekend

Eric Gomez — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:45:37 -0400

It took a while.

It took four managers in two years and seven out of the 10 total games in the qualifying round, but today, Mexico is back in position to return to the World Cup in South Africa.

Mexico, who had not won outside of home in a qualifying match since June 15, 2008, strolled into San Jose on a bizarre artificial turf, with nine out of 10 spectators berating them, facing shoddy CONCACAF officiating and taking on the competition leader; and came out with a resounding 3-0 victory.

Giovani dos Santos gave Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp three poignant reasons for playing time with his masterful domination of the Costa Ricans.

With a spectacular goal from a volley as the first half wound down, and two fantastic plays that ended with Gio assisting teammates Guillermo Franco and Andres Guardado with goals in the second half.

Dos Santos has been mostly unused at Tottenham, while Franco has yet to latch on to a club after being released from Villareal in May. Currently, Argentinian club Estudiantes La Plata are the most serious bidders for Franco.

Costa Rica, had been the unquestioned leader of the competition since the beginning of the summer.

They hadn't dropped below second place but are now in fourth place, in the dreaded playoff zone which will have them square off against a South American side.

Mexico's trouncing of Costa Rica squeezes them into the top three which has Honduras ahead of the USA on goal difference and both teams in front of Mexico by just one point.

Meanwhile, the USA defeated El Salvador at home 2-1 after being behind thanks to Christian Castillo's goal in the 32nd minute.

The Americans, sans Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit, also lost Charlie Davies to injury in the 71st minute.

With the win, El Salvador is practically eliminated from the competition, with just five points in seven games, with three contests remaining.

The defeat might be the swan song for Mexican manager Carlos de los Cobos, which has been at odds with the Salvadoran federation of late.

In Honduras, the new leaders stomped on Trinidad & Tobago, who find themselves in last place thanks to goal difference with five points.

Honduras, who have scored eight goals in the last two games, reached first place thanks to their victory and the Costa Rican loss.

Carlos Pavon scored twice while Inter star David Suazo made his first appearance in months for "los catrachos", entering in the 58th minute, scoring 25 minutes later.

Amado Guevara struck home the other Honduran goal, while Jerry Baptiste bagged the lone score for Trinidad & Tobago. Guevara has the most caps in Honduran national team history with over 125.

Honduras is in line to attend their first World Cup since 1982, where they were placed with hosts Spain, and finished in last place with two draws and a loss.

The next round in qualifying is this Wednesday, with Mexico taking on Honduras at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the United States facing Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean isle, and Costa Rica visiting El Salvador to close out the schedule.

Shawne Merriman Arrest Proves Chargers Are Own Worst Enemy

Eric Gomez — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:41:16 -0400

The San Diego Chargers would love to remind you that they are victims of circumstance.

The Holy Roller was Raider cheating combined with the wild, unpredictable bounce of the football.

If not for the exhaustion suffered the previous week at Miami and the sub-zero temperatures in Cincinnati for the 1982 AFC Championship Game, they'd have gone to the Super Bowl.

Finishing 2008 with an 8-8 record despite having one of the most talented rosters in football? Injuries combined with bad refereeing mixed in with some more injuries.

The truth is that these chronic underachievers have only themselves to blame for both recent and historic failures. They will shoot themselves in the foot when necessary; they will experience a haunting and mysterious disappearance in their usual talent when they need it the most.

Now, Shawne Merriman, the latest in San Diego's line of otherworldly talents with quixotic foibles that seem to show their ugly heads at the worst possible moment, has again made Charger fans shake their heads and curse the skies.

While this article will not attempt to incriminate or exonerate Merriman from his alleged illegal activity, the idea is to address the fact that the spotlight is, once again, on San Diego for the wrong reasons.

Should Merriman be declared not guilty of these alleged crimes, he'd probably point to himself as being a victim of circumstance as well. I mean, the man was shelved last season with an injury that wasn't his fault.

Then again, he had been injured for months prior to the season and decided to go against all medically logical advice to take care of the problem via surgery, attempting to play on a tattered knee—which proved, of course, too difficult to do eventually.

And now, there's this.

If you don't think constant run-ins with the law will take their toll on a professional sports team, ask the Cincinnati Bengals.

There should always exist a comprehensive discussion in the mind's eye when it comes to asking somebody to join your organization and reflect its values.

Everyone makes mistakes, this is true, but it seems that the Chargers have been neglecting this idea.

During the A.J. Smith reign as general manager in San Diego, several players have been involved in questionable situations.

Former SS Terrence Kiel was arrested and accused of illegally trafficking codeine. He was released from the team and unfortunately died two years ago in a car accident. It is believed he was under the influence at the time of his death.

Similarly, former LB Steve Foley had his career ended after a 2006 incident in which he was shot by an off-duty police officer in Coronado.

WR Vincent Jackson was arrested on a DUI early this year, as was DT Jamal Williams only a month later.

CB Antonio Cromartie has been named in several paternity suits across the nation and has now admitted to fathering seven children over five states.

Now, Merriman will be facing legal difficulties after he was accused of assaulting girlfriend Tila Tequila, choking her, and not allowing her to leave his residence in San Diego.

This is the same Merriman who had already been suspended by the NFL for testing positive for steroids in 2006.

Bad luck? The San Diego Sports Curse? No, these are simple and convenient explanations for a team that has to look within for the answers.

Smith constantly talks about wanting, needing a Super Bowl Championship in order to make his work reach the level of required validity in his eyes.

He's shown to be a fantastic football talent evaluator, assembling one of the best rosters in the National Football League, but he's overlooked the character side of his players time and time again.

It would appear that Smith praises stats and measurables while ignoring backgrounds and mentalities. It's taking a toll on his team.

Similarly, his players are not taking into account the enormous opportunity that they have as professionals and the enormous responsibility they have as role models.

Last year, the NFL released a series of special television shows that told the stories of some of the best teams never to win a Super Bowl.

The 1981 San Diego Chargers, those of the Epic in Miami and the freezing AFC Championship Game in Cincinnati, those victims of circumstance, were featured in the very first episode.

Will the 2009 San Diego Chargers be seen as such in the future? A fantastic team that never got over the hump, deciding to self-destruct and self-sabotage their own chances for greatness?

That's up to A.J. Smith, Norv Turner, and what might be scariest to think about...the players themselves.

San Diego Chargers 2009 Roster Breakdown: OLBs

Eric Gomez — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:05:35 -0400

By far the strongest defensive unit on the team, the linebacking corps boasts a fantastic array of young and veteran talent alike. In San Diego's 3-4 scheme, outside linebackers are expected to blitz constantly and be the enforcers, pounding on rushers and receivers alike. A healthy Shawne Merriman will now team up with Shaun Phillips and rookie Larry English to prowl the fields in search of bolstering a defense that suffered last season without No. 56. Here's what we can expect from them in 2009:

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San Diego Chargers 2009 Roster Breakdown: DTs

Eric Gomez — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:23:24 -0400

Continuing our preview of the San Diego Chargers defensive line we arrive at the tackle position. A critical cog in the 3-4 system, the job is usually reserved for one starter who must cram the middle and dominate multiple blockers with the objective of establishing a respectable run defense as well as pressuring the QB. Luckily for San Diego, in Jamal Williams lies one of the best examples of what a 3-4 nose tackle should look and play like. However, Williams is 33, and beyond him, depth in the position seems weak. Who will step up in 2009 as the heir apparent? Will Jamal continue to dominate? Is the future of the 3-4 in San Diego questionable? Let's take a look at what we can expect this coming season.

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San Diego Chargers 2009 Roster Breakdown: DEs

Eric Gomez — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:25:57 -0400

Kicking off the defensive side of our roster preview will be San Diego's defensive ends for 2009. This area has developed mild concern after Igor Olshansky left in free agency and vacated the right spot to a depth chart will little or no proven talent. The left side, however, should see a renaissance now that Luis Castillo is truly healthy and benefitting from the outstanding pressure created by linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips. Here's what to expect from the unit this coming season:

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Kudos to Donovan Tate and San Diego Padres Brass on Signing No. 3 Pick

Eric Gomez — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:33:23 -0400

With a handful of hours until the clock struck midnight and thus, any chance of signing top prospect Donovan Tate would also wither into the proverbial pumpkin, the San Diego Padres proudly announced that they had inked Tate to a deal on August 17.

Amidst the recent uncertainty and disappointment surrounding the franchise with the Jake Peavy trade, talks of moving Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell, and a second consecutive season where 100 losses is a very real possibility, signing Tate is a huge boost.

The No. 3 overall pick had spoken of bypassing the Padres in favor of North Carolina, where he planned to play football and baseball.

Tate's ultimate development has been hypothesized by Padres brass as Andruw Jones (in his best years) in the best-case scenario, and Mike Cameron in the worst-case scenario.

Even if Tate turns out to be more Mendoza than Mantle, Padres fans should applaud this move, as it speaks very well of the new ownership group.

Now, we can assume, gone are the days when "signability" was the team's greatest concern when selecting players, and not talent or potential.

The ugly spectre of Matt Bush and his woeful career in San Diego's organization will slowly drop away as San Diego's principal owner Jeff Moorad continues to order moves like these.

Already possessing a talented core of youngsters in Kyle Blanks, Chase Headley, Everth Cabrera, Clayton Richard, Mat Latos, Aaron Poreda and Will Venable, Moorad's commitment to the youth movement seems stronger than ever.

This time, the Padres were not frightened by Scott Boras, well-known in the baseball world for being adamant about shaking every dime out of owners in search of the best deal for his client, when it came to selecting a potential star.

Kudos should also be rendered to Donovan Tate, who did not brush aside the possibility of joining the Padres at any time.

His commitment should be noted, and Padres' fans should be especially pleased that he was in attendance at Petco Park the very night of his signing, watching his new team face the Chicago Cubs.

Despite the very slight possibility that Stephen Strasburg (who finally signed with the Nats at the stroke of midnight) would've been an attractive option for the Padres in 2010, it would seem that when appropriate, Moorad & Co. have no qualms with opening up the wallet.

And that, Padres' fans, is better news than any draft pick signing.

Despite Big Win at Azteca, Mexico Still Not Up To Par With U.S.

Eric Gomez — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:19:24 -0400

After the fervor has died down from yesterday's long-awaited clash at the Estadio Azteca, both American and Mexican fans are left with a much clearer picture of how they stand in the football world.

Yes, Mexico has bridged the gap with its group contenders and points to a spot in South Africa next year, but it deals with the small matter of going to Costa Rica next month.

In San Jose, they'll face the competition's leaders, who could now lose their top spot with a loss to the Mexicans and a win by either the United States or Honduras.

Yes, the United States solidified their stance as a growing soccer power by defeating Spain and playing a great first half against Brazil in the Confederations Cup, but they still couldn't beat a seemingly weakened Mexico at home for the first time ever.

Now, the Americans are just one point ahead of Mexico, and are dangerously close to the playoff zone, where they would have to face South America's fifth-place finisher for a berth to the World Cup.

With four games to go Bob Bradley & Co. still have two more road games and host Costa Rica in October.

Wednesday's result at the Azteca was no surprise for anyone familiar with the history of this rivalry and the conditions that the stadium imposes for visitors.

While many claimed that history would have no hand in this match, it clearly had some effect, especially if you choose to apply a well known idiom to those in charge of US Soccer:

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

The lack of high-altitude training and heat adaptation had, of course, a negative effect on American players who looked groggy and tired as early as the beginning of the second half.

The toll imposed on the US allowed Mexico to keep attacking and eventually knock home the game winner with just nine minutes left in regulation.

After the game, Landon Donovan stated that if played anywhere else in the world, the end result might have been different.

He's probably right.

Truth is, the only difference anyone can find between Mexico's disastrous form in the Eriksson days and their current play under Javier Aguirre is an infusion of confidence stemming from two consecutive victories against their fiercest rival.

Perhaps the momentary swing of momentum has clearly favored Mexico recently, but there are several reasons why the United States' panorama is still much clearer than Mexico's.

Cuauhtémoc, where art thou?

The fact that Mexico needs to rely on a 36-year-old player to provide it with tactical balance and offensive danger is downright alarming.

Sure, after Blanco exited early in the second half, Giovani dos Santos picked up the slack nicely.

However, dos Santos still doesn't have Blanco's touch and outright intelligence. Right now, he makes up for it with speed and ball handling, but as we saw during the Eriksson days, that's not always enough.

As of now, should dos Santos lose his form again or fall to injury, there is no outright successor to Blanco, who could provide Mexico with a potent offensive set-up.

On the flip side, the United States' offense features a nice balance with Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, among others.

They're younger, have European league experience, and play under an offensive system tailored to exploit their greatest strengths.

It's all about the goals

Even with Blanco on the pitch, Mexico has a hard time scoring goals, and the most important reason why is their lack of a solid, definitive striker.

Once Jared Borgetti fell into a rapid decline, El Tri was left with a void up front that no one man has been able to truly fill.

Omar Bravo, Francisco Fonseca, Carlos Ochoa, Nery Castillo, Carlos Vela, Omar Arellano, Matias Vuoso, Guillermo Franco and Miguel Sabah have all gotten cracks at the job with no one man stamping his ownership on the job.

Mexico's local tournament is dominated by foreign goalscorers (Vuoso and Franco are both naturalized Argentinians), and teams are struggling to produce young talent that will fill the gap in the future.

Compare that to Jozy Altidore, Charlie Davies and Brian Ching (when the sun shines just right on him, that is). The first two, with their youth and talent, should feed American aspirations for a long time.

Plan of Attack

The best deduction to explain the lack of homegrown strikers in Mexico is not a sudden drought among the nation's young, but rather a twisted youth system and poor scouting.

Only a select number of professional teams in Mexico devote considerable time and resources to producing new players, and the effects have slowly started to seep into the national team's play, as well.

Of the 20 players selected to face the United States, 14 came from the youth systems of four Mexican teams (Atlas, Chivas, Pumas, América).

While the MLS doesn't exactly have a feeder league, the tradition of high school and collegiate sports have yielded plenty of talent for the American system.

The famed IMG Soccer Academy in Florida, run by US Soccer, is also a big reason why America's been able to develop a high amount of young talents.

The academy is unequaled by the Mexican federation, which has no unified system or plan for talent development

Head-ing in the wrong direction

US Soccer has enjoyed constant development and success thanks mainly to two things: Project 2010, and managerial (and executive) continuity.

Until last month, when Mexico's National Team Executive Director Nestor de la Torre presented a plan to make Mexico a legitimate threat going into the 2018 World Cup, the federation had absolutely no long-term plan to better their performance.

Sunil Gulati operates in relative obscurity in the US as the sport's leader, free of media pressure and corporate interests. In Mexico, Justino Compean serves as both corporate lackey and whipping boy to the press.

Mexico's largest TV companies, Televisa and TV Azteca, own a total of three first division teams and control the national team's broadcasting rights. This in turn affects the selection of friendlies (for maximum exposure) and the location of said games.

So as the United States travel for a friendly to Italy or Germany, Mexico's taking on Venezuela's B-team or Guatemala in Los Angeles in prime time.

And when was the last time you saw either of those countries in the World Cup?

While the US has proven that they can win on a neutral pitch and successfully export their style of play, Mexico needs to remember one single fact:

There are no World Cup games scheduled at Estadio Azteca next year. Or in 2014, or in 2018.

Creature Vs. Creature: Why Mexico Will Beat the U.S. on Aug. 12

Eric Gomez — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:23:34 -0400

This article is half of a B/R Creature vs. Creature series detailing the Mexico-USA match on Aug. 12. To read Joe Guarr's countering article, click here.

It has developed into one of the most vicious rivalries in the world of sports.

A combination of factors has now made the rest of the world take notice of a border war that wouldn’t normally arouse much interest.

After all, the matchup comes from a continent that has yet to win a single World Cup. On Aug. 12, 2009, the United States will once again visit the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, for another edition of the CONCACAF classic.

At first glance, the match would appear to be vastly more important for the home side. Mexico currently ranks fourth in the region’s World Cup qualifying tournament, and if proceedings were to end today, Mexico would have to travel to South America to face a winner-take-all playoff to obtain its berth for South Africa.

However, a Mexico win on Wednesday combined with Honduras taking down Costa Rica would mean that the United States would be just one point removed from the all-important playoff zone with only four games remaining.

The U.S. will also be hunting to improve their record on Mexican soil, a dismal 0-22-1. With the Americans coming off a surprising Confederations Cup run, in which they were minutes away from pulling the ultimate upset against Brazil, their confidence is running high.

After all, if Bob Bradley’s team was able to snap Spain’s record unbeaten streak and pin Brazil against the wall for 60-plus minutes, why wouldn’t they be able to defeat a team that has had four managers since 2008, seemingly no defined style of play, and relied on goal difference to accede to the final round of World Cup qualification?

Here are four reasons why that won’t happen on Wednesday:

#1—Cinco a Cero

There are two things that Mexico obtained from their Gold Cup title only a couple of weeks back: confidence and rhythm.

No Mexican team of any kind had been able to defeat an American team of any assemblage in the United States since 1999. While both countries took on the tournament with alternative squads, Mexican manager Javier Aguirre is banking on carrying the momentum from his championship team over to this important match.

Twelve Gold Cup winners are included in Aguirre’s list for Wednesday, a group strengthened by experienced veterans like Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio, Andres Guardado, and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, all of whom ply their trade outside of Mexico.

The Americans counter with 17 players who were included in the Confederations Cup, most of whom have not played in a competitive match since the end of June.

With no aura of invincibility on their home soil backing them anymore, Mexico’s Golden Boys will stroll into the Estadio Azteca looking to deliver a double dose of victory.

#2—Checkmate, Mr. Bradley

Back on July 26, in the Gold Cup final, a familiar sight awaited Mexican attackers.

It was a sea of white shirts seemingly locked in their own half of the pitch, awaiting a mistake on offense in order to explode on the counterattack and deliver a punishing blow.

For the first time in the better part of a decade, Mexico was able to pick the lock, exploding for five goals in the perfect marriage of individual talent and tactical wizardry on the part of the coaching staff.

There’s no reason to suggest that the United States won’t play exactly the same way on Wednesday. Truth be told, America’s playbook has been little more than a one-trick pony.

Wait in the back, cede possession, force an error, launch the ball forward, score, and repeat.

Concocting a punishing antidote for this brand of tactical poison, Javier Aguirre will field a formation that will not allow the Americans to execute their plan, much like he did on July 26.

The play of Giovani dos Santos and Guardado in the midfield will be key, and a line of defense (arguably Mexico’s strongest line, even without Barca’s Rafa Marquez) will be ready to destroy any attack, thanks to men like Salcido, Osorio and Jonny Magallon.

Up front, Carlos Vela and Miguel Sabah (the Gold Cup’s Golden Boot) will be the finishers.

#3—The Air up There

There’s a reason why—despite its lethality in almost any other part of the world—America’s strategy fails time and time again at the Estadio Azteca.

Dangerously high amounts of contaminants floating around in the air coupled with 7,349 feet of towering altitude above sea level combine to mess with the superior physical attributes of the United States’ players, making them slow, tired, and groggy time and time again.

Landon Donovan, the US’s star on offense and a thorn in Mexico’s side for nearly 10 years now, explained that all it took in 2005 to lose at Azteca was “one bad five minutes in Mexico against a very good team at an incredible altitude and in nasty smog.”

The conditions haven’t changed, and the United States National Team still hasn’t gotten used to them.

#4—The Underdog Mentality

Though it might seem counter-intuitive, it is often said that Mexico gives its best performances when it is expected to lose.

For months, pressure from fans and the media have hammered Aguirre’s team into submission, leading to some ugly face-offs against reporters, and boos from fans at the Azteca.

Thus, despite the big win at the Gold Cup, detractors remain, saying that it would have been a different story if the US had fielded their A-squad. They claim that the floodgates opened due to a non-existent penalty call, and that there were a few other blown calls that could’ve changed the course of the game.

Truth be told, America’s been eating this up.

They smell blood in the water. For the first time ever, ESPN will provide a live pregame show from Mexico City. Media attention has grown exponentially since the Confederations Cup, and word has spread about the unprecedented opportunity the Americans will have on Wednesday.

The Mexican National Team knows this. And the 110,000 screaming fans that are expected to cram into the Estadio Azteca will be putting as much pressure on them, as they will be putting on the Americans.

They will be in strange territory, albeit, walking around familiar surroundings.

They will be underdogs.

They will win.

B/R Writer Declares Self "Ready For Some Football," Calls Singer

Eric Gomez — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:26:12 -0400

SAN DIEGO, CA—After arduous months of preparation and patience, Bleacher Report writer Eric Gomez declared himself "ready for some football" on August 9th.

"I mean, in June I was 'kinda antsy' for some football, and last month I guess I was 'eager' for it, but today I can finally say I'm really ready for it. Bring it on," declared Gomez.

A lifelong football fan who follows his hometown San Diego Chargers, Gomez decided it was important to make the announcement amidst all the turbulence in his own sporting world.

"Let's face it, the Padres suck. Sure, we got some young guys in there who are showing promise but they're at least a year away. The Bulls lost Ben Gordon and now their backcourt is shot. And the Aztecs? I just heard Brady Hoke hasn't even signed a contract yet. I mean, what is that?" asked Gomez, who violently shook a passerby as he wondered aloud.

With intriguing headlines littering the news wires all summer leading up to the season, it's easy to see why the transition has been smooth for Gomez.

"It started with all that stuff about Brett Favre, the will he, won't he, I felt like I was watching Friends, or Scrubs, or any other sitcom in existence where there's a main character with a love interest who is also a main character. Then the stuff with Plaxico Burress. Man, it's like TMZ and Court TV merged with ESPN!" gushed Gomez.

"I especially like the way they inter-cut shots of Michael Vick running or passing with barking dogs or PETA protesters. Haha, hippies. You know, I'm all for the protection of innocent animals, but those guys are just begging to be ripped on every now and then.

"Hey, you can stop taking notes now. Those last three or so sentences were off the record," finalized Gomez. And no they weren't.

Rather than call a press conference or Twitter everyone in existence, Gomez decided that the best way to let the world know of his intentions to enjoy the sport this fall was by calling the legendary Hank Williams, Jr.

"It was easier than you would think. I just called Willie Nelson and asked for Hank's number. Oh, Willie? It's a long story. My grandma used to be a country music groupie. She claimed half or so of the songs where a woman leaves the singer and takes the dog are based on her. It's probably only about 35% or so. She exaggerates," claimed Gomez.

Williams, for his part, was completely surprised.

"At first I thought it was a prank call. I get 'em at least twice a month during the season. Usually morning show jocks or a drunken Al Michaels," he said.

"But this kid was actually serious. I told him, 'Man, I've been doing this Monday Night Football gig for decades now, and this is the first time anyone has ever really meant it.' It was beautiful," continued Williams.

"For a minute there, I thought of stopping. This was all I ever wanted. To get people truly ready for some football. And now, that I know that I really got through to someone, I'm at peace with myself. But then I remembered they pay me millions of dollars for about 18 four-to-five minute intervals of work in a year.

And that's what's really important," said Williams.

Former SDSU Coach Long Critiques School's Admission Policy

Eric Gomez — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:25:23 -0400

Turns out the "special project" former SDSU football coach Chuck Long was assigned to involved writing an essay.

Apparently, Long is getting paid to take "Where I Failed As A Head Football Coach 101".

Commissioned to type up a report detailing how State can streamline admissions for student-athletes in order to field better teams in the future, Long made a number of suggestions, including dumbing down requirements for transfers.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the outgoing Aztecs coach stated: "Reducing the required classes would level the playing field and allow more transfer students to attend SDSU." Long was referring to "the golden 4", which requires passing marks in the fields of freshman writing, upper division writing, math and public speaking.

While loosening academic requirements in order to accommodate athletes is already a standard in collegiate athletics, schools like SDSU have to deal with reduced budgets during this economic crisis; allowing more free rides to people who aren't academically up to par seems almost irresponsible.

Among Long's other groundbreaking solutions? He wanted to move the athletes to Cuicacalli Suites on campus, where they can gorge themselves non-stop on "[I]ts all-u-can-eat menu and food choices."

What's next, Chuck? Remind potential recruits of the pretty co-eds and easy access to beaches?

Truth is, while it will be eternally difficult to compete with schools like USC for recruits, State has plenty of good things going for it in order to attract recruits.

But until the Mountain West Conference lands a sweet TV deal, or the school finds a way to raise its national exposure—firing a dud like Long and hiring Brady Hoke was a start—things won't improve anytime soon for the program.

As for Long's essay? Here's hoping AD Jeff Schemmel grades it an "F."

For fired.

Padres Fans Look Forward to Enjoying Young Stars, but Don't Get Used to It

Eric Gomez — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:57:00 -0400

Those of us not smart enough to stop caring, we live for this.

The light at the end of the tunnel.

Surely San Diegans can't hold a candle to those starved Chicago Cubs fans, considering that a 100 year title drought is longer than the Chargers and Padres' championship-less streaks combined.

But, the pain is real, the hurt magnified by watching a competitive, talented team as late as October of 2007 being gutted, sold off and stripped for parts in the blink of an eye.

Others may gripe about the economy and the lack of a salary cap to regulate baseball's big spenders, but San Diegans can thank irreconcilable differences between spouses and the uncommon nature of prenuptial agreements in the 1960's as the direct causes of the current state of affairs.

Apparently all it takes to destroy the hopes and dreams of millions of fans these days is for one marriage to dissipate.

And now, the Padres build from scratch again, the franchise sold off to a seemingly cash-strapped group that's buying the team in yearly payments. This isn't a mortgage or a new BMW, guys, this is a baseball team.

Gone are Trevor Hoffman, Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf, Khalil Greene, Scott Hairston and—most recently, Jake Peavy, pieces of a puzzle who range from "serviceable" to "indispensable."

Today, Padres fans find themselves reliving the past, when talks of fire sales and penny-pinching fill the air. Adrian Gonzalez to Boston? Heath Bell to Seattle? Both of them...to the Dodgers? But still, feel free to gorge yourself on a six-dollar hot dog at Petco Park, Padre fan.

Ah, Petco Park. Take a stroll downtown into that beautiful example of modern baseball architecture, and feel free to sit anywhere, as you can surely get an equally good view of tonight's drubbing at the hands of an opposing team.

This is the stadium that was supposed to vault us into relevance. Now, it's just a beautiful mausoleum for a franchise that doesn't know whether its coming or going.

Hurriedly, let's catch glimpses of 22 year-old Kyle Blanks, the slugger with 6 HR in just 97 AB (that's 31 HR for every 500 AB) who suddenly makes All-Star 1B Adrian Gonzalez expendable, just because they happen to play the same position.

No matter. At this rate, Blanks will be gone three or four seasons after Gonzalez, with his potential contractual demands being deemed too expensive, a la Jake Peavy.

Speaking of Peavy, you might want to keep an eye on Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda, the two young guns acquired for the now Chicago White Sox ace.

According to Padres' brass, Richard, Poreda will accompany 21 year-old fireballer Mat Latos (3-1, 2.66 ERA over his first four starts), former All-Star Chris Young and current "ace" Kevin Correia as a rotation to be reckoned with, a strategy modeled after the—get this—the 1990s Atlanta Braves.

Please, you couldn't keep one ace at $50 million over four years, how are you going to keep three or four top-of-the-rotation guys at similar rates?

Yes, it certainly seems that the Padres are now becoming a glorified minor league team, a seeder for baseball's perennial contenders, refusing to break a cycle of futility in which the have-nots complain to the haves about the constant trampling of their hopes and dreams.

Now you will be able to tell your kids that you saw guys the likes of Will Venable and Everth Cabrera, Heath Bell, Blanks, Richard, Poreda and Latos live and in color while munching on that six-dollar hot dog or reclined in your favorite chair.

"Wait," your child will ponder, "you mean that's the same Aaron Poreda that went on to win a couple of Cy Youngs and World Series titles with the Yankees?"

And that's when you start to educate your kid about the extreme importance of the light at the end of the tunnel for a San Diego Padres fan.

San Diego Chargers 2009 Roster Breakdown: OTs

Eric Gomez — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:09:49 -0400

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson says he's motivated by talk that he's washed up and that his age is becoming a larger factor with each passing day. He promised a big 2009, a claim that weighs especially on the men responsible for allowing LT to shine: his offensive linemen. Although San Diego's Pro Bowler-stacked line sees no exception to this trend in the tackle position, it is considered to be the weakest link in an otherwise sterling front. How much of a factor will that prove to be in the coming year?

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