Video: CBS Sports Seahawks vs. Browns Preview

After a big win over the Giants last week, the Seattle Seahawks will travel to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon. Who will come out on top? NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan and Jason Horowitz preview this game.

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Sports Briefing | Football: Goodell: Some NFL Teams Could Be London Regulars

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday the league is looking into whether such a scenario would "advance our cause here by growing the fan base quicker." He is talking to several teams about becoming regulars in the British capital, a development he thinks would be "very powerful and lead us to what we ultimately would like to do — have a franchise here in London."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making their second trip in three years to Wembley to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday. It is the fifth regular-season game held in London since 2007.

The league decided this month to keep playing in London through at least 2016, with an aim to play at least two games a year.

Goodell said multiple games in Britain could happen as early as next year, and he hopes more teams will agree to make regular trips.

"We want as many teams to come over. We want to see the more popular teams come over," Goodell said at a question-and-answer session with international fans. "Should we focus on just a couple of teams as consistently coming back here to build a fan base around those teams? The Bucs are coming back now for a second time in a five-year period of time. And the idea is, will that allow them to build a fan base quicker?"

Goodell praised the Glazer family, which owns both the Bucs and Premier League team Manchester United, for taking a leading role in promoting the game overseas. He said the Bucs are one of several teams the league has been in discussions with over more London visits.

"Obviously, the Glazer family has an interest over here with Man U," Goodell said. "And I think they want to see the Bucs become a global franchise. And I think that's a great thing for Tampa. I think it's a great thing for the NFL."

The league's ambitions haven't been dampened by a decrease in ticket sales this year. Sunday's game is the first of the five regular-season games at Wembley that is not expected to be a sellout. Organizers say an estimated 75,000 tickets have been sold, with the stadium's capacity about 82,000.

Goodell echoed organizers' claims that the lower sales were caused by the lockout, which meant tickets didn't go on sale until September — several months later than usual.

"We started late," Goodell said. "But we're thrilled with our ticket sales. We obviously love to sell as many as we have, and we're still selling."

He said the NFL has no plans to play in other European countries in the near future, looking to establish as big a presence as possible in Britain first.

"We want to bring our game to continental Europe. The issue is, we want to make a success out of it in the U.K.," he said. "We think this (London) has got all of the basics that we need to be successful. It's got an advanced fan base, a strong media market, a great stadium. We have a long history here. So all those things contribute, let's make it work. And if we can be successful here, then we can take that model, potentially, to continental Europe."

Goodell was joined by Jerome Bettis, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back who is one of several NFL stars who have flown to London to promote the game. "The Bus" was given a warm reception by a knowledgeable group of about 100 fans, but said he's had to tweak his nickname this week to fit in.

"I'm a double-decker now," he said.

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Sports of The Times: Burress Finds Redemption Within His Sizable Reach

It was his fault. Plaxico Burress gave no trace of the “Just Give Me the Damn Ball!” attitude that Keyshawn Johnson did in the title of his book in 1997, early in his Jets days.

By all accounts, Burress has been working to fit into the Jets’ offense, after 622 days in prison for carrying a gun into a nightclub in 2008. He wasn’t totally invisible early this season, with 14 receptions and 2 touchdowns in his first six games, but Burress accepted as fact that he was not living up to his own goals, and the hopes of the Jets and his fans.

Burress carried the expectations with him. A willowy receiver, still only 34, could not have totally rusted away in prison. Could he?

“It was feeling worse than it looked,” Burress insisted Sunday after catching touchdown passes of 3, 4 and 3 yards in a 27-21 comeback victory over the San Diego Chargers. He was perfectly willing to credit the touchdowns to the right calls by Mark Sanchez on man-to-man coverage from a cornerback, Antoine Cason, who is listed as four inches shorter than Burress’s 6 feet 5 inches. Burress was also willing to attribute his touchdowns to his acclimation to a new team, a new system.

Everybody knows where he has been. Up the river. Away. Out of circulation. It is the unspoken fact, the P-word. When a reporter says “rust,” everybody knows what that means.

“It takes a little time to get these routes down,” Burress said. “It’s coming. It’s a work in progress. It always is.”

He reported to the Jets in August after missing two full seasons and part of the previous season when a concealed pistol went off, hitting him in the leg, and fortunately doing no more damage in a crowded club. The foolishness suggested somebody who totally did not get it, whatever it is, and could conceivably be just as numb in reporting to the Last Chance Saloon run by the garrulous border gambler himself, Rex Ryan.

But out of this, Burress has emerged as, at least, a teammate, a self-critic.

“You can’t just plug in somebody else after throwing to Braylon Edwards for two years,” Sanchez said, referring to the wide receiver, not exactly an early bird himself, the Jets allowed to walk to make room for Burress.

After six weeks, the Jets were floundering at three victories and three losses, and the summary judgment was that Burress was failing.

“I think a lot of people are putting pressure on him — but not in our building,” Sanchez said.

There is plenty of pressure already on the Jets, some of it put there by the rat-a-tat faux pas from the coach, who did it again last week when he said he would have had a couple of Super Bowl rings by now if he had been chosen coach of the Chargers back in 2007. He had to use up a lot of minutes on his phone to say the right things to Norv Turner, who had gotten the job instead.

Outbursts like these, whether intentional or not, are part of Ryan’s outsize charm. They also put pressure on the Jets to keep up with the sideshows, the controversies.

Actually, somebody else in the building was putting pressure on Burress. The receiver admitted — has been saying all along — that he was not doing his part in fitting into the offense.

“You get so tired of seeing yourself looking bad on film,” Burress said late Sunday afternoon, after his three touchdowns rescued the Jets and Ryan from a humiliation. Burress was the security device — open if needed — that made up for two turnovers, including an interception by Sanchez.

Burress’s touchdowns came in the second, third and fourth quarters. They followed a clumsy miss from Sanchez in the general direction of where Burress was expected to be, up the middle, in the first quarter. Burress saw it as more of the same. He knew where he should have been. He just did not get there as precisely as he should have.

“I said, ‘Hey, man, I didn’t get there,’ ” Burress said later.

This is not for lack of trying, for lack of attention. That is what Sanchez was saying afterward. He said Burress underlined his own routes in the playbook, studied them, worked on them in practice, asked questions like “What about this?” — which is not the same thing as demanding the ball.

“He’s such a big body; you have to stay with him,” Sanchez said, referring to Burress’s wingspan as much as his height.

“You’ve got to feed your studs,” the quarterback added.

•

That began to happen in the normal flow of the game. The Jets recognized that Cason was picking up Burress. With the boobirds already warming up their larynxes, Sanchez hit Burress up high in each of the last three quarters, and Burress said it dated to the way the offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, kept working with him in practice. The opposite was also true. Burress has never demanded the Jets get the ball to him. On Sunday, they did.

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Video – CBS Sports Rams vs. Cowboys Preview

The St. Louis Rams are still in search for their first victory as they prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Who will get the victory? NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan and Jason Horowitz go inside the numbers to preview this game.

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Sports of The Times: William C. Rhoden: Fitzpatrick the Underdog?

The Sablich Brothers give their take on the 10 toughest start/sit choices of the week, according to FantasyPros.com, and allow readers to make their own picks.

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Sports of The Times: Two Guys With Super Bowl Rings to Join Jets Ring of Honor

Larry Grantham, an original Titans linebacker at the Polo Grounds half a century ago, and his Super Bowl III teammate Gerry Philbin, a defensive end on the all-time American Football League team. Freeman McNeil, a two-time 1,000-yard running back who has been described as the Curt Flood of N.F.L. free agency, and his teammate Al Toon, a sleek Pro Bowl wide receiver whose career was short-circuited by concussions.

At Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium, they will be inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor, joining four from the Super Bowl III team — Coach Weeb Ewbank, Joe Namath, Don Maynard and Winston Hill — and Curtis Martin and Joe Klecko.

In his first five seasons, Toon, the 10th overall draft choice in 1985, had more receptions, 355, than anybody in his era, even Jerry Rice. He caught 517 passes for 6,605 yards and 31 touchdowns in his career, was named all-N.F.L. in 1986 and ’87 and led the league in 1988 with 93 receptions. But halfway through the 1992 schedule, he was flattened by a Denver Broncos linebacker.

“It felt like a cannonball hit me in the back of the head,” he said then. “When I came to, I remember thinking it wasn’t all that bad, but then it got worse.”

•

By Toon’s count, it was his ninth concussion. Still dizzy, still nauseated, on the day after Thanksgiving, he retired suddenly at 29. Now a prominent businessman in Madison, Wis., in real estate, banking and Burger King restaurants, he is on the Green Bay Packers’ board of directors and received a Super Bowl XLV ring. Regarding the effects of all those concussions, Toon, 48, said, “I’m not suffering major issues, but the long range will tell.”

Just as McNeil, on their conference call last week, described Toon as having been “an exemplary person on and off the field,” Toon called McNeil, a third overall draft choice from U.C.L.A. in 1981, a “unique individual” whose “dedication permeated the team.” The Jets’ career leading rusher with 8,074 yards until Martin surpassed that total, McNeil was the lead plaintiff in a 1992 jury verdict that struck down the N.F.L.’s Plan B free-agency system.

“The recent lockout reminded me of the time we went through,” he said.

McNeil put his name on that antitrust suit after hearing complaints from teammates who weren’t making that much money but, under the Plan B rule in which teams could protect 37 players, were prevented from becoming free agents. Although four other plaintiffs received awards totaling $543,000, McNeil never got a dime. Still living on Long Island, he is a marketing executive for athletes and entertainers.

“To be up there in the Ring of Honor with Curtis Martin, is an honor,” he said.

Philbin, now retired in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was not that big at 6 feet 2 inches and 245 pounds, but he terrorized A.F.L. quarterbacks. Although sacks were not officially recorded then, the Jets contend that Philbin had 14 ½ during their 11-3 season in 1968. At the University of Buffalo, his coach was Buddy Ryan, who joined the Jets as the defensive line tutor for their Super Bowl III season.

“Buddy was one of the toughest, but fairest, coaches I ever had,” Philbin said. “I used to do the spin move inside. My quickness helped me.”

•

Philbin and Grantham remember Buddy’s twin sons, Rex, now the Jets’ coach, and Rob, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, as youngsters.

“The twins and Johnny Sample’s son,” Grantham said. “Their little games were the highlight of our Saturday practices at Shea Stadium.”

Grantham, who called the defensive signals, praised Philbin as “an undersized guy like I was, but he gave you 120 percent.”

“He rushed the passer great, he played the run great,” Grantham said. “Near the goal line, he always got penetration.”

Like so many of his Super Bowl III teammates, Philbin spoke almost reverentially of Grantham’s smarts, and said that over Grantham’s 13 seasons, he was “pound for pound, the best player” on the team.

Grantham, a linebacker out of Ole Miss usually listed as 6 feet and 210 pounds, said in recent years that “the most I ever played at was 192, and by the end of the season probably 185.” But he was an eight-time A.F.L. All-Star.

In the days before Super Bowl III, Grantham talked about how “we know Joe will get us points, so it’s up to the defense to stop the Colts.” And the defenses he called held those Baltimore Colts to one touchdown. Now he’s in the Ring of Honor with Namath and the other Super Bowl III honorees.

“It means everything in the world to be remembered,” Grantham said.

Especially for someone who has endured throat cancer.

“I’m getting better,” Grantham said from his home in Crystal Springs, Miss. “I’m in remission.”

In remission is even more important than in the Ring of Honor.

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Hospitality Sports Utah Utes Mints, 7-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4)

Individually wrapped mints with designs on wrappers.

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TeamLights Orange and Blue Decorative Light String in Sports Package

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York Wallcoverings Candice Olson Kids Vintage Sports Border

Your team should always shine above the competition! This Pittsburgh Steelers LED Desk Lamp features 24 LED bulbs for long lasting, brilliant lighting day or night. It's 6.5" flexible, lightweight neck provides easy functionality that's perfect for being used in the car or while traveling to the big game.

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Boston Sports Journal

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It turns out I was right about most of my observations for the game, but my most important predictions were dead wrong.

I said that the Jets running game couldn't be their key to victory on offense; Mark Sanchez had to be. This turned out to be true, except I said there was no way Sanchez would come through, predicting his errant passes would sail into the waiting arms of the Patriots secondary. Of course this didn't happen. Sanchez did have several overthrows but none of them were intercepted, with many of them just bouncing the wrong way for the Pats. And just like in the Colts game, Sanchez made just enough good throws, combined with even better catches, to throw for three touchdowns. I love to rag on Rex Ryan, but going out and getting Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes for practically nothing, worked out well. Sanchez is not a great quarterback and he probably never will be, but if he keeps his mistakes to a minimum he's got a big enough arm to put t

read more January 17th, 2011 at 03:09 pm / #sports #football #nfl #tom brady #new york jets

The Boston Red Sox teach you how to be a sports fan, and probably how to be a person. They teach you about losing. They don't teach you about fair and unfair since it doesn't really matter whether it was or not, but they do teach you how to feel about the unfair losses that will inevitably occur. There is a significant difference between a fair loss and a hearbreakingly unfair one. In 2003, when Grady Little left Pedro in, leading to Matsui and Posada's back-to-back doubles that sent them into extra innings, setting up the Aaron Boone home run in the 11th off Wakefield -it hurts writing about this even now-that was heartwrenching, because it should never have happened. The Red Sox should have made it to the World Series; instead they lost to a walk-off homer in extra innings. It was terrible, and the next day in school, if you had approached our lunch table you'd have though the President had been shot. All we did was occasionally bring up Littl read more

January 17th, 2011 at 06:25 am / #sports #football #nfl #boston red sox #tom brady

This picture doesn't really bother me as a Patriots fans, because honestly, this is pretty tame as far as the NY Post goes. It does bother me as a Star Wars fan though. Mark Sanchez as Luke Skywalker? Really? Joe Namath as Yoda? And Tom Brady would have to be Darth Vader, Belichick, the Emperor. This is a disgrace to all Star Wars nerds.

The comparison actually works far better for the Patriots. New England after all is where the United States "rebellion" began. New York is called the Empire State. Tom Brady has flowing locks just like Luke Skywalker, and like Skywalker in Return of the Jedi, he is ast the height of his powers, manipulating defenses with his mind. If anyone is Yoda in the NFL it's Bill Belichick. Deion Branch is Princess Leia because just lik

read more January 16th, 2011 at 12:29 pm / #sports #football #nfl #star wars #new york jets

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

Expect this game to be similar to the first two. The score will be in the teens, and it will be decided by seven points or less.

Watching these teams play it is impossible not to notice how similar they are.

On offense they both have gigantic quarterbacks that can bomb the ball downfield. They use good running games to set up the pass, a trend both developed in recent years, straying from a run first mentality, at least partly because they can't run the ball against each other.

On defense, they run mirroring 3-4's. Both have dominant nose-tackles, leading middle-linebackers, they each possess top pass-rushing, mean, outside-linebackers, and their free-safety's compete against each another for best defensive-back every year.

Like every matchup between the two this game will probably be decided by one huge defensive play.

I'm taking the Ravens, because they're on the

read more January 15th, 2011 at 02:39 pm / #sports #football #General #nfl #chicago bears

Of course the Jets had to take it to the next level.

Wednesday I wrote about how Rex Ryan makes the Jets a fun opponent. Since he took over there has been bantering back and forth, and while it isn't always good-natured it hasn't been excessive. For the most part it's been entertaining, and has made the games even more dramatic. That is what the league wants to bring to the table each week.

Perhaps my favorite episode in the ongoing saga was Thursday when Welker unleashed a parade of foot jokes in a press conference, likely, but not proven to be, about Rex Ryan. Here's a video Deadspin compiled:

http://deadspin.com/5732917/Out of all the comments these teams have exchanged in the past two years, these were some of the most harmless. These were high school lunch table jokes. The kind guys say to each other every day. Anyone that doesn't find this hilarious is taking themselves far too seriously.

Count Bart Scott among these peopl

read more January 15th, 2011 at 01:56 pm / #sports #football #nfl #rhetoric #new england patriots

Beyond all the trash talk, there's been a lot said about the upcoming Jets-Patriots playoff game.

One Boston Globe article by Greg Bedard, cited three NFL executives who said this game will be nothing like the Patriots 45-3 victory in week thirteen. (

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2011/01/12/a_closer_call/)

This morning, Eric Mangini said the Jets were built to play the Patriots.

Rex Ryan said that if he were playing against Revis he would treat him the same way other coaches do, and avoid him.

All of these comments were wrong.

The first was wrong because of one of their chief arguments. It said , "Offensively, the Jets [in week thirteen against the Patriots] came out in a shotgun, no-huddle offense with one running back designed to spread the Patriots out and keep them from their situational substitutions. By the time the Jets ran two conventional designed running plays back-to-back, it was the second q

read more January 14th, 2011 at 03:41 pm / #sports #football #nfl #tom brady #bill belichick

I almost puked in my coffee this morning when I looked up to see that the man giving his Jets-Patriots prediction was actually Eric Mangini, the newest member of ESPN's fired coaches club.

Then I heard him say this gem. Talking about Brady he said, "He'll do a lot of things to gather information; he makes it hard for you to hold your information and not give it away to him. If he does have it, you're going to have problems."

I'm sure its a coincidence Mangini is talking about how much information the Patriots have his first time on ESPN.

Classic Mangini.

Wonder if ESPN offered him this job because they felt bad about celebrating him losing his job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzgNlJ0lMPA&feature=player_detailpage#t=19s

For the record, he predicted the Pats to win. But I guess it depends how much information Brady has. Right Mangini?

The bright side to this is at least Rex Ryan doesn't have to

read more January 14th, 2011 at 02:11 pm / #sports #football #General #nfl #ESPN

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/13/wes-welker-likes-his-foot-metaphors/#comments

Wes Welker press conference quotes.

Much more effective the Cromartie's inappropriate use of language.

***thanks for the link Michelle Reilly

read more January 13th, 2011 at 03:19 pm / #sports #football #nfl #new york jets #new england patriots

**Warning: article about my fascination for DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings. Non-NBA lovers beware

It's tough to choose which play was more symbolic.

In one, half way through the first quarter, Jason Thompson was active on defense. He rotated from one side of the paint to the other to close down the baseline. He rotated back, helped Cousins get position on Semih, then got to his man out in the corner. He got the rebound, threw the outlet to Udrih, sprinted down the court, set a pick for Udrih, who was moving left to right to the top of the three point line. Thompson rolled down to the block and established great position for an entry.

During this, DeMarcus Cousins stood still on defense, choosing not to fight Semih for position on the block. Then he jogged/walked up the court. Got to the left side of the perimeter just as Thompson got position. Udrih passed it to him. Cousins took one step in and drained a contested 21 ft jumper. If Thompson wasn’

read more January 13th, 2011 at 01:49 pm / #sports #basketball #nba #General #sacramento kings

Ever since Rex Ryan joined the Jets he's been running his mouth about the Patriots.

Because of how often he opens up to the media, it feels like this new Jets rivalry is actually as old as Belichick's tenure in New England. In actuality, this is just Ryan's second season as an NFL head coach. The Patriots and Jets have faced each other a whopping four times, going 2-2, and this is the first playoff match-up. Hardly enough to quantify this relationship as any more than a Rex Ryan conjured rivalry.

This is why Ryan's latest bomb is the most ridiculous yet. Telling reporters what he thought about the upcoming game he said, "This is about Bill Belichick vs. Rex Ryan. There's no question. It's personal. It's about him against my

read more January 12th, 2011 at 06:24 pm / #sports #football #nfl #tom brady #bill belichick

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Champs Sports Bowl: West Virginia (9-3) vs. NC State (8-4)

The No. 2 bowl in the Big East pecking order is also the second-earliest bowl for the league. West Virginia gets back to action after a few weeks of wild coaching news. Here's a quick preview of Tuesday night's Champs Sports Bowl:

WHO TO WATCH: West Virginia running back Noel Devine. It's the final college game for Devine, who has amassed over 4,000 rushing yards in his career. He hasn't been the same player this year ever since a foot injury against LSU, which was later exacerbated by an ankle problem in the Louisville game. But now he's had a few weeks to heal, and perhaps he's ready to deliver a fitting swan song. When he's right, there's no more explosive player in the country. If he's not himself, then the Mountaineers may turn to Shawne Alston and Ryan Clarke for the bulk of the carries.

WHAT TO WATCH: West Virginia's defense versus NC State quarterback Russell Wilson. The Mountaineers had one of the best defenses in the country this year, not once allowing more than 21 points. That defense will be facing the best quarterback it has seen this year in the dangerous, multi-dimensional Wilson. Add to that the fact that top cornerback Brandon Hogan will miss the game with a torn ACL, and this is arguably the biggest challenge all season for this defense. Defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel's 3-3-5 scheme and a ton of veterans has made West Virginia difficult for any quarterback to solve this year. It will be fun to watch how Wilson fares.

WHY TO WATCH: West Virginia is the highest-ranked team in the Big East, and many people think the Mountaineers would have made a better BCS representative for the league than Connecticut, to whom they lost in overtime on the road. Here is their chance to prove it. It will also be the final game before Dana Holgorsen takes over as offensive coordinator/coach-in-waiting, so this marks the end of an era in some ways. The Big East is looking for respect, and so its top-ranked team needs to take care of business against an ACC also-ran.

PREDICTION: This is a tough one because nobody knows exactly how much of a distraction the coaching situation was for this team. Hogan's loss hurts, too. I think Wilson will help NC State exploit West Virginia's defense more than any other team all season, but in the end Geno Smith and the Mountaineers make one more play. Give me West Virginia by a field goal, 26-23.

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Champs Sports Bowl: NC State (8-4) vs. WVU (9-3)

NC State is wrapping up one of the program’s most successful seasons since the Philip Rivers era. West Virginia enters the game with an awkward impending coaching transition, and three players who have been suspended for academics. The intangibles favor NC State, but here’s a closer look at NC State’s matchup against West Virginia in the Champs Sports Bowl:

WHO TO WATCH: NC State quarterback Russell Wilson. Not only is he one of the most entertaining quarterbacks in the country, it could be his encore performance. Wilson hasn’t announced yet whether or not he will return next year or join the Colorado Rockies. If this is his final football game, you don’t want to miss it. Just when you think a play is over, Wilson scrambles for the first down. He has thrown for over 300 yards eight times this year, and West Virginia has yet to face a quarterback as talented.

WHAT TO WATCH: NC State’s offensive line against the Mountaineers’ top pass-rushers. Defensive ends Julian Miller (8.0 sacks) and Bruce Irvin (12.0 sacks) have combined for 20 sacks this year. The Mountaineers’ 3.3 sacks per game ranks third nationally, just ahead of NC State, which ranks fourth with 3.25. NC State ranks 104th in the nation for sacks allowed this season, as Wilson has been sacked 34 times. That is the fourth-highest number of opponent sacks at NC State since 1978.

WHY WATCH: Milestones for NC State. In addition to the possibility that this could be Wilson’s last game, NC State is looking for its first bowl win under coach Tom O’Brien, who needs one more to reach 100 career wins. A ninth win would tie for the second-most victories in the program’s history. It’s not a bad consolation prize for a team that was one win away from playing in the ACC championship game. It’s the most wins the program has seen since 2003, when NC State finished 8-5. Since 1993, only two Wolfpack squads have posted more than seven regular-season victories -- the 1994 squad and the 2002 team, which played 13 regular-season contests. The record for wins was 11 in 2002.

PREDICTION: NC State 35, West Virginia 21. There have been too many off-field distractions for the Mountaineers, and losing their starting center will be a factor. So will the injury to standout cornerback Brandon Hogan. NC State’s passing offense should be the difference in this game.

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Sports Gab Network Senior Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for Week Fourteen

Last Week: 13-3
Season: 114-75

Thursday:

Indianapolis at Tennessee – Peyton Manning is in one of those funks. The Colts have no run game, are banged up all over the place, and can’t find a rhythm on either side of the ball. The Titans are on their last leg, losing at home last week scoring 6 points and two weeks ago getting shut out. Two desperate teams ready to start the week out. Here’s thinking the Colts have one more bullet left in their gun. Indianapolis 23 Tennessee 10

Sunday:

Tampa Bay at Washington – Last week the Bucs showed they could hang with one of the best in the league with the Falcons, but in the end, they just couldn’t finish. This week they take on a distracted Redskins team that is again filled with off the field issues. Albert Haynesworth won’t play, not that it matters, but the Redskins are falling on hard times, and while Donovan McNabb and the offense is fading fast, the defense will probably keep them in it for about a half till the Bucs impose their will. Tampa Bay 27 Washington 14

Cleveland at Buffalo - Ugh. The Bills were showing some signs of life till last week when they were crushed in Minnesota. The Browns are 5-7, but played a snoozer in Miami, winning 13-10. The Browns are playing well on both sides of the ball, and finally it looks like Eric Mangini is on the verge of making sure he sticks around for 2011. The Browns can’t afford a slip up, and will find a way to win again – ugly. Cleveland 17 Buffalo 14

New York Giants at Minnesota – Don’t believe the hype, Brett Favre will play. Not that it matters, as the Vikings seemed to have more life with Tarvaris Jackson last week in their win over the Bills. They just seemed to have a better tempo, while Favre’s age seems to show. The Giants will rush Favre all day, and look for the pass rush to do enough to get a win and stay tied for first with the Eagles. New York Giants 21 Minnesota 13

Green Bay at Detroit - Drew Stanton kept the Lions in the game last week vs the Bears, and he’ll get a shot this week against another tough NFC North team, the Pack. Charles Woodson likely won’t play, meaning that Stanton should have some success throwing. As for Aaron Rodgers, he will pick on the Lions pass defense all day, meaning it should be somewhat of a shootout in Motown, but Rodgers is too good to lose this one. Green Bay 34 Detroit 24

Oakland at Jacksonville -Can the Jags actually pull off the upset of rising from the dead to win the AFC South? It seems like it, as they are playing the best ball of the division. Now it’s the Raiders in town, a team that last week came out of nowhere to beat the Chargers on the road. Look for Oakland to give David Garrard and the Jags all they can handle, but in the end, Maurice Jones-Drew will do enough against the Raiders run D to get it done again for Jacksonville. Jacksonville 20 Oakland 17

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh – What a difference a year makes. The Bengals were 6-0 in the division last year, but this year are in a serious funk, losing their last 9 after starting out 2-1. They play a beat up Steelers team coming off a huge 13-10 win in Baltimore that looks like it will wrap up the division. The Steelers will be without TE Heath Miller and OL Flozell Adams, but it shouldn’t stop the black and gold from running on the Bengals, and for Ben Roethlisberger to do enough to get the Steelers to 10-3. Pittsburgh 31 Cincinnati 14

Atlanta at Carolina - There’s not much these days that seem to be stopping the Falcons, as they are playing very good football, as shown last week with the comeback win over the Bucs. This week should be a cakewalk over a Panthers team that started strong vs the Hawks, but like they have done a couple times this awful year, they made way too many mistakes, and paid for it. Look for the Falcons to have a lot of smiles by the time the fourth quarter starts. Atlanta 31 Carolina 10

Seattle at San Francisco – The 49'ers still actually have a shot in the division, but they have to win here over the Hawks, or they are cooked. They are going back to Alex Smith, as Troy Smith didn’t do enough to keep the starting job. Seattle is 6-6, and is tied with the Rams for first in the very average NFC West. Pete Carroll has shown signs of getting his team to play well at home, but they are 2-4 on the road, and the Niners have one more shot to right the ship. With Alex Smith back in, they find a way late to win it. San Francisco 21 Seattle 17

St.Louis at New Orleans – St.Louis is riding high after a big win in Arizona last week, but won’t find it so easy this week vs Drew Brees and the Saints. New Orleans hung in and eventually pulled out a tough win in Cincy last week, winning with less than a minute left. Look for the Saints to have way too much firepower for the Rams, who if they are going to win need to keep this game in the last teens or early 20’s. Won’t happen. New Orleans 34 St.Louis 20

New England at Chicago – A great game between two teams that have visions of a Super Bowl XX rematch in early February. The Pats put the Jets in a stranglehold Monday night, crushing them 45-3. As for the Bears, they had a tough time, but overcame a tough Lions team to pull out a win. The Pats always seem to get up for tough games on the road, more so late in the year. Hard to see them having a letdown, even after a Monday night game in which they played near perfect. New England 28 Chicago 27

Denver at Arizona – About the only storyline in this stinker is if the Broncos will come out for their new coach after Josh McDaniels was canned on Monday. The Cards are in a funk after another home loss last week, and while the Broncos are 3-9, here’s thinking they come out and play a little inspired against a team that has dropped seven in a row. Denver 20 Arizona 13

Miami at New York Jets - Who could have seen that one coming for the Jets Monday night vs the Pats? They were beaten as badly as any team has been beaten this year, and now they have to rally and come out vs a Dolphins team that plays better on the road than at home. Last week they lost to the Browns at home, and now they have to travel to the hornets nest that is the new Meadowlands. The Jets have to get back on track, and can’t afford to let last week linger. New York Jets 23 Miami 21

Kansas City at San Diego – Matt Cassel not playing in this one changes the dynamics for the Chiefs, who have a two game lead with four games left in the division. The Chargers are not a happy crew after losing to the Raiders, and they will come out and take it out on Brodie Croyle and the Chiefs this week, getting that two game lead down to one with three weeks left. San Diego 27 Kansas City 7

Philadelphia at Dallas – Can the Cowboys stay hot another week? They are 3-1 under Jason Garrett, and should have been 4-0 if it were not a Roy Williams fumble. Now they play the Eagles, a team that seems to have found its future with Mike Vick running the show at QB. The Eagles need to win to stay tied for first with the Giants, but playing the Cowboys, who have visions of keeping Garrett around, will again find a way to pull it out late. Dallas 30 Philadelphia 27

Monday Night:

Baltimore at Houston – Last week the Ravens had the Steelers on the ropes, but couldn’t finish, and now find themselves needing to keep winning to get a wild card spot. They play a Texans team that has been up and down all season, and come in 5-7, 3-3 at home. The Texans still have weapons on offense, but the Ravens are not a happy crew after losing to the Steelers at home. Baltimore will find a way to win it, as their defense will make enough plays to stop Matt Schaub and company. Baltimore 24 Houston 17

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Sports Gab Network Senior Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for Week Thirteen

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 101-72

Cleveland at Miami – The Dolphins looked good last week in Oakland, and while the Browns won (barely) against the 1-9 Panthers, the Dolphins are the better team, and will get WR Brandon Marshall back this week, and he will have a big game against the Browns secondary and suspect D that can’t get to the QB. Miami 24 Cleveland 17

San Francisco at Green Bay – The Pack rallied but fell short in the ATL a week ago, but return home to take on a 49ers team that won Monday night, but are now without Frank Gore the rest of the way. Look for Aaron Rodgers to have a good day vs the Niners, and the Pack D will force a few mistakes from Troy Smith and the 49ers offense. Green Bay 27 San Francisco 17

Denver at Kansas City – The Chiefs are trying to hold off the pesky Chargers in the AFC West, and need to make sure they don’t have a hiccup here. They were crushed the last time they played the Broncos, and this time they will make sure to learn from their mistakes. This will play out like an old AFL game, but the Chiefs in the end will have enough offense to get it done at Arrowhead. Kansas City 37 Denver 31

Buffalo at Minnesota – Last week Steve Johnson cost the Bills a shot at the upset at home over the Steelers, and now they have to take that hard luck loss and head to Minnesota to play Brett and the Vikings. Minnesota kept their very slim playoff hopes alive with a win in DC, and while the Bills will play the Vikings hard, Minnesota has a few more playmakers that will pull this one out. Minnesota 23 Buffalo 20

Washington at New York Giants – The Giants had issues early with the Jags last week, but found themselves late and pulled out a needed win to keep pace in the East. As for the Skins, they are starting to show wear and tear, and at 5-6 need a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive. Won’t happen, as Eli Manning and the Giants have too much offense for a Skins team that is fading fast. New York Giants 24 Washington 14

Jacksonville at Tennessee – Kerry Collins looks to get the start at QB for the Titans, and he can’t be as bad as rookie Rusty Smith was a week ago, as the Titans laid a big old goose egg on the scoreboard in Houston. The Jags were slammed the last time these two played, and the Titans matchup well with the Jags. Look for another big day for Chris Johnson, and the Titans will roll out a big home win. Tennessee 26 Jacksonville 13

Chicago at Detroit – The Bears look like the best team in the NFC right now, and as long as Jay Cutler doesn’t give up the ball with picks, this team should have enough to get past Drew Stanton and a Lions team that is starting to wear down with too many injuries. Detroit’s two wins this year are at home, but vs the Bears they won’t have much success unless they create at least 3-4 turnovers. Chicago 24 Detroit 10

New Orleans at Cincinnati - Cincy appears to have given up, as they were no match for the Jets on Thanksgiving despite having plenty of chances to take control of the game in the first half. This team needs to re-tool this offseason, and against the Saints they will hang in for a half, but the Saints have way too much offense to fall even on the road in a cold weather city. New Orleans 31 Cincinnati 20

Oakland at San Diego – The Chargers are playing as well as any team in the NFL, and against the Raiders at home they will have no issues getting to Jason Campbell and getting the ball down the field to their wide outs as they roll for another win to keep the heat on the Chiefs in the AFC West. San Diego 29 Oakland 14

Atlanta at Tampa Bay – It was another last second win for the Falcons last week vs the Pack, but they all count, and this week they head to Tampa to look to sweep the Bucs. Tampa Bay needs to get to Matt Ryan, and also need to avoid mistakes to make this thing interesting. They can’t allow Matt Ryan to make plays downfield to Roddy White, but that’s easier said than done. Look for White and Michael Turner to be the difference, as the Falcons fly to 10-2. Atlanta 27 Tampa Bay 23

Dallas at Indianapolis – Last week the Chargers took advantage of Peyton Manning mistakes as the Colts lost a rare home game. This week the Cowboys come in after not playing for a full 10 days, and still smarting after they should have beaten the Saints at home. Dallas is a different team under Jason Garrett, and they have been playing better football. The Colts are in crisis mode, and can’t afford another letdown. Look for Dallas to keep playing better football. Dallas 27 Indianapolis 26

St.Louis at Arizona – Here’s hoping that Derek Anderson doesn’t get caught smiling or laughing, as last week they were awful on Monday night vs the 49ers. Arizona at 3-8 is a team that right now can’t seem to get out of its own way, while the Rams are average at best, but are making strides and will build off a big win in Denver last week. St.Louis 34 Arizona 24

Carolina at Seattle – Can you imagine if the Seahawks, at 7-9, got into the playoffs as the NFC West champs? Don’t laugh, it very well could happen, and a win over a bad Panthers team at home can make it a lot more likely. Look for Seattle, who were beaten at home by the Chiefs last week, to rebound vs a Panthers team that hung in but were wide on what would have been a game winning field goal shot in Cleveland a week ago. Seattle 28 Carolina 14

Pittsburgh at Baltimore – The first of two very good prime time games sees the best two AFC North teams do battle in Baltimore. Ben Roethlisberger’s foot is a big concern, but he says he will be fine, and he’s won his last 5 vs the Ravens, a key. The Steelers should be able to hold the Ravens run game in check, and then try and force some Joe Flacco mistakes. It will be a field goal game, since it always is, and this time the Steelers will get enough and win it late. Pittsburgh 23 Baltimore 20

Monday Night:

New York Jets at New England – Two of the AFC’s best wrap up the week, as the Pats look for revenge vs a Jets team that beat them early in the season. This time the Pats will look to confuse Mark Sanchez, hold the Jets run game, which has had some issues lately, in check, and make sure they are consistent on offense as they have been. They may start a little slow, but look for Brady and his boys to score enough to outduel the Jets and take control of the AFC East. New England 19 New York Jets 13

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Sports Gab Network Columnist Russ Loede’s Week Twelve NFL Picks

Can Rodgers Hand Ryan His Second Career Loss In The Georgia Dome?

Week 11 Results ATS: 8-8

Season Record ATS: 73-81-5

Confidence Points: 83 out of 136

Week 12 Power Rankings

THANKSGIVING DAY

4-star game, 14 on the confidence meter: New England Patriots (-6.5) @ Detroit Lions – I hope the Lions don’t run the ball at all.  Tom Brady has some help on the ground with the elusive 1-2 punch of Green-Ellis and Woodhead.  Big fan of Brady’s receivers.  Patriots secondary is full of playmakers.  Calvin Johnson provides a tough challenge, Hill is no slouch.  New England Patriots 37 Detroit Lions 24

5-star game, 16 on the confidence meter, “Lock of the Week”: New Orleans Saints (-3.5) @ Dallas Cowboys – Drew Brees is going for 400+ and 5 TD’s.  Chris Ivory has been remarkable, pleasant surprise.  Watch the New Orleans defense rattle Kitna.  Honeymoon is over Jason Garrett.  New Orleans Saints 44 Dallas Cowboys 27

THANKSGIVING NIGHT

3-star game, 9 on the confidence meter: Cincinnati Bengals (+9) @ New York Jets – Recent history prevails: Jets don’t play well at home, wins always come down to the wire, and they play down to their competition.  Cincinnati Bengals 21 New York Jets 28

EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON

3-star game, 3 on the confidence meter: Minnesota Vikings (+1.5) @ Washington Redskins – Vikings will play well for their new coach, feature Adrian more.  Can’t trust Dononvan-Shanahan.  Minnesota Vikings 23 Washington Redskins 22

4-star game, 4 on the confidence meter: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills (+6.5) – Fitzpatrick to Johnson rivals Kelly to Reed.  Pittsburgh will look past this game to Sunday night’s divisional showdown next week in Baltimore.  When’s the last time the Bills played a bad game?  Pittsburgh Steelers 26 Buffalo Bills 20

3-star game, 12 on the confidence meter, “Upset of the Week”: Tennessee Titans (+6.5) @ Houston Texans – Count out the Titans, I dare you.  Chris Johnson is going off, book it.  I have more faith in Tennessee than I do Houston.  Tennessee Titans 19 Houston Texans 17

4-star game, 2 on the confidence meter: Jacksonville Jaguars (+7) @ New York Giants – Who’s Eli going to throw it to?  Jaguars Achilles’ heel is their pass defense, not their run defense.  The New Meadowlands curse continues.  Jacksonville Jaguars 16 New York Giants 20

0-star game, 5 on the confidence meter: Carolina Panthers (+10) @ Cleveland Browns – Mike Goodson is a player, keep your eye on him.  Am I crazy to think the Panthers have a better future than the Browns?  I knew Colt McCoy was due for an injury.  Carolina Panthers 13 Cleveland Browns 12

5-star game, 1 on the confidence meter: Green Bay Packers (+2) @ Atlanta Falcons – About as even as a match-up as it gets.  As flawless as Ryan is at home (hasn’t lost since his rookie year in Week 11 of ‘08, 24-20 against Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and the Denver Broncos), I rather roll with Rodgers.  MVP QB’s, potential Playoff preview, and both teams still having something to prove.  I’m thankful for the Sunday Ticket.  Green Bay Packers 31 Atlanta Falcons 27

LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON

2-star game, 8 on the confidence meter: Miami Dolphins @ Oakland Raiders (-3) – Start Gradkowski, not Campbell.  I want McFadden getting his hands on the rock at least 30 times.  Should either team attempt a forward pass?  Miami Dolphins 10 Oakland Raiders 16

4-star game, 13 on the confidence meter: Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5) @ Seattle Seahawks – Chiefs are the better team and need this win to stay atop the AFC West; such, they will play with tremendous urgency.  Division on the line, Chiefs have to get a signature road victory.  Offensively, I envision Haley’s crew displaying an encore performance.  Kansas City Chiefs 24 Seattle Seahawks 14

1-star game, 6 on the confidence meter: St. Louis Rams @ Denver Broncos (-4) – Can’t go against Broncos at home when the Rams haven’t won away from home.  Because of that, very easy game to pick.  St. Louis Rams 20 Denver Broncos 30

5-star game, 7 on the confidence meter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5) – Big believer in the Bucs, however, the Ravens are due for another big-game performance, much like the one they put together against Miami in Week 9.  Josh Freeman and Joe Flacco are so similar from numbers and stature, to how/when they were drafted -it’s striking.  Both are vastly under-hyped as winners, franchise QB’s.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers 22 Baltimore Ravens 32

5-star game, 15 on the confidence meter, “Game of the Week”: Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears (+3.5) – I don’t see the Eagles playing out of their minds for the fourth consecutive week.  Should have lost to the Giants if not for that “lucky” LeSean McCoy, 4th & 1 touchdown run.  Vick will not make many big plays against a bend but don’t break Bears unit and McCoy will not be able to run on the 2nd best rush defense.  On 3rd down, Bears are money on both sides of the ball.  Three more reasons why the Bears will win: Jay Cutler finally has some time, run game is in operation, and it’s in Soldier Field.  Playing surface will benefit Chicago, not Philly.  Philadelphia Eagles 17 Chicago Bears 27

SUNDAY NIGHT

5-star game, 10 on the confidence meter: San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts (-3) – Tough game to pick.  Hard to go against Peyton in prime-time.  Difference will be Indy’s control of the clock due to their successful 3rd down conversion rate.  Feels like one of those games where Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis both make their presence felt.   Colts better wrap-up Mike Tolbert.  Vincent Jackson will make an immediate impact in his debut.  Have a hunch this is going to be a classic, possibly OT. San Diego Chargers 31 Indianapolis Colts 35

MONDAY NIGHT

1-star game, 11 on the confidence meter: San Francisco 49ers (-1) @ Arizona Cardinals – Give me the team with more playmakers.  San Francisco 49ers 21 Arizona Cardinals 10

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Sports Gab Network Senior Editor Matt Loede’s NFL Picks for Week Eleven

Last Week: 9-4
Season: 82-60

Oakland at Pittsburgh - The Raiders look like legit AFC West contenders after two wins and a bye, while many think the Steelers are headed for another collapse like last season. The injured Steelers will have to find a way to stop the Raiders attack, and there offense also needs to get something going. Why do I see a repeat of the game at Heinz from last season? Oakland 27 Pittsburgh 21

Cleveland at Jacksonville - After three emotional weeks in which they went 2-1 against three of the leagues best, the Browns travel to play the 5-4 Jags. Last week the Jags won on a last play Hail Mary, but this week they won’t need it, taking advantage of a beat up Browns team. Jacksonville 21 Cleveland 18

Washington at Tennessee – Albert Haynesworth goes back to Tennessee this weekend, and if the Skins are lucky, they can leave him there. Washington was awful last week, going down 35-0 8 seconds into the second quarter. The Titans will rebound vs a Skins team that is reeling after getting crushed on Monday night by the Eagles. Tennessee 27 Washington 16

Houston at New York Jets - The Jets were lucky to walk out of Cleveland without a tie last week, but that’s what good teams do. Now they take on a Texans team that can’t get out of their own way, and saw their starting QB sit a night in the hospital this week. The Jets D should lower the boom on Matt Schaub and the Texans. New York Jets 17 Houston 6

Baltimore at Carolina - Brian St.Pierre vs the Ravens D? I think very little needs to be said here, as if this game is even close in the fourth quarter, the Ravens should take a long look in the mirror. Baltimore 31 Carolina 0

Green Bay at Minnesota – The last gasp for the Vikings, who will be trying to ride Brett Favre’s arm one more time against his former team. Won’t matter. The Packers, despite being banged up, are the better team, and need to keep winning to stay with the Bears in the NFC North. Look for the Pack to pick on the Vikings secondary and walk out of the Twin Cities with a sweep over their rivals. Green Bay 35 Minnesota 24

Arizona at Kansas City – The Cards were beaten up by the Seahawks at home last week, and now play a Chiefs team coming off the bye after they were beat in OT the week before by Oakland. KC is a team that seems to still be growing, and they should be able to make it a long day for Derek Anderson and the Cards. Kansas City 26 Arizona 14

Detroit at Dallas - The Cowboys were a new team last week with Jason Garrett running the show, and against a Lions team that couldn’t even beat Buffalo on the road last week, the Cowboys will step up for their new coach at home and win their second in a row. Dallas 27 Detroit 20

Buffalo at Cincinnati – Two bad teams do battle here in Cincy, where the Bengals couldn’t sell out for the first time in 57 games. Buffalo has been competitive for the last few weeks, and there’s no doubt with the Bengals playing like team ready for new coach and high draft pick, they will hang here till the end. Cincinnati 14 Buffalo 13

Seattle at New Orleans - The Hawks won on the road last week, but that was in Arizona, not the Superdome vs a good Saints team that had the bye last week and will be well prepared for the Hawks here. Matt Hasselebeck should be back, but Drew Brees and the Saints offense will be more than enough to overcome Seattle and send them to 5-5. New Orleans 34 Seattle 21

Tampa Bay at San Francisco – Suddenly the Niners are looking like a team that has found themselves, and why not – they have the talent to get the job done here at home, and they should. Tampa Bay crushed the Panthers, but it’ll be a long road trip vs a Niners team that is feeling good about how they have played. The Niners outphysical the Bucs for their fourth win. San Francisco 28 Tampa Bay 13

Atlanta at St.Louis – The Falcons appear in quite a few areas to be the best team in the NFC, and on the road they have to make sure not to have a slip up against a gritty Rams team. They should have a good showing on offense vs the Rams, who need to have a good day from Steven Jackson to hold the Falcons in check. Won’t happen, as Roddy White and Matt Ryan both play at a high level. Atlanta 29 St.Louis 23

Indianapolis at New England - The best rivalry in the NFL, bar none. Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady, always a classic. The Pats showed quite a bit of heart going to Pittsburgh last week to pound the Steelers, and they are now back on top in the AFC. The Colts continue to be banged up, as they will have to have Donald Brown as the feature back again this week. The Pats will once again be inspired against Manning, pulling out a big win. New England 31 Indianapolis 27

New York Giants at Philadelphia – Two big boys in the NFC East, and this game will come down to if Mike Vick can continue his high level of play vs the G-Men. The Giants have to contain him, and also watch for the long balls from Vick to his wide outs. Look for the Giants to try and use Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to run the ball, but in Philly, it won’t go so well. Philadelphia 23 New York Giants 13

Monday Night:

Denver at San Diego - An AFC West showdown on Monday night, the Broncos put on offensive fireworks last week vs KC, and hope that carries over vs the Chargers. San Diego is 4-5, but with Philip Rivers and the offense clicking despite all the injuries, it’s hard to imagine the Chargers losing at home to a Denver team that has been up and down all year. San Diego 33 Denver 21

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Prior to the start of the 2010-11 NBA season, the Detroit Pistons were looking for fans to fill out a fifty person section in the stands that would be called the Power Plant section. As an added bonus, the Pistons were going to give these fifty diehard fans free season tickets.

Things did look promising when they had around 300 registrations completed for the Power Plant auditions.

That was until the actual auditions took place.

A total of 11 people showed up for the spirit competition.

While some people may have decided they would be unable to attend all 41 games during the 2010-11 NBA season, you still have to wonder why they had such a hard time finding people to show up for hat is basically free season tickets?

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Despite reaching the playoffs in nine of the last 11 seasons, t

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The 2010 NFL season continues on and as we reach the midway point of the season, there are only a few teams who appear to have what it takes. The rest will be fighting it out for a playoff spot and will result in competitive division races and even more disparity among NFL predictions. Take a look at our predictions for Week 8 of the 2010 NFL season to see how things will shape up.

Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams

The Panthers finally got off the snide and earned their first win of the 2010 NFL season while the Rams will be looking to end their two-game losing streak despite another solid outing from rookie Sam Bradford. The Panthers have ended the Jimmy Clausen experiment for now and will rely upon Matt Moore to lead the way the rest of the season. The Rams defense is surprising toughly and should put up enough of a presence to end the Panthers winning stre

read more October 29th, 2010 at 05:18 am / #football #nfl #nfc west #afc #nfc

The Minnesota Vikings enter Week 8 of the 2010 NFL season in a dog fight for a playoff berth while their star quarterback has to deal with injuries along with off the field distractions. The time has come for Brett Favre to show that he came back for another season because he wants to win and is not back for his own selfish needs and personal glory.

Yes, the FOX networks will love to see their ratings spike thanks to a potential showdown between Favre and Tom Brady. But how much can Favre really do with two gimp ankles?

It is not like Favre was tearing through opposing defenses lately. Over the last four games, Favre has a 57.8% completion rate while passing for 795 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions.

Surely backup quarterback Tavaris Jackson could put up similar numbers over the same time period.

You may be saying, if the Vikings lose this game, th

read more October 27th, 2010 at 09:16 pm / #nfl #minnesota vikings #tom brady #nfc #new england patriots

The 2010 World Series is about to kick off between the two unexpected team, the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers. Can the Giants continue their magical ride or will the rangers be able to ride Cliff Lee off into the sunset? Here are five things to expect from the 2010 World Series.

Cliff Lee Will Continue to State His Claim for the top Free Agent

In eight postseason starts, Lee has only managed a 7-0 record with a 1.26 ERA and a 67-7 strikeout to walk ratio. He has pitched awe inspiring baseball and has shown what he can bring to the table to a team with key players already in place. Any team who feels they are ready to make a run at the playoffs is already trying to figure out how much it would take to bring Lee to their team.

The Opening Game of the Series Will Have Fans Talking for Days

Cliff Lee is expected to open the 20

read more October 27th, 2010 at 04:14 am / #mlb #world series #Texas Rangers #san francisco giants #al

Several media outlets released information on Monday that the NCAA was working with a panel about the possibility of levying fines or suspensions if a college player is deemed to have received improper benefits from agents.

The problem is while the intentions are good it will miss the mark with the majority of the college football players.

The example some have given is the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, Dez Bryant, who was suspended for part of his Senior season for his interactions with Deion Sanders.

The problem is with the thought of suspending or fining a player during their rookie season. As we all know, some of these investigations into allegations takes time.

A prime example would be the Saints' Reggie Bush, who recently forfeited his Heisman trophy as a result of him receiving improper benefits while at USC.

In this instance, the evidence di

read more October 26th, 2010 at 08:40 am / #football #nfl #college football #usc #dallas cowboys

The 2010 NFL season is getting into full swing and continues to deliver every week. Your friends at The Average Sports Fan can now take the time to reflect on what they saw and heard over the weekend with our Winners and Losers from Week 7.

WINNER - Darren McFadden

Even if the Denver Broncos decided to show up, the Raiders looked like they were going to score points whenever they wanted too. Especially when Darren McFadden touched the ball. While this may not be his coming out party, this is a sign of what he is able to do and why owner Al Davis wanted him.

LOSER - New Orleans Saints

This was a bad loss for the Saints who will be entering a tough four game stretch that starts with a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Saints do not come away with .500 record over the next month, they may find themselves out of the 2010 NFL

read more October 25th, 2010 at 10:40 pm / #nfl #winners and losers #washington redskins #afc #philadelphia eagles

The Pittsburgh Steelers pushed their record to 5-1 thanks a narrow win over the Miami Dolphins and were aided by the confusion created by the NFL.

In case you missed it, during the final minutes of the Steelers-Dolphins game, Ben Roethlisberger coughed up the ball on the Dolphins' goal line as they were trying to overcome the two point deficit. The ball went into the end zone and after a scrum a Dolphins player emerged with the football.

Eventually the referee, Gene Steratore would go on to essentially explain that there was no way of to determine who ended up with the ball. As a result, the offense was rewarded with the possession of the ball just outside the goal line.

The Steelers would end up kicking the game winning field goal and escape with an NFL aided win.

What happened to the days when the ball was given to the team who ended up with the pos

read more October 24th, 2010 at 10:59 pm / #football #nfl #miami dolphins #afc #pittsburgh steelers

The 2010 NFL Season will close out Week 7 with a Monday Night football game between two teams from the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. The Giants will have the chance to put a nail in the coffin of the Cowboys and end their playoff hopes and dreams of playing in a Super Bowl in front of the home crowd.

The Cowboys offense appears to be finding the mark and have been able to put up the yards but they always seem to find a way to shoot themselves in the foot. Currently the Cowboys have been flagged for 62 penalties which is ranked second worst in the NFL.

In order for the Cowboys to come home with a win, they will need their defensive unit to stand up and force turnovers. Through five games they have hauled in two interceptions and three forced fumbles. They can have success if they put enough pressure on the Giants quarterback.

The Giants have

read more October 24th, 2010 at 10:12 pm / #football #nfl #eli manning #nfc #monday night football

The # 8 Michigan State Spartans pushed their record to 8-0 this season with a win over Northwestern after coming back from a 17-7 deficit at the halftime as they welcome back their head coach, Mark Dantonio, to the sidelines.

This game marked the second time this season when the Spartans have been propelled to a win thanks to a trick play by their underrated head coach Mark Dantonio.

The Spartans had the ball on 36 yard line of Northwestern and were faced with a fourth-and-11 and were lined up for the punt. But instead of punting, Aaron Bates threw a 21 yard completion that caught just about everybody off guard.

The Spartans went on to win the game in dramatic fashion, though this time Dantonio did not have to go to the hospital afterwards.

College football fans take heed. Do not let the trick plays fool you.

This Spartan team is better than most pe

read more October 23rd, 2010 at 10:11 pm / #michigan state #big ten #ncaa football #bcs #mark dantonio

The 2010 Fantasy Football season continues onward and upward as owners begin to for the hump of the NFL season. As TASF sifts through the vast array of injuries and players who are sitting, let us take a look at those players who receive our consideration to Start or Sit in week 7 of Fantasy Football.

Quarterbacks

START - Matt Cassel / Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on a Jacksonville Jaguars team that is reeling from a loss on Monday Night and will be going without their starting quarterback. Cassel has shown promise in the last three weeks, posting two solid weeks of twenty points or more.

SIT - Eli Manning / New York Giants

If you are looking for Mister Inconsistent, then Eli Manning is your man. In the last four weeks he has two games where he threw for less than 200 yards

read more October 23rd, 2010 at 09:49 pm / #fantasy #fantasy football #chicago bears #eli manning #pittsburgh steelers

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Bay Area Sports Thoughts

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If you haven't read my last post, I ask/beg that you please DON'T! In that post I predicted that Burrell would come up big in game three and well, if you watched, you know that he did quite the opposite. Burrell went 0-4 with 4 strikeouts but was successful at one thing, making me look like a fool. It's alright, everybody is wrong once in a while and I can laugh at myself with the best of them. There will be no predictions for tonight's game however, as I have learned my lesson. It's amazing how just one game can change the complexion of a series. Just think what would happen if the Giants lose tonight...it would almost be like losing two and falling behind 3-2 in the series because let's face it, no matter who we have on the mound, beating Cliff Lee twice in a row is a monumental task in the postseason. I have just one question.....Can Matt Cain pitch every game of this series? Please.... read more

October 31st, 2010 at 07:46 pm

By now, if you have ever read this blog, you probably know how much I like to give my predictions(heavily favoring the Giants). Sometimes they are research based and very educated, but every so often I have no basis for these predictions. This is one of those times, I'm simply following my heart on this one. I'm going on record to say that Pat "the bat" Burrell will have a breakout game tonight. He has struggled so far in the playoffs, but tonight will be his night. Of course, the outcome of the game still depends on Jonathon Sanchez. Will he pitch deep into the game or implode once again after just two innings? I have no idea and frankly, am scared to death to even try and predict what he will do. So come on Pat, go out and have yourself a game to remember, we need you....Go Giants!!!!!!! read more

October 30th, 2010 at 04:56 pm

Matt Cain takes the mound for the San Francisco Giants tonight in what will be the biggest start of his young career. Through his first two postseason starts, the young right hander has not allowed an earned run, and yet nobody seems to be taking notice! Avoiding the spotlight has become second nature for "Big Daddy" Cain, but after tonight, the world will know just how good he is. What's the reason for my confidence? Well there are a few factors that could help Cain tonight. First, he is a high ball pitcher, and tonight's ump usually features a high strike zone. Second, Cain's fastball and change-up are both excellent and underrated pitches. Lastly, no young pitcher (Cain is younger even than Lincecum) has shown as much poise through multiple years of no run support as has Matt Cain. You can bet that tonight will not feature 18 runs like last night. The first inning should be very telling for the stoic Cain, and I believe with all my heart that he i read more

October 28th, 2010 at 06:49 pm

Let me make this short and sweet for you: I think that the Giants can and will beat Cliff Lee. Once you stop laughing, I will explain why. Now I know that his postseason numbers are outstanding, and he put up those numbers against much better offenses than the Giants'. With that said however, the Giants are a different style of offense. Lee can throw the ball wherever he wants to at any time, his command is second to none. For this reason, patient offenses seem to have much more trouble against him because after taking 2 pitches they are already down in the count 0-2 and by that point it's all over. If you have seen the Giants this season though, you know (and have probably been frustrated by the fact) that they aren't exactly patient. I mean, not even their leadoff hitter seems to take more than 1 pitch. Just watch Uribe, he sure doesn't have "patience" or "walk" on his mind. The man wants to hit! No, the Giants won't be patient against Lee, which means they won't fall beh read more

October 27th, 2010 at 06:20 pm

After watching the Giants beat the Braves twice in Atlanta and then seeing them finish off game 1 in Philadelphia, I think it is time for baseball fans to start showing this club its due respect! Last week, it was Atlanta fans telling me that the Giants had no shot to win the series after they lost game 2 in SF because the Braves were so good at home and the Giants wouldn't be able to win a game in Atlanta...well what happened with that Braves fans??? Now this week all I had been hearing was how the Giants didn't have a shot to win in Philly because of that rough and rowdy crowd. Well, how about all the naysayers just shut up and watch the games. Nobody knows whats going to happen, not even those wannabe analysts on ESPN! Respect the Giants and Fear the Beard (even though the beard always seems to give me a heart attack especially in the postseason)! Giants v Rangers.....Giants in 6. read more

October 16th, 2010 at 10:15 pm

Please go show some love to your 2010 San Francisco Giants here: http://supportyourlocalgiants.com. Four more wins and we are in the World Series! I know I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself but I can't help it anymore. This club has been amazing to watch all season long and this group of guys deserve it. Show some support! read more

October 15th, 2010 at 01:38 pm

read more October 12th, 2010 at 09:59 pm

The San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 today to take a 2-1 series advantage. And let's get one thing clear: this was as lucky as they come and the Giants did not deserve this win. I suddenly cringe whenever I see Romo begin to warm up in the bullpen, much like the first half of the season. I simply would not use him again in this series, no matter what. With that being said, the they did get the victory and I believe learned a couple things about key components of the team in the process. Sanchez: This year has been a different Sanchez and we all know that. What we didn't know is how he would do in the postseason. I for one, had no clue as to which Sanchez would show up and whether or not he could handle the pressure. Well, he handled it all right, and now we know that the big 3 (Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez) can and will perform under the intense pressure of the postseason. Phew. I had complete confidence in Lincecum and Cain and now that I can throw Sanchez into that m read more

October 10th, 2010 at 08:45 pm

Thank goodness for the San Francisco Giants. Last weekend would have been disastrous and depressing for all Bay Area sports fans if not for Matt Cain and his teammates. Cain is the ace of this staff, no more questions. He is the one I want starting any game 7, with Lincecum a close second and nobody else on the staff even being considered. Speaking of Timmy, I just can't understand why Bruce won't switch him and Zito, because we all know that the division is going to come down to the final weekend. Why not send out your best three in Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez? No matter what the order, we must keep pitching as every game is getting bigger and bigger. Unfortunately it looks as if Sanchez doesn't have any control tonight...(Update, I was very wrong, which happens sometimes) B2B Business read more

October 5th, 2010 at 05:36 pm

During the 9th inning of today's giants game, a weekend ruining defeat, I got caught up in the moment of the Giants near comeback and began to think about the last time I had been this excited over baseball. The answer was 2002. A season that ended so painfully I have yet to this day let myself dwell on it for more than a few minutes at a time. I will also admit as a man that I shed a tear after that World Series. But anyways, that's not the point. The point is, that this year's Giants have an opportunity to heal that old wound once and for all, before it becomes infected like a Cubs fan of over a century. Another question soon came to mind as I intently watched Jose Guillen's game ending at-bat. What if he actually does it and goes deep right here to end the game and the race to the playoffs. The goosebumps swept over my arms as I recalled the biggest moment that I myself have ever seen....Joe Carter's Series ending home run in 1993 as the Blue Jays defeated the Phillies. That moment read more

October 2nd, 2010 at 09:27 pm

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Sports Illustrated Blood, Sweat & Chalk: The Ultimate Football Playbook: How the Great Coaches Built Today's Game

The modern game of football is filled with plays and formations with names like the Counter Trey, the Wildcat, the Zone Blitz and the Cover Two. They have become part of the sport's vernacular, and yet for many fans they remain just names, often confusing ones. To rectify that, Tim Layden has drilled deep into the core of the game to reveal not only how these chalkboard X's and O's really work on the field, but also where they came from and who dreamed them up.

These playbook schemes, many of them illuminated by diagrams, bear the insignia of some of the game's great innovators, men like Vince Lombardi, Don Coryell, Tom Osborne, Bill Walsh, Tony Dungy and Buddy Ryan. But football has also been radically altered by the ingenious work of men with more obscure names, like Tiger Ellison, Emory Bellard and Mouse Davis.

In Blood, Sweat and Chalk, Layden takes readers into the meeting rooms-and in some cases the living rooms-where the game's most significant ideas were hatched. He goes to the coaches and to the players who inspired them, and lets them tell their stories. In candid conversations with some of football's most intriguing characters, Layden provides a fascinating guide to the game, helping fans to better see the subtleties of America's favorite sport.

The game of football is cyclical. Coaches today are getting too much credit for formations and offenses that were dreamed up years ago. Tim Layden does a wonderful job of tracing the origin of those ideas in Blood, Sweat and Chalk.
- Urban Meyer, Head Football Coach, University of Florida

Tim Layden explores the minds and ambitions of the game's formative thinkers. Serious students of football must have this on their bookshelves!
- Steve Sabol, President, NFL Films

Blood, Sweat and Chalk is a must-read for all football aficionados. I, of course, especially enjoyed reading about the great Don Coryell, a true innovator in the game we all love. His ideas changed football-and this book shows you how.
- Dan Fouts, Hall of Fame Quarterback, San Diego Chargers

Tim has created a playbook that's instructional, a history book that's fascinating and a football bible that's a must-read for anybody who loves the game. All in one.
- Dan Patrick, Host, NBC's Football Night in America

Tim Layden does a great job telling the story of the people and the ideas that had a major impact on the game of football as we know it.
- Mack Brown, Head Football Coach, University of Texas

This is one of the most important sports books of our generation-and a lot of fun too. The formations and philosophies that win Super Bowls and national titles are made crystal clear. If you live for fall weekends, this is your book.
- Peter King, Author, Monday Morning Quarterback

Price: $26.95

Click here to buy from Amazon