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Super Bowl 44 is over, and, today, it’s recap time! Also, I take a long look at the NFL’s Salary cap-free 2010 season, what will be the biggest NBA All-Star game by audience ever, the soon approaching NBA trade deadline, the Daytona 500, which is sure to be big, and how Marcos Ambrose guns it for a spot in the Chase for the Cup 2010. Plus, the NHL takes a break for the Olympics.
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Tiger Woods “car accident” surprises America and creates more questions than answers. The circumstances surrounding this incident is Tiger Woods’ first major controversy. In the NBA Lawrence Frank is out as coach of the 0-16 New Jersey Nets. We rundown today’s action in the NBA, with only a couple of worthwhile games on the slate. Allen Iverson has retired, but some of his former coaches and possibly an old team may lure him back. A run down of the league leaders to this point, no big surprises as the stars have risen to the top. Skin art in the NBA, is there any player who doesn’t have tats? Major League Baseball has entered in the off-season as the spending spree is about to begin. In NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson wins his unprecedented 4th consecutive Sprint Cup Championship. A question from Bruce about the 49ers, will Jeff Garcia and T.O. reunite next year in San Fran? I’m not sure where he heard that one. I think they are going ahead with Alex Smith and his young weapons. A rundown of the NFL games in action and the matchup tonight with the Pittsburgh Steelers visiting the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers will be without Ben Roethlisberger who is feeling the effects of a concussion.
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A discussion about the biggest sports rivalries in the US is brought on by the Thrilla in Manila documentary and the rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. A blast from my past as we talk about Julius Hodge who is playing basketball for the Melbourne Tigers. He is playing in Australia as he tries to get a chance to return to the NBA. A discussion on the NBA action this week as the Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing good ball, Andrew Bogut is injured, the Nets are winless, the Hornets have won a couple and the Knicks pass on Allen Iverson. The NASCAR season comes to an end today, Marcos Ambrose should be very happy with the year his team had. The NFL Week 11 is underway with the New York Giants facing a near must win against the Atlanta Falcons. The pressure is on Eli Manning and his receiving corp to produce. The 2-7 Oakland Raiders take on the 7-2 Cincinnati Bengals, I give the Raiders a shot and definitely would take the 9 points. The Minnesota Vikings are threatening to leave town, they can’t leave winter is depressing enough in Minnesota.
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Tough day yesterday. Again tons of sports action today. There are scheduled games in the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL and NASCAR chase race at Talladega.
Baltimore Ravens (H) vs Denver Broncos (Ravens by 4.5, opened 3.5)
I don’t want to do this again as I am a believer in the Broncos and head coach Josh McDaniels, but too many conditions line up on the Ravens -4.5. The public is on the Broncos, yet the line has moved out. An undefeated team is a 4.5 point underdog? They are both coming off byes, so that factor is a wash, though I do prefer the home team.
Tennessee Titans (H) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Titans by 3, opened 3)
I am taking the winless Titans -3. Vince Young will be starting as they have had an extra week to prepare a gameplan for him (as have the Jags, but I prefer the Titans coaching).
Green Bay Packers (H) vs Minnesota Vikings (Packers by 3.5, opened 3.5)
In the game of the year I am taking the Green Bay Packers -3.5. This is a tough one as the Vikings defense has looked so good and the Packers offensive line hasn’t been so strong. The 3.5 point line has the bookmakers begging you to take the Vikings.
World Series Game 4
It was tough loss last night for the Phillies. Cole Hamels started out looking strong, but he folded under the first bit of pressure. Tonight will be a tough one for Phillies as they will be facing Yankees ace CC Sabathia and will have their 4th starter Joe Blanton on the mound. Sabathia will be on 3 days rest. I can see the Phillies getting some runs on him tonight, but I still think the Yankees will prevail (but not going to lay -170). I will go with the Over 8.5 runs tonight.
Miami Heat (H) vs Chicago Bulls (Totol 193, opened 196.5)
I am going with the move and taking the Under 193.
Washington Capitals (H) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (Blue Jackets +140, opened +155)
I am going back with the Blue Jackets +140. They lost a tough one in a shoot out to the Penguins, but think they are good value here against another top team in the East.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Amp Energy 500 at Talladega, Alabama
Finally a wide open race whose favorites are 7-1 (Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.). This is a great race it is a shame it will be overshadowed by all of the other sports action in the US. Take a shot on Kurt Busch at 12-1 or better. Also if you can get the Field at 7-1 or better (a field bet that includes 25 drivers or more).
Ravens -4.5 (3 out of 5)
Titans -3 (3 out of 5)
Packers -3.5 (3 out of 5)
WS Game 4 Over 8.5 (2 out of 5)
Under Heat/Bulls 193 (2 out of 5)
Blue Jackets +140 (2 out of 5)
Kurt Busch 12-1 (.5 out of 5)
NASCAR Field 7-1 (.5 out of 5)
I’m not going to make them official picks, but in the 2 marquee games of the day, I would go with Michigan (+3 over Notre Dame) and USC (-7 over Ohio State). I really don’t have a strong feeling on these games and don’t have a whole lot of reasoning outside of gut feeling.
Oregon Ducks vs Purdue Boilermakers (Oregon by 13, Total 57.5 Opened 11 and 60)
I like Oregon -13 and Under 57.5 in this game. Oregon’s defense looked very impressive in their opening game loss to Boise State in Boise. If you can hold Boise State down they should be able prevent Purdue’s offense from scoring 22 points. Yes, Purdue scored 52 opening the season at home against Toledo, but Oregon is not Toledo and Eugene, Oregon is nothing like playing at home.
Oregon -13 (3 out of 5)
Under 57.5 (3 out of 5)
One late pick for the Nascar Sprint Cup race at Richmond is Kevin Harvick (20-1 or better). I just got 21-1 which I think is incredible value for a driver and team that is coming off a good run. I think that Nascar is very streaky and the Harvick’s Chevy has been running a lot better. This is a track he has won at and think it is worth a flyer. Denny Hamlin is the favorite with Kyle Busch and Mark Martin right there on top of the odds board.
The US Open starts here in NYC as Roger Federer tries to win his 6th straight Men’s Title. I like Andy Murray to avenge last years loss and win his first Grand Slam. In the NFL, Philadelphia Eagle Michael Vick returns as a “wildcat”. A query about Glen Coffee, where else are you going to get in-depth Glen Coffee coverage? Brett Farve has caused quite a debate as he leads the Minnesota Vikings. Scary moments for Tom Brady and Matt Cassel in pre-season. I think the Oakland Raiders will take the torch from the Detroit Lions and will be the NFL’s worst teams. The college football season starts here in America with the defending champion Florida Gators the clear cut favorites. The new Cowboys Stadium has a design issue that could cause a few “do overs”. In baseball the 6 division leaders all have comfortable leads, looks like the wild card spots will be the best races in September. In Indy Car, Ryan Briscoe wins by .0077 seconds and takes a lead into the final 2 races of the IRL season. Tiger Woods on the course in New Jersey in the first of 4 tournaments in the FedEx Cup.
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Live from Citi Field as future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez returns with the hated Philadelphia Phillies to New York to take on his old club, the Mets. The Yankees and Red Sox slug it out in Boston. In the NFL, Michael Vick will make his Eagles debut Thursday night in Philadelphia. Chad Ochocinco (formally Chad Johnson) makes his case for backup place kicking duties for the Cincinnati Bengals. Mark Sanchez looks to impress the New York Jets coaching staff and be named starting quarterback in his rookie season. Plaxico Burress pleads guilty to gun charges after having shot himself in the leg in a NYC nightclub. Marcos Ambrose has his most satisfying result of his Nascar career in Bristol, Tennessee.
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Live from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mark Buehrle pitches the 18th perfect game in major league history and gets congratulations from the most famous Chicago White Sox’s fan. Matt Holliday is traded to the St. Louis Cardinals to protect Albert Pujols in the lineup. The Toronto Blue Jays look to trade Roy Halladay, but the Philadelphia Phillies aren’t going to give away the farm. As the trade deadline approaches how do fans like the player movement? In the NFL, Brett Favre is nearing a decision and Michael Vick is looking to find a team. Bruce from Epping wants to know what I’m looking forward to in the pre-season. In the NBA some lesser player moves and rumors about A.I. The Nascar race at Indianapolis is running as Marcos Ambrose tries to continue his solid season.
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The NBA season is over with the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Orlando Magic in 5 games. Kobe Bryant wins his first finals MVP and Phil Jackson wins his 10th coaching title. What will these 2 teams look like next year? NBA draft preview, we know is going number 1, who will go 2 and 3? Where does Patrick Mills get selected? The rain soaked US Open is playing round 3 on Sunday. Sammy Sosa failed a drug test in 2003 as he joins the list of disgraced sluggers. In the College Baseball World Series Josh Spence’s Arizona State Sun Devils are eliminated, but Josh wins both of his starts. I think the LA Angels are happy with their 3rd round pick. In NASCAR, Marcos Ambrose tries to go from the back of the field to win the checkered flag on the road course in Sonoma, California. NFL fan, Bruce in Epping would like to know about Plaxico Burress, Anquan Boldin and Michael Vick. A flashback from my youth as I watch a footy game, I miss the white suit on the umpire.
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I don’t want to be a homer, but the only 2 large line moves in tonight’s NFL preseason action both involve the New York Jets and New York Giants. In both cases the line has moved against the New York team. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6 point favorites at the Giants in the new stadium, the line opened at 1, but moved after both of the Giants’ first and second string quarterbacks Eli Manning and Jim Sorgi were ruled out of tonight’s game. Ben Roethlisberger will play for the Steelers at quarterback, it is not known if he will start, but would have to play with the first team, so the Steelers are going deeper into the game with their regulars on offense. Head coach Mike Tomlin indicated starters would go around 24 snaps. Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon are both very capable quarterbacks as well. Rhett Bomar will start at quarterback for the Giants and see almost all of the action. I think this is a lot to ask of a young player, I think the Giants will be very conservative on offense and want to get out of this game with a healthy quarterback. The Giants have a win under their belt in the preseason, even though not a home game it was at the new stadium. I think the Steelers win this game easily 23-10. The total dropped from 36 to 33.5 with the Giants quarterback news, I am not suggesting taking either the under or the over.
The Carolina Panthers are now 1 point favorites over the New York Jets after opening as 2 point home underdogs. The Jets who played 5 days ago are planning on playing starters only in the first quarter. It is expected that the Panthers will go deeper with their starters. It is interesting commenting on the Jets as viewers of HBO’s Hard Knocks get such an inside look at the team and coaching staff. I didn’t seem that the Jets were worried so much about losing that first preseason game, though I’m sure they want to sure up that second team defense that was called out. With the Panthers going deeper with starters and I’m sure wanting a win at home I expect the Panthers will win 19-13. The total hasn’t budged and wouldn’t go either way.
There is a third game worth taking about and that is Cleveland Browns who is now a 4 point favorite at home against the St. Louis Rams after opening 2.5 point favorites. I can’t pick up anything news related on this line move and think this is an the public showing just how badly they want to bet against the Rams. I think the conventional wisdom is that St. Louis is so lacking of talent that it doesn’t matter which units are matching up. I have to agree with public here. The Browns won their first preseason game 27-24 over the strong Green Bay Packers while the Rams lost 28-7 to the Minnesota Vikings. The Rams were completely dominated in that game at home and would expect the same to happen tonight as the Cleveland Browns will roll 25-9. As you can see I’m staying away from totals in this weeks games.
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