Posted on May 11, 2011 by James W
With the NFL lockout nearing its tenth week, the football world is being flooded with stories of how the players are reacting. Some are staging their own offseason workouts with other teammates, while others are working out on their own. However, nothing is as heartwarming as the new Carolina Panther’s potential quarterback, Cam Newton’s ritual.
Cam Newton has told reporters that to help ease the NFL lockout blues he has stuck to sleeping with his playbook. It is believed that by sleeping with his playbook it helps him become one with the rules and procedures that the Panther’s use during the season.
Due to the NFL lockout, Cam Newton has not been able to show the Panthers what he’s got. Cam Newton was the number one draft pick and will go up against existing quarterback, Jimmy Clausen for starting position this year when the lockout is finally lifted.
The lockout prevents Cam Newton from talking to or communicating with his brand new coaches and other staff members. While this might not be a problem for existing NFL players, this is tough on incoming players. They do not know the playbook, how coaches coach or what to expect with the other players on the team. Usually the offseason is used to warm them up to the other players and help them adjust to playing in the pros. However, that won’t be the case this year.
All Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton can do now is to hope that by sleeping with the Carolina playbook by his side every night, Newton will adjust quickly and understand what is needed of him on the new team so he stands a shot of starting in the 2011 season when it eventually starts.
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Technorati Tags: Cam Newton, NFL, sports
Posted on May 7, 2011 by James W
The Nevada Supreme Court, which is made up of seven members, has turned down O.J. Simpson’s plea for an appeal on his case. O.J Simpson’s lawyer went before the court on Tuesday asking that the court consider hearing his appeal case.
In an order released Tuesday it stated that the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously voted to not hear the appeal of Simposon’s conviction. Simpson is currently serving a sentence of nine to 33 years in the Nevada State Jail for a 2007 armed robbery conviction. This is the third panel to deny O.J. Simpson’s appeal.
In a statement released Thursday O.J. Simpson’s lawyer conveyed his displeasure in the Nevada Supreme Court. He stated that it was I’m there to not allow Simpson to present his appeal before a board and hear oral arguments as to why the case should be appealed. Simpson’s lawyer maintains that Simpson did not go to the Las Vegas casino with the intent to commit a crime but only to retrieve goods Simpson believed were stolen from him.
In 2007, Simpson along with another co-defendant, Steward went to a Las Vegas casino with a fully loaded handgun in order to retrieve goods that were believed to have been stolen. The co-defended in the case as well as Simpson was charged with kidnapping and armed robbery. However, Steward took a plea deal presented by the courts that only resulted in three years probation and nine months of house arrest.
O.J. Simpson’s lawyer stated that he would be working to present Simpson’s appeal to the Supreme Court again in a few months.
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Technorati Tags: Denies Simpson's Plea, Nevada Supreme Court, O.J. Simpson’s
Posted on May 6, 2011 by James W
Sports are popular. Gambling is popular. It was thus inevitable for sports betting to be very popular – and so it is. To do it sensibly, the sports betting process breaks down into three areas: (1) knowing yourself (your budget, attitude, habits, temperament), (2) knowing your stuff (your knowledge of one particular sport, and your commitment to staying updated), and (3) knowing how and when to make bets. Here is a primer for combining all three. NOTE: We encourage you to comply with all the gambling laws in your city, county, state, and nation. Be aware that some people develop serious gambling problems that can have negative financial, psychological, and family repercussions.
AN OVERVIEW OF SPORTS BETTING
Sports betting rooms look a lot like NASA Flight Control.
As far as anyone can tell, more money is wagered on sports than anything else. It’s hard to know for certain, since there are few legal venues for it, and most bets are “underground,” as well as in the Cyber Grey Zone. We do know that $2.6 billion was bet legally through Nevada sports books in 2009 (from which the National Gaming Impact Study Commission (NGISC) estimated illegal sports wagering at some $380 billion that year). Bets on non-college teams (pro and semi-pro) make up two-thirds of all sports betting in Nevada. The Super Bowl is the big moneymaker for sports books, annually. Still, the $83 million wagered with sports books on the 2010 Super Bowl was just 1.5% of total Super Bowl wagers (because the bulk of the bets were illegal). Internet gambling on sports, as tracked by Christiansen Capital Advisors (CCA), totaled revenues of $4.29 billion in 2005; over twice the amount brought in just four years earlier. Legal and otherwise, the bets keep coming.
REALITY CHECK: BUDGETING & BEHAVIOR
Before you figure out your bankroll, you need to get a budget in order.
“Gambler, know thyself.” There’s no old saying like that, but there should be. The very first thing you need to do if you’re considering betting on sports is to understand (and follow) a budget. You do not have to risk financial ruin merely to have some safe and sane gambling fun. If you get serious, and work at it, you may even win. Before you wager the first dollar, however, you need to do a thorough and honest appraisal of your finances. If you are not using a budget now, and don’t know exactly what your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities are, you shouldn’t gamble a cent. You have to know exactly what your financial position is before you can determine how much you can afford to lose. That’s your “bankroll,” and it needs to be separate from your household funds.
You should never wager money that is not in your bankroll. You should never drink while betting, either; no matter how much you insist that alcohol has no effect on you. If you want to win, sports betting needs to be planned and executed in a sober, straightforward manner – unless you don’t mind losing, of course.
IT’S ALWAYS WISE TO SPECIALIZE
Yes, you will have to read and study, and even do math.
Even when you learn enough, and are disciplined and hardworking, the casinos and sports books still have an advantage. Your winnings are more than offset by the losses of the majority, which is an edge you never have as a player. But, there is facet of the casinos’ and sports books’ advantage that you can replicate: research. Professional gamblers that run betting operations spend their lives studying, calculating, maintaining databases, reading athletes’ injury reports, and crunching numbers. This is done across a vast number of team and individual sports, as they have to cover any action that any bettor (in the world now, because of the Internet) might bring their way.
Focus on just one sport’s specialization (your favorite makes sense), and build yourself an edge over the house, since you will develop more expertise as a specialist than a generalist could. Dedicate yourself to the effort, and constantly refine your niche betting expertise.
TYPES OF BETS & SETTING THE ODDS
There are lots of experts with advice, but you need to know how to discern good from bad.
If you do not know about sports betting, or the terminology for various wagers, then you need to add these topics to your study list – and a couple of years to your timeline. You really have no business betting on sports if you are just learning the difference between betting the moneyline and betting the spread, and between a “pick ‘em” and a “push.” Low-score sports like baseball and soccer use a moneyline, centered on $100 for ease of calculation. A moneyline is a wager where no point spread is involved. If the Dodgers are expected to beat the Cubs, L.A. might be -120 and Chicago +110, meaning you pay $120 to win $100 if you think L.A. will win, or pay $100 to win $110 if you think underdog Chicago will. Higher-scoring sports like basketball and football typically use a spread as the most popular bet; however the moneyline wager is still applicable. The margin of victory expected for the winner depends on the type of bet placed. If the Redskins are favored to beat the Falcons by a touchdown, the spread is Washington -7 and Atlanta +7. There are other kinds of bets and terms to learn, too – total points, middles, East Coast line, special Canadian hockey lines, and so forth.
This is not a group of serious bettors. It’s fine to make a party, but don’t expect to win.
A common myth says that odds-makers set the spread or the moneyline based solely on their expectation of the outcome. Wrong. While odds-makers do set the spread based on expected outcome, it is subsequently adjusted based on the expected outcome of the game and adjusted based on where the bettors are placing their money. The odds are created to keep bettors evenly split, which is why you will see movement in the spread from day to day.
If too much money is wagered on one side, the house will “balance the action.” For example, if an unusually large amount is bet on the favorite, odds-makers may add a half point to the spread to bring more action to the underdog.
SOMETIMES IT COMES DOWN TO TIMING
Time is pretty confusing as it is, but timing your sports bets right can be mind-bending.
Wagering on sports events often depends on timing, whether using sports books in person, betting online, or using other legal (or illegal) means. Some bettors bet on the release of the odds, especially when they believe they are more expert in the sport than the odds-maker(s). The downside to this is time, also – the time between the odds being placed and the game taking place, when injuries or weather could foul up your calculations. Another timing option is to watch the sports betting lines and track the moves against your own best analysis of the game. Remember that it’s the number of bettors, not their positions or judgments, which is in play and will affect the ongoing adjustments of the spread or moneyline. Like anything else, practice makes perfect.
There’s money to be made, if you’re good – and lucky.
Another new and exciting option in the world of betting is “live betting” where participants can actually place wagers in the middle of a game play. Various sports books now offer this option and it is the most interactive in the betting arena. Live betting allows users to place odds on everything involved when watching a game. For instance, when participants are watching a football game, they are able to wager on everything from; which score play will occur next, which team will be the first to score or even the team they believe will be the next to get a first down. A last option is waiting until the last moment to place a bet. This ensures there will be no movements on the game. There’s not any set rule for how the ups and downs of the moves will go (or end up), but at least they will not be a factor at the very end. Some professionals would advise consistency – play every bet the same way – while others recommend a broader approach.
BOTTOM LINE
As you learn more, and put your learning to the ultimate test with money, you will develop your own style as a natural result. You must understand that anything less than total commitment, will keep you forever a hobbyist. If you want to make money as a sports bettor, hit the books – first the library books, then the sports books.
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Posted on May 3, 2011 by James W
The NFL lockout prevents players from holding and attending official off-season training sessions. However, the New Orleans Saints have turned their unofficial player workout and training sessions into a chance for them to help local charities.
Drew Brees and Jonathan Vilma of the New Orleans Saints are holding a charity auction for a chance for four people to train with the Saints in one of the unofficial workout sessions the team is holding. The charity auction is officially titled “Be a Professional Football Player for a Day” and all proceeds will go directly to various Louisiana charities.
The four winners of the raffle will be able to train with the New Orleans Saints on May 25. They will be treated to a breakfast with Drew Brees and Jonathan Vilma and then allowed to actually take part in the off-season workout session with the team. The offseason workout session will be held at the Tulane University which is where the team has been training while the NFL lockout is in place.
This charity auction is a great way for NFL players to do some good while the lockout is in place and help local charities in the meantime. While the whole team will not be present for the workout the majority of the team has been gathering at Tulane University to train while the club headquarters to the New Orleans Saints remains off limits during the lockout. Winners of the charity auction will be drawn on Friday, May 20th at 1 pm eastern standard time.
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Technorati Tags: Chairty Auction, New Orleans, NFL
Posted on May 1, 2011 by James W
Two years ago North Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason was accused of going crazy and Charlotte North Carolina strip club and fighting another customer. Gregory Frye was attending the strip club when he claims that Beason went crazy on him and broke his nasal cavity in a fight that was instigated by Beason.
After the fight, Frye had Beason arrested while the police continued to investigate the case. Along with criminal charges, Beason was also slapped with a $10,000 lawsuit for damages for medical care related to the fight. The criminal charges were quickly dropped when prosecutors could not find enough evidence to press forward with the case. However, the civil suit for damages and medicals bills still remained despite the fact that there were no criminal charges present.
On May 19, 2011 the civil suit for damages was brought before a court of law. A jury of four men and eight women heard the case against Beason and ruled that lack of evidence and conflicting stories proved that Beason didn’t attack Gregory Frye nearly two years ago. They believed that Frye was just looking to bank off of the Carolina Panthers linebacker. The jury, after deliberating for almost two days, also awarded Beason a dollar in damages as a result of a slander suit that Beason had against Frye.
After the ruling, Beason was quoted as saying that this has been a long time coming and that he hopes that it will allow him to move forward and concentrate on football.
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Technorati Tags: Carolina Panthers, Gregory Frye, Jon Beason
Posted on April 30, 2011 by James W
Matt Hasselbeck has been clean for the Seattle Seahawks for the past nine seasons and is hoping to make his upcoming tenth season one with the same team he has called home. The problem is that Matt Hasselbeck was unable to come to an agreement with the Seattle Seahawks before the NFL league was dissolved a month ago.
The recent NFL lockout has caused many problems with the contract negotiation between Hasselbeck and the Seahawks. One of the biggest problems with the lockout is that the rules could completely change on all parties involved and could cause problems with the contract negotiations.
There have been rumors circulating the Seattle Seahawks have been on the lookout for younger quarterback to replace the aging Matt Hasselbeck. These rumors started as a result of Hasselbeck’s constant injuries last season and the fact that the Seahawks often favored backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst for games of importance.
With the NFL draft on the horizon, many NFL experts believe that the Seattle Seahawks and team coach Pete Carroll could be on the lookout for a fresh quarterback for the team, leaving Hasselbeck looking for a new job.
Matt Hasselbeck has expressed his interest in wanting to stay for 10 season the Seattle Seahawks but with the recent lockout and the high stakes that he was asking for during preliminary contract negotiations could lead the NFL football team to look elsewhere for talent. If that were to happen Matt Hasselbeck has already been quoted as saying that he wouldn’t mind sharing the spotlight with a younger quarterback or even starting on another NFL team for the next season, that is if the NFL can sort out there problems and there is a next season.
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Technorati Tags: Matt Hasselbeck, NFL football team, Seattle Seahawk
Posted on April 27, 2011 by James W
While the NFL is in lockout and contract negotiations between teams and players might be at a standstill, that hasn’t caused many of the NFL teams from making behind the seeing changes on the coaching side of the game. This past week the Tennessee Titans have made some big changes, especially in regards to the general manager position.
This week the Tennessee Titans decided to extend the general manager contract for Mike Reinfeldt to 2014. The current contract is expected to expire sometime in 2011 but with the recent extension it prolongs the general manager position for another three years. Mike Reinfeldt joined the Tennessee Titans in 2007 after being a general manager for the Seattle Seahawks.
His stay as general manager certificate and has not been an easy one. In the past two years the Titans have failed to make any playoffs and have struggled with both coaching staff and players. However, the decision to keep Mike Reinfeldt is one that the Tennessee Titans sticking to because of the respect and knowledge that he could bring to the game.
Other changes that have come up with the Tennessee Titans is the coaching staff change. Jeff Fisher is no longer the coach but being replaced by Mike Munchak. Another big change for the team is the change in quarterback. Vince Young will be traded as soon as the lockout is unlocked and the team will look for a seasoned veteran from another team or could pull it’s resources and choose a younger quarterback from the April NFL draft that is coming up.
There are big changes on the horizon for the Tennessee Titans. Who knows what 2011 will have in store for this team.
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Technorati Tags: Mike Munchak, Mike Reinfeldt, Tennessee Titans
Posted on April 25, 2011 by James W
The current NFL lockout has caused all NFL teams to halt talks between players and teams, and even resulted in all the teams locking out all NFL workout and training facilities. However, that won’t stop the St. Louis Rams from figuring out a way to get their defensive workout in.
The two main defensive team players, cornerback Ron Bartell and linebacker James Laurinaitis have started to schedule and plan regular defensive workout routines for all players despite the lockout. Most NFL teams will usually engage in on the field workouts and training after the NFL draft and mini-camps, however all that is put on hold due to the labor dispute and the lockout.
The style of workout and training that the two players have planned will be very similar to what the players would receive if the lockout had not occurred. Both players are looking for a current location for the workouts and figure even without physically working out all defensive players can talk through defensive strategies and keep them fresh for the next season should it start on time.
Labor negotiations between the NFL team owners and player’s association broke down last month resulting in a lockout of the whole NFL. Players were barred from training facilities which could result in a drastic decrease in physical activity and training of all players involved. However, the St. Louis Rams are on top of the gaming staying with regular workouts and keeping in constant contact with other team members despite the lockout.
It looks like the St. Louis Rams will be ready to go physically and mentally should the NFL lockout stop anytime soon.
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Technorati Tags: NFL draft, NFL lockout, NFL teams
Posted on April 23, 2011 by James W
NFL Network
Every year the NFL Network rolls out its Thursday Night Football schedule and despite the NFL lockout the cable premium channel has announced it’s 2011 Thursday Night Football schedule.
The Thursday Night Football schedule will contain eight regular-season football teams. These teams all feature playoff teams from the 2010 season. The teams involved in the Thursday Night Football schedule include the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts. These games with the exception of one game will be held on Thursday evening and one game will be held on Saturday night.
The Thursday Night Football schedule looks as follows:
Novemeber 10, 2011 the Oakland Raiders versus the San Diego Chargers.
Denver Broncos versus New York Giants on November 17, 2011.
Severn Cisco 49ers versus the Baltimore Ravens on November 24, 2011.
Philadelphia Eagles versus Seattle Seahawks on December 1, 2011.
Cleveland Browns versus Pittsburgh Steelers on December 8, 2011.
Jacksonville Jaguars versus Atlanta Falcons on December 15, 2011.
Dallas Cowboys versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 17, 2011.
Houston Texans versus Indianapolis Colts on December 22, 2011.
The NFL Network has Broadcasted regular-season primetime games for over the past six years. Each game includes a two hour pre-game show, the entire matchup between the teams and a post-game show. The post-game show usually contains interviews with players and coaches, an analysis of the game that was just played. Some of the most talked about games in the history of the NFL have been broadcasted on the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football schedule and with so many 2010 playoff teams involved with the 2011 schedule there is sure to be games that are most talked about this year.
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Technorati Tags: NFL lockout, NFL Network, Night Football
Posted on April 20, 2011 by James W
With the NFL lockout and no collective bargaining agreement in place makes many people wonder what is going on in the world of the NFL. However, even without a collective bargaining agreement and current NFL lockout teams and general managers are still scoping the field for prospective players.
This year at the NFL’s draft the collective bargaining agreement means that current NFL players cannot trade teams until one is in place. However, general managers and NFL team coaches have started to show a tremendous amount of interest in other teams potential draft picks.
Bill Belichick, the coach for the New England Patriots, mentioned in an interview that was conducted earlier in the month that there was an increased amount of interest in potential NFL draft picks.
While NFL teams traditionally make trades with each other for draft picks and people who join their team, it is believed this year there could be an increase in trades. With the NFL lockout in place no NFL team is doing anything. However, the 2011 NFL Draft is still in place and teams can still sign and trade draft picks.
NFL experts believe that since there is a lack of trading and action in the NFL due to the lockout that teams will be more likely to trade on draft day just so they feel as if they are accomplishing something for the proposed 2011 season. However, as most trades and NFL draft talk doesn’t really happen until the week leading up to the draft, NFL fans and experts will have to wait to see if this increased draft interest even happens or if it is all speculation.
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Technorati Tags: 2011 NFL draft, Bill Belichick, NFL teams
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