NFL Week 3 Bets

Date placed: Sep 23, 2011 10:44a	Single #224231267 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Lines (Game) Point Spread NFL WEEK 3 (419) Arizona Cardinals -3½ (-110) Sun@4:15p Competitor:(420) Seattle Seahawks Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.09
Date placed: Sep 23, 2011 10:16a	Single #224229911 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Moneyline WEEK 3 Specials - Which team will be have the longest losing streakin the 2011 Regular Season? ? If 2 or more teams lose their losing streak status during the same week then dead heat rules apply. (6018) Kansas City Chiefs 17/4 Fri@11:00p Competitor:(6012) Minnesota Vikings Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 42.50
Date placed: Sep 23, 2011 10:16a	Single #224229910 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Moneyline WEEK 3 Specials - Which team will be have the longest losing streakin the 2011 Regular Season? ? If 2 or more teams lose their losing streak status during the same week then dead heat rules apply. (6017) Indianapolis Colts 5/2 Fri@11:00p Competitor:(6012) Minnesota Vikings Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 25.00
Date placed: Sep 23, 2011 10:15a	Single #224229843 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total WEEK 3 Specials - Total Passing Yards - Tom Brady Must start for action. (7748) Over vs. (7749) Under Over 310½ (-125) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.00
Date placed: Sep 20, 2011 10:21a	Single #223986907 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Lines (Game) Point Spread NFL WEEK 3 (423) Pittsburgh Steelers -10½ (-110) Sun@8:25p Competitor:(424) Indianapolis Colts Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.09
Date placed: Sep 20, 2011 10:20a	Single #223986871 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Lines (Game) Point Spread NFL WEEK 3 (407) Detroit Lions -3½ (-115) Sun@1:00p Competitor:(408) Minnesota Vikings Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70

Floyd Mayweather vs. Larry Merchant

The above might be the greatest poll espn has ever made.  I took Merchant by KO.  In all seriousness, what Mayweather did was perfectly legal, but a sucker punch.

Most the blame should land on the ref, Joe Cortez.  In a stoppage in the fight the ref is supposed to send both fighters to their corners, take points away, give warning, or whatever has to be done, and then tell the boxers to touch gloves and that the fight is back on.  Joe Cortez did none of these things besides take the point away.  The rest of the blame lands on Oritz.  The number one rule in boxing is protect yourself at all times, Ortiz did not do this.  He apologized once for his headbutt (which was very cheap and obviously intentional), even kissed Mayweather, and then proceeded to hug him again.  There is no need for that, this is boxing, let the ref take away the point, touch gloves, and fight.  He is there to beat Mayweather up, not to make friends with him.  Ortiz gave Mayweather an opening and did not 'protect himself at all times.'

With all that being said, Mayweather's threw a sucker punch to win that fight.  Mayweather clearly saw that Ortiz was trying to apologize and was not ready to fight.  Ortiz was backing up from hugging him and was looking at the ref with his hands down waiting for indication that the fight was back on.  Mayweather did not have to take advantage of a situation like that to win the fight.  He could of easily won by just taking advantage of being a far superior boxer.  Ortiz should not of even been in the same ring as Mayweather.  If Mayweather did not want to hug he should of pushed Ortiz back and let it be known we are boxing, not exchanging pleasantries.  This does not make him the cheapest or dirtiest boxer of all time, but the move he pulled is one you would expect from a guy with no chance of winning the fight to pull, not from one of the best boxers of our generation.

NFL Week 2 Results

2-1 +7.79

Date placed: Sep 16, 2011 10:59a Date settled: Sep 18, 2011 4:04p	Single #223165030 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Lines (Game) Point Spread NFL WEEK 2 (200) Detroit Lions -8 Sun@1:00p Final Scores Kansas City Chiefs 3 Detroit Lions 48	Outcome: Win
Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.09
Date placed: Sep 14, 2011 9:46p Date settled: Sep 18, 2011 7:47p	Single #223033655 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total WEEK 2 SPECIALS - Chad Ochocinco - Total Receiving Yards Week 2 Must play for action (7736) Over vs. (7737) Under Under 45½ (-115) Sat@11:00p Final Scores Over 0 Under 45	Outcome: Win
Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 14, 2011 9:43p Date settled: Sep 18, 2011 4:02p	Single #223033213 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Lines (Game) Point Spread NFL WEEK 2 (207) Baltimore Ravens -6 (-115) Sun@1:00p Final Scores Baltimore Ravens 13 Tennessee Titans 26	Outcome: Loss
Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70

NFL Week 2 Bets

Date placed: Sep 16, 2011 10:59a	Single #223165030 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Lines (Game) Point Spread NFL WEEK 2 (200) Detroit Lions -8 Sun@1:00p Competitor:(199) Kansas City Chiefs Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.09
Date placed: Sep 14, 2011 9:46p	Single #223033655 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total WEEK 2 SPECIALS - Chad Ochocinco - Total Receiving Yards Week 2 Must play for action (7736) Over vs. (7737) Under Under 45½ (-115) Sat@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 14, 2011 9:43p	Single #223033213 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Lines (Game) Point Spread NFL WEEK 2 (207) Baltimore Ravens -6 (-115) Sun@1:00p Competitor:(208) Tennessee Titans Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70

Sarah Palin's Contribution to Basketball

You are probably wondering why a picture of Sarah Palin is on here and what she has to do with sports.  This one is too good not to post up.

New Biography Claims Sarah Palin Had A One-Night Stand With Glen Rice In 1987

The National Enquirer grabbed some details from the upcoming Joe McGinniss Sarah Palin book, and this chunk is too delightful not to share with you immediately. Apparently Palin had a fling with former Heat/Hornet/Laker Glen Rice while he was in college and while she was a sports reporter in Alaska, all the way back in 1987. Rice confirms it in the book.

Here's the Enquirer:

In the book, which will be published on September 20th, McGinniss claims Sarah had a steamy interracial hookup with basketball stud Glen Rice less than a year before she eloped with her husband Todd.

Sarah hooked up with the NBA great, then a 6-foot-8 junior at the University of Michigan when he was playing in a college basketball tournament in Alaska in 1987, the book says. At the time, Sarah, just out of college, was working as a sports reporter for the Anchorage TV station KTUU.

A publishing source told The ENQUIRER that McGinniss claims Sarah had a "fetish" for black men at the time and he quotes a friend as saying Sarah had "hauled (Rice's) ass down."
[...]
In the book, McGinniss quotes Rice as confirming the one-night stand.

 I guess Glen Rice was hitting more then just 3's back in his Michigan days.

More 2011/12 NFL Prop Bets

Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355466 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Moneyline Will Terrell Owens play in a game in the 2011 Regular Season (4825) No +300 Sep 10/11@11:00p Competitor:(4824) Yes Risk US$ 5.00 to win US$ 15.00
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355465 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Beanie Wells - Total Rushing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3308) Over vs. (3309) Under Over 950 (-110) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.09
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355464 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Sam Bradford - Total Passing Touchdowns in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (4648) Over vs. (4649) Under Over 22½ (-110) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.09
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355463 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Mike Wallace - Total Receiving Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (4488) Over vs. (4489) Under Over 1050 (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355462 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Peyton Hillis - Total Rushing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3708) Over vs. (3709) Under Over 950 (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355461 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Michael Turner - Total Rushing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3358) Over vs. (3359) Under Under 1250 (-130) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 7.69
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355460 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Ray Rice - Total Rushing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3408) Over vs. (3409) Under Over 1200 (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355459 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Devin McCourty - Total Interceptions in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (4216) Over vs. (4217) Under Over 4½ (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355458 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Julio Jones - Total Receiving Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3368) Over vs. (3369) Under Over 675 (-125) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.00
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355457 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Cedric Benson - Total Rushing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3608) Over vs. (3609) Under Under 1100 (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355456 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Brandon Marshall - Total Receiving Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (4120) Over vs. (4121) Under Over 1000 (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355455 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Matt Ryan - Total Passing Touchdowns in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3354) Over vs. (3355) Under Over 27 (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70
Date placed: Sep 02, 2011 3:32p	Single #221355454 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Kenny Britt - Total Receiving Touchdowns in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (4744) Over vs. (4745) Under Over 5 (-115) Sep 10/11@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.70

Blake Griffin Is Pretty Funny

Z-Bo will be Z-Bo

Zach Randolph has changed from a stat machine and a team killer into a stat machine and team maker.  He went from using his money to supposedly finance huge drug rings to making very smart and practical financial decisions, he opted to take his 2010-11 salary out over 18-24 months in the event a lockout happens.  But, even with all the change and the all the positive, Z-Bo will always be Z-Bo.

Police say Zach Randolph met a man dealing marijuana aboard a charter cruise ship in Portland on Friday and invited him to his mansion later in order to sell weed to the 20 or so guests at Randolph's after-cruise party.  James Ruben Beasley told police he was encouraged to sell marijuana to anyone interested, until he was beaten with pool cues around 4 a.m. Saturday.

Passing on Mallett

 In the NFL in this day and age it is extremely hard to be a winning team without a good QB.  It makes you wonder what certain teams were doing passing on Ryan Mallet, one of the best natural QBs in the 2011 NFL draft.  Yes, he had character issues and 'red flags', but he also has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in the draft.  He has the prototype body for a QB, 6'6 230, arguably the strongest arm in the draft, great mechanics, played in Bobby Petrino's pro-style offense in Arkansa, and really knows his football (son of a coach).  His accuracy needs some help, but that is a lot easier to work on then a QB with a weak arm.  There is a gamble, but one certainly worth taking.  Mallett could easily be the cornerstone for any team if he plays up to his potential.  Here are the the three teams that really stood out to me for passing on Mallett.

Miami Dolphins: No matter what they say, I don't think anyone in Miami is a believer in Chad Henne.  After passing up getting Mallett in the draft they decided to go after Matt Moore in free agency.  The same Matt Moore who couldn't win the starting QB job in Carolina vs. the great Jimmy Clausen.  Instead, they chose to trade away their 3rd, 5th, and 7th round for a 2nd rounder and pick a RB (How I feel about RB).  So far through the preseason their RB, Daniel Thomas, has looked extremely average.  Thomas has avg 3.56 ypc and has gone done easy on first signs of contact through 2 preseason games.

Seattle Seahawks:  They only had one pick ahead (1st rounder) of Patriots drafting Mallett 74th, but they had the 75th pick and I am sure could of traded up at some point to get him.  After letting Hasselbeck walk (Amount of money Titans paid him can't blame Seattle) they turned to Tavaris Jackson.  Jackson has been mediocre at best his whole career and has never shown signs of having potential to be better.  His career QB rating is 76.6, completion% 58.7, and yards per pass attempt is 6.61.  To put it simply, you are not winning anything with him as your QB. 

Washington Redskins:  There is a QB battle going on right now in Washington.  Sexy Rexy vs. John Beck.  Beck is 30 years old and has played in a combined 5 games in his NFL career.  All in 2007.  Sexy Rexy is.. Sexy Rexy.  Do I really need to say more?

On the bright side for these teams, they can probably trade a 2nd rounder, their best CB, and hand out a huge contract for Mallett in a couple years.

How the Mighty Have Fallen

And then

Earlier this week, West tweeted that he was applying for a job at Home Depot, and the seven-year vet says that’s not the only retail job he’s looking into.

“I actually might have work with Sam’s [Club], BJ’s, selling knives,” West said. “That’s pretty cool too. I get a microphone and everything.” 

I guess not the most mighty, but still funny (and sad) to see.  It is not like Delonte West was the lowest paid player in the game last year either, he did make over a million dollars.

2011-2012 NFL Season Prop Bets

Date placed: Aug 08, 2011 11:35a	Single #219604053 (Placed by Web) Football - Futures (Game) Moneyline Odds to win the 2012 Super Bowl XLVI All wagers have action. (1019) New Orleans Saints 16/1 Fri@10:00p Competitor:(1000) Arizona Cardinals Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 160.00
Date placed: Aug 08, 2011 11:34a	Single #219604024 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - New Orleans Saints Must play 16 games for action. (6038) Over vs. (6039) Under Over 10 (-105) Wed@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.52
Date placed: Aug 07, 2011 7:17p	Single #219584139 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - Tennessee Titans Must play 16 games for action. (6060) Over vs. (6061) Under Under 6½ (+110) Wed@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 11.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:23a	Single #219328100 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - Tennessee Titans Must play 16 games for action. (6060) Over vs. (6061) Under Under 6½ (+110) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 11.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:18a	Single #219327860 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Moneyline 2011 NFL MVP - Odds to Win All wagers have action, if Co-MVP dead heat rules apply. (1112) Tom Brady (NE) QB 13/2 Fri@11:00p Competitor:(1100) Tony Romo (DAL) QB Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 65.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:18a	Single #219327859 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Moneyline 2011 NFL MVP - Odds to Win All wagers have action, if Co-MVP dead heat rules apply. (1116) Philip Rivers (SD) QB 10/1 Fri@11:00p Competitor:(1100) Tony Romo (DAL) QB Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 100.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:18a	Single #219327858 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Moneyline 2011 NFL MVP - Odds to Win All wagers have action, if Co-MVP dead heat rules apply. (1102) Michael Vick (PHI) QB 17/2 Fri@11:00p Competitor:(1100) Tony Romo (DAL) QB Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 85.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:18a	Single #219327857 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Moneyline Odds to win the 2011 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year All Player's have action. If there is a tie, dead-heat rules will apply. (1076) JJ Watt 16/1 Fri@11:00p Competitor:(1069) Aaron Williams Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 160.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:13a	Single #219327659 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - Indianapolis Colts Must play 16 games for action. (6026) Over vs. (6027) Under Under 9½ (+105) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 10.50
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:13a	Single #219327658 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - Oakland Raiders Must play 16 games for action. (6044) Over vs. (6045) Under Over 6½ (-150) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 6.67
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:13a	Single #219327657 (Placed by Web) Football - Futures (Game) Moneyline Odds to win the 2011/12 NFC East Division All wagers have action. (1153) Philadelphia Eagles EVEN Fri@10:00p Competitor:(1151) Dallas Cowboys Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 10.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:13a	Single #219327656 (Placed by Web) Football - Futures (Game) Moneyline Odds to win the 2011/12 AFC South Division All wagers have action. (1175) Houston Texans +180 Fri@10:00p Competitor:(1176) Indianapolis Colts Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 18.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:13a	Single #219327655 (Placed by Web) Football - Futures (Game) Moneyline Odds to win the 2011/12 NFC South Division All wagers have action. (1161) New Orleans Saints +130 Fri@10:00p Competitor:(1159) Atlanta Falcons Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 13.00
Date placed: Aug 04, 2011 11:13a	Single #219327654 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - Kansas City Chiefs Must play 16 games for action. (6030) Over vs. (6031) Under Under 7½ (-105) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 9.52
Date placed: Aug 02, 2011 4:51p	Single #219226048 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Reggie Bush - Total Rushing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3220) Over vs. (3221) Under Over 400 (-130) Tue@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 7.69
Date placed: Aug 02, 2011 4:35p	Single #219225108 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Moneyline Kevin Kolb - Total Passing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must start Week 1 for action. (3203) Under 3500 -135 Tue@11:00p Competitor:(3202) Over 3500 Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 7.41
Date placed: Aug 02, 2011 4:34p	Single #219225053 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - Atlanta Falcons Must play 16 games for action. (6002) Over vs. (6003) Under Under 10½ (-145) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 6.90
Date placed: Aug 02, 2011 10:46a	Single #219209741 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - New York Jets Must play 16 games for action. (6042) Over vs. (6043) Under Under 10 (-125) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 8.00
Date placed: Aug 02, 2011 10:45a	Single #219209713 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Team Props (Prop) Total 2011/2012 Regular Season Win Total - Houston Texans Must play 16 games for action. (6024) Over vs. (6025) Under Over 8½ (EVEN) Fri@11:00p Risk US$ 15.00 to win US$ 15.00
Date placed: Aug 01, 2011 11:27a	Single #219161111 (Placed by Web) Football - NFL Player Props (Prop) Total Sidney Rice - Total Receiving Yards in the 2011 Regular Season Must play Week 1 for action. (3250) Over vs. (3251) Under Under 900 (-115) Mon@11:00p Risk US$ 20.00 to win US$ 17.39

Durant's Tattoos

Looks like Durant is aware of his clean cut image and is trying to protect/keep it.  You won't be able to see any of those tattoos when he is wearing his jersey.  It can also be pointed out it is definitely time Durant is introduced to the weight room.

James Harrison the Diplomat

James Harrison was interview by the Mens Journal and really showed his friendly likable side.  The issue comes out this Friday.  Here are some of the better quotes that have already been released.

On Commissioner Roger Goodell:

"If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn't do it," Harrison told the magazine. "I hate him and will never respect him."  His other descriptions of the commissioner include an anti-gay slur, "stupid," "puppet" and "dictator."  If the Steelers had defeated the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl, Harrison said, he would have whispered in Goodell's ear during the trophy ceremony: "Why don't you quit and do something else, like start your own league in flag football?"

On Ben Roethlisberger:

“Hey, at least throw a pick on their side of the field instead of asking the D to bail you out again. Or hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain’t that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does.”

On Troy Polamalu:

“He’s the one guy in football I respect absolutely, ‘cause he’s spiritual and lives it like he talks it. You know, he gets more flags than anyone on our team but never gets fined for nothin’. He’s so polite and talks so softly that he could tell he could tell Goodell to kiss his ass, and Goodell would smile and say thank you.”

On Black vs. White QBs

“Clay Matthews, who’s all hype — he had a couple of three-sack games in the first four weeks and was never heard from again — I’m quite sure I saw him put his helmet on Michael Vick and never paid a dime. But if I hit Peyton Manning or Tom Brady high, they’d have f*cked around and kicked me out of the league.” And: “I slammed Vince Young on his head and paid five grand, but just touched Drew Brees and that was 20. You think black players don’t see this shit and lose all respect for Goodell?”

On 2004 season:

“I should have another ring. We were the best team in football in 2004, but the Patriots, who we beat during the regular season, stole our signals and picked up 90 percent of our blitzes [in the AFC title game]. They got busted for it later, but, hey, they’re Goodell’s boys, so he slapped ‘em $500,000 and burned the tapes. Was he going to rescind their Super Bowls? Man, hell no!”

On High Hits:

“I get dinged about three times a year and don’t know where I am for a little minute. But unless I’m asleep, you’re not getting me out of the game, and most guys feel the same way. If a guy has a choice of hitting me high or low, hit me in the head and I’ll pay your fine. Just don’t hit me in the knee, ‘cause that’s life-threatening. How’m I going to feed my family if I can’t run?”

Other random attacks:

Also on the receiving end of Harrison’s ether were other NFL execs, Patriots-turned-commentators Rodney Harrison ("dirtiest player ever, a steroid cheater") and Tedy Bruschi (an idiot, straight-up simple.), Houston’s Brian Cushing (”juiced out of his mind”),  and teammate Rashard Mendenhall ("a fumbling machine) .

How to stop Head Injuries:

Harrison believes the solution to prevent a head injury is to shorten the season to 14 games, delay the start time for offseason workouts and trim the length of training camp so “we’re not bangin’ heads so much in August; that’s where the brain trauma comes from.”

Okay, can't really say much about the last quote, he is probably right.  Mendenhall replied to the attack on twitter by linking rushing statistics from last year where he ranks fourth in carries with 324 and only fumbled twice.  (He did fumble twice in the playoffs.).

One random side note though, does his quote about Polamalu remind anyone else of this great commercial?

Passing on Ingram and Most Overrated position in Football

 Ever since the NFL Draft I have heard on the radio, internet, and everywhere else how the Pats messed up to pass on Ingram.  Having a great running back at this point should be almost last on every teams list of needs.  Before you get carried away, I am not saying a running game does not matter, but rather having ONE great running back is vastly overrated.  Ever since major rule changes started happening in early 00's, like Brady rule after his knee injury and Manning's rule after Pats DBs roughed up Colts WRs in a Pats playoff win, football has steadily tilted more and more towards a heavy passing and a high scoring game.  This is being even taken further with concussion rules and how the defense can and can not hit a 'defenseless' receiver.  The end result is higher scoring games where teams need to be able to pass the ball and put points on the board to really compete. 

To add on to this, which already devalued a RB greatly, there are less and less teams who haven't caught on to the back by committee approach.  By my count, there are only 10 teams left who go with a single back, ATL, STL, HOU, PIT, CIN, TEN, MIN, CLE, CHI, SF.  Only 3 of them made the playoffs last year.  It is easier on the team financially, and easier in general, to find a backs who can fit one specific need (Power, 3rd down, etc.) and have a them form a two or three headed monster in your backfield instead of overpaying or using high draft pick on top RBs.  Although there is no RB who will admit it, the committee approach is probably better for their career as well.  They might not get as much credit, money, or playing time as they want, but this approach will lengthen their careers, and maybe even their life.  This is taken from a ESPN article where it was looking at what Chris Johnson from Tennessee, one of the ten teams using single back approach, new contract would be worth on the open market. 

Last year, no NFL quarterback took more hits than Jay Cutler, who was hit 92 times, according to the league. So consider this: Chris Johnson ran 316 times and caught 44 passes. He was hit presumably four times as much as Cutler, and that's before he threw a block.


This is why the average NFL running back doesn't last three full seasons, the shortest average career of any position group. These are the basic facts from the NFL Players Association, with 2.57 years cited in a recent study.

While 2.57 years is extremely short, it should not be too surprising.  How many elite RB have we seen rise and fall since '00? Also, how many elite RB since '00 have have actually won a ring?  While it may not be fair to put that entirely on their shoulder, it is interesting to look at.  Here is my own list of the top RB since 2000.  All players listed had multiple seasons going over 1200 yards rushing.

Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Maurice Jones Drew, Chris Johnson, Curtis Martin, Ahmen Green, Tiki Barber, Thomas Jones, Ricky Williams, Clinton Portis, Preist Holmes, Jamal Lewis, Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, Steven Jackson, Corey Dillon, Jamaal Charles, Marshall Faukl

Of the 18 top backs only 3 have rings.  Corey Dillon with the Pats, Jamal Lewis on the Ravens, and Marshall Faulk with the Rams.  Almost every back on that list has been on a losing team at some point in their prime.  So is it really worth using such a high pick or huge contracts on a player who, odds are, will have a short career and even if they do pan out to the best RB in the world, won't automatically make you a contender?  By comparison, every elite QB since '00 (Brady, Manning, Rivers, Rodgers, Brees, Favre, Big Ben, Warner) now has a ring, except for Phillip Rivers, and they all almost always were on a winning teams.

So for all the people who are mad the Pats passed on Ingram and let him slip to 28th, don't be.  Be mad Pats didn't get anybody for their pass rush and be happy Pats aren't overpaying or reaching for a RB, and would rather improve O-line and plug in right players to fill the needed roles in the backfield.

QB > Defense > O-line > WR/RB

KAAAHN!

Do the Timberwolves/David Kahn ever stop being hilarious?  I hope not.

"Just one player not in our Top 100 was drafted on Thursday. The Blazers took Targuy Ngombo for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night with the 57th pick in the draft. Ngombo plays in Qatar and was discovered by Timberwolves international scout Pete Philo at a tournament in Manila, Philippines, last year.

While Ngombo lists his age as 21 on his passport, a number of other sources, including Qatar's FIBA website, suggest he's actually 26. If proven to be true, that means he's ineligible for the draft and the Wolves will have to forfeit the pick per NBA rules. Considering Minnesota traded for the pick and paid the Blazers some compensation (as of Monday the two teams were still haggling over what the price would be given the revelation), I'm sure owner Glen Taylor isn't thrilled." -Chad Ford

NBA Trade Rumors

The Lakers are the ones putting trade calls out on Pau Gasol, according to FOX's Sam Amico.  Previous reports have made it sound like other teams were calling the Lakers about Gasol's availability. But according to Amico, it's the other way around.

Very interesting.  I have no idea what Lakers are expecting to get back for Gasol, but unless it is something of Dwight Howard caliber they will be on the losing end.  Also makes you wonder how much of a problem there is in the Laker's locker room right now.  This wouldn't be the first time Kobe has pushed someone out of LA.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the Atlanta Hawks are checking out what they can get for forward Josh Smith and reportedly Smith would not mind being traded.  Smith has not asked for a trade. but he would prefer being sent to Boston, Houston, New Jersey or Orlando, if he's dealt by the Hawks.

This is the first time I can ever remember a player in his prime being asked to be traded to Boston.  This is probably due to his friendship and connection with Rajon Rondo, with who he roomed with at prep school.  Josh Smith's talents are largely untapped and he could still be a star in this league, but he has his flaws.  Namely, taking too many low percentage jump shots instead of attacking the rim.  Doc Rivers, a veteran team, and Rondo, could have a chance of pushing him in the right direction though, and this would add much needed youth and athleticism into the Celts aging roster.  I am not sure what they would give up for him or how the line up would work.

Andre Iguodala "loves" the idea of playing for the Clippers, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.  Iguodala feels unappreciated by the fans in Philadelphia and played his college ball out west.

More and more reports are coming out about Iguodala going to the Clippers for Kaman.  Bodog currently has 2/5 odd on Iguodala not being traded before the end of the draft on Thursday and 17/10 odds he will, meaning Vegas thinks he will be out of Philly.  Iguodala, like Loul Deng, continues to be one of the more underrated players in the NBA due to being overpaid (Not his fault GM offered him the contract), public not appreciating defense, and not boasting a high PPG.  I would imagine Clippers would have to offer more then injury prone Kaman (avg 48 games played in last 4 seasons), but if they do pull this off the Clippers starting line up would be scary.  Though they would need more depth and Blake Griffin committing to playing both side of the floor, they have the youth and talent to build off of and be a real force in a year or two.  For the 76ers this would open the door for Thadeus Young to take over, but still would be a significant downgrade due to Iguodala being one of the best defensive wing players in the league his ability to play point-forward.

Kenny Britt's Path to Retirement

For some people the off-season is looked at as a time to get better at things you struggle in, get over injuries, get in shape, and work towards really reaching your potential.  Kenny Britt is not one of those people.  He has showed his talent on the field and could consistently be a top receiver in the league year in and year out, but seems like if you give the guy a weekend off he will find trouble.  After his latest mishap, one of the smaller ones, I thought it would be nice to look at a what he has done to get better this prolonged offseason.

• February 22nd: Britt has to go to court in NJ for 'theft-by-deception' charge in which he  promised to pay $12,500 bail for childhood friend and rapper Albert "Albee Al" Robinson.  Charges were eventually lowered to a misdemeanor.  Albee Al was later arrested, while out on bail, for murder.  Police allege he threw a shot teenager into the Hudson River where he drowned to death.
• April 12th: Got into a car chase in NJ with police and was arrested for evading and lying to police.  A couple miles into the car chase Britt tried to stop the car and walk away as if he was a passenger.  Didn't work.  Charges were reduced and he ended up only paying $478 and being charged with 'careless driving' . 
• He does not show up to players only workouts in Tennessee and chooses to stay at his home in NJ. 
• June 8th: Arrested by New Jersey narcotic officers and charged with two counts of of resisting arrest.  He is accused of pushing police and not submitting to handcuffs after they found him smoking marijuana.  All charges were downgraded to 'disorderly persons' offense.
• June 13th: Britt becomes a wanted man in Nashville for outstanding misdemeanor warrants.  Britt had two arrest warrants out in the city via the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Police claim Britt made "inaccurate statements" on driver's license applications, and he is now expected to turn himself in.
• June 20th: Posts "Retiring from NFL.  F*** You Goddell" on his facebook page.  He later recanted and said someone hacked his page and it was a mistake... With his track record, any reason not to believe him?

Since the Titans have drafted Britt '09 he has been arrested six times and a wanted man once.  What is it about Wide Receivers that seems to bring in all the idiots, egomaniacs, and every type of stupidity to that position?  Also, I hate reality TV shows, but could anyone think of a better one then having Kenny Britt, Dez Bryant, and Legarrette Blount  spend their off season together and record what happens?

It is being reported that Britt will probably only be seeing a game or two suspension.  He should consider himself lucky (and also a great sleeper pick in fantasy).

2011 Stanley Cup Winners

I am the furthest thing from a hockey fan you can find, but when the Bruins are in the finals I will watch.  When they win the stanley cup, I will post.  So here you go.  Congrats to the Boston Bruins for completing a decade of dominance for Boston sports.  Since '01 Patriots have won three times, Red Sox twice, Celtics once, and now Bruins once. 

The most I can add to the conversation about the actual hockey being played in the finals is that this series reminded me so much of the first round match up in '08 between the Celtics and Hawks.  Celtics won the series in 7.  They won every home game and lost every away game.  What really struck me is how much Celtics and Bruins dominated their opponents at home but kept losing close games away.  The Celtics average margin of defeat in wins (all home games) was 25.25 points while the average margin of defeat in losses (all away games) was 5.66.  Besides game 7, in which Bruins just won 4-0, every game in Vancouver was decided by 1 point and two of the three ended 1-0.  On the other side of the border Bruins destroyed the Canucks and beat them 17-3 in the three games that were played in Boston with the closest game being decided by 3 goals.

Bruins Bets

2-0 +37.50

Date placed: Jun 10, 2011 4:10p Date settled: Jun 15, 2011 10:50p	Single #216284134 (Placed by Web) Hockey - Futures (Game) Moneyline NHL STANLEY CUP SERIES PRICE Best of Seven (2-2-1-1-1) Series is tied 2-2 (6911) Boston Bruins (Series Prices) +155 Fri@8:05p Final Scores Boston Bruins (Series Prices) 4 Vancouver Canucks (Series Prices) 3	Outcome: Win
Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 15.50

Date placed: Jun 12, 2011 6:40p Date settled: Jun 13, 2011 11:08p	Single #216479613 (Placed by Web) Hockey - NHL (Game) Canadian Line NHL - STANLEY CUP FINAL - Game #6 Best of Seven (2-2-1-1-1) Vancouver leads Series 3-2 (12) Boston Bruins -1½ (+220) Mon@8:05p Final Scores Vancouver Canucks 2 Boston Bruins 5	Outcome: Win
Risk US$ 10.00 to win US$ 22.00

Lebron James' Postgame Comments

Lebron's response when asked if he was bothered by people rooting for him failing:

"All the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today. I'm going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that. So they can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they got to get back to the real world at some point."

Wow.  Where are Lebron Jame's PR people?  Does he realize he is not just talking to his 'haters', and is addressing every single sports fan out there?  Win or lose, every fan is going to go back to doing what they do.  Lebron might as well of said, "F the world, I am rich and you aren't."  For someone who's main goal is become a billionaire he sure knows how to get fans and support.   Ever since losing to the Celtics in the playoffs last year and saying, "I spoil a lot of people with my play", he has continually stuck his foot in his mouth and seems to miss the point.  A couple hours later he then tweeted:

The Greater Man upstairs know when it's my time. Right now isn't the time.

I can not say I am positive, but I think Lebron showing no signs of life, aggression, or desperation for the second year in a row in do-or-die games had more to do with him losing then the 'Greater Man Upstairs'.  There is no excuse for the best player in the league to average just 15 shots (almost 1/3 of them were 3 pointers) per a game in the finals and differ every 4th quarter to far less talented players.  38 year old Juwan Howard is not going to bail you out.

More on the finals coming up later.