The Sports Bank: The Deposit

World Cup Group E Preview: Is this the year Holland makes a run?

jcmm — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:12:39 +0000

Group E is made up of the offensive-minded Netherlands, the physical Cameroon, attacking Denmark and Japan.

The Netherlands (also refereed to as Holland) have dominated in qualifying and friendlies leading up to the World Cup, but none of that matters until they can win on the big stage. They have a history of under-performing against quality opponents. The talent is always there, but they just never live up to expectations. As a matter of fact, they just may be the most talented nation to have never won the World Cup.

by Justin Mertes-Mistretta

The Netherlands play a style called “total futbol”, which means no player is stuck at one position. For instance, Gregory van der Wiel is a starting defender, but in Holland’s “total futbol” scheme van der Wiel can move up and become a forward, which he often does. This style demands versatile, skilled players and Holland has just that. The Netherlands are like the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. Everything from their bright orange jerseys to their high-flying offense with Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben (though he is out for the first game with an injury), Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder.

If there is one downfall of the Netherlands it is team chemistry. Robin Van Persie told the press earlier this year that Dirk Kuyt had no business being on the roster. Arjen Robben has the tendency to have Terrell Owen-like outbursts if things aren’t going his way. Funniest of all, Gregory van der Wiel was seen at a Lil Wayne concert the night of a match this year. Holland could have all the talent in the world, but if they self-destruct then it won’t matter.

Cameroon is led by Inter Milan star Samuel Eto’o. The bigger the match, the better Samuel Eto’o seems to perform. He will be playing in front of his home country on the biggest stage of his life, so let’s hope this trend continues. He is the heart and soul of this Cameroon team and will need to be the star that he is for them to do well.

Japan and the U.S. are eerily similar when it comes to soccer. In both countries the sports of soccer is overshadow by baseball. In Asia, South Korea is the dominant country and in North America, Mexico is the powerhouse. Just like the U.S., Japan has a chance to make soccer relevant in their country.

Favorite – Netherlands: No surprise here. The only team that can beat the Netherlands in this group is themselves.

Player to watch – Robin Van Persie: When healthy, RVP is one of the most exciting players on the planet. He makes defenders look silly with his moves. He’s the soccer version of the Professor from And 1 Streetball. Keep a pee bottle next to your seat, because when Van Persie is in the game you won’t want to leave the TV for a second. Watch these highlights. If you are pregnant or suffer from heart problems, I would advise you not to watch this video as it may be too exciting.

Game to watch – Cameroon vs. Denmark – June 19, 2:30 P.M. (ET): This game will be a contrast of styles. Denmark loves to attack, while Cameroon is a physical team that looks to counter. Two of the better strikers in the group – Samuel Eto’o and Nicklas Bendtner – will be matched up here. Also, look for things to get chippy between defensive midfielder Christian Poulsen and the physical Cameroon players. Poulsen once stepped on a players head during a game and also spit at Italy’s Francesco Totti during the Euro Cup ’04.

Prediction

1 – Netherlands (9 pts)

2 – Cameroon (4 pts)

3 – Denmark (4 pts)

4 – Japan (0 pts)

Read more articles by Justin Mertes-Mistretta at http://www.percysperspective.com/

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Aaron Rodgers Rips NFL notables on ESPN Radio

jcmm — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:01:32 +0000

As many media members know, Rodgers has been anything but interesting to interview in the past. Sometimes it is hard just to get him to talk. On ESPN Radio Milwaukee earlier this week, Aaron Rodgers uncharacteristically took jabs at ESPN analysts: Tony Kornheiser, Ron “Jaws” Jaworski and even Marcellus Wiley. To be fair to Rodgers, he has been on Homer’s show before, so many of his comments were surely in jest. However, the comments directed towards those not on the show seemed fairly forthcoming. The full interview can be heard here.

by Justin Mertes-Mistretta

When asked about PTI’s co-host Tony Kornheiser, Rodgers boldly stated:

“Tony’s stuff wasn’t funny at all. He did no research. We’d sit in those production meetings and he would add absolutely nothing to the conversation. I’d be like, ‘What are we doing here? This is stupid.’… You get in there with Tony and he’s asking you all these dumb questions that have no application to the game you are playing or anything you are doing. He’s terrible on [PTI], too. I don’t think he’s funny. I don’t think he’s insightful. I don’t think knows anything about sports.”

As Eminem would say in 8 Mile, “Ward, I think you were a little hard on the beaver.” No doubt, Tony Kornheiser was pretty bad on Monday Night Football and his harassment of Hannah Storm was pretty uncalled for. However, it’s impressive for PTI to be one of the most watched shows on ESPN considering it has a co-host who, “doesn’t know anything about sports,” as Rodgers frankly stated.

Rodgers’ “love” didn’t stop there. The Packers’ quarterback was critical of former Eagles quarterback and current NFL analyst Ron Jaworski, calling his analysis of Rodgers’ fundamentals before the NFL draft, “the worst segment in the history of TV.” He also went on to express is disdain for former Cowboys defensive end and current NFL analyst Marcellus Wiley:

“You look at Marcellus Wiley up there talking about quarterback play. The guy was a defensive end for a few years in the league. He’s not any good.”

Wiley played in the league for 10 years, which is 8 more years than Rodgers. Despite having back-to-back impressive seasons, Rodgers still has a lot to prove, especially if he is going to talk down to seasoned veterans like “Jaws” and Wiley. While I like to see Rodgers showing his personality, he needs to learn who he can rip on and who he can’t. If he kept the jokes between him and the host, then I don’t think it would have been a problem. However, calling out analysts behind their backs usually isn’t the best thing for PR.

Read more articles by Justin Mertes-Mistretta here.

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The Deposit: Prote-J

paulmbanks — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:50:02 +0000

Peter Christian talks with up and coming rapper Prote-J about recording Prince Fielder’s at bat music, what his at-bat music would be and what we can expect next from the young budding star.

The Deposit – Peter Christian and Prote-J get into one of Peter’s favorite topics – At Bat Music

Be sure to check out Prote-J’s website

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BEST Football Coach Soundbite of the YEAR

paulmbanks — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:40:20 +0000

By Paul M. Banks

This is why I’m proud to be from the same hometown as Pat Fitzgerald. Well sort of, he’s from Orland Park, IL and I’m from Palos Heights which are pretty much the same exact place in the grand scheme of things.

This video, captured by John Tsarouchas of Palestra.net/ ESPN UWIRE is a MUST WATCH! Fitz gets candid in describing the offensive line, which has not been very good at run-blocking or pass-blocking this season. (Other than that though, they’ve been just fine!) It isn’t a Mike Gundy or Dennis Green level rant, but it certainly will get more reporters interested in coming out to cover practice. And getting to hear this gem makes listening to 1,000 “we’re just focusing on what we do” and “we’re just focusing on our next game, not looking ahead” type cliches worth the while.

Good job Tsarouchas. Enjoy

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The Deposit: MLBTradeRumors.com’s Ben Nicholson-Smith

paulmbanks — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:58:26 +0000

Peter Christian talks with MLBTradeRumors.com’s Ben Nicholson-Smith about the rise of the Hot Stove and Trade Rumor de jour website. They also discuss the offseason plans of all of the AL Central and NL Central teams.

The Deposit – Peter Christian and Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLBTradeRumors.com talk about the hectic offseason that awaits Major League Baseball.

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The Deposit: Catching Up with David Kay

paulmbanks — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:05:54 +0000

David Kay returns to The Deposit to discuss how to top last year’s “Drive to 225″ with Peter. The tandem also tackle their love of Twitter.

The Deposit – Peter Christian and David Kay start discussing their college basketball viewing plans.

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The Deposit: The Sports Bank Power Rankings

paulmbanks — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:04:10 +0000

Peter Christian and Paul M. Banks rank the worst through the best in the NFL after the Week 1 performances in preparation for the unveiling of the 2010 Sports Bank NFL Mock Draft.

The Deposit – Peter Christian and Paul M. Banks run through the NFL power rankings – Sports Bank Style.

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The Deposit: Catching up With Jake McCormick

paulmbanks — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:05:12 +0000

Peter Christian talks with another new addition to the Sports Bank crew, Jake McCormick. The pair discuss the discord in Jake’s life caused by Bud Selig as well as the optimism Jake kind of has for the Badgers football team in 2009.

The Deposit – Peter Christian and Jake McCormick talk about the Cardinals and Badgers.

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The Deposit: Football Preview with Accuscore’s Zach Rosenfield

paulmbanks — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:14:50 +0000

Zach Rosenfield from Accuscore.com joins Peter Christian on The Deposit to talk about the advantages of using Accuscore to predict the outcome of all major sporting events. Then they put the evil computers to the test as they discuss the upcoming football season for the teams in the Big Ten and the NFC North.

The Deposit – Peter Christian and Zach Rosenfield introduce The Sports Bank to Accuscore.

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The Deposit: The Seinfeld podcast

paulmbanks — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:49:48 +0000

Peter Christian and David Kay host the first ever “Seinfeld Deposit” in which the guys discuss a myriad of topics including the Minnesota Timberwolves, college basketball, marriage and Betty Draper.

The Deposit – Peter Christian and David Kay talk about nothing.

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