Entries from December 2005 ↓

It was a bit dodgy there for stretches, particularly in the fourth quarter, but in the end, Jay Feely was provided with an opportunity for redemption when he kicked the winning field goal with less than four minutes left in overtime.

Eli Manning was excellent early on, but threw two interceptions during the fourth quarter and a third during the overtime period. It was almost the exact opposite of the Eli Manning we’ve seen so far this year.

Like I said to Josh during the game, I have no faith in the Giants doing anything in the playoffs - that’s if they even hold on to make it.

Three games left, at home against the Chiefs on Saturday, then two away games to end the season in DC against the Redskins on Christmas Eve, and in Oakland against the Raiders on New Year’s Eve.

It should be an interesting three weeks…

The swoon continues, as Arsenal lose yet again on the road. The Gunners now are in sixth place in the league, looking up at Sp*rs for the first time in years.

In the words of Vince Lombardi:

“What the hell is going on around here?!?!”

US drawn in Group E with Italy, Ghana and Czech Republic for first round of 2006 World Cup Finals. It is definitely this World Cup’s “Group of Death.” Everyone knows how good Italy is, but Ghana is the current African champions, and Czech Republic was the highest scoring team in all of European qualifying. Doesn’t look good. Even if the US somehow ends up the second seed, they’ll have to face the likely top seed from Group F: Brazil.

Uggh.

Draw in full:

GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

It all kicks off on June 9th, and I can’t wait!

He’s still missed.

From Sports Illustrated.com:

Am I nominating Henry for SI’s Sportsman of the Year based on his performance on the pitch in 2005? Not at all. Henry’s year ranks behind Lance Armstrong, Bode Miller, Annika Sorenstam and a host of other athletes. But he stood up in 2005 against a much bigger foe than Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Professional athletes today, especially in America, are decidedly apolitical. Dissent and protest these days comes in the form of a wide receiver upset with a $48 million contract. I don’t blame them. There is too much money at stake in an age where every public comment is spun and analyzed through the blogosphere. Talking sides can be costly. Suns guard Steve Nash was criticized for wearing a T-shirt to media day during the 2003 NBA’s All-Star weekend that read “No War. Shoot for Peace.” Neutrality is bland — and profitable. Famously, Michael Jordan refused to endorse the black senatorial candidate in his native North Carolina, Harvey Gantt, in a race against Jesse Helms. Air Apolitical, indeed.

This is why the 28-year-old Henry deserves your respect…

Read the rest of Richard Deitsch’s great article here: My Sportsman Choice: Thierry Henry

It was a pretty uneventful match between Arsenal and Ajax today at Highbury, as both teams were already locked into first and second spots of the group respectively.

The best Arsenal scoring chance came during first half stoppage time when Jose Antonio Reyes earned a penalty after a tackle in the box.

Thierry Henry stepped up to take the spot kick, but pushed it just wide of the post.

Shrug. The draw for the first knockout phase takes place on the 16th, so we won’t know who Arsenal face until then.

Next match is on Saturday against Newcastle. Kickoff is 12PM ET.