It's happened. Terrell Owens has finally been signed. Drew Rosenhaus can slip back into the shadows once more as TO takes the helm at wide receiver for...

The Cincinnati Bengals? Did Chad OchoCinco know about this?

He requested him? Well, that's interesting. Did Antonio Bryant?

He's injured and might miss the season, or at least part of it? Ok then. And Carson Palmer is ok with this?

He is? As is Marvin Lewis? Alright then. Might as well break this down.

When Free Agency first hit, I was a big proponent of signing Antonio Bryant here over Terrell Owens. He's younger, has been stuck on a poor Buccaneers team for a couple seasons, and has true number one receiver potential, where as Owens has lost a step due to age and is no longer a true number one option. Once Bryant was signed, I was thrilled. No TO in Cincy, Bryant would be alright with lining up alongside with OchoCinco on a winning team set to make a playoff run, and everything would fall into place.

A couple months later, Owens is still a Free Agent, Bryant is recovering from a knee injury with bone on bone complications, and the other receivers on the team aren't exactly impressing the coaches. Initial reports following the signing state that Bryant will not be placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, but it's still a concerning injury. So what does Bengals Owner Mike Brown do? Goes back to TO, says we have a contract offer for one year, $2 Million dollars, take it or leave it.

I should take this time to note that this might be the best negotiation Mike Brown has ever done.

TO, being wooed by only Cincy and the St. Louis Rams, signs on. Now, there could be numerous reasons: 1.) He truly just wants to win a title. In Cincy, it's Ocho's team. Well, at least it's Ocho's receiving corps. TO is the number two. 2.) The Rams were that unappealing. Which I think we can safely say is part of it. 3.) TO has realized he's not a number one receiver anymore and is willing to step to the side to play a lesser role in the play design to hopefully make his role more efficient. I won't bet on this one being part of the equation, but who knows. 4.) TO wants to have fun playing alongside a good friend of his. Likely, as it seems he has few in the league.

It's probably a combination of all of those and then some (sans the third choice). But, the big question is what will happen when things go wrong in Cincy? Every team hits one point in the year where things start to fall apart. Last season, it happened during the final weeks of the regular season for the Bengals. Now, Carson Palmer is a veteran Quarterback who was at one point an elite talent in the league. The past couple seasons, he has been beaten, bloodied, and a shell of his former self. If Palmer can't turn things around with this group, it'll be clear his days as a starter are done and the franchise will need to start moving in a different direction. But TO only has one year with the team. Bryant is signed on for four, he can afford to step aside for a season. TO just doesn't have that time, and it has been noted that he would like to win a title. So when Palmer slips, when the offense stalls for a game, or even two, what will TO's reaction be?

This is the epitome of boom or bust. You're either going to have a superpowered, high flying, intimidating offense with other weapons like Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard, Jordan Shipley, Andre Caldwell, Jermaine Gresham, and Chase Coffman, among others. That's a lot of options in the run and pass game, who will get to play off of the trinity of headache receivers headlining the Bengals new, shiny offense. Offensive Coordinator Bob Bratkowski has been on thin ice himself recently, and could also be gone if this doesn't work out. His offense since 2005 has been flat, and only last season did it really show a spark when Bratkowski went back to the basics and utilized the run game more with Benson in the backfield. Of course, personnel is always an issue, but that excuse can only be used so many times.

Some of those other weapons on offense are unproven as well. Gresham and Shipley are rookies. Caldwell showed some ability over the past couple seasons, but has disappeared often. Coffman logged no numbers last year because of his lack of blocking ability and won't see the field too often behind Gresham and veteran blocking Tight End Reggie Kelly. Scott and Leonard are package/down backs that won't see much time as long as Benson is healthy. So the benefit of TO is going to depend largely on how well these young players develop with him on the roster.

If you want my personal opinion, I think this will ultimately be a success. Coming to a team with a friend to rely on like Ocho, who also has a similar "Showtime" personality. TO should fit in more comfortably. Cincinnati also has a good recent history dealing with problem children. Recent history being the key part, as the Bengals have had their fair share of failed rehabilitation projects. But if there's ever a time or a place to say TO can thrive once more, it's now with Cincinnati. Picture Owens, Bryant and OchoCinco all on the field at the same time with Palmer lined up in shotgun on their 20. You can throw any combination of other players in there, that's a scary front to face.

It is to be noted that the other three teams in the AFC North are having secondary issues. Troy Polamalu is coming off of a serious injury from last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and their Corners have never really been impressive. Same goes for the Baltimore Ravens, except replace Polamalu with Ed Reed. They did sign Ken Hamlin, but he's not Reed. The Cleveland Browns, well, they're the Browns.

So with all of these things looking to fall in the favor of Cincy, we still are left to wonder what will happen when the Bengals stall on offense. They won't put up tons of yards and points every game, and it's difficult to even say they will with how much the offense struggled last season. The defense is what carried them to the AFC North crown, and looks to only be getting stronger with Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer returning to the team with a new contract, and key players Domata Peko and Antwan Odom returning healthy. It's a wonder why the Bengals aren't one of the "hot picks" to win the AFC North or the AFC title before TO even signed.

But to bring things back to where we started, it's now Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant and Chad OchoCinco all sharing playing time in Cincy. You can't really point out one player the outcome of the team rests on, but if you must, it's TO. Palmer is a veteran QB who has dealt with OchoCinco for several seasons. He's used to prima donna reactions to poor passes or games. If there's a QB out there who can handle TO, it's Palmer. Same goes for Head Coach Marvin Lewis. His laid back attitude is just what TO needs, as long as he stays reasonably within the lines. Owner Mike Brown loves bringing in rehab projects and will trust TO to not be a distraction. TO has free roam in Cincy, and both OchoCinco and Bryant are running with him.

Get your popcorn ready.

Hey, who thinks TO will just kick Bryant in the knee and take his #81 jersey?

The BCS National Championship moves back to Glendale, the site of Urban Meyer's 1st title with Florida. Before we get into our projections here's a quick rundown of how the selection process will work for next season:

-The top 2 ranked teams in the BCS standings will play in Glendale for the national championship.
-The winners of the Pac Ten and Big Ten conferences will meet in the Rose Bowl, pending neither is ranked in the top 2 of the BCS standings.
-The winner of the SEC will play in the Sugar Bowl, pending they are not ranked in the top 2 of the BCS standings.
-The winner of the Big XII conference will play in the Fiesta Bowl, pending they are not ranked in the top 2 of the BCS standings.
-The winner of the ACC will play in the Orange Bowl, pending they are not ranked in the top 2 of the BCS standings.
-Perennial Pac Ten power USC is banned from bowl play.
-The BCS bowl losing the #1 ranked team in the BCS standings will get the first at-large selection while the BCS bowl losing the #2 ranked team in the BCS standings will get the second at-large selection. Please note that the bowl losing the #1 ranked team is NOT allowed to select an at-large from the same conference as the #2 ranked team per BCS selection rules. For example, if Texas had been ranked #1 and Alabama #2 in this past seasons BCS standings, the Fiesta Bowl would not be allowed to select Florida to replace Texas because Florida is in the same conference as the #2 ranked team.
-Starting next season, the first time either the Pac Ten or Big Ten champion is ranked in the top 2 of the BCS standings, a non-automatic qualifier will play in the Rose Bowl. IE, if an at-large non-conference winner is ranked #3, or Notre Dame is ranked in the top 8, or a mid major is ranked in the top 12, they will automatically be placed in the Rose Bowl to replace the Big Ten or Pac Ten champion who is in the NC game.
-The remaining at-large selection order is: Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta.


The Rose Bowl
(8-4) Oregon State vs Ohio State (11-1)
-Projected Oregon State losses: vs TCU, at Boise State, at Arizona, vs Southern Cal
-Projected Ohio State loss: at Iowa

Despite USC going 12-0, Oregon State will go to the Rose Bowl as USC is banned from post-season play. The Beavers will lose 3 of their first 5 games but rebound nicely and cap off the season with a beating of Oregon in the Civil War.
Many have Ohio State going undefeated and playing for the national championship. Based on what? A win over overmatched Oregon? The same team Stanford and Boise State whipped up and down the field? Ohio State will be upset in Iowa City.


The Fiesta Bowl
(10-2) Texas vs Connecticut (10-2)
-Projected Texas losses: vs Oklahoma, at Nebraska
-Projected UConn losses: at Michigan, at Rutgers

Texas will need 1 year to reload before contending for another title. Garrett Gilbert will make some great strides but the offense will struggle in moving the ball against OU and Nebraska.
No one lost more close games than UConn last year. Expect last years experience to carry over as those close games should turn into more wins this season.


The Orange Bowl
(11-2) Virginia Tech vs Alabama (12-1)
-Projected Virginia Tech losses: vs Boise State, at North Carolina
-Projected Alabama loss: vs Florida (SECCG)

Virginia Tech has a much more favorable schedule this year and should bounce back and win their 3rd ACC title in 4 seasons. Boise State and UNC will both be close losses.
2010 Alabama will be 2009 Florida. They'll look terrible at times but still get the #1 hype with some close calls. Just like last years Gators, they'll be blown out in the SECCG by a team that just wants it more.

The Sugar Bowl
(12-1) Florida vs Wisconsin (11-1)
-Projected Florida loss: at Alabama
-Projected Wisconsin loss: vs Ohio State

The Gators offense will be unstoppable in 2010. John Brantley will be the strongest Heisman contender in the SEC as the Gators avenge a close loss in Tuscaloosa by knocking off Bama in the SECCG.
Wisconsin will be this years Iowa. They'll give Ohio State fits in Madison before bowing to the superior team and will exact revenge on the Hawkeyes by knocking them off in Kinnick.


2010 BCS National Championship Game
(13-0) Oklahoma vs Boise State (12-0)

In what will be one of the most anticipated rematches between two programs in a long time, I project the Sooners and Broncos to meet in Glendale for the 2nd time in 4 years. Both programs will roll through their schedules with relative ease led by strong play at the QB position. Landry Jones will rely on a strong running game and have one of the nations best, Ryan Broyles, to throw to. Kellen Moore will be the Heisman front runner as he leads what will be one of the nations top offenses.

Any doctor will tell you that the wasteful spending in our current system all stems from greed/corruption charges (by doctors) and wasteful spending (by patients) as a direct result of our system involving a 3rd party payer. This meaning that you pay for Insurance through premiums (or are given it free through medicare), but after that you are not responsible for ever seeing what anything costs.

Actually, it usually isn't even greed - but just pressures from a business model to keep their practices afloat. This gives incentives for Doctors to run more expensive tests to get a larger check. Example: if generic test ABC costs Medicare, or your insurance $50, while test XYZ costs them $2,000 of which the doctor gets a larger chunk... even the most ethical of physicians realize that they are a business and if there is no harm done to the patient, they are going to push for the more expensive procedure even if it is of no additional benefit (gray area comes in when XYZ is only maybe 1/100th better than ABC... then how do you make those decisions? That's another story though)

On the patients side things are even worse. Lets say you are going to the doctors office and he just got a new machine to test for allergies or asthma in his office locally so you can get results asap. Back to the other point (doctor fronted $100,000 for the machine and wants it used so he can get his money back for it). So you hear that everyone in the office is being tested for allergies and dammit you pay insurance and you should get the test too (despite having absolutely no reason to need the tests. Your insurance gets bills, doctor gets his money and the cycle continues.

Sounds normal... maybe... but lets compare this to something else that is a lot like health - Food. Everyone needs food to survive and eating good or bad foods can have different health effects on people. Now lets say the food industry started working like insurance and you pay into the system and then a 3rd party purchases food for you. Everyone is going to run around demanding lobster for dinner every night increasing the cost of the entire system. People will get used to their lobster and one day when the system is trying to be "fixed" or overhauled they'll cry bloody foul if their lobster is taken away.

People need to start accepting some responsibility for their own health and it's costs and we really need to move away from this 3rd party system. My main problem with this Obamacare is that he is pushing us even deeper into a 3rd party payment system that will only increase this level of wastefulness down the line.

Not suggesting I know the correct answers... some say privatizing, like what Bush wanted to do with social security, where a family pays into a pot and uses the pot of money for health related costs... some say requiring deductibles that EVERYONE pays no matter who you are, so you'll think twice about getting that $10,000 MRI if you are footing $1,000 for it and maybe you'll just opt for the X-ray that could easily find the problem for you.

Fact is... if you really sit back and look at what you pay for insurance, are you getting your money's worth? I know at my company, we pay $1,792 a month (well employer pays most of that) for our coverage. Being in our mid to late 20's with a 1 year old we require VERY little in terms of health related costs. I can't help but see $21,000 a year going into the system to help pay for all this wasteful spending and wonder wtf is going on?

I know someday maybe I'll need a huge check to pay for a heart transplant... or cancer treatment... but shit, over my working career (40 years) I estimate that insurance companies will get between $800,000-1,200,000 in payments from my employer and myself into this plan.

What exactly am I getting for that? Good to know I have that MRI machine standing by whenever I need it... kind of like getting Lobster for dinner every night :icon_rolleyes:

REMOVE THE FUCKING 3rd PARTY PAYMENT SYSTEM... if you want to keep it for those on welfare... fine, but 99% of people shouldn't get to select from a plate of expensive treatments when they go to the doctor for a routine check-up.

Al Gore, the most recent politician with woman trouble, is proving once again that power in washington really messes with you.

I would present the idea of term limits again, but this time as a way to keep the one-eyed politicians in their proverbal pants. With a cap on absolute power at 2 terms...the Al Gore's, Bill Clintons, John Edwards' ,Mark foleys, etc... might be able to keep those wedding vows

It was pretty much doomed to fail from the start. Nothing really bonded all the schools the same way schools are bonded in the Big 10, SEC, Pac 10 and even the ACC. The Big 12 always felt contrived in comparison. The Big 12 was a collection of schools that joined together because it was convenient and brought with it the promise of financial reward.

Let's be honest the Big 8 never really trusted the Texas schools. Nebraska the big dog from the Big 8 has always been mad they didn't get what they wanted when the conference was formed. They always felt the conference catered to the Texas schools UT in particular. Nebraska and Oklahoma still regret the Big 12 destroyed their once great rivalry. Now Nebraska has escaped the Texas schools to be with more like company in the Big 10 and can feel free to schedule Oklahoma in the OOC. Colorado meanwhile has always flirted with the Pac 10 and now they have finally joined it.

You always wondered why Iowa St wasn't in the Big 10 with Iowa. They always felt a little out of place. Missouri would crawl through broken glass among other things to get an invite to join the Big 10. Kansas and Kansas St just want to play basketball for the most part. Except that KU does always want to rough up Missouri in football. While KSU along with Bill Snyder are content to pay directional schools for wins. Oklahoma St takes more pleasure in winning at sports like wrestling, golf, and basketball than they do in football. As long as they got to play Oklahoma every year they don't care about anything else. You always heard rumors than UT and A&M came close to joining the Pac 10 and SEC before finally deciding on joining the Big 12. To be fair the Texas politicians made sure they stayed with Texas Tech and Baylor so the latter two could get into the Big 12.

The Big 12 North and Big 12 South have always felt like two different conferences under one roof. Always arguing about money and where things were located. How should we split revenue equally or by appearance? Should the Big 12 offices be in Dallas or Kansas City? Should the Championship games be played in Dallas or KC? Should we have a Big 12 Network or should schools be free to have their own networks? The Big 12 never seemed to have a strong commissioner that could get everyone to agree or get much done. It is not Dan Beebe’s fault the Big 12 fell apart. He just happens to be the commissioner when it happened.

So to Dan Beebe and the Texas Legislature I say just let the Big 12 die. Set the remaining schools free. Pull the plug and let it gasp its last breath before it finally slips away to join the likes of the SWC. Put it out of its misery please.

*Cue... Dust in the Wind*

Much like greed inspired the super conference.



Texas saying "I rule this, you do what we do" killed the Big 12. Telling Nebraska, who pretty much was the "leading school" of the Big 8, that you have until Friday or else was the final blow. It was a "hah, take that" move, but Colorado acted first. Seeing that when the two conferences merged and albeit said the Big 8 is "defunct" and the Big 12 is a new conference killed the history of the Big 8 with Nebraska being leader, just so Texas could be the big fish in this pond. It was the Longhorns greed of the 80s that pushed Arkansas towards the SEC. People question whether or not Texas had something to do with all the Southwest Conference schools getting in trouble in the 80s and 90s, that they were the snitch and/or whistle-blower behind all of it. Much like Tennessee's snitch act of Alabama, Texas had to do it Texas style: nail every team in sight, including SMU and Texas A&M.

So what did Texas do to the Big 12? For some reason, this conference's revenue distribution wasn't equally distributed. Last May, the SEC distributed approximately $11.1 Million each to its 12 members. The Big Ten Conference distributed approximately $22 million to each of it's 11 members. The Big 12 gave Texas the most money every year. In 2006, Texas received $10.2 Million in revenue, whereas Baylor received a mere 7.1. It makes you wonder; was it the idea of the University of Texas that no matter how much money was distributed by the Big 12 at the end of a scholastic year, that they received the biggest chunk? Or was this idea concocted by the Big 8 members, hoping this would bring Texas into their conference?

No matter which the option was, this is the reason behind the death of the Big 12: Greed. Texas believes they are THE BIGGEST FISH in the NCAA. They have to debate with USC, Alabama and Ohio State with this matter. Texas flirted with the idea of joining the Big Ten, even though they would receive double in revenue with the Big Ten Network. Texas didn't want to be in a pond with big fish. Now, they have forced their own hand; follor Colorado to the Pac-10 or join Alabama, Florida, and the other SEC schools with equal distribution?

No, the Big 12 will not survive. Some think (even myself earlier today) that the Big 12 could survive by inviting the Utah Schools. However, this idea would be nixed if the Texas schools said no to the Pac-10 because Utah would take membership out west than to Kansas City.

The Big Ten is looking to expand its network...and by sacrificing academics, they are expanding for economical and financial reasons. As mentioned on the radio Monday night, the Big Ten Network is on most cable providers throughout the country, but on a Sports/Premium Tier. In Big Ten states alone, the network is carried on a basic/cable ready package. On DirecTV & Dish Network, it is apart of a national package. The network is available in 73 million households and reaches 40 million of them via Satellite or on an Expanded Basic, Digital Tier or Sports Tier cable package. For the most part, the eight states that have the current 11 schools have BTN on their Expanded Basic package (this is what we know as Basic Cable). Adding Nebraska not only expands into the small Omaha market, but Nebraska's national fan base especially in the Midwest would increase to an extra 10 million homes, which increases revenue even more.

Only a few people know what was said in the meeting between the 12 schools this past week. All that we know for sure was that Texas, not the Big 12 offices, demanded to know where Nebraska and Missouri stood. Texas, upset with the fact that Nebraska and not them received a Big Ten invite, tried to play big shot and give an ultimatium. Nebraska and Tom Osborne reacted like a normal person would in an ultimatium: take the ...or else option.

Colorado seen the writing on the wall. Knowing that most likely Nebraska and possibly Missouri were heading to the Big Ten, they began calling the Pac-10. The Pac-10 blew smoke signals to the six schools they want to play in their conference. Colorado bit first, long before Nebraska could make it's public announcement that they were going to the Big Ten.

The Greed of Texas caused this. Somehow convincing the Big 8 to take Baylor over BYU or TCU in 1994 was a farce to cover this up. Now, Texas needs a home, and odds are it will have to play with the big boys and not pretend to be "THE" big boy.

The Pac-11 is the beneficiary in all of this. They have talked about creating their own network, possibly with Fox on board with the idea. The coverage areas would be increased if the other five Big 12 Institutions came along. The Pac-11 already has Los Angeles (2), Bay Area (6), Phoenix (12), Seattle-Tacoma (13), Denver (16), Sacramento Region (20), Portland (22) and San Diego (28) and Las Vegas (42) in it's demographic. Adding the Texas and Oklahoma schools would give the conference Dallas (5), Houston (10), San Antonio (37), Oklahoma City (45), and Austin (48). That's 14 of the Top 50 U.S. Markets. The Big Ten currently has 12 of the Top 41 U.S. Markets. If they added Rutgers and Missouri to go with Nebraska, they add New York City (1), St. Louis (21) and Kansas City (32).

The most interesting facts about this: Nebraska vs. Texas is now a bloodbath.

Well; we're just under 13 days away from the first day of the MLB draft. I usually dont bother doing mocks because it takes too much work on something which usually ends up being utterly pointless (which is why I'm only doing 12 picks right now), but here it is...


1) Washington Nationals - RF/C Bryce Harper, CC of Southern Nevada (NV)
Best player in the draft; no brainer pick.

2) Pittsburgh Pirates - SS Manny Machado, Brito Miami Private HS (FL)
Plus bat, plus arm, enough range to stick at short with a bit of power to boot.

3) Baltimore Orioles - RHP Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands HS (TX)
Top pitching prospect all year long; the next in line of long list of big Texas fireballers.

4) Kansas City Chiefs - LHP Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss (MS)
Top college pitcher has been off a bit to end the season but he features multiple above-average to plus pitches with consistency and a nice frame.

5) Cleveland Indians - 3B Zack Cox, Arkansas (AR)
Pencil in a college slot-type pick here...just which one presents a question. Cox features a very advanced approach at the plate with a strong arm and enough athleticism to provide average range at third. He's shown power in the past but he hasn't displayed much this year, which is a bit of a question-mark going forward.

6) Arizona Diamondbacks - LHP Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast (FL)
Another likely college slot pick; and Arizona has been linked to the college pitchers to boot. Sale is rail-thin but has nice upside as a left-hander with above average stuff and some projection remaining.

7) New York Mets - C Yasmani Grandal , Miami (FL)
Another likely slot pick; the Mets have been linked to college hitters like Brentz and Choice...but if Grandal is available here you'd have to think they'd take the catcher who can both hit and field at an above-average rate.

8) Houston Astros - OF Michael Choice, UT Arlington (TX)
No one seems to know WTF the Astros are planning on doing; so I'll stick them with a local kid that makes some sense. Choice has terrific power upside and pretty good athleticism. Should stick as a power-hitting RF.

9) San Diego Padres - RHP Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS (FL)
Another team that could go in a lot of ways; especially with new people in charge. I think the Padres roll the dice and go with a high-upside above-slot type selection. Whitson has been a bit shaky to end the year but he presents above average-stuff, frame, and pitchability to boot.

10) Oakland Athletics - RHP Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech (GA)
Oakland usually jumps after college kids in the first; so I'm slotting them the best available college player remaining at this point. McGuire opened the season with higher stock but hasn't been as dominant as expected this year. Still has the stuff to make this a pretty good value pick for the A's.

11) Toronto Blue Jays - RHP Stetson Allie, St.Edward HS (OH)
Blue Jays have been rumored to be preparing to drop bombs on this draft (8 top 100 picks this year) but just how much they're willing to spend on the first pick has yet to be pin-pointed. Theres been talk of ultra-upside (and ultra hard-sign) OF Austin Wilson, but I just couldn't put him in here considering that his stock has dropped some (which ultimately could mean nothing if the Jays actually like him as much as they potentially could). I think they'd prob. take Whitson over Allie here, but he's gone so I have penciled in another uber-upside HS pitcher. Allie may have the best arm in the draft, as he throws 98-99mph and his stock appears to be back on the rise after he's shown marked improvement in overall pitchability and secondary offerings.

12) Cincinnati Reds - RHP Alex Wimmers, Ohio State (OH)
Pencil in another college slot signing here. Apparently there is a lot of talk of the Reds liking the local-boy here, so why not. Mid-rotation stuff, pretty polished, very affordable.

The end is near....President has lost both houses of congress in the Mid-term elections, the Unemployment rate hit 15%, the stimulus was an utter failure, and now all the president's men are running for cover. The most recient is Hillary Clinton resigning to persue her bid for president in 2012. Lame duck has taken on a new meaning.

Bascially my laziness has kicked in....this team challenge thing involves way too much effort.

I'm always excited when the NASCAR boys hit the big tracks of Daytona and Talladega. Aside from the occasional single file race resulting from NASCAR’s penchant for overcorrection, it’s always fun watching a 43 car field race within 2 seconds of each other.

This year was no exception. The racing was fantastic, from the start. Records were broken for most leaders and most lead changes in a race. If you are willing to count passes for the lead anywhere on the track, there were over 100 passes for the lead. It just doesn't get any better than this.

All of this fantastic racing continued until Bobby Labonte spun out just a few laps shy of the scheduled distance. When he spun out NASCAR decided to place the outcome of the race into its own hands. Bobby was coming down the backstretch and was tapped from behind. He spun out, turned around, and got going again. Bobby hit nothing, did not litter the track with debris and, at a track over 2.5 miles in circumference, wasn't likely to be run over getting back up to speed. What was NASCAR thinking by waving the caution flag?

NASCAR wanted to bunch up the field and give the fans a shootout. While I admit that the ending was exciting, it wasn't right. These guys had raced hard all day. For the most part they kept their noses clean and NASCAR took the race out of their hands in an instant. History tends to repeat itself and NASCAR is no exception when it comes to making poor decisions affecting the outcome of a race.

How many torn up cars do we have now because NASCAR bunched up the field? You can play devil's advocate and say that there was going to be a pileup by the end of the race. I'll even agree and say that there probably would have been, but the point is that it should have happened because of hard racing and not because NASCAR bunched 37 guys into one pack with 7 laps remaining.

I long for the days when NASCAR would not throw a caution unless the track was blocked. I know safety is an issue, but that had nothing to do with what happened at the end of the race on Sunday. NASCAR cannot fix what they did wrong. It's too late. Too many torn up cars and undeserved finishes keep that from happening. While we know that television ratings are important, I would much rather see hard-nosed racing and the occasional boring finish than a staged ending with multiple drivers having bad days because of something over which they had no control.

By- Heartland Draft Expert, Twiz

Team (Record) My choice Prediction
Round 1
1. St. Louis Rams (1-15) Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

• The Rams are in dire need of a franchise QB, and at the first pick overall, they need to make the safest choice possible. Last year they drafted their LT of the future, Jason Smith, and just traded away former first round pick DT Adam Carriker, so taking a DT like Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy would be very concerning. So to go after the top QB on the board here makes sense.

2. Detroit Lions (2-14) Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

• Detroit is in a great spot here, getting someone to help their DL regardless of who St. Louis takes. But Suh is the more rare talent, having the ability to be a run stopper and a pass rusher with his size. If for some reason the Rams do take Suh, Gerald McCoy is the pick here.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13) Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

• Picking off the leftovers, Tampa Bay gets a penetrating DT for a defense that’s in need of talent just about everywhere, especially on defense. On the off chance that McCoy and Suh are both gone, Eric Berry becomes a strong possibility.

4. Washington Redskins (4-12) Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

• An absolute area of need worthy of a top 5 pick, Washington keeps it simple and takes Okung to be their future LT. If for some reason Okung goes to Detroit, look for Eric Berry here, or possibly a wild card pick of C.J. Spiller. Washington is also in a prime spot to move back with Clausen and Berry available.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) Eric Berry, S, Tennessee Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

• It’s a bit tough to put a Safety in the top 5, but Berry has drawn comparisons to the best players in the game. The Chiefs are in need of playmakers, and that’s exactly what Berry is. Rolando McClain is a darkhorse candidate here, but it’s tough to see him being the pick with the value Berry presents. Then again, the Chiefs can be expected to do anything after the Tyson Jackson pick.

6. Seattle Seahawks (5-11) Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

• I really like Bulaga at the next level. He’s had his struggles, but he did manage to stonewall top rated DE Derrick Morgan during their bowl game. He should fit in well with the Seahawks blocking scheme. There’s always the chance that the Seahawks look at taking Morgan here, or if Berry falls, he might be the pick. Note C.J. Spiller as a darkhorse as well.

7. Cleveland Browns (5-11) Joe Haden, CB, Florida Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

• Cleveland has a somewhat unusual situation with need vs. want. They need just about everything, but as far as who they like, it’s tough to read. Right now, I’d like for them to go ahead and swipe up Joe Haden, the best CB in the draft, despite the Browns having acquired Sheldon Brown. I think Brown might be at the point where a position change would do him good. On top of this, I do like a few of the young LB’s the Browns have. But my prediction is they go after McClain to anchor the middle of their D with D’Qwell Jackson. Either pick is a good one.

8. Oakland Raiders (5-11) Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

• It’s always difficult to say what Al Davis will do, but there’s one thing to be said for his picks: he always drafts players at a position of need. Now, having said that, he often reaches on the talents with the most outstanding workout numbers, so those two factors considered, Bruce Campbell seems like the obvious choice. But I’d really like to see them add Dan Williams, someone who can stuff the run for a D that couldn’t stop any run game. They have some talent on that D, so adding more talent to it would be a step in the right direction.

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10) Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

• Clausen is the easy pick here, and it’s tough to go in any other direction. They are another team in need of a franchise QB, and they’ve had little success with their draft picks in the past. Going with that thought, a LT might make more sense here, but the QB is the face of the franchise, and you don’t want to depend on Ryan Fitzpatrick, Trent Edwards and Brian Brohm. But if they like Brohm, perhaps Anthony Davis or Trent Williams is the pick here.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9) Derrick Morgan, DE, Gerogia Tech Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

• A team that finished dead last in sacks (14) and eight behind the second fewest, the Jags must build some sort of pass rush, so why not start with the best pass rusher in the draft? I do have my own concerns about Morgan, but there’s no denying he’s a great talent, and the Jags can’t go any direction but DE.

11. Denver Broncos (f/CHI) (8-8) Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

• A team with some concerning issues, the Broncos are in need of playmakers on offense now that Brandon Marshall is gone, and they need talent on defense. I’d like to see them end up with McClain here to anchor the middle of their 3-4, but my gut feeling is they traded Marshall because they’ve liked Bryant all along. I’m not nearly as high on Dez Bryant as some, but the raw talent he has is undeniable.

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9) Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

• I like Pierre-Paul here because of his raw talent and athleticism. I can see him working out in a 4-3 or 3-4, and to let the Big Tuna get his hands on him is a great situation for the inexperienced pass rusher. On the flip side, Williams is a popular pick to be the NT in Miami’s 3-4, but I have a question as to whether that’s the best role for him. Watch out for Earl Thomas here as Miami could really use a playmaking FS.

13. San Francisco 49ers (8-8) Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma Joe Haden, CB, Florida

• Haden falling to San Fran would be a great situation for them. Questions have been raised about Clements as a CB these days and a move to FS could be in order. Haden might have struggled at the combine, but the tape doesn’t lie, this guy has shutdown corner potential. But if Haden is gone, a stud RT is in order and Williams fits the bill. With their first pick, I don’t think there’s many other ways they could go other than maybe Spiller.

14. Seattle Seahawks (f/DEN) (5-11) Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal

• Chalk this one up to “gut instinct”. Spiller makes all the sense in the world here, but imagining Carrol pass on taking one of his former Trojan players in the first is difficult, and the Seahawks are in dire need of a DE following the retirement of Patrick Kearney.

15. New York Giants (8-8) Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

• I’d like to see the Giants do something to help that offense that was wildly inconsistent, and get back to a more physical style of play by drafting Iupati. But the Giants are one of those teams that just drafts guys they like and fit what they do, and a raw talent like Pierre-Paul still on the board would be their kind of pick. But the world knows they’re hoping for McClain to still be sitting on the board here.

16. Tennessee Titans (8-8) Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

• An easy pick here, Graham is a high motor pass rusher that made plays on a defense in college that lacked any other playmakers. Graham will fit in well in Tennessee, but the possibility of there being no pass rushers of value here means the Titans might look the way of a CB like Kyle Wilson or Kareem Jackson, or possibly, just maybe, they swipe up a falling Dez Bryant.

17. San Francisco 49ers (f/CAR) (8-8) Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

• Kindle to San Fran is a great fit to me. He’s a strong all-around talent whose optimum fit is on the outside of a 3-4. But, my guess is that Williams manages to fall to them down here, and they make him the pick. Again, look out for Spiller here, but every year someone falls, and it looks like this year it could be Spiller.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

• Finally Spiller comes off the board to a team that really doesn’t care about their OL. Of course my prediction is they crumble this year and draft an interior lineman in the middle of the first, but I’d go ahead and pick up Spiller to tandem with Mendenhall and add weapons to an offense that just let Santonio Holmes go for a 5th round pick. Pouncey fits a much bigger need at a spot that might as well have had a dummy in place of their usual Center. Look out for pretty much anything here though. Bryant, best DE left, nothing would really surprise me.

19. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

• Another team in need of interior line help, the Falcons miss out on being able to add anyone on the other side of the ball, so they pick up the best interior OL available for the value. Iupati adds a tough, road grating attitude, while Pouncey is a balanced player capable of playing either Guard spots or Center. Pouncey is likely first on the list, but Iupati is a good consolation.

20. Houston Texans (9-7) Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State Earl Thomas, S, Texas

• A DB is a huge need in Houston, and either player here fits what they need. I prefer Wilson because he’s a true CB, but Thomas could easily play CB or FS. I just like Thomas more as a FS, though his tackling needs work. DB is about the only spot one can imagine the Texans moving for in the first, so if for some reason Thomas is gone and they don’t value Wilson, expect them to try and move back.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) Earl Thomas, S, Texas Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas

• Ok, so I’m really hoping Thomas is available here. But it’s also a distinct possibility. He fills a FS need that Cincy has had for awhile, lacking a true playmaking centerfielder type and allowing big hitters to fill in there instead. But in the event Thomas is gone, there are a number of directions they could look. Jermaine Gresham, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Iupati, maybe even a DE if one is here. But Sergio Kindle fits a mold that Marvin Lewis loves: a versatile, talented, all around LB that can cover as a SLB or play with his hand in the dirt as a DE.

22. New England Patriots (10-6) Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

• The Pats could go a number of ways. I’m on board with the thought they’d love to have even more offensive weapons to utilize. Either with picking up Gresham to throw to, or Spiller to use in a number of ways, they’ll want to give Tom Brady some weapons to make that offense dynamic once again. Don’t rule out Dez Bryant here, even though the Pats don’t make much use of their receivers opposite Randy Moss, because Moss might be on his way out soon.

23. Green Bay Packers (11-5) Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

• There’s bound to be a casualty in the OT race early in the draft, and it’s likely that could be Anthony Davis. That’s just fine for the Packers, who really need an OT on either side of the line to keep Aaron Rodgers from getting sacked time after time. There always stands the possibility they look another direction in hopes their line stays healthy, but I’d doubt it with the value here.

24. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

• Another hard to read team, Philly just does as they please in the draft. But it’s hard to avoid giving them the best CB available here to pair with Asante Samuel. They could certainly use a LB, so Weatherspoon is a possibility, and I wouldn’t put it past them to look for more offensive weapons since that seems to be the side of the ball Andy Reid favors, but CB is a daunting need and both players are solid value.

25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

• The Dez Bryant train stops here. Yes, they just added Anquan Boldin, but put him with Bryant and you suddenly have an actually feared receiving corps. Gresham adds the same element and gets time behind Todd Heap to improve his blocking. Of course, the Ravens are another team that pick guys who fit what they like before anything else, so if there’s a defensive player available they really like, they won’t hesitate to add him over an offensive weapon. Look for Demaryius Thomas to possibly be the pick, too.

26. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) Jerry Hughes, OLB, Texas Christian Jerry Hughes, OLB, Texas Christian
• Arizona would love for Jermaine Gresham to still be available here for Matt Leinart’s second transition to starter, but if not, pass rush is another key need, and Hughes is worth the pick. Not many have Hughes as a first rounder, but his pass rush skills can’t be denied, and I’d fully expect him to transition well to playing upright. Of course, with Karlos Dansby gone, an ILB instead of an OLB would also make sense, maybe a Brandon Spikes or fellow TCU player Daryl Washington.

27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) Taylor Mays, S, Southern Cal Taylor Mays, S, Southern Cal

• Flashy player, flashy team, position of need. Done deal. Next!

28. San Diego Chargers (13-3) Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

• NT’s are always a premium in a 3-4, and the Chargers don’t have one right now. Therefore, Cody makes perfect sense. Of course, you can’t expect Cody to be on the field often, so another NT later in the draft would make sense as well. But Cody has the physical strength to make an impact in the 3-4 and in special teams.

29. New York Jets (9-7) Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

• This one is pretty much a foregone conclusion as well, assuming Odrick is available. He’s a relentless player and fits as a 5-tech where the Jets really could use a playmaker, one of the few spots on the team the Jets still could use a starter. It’s tough to imagine the Jets going in a direction other than DL, but Rex Ryan does love adding pass rushers, so even with Jason Taylor coming to town, don’t rule out that possibility.

30. Minnesota Vikings (12-4) Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

• Similar to the Jets in having few starter needs, similar to Philly in CB being the standout spot, the Vikings will likely scoop up what CB is left between Wilson, Jackson and McCourty. Of course, if Clausen somehow plummets to this point, he could easily be picked up, or a DT to groom behind the Williams’ boys.

31. Indianapolis Colts (14-2) Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland Charles Brown, OT, Southern Cal

• Indy is without a doubt in need of a LT after Ugoh completely fell apart at the position, and either player should fit what they’re looking for. LB could use upgrades, but the Colts don’t seem to place a big value at those positions, and their DT’s really came along well last year. Plus they have young DT Fili Moala they’re working with. So I’m ruling out defense for them in the first, meaning LT is pretty much the pick, especially after their OL debacle in the playoffs last season.

32. New Orleans Saints (13-3) Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

• Easy pick here, going with Weatherspoon to replace and possibly upgrade the depated Scott Fujita. DL could always use help, but it’s tough to picture the Saints passing on the value of Weatherspoon here.

I just want to start off by saying that I can not stand The Steelers. I live near Pittsburgh and I am not proud of it. However, I need to say that what they are doing with Santonio and what they did with Big Loser is commendable. I am glad that the rooney's put the ass in class, while Ben puts his penis in just about anything, but the endzone. Ben has to be the dumbest person to ever play the game and that does include Shannon Sharpe and former Steeler great Terryble Badshaw. Ben stop allegedly raping girls and start buying your moving boxes. You need help and any Steeler fan who says other wise needs to buy a watch because Big Ben is broken.

I believe they didn't play too great in the first half but really stepped it up in the second. Also Rojo is just beastly right now and cant be covered.

What does it mean a stacked deck? Well, when you are handling the ballot boxes in an election...you hold all the cards. Just like when you are holding all the census data, you control the results. Does anyone really trust the gov't anymore to do the right thing by it's citizens? In a recent online poster tourney even...the passionate cries of corruption from the top levels to the newest user, are even now spreading doubt upon it's legitimacy. With little more than minor irregularities, and enuendo...a simple popularity contest faces the accusations of a stacked deck.
:icon_mrgreen:

Last week, the NFL owners voted to modify the rules of playoff overtime, allowing a second possession if the team that wins the coin toss kicks a field goal.

Perhaps the only thing more surprising than the overwhelming margin by which the proposal passed (28-4) was the fact that Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf voted against it. That came as a big shock to me, because this rule might as well be named after Wilf’s Vikings.

For as long as I can remember, there have been gripes about the NFL’s overtime procedures. The most common complaint is that winning the coin toss practically guarantees a victory. Statistics show that since 1994, teams that win the coin toss have won 59.8 percent of overtime games, with only 34.4 percent being won on the opening possession. A competition committee examined these statistics, and recommended the change in a 6-2 vote.

This rule change is a permanent one – the first significant change to an overtime rule that was established in 1974 to cut down on the number of games ending in ties. So, after statistics proved that a coin toss victory did not always lead to a first possession victory, what could have possibly caused a stubborn group of owners to finally change the rule? It’s simple.

Brett Favre lost.

I’ve blamed Brett Favre for far worse things in the world, and most of those were for no reason. However, I can’t help but notice that this rule change is taking place two months to the day after Favre’s Vikings lost in the NFC Championship Game to a New Orleans Saints overtime field goal. Would Roger Goodell and the NFL brass have cared as much had Drew Brees thrown a late pick, then watched as Ryan Longwell booted one through the uprights in OT? I doubt it, as they’d be too busy gunslinging it up in their Wrangler jeans to bother.

It’s really a shock to me that the NFL owners chose to pass this new rule, as it seems like a hasty cover-up for a big-time mistake. That would be like if Major League Baseball did something ridiculous, like giving the All-Star Game winner homefield advantage in the World Series to make up for an embarrassing tie. Oh wait, Bud Selig already did that. Never mind.

Favre-blaming aside, there are only two possible overtime rules that the NFL should consider:

1. Alternating possessions, much like college football, but with each possession beginning with a kickoff. College overtime is exciting, sure, but starting each possession with a kickoff rather than beginning at the 25-yard line brings all aspects of offense, defense, and special teams to play, on a level playing field. However, if the NFL ever considered alternating possessions beginning with a kickoff, they might as well just switch to:

2. A fifth 15-minute period. Look, sudden death works for sports like hockey and soccer, where possession changes hands very frequently by the minute. However, football is a game built on sustaining drives and clock management, both of which would be further highlighted by an extra period rather than sudden death. If the score is still knotted after 75 minutes of play let it end in a tie.

I know, I know, no one likes ties, except for soccer fans that celebrate deadlocks, but the tie is not as big of a threat to professional football as it has been made out to be. Since 1974, there have been 17 ties, less than one every two seasons. There have been only four since 1989, and two of those were on consecutive weeks in 1997.

Now, the other problem I have with the new overtime rule is that it only changes playoff overtime. It’s another example of sports with single-elimination tournaments trying to de-value the regular season. Play by the same rules all year. Obviously, you can’t have ties in the postseason, but consider this: Only five NFL playoff games have ever gone to a second overtime, with none going to a third. The longest game in NFL playoff history took 22:40 of overtime, or slightly less than half of a second period. It’s not like college football, where you have the occasional six-overtime thriller, so why not just go with a full 15-minute period?

Obviously, I don’t have the pull to suggest these to the higher-ups at the NFL, and I highly doubt that either scenario I’ve outlined will become rule one day. I would just like to see the league come up with a legitimately better set of rules for overtime and stick with them.

Until the next time Brett Favre loses, anyway.