MLS Talk Podcast : This Week In US Soccer, August 24, 2011

On the latest edition of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast : This Week in US Soccer ... your hosts Chris Webb and Chris Riordan bring you a view of the beautiful game from an American and regional perspective.� As always of late, it's another jam - packed show ... after running through a relatively [...]


No related posts.

Toronto Maple Leafs Chicago Fire Premier Richmond Kickers Future Fresno Fuego Miami FC

Fantasy Football Sleepers 2011: 4 Receivers Who Will Shock the Fantasy World

Dez Bryant

When the Cowboys drafted Bryant last year they expected him to be one of the best receivers in the NFL.

That didn't happen in 2010 as Bryant struggled with injury and only recorded 561 yards and six touchdowns.

In 2011 Bryant will be Tony Romo's No. 2 option behind Miles Austin, and that means those numbers should see a significant jump.

Expect something close to 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2011 for Bryant.

Nate Burleson

By no means is Burleson worth a top pick, or even a mid round pick. However, if you're looking for a wide receiver to grab late, consider Burleson.

Burleson is an attractive option for two reasons. The first is that he plays alongside Calviin Johnson, which means he will almost never be a secondary's primary concern. The second is that Matt Stafford is healthy, and that means that one of more talented quarterbacks in the game will be throwing him the ball.

In 2010 Burleson had 625 yards and six touchdowns. In 2011 he's capable of 800 to 900 yards and eight touchdowns.

Lee Evans

Evans is a guy with an opportunity to have a breakout year. His entire career he has played for an anemic Bills offense. Now he's goes to Baltimore where he'll get in an offense that has Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin.

What that tells you is that Evans is a guy to roll the dice on. Flacco undoubtedly has the arm to get Evans the ball down field, so expect Evans to greatly improve on his four touchdown total in 2010.

Also expect Evans to total somewhere around 800 yards receiving, compared with about 600 yards in each of the last two seasons.

Chad Ochocinco

In 2010 Ochocinco recorded only his third season of less than 1,000 yards receiving.

In the Patriots offense he should be able to crack 1,000 yards again, and greatly improve on his four touchdowns from 2010.

With Tom Brady throwing him the ball Ochocinco should be capable of reemerging similar to the way Randy Moss did when he joined the Patriots.

If Saturday night's injury to Wes Welker proves to be a serious one then Ochocinco's role in the Patriots offense will become even bigger.

 

Middlesbrough Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks New Jersey Devils Harrisburg City Islanders

Pros and cons to giving NHL referees wireless communication

Certain NHL referees mutter to themselves more than a conspiracy theorist jittering down a sidewalk in Times Square.

These under-the-breath declarations can be anything from an expression of exasperation to determining whether or not a play could be considered a penalty ? 'That's not a hook!', for example.

Normally, that chatter keeps a ref engaged in the action. At the NHL Research and Development Camp last week in Toronto, that chatter could confuse the hell out of the rest of his officiating crew when spoken into a live wireless mic.

"There may have been a little over-chatter. At least in the first session," said Dave Pfohl, an OHL linesman who helped test the technology at the R&D Camp, as officials communicated through wireless headsets and mics during the two days of scrimmages.

"It was unique, interesting to try. Pros and cons to it," he said.

What's clear after the test run is that, for fans and players, the pros outweigh the cons ? and some of the more serious drawbacks will disappear if this technology revolutionizes the NHL officiating.

For a linesman, the biggest benefit was the ability to communicate across the ice with his partner without having to look at each other.

"It was great to communicate with the linesman throughout the game," said Pfohl, after the second day of the R&D Camp, where dozens of proposed NHL rules were tested. "A lot of times we use hand signals. [With the mics] you don't have to look and make eye contact as much. You can keep your eye on the puck."

Which, we imagine, is a good thing.

It also helps with direct communication on fast-paced plays in a deafening arena environment. Example: One linesman sees a deflected puck, one doesn't, and instead of a hand signal that might go unseen or a shout that the crown drowns out, the officials can hear each other through the headset.

The best use of the new tech? During chaos.

The bane of many fans' existence is hearing a whistle blow during a mad scramble in front of the crease while the puck is clearly loose. With the wireless communication, a referee behind the play can better relay information about a live play to the other official, who might be blocked from seeing the puck.

"We yell now as it is, but with the crowd, this would definitely help," said Pfohl.

The cons? One significant one is that the officials suddenly have one of their ears blocked by the Bluetooth-esque headset. It affects perception and hearing on the ice.

From referee Scott Ferguson to NHL.com:

"Some of the cons are it blocks your hearing on one side. There was one time where a player came out of the penalty box and I couldn't hear him coming, and he almost ran me over. When you're in the corner you want to be able to hear that. You want to be able to move and get out of the way. Sometimes it affects your focus. You're saying something, you're trying to watch a close play and (your partner) is yapping in your ear. Sometimes you can lose your focus."

Pfohl agreed, saying that he "lost perception" on the side where the earpiece was located.

Then there's another issue: Blowing the whistle.

The volume on the mics is controlled off-ice, and going from normal conversation to an ear-piercing whistle caused some discomfort at the R&D Camp.

In talking to the linesman, one gets the sense these are issues that can be solved through repetitive use and learning how to integrate the technology into their routine; and that these adjustments are worth it, given the benefits to the innovation.

It's a system that will continue to be tested in camps and exhibition season. Could it revolutionize the job?

"I don't know if I can make that prediction," said Pfohl, "but it's got potential."

Miami FC Western Conference Bradenton Academics Bolton Wanderers Colorado Avalanch

A New Mien for the Job

- Evan Rosenthal



The demonstrative enthusiasm Jurgen Klinsmann brings to US Soccer was palpable last night from my seat in the second row behind the United States bench at Lincoln Financial Field. For those who felt that Bob Bradley was robotic and displayed little emotion and joy for the game, the first match of the Klinsmann era at least showed that there will be some smiles and fun in the US camp. Seeing the new coach standing prominently on the sideline in support of the players,...

[[ This is a content summary. Please visit Match Fit USA for the full post ]]

Western Conference Bradenton Academics Bolton Wanderers Colorado Avalanch Charlotte Eagles

UFC 134 Results: 4 Fights for Forrest Griffin to Rebound

Unfortunately for Forrest, he got wrecked pretty badly.

Forrest Griffin was knocked out by Shogun Rua at the 1:53 mark of round No. 1.

That killed Griffin's two fight win streak, and puts him out of the title picture for the time being.

If Forrest does stick around to fight another day, there's a few interesting matchups out there for him to take.

Here's four potential fights for Forrest Griffin to rebound.

Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy Great Lakes Division Atlanta Thrashers Leicester City Detroit Ignition

Listen To Puck Daddy Radio for Razor Reaugh, Shanny debate

As of the end of the month, Puck Daddy Radio will not longer be heard on Sirius 158 or on TheScore.com. We'll have the show back on in some capacity next season, someplace else. Until then, enjoy.

? Special Guest Star: Darryl "Razor" Reaugh, Dallas Stars broadcaster and man about town, talking hockey.

? The return of Rob Pizzo.

? The aftermath of research and development camp.

? The life and death of Rick Rypien.

? We want your phone calls! 1-888-942-7326, from 1 p.m ET/10 a.m. PT to 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT

? Question of the day: What do you expect from Brendan Shanahan as NHL discipline czar?

Email your thoughts to puckdaddyradio@thescore.com.

Puck Daddy Radio is every Monday in the summer from 1-2 p.m. ET/10-11 a.m. PT on The Score Radio Sirius Channel 158. Calls, tweets, special guests and a ton of hockey goodness every day.

The call in number is 1-888-942-7326 (1-888-9-HARDCORE). We'll also be reading emails to puckdaddyradio@thescore.com and tweets that you send to @puckdaddyradio and @robpizzo.

We're all about interaction here; call in, email, tweet ... we'll discuss whatever you'd like.

Ottawa Fury Atlanta Silverbacks U23 Palm Beach Pumas Seattle Sounders FC FC New York

Rutgers

Greg Schiano has done a remarkable job at Rutgers, but last season's 4-8 record is cause for concern. The Scarlet Knights lost their last six ? all in Big East play ? and gave up 69 points in falling to...

Boston Bruins New York Rangers Houston Dynamo Panama City Pirates NHL