Posts tagged crumpeteatingwoofter

Yeah, no one is excited about the football over here. It may be because we finally realise how shit we are, or because the Olympics has taken over. I share your German prediction, but as always, will be rooting for Spain :)

This tournament really is a bit of an anomaly for the national side. Apparently, the number of supporters is drastically down for a major tournament, with the media citing the fact that Donetsk in eastern Ukraine is a difficult and expensive place to reach. I suppose, but that didn’t seem to stop the Irish from shutting down their entire country and move to Poland for a couple weeks. Looks like they were having quite a good time with the locals and opposing fans alike.

The Olympics are a spectacle. I think this marks the third time that London has hosted the Olympics, which is the most in the history of the modern games. From what I can tell, the government has spared no expense for new facilities like the Olympic village and world-class entertainment for the opening and closing ceremonies, including Paul McCartney finishing up the opening ceremonies.

I have also heard quite a bit about Team GB’s rowing team -ranked No. 1 in the world, the European champion men’s gymnastics team, the swimmers, cyclists, and runners, and of course, the Team GB football team which includes David Beckham. Should be fun to watch, the Olympics always are…

One of the benefits of not having a career is the ability to watch major sporting events when they roll around. The latest one is the European Championships for soccer (football) held over the next month. The tournament opens tomorrow with host Poland facing off against 2004 Champs Greece at 9:30 a.m. (MST). I smell a draw, and a boring one at that. Prediction 0-0 with an over/under of two goals scored total (1-1).

I chose the Germans to win this tournament about five weeks ago, so I really hope that they come through for me. To me they have the most stable, consistent, and injury free team heading into the tournament with relatively few distractions - aside from the fact that a significant portion of their side plays for Bayern Munich and lost the Champions League Final to Chelsea last month.

Since some of you are English, I thought I’d offer something about the English national side competing in Group D with France, Sweden (again), and co-hosts Ukraine. Having viewed Sky Sports News and the BBC the past few days, it seems to me that the expectations for the team heading into a major tournament are at a low, a level not seen in some time. Every pundit seems to think this may work to England’s advantage because of the relative lack of pressure from the fan base and media.

From my point of view and based on previous posts, the hiring of Roy Hodgson was an outstanding effort by the FA to hire someone who was the complete opposite of Jose Mourinho - at least in terms of personality. That said, the man tends to be pragmatic just like the “Special One,” employing tactics designed to get results at the expense of the much desired sexy, attacking, free-flowing football wanted by the fan base.

Hodgson does have the ability to guide squads with modest talent and resources to positive results at the club and international level. England is a mid-table side on the international level, so perhaps he can overachieve. If anything else, perhaps he can deploy a side that can gain valuable experience as he readies for the World Cup qualifiers, it seems like a prime opportunity to do so. Winning/getting results in  tricky games looms large in the Qualifiers and the fixtures against Sweden and Ukraine (on its own turf) certainly fit the bill.

England is probably the second-best team in their group on paper but I think Group D is unpredictable. I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up top or bottom of the group. However, my instinct tells me they’ll make it to the Quarterfinals with France.

Question, in the back left: Sir, could we have a guarantee that future tumblr sabbaticals will be scratched from the agenda? I think we’re all looking for a little hope. This is it. Stay with us! :) (Also HUZZAH!)

Well, I don’t want to say never. That said, I do think that my tumblr time benefits me more often than not, so I anticipate that another one won’t happen for some time. I think you all can expect me to be posting regularly to a standard of quality that I’ve established over the past few months.

You’ve been missed, dude. I’m so glad that you’re back. Hello.

I am so happy to read this!! you’ve been missed. welcome back!! xoxoxoxo

I am glad that you’ve missed my stuff, I do what I can. Like I said before, working on this stuff keeps me sharp. I did purchase Mass Effect 3, much like Kevin, although I don’t plan on playing it at any great length any time soon. That is good news for all of you, because a game like that has a tendency to occupy all of your waking hours. I see tumblr as a way to be productive, a way to practice skills that I want to highlight as I pursue my career path.

Dan’s announcement:

“After some time away, I am pleased to report I will resume my regular posts. I found that while away from tumblr, I became distracted by things that I didn’t feel were productive. My tumblr posts allow me to write everyday, which is something I wish to do and enjoy. It was one of those instances where I found the grass wasn’t greener as I shifted my focus. While finding work remains the first priority, I feel that the rest of me works better when I am practicing my writing craft on a daily basis. I am glad to be back and hope you are as well, and I am looking forward to sharing what I know and love with all of you again. I will be happy to answer any questions.”

Can all of tumblr come and be your cheersquad?

Woo! This is super exciting! Can’t wait to hear about it tomorrow. Good luck, Cocaine boys.

Please know that I will be singing “You’re the Best Around” from the Karate Kid in your honor today.

THANK “YOU LOT”! WE’RE GONNA WIN. BEST FANS EVER!

This is so helpful, Dan. At this rate, I might actually know what’s going on next season. Thank you for teaching me your American ways.

That is my hope. I hope to teach the Americans a little more about the Premier League and professional footy. Perhaps all involved will know enough about each game to support a team, that would be fantastic. I will do my best to achieve that goal, although I will not tell my audience who to root for. That’s a personal decision, and not one to be taken lightly, I would want to brood loyal supporters, die-hards.

Understanding the role of each player creates a better understanding of how the game is played. Football and futbol are similar in the sense that there are 11 players on the field for each team at the same time. In both sports, the objective is for the offense to creating scoring chances while the defense tries to prevent scoring chances, and it is here where the first distinction between the two games should be noted.

Pace and rhythm

Football moves at a stop and go pace. The offense plans each play and the defense responds to it, both trying to deceive each other before the execution of the play. Each team has group of 11 players who specialize in either offense or defense.

In both sports, the offense wants to get into a “rhythm,” or a series of well executed plays.

Roles and Positions

These players line up on the “line of scrimmage” before each play or “snap.” (Context: If the pigskin is on the Giants 20 yard line, the line of scrimmage is the Giants 20 yard line.) There must always be seven players on the line of scrimmage.

1. Wide Receiver (WR) - A wide receiver’s role is to catch passes. At the start of each play, the WR runs a predetermined route with the intention of finding a spot on the field where he can catch the ball.

2/6. Left Tackle (LT)/Right Tackle (RT) - An offensive lineman. Protect the flanks of the offensive line. Typically nimble and agile for their size. For right handed quarterbacks, a left tackle protects the “blind side,” during passing (throwing) plays which is an invaluable service. They are often the paid the most of any OL. 

3/5. Left Guard (LG)/Right Guard (RG)- An offensive lineman. Guards will often “pull” meaning they will pull away from blocking the middle of the line and attempt to make a block on the perimeter, usually in “run” plays or screens (short passes with a wall of lineman creating a “screen.”)

4. Center (C) - An offensive lineman. Initiates the play by “snapping” the pigskin to the quarterback and is responsible for making adjustments to the blocking schemes before the snap.

7. Tight End (TE) - Lines up on either side of the offensive line. Can serve as a receiver or an extra blocker. Typically bigger and slower than a receiver but smaller and faster than an offensive lineman.

These four players line up behind the line of scrimmage:

8. Wide Receiver (WR) - This receiver lines up off the line of scrimmage and can move if set into “motion” by the quarterback.

9. Quarterback (QB) - Responsible for calling and executing the offensive plays and making adjustments based on what they see in the defense. Throws the ball on passing plays, which usually gain more yards than a run play.

10. Full back (FB) - Primarily a blocker for the half back, also carries the pigskin in short yardage (less than three yards). Typically bigger and slower than a half back. 

11. Half back (HB) - Carries the pigskin when the offense chooses to “run” the ball. A good running back will gain 3-4 yards on each carry consistently.

Stay tuned for Football to Football Part 4: Roles and Personnel - Futbol (Offence)