Sports Betting

There are two clear cut teams here that are the creme of the crop, and that is Texas and Oklahoma without question. My dark horse and possible contender here, who could emerge is Texas Tech, they are loaded provided their quarterback can perform. This division of the conference also has some of the more high octane type teams on offense, and the better talent overall in the conference as a whole. I will tell you that Texas is poised to make a run this year at the national title, and if Mac Brown can win a few big games, the stage will be set. Here are my predictions, and yes, the eventual Big 12 Champion will be from the South this season again.
1. TEXAS
Remember this date, October 8, because that is the game that determines the path the Longhorns take this season, the Red River War in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl against hated rival Oklahoma during the Texas State Fair. Head Coach Mac Brown, long known for his lack of big game wins, dating back to his days at North Carolina, needs to beat OU, something he has never done at Texas. He also needs to win a conference title, something he has never done either in the ACC or the Big 12. The Longhorns have the best offensive and defensive lines in the Big 12 and perhaps in all of college football, the best secondary, one of the best QB's in Vince Young, and a senior laden team hell bent on destruction in 2005. Consider it a 3 games season with a road opener at Ohio State early, which will be a war, then Oklahoma in Dallas and the season ending finale against in-state rival Texas AM in College Station, and that one may be for all the marbles folks.
On offense Cedrick Benson is gone, and QB Vince Young will be given a long leash to make big plays this year (17-2 as a starter), and he has worked hard in the offseason to hone his passing skills. Expect RB Selvin Young to step in and replace Benson this year, he is as big and faster, but has some huge shoes to fill. If he proves to be sluggish, the Longhorns can rely on Ramonce Taylor, a solid backup with 4.3 speed and can get to the corner and is a great slasher. The receivers are above average but unproven so they need a player or two out of this group, and I expect Jordan Shipley and Limas Sweed to both step up, and they have a ton of depth here with speed that will burn weak secondary's this season. The tight end position is rock solid with David Thomas, who is one of the best hands guys at his position in the Big 12 and is a favorite weapon of QB Young. I mentioned the line and it may be the best in the USA this season, so with Young's running ability, and 2 solid RB's, and a balanced attack, look for Texas to move the chains.
On defense the front 4 is the best in the USA, and they have all the tools and experience to wreak havoc in 2004, including rush end Tim Crowder. The linebackers are average, but with a front 4 as dominant as this one will be, they will be better than advertised. The secondary is very fast and all are big hitters, and the cover corners are good and they are very deep at this position. This defense was ranked 16th against the run in the USA in 2004 and I look for that to improve, and their overall 23rd ranking should be in the Top 10 this season. All in all, with solid special teams, an excellent coaching staff, and a favorable schedule other than 3 big games, the Longhorns may be one of the best teams in the nation in 2005, and they are the best team in the Big 12 this season, and are my odds on favorite to win it all in 2005, and make a BCS Bowl, and a possible national title shot.
2. OKLAHOMA
The Sooners dumped another national shot last year, in ugly fashion to Southern Cal. Give them credit with Bob Stoops at the helm, they are always in the hunt, and this year they will not go quietly into the night either. The Big 12 South has better teams than Oklahoma on paper, since they have to revamp the offensive line, Wide receivers unit, QB and a depleted secondary, but this is Bob Stoops, and this guy gets more out of his coaching staff and players as any coach in college ball.
On offense their is some work to do and some changes as well, after getting pounded 55-19 in the national championship last year. Gone is Jason White at quarterback and his experience, and Rhett Bomar a redshirt freshman will battle it out with junior Paul Thompson, who I figure to start the season from my sources in Norman. Thompson is more the style of Vince Young out of Texas and has great speed and agility. Rhett Bomar is from the same mold, but I do not see Stoops or his staff starting a player than has never taken a varsity snap against TCU in their opener. He will however see playing time, and this will be a source of speculation all through fall camp and beyond. Adrian Peterson at running back needs no introduction, and in my opinion, is one of the best in all of college football, and he will carry the load this year on offense for OU. He is NFL caliber talent right now, and a serious Heisman candidate again in 2005. The line is a work in progress, but I think they'll reload just fine, and have plenty of size. The WR's are a different story, losing 4 seniors to graduation, 2 to the NFL draft, and that will take some time to gel a young unit, but look for Travis Wilson to step up big, and he has experience and is very quick. The question mark are the other 3 in rotation, but some young talent is there, and look for Jejuan Rankins to make a mark in 2005. With Peterson at running back to take the heat off of the QB and keep defense's honest, OU will put points up and have more of a ball control attack in 2005.
The strength of the team is defense this season, with a strong front four being the featured asset, including Larry Birdine who is a solid rush end, and they have some young talent and JUCO depth here, and they will be tough against the run. They are deep and extremely fast at linebacker and can cover sideline to sideline about as well as most teams DB's, and they will be tough to get around the ends on. The weakness is the secondary, and hopefully all those top recruiting classes will pay off, because all 4 starters are gone, and the top nickel back as well. This will hurt early, and any good team with a throwing QB will have success here, at least till they get their feet wet. They are really in trouble here, and the roster is yet to be determined but some players have dropped redshirts and others have been converted from other positions to fill in the blanks. Running teams will struggle, while passing teams like Texas Tech may thrive against them. All in all, Bob Stoops will somehow pull 9 wins out of these guys, and with a great running back to eat up the clock, they can mask a few weak spots until this team gels. Trips to Nebraska, Texas in Dallas, Texas Tech, and UCLA loom large this year for OU, but at the end of the day, this team has enough talent and speed, with solid coaching to give anyone a game.
3. TEXAS TECH
Mike Leach has his hands full of talent in 2005. All the stars are lining up for the Red Raiders in 2005, including a very favorable schedule. Off an impressive 45-31 win against California in the bowl game last year, this team enters the 2005 campaign full of steam and ready to roll, and they did plenty of that in 2004 including hanging 70 points on Nebraska and TCU last year. This team is no fluke and are my DARK HORSE in 2005 in the Big 12 South.
On offense they have no equal, they simply go for broke every play and run a spread attack that ranked #1 in passing in the nation last year. This team is sneaky good, with a better than perceived defense, a solid running back and a risk taking approach that inspires the players to play over their heads.
The QB position goes to 5th year senior Chris Hodges, and while his experience as a starter is not good, the schedule is so soft early he can experience some growing pains. He looked solid tin the spring, and unlike some of his previous peers, he is mobile and is a risk taker and sources say his is capable of making big plays. The reliance on the passing game overshadows one of the best kept secrets at RB in the Big 12, Taurean Henderson, who had 16 TD's rushing last year, and is quick and elusive, and of course, can catch the ball and break big plays. Shannon Woods is a solid backup at RB who had a big spring camp and adds depth here as well. The WR unit is deep, fast and all have good hands. The star of the bunch is Jarrett Hicks, and at 6'4" is taller than most DB's and he comes down with the ball if it is anywhere near him. The rest of the crew is sneaky fast and all have good hands, including Joel Filani who lit up Cal in the Bowl game last year and is a banger over the middle with no fear. The usual for Tech this year, short passes and a quick strike offense that is hard to defend and with such a vast array of weapons and a good RB, they once again will average over 30 ppg and be a nightmare to defend.
The good news is this defense is better than most expect out of a Mike Leach team. They can rush the passer, and look for sack leader from 2004, Keyunta Dawson to step up and make a huge splash at DE in 2005, and his 40 yard dash time in spring ball was 4.48! The front four returns 3 starters, and the key is the Red Raiders ability to stop the run this year, as last year they ranked 77th in the nation last year. I see that improving with an experienced line and a solid group of linebackers led by Brock Stratton. The secondary is of no concern as they ranked 15th in the nation in 2004 against the pass, and return 3 out of 4 starters, and a great safety in Duane Slay and one of the best cover corners in the Big 12 in Antonio Huffman. This defense ranked 7th in the Big 12 last year, and I expect them to be in the Top 4 in 2005. Special teams was an issue last year, they have a great punter averaging 42 yards per punt, but some work was needed in the kicking game so hopefully that improves and Tech also returns the #1 ranked returner from 2004 in the Big 12. Look for the Red Raiders to be a world beater at Lubbock this year as they are every year, and win some big games, and if Oklahoma falters and Texas should struggle for any reason, Texas Tech could be in the drivers seat in the Big 12 South.
4. TEXAS AM
Look for the Aggies to operate at a high level in 2005, and they also could be a contender. I am not sold on them this year, and they were very inconsistent last year, losing to bottom dweller Baylor and getting blown out in a few games, and there are some serious holes to fill in 2005. I am not sold on head coach Dennis Franchione's program yet, but with all world Reggie McNeal at quarterback, this team can put some points on the board and hang tough in many games this season. A favorable schedule early may mask some weak spots they have, and a true road test at Colorado in early October will be a good barometer of where they are at. They also get Texas at home this year in the final regular season game, and that, as always, is the biggest game of the year in the state of Texas.
On offense it starts and end with QB McNeal. This guy is simply a top 2 QB in the Big 12, and maybe top 4 or 5 in the nation in terms of ability to do what it takes to score with his abilities. He took some serious punishment last year as an option throwing QB, but he is quick, elusive, and can throw the ball. He rarely throws it away and had only 4 interceptions in 2004, and is underrated as a passer, as he has a golden arm in my opinion. The problem is he had no help to balance the offense with running the ball last year. Look for Courtney Lewis off an injury filled 2004 to step up with highly touted freshman banger Jorvorskie Lane to contribute. This will be KEY for Texas AM this season, because if they balance their attack somewhat, QB McNeal may have the best trio of receivers in the Big 12 to throw to. With Kerry Franks, Chad Schroeder and DeQawn Mobley, they bring experience, speed and depth to this position, if NcNeal can bust loose out of the pocket and get these guys in man-to-man coverage, this team could put points up in a hurry. Add in the fact that the offensive line returns 3 of 4 starters, and you may have a high octane offense here, that has multiple schemes and is hard to defend.
On defense this team should be very good up front returning 3 out of 4 and a top rush end, so they are stacked up front. The weak spot early will be the secondary, and they got shredded last year but return those starters with a years experience, and should improve. Once again a weak schedule should help the learning curve somewhat here and I expect Erik Mayes to emerge as a good cover corner, and touted freshman Danny Gorrer to get the other starting job, but in the Big 12 south, inexperience will kill you at the cover spots if you cannot rush the passer, so it is a work in progress on defense. The linebackers are led by Lee Foliaki slated to be the best of the bunch, but speed is lacking here, so they must rely on the front 4 to stuff the run. All in all a middle of the pack defense with some weak spots due to inexperience or lack of speed. The Aggies will have to outscore some good teams this year, and I look for a ton of high scoring games this year involving the Aggies, and a 8 win season.
5. OKLAHOMA STATE
Things are unsure in Stillwater this year as 11 year assistant Mike Gundy takes over the helm as head coach since Les Miles trotted off to Florida. The cupboards are not bare, but this will be a work in progress this year, and one of the most brutal October schedules in the nation awaits the Cowboys with road trips to Texas AM, Iowa State, then home to play Texas and then a roadie to Oklahoma in October in that order. You may be looking at 0-4 right there, and then the Cowboys play Texas Tech at home the following week, needless to say they could lose all 5 games in those 5 weeks, which is why I ranked this team 5th in the division.
On offense first year offensive coordinator Larry Fedora from Florida wants a "no huddle" offense with a spread attack led by star QB Donovan Woods, who is a good one to say the least. He could emerge as a major force in the QB mix in the Big 12 this year and can make plays on his feet as well. The balance on offense will be using QB Woods mobility and ability to throw, since the running game lost it's star last year and has unproven talent and most likely freshman Mike Hamilton will start with little depth behind him. At receiver D'Juan Woods, older brother of Donovan at QB, will shine in this spread attack system and could be a top 3 receiver in the Big 12 this year, but depth is an issue and WR Chijuan Mack is the best of an inexperienced bunch but has a knee injury which will limit him. All in all, this offense will lack balance and will need some younger players to step up and fill some key roles at skill positions, so I consider it a rebuilding year with a new scheme.
On defense, the Cowboys are a mess, with JUCO transfers and young inexperienced players filling all major roles, especially on the line, and teams will be able to run on them. The linebackers are led by Paul Duren, but they lack speed and depth, also a weakness exposed by a good running team. The secondary is experienced and good, but lack size, and in the Big 12 South, that is a death sentence. Not much more to add as this is a rebuilding year and the Cowboys will struggle against high octane teams with a good secondary and they are going to be a go against type team for me this year. A 6 win season would be a huge step for head man Gundy, but I do not know if the Cowboys can make it, as health to skill positions will be key down the stretch.
6. BAYLOR
Baylor looks to be the worst team in the Big 12 again, and I doubt they win a game in conference play. The schedule includes every major power in the North, and every major power in the South division. A 3 win season, to match last year's record would be about all I expect from the hapless Bears this season. They are playing 6 bowl teams not to mention they have not won a road game in their last 24 attempts. They also have not has a winning season in 10 years, and we can make that 11 right now.
On offense, look for 3rd year coach Guy Morris to stick to the plan, strike with quick passes, and a vast array of off tackle mis-directional type run plays. They have 2 potential starters at QB, either Dane King or Shawn Bell, neither are not that good but King had 1300+ yards last year as a starter before an injury, and Bell is also the QB who led them to a shocking win over Texas AM. At running back they lack size but Paul Mosley, who I saw play in Lincoln last year, has some ability, and if he gets more touches this year, may be a 1000 yard guy, but time will tell. The line is young and inexperienced but Morris wants them to develop and sources say this was a major priority in the offseason. They have 2 good receivers in Zeigler and Gettis, but not much depth, and I expect this team to produce no more than 17 ppg this season, and looking at the 102nd place ranking on offense in 2004, they might be lucky to break under the 100th place ranking in 2005.
On defense, they were horrible in 2005 ranking 104th against the run, 62nd against the pass and 92nd overall. They have 2 stars in the secondary, and Maurice Lane is the best of the bunch, and is potentially an all Big 12 performer. They have some depth here, and they'll need it as teams will attack them, and this unit plays a ton of zone coverage, so underneath the zone is open for teams in this division to pick apart as the line and pass rush are still non-existent this year with young players and little depth. The linebackers with Crooks and Tolbert are above average, but all in all, this defense lacks big play potential and depth, and in this south division, it could get ugly again. This team has recruited well the past 2 years and some young players that will gain experience and make them a better ball club in time, but the bad news is, the Bears will be licking their wounds most of the season.
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SATURDAY'S GAMES 8/13/05 Baltimore Ravens - QB Rotation: Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright, rookie Derek Anderson (exact amount of playing time still to be determined). RB Jamal Lewis is expected to report after meeting with a probation officer in Baltimore this week. It will be determined after his physical whether he will be placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list. He had ankle surgery this offseason. QBs Boller and Wright threw 6 interceptions in Tuesday's practice. Said coach Brian Billick, "The good news is my team intercepted the passes. The bad news is my team threw them." New defensive coordinator Rex Ryan has done a great job of disguising his fourth pass rusher. With both Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas both able to play defensive end and outside linebacker, it's hard to tell which one is dropping into coverage and who is pressuring the quarterback. Atlanta Falcons - QB Rotation: Michael Vick (1-2 series), Ty Detmer (2 Q+), Matt Schaub (3rd Q+), Bryan Randall. Rookie free agent QB Bryan Randall didn't play in Tokyo, but may play Saturday against the Ravens depending on circumstances. The Falcons played in Japan a week ago in their preseason opener. This is the first preseason game for the Ravens. Michael Vick won't see much playing time again. Mora gave no indication how much he plans on using Vick in the preseason, but Vick may have already taken the most snaps he will take over the four remaining exhibitions. Vick has said he feels far more comfortable entering his second season in offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's West Coast offense and Mora said the fluidity and familiarity in the way the first-team offense performed against the Colts Saturday was a good sign. Miami Dolphins - QB Rotation: Gus Frerotte (1st Q), A.J. Feeley, (2nd Q), Sage Rosenfels, Brock Berlin. Frerotte will start and A.J. Feeley will follow by the second quarter. This is the second preseason game for Miami, the first for Jacksonville. The offensive line was weak in the opener. It couldn't protect Feeley and didn't generate much of a running game. Offensive line thin: The Dolphins, in search of help along their battered offensive line, signed free agent Frank Middleton. Backup center Wade Smith fractured his forearm Monday and is out. Joining Smith on the list of injured Dolphins centers was third-stringer Jason Thomas (arthroscopic knee surgery). With both players out, the Dolphins signed center Alonzo Ephraim. Saban also said right guard Rex Hadnot would get plenty of reps at center. Backup guard John St. Clair also has practiced at center. Secondary issues: In the wake of missed tackles and missed assignments in the opener, the Dolphins continued to look for ways to tweak their secondary by bringing in veteran safety Eric Brown for a visit. CB Reggie Howard had a rough night as wide receivers got behind him on at least two occasions. With Pro Bowl CB Patrick Surtain traded to Kansas City, the Dolphins have struggled to find a successor between Howard and rookie Travis Daniels. Scott O'Brien will run Miami's offense, after serving as Vikings' offensive coordinator. Defensively, Miami changed from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, Quinn Gray, Nate Hybl. The Jaguars' starting offense will get more work against Miami than the first-team defense. "For obvious reasons, with the new system and all," coach Jack Del Rio said, referring to the playbook being installed by new offensive coordinator Carl Smith. The Jaguars' No.1 offense played until early in the second quarter in last year's exhibition opener at Miami. Byron Leftwich, who was held out of last Thursday's passing drills to rest a tired arm, threw just six passes in Friday's scrimmage and took just a handful of snaps in the mock game Saturday morning. Nate Hybl is competing with Quinn Gray for the Jaguars' No.3 QB job behind starter Byron Leftwich and No. 2 David Garrard. RB Fred Taylor is recovering from surgery to repair two knee ligaments. He won't play Saturday. Secondary thin: Starting right CB David Richardson was carted off the field Monday with an ankle injury. Carl Smith is the new offensive coordinator. He is a proponent of play action, something you will see a lot with his QBs in preseason. Smith said, "We're going to use the whole field this season." Buffalo Bills - QB Rotation: J.P. Losman (1 Q+), Kelly Holcomb (2nd-3rd Qs), Shane Matthews (4th Q), Tory Woodbury, Kevin Thompson. QB J.P. Losman will start, veteran QB Kelly Holcomb is expected to bridge the second and third quarters of Saturday's preseason opener at Indianapolis. Offensive line thin: Guards Lawrence Smith and Ben Sobieski were ruled out for the year. Defensive Coordinator Jerry Gray let loose with an array of blitzes in a scrimmage last week, many basic in design but very effective, while backup nose tackle Justin Bannan had a big scrimmage with three would-be takedowns. Indianapolis Colts - QB Rotation: Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, Travis Brown (exact playing time still to be determined). The Colts played in Japan a week ago in their preseason opener. This is the opener for Buffalo. The unofficial count of the Colts' walking wounded hit 22 players, nearly one-quarter of the team's 90-player roster. The list includes several front-line players: DE Dwight Freeney (shoulder), C Jeff Saturday (hamstring), WR Brandon Stokley (shoulder), DTs Montae Reagor (groin) and Josh Williams (groin), TE Dallas Clark (hamstring), S Mike Doss (groin) and CBs Nick Harper (foot), Donald Strickland (hamstring) and Von Hutchins (foot). Coach Tony Dungy and his staff will closely monitor the players during the next several days to ensure they are sufficiently recovered from the long trip overseas. He noted that discussions with experts on the topic revealed it takes some players up to two weeks to return "absolutely normal" from a physical standpoint. "We'll try to take it as easy as we can on them," Dungy said. "But it will probably be another week before they're back to fully 100 percent." Secondary is thin, and young. Joe Jefferson has moved from cornerback to safety to replace Mike Doss, who will sit out the first two games of the regular season (suspension). Second-year man Bob Sanders is the other safety, and rookie Marlin Jackson played well. Jackson started for Nick Harper (foot). With Donald Strickland (hamstring) also out, CB Kevin Hayden was the Colts' third corner. Denver Broncos - QB Rotation: Jake Plummer (10 plays), Brad Van Pelt, Danny Kanell, Matt Mauck. The starters likely will go about 10 plays Saturday in the preseason opener. QB Jake Plummer is fine after suffering a slightly hyperextended left knee, the knee he had arthroscopic surgery on in May. If Plummer is still sore, he could be limited or held out of practice. The Broncos will practice with the Texans in Houston on Wednesday and Thursday. If Plummer sits, former Colorado State star Brad Van Pelt likely will work with the No. 1 offense. Plummer ran the starting offense in both workouts Monday. QB Van Pelt improved his abilities throwing the ball and is in the No. 2 role to see if he can handle being the first option behind Jake Plummer. Danny Kanell had filled that role previously and still took some snaps behind the second-team offensive line. It's clear Van Pelt was the first choice in most drills. RB Mike Anderson is getting most of the carries with the starting offense. Defense not 100%: CB Champ Bailey (left hamstring), defensive tackle Mario Fatafehi (left knee) and DE Courtney Brown (left elbow) were held out of both workouts Monday. Houston Texans - QB Rotation: David Carr, Tony Banks, Dave Ragone, B.J. Symons (exact amount of playing time still to be determined). Houston wants to improve its running game. In preseason games, they want to see RBs rookie Vernand Morency and Tony Hollings as much as possible. The Texans made moves on defense to improve the pass rush. Dom Capers and DC Vic Fangio said they want to improve quickness and speed, so players were added through the draft (lineman Travis Johnson), free agency (LB Morlon Greenwood) and a trade (CB Phillip Buchanon). They will be looking for more sacks this preseason. If Buchanon and CB Dunta Robinson can provide the kind of man-to-man coverage Fangio wants, he can commit more players to the pass rush. NY Giants - QB Rotation: Eli Manning (1st Q), Jesse Palmer (2nd Q), Tim Hasselbeck (3rd Q), Jared Lorenzen (4th Q). Eli Manning will start, Jesse Palmer and Tim Hasselbeck will follow and show their wares, while Jared Lorenzon will see some time in the fourth quarter. Hasselbeck get about a quarter-and-a-half of action leading the third string. Jesse Palmer will get the first shot in the battle to be the Giants' backup quarterback, playing the second quarter with the second team. Much of Tom Coughlin's energy this camp has been devoted to keeping his team healthier and fresher. There have been far fewer days with two practices, more time to heal between sessions with the addition of night workouts, the slicing of 10 or more minutes off a practice on more than one occasion, and less time in full pads, which means not as much hitting and physical contact. Receivers thin: TE Jeremy Shockey (mild hamstring strain) missed a practice this week, while WR Tim Carter (hamstring) and WR Jamaar Taylor have not been 100%. Cleveland Browns - QB Rotation: Trent Dilfer (1st Q), Doug Johnson (2nd Q), rookie Charlie Frye, Josh Harris, rookie Lang Campbell. Trent Dilfer will start and play about a quarter, and Doug Johnson will come in after him. Next is Frye and then Josh Harris. RB Reuben Droughns said he'll most likely sit out Saturday night's game against the NY Giants with a sore hamstring muscle, and knows it could hurt his chances to win the starting job. Droughns is currently listed at No. 2 on the depth chart, behind Lee Suggs and ahead of William Green and rookie Sultan McCullough. In Droughns' absence, Suggs and Green will play the bulk of the first half and McCullough will see plenty of action in the second half. Cleveland has a new head coach in Romeo Crennel, who ran Bill Belichick's defense in New England the past five years. Crennel is switching Cleveland's defensive scheme to a 3-4. RBs Lee Suggs and Reuben Droughns have been used at the same time, both in the backfield and split out wide. "If they make the team, there might be a possibility that we'll use that," said Crennel. "It does put a little pressure on the defense. They have to defend you differently with two halfbacks in the game." Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Patrick Ramsey, Mark Brunell, rookie Jason Campbell (see below). Campbell is the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Patrick Ramsey and backup Mark Brunell. Campbell figures to play extensively this Saturday. The Redskins are short on cornerbacks with Walt Harris and Artrell Hawkins out with minor injuries and Carlos Rogers (ankle) ailing. "We're definitely thin at corner," Joe Gibbs said. Carolina Panthers - QB Rotation: Jake Delhomme (1st Q), Chris Weinke (2-3 Qs), Rod Rutherford (4th Q), rookie Stephan LeFlors (4th Q). Said coach John Fox, "Typically we've gone with our first team the first quarter, the second in the second and third and the third group in the fourth quarter." The Panthers like what they see in 6-foot-1, 246-pound rookie RB Eric Shelton. While DeShaun Foster is the acknowledged starter in Stephen Davis' absence, expect Shelton to see plenty of time in preseason. Dallas Cowboys - QB Rotation: Drew Bledsoe (1st Q+), Tony Romo (2nd Q+), Drew Henson (late 3rd Q+). For Saturday's preseason opener at Arizona, Bill Parcells said he will split the work among the quarterbacks in thirds. Henson and Romo have alternated each day working with the second-team offense. Parcells is having every pass the quarterbacks throw in team and 7-on-7 drills charted, so he has a feel for how they are performing. Romo has looked sharper than Henson thus far, but neither has been as consistent as Parcells would like. Drew Bledsoe has looked sharp at Cowboys camp, teaming up with Terry Glenn on a number of deep passes and with TE Jason Witten on shorter throws. He also is in the best physical condition he's been in in four or five years. Issues in the secondary: Parcells said he's not even close to deciding who will start at free safety. For now, Lynn Scott and Keith Davis are rotating at the position. CB Lance Frazier (sprained left ankle) is also ailing. Cowboys nose tackle Jason Ferguson has played well in their new 3-4 defense. Arizona Cardinals - QB Rotation: Kurt Warner, Josh McCown, John Navarre, Chris Lewis (exact amount of playing time still to be determined). Dennis Green is working on offense. Kurt Warner will work to find comfort level with WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Oakland Raiders - QB Rotation: Kerry Collins, Marques Tuiasosopo, David Rivers, rookie Andrew Walter (exact amount of playing time still to be determined).
WRs thin with hamstring injuries to Jerry Porter and Carlos Francis. San Fran 49ers - QB Rotation: Rookie Alex Smith (20-25 snaps), Tim Rattay (20-25 snaps), Ken Dorsey (will play the rest of the game). QB Alex Smith will start and play about 20-25 snaps. Rattay will follow with the same number of reps, and Ken Dorsey will play the remainder of the exhibition. Offensive line thin: G David Baas (pulled hamstring) might miss training camp. C Jeremy Newberry (knee) is recovering from offseason surgery and is hoping to begin practice next week. LT Jonas Jennings (finger) will miss a week after undergoing surgery Friday to attach muscle to bone. Justin Smiley has a bruised left calf. Baas' injury has the most impact. The second-rounder was expected to compete for a starting spot. Right tackle Kwame Harris could be the unit's only regular in the game this weekend that also marks the debut of quarterback Alex Smith, the NFL's No. 1 draft pick. Secondary thin: CB Randee Drew has a stress fracture in his foot and is out indefinitely, CB Shawntae Spencer (hamstring) is ailing. Mike Nolan is the new 49ers head coach (former defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens). Billy Davis is the new defensive coordinator, Mike McCarthy is the new offensive coordinator. MONDAY'S GAME 8/15/05 Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger, Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre (exact amount of playing time still to be determined). RB Duce Staley underwent surgery yesterday to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher expects him to miss a month. Bill Cowher was asked about the depth of the offensive line. "It's hard to say at this point," he said. "Chris Kemoeatu has had a good camp, as has Trai Essex. Barrett (Brooks) has a lot of experience. Chukky Okobi has been fine. Jim Jones we felt good about last year, and that's why he's on the roster. There are still some young guys." Defense banged up: Pro Bowl LB Joey Porter (hyperextended knee) and CB Deshea Townsend (Achilles' tendon) were injured in practice Wednesday and didn't return. Cowher said Ike Taylor probably will replace Townsend at right cornerback. Porter is out a minimum of four weeks. Philadelphia Eagles - QB Rotation: Donovan McNabb, Mike McMahon, Koy Detmer, Andy Hall. Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook ended his week-long holdout and practiced this week. But All-Pro WR Terrell Owens was sidelined after reinjuring his left groin Sunday and then being dismissed from camp by Andy Reid until next Wednesday. Tune in for updates.
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FRIDAY'S GAMES 8/12/05

New England Patriots - QB Rotation: Tom Brady (1-2 series), Doug Flutie (will follow), Rohan Davey (3rd Q), rookie Matt Cassel (4th Q). Doug Flutie has received just as many second-team reps as Rohan Davey. Unfortunately, neither Flutie nor Davey has looked sharp. Davey still has huge arm strength, but his accuracy isn't there. Meanwhile, rookie seventh-round pick Matt Cassel has impressed, and some days he's been the second-best quarterback on the field. He'll be closely watched in the exhibitions. Linebackers in transition: It will be easier for the Pats to replace retired LB Ted Johnson than Tedy Bruschi. Both played inside linebacker. Bruschi's replacement at weakside inside linebacker could be free-agent pickup Monte Beisel. But in training camp Beisel is sharing reps with new LB Chad Brown, and outside LB Mike Vrabel is also being tried inside. Cincinnati Bengals - QB Rotation: Carson Palmer (1-2 series), Jon Kitna, Casey Bramlet, Craig Krenzel. For the first time since 1997, the Bengals have the same primary signal caller as the previous season. Carson Palmer missed the final three games of last season with strained knee ligaments but is completely healthy. Jon Kitna gives the Bengals comfort at No. 2, the real battle of camp will be for No. 3, where Casey Bramlet and newly acquired Craig Krenzel are competing. Kicker Shayne Graham continued to rest a sore groin Tuesday. The Bengals are contemplating signing another kicker for Friday's preseason opener against New England. Chicago Bears - QB Rotation: Rex Grossman, Chad Hutchinson, rookie Kyle Orton, Kurt Kittner. This is the Bears second preseason game (played Miami Monday). In the Miami game, Orton, Grossman and Hutchinson combined for 376 yards on 22-of-41 passing. The Bears have a new offensive coordinator in Ron Turner, the former Illinois Head Coach. He is bringing in his version of the West Coast offense. His offense is geared toward receivers as opposed to backs and tight ends in the passing game. The primary reason the Bears were able to outscore the Dolphins 20-7 in the final 20 minutes was that offensive coordinator Ron Turner's new system worked across the board. All three quarterbacks excelled as the Bears racked up 478 yards. There are plenty of downfield progressions in Turner's playbook. All three quarterbacks aired it out Monday, especially rookie Kyle Orton. "We went in saying we definitely want to go downfield, and I told our guys that's how we're going to play," Turner said. "We definitely are going to be aggressive, we definitely are going to take our shots and if someone's going to play up and give it to us, we're going to maybe take a few more." QB Chad Hutchinson has impressed in training camp. Coach Lovie Smith also praised rookie QB Kyle Orton, who has a strong arm and is starting to streamline his mechanics. Orton worked primarily out of the shotgun at Purdue, so the fourth-round pick has had to adjust to taking the snap from center. He still needs to get quicker in his drop and his release. St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Marc Bulger, Jamie Martin, Jeff Smoker, rookie Ryan Fitzpatrick. Secondary thin: CB Travis Fisher has discomfort in his groin. Fisher's counterpart on the first-team defense, CB Jerametrius Butler, is sidelined with a bruised knee. Mike Martz shuffles the offensive line: Last week Rex Tucker was the left guard, Darnell Alford was the right guard and Blaine Saipaia the right tackle on the Rams' first unit. Just two days later, Claude Terrell was running with the "ones" at left guard and Saipaia was at right guard, with Grant Williams at right tackle. Eventually, rookie Alex Barron is expected to man the right tackle position in '05, but Barron has missed five days and nine practices of training camp. "My biggest concern in the offensive line," coach Mike Martz said. "Right now, we've got a rookie starting left guard (Terrell). If he's the best player, then he's going to play." K.C. Chiefs - QB Rotation: Trent Green (1st Q), Todd Collins (2-3 Qs), Damon Huard (3rd Q), rookie James Kilian (4th Q). Todd Collins is expected to get the majority of the snaps Friday. The plan is for Trent Green to start with the No. 1 offense in the first quarter, then Collins will take over in the second quarter and play into the third. Damon Huard is expected to see time later in the third quarter, and the Chiefs hope to get a few fourth-quarter looks at rookie James Kilian. Offensive line in transition: Will Shields, the longtime foundation of the Chiefs’ line, hasn’t been on the practice field because of a bad back. They also have a new starter at right tackle, though HC Vermeil is more confident that situation will resolve itself. The Chiefs are happy with Kevin Sampson, who will probably win the job over Jordan Black. Defensive line thin. Running back Priest Holmes (leg bruise) did not practice Monday. Minnesota Vikings - QB Rotation: Daunte Culpepper, Brad Johnson, Shaun Hill. WRs thin: Short on healthy wide receivers, the Vikings placed No. 1 draft choice Troy Williamson into the mix this week.
Center thin with Matt Birk and Kyle Schmidt out. WR Travis Taylor was expected to open this season as a backup to Nate Burleson and as the team's No. 3 wide receiver, but the game plan might be changing. After watching Taylor catch a team-high seven passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns in Friday's scrimmage, Tice said Taylor is pushing Marcus Robinson for the starting outside receiver job. Seattle Seahawks - QB Rotation: Matt Hasselbeck (1st Q), Seneca Wallace (2nd Q), rookie David Greene (3rd-4th Q), Gilbran Hamdan. Hasselbeck will start and play the first quarter, then give way to backup Seneca Wallace. Third-round draft pick David Greene will finish the game. Running backs thin. The Seahawks have been getting by with only two healthy running backs in practice, Kerry Carter and Marquis Weeks, an undrafted rookie free agent from Virginia. Shaun Alexander is back, but Maurice Morris is not, both from sore hamstrings, and Jesse Lumsden figures to be out for two weeks with a hip injury. That means significant snaps for Weeks, who couldn't have expected so much work in his first pro training camp. LBs thin: Due to injuries, the Seahawks had only six linebackers at practice after Soloman Bates was waived. New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Aaron Brooks (1 Q), Todd Bouman (2nd Q), Kliff Kingsbury (3rd Q), rookie Adrian McPherson (4 Q). QB Aaron Brooks will start and Todd Bouman will follow by the second quarter. Kingsbury and McPherson will see time and all 4 QBs have had good practices. The injury to Ernie Conwell was the second in recent days to a key member of the offense. In the scrimmage Saturday, WR Az-Zahir Hakim injured his right hamstring while finishing a 26-yard catch. Jim Haslett said Monday that Hakim has a slight hamstring pull, but did not know how long he'll be sidelined. Hakim is unlikely to play in the exhibition opener Friday. Receivers thin with WRs Donte' Stallworth (bruised foot), Hakim (hamstring), and TE Ernie Conwell (groin) ailing. Tampa Bay Bucs - QB Rotation: Brian Griese (1st Q), Chris Simms (2nd Q+), Luke McCown (4th Q). Griese will start and Simms will follow by the second. McCown will be handed the keys to the Bucs offense in the final quarter of Friday's game against the Titans.
Offensive line thin. General Manager Bruce Allen said the offensive line injuries are a cause for concern, and he'll "try to bring in some reserves" to help out with the reps at practice. The Bucs have had to scramble to put together a first and second unit for team drills.
The Bucs tied for last in the league in field-goal efficiency last year and despite an array of changes aimed at improving the kicking game, early impressions aren't encouraging. Matt Bryant and Todd France, Bryant's challenger for the placekicking job, have struggled. RB depth thin: FB Mike Alstott wasn't the only member of the backfield to go down with an injury Thursday. RB Ian Smart left practice early as well with what Gruden said was a "mild groin strain." Tennessee Titans - QB Rotation: Steve McNair, Billy Volek, rookie Gino Guidugli (see below). QB Steve McNair will get some early work, followed by Billy Volek, and rookie Gino Guidugli will be the third QB in line. QB Shane Boyd will be fourth in line, though the Titans rarely make it that deep. As for three Titans coming off serious knee injuries — WR Tyrone Calico, safety Tank Williams and offensive lineman Jacob Bell — Jeff Fisher said Friday will probably be too soon for them to play. Fisher said Ola Kimrin and Rob Bironas will both get a chance to kick off and will likely alternate on field goal attempts. Titans QB Steve McNair has come to camp roughly 25 pounds lighter than he was last season, helping his quickness. Norm Chow is the new offensive coordinator.
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THURSDAY'S GAME 8/11/05 San Diego Chargers - QB Rotation: Drew Brees (1st Q), Philip Rivers (2-3 Qs), Cleo Lemon, Craig Ochs (mop up). Marty Schottenheimer said Drew Brees probably will play the first quarter of Thursday's game, with Philip Rivers getting the next two. Cleo Lemon and possibly Craig Ochs will play the fourth quarter. It's "not likely" RB Ladainian Tomlinson will play, Schottenheimer said. No surprise there – the All-Pro running back has only 13 carries in exhibition games during his four-year NFL career. Green Bay Packers - QB Rotation: Brett Favre, Craig Nall, J.T. O'Sullivan, rookie Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers have been giving rookie QB Aaron Rodgers a lot of snaps in practice. They have him second behind Favre when it comes to receiving practice snaps. Favre practices once a day and receives 50% of the snaps, with Rodgers receiving 25%. In the afternoon session, Rodgers, Nall and O'Sullivan split the snaps evenly.
Nose tackle Grady Jackson remains on the physically unable to perform list. Secondary thin. The Packers are down to five healthy cornerbacks, and unless they get projected starters Al Harris (thigh) and Joey Thomas (calf) back soon, they're going to be perilously thin at the position. Linebackers thin. Jim Bates is the Packers new Defensive Coordinator, their third new one in three years. The defense is running more coverages than the basic two-deep scheme of a year ago.

FRIDAY'S GAMES 8/12/05 Detroit Lions - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington, Jeff Garcia, rookie Dan Orlovsky. QB Dan Orlovsky won't get a lot of snaps. QB Jeff Garcia refuses to act like a backup quarterback, even though he knows that's his role. Garcia intends to make his case in every practice and exhibition game that he is ready to start if the opportunity arises. "There are some guys that don't mind sitting, collecting a check," Garcia said. "I prefer to earn my check. I'm just here to help the position get better." Garcia has been treated differently than the Lions' other experienced backups. Ty Detmer and Rick Mirer seldom practiced with the No. 1 offense. Harrington gets the majority of practice plays with the No. 1 offense, but Garcia practices with the first-stringers, too. He also will work with the No. 1 offense in the exhibition season. "Joey will get some playing time with the ones," coach Steve Mariucci said, "but at some point we want Jeff to get some playing time with the ones." HC Steve Mariucci said RB Kevin Jones and WR Roy Williams, first-round picks in 2004, were "light-years" ahead of where they were last year. "They're more confident," he said. "They get it. They understand what we're asking. I expect terrific years from guys like Roy and Kevin Jones." Ted Tollner is the new offensive coordinator. NY Jets - QB Rotation: Jay Fiedler (will start, 15 plays), Brooks Bollinger (will follow), Chad Pennington (see below). Chad Pennington, six months removed from major surgery on his throwing shoulder, will not play against the Lions. Pennington probably will play in the second game, Aug. 19 against the Vikings. HC Herm Edwards expects to use his starters for only about 15 plays on Friday, approximately two series. Jay Fiedler will start against the Lions, followed by Brooks Bollinger. Pennington is not throwing well in practice, especially on long passes. He has struggled on his deep balls, with three interceptions on five attempts in training camp. Pennington admits he's only 85%, expects to be 100% by opening day, and said he's more concerned at this point with making the right reads. The Jets secondary, once a question mark, is suddenly looking like a team strength with the addition of Ty Law, rookie CB Justin Miller, rookie safeties Kerry Rhodes and Andre Maddox and the emergence of first-year S Oliver Celestin. Law and David Barrett will start at cornerback with Miller as the third cornerback. Second-year pro Derrick Strait replaces Ray Mickens at nickel. Second-year man Eric Coleman, a starter last season, and Celestin are the starters at safety. Celestin can also play some cornerback/nickel back. Ty Law will not play Friday. Mike Heimerdinger, the former offensive coordinator with the Titans, is the new offensive coordinator.
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Philadelphia Eagles Betting
THE FACT THAT THE EAGLES RETURN 20 OF 22 STARTERS IS MISLEADING
Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Laurie is doing his best impersonation of motivational speaker Tony Robbins, with his power of positive thinking mode, but I’m not buying it!
He points out that no Super Bowl losing team has ever returned that many starters and ignores the fact, that the majority of Super Bowl finalists, usually go from the penthouse to the outhouse, in about the same amount of time that it takes Rafael Palmeiro to stick a syringe in his butt!
One week into training camp, the Eagles have lost a left tackle to blood clots, a defensive end to a gunshot wound, a wide receiver to a torn Achilles tendon, and a punter to something called a "sports hernia." They have disgruntled employees starting at wideout, running back and defensive tackle. Of the 24 starters from the Super Bowl (including the kicker and punter), seven of them were not practicing at their positions yesterday.

I am forever in these columns referring to the “peaks and valleys� in life and how it plays itself out in professional sports over and over. When you look at great quarterback and wide receiver tandems, the word synergy always seems to be front and center. Montana and Rice, Young and Rice, Manning and Harrison, Elway and Sharpe and so on:
There is no disputing the incredible talent that Owens possesses, but there comes a point where you have to have the team on the same page, or you are staring down the barrel of disaster.
Bryan Westbrook is not a big guy and the fact that he is playing on a contract that provides no security, is a scary thought for Eagles fans. Far too often in the NFL promising careers have been squashed, with one ill fated hit.
I certainly don’t want to compare the hapless Philadelphia Phillies to the Eagles, but most sports fans in the “City of Brotherly Love� would agree in unison that the one certainty in that city was that Jim Thome would hit 35 homeruns and drive in a 100 RBI’s this year.
Here we are in August and Thome’s numbers are something you would expect from a utility infielder. Seven homers and thirty RBI’s in 193 plate appearances, suggest that even the best can fall quickly.
This will not be the season that the “Eagle has landed�, more like it got shot down!
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2007 NBA All Star Game Venue: Las Vegas?
We hate to sound like sour pickles but it's bad enough that the NBA has turned into a sport in which player's can't hit 10 footers much less a free throw and now David Stern and his clones have decided to host the 2007 NBA All Star game in Las Vegas.
You may find nothing wrong with the above listed but we're a little perturbed by it. For starters, their not going to allow any type of gambling on the game or it's weekend of events at the Las Vegas Casinos. WHAT A JOKE! The NBA needs to sack up and realize that it wouldn't be grabbing all these television contracts and making the fat loot they make if it weren't for people that bet on the games.
The second reason we think it stinks is because Las Vegas isn't even an NBA city. Sure, let's take a dump on the fans, the ones that support the league and absolutely crap on their shot at seeing all the NBA's talent in their local city. The local city in which the average fan overpays for tickets and supports their team. To make matters worse, Stern is proposing they play a future game in Paris! Paris? Who gives a flying F about Paris! How about showing appreciation for the fans in the U.S. who pay outrageous ticket prices, 7 freaking bucks for a beer and another 7 bucks for a fricken Oscar Meyer! Keep the game here where it belongs!
In summary, the fans pay big bucks for seats and end up having no shot of their local city drawing an all star game. Furthermore, the people that bet on NBA games can't get down on an event that probably shouldn't be bet on anyway, but that's not the point. The point is the NBA, Stern and his clones continue to "pretend" like gambling on pro basketball doesn't happen.
Memo to the NBA: The cat is out of the bag dudes. Start finding a way to cater to the masses rather than treating them like chit.
Lastly, Las Vegas is lobbying for an NBA team. What next? "We'll come but your casinos can't offer betting on our sport?"
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