Infield Chatter

[The Doc]

I presume a 'lateral' is what is called in rugby a 'pass', except that you have the advantage of being able to pass forwards and backwards 

"Try" this

Mind you I will admit the advantage that rugby players can't be tackled off the ball

[tgraham]

My vote for most f-ed up american football play. 1982 Cal-Stanford.

[Sebastian Knight]

I presume a 'lateral' is what is called in rugby a 'pass', except that you have the advantage of being able to pass forwards and backwards 

A lateral can only be backwards or sideways.  The idea is that you can pass forwards only once, but you can pass backwards a bunch of times. 

[The Doc]

Thanks. I guess that makes sense or it wouldn't be called a lateral.  I suppose I'm surprised it is seen as surprising when it is used, I would have thought keeping the ball moving rarther than accepting the end of a play at the first tackle would often have advantages (I should say I have watched very little American Football so I may have a false impression)

In rugby many plays do end on a tackle and 'restart' with the ball being recycled from a ruck or maul, which is pretty much the equivalent of a scrimmage, except that it evolves in open play rather than with a stop and restart.  However the backs are always on the look out for opportunities to pass, and run with the ball.

[tgraham]

I dont remember if it was Knute Rockne or Bear Bryant (old rule: football coaches had to have cool knicknames) who said " When you pass the ball 4 things can happen and three of them are bad".
The lateral isnt used much except in the option offense, where the quarterback and another player will go around the end of the line (much like rugby backs) separated by a few yards. If the defense converges on the man with the ball he will lateral to the man farther out who will carry on.

[tgraham]

I'm celebrating. My fantasy football (real not american) side scored their first goal last night in a friendly with a team from Japan.

[sarah]

I dont remember if it was Knute Rockne or Bear Bryant (old rule: football coaches had to have cool knicknames)

Hey, some of them still do!  Ours is called "Lovey."

Okay, I guess that's not all that cool after all.

~s

[tgraham]

Coach,
did you go to DC to watch the New England Patriots play the Houston dreamsicles?
I think Tom Brady is playing midfield for the Revolution.

[Scott]

Coach,
did you go to DC to watch the New England Patriots play the Houston dreamsicles?
I think Tom Brady is playing midfield for the Revolution.

No, I was too busy coaching my own team in a tournament.  Four games, zero goals.  Why do I do this again?

[tgraham]

Bad news is i'm getting old and blind.
I got an email that said the Cubs had signed a vegetarian Right-hander...
Oh a veteran. Thats different.
Cubbies signed Kerry Wood to a one year deal. That kid had more talent (and power) in his pinky than most major-league pitchers will ever see. His arm was ruined by over-pitching in his younger years.
I have always wished him well even when he was smokng my Astros like a salmon on a plank.
Hopefully he can get past his last surgery and have a good year.

[owen]

A Beckham starring LA Galaxy take on Sydney FC down here in an hour or so in a friendly/promo which will probably draw a bigger crowd than any A League game this coming season.

Oh well, that's show business. Personally, I'd rather it was sport.

I'll still watch the game though.

O!

[owen]

How do you report on an exhilerating game won by Sydney FC 5-3?

With the headline "Beckham delights huge crowd" apparently.

No wonder the sport struggles to maintain a good profile in this country.

grumblegrumblegrumblegrumble...

Good game though, at least what little I saw of it.

O!

[The Doc]

Becks may be over the hill, but when he came on for the second half of England's dismal defeat (and thus failure to qualify for the European Championship) against Croatia he was head and shoulders above the rest of the team (apart from - literally and metaphorically - Peter Crouch).  His cross for Crouch's goal was a sweet as you could ever wish to see.  Hate to say it of an ex United player but the guy has got class.

[owen]

Oh, no doubt about that! He's one of the all time best.

It's just the media down here are like BECKHAM BECKHAM BECKHAM BECKHAM BECKHAM!!! And I'm like, um, didn't the other team, OUR team, win the game???

Recognising talent is to be encouraged. But the cult of celebrity gives me the shits.

[The Doc]

You're right of course, and I wasn't taking issue with you, just reacting to the pathetic performance of the England team. At least your lot won!  I still think there is a good chance you will be in the world cup in two-ten and we won't