Archives 2009

Inside The Huddle: Tennessee @ Pittsburgh
By: Eddie Vickers

Are you ready for some football? If you are a first time reader which; I presume you are, hopefully you will check out the blog every game day for an in-depth preview of the games that matter. The season kicks off tonight in Pittsburgh with the Steelers hosting the Titans. Get ready to go inside the huddle!

Looking Back/Ahead:

Tennessee Titans:
20-1 To Win SBXLIV
12-3 ATS
7-8-1 O/U

Tennessee started the 2008 season 10-0 behind a dominant defense and a strong running game. Kerry Collins replaced Vince Young at quarterback and played flawless football. After winning the AFC they faced Baltimore in the divisional round and turned the ball over one to many times and ended up losing 13-10. Chris Johnson has emerged as the first big play guy in Tennessee since Eddie George and is turning into one of the biggest scoring threats in the NFL. The Titans had a strong draft replacing the loss of Pro Bowler DT Albert Haynesworth, with Jovan Haye and Sen’derek Marks. They picked up a strong receiver in Kenny Britt via the draft and signed Ex-Steeler wideout Nate Washington. Titans hope these two additions address their biggest weakness the past few seasons, lack of production from the wide receiver position. Looking ahead, the Titans travel West to take on some NFC foes, and East to take on the tough part of the AFC. This years schedule has them all over the map, but it starts tonight with the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers!

Pittsburgh Steelers:
SBXLIV 10-1
9-7 ATS
8-8 O/U

The Steelers grinded out a 12-4 season and reached the Super bowl with wins over Baltimore and San Diego. In the big game they were badly outplayed but escaped with a 27-23 victory over Arizona. Their offense struggled for most of the season but it did not matter with the number one ranked defense in the league behind them. This season is just like any other, the Steelers rebuilt within using low key free agent pickups and the draft. Pittsburgh has an extremely easy schedule only facing six playoff teams from last season, four of which are at home. They only face two top ten offenses from last season in Green Bay and Chicago. If a repeat is in the future for the Steelers expect the defense to lead the way.

Tale of the Tape:

Pittsburgh opened as a -4.5 to -5.5 favorite depending on which book you play at. Since then it has moved up a point to -6 (-115). Most of this action has come late as bettors have taken notice to the fact that Albert Haynesworth is no longer on the D Line for Tennessee. If you recall last season the five games he was not in the lineup the Titans went 1-4 outright and gave up nearly 4 touchdowns each game. Willie Parker missed 3 preseason games for the Steelers with a hamstring injury. A key role in Pittsburgh’s offense, Parker is listed as probable tonight. The last matchup between the two was in Week 16 last season. The Titans prevailed in that contest 31-14 covering the 3 point spread. At the end of the game, LenDale White and Keith Bulluck added insult to injury stomping on a “terrible towel” thrown by a Steeler fan. The fans will be out like never before to kick off another promising season in Pittsburgh. Revenge is not so much a factor for the players on Pittsburgh after winning the Super Bowl. However; the stomping of the towel will be overplayed and give fans extra motivation to make some noise, and keep Heinz Field rocking all night.

Trendy Approach:

Since the NFL moved the season openers to Thursday Night seven seasons ago, the home teams have won six times. Pittsburgh won their only time in 2006 over Miami. Pittsburgh usually starts fast as they have won and covered their last 4 home openers. Jeff Fisher and the Titans are monsters on the highway as they are 16-7 ATS when being installed as road dogs. The over between these two teams has cashed in at the window 7 of the last 8 times while the underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past 6 meetings.

The Play:

Pittsburgh clearly has the advantage going in with the momentum off the Super Bowl win. Sometimes that brings a let down though, will that be the case tonight? The crowd will be absolutely crazy on opening night. Tennessee is rebuilding its defense which was the main reason for success last season. However, behind the scenes there is a distinctive edge for those of you playing the point spread that will make the difference between a winning and losing ticket. If you want this edge, click here to get it!

Just in case you missed it…Here’s an A – Z Recap!!!

It was a long week that featured the start of College Football, a Cinderella story; a right hook felt around the nation, and a couple big upsets. So if you were napping, we have you covered! Here is an alphabetical look back on the week/weekend that was in sports.

Amazing… The only word that can describe the Miami Florida State game on Monday Night, thank god football is BACK!

Blount… Oregon Running Back Legarret BLOUNT promised to put an “Ass Whoopin’” on the Boise State Broncos Thursday night. The Ducks couldn’t do it on the score board so he threw a right hook that drilled Broncos defensive end Byron Hoult in the face…and then took a swing at a couple fans for good measure. Perhaps we will see him in the CFL, err UFL some day soon.

Cilic… Unranked tennis player Marin CILIC pulled the upset of the tournament Tuesday night taking down #2 seed Andy Murray in straight sets. Murray’s response to the loss “I played bad, I guess…”

Derek… DEREK Jeter goes 0 for 8! Yes, 0 for 8 against Tampa Bay Monday and remains 3 hits shy of Lou Gehrig in the Yankee record books.

fEdEx Cup… Hello Steve Stricker! After winning on Monday, Steve Stricker has over taken Tiger Woods for FEDEX CUP points lead. Is anyone else disappointed Tiger might not make another 10 Million extra this season?

Florida… The FLORIDA Gators failed to cover the second biggest point spread in College Football betting history of 62.5 points by a field goal as they beat Charles Southern 62-3.

Gruesome… Is the gut feeling that must be circling Norman this week after Heisman Hopeful Sam Bradford and his Oklahoma Sooners go down. To make matters worse, All-American TE Jermaine Gresham is now out for the season with a knee.

Heisman… Sam Bradford the HEISMEN trophy winner last year is out for two to four weeks after taking a hit and injuring his shoulder. Big college career…bad injury in junior season…lost draft stock, hell; you may see him handicapping sports full time on this site soon if he keeps this pace up.

Iowa, Iowa, Iowa… Not once, but twice did the IOWA Hawkeyes block a kick late in the 4th quarter to conserve a one point lead new rivals Northern IOWA. Perhaps the match up with IOWA State this coming Saturday will deliver such excitement as well.

Just Kidding… The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL signed corner back Adam “PacMan” Jones to a contract, too bad he was JUST KIDDING about signing the contract once he realized he was in fact going to be playing in Canada.

Kickers… I know the NFL is in full-swing this coming week, but when drafting your Fantasy team please do not take a KICKER before round 14!!! Fantasy leagues are not won by going out and getting the best kicker on the board in round 7.

Lights Out… Shawne Merriman, known for his hard hitting coined the nickname “Lights Out.” Correct me If I’m wrong but…I believe they meant on the field Shawne, not off the field by choking and throwing women.

Midshipmen… The Navy MIDSHIPMEN were seconds from possibly pulling the upset over Ohio State on Saturday. The Buckeyes intercepted the ball on a 2 point conversion late in the game and returned it for a touchdown to win by 4 points 31-27.

Not Quite Yet… Is what the Boston Red Sox SHOULD have been thinking before going on a losing skid and giving up their comfortable cushion in the AL Wildcard race. Going into Wednesday the Sox are only 1.5 up on the Texas Rangers.

Oh my Oklahoma… After losing Quarterback Sam Bradford, the OKLAHOMA Sooners cracked and ended up getting upset by the BYU Cougars 14-13 at home. BYU jumped up from 22nd to 9th in the Polls. (Yes, Oklahoma Football gets 3 letters!!!)

Pittsburgh… The STEELERS open the NFL season and try defending their super bowl rings Thursday night at home to the Tennessee Titans. Late Tuesday night the Steelers were 6 point favorites.

Quidditch… Not that I care or any of you should…but the name Quidditch I find extremely fun to say. Say it with me… Quidditch… Quidditch… Quidditch…Oh, and last week it was announced the latest Harry Potter movie will be released on DVD & Blue Ray December 11th.

Rodney… Fernando RODNEY, Closer for the Detroit Tigers is the latest to pull a Milton Bradley. On Thursday, Rodney apparently got disorientated and fired a 95 MPH fastball into the stands and not the catchers’ glove. He was promptly suspended 3 games.

Seymour… After getting traded from the Pats to the Raiders Friday, Richard SEYMOUR has gone MIA and has yet to report to practice. Do you really blame him?

That bad… Another season, another losing one for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates have not finished the season above .500 since 1992. 17-Straight losing seasons!!! Considering the success of the Steelers and Penguins this is extremely shocking.

Unbelievable… Melanie Oudin is on a simply UNBELIEVABLE run at the US Open and will be a story to remember for a long time. The 19 year old beat Nadia Petrova on Monday to advance to the quarter finals against Caroline Wozinacki Wednesday. The 19 year old is listed as a +180 underdog.

Vick… Michael VICK Is cleared to play in week three of the NFL season, a mix of him and McNabb could be what the Eagles need to take them back to the Super Bowl.

Welcoming Jordan… Michael JORDAN is set to enter the Hall of Fame this week. He is along side John Stockton and David Robinson.

eXcited…??? As of Thursday Night both College and Pro football will be in full swing. The NFL kickoffs a full schedule of games this weekend with Titans/Steelers Thursday Night, Packers/Bears Sunday Night and a Monday Night double header featuring the regular season debut in Buffalo for T.O. in Foxboro.

You May Have Seen… The newly renovated Oklahoma State field, expert architects constructed the stands only 7 yards off the side lines and 5 yards off the back of the end zone. The only thing that separates the players from the fans is a cement wall and 3 inch foam padding. Hopefully Oklahoma State players all have good health insurance.

Zac Robinson… After all the preseason OVER hype you managed to impress me (Hard to do). Only 50% completions and 135 yards passing yes…but leading you’re team to victory over Georgia with 3 touchdowns gets applause. Clap for him…

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Skip Bayless gives Ocho Cinco a “Child Please”

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The Oregon Ducks and running back LaGarrette Blount had done a lot of trash-talking all off season about avenging their loss at home to Boise State last year.

On Friday night, the only damage they inflicted on the Broncos was after the final score read 19-8 as they found themselves on the short end of the stick for the second year in a row.

As the time clock trickled down to double-zero, Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount sucker punched Boise State defensive end Byron Hout.

At that point Hout had hit the deck, and the coaches and players removed Blount from the situation. The running back wasn’t done causing havoc though…

As Blount was heading into the locker-room he deservedly found himself the center of attention from hundreds of Boise hecklers for his actions. He then decided to attack fans in the first couple rows of the stands right before the locker room but; was held back once again by a number of coaches.

Less than 24-Hours later the aforementioned LaGarrette Blount has been suspended by Oregon for the remainder of the season, including any bowl games. Coach Chip Kelly said Blount will remain on scholarship throughout his suspension.

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Once traded for each other, Rivers gets Manning-Like deal

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Michael Beasley checks into Houston clinic

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On a Sunday in Seattle Jeter passed Luis Aparicio for most hits by a shortstop when he fought off a pitch on his hands from rookie Doug Fister and sent it down the right-field line for an RBI double in the third inning.

Jeter is batting .323 in 112 games this season. This is his 14th consecutive season with at least 150 hits, passing Gehrig for the longest streak in Yankees’ history. It is the longest such streak among active players.

“I just try to be consistent year in and year out,” said the 35-year-old Jeter, who claimed to be unaware of the record coming into the weekend. “If you are consistent, good things happen.”

His 2,674th hit as a shortstop came two innings after he had singled leading off the game. Then, later on in the game to complete a 3-Hit day his 2,688 hit came making him second in Yankees history, just 33 behind Lou Gehrig.

“That’s unbelievable,” Girardi said. “That is really unbelievable, the things he’s been able to accomplish as you see the names that he passes.”

Derek Jeter has been the biggest name for the biggest team in Major League Baseball for years. But, don’t for one minute be fooled his production on the field hasn’t earned him his stripes. Jeter will inevitable be part of the 3,000 hit a club, and some are throwing whispers about the 4,000 hit club.

From the dog house to the jail house – Michael Vick will now be in the Eagles club house. Philadelphia has signed the former Falcon to a two-year deal, his agent, Joel Segal, confirmed to ESPN.com.

The Eagles will hold a news conference on Friday morning to announce his signing. It had been reported Vick arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday and that is when negotiations had started.

Vick can immediately take part in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games.

The 2001 NFL #1 Pick has now got his second chance after a 23-Month prison sentence for running a dogfighting operation.

Convicted in August 2007, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

After serving his time and being released from home confinement July 20, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally lifted Vick’s suspension, allowing him to sign with a team.

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Porcello tosses Youkilis to ground while being charged

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Wednesday morning the New York Giants and Eli Manning have agreed to terms on a new six-year, $97 million contract extension.

The extension will make Manning among the highest-paid players in the NFL with an average salary of roughly $15.3 million per year.

There are a boat load of clauses in the contract but, Manning is guaranteed $35 million under the new deal which will keep him with the Giants through the 2015 season.

Manning took over as the Giants starter midway through his rookie season. Then, in February 2008 was named the MVP of the Super Bowl as he lead his New York Giants past the New England Patriots.