Shrink`s advice key to Colts cover?
By Andrew Folkes
Sun, Nov 6, 2005

In a recent interview with the Indianapolis Star, sports psychologist Chris Carr had some advice for the Colts as they try to break their infamous losing streak against the New England Patriots.
Forget past results. --football gambling--

"From a performance standpoint, those past games in Foxboro should be totally irrelevant to Monday night,” he said. “If you`re telling me you`re in a slump, that means you`re using a description of past performance… as an excuse for your next failure." --football gambling--

There’s no word on whether or not the Colts got the message, but both sportsbooks and bettors seem to be heeding his advice. Although New England’s won the last six encounters and denied Indy a payday in nine straight meetings, oddsmakers opened the line with the Colts as 3-point favorites and they’ve since been wagered up to –4. --football gambling--

The line makes sense considering the Colts have five paydays and are undefeated through their first seven games of the season, while the Patriots are struggling through an injury-plagued campaign. But when a matchup has been as one-sided as this one, is it really a good idea to just toss the history book? --football gambling--

“You always have to put some stock in past results,” says Covers Expert Bryan Leonard. “As an athlete, you always know who you’ve struggled against and you know who can beat you. It’s something that gets in your head after a while.” --football gambling--

Indy’s losing streak to New England appears to have taken its toll on Indy’s collective psychic, particularly in Peyton Manning’s case. --football gambling--

The Colts quarterback thew a pair of interceptions in his last two games against New England, and led his offense to just a single field goal in last year’s divisional playoff after throwing 49 majors during the season. The Colts also lost two fumbles in that game, committed 44 yards worth of penalties and allowed the Pats a 15:26 edge in time of possession. --football gambling--

They should be able to put that out of their minds come game time, but it probably won’t take much to dredge up the bad memories. “If the Pats get some early breaks going their way, then you start thinking, ‘Well, maybe we really can’t beat these guys,’ ” Leonard says. “You can prepare yourself all you want, but if the Pats manage to establish, say, a double-digit lead by halftime, it’s going to be very difficult for [Indianapolis] to recover from that.” --football gambling--

Considering how easily the Colts have cruised through the first seven weeks of the schedule and how battered New England is, the Patriots have perhaps never looked so vulnerable to their AFC rivals. That puts additional pressure on Indianapolis to leave Gillette Stadium with a victory, but it’s not the only team that’ll be feeling the heat in Foxboro Monday night. --football gambling--

“I don’t think the Patriots can just write this game off,” explains Leonard. “They’re 4-3 right now and if they lose they risk missing the playoffs. And it looks like the Colts are going to have home-field advantage in the playoffs. If they can go into New England [Monday night] and beat the Patriots and then get them at home in the playoffs, that gives them a significant edge.” --football gambling--

Tonight’s total is set at 48. --football gambling--
Share your thoughts on this article in the Covers posting forum.--football gambling--

Bo Jackson defamation suit dismissed

CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal judge has dismissed Bo Jackson's defamation lawsuit against a California newspaper, which apologized and retracted part of a story that said the former football and baseball star used steroids. -NFL Football-

Judge James B. Moran ruled Oct. 27 that the federal court in Chicago did not have jurisdiction in the lawsuit against the Ontario, Calif.-based Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. -NFL Football-

Jackson's attorney, Dan Biederman, did not immediately return a telephone call Tuesday from The Associated Press. -NFL Football-

Messages left Tuesday evening with the paper and its attorney were not immediately returned. -NFL Football-

Jackson, who lives in suburban Chicago, sued in April after finding online a March 24 story from the newspaper that quoted dietary expert Ellen Coleman as saying she knew personally that "Bo Jackson lost his hip because of anabolic abuse." Coleman later denied making the statement. -NFL Football-

The only player to be named to the NFL's Pro Bowl and appear in baseball's All-Star game, Jackson injured his hip playing for the Oakland Raiders in 1991 in a playoff game. He had a hip replacement the following year and retired in 1994. -NFL Football-

Jackson sued the newspaper, four of its employees, MediaNews Group Inc. and MediaNews Group Interactive, Inc., for unspecified general and punitive damages. -NFL Football-

The paper later apologized. -NFL Football-

"Jackson has stated publicly he has never used steroids," the newspaper said on its Web site April 10. "We retract the quote and the further statement that the speaker personally witnessed this damage to his life. We apologize to Mr. Jackson, without reservation." -NFL Football-

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Monday, October 31, 2005

Back To It: NFL Rundown

I'm back my b..., um my people. A long hiatus to get stuff off the plate, get focused, and be able to put more time and attention into this sports thang. Since I've been out the loop for a minute, let me start off slowly. A few thoughts about the NFL games that were played this weekend. -NFL Football-

Brett Favre, please retire. I've never been a huge Favre fan but always had respect for him. Favre had one of the strongest arms in the game and was a great competitor. But now it is embarrassing, plain and simple, to watch him get eaten up by defenses. Retire and let your legacy repair itself (or let ESPN and the good ol' boys at Fox do that for you). -NFL Football-

Did the Denver Broncos finally figure out that you can't win every game in the first half? From about 2:00 in the second through the end of the third, I wasn't so sure. Let me lay it out there for Broncos fans to hate, but it's the truth. Sportscasters can kiss Shanny's backside all they want, but he makes some terrible second half decisions when his team has a lead. I hear over and over that Shanahan is "one of the most aggressive play callers" in the game, but I only see that for the first thirty minutes. Count the number of runs to the right, wide receiver screens, prevent defenses and other incredibly predictable moves that the Broncos run when they have a second half lead, and you'll understand what I'm saying. It was a relief, to say the least, to see that mold broken in the fourth quarter yesterday. -NFL Football-

Speedy recover to Dwayne Carswell. I just happened to be at the hospital when they brought him in, saw a couple people from the local media that I know and they told me what happened. Dwayne, we've been pullin for you ever since. Get well soon. -NFL Football-

While we're on that note: Get well soon to Duante Culpepper. Hate to see you having a season like this, and never wish an injury on someone. But maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Maybe when you come back, you will have a new owner and a new head coach who share one thing in common, competency. -NFL Football-

New York Football Giants versus the US Capital Racistly Named Football Team, 36-0 OUCH! I have to admit that I had a lot of love for the Redskins team, special emphasis on "team", back in the day. But it is only befitting to me that they got spanked this weekend by a team formed by one of the most progressive minds in the history of football. Much respect Mr. Wellington Mara and Washington, change the name. I'm not one to believe that any and all references to Native Americans are bad. I'm not sure how honoring the Seminoles is offensive, as long as it is used to honor. But if you have any doubt about my point, why don't you go up to someone of native descent and call them by the mascot of the D.C. team. Note to reader: Please make sure said person is a large male and that you have sufficient medical insurance. -NFL Football-

Dear New England Patriots fans, The Prof was right about your boys, nothing special this year. The best thing the Pats have going for them right now is the most favorable rest of the season schedule a team could dream of. After they lose to the Colts next Monday, there should be nothing to stop New England from going 7-1 or 6-2 the rest of the way. I know I sound like a hater, and believe me, I'm not. Brady is one of the best QB's in the game and should continue his career right into Canton, and Bill Belichick is hands down the best head coach in football. But let's be honest Pats nation, please. Put this year's team up against previous years and tell me that this is a Super Bowl bound team. -NFL Football-

The Bears beat Detroit in Detroit for the first time in 173 years. Ok, slight exaggeration. But still a great win for Chitown. Someone tell me what Garcia was thinking on the pass in OT??? -NFL Football-

Did you have these guys on your fantasy teams:

Whoever guessed that Tiki Barber would blow up the fabled Washington run defense (I heard someone on the radio talking about that and am still shaking my head), you are running my fantasy team next year. -NFL Football-

The same goes for the genius who knew that Jake The Snake would have a season like this. I know I criticize Shanny a lot, but thank you sir for being the one who finally taught Plummer to throw the ball away rather than make a bad play. Anyway, to the one who has stuck with Plummer as his fantasy QB for the past 9 seasons, congrats are in order. -NFL Football-

You're a fantasy guru if you started St. Louis' Action Jackson in the backfield. Send him a thank you note for blowing up for 7 yards a carry (although it should be expected against Jax). And of course, from one old man to another, good job Steve Smith. We know you've been having a great season, but 11 catches for 201 and a TD proves that an extra viagra never hurts before gametime. -NFL Football-

// posted by Khalil @ 9:36 AM
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Week Seven game previews
By PFW staff Oct. 20, 2005
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San Diego at Philadelphia
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The Chargers’ three losses have been of the heartbreaking, fourth-quarter variety. The Eagles have had an extra week to think about their blowout at the hands of the Cowboys in Week Five, one that has left them — for now — in second place in the NFC East behind Dallas. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
Despite possessing two of the best offensive players at their given positions in RB LaDainian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates, the Chargers’ lack of downfield production — namely from the wide receivers — is troublesome. Don’t expect them to break away from a conservative passing attack vs. a strong Eagles secondary, but QB Drew Brees’ composure should help him against the myriad blitzes of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
Despite using a couple of replacement O-linemen last week, the Chargers opened big holes, and the return of OT Shane Olivea helps against a strong Eagles front. Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb might have needed the bye week as much as anyone, but his sports hernia injury won’t heal with rest.
--- nfl ---
He’ll be throwing against a Chargers secondary that has taken its share of flak in the past, but one that has gotten its hands on a lot of passes lately. The improved pass rush, sparked by rookies Luis Castillo and Shawn Merriman, makes protection a key. Look for the Eagles to spread things out, forcing the Chargers to cover their multiple receivers, tight ends and backs.--- nfl ---

Michaels makes it look easy
Longtime play-by-play announcer for `MNF' has his role perfected

SAM FARMER

Los Angeles Times

It's a fall Monday, and millions of Americans are tuning in to "Monday Night Football," the longest-running live prime-time show in television history. - NFL Football -

Filling the air is the familiar baritone of Al Michaels, TV's best play-by-play announcer. Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, is filled to capacity and rocking. Twenty cameras are rolling, capturing the action from every conceivable angle. A crescendo is building.

Last Monday in Charlotte, for the first time in its 35-year history, "Monday Night Football" allowed a reporter to observe a broadcast from the booth.

It's 9 p.m., and Michaels, John Madden and the crew have been in and out of production meetings for the last 12 hours. Michaels typically snacks during the first half, washing down Snackwell cookies, Junior Mints and green grapes with cup after cup of coffee, then has a light dinner in the second half, stealing bites during commercials. He's a discreet eater and a picky one; he never lets a vegetable touch his plate, let alone his lips.

The millions of football fans watching the game have no idea that Michaels is eating dinner along with them. After more than 40 years in the business, the last 19 with "Monday Night Football," his delivery is so close to flawless, it's hard to believe he's concentrating on anything but what's happening on the field. - NFL Football -

But he is. He's talking through his headset to the production truck and to statistician Steve Hirdt in another truck, interpreting hand signals from the spotter just off camera to his left, and being handed a steady stream of in-game promos on index cards from the stage manager.

In front of Michaels are 14 monitors -- seven for him, seven for Madden -- each showing a different aspect of the game.

The job of processing all that information, producer Fred Gaudelli said, is like "being an air-traffic controller trying to land his own plane at the same time."

In his first national TV appearance, in 1972, Michaels was the 27-year-old announcer for the Cincinnati Reds, who made it to the World Series. Back then, NBC covered the games by teaming the home team's announcers with Curt Gowdy. - NFL Football -

"The camera widens and he's going to bring me in as the young announcer for the Cincinnati Reds," Michaels recalled. "And all I can think about is, `Please, God, when I open my mouth, let air come out.' "

It did. And, 33 years later, America is still listening.

Short stuff

• Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe and receiver Keyshawn Johnson had a heated exchange after Johnson fumbled in the third quarter of Dallas' 33-10 victory against Philadelphia.Said Bledsoe: "I felt like we were absolutely manhandling them. When we turned the ball over I wasn't happy." - NFL Football -

Said Johnson: "I'm not the type of person to point fingers at anybody, and I don't want anybody saying anything to me. There are situations where balls are bounced to your feet you don't say anything."

• Miami's Ricky Williams returns today after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

• Denver is 4-1 or better for the seventh time in Mike Shanahan's 11 seasons with the team.

• Tight end Randy McMichael has scored in four straight games, becoming the first Miami player to do so in a single season since Mark Clayton in 1988. - NFL Football -

• Sunday's win was Titans coach Jeff Fisher's 100th.

• The Browns have forced a turnover in a league-high 17 straight games.

• The Patriots' last losing streak: a 24-7 loss at Tennessee on Dec. 16, 2002, and a 30-17 loss at home to the Jets the next week. - NFL Football -

• Seattle totaled 433 yards in handing the Rams a rare home loss. St. Louis is 40-10 at home since 1999, the best in the NFL.

• Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber inadvertently punched umpire Butch Hannah in the eye when he swung at Jets center Kevin Mawae during a second-quarter altercation.

Hannah fell holding his face, but got up quickly. Barber was flagged for unnecessary roughness but not ejected. - NFL Football -

• The Dolphins are 1-9 in their past 10 road games.

• Rams receiver Torry Holt caught eight passes for 126 yards and a 26-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, giving him a score in four straight games. - NFL Football -

Injuries

• Detroit Pro Bowl return specialist Eddie Drummond, hurt on the opening kickoff, said he will miss next week's game against Carolina with a knee injury.

• Atlanta linebacker Edgerton Hartwell was carted off in the fourth quarter after injuring his right Achilles' tendon. He'll likely miss the rest of the season.

• Tampa Bay rookie running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (foot, hamstring) was inactive.

• The Saints were without receiver Joe Horn (hamstring) and cornerback Fakhir Brown (knee). - NFL Football -

• Green Bay running back Najeh Davenport broke an ankle, and is likely out for the season.

• Dallas linebacker Dat Nguyen (neck) was inactive. He had played in 43 straight games.

• Detroit receiver Roy Williams injured his left leg in the second quarter against Baltimore and didn't return. - NFL Football -

Quotable

• "It took me longer to get there than some guys." -- Cleveland's Trent Dilfer, who threw his 100th TD pass in his 100th start. - NFL Football -

• "Really the game came down to this: We had 13 penalties, five turnovers, two missed field goals, dropped balls, missed tackles and bad coverage." -- Saints coach Jim Haslett on Sunday's 52-3 loss against Green Bay. - NFL Football -

• "He made a couple of good throws for a guy who has been home eating potato chips," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber on Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde.

The Charlotte Observer

With Akers out, Eagles sign France

NFL.com wire reports

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 30, 2005) -- The Philadelphia Eagles signed kicker Todd France off the practice squad to replace injured Pro Bowler David Akers, who is out with a torn hamstring.

France connected on 24 of 34 field goal attempts and all 15 extra point attempts in NFL Europe last spring. - NFL Football -

Signed by Minnesota as a rookie free agent in 2002, France has been to training camps with the Vikings, Giants and Buccaneers. - NFL Football -

The Eagles also released wide receiver Darnerien McCants, who signed with the Eagles last month after he was cut by Washington. He had one catch for 22 yards in three games.

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

L.A., State Warned on NFL

Assemblyman Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) on Tuesday cautioned that the latest effort to return the NFL to the Coliseum could be stalled by a disagreement over legislation designed to help finance future infrastructure improvements in the Exposition Park area.

Ridley-Thomas said that "issues that separate the city and the state can be resolved," but that any delay could send "the wrong signal to the NFL, thereby blowing this deal again."

The city and the state have not reached an agreement on the issue. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has emphasized, however, that he does not support the use of public money when it comes to bringing an NFL team to L.A. - NFL Football -

Timing is an issue in the push to put a new or relocated NFL franchise in the Coliseum. The NFL has set a late October deadline for all competing L.A.-area stadium sites to have ready-to-sign deals in place. The league has indicated that, if it selects the Coliseum proposal, it would build a $500-million facility inside the historic stadium's existing walls.

Though no public money would be used to build the football stadium, proponents of the plan argue that a redevelopment district should be empowered to provide lower-cost funding to help reduce the cost of widening roads, installing water mains and making other infrastructure improvements. The district also would have the power of eminent domain.

The disagreement turns on whether a city resolution introduced by Councilman Bernard C. Parks in support of the redevelopment district safeguards the state's economic interests. A staff report by the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank suggests that the redevelopment district's economics won't pencil out if an existing California team were to be shifted to the Coliseum, because an intrastate transfer wouldn't create revenue.

A spokesman for City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo said the city is "working with all the parties on the issues." - NFL Football -

Copyright 2005 Los Angeles Times