Liverpool Versus Tottenham! Soccer Lives in Baltimore!

            

By Chrystopher Mulligan

NFL PRO ZACH Staff Writer

On July 28, 2012 Camden Yards welcomed two of the most revered franchises in international soccer to M&T Bank Stadium. 

There guests were Tottenham Hotspur Football Club who faced off against the Liverpool Football Club.  Two of the Barclays Premier League’s better clubs kicked off a different type of football in the home of the Baltimore Ravens.

           Any spectator there that is an avid soccer fan, or is not color blind, will surely testify to the fact that Saturday the fans of Liverpool took over the streets of Baltimore.  M&T Bank Stadium, the home of the Purple and Gold was blanketed in red as 42,723 fans enjoyed a friendly match between the two teams on a blistering hot afternoon in July.  The home stadium for the Ravens was not only infiltrated by Liverpool fans in the designated cheering section but all throughout the stadium and the local surrounding pubs near Camden Yards.  One destination that avid Reds fans flocked to was the No Idea Tavern located on S. Hanover St., just blocks away from the stadium lots.  

            The pub opened for business early that morning, quickly closing the street and jamming bodies inside a taped off section that was comprised off three makeshift plywood boards used as an outdoor bar.  The line to get in was wrapping itself around the corner and the bartender there, Rob Gant, told us simply it was “Wild. 7 a.m. wild.”  The early morning wake up call was just the beginning as the fans were prepared for the day’s festivities. 

            There we met a group of travelers from Canada who made the 12 hour drive down to Maryland from the Toronto area.  One couple, Malcolm and Denise Slater, originally from Liverpool, have been to more matches than they can remember.  As the avid Reds fans they are, they found no issue embarking on a cross continent journey to see their favorite team once more. 

           

This international friendly was a spectacular day for not only the Maryland Stadium Authority who helped run the match but for the fans as well.  And although the outcome did not favor either team both fan bases, Liverpool exceptionally, surely had a great time.

Reese’s Pieces

By The Professor

New York Giant, General Manager, Jerry Reese, has been vindicated and has finally climbed out of George and Ernie’s shadow. He can now take his place among the great Giant GM’s. No longer can the neutral observer not give him his due. Even his Head Coach, who is averse to change, has not been able to frustrate the development of this refreshed roster. Below are 3 reasons why Jerry Reese should be executive of the year.

1. Reese drafts for value. He will slightly account for need. Only in the later rounds will you see him fill an existing or future hole in the roster. Character does not go over-looked. He has an excellent eye for the bottom half of his roster. Think of all of the guys who have filled in when needed.  

2. Reese is a brutally honest evaluator of his roster. We have seen him reach into free agency to add Baas, Boley, Bernard, Canty, Grant, and Rolle. Each one of these additions have made a positive impact, and have been an important component to this year’s Super Bowl run. How many players has he let move on? How many regrets?

3. Reese has put together a player personal and scouting department that deserves praise for unearthing undrafted free agents that have not only made the roster, but have added to the winning formula. Obviously, Victor Cruz is the gemstone of this group.

Enjoy the Giants in this year’s Super Bowl. Try and remember how each player came to be a New York Giant. You may begin to appreciate the job Jerry Reese has done in turning over this roster, since the Giants last Super Bowl appearance 4 years ago.

The Professor's Prediction - Super Bowl 46

MY SLANT:

And the winner is……………..

The Professor is going to give it to you short and sweet.  

The 49ers and the Packers are better than the Patriots. Hell, the Ravens were better then the Patriots! The Steelers may have been better than the Patriots. You get the point.

The Pats are, perhaps, the 6th best team in football. Credit coaching, good fortune, and a great QB for the amazing run.

This week the Pats are not playing at home against Tebow or Flacco.

Giants win 38 – 14