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Tripp Welborne might be…

Tripp Welborne might be someone to look at. 

I'm a casual follower of the…

I'm a casual follower of the USMNT under Berhalter because it's just too frustrating to watch his tactical approach and what I see as underutilizing the most gifted and skilled group of players ever on a USMNT team - albeit extremely young, but also with a shocking amount of European experience for their age. (Sorry for those of you who follow the team closely because I suspect you are all tired of hearing tactical complaints.)

BUT...our most talented players lie in our midfield and attack, even though we don't have a legit #9. It just seems that the best formation would be a 4-2-3-1 with the 1 (Pulisic) acting as a false 9 so he can drop back, run at defenders, and play combinations with Reyna. If the team needs hold up play later in the game, adjust the formation to put in a forward who can do so. 

The first choice back 4 is likely going to be the same each game, but they're clearly the team's weak link. Probably even more so with Berhalter's insistence of playing out of the back. As a casual observer, it seems every time I watch, the defense struggles mightily to play out of the back against pressing teams and they're able to double team Adams easily.

Adams- McKennie in the pivot. McKennie's great at late runs in to the box, but he's got be a box-to-box guy and track back on defense. 

Aaronson -Reyna- Weah 

Pulisic (False 9)

Musah's got to be first option off the bench unless there's a need to replace a position he can't play. 

Is there a reason why Berhalter seems to avoid the 4-2-3-1 and not play to the players strengths?

On a random note, as a long time AS Roma supporter, I've thought more than once, "Spaletti's 4-2-3-1 with Totti as a false 9 (during his first coaching stint there) would be a better tactical approach for this USMNT." (A healthy Reyna actually might be a better false 9 than Pulisic) The high pressing 4-2-3-1 that Pep used at Barca with Messi as a false #9 won't work for us because we just don't have that talent (does anyone?).

Anyway, in a tournament anything can happen, but I'm not confident the team advances out of the group despite Wales not being an "elite" team. Wales seems to play hard, together, and have a player in Bale who can win games out of nowhere. Not to mention, Wales knows this is their one WC shot to advance out of the group. They'll be hungrier than a younger US team, who in the back of their mind, is probably already thinking about 2026.

 

 

Champions League Final

AS…

Champions League Final

AS Roma playing a match to clinch a scudetto (pipe dream)

Michigan vs OSU, MSU, and Notre Dame in Ann Arbor (I'm going to try and attend the MSU game this year) 

Michigan CFP Semis

Michigan CFP Championship

Michigan Rose Bowl

NCAA BB Final 4 w/Michigan

To visit some of the great soccer venues starting with Dortmund. (Although, I'll get to see Ajax's stadium next May when I see Springsteen there. Ticket purchased this morning!)

I've got an outdoor space…

I've got an outdoor space here in Brooklyn with a northern exposure. I receive a lot more sun the last couple years because a huge 6 story tree was cut down back there. Besides grass and hostas (which flourish back there), I don't grow anything. However, with one corner of the yard receiving direct sunlight until 4-5PM, I hope to try growing some medicinal plants in the near future. Need to find some seeds though. Only negative...this year has been a battle with mulberry roots.

I think Banchero will be…

I think Banchero will be considered a bust if he's a top 5 pick. He will likely be a solid contributing pro because of his size and athleticism, but he's not going to be a team's #1 or #2 option...or maybe even third. I don't think his game is NBA friendly. What's more, I doubt he's going to be able to cover smaller and quicker guys on the perimeter, and if he's on the blocks, he will have to work his ass off against bigger players. Not sure the guy has a much higher ceiling than he does now. If he can improve his outside shot and consistently hit the 3 in a few years, then he can reach his ceiling...but I just don't see it.

(no order)

Civilians - Joe…

(no order)

Civilians - Joe Henry 

Massachusetts - Scud Mountain Boys

Anodyne - Uncle Tupelo

Trace - Son Volt

Exile - The Rolling Stones

OK Computer - Radiohead

The La's - The La's

Astral Weeks - Van Morrison

Moondance - Van Morrison

BITUSA - Springsteen (it's a perfect pop/rock album)

Darkness - Springsteen

Tunnel of Love - Springsteen

Highway 61 - Dylan

Blonde on Blonde - Dylan

My Aim is True - Costello

This Year's Model - Costello

Armed Forces - Costello

(name another artist with that three album run...and first three albums)

From what I read years ago,…

From what I read years ago, it would be a logistical and financial nightmare since the stadium is so old and the tunnel to the field so narrow. In order to move stage, sound and lighting into the Big House you would have to get massive cranes or helicopters to load it all in. 

Money talks, but Gattis has…

Money talks, but Gattis has to be thrilled with the idea of having the frosh trio of JJ, Edwards, and Anthony in the coming years. 

Yes there's adrenaline, but…

Yes there's adrenaline, but also some injuries start to show when the body cools down. I once had my knee rolled on in a hoops game. It was awkward and the trainer checked me out, but I ended up playing the entire game. By the time we got to the bus after the game, it was starting to hurt. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't put any pressure on it. Sprained ACL.

 

Don't know this for a fact,…

Don't know this for a fact, but I suspect one of the issues would be because the service entrances to older stadiums are not big enough to get the stage equipment on to the field and it would become very cost prohibitive to rent cranes to bring everything over the stadium's walls.

If Harbaugh coached…

If Harbaugh coached basketball, the team would only ever run the Flex offense.

Rutgers straddles the border…

Rutgers straddles the border of the Taylor Ham vs pork roll crowds.

It's pretty clear that this…

It's pretty clear that this will be the game plan until at least the Wisconsin game. 

Harbaugh is definitely going…

Harbaugh is definitely going to jerk off in the shower tomorrow morning thinking about that opening second half drive.

There's no way Gattis is…

There's no way Gattis is calling games how we wants. This is all Harbaugh.

Every year under Harbaugh…

Every year under Harbaugh...boneheaded penalties. Every year.

Haha..no. I had her husband…

Haha..no. I had her husband come downstairs to get her. He was putting their infant to bed.

They list stockists on their…

They list stockists on their webpage. If you're in Michigan, you're lucky.

https://kushypunch.com/

 

I highly recommend Kushy…

I highly recommend Kushy Punch edibles. They used to have a TKO (high potency edible)  that is supposedly now their PR (Private Reserve). 25mg of the TKO was good for a very strong high of 3-4 hours. I saw Parquet Courts at Levon Helm Studio and gave my buddy 12mg - he couldn't drive after the show. Otherwise, I'm a 50-75mg guy on normal edibles.

If you have access to a…

If you have access to a dispensary, ask the budtender. If black market, try out an indica or hybrid dominant indica. If you haven't been consuming weed, most indica or hybrids will give you that classic stoner feel. If you have a high tolerance (like me), an edible usually does the trick.

I'm a Jack Herer guy for…

I'm a Jack Herer guy for daytime use. Usually vape the flower at a medium setting which creates more concentration and an uptick in creativity. Although, my all time favorite creative strains are Candyland (really nice for playing or creating music!) and Cat Piss. I tend to smoke those with a bong or a J, but they are not widely available on the black market here in NYC. I've also had positive experiences with Jet Fuel and Lemon Diesel...although JF acts more like Adderall for me.

Nighttime...edible or Grand Daddy Purple (eventually lulls me into a nice peaceful sleep).

Craziest strain I ever smoked...Lucid Dream. I thought I was on shrooms and even cried a few times. A buddy's wife sampled some and I warned her it was strong. An hour later, I had to walk her back to her apartment because she was so stoned.

Take all of the above with a grain of salt since I buy on the black market.

 

 

https://twitter.com/NFL…

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1426711630713294849

I saw this play and thought,…

I saw this play and thought, "That's what Milton and our offense was supposed to look like."

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1426711630713294849

 

 

I've got a few friends who…

I've got a few friends who are lifelong Jets fans. I doubt they take a QB at #2. They have so many needs and drafting a QB without any support around him will be a waste of a pick. Many fans and media were even against the idea of drafting Lawrence if they had the first pick. Moreover, Saleh is a defensive guy, It would be surprising for him to lock himself to a QB in his first draft...especially one that isn't the second coming.

The only team after the Jags…

The only team after the Jags and ahead of the Lions that might pick a QB in the 1st round would be the Falcons. Do they go with the Georgia boy, Fields who played for OSU and all their QBs bomb in the NFL? Or they go with Zach Wilson or Mac Jones? 

I guess you could argue that the Dolphins could bail on Tua and trade him, but I suspect if that happens they won't draft Fields or even a QB, but acquire one through a trade. 

 

 

I thought I read the other…

I thought I read the other day that Harbaugh is taking over as QB coach in addition to his HC responsibilties.

This is like electing Mitch…

This is like electing Mitch and Lady G to another term. Fail forward!

If JH isn't fired or leaves,…

If JH isn't fired or leaves, we will see too many players in the portal and recruits going elsewhere. He needs to go ASAP or next year might be worse. I know this year is an odd one with COVID and tons of injuries, but this team is soft and plays with no heart. Like many of his previous Michigan teams, they lack discipline and focus. 

At this point, I don't care who they bring in. Just give me a coach and staff that puts out a disciplined team that plays with heart.

I haven't watched much of…

I haven't watched much of Oregon since he took over, but after watching last night's game there is no way I would want him as a head coach.

If Cade takes over as the…

If Cade takes over as the starter for the rest of the year, Milton will transfer. I suspect he will either end up at Rutgers or some second rate Florida school.

Eubanks is so frustrating…

Eubanks is so frustrating. For every good play he has, he has a bonehead mistake to cancel it out.

Also, maybe Pep took too…

Also, maybe Pep took too much blame during his stint??? He seems to be quite the QB whisperer with Justin Herbert. Sure the kid has a high upside and is supposedly pretty damn intelligent, but I don't think many saw this type of rookie performance from him. He's performing well ahead of schedule and it's even more impressive after a pandemic training camp. Got to think Pep has some hand in that.

This is NO surprise. His…

This is NO surprise. His Michigan teams consistently make mental errors and play flat. They are still kids who need to be pushed beyond their limits through discipline and hard practices. I played a lot of basketball through college (both D1 and D3) and I had more than my fair share of coaches  - including AAU ball.

Harbaugh's Michigan's teams always remind me of two of the teams that were massively talented, but underprepared and lacked mental discipline because the coaches didn't focus on it. It was so frustrating when your 6'10" and 6'8" guys who were legit D1 prospects continually get out rebounded by smaller teams, no one talking on defense, and a lack of scouting prep before games. It was mind boggling. Of course the coach had a boat load of victories, but he rarely beat teams on par with the same talent or better.

I ate an edible at half time…

I ate an edible at half time of the game and never looked back.

They also lack discipline…

They also lack discipline. Constant mental errors have plagued his teams over and over. 

Does anyone still have…

Does anyone still have Julius Welschof's skiing video that came out when he signed? Dude is an insane athlete. 

I want the stupid plays and…

I want the stupid plays and penalties cleaned up this year. 

Sounds like my first high…

Sounds like my first high school coach.

Our country is a shit hole…

Our country is a shit hole and has been for decades. We're uneducated, uncultured, selfish, have a crumbling infrastructure, and a government loaded with hacks who are only there to make money (both sides). Our education system blows. And before someone tosses out the stat that more Americans have a college education than ever before, trust me, I went to graduate school abroad. The four Americans in the program (who all graduated from top 20 schools in the USA), were lost in the math based classes. Things that we touched on in college math, the global students learned either before or at the beginning of high school. Moreover, a college degree means nothing for 90% who have one in this country. It's just a piece of paper. Most people lack any critical thinking skills and get their news from FB and Twitter. Add in the fact that in the1970s, the Republican party made the decision to cater to the religious right, and it's no wonder why half our country operates like a first world religious state. The only thing separating their mindsets from the religious zealots in other countries like Afghanistan is the perceived wealth of our nation. We have corporations who have shifted to a gig economy that strip all benefits from workers, real wages have flatlined, there's almost no middle class, 40% of Americans are one paycheck away from poverty, and public debt is about to crush most Americans. The drivel and whining about "no college football" just reinforces how this country is done. And I didn't even bring up issues of racism, health care, and the lack of concern for the environment. Personal freedoms go hand in hand with sacrifice and responsibility. Without the latter two, our social experiment fails. In my mind, it already has. Christ, people can't even wearing a fucking mask. Buckle up...doesn't matter who wins the next election...the next decade is going to be rocky at best.

Except it's becoming…

Except it's becoming apparent that young people are linked to the continued spread of COVID not only in the USA, but across the world. They are driving the second wave in Europe.  Why? Because they aren't practicing social distancing and asymptomatic carriers are putting everyone at risk. 

And then there's this...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/covid-19-death-toll-rivals-fatality-rate-during-1918-flu-epidemic-researchers-say/2020/08/13/48e1dbf2-dd01-11ea-b205-ff838e15a9a6_story.html

 

Who let Lou out of his grave…

Who let Lou out of his grave? 

That's funny...the pro-life…

That's funny...the pro-life crowd doesn't think that applies to a woman's right to choose, but they want freedom to wear a mask or play football.

Also, if you get the…

Also, if you get the opportunity in the future, try and see The Beths (any of those bands/artists). They put on a fun show and the lead guitar player has some chops.

I'll check out Snail Mail…

I'll check out Snail Mail. Thanks for the rec.

I thought Rateliff was older…

I thought Rateliff was older, but he took a huge step up on the last band album produced by Richard Swift, as well as the solo album. They are also a tight live band and just great guys. I interviewed Nathaniel and his keyboard player out in Denver 3-4 years ago and I have nothing but good things to say about them.

Parquet Courts

The Beths …

Parquet Courts

The Beths (new record out)

Rookie (their 2020 release is good)

War on Drugs (well, Granduciel is now 41)

Futurebirds (think they are in their 30s)

Madison Cunningham (not rock...more a combo of jazz and folk, but she's 24 and insanely talented. Actually was Andrew Bird's lead guitar player on the last tour at the age of 23)

 

I've been solo in my…

I've been solo in my Brooklyn apartment since March 13th and working insane hours 6-7 days a week because my job takes twice as longer to do now (and I also work for a shitty company who breaks every freelance labor law on the books) So, I'm basically stuck at my desk all day. Stupidest thing I've done though...probably not being more mindful of what I'm eating. Smartest thing...using marijuana regularly. It's saved my ass these last four months.

Just looked it up. It was…

Just looked it up. It was with Vfl Wolfsburg. Actually kind of more impressive since it's a German club. He must speak very good German.

Without Reyna, USMNT wouldn…

Without Reyna, USMNT wouldn't be where it is today. He was one of the first to establish himself in Europe...eventually becoming captain of Man City I believe. Moreover, without him in the middle of the pitch, USMNT would've been run off the pitch against quality opponents. His class on the ball was a generation ahead of his peers.

from NYT

A top expert at…

from NYT

A top expert at the World Health Organization on Tuesday walked back her earlier assertion that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare.”

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, who made the original comment at a W.H.O. briefing on Monday, said that it was based on just two or three studies and that it was a “misunderstanding” to say asymptomatic transmission was rare globally.

“I was just responding to a question; I wasn’t stating a policy of W.H.O. or anything like that,” she said.