Mosconi Cup 'Conspiracy' ????

The player(s) that "opts" out are those that Earl beats out.

Too bad the team can't be made up of guys like Earl, Keith, Segal, Rempe, Varner, Buddy, Mataya, and Hopkins.

They may not win but the show would be great.

Don't take them guys too lightly. In short races strange things happen. Johnnyt
 
The conspiracy comes from Johnny Archer's camp.

Rumor mill has it that Johnny wouldn't play in the Mosconi Cup one year unless his buddy, Kim Davenport, was elected captain to keep Earl in line. I'm not sure if this is true, as it's only hearsay, but it is no secret that Johnny doesn't care for Earl on a field of green. Away from the table, they may be friends, but I kind of doubt it.

If this is true, it seems a little questionable considering he obviously has no problem playing against Strickland. On top of that he's trying to establish some sort of credible players association? I wouldn't view this as very professional.

I'm not a fan of Earl's behavior and for that reason didn't vote for him when we had a vote. For sure the Euro crowd will do everything possible to get him to go off and I don't look forward to that possibility. But if he earns his way on to the team then he should be there. It is up to the Captain and the rest of the team, supposedly professionals, to handle it.

If JA or some others don't want to play, just go down the list to the next guys in line. I'd love to see Cinderella U.S. team upset the monsters on team Europe.

Having said all that, when push comes to shove, who's going to turn down the cash? If Johnny really feels this way he should make this flat out statement himself. I could be wrong but I doubt he has a serious intention of passing up a paycheck. Not to mention the legacy of another Mosconi Cup on his list of accomplishments.
 
Putnam had a lot to say about Earl during the match. Even at the end when Earl refused to do an interview you could hear the sarcastic comment, " well, there goes the people's hero". A good commentator needs to keep his personal opinions about a player out of the booth. Keep it professional.
 
I think Nick did steer the conversation away from Shawn making negative comments. He did it in a diplomatic manner by saying lets get back to the match.

Didn't hear that but glad he did. You would think a legend like Nick Varner would be listened to by Putnam but he kept on and on and on... I didn't even care that Putnam disliked Earl, but I enjoyed the match much more when Nick was talking about their shot selection.
 
If this is true, it seems a little questionable considering he obviously has no problem playing against Strickland. On top of that he's trying to establish some sort of credible players association? I wouldn't view this as very professional.

I'm not a fan of Earl's behavior and for that reason didn't vote for him when we had a vote. For sure the Euro crowd will do everything possible to get him to go off and I don't look forward to that possibility. But if he earns his way on to the team then he should be there. It is up to the Captain and the rest of the team, supposedly professionals, to handle it.

If JA or some others don't want to play, just go down the list to the next guys in line. I'd love to see Cinderella U.S. team upset the monsters on team Europe.

Having said all that, when push comes to shove, who's going to turn down the cash? If Johnny really feels this way he should make this flat out statement himself. I could be wrong but I doubt he has a serious intention of passing up a paycheck.

There's a lot of unsung heroes in the American pool world who just might be able to give Team Europe a battle. Steve Moore comes to mind.

Of course, powerhouse players like Thorsten Hohmann may be playing on Team USA since he's living in the United States. The BCA likes Thorsten from what I hear.
 
So sad. Even faced with the truth, the blind faith and support for Earl is astounding. This guy can do whatever he wants ? Just because he plays well ? Ever heard of team chemistry ? How would you like to be the guy that has to play Ralf after Earl nearly took his arm off ? What do you say ? I'm sorry, my teammate is a jerk ? Or do you say "America, F*ck Yeah!" ?

Cmon people this is ridiculous.



Well I for one wouldnt have a problem if Matchroom decided that Earl couldnt play based on past behavior. I just dont think any pool players would turn down the cash and the chance to play for their Country.
 
The player(s) that "opts" out are those that Earl beats out.

Too bad the team can't be made up of guys like Earl, Keith, Segal, Rempe, Varner, Buddy, Mataya, and Hopkins.

They may not win but the show would be great.

That would be AWESOME!
 
Well I for one wouldnt have a problem if Matchroom decided that Earl couldnt play based on past behavior.


Never, never going to happen.

Barry loved Earl...and his antics.

Ratings go thru the roof when he plays.
 
Gee, I wonder who is in that group of 8-10 players (probably more like 4 or 5) that won't go to the MC if Earl is picked? Who is in that organization Johnny A runs again? I'll bet it's at least 3 of the original group in the picture on AZ Biliard. If I could get good odds I'd say 4 in the picture. It's no wonder pool players don'y trust each other. Johnnyt

Did you see how fast JA folded on Barry B?
 
Well I for one wouldnt have a problem if Matchroom decided that Earl couldnt play based on past behavior. I just dont think any pool players would turn down the cash and the chance to play for their Country.

I love the fact that you initial-capped "Country." :)
 
During the live stream today Shawn Putnam mentioned "9-10 American players have got together and have voted not to play if Earl makes the team"

Pretty sure I know who 2 of them might be.

Who are the others? I'm curious.

Do you really think they'll turn down 10-15K plus a chance to play for their Country? It's awfully hard to believe.

If they do, they don't deserve to be on the team! I lost a lot of respect for Shawn Putnam listening to his comments on the stream. I've never heard a commentator so openly rooting against one of the players in the match he was supposed to be commentating on. Very unprofessional of Shawn. I could tell that Nick was even getting tired of hearing the slanted comments!

You don't have to like Earl, but he's once again proven that he's one of the best players on the planet and one of the best in the history of the game. He's also one of the most interesting players. People flock to see Earl play, even if some of them are wanting him to go on tilt and self destruct. He's the most "sellable" figure we have in mens pool today! There's no one who tried harder than Earl too! If anyone deserves to be on "TEAM USA" IT'S EARL! He should have a lifetime guaranteed spot IMHO!
 
Earl hater

I never thought of Putnam as an elite player but I was impressed recently with his play and thought "Man, he's gotten a lot better". I would have cheered for him and might have even looked into his cue line one day but not anymore. He was supposed to be a commentator and half the time today he only wanted to bash Earl and spread rumors.

Nick Varner was all class from what I heard and I really enjoyed listening to him. I wish he would have stepped up and told Shawn to cool it but maybe he feels the same way.

If these American players have more hate for Earl Strickland than patriotism for their country we don't need them. I'm a big Archer fan but if he's behind this and sits out a Mosconi cup, I'll never support him again. I highly doubt any player in the US would sit out that payday though.

johnny said, i made enough money, i don't have to play with Earl..Poor choice of words at a bad time and place, players would kill to get on the team
 
leave politics to the corrupt, posmf's in DC

commentaters should commentate, not speculate

our team should comprise of our best players and who can deny Earl at this point in time
 
So sad. Even faced with the truth, the blind faith and support for Earl is astounding. This guy can do whatever he wants ? Just because he plays well ? Ever heard of team chemistry ? How would you like to be the guy that has to play Ralf after Earl nearly took his arm off ? What do you say ? I'm sorry, my teammate is a jerk ? Or do you say "America, F*ck Yeah!" ?

Cmon people this is ridiculous.

You might as well give up, it can't be taught or learned, they either have it or they don't.
 
this ruined pool before

Gee, I wonder who is in that group of 8-10 players (probably more like 4 or 5) that won't go to the MC if Earl is picked? Who is in that organization Johnny A runs again? I'll bet it's at least 3 of the original group in the picture on AZ Biliard. If I could get good odds I'd say 4 in the picture. It's no wonder pool players don'y trust each other. Johnnyt

I remember years back when a certain amount of top players ran the rules and tournament. There was a huge conflict of interest having those players Policing others in the same game. Organized Pool needs someone that is not a player and can enforce rules and penalties, without being biased. Shawn was very wrong to wish someone would shark Earl when Earl was on his big run. I lost a lot of respect for him for that comment. He has a right to his opinion, but don't broadcast it out over the air...keep it to himself. Back in the earlier years, people didn't complain about the weaker players like Archer did today, without the weaker players, you wouldn't have tournaments. Do you think Archer is going to Pay a 1000.00 entry to play Efren 1st, you bet he won't. The top Pros get the advantage when they are seeded and most likely get to the money spot by not having to play a top player early in the tournament. We need to change the face of Pool to survive. I also heard a player, which I won't name, forgot his mic was on and said I'll make sure you'll get a nice cut if you help me get Bonus Ball to be included. He has a right to say that, but the way he said it and don't tell anyone....wonder who that was ? It's alright to have some players on the board of Directors, but not to the point that the select few make the decisions themselves...that's why Pool isn't going anywhere. I could go on and on, but I think I made my point and this is just my opinion and I have told the truth and no lies about the above statements.
 
Meanwhile, if there was more of a team spirit on Team USA's part in years past, it would have been a much better team.

For everybody throwing bricks at Earl's glass house -- and I'm talking about the Mosconi Cup players -- they better take a closer look inside their own glass house first.

Tap-tap-tap.
 
This is what i know, as i was there sitting between johnny and earl today. I applaude earl for the win, and the heart to come back after sitting so long. I don't however like his tactics. His constant muttering and arm waving while johnny was up was a joke, not in the least acceptable. If johnny wouldn't have gotten stuck off the break shot during his run, it would have been lights out. As far as shawn, i talked to him a few times over the weekend, and the 2 players he was talking about were somebody other than johnny and himself. One of the players said it was the worst time he's ever had playing pool(mosconi cup), and it was because of one player. I will respect shawn's conversation with me, and not name the afore mentioned, but it is a big name. Earl has demons, and can't gear up without conflict, i saw it first hand. He has all the talent in the world-still-but TEAM is what wins, and those antics kill the team vibe. jmo
 
I never thought of Putnam as an elite player but I was impressed recently with his play and thought "Man, he's gotten a lot better". I would have cheered for him and might have even looked into his cue line one day but not anymore. He was supposed to be a commentator and half the time today he only wanted to bash Earl and spread rumors.

Nick Varner was all class from what I heard and I really enjoyed listening to him. I wish he would have stepped up and told Shawn to cool it but maybe he feels the same way.

If these American players have more hate for Earl Strickland than patriotism for their country we don't need them. I'm a big Archer fan but if he's behind this and sits out a Mosconi cup, I'll never support him again. I highly doubt any player in the US would sit out that payday though.

Actually, Shawn Putnam is a pretty good guy, IMO. \
I'm one of Earl's biggest fans, but I do get it that not everybody else is gonna like him.

Nick Varner is always a classy professional.
 
If they do, they don't deserve to be on the team! I lost a lot of respect for Shawn Putnam listening to his comments on the stream. I've never heard a commentator so openly rooting against one of the players in the match he was supposed to be commentating on. Very unprofessional of Shawn. I could tell that Nick was even getting tired of hearing the slanted comments!

You don't have to like Earl, but he's once again proven that he's one of the best players on the planet and one of the best in the history of the game. He's also one of the most interesting players. People flock to see Earl play, even if some of them are wanting him to go on tilt and self destruct. He's the most "sellable" figure we have in mens pool today! There's no one who tried harder than Earl too! If anyone deserves to be on "TEAM USA" IT'S EARL! He should have a lifetime guaranteed spot IMHO!

I missed seeing the match Sherm. If Shawn was that bias while commenting, that was unprofessional.

Again, good for Nick. He has a knack for ALWAYS conducting himself in a professional manner.

And I agree with you, Earl DESERVES to be on the team, based upon his caliber of play, not even counting how patriotic he is & how he amps it up even higher at the Mosconi Cups!
 
Back
Top