Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Steele broke against type and tried to utilize a few different tricks, including one borrowed from Bill Belichik, to bust up Joe Moorhead’s option offense at Mississippi State. Instead Nick Fitzgerald ran wild and the option guru came out ahead. When Joe Moorhead first arrived at Penn State in 2016 after a nice four-year run at Fordham at the FCS level, the big breakthrough he brought to the Lions was in the vertical passing game. Penn State loved going de...
From Football Study Hall
| over 6 years ago
| 2 reads
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Huskies have had their rival’s number over the last few years in the Apple Cup. In 2018 they had a showdown against Mike Leach and Gardner Minshew in the snow and came out ahead once more. The 2018 Apple Cup was often treated as a sort of “that’s what you get for trying to throw all the time, Leach,” game by many commentators. Washington’s DB coach and co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake played that angle up with some of his quotes after the gam...
From Football Study Hall
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
A season of Up and Down progress ends today It ends in a few hours, the 2018-19 season
LINEUPS AND BENCH
From Brace The Hammer
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LSU proved to be one of Florida’s biggest wins for Dan Mullen in year one and made two in a row that he’s put over on defensive guru Dave Aranda. The uniting of Dave Aranda’s defensive mind with LSU back in 2016 was always an intriguing and potentially devastating combo. He’d built a wildly effective defense up in Wisconsin that leaned on man coverage, which figured to translate nicely with LSU’s superior DBs, and then a versatile front built out of sturdy DL ...
From Football Study Hall
| over 6 years ago
| 4 reads
Is Russell Westbrook really that good? Russell Westbrook isn’t very good:
No, I don’t watch every Oklahoma City Thunder game, but it’s beginning to feel like Russell Westbrook is detrimental to his teammates and perhaps even a choke artist. He whines to refs way too much, starts a beef with almost every other superstar when his play doesn’t back up his mouth, and most of all, he doesn’t understand the fact that he isn’t a good shooter. No player in the NBA frustrates me more than Russell Wes...
From Sonics Rising
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Will we finally have a good start for a change? It’s time again for Manuel Pellegrini to get it right. United will feel the pressure, in the middle of their Champions League quarterfinal tie with Barcelona, to keep up in the Top 4 race. But they will also be desperate for the victory despite any squad fatigue.
No matter what the result is, the Hammers need to start well for a change and give a good account for the full 90.
LINEUPS AND BENCH
From Brace The Hammer
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Pellegrini has to step up with his tactics The main point to take away from the 2-0 loss to Chelsea is the fact that Manuel Pellegrini has had his worst tactical period of the season.
The Chilean manager is indeed one of the brightest and benevolent minds in the sport, but his team have been useless to begin games for over a month now and that negative falls squarely on Pellegrini.
Desperate to see his side show a consistent offensive pulse from the o...
From Brace The Hammer
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
A good performance is required after the mess of the last month Well, West Ham’s energy level is never questioned when it faces one of the Big 6. So, we’ll see, with this aggressive attacking lineup vs Chelsea, if they can actually get off to a good start for the first time in a month, and actually produce a quality performance.
The Everton performance was so terrible that five changes were needed.
LINEUPS AND BENCH
From Brace The Hammer
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
He has every reason to express the words he felt A disgusted Manuel Pellegrini lashed out at his West Ham United team following their forgettable 2-0 home defeat at Everton on Saturday, labeling it as the “worst performance of the season.”
“I think, if you review the performance, the first half and the second half were exactly the same, so it doesn’t matter the names or if we changed two players because they were all making mistakes, especially in defending in the first 15 minutes,” Pellegri...
From Brace The Hammer
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Just a terrible performance throughout It was not the start to the final stretch of the season that West Ham United should have ever produced, as they were clearly beaten at home by Everton 2-0 Saturday afternoon at the London Stadium.
From the opening kickoff, Marco Silva’s visiting side dominated the Hammers, as Manuel Pellegrini will have to ask why his team have started so terribly for a third straight match.
Everton took the lead in the 5th m...
From Brace The Hammer
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images
A big late season game to close off March The drama will be in store for this one between two talented teams.
Our lineups when they come.
LINEUPS AND BENCH
From Brace The Hammer
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Napoli have a 3-0 lead but are without their two starting center backs Kickoff time: 1:55 ET
Venue: Red Bull Arena (Wals-Siezenheim, Austria)
Lineup:
⚽️ #SalisburgoNapoli XI @EuropaLeague #UEL #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/K2l8LomCl0 — Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) March 14, 2019
Europa League last 16:
RESULTS Great goals Big shocks ✅ Plenty of drama Performance of the night was from ________ #UEL pic.twitter.com/VIl...
From The Siren's Song
| over 6 years ago
| 2 reads
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Plus international call-ups and Icardi rumors Insigne responds criticism
In an interview with Sky Sport Italia after Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Sassuolo, Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne responded to critics saying “I always get criticized. I don’t want to stir up controversy, but I am the only one who always gets targeted when I don’t score or don’t perform up to my usual standards.”
After a red-hot start to the season, Insigne has struggled to rega...
From The Siren's Song
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
Sassuolo 1, Napoli 1 Carlo Ancelotti made eight changes to the starting 11 from Thursday's 3-0 Europa League win against RB Salzburg and it showed. Napoli looked disjointed throughout the match and were fortunate to escape with a point in Sassuolo thanks to a late Lorenzo Insigne goal. The changes made to the lineup clearly show that Ancelotti is prioritizing the Europa League, but it was a disappointing performance especially given how much the dept...
From The Siren's Song
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
Ancelotti decides to shake things up Kickoff time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Mapei Stadium (Sassuolo, Italy)
Lineup:
⚽️ #SassuoloNapoli XI @SerieA #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/y4am4gVQWG — Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) March 10, 2019
Serie A table:
Ecco la classifica aggiornata alla 26ª giornata di #SerieATIM ! pic.twitter.com/Qa3fxuxGyh — Lega Serie A (@SerieA) March 4, 2019
From The Siren's Song
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Lazaro celebrates after scoring a goal for Austria in the UEFA Nations Lague | Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Plus Hamsik reveals his favorite manager Lazaro to Napoli?
According to Sport Mediaset, Napoli are in advanced talks with 22 year-old Hertha Berlin winger, Valentino Lazaro. Reports claim that Napoli are willing to bid roughly 20 million euros on the Austrian who is seen by many as the possible heir to Jose Callejon (who turned 32 earlier this year). Lazaro spent the fi...
From The Siren's Song
| over 6 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Napoli 3, RB Salzburg 0 Napoli capitalized on early chances to take a 3-0 win in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie with RB Salzburg. Napoli got on the scoresheet in under 10 minutes when Arkadiusz Milik calmly faked and ran past the Salzburg keeper after receiving a clinical cutting pass from Dries Mertens. Although Milik has had a great season in Serie A, this marked his first European goal of the campaign. Fellow Polish internati...
From The Siren's Song
| over 6 years ago
| 2 reads
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Napoli’s captain looks to regain his early season form After a red-hot start to the season, Lorenzo Insigne has struggled to regain his scoring form. Since converting a penalty in Napoli’s 1-1 draw with PSG back in early November, Insigne has only scored twice in a span of 4 months and 18 games. His scoring woes continued on Sunday against Juventus when his penalty kick struck the post leaving Napoli without a point to show for their performance. S...
From The Siren's Song
| almost 7 years ago
| 1 read
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Napoli 1, Juventus 2 Two red cards and a missed penalty was just some of the drama in a chaotic, action-packed match at the San Paolo between Napoli and Juventus on Sunday night. Despite going down to ten men early in the match, Napoli were the better team throughout most of the night and were unlucky to not get at least a point. The Partenopei showed great determination and character through adversity and should have their heads held up high despi...
From The Siren's Song
| almost 7 years ago
| 1 read
Below is a message from John Sickels, the editor of Minor League Ball.
I can confirm that Minor League Ball content and archives will remain online and Vox will help with any transition to another platform. I can also confirm that the twitter account here will remain under my control. — John Sickels (@MinorLeagueBall) November 30, 2018
We want to thank him for his work on Minor League Ball, and thank you for reading.
From Minor League Ball
| about 7 years ago
| 1 read
Andres Gimenez | Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Early results from the Mets prospect list I have completed my first run through the New York Mets farm system and the preliminary grades are listed below.
Grade A: Zero Grade A-: Zero Grade B+: Two Grade B: Three Grade B-: Five Grade C+: 30 Grade C: Everyone else
There’s some play in the C+/B- range but the final results should be close to this. The names:
Ross Adolph, OF Peter Alonso, 1B Francisco Alvarez, C Gerson Bautista , RHP Rau...
From Minor League Ball
| about 7 years ago
| 1 read
Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Open to trading Russell Martin, Blue Jays open the door for rookie catcher. The Toronto Blue Jays have one of the most talked-about farm systems, and baseball bloodlines , in major league baseball. In fact, you can’t hold a conversation, read a story, post a tweet, or listen to a podcast about Blue Jays prospects without hearing the names Vladimir Guerrero Jr , Bo Bichette , and Cavan Biggio . However, the prospect that could have the biggest impact on the 201...
From Minor League Ball
| about 7 years ago
| 1 read
Mickey Callaway | David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
63 names under study I am working on the New York Mets Top 20 Prospects for 2019 list. My first run through the system turned up 63 names worth looking at, listed below. Mention it in the comments if you think anyone important is missing.
Ross Adolph, OF Peter Alonso, 1B Francisco Alvarez, C Gerson Bautista , RHP Raul Beracierta, OF Quinn Brodey, OF Luis Carpio, INF Joe Cavallaro, RHP Gavin Cecchini , INF Stanley Consuegra, OF Carlos Cortes,...
From Minor League Ball
| about 7 years ago
| 0 reads
Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
How quickly can this be turned around? I am now working on the New York Mets Top 20 prospects for 2019 list. The next team in line is the Baltimore Orioles to be followed by the Philadelphia Phillies , the Cleveland Indians , the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Houston Astros , the Chicago Cubs , the Toronto Blue Jays , and the Washington Nationals.
Use this thread to discuss the Baltimore Orioles organization. Possible points for discussion include, but ...
From Minor League Ball
| about 7 years ago
| 2 reads
Eloy Jimenez | Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Updated Top 20 Prospects Lists for all MLB systems Here is an index for the Minor League Ball Top 20 prospects lists for each of the 30 Major League teams.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox (published November 16, 2018) New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals (published November 6, 2018) Minnesota Twins (published Oc...
From Minor League Ball
| about 7 years ago
| 2 reads