More then 51 million pounds can get you an overated French Striker

With the transfer market getting ready to open again at the end of the year, it makes you wonder about how much some players have cost over the years. One of the players that jumps out at you is the sulky French striker Nicolas Anelka. The current French and Bolton striker has cost a staggering more then 51 million pounds in transfer fees over the years. Not bad for a player, who has all of the talent in the world and a bad attitude to match. Over the years Anelka has failed to live up to his great potential.

The transfer fee for the Frenchmen started low when Arsenal paid PSG only 500,000 pounds for the player in 1997. That then jumped when Real Madrid paid the Gunners 23 million pounds. The Anelka European Tour continued when went he signed with PSG for an undisclosed fee. After being loaned at to Liverpool, Anelka then head for Manchester City for 13 million pounds.

At this point you would think that the Frenchmen was sick of moving and would want to start to settle down. But after three years with the citizens the Frenchmen was on the move again heading this time to Fenerbahce for 7 million pounds.

Anelka then moved to his current home Bolton for 8 million pounds. Over the years Anelka has cost more then great players such as Luis Figo, who during his time has only cost 41.2 million pounds.

If I was betting man I would say that he will be moving again in the next transfer window for 10 million more pounds adding another stop on the Anelka European Tour.

The next great Rivalry?

For years, University of Delaware and Delaware State have shared one of the smallest states in the union and never played. But this weekend, that will all change when Hornets and the Blue Hens face off in the first round of the 1-AA playoffs. The game has drawn the attention of many people around the United States including ESPN who are going to show the game Friday afternoon.

For the first time in the history of Delaware football, officials are expecting a sell out and scalpers have even taken an interest in the game.

Over the years, both schools have produced some players that have played in the NFL, including former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver John Taylor, Delaware State, and former NFL MVP Rich Gannon, Delaware.

If the game goes off without any problem this has the potential to be the next great American rivalry. Both schools come from different points of view, Delaware State is a historically black college, while Delaware is a state school. Delaware has Delaware Stadium that seats 22,000 people, while Delaware State has Alumni Stadium that only seats 6,828.

It has all of the making of something that could be special for years to come.

Adidas has everything but blue balls

Traditional soccer balls have always been black and white, but that has all changed over the last couple of years when Adidas decided to change the color of the ball.

Over the last coupe of years Adidas has used a bunch of different combinations including red and silver. During this weeks internationals all different colored balls were on display, except blue balls.

During the United States vs. South Africa friendly, the people at Adidas decided to make a ball that featured all of the colors of the South African flag.
During Finland's Euro 2008 qualifier, they decided to use the traditional white and red ball.

For the MLS Cup final the great people at Adidas decided to make a silver ball that looks like something out of space movie.

Professional Tailgating: Last Call

The home season has come and gone.

Rutgers wrapped up their home season with a win over the greatest mustache in college football and improved their bowl standing. So the Only Time Will Tell tailgating crew braved cold weather and getting up early to attend the final game. What a great year it has been.

Tailgating takes dedication and getting up earlier


Joe Wolf's Vertical Jump enjoys some great looking eggs.

Timmy Chang's Passing Records shows everyone the perfect way to make eggs, while taking two hours.

Now that is what I call a balanced breakfast

Endy in the Outfields loves the Jimmy Dean's sausage

"I think that the bathroom is around here somewhere,'' said Timmy Chang's Passing Records

The next great state University of New Jersey recruit

Making the walk for the final time

On Senior Day, the crowd also say good bye to the Knight's horse, now its glue time

Endy in the Outfield points out a piece of food that the Knight has caught in his teeth

One of the best days in sports history

If you were not Dennis Dixon (below) or Barry Bonds, yesterday ranked up there as one of the best days in sports history.

Has anyone ever seen a day where the home run king was indicted, the numbers two in the BCS poll lost and a baseball player agreed to one of the richest contracts in sports history and that does not even count Dick Vitale season debut.

I hope that we can have many more days like that.

My Name is on Your Shirt

One of the biggest difference between American and European sports are teams put sponsors on the front of their jersey in order to raise money for their clubs. Over the last couple of years the amount of money that teams have been spending has grown out of control and so have the shirt deals.

According to a recently released report by European marking group: Sport+Markt, the numbers continue to grow. This year in the EPL teams are making $142.9 million in revenue from jersey sponsorships, while the next highest is Germany with $140 million.

The top six clubs in sponsorship deals are also no surprise:

1. Manchester United: AIG: $30.5 million
2. Bayern Munich: T-Home: $29.3 million
3. Real Madrid: Bwin: $21.9 million
4. Chelski: Samsung: $21.2 million
5. AC Milan: Bwin: $17.5 million
6. Schalke 04: Gazprom: $17.5 million

It makes you wonder why United States sports don't do this. How great would it be for the Mets to have a great big Citi Bank logo on the front of their jersey. Hey it might even allow them to afford a new starting pitcher.

How the mighty have fallen

During the 2000 NCAA tournament the talk of college basketball was Tommy Amaker and getting the 10th seeded Seton Hall to the Sweet 16, seven year later Amaker is now coaching in the Ivy League. Like fellow former duke assistant Quin Snyder, who started off like gang busters at Missouri and then flamed out, Amaker has had his share of issues.

After just one tournament bid in his four years in East Orange, Amaker packed his bags and head off to the Big Ten and Michigan. When he arrived he was greeted with a program that was still in the process of climbing out of probation. Then the Michigan administration decided that they have had enough of Amaker and over the summer decided to fire him.

Now Amaker and his mock turtle necks can be found coaching in less then 2,000 seat gym (below) in Boston, coaching Harvard.

Seven years ago he was the talk of the world now Amaker is coaching a team that expects to finish mid table in the Ivy League.

Now that is a coaching tree

People always talk about the great coaching tree that former Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson had at the U. Those staffs included Tommy T, now at Auburn, among others. But some people over look the great coaching tree of Bill Snyder, the former Kansas State head coach. When Snyder took the job in the Little Apple, the Wildcats were the laughing stock of college football. Now they are program that expects to go bowl games every year.

One of the reason that Snyder was able to turn the Wildcats into a good program was a staff that included some of the best head coaches currently coaching in college football.

Here is a list of them:

• Phil Bennett (SMU).
• Bret Bielema (University of Wisconsin).
• Jim Leavitt (University of South Florida).
• Mark Mangino (University of Kansas).
• Bob Stoops (University of Oklahoma).
• Mike Stoops (University of Arizona).
• Dan McCarney (Former head coach at Iowa State University).

For years people have been talking about the great coaching trees in American, its about time that Bill Snyder gets some kind of respect.

Prosessional Tailgating: Basketball Style

As part of the Only Time Will Tell tailgating crew's trip to Boston, the group decided to take in a Boston College basketball game and learned that they really are not that good. Boston College hung on to beat the Wildcats of the University of New Hampshire.

Conte Forum is one of the most underrated places in college basketball.

Boston College players get ready for the game


Boston College fan will never forget the 1994 team that beat defending champion North Carolina in the tourney and neither will I. I think that Dean should have played Wallace more in that game.

Baldwin watches the game from afar

A student tries to be like Baldwin

Professional Tailgating: Vacation Style

While there was no real tailgating, the head member of the Only Time Will Tell tailgating crew was in Boston doing the vacation thing and during his trip Joe Wolfs Vertical Jump also checked out Fenway Park.

It's not the greatest looking place in Major League Baseball but its home for many

Fenway never had that many banners

Fenway has been around a really long time

Everyone is hung up on the World Series win even the parking lots

Hey even Dice-K has a street sign

Even the sidewalks sing the praises of the Red Sox

Rest in Peace

The time has come to say good bye to an old friend, the Orange Bowl. The venue has been a great gritty home for the U for decades and now on Saturday, when the 'Canes leave the field Saturday for the final time, the sun will set on college football at the Orange Bowl and it will be sad day.

The field at the OB has been home to some of the best players in college football history from Ed Reed and Ray Lewis to Kenny Phillips. Here is hoping that the Dolphins Stadium will see the same great players that Orange Bowl has.

CBS keeps taking steps backwards

ESPN has the market cornered on hot sideline reports, with Erin Andrews, but another network keeps loosing ground in the race for the hottest sideline reporters. CBS started with Jill Arrington then she left and then they hired Tracy Wolfson, which is a clear step down.

Here is photo proof:

Jill Arrington

Tracy Wolfson

As you see a picture is worth a 1,000 words and these photos say Jill Arrington is a very good sideline reporter.

It's only a matter of time before the Whites are back

For the last couple of years there has been one team that has been missing from the Barclay's Premier League, Leeds United. While the league continues to make money hand over foot, the league lacks Leeds United and their passionate fans.


Over the course off the last couple of years financial issues have forced the destruction of a side that made the 2001 semi-finals of the Champions League and now they find themselves in League One playing the likes of Carlisle United, Port Vale, and Yeovil Town. The financial issues lead to Leeds starting the season with a 15 point penalty, but so far they are the only undefeated team in League One. At this rate they should make the playoffs and hopefully return to the Coca-Cola Championship next year and then move quickly to return the top flight of English Football.


The ""Whites'' have won three league titles during their history and have had a roster that features some of the best players in England:

• Rio Ferdinand
• Gordon Strachan
• Lee Bowyer
• Eric Cantona (pictured right)
• Scott Carson
• Robbie Fowler
• Robbie Keane
• Aaron Lennon
• James Milner
• Jermaine Pennant
• Paul Robinson
• Alan Smith
• Mark Viduka
• Jonathan Woodgate
• Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
• Jack Charlton

With the list of former players that they have, its a ashamed that people like Peter Ridsdale and Ken Bates have destroyed one of the great clubs in English soccer.

Ok I have a crush

While my college basketball heart belongs to North Carolina, a part of me is starting to fall in love with that school on the Main Line in Philly, Villanova. Over the last couple of years, no team in the Big East has been as entertaining to as the Wildcats.

A couple of years ago they were a top seed and played some of the best basketball. There line up of Allen Ray, Randy Foye, Kyle Lowery, and Micheal Nardi played some of the best basketball in the country and also made for some great match ups. During the season it was no uncommon to see the under six foot Kyle Lowery driving against a 6 foot 8 inch white guy.

Then last year, the "Nova Nation'' unleashed Scottie Reynolds (right) and went from bubble NCAA team to a team that made the tournament easily.

Now this year Jay Wright can return to his three guard line up with Reynolds being joined by hot shot freshmen Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes. Throw Shane Clark on the floor with them an you have a group that can break you down at any time.

And over the next couple of years, this three guard break down style is going to continue and my love for them will continue to grow.

The yellow ball is here, let the season start

Since the start of the EPL season, the pitches have been perfect, the weather has been nice, and the ball has been white. But this week that all changes, the weather gets a little colder and the ball becomes yellow. When United played Arsenal, this morning, the yellow ball with the purple stripes was in full effect.

Once the yellow ball comes on then season really get going and the true champion is crowd. Before the white ball returns, the teams in the league will have gone through the busy holiday period and everyone will have a great idea of who is going to be holding the trophy with the crown on it.

Can a Heisman Winner please stand up?

No one wants the Heisman trophy.

Over the course of the season, Heisman Trophy candidates have fallen as fast as top ten teams.

First it was Mike Hart, then it was Tim Teabow, then it was Ray Rice, then Colt Brennan, then it was John David Booty and now it appears one of the front runners for the Heisman is from the northeast, while another spent the summer playing baseball, and another one is a redshirt freshman who plays in a run and shoot offense.

If I had a ballot here is how my top three would go.

1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College.
2. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon.
3. Micheal Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech.

The State of Talent

While many people look at Texas, California, Louisiana, and Florida as the key states in the recruiting wars. Some people forget about New Jersey and all of the talent that we have produced.

North Jersey has the likes of Don Bosco, St. Joe's, and Bergen Catholic and has been a popular place for the recruiters to visit. A look around college football and you figure out that New Jersey can put a great team with all of the talent that they have, despite being one of the smallest states in the union.

Here is a break down of a State of New Jersey football team:

Offense

QB: Mike Teel, Rutgers.

RB: Knoshawn Moreno, Georgia (pictured right)

WR: Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers

WR: Dorien Bryant, Purdue

WR: Duval Kamara, Notre Dame

TE: Mike Ragone, Notre Dame

OL: Phil Trautwein, Florida

OL: Anthony Davis, Rutgers

OL: Eugene Monroe, Virginia

OL: John Rochford, Miami

OL: Pedro Sosa, Rutgers

Defense

DL: George Johnson, Rutgers

DL: Kade Weston, Georgia

DL: Jonal Saint-Dic, Michigan State.

DL: Dwayne Hendricks, Miami

LB: Brian Cushing, USC

LB:Brian Toal, Boston College

LB: Nick Macaluso, Stanford

DB: Myron Rolle, Florida State (pictured right)

DB: Malcolm Jackson, Ohio State

DB: Anthony Scirrotto, Penn State

DB: Jason McCourty, Rutgers

This is a team that would beat almost all of the states. Just think if most of these kids including Moreno, Cushing, Jackson and Scirrotto went to the State University of New Jersey, they would have the makings of a BCS Bowl team.

Is Derby County the worst ever side in the EPL?

Through 11 games Derby County (pictured above) only has six points and sit bottom of the EPL, while not many experts and hooligans expected the Rams to stay up, they could be headed for one of the worst seasons in the history of the league.

Here is the list of the worst teams in the history of the cosmopolitan league and how many points they finished with.

• 1992-1993: Nottingham Forest 40 points.
• 1993-1994: Swindon Town 30 points.
• 1994-1995: Ipswich Town 27 points.
• 1995-1996: Bolton 29 points.
• 1996-1997: Nottingham Forest 34 points.
• 1997-1998: Crystal Palace 32 points.
• 1998-1999: Nottingham Forest 30 point.
• 1999-2000: Watford 24 point.
• 2000-2001: Bradford City 26 points.
• 2001-2002: Liecester City 28 points.
• 2002-2003: Sunderland 19 points.
• 2003-2004: Wolves 33 points.
• 2004-2005: Southampton 32 points.
• 2005-2006: Sunderland 15 points (record for fewest points)
• 2006-2007: Watford 28 points.

Wow at this pace the Rams could finish with something like 18 points and rank down with 2005-2006 Sunderland with the worst total ever. As for talent this team might be the worst ever.