This Map Explains Everything

This map breaks down all that is good with America.

Look out when Aaron Ramsey scores

Aaron Ramsey is in the process of being a good player at Arsenal. Over the last couple of years he has scored some important goals. But some are questioning the timing of his goals. Ramsey in goal link to Whitney death, according to The Sun. Every time he scores a world renounced personality dies.

Rutgers Signing Day Sprint

Sports Illustrated does a great job breaking down the chaos that surrounding Rutgers recruiting class. Signing day could have been a mess for Rutgers, but it turned out ok, according to Sports Illustrated.

Live Blogging: Duke vs. North Carolina Round 1

ESPNU and 247Sports rule National Signing Day

National Signing Day has come on gone and people are debating who had the best class in the country. The only true winner on National Signing Day was ESPNU and 247Sports. Its amazing how much college football fans care about 18-years signing scholarship papers. 

Lets start the hype machine for Super Bowl XLVIII

So Super Bowl XLVIII at the Meadowlands is two years away and already the hype machine has started. In Sundays New York Times' sports section the committee that brought the game to the Met Life Stadium took out an ad counting down to the game. If you think that this years hype was out of control, wait till Super Bowl XLVIII, its should be out of control.

A bad day for Chelsea all around

If you think throwing away a three goal lead is a bad day at the office, it got worst for Chelsea Sunday morning. Chelsea spelled their own website URL wrong, on their advertising boards during their game against Manchester United, according to 101 Great Goals. Now that is a bad day at the office and it only happened with a billion people watching.

Rutgers State Champs

A couple of years, the idea of Rutgers being crowned State champions of recruiting for New Jersey was a joke, but now it appears to be a reality. Recruiting service, 247Sports, crowned Rutgers the state champion of recruiting. 


According to the story, Rutgers got 10 of the top 32 prospects in the state. This was the sites verdict on Rutgers recruiting performance in the state: "Keeping Devin Fuller at home would have made the Scarlet Knights feel a lot better at their relative domicile domination. Still, they deserve credit for fending off the vultures amid their 11th-hour coaching change,'' the report stated. 


It's amazing how things have changed over the years. In 2005, Rutgers was able to get one of the top 30 players in the state to come to the State University of New Jersey. In 2008, Rutgers made progress securing commitments from seven of the top 30 prospects in the state. 


This year, Rutgers did a great job keeping the top prospects in state. Their success in state helped Rutgers get the top ranked class in the Big East.

Fox will continue to grow the game

In September, I wrote how Fox Sports choice to show Barclay's Premier League games on tape delay was a brilliant idea. Two weekends ago, Fox took it the next level by showing Manchester United vs. Arsenal live as a lead into the NFL Conference Championship Games. Sure the rating where not great. According to ESPN, the match was seen by 1.3 million views. 

This week Fox is at it again as they show Manchester United vs. Chelsea on Super Bowl Sunday at 11 a.m. I personally expect the numbers to increase and this to be more of a rating success. I would not be surprised if there was a couple of more Premier League games show on Fox before the end of the year.

Fox has to stay committed to showing top flight soccer over the next couple of years. In October, Fox won the English-language U.S. television rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, outbidding incumbent ESPN and NBC for soccer's showpiece tournament. Fox agreed to pay around $425 million for the two-tournament package, a person familiar with the bidding told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the figure was not made public. It also secured English-language radio rights. If they are going to make these tournaments work they are going to have to continue to show soccer to gain the respect of fans.

Fox should have learned a lesson from doing the BCS Bowl games a couple of years ago. During that time, Fox just did the bowl games and did not do any regular season games. During the  BCS games Fox had people who had no real college experience doing the games and it made for a terrible TV product. They have to stay connected to soccer before these events to ensure fans that they are committed to doing things right.

Our Biggest loss, Our biggest gain

A week ago the Rutgers Football program had their biggest loss, when head coach Greg Schiano left for the Tampa Bay Bucs. Now they have their biggest gain as Don Bosco's 5-star defensive tackle Darius Hamilton commits to Rutgers earlier tonight.

The commitment has a chance to keep the class together and make this the best class in the history of the program.

Nothing beats dancing with a Mascot

Nothing beats knocking a Premier League side out of the FA Cup when you are a lower league side. Brighton did that by knocking out Newcastle 1-0 over the weekend. The fun of the Cup was shown by Brighton's Adam El-Abd as he dances with an FA Cup mascot after the win. This is my favorite moment of the weekend.

Standing Up for Schiano

A week ago, I was exchanged tweets with JC Shurburtt, a recruiting guru for 247 sports, on Rutgers upcoming recruiting class. According to Shurburtt, Rutgers was set to make a huge recruiting splash on National Signing Day.

Fast forward to Thursday morning and that has all changed, as Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano made the jump to the NFL to go the Tampa Bay Bucs. Now people are going on message boards and screaming about Schiano's salary, his lack of Big East champions and his game day coaching skills, but I will be one of the few that comes to his defense as a loyal season ticket holder.

Before Schiano got here the Rutgers football was a complete dumpster fire. No one wanted any part of it, in state recruits never looked at going there and it was a joke to everyone. During his tenure at Rutgers, Schiano helped oversee a complete redesign of the school football facilities and make them some of the best in Big East and on the East Coast.

Sure Schiano left the school at the worst time possible time, six days before National Signing Day, but he has not left the school in a bad position. Rutgers is coming off a bowl win and a nine win season. The team has a ton of talent coming back and should be one of the best in the Big East and might find themselves in BCS Bowl at the end of it. If that happens much of the credit should go to Schiano after all it will be his players that took them there.

The Bible has arrived

On Thursday, I got home to a nice surprise the 2012 Baseball American Prospects Handbook had arrived. For prospects geeks like myself, this is the bible. My book shelf in my office has them dating back to 2002 and its sometimes fun to take a look through them. 

Super Sunday EPL Style

Trim the Fat

The movement to get rid of Andy Reid is gaining momentum. While walking through the Hamilton Mall today, I found this shirt in a t-shirt shop. If a make your own t-shirt shop has a shirt calling for your head, then things are bad.

Rugters making a statement

There was a day when I thought I would never see this: seven former Scarlet Knights in Conference Championships games; three starters. This shows how far the program has cover the last decade.

The defining Sunday of the Season

Fox Soccer has been promoting this Sunday Premier League games as "Epic Sunday,'' for once this is not over hype. The doubleheader of Manchester City vs. Spurs and Manchester United vs. Arsenal will go a long way toward telling us who will be lifting the trophy in May.

A City win in the early game and a Arsenal win in the late game could all but end the title race. If that happens, City would have a 6 point lead over United and an 8 point lead of Spurs. If Spurs and United both win the title race could still have a long way to go, then United would be level with City on points and Spurs would be two points back of the top two.

I can't remember a day of games that has the potential to impact the Premier League title race like this one can. This is shaping up to be a classic day. At the end of the season, we will look back on Jan. 22 as either the day the title race ended or the day it was blown wide open.

Oilers = the New Blackhawks

For the last five years the Edmonton Oilers have struggled on the ice, but that appears to be changing. Over the last couple of years the Oilers have struck it rich in the draft and are ready to break out. Could the Oilers be set to rival the Blackhawks. The Oilers rebuilding plan seems to mirror the Blackhawks, according to the Edmonton Journal..

High School Football All Star Game Recap

The high school football All-Star season has ended. Over the course of the last two weeks, the OTWT Scouting Department has been watching the three majors national games that where played and making a list. Here are some of the players that we where impressed with during the games.


Semper Fidelis Bowl:

• DJ Foster, RB/DB, Arizona: He is a lock down corner who is very comfortable playing against the other team's fastest receiver, and he's very confident with a smooth backpedal and he can turn and run with the best of them. One of the nation's premier cover corners, he also showed great hands, burst, and displayed outstanding moves in the open field at WR.
• Jayodon Mickens, DB/RB, California: One of the more explosive ball players in Los Angeles. He shows the speed, quickness, hands and burst needed to become an impact WR at the next level.

Under Armour All American Game 

• Chad Kelly, QB, Buffalo (pictured above): The nephew of former Bills great Jim Kelly is headed to Clemson. In the skills challenge Kelly arm strong was really shown, he can make any throw out there. Will be a perfect fit in Chad Morris's Clemson offense. 
• Ifenndi Odenigbo, DE, Ohio: The one that got away, instead of picking Ohio State, Odenigbo will be headed to Northwestern. I can not remember the last time the Wildcats had an athlete like this on defense.

US Army All American Game 

• Cyler Miles, QB, Colorado (pictured right):  Miles is a dual-threat quarterback, but he uses his feet more as a weapon than a priority. He has a strong arm and can make all of the throws. Miles, who is heading to Washington next, will be the perfect replacement for Kevin Price in a couple of years. Miles will probably red shirt next years, which will help his development in the future
• TJ Yeldon:, RB, Alabama:Yeldon is an instinctive runner with excellent speed and acceleration. He has a great initial burst, which allows him to hit small windows and attack the defense. His balance and vision allow him to set up tacklers and break tackles. During the game the 'Bama recruit showed his athletic ability hurdling defenders not once but twice. For a larger back he is incredible athletic.

Sometimes getting a 5-star is not all its cracked up to be

In college football, getting 5-star recruits is the name of the game but sometimes it does not work out. Rivals.com took a look at the five years of 5-stars and the results are a mixed bag, for every superstar there is a bust. 

President Cantona has a nice ring to it

Wow this could be epic. Eric Cantona wants to be French president. Could you imagine him meeting with Obama, we need this to happen.

Professional Tailgating: Starting the New Year

The OTWT Tailgating Crew kicked of the year by attending a different kind of event. The group headed to the AHL Outdoor Classic game between the Adirondack Phantoms and Hershey Bears at Citizens Bank Ballpark. The attendance at the game was a league record 46,653 people. So it was nice to be part of history. 

Citizens Bank Ballpark looks a little different then it did the last time I was there

 My baseball seats are some where out there 

The Phantoms and the Bears take the ice 

Our seats in section 417 where not that bad for an outdoor hockey game

New Jersey HS Football Wants Respect

Players from New Jersey are out to prove that they produce some of the best players in the nation at the Army All-American Game. Players from the Garden State are out to prove they can compete with the best.

Start Spending Like Crazy

A list put together by BBC Sport on the top 50 players from around the world that could be on the move during the month ahead.

OTWT Starting 11 for 2011

Everyone is doing it, so I thought we would too. Here is the OTWT starting 11 for 2011

• Goalkeeper: Joe Hart, Manchester City
• Left Back: Ashley Cole, Chelsea
• Center back: Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
• Center back: Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United
• Right Back:  Gregory van der Wiel, Ajax
• Left side: Eden Hazard, Lille
• Central Midfielder: Javier Mascherano, Barcelona 
• Central Midfielder: Xavi, Barcelona
• Right side:Mario Goetze, Borussia Dortmund
• Striker: Ronaldo, Real Madrid
• Striker: Lionel Messi, Barcelona

I know everyone does not agree with my starting 11, so let the trashing begin. 

A year in Tailgating: Video Edition

Its been a long year for the OTWT Tailgating crew. There have been trips to Buffalo to see the Eagles, to Harrisburg for a minor league baseball game and to Washington DC to see Manchester United. Here are some of my favorite videos from our 25 events that we attended.


Nats super prospect Bryce Harper comes to Lakewood
 Manchester United take the field in Washington DC vs Barcelona

 Rutgers Eric LeGrand leads his team out before the West Virginia game
 Philly fans turn on Andy Reid during the Eagles Patriots game

Merry Christmas from Only Time Will Tell

Merry Christmas to all from our family at Only Time Will Tell.

World Junior Championships continue to grow

On Monday the eyes of the hockey world will be on Western Canada for the World Junior Hockey Championships. Over the years the tournament has grown from scouting show to must see TV. The growth of the event has also led to it becoming a big money-maker for the host.

Will Uihlein be a trend setter

After failing at PGA Tour Q School, former Oklahoma State star Peter Uihlein is heading to Europe to start his career. In addition to heading to Europe to start his career, Uihlein is heading to Europe for his agent. Uihlein, signs with Chubby Chandler. Chandler is a power broker in Europe, he manages three of the four of this years Grand Slam winners. So will more young Americans head to Europe if they don't make it here, its just a thought.

Open for Debate: Top 10 running backs in South Jersey history

A very interesting list of the top 10 running backs in S.J. history on comcast. As a person that lives in the area its great to see all of the great backs that have come out of the area.

He will be missed

I never thought that Chris Pronger would ever stop playing but yesterdays news that he will not play again this season because of concussion issues, leaves his future in doubt. Pronger was one of the nastiest and best players ever to play his position.

In 1993, the Ottawa Senators select Alexandre Daigle with the first pick, while Pronger was selected second overall by the Hartford Whalers. You think the Senators want a redo on that. If this is the end for Pronger, its been a great trip and career for him.

Andy Carroll makes money for doing nothing

Last January Liverpool paid 35 million pounds to Newcastle for striker Andy Carroll and 13 starts later that its not looking like the greatest purchase ever. Despite his struggles Carroll is set pocket £150k bonus from Liverpool, according to the Daily Mail. Not bad for a guy who has only scored four times for the reds.

Happy Holidays Pro V1 Style

One of the few truly great Holiday commercials in sports

Its so bad that Bieber is going replace Torres at Chelsea

If life at Chelsea can not get any worst for Fernando Torres at Chelsea, now the blues are looking a signing a replacement him, Justin Bieber. Bieber trained at Chelsea with Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres and some people said he does not miss sitters like Torres does.

Savage on the move again

Two years ago Rutgers starting qb Tom Savage was on track for big things. Then after getting injured and replaced by Chas Dodd, Savage decided to transfer to Arizona.

Now after a year there and coaching changes, Savages is looking for another place to play. Savage is transferring from Arizona for family reason, according to the Star Ledger His once promising career now looks like a thing of the past. It's a shame because he does have the talent to play and you wonder if their is something else going on here.

It's so bad now former Eagles Players are fighting on Twitter

On Thursday while the Eagles were falling apart on the field again, two of the their former players where having their own issues on twitter. During the game, former running back Brian Westbrook, @36westbrook, and Dan Klecko, @kleck90, got into a twitter fight. Above is a screen cap of Westbrook's answer to one of Klecko's tweet. Based on Westbrook tweet it does not seem to be a pleasant twitter discussion.

I went searching for what triggered the fight but it appears that Klecko has deleted his account. Just when you think that this season could not get an worst for the Birds, now you have former players fighting each other in social media.

Cover Story: The Eagles season

For the most part the Philadelphia Eagles season has been a total mess. Each week has been a total disaster. The only positive to come from this has been the headlines and back pages of the Philly Daily News. They have been terrific. Here is a small sampling of some of the better ones of the season so far. 

Professional Tailgating: It has turned

OTWT Tailgating Crew made the trip to the Linc to see the Pats take on the Eagles, it ended up not being much of a game but rather a funeral for the birds. Here are some of the sites from the game. 

The Comcast crew breaks down the game during pregame.

 At the end of the day, Howard Eskin would have plenty to talk about

 TV trucks where ready to cover, what is left of the birds season 

 Maybe my final time saying good bye to Andy 

Fire Andy chants break out

The end is here. Everyone has turned on Andy Reid. Shot this video during the game late yesterday afternoon against the Patriots. He has lost the fans and this could get real ugly by the end of the year. More sites and sounds from the game coming later today.

We may not win every game, but we've never lost a party

As a big tailgater, ESPN College Gameday breaks it down and does a great job.

Professional Tailgating: The Dream is still alive

Its been a couple of years since Rutgers was a factor in the Big East, but with one game to go they have a shot at BCS Bowl. On Saturday, the Scarlet Knights beat Cincy to stay in the Big East race. 

I guess the Nets are looking for something to do since the NBA is in a lockout

Who does not love a live horse 

Flags all over the place

I've had these tickets for the last five season and I've never seen the front of the stadium

Santa even took time out of his busy schedule to show up 

The game that could changed everything

Last Saturday TCU beat Bosie State 36-35 albut ending the Broncos chances of qualifiying for a BCS Bowl but will the loss end up creating far reaching effects in college football. Playing in the Mountain West was supposed to increase Boise State chances of being a national title contender, but without an automatic bid a single loss all but kills their chances.Could this loss make the Broncos look hard at joining the Big East in football.where there is an automactic bid for the their conference champion.

Also what impact will the loss have coach Chris Peterson.  With high profile jobs openings at Penn State, Ohio State and UCLA could this be moment that Peterson takes his talents elsewhere. It would be similar to the situation in 2007 when West Virginia, then ranked #2 in BCS lost the Backyard Brawl to a terrible Pitt team 13-9. The loss ended up costing the Mountaineers a shot at the BCS National Title. The game ended up changing college football. Then West Virginia head coach Rich Rod ended up leaving for Michigan and destorying that program.

So one game could me a lot in the college football landscape and I have this feeling that Boise State's loss to TCU is going to be a moment we look back on and think that.

JaMarcus Russelll > Ryan Leaf

Interesting look at what former first overall NFL draft pick JaMarcus Russell is up to. The No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft should be out on the field. Tells are complete story on what happened to Russell with the Raiders and what he is up to now.

College Basketball: The Cover Story

The college basketball season is here and here are the Sporting News covers for their college basketball preview issues.

Mover over West Ham: Southampton Academy is now on top

For years West Ham United was considered to have the best academy in England but that appears to be changing. Southampton is looking to change that. After Walcott, Bale and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Southampton are aiming to create a new golden generation for Enlgand:

The Next Generation The top 101 youngsters in world football

Don Balon has released its list of the top 101 youngsters in world football. There are a lot of interesting names of the list including Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, who is featured above.

Maybe Schiano will be a lifer at Rutgers

With the Penn State football program in free fall, the idea of Greg Schiano being at Rugters for life might be a reality. The Star Ledger's Steve Politi makes the case for Schiano staying at Rutgers for a long time.

Rutgers: The New Oregon

For the last couple of years, the University of Oregon has set the college football world on its ears with its different combinations of uniforms. You name the shade of green, the Ducks use it. This year Oklahoma State got into the act with a bunch of different uniforms. Now Rutgers seems to be getting into it. With the Army game on Saturday, Rutgers is set to wear their six different uniform in nine games. On Saturday, Scarlet Knights are set to introduce a white helmet with an American flag logo Rutgers logo on it

Here is the break down:

• North Carolina Central State: All red 
• Ohio: red jersey/white pants/red helmets
• Syracuse white jerseys/red pants/red helmets
• Pitt: All black 
• Navy: red jerseys/white pants/red helmets
• Louisville: white shirts/black pants/black helmets.
• West Virginia: all black
• USF: all red 
• Army: white helmets with an American flag "R"

So far the different uniform combinations have been fine, I just hope that the Nike and the school continue to tasteful when it comes to the uniform design.

Professional Tailgating: The Return of Chas

For the last five games, Rutgers sophomore quarterback Chas Dodd has been nowhere to be found, but on Saturday night he came in and saved the day. Dodd led Rutgers to a 20-17 come from behind overtime win over South Florida. The OTWT Tailgating Crew was there to take in the sights and sounds.

No burgers and dogs for us, fried chicken was the call.

 The fried chicken was really tasty

 I think one of my goals in life is to have a condiment stand named after me.

 Midway through the second quarter everyone started check their phones to see what was going on with the 'Bama/LSU game

 

Fans got what they wanted Chas Dodd

This man really wants to save breasts

For the last month, the NFL has been putting everyone in pink to raise awareness for breast cancer and during the Eagles Cowboys game on Sunday night someone took it to another level. A section over from us was a guy who dressed in a pink robe with a pink tie and danced around during the whole game. Below he gives the business to a Cowboy fan wearing a Drew Bledsoe jersey. He took breasts cancer awareness to a new level.

Fergie's Babes

You know you have been a club a long time when you can make a starting 11 with players that weren't born when you took over. Sir Alex can do that and his team would probably end up finishing in the top half of the Premier League, simply amazing.

Ole Gunner Solskjaer: Molde Legend

Ole was a legend a United and now he is a legend at Molde. Solskjaer did what no other manager in the clubs 100 history had done: win a title. Maybe in a couple of years, you will be the one tapped to replace Sir Alex.

Professional Tailgating: Now that is a "Dream Team"

For the first seven weeks of the season, Eagles fans have been waiting for all of the pieces to come together and on Sunday night against the Cowboys they did. OTWT Tailgating Crew was there to document the fun. 

 The Comcast gang gets ready for their pregame show

 

A band plays in the parking lot before the game

 

 At halftime, the Eagles inducted Jim Johnson and Eric Allen into the honor roll

The Eagles offense introduced before the game

Steve Smith is a useless part of this team, while the offense is on the field he is standing by the heater.

Jim Johnson's inductions into the Eagles Honor Roll

Professional Tailgating: A real snow game

  There are games that are played in the snow then there are "snow games" and Saturday's West Virginia Rutgers was a "snow game." A freak October storm dropped almost six inches on snow on the Rutgers Stadium and made for some interesting travel and watching conditions. Despite the snow, the result was still the same as West Virginia beat Rutgers again. There was one highlight as Eric LeGrand lead his team out of the tunnel.

The snow was so bad that West Virginia had to borrow someones tailgating tent

Carts clear the field





Eric LeGrand leads Rutgers out of the tunnel

A real winter wonderland in October

A very large snowball

Another Busy Football Weekend

A couple of weeks ago the OTWT Tailgating crew took in the Rutgers vs. Pitt game and then drove to Buffalo for the Eagles and Bills game. This weekend it will be more of the same, as we head to Rutgers for the Knights game against West Virgina on Saturday and then head to Philly on Sunday for the Eagles and Cowboys game. It's going to be another long weekend, lets hope that both of my teams can win, so all of the driving will be worth it.

ESPN is the true puppet master

With all of the talk of conference realignment going on right now, Poynter takes a looks at ESPN's roll in the whole situation. A very well done story. This comment by LSU Chancellor Michael Martin sums it up the whole situation best: "I think we could end up with two enormous conferences, one called ESPN and the one called Fox." So I guess ESPN is the true puppet master in conference realignment.

Oh No the Sky is falling for United

After yesterday you would think that United are going to get relegated. Daily Mail looks at what is next for everyone: Manchester City thrashing United: Is the future all blue?