#Razor Roy Matthews

[razorroy]

The Secret To Becoming A G.O.A.T.

It is Saturday morning and I still can not find any information on the injury status of Chicago Blackhawks young star Connor Bedard after he was forced to leave the game in the 1st period.

Last night Bedard, while skating through a forest of New Jersey Devils players, momentarily lost control of the puck. While reaching with his stick, his eyes fell to the ice in search of the puck. Thus Bedard never saw the fast approaching Brendan Smith, who leveled him with a shoulder to the jaw.

I've seen the replay dozens of times now. It was a clean and legal hit.

The hype surrounding Bedard before he even laced up his NHL skates for the first time is legit. This kid can play! At only 18 years old Bedard is challenging the NHL's best.

Bedard's wrist shot is already one of the best in the league. Couple that with his vision and skill and the kid from North Vancouver is already the best player on Chicago's roster.

Last night though showed one of the ways that "Generational Talents" sometimes never meet those lofty expectations. Injury!

Eric Lindros was selected 1st overall in 1991 by the Quebec Nordiques. After refusing to play for Quebec, Lindros was traded to Philadelphia. Lindros was considered to be the next great star in the NHL. A generational talent. While there were many great moments and seasons where Lindros looked the part. He never did achieve what many thought he'd eventually become. A legend.

Multiple concussions and other various injuries limited Lindros' playing time. Thus leaving many wondering: what could have been?

Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, and of course Wayne Gretzky. These are the names you think of when you think: hockey legends.

Soccer? Pele, Diego Maradona, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Basketball? Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James.

Choose any sport. List the greatest players ever to have played and they all have one thing in common. Health and luck. Their health didn't keep them from achieving greatness and reaching legendary status.

Sure, Michael Jordan had a season where he missed most of the year with a broken foot. But, he did come back at the end of that season to lead the Bulls into the playoffs and a memorable series against the Celtics. MJ put up a record 63 points in a loss at the Boston Garden. A record that still stands today.

Jordan suffered no further major injuries throughout the rest of his career. Winning 6 NBA championships and thus becoming a legend and G.O.A.T. of the sport.

In the 1992/93 season Mario Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.  Lemieux was gone for just two months to receive aggressive radiation treatments. Despite missing two month and playing in only 60 of a possible 82 games, Lemieux still lead the league in scoring!

Over 17 seasons in the NHL, all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lemieux suffered through numerous ailments included Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic tendinitis of the hip-flexor, and spinal disc herniation! Still, he became a legend and a G.O.A.T. of the sport, winning two Stanley cups.

Injuries can derail a once promising career. Let us hope that Bedard gets the opportunity to pursue NHL greatness and isn't held back by misfortunate injuries.

The commentators from the broadcast I was watching last night suggested concussion protocol as the reason for Connor Bedard being ruled out for the rest of the game. The first thing I thought was that he loss some teeth. Now I wonder if he got his jaw broken.

I was certainly bummed like so many others that sat down to watch the Connor Bedard vs fellow NHL rising star Jack Hughes, match-up. A match-up that ended so quickly do to an injury. Hughes also left the game before the final siren with a non-contact injury.

Here's hoping for a fast return to full health for both and the chance to watch the pursuit of greatness. For this is what we crave. Not the feeling of what could have been.

[mjahappy]

songs that remind me of dhawan!master and/or his dynamic with thirteen and my personal takes on them (written after 12x05)

major vibes

the wisp sings by winter aid- somber, tired-of-everything, please just listen

Let me sleep / I am tired of my grief / And I would like you / To love me, to love me, to love me

This is the night when these woods sigh

Come with me / There are people who cannot speak / Without smiling / But they would take me from your hand / Or they would try, they would try

This is the murmur of the land

This is the sound of love's marching band / And how they hold you like a gun

And how I sing you like a song / I heard when I was young / And buried for a night like this / Buried for a night like this

keeping me alive by jonathan roy- angry-at-the-world type feel

You try to hold me down so I became a soldier / Built up all theses walls and now I'm climbing over / Those nasty bees are tempting me / Oh lord! But I ain't going back

You take me for a fool (fool), that doesn't make me foolish / Told me I was wrong (wrong), passion made you ruthless / Manipulate, it's just too late / Oh lord! 'Cause I ain't going back no more / Your fueling of the flames gonna show you what I'm made of

Breakin' every chain that you put on me / You thought I wouldn't change but I grew on you / ‘Cause I will never be what you wanted / This fire (this fire), this fire / Is keeping me alive

straight razor by matt maeson-

Hey Mr. Stargazer / Give me a straight razor / Don't let it all faze her / When my news gets so major

'Cause it don't stop / No it don't end / Oh when the seams will start wearing thin / Oh and we'll see if the same thing goes for them / Oh and I tried to start caring like you and like them / When you said that I was killing myself / I healed everything but my shame

Hey Mr. Trailblazer / Spare you a joint paper / It's strange how the days layer / And weigh on you years later

this is war by matthew raetzel- just a really good song ok

hunter ft john mcmillan by riaya- sinister vibe

watch your back by sam tinnez-

One day they will come for us / Like poison dripping in our blood / Blind devotion's not enough / Can't go on with all I should

Feels like a masquerade is the man behind the mask / You better watch your back / You better watch your back / We're standing face to face with the hearts that turned to black / You better watch your back / You better watch your back / Watch your back / Better watch your back

fire on fire by sam smith- has a reminiscing feel, more of a shipping vibe

waves by dean lewis-

there is a swelling storm / and im caught up in the middle of it all / and it takes control / of the person i thought i was / the boy i used to know

mr rattlebone by matt maeson- more somber, reminiscing the once-was

You’re like the calmest / Slit to my neck / Bring me in closer / Spruce up my soul and you fill it with coal / Then you douse it in lava / Chained to my desk / Beckoning nausea / Desperately chosen from a crowd of one and I, I

Call me Mr. Rattlebone / Holy Ghost who haunts your home / They don't know you like I know you / Call me Mr. Rattlebone

im only joking by kongos- the master enjoys playing mind games a lot doesn’t he

love lockdown by glass animals- seriously just look at the lyrics

im not loving you, the way i wanted to/what i had to do, had to run from you/im in love with you but the vibe is wrong/and that haunted me, all the way home

so you never know, never never know,/never know enough, 'til it's over love/'til we lose control, system overload/screamin' no no no n-no

im not loving you, the way i wanted to/see i wanna move, but can't escape from you/so i keep it low, keep a secret code/so everybody else don't have to know

villain of my own story by unlike pluto-

I feel like I'm no good I should run away / I feel like failure's one step ahead of me

Fuck all the people with the Bentley's with their nice lives / Fuck all the people in the mansions with their bright skies / Fuck all the people sitting pretty with their sane minds / Fuck, think I'm becoming the villain of my story

I am the one that's holding grudges / I am the one that lives in pain / I am the one who's out of touch and / I am the one inflicting pain

new life, who dis? by unlike pluto- if he’s post missy

New life, who dis? I don't reminisce / New life, who dis? I don't reminisce

For years I was broke / My life was a joke / And I don't recall you helping / I fought every day / Clawed back from the grave / That whole time where were you?

who are you, really? by mikky ekko-

So you feel entitled to a sense of control / And make decisions that you think are your own / You are a stranger here, why have you come? / Why have you come, lift me higher, let me look at the sun / Look at the sun and once I hear them clearly, say

Who, who are you really? / And where are you going? / I have nothing left to prove / 'Cause I have nothing left to lose / See me bare my teeth for you / Who, who are you?

lesser vibes

solar waltz by cosmo sheldrake- the eternal push-and-pull that the doctor and the master’s dynamic seems to have; the orbit they dance around the other— they always end up back at the other’s side, (year after year, regeneration after regeneration,) always trying desperately to get the other on their side, to just understand, but unwilling to yield their own viewpoint for the sake of the other

far from home (the raven)- the hollow emptiness that he seems to have between manic bouts of energy— almost as if he’s just playing a part; everyone seems to be talking about the implications of the kneel scene but to me it seems as if he’s asking for confirmation that he still is who he said he was; he’s obv extremely affected by whatever ‘lie’ he found out about— when he talks abt gallifrey he looks almost like a lost child mourning something before he lashes out again

silvertongue by young the giant- i mainly see this as his struggle against his own mind (the drums)— and if he’s post missy— how he’s falling back on characterization that feels more familiar

im addicted to madness, but what can i say?/im addicted to badness, but what can i do?

[beikecaiseo]

SEO content Promoting roundup

Inside this week’s newest and biggest online advertising and marketing information, content entrepreneurs talk about the use of SEO, the SEO and research neighborhood discuss linking strategies and notice a kinder, gentler Panda roll-out, whereas sociable media entrepreneurs discuss strategy and influence.

Enjoy this week’s selections!

Content Marketing

Lee Odden is featured with “Chicken or the Egg?   Lee Odden on SEO Content Creation” at OpenView Labs.

At the very first of a blog collection, Heather Lloyd-Martin posts “The search engine optimization content revolution is here. Are you ready?” At SEO Copywriting.

Uri Bar-Joseph posts “Google, Social & Content Marketing: Can We Measure Quality & Qualify Quantity?” At Search Engine View.

Avinash Kaushik posts “See, Think, Do: A Content, Marketing, Measurement Business Framework” at Occam’s Razor.

Neil Patel shares “3 Fast Ways to Improve Your Content Marketing Efforts” at Fast Sprout.

Lyndon Antcliff discusses “Why Linkbait and Content Marketing are Fundamentally the Exact Same thing” at Cornwall SEO.

Mark Schaefer posts a video meeting, “Intense content marketing with Julien Smith,” at grow.

Danny Brown’s Most Current Sunday Share includes SAP’s Michael Brenner’s “8 Steps to Construct Your Own Content Hub.”

Lee Odden shares “Essential Q and A on SEO & Content Marketing for Small Businesses” at TopRank.

Marketing Charts posts “Local Merchants Overwhelmed by the Collection of Available Digital Marketing Channels.”

Citing a new Conductor analysis, Nathan Safran shares “5 Statistics Insights to the Headlines Readers Click” at Moz.

Ayaz Nanji posts “The Most (and Least) Effective Search Phrases in Email Subject Lines” at MarketingProfs.

Joshua Giardino posts “The Behavioral Psychology Behind Bold Creative” at iAcquire.

Video Fruit’s Bryan Harris posts a video, “How Do Colors Affect Purchases?” At KISSmetrics.

Rachel McCombie shares “50 Great Content Ideas + Examples — part 1” at SEOptimise.

Katie L. Fetting shares “7.5 Tips to Becoming a Brainstorming Geniius” at Portent.

Gregory Ciotti posts “Best Practices at Conversion Rate Optimization Debunked” at Unbounce.

Discussing conversions, Heather Lloyd-Martin posts “Is your about us page a real yawner?” At SEO Copywriting.

Thibaut Davoult posts “I Your Industry Boring? Use Instagram to Create Your Organization Stand Out” at YouMoz.

Ardi Kolah discusses “Why Marketers Will Need to Practice Active Listening” at Vocus.

SEO MOmma shares tools for discovering trending content topics with “Content Creation and Curated Content.”

Pawan Deshpande posts “5 Tips Each Content Curator Needs to Write Better Calls-to-Action” at Content Advertising Institute.

Robi Ganguly discusses “Mobile App Marketing, App Retention, and Building Actual Customer Relationships” at Moz.

Cezary Tietrzak discusses “iOS 7 Implications for Marketers” at ClickZ.

Occasions:

BtoB is holding Digital Edge LIVE October 23rd at New York City.

(John Hall lists numerous excellent conferences for online marketers, companies, and entrepreneurs at Forbes).

SEO & Search

Barry Schwartz reports “Google Confirms Panda Update Is Rolling Outside: This One Is More ‘Finely Targeted”’ at Search Engine Land.

Schwartz also posts “2013: The Year In Google SEO So Far” at Advertising Land.

Daniel Cristo posts “SEO: The Future of Search Results” at Search Engine Journal.

Matt McGee accounts “Google Agrees To Settle Lawsuit Over Death Search Queries To Third Parties” at Search Engine Land.

Richard Baxter posts “We Must Not Care About PageRank” at SEO Gadget.

Citing a current Matt Cutts’ (Google Webmaster Assist) video, Barry Schwartz reports “Google’s Matt Cutts: Linking 20 Domains Together Probably A ‘Cross Linking Scheme”’ at Search Engine Land.

Google discusses exactly what it believes to be “Link schemes” at its Webmaster Tools Assist page.

Simon Heseltine posts “Google Webmaster Tools: A Summary” at Search Engine View.

Ann Smarty is featured with “About SEO & guest blogging: A smart discussion with Ann Smarty” at SEO Copywriting.

Jon Ball posts “Link Building begins with Research and Research is Nothing Without a Person Brain” at Search Engine Journal.

Jason Acidre shares “22 Link Building Tips from @xightph” at KaisertheSage.

Jim Boykin posts “New Free Tool, the Google Backlink Checker Tool to get Penguin & Disavow Evaluation” at Internet Marketing Ninjas.

Kaila Strong shares “Post Panda & Penguin Recovery Tips to eCommerce Sites” at Vertical Measures.

Tom Schmitz takes us on “A Deep Dive Into Google’s Image Carousel And Knowledge Graph Results” at Search Engine Land.

Hardy Desai discusses “Getting Your Site Ready for The Knowledge Graph” at Search Engine Journal.

Thom Craver posts “Bing Autosuggest Expands to Carry on Instant Search, Knowledge Graph At One Fell Swoop” at Search Engine View.

David Amerland discusses “How ‘Social’ and ‘Semantic’ Move Hand-In-Hand” at Social Media Today.

Martin MacDonald posts “SEO is not dead, it only acquired a sibling” at his blog.

John Lincoln discusses “How Voice Search Is Changing SEO” at Search Engine Journal.

Thom Craver posts “Google Analytics Revolutionizes Advanced Segments” at Search Engine View.

Gemma Holloway posts “Universal Analytics and Cookies — The Total Guide” at Koozai.

Kristine Schachinger posts “SEO Cheat Sheet: 15 Common Oversights Located During Site Audits” at Search Engine View.

EMarketer posts “Getting the Most ROI From SEO.”

Ken Lyons discusses “How to Increase Conversions to Your Best (and Worst) Performing key words in 6 Measures” at Search Engine View.

Kristina Kledzik posts “The SEO’s Guide to Building a Great Mobile Site” at Moz.

Matthew Young posts “The Good, the Bad, and the Mobile: SEO Tips to Your Mobile Site Right Now” at Bruce Clay, Inc.

Chris Liversidge posts “Use Google’s Image & Mobile Optimisation Guidelines For SEO Advantage” at Search Engine Land.

Rebecca Murtagh discusses “Integrating Owned, Earned & Paid Media For Better SEO” at Search Engine View.

Barry Schwartz reports “Google: Authorship Bug Affects ‘ Few Websites,’ Actively Working On A Fix” at Search Engine Land.

Bill Sebald shares “Google+ SEO Tips For Your Regional Business Owner” at Greenlane SEO.

Citing recent comScore information, Jessica Lee reports “Bing Grows Hunt Market Share — at Yahoo’s Expense, Not Google’s” at Search Engine View.

Larry Kim posts “Has the AdWords Enhanced Campaign Apocalypse Been Cancelled?” At Search Engine Journal.

Occasions:

Social Media Marketing

Amy Gesenhues accounts “Social Media Use Growing Among Fortune 500 Listing With 77 percent Tweeting & 70% On Facebook” at Advertising Land.

Brian Solis posts “It is time for social media to develop” at Venture Conquer.

Jason Cormier posts “Social Media Competitive Evaluation: A Lesson from the Fashion Industry” at Search Engine View.

Annie Cushing discusses “LinkedIn’s Most Glaring Deficiencies And How To Get About Them” at Annielytics.

Rachel Kavanagh posts “PPC for LinkedIn, What is the Difference?” At Marketo.

Christian Karasiewicz discusses “17 Ways Advertisers Could Affect Facebook Graph Look” at Social Media Examiner.

Jennifer Horowitz posts “Banish The Boring: 12 Tips To Get Fan Pages” at Degree 343.

Merry Morud discusses “How To Setup New Facebook Reports” at Search Engine View.

Nicolette Beard posts “Social Media Strategy: Where to Start & Why” at TopRank.

“New Magazine in Social Media Examiner” News Social Media Examiner’s yearly information.

Danny Brown discusses “The Future of Social Conversations.”

Jon Morris posts “Influencing Social Awesomizers with Personalized Content” at Moz.

Stacey Miller discusses “Four Social Media Metrics Worth Measuring” at PRWeb.

Greg Jarboe accounts “Video Ad Views Surge to Record 20 Billion in June” at Search Engine View.

Carla Marshall posts “Track Your Best Videos With New YouTube Analytics Feature” at ReelSEO.

Occasions:

Social Fresh West 2013 will return to San Diego August 22nd along with 23rd.

(For an all-in-one listing and description of how social networking, content & inbound marketing and advertising occasions, check out Neal Schaffer’s “The 12 Greatest Social Media Conferences to Participate in 2013” at Social Media Today.)

Photograph because of George Lu

Stay ahead of the curve with my free newsletter! Pick either daily updates or a weekly recap of the hottest SEO buzz.

from Beikecai – Cheap But Reliable SEO Services http://www.beikecai.com/seo-content-promoting-roundup/

[frontproofmedia]

MMA Forethought: UFC 221

By Edward Carbajal; Joel Croichy

Follow @FrontproofMedia

2/9/2018

UFC 221 has an important title fight in the main event that will begin the correction of the middleweight division in the UFC. When 2017 ended, Georges St-Pierre was the middleweight champion and was set to face Robert Whittaker after UFC 217. Then, when the new year began Georges St-Pierre relinquished the title, unable to defend it due to medical issues making Whittaker the champ. However, Whittaker had some issues of his own resulting in changing the line-up of UFC 221 and now Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero will fight for another interim title in the UFC.

As always with all the big MMA per-per-views, Frontproof Media will attempt to give some forethought on how the fights on the main card could go down.

Luke Rockhold (16–3) vs. Yoel Romero (12–2)

At the top of the card, former Strikeforce and UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold will clash with Olympic silver medalist Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero in an interim middleweight title contest. Romero is a former amateur wrestling world champion who is also known for displaying his incredible knockout ability in previous fights. Since starting his career back in 2009, he has captured ten professional wins of out 14 bouts by way of KO/TKO. His upcoming opponent Rockhold is never afraid to out-strike his opponent while on the feet and is continuously looking for submission openings while on the ground. Throughout his professional career, he has gathered six wins by way of KO/TKO and eight via submission. Rockhold has all the tools in his repertoire to neutralize Romero’s offense and should pick up the win via decision. Pick: Luke Rockhold –Joel Croichy

Mark Hunt (13–11–1–1) vs. Curtis Blaydes (8–1–1)

In the co-main event, crowd favorite and knockout artist Mark "The Super Samoan" Hunt will look to thrill the Australian audience as he competes against fellow heavy-hitter Curtis “Razor” Blaydes. During his run in the UFC, Hunt has secured wins over top competitors such as Derrick Lewis, Frank Mir, and Roy Nelson to name a few. Since starting his professional MMA career less than four years ago, Blaydes has gathered most of his wins by way of technical knockout and has only suffered one loss. Both Blaydes and Hunt collectively gathered 17 wins by way of KO/TKO, so there is a strong chance that this fight will not go the distance. This match will be an exciting contest while it lasts with Hunt finding more success with landing strikes and should pick the stoppage win. Pick: Mark Hunt –Joel Croichy

Cyril Asker (9-3) vs. Tai Tuivasa (8-0)

Asker may be the promotional senior man in this bout but Tuivasa is undefeated and fighting on his native soil. What is more noteworthy is that Tuivasa’s undefeated eight-fight record consists of wins by KO/TKO. That being said, this is still a good match-up where anything can happen and Asker is riding a five-fight win streak, with his last one coming by way of submission which could be what his game plan is in this fight. Still, he has been finished with strikes before so the odds could favor Tuivasa in this fight. -Ed Carbajal

Jake Matthews (11–3) vs. Li  Jingliang (14–4)

Australia’s own Jake "The Celtic Kid" Matthews will look to excite his home country in a three-round bout against former Legend FC Welterweight Champion Li "The Leech" Jingliang. Matthews is a talented young prospect who has captured 11 professional wins out of fourteen fights. He has gathered nine of his 11 wins by stoppage in which he picked up victories over Johnny Case, Akbarh Arreola, and Vagner Rochain among others. Jingliang is a dangerous competitor who can out-strike as well as out-wrestle his opponents. Out of his 14 professional victories, he has captured five of his wins by submission and another five via KO/TKO. With Matthews having the home crowd advantage he will be the more confident fighter and should earn the victory. Pick: Jake Matthews –Joel Croichy

Tyson Pedro (6-1) vs. Saparbek Safarov (8-1)

Both of these light heavyweights are coming off of losses and neither man has ever won by decision so expect them to come out hard against each other. Safarov, has not fought since 2016 when he suffered a TKO loss to Gian Villante at UFC Fight Night 102 whereas Pedro has remained active losing to Ilir Latifi at UFC 215. Pedro is another Australian fighter that will likely look to win in the opening fight of the main card and being the younger man could work in his favor if he can avoid Safarov early. If being “down under” has any effect on conditioning he could force the grappling and win this won by control advantage, or catching a submission before sweat becomes a factor. -Ed Carbajal

The middleweight division is sorting itself out and it will begin with this event. Are you watching closely? UFC 221 airs live on pay-per-view from Perth, Australia’s Perth Arena and can be ordered through your cable provider, UFC.TV and Fite TV.  

Feature photo: Ed Carbajal/Frontproof Media

[razorroy]

Legend in "Real" Time

13 goals in 13 matches!

Once again, not the name that comes to mind ... for most!

When you need them most, heroes are there.

When they're there, seemingly all the time, that is what makes them legends!

We are witnessing legendary history. Enjoy the moment!

[razorroy]

Proper Recognition for Jude Bellingham

Think for a moment of the greatest scorers in Real Madrid's history. Who appears in your mind?

Is it El fenómeno Ronaldo? (177 appearances 104 goals)

Perhaps Karim Benzema? (648 appearances 354 goals)

Or maybe you went old school? Ferenc Puskás? (262 appearances 242 goals)

Or is it Alfredo Di Stéfano? (396 appearances 308 goals)

Too far back? How about Raul? (741 appearances 323 goals)

Fernando Morientes? (272 appearances 100 goals)

Ah! The greatest of them all ... Cristiano Ronaldo! (438 appearances 450 goals)

I'll bet you never considered Jude Bellingham though. (6 appearances 6 goals)

"But, Roy, his goal scoring record can't match CR7! And he doesn't even come close to any of the names you just listed!"

All fair points. But, take a closer look at what Jude Bellingham is doing in his first season at Real Madrid. Granted this is an extremely small sample size but it still warrants a closer look.

Bellingham is not playing as a forward or a winger. Something all of the aforementioned Real Madrid stars were. Bellingham plays as an attacking midfielder in Real's diamond midfield. Also, two strikers sit in front of Bellingham looking to score.

Bellingham tracks back in search of regaining possession when Real is defending. Something none of Real's greatest scorers ever did. Or even gave as much as a thought of doing.

It isn't just the fact that Bellingham usually starts from a position on the pitch that is farther away from goal than say CR7, Benzema, or even Brazilian great Ronaldo. It is the time in the match that he's scoring his goals. The sheer importance of his goals that keeps Madrid winning.

As an added value to Madrid. His goals are coming now when they might very well need them most in this season. Madrid is without Brazilian star forward Vinícius Júnior, due to injury.

While I'll admit, it is far too soon to place Jude Bellingham alongside the greatest goal scorers of Real Madrid's long history. An acknowledgment for what, how, and when his goals are coming for Real Madrid is owed.

[razorroy]

The Sympathy of Jet Fans

First Brett Favre. Now Aaron Rodgers. Next Jordan Love.

Well, look at it this way, New York Jets fans. In 15 more years, you can trade for another future hall of fame quarterback from the Green Bay Packers. By then, the Packers will have soured Jordan Love, by having the nerve to think ahead and draft his replacement.

Thankfully, Jets fans, can once again be the shoulder to cry on. And nothing more.

[razorroy]

Is it safe yet? Has the complaining and unnecessary negativity ceased yet?

Why all the anger? Why all the outrage? Haven't you ever heard the phrase "you can't win them all "?

Yes, I'm speaking of the US national team's recent exit from the FIFA Women's World Cup. It's great to have winning expectations. And it is also great to have reason and understanding. Support your country. Support your team.

Eight years is a long time. And that's how long the US women's national team has been champions. To expect what no other country has ever done before in either the men's or women's World Cup, which is: win a third consecutive title is not reasonable.

National teams have cycles. This group has seen its cycle end. Now, the US women's team will start their 2027 journey with a younger group that has gained valuable experience.

A core of: Sophia Smith (23), Trinity Rodman (21), Alyssa Thompson (18), Naomi Girma (23) and Catarina Macario (23) -- who was unavailable for selection in the World Cup squad after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in June 2022 will certainly be back and hungry for international success.

So dry your tears. Stop with the negativity and unnecessary bashing of players. It's time to move on from the disappointment. Because in four years time this group will look much different.

Thank you, ladies, for the hope and passion you instilled in all of us. As we look forward to the next World Cup. Where we certainly will be dreaming of a World Cup final victory.

[razorroy]

While listening to Terry Bradshaw during the Fox NFL halftime show today, I could not help but wonder. What must Justin Fields do to prove that he is not only a legitimate NFL quarterback but a rising NFL star.

After the Fox NFL panel, all but Bradshaw agreed that the Bears have finally found their quarterback. Bradshaw suggested that a running quarterback can be injured from running and you're left with no one to back him up. While when a running back goes out you simply bring in the next on the roster.

Bradshaw's assessment of the value of a successful starting NFL quarterback is without a doubt spot on. However, it must be pointed out that a quarterback running in the open is less likely to be injured, due to the fact that he can see the danger coming at him. Versus, a quarterback sitting in the pocket surrounded by o-linemen that obstruct his view. A quarterback in the pocket takes many hits per game that he never sees coming. And the hits that you don't see coming are some of the worst hits you'll take. Thus, increasing the likelihood of sustaining an injury.

Before this foolish assessment by Bradshaw. Another of the criticisms around the league on second year quarterback Justin Fields was that while his running was a clear asset, his lack of passing success was proof that he's not a legitimate NFL quarterback

A simple understanding of the Chicago Bears offense this season points to their offensive line's inability to pass block.

In the NFL you try to take away from your opponent what they do best and force them to do what they don't do well.

The Bears can't pass protect. So, they focused on their running game. This group can run block with the best in the league. And the success of the Bears running game has opened up the Bears passing game. Teams focused on stopping the run and allowed Fields to attack secondaries with confidence.

Fields came out of college with the reputation of throwing a great deep ball. Now given the chance and the time to throw the ball down field, he is making the most of his opportunities.

The Bears aren't just making a few plays every game. They're consistently moving the ball down the field. And this is due to exceptional quarterback play. Running and passing. And defenses are unable to focus on one aspect of the Bears offense.

So the question begs. What will the uneducated NFL pundits around the league ask of Fields next?

[razorroy]

Aaron Judge has 49 home runs as of the start of play on August 28th, 2022.

The Yankees have 35 games left, counting today's game.

13 more home runs in those 35 games remaining and Judge will pass Roger Maris's 61 home runs in a season record.

Forget about Sosa, McGwire & Bonds records. Those are tainted.

Judge represents a chance at a true record breaking feat.

[razorroy]

Perhaps, Erik ten Hag has seen the film "Miracle". His mandatory practice after United's 4 - 0 drubbing at Brentford, in which he had his team run 13.8 km (8.6 miles) the day after the loss (the equivalent of how much they were out run by) was more about motivation than punishment.

This same motivational tactic was displayed by Herb Brooks in the run up to the "Miracle On Ice" Olympic ice hockey game in 1980.

After a lack of motivation and flat out refusal to work during a exhibition match. Herb Brooks refused to let his team off the ice.

Brooks was said to have told his players that if they didn't want to work during the game then, they'll work now!

The end result was suicide sprints for over a half an hour!

The message. Laziness will not be tolerated.

It seems that ten Hag is sending the same message to his United players. 

United went on to pull off a surprise victory over Liverpool on Monday. Many in attendance saw a more inspired United side. Whilst Liverpool were slow to react and lacking in overall energy.

One match does not decide a season. Only time will tell if this United side has the courage to continue to out work it's opponents.

As for ten Hag. May I suggest the Rocky Balboa series.

[razorroy]

A Date To Remember

On June 9, 1978 the NBA held their thirty second annual entry draft. The sixth pick in the first round that year was foward Larry Bird of Indiana State, selected by the Boston Celtics. Bird stayed one more seaon at Indiana State. His senior year. The Boston Celtics would have to wait one more year for their new addition.

The follwing year on June 25, 1979 the first selection of the thirty third NBA draft was a point guard named Ervin "Magic" Johnson Jr. from Michigan State. The Los Angeles Lakers held the rights to the first overall selection and thus selected the 6 foot 9 inch future Hall of Famer Johnson to pair with their other future NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

The 1979 NBA season saw the begining of the famous rivalry between the two NBA greats Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. A rivalry that lasted for more than a decade. Producing a combined: eight NBA championships, six NBA MVP season awards, five NBA MVP finals awards, 24 NBA All-Star game selections, three NBA All-Star MVP awards, and eighteen All-NBA First Team selections. Both were elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sunday, April 7, 2024 saw the conclusion of the 2024 NCAA division 1 women's basketball tournament. A tournament that was supported by record television viewership. The final between the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks and Iowa Hawkeyes featuring Caitlin Clark, averaged approximately 18.7 million viewers. A combined 24 million viewers between two networks: ABC and ESPN! This day also recorded for the very first time, the women's title game outdrawing the men's final in viewership!

An enormous success assured. But what comes next? Obviously the start of the WNBA season. However, the WNBA hasn't ever come close to the viewership numbers achieved by the 2024 women's NCAA tournament. Change however is about to happen.

Monday, April 15, 2024 was the day Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hackeyes was drafted by the WNBA's Indiana Fever. A moment that could very well be the beganing of a golden generation for the women's national basketball association.

Now I'm not suggesting that we will see 18 to 24 million tune in to see a WNBA regular season game. Yet I do feel there will be a spike in ratings that has nothing to do with curiosity. The WNBA is a league that already has well established stars and is now about to get an injection of exciting new talent. Caitlin Clark may be the most recognizable name to enter the league this season. But she isn't the only skilled player joining the league this season. Kamilla Cardoso, Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink, Angel Reese, and Aaliyah Edwards are just a few of the talented players that are about to begin applying their talents this season. A season that launches on May 14th.

Add the 2024 Paris Olympic games this summer. The women's Olympic basketball tournament opens play on July 28th. Some of the WNBA's best will be on showcase for team USA. Players like: Ariel Atkins/Washington Mystics, Aliyah Boston/Indiana Fever , Napheesa Collier/Minnesota Lynx, Kahleah Copper/Phoenix Mercury, Rhyne Howard/Atlanta Dream, Sabrina Ionescu/New York Liberty, Jewell Loyd/Seattle Storm, Kelsey Plum/Las Vegas Aces, Breanna Stewart/New York Liberty, Diana Taurasi/Phoenix Mercury, Alyssa Thomas/Connecticut Sun and Jackie Young/Las Vegas Aces. For those who miss the start of the WNBA season. Or for those that didn't watch the women's NCAA basketball tournament, but do watch and cheer on the United States during the Olympics. The cheering doesn't have to stop, once the Paris games have concluded. The WNBA will be entering the final month of their regular season when the Paris games conclude. A chance for many to jump on board just in time for the playoffs.

The Caitlin Clark frenzy for her final collegiate season that began on November 6, 2023 didn't end on April 7, 2024. Clark may be the spearhead for the heightened interest in women's basketball. But she isn't the only reason for the sudden enthusiasm.

Magic Johnson needed Larry Bird. Larry Bird needed Magic Johnson. Caitlin Clark's rivals are still to be determined. Those rivalries will create drama and increase television ratings and attendance. An overall increase in popularity for the WNBA. Which equates to money. Money = Everyone wins. And this is the date so many are waiting for.

[razorroy]

The Mythological Great Manager of the EPL

Take a close look at today's EPL standings. Specifically, 6th & 7th place. Surprised? You should be.

While the football media anoints Eddie Howe of Newcastle United as the next great manager. These same members ask who should replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Newcastle hold an advantage in goals for and goals against. But supposedly soon to be replaced, Erik ten Hag and his Manchester United lead in the most important category: points.

Somehow, someway, Erik ten Hag has masterfully guided United through an extremely difficult time in their first dozen Premier League matches.

The next time someone suggests that Erik ten Hag should be replaced, remember that facts matter. Not myth. Especially the myth of Eddie Howe.

[razorroy]

Il pesce puzza dalla testa!

Il pesce puzza dalla testa in Italian means: the fish stinks from the head. This saying is meant for companies. When a company is failing, you say: it starts at the top. Hence, the old Italian saying: Il pesce puzza dalla testa.

But what about in sports? Does this same rule apply? If management or say ownership is poor in their handling of a football club. Or if ownership was negligent in their responsibilities towards management, players, and club supporters. Then could we say that the fish stinks from the head?

If a family was to purchase an extremely successful football club that had previously been without debt. A purchase made via a hostile takeover and a leveraged buyout which instantly sent the club into £660million worth of debt (around $1.2bn at the time), could we then say that the fish stinks from the head?

What if this same family that saddled their new football club with the debt from their purchase then decided to give themselves dividends from profits made instead of lowering the debt or reinvesting in the club's squad of players with these funds. Could we then say that the fish stinks from the head?

What if this same selfish family discovered that the recently purchased club's stadium was in need of repairs. The roof was now leaking water onto the faithful club supporters whenever it rained. But, instead of fixing this leaky roof, these selfish owners asked for local taxpayers to cover the costs to finance a new stadium. And when the owners were rejected, they decided to do nothing at all. And this roof is still leaking today. And getting much worse I might add. Could we then say that the fish stinks from the head?

During a four year period this football club, run by a selfish, greedy, family of owners paid out on average £95million per year in interest to service the debt they created. But took dividends as part of a well earned reward for all their great work. All the work that went into creating over a billion dollars in debt for a once debt free club. Or lack of work maybe? That must be it. The lack of work that goes into not fixing your roof that pours water onto the people that fill your coffers with cash. Could this possibly be a situation where the fish stinks from the head?

What about the support shown to managers that run the first team for the club? Does that matter?

When a club has won titles for years before this leaking, stubborn, greedy family arrived but fails to support this club's managers with their first choice of players to refresh the squad for the upcoming season could this be an example of the fish stinks from the head?

Of course it is! Yes, to all of the questions asked above.

The family and the club that I am speaking of are the Glazer family that currently owns Manchester United. The Glazer family is responsible for the results on the pitch more than any manager or player at Manchester United.

Simply put, the rot and odor from ownership has made its way to the pitch and has permeated the football grounds of Old Trafford. The only way to remove this grotesque smell is for the team to be sold from the Glazer family one hundred percent!

Yet some still don't understand or perhaps smell this.

Consider this. In June of 2009 Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United and their training grounds: Trafford Training Centre (Carrington) for Real Madrid and their beautiful Ciudad Real Madrid training complex. When Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in August of 2021 nothing had changed. No improvements or updates had been made to the training grounds. With one exception. The grass had been mowed! The fish stinks from the head.

After Sunday's 3 - 0 drubbing by Manchester City, football pundits from Sky Sports News, NBC Sports, and ESPN FC (Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, Robbie Mustoe, Robbie Earle, Jan Aage Fjortoft, Steve Nicol, and Shaka Hislop) placed the blame for the most recent loss on current Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Tactics, player selection, almost everything but ten Hag's choice of tie and sport coat was given as reason for the failure. One by one as I watched and listened, no one understood the true failure of this club.

Il pesce puzza dalla testa.

The rot has set in and the stench is almost unbearable.

When you compare the squads of Manchester United and Manchester City you see an obvious difference in quality. This difference didn't happen over one transfer window either.

Every year Manchester City has spent maximum dollars to improve their squad. Every year money has gone into the club. Every manager has been supported and not just in their first season as manager either. Manchester City isn't concerned with dividends paid to ownership. Nor are they concerned with who will pay for repairs to their stadium.

The Glazer family seems to support their managers in their first season at the club. Giving money to change the squad to meet the managers' style. Then comes the second season and poof! The money disappears. And so do the prospects of winning trophies.

David Moyes might be the exception. He was chosen to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson. Perhaps the Glazers felt he had all he needed when he arrived and there wasn't a need to add to the squad. But, if Moyes had his druthers, he'd have selected Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos, and Thiago Alcantara. Or at the very least, made a strong effort to acquire these talents. Whatever the reasons. None found their way to Old Trafford.

In Jose Mourinho's first season he spent over 145 million pounds. He begged enough for his second season to garnish Old Trafford with over 146 million pounds of additional talent. Well done. Right? Except this money was spent more on quantity not quality. The actual players he wanted were considered too expensive.  Too expensive? Too expensive for the richest club in the world in 2017?

Jose's third season saw his spending trimmed to over 73 million. With the money the Glazer family saved they surely could have fixed the leaky roof.

Nope!

During Jose's time he racked up a very long list of: what could have been players. Players like: Mats Hummels, Raphael Varane, N’Golo Kante, Renato Sanches, Breel Embolo, Willian, Neymar, Antoine Griezmann, Alvaro Morata, Gareth Bale, Ivan Perisic, Justin Kluivert, and Harry Maguire. Maguire was considered far too expensive. So the Glazer family waited for the price to go up and then bought him for a future manager.

Truth!

After Mourinho's departure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was brought in. Ole had an eye for talent. Ole recognized players before they were expensive rising stars. Ole's wish was to purchase them before their price tags became enormous. Perhaps Ole learned about the "too expensive" issues for past managers. But Ole ran into a new issue the Glazer family created. The: that is too much for an unproven player, issue.

So Ole lost out on many players too. Here is the list of players Ole lost out on for one reason or another. Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, and Harry Kane. Perhaps if these names were in the line up this past weekend, Erik ten Hag may have had a chance. Then again, if these players had been signed for Ole, maybe he'd still be there.

Once the Glazer family parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they hired Ralf Rangnick to manage the club on an interim basis and in addition serve as an advisor for player recruitment. Because none of the players desired by the past managers that the Glazer family turned away were any good. Apparently, Ralp Rangnick's suggestions weren't any good either. Let's have a look anyway!

Ralf suggested: Enzo Fernandez, Josko Gvardiol, Julian Alvarez, Luis Diaz, Erling Haaland, Konrad Laimer, Alvaro Morata, Christopher Nkunku, and Dusan Vlahovic. In all fairness, some of these players were on the pitch playing for Manchester on Sunday. They were just playing for Manchester City though.

New and current manager Erik ten Hag already has a list of failed requested signings, after having his budget slashed in ... wait for it ... his second season. His current list includes: Kim Min-Jae, Randal Kolo Muani, Victor Osimhen, Goncalo Ramos, Frenkie de Jong, Mohammed Kudus, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Jeremie Frimpong, Benjamin Pavard, and Ryan Gravenberch.

One can only wonder if ten Hag had been able to recruit at least some of his desired enhancements for this season how his side would have fared on Sunday.

To be fair, not all of these transfer failures are the fault of the Glazer family. However, a great deal are, and will continue to be if the Glazer family continue to govern Manchester United's transfer funds.

Recently the Glazer family struck a deal with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to purchase a stake in the club. Rumors are strong that Ratcliffe paid 1.5 to 1.8 billion dollars for a 25% investment in the club. It is said that Ratcliffe will control the sporting interests of the club. Hopefully Sir Jim has stocked up on air fresheners because Il pesce puzza dalla testa!

[razorroy]

The Facts and Reasons Behind Media Coverage

Chris Collizza's most recent YouTube political editorial video covers the topic of whether or not the mainstream media should in fact cover Donald Trump, when all he does is lie, interrupt and bully. All the while never making any statements of substance or about policy.

Cillizza quotes media critic Margaret Sullivan of the Guardian and her claim that the mainstream media wants to be seen as a non-partisan. Cillizza meanwhile sits on the side of the fence that believes that because Trump is a former president and the leading frontrunner for the republican nomination, he therefore should be covered. Period.

Wrong and wrong. The truth has nothing to do with either of these responses. The simple truth is that today's mainstream media is all about business. Very big business. This business is driven by ratings, to which of course allows these businesses to sell advertisement time. And whether you like Trump or not, he is a ratings gold mine.

Not sold? Consider the biggest news outlets in America. Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN. All of these networks still to this day deliver a steady amount of reporting on the words and actions of Donald Trump.

Need more proof? More than half of Chris Cillizza's videos mention or are solely about Trump. Why? You guessed it. Ratings! More specifically, views and likes.

While it may not be easy for news networks to let go of their ratings draw drug, known as Trump. If in fact they did choose to cover him significantly less, it may very well force him to conform to a more traditional interview. Rather than his current rants and complaints that focus solely on himself and have nothing to do with leading America. I could very well be wrong but we'll likely never get the chance to find out.

[razorroy]

Fields Realization

On Wednesday, Justin Fields met the media for his weekly q & a. It has been a difficult start to the season for the 0 - 2 Bears and Justin. But instead of the familiar "we just have to stick together and keep working at it" theme most in his position would give. Fields offered a much different equation for how he'll approach solving the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Fields identified the Bears coaching staff's handling of him as Robotic. Justin went on to promise to play the game with a feel for it, rather than the measured and restrictive direction of the Bears offensive scheme.

I like this! Now it is on him. No more excuses. Play free and without shackles. It's your career on the line Justin. If you're going to go down then go down without any excuses. Because the NFL isn't about to make any for you.

Sometimes receivers run the wrong route. Sometimes the offensive line doesn't keep a clean pocket. Sometimes the play comes in a little late. The answer to all these problems in the NFL is the same. Persevere! Make good of the situation you are in. If it is inside of you, now is the time to let it all out. There is no tomorrow. Yes, you'll be the starter all season and get every chance there is to prove yourself worthy of being an NFL starting quarterback.  But there is no time like the present. Let it ride, kid. Because the excuses have run out. Now it is on you. And I'm glad you understand that.