This was an interesting little project to answer a few questions that came up during conversation. We wanted to know where the MLS stacked up to the rest of the world.
What easier way to do this than using FIFA 13 and their star rating system. The data was dissected (could send you the information if you are very interested) but I simply found the average rating for a league by averaging out the teams in a certain league.
Here were the results, from best league to worst (number is how many stars)
1. England Premier League - 4.20 (4-5 star, 5-4.5 star, 6-4star, 5-3.5star)
2. Italy Serie A - 4.15 (3-5star, 4-4.5star, 10-4star, 2-3.5star, 1-3star)
3. Spain Liga BBVA - 4.03 (2-5star, 5-4.5star, 5-4star, 8-3.5star)
4. Germany Bundesliga - 3.92 (1-5star, 3-4.5star, 7-4star, 6-3.5star, 1-3star)
5. France Ligue 1 - 3.73 (1-5star, 2-4.5star, 6-4star, 7-3.5star, 4-3star)
6. Brazil Liga do Brazil - 3.60
7. Russia Russian League - 3.38
8. Portugal Liga Portuguesa - 3.25
9. Netherlands Eredivisie - 3.17
10. Mexico Liga MX - 3.08
11. England npower Championship - 3.06
12. United States MLS - 2.87
13. Germany Bundesliga 2 - 2.81
14. Italy Serie B - 2.48
15. Spain Liga Adelante - 2.46
16. Belgium Pro League - 2.44
17. Denmark Superliga - 2.38
17. Scottland SPL - 2.38
19. Switzerland Raiffeisen SL - 2.30
20. Korea Republic K-League - 2.28
20. Poland Polska Liga - 2.28
22. Austria A. Bundesliga - 2.20
23. Norway Tippeligaen - 2.16
23. Sweden Allsvenskan - 2.16
25. France Ligue 2 - 2.08
26. Saudi Arabia Saudi Pro League - 1.96
27. Australia A League - 1.95
28. England npower League 1 - 1.81
29. England npower League 2 - 1.15
30. Republic of Ireland Airtricity League - 0.73
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Eagles Offseason Checklist.
1. SIGN LESEAN MCCOY. The 950k he is due next year is below acceptable. And with how horrible the Eagles have handled the Desean situation, it is VERY hard to believe that McCoy would not hold out. I would hold out. RB's have the shortest life-span, and he is hurting himself if he accepts playing at that level with such a small contract.
2. Release / Trade Asante Samuel. It's clear that this team has enough capable corners to play, and with Nnamdi, it is hard to fathom paying Asante 9.5 million as you pay Nnamdi 11.3 million in 2012 alone. Trading Asante for a draft pick would give you the cap room to sign McCoy to a reasonable contract.
3. Do NOT franchise / sign Jackson, and pick up a solid free agent WR. A franchise tag on Jackson would be 10+ million, which is way too much. I love his play, but not that much. Let him walk and make his pay day on another team. There are quite a few valuable free agents including;
Steve Johnson (BUF), Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon (IND), Dwayne Bowe (KC), Marques Colston (NO), Wes Welker (NE), Deion Branch (NE), Vincent Jackson (SD), and Mario Manningham (NYG).
This list could mean two things;
Desean could hit free agency, and realize his pay day may not be exactly what he wants or imagines in his brain. If he realizes players like Colston, Boye, and Welker are more attractive to franchises than he is, his contract numbers would drop quickly.
This also means the Eagles can expect to pick up a WR at a discounted price, since the market is so diluted with players. The second tier players will be receive even less.
In my opinion, I would be satisfied with Dwayne Boye if Jackson is gone, a very realistic possibility. I see the Patriots letting Branch go and signing Desean Jackson and Wes Welker.
3. Linebackers - One more is needed. Some form of a trade. This defense could certainly use a player that not only knows how to stop the run, but also be a quarterback at the MLB position.
4. Roles that Need Filled.
Here are the current positions the Eagles need to fill, accomidated with the player who is not currently signed through the 2012 season.
#2 QB (Vince Young)
#2 RB (Ronnie Brown)
#1 FB (Owen Schmitt)
#1 WR (Desean Jackson)
#4 WR (Steve Smith)
#4 OT (King Dunlap)
#2 OG (Evan Mathis)
#5 DE (Juqua Parker)
#3 DT (Trevor Laws)
#4 DT (Antonio Dixon)
#4 S (Jarrad Page)
Out of the Free agents, I would love to see Trevor Laws and Evan Mathis back. I would be beyond disappointed if those two are not signed. Also hope that the Eagles resign Owen Schmitt if the price is right. I am very indifferent on some of the other players returning, but a few like Young, Page, and Brown, are as good as gone.
2. Release / Trade Asante Samuel. It's clear that this team has enough capable corners to play, and with Nnamdi, it is hard to fathom paying Asante 9.5 million as you pay Nnamdi 11.3 million in 2012 alone. Trading Asante for a draft pick would give you the cap room to sign McCoy to a reasonable contract.
3. Do NOT franchise / sign Jackson, and pick up a solid free agent WR. A franchise tag on Jackson would be 10+ million, which is way too much. I love his play, but not that much. Let him walk and make his pay day on another team. There are quite a few valuable free agents including;
Steve Johnson (BUF), Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon (IND), Dwayne Bowe (KC), Marques Colston (NO), Wes Welker (NE), Deion Branch (NE), Vincent Jackson (SD), and Mario Manningham (NYG).
This list could mean two things;
Desean could hit free agency, and realize his pay day may not be exactly what he wants or imagines in his brain. If he realizes players like Colston, Boye, and Welker are more attractive to franchises than he is, his contract numbers would drop quickly.
This also means the Eagles can expect to pick up a WR at a discounted price, since the market is so diluted with players. The second tier players will be receive even less.
In my opinion, I would be satisfied with Dwayne Boye if Jackson is gone, a very realistic possibility. I see the Patriots letting Branch go and signing Desean Jackson and Wes Welker.
3. Linebackers - One more is needed. Some form of a trade. This defense could certainly use a player that not only knows how to stop the run, but also be a quarterback at the MLB position.
4. Roles that Need Filled.
Here are the current positions the Eagles need to fill, accomidated with the player who is not currently signed through the 2012 season.
#2 QB (Vince Young)
#2 RB (Ronnie Brown)
#1 FB (Owen Schmitt)
#1 WR (Desean Jackson)
#4 WR (Steve Smith)
#4 OT (King Dunlap)
#2 OG (Evan Mathis)
#5 DE (Juqua Parker)
#3 DT (Trevor Laws)
#4 DT (Antonio Dixon)
#4 S (Jarrad Page)
Out of the Free agents, I would love to see Trevor Laws and Evan Mathis back. I would be beyond disappointed if those two are not signed. Also hope that the Eagles resign Owen Schmitt if the price is right. I am very indifferent on some of the other players returning, but a few like Young, Page, and Brown, are as good as gone.
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