The Bradley factor

I agree with the assessment of Michael Bradley's talent and the importance of his role on the United States men's national team. That does not mean that I support his father, Bob, as coach. Bob Bradley's career as head coach of the national team started as an interim. He was never supposed to be hired on as the full-time manager. He lacked the experience and the results. He was a caretaker.

For the sake of Michael and the rest of the team we have to find a new manager. If not, Michael will be stuck in the middle of all controversy that arises in the years to come. He does not need that. Hell, we as U.S. soccer fans don't need that. My question to everyone else out there is, what has to happen for the Bob Bradley to be lose his job? I'm not saying he would be a bad assistant, but head coach? Really? What needs to happen? We don't accept second rate managers in any other sports here in America. So why are we doing it for soccer?

U.S. Midfielder Michael Bradley

Luke Cyphers of ESPN.com wrote a pretty solid article on United States and Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Michael Bradley. I recommend it. Will help get a lot of you non-soccer folks up to snuff on an important player for the Yanks in the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

I have my own take on the holding midfielder. Look for it this evening at ramullins.blogspot.com.

Mmmm...World Cup

I took one last look at espn.com before I left work tonight. I was truly surprised by what I saw. The centerpiece carousel item was a soccer story.

How awesome is that!? Here 101 days before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the stories are starting to roll in. I haven't been that excited in a while. The story was more a listing of the top 50 players than a story. I'm not sure who was polled, but I thought the rankings were fairly accurate.

Heck, I even had a conversation at work about soccer. I think some of my coworkers might even come around to soccer when the World Cup gets started.

Anyway. Great to feel like the world's sport is getting a bit more publicity here in the U.S. I think it's only going to get better.

Be sure to check out the blog for upcoming previews, reviews of roster selections, game coverage and more here at ramullins.blogspot.com

First entry: The day after the Saints won the Super Bowl

Just wanted to let anyone who knows about my blog know that I will start sharing some notes periodically. Initially I set this blog up to get some of my photography up. Recently I've felt as though this would be a good place for me to begin sharing some thoughts, ideas, stories, etc.

So, if you notice that I'm now posting text, don't be surprised.

I don't know what it is about Louisiana that makes me feel like writing. I tend to get this feeling when I am in a foreign place. I know. You're thinking, "Hello! Richard, Louisiana is not foreign." Yeah, yeah. I know it isn't really foreign geographically. Although, I can say that I've never seen a river act the way that the Ouachita is acting right now. Louisiana is foreign in a different sense of the word. I'll give you the reasons that I have for feeling a like a bit of an outsider looking in (even though I've lived here for five months now).
1. If you've never been to a Mardi Gras parade, you'll never understand the stigma that goes with it. There is a mysterious feeling that goes with it. Something strange, yet grossly intriguing. The only other place I've had that feeling, that fascination, was a fiesta in Villa Madero, Michoacan, Mexico.

I loved it.

2. Saints fans are hardcore. I cannot imagine what it could have been like to follow a team through some of the things that have happened in this state. I refer mainly to Katrina. I think that is awesome to see so many people so incredibly happy about something so simple, yet so symbolic.

Glad to be a newborn Saints fan.