Who Will Win The Fifa World Cup

Many people, including myself are starting to look forward to the world cup of football. The question many people are asking is who is likely to win the touament? In this article, I give my own viewpoint on this subject and discuss some of the likely contenders (teams) who could win.

The world cup finals are being held in Germany and it promises to be a very exciting and entertaining event. The touament which only takes place every four years is in my opinion the biggest sporting event which takes place. It means everything to all of the players taking part as well as to the supporters.

Potential winners of the football world cup

Germany

The hosts Germany are always a big threat in the world cup and have an outstanding record in the touament. The team seems to peak at just the right time and as they are playing on home soil, they must have a great chance. I personally believe though that Germany will be knocked out in the quarter-finals. I think that their best player is Micheal Ballack.

France

The French team have had an outstanding decade and still boast some of the best players in the world. Players like Henry can tu a game in an instant and he is just one of a few players which I could mention.

France should do well but I do not believe have enough to win the touament.

Holland

I must say that Holland are one team which I love to watch playing football. They approach the game in the right way and their supporters make it a very colourful occasion.

Despite having many top players, Holland always seem to flatter to deceive and this could well be the case this year.

If my home team of England does not win the world cup, I would love to see the Dutch lift the trophy.

Spain

Spain in a way are very much like Holland in that they always seem to fall short despite having many superb players.

On their day the Spanish team can beat the best in the world and should come close this year.

I personally believe that Spain will be knocked out in a penalty shoot out, this is what normally happens to them.

Portugal

After just failing to win the European football championship, Portugal with their Brazilian manager Scolari, will be hoping to go one better in the world cup. It came as quite a shock when Greece beat them in the Final two years ago and this defeat might play on their minds when the pressure is on.

England

Being from England myself, I am obviously hoping that my home nation can lift the trophy for the first time since 1966.

England certainly have enough talent in the team but something always seems to go wrong.

Wayne Rooney has the potential of being the best player at the world cup and if he can stay fit, England will have a great chance.

I personally believe that the English will be eliminated in the semi-finals.

Italy

The Italians have a number of superb footballers but my only conce for them is that they do not always play as a team.

I believe that they should have won a lot more touaments over the last twenty years and I do not think that they will win this year either.

Brazil

Brazil are by far and away the best team in the touament. This is my tip for the team which should win the Fifa world cup.

To win the touament you require something a little bit special and Brazil certainly have that.

The only way I can see them not winning is if they have a bad run of injuries or a series of red cards. Both of these are highly unlikely.

I hope you all enjoy watching the world cup as much as I will, so lets sit back and enjoy this summer of football.

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2005 NFC West Football preview

OVERVIEW: NFC West

The Arizona Cardinals have posted a mark of 22-42 straight up over the past four seasons which is by far the worst win/loss record of any team in the NFC West, however, that's all about to change in 2005 as I fully expect these Cardinals to win this division and make the playoffs, remember that you heard it here first!

Cardinal HC Denny Green had another fantastic draft highlighted by picking CB Antrel Rolle and RB J.J. Arrington with his first and second choices followed by selecting CB Eric Green and LB Darryl Blackstock with his third and fourth picks, Rolle and Arrington will in all likelihood be immediate starters while Green and Blackstock will add depth to a defense that improved from 26th overall in 2003 to 12th overall in the league in 2004.

Denny Green got a draft steal in the forth round by picking up OG Elton Brown out of Virginia who may very well be another immediate starter, Brown is a mountain of a man at 6'4 and 339 lbs and was a two time recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy which is given annually to the ACC's top blocker.

The Cards did very well in the free agent wars by signing two time league MVP Kurt Waer to lead the offense and play catch with WR's Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin who comprise one of the best WR tandems in the NFL, to help protect Waer in the pocket the Cards signed OG Oliver Ross away from Pittsburgh and for good measure also brought in OT's Ian Allen and Adam Haayer for added depth.

Arizona has managed to interject a lot of young talent on their roster via excellent drafting as evidenced by the fact that 13 of the Cards 14 draft choices from 2003 and 2004 are on the roster for 2005, and to think that 7 of those 14 draft picks from 2003 and 2004 are starters!

Seattle can't seem to get out of their own way with regard to posting an overall win/loss mark of 35-31 over the past four years which has led to them being what is referred to as a "middle of the road" team, not bad enough to be in line for higher draft picks but yet not good enough to capitalize on opportunity when it knocks on their door.

The Seahawks finished 2004 with an offense ranked 8th overall in the league but defensively fell from 19th overall in 2003 to 26th overall in 2004, the Hawks really didn't help themselves too much in the draft and instead concentrated on free agency to shore up their defense as 8 of their 11 free agent signings were defense related as they picked up two DE's, two LB's, two CB's, a DT, and a Safety.

The Hawks brought in WR's Joe Jurevicius and Jerome Pathon to ease the release of problem child WR Koren Robinson who had an off season DUI, the loss of backup QB Trent Dilfer to Cleveland will hurt the Hawks tremendously if QB Matt Hasselbeck goes down to injury and RB Shaun Alexander is threatening to sit out most of training camp in protest of the Hawks not honoring him with a new deal, ahhhhhhh nothing but problems problems problems for HC Mike Holmgren.

St. Louis by far has the best four year record of any team in this division with a win/loss mark of 44-26, however, the continued bad play calling and terrible clock management by HC Mike Martz has led to this team falling well short of expectations given this teams immense talent level over the past few years.

The Rams have made the playoffs four of the past five years during Martz's tenure, however, bone headed play calling in 2000 led to a first round loss at the hands of the Saints 31-28 and to think the Rams were 6.5 point road favorites playing at New Orleans, the following season saw these Rams completely out coached when they were installed as 14 point favorites in the Super Bowl against New England but lost 20-17.

2003 saw these Rams once again exit the playoff picture in a 29-23 first round loss to Carolina in a game played at St Louis with the Rams installed as 7 point home favorites, then of course how can we forget the 47-17 pasting the Rams absorbed last season in the playoffs against an Atlanta team that was nowhere near as talented as the Rams?

The Rams had a very average draft and didn't really help themselves in the free agent wars other than picking up LB's Dexter Coakley and Chris Claiboe to help shore up a defensive unit that ranked a shoddy 29th in rushing yards allowed in 2004. I fully expect to see these Rams finish below the .500 mark in 2005 and if Georgia is smart she will give Martz the ole boot at seasons end.

The Niners had a pretty good draft but they are still at least two years away from being able to compete for the divisional crown, HC Mike Nolan has already stated that his intention is to go ahead and start the NFL's first overall draft pick QB Alex Smith under center and let him gain experience, meaning of course that the Niner organization is expecting nothing from this team in 2005 and neither do I.

In closing, obviously I am very high on Arizona this season and expect big things from them in 2005, with that being said I will recommend two "Futures wagers" on the Cardinals,( A.) To win the NFC West and (B.) To go OVER the posted seasonal win/loss total of 7.5.

In addition to the reasoning I laid out above as to why these Cards will win this division its also noteworthy that Arizona will face the league's 2nd easiest schedule when considering that the Cards 2005 schedule is comprised of teams that tallied a combined straight up win/loss record of 120-147 last year which equates to a winning percentage of only .449.

Jim Campbell is one of the nations most respected Sports Handicappers, he specializes in College and Pro Football, you can visit Jim at his website located at footballforecastor.com for all of your handicapping needs including free play selections, College and NFL stats, trends and award winning analysis on upcoming games.

With over 30 plus years experience in the handicapping profession Jim has built a solid reputation, his web based handicapping service at footballforecastor.com as been in existence since 1997 and year after year proves to be one of the very best handicapping services in America.

Steelers Need Another Road Win Against the Broncos

The Pittsburgh Steelers did what few thought was possible and that is get to the conference championship game as a number 6 seed. They are the first team to do so.

The Steelers have already won two hard fought road games in this year's quest for the ring and will need another one against the Denver Broncos to reach the Superbowl. The Broncos have an incredible home field advantage due to their altitude and as a result, the Steelers could have trouble. The Steelers are 7-3 this season on the road including the playoffs but the Broncos are a perfect 9-0 at home. The Broncos did not have an easy path this season, however, having to play against tough competition from the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Playing in your third consecutive road game is not easy and the legitimacy of the Steelers this season will be tested.

Both teams love to rush the ball but that plays into the strength of the opposition as both teams defend the rush pretty well. The Broncos and Steelers are the second and third best rush defenses in the league respectively. They are also the second and fifth best rushing offenses respectively.

This game is going to come down to the passing game. The Broncos have the better passing attack but their passing defense is near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed per game. If the Steelers are going to win their third road playoff game in a row this season, they are going to have to get a big game from Big Ben. Watching him against the Colts, there is no reason to believe he cannot come through.

Check out the best online sports betting sites review for reliable places to wager online.

Football Jerseys the Great Transformation

Football Jerseys have undergone a complete change in its image, appearance and usage pattes. In the yesteryear sports jersey was just a part of the official sports equipment, nothing more nothing less. The jerseys meant for football players had long sleeves, were plain and their material was heavier than today's National football league jersey. Their simplicity and plainness has been a reason for many comments. Reason for their plainness was that jersey was the team gear with no frills or designing. According to legendary football coach Darryl Royal, they were "working clothes".

Custom Jerseys- A new Era in Sports Equipment

The growing popularity of National Football League (NFL) and advent of custom jerseys in the football teams has transformed the team gear. Team gear including the jersey has become trendier. Jersey has transcended its "working clothes" impression. Custom jerseys for today's NFL football players have shorter sleeves, vibrant colors and attractive pattes. The football teams now pay considerable attention towards design and appearance of their team gear.

Wearing replica jerseys for NFL football matches to support their team has not been a new phenomenon for the football fans. However, now the jersey has taken a step ahead and you will find many people wearing NFL authentic jerseys even out of the football arenas. Wearing national football league team-jersey of their favorite football team or player has become a personal style statement of the younger generation. This transformation is the reason for increasing demand of sports equipment in general and jersey in particular.

Moreover, the extreme popularity of football as sport in America has further popularized the jersey. There are too many avenues for football fans; some of them are NFL Football, College Football, NCAA Football and very popular Monday Night Football. These events have added to the growing demand for football jerseys and team gear. Many people have a passion for collecting authentic jerseys (game wo) and replica jerseys of NFL stars.

Football Jerseys, Hockey Jerseys, Basketball Jerseys, Baseball Jerseys, Soccer Jerseys and Throwback jerseys. Visit http://www.a1-jerseys.com, your online resource for sports jerseys.

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Troy Polamalu Interception Stolen from Him by the NFL Officials

We all saw it. Troy Polamalu jumps up catches Peyton Manning's throw, tumbles three times, gets up, kicks the ball out of his hand, and secures posession of the ball by jumping on it. It was so clear and obvious to us that this play was an interception, why did the NFL official get it wrong?

The NFL official that reviewed the play did not perceive the tumbling three times as a football move because if he did, there would be no doubt he calls that an interception. So with that as not being considered a football move, the next thing to analyze is when the ball came out. According to the official, the ball came out while Polamalu's knee was on the ground and therefore would never be considered a catch. According to the official, he never really had posession.

The flaw to his analysis to two-fold. Only an idiot would consider Polamalu's tumbling not a football move. Only a blind man could not see that his knee was what jarred the football out of his hand, not his lack of control. Therefore the official got the call wrong.

The Steelers have every right to feel cheated in this game. All of the calls went the Colts way in a fashion indicative of a conspiracy.

Check out our reviews on the best online sports betting sites and get some action on the upcoming football games.

Breaking down 9 Ohio State at 17 Michigan

Breaking down Ohio State vs. Michigan

Known simply in Columbus, Ann Arbor, and every place in-between as "The Game", Ohio State and Michigan meet in the regular season finale for both teams again. And, as is usually the case, the stakes are very high.

The Buckeyes can claim no worse than a share of the Big 10 crown, and will be assured of a spot in one of the big BCS game with a win. The Wolverines, who were thought to have been reduced to a pure spoiler role, have risen back up into the conference race. The tuing point of the Wolverines season has to be when Chad Henne threw a touchdown pass on the last play of the game against Penn State to knock them from the ranks of the undefeated a month ago.

If that pass falls incomplete, Michigan falls to 3-4 and this weeks game, though still their biggest of the year, would be more about pride for the Wolverines than aspirations.

They not only need to emerge victorious on Saturday, but would also need in-state rival Michigan State to pull an improbable upset versus Penn State later on in the afteoon to snare a share of conference honors.

Both squads enter this game playing their best football of the season, Ohio State's offense has put up 40 points in the past four games, after quarterback Troy Smith struggled early on directing the offense, only to look nearly flawless after his grip on the starting job was slipping away. Due to this, everyone around him has gotten better.

Michigan on the other hand, has moved the ball better behind sophomore signal-caller Henne, and this maligned defense is even stopping the opposition with regularity. Wins over Iowa, Northweste and Indiana are nice (only the IU win wasn't competitive) , but remember, Ohio State DESTROYED those three squads by a combined score of 120-23.

THE GAMEPLANS

Both teams will want to establish the running game, and they have the backs to do it, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman and Michigan's combination of Jason Hart and Kevin Grady. I give the Buckeyes the edge, as Smith is also a threat on the ground, while Henne is your classic drop-back passer. If the Wolverines and forced into second and third- and long, Henne and a sometimes shaky offensive line will have added pressure on them (literally) and these Ohio State linebackers led by A.J. Hawk could feast on him all day.

Last year with basically the same lineups, Smith ran wild for 145 yards and a score and threw for two more in the Buckeyes 37-21 win in Columbus. Michigan's linebackers and safeties may have to blitz him at times to force quick decisions, which leaves one-on-one coverage against a trio of talented receivers.

The Wolverines secondary has been their defensive strength all year, and they will be tested here. With Smith becoming a better passer, coach Jim Tressel has given him more opportunities to go down field to Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn.

I give Ohio State a small advantage overall on offense, as I feel Henne has improved from his early season woes. He can do some damage with his receivers, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston, but he will need more time to throw than I think he'll get on Saturday.

But, the bigger advantage to the Buckeyes rest on defense, where they physically beat teams up and wear them down n the second half.

On special teams, both teams boast dangerous retu men. Ginn and Breaston can both change the game in a matter of seconds. Both coverage teams will be under the gun, and the punters would be best advised to kick away from these guys, even out of bounds if they can without shan king it.

The home crowd gives the Wolverines probably their lone advantage, but I still do not think that's not enough. Notre Dame and Minnesota both came out with out Michigan Stadium victorious and the Buckeyes are better overall than either of those teams. History tells us that Michigan has controlled this series at The Big House, but Ohio State wins this one with a brutal display on D.

Ohio State 24 Michigan 13

John O'Nan is sports writer/moderator at http://www.theopu.com and contributes to various sports websites.

You can reach Mr. O'Nan at nay7201@mail.com with any questions, comments, or if you are looking for quality sports content

Fantasy Football Information Moss Exit Makes Burleson a Star

Here's fantasy football information that fantasy football nuts should print or write down immediately. Don't worry about the Vikings suffering on offense, due to the loss of Randy Moss. In fact, you can outfox your opponents, because of the Moss trade. You see, most fantasy football people will still value Moss to the point of spending a high pick on him, which may or may not work out, with Moss being a Raider. What most fantasy football owners will also do, which will be a deadly error, is de-value other Vikings, because of the loss of Moss.

So, the fantasy football information that most of the fantasy football books will likely overlook is to place a very high rating on Nate Burleson and Marcus Robinson. Watch the running back situation, too, because head coach Mike Tice says the Vikings will emphasize the run next season. Of course, Daunte Culpepper will continue to be a fantasy football stud.

Burleson, though, will be the true steal of your draft. Burleson is entering his third season, when many wide receivers begin to figure out NFL defenses. He went from 29 catches his rookie year to 68 in 2004. His yardage more than doubled from 455 to 1006. Best of all, especially if you're in a basic scoring fantasy football league, Burleson found the end zone 10 times, while playing second fiddle to Moss and Robinson for most of the season.

Consider that Burleson didn't become the number one receiver until about week ten, and his value increases even more, as it is clear that he'll be the new number one, with the departure of Moss. Fantasy football players can expect 80-plus catches, 1,200-plus yards and 10-14 touchdowns. Note, the fact that Burleson retus punts increases his chance to reach pay dirt.

Nate Burleson is a true fantasy football thoroughbred. Most fantasy football owners will under value this fine young receiver, assuming he'll be available in rounds three or four or even later in smaller leagues. Armed with this powerful fantasy football information, you now know not to wait too long on Burleson. Grab him early, let others scoff at your selection, then sit back and ride his performance all the way to the Fantasy Bowl.

Mark Baes is the author of the new novel, The League, a shocking, sports-related conspiracy. Lea more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com

Foote Notes Turkey Day Football Primer

Falcons and Lions Talk Turkey …

Atlanta dropped to 6-4 (SU) and 5-5 (ATS) after losing in consecutive weeks for the first time all season. This mini-slump can mainly be attributed to tuovers and penalties, as the soaring Falcons offense managed 52 points in the two setbacks. Atlanta still boasts the NFL's top overland attack pounding out an eye-opening 176.2 rushing yards per game.

Even though the overmatched Paper Lions offense has been outgained in 7 of 10 games this season, their tandem of DT Wilkinson and DT Rogers might be what the doctored ordered against one dimensional Atlanta. After all, the run-stuffing duo spearhead a Detroit run defense permitting just 82.4 yards (!!!) on 3.4 yards per carry when at Ford Field this season.

This is a large reason why the Lions have scratched out an enviable 4-1 (ATS) mark in their last five home games And who can argue with the magic of the Motor City on Thanksgiving Day, where the host has won and covered seven of their last eleven.

Surging Broncos a Burr in Cowboys Saddle?

The second installment of Turkey Day's double header matches the Broncos and Cowboys from "Big D".

Denver grounded the Jets 27-0 in its latest game, which improved the Orange Ponies to an in the green 8-1 (SU) and 7-2-1 (ATS) their past nine on the board. The Broncos second ranked ground attack has now galloped for 196, 121, 255, 191, 178, 165, 188, and 221 rushing yards in its past eight tilts.

This is anything but an easy out though, as Denver takes to the road on just three days rest and will face a tough Dallas team that happens to be playing its second straight home game. Make no mistake; this is a BIG deal as far as performance is conceed. Let's also not forget the Cowboys 5th ranked defense in the NFL has given up fewer than 14 points in six of its past seven tilts.

Good luck today, be safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

William Foote is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/William_Foote.htm

Does Intensive Pre Season Strength Training Protect Rugby Players from Non Contact Injury

Each year the Sydney University Football Club selects a group of players for its Elite Development Squad to prepare for the next season. For 2005 a squad of 50 was chosen which did not include any of the Club's seven Wallabies nor any of the players on Super 12 contracts. Players committed themselves to around fourteen weeks of intensive training involving six to seven sessions per week of weights, skills and fitness work despite either being full time students or working full time.

At the conclusion of the season the Club's doctor, Katherine Rae, and physiotherapist, Keiran Cleary, jointly issued a Medical Report analysing the injury experience of the Club's eight teams. They particularly highlighted the members of the Elite Development Squad, noting that during the season "the EDS squad suffered only two non contact injuries, both muscle strains, which resulted in only four games lost to injury."

More specifically, among the 36 players who completed the full EDS program there was "only one calf strain and one hamstring strain ... . They had no back pain or groin pain necessitating loss of game time." By contrast, for the Club as a whole, there were 28 instances of low back pain, 27 hamstring injuries, 27 groin injuries and 6 quadriceps strains.

Two non contact injuries in over 1000 hours of playing time is an extraordinarily low figure in itself, and certainly by comparison with the Club's other players who accumulated over 80 comparable injuries. The injury incidence for the Club as a whole seems to be broadly in line with that reported in various scientific studies including those focussed on professional players.

It is obviously unwise to attach too much significance to the experience of one club over a single season. However the disparity in injury rates between those in the EDS group and their team mates is so great that it is very unlikely to be attributable to mere chance. Therefore it is necessary to explore possible reasons for this very favorable outcome. I believe that there were three relevant factors at work:

Duration and intensity of the training program

An off-season involving around 90 uninterrupted training sessions creates a near ideal opportunity for players to enhance their basic strength and fitness for rugby.Very few non-professional players would have the commitment and dedication to stick to such an exacting schedule. And very few professional players would have such a large block of time available. For example, Australian full-time players normally participate in at least two of the three tiers of club, provincial and inteational rugby and are therefore playing through most of the year.

The EDS squad also had on-campus access to physiotherapists, doctors and nutritionists plus regular dietary supplementation. Thus, even though the squad members were not paid, they were training in a very professional environment.

Emphasis on basic strength development

Strength and conditioning in the EDS program was structured and administered by Martin Harland, a sports scientist who had previously worked with professional rugby league, Australian football and basketball teams. His programs for rugby players place a high degree of emphasis on basic strength development and rugby-specific fitness. A distinguishing feature of his approach is a concentration on heavy lower body work through exercises such as squats, deadlifts and cleans.

Use of the ScrumTruk

In addition to their free weights exercises the group regularly used the rugby specific MyoQuip ScrumTruk as a core component of their leg strength work. Certain unique attributes of this apparatus might be relevant to protection against injury. Although it works basically the same muscle groups as the barbell squat, the fact that the resistance is in the horizontal rather than the vertical plane means that there is no adverse loading on the lumbar spine. It is also more quadriceps specific than the squat and exercises effectively the muscles of the calf.

But its main benefit in injury minimization may be in relation to the hamstrings. The ScrumTruk specifically works this muscle group as well as adjacent areas such as the glutes, quadriceps and core stabilizers. But the most important effect might relate to the frequently observed importance of eccentric loading in developing the hamstrings. Both the barbell squat and the conventional leg press deliver constant resistance. When performing these movements concentrically the muscles involved are only under very partial load as the hip and knee joints move to full extension. By contrast the ScrumTruk's operation provides continually increasing resistance throughout the exercise movement. Because of this, the muscles involved are strongly activated over the full exercise range and most critically are working at close to full load at the conclusion of the movement. It would seem to follow logically that the more that muscles are being activated concentrically, the greater the eccentric load when the movement is reversed. Thus there is heavy eccentric loading on the hamstrings when they are near fully extension.

The low injury incidence by Sydney University's elite training squad seems to suggest that other teams might benefit similarly by implementing a long and intensive off-season training program concentrating on the development of basic lower body strength through complex free weight movements and the use of the ScrumTruk. The potential improved injury outcomes are additional to the very substantial strength gains from such a program.

Bruce Ross is CEO of MyoQuip, manufacturers of variable-resistance strength machines including the HipneeFlex and HipneeThrust, and the rugby-specific ScrumTruk and JumpTruk. MyoQuip exports worldwide from Australia. MyoQuip - variable-resistance strength equipment MyoQuip Blog - strength equipment, rugby football

The Belief That NFL Football Players Can Do Anything

Now, I remember when I was like 5 years old and someone flipped me off in front of my house. I had no idea what that meant, I just assumed that it was another way to wave. I went in my house to show my mom my new wave and I was cracked upside the skull with a wooden spoon. I realized that the middle finger was a bad thing and didn't flip anyone off again, in front of her anyway. As I grew older, WWF Wrestling was becoming bigger and bigger; Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Ultimate Warrior, the list goes on and on. I saw someone get hit with a chair one time and it looked like it hurt but he got right back up. So I said, "Let's give this a try." One of my friends hit me with a chair and holy crap it hurt like hell. The scary part is I got the weakest kid I knew to hit me with the chair. I could only imagine how much pain I would have been in if my strong friends would have helped out.

As I grew older, I realized that I would not imitate everything I saw on TV. We aren't talking about watching cartoons and saying if Wiley E. Coyote falls off a cliff and springs back up I can do it too. I knew those cartoons weren't real and knew I wasn't an idiot. I'm talking about watching movies and watching guys race bikes and do stunts and race cars at like 150 miles an hour and then when the cops come; they are so slick the cops have no chance to catch them. Now going back up to a few sentences ago, I specified I wasn't an idiot. I know if I tried any of those stunts or tricks they do, I would either kill myself or end up in jail.

So why in god's green earth do some of these NFL athletes think they can? If you are a pro football player does that mean you are above the law and can cheat death? Those are super hero abilities if I remember correctly. Or is it that you can do no wrong cause you aren't the "average" Joe? I have no idea cause I am not a pro athlete. Who knows what is going through these guy's skulls. Well, we have a few examples of what happens when NFL players watch movies and try the stunts:

Kellen Winslow Jr, TE, Cleveland Browns
Movie: Torque, cycle stunt videos, etc...

Just in case you wanted to know about the movie Torque, it is about motorcycle racing basically and tons and tons of special effects are used in it. I have driven motorcycles and they are blast. Using the minimal amount of experience on the bike, I was still able to figure out that most of the movie had some realistic stunts. They were fun to watch but even the ones that weren't "enhanced" by a computer I knew I had no chance in hell of even coming close to doing them. Again, I am not an idiot. So with that being said by an "average" Joe, why would someone as talented and rich and athletic as Winslow believe he can? Am I calling him an idiot? Not at all. All I am wondering is why does he think he can do it? He was in a parking lot trying to do tricks and ends up crashing his bike and hurts his knee and is out for the year. Why would you even try those stunts? It just doesn't make any sense. You are making millions of dollars for one reason and that is playing football so why would you do something that would jeopardize your career? Leave the stunts to the professional stunt men.

Quintin Williams, DB, Miami Dolphins
Movie: Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious
Video Games: Need for Speed, Midnight Club, Juiced, etc...

Now when it comes to car racing, not only are there movies out there to watch, there are also video games to play. They are all based on the same concept basically; race cars to make money and stay away from the police. Have I street raced before? No. Have I driven a car really fast before? But of course, who hasn't. What I'm trying to get at here is there is a difference between driving your car real fast and street racing. Both are dangerous but there is a bit more danger in street racing. Have I played those video games mentioned above? Yes I have and I'll even admit that I own one of them. I have a blast playing them and yeah I have a kick ass car that can do speeds of over 200mph. Again, I know I am not an idiot. I understand that video games and real life don't compare. I know what I can do in video games I can't do in real life. But not to Quintin Williams of course because he is a football player. He was caught street racing last week around Dolphin Stadium at speeds topping 110mph. Again, am I calling him an idiot? No, but I will call him an idiot cause he was drunk while he was street racing. I'll admit that I've driven my tricked out Porsche drunk off my ass but then again I was in the comfort of my own home playing video games. Williams was doing something that could of have cost him his life or the life of another person because he was street racing and he was drunk. He was a professional football player making millions but not anymore cause a day after his arrest, the Dolphins released him.

The belief that NFL football players have that they can do anything happens all the time. If just doesn't relate to movies and video games though. It goes way beyond that with drugs and assault and jail time and much more. Sometimes it gets a little carried away and nowadays we are seeing more and more sports figures in the news for negative acts off the field than good plays on the field. Both these stories of Winslow and Williams have bad endings that prove it doesn't matter if you are an "average" Joe or a stud football player in the NFL, what you see on TV isn't always for you. There is a reason shows put a "Do Not Try This At Home" stamp at the beginning of their shows. It shouldn't matter who you are or what you do, stick with what you are good at and don't be an idiot!

These Thoughts and Ponders are part of the free weekly ezine called, Thehooks Book. I am Dr. D and I will chat at you next week.

Thehooks
http://www.thehooksfootballpicks.com
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Fantasy Football Tips for Draft Day

Draft day. Perhaps the most important day of your fantasy football season. This is when you build your team. This is when you laugh at your opponents when they pick an injured player. This is when you find gems in the 7th round who outperform players picked in the 3rd. In other words: don't screw it up! Let's go over some advice that you should follow on draft day:

1. Have your own cheat sheets! I can't stress this enough. So many people use the rankings that their draft software uses (a la Yahoo), without noticing that they have not updated it to reflect recently injured players. Also, your scoring system is not reflected in pre-made rankings. If your receivers gain one point for each reception, that will have a huge effect on the placement of possession receivers. Use the given rankings as a basis, but alter them to reflect injuries and scoring systems.

2. In a local league? Don't draft your local players. It's a natural tendency for fans to overrate players on their favorite teams, so if your league is based in St. Louis, you would probably have to overpay to get guys like Bulger or Holt. Hype them up the weeks before your draft while conversing with the other owners, and then sit back and laugh when your favorite play gets picked three rounds too early.

3. Serve lots of alcohol at the draft…and don't touch it! Let your buddies confuse Luke Staley with Duce Staley, while you remain unimpaired. Although most will be fine after a couple drinks, it's simply not worth the risk. Any slight advantage you can get is worth it, and if just one owner accidentally skips over a player because of the drinks, you've done your job. Remember kids, don't drink and draft!

4. Keep track of everyone's picks. Online, this shouldn't be a problem, because your drafting service will likely do it for you, but it may be a difficult task in a live draft. However, it's worth the troubles. You may be thinking, why bother? Simply, it gives you the ability to pass on certain players you know will be available later. For example, you're picking 8th in a 10-man league, you are ready to take a kicker, but there's also a deep-sleeper RB on the board. By looking at your notes, you notice that the guys with the 9th and 10th pick have already taken kickers, and would have no reason to pick another. Therefore, you can safely take the sleeper RB, confident that your kicker will be there when the draft swings back around.

Although this isn't the complete guide to building a championship team, these simple tips will give you the edge, which might just score you a few key players that might eventually make a huge difference.

Mark G is a fantasy football veteran, who has played for many years and won his fair share of championships. He runs Fantasy Football Spiral, a free site that offers fantasy football strategies, rankings, predictions, a forum, and more. If you need even more resources to win your league, check out the site and you won't be disappointed.

Impossible in Football

They say the ball is round and that anything can happen in football. Such is the unpredictability of football that it adds an element of surprise to this game. It is akin to David vs Goliath. Idealists and romanticists will always root for the underdog. That is the reason why Rocky films are so popular. Here we are dealing with reality and not fiction. It is in this arena where the underdog can flourish and triumph. Think about it. We have so many improbable cases of the impossible becoming possible. Way back in 1992, Denmark did not even qualify for the European championship. They got in only after Yugoslavia was disqualified due to political instability. Denmark knew of their entry only 10 days before the Championship began. Denmark quickly recalled their team of players from their holidays. Denmark struggled in the early games in the group stages losing to Swede and drawing 0-0 with England before getting their act together and beating France 2-1 in the last group match.

The Danes then beat hot favourites Dutch team in the semis by penalties after the deadlock at 2-2 could not be settled. The Danes astounded the football world again by beating the hapless Germans 2-0 in the finals. What an incredible feat!

The extraordinary tale of the underdog would continue with the emergence of Greece in the 2004 European Championship. Greece had a fairy tale start by beating host Portugal 2-1. Greece would then hold another hot favourite Spain to a 1-1 draw. Unexpectedly, they suddenly lost to the Russians 2-1 in the final group game. In the end, much fancied Spain got kicked out in the group stages. Greece and Portugal went on to the next round. Greece would meet France in the quarter finals and make France their next victim. Greece shut up shop after seizing their chance to score. In the semi finals, Greece met Czech Republic. Czech republic had boosted their credentials by beating both Holland and Germany in the group stages and winning a convincing 3-0 victory over the Danes in their quarters. Here, Greece again tu the tables by beating Czech Republic in extra time 1-0. Greece would then continue to defy the odds in the finals against host Portugal. Despite huge crowd support and their home grown stars, Portugal lost to Greece 1-0. Obviously, the host hadn't leat their lesson. Also, Greece was buoyed by the fact they had beaten the host earlier in the group stages.

The most dramatic tale of underdog in football must be the way Liverpool captured their fifth European crown this year. They were in transition as a new manager came on board and their star player Michael Owen departed for Real Madrid. Liverpool also had to coped with injuries throughout most of their season. Liverpool barely scrapped through the group stages by the skin of the teeth. They had to beat Olympiakos by 2 goals to qualify for the next round. Things got off to a bad start with Olympiakos drawing first blood. Through sheer guts and determination Liverpool scored 3 goals through the efforts of Pongolle, Mellor and Gerrard and forced their way into the next round.

In the round of 16, Liverpool was paired with Bayer Levekusen, conquerors of Real Madrid and Roma in the group stages. Liverpool slaughtered Leverkusen with an aggregate score of 6-2 despite pundits writing them off. Liverpool then met another formidable foe in Juventus who had earlier overcome Real Madrid in the round of 16. Liverpool surprised Juventus with an early attack and won 2-1 in the first leg. In the retu leg, Juventus and liverpool would play to a goalless draw thus securing liverpool's entry into the semis.

They would meet archrival chelsea who had already beaten them 3 times in the same season. Chelsea had earlier beaten another hot favourite for the title Barcelona to reach the semis. The first leg saw the goalless draw on Chelsea's home ground.In the retu leg, Liverpool again adopted a lightning attack from the start which saw a Garcia goal. After that, Liverpool closed all gates and Chelsea could not breach the Liverpool defence. Thus it was on to the finals where liverpool would meet 6 time champions AC Milan.

They went down 3-0 by half time and yet managed to resurrect themselves to level the score in the 2nd half. The Liverpool keeper denied two superb strikes by Milan to send the match into a penalty shootout where Liverpool prevailed and won it 2-3.

The writer is the webmaster of Lifestyle Shop for LFC Fans

Hurricanes and Football Schedules

Late hurricane seasons can adversely affect professional football schedules and often football games are canceled, rescheduled or the location changes. During the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season we saw one stadium in New Orleans become unusable and the team had to go all the way into Houston and share their facilities.

During the 2006 Atlantic tropical hurricane season we should expect similar events to take place and be ready for such events. No one knows exactly when or where a hurricane will strike until the season is well underway and the hurricanes have been adequately tracked by the supercomputers and the weather satellites from NOAA.

Often small businesses are hurt in such regions due to changes in football schedules due to hurricanes. They are expecting additional people in the city in restaurants, hotels and shopping districts. They often schedule extra people and buy extra inventory to handle the crowds. If the football games are rescheduled or change locations all that preparation and inventory becomes pure costs and hurts the businesses.

Many cities in many areas in different towns rely on professional football games for their income. When that income does not appear, it is a double whammy considering that hurricanes often also cause damage and curtail future sales until everything is brought back to normal. Please consider this 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Football The Basics

To assume that everybody knows and understands the game of football would be a foolish thing to do since it is such a complicated game. And while we're not going to dive in depth into the game in this article, we are going to go over some of the basics of the game itself so that you have a pretty decent idea of how it's played.

The game of football is played on a field marked off with hash marks. Each hash across the field represents one yard from the hash before it. There are 98 of these hash marks plus two goal line marks for a total of 100 yards. Just past the goal lines are goal posts. These actually serve a function which we'll get to shortly.

The object of the game is for one team to move the football from one end of the field all the way down to the other and cross the opposing goal line. If they manage to do this they score six points. After they do this they then get a chance to score extra points either by kicking the ball between the goal post uprights (that's what they are there for) or by passing the ball or running the ball over the goal line again. If they kick the ball over they get one point. If they run the ball in or pass the ball in they get two points. There is also the option of trying for a field goal if they think they can't get the ball over the goal line. A field goal will give the team three points.

There are certain restrictions placed on the offensive team (the one trying to score) when attempting to get their points. They have to be able to move the ball at least 10 yards for every four times they attempt to move the ball, called a down. If they don't get the 10 yards within the four downs they tu the ball over to the other team. As long as they keep getting the 10 yard minimum they hold onto the ball until they either score or fail to get their 10 yards.

The team on the other end of the ball, called the defense, has to try to keep the team with the ball from scoring. They have many options open to them in order to do this. They can tackle a runner who is carrying the ball, a pass receiver who has caught a pass or try to physically take the ball away form the other team, either by causing a fumble or intercepting a pass.

If no team has a higher score by the end of four quarters, each of which are 15 minutes long, then they have one quarter of overtime and play until one team scores. If neither team scores then the game ends in a tie. Yes, football is one of those games where you can have ties.

These are obviously just very basic rules and the game itself is a lot more complicated than what you see here. In future articles we'll dive more deeply into the game itself, including football strategy.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Football Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

NFL Weekend Musings

Wagering on NFL games is not guesswork. It requires time, patience, and careful analysis. Here are some notes to keep an eye on regarding NFL games this weekend.

Ravens at Bengals: Emotion and interest are more important than raw stats for analyzing this game. For instance, the Ravens have had a terrible season, especially offensively. If you look at their schedule, they've only got "up" to play just a few times this season. Pittsburgh is a big division rivalry game for this club. They got fired up to play at Pittsburgh last month and lost 20-19 as a two touchdown underdog. Then the Ravens went flat, losing 21-9 to Cincinnati and 30-3 to Carolina (0-2 ATS). Then last week they got fired up again when the Steelers came to town, pulling off a 16-13 upset in overtime. So will they pack it in on Sunday? After all, Baltimore is 3-7 overall and going nowhere. Their opponent, Cincinnati, is off an emotional game, losing a 45-37 thriller at home to the unbeaten Colts. Will they be up? Or emotionally spent? More likely they'll be up, and the Bengals certainly have far more offensive versatility and balance than does Baltimore. Notice that the Ravens have really only played against three versatile offenses (Colts, Bengals, Jaguars) and went 0-3 ATS. I left out their two games against Pittsburgh because the Steelers were without QB Ben Roethlisberger both times. Baltimore is also 0-5 SU, 1-4 ATS on the road where they are getting beat by a 24-11 average.

Patriots at Chiefs: New England has a two game win streak, but they needed goal-area stands in the final seconds to top both Miami and New Orleans. And this secondary is still banged up, surrendering a ton of yards. The Patriots will be without Corey Dillon once again, the offensive line is still playing without its starting center and has two rookies in there. The Pats are also very thin at wide receiver, with David Givens missing last week's game and out of practice this week. Kansas City is 4-2 SU/ATS the last six games and, at 6-4, there is a sense of urgency if they want to make the playoffs. Also note that Pats coach Bill Belichick hasn't been with the team this week, tending to his father's funeral.

Panthers at Bills: An interesting betting line, as Carolina is 2-3 ATS on the road and 3-5 ATS as a favorite. Public perception is certainly a huge part of this, as the Bills were embarrassed 48-10 at San Diego last week. Still, notice that Buffalo is 0-5 on the road, but 4-1 SU/ATS at home! They allow just 13 ppg at home.

Bears at Bucs: The reason to pay attention to this game is the Tampa Bay defense. They are still ranked very high in the NFL, but the last three games they've surrendered a mind-boggling 34, 35 and 27 points! What gives? Perhaps just as amazing is that they've won 2 of those games.

Dolphins at Raiders: One game does not a season make! Miami is 2-7 SU/ATS since upsetting Denver in the opener. Public perception has certainly caused Miami to be overvalued because of that season-opening win and the reputation that new coach Nick Saban brings after winning the national title at LSU just two years ago. By the way, as up-and-down as Oakland has been, the Raiders are 2-0 SU/ATS as a favorite.

Steelers at Colts: Best game of the weekend takes place Monday night. Pittsburgh is ranked ahead of the Colts in total defense, No. 6 vs. No. 8. What will be interesting will be the Steelers' offensive line and deep running game behind Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley, Willie Parker and Verron Haynes. They've been rotating all four, a la Denver, and Indy has been weak against the run at times this season. Notice that the Bengals ran for 164 yards on the Colts, 6.3 yards per carry last week! If the Steelers want to upset the 10-0 Colts, they will need offensive balance, which means they need a healthy QB Ben Roethlisberger to retu. Tommy Maddox is useless. The Colts are the 17th team in the 86-year history of the NFL to open a season 10-0, and only the ninth since 1970. Still, it's hard to believe Indy is only 1-3 against the spread at home, but they are. Enjoy the post-Thanksgiving platter of games! Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

Al McMordie is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/Al_McMordie.htm

MVP Mike Vick s Planet

I like when people start to criticize and complain. It tells me that the fear of change is in the air and that is the way they are compelled to deal with it. It means to me that somebody is doing something right. Of course, there are those who get paid to deliver a disparaging word to keep any due hype in check, especially in sports where the business of hype often generates more revenue than the business of the sport itself. American football is the world's most popular sport, so hype is something it doesn't really need. But there is something happening now that the league didn't ask for: a major overhaul to the entire look and feel of the game.

Football is a team sport, much more than any other major sport. That in itself makes this phenomenon even more significant than it otherwise would be. In sports, there are few legendary talents. Athletes who possess intangibles that players of similar talent do not. Then there are those who elevate the status of their sport to heights never before seen or imagined. But there is one other level of athletic aptitude defined by players who possess so much athletic genius that the game can no longer contain them. They can't help it, it just happens. They don't just play the game. They change the game.

We saw it in basketball with Michael Jordan. We are witnessing it now in golf with Tiger Woods. Baseball had Babe Ruth. Wayne Gretzky did it in hockey. Football can thank Lawrence Taylor for changing the way defense is played. Now it can point to MVProdigy as the One who will lift up the standard for the future of pro football.

Mike Vick is the most exciting player in football, if not the most exciting athlete in sports. He has led a perennial loser to elite status in the National Football League. His team, the Atlanta Falcons, are a legitimate contender to win the Super Bowl. He is the most feared player in the league. Period. While in college at Virginia Tech he was touted as 'The Future'. His moves with the ball cause future hall of fame defensive backs look like they belong in Sunday School. It's appropriate that he's a Falcon because once he takes off, you're not catching him.

If you didn't know Mike Vick is a quarterback, you wouldn't guess it by this description of him.

Vick is not just a quarterback. He's a game breaker. An MVPlaymaker. He's the Experience. He makes it happen. Without him, the Falcons have little chance of even making the playoffs, much less contend for a Super Bowl. The Falcons have quality players who can win games, but without Vick they just might be able to beat USC.

Regardless, I don't like what I'm hearing about MVPeriod. People who think they know football say he is too one-dimensional. and he will have to lea to pass first if he is to lead his team to championships. Why does it matter if he can pick up 40 yards with his legs after line protection breaks down? Or if he is able to scramble for another 15 yards after he picks up the blitz on 3rd and 8? But wait. It isn't just running for positive yards that adds value to this player. His legs have the ability to avoid defensive pressure and knock out a quick 7 yard pass play on 1st or 2nd down. Those are yards created by instincts created by the situation. This is the way MVPlays it. Other QBs may lose 7 yards on that same play or throw an interception. Vick throws picks or gets sacked like every other QB, but more times than not he will create something out of nothing. That's the MVexPerience. The NFL doesn't realize it yet but the days of the 6'5" prototypical dropback QB being a commodity are quickly passing by. That player won't go away completely - look at Peyton Manning and Tom Brady - but over the next 10 years, as football produces more and more MVPretenders at QB, NFL teams will need to adjust their offensive philosophy to take advantage of these immensely talented players.

The strong winds of change are reshaping the landscape of American football. Some are having a difficult time accepting that superior players will rule the future, not just of football, but of all sports. It's not about 300 yard, 2TD afteoons anymore but about the inevitability of the MVPrototype becoming the future of the NFL QB. Eventually, the critics will have to sing MVPraises.

©2005 warmCHiL™/MJ Style

I don't consider myself a writer. I only speak from my heart - it doesn't lie.

Football Managers Improve Your Behaviours and Improve Your Players Performance

The job of football manager must be the toughest and most stressful management role on the planet. There is no hiding. Your results are immediate – once or even twice a week. Club Boards and fans want instant results. Poor performance is punished ruthlessly and in public. Humiliation is a constant companion.

Under this constant pressure one can understand why many managers rant and rave on the sidelines, on television, radio and in the press. However, they are unaware that their aggressive and insulting behaviour is damning their players to continued poor performance.

In today's competitive world almost all football managers know that at Premier League level most players are equal as far as fitness and skills go. What makes the STAR, what makes the exceptional player is mental fitness. It is mental fitness that wins games.

So why do many managers behave in ways that damage their players' mental fitness? Surely it can only be ignorance (in it's true meaning) – because every manager wants success for his players and club.

So here are seven things a football manager must do to build his/her players' mental fitness

1.Promise openly, right now, never to criticise any of your players in public. Not even if it's justified. You'll do your straight talking in private and if you decide to fire a player you'll do it in the most decent way possible.

2.Tell your players that you like them, that you think they are great players and that you know every one of them does the best he/she can in every game. You trust them.

3.Do whatever it takes to get fun and enjoyment back into the team. People cannot perform at their peak when they're afraid, worried or unhappy. Make having fun your main objective. Work hard – yes! Win games – of course. But let's not beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Let's get the fun back in our football and our lives.

4.Genuinely praise even the smallest improvement or the tiniest spark of brilliance and praise openly. Especially when things are going badly. Big fires start from small sparks. Really look for things to praise.

5.Stop shouting, mocking and insulting – even in private. Your macho ego may feel good but it does your players no good at all. In fact, they'll subconsciously hate you and will play badly to spite you - and they won't even know they're doing it. Concentrate on helping people do better – not on crushing them with sarcasm.

6.Make it your main goal to help each individual become the best player he/she can possibly be. Be seen to be helping players with their careers. If your club cannot satisfy the playing or wage aspirations of a brilliant player, work with him to find the best transfer possible. Imagine the effect this will have. Players will give you undying loyalty and effort when they know you are there for them.

7.Find ways to keep players' minds focussed on success. Every day – several times a day make statements that predict success and expect success. Do not even hint at losing! Allow time for players to visualise that success – everything comes from a dream.

Yes, some money to buy in talent is helful but it is not everything. Seriously apply these seven rules for two weeks and see your team improve beyond what you ever thought possible.

Dr Bill helps people improve their performance by using simple but powerful deep psychological exercises. No mumbo-jumbo - just solid subconscious programming. bill@profitimprovers.com

Football Managers Improve Your Behaviours and Improve Your Players Performance

The job of football manager must be the toughest and most stressful management role on the planet. There is no hiding. Your results are immediate – once or even twice a week. Club Boards and fans want instant results. Poor performance is punished ruthlessly and in public. Humiliation is a constant companion.

Under this constant pressure one can understand why many managers rant and rave on the sidelines, on television, radio and in the press. However, they are unaware that their aggressive and insulting behaviour is damning their players to continued poor performance.

In today's competitive world almost all football managers know that at Premier League level most players are equal as far as fitness and skills go. What makes the STAR, what makes the exceptional player is mental fitness. It is mental fitness that wins games.

So why do many managers behave in ways that damage their players' mental fitness? Surely it can only be ignorance (in it's true meaning) – because every manager wants success for his players and club.

So here are seven things a football manager must do to build his/her players' mental fitness

1.Promise openly, right now, never to criticise any of your players in public. Not even if it's justified. You'll do your straight talking in private and if you decide to fire a player you'll do it in the most decent way possible.

2.Tell your players that you like them, that you think they are great players and that you know every one of them does the best he/she can in every game. You trust them.

3.Do whatever it takes to get fun and enjoyment back into the team. People cannot perform at their peak when they're afraid, worried or unhappy. Make having fun your main objective. Work hard – yes! Win games – of course. But let's not beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Let's get the fun back in our football and our lives.

4.Genuinely praise even the smallest improvement or the tiniest spark of brilliance and praise openly. Especially when things are going badly. Big fires start from small sparks. Really look for things to praise.

5.Stop shouting, mocking and insulting – even in private. Your macho ego may feel good but it does your players no good at all. In fact, they'll subconsciously hate you and will play badly to spite you - and they won't even know they're doing it. Concentrate on helping people do better – not on crushing them with sarcasm.

6.Make it your main goal to help each individual become the best player he/she can possibly be. Be seen to be helping players with their careers. If your club cannot satisfy the playing or wage aspirations of a brilliant player, work with him to find the best transfer possible. Imagine the effect this will have. Players will give you undying loyalty and effort when they know you are there for them.

7.Find ways to keep players' minds focussed on success. Every day – several times a day make statements that predict success and expect success. Do not even hint at losing! Allow time for players to visualise that success – everything comes from a dream.

Yes, some money to buy in talent is helful but it is not everything. Seriously apply these seven rules for two weeks and see your team improve beyond what you ever thought possible.

Dr Bill helps people improve their performance by using simple but powerful deep psychological exercises. No mumbo-jumbo - just solid subconscious programming. bill@profitimprovers.com

NFL Draft Combine

Before the NFL draft even takes place the NFL draft combine occurs. During this combine players are examined on both a physical and mental level. This allows NFL teams to make a better informed decision as to which players they should look at more carefully in the months leading up to the draft.

But not every player gets to attend the NFL combine. Only the best players from each team get invited. There is not enough room for every player that is coming out of college, so the NFL goes through a selection process when determining which players will attend.

The players that are lucky enough to get an invite will go through a rigorous couple of days of testing. During physical testing the players are brought out in front of the teams so they can see what they look like physically. From there, players are then weighed and measured. These dimensions are then called out for all of the NFL clubs to here. It is during this stage that the truth comes out on a lot of players. Some players who claimed to be 6' tall end up measuring out at 5'10". This can make or break where they get drafted.

After the height and weight players will go through a variety of different drills. Some of the drills include the 40 yard dash and the vertical leap. Quarterbacks are also given the chance to show off their passing skills.

If the physical part was not demanding enough, players also take written exams which are graded. The effect of these exams has been highly scrutinized over the years. Players will also participate in oral interviews with any teams that are interested.

Overall, the NFL combine is the first step that takes place before the NFL draft. Without the combine, the draft could not be as successful as it is.

Take a look at our tennis betting tips, a sport that handicappers are start to bet on heavily.

Football The Dallas Cowboys

Perhaps no other football team in the NFL is as popular as the Dallas Cowboys. Nicknamed years ago "Americas Team", people either love them or hate them. But what can't be argued is their success. In the 45 years of their existence, the Dallas Cowboys have been the won more football games than any other team in all of football. The Cowboys are also well known for having the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

The Dallas Cowboys came into the NFL on January 28, 1960. They make their home in Irving, TX (Dallas suburb) and play their games in Texas Stadium. This stadium, built in 1971, is well known amongst football fans due to the unique hole in the roof above the football field.

Over the years the Cowboys have played in 8 or the 40 Super Bowls, winning 5 of them. Only San Francisco can make that claim. They have made the playoffs 27 times and won 18 division titles.

Jerry Jones is currently the team owner and president. The Dallas Cowboys are coached by Bill Parcells. When the team first came into the league they were coached by Tom Landry. He remained the coach of the Cowboys from 1960 up until 1988. He is arguably one of the greatest head coaches the NFL has ever had.

The Dallas Cowboys have had more than their share of football players go into the Hall of Fame. Some of these include:

• Tom Landry
• Tony Dorsett
• Bob Lily
• Mel Renfro
• Tex Schramm
• Roger Staubach
• Randy White
• Lance Alworth
• Mike Ditka
• Herb Adderly
• Forrest Gregg
• Tommy McDonald
• Jackie Smith

The Dallas Cowboys first season in the NFL was not the kind of start they were hoping for. They failed to win even one game. A few years later, in 1965, they started their run of 9 straight playoff appearances. The Cowboys reached the Super Bowl in 1971, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next year, 1972, the Cowboys retued to the Super Bowl, this time winning it over the Miami Dolphins 24-3.

The football Cowboys later went to the Super Bowl in 76, 78 and 79. The game in 1979 against Pittsburgh is still considered to be the greatest football game in Super Bowl history.

The team went through a lot of rebuilding in the late 80s and Tom Landry retired after the 1988 season. It was at this time that Jerry Jones also bought the team and brought in Jimmy Johnson as head coach. This began a run of success that very few football teams have ever experienced.

With Emmit Smith in the backfield, Troy Aikman as quarterback and Michael Irvin as wide receiver, the Dallas Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1993 and 1994. After a major disagreement with owner Jerry Jones, Jimmy Johnson retired. New coach Barry Switzer came in and took the Cowboys to the playoffs 3 times, including winning the Super Bowl again in 1997.

This success has kept Dallas at the top of the football world for many years. With their steep winning tradition, this success can be expected to continue for many more years to come.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Football Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Indianapolis Semi Pro Football Team Wins National Championship

The Hoosier Hurricanes invaded Homestead, Florida for last weekend's 4th annual Minor League Football News (MLFN) Super Football Weekend strong winded and left with reign.

In a game dominated by defense, the Hurricanes hammered the Carolina Express 41-0 to win MLFN's AA National Championship.

"To reach this point so quickly is incredible," said Hurricanes head coach John Starlin. "I really feel like a proud father to all of those guys."

While the 'Canes' offense was strong, the play of their defense was dominant. The 'Canes forced eight tuovers and controlled the Express' offense, which towered over them in size and power. Early in the contest, it looked like the Express were going to use their Power I offensive attack to run right down the throat of the 'Canes' defense. When the Express were forced to throw, however, the speedy Hurricane secondary was able to take the game away. The first of four Express interceptions was thrown on that opening drive, and the Hurricanes never looked back.

"They were a tough team to scout, but I really think they underestimated our speed," said Starlin. "Other coaches from their league were able to help me out as far as scouting, but I knew as solid as our defense was that we could play with anybody."

Staying with the defensive theme of the game, linebacker Deon Smith was awarded the game's MVP for his 12 tackle performance. He also intercepted a pass and forced a fumble.

The AA national title was the perfect end to a season that was already storybook for the Indianapolis squad, founded by co-owners Starlin, David Day, and NFL wide receiver Reggie Wayne. In their first year of existence, the Hurricanes were awarded Best New Team in the Midwest by MLFN after finishing 13-1 in the Ohio Valley Football League (OVFL). Their OVFL season finished with a Super Bowl victory over the Charlotte (MI) Roughriders, 21-0.

"This has really been a dream season for us," said Starlin.

Starlin's players have also won numerous accolades from MLFN. Four 'Canes were honored with Midwest All-American status: Derrick Ellis was an honorable mention Midwest All-American at running back, wide receiver Scott Penick made second team Midwest All-American, and Corey Crumpton and Charles Avant were first and second team at defensive back, respectively.

Ellis, a former "Mr. Indiana" while playing running back in high school, was also named Running Back of the Year in the Midwest Region by MLFN.

The Hurricanes will retu to the OVFL next season and compete to become the first ever back-to-back champion in league history, a feat no team has accomplished in 40 years of competition.

"We are trying to develop something special here," said Starlin.

It certainly looks like the Hurricanes are off to a roaring start.

Jonathan Bentz is an Associate Editor of the Cool Ringtones Blog and a communications consultant for League Level Sports Marketing. Check out MonsterTones for all the hottest ringtones. Enter promo code MJKB0 for a buy one, get one free special.

Fantasy Football Format Go Basic or Go Home

My fantasy football league is approaching its 16th season. We have had 16 teams competing before, but now we are a 14-team league. Although the subject of performance points is bandied about at our league meetings virtually every year, we remain a basic scoring league -- the only way to go for true fantasy football fans.

Now, performance point system fans will say that there is so much more involved, making their games more exciting and more high-scoring. Ridiculous, I say.

You see, we believe that to truly make our fantasy football league seem like more than just fantasy, we need to mirror the National Football League in as many ways as possible. So, we have desidned our rules after the NFL, and we attempt to score our points in the same fashion as the NFL.

So, when a running back or a wide receiver scores a touchdown, we credit the team in our league with that player with six points. When a kicker kicks a field goal, we allow three points, and we give one for PATs. We also award two points for a scored two-point conversion.

Our biggest difference is at the quarterback position. Although QBs can run for scores, eaing six points, we award three points for a TD pass. This is the biggest departure from the mother league, the NFL.

This method of scoring allows for games that have very low scores, 9-6 is not entirely uncommon, but we have our fair share of high scores too. Fifty-seven points was the watershed mark in our league last season -- a not entirely unrealistic number for a prolific NFL team. Again, we want to be like the NFL.

I've known guys who play in performance leagues that allow 10 points, if a QB passes for 400 yards. Their weekly scores are unrealistic, scores like 126-90. This is more like a lopsided college basketball game than a football game.

So, the bottom line is we want our games and our league to look like the NFL -- the only way to go.

Mark Baes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Lea more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com

Indian Football Federation Humiliates FIFA

In a dirty game policy of the All Indian Football Federation, the recently concluded Santosh Trophy in the country openly challenges the FIFA code of conduct. The issue today farces the wrath and nation wide agitation against the organisers of the game. Earlier they are unaware of the consequences, but football lovers and innocent players strongly reacted to the game. It might tu out to be a political tussle among the conceed Indian states, affecting India in global sports too. The 17th November 2005 is the black Thursday in Manipur, where the quarterfinal match between Goa and Manipur played.

Today, the victimised state, Manipur is resolving what to do? Should they still play football (which does not follow FIFA) or should they relinquish from the Indian occupation to complete with Indian athletes in world competitions like the Olympics, the Commonwealth or the Asian Games? The unbiased and doctored quarterfinal match between Goa and Manipur which ended up in controversial draw 1-1, will spark the suppressed fire within Manipuri players. These players have been facing humiliations since the time India occupied them by force in 1949. Mongoloid in origin, the people of Manipur are excellent in sports like their brothers and sisters in Asian countries like China, Japan, Korea and Thailand. Long humiliations and partiality of the govement has compelled these people to free themselves from India once and all!

Let the world knows how Manipuri are living in India and how they are facing humiliations everywhere since then! Manipur is the best team ever playing in the country so far. Without players from Manipur, football cannot be complete in India! This has jealous the progress and development of Manipur footballers throughout India.

The rule which have been in violation is about the start and restart of the game. In FIFA rulebook, there is a law number 8 which states,

"All players are in their own half of the field. The opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 9.15 m (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play. The ball is stationary on the centre mark. The referee gives a signal." The situation arises when Manipur player, Tomba's marvellous goal bring joy at the wee hour of the match at 86 minute of the game. The indirect free kick that leads the match 1-0 was so superb that the TV crew replay it once. But when they resume to cover the match, there was an equaliser from the Goan side (just at 87 minute). The TV crew and the commentators had missed the restart of the match after the first goal. They never saw the restart, amazed with that the commentator shouts, "Did he restart the match?"

The Manipuri team were celebrating the fine bending of Tomba's indirect goal. The players were complimenting each other, only to realise that the game had been restarted without their knowledge. Most of the Manipuri players are in the Goan side. According to FIFA, a match cannot be restarted until and unless both teams are in respective side. This must be realised by the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF), match referee and the organisers who are vying for a berth in World Cup. Why should FIFA voiceless when India openly challenges and humiliates them? FIFA should stringently question the organisers and the AIFF in particular why such violations when looking for a place in world cup?

In that match, the organisers and the match referee had violated every rule and conducts of the FIFA. This is a serious issue which need to consider why the Indian Football Federation not following FIFA. Are they snubbing the sanctum of laws voted by football playing countries? Or are they ignorant of those laws? Was it the direct humiliation of FIFA that football is played in India without proper norms and ethics of the game laid down by world bodies?

The matter might not be serious if a local meet or small villagers played football in their local home grounds. But it was a situation to select the best team in India, the only trophy that has been running for more than 6 decades. The 60th edition of Santosh Trophy at Kochi in Kerala is a black day in the world of sports. Reason being it involves a huge political lobbying to suppress a small state Manipur. The state has been under oppression from the Indian security forces since the day India had occupied it at gunpoint. Till then, the mainstream Indian looks at this state as step brotherly treatment.

And why should the state of Manipur be welcomed by India. They only occupied it to expand its political and geographical region. The people of Manipur never felt homely with the Indians. The large-scale violation of human rights, imposition of black laws and ill treatment by mainstream Indian hurts the very feeling of every Manipuri. Yet they always serve India as their own motherland without any bias and represent country in inteational sports. But the recent violation of FIFA code of conduct by the All Indian Football Federation sparks the anguish of the Manipuri. Things are becoming worst every moment politically.

What is disheartening is that the Manipuri team are feeling lonely and ditched by the whole country. They strongly felt that such unfair game policy would never favour them in future. Some players promised themselves never to touch the ball in their life. This is loss to footballers and the FIFA in broad sense. While FIFA is encouraging people to promote the game, some incompetent narrow-minded organisers and the match referees are obstructing the spirit of FIFA. FIFA need to intervene and question these organisers, even the conceed sports ministry for allowing such dirty game in the name of football.

Winning or losing is the common result of every game and the participating team should accept the fate of the game. Yes, the team Manipur accept the draw 1-1 on that unfaithful day. They won the heart of spectators, commentators and millions of viewers across TV telecast. They never took any unlawful way to defend their rights. With hands behind their back (only to control their anger), those players strongly opposed the decision of the match referee. Even the organisers used security power to silent the players. Disciplined players resumed the match. The game was ended in a draw, but with a hurting feeling of every Manipuri why India and AIFF humiliating them in the name of football.

What put oil in the buing fire is the news about taking further disciplinary action against the most talented, disciplined and innocent players who quietly resume the match on that day. Some of the saddest part of that match was that after the match was over, not a single official were present to discuss the issue. They succeed in their operation and hide themselves. When the chairman of the technical committee was contacted, he openly ignored the discussion. Who will deliver justice to the game? Not a single member of AIFF condemns the game that is filled with treachery and humiliations of the FIFA. Reactions and condemnation flooded the state media, but the national media ignored it. Nobody cares to condemn the high headedness of the organisers and the officials of AIFF.

National media becomes blind at this situation and they also prove to the people of Manipur that Manipuris are alien and it cannot be a part of India. If it was Bihar or Bengal, the whole country will shook with the after shock of the game. What can a poor state like Manipur do when the cabinet and ministries take the situation lightly? But the people of Manipur did not take the issue lightly. This is not the first and it won't be the end of drama. A statewide agitation, protests and bandh are observing in the victimised Manipur. The whole state agitated and even threatened to boycott every game in the country. Manipur plays an active role in shaping the future of sports and games in India. Though a small tiny state, always won national awards and trophy in games and sports. Despite the ill treatment meted out to players on every occasion.

Today the whole people and the state are keeping their hope on foreign media and the FIFA to support them by strictly penalising the AIFF and even the match referee? This is the only hope every footballer is waiting. Who knows the decade long demand of freedom from Indian occupation will heighten from this event? The media have to play a crucial role in teaching the AIFF how to play football fairly and in true spirit!

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A copy of this article has been submitted to FIFA as a mark of protest, on behalf of the people of Manipur.

Mohen Naorem is currently working as Assistant Editor in http://www.efenbeonline.com His other work can be read at http://www.mohennaorem.com

Where to Find the Most Reliable Football Results Past and Present

It probably happens to you quite frequently. You and a friend have a disagreement about an English football game. To verify who is right, you would probably ask a few people you know, check the newspaper, or wait for your local news or some other station broadcasting sports highlights. However, if the game that is the subject of your debate took place years ago, the resources listed previously aren't the best method to obtain football results.

The Inteet has become one of the most reliable resources for researchers and anyone needing information on a particular subject. There are numerous websites that provide English football scores. The problem with these websites is that they contain other information that can get in the way of you obtaining the scores that you desire. These websites are also known for adding their own biased comments. What you want are scores and records so that you can draw your own conclusions. The website extrasports.co.uk is unique in that it provides only scores for the two most popular English football competitions, one being the most watched in the world. This website features scores and records for both the Football Association (FA) Cup and the League Cup.

The FA Cup is the most popular football competition for several reasons. Probably the most common reason that people enjoy the FA Cup is related to how the competition is played. Unlike championship football in the states, the FA Cup features has more than 100 teams that are paired for competition on a random basis. A team with a worse record can ultimately eliminate a team that has a top record. The competition is referred to appropriately as a knockout competition.

The website extrasports.co.uk also contains statistics for the League Cup. This competition functions similarly to the FA Cup and is also referred to as a knockout competition. The main difference in the two competitions is that fewer teams, only 92, compete for the League Cup. This competition is not as prestigious as the FA Cup, but has a wide audience nonetheless.

In addition to providing a list of Cup scores, the website also provides some of the most interesting records, such as those for the League records that include "longest unbeaten start to a season," longest sequence without a win," "record league championship," and "league championship triple runs." These records quickly provide indications of which teams have been the most productive over the years.

Although the FA Cup competition has been in existence since the 1800s, the FA Cup scores for only seasons 1949-2000 are available on the website. These are the years when the competition became the most watched sport. You can also find the record number of Cup wins on the website. The League records include scores from competitions for 1950 – 2004 seasons.

Statistical information is not only valuable for verifying scores and records, but it can also be a valuable tool for analyzing a team's performance. The records indicate a particular team's weaknesses and strong points. You can easily become addicted to analyzing statistical information.

extrasports.co.uk concentrates on providing football statistics for the beautiful game of soccer.

End the Madness Down with the College Football BCS System

Lets' face it: the BCS is a piece of garbage. It encourages unsportsmanlike behavior - and there really seems to be too much of that these days - by forcing teams to run up scores to maintain high poll positions. It encourages corruption by allowing poll voters to affect dramatic changes at the last minute, bowing to political pressure. It has resulted in weaker overall bowl matchups. And worst of all, it denies us the ability to settle the matter of the championship on the field.

Aubu, who will face ninth-ranked and two loss Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, are the first team to go undefeated in the SEC and be denied a shot at the title. They beat three top ten teams, and a good Tennessee team twice. Aubu would actually be better off under the pre-BCS system because there would at least be the possibility of sharing the title.

Califoia led Texas in the BCS and was poised for a deserved shot in the Rose Bowl until, at the last minute, the last night of college football -- on a night when Cal faced a tough competitor in Southe Miss after a long trip across the country -- some voters raised Texas above Cal. This came after two weeks of politicking by Texas coach Matt Brown. There were even reports that some ballots in Texas were submitted before the games were even done.

Califoia passed on the opportunity to score a very late, meaningless touch down, and it's likely that move had an impact on their drop in the polls. There is no longer any room for sportsmanship when a BCS bowl is on the line. A team competing for positioning in the BCS has no choice but to pummel its opponents.

The tie-ins the major bowls now have to conference championships has resulted in an 8-3 Pittburgh team playing undefeated Utah in the Fiesta Bowl, and a two loss Virginia Tech taking on undefeated Aubu in the Orange. Meanwhile, one loss Cal takes on 7-4 Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl. Are these the best possible matchups that could have been put together?

I don't think the creators of the BCS envisioned what we have now. I really believe it was an attempt to have something better. But it's time to admit that the system is a failure, and move on. The old system is better than what we have now. A playoff system is very feasible -- given that it already exists in every sport except major college football -- and would generate even more money than the current bowl system. The argument that it would take too much time away from the players' schoolwork is rubbish. Will we ever know the true details of the conspiracy among the university presidents, the bowls, and any number of parties, to deny us an honest playoff system? I doubt it. But it is shameful that the presidents of the NCAA-member universities allow such a system, that encourages corruption and poor sportsmanship, to exist.

Jerry Work is an entrepreneur, musician, and sports fan based in Nashville, TN. His company, Work Media, founded SportGamble.us, a community-oriented sports and sports gambling portal.

Golden Gopher Goofs Two that Got Away

I wasn't around during the 1930s and too young to appreciate football in the '40s, but at one time, the University of Minnesota was a football factory producing some of the nation's best college football teams. The school had long been noted for its football program before the thirties. The joke about Bronko Nagurski was that Doc Williamson, the coach, had travelled about the state looking for football players for his team. When he found a likely candidate working in the field with plow in hand, he'd ask directions for a nearby town. If the candidate just pointed, he'd thank him and drive on. But if he used the plow to point, Williamson would sign him up on the spot. Nagurski pointed with the plow.

Though Williamson produced good teams, it wasn't until Beie Bierman took over in 1932 that Minnesota became a household word in college football. According to his biography with the College football Hall of Fame, Bierman was a native Minnesotan who graduated from the U of M in 1915. He coached high school football for a year, served in the Marine Corps for two years, then went to Montana State University where he compiled a so-so record. After marrying in 1921 he became a bonds salesman, but his wife talked him into getting back into coaching because she didn't like staying home alone while he was on the road.

After assisting at Tulane, Bierman became head coach at Mississippi A & M (now Mississippi State) in 1925 and had an 8-8-1 record there in two seasons. At Tulane from 1927 through 1931, Bierman won 36 games, lost 10, and tied 3. His 1931 team won all 11 of its games, then lost 21-12 to Southe Califoia in the Rose Bowl. He took over as coach at the University of Minnesota in 1932.

Bierman had 6 undefeated teams in ten years at Minnesota and his 1934, 1936, 1940 and 1941 teams won National Championships. Perennial champions Michigan and Ohio State went winless against them, including Michigan teams that included the legendary Tom Harmon. The attack on Pearl Harbor changed many things in America. One of the effects was to end Minnesota's dominance in football. Bierman retued as coach in 1945, and the 1949 came close to winning the Big Ten Championship, but he resigned after the 1950 season, winning only one game.

The coaching position was open early in 1951. One of the applicants was Bud Wilkinson, who was bo in Minneapolis and had played for the University on the 1936 championship team. Another applicant was Wes Fesler, a coach at Ohio State University. The selection committee chose Fesler. Bud Wilkinson moved on to the University of Oklahoma and became the architect of the Sooner Dynasty that has produced fine teams to this day. Fesler retired in 1953, best known at the U of M as the man who coached Paul Giel.

Hindsight is 20/20, but this ardent Gopher fan wonders if things could have tued out differently if Minnesota had hired Wilkinson.

Another might-have-been for the Gophers occurred in 1954 when John Wooden applied for the job as head coach of the Minnesota Basketball team. Wooden at the time was an unknown, but I wonder if he could have worked his magic at Williams Arena. Ah well....

John Anderson is an ardent University of Minnesota sports fan. A 1966 graduate from the University, he attended graduate school in history and has had multiple careers. The most recent is author. In October of 2005, The Cellini Masterpiece was published by iUniverse under the pen-name of Raymond John. If you would like to read the first chapter or ask John a question, please log on to http://www.cmasterpiece.com. He will be happy to hear from you.

NFL History

NFL was started in Canton,ohio on September 17, 1920 by a group of enterprising men. Initially NFL was known as American Professional Football Association (AFPA). American Professional Football Association later got rechristened as National Football League (NFL) in 1922 and became America's favorite sport. Jim Thorpe who was a professional Football player was the first president of NFL and helped add credibility and pouplarity for the sport.

Actually Pro Football began in 1892 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when former Yale star William "Pudge" Heffelfinger was paid a notable sum of $500 to play in a single game for the Allegheny Athletic Association on November 12 1892. Then Pro Football was played mostly in the small towns of Pennsylvania and was mostly a Pennsylvanian sport before it started becoming popular in the easte and Midweste states like Ohio.

Initial Pro Football days faced several problems including lack of rules, keeping the players in order and professional recognition. But with the formation of APFA all the problems started to wade away. Actually there were 11 franchises were presented at the first APFA meeting. They were

Canton Bulldogs
Decatur Staleys
Chicago Cardinals
Akron Pros
Cleveland Indians
Dayton Triangles
Massillon Tigers
Hammond Pros
Muncie Flyers
Rock Island Independents
Rochester Jeffersons

On September 26, 1920, the first game featuring a team from the APFA was played at Douglas Park in Rock Island, Illinois. The Independents were victorious as they rolled to a 48-0 win over the St. Paul Ideals. One week later, two league teams battled head-to-head for the fist time. The Dayton Triangles beat Columbus Panhandles, 14-0 in Triangle Park. The Akron Pros, with an 8-0-3 regular season record, were crowned the league's first champion.

Only two of the original franchises of APFA still exist today. Decatur Staleys moved to Chicago and their franchise name was changed to the current Chicago Bears. Chicago Cardinals moved their home to Arizona and they are known as Arizona Cardinals.

Rameshrajan was a big fan of NFL. He has experience playing College Football in Califoia. He had researched the present teams and a collector of NFL Jerseys and merchandise. One of his famous works include NFL History and NFL Jersey