Luis Suarez Takes Out Opponents

Will Selva’s latest post about Hispanic Athletes.

Luis Suarez had yet another opponent crying out for mercy as he put his knee on their throats, not literally of course, although it would be plausible to leap to that reaction given his recent checkered past on the pitch, whether its allegedly hurling a racist comment or munching on an opposing player’s limb.

Luis Suarez is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Premier League club Liverpool.

Suarez toyed with a disheartened Cardiff side by assisting on one goal and knocking home two others, bringing his BPL total to a whopping 19 goals in 12 matches, an unprecedented scoring binge the likes we have not seen. He’s on a staggering pace for 60 at the moment and wouldn’t doubt him seizing the achievement. Think about the dent he would’ve made had he not been suspended for biting Chelsea’s Ivanovic.

The overall total would be far greater. His play against Cardiff showed his determination in and around the box, never giving up and constantly moving. As a result, Liverpool is now on top of the table. Suarez caps off an unforgettable week in which the Uruguayan also inked an extension. In the summer, he seemed destined to be anywhere other than Liverpool, making the agreement all the more unthinkable, but the club did the smart move and in turn, gave it more control if someone were to seek out his services. When his head is right, like it is now, he’s a potent striker in top form that can’t be slowed. Cardiff found that out.

from Will Selva: Sports Broadcasting http://willselva.org/luis-suarez/

Where Did The Beatles Play Their Final Concert?

Will Selva’s latest blog post.

As the 49ers prepare for what is expected to be the final game at Candlestick Park Monday night against the Falcons, there’s a strong waft of nostalgia around the outdated stadium that has housed baseball, football and even pop culture history. It’s always the answer to the music trivia question: Where did the Beatles play their final concert?

The perception to Bay Area outsiders is that the ‘Stick fan-base mostly eats brie and sips Pinot, but if you’ve ever spent any time in the bleachers like me, you know it’s all about the insults and suds. Case in point in the early 90′s when Reds reliever Rob Dibble was warming up in the bullpen. As he was getting verbally pounded, he stopped, looked directly at our section and shook his head in disgust.

The cascading boos clearly got to him because a minute later, Dibble flashed us half the peace sign! I also vividly remember fans in the bleachers during Game 4 of the 1989 World Series serenading the Chemical Brothers, er Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire with chants of “STER-OIDS!” We were a rowdy bunch fiercely protecting our turf on Jamestown Avenue, but that shared sentiment is now likely faded away with an updated, shimmering new home south of San Francisco. Gonna miss that big ‘ole monolithic lug.

from Will Selva Sports http://willselvasports.com/will-selva-candlestick-park/

US Soccer Headed In The Right Direction?

Will Selva’s latest post about Hispanic Athletes.

Since I wear multiple hats, and one of them involves the other football or as most of the world knows it as futbol, I should mention that I spoke with US Men’s National Team Coach Jurgen Klinsmann following his 4 year extension that also includes the title of Technical Director. He obviously believes it was good to get it out of the way to bring some stability in preparation for the World Cup.

Will Selva discusses the current US men’s soccer team.

US National Team products Carlos Bocanegra, Cobi Jones and Brian McBride all agreed that this was all part of Klinsmann’s plan and there’s no lingering distractions in the coming months. They believe US Soccer is headed in the right direction at the moment. As Bocanegra correctly pointed out to me, there’s really no other viable candidate out there to take over.

Whether Klinsmann actually coaches until 2018 remains to be seen, but a scenario where he’s just the Technical Director is quite possible. The timing of this extension is a bit curious considering it was done before what will be a brutal World Cup for the US, but as Jones reiterated, contracts are made to be broken. So if the team does poorly, then it changes things.

There were reports circulating that Switzerland and Tottenham were interested in the German, which may have hastened the signing. Klinsmann also told me that he’s already faced logistical challenges in Brazil waiting 8 hours for his flight in Salvador. A harsh taste of what’s to come for the US National Team that not only faces a Group of Death, but 9 thousand miles of travel in extreme humidity. If Klinsmann’s bunch makes it through all of that, the extension will be worth every cent.

from Will Selva: Sports Broadcasting http://willselva.org/us-soccer-jurgen-klinsmann/

What Will Mack Brown’s Fate Be?

Will Selva’s lastest blog post.

As University of Texas head coach Mack Brown awaits his fate, the growing list of potential candidates to take his job continues to lengthen and reach levels of heightened lunacy. We’ve heard the names of Nick Saban, David Shaw, Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi. Jim Harbaugh’s name is somehow in the mix because he has yet to sign an extension from the 49ers that was offered to him at the start of the season.

Who will coach at the University of Texas?

Harbaugh publicly stated that the only job he’ll talk about is the one he currently has. That statement further provided fresh grist for the rumor mill. Harbaugh is coaching a team that has the talent to compete for Super Bowls. While Texas is a coveted gig, with a potential to earn gobs of green in a fertile recruiting ground, Harbaugh would  seem, as least to me, moving backwards even if he considered this job. Harbaugh is hungry to win the pinnacle of the sport, the Super Bowl and has the resources to do it with a strong supporter in Jed York.

Yes, Harbaugh must cede personnel matters to Trent Balke, but that’s not enough motivation to drive him to Texas. We aren’t talking about Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban or Bobby Petrino. Guys ill-suited for the NFL and hungry to get back into the college game. The 49ers are moving into a brand new stadium in Santa Clara next season, ushering in another chapter of this Harbaugh regime. He doesn’t even have to move away from where he grew up. He’s stayed in the same spot with his family even when he coached at Stanford. Harbaugh rejected USC already. He’s staying in San Francisco. Now Knute Rockne on the other hand..

from Will Selva http://willselva.com/mack-brown-university-texas/

The Raiders A Tranquil Beacon Of Stability?

Will Selva’s latest blog post.

The Redskins have successfully made the Raiders, yes the Raiders, the tranquil beacons of stability in the NFL. Think about that for a second. Washington is now a powder keg with head coach Mike Shanahan holding the matches, ready to light the fuse. In perhaps his final combustible decision, Shanahan has shut down his franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III for the rest of the season.

His reasoning is that RG3 has been sacked 24 times in five games and wanted him healthy for the off season. That may very well be true, but that reasoning sounds awfully flimsy. If he was really concerned about his health, then why did he have Griffin playing in the snow last Sunday against the Chiefs? Lions running back Reggie Bush got hurt just in WARM-UPS prior to the snow bowl with the Eagles. Why didn’t he shut him down then? Makes no sense.

I spoke with former GM Charlie Casserly when the news came down and he said the sack total is a bit of a misnomer if you watch game tape of Washington and KC. RG3 is running out of bounds and not necessarily absorbing vicious blows time after time. The other point Casserly made to me is that Griffin’s mechanics are now off. He’s not throwing the football like he did prior to his knee injury and that needs to be corrected. Shanahan claims that he spoke with owner Dan Snyder last week to discuss the future of the young signal caller, but it’s painfully clear, this is a power play by the head coach.

Will Selva discusses the Raider’s current performance in the NFL.

Shanahan did not like the fact that RG3 had a cozy relationship with Snyder if reports are to be believed. It’s as if Shanahan is daring Snyder to fire him over this move. Besides, Shanahan wants to get paid the remaining 7 million of his contract. For Kirk Cousins, this is now a 3 game audition. The Redskins are rooting hard that he does well, while the Rams want him to badly flame out. Remember, the Rams hold the Redskins top pick from the mammoth RG3 trade.  Cousins could significantly increase his trade value with solid play over the final 3 regular season games.

Meanwhile, Snyder has stayed above the fray and not said a word through all of this. Good move too, he doesn’t want to be hit from all the stray debris that’s about to be strewn all over Redskins Park.

from Will Selva Sports http://willselvasports.com/raiders-nfl/

Robinson Cano Walks Away From The Yankees For The Mariners

Yankees play-by-play announcer John Sterling will have to create a new home run call for a different player at second base this season. “Robbie Cano, don’cha know?” has to be crumpled up and tossed into the radio waste bin. Now if the call had to be modified, perhaps this would be more apt: “Robbie Cano, don’cha know?.. ya made a mistake.” Robinson Cano decided to stick with a franchise bathed in a rich tradition of winning, a singular vessel known for creating legacies, a commercial vehicle ripe with endless marketing opportunities.. The.. Mariners? Um, yeah, the M’s, who backed up the truck and dropped 240 million big ones on his lap.

Robbie Cano walks away from the Yankees for the Mariners in recent news.

Had Cano stayed with the Yankees, sure he would’ve made less money, but the chance to go down as a legend from one of the most recognized franchises in all sports was well within reach. Commercial opportunities would likely cascade from 5th Avenue with every mounting accolade. As is always the case, it’s all about the money. One can’t blame him for chasing the dollars. Cano is a singular talent no doubt, but the Mariners overpayed for him. That mere fact may not dawn on them until they reach the backend of his 10 year megadeal, say around 2020, when it will feel like a gigantic elephant standing on their chest.

Seattle may very well get seven highly productive years out of him and even reach the ultimate pinnacle of the sport, the World Series, but those who’ve gained entry into the ultra exclusive 200 mill club know that it doesn’t guarantee sustained excellence. Just look at the likes of Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder or even Alex Rodriguez. For the Mariners, the Cano signing successfully registered on the sports richter scale. They managed to be a permanent trending fixture for much of the day on Twitter. They’ve had a hard enough time doing that as it is in a city now gripped with the scourge that is Seahawks Fever. Keep in mind the M’s haven’t been to the postseason since 2001 and still have numerous holes to fill.

There’s reports that they’re trying to lure pitcher David Price to a staff featuring King Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, so it’s possible they really are serious about contending. While the M’s are exhibiting their relevancy this winter, they’ll need to pry open the wallet much further to keep up with the Rangers, Angels and A’s in a highly competitive American League West. Depending on what the Mariners do, maybe we will say at some point down the line, Robbie Cano did know, but I doubt it.