THE MIRACLE MAN

When Drew Brees’ name is entered in a Google search it comes up with 1.73 million results. And why shouldn’t it? Brees is finishing one of the greatest seasons in National Football League history. He just broke Dan Marino’s 27 year-old record for passing yards in a season. His career awards include NFL Comeback Player of the Year, NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
In Contrast to Brees, when Denver Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow’s name is entered in Google his name comes up with 219 MILLION results. That’s over 126 times more than Brees. Tebow has two NFL awards to his name, both Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards he received in 2010.
The easiest way to explain the discrepancy between the two searches: Tim Tebow is a phenomenon. Tebow is bigger than the game.
For instance here is a stat line from one of his starts this season: 2-8 for 69 yards and a touchdown. That game was one of the lead highlights on ESPN’s SportCenter that night. Most NFL quarterbacks would call that a tough quarter.
That game, as much as any, fueled Tebow fans and Tebow haters alike. It was a 17-10 win versus division rival Kansas City. The Chiefs game was Tebow’s fourth start of the season. A season in which Tebow lead the Broncos to a 7-1 record after he took over as the starting quarterback.
Tebow supporters would point out the fact that he took a listless 1-2 team and led them to the top of the AFC West while throwing 10 touchdowns compared to two interceptions in the aforementioned 7-1 start.
Tebow doubters might point out that he still has a career completion percentage of below 50 percent and his throwing motion and style of play are not exactly prototypical of an NFL quarterback.
“That elongated delivery and the fact he had to take snaps under center on full display for everybody to see and it brought to light all the negatives,” NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. told the Orlando Sentinel after Tebow’s predraft workout.
Tebow, one of the most decorated college athletes in NCAA history, came into the NFL as a big question mark at the quarteback position. At the University of Florida he played in the spread offense, which the quarterback lines up in the shotgun and utilizes the horizontal passing game rather than the vertical passing game which many professional scouts prefer. Tebow was also a master at running Urban Meyer’s read option offense, which Tebow would have the option of giving the ball to the running back or holding on to it to run. Both offenses have proven to be very successful in the college game but typically quarterbacks in those systems do not translate very well to the professional game.
Kiper projected Tebow to be taken anywhere from the second to the fourth rounds…as a halfback.
“If you draft him as an H-back and you make him your Wildcat quarterback and use some versatility, fine. You don’t draft a Wildcat quarterback in the second round,” said Kiper.
Through the first season as a full time starter it looks as if Tebow is making Kiper eat his words.
“”I’m just going to compete, go in there and get some playing time and just get better. Be part of a franchise and a great organization. That’s what I’m excited about,” Tebow told the USA Today after being taken with the 25^th selection in the first round by the Denver Broncos.
Tebow competed so well he convinced the Broncos front office to part ways with incumbent starter Kyle Orton and implement Tebow as their leading man. Not only did they trade away their starter, but they traded away their offense.
With Tebow at the helm Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy added packages to his offense to suit Tebow’s unique abilities.
“We had done some option stuff last year with Tim so I knew the basics. But it was like I was in second grade just learning some things. As the weeks went on, we kept building off it,” McCoy told FOXSports.com about trying to add the option offense to the NFL.
So far there is not enough of a sample size to be definitive if the option or spread offense can work in the NFL. Nor can anyone be sure if Tebow can keep up the blazing hot start he’s had to his career, but Tebow’s early success gives hope to countless option quarterbacks that may be looking at being forced to another position at the next level.
Tebow’s talents are not just limited to the option offense. When forced to throw the ball in crunch time Tebow has been unmistakably clutch. Almost resembling Brees with his abilities to put the ball up in the fourth quarter. Over that 7-1 stretch the Broncos were either tied or trailing in six of the eight games. In the fourth quarter and overtime this season Tebow has a 56 completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 91.7.  This has led football fans in Denver and across the nation to refer to end of Denver game minutes as  “Tebow Time” and the young QB as “Miracle Man.”

THE LITTLE T EAM

The little team scored a goal in their last match. It was their first goal of the season. Total goal count for the season: the little team – 1 goal; their opponents: 271 goals.
Created by El Cangrejo, the short movie l’equip petit tells the story of a soccer team that experiences trouble in scoring goals and winning games. However, their players’ love of the sport is apparent as they try their best to improve their games and practice good sportsmanship.
Isn’t that what sports is suppose to be all about?

Deschamps delights in cup glory Tweet Didier Deschamps was delighted with Marseille’s Coupe de la Ligue triumph after a 1-0 victory over Lyon on Saturday. The French giants needed a goal in extra time to hand Deschamps his sixth trophy in just three years as manager of the club, and he was quick to highlight the achievement after commending his players for their contributions. “All title wins are beautiful, as they are difficult to achieve. This is the sixth in three years,” Deschamps said. “For a club that had not won anything for 17 years, it is something to be proud of. The credit goes mostly to the players, but I also want to associate my staff with the victory. “This is a great source of pride for me, even if it does not change the fact it has been a difficult season in Ligue 1.” Brandao again proved decisive for Marseille after following up his goal to dump Inter out of the Champions League in March with the winner against Lyon on Saturday, and Deschamps was full of praise for the Brazilian striker. “It’s crazy, what a bargain he has been,” he said. “He has above average technical qualities, but I have been more impressed with his mental strength. “I’ve trusted him and he has scored some important goals.” Deschamps refused to answer questions about his future at Stade Velodrome, but vowed to announce his decision once the season reaches its conclusion. “Let me enjoy this moment of happiness, these days have been rare lately,” Deschamps said. “The season ends on May 21 and I will not answer any questions about my future until then. “For now, I want to enjoy this win with my family.” Sun 15 April, 2012 RSS Feed SoccerNews Community Last 5 posts by SoccerNews * Coupe de la Ligue: Marseille 1 Lyon 0 April 15th, 2012 * La Liga wrap: Barca persist with Real pursuit April 15th, 2012 * Eredivisie wrap: PSV further dent AZ title hopes April 15th, 2012 * Belgian First Division: First home defeat for Anderlecht April 14th, 2012 * Hodgson salutes Dorrans´ impact April 14th, 2012 Buy Soccer Tickets Largest selection of premium soccer tickets for the Premier League, MLS, La Liga, Serie A, European Cups, World Cup etc. Click Here * * * Follow us * Join us * Add your comment Click here to cancel reply. Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website * Live Scores and Matches * Advertisement * Advertisement * Get your soccer gear here * Soccer Betting - Improve Your Winning Chances * Advertisement * Most Popular Discussions o Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career (36) o Pele: I have edge over Messi (10) o Advantage Bayern and Barca in the Champions League quarter-finals (8) o Can Manchester United take advantage of City’s slip up? (7) o 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Lionel ‘Leo’ Messi (7) o Barcelona claim another big European victory (7) o Guardiola rubbishes Ibrahimovic claims (6) o Manchester United deserve to be Premier League champions (6) o Pepe comments under scrutiny (6) o How can Roberto Mancini really want more players? (5) * Advertisement o free £50 bet o * SoccerNews is a sponsor of Wilton Town

Didier Deschamps was delighted with Marseille’s Coupe de la Ligue triumph after a 1-0 victory over Lyon on Saturday.

The French giants needed a goal in extra time to hand Deschamps his sixth trophy in just three years as manager of the club, and he was quick to highlight the achievement after commending his players for their contributions.

“All title wins are beautiful, as they are difficult to achieve. This is the sixth in three years,” Deschamps said.

“For a club that had not won anything for 17 years, it is something to be proud of. The credit goes mostly to the players, but I also want to associate my staff with the victory.

“This is a great source of pride for me, even if it does not change the fact it has been a difficult season in Ligue 1.”

Brandao again proved decisive for Marseille after following up his goal to dump Inter out of the Champions League in March with the winner against Lyon on Saturday, and Deschamps was full of praise for the Brazilian striker.

“It’s crazy, what a bargain he has been,” he said. “He has above average technical qualities, but I have been more impressed with his mental strength.

“I’ve trusted him and he has scored some important goals.”

Deschamps refused to answer questions about his future at Stade Velodrome, but vowed to announce his decision once the season reaches its conclusion.

“Let me enjoy this moment of happiness, these days have been rare lately,” Deschamps said.

“The season ends on May 21 and I will not answer any questions about my future until then.

“For now, I want to enjoy this win with my family.”

Premier League: Swansea 3 Blackburn 0

Blackburn Rovers became further entrenched in the relegation zone after suffering a 3-0 defeat at Swansea City on Saturday.
Strikes from Gylfi Sigurdsson, Nathan Dyer and a Scott Dann own goal gave Swansea their first win in five matches, while leaving Rovers three points adrift of safety.
Both sides came into the match on the back of dismal recent runs, each having lost their last four Premier League matches.
The opening stages of the match served to show the differing styles of the two sides, with Swansea’s cultured, short-passing game, up against Blackburn’s more direct, agricultural style.
The early exchanges were tentative to say the least and supporters had to wait for the 22nd minute for any real incident of note, as the home side had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Mark Clattenburg.
Morten Gamst Pedersen, playing in the centre of Rovers five-man midfield, was late tracking the run of Sigurdsson and appeared to clip the heels of the advancing Icelander, as he looked to get onto a pass from Angel Rangel.
Replays showed that the Norwegian was fortunate to have escaped without reprimand.
Swansea were starting to find the feet of their dangerous wide duo, Dyer and Scott Sinclair, with increasing regularity, and Sigurdsson, floating dangerously in between the lines, forced Robinson into a good save from 25-yards after 35 minutes.
If that served as a warning shot, then Blackburn cannot say they had not been warned as Sigurdsson opened the scoring two minutes later.
Rovers never really cleared the corner that followed the Icelander’s first effort, and when Joe Allen found the on-loan Hoffenheim midfielder with a clever cross-field pass, Sigurdsson bent a left-footed effort into the far top corner.
Blackburn were rocking defensively and after a poor pass from N’Zonzi, Danny Graham’s curling effort from 18-yards forced an excellent save from Robinson down low to his left.
Swansea were now firmly in the ascendency, and two minutes before half-time they doubled their lead, with Blackburn the creators of their own downfall.
A poor cross from Neil Taylor should have been easily dealt with by Grant Hanley, but his woeful touch fell to Sinclair, who squared to Danny Graham, who flicked the ball to his right for the unmarked Dyer, who made no mistake and doubled the Swans advantage.
With 50 minutes on the clock, Blackburn forced their first real clear-cut opportunity. A long free-kick from Robinson found the head of Bradley Orr, and his header across the box found David Dunn, but he failed to make the necessary contact and it was an easy save for Michel Vorm.
Just minutes later however, and Swansea all but secured the three points with their third goal.
A mesmerizing run down the left from Sinclair saw him go past three Rovers defenders, before cutting back for Sigurdsson, whose shot from point-blank range somehow hit the post, only to rebound off the helpless Scott Dann and into the back of the net.

BIG DEBT LIE BEHIND SPANISH FOOTBALL GLORY

Spanish football may be enjoying one of its most successful eras, powered by Barcelona and Real Madrid's charge through the Champions League, but the glittering success on the pitch hides a darker story.
As Real and Barca are through to the elite Champions League semifinals, and three Spanish clubs are into the Europa League last four, a survey of the accounts of the country's top clubs reveals a tale of crippling debts and tax arrears.
Real Madrid lead Barcelona by four points at the top of La Liga, but the two global superstars also rival each other in the depth of their debts – Real have accumulated €589 million to Barcelona's €578 million.
The archrivals' debts eclipse their revenues, which for 2010-2011 amounted to €479 million for Real Madrid and €450 million for Barcelona.
Europa League semifinals Valencia and Atletico Madrid are also both awash with red ink, to the tune of €382 and 514 million respectively.
But the latest figure to hit the headlines in Spain is the €752 million that Spain's elite clubs owe to the tax man at a time when more than five million are unemployed and the government is asking citizens for more sacrifices.
The sports ministry announced a plan to ensure that football pays for its own debts. But for the moment it is unclear how they will do so.
Six of the 20 Liga clubs – Rayo Vallecano, Racing Santander, Real Betis, Zaragoza, Granada and Mallorca – are currently in bankruptcy proceedings, as are another six second-division teams.
"That figure alone shows that Spanish football is not well managed financially," said Barcelona University Professor of Economics Jose Maria Gay de Liebana, who specialises in football.
The analyst compared Spanish football's debts, which he estimated at €3.5 billion in total, to the frenzy of the country's property market bubble, which imploded in 2008.
"Football is a mirror of the general economy in Spain. For years we have been spending beyond our means, getting deeper and deeper into debt," he explained.
"For football it's the same: for years clubs have made colossal and inefficient investments. And as they did not have their own funds to finance these expenses, they went massively into debt."
A good example of the race to invest, no matter the cost, is Valencia's "New Mestalla" stadium.
In 2007, in the midst of the property boom, Valencia decided to buy itself a new 70 000-seat stadium – even though it has only 39 000 members.
The 300-million-euro construction cost was supposed to be financed by the sale of the land from its old stadium for some €400 million.
Two years later, engulfed by the property market crisis, construction stopped when the club realised it could not find buyers for the old stadium property.
One other factor may have contributed to the accumulation of debts – a lack of financial control by Spanish institutions.
Some blame a lax attitude by the Spanish football league, others the league's inability to impose tough sporting sanctions.
Until very recently the Spanish professional football league did not have the power to relegate a club in bankruptcy.
Some teams even used the bankruptcy law to their advantage, enjoying legal protection from their creditors while continuing to play football at the highest level.
"I think the new law that came into force in January 2012, which now authorizes the authorities to relegate a club in bankruptcy, will change things a lot," said sports lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo.
It is unclear, however, if the authorities would risk the public backlash of taking on a football club.
In the 1990s when the footballing authorities threatened to relegate Celta Vigo and Sevilla because of problems with their registration paperwork, they were forced to backpedal under huge pressure from fans.

MESSI BETTET THAN MARADONA- ARDILES

World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles says Lionel Messi is better than his former teammate Diego Maradona even though the Barcelona star has yet to find success with Argentina's national team.

Ardiles said at a press conference "I played with Maradona for seven years and he was magnificent. I thought I would never see another player like that but I have to say Messi is better."

Ardiles said he was confident Messi can help Argentina win a World Cup before his career is over.
Ardiles, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1978 before playing and coaching English club Tottenham, was hired in January to manage the newly-promoted Japanese second-division club Machida Zelvia.