Special Teams and Kickers Kicked My A&&!!

Eric’s NFL Week 4 Picks

Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY“…………

Last Week: 10-6 Season: 30-18

The Chargers Special Teams, Kicker Sebastian Janikowski of the Raiders & Saints kicker Garrett Hartley all played like “Huxley College”. Dedicated to them, one of my favorite “football comedy bits” provided by the Marx Brothers in HORSE FEATHERS.

SAN FRANCISCO +6.5 (0-3) @ ATLANTA (2-1) O/U 42.5 pts
-49ers were pre-season favorites to win the NFC West. Now, with a loss to Atlanta, the Mike Singletary watch will be on. The Falcons have the upper hand on the NFC South after beating the champion Saints in overtime last week in the Big Easy. “Tic-Toc, Samurai Mike.” FALCONS (16-14, FALCONS)

NY JETS OF NEW JERSEY +5.5 (2-1) @ BUFFALO (0-3) 37 pts
-Bills replaced starting QB Trent Edwards with back-up Ryan Fitzpatrick in last week’s 38-30 loss to New England. Fitzpatrick played so well, head coach Chan Gailey cut Edwards off the roster completely. Rex Ryan and the J-E-T-S! JETS, JETS< JETS! Can go 3-0 within the AFC East for the first time in 10 years. QB Mark Sanchez and that offense showing good balance since the loss in the opener to the Ravens. Could be an “ambush game” for the Jets. Watch out, Rex. It’ll be close. JETS (38-14, JETS)

CINCINNATI -3 (2-1) @ CLEVELAND (0-3) 37.5 pts
-The Battle of Ohio renewed on the shores of Lake Erie. Browns QB Jake Delhomme’s back from injury. Browns gave the Ravens a scare last week in their 24-17 loss. This one’s going to be close too. Bengals offense should FINALLY open up. Watch out for plenty of Carson Palmer to Ocho-Cinco and T.O. BENGALS (23-20, BROWNS)

DETROIT (0-3) +14.5 @ GREEN BAY (2-1) 45 pts
-Lions still without Matthew Stafford at QB. Detroit lost big at Minnesota last week. It’ll be worse Sunday especially since the Packers are coming off a loss in Chicago. Aaron Rodgers should unload a can of “whoop-a&&” in the “not yet frozen tundra.” PACKERS (28-26, PACKERS)

DENVER +6.5 (1-2) @ TENNESSEE (2-1) 43 pts
-QB Vince Young and the Titans rebounded well from an ugly home loss to Pittsburgh with an inspired win over the Giants in Gotham last week. QB Kyle Orton and the Broncos are putting up good stats but can’t get the pill in the end zone. Denver struggled mightily in last week’s 27-13 home loss to Peyton Manning and the Colts. Titans RB Chris Johnson’s going to have a big day. TITANS (26-20, BRONCOS)

SEATTLE (2-1) -1 @ ST. LOUIS (1-2) 40 pts
-Pete Carroll’s Seahawks were fortunate Leon Washington was able to return two kick-offs for touchdowns in last week’s 27-20 home win over San Diego. Bolts QB Phillip Rivers dissected the Seattle secondary for 455 yards. They better watch out because they’re in the Gateway City facing an improved Rams team with a gun-slinger at QB. How about the Rams and top overall pick Sam Bradford! They broke a 14-game losing streak taking care of Washington, 30-16 last week. RB Steven Jackson’s questionable because of a pulled groin. Kenneth Darby did well replacing the all-pro with 49 yards on 14 carries and a score. Seahawks have won nine straight against the Rams. The Rams could easily be 3-0 with their two losses by a combined five points. Let’s keep that MOJO going. Bradford’s going to have a big day. RAMS (20-3, RAMS)

CAROLINA (0-3) +13.5 @ NEW ORLEANS (2-1) 44 pts
-If it weren’t for Saints kicker Garrett Hartley’s missed 29 yard field goal in overtime, the Saints would be 3-0. New Orleans brought back 22-year veteran kicker John Carney who could replace Hartley as soon as Sunday. Both were on last season’s roster. Carolina’s working Notre Dame rookie QB Jimmy Clausen into the offense so this is an extended “pre-season” going into the next season. This could be ugly. SAINTS (16-14, SAINTS)

BALTIMORE (2-1) +1.5 @ PITTSBURGH (3-0) 34.5 pts
-This has got to be the game of the day. An AFC North Clash of Titans. Both with monster defenses. Without QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have rediscovered the running game with Rashard Mendenhall moving the chains. That defense, led by Troy Palomalu, is awesome. Same with Baltimore’s led by Ray Lewis. QB Joe Flacco tossed three touchdowns to new toy Anquan Bouldin in last week‘s 24-17 win at Cleveland. Ravens, also, have a solid ground attack with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. This is a pick ’em game and I’d lean to the home team in this home-and-home series. I’m going to go with Flacco and the Birds in a close one only because this is where the Steelers will miss Big Ben. RAVENS (17-14, RAVENS)

HOUSTON (2-1) -3 @ OAKLAND (1-2) 43 pts
-Are you kidding me, Sebastian Janikowski!!!! If it weren’t for your three missed field goals, including a 32-yard “chippie” as time expired, you and the Raiders would be 2-1. Wasted effort by new starting QB Bruce Gradkowski and that third-ranked Raider Defense in that 24-23 loss at Arizona. Are you kidding me Texans!!! You had a 3-0 start in your sites and laid an egg at home to previously winless Dallas last week, 27-13. QB Matt Schaub and that number one offense stopped dead by the Dallas defense. Meanwhile, Dallas QB Tony Romo sliced and diced that worst passing defense in the league. Won’t get any easier for the Texans in the black hole, especially, with WR Andre Johnson still hobbled by the bad wheel. Gradkowki licking his chops to get at that Houston pass defense. Don’t let me down again, Janikowski!! RAIDERS (31-24, TEXANS)

Fitting Houston’s at Oakland. Hall-of-Famer George Blanda played in both cities (Oilers & Raiders) as well as in Chicago with the Bears during his remarkable 26 year NFL/AFL career. Blanda passed away this past week at 83. Here’s a tribute to one of the most amazing players ever courtesy of the NFL Network. R.I.P George Blanda.

INDIANAPOLIS (2-1) -7 @ JACKSONVILLE (1-2) 46 pts
-Only way Jacksonville has a shot against Indy is if RB Maurice Jones-Drew has a big day against that Colts defense, which he’s done in the past. Also, that Jags defense has to find a way to stop Peyton Manning. No way. COLTS (31-28, JAGUARS)

WASHINGTON (1-2) +5.5 @ PHILADELPHIA (2-1) 43 pts
-Welcome home, Donovan McNabb!! Redskins coming off a bad 30-16 loss at St. Louis. That defense is the worst in the league adjusting to that 3-4 scheme. “Big Dog” Michael Vick has thrown for 750 yards, six TD’s, no picks, 170 rushing yards and another score since taking over for Kevin Kolb in week one. McNabb was instrumental in bringing Vick to the Eagles last year. The thanks, McNabb’s going to get bitten hard by him in the City of Brotherly Love. EAGLES (17-12, REDSKINS)

ARIZONA (2-1) +8 @ SAN DIEGO (1-2) 45.5 pts
-Chargers are playing true to form giving games away in the first five weeks of the season. QB Phillip Rivers threw for 455 yards in the loss at Seattle last week. Bolts special teams needs a wake-up call after giving up two kick-off returns for touchdowns. Cardinals should’ve given a game-ball to Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski last week, for missing three field goals including a 32-yard chippie as time ran out, gift-wrapping a 24-23 win for the Cards in Arizona. Is that correct?? Derek Anderson’s the starting QB for the Cardinals?? STILL?!?!? CHARGERS (41-10, CHARGERS)

CHICAGO (3-0) +3.5 @ NY GIANTS OF NEW JERSEY (1-2) 43.5 pts (SNF)
-The Bears and QB Jay Cutler looking very strong and improved after Monday’s 20-17 win over Green Bay at Soldier Field. As for the Giants, head coach Tom Coughlin could be on the hot-seat if his team plays the way they’ve been playing. BAD. QB Eli Manning looking like his Dad Archie, trying to create something using his opposite hand to try and throw a touchdown. Instead, a pick by the Titans in the end zone. If the Giants can get any kind of running game……………oh, snap! It’s the Bears defense with Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers. BEARS (17-3, GIANTS)

NEW ENGLAND (2-1) -1 @ MIAMI (2-1) 46.5 pts
-Patriots with a close shave with the winless and hapless Buffalo Bills last week at The Razor, winning 38-30. QB Tom Brady is his old self throwing darts to his tight ends and selection of WR’s. New England’s defense isn’t what it used to be. The Dolphins played it tough in a home loss to the Jets last week. QB Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall clicking as are running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams although the latter needs to hold on to the rock. Miami’s defense is better. A close division game. DOLPHINS (41-14, PATRIOTS)

BYE WEEK:

DALLAS (1-2)
MINNESOTA (1-2)
KANSAS CITY (3-0)
TAMPA BAY (2-1)
LOS ANGELES (15 years, 4 weeks)

October 1, 2010 1

Eric’s Week 3 NFL Picks

For us lovers of football, enjoy this “little ditty” from 1986’s WILDCATS starring Goldie Hawn and some “up & comers.”

Week 2: 8-8 SEASON TOTAL: 20-12

SAN FRANCISCO (0-2) -2.5 @ KANSAS CITY (2-0) O/U 37 pts
-Mike Singletary’s winless Niners are much improved but killing themselves with turnovers. Four of them last week against the champion Saints including a bad “high school-like snap” giving the Saints a safety. Crucial since the Niners lost in overtime, 25-22. QB Alex Smith improving. SF’s defense, playing like “Samurai Mike” used to with Da Bears, ranked fourth in the league. The undefeated Chiefs have some good chemistry going with the New England Patriots West coaching staff. Gotta be since they’re 2-0 with the fourth worst offense in the league. Playing and beating Cleveland helps. 49ERS (31-10, CHIEFS)

DETROIT (0-2) +11.5 @ MINNESOTA (0-2) 43 pts
-Vikings with major issues at wide receiver and the right side of that offensive line giving Brett Favre second thoughts about coming back for one more go ‘round. Lions will be without QB Matthew Stafford again with a separated shoulder suffered in week one. Shaun Hill takes over. Lions much improved on both sides of the ball. Minnesota lost their opener at New Orleans, 14-9. Vikes lost last week to Miami, 14-10. If things work out, Lions might win, 14-11. Nah. Vikings still better and Percy Harvin’s back to help Favre out. VIKINGS (24-10, VIKINGS)

BUFFALO (0-2) +14.5 @ NEW ENGLAND (1-1) 42.5 pts
-The Bills are BAD! The Patriots are MAD! Plenty of Brady to Welker/Moss. PATRIOTS (38-30, PATRIOTS)

ATLANTA (1-1) +3.5 @ NEW ORLEANS (2-0) 49.5 pts
-Thanks to this game, maybe us Los Angelenos will be spared from watching the Giants again. This will be a shoot-out in the Big Easy. Since Brees has come to New Orleans, the Saints are 7-1 against the Dirty Birds. Both teams with issues in their backfields tending to injuries. Matt Ryan and the Falcons have to win this one if they want to dethrone the Saints in the NFC South. Not yet. SAINTS (27-24, FALCONS ot)

TENNESSEE (1-1) +3 @ NY GIANTS of NEW JERSEY (1-1) 42.5 pts
-Titans had seven turnovers, including two picks and a fumble by QB Vince Young who was replaced by ex-Giant Kerry Collins, in last week’s 19-11 loss to Pittsburgh. Young will start. Meanwhile, the G-Men lost the MANNING BOWL as Eli was outplayed by Peyton in Indy last week, 38-14. The Giants are just bad on both sides of the ball right now. They can’t run and Eli has issues because they have to throw to have a chance. That defense allowed huge yardage on the ground to a Colts team that usually can’t run to save its life. Chris Johnson will look to pad some stats. TITANS (29-10, TITANS)

PITTSBURGH (2-0) -2.5 @ TAMPA BAY (2-0) 33 pts
-No Ben Roethlisberger at QB for the Steelers. No problem. No Byron Leftwich. No problem. No Dennis Dixon. No problem. Pitt’s now down to old man Charlie Batch. They better get Terry Bradshaw ready in the bullpen. It’s all about the Steel Curtain Defense. They go as safety Troy “Samson” Polamalu goes. He’s a beast. If he’s out, the Steelers are a bad team. Second-year QB Josh Freeman playing very well for the undefeated Buccaneers. Four TD tosses against just one pick so far this season. Steelers will bring the noise on defense and pound away with Rashard Mendenhall on offense. STEELERS. (38-13, STEELERS)

CINCINNATI (1-1) -3 @ CAROLINA (0-2) 38 pts
-I LOVE A GOOD CAT FIGHT! Too bad this won’t be one. Rookie Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen taking over as the starter for Carolina and an ineffective Matt Moore. His counter-part is former USC QB Carson Palmer. Palmer and the Bengals looked solid in last week’s 15-10 home win over the Ravens. Palmer, Chad Ocho-Cinco, Terrell “TO” Owens, Cedric Benson. Too many weapons for the Panthers. BENGALS (20-7, BENGALS)

CLEVELAND (0-2) +10.5 @ BALTIMORE (1-1) 37 pts
-”New” Browns and “Old” Browns together for another “Family Feud” which is just too one-sided. Ravens haven’t allowed a single touchdown so far. Ray Lewis and that defense are dialed-in, especially with the bad calls against Cincy last week. RAVENS (24-17, RAVENS)

DALLAS (0-2) +3 @ HOUSTON (2-0) 47.5 pts
-The “Lone Star State Squabble” looks more and more like Houston’s ready to take. The undefeated Texans are coming of age before our eyes. They did away with division foe Indianapolis in the season-opener and came from 17 points behind to beat the Redskins in overtime in DC. QB Matt Schaub threw for three yards shy of 500 in last week’s win. WR Andre Johnson hurt an ankle but came back to grab the game-tying TD late in the 4th. RB Arian Foster had 237 rushing yards in the win over the Colts. Meanwhile, Dallas, a pre-season Super Bowl favorite, is terrible in all fazes of the game. The most over-rated and over-hyped QB in league history, Tony Romo, is having issues because the Cowboys can’t run the football gaining 38 total yards in last week’s 27-20 loss, at home, to the Bears. The Cowboy defense only has two sacks so far. They could be in danger of going 0-3 and done. Texans are ready to take another step. TEXANS (27-13, COWBOYS)

WASHINGTON (1-1) -3.5 @ ST. LOUIS (0-2) 38 pts
-Hard to believe the Redskins are a worse rushing team than the Cowboys. But, they are. They couldn’t run the ball to kill some clock with a 17-point lead and ended up losing 30-27 in overtime to Houston. QB Donovan McNabb tossed for over 400 yards but that makes Washington too one-dimensional. Remedy for Washington on the way. The young, improving and still winless Rams allow the third most rushing yards in the league, including giving up 145 yards to Oakland’s Darren McFadden in last week’s 16-14 loss to the Raiders. Although Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford is still getting his feet wet with four touchdown throws against five interceptions, St. Louis could easily be 2-0. So, they’re in every game even though the Rams have the league’s second worst offense. But, the remedy, the Redskins, who have the worst overall defense giving up almost 450 yards a game. Was thinking Redskins. However, the Rams have this All-Pro RB named Steven Jackson. They’re at home too. RAMS (30-16, RAMS)

PHILADELPHIA (1-1) -3 @ JACKSONVILLE (1-1) 45 pts
-You can’t teach an OLD DOG new tricks, so you let him work the magic he’s known for. No. Not that. I’m talking about football. Michael Vick’s earned the Eagles starting QB job with his play the last two weeks. He led Philly to a 35-32 win at Detroit last week in his first start since 2006. He’s a got a big running back in LaSean McCoy to hand off to. McCoy rumbled for 120 yards and three touchdowns last week. Jaguars were torched by San Diego last week. QB David Garrard having issues as is RB Maurice Jones-Drew. Sure it’s in J’Ville. But Vick’s got the hot hand. EAGLES (28-3, EAGLES)

INDIANAPOLIS (1-1) -5.5 @ DENVER (1-1) 48.5 pts
-After opening with a loss at Houston, Colts QB Peyton Manning took it to brother Eli’s Giants winning 38-14. Peyton’s thrown for almost 700 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. Broncos beat Seattle at home last week, 31-14. They have to deal with a depleted secondary and the prospects of getting sliced and diced by Manning. They’ll have heavy hearts as well with the loss of teammate Kenny McKinley who apparently took his own life last week. COLTS (27-13, COLTS)

OAKLAND (1-1) +4.5 @ ARIZONA (1-1) 39.5 pts
-Raiders benched ineffective QB Jason Campbell trailing St. Louis 7-3 at halftime of last weeks home-opener against the Rams replacing him with Bruce Gradkowski who engineered a come from behind 16-14 win. He seems to have complete control of the Raiders who look like a contender with him calling the signals. Darren McFadden rushed for 145 yards and, although they gave up 140 yards on the ground last week, their defense is top 10. Cardinals got blitzed in Atlanta last week, 41-7. Wonder if they miss Matt Leinart only because Derek Anderson is completely ineffective. Arizona will have to try to get Tim Hightower and Beenie Wells going on the ground to win. RAIDERS (24-23, CARDINALS)

SAN DIEGO (1-1) -5 @ SEATTLE (1-1) 44.5 pts
-New coach Pete Carroll had the Seahawks looking impressive in their season-opening win at home over the 49ers. It all came crashing down last week in Denver losing to the Broncos, 31-14. Although Vincent Jackson’s probably done with the Chargers, the Bolts looked like the Super Bowl contender all experts believe they are rebounding from their season opening loss at KC by dismantling Jacksonville in last week’s home-opener, 38-13. QB Phillip Rivers is elite passing for 334 yards and three scores. Rookie RB Ryan Matthews was hurt and doubtful today. Mike Tolbert replaced him adding a pair of touchdowns. The Bolts defense was superior picking off four passes, two by Antoine Cason. Since it’s in the Emerald City, it’ll be tough. Rivers will throw a game-winner late. CHARGERS (27-20, SEAHAWKS)

NY JETS of NEW JERSEY (1-1) +2 @ MIAMI (2-0) 35 pts (SNF)
-This is going to be a brawl! The Jets looked like a contender after letting QB Mark Sanchez toss a few down field. He tossed three TD’s in the Jets win over reigning AFC East champ New England last week. RB LaDanian Tomlinson looked like his old self feeling healthy for the first time in two years. Bet the Chargers would love to have LT back. The defense will be without Darrelle Revis who’s pulled a hamstring. The other ex-Bolt Antonio Cromartie replaced him and did quite well against Randy Moss. Miami’s 2-0 after halting the Vikings last week in the Twin Cities, 14-10. That Dolphin defense is as ferocious as the Jets making Brett Favre wish he had retired once and for all. On Offense, QB Chad Henne has the big arm tossing to new toy Brandon Marshall but also has to love having a healthy Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to hand off to. These division rivals will meet again. It’s so close I’ve got to go with home-field. DOLPHINS (31-23, JETS)

GREEN BAY (2-0) -3 @ CHICAGO (3-0) 46 pts (MNF)
-Oldest rivalry in the league renewed. A coaching upgrade for the offense has kick-started the Bears and QB Jay Cutler into high-gear. Chicago’s undefeated (thanks to that week one gift against Detroit) with Mike Martz calling the plays for Lovie Smith‘s team. Under Martz the Bears are fifth in the league in offense and Cutler’s tossed for seven TDs with only one pick. Cutler was stellar in last week’s 27-20 Bears win over the Cowboys in Dallas. The Bears defense, led by Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers, was monstrous against Dallas. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are the class of the NFC North at this stage. Their Achilles Heel, RB Ryan Grant is out for the year with a bad wheel. Against the worst team in the league last week, replacements Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn combined for 65 rushing yards on 20 carries. They’ll get better (and Larry Johnson’s available). But, this early in the season against their arch division rival at their place isn’t good. BEARS (20-17, BEARS)

BYE WEEK: LOS ANGELES (15 seasons, 3 weeks)

September 26, 2010 1

All Sainz Point to Tabloid Journalism

Let’s get one thing straight. Women sports journalists have every right to be in a locker room to do their jobs, before and after games, just as the men do.

There’s protocol here.

You hear about all these “unwritten rules” in sports such as baseball’s where if your team’s ahead by ten runs and you have a runner on first, you don‘t attempt a steal of second base to “pile it on.”

It works just the same for those that cover the games as well. The obvious one is You dress in a professional manner. A sports journalist is at a game, or a practice, to GET the story, not BE the story.

I’d never heard of TV AZTECA of MEXICO “sports reporter” Ines Sainz until last week’s practice field and locker room fiasco involving members of the New York Jets. For that matter, I’d never heard of TV AZTECA of MEXICO either. That’s besides the point.

Anyway, judging from all the photographs of Miss Sainz you can view online, some of which I am providing in this blog, it’s obvious she wants the attention and wants to be the story, not tell a story, unless it‘s hers.

Sainz’s wardrobe choices when covering these sports events filled with male testosterone are more suited for an evening with girlfriends at a night club, which is also filled with male testosterone.

Take a look at what she was wearing at Jets practice when the incident involving “cat calls” by players occurred causing this controversy the NFL and Women’s Journalism Groups want investigated.

You know what we say about pictures, “A picture says a thousand words.” Judging from some of Sainz’s, which I’ve provided examples of on this blog, maybe a thousand AND ONE.

In her blog, The Legal WaterCooler, legal marketer Heather Morse Milligan discussed the alleged inexcusable and inappropriate behavior displayed by the New York Jets players towards Miss Sainz and how her attire, which seems to be appropriate in her native Mexico, was inappropriate HERE provoking the players reaction Sainz got.

I find it hard to believe a serious, self-respecting female sports reporter who works on national TV, HERE, in the USA would want similar attention Sainz seems to get. Again, see the pics I’ve provided.

Some of the well-respected sports reporters, who are women, we see on national television regularly like NBC’s Andrea Kremer, CBS’s Bonnie Bernstein, from ESPN/ABC Linda Cohn, Michele Tafoya and Erin Andrews, all don’t want to be the story, they tell it well and certainly aren‘t looking for the “exposure“ Sainz seems to be happy to provide (see attached photographs).

These well-respected women of sports journalism understand protocol HERE dressing appropriately in business attire for work that takes them to locker rooms.

Unfortunately for Andrews, who is quite attractive and was voted the Sexiest Sportscaster of the Year for 2008-2009 by Playboy, she became the story when a stalker was video-taping her undressed in hotel rooms through peepholes.

All these women sports journalists have to deal with stereotypes Sainz portrays regarding women sportscasters and are tired of it. Kremer voiced her displeasure in a NY Daily News article regarding this incident.

I’ve been in this business going on 16 years. I’ve worked with women that have earned respect, in and out of the locker room, that understand unwritten rules and protocol regarding attire. You see them in the press box, and locker room, every year.

I’ve also worked with those women that want to be the story. They last for “a cup of coffee.”

Super Bowl Week has an annual Media Day, usually the Tuesday before the game, that involves the players answering questions from all sorts of media from all over the globe that have any kind of television show and are granted a credential.

That includes sports news media mixed in with correspondents from comedy shows like The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The latter look for comedy bits to broadcast during their late night shows.

That also includes TV AZTECA of MEXICO who sent a “woman sports reporter” to a recent Super Bowl, not Sainz, dressed in a wedding gown to propose to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Based on that fact alone, the journalistic credibility of TV AZTECA and Sainz, has to be questioned.

As far as those that are covered in the locker room, the players, they have to work by a set of guidelines as well because those journalists that enter their locker room are there to tell the players’ story. Plain and simple. Regardless of attire, they should respect those entering a locker room are there to do a job.

But, what do you want from a bunch of 25-year old male millionaires whose bodies are part of the sports display. Doesn’t make their “cat calls” directed towards Sainz acceptable. By the way, they aren’t.

Sainz at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, February 2009

What TV AZTECA of MEXICO and its “women sports reporters” should realize is when you go to work in a foreign country, as guests, you abide by the host country’s protocol and culture, which, when reporting on sports is involved, you don’t parade around in a professional teams locker room wearing attention-grabbing, skimpy night club attire.

That might be considered “professional sports reporting attire” in Mexico. But, it isn’t in the United States of America.

But, mission accomplished by Sainz. We, now, all know who she is and expect big $$$ offers for the sexy ‘caster from some magazines (Playboy? Maybe Penthouse?) in the good ol’ USA .

At least now I know, if I cover a sports event in Mexico any time soon, I can wear some of my night club gear. LOOK OUT, SENORITAS!!

photos courtesy: Esquire, Hombre

September 21, 2010 0

Eric’s NFL Week 2 Picks

Eric’s record after Week 1: 12-4

WEEK 2

ARIZONA (1-0) +6.5 @ ATLANTA (0-1) O/U 43 pts
-Cardinals were fortunate to get a win against a bad and rebuilding Rams team. Falcons played poorly losing at Pittsburgh against a Steeler team with Dennis Dixon at starting quarterback. No matter. Atlanta’s a better team than Arizona. Come on! Cards have Derek Anderson at QB. Falcons have Matt Ryan. Atlanta will get on track, especially in the Georgia Dome. FALCONS

BALTIMORE (1-0) -2.5 @ CINCINNATI (0-1) O/U 39.5 pts
-The Ravens are the best team in the league. LB Ray Lewis is a legend. Baltimore “hard-knocked” Rex Ryan and the Jets into oblivion at the Meadowlands Stadium last week. Defending AFC North Champion Cincinnati got roasted at New England. The Ravens won’t go undefeated and this is the Bengals home-opener with Terrell Owens and Chad Ocho-Cinco making their tandem debut at home. These division rivals know each other well. It’ll be a hard-fought, close game. BENGALS

KANSAS CITY (1-0) +2 @ CLEVELAND (0-1) O/U 38.5 pts
-The Chiefs look as if they’re getting better under the old New England Patriot hierarchy. In week one’s 21-14 win over defending AFC West Champion San Diego, KC played stellar in all three (special teams, defense & offense) fazes of the game. Jamaal Charles and rookie Dexter McCluster ran circles around the Bolts. Cleveland lost at Tampa Bay. QB Jake Delhomme played well but got banged up. He’s got a sprained wheel. So, Seneca Wallace could get the start at QB and Josh Cribbs will be the best player on the field. Right now, Kansas City’s the better team. CHIEFS

CHICAGO (*1-0) +7 @ DALLAS (0-1) O/U 40.5 pts
-The Bears got a gift in their home-opening win over Detroit last week. Don’t get me started because I‘ll just ramble on!! The Cowboys got skunked in Washington by their arch rival Redskins. It’s their home-opener. What I would suggest to the Cowboys coaches (like they’d listen to me) is to have the most over-rated and over-hyped quarterback in league history, **Tony Romo (see Joke of the Day below), hand-off to his running backs a minimum of 30 times. COWBOYS

PHILADELPHIA (0-1) -6.5 @ DETROIT (*0-1) O/U 41.5 pts
-Let me get this straight. If your 4th and goal at the one. Your running back just stretches the ball over the plane of the goal line, or, if the offensive player goes towards the end zone pylon leaps in the air, with most of his body out of bounds, but reaches the hand holding the ball over the pylon………THOSE ARE TOUCHDOWNS?!?! But when a player (i.e. Lions WR Calvin Johnson) clearly catches the ball with both hands six yards in the end zone, comes down with both feet touching the ground and puts the ball in one hand and leaves the ball on the ground after scoring an apparent game-winning touchdown and runs with glee (sorry) to his sideline……ISN’T A TOUCHDOWN?!?!? WHAT?!?! That rule needs to be re-written because the Lions got robbed!! Regardless of bad calls, the Lions are much improved on both sides of the ball. Problem is, second year QB Matthew Stafford suffered a separated shoulder against the Bears and is out for four to six weeks. So back-up Shaun Hill is your starter for at least the next month. Don’t get me wrong, Hill’s a capable back-up having played a couple of years with the 49ers. Meanwhile, the Eagles will be going with everyone’s DAWG, Michael Vick, at QB after Kevin Kolb suffered a concussion against Green Bay last week. We’ll see how Vick, voted the most hated athlete in an ESPN random poll, free-lances and how it affects the Eagles. The Eagles are the favorite. But, it’s the Lions home-opener with a new ferocious defense, led by second overall pick Ndomukong Suh, that’s got to be pissed they got a win taken from them. LIONS

BUFFALO (0-1) +12.5 @ GREEN BAY (1-0) O/U 42.5 pts
-Unless Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas suit up for the Bills……………PACKERS

PITTSBURGH (1-0) +5 @ TENNESSEE (1-0) O/U 37 pts
-Steelers QB Dennis Dixon, subbing for suspended Ben Roethlisberger, played well in Pittsburgh’s overtime win over Atlanta in last week’s home-opener. It helps when RB Rashard Mendenhall scampered 50 yards for an OT touchdown giving the Steelers the 15-9 win. Titans QB Vince “I’ll take the vacant Heisman” Young led a huge win over Oakland last week. RB Chris Johnson is on his way to 2500 yards after gaining 142 yards on the Raiders. No Dixon/Mendenhall Magic this week. TITANS

MIAMI (1-0) +5.5 @ MINNESOTA (0-1) O/U 39 pts
-Dolphins barely beat the Bills last week, 15-10. None-the-less, they did win. Ageless QB Brett Favre and the Vikings lost their second straight in the Big Easy last week to the Super Bowl Champion Saints, 14-9. Although the Vikings are still a bit unsettled at wide receiver, they’re the better team and it’s their home-opener. Favre and RB Adrian Peterson will have big games while that defense puts the clamps on Chad Henne, Ronnie Brown and company. VIKINGS

TAMPA BAY (1-0) +3 @ CAROLINA (0-1) O/U 39 pts
-QB Josh Freeman looked good in the Bucs season-opening 17-14 win over Cleveland last week. Matt Moore and the Panthers held a 16-14 halftime lead over the Giants at the Meadowlands Stadium last week. Then, the Giants began to run all over them and came from behind to record a 31-18 win. Moore was knocked out with a concussion late in the game. Notre Dame rookie Jimmy Clausen could see his first start at QB for the Panthers. These teams are mirror images of each other. Carolina home game. PANTHERS

SEATTLE (1-0) +3 @ DENVER (0-1) O/U 40.5 pts
-Say what you want about Pete Carroll regarding his tenure at USC. The guy can flat out motivate players and coach football. Seahawks looked like they were having fun in last week’s home-opening 31-6 win over San Francisco. QB Matt Hasselbeck looked healthy and rejuvenated. Meanwhile, Denver looked, well, eh, losing at Jacksonville, 24-17 last week. It’s the Broncos home-opener so I’ll go with an upset. If you can call it that. SEAHAWKS

ST. LOUIS (0-1) +3 @ OAKLAND (0-1) O/U 37.5 pts
-The latest edition of the “EX-LAX BOWL” could require viewers to have Mylanta on hand. The Raiders looked as bad with new QB Jason Campbell calling the signals in their 38-13 loss at Tennessee last week as they did in three seasons with JaMarcus Russell. Oakland looked inept in all fazes of the game. How is Tom Cable, fired as head coach at the University of Idaho a few years back, still the head coach of the Raiders I have no idea. Meanwhile, the Rams have found themselves a quarterback. Rookie and top overall draft pick Sam Bradford looked solid in his NFL debut last week. The Rams lost their home-opener to Arizona, 17-13 but Bradford had them in position to win. He passed for 253 yards and a touchdown. He did throw three picks, including one on a late drive for the possible win. Rookie mistakes to be sure, but he looked good none-the-less. Rams looked inspired and played well in all fazes. Both teams are works in progress. St. Louis happens to be progressing faster. But it’s the Raiders home-opener. Considering Titans RB Chris Johnson reeled of 142 yards against the Raider defense, just think what a dose of Steven Jackson might do to it. Rams will set up the pass via Jackson’s running. RAMS

NEW ENGLAND (1-0) -3 @ NY JETS OF NEW JERSEY (0-1) O/U 38.5 pts
-Sure the Jets made it to last year’s AFC Championship. But, that was last year. Remember, they finished the regular season 9-7 and were able to make the playoffs because Indianapolis decided not to go for an undefeated season in preparation for the playoffs and tanked to the NY Jets of New Jersey in week 15. Rex Ryan’s team looked terrible losing to Baltimore last week. Sure, that Jets defense played up to its top-rated status. But, on offense under second year QB Mark Sanchez, they looked inept. And all those penalties on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, New England looked like the team that entered Super Bowl XLII (42 for you non-Romans) undefeated in beating Cincinnati last week. QB Tom Brady and the Pats won just two road games last season, with one on a neutral field in London over Tampa Bay. This is a division game so it should be hard-fought. New England will come to play. Rex Ryan better hope his team plays with more poise. PATRIOTS

JACKSONVILLE (1-0) +7 @ SAN DIEGO (0-1) O/U 45 pts
-Chargers have everyone exactly where they want them. They’ve won four consecutive AFC West Titles playing under .500 the first five weeks of all those title winning seasons. Bolts lost at Kansas City Monday night and look as if they miss WR Vincent Jackson who’s holding out for more $$. Jacksonville looked strong beating Denver in their home-opener last week. QB Phillip Rivers and the Bolts are better than QB David Garrard and the Jags. Plus it’s San Diego’s home-opener. CHARGERS

HOUSTON (1-0) -3 @ WASHINGTON (1-0) O/U 43 pts
-This could be the year the Texans make their first playoff appearance. They couldn’t run to save their lives last year. Houston exorcised two demons in its home-opener last week beating division rival Indianapolis and they found a running game. Arian Foster set a franchise-record scampering 231 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Texans 34-24 win over the Colts. Couple that running game with QB Matt Schaub, and WR Andre Johnson, LOOK OUT! New head coach Mike Shanahan and new QB Donovan McNabb led the Redskins to a season-opening 13-7 win over division arch-rival Dallas. Both defenses are solid. Skins offensive line suspect. It’s going to be a close one. TEXANS

NY GIANTS OF NEW JERSEY (1-0) +4.5 @ INDIANAPOLIS (0-1) O/U 48.5 pts
-It’s “THE MANNING BOWL!” Both Peyton and Eli are tied with one Super Bowl ring each. In head-to-head competition, Peyton leads, 1-0. They only play each other every four years unless they meet in a Super Bowl. Wouldn’t that be fun. Who would father Archie, a pretty good NFL QB on terrible teams in his day, root for? He’d probably wear one of those jersey’s stitching half of each teams colors together. Eli and the Giants looked good in the second half of last week’s 31-18 win over Carolina at home. Peyton and the Colts got slammed in Houston by the Texans. They lost defensive stand-out safety Bob Sanders. He’s always getting injured. Colts have the same record with him in or out of the line-up. Game is Indy’s home-opener and Peyton won’t allow his team to start 0-2. COLTS

NEW ORLEANS (1-0) -5.5 @ SAN FRANCISCO (0-1) O/U 43.5 pts (MNF)
-A “BACK IN THE DAY NFC WEST TILT”. Defending Super Bowl Champion Saints are solid everywhere. That’s why they’re the defending champs. Coach Mike Singletary and the 49ers seem to have major issues after getting bum-rushed in Seattle last week, 31-6. Apparently, offensive coaches and their players aren’t speaking the same language causing confusion for QB Alex Smith and the rest of the offense. Isn’t that what the pre-season is for, making sure everyone’s on the same page? It’s SF’s home-opener at The Stick. It won’t matter because how will they stop QB Drew Brees and that Saints offense? Hall-of-Fame 49ers WR Jerry Rice gets his jersey and number retired at halftime. He should put that jersey on for the Niners to have a shot. SAINTS

BYE WEEK – LOS ANGELES (15 seasons, two weeks)

**JOKE OF THE DAY – From reader Barrett Blake via his favorite Sports Writer Bill Simmons: “Q: What’s the difference between Tony Romo and Lindsay Lohan? A: Only Lohan has a decent line in front of her right now!”

September 18, 2010 0

USC’s Bushed, Then Whacked by the NCAA

Before the Heisman Trophy Trust could take it from him, former USC running back Reggie Bush gave back the Heisman he won in 2005. Bush is the first Heisman winner to relinquish the trophy in its 75 year history. The Trust has decided to leave the 2005 Heisman vacant instead of giving it to runner-up Vince Young of Texas.

Although, according to Bush, it’s not an admission of guilt, he did the right thing.

Of course this all stems from the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s investigation of the University of Southern California’s athletic department.

It took four years for the NCAA to investigate allegations that Bush and his family received lavish gifts, money, a house and who knows what else and, finally, lay down the hammer on Troy.

Although Bush never admitted accepting all of the above, the sanctions levied USC, including its football team, most of them based on the Bush Allegations, made it a “fait accompli.”

So, who gets shafted by all this?

Not Bush. Yet. He’s having a stellar NFL career, making millions of dollars, with the New Orleans Saints helping them to their first Super Bowl championship last season. But once he retires and figures out his college alma mater wants nothing to do with him, that’ll be a tattoo on his legacy and conscience that can’t be removed.

This current and future crop of USC football players, those who had nothing to do with what transpired in 2004-05, are the ones who are thoroughly shafted. The next two seasons, these kids have no shot of being rewarded for their hard work with a bowl berth. It’ll take at least three seasons after the bowl sanctions before USC can even get back into the National Championship hunt.

Same goes for the current members of the USC men’s basketball team. They’re left with a “no post-season tournament sanction” for two seasons (including last season) because of the fiasco that was “one-and-done cager“, O.J. Mayo*. Mayo’s enjoying a lucrative career with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. He could care less about USC.

Of course, USC loses out on post-season bowl and March Madness purses because of the sanctions.

A very knowledgeable and unnamed source of mine called the NCAA the most duplicitous organization in this country.

He, basically, called the NCAA an “old boys club” made up of hypocrites. My knowledgeable unnamed source is absolutely right.

“What’s your take on today’s students being punished for infringements and incidents caused by athletes 4-5 years ago. I think it’s unfair for these kids to suffer.” My unnamed source continued, “Punish the school and the coaches. Not the kids now playing who are innocent of wrong-doing that happened way before they arrived on campus, or graduated high school for that matter.”

Sure enough, because of the sanctions, many Trojan recruits were allowed to leave for other schools.

Under former AD Mike Garrett and football coach Pete Carroll, practices and game sidelines included a “who’s who” of Hollywood stars and who knows who else, giving many, including those with dollar signs in their eyes, access to these amateur athletes.

There’s the major mistake.

Under new AD Pat Haden and new football coach Lane Kiffin, that isn’t allowed any longer.

“Fine Mayo and Bush and the (expletive) who fed and paid them hoping to get a slice of their financial pie in the pros. The (expletive)leaches should be barred including companies like NIKE and Adidas. The NCAA is so duplicitous in that they don’t outright BAR these companies from the campuses.”

My unnamed source also thinks the NCAA should be punished for taking four years to figure it out.

“I could have told them in 20 minutes. That’s why Mayo went to a non powerhouse basketball team. He had better offers until someone said…CASH.”

Take a look at these tidbits from the world of the NCAA:

November 18, 2008 (espn.com)

“The BCS and ESPN announced a new four-year contract Tuesday. ESPN outbid Fox, which is paying $80 million annually to broadcast the games from 2007-10.”

“ESPN’s offer was for $125 million a year, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The person requested anonymity because the networks are not releasing financial details.”

Headline from April 22, 2010 (ncaa.org)

“NCAA signs new 14-year TV deal for D1 men’s basketball. CBS and Turner join forces to pay $10.8 billion for tournament rights fee.”

Next time you watch an NCAA collegiate event on television or in person, notice the NIKE Swoosh somewhere on that uniform the student-athlete is wearing.

After Alabama beat Texas in this past January’s BCS Championship Football Game, the Crimson Tide signed a uniform contract with NIKE paying Alabama $30 million through the 2017-18 season to dress every Crimson tide team. It tops the college sports world. NCAA gets some of that as well.

Billions of dollars are being made by the NCAA which is a legitimate, money-making business for amateur athletic competition.

The student/athlete’s fortunate enough to get a scholarship to one of the fine universities under the NCAA umbrella get, for the most part, a free education, room and board and a stipend for three meals. That’s the “salary” awarded kids for playing sports at the collegiate level.

But if one of these student/athletes with a scholarship wants to go to a movie but can’t afford the $50 for two tickets, popcorn and sodas, he/she can’t get a job to earn the money or even accept the money from a parent because it could, somehow, violate the student/athlete’s amateur status because the parent is, by definition, the kid’s “representative.”

But the student/athlete better wear that uniform with the NIKE Swoosh on it so the NCAA can make its $$$. A good example of this are Boise State and Virginia Tech wearing “NIKE Combat Alternative Uniforms” for their opener a few weeks back in Washington D.C. Eight other teams will be wearing such uniforms during the season.

The student/athlete better agree to let his/her likeness be used by the school and the NCAA to lure fans and possible sponsors to spend their $$$.

That’s where the duplicity, regarding these issues, lie in the NCAA.

It’s not as if “Bush/Mayo Situations” haven’t happened before. This time, they just happened to get caught because Garrett and Carroll were negligent in monitoring who would show up to practices and who was given a sideline/field pass for games.

And this won’t be the last time these things happen at schools under the NCAA Umbrella.

*Is it just me, or should USC stay away from any athlete whose name is O.J.?

September 16, 2010 3

Are YOU Ready For Some….You Know…

ERIC’S NFL 2010 PREDICTIONS

NFC WEST

SEATTLE 9-7*
ARIZONA 7-9
SAN FRANCISCO 7-9
ST. LOUIS 5-11

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA 11-5*
NEW ORLEANS 11-5+
CAROLINA 4-12
TAMPA BAY 3-13

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY 12-4*
MINNESOTA 12-4+
DETROIT 6-10
CHICAGO 6-10

NFC EAST

NY GIANTS 9-7*
DALLAS 8-8
WASHINGTON 8-8
PHILADELPHIA 3-13

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE 14-2*
CINCINNATI 11-5+
PITTSBURGH 8-8
CLEVELAND 2-14

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND 11-5*
NY JETS 10-6+
MIAMI 8-8
BUFFALO 3-13

AFC WEST

SAN DIEGO 13-3*
OAKLAND 9-7
DENVER 5-11
KANSAS CITY 5-11

AFC SOUTH

INDIANAPOLIS 11-5*
HOUSTON 8-8
TENNESSEE 8-8
JACKSONVILLE 5-11

NFL PLAYOFFS (home team in CAPS)

NFC

FIRST ROUND BYE – GREEN BAY, ATLANTA

WILD CARD ROUND

New Orleans over SEATTLE

Green Bay over NEW YORK GIANTS

DIVISIONAL ROUND

GREEN BAY over New Orleans

Minnesota over ATLANTA

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Minnesota over GREEN BAY (OT)

AFC

BYE – BALTIMORE, SAN DIEGO

WILD CARD ROUND

Cincinnati over NEW ENGLAND

NY Jets over INDIANAPOLIS

DIVISIONAL ROUND
SAN DIEGO over Cincinnati

BALTIMORE over NY Jets

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

BALTIMORE over San Diego (OT)

SUPER BOWL XLV (45) Dallas, TX

MINNESOTA over Baltimore (OT)

*Division Champion, +Wild Card

WEEK 1

Thursday

MINNESOTA VIKINGS +5 @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (O/U 48.5 pts) FINAL: 14-9, SAINTS

What a kickoff to the new season. A rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game won, of course, by the Saints in overtime. Statistically speaking, the Vikings outplayed the Saints. The difference, five turnovers by the Vikings including two fumbles by Adrian Petersen and two interceptions by Brett Favre. Otherwise, it’s the Vikings who go to the Super Bowl to take on the Colts.

This game isn’t for all the marbles. Win or lose, both teams play next week, and it’s just the first game of the season between two teams that figure to be in the Super Sweepstakes this season. It’s going to be a close game. But, since the game’s in the Big Easy with the Saints hoisting their Super Bowl banner to the SuperDome rafters, that’ll be hard for Favre and the Vikings to overcome who are nursing injuries at the wide receiver position. Drew Brees and the Saints, healthy and ready to go, will continue last year’s celebration by putting a show on for the home folks. SAINTS

MIAMI DOLPHINS -3 @ BUFFALO BILLS (O/U 39 pts)

Dolphins added WR Brandon Marshall giving QB Chad Henne a new toy. The Wildcat’s back with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown working one of the league’s best ground games. Both ran for over a thousand yards last season. First Miami thousand yard tandem since Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris both topped a grand on the ground for the undefeated 1972 Super Bowl champions. The Bills. New retread coach Chan Gailey. Rookie running back C.J. Spiller. QB Trent Edwards. It’s going to be a long season in Buffalo. DOLPHINS

DETROIT LIONS +6.5 @ CHICAGO BEARS (O/U 44.5 pts)

Mike Martz, the architect of the “Greatest Show on Turf” St. Louis Rams, joins DA BEARS as the offensive coordinator because QB Jay Cutler was, well………offensive last season. Bears also added former Vikings running back Chester Taylor to team up with Matt Forte. On defense, Julius Peppers was signed to add some bite to the “D”. Meanwhile, the Lions are young and getting much better. QB Matthew Stafford was solid in his rookie campaign. He’ll throw to Calvin Johnson and newcomer Nate Burleson. Rookie running back Jahvid Best should keep defenses off Stafford. And speaking of defense, the Lions took Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh with the second overall pick. Reminds me of the Cowboys of the 1990s drafting Troy Aikman, Emmett Smith, Michael Irvin and some huge defenders. They won three Super Bowls in four years. Watch out for Detroit in the next few years. Just not today. BEARS

OAKLAND RAIDERS +6.5 @ TENNESSEE TITANS (O/U 40.5 pts)

Titans started last season 0-6. Replaced Kerry Collins with Vince Young at QB who won five straight but it was too little, too late. Teamed with running back superb Chris Johnson and that always solid Tennessee defense, you can bet the Titans won’t start the season “six-feet under”. Here’s a question. How is Tom Cable, laughed out of Moscow after coaching the University of Idaho into a hole, still the head coach of the Raiders? Maybe he wasn’t a good recruiter. The Raiders are tough on defense and finally have a quarterback that can drive the bus. Jason Campbell was brought in from Washington after the Redskins acquired Donovan McNabb. Campbell’s a huge improvement over former top overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell who couldn’t find a gig with a pee-wee team if he asked. Campbell’s in his fifth season and working under his fifth offensive coordinator. He’ll be fine. He’s got a ground game to work with in Michael Bush and Darren McFadden and the Raiders have some “D”. TITANS

CINCINNATI BENGALS +4.5 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (O/U 45.5 pts)

LEGGO MY EGO!!!! Plenty of them to go around in this one. Chad Ocho-Cinco and Terrell Owens catching passes via Carson Palmer for the Bengals. Randy “Feeling Under-Appreciated” Moss catching bombs from new gazillionaire (and father) Tom Brady! I GOTTA SEE THIS ONE!! What’s the over/under?……..45.5. OH, TAKE THE OVER!!! PATRIOTS in a close one.

CAROLINA PANTHERS +6 @ NEW YORK GIANTS (O/U 40 pts)

Giants open the brand new, $1.6 billion stadium they co-own with the Jets on the weekend of the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Both teams finished 8-8 last season with the Panthers closing out old Giants Stadium with a 41-9 rout of the G-Men. A little payback for Eli Manning and the G-Men. Former UCLA/Oregon St. QB Matt Moore starting for the Panthers. No Julius Peppers on defense for the cats. GIANTS.

ATLANTA FALCONS -1.5 @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS (O/U 38.5 pts)

The Falcons are my “sleeper team” from the NFC for the Super Bowl. Matt Ryan at QB. Michael Turner at running back. Wr Roddy White. Tony Gonzalez at Tight End. A mean defense. Year three of the “Ryan Regime”….could be. Just Sayin’! Meanwhile, the Steelers will be without QB Ben Roethlisberger serving a four-game suspension for acting inappropriate with a young lady at a night club. I’ve worked in night clubs….WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!!! Anyway, Dennis Dixon will drive the Steelers until “Big (that’s what the ladies say) Ben” returns for week five. Steelers’ D is always tough, but getting older. FALCONS

CLEVELAND BROWNS +2.5 @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (O/U 37.5 pts)

If this game ISN’T blacked-out in the Tampa area, much respect to the folks on the Gulf side of Florida. Well….considering the BP mess in the Gulf, I would rather see a bad football game than go swimming. Jake Delhomme the new target at QB for the Browns. Josh Freeman had a solid rookie season calling signals for the Bucs. BUCCANEERS.

DENVER BRONCOS +3 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (O/U 40.5 pts)

If not for an impending lockout and likely cancellation of the 2011 NFL season, this could be the Los Angeles Jaguars (Dons?) opener at the L.A. Coliseum while the new L.A. Stadium is being built in the City of Industry. No one’s moving or paying until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed, sealed and delivered. No worries. This game’s as good as the Cleveland/Tampa Bay tilt. JAGUARS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS -2 @ HOUSTON TEXANS (O/U 47.5 pts)

It’s been seven months since the Colts lost the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning and his team have set their sights on playing in Dallas in February. The Houston Texans just want a win against their AFC South rivals. The Colts have won 15 of 16 games against the Texans. Houston knows it needs to beat Indianapolis if it wants to make the playoffs as a division champion or wild card. Texans QB Matt Schaub throws to, arguably, the league’s best receiver in Andre Johnson. That duo better work because Houston can’t run worth…..you know. If Schaub has issues, the Texans signed Matt Leinart who was cut last week by Arizona. Leinart can play and he wants to prove the Cards dealt him a bad beat. On defense, Mario Williams is a beast. But, he can’t do everything. LB Brian Cushing is serving a four-game suspension for testing positive with the dreaded HGH’s . Colts have a healthy Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney on defense. COLTS

ARIZONA CARDINALS -3.5 @ ST. LOUIS RAMS (O/U 39 pts)

The Rams are living by the late George Allen’s creedo…THE FUTURE IS NOW! Especially since you won just one game last season and you’ve guaranteed a kid $50 million smackaroos. Rookie Sam Bradford, the top overall 2010 draft pick, will start at quarterback for the Rams. He looked like a seasoned veteran in the pre-season…..but that’s exactly what it was. Bradford resembles another pretty good Rams signal-caller, Roman Gabriel. If he plays as well as Gabriel, it should be interesting. Bradford can remove some pressure by handing off to, who I think is the best running back in the league, Steven Jackson. Rams have a rebuilding offensive line, yet Jackson rushed for 1,416 yards last season and went to the pro bowl. As for the Cardinals, does that say Derek Anderson is your starting quarterback? COME ON, MAN! Anderson was terrible in Cleveland and beat out Matt Leinart who was cut last week. He’s fortunate to have Larry Fitzgerald catching passes. He can also hand off to Beenie Wells and Tim Hightower. Just two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance, I think the Cards are folding. Bradford and the Rams will be jacked up. RAMS

GREEN BAY PACKERS -3 @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (O/U 47.5 pts)

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is quickly making cheese-heads forget legend Brett Favre, who now plays for division rival Minnesota. The Packers are loaded. Eagles QB Kevin Kolb will try to make Eagle fans forget Donovan McNabb, who now plays for division rival Washington. Kolb’s got WR DeSean Jackson to throw to. Let’s just say I feel bad for Kolb….especially when the Redskins come to the City of Brotherly Love. PACKERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS -3 @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (O/U 37 pts)

49ers coach Mike Singletary has his team playing “All day, Baby! He likes that kinda party! (see NFL films)”. San Francisco’s the “sexy pick” to win the NFC West. Former top draft pick Alex Smith is finally dialed in a quarterback. LB Patrick Willits is playing “prime” Ray Lewis-esque. The Seahawks are reloading under former USC coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks still have some players from the Super Bowl 40 runners-up led by 35 year-old QB Matt Hasselbeck. He’s not done and there’s no pressure….just yet. The 12th man helps in Carroll’s coaching debut. SEAHAWKS

DALLAS COWBOYS -3 @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS (39.5 pts)

Everyone’s on the NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl bandwagon. Not me. Plenty of talent. But an average quarterback. Yeah! I still believe Tony Romo’s the most over-rated QB in league history. When he’s flustered, he can’t deliver. Stats are nice, but when you can’t finish in “winning time” (see Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman) you’re no better than Quincy Carter. Including last year’s champion Saints, teams have gone from worst to first the last seven seasons. If there’s a team to make it eight straight, it’s the Redskins. Give me coach Mike Shanahan with a proven winner at QB, Donovan McNabb, a solid running game and a top-10 defense, Albert Haynesworth or no Albert Haynesworth, and I’ll take the Redskins. Don’t think they’ll win the division, but they’ll win this one. REDSKINS

Monday

BALTIMORE RAVENS +2 @ NEW YORK JETS (O/U 36 pts)

Let’s see. The Ravens have a talented, young QB in Joe Flacco. A bruising running game with Ray Rice and Le’ Ron McClain, a bevvy of wide receivers including Anquon Bouldin and T.J. “who’s your daddy” Houshmanzadeh, and a perennial monster-defense led by Ray Lewis. The Jets have a bunch of former Ravens including head coach Rex Ryan, the league’s top defense, anchored by the just signed Derelle Revis “Island” and a running game that includes former Charger LaDanian Tomlinson and a young stud quarterback in Mark Sanchez. THIS SHOULD BE GOOD! It’s at the new New York/New Jersey Stadium the Jets co-own with the Giants. Talk about “Hard Knocks” (see HBO). The Ravens are my AFC Super Bowl pick. They’ll win a low-scoring, close dog-fight. Take the under. RAVENS.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -4.5 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (O/U 45.5 pts)

Ex Notre Dame coach Charlie Weiss and ex Browns coach Romeo Crenell have joined the KC coaching staff making the Chiefs a “sexy pick” to dethrone the Chargers as AFC West Champs. Uh…..yeah…NO!! It’s New England Patriots “MidWest” in KC but it won’t change anything just yet. San Diego let franchise legend LaDanian Tomlinson go. He of course signed with the Jets. The Bolts replaced him with “LT carbon-copy”, rookie Ryan Matthews out of Fresno State. This guy’s the real deal. He’ll give QB Phillip Rivers time to find receivers down field. Still too much fire-power on offense and superior defenders anchored by LB Shawn Merriman for San Diego. Chargers seem to start seasons poorly and gain steam after about six games. This season, San Diego starts strong and doesn’t let up until a January date in Baltimore. CHARGERS

Sports Stuff 084 — Doesn't that look nice....and RIGHT!

BYE WEEK – LOS ANGELES (15 seasons, one week)

Ugh. For explanation, see Denver-Jacksonville game synopsis. Also, Stan Kroenke, a member of the committee to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles, is now the new owner of the St. Louis Rams who don’t have much loyalty in the Gateway City and need new digs to play in. Haven’t I heard this story before. Could it be….is it possible….yeah, it’s possible. But that damn CBA is a thorn in my side! Luckily, the Rams can opt out of their lease in the STL in 2014. By then, a new stadium in the City of Industry could be ready for a 50th anniversary party (Rams were in L.A. 49 years before (gulp) Georgia moved them to St. Louis). Stay tuned.

September 9, 2010 2

Manny, Manny Thanks…..Manny!

I’m really not one to criticize any professional athlete about his/her on-field work because there’s no way in “H-E-Double Hockey Sticks” I can come close to doing what they do. I’m a sportscaster because I wish I could only do what they do. I found that I can talk about what they do better than my attempting to duplicate what they do. Plus, trying to duplicate what they do requires too much exercise. You “feel me?”

Brings me to Manny Ramirez. Waived by the Dodgers earlier this week, and claimed by the Chicago White Sox, many Dodger fans were glad to see him leave. Sure, he wasn’t able to help the Dodgers get to a World Series. He did help the young core of Dodgers learn how to win at the major league level. I’m talking about guys like Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, James Loney and Andre Ethier. The latter becoming a feared hitter among National League pitchers.

In his two years with the Dodgers, Ramirez brought some excitement back to Chavez Ravine. Since Rupert Murdoch bought the franchise from the O’Malley family in the early 1990s, let’s face it, if you wanted to find a nice place to take a nap in L.A., Dodger Stadium was the choice.

Manny’s first game with Los Angeles was against the Arizona Diamondbacks the first day of August in 2008. It helped that it was Dodger Cooler Night with all fans getting one. But you could feel the electricity in the air for the first time in quite a Dodger Blue while.

Come on. “MannyWood” in left field. Dreadlock “Manny Wigs” becoming the hottest item for every L.A. kid at the stadium. His presence and what it did for Dodgers baseball can’t be denied.

He played 53 games for Los Angeles after his trade from the Boston Red Sox that Summer of ’08 becoming the most popular athlete to wear number 99 in L.A. since Wayne Gretzky came to the Kings in the 80s.

Check out Manny’s numbers in those 53 games because Manny put the Blue Crew on his back and led them to the N.L. Western Division Title. Manny’s line read 74 hits in 187 at-bats. He tagged 17 homeruns, scored 36 runs, had 53 rbi with a .396 batting average. With those numbers and his leading the Dodgers to the Western Division Title, he was third in the N.L. Most Valuable Player award voting. Those 53 games cost the McCourts $7 million. A good investment.

Rewarded with a two-year, $45 million contract, Manny helped take the Dodgers to a second consecutive Division Crown. During the run is when the wheels began to fall off the wagon. Last season, Manny was suspended 50 games for taking female hormones that, somehow, count as performance enhancing drugs.

Who knew Manny was trying to become a mom!

Anyway, it was never the same after that but the excitement was still there. Let’s remember. Since the Dodgers World Series win over Oakland in 1988, Los Angeles won just ONE playoff game in those 19 years and nine months prior to Manny’s acquisition. Manny was with the Dodgers 760 days. During that time, Los Angeles won eight playoff games getting to the League Championship Series twice.

So here’s where I’m going with this. I want to thank Manny for the shot of adrenaline he gave Los Angeles Dodgers baseball. I could’ve lived without that shot of female hormones but that’s another story. Ramirez made it fun to go to the ballpark again. After all, it’s entertainment and I, along with all those Dodger fans who went to the stadium from August 2008 until this past week, were certainly entertained.

If you still doubt what Manny’s impact is on a team, the White Sox are buying the left-over “Manny Dreadlock Wigs” the Dodgers have in stock because Chicago doesn’t have much time to produce them for the stretch run.

Have fun in the Windy City, Manny. Now, if only you could’ve taken the McCourts with you as well.

That’s another story.

(photographs by Eric Geller)

September 2, 2010 4

The Favre Sequels Never Get Old. Brett Doesn’t Either

He ages like a fine wine. Never uncorking before it’s just the right time for him. Brett Favre’s retired three times and is back for another go ’round. His 20th season in the NFL, second with the Minnesota Vikings. I’m pretty sure this is REALLY it. Honestly, if he decides to come back next year, I’d welcome him with open arms AGAIN.

Favre tops every major quarterbacking category in the NFL record books. He had one of his best statistical seasons last year guiding the Vikings to within an interception of the franchises first Super Bowl in 33 years. Favre launched for over 4,000 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions leading the Vikings to a 12-4 record, an NFC North Title and the NFC Championship Game they gave away to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

In question for this season, a surgically repaired ankle that got battered in the championship game loss to the Saints. Bone spurs were removed in May and Favre said if it weren’t healed enough, he’d stay retired. Well, it seems to be moving along in the right direction.

It certainly isn’t about the money for Favre who’s got plenty of it. A possible $20 million for this season doesn’t hurt however.

Favre did need the coaxing of three of his best pals on the Vikings to return. Kicker Ryan Longwell, offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson and defensive end Jared Allen all flew to Mississippi and accomplished their goal of getting a YES from Favre.

Good for them. I would’ve done the same thing considering that without Favre, the Vikings are a mediocre team. With him, they’ve got a legitimate shot at winning a Super Bowl. All four also decided to forget worrying about wins and losses and a Super Bowl run. They just want to have fun because money isn’t an issue with any of them any longer. Win or lose, Super Bowl or no Super Bowl, this is the last stand.

ESPN NFL analysts Tedy Bruschi and Antonio Pierce voiced their disapproval at the mission by the three Vikings saying they’ve lost respect for them because they basically begged Favre to come back and play.

GIVE ME A BREAK!!

Let’s remember, Bruschi, the former New England Patriots linebacker’s got three Super Bowl rings and ex-New York Giants linebacker, that would be Pierce, has one as well. Guess what. Longwell, Hutchinson, Allen and the rest of the Vikings have no “bling” what-so-ever and are running out of time.

Bruschi, Pierce and the rest of you, who claim to be sick and tired of Favre’s selfishness regarding his playing status over the past four pre-seasons, get over it! How selfish of all of you! Bruschi and Pierce only wish they could un-retire and play again.

Former Viking QB and Hall-of-Famer Fran Tarkenton went to three Super Bowls losing all of them. In his mid-60’s, he’s said many times what he wouldn’t do to strap on a helmet one more time and go for a Super Bowl ring.

As far as I’m concerned, barring serious injury, Favre could probably play until he’s 50 and have a shot at winning it all. It’s not like he’s a washed-up shell of his former self like Johnny Unitas was when he left the Baltimore Colts and got battered in his one year with the San Diego Chargers. Favre is still one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league.

In his first press conference at the Vikings training facility Wednesday Favre, who’ll be 41 in October, said,

I’ve done it all. There’s nothing left for me to prove. I’m here to have fun and help these guys win.

Nothing wrong with having a little fun with a chance to win and go out on top of the pro football galaxy.

So, win or lose, Super Bowl or no Super Bowl, enjoy Favre’s last stand. He’s still one of those players I’d pay to see play because he can still get it done.

“QUICK SNAP”

It’s been about six weeks since I posted anything on my blog. I’m sorry about that and thank all of you who continue to hit me up for my views on the sports world.

Along with someone I dearly love, I experienced something so devastating I figured there were more important things in life than chiming in about LeBron leaving Cleveland to take his talents to South Beach.

I really don’t want to get into it, but, along with the death of my father, this was the most devastating event of my life. More so than me losing toes or a colon (see CCFA in right hand column). In that respect, I’m fine. Let’s just say, I keep getting reminders of what’s important in life. I can handle it.

All of you are important in my life. So, let’s enjoy it.

Taking into consideration this devastating event I experienced, I’m thinking hard about becoming a Rams fan again. Those of you who know me know I was a die-hard Los Angeles Rams fan back in the day. Beginning at 10 years old, through thick and thin, 0-16, 12-4, I loved them!

Like many other L.A. Rams fans, I felt I was stabbed in the back by Georgia Frontiere when she picked up the team and moved it to St. Louis and, all the while, “Madame Ram” STILL lived in Bel Air. Well, she’s gone now having passed away a few years ago.

Be it in Los Angeles, Anaheim or St. Louis, the guys who suit up in the “blue & gold” have no say where they play. They just want to play.

I’ll let you help in my decision. Let me know if you think it’s time for me to bury the hatchet (nice use of a cliché) and root for the Rams once again.

The season kicks off in three weeks. So, let me know by leaving me a comment with a “yea” or “nay” and why it‘s time to follow them, or not.

Thanks again, for continuing to enjoy my blog and being part of my life.

-Eric Geller

August 18, 2010 2

RIP George Steinbrenner.

Last week’s passing of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner the morning of the All-Star Game, at 80 of a massive heart attack, marked the end of an era.

Being a Los Angeles Dodgers fan as a kid, I viewed Steinbrenner like the Darth Vader of major league baseball, especially in 1977 and 1978, when my Dodgers were beaten in both World Series’ by his Yankees. I did get a measure of revenge when my Dodgers/Jedi’s returned beating the “evil empire” in the 1981 series. But ‘77 and ’78 will always hurt.

I’ve got to give it to “The Boss.” He was a winner, demanded excellence and was a good guy off the diamond donating so much to so many. You’ve, also, got to love a guy who worked comedy in Miller Lite Commercials (see above video), Saturday Night Live and loved his depiction in Seinfeld.

Although Steinbrenner paid plenty for his teams prompting owners and fans of other teams to cry “monopoly“, he was quite influential in the business of baseball and every pro sport today.

When the Dodgers sold this season’s three-game inter-league series against the Yankees separately, to profit from the rivalry and the Yankee/Steinbrenner brand, from the rest of their home ticket packages, was proof you can’t deny what Steinbrenner meant to the business of baseball in every major league city.

That’s really all I can come up with when it comes to “The Boss.“

My very good friend and trans-planted New Yorker, Stan Schneider, was quite eloquent in a note after I posted “RIP George Steinbrenner” on my Facebook page. Thought I’d share that note with you:

The best owner in baseball is gone.

For all his faults, he was one of the most soft hearted and generous of people, often to a fault. He believed in loyalty and lots of second chances (See: Steve Howe). Even if he fired you he was never mad at you (See: Billy Martin, Bob Lemon, Dick Howser, Joe Torre, Lou Piniella) and the doors were always open … See More waiting for you to come back.

He bought the Yankees when CBS ran them aground after Topping & Webb left the ship foundering and brought them back to glory. In the 80s he lost his sense of direction with the club, but regained it and started rebuilding it from within with Mariano, Andy, Bernie, Jorge, and Derek.

He created the first all baseball network (YES) and partnered with the Jets and Nets to form a huge sports media corporation.

Some say he spent his money foolishly and sometimes he did. But more often than not, there were wise moves that paid off in championships. He was quick to cut his losses and move on to improve the club year after year.

Those who hate the Yankees are merely jealous and envious of their success and only wish their owners and teams were like that.

I’ve been a Yankee fan for as long as I can remember because I like the feeling of winning. They played the game smarter and better than anyone else. I’ve seen Joltin’ Joe, Henrich, Keller, The Super-Chief, Scooter, Flash, Yogi, Whitey, Mick, Maris, Moose, Catfish, Graig, Reggie, Goose, Donny Baseball, Winnie, A-Rod, Mariano and Derek and believe me when I say no team, no where has had as many great players and great seasons as the Yankees. With the exception of Scully, no team has had better broadcasters than Mel, Red, and now Michael Kay.

No team has the history, the lore and the tradition. Steinbrenner, to his credit, understood all of it, faced his detractors and critics and produced in his final complete season, what he always strove for, a championship.

So long, Boss. Thanks for everything.

Thanks Stan.

Just two days prior to Steinbrenner’s passing, Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard, known as the “Voice of God“, who was at the Stadium mic for more than half a century, died just a few months short of his 100th birthday.

His voice was truly something to experience. Watching any Yankees game, especially if they were playing your team, Sheppard’s voice in the background introducing the players, most of the time spelled doom for you.

Like Steinbrenner, Sheppard will be missed by the baseball world as well.

Thanks Bob.

July 20, 2010 0

Et Tu, LeBron?!?! We Are All WITNESS!

WOW! Fantasy Basketball League’s becoming reality right before our very eyes. LeBron, D’Wade and Chris Bosh all on the same team. Three of the top five picks in the 2003 NBA Draft wearing the same uniform and it doesn’t say “USA” across the chest.

THE TRIO IN THEIR PRIME, NO LESS! INKED FOR SIX YEARS AT $328 MILLION! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Fitting that the Miami Heats’road uniform is black and Pat Riley sports that “Gordon Gekko” hair-do.

Greed is good.

C’mon! Who doesn’t love the 80s!?!

Seven years after Ohio native LeBron James, the anointed “chosen one” and lottery pick delivered to the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers after the “ping-pong ball gods” made it so, arrived with so much promise of a championship Clevelanders have been longing for since Jim Brown’s Browns won an NFL Championship in 1964.…………………………

He’s gone.

In his wake headed south to Miami, Bron-Bron leaves Cleveland with one Eastern Conference Title, two Most Valuable Player Awards and millions of broken hearts.

Like Cleveland sports fans aren’t used to that.

Reality is LeBron fulfilled his seven-year obligation to the Cleveland Cavaliers lifting them to “elite status” in the association.

No championship. But, you can‘t have everything.

LeBron earned his free agency status and the right to shop his services to find the best opportunity for him to win a championship and play alongside anyone he wants.

He tried to lure Bosh to Cleveland. Bosh wanted South Beach. So, you can’t lure ’em, join ’em.

LeBron didn’t do anything a pro sports team owner wouldn’t do. The King did what’s best for LeBron and his brand. He left for greener pastures and a much better chance of winning that championship he covets. That’s fine.

But, it’s the way he did it that’s not so fine. LeBron pulled a “Robert Irsay“.

In the wee hours of the night in the Spring of 1984 the late, former owner of the then Baltimore Colts brought in moving trucks driving his franchise out of Maryland to Indianapolis before anyone that bled Colts blue and white knew what in the name of Johnny Unitas happened.

No 18 wheeler needed for LeBron to drive the dagger home. Lebron humiliated and betrayed Cleveland sports fans on national television in a prime time, one-hour, self-absorbed ESPN “Decision Special” rendering all of us witness to their latest sports anguish.

Cleveland deserved much better from the local boy.

How gut-wrenching that reality show was for Cleveland sports fans. They understood five other teams had a shot at LeBron and probably would’ve reacted better to the news of the Kings departure had he made them aware prior to his “prime time fiasco”. Instead, Cleveland’s “chosen one” made his hometown fans “the shafted ones” once again.

“It’s a business decision.”

That’s what LeBron said during the fiasco after revealing the Heat was his choice. That’s fine.

That‘s what Irsay said after the contents of the moving trucks were unloaded in Indy and what Art Modell, the former owner of the old Cleveland Browns, said when he moved his team to Baltimore to become the Ravens.

What LeBron’s decision did is “put the shoe on the other foot.”

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert became one of those jilted sports fans evidence being the bitter message he fired off vilifying LeBron on the Cavaliers website after the King’s ready for prime-time knife stabbing.

Continuing the “rub the salt in the wound tour”, the hoops trinity was paraded at American Airlines Arena in Miami Friday night in their new Heat garb with D’Wade introducing the King and the Predator (I‘m sorry, that‘s who Bosh resembles)to Heat fans.

All three look good in those uniforms. We’ll see how it works out on the court this coming fall.

Remember Dan. Business is business.

The Cavaliers and new head coach Byron Scott, who‘s got to feel as if someone pulled the rug out from under his feet,

2004188823 — Cavs head coach Byron Scott

will march on. At this point, no longer championship contenders, most likely as an eight-seed in the eastern conference.

So will Lebron, D’Wade, Bosh and the Heat, most likely as the east’s top-seed with eventual trips to the finals and a championship or two at some point. But, not yet.

That would have the Heat and Cavs meeting in next Spring’s first round of the NBA Playoffs. If there’s any poetic justice at all for those jilted Cavalier fans, their team would take the Heat to a seventh game and win it with a buzzer-beater literally sending LeBron, D’Wade and Bosh to the beach.

Cleveland sports fans can only hope. At this point, that’s all they have.

July 9, 2010 0

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