Quote:
Originally posted by Sidd Finch
One of the reasons that I like soccer is that it does emphasize skill over freakish physical attributes. Great soccer players of all positions come in a wide range of body types. Contrast this to basketball, where no matter how superb your skills (and I do not mean to suggest that basketball players don't have magnificent skills), you will never be a world-class player unless you are in the 99.9th percentile of height. (And don't bother yelling "Spud Webb" at me, okay?).
Ditto football -- to be great in most of the positions requires abnormal size, far beyond just being fit and strong. Not every position, of course, but even when you move away from the extremes of, say, the offensive line you have a narrower range of body types than you see in soccer (how many great pro QBs are under 5'10"?).
Among other things, this means you can play soccer at pretty high levels if you have the skills and general fitness needed, regardless of whether you grow up to be abnormally tall or huge.
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AI
And you've just made a case for why soccer is such a shitty sport. I have no interest in watching average guys with great foot skill kick a ball. Granted, highlight reels where guys do amazing shit are cool, but I imagine there are some pretty good highlight reels from bass fishing tournaments as well.
And as to QBs being physically imposing, have you seen a lot of QBs on television out of pads? They're pretty average looking. Sure, there are some old school freaks like Jim Kelly, who played linebacker before QB, but take a look at Brady or Manning (they're a little tall, but not physical freaks... or maybe I just know way more 6'4 people than than most folks), or watch Phil Simms do commentary. You think Montana was a physical freak? I'd also invite you to look at a picture of Jerry Rice. These guys are not physical monsters, just average guys in really good shape, with some added muscle which most average men could put on if they had the time and inclination. Now, the ability to lose a corner or read coverage and scramble and throw 25yds on the run... that is something, but I think that's more learned skill than just physical ability. Otherwise, every sprinter or guy with a serious gun on his shoulder would be a pro football player.
ETA: To the fuck who will post Brady and Mannig's stats and say "6'4, 22 is not a freak????" I offer that I have about four or five friends of comparable height and size. In fact, you all probaly converse with one...
