For Anyone Who Still Thinks Soccer is Not a Girlie Sport

From the LA Times


A report in the British Medical Journal has recommended, not altogether tongue-in-cheek, that soccer should abandon penalty kicks as a method of settling ties because they are bad for fans' health. Researchers at the universities of Bristol and Birmingham who studied the effect of England's 1998 World Cup games discovered that heart attacks increased by 25% when England lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout after a tense, two-hour game. They blamed tension among the 24 million British television viewers who watched the game. "These findings support the view that heart attacks can be triggered by emotional upset, such as watching your football team lose an important match -- particularly those in which there is a penalty shootout," the Journal stated. "Aside from the issues of sporting fairness, perhaps the lottery of the penalty shootout should be abandoned on public health grounds."


You have GOT to be kidding me

NFL Picks

Miami (-3) at Minnesota
Ricky Williams is a House afire, the Dolphins D has been good of late. Its in Minnesota, but that doesn’t matter take the dolphins and give the points.
Winner: Dolphins (+3)

San Francisco (-3.5) at Arizona
The Cardinals are still in the league? I musta forgot. You should too. The real bet in this one is on just what T.O. will do to celebrate his T.D. lay the points…its not enough.
Winner: 49ers (+3.5)

Philadelphia (6.5) at Dallas
Hmmmm, 6.5 a good number. I gotta believe that the Eagles are a touchdown better than the Cowboys. Even in their house.
Take the Roadies and the points again. Jerry Jones will be stomping the sidelines shortly after the half, probably screaming for Bob Stoopes.
Winner Eagles (+6.5)

Buffalo at Green Bay (-6.5)
Finally a home favorite. Bledsoe is in the Pro Bowl, both he and Favre are good cold weather QBs. That said, Favre has a better array of talent. Neither team is a threat to run. Both these guys air it out on the Tundra with the Packers getting a win and a cover.
Winner: Packers (+6.5)

Detroit at Atlanta (-10.5)
If Harrington were healthy, I would say that the Lions stood a better chance. Dan Reeves should have the birds fired up to play this week after last week’s disaster against the Seahawks. Vick is amazing. Note to Dan Reeves: You drafted a BIG BRUISING FULLBACK. You really should play him occasionally.
Falcons win, but no Cover.
Winner: Falcons

Chicago at Carolina (-3)
So its Rodney Peete and Chris Chandler? The only QB older than these two may be Peete’s backup. Neither are impressive, but I have been looking for the Panthers to get things back in a bit of order. Take Carolina, lay the 3…its not much
Winner Carolina (+3)

New Orleans (-7) at Cincinatti
New Orleans has been less than stellar the last few weeks. BUT IT’S THE BENGALS!!! Deuce runs loose
Take the 7 all the way to the bank.
Winner: New Orleans (+7)

Indianapolis (-5) at NY Giants
Fassel is on the hot seat, but Dungy is a better coach. Harrison has been great. Collins has been average (as usual)
Shockey has hired Kournikova’s management team but it won’t get his coach out of hot water. Fassel is keeping the seat warm for Nick Saban. The difference is 10. Take the Colts, give the 5 and kiss your wife.
Winner Indianapolis (+5)

Tennessee (-3) at Jacksonville
This will be a motivated Titans team. Take the motivation of having no Pro Bowlers, and use it to propel you in the playoffs.
The Jags are not a pretty team, and Tom Coughlin has more lives than my cat. 3 is not much.
Titans win, and cover
Winner: Tennessee (+3)

San Diego at Kansas City (-1.5)
No Preist will make for a sad Chiefs Parish. The L-Train comes a callin, and the Flutie express may make a whistle stop as well. The Chiefs D has more holes than my spaghetti drainer. Is a home field really worth this much??? I don’t think so. Its almost straight up. Lay the 1.5 and ride that train.
Winner: San Diego (+1.5)

Houston at Washington (-6.5 )
Ball Coach’s season has been less than memorable. David Carr is lucky he made it this long still breathing. A hunch says the Texans take this straight up. Maybe that is just a Spurrier hater talking. I say Texans by 3.
Winner: Houston

St Louis at Seattle (-1)
Bulger is undefeated as a starter. The Seahawks are coming off a win over the dirty birds. Alexander is due. Seattle has been playing damn good ball for the last few weeks. Alexander outshines Faulk…Seahawks Win
Winner Seattle (+1)

Denver at Oakland (-4)
Hmmm. Oaktown tries to bounce back from the Dolphins loss. Denver appears to be marking time. Last time was a slaughter. And the silver and black have home field. Portis is good. Burelein and Greise aren’t. Take the Compton wannabees.
Winner Oakland (+4)

Cleveland at Baltimore (-3)
No Ray Lewis, No quarterback. But the Ravens are still in the hunt. Cleveland has shown improvement. Enough that I will take a chance. Take the 3, and sleep well.
Winner: Cleveland

NY Jets (-4) at New England
Wasn’t there a dashing young Quarterback in a Patriots uniform at one time (no I don’t mean Steve Grogan). What ever happened to Tom Brady. Its no matter here though, because I am not sure what happened to the Jets either.
Winner: New England

Tampa Bay (-4) at Pittsburgh
Is it cold here. I hope its under that 40 degree mark so I can finally stop hearing people say that the Bucs have never won a cold weather game.
Winner: Tampa Bay (+4)

WHAT??????

The Atlanta Braves continue to baffle me. But their latest deal really made my jaw drop. I just don't get it an 18 game winner for a backup catcher? Where is the logic. It’s not the personnel that blows my mind, it’s the fact that you move a quality pitcher to a division rival. Philly was a team of bats with shaky pitching (at best). After signing Glavine, and this ridiculous deal, they are a team of great bats (power and average) with an above average starting rotation. As for the boys of ATL....well, now you have an outfield, a decent staff, and nothing on the infield. Not to mention one catcher that should be a backup (Lopez) and another that IS a backup (Erstrada). There better be more to this deal than meets the eye. I have never been a fan of the Shuerholtz system, but this deal makes me wonder if the Genius of the Ted, has REALLY lost his touch.

Reality....Meet the Walton(s)

USA Today TV Columinst Michael Hiestand talks about a new reality show....Featuring a basketball legend

Sometimes I think there should be an IQ Test for Sports Fans

AJC College Football Playoff Bracket
Come up with a way for fans to vote on results, and idiocy will ensue.

Stay Tuned.......

Coming this weekend...a huge article on Recruiting.
and more of the best sports takes on the Interweb

Shockley Says He is Staying...Papa Says Maybe...What is the Real Deal....Who Knows

Athens Says Yes

AJC Says Maybe

There is actually a part of me that wants him to go.....This really can't end well.

More FSU Problems (link)
The investigation into gambling at FSU began with their former QB, now it appears to be expanding

Braves Continue to Rework Rotation (link)
What does this mean for Greg Maddux? My Guess....Pack your bags.

Rix Snoozes, FSU Loses (link)
Poor Bobby Bowdon, he just can't win at QB this season

While QBs are on My Mind
Building the Perfect QB.

From the "You Gotta Be Kiddin Me" File
(Atlantic City, New Jersey-AP) -- Chris Byrd is the new I-B-F Heavyweight Champion after winning a unanimous decision over 40-year-old Evander Holyfield. Despite the loss, Holyfield says he will continue boxing in his attempt to win the heavyweight title for a fifth time.

He is gonna keep boxing?!?!?!?!?!!!! Who the hell will he fight next? The Fridge, Manute Bol?????? Cumon Evander, its been a great run, but you are ruining your career. Hanging around, getting belted by youngsters. Really, Really disheartening.

So Its Palmer


Heisman voters say that its Palmer. I agree. McGahee had the best season, but I understand that voters are heistant to give the award to a sophmore. (may be a dumb idea, but its tradition) I was actually of the camp that said "anyone but Dorsey".
I missed both the ceremony and the Junction Boys, because of work. I did however, hear glowing remarks on my way to work this morning about the acceptance speech Palmer made. The parts they aired on ESPN Radio seemed very classy, and showed what appears to be a good team player.


What's Next


Where do you go from here Mr. Palmer? The experts say that you are a first rounder...I think that is a fair assumption. I have a horrible history with picking QBs for the NFL ( I said Leaf over Manning, and thought that Cade McNown had that "special something") but if I am an NFL GM looking for a quarterback of the future, I take Palmer over Banks, or Leftwich.