sports-news

Golf and Fishing what have they in common

2008-01-14T21:06:00.009-08:00

by: Kacy Carr

Golf and fishing could not be more different but they both have something in common and that being is, how they give enjoyment and pleasure to all who participate in the sport. For most people they are hobbies and for others it is how they make their living. You can earn big money as a professional golfer. May I suggest if you do not play golf and think the sport is not for you then think again? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

If it is the Rupert bear yellow checked pants, red jumper and blue cap that deters you from venturing onto the green then do not let this put you off. This is a familiar trade mark of most players who are comfortable with the Disney look. You wear what you are comfortable with.

Golf has to be one of the most laid back relaxing and enjoyable sports out there; if a sport can excite and give pleasure throughout a whole game then need I say anymore.

Learning to play is a great experience and can be great fun; mistakes will be made and no doubt this will leave your fellow golf partners doubled over with laughter. It will be easier for you to understand why this game is one of the world's most popular sports by joining in.

Fishing,

If you intend to take up angling in the sea make sure you are in a boat, as you do not want to end up bait for most big fish.

Another peaceful sport is fishing. Imagine yourself sitting on the river bank with your fishing basket at your side fully packed with sandwiches and a flask of piping hot coffee. And to make the day even more special are the sedate and scenic surroundings accompanied of course by a flowing river.

The beauty of fishing is the feeling it gives as i.e. not having a care in the world. A very rewarding sport when the fish start to bite.
Fishing can become an addictive sport or hobby where you never want to go home, what is so wrong in that I ask unless of course you have a wife and kids.

How to cast a baited rod like a professional is not as hard as you may think, the right guidance tips and advice from an experienced person in this field will prove to be the best move you could make in acquiring these skills for your self.

Kevin Brovold gave me the inspiration that was needed to fulfill my dream of becoming a pro with his Golf Magic tips on the sport.

Choosing which sport to take up may cause problems. Problem solved do both.

http://www.benidormbeaches.com

Expert coaching willl help to achieve. Kevin Brovold became my mentor. I now enjoy teaching others.
Golf Magic!

Morris’ Suspension Reduced to 14 Games

2008-01-14T21:06:00.007-08:00

by: Julie Smith

Kentucky University Randolph Morris’ suspension was reduced to 14 games this Thursday after he tried to enter the NBA draft.

According to the NCAA some of the new information that helped to soften Morris’ punishment was the fact that he clearly intended to retain his collegiate eligibility while he was declaring for the draft.

Morris declared he had made some bad decisions, like accepting bad advice and putting distance between him and his coaches and teammates.

The NCAA Basketball player won’t be able to play on Kentucky's nonconference schedule until the Southeastern Conference opener on January 10th 2006 against Vanderbilt.

The basketball team have been struggling with their inside game without Morris, who started 33 of 34 games last season with an average of 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

This article is free for republishing

About the Author:
Julie Smith is one of the most recognized copy writers on Sports and currently writes for www.instantactionsports.com
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

Horse racing 101- what you absolutely need to know

2008-01-14T21:06:00.005-08:00

by: Mansi gupta

Horse racing is perhaps one of the oldest sports in America. The charisma and aura of the game is such that it refreshes and revitalizes your spirits. If taken in the right sense i.e. not as a gamble with your limited money, horse racing is one of the best and conspicuous sports to play.

Before taking on to this game, one needs to have a very lucid idea of the entire chemistry of this game. This includes a proper knowledge of different strategies and rules of the game. Since you will be betting on horses taking part in the race, your primary knowledge should comprise which horse will take you to victory. The best means to educate your self about the horses is to pick up two three latest good magazines on horse racing. The statistics in there reveal which horse is by far the most wanted one and also the reasons for it. Read the average winnings of different horses and why some horses fail to make it to the list of favorable ones. Make an appropriate assessment in your mind about the horses on the basis of your readings.

The best you can do after that is to visit the race course if it is thrown open to public to attend morning sessions. If not, don’t be disheartened. Just try to make it a little early to the ground on the event day. For that will give an opportunity to read the track and perceive various horses to make your observations. Try to match your readings with your perception. Based on a survey of the track (if the track is dry, wet etc.) there are several parameters to decide the winning chances of the horse on that very day. With a hawk’s eye scrutinize the behavior of the horses as they march past to the stands before commencement of the race. If the horse is sweating, limping, walking with head down, or seems inattentive, weary and distracted then there are less chances to its win. Bet on the horse with an adequately sturdy built and fluent gait keeping in mind your analysis of the track and what your intuition says.

The horses are even categorized as- Front Runners, Closers and Morning Glories. The front runners occupy the front stage throughout the race. The closers are close chasers since beginning and can be effective winners in the end. The case is different with morning glories that shine brightly like the sun initially but die out soon, leaving at an unsatisfactory note. If two horses simultaneously reach the end, it is a tie case known as dead heat in the language of this sport. A finish is termed as blanket finish when two horses end up so closely that there is a negligible difference between them.
If you are new to this sport, you are advised not to take any risk of betting on a horse that has more odds. The more are the odds, the least are the chances of winning. For instance if the odds are 10:1 then for every 1 dollar you bet in return you will get 10 dollars back which is not considered to be a good deal. A fair adjudication of the odds on the basis of kind of field, past record and type of the horse and the jockey who takes on the horse is made by the odds makers on the field. This calculative efficiency gradually sweeps in with experience.

But one thing should always be categorically borne in mind that you should wager on the horse only when the money you bet is the one you can contentedly afford to lose. Never make it an addiction that makes you bet the money meant for your child’s education or household work i.e. any basic, important necessity of life. An addiction to any thing is fatal in the end. So let horse racing be a pleasure in leisure.

Mansi gupta writes about horse racing topics.

Hobby Psychology

2008-01-14T21:06:00.003-08:00

by: Peter Jay

Happiness is the culmination of small amounts of success. You will inevitably not be successful at everything you try to do. Also, if you measure your success by extreme standards, such as accomplishing some great and important task then you will likely often be too hard on yourself and feel like a failure, despite all of your other small successes. It is better to focus on the small successes and make them happen as often as you can. Mastering a new hobby can be a small success that you can accomplish, that you can make happen, and that you have control over. Moreover, it is something you choose to do. You can succeed at the things that YOU want to.

If you or someone you know is having trouble getting excited about life or has little ambition, perhaps it is time to have a little success or help them find a little success. Success can be inspiring. Success can build your confidence. As you learn a new hobby, your confidence will rise. You will become more ambitious and happy. You will become excited about other things that before you were not excited about.

A hobby can just be something else for you to do. One of my favorite quotes is “Variety is the spice of life.” A hobby is something you can spice up your life with. It can be very helpful to your mental health as you fill your life with the things that you enjoy and love. It can also give you a sense of control as YOU pick your hobbies. YOU find the things that YOU like. You can pursue your own interests.

As you experiment with different hobbies you can find yourself. You can find out what you are really like, what really makes you happy. Perhaps physical exercise will make you happier, in which case you should find a hobby that requires some physical exertion like mountain biking, running, lifting weights, dancing, swimming, or playing sports. Maybe you would enjoy a hobby where you can interact with other people; most of the hobbies already mentioned could also be done with others. You could also find more laid back hobbies such as outdoor yard games, barbecuing, camping, or boating. Whatever your interests are, or what you think they might be you can find a related hobby and pursue it. There are also hobbies for people who like to spend time alone such as crocheting, scrapbooking, arts and crafts. Some people like to tinker with things or are interested in technology, in which case, they might like model airplanes or radio control airplanes. Many people have a hobby of communicating with ham radios. There are as many hobbies as there are ideas.

By definition, a hobby is a leisure or recreational activity that someone pursues outside of their regular career. It is something that adds quality to life and variety to your nine-to-five job. It is something you can enjoy, something you can look forward to doing at the end of the day or the end of the week. It is something that you can spend time doing with family or friends. It is something that can provide purpose and a reason for you to be happy. Hobbies can help to find yourself and find where your real interests lay.

So, find a new hobby today. Find a hobby at the online hobby store that makes you think, that challenges you to be more intelligent, to be a better person and that gives you something to look forward to. You will be surprised what a difference it makes in your life.

Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access – Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com.

Home Field Advantage in the MLB: Interleague Games (Part 4)

2008-01-14T21:06:00.001-08:00

by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

Our analysis has consistently shown us that home teams perform better against non-divisional rivals but we have always lumped Interleague teams into this category. There is reason to believe that Interleague home teams have a larger advantage.

It makes sense for home teams to perform better in Interleague play for a variety of reasons. AL teams have an advantage at home and a disadvantage on the road because of the DH. When allowed to use the DH, AL teams are able to use a vastly superior #9 hitter than the NL teams are used to. If AL teams are not allowed to use the DH, this will often cause the AL team to either drop their DH, who is generally one of their best hitters or move him into a position for the Interleague games. Since the DH is not used to playing the position, he becomes susceptible to committing errors.

There is also an issue with familiarity. Road teams in Interleague games are often not familiar with the stadium they are playing in and as a result cannot use it to their advantage. The classic example would be at Fenway Park where banging balls up against the Green Monster leads to a lot of doubles. The Padres had a losing home record last season and much of their complaints had to do with the fact that their hitters were not familiar enough with the stadium to take advantage.

Familiarity can also be extended to pitcher / hitter scouting reports. With both teams lacking the extensive scouting reports they normally would have in normal games, the home field advantage will likely weigh more.

Our analysis shows us that home teams during Interleague play have won 56.2% of the time versus 53.2% during non-Interleague play. A 3.0% difference is significant here, especially in a sport where home field advantage is perceived not to exist.

Home Favorites in Interleague play over the past 3 seasons have gone 331-191 (63.4%) +53 units. If our team is motivated off a loss to the very same team it is facing, our team’s win percentage jumps up to 65.1% and the spread is off by about 15 points on average.

As you can see, since Interleague games represent such a small minority of the total number of games played, the home field advantage in such games is not readily known.

Chat about all sorts of sports information at the Sports Wagering Forums.

Founded by mathematicians and scientists, NFLSystems.com and EasyBaseballBetting.com analyzes sports the right way for profit. Ranked in the Top 5 for baseball handicapper in their very first year on the internet.

Gymnasts and Gymnastics Coaching Resources

2008-01-14T21:05:00.013-08:00

by: John howard

There is always more to learn about a sport as complicated as gymnastics. Most coaches learn something everyday from the athletes they teach, if they are open to such things. Good gymnasts try to learn as much as they can about the sport. This article is to reveal some sources for gymnastics information that we have found useful.

Those Who Do, Don’t Write (except for us)
There are other ways to learn about the sport of gymnastics. One of the difficulties, however, about researching gymnastics is that the very ones who are at the vanguard of coaching are much too busy with actual gymnastics coaching to write and publish what they are doing. For the very latest in gymnastics research, one must resort to other than traditional methods.

Thousands of Gymnastics Resources
There are literally thousands of books, studies, papers, articles and dissertations about the sport of gymnastics. We have compiled a list of and read over 1500. These are available through normal academic channels at any major University.

Old Gymnast Magazines
There are a treasure trove of back-dated articles from Madamesoille Gymnast, International Gymnast, Technique Magazine and USA Gymnast magazine. Even if there have been new trends in skills and equipment, there are numerous idea inspiring articles available.

A Few Good Books
There are some published gymnastics books that have some merit and even some of the latest gymnast biographies are interesting and revealing.

Insight From Other Sports
Books and research about other sports, for example, weightlifting, strength and conditioning, can give new insights into coaching gymnastics. Any coaching books and manuals can be sources for information and insight.

Sport Psychology
Child development and child psychology research can give insight into dealing with gymnastics coaching, skill progression and discipline problems with gymnasts.

Online Resources
There are an increasing number of gymnastics resources available online on the Internet.

Gymnastics Congress, Conventions and Clinics
The USAIGC and USAG both give seminars at their national conventions and around the country for both coaching and business topics. Some regional gymnastics conventions do a credible job on a smaller scale at the same thing.

Check Out Other Gyms
Visiting other gyms can be a source of great inspiration and new ideas. Every gym has something that you might be able to use in your own gym to advantage.

Network
Develop a network of other gymnastics coaches, gym owners, businessmen etc. to talk with. Bounce new ideas off them and listen to their experiences for insight into how to improve your own program and business.

Ask Other Employees and Staff Members
Ask your employees for new ideas and solutions to problems. They are on the front lines and also may have previous experience that may be of use.

Survey Your Customers
Ask your customers what they would like. Talk with them, survey them, run focus groups, ask for feedback, call program drop-outs for information and advice (don’t forget to invite them back).

Business Development And Research
Reading business publications can give new ideas about business management, marketing and organization. Old issues of Inc. magazine are especially useful.

Learn, Learn, Learn
Keep your eyes out for that one idea that will improve your training, program or gym. One idea per month will contribute to the success of your gym and one new idea per week can turn your gym into an outstanding facility and program.

Or Just Visit Our Web Site:
http://gymnasticszone.com

Increase Golf Swing Speed Easily

2008-01-14T21:05:00.011-08:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf swing speed is an elusive term for most amateur golfers. We’ve all heard of it and know it relates somehow to longer drives, but how can we increase golf swing speed quickly and effectively?

Do you think it’s swing harder? Have you tried that approach? What happened? I can take a wild guess. The ball didn’t go anywhere! You were so tense that your golf swing speed was actually much slower.

That’s not what you want!

So how do you achieve the ever-elusive higher golf swing speed?

It starts with your engine. Your core. The center of your machine. The stronger and more flexible you get your core, the faster the arms, hands and club will come through without swinging harder. Resulting in longer and much straighter drives.

Just take a look at the main movement in the golf swing!

It’s rotational!

In ALL sports movement…what dictates the power? One guess. It’s your core. That’s why athletes spend so much time throwing weighted medicine balls, pulling weighted cables and doing tons of twisting exercises with resistance.

The same approach should be taken for the golfer wanting to improve golf swing speed. Start with simple rotational exercises that incorporate both strength and flexibility like the seated rotation with a club.

• Sit upright with a club on your shoulders behind your neck.
• Grab each end with your hands.
• While facing forward, focusing straight ahead, rotate to the right and back to the left.
• You will feel tight and restricted at first.
• Maintain an erect posture with eyes straight ahead.
• Do this slowly at first, then build up the rate of speed.
• Rotate back and through 10 times for 3 sets.

This is a starting (basic) core exercise that will make a HUGE difference if you haven’t worked on your core before. You will notice a difference in your range of motion and power output on the course quickly.

You would then progress up to more resistance related rotational exercises with handweights, tubing (cables), weighted medicine balls and even weighted clubs.

With just a little bit of effort you will see a dramatic increase in golf swing speed!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing trainer site - Perform Better Golf.

The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com

Golf Nutrition Is Not An Oxymoron…Listen Up

2008-01-14T21:05:00.009-08:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf nutrition is still a relatively new concept. However, everybody knows that leading athletes in the NBA and NFL quite often have special diets and specific nutrition programs to help them perform at their peak.

The reasons who golf nutrition is still in it’s’ infancy in the golf game is easy to see. To start with nutrition in sports goes hand in hand with the training and physical exercise program for the particular sport.

In golf, exercises are still a very new concept although many professionals have already embraced it as an important part of their golf game.

For years golf has had the image of being a leisure sport to be played by the rich and the sort of people who do not just carelessly break into a sweat. Then came golfers of the likes of the legendary Tiger Woods.

For the first time in the sport, leading golfers were very young and extremely physically fit. Since then, the game has never been the same again and as exercise continues to take center stage golf nutrition has to grow alongside it.

Golf nutrition is usually part and parcel of a golf exercise program and is really designed to enhance energy and strength even as the exercise program works to build up the golfer.

The sort of golf nutrition that will become common will not be very different from what we see in other sports. The idea will be to have a diet of energy foods and foods that will help in building up strength and endurance for a better golf game.

So the typical nutrition recommendations that go with weight training for strength will be found in the special golf nutrition that leading experts are recommending to golfers.

This is the direction that the wonderful game of golf has taken and it seems that there is no turning back for any golfer who wants to improve their game. You just have to consider golf nutrition alongside your current golf exercise program.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

I Must Get The Newspaper

2008-01-14T21:05:00.007-08:00

by: Aron Wallad

I Must Get The Newspaper

Every day when I wake up one of the first items that creeps into my head is getting the newspaper. I have got to get the paper. I have operated this way for over 40 years. The paper gets me in the know. More so than the internet I guess it might be because I can touch it or feel it.

I confess - I have to see the sports pages. It's out in the open. I admit it. There is something missing for me if I do not get to see the sports pages.

Who hit home runs? Who got the most hits the previous day?
What pitchers won? Who drove in the runs? Yeah I like that one the most. RBIs.

If we are out of baseball season, it's off to the transaction part of the paper. Who signed and who got released? ( I almost always feel bad when I see a name of a player I liked that got dropped by their team). Any trades I may have missed? People's lives on the move. While this part of the paper announces transactions, it's really about how how lives change by the places these players move away from. And where they move on to. Sometimes that is all it takes like a new city for some players to excel like a Paul O'Neill or Roger Maris to name two great Yankee transactions.

During the season I have to see my boys, how are they doing?
Yankee Stats - I always observe them. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield are the guys whose statistics I scrutinize now. In the old days it was Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Don Mattingly, Reggie Jackson, Roger Maris, and Thurmon Munson. I know I am omitting a few. Please forgive me.

When I am done with the statistics I peruse the pages for some good story. I do not have any game plan for this pursuit. I usually get caught by some headline and go from there. Lately I noticed that when I see an article by a writer I do not care for I spit at the paper. No I do not I am only kidding.
I read the paper as if I am about to get a test. I read by myself without any interruptions, sitting in my car or at my kitchen table. With a cup of coffee or tea by my side I engage the paper. I think about who I might run into that might ask me a question about the Yankees that I should know. I better know.

I remember when I traveled in Europe in the early 70's. I had to get to the International Herald for their one or two page sports section. Reggie Jackson was having an awesome first half of the season. It seemed like every day he was hitting another homer for the Athletics. I could not wait to see in the paper if he hit another one.

The New York Times, The Newark Star Ledger, The Bergen Record, USA Today and in the past The Newark News have been my companions in the morning. I would not have it any other way.

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of your paper as I get out of mine.

I even read the front page and do the crossword puzzle. Sometimes.

Home Field Advantage in the MLB (Part 2): Tale of Two Halves

2008-01-14T21:05:00.005-08:00

by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

Home teams perform completely differently during the first half of the baseball season and the last half. I analyze baseball games differently based on which half of the season it is and I will demonstrate one such disparity.

Baseball is a long drawn out season with so many games that the best effort from teams generally do not surface until the latter half of the season. As a result, the home field advantage is stronger during the first half of the season.

Over the past 6 seasons, baseball’s home teams have won 54.6% of their games during the first 81 games of the season ( including 55.8% this season ). During the second half of the season, baseball’s home teams have only won an average of 53.0% of their games. Although a 1.6% difference may not seem major, it still represents a 3.2% drop to a home team’s advantage. Also, first half home records have not been below 53% in any of the past 6 seasons.

If we only take into account division rivals, the home field advantage drops by exactly 4% from the first half of the season to the second.

This indicates that one ought to first try to find profitable road teams during the second half of the season. So far this season, road teams in the second half of the season are 179-153, +54.3 units. Last season they were 319-353, +16 units. Decreasing the sample size to a smaller number of games can really yield huge profits for any bettor.

Visit us at the Sports Wagering Forums.

Home Field Advantage in the MLB (Part 1)

2008-01-14T21:05:00.003-08:00

by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

Of all the major sports, baseball is known for not having a great home field advantage. During the regular season, astute bettors will prey upon bookies by betting on teams that are in situations where the home field advantage is extreme.

Home teams win on average 53.6% of the time. This translates to a 7.2% advantage over road teams which is a smaller disparity compared to Basketball and Football.

Home teams in Football and Basketball feed off of their home town fans and are motivated. With baseball, it is most appropriate to try to find situations in which baseball teams will be more motivated.

Consider the Red Sox are 51-15 + 29 units the past 3 seasons at home off a home loss. Over the same span and angle, the Rangers are 47-33 +17 units and the Braves are 52-20 +20 units. These are 3 such teams that have a strong home field advantage given this situation. Because baseball is such an unpopular sport with bettors and this angle does not apply to all teams, the oddsmakers have not had to adjust on a situation as this.

Those 3 teams alone combined for 150-68, +66 units. This means that to even it out, the spread would have to be adjusted 30 points. So instead of being -130, the team would have to be -160. Instead of being +145, they would have to be +115. This is considerable in the eyes of most bettors. The normal home field advantage is already taken into account in the spread but it is the handicapper’s job to find profitable situations in which the home field advantage is higher and capitalize on it.

Please visit us at http://www.nflsystems.com

Latest Extreme Sport, Kitesurfing

2008-01-14T21:05:00.001-08:00

by: Ispas Marin

Looked at many extreme sports but just can't find the right thrills? It's time to take a look at the ocean, you might just find some inspiration.

The latest craze in extreme sports is kitesurfing, it only started out in 1990 but there are tens of thousands of enthusiasts around the world. You can go to any ocean side on a Sunday and you'll see that kitesurfing has a strong following and has expanded quickly.

The kitesurfing board is a surfboard but shorter and the kitesurfer is attached to it with foot straps or bindings. You have the board attached to a kite, that looks more like a parachute, by a series of lines of various lengths. The board is propelled by the kite across the water at quite great speeds.

The challenge in kitesurfing is that your body is the only connection between the kite and the board and mastering the control of both the kite in the air and the board on the water is a key point.

If you're asking yourself how it's possible for a kite to stay in the air while holding the weight of the board and your weight at the same time the explanation is this: while flying, a kite is creating it's own wind and the wind it creates is faster than the wind powering it producing more power than the actual wind.

The Kitesurfing Gear
You might think that kitesurfing is not an expensive sport but that's not entirely true, the board and kite aren't the only equipment you need. Other equipment components are a kite pump(inflatable kite), bar, lines, board harness, life jacket and helmet. If you'll add the starting lessons you'll get a good amount that you'll have to spend.

Taking Kitesurfing Lessons
The theory behind kitesurfing is simple enough, the practice is another story. Because of that you need a little while to master. Kitesurfing enthusiasts should take lessons from an experienced kitesurfing instructor before practicing this sport, no matter how much experience you have with surfing or windsurfing.

For all the tips and tricks on kitesurfing visit our kitesurfing guide now. For great information on kitesurfing equipment visit our kite surfing equipment page.

How to Buy World Series Tickets

2008-01-14T21:04:00.017-08:00

by: Amanda Gooch

How to Buy World Series Tickets

Have you ever known someone who wanted so desperately to go to the Major League Baseball World Series that they were like a rabid dog? Well, I have…and it is not a pretty sight. I have been married for a few years to “Brian”. Brian is an avid sports fan. Ladies…you know the type I am referring to…the type that can quote obscure sports statistics at the drop of a hat, but can’t seem to remember your birthday. (It is May 5th, by the way!) That’s my Brian! Anyway, Brian has varied sports taste. He loves football, golf, basketball and tennis. But he truly loves baseball. In fact, baseball maybe his one true love…but I digress!

Brian has ALWAYS wanted to go to the World Series. Unfortunately, his team never seems to make it that far. After the past few disappointing seasons, he toyed with the idea of getting tickets to go to the World Series without his beloved team. He worries that this may be seen as “cheating”. However, I encourage it! Afterall, going to the World Series has been a lifelong dream of Brian’s. Sure it would be even better if his team was going with him, but I think he should take this opportunity now. I even offered to purchase his tickets. Now, I know what you are thinking…Sainthood, right? Yeah, me too! But then reality hit me…I have NO idea how to go about buying tickets for the World Series.

The first thing I do is go directly to www.google.com and start looking for World Series tickets. Aaahhh…almost 23 million links!! Many of them are ticket brokers, but which one is the best? Which one is the most reputable? What is the typical price range? How will I get the tickets? How can I be sure the tickets are real and not counterfeit? Should I try Ebay? After a lot of research and worry, I came up with a very simple list of strategies. You may have to use more than one strategy, but it will well be worth the effort.

Strategy #1 Talk to friends, family members, colleagues, and your brother’s-wife’s-sister’s-boyfriend’s-mom’s-cousin who just happens to have season tickets for one of the teams going to the World Series. They have the best chance at getting World Series tickets at face value.
Strategy #2 Watch Ticketmaster or team websites for the scheduled on-sale period. You can do this via the phone or the internet. Keep in mind that these will sell out within minutes, so you have to be on your toes! Also, if you are given multiple phones for the scheduled on-sale, try picking one that will be less busy. For instance, say the St. Louis Cardinals are going on-sale. Instead of calling the numbers in St. Louis; try calling the number for the small town of Washington, MO instead.
Strategy #3 Visit http://www.consumerchoicereview.com. This is a great site that gives you all kinds of information about the major sporting events as well as various ticket brokers who specialize in the World Series. You can feel confident that all of the ticket brokers listed on this site are reputable because consumers are allowed to review each ticket brokers and their level of service. It even provides event information, so that you can impress your family and friends with your obscure sports knowledge!! Consumer Choice Review also gives you helpful information on how to protect yourself from purchasing counterfeit tickets.
Strategy #4 Another option for World Series tickets is www.ebay.com. Ebay will have a plethora of tickets, but consumers should be aware that you could be paying top dollar for a ticket that is fraudulent. I have heard horror stories of people buying on Ebay, so I have always been leery of using it. I found some really good tips on using Ebay on Consumer Choice Review. This site provides a step by step guide to buying on Ebay.
Strategy #5 Go to the stadium and take the risk that there are no tickets available from scalpers. Or that the tickets that are available are ridiculously expensive or even worse, possibly counterfeit or stolen. I would never pay hundreds of dollars in cash for tickets that could turn out to be fake or stolen. You should always use a credit card because they offer protection of purchases that turn out to be fake or stolen tickets. ***Be very careful when taking this approach and be sure to read the tips posted on Consumer Choice Review prior to taking this strategy.

As a final note, I highly recommend checking out the website I used to collect information, http://www.consumerchoicereview.com. They are not just for the World Series, but for any other major sporting event. It truly helped to calm my nerves when looking desperately for these tickets. It helped to guide me on what to expect and, more importantly, on how to protect myself. In the end, I chose a ticket broker whom I found through Consumer Choice Review and everything has gone just as I expected. And Brian…well, he can’t wait for the first pitch!!

How to choose your road bike

2008-01-14T21:04:00.015-08:00

by: Andrew Caxton

How to choose your road bike? Well the first question is how much do you want to spend and how much cycling will you do? The answer to the first question is a difficult one, many people when they are younger they want to ride there bike all day and what to be the next winner of the Tour de France, but they can not afford to spend much on there bike. If they get fit and win some races and get in a good team they will be given a top class bike, but what usually happens is they have to give up and work, have a family etc. When they are older and have more money they can afford the bike of there dreams. As to how much cycling you do, that depends on whether you can justify having the best bike around and only doing a short ride on Sunday morning. Remember you get what you pay for.

Basic Level Bikes.

If you go to the larger sports stores or bike shops they will have complete bikes for sale, probably a alloy frame with Shimano Tiagra or Campagnolo Mirage or a mixture of cheaper components, this bike will be built to a price, will ride fairly well, wont be very light and is a good place to start. To get some thing better, start with a nice alloy frame and if you can afford it, carbon forks, then with what money you have left chose your group-set of either Shimano or Campagnolo and then you can pick your saddle, handlebars, wheel rims and tires, this is all fun, but if you are working to a budget, it can be tricky.

Mid Level, Touring and Possibly Racing.

In this range of bikes you can buy them as a complete cycle, in the cycle shop, sports store or even in the specialist magazines or on the web. It is more fun to choose the components for your frame and how much you want to spend. At this level you would probably be looking at Shimano 105 or Campagnolo Centaur road bike parts and you could possibly buy some built up wheels from Shimano, Campagnolo or Mavic, but first start with the frame, there are many frames out there to choose from, get on the net and look for what you want, it will probably be alloy again, with carbon forks. Alloy seat pin, handle bars and stem and a comfortable saddle.

Top Level Bike For Racing and Pleasure.

Now it gets more difficult, your components would be Campagnolo Chorus or Shimano Ultegra, unless you can afford the top components of both manufacturers. Wheels again would be possibly Mavic, Shimano or Campagnolo, deep carbon rims look Great and have a wonderful ride, but will probably be too expensive, best if you stick to alloy rims for high pressure tires as tubulars, even though they ride wonderfully, will be expensive and a lot of trouble. Handle bars, stem and seat pin could be alloy or carbon, if you have the money. The frame is the heart of your bike and you will want a good one, at this price range alloy is going to be the first choice with carbon forks and possibly a carbon rear triangle. If you look around you might manage to find an all carbon frame at this price, Giant make a very well priced carbon frame in a compact, sloping design, there are others but you will have to spend a lot more money.

The Top of The Shopping List.

When’re looking at a lot of money here if you want to buy a professional road bike. The frame will be all carbon or titanium with carbon forks and maybe a carbon rear triangle or alloy main tubes with carbon front or rear end. The nicest ones on the market at the moment, in my opinion, are Colnago, De Rosa, Pinarello, Battaglin, Time, Scott, Cervelo and many more, all are available in different colours, geometries and sizes, check out there web sites for information and try to make your choice, it’s a difficult job. This is a professional road bike so it will have to have the best components, Shimano Dura.Ace or Campagnolo Record are your only choice at this level. Same with the wheels, Dura-Ace or Campagnolo Bora, these can be for high pressure clincher tires or tubulars, tubulars are more trouble but do ride well, but clincher tires are very nearly as nice and much more practical. Handle bars, stem and seat pin will be carbon and your saddle will have a carbon base with a leather cover and sometimes with gel for a little extra comfort.

The Best Bike You Can Afford.

You do only get what you pay for, so get the best bike you can afford, look around the magazines and the web sites and don’t forget your local bike shop until you get that little jewel, but be careful not to make your partner jealous!

About The Author:

Andrew Caxton is the webmaster as well as a successful author of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. Mr.Caxton adds very often reviews related to road bikes and mountain bikes

How to Buy SEC Championship Tickets

2008-01-14T21:04:00.013-08:00

by: Amanda Gooch

Let me start this article with a sincere “Thank You” to all of those who read my last article on “How to Buy World Series Tickets”. I was contacted by numerous individuals who asked about getting tickets to all kinds of sporting events. (Who knew when I started my search for World Series tickets for my husband that I would be nicknamed the “ticket lady”.) I have not had time to research getting tickets to all of these events, but I am taking them one at time…starting with the NCAA SEC Championship held in Atlanta, Georgia.

For those of you who live outside of the southeast, you are probably gleefully unaware of the seriousness to which college football is taken there. College football is a certifiable religion. SEC fans are much like the zealous evangelists proselytizing to the masses. (Of course, there is far more alcohol involved with the football.) There are 12 teams that comprise the SEC. The SEC Championship is the decisive game that crowns the winner of the very coveted SEC Football title.

My husband’s friend, Dave came to me and asked for my advice in finding SEC Championship tickets for his girlfriend. Apparently, she is an LSU Alumni and much like her fellow SEC-ites, she is a rabid fan. I immediately took up his cause. Here are a few strategies I discovered in my search:

Strategy #1
Talk to friends, family members, colleagues and your brother’s-wife’s-sister’s-boyfriend’s-mom’s-cousin who just happens to be a current ticket holder for the SEC Championship. Each year, current ticket holders have the opportunity to renew their SEC Championship tickets for the next SEC Championship game. Maybe you can sweet talk them in to letting you use the tickets for this year. If not…see Strategy #2.

Strategy #2
It may be a wise idea to go ahead and place your name on the 2006 SEC Championship Tickets Waiting List which is open from September 1st through December 31st. If there are any tickets available after the renewal period the SEC will randomly contact members on the tickets waiting list and give them the opportunity to buy tickets. Strategies #1, #2 and #3 maybe your only options to buy SEC Championship tickets at the face value, so it is definitely worth a shot. (**Note: the 2005 Waiting List is closed.)

Strategy #3
Contact the ticket office of the schools that are selected to participate in the SEC Championship and the Georgia Dome. Students, alumni and faculty usually get the first priority at the school box offices. All tickets sold through the ticket offices are sold for face value. The box office at the Georgia Dome will only release tickets if available, which is unlikely.

Strategy #4
Visit http://www.consumerchoicereview.com. This is a great site that gives you all kinds of information about the major sporting events as well as various ticket brokers who specialize in the SEC Championship. You can feel confident that all of the ticket brokers listed on this site are reputable because consumers are allowed to review each ticket broker and their level of service. It even provides event information, so that you can impress your family and friends with your obscure sports knowledge!! Consumer Choice Review also gives you helpful information on how to protect yourself from purchasing counterfeit tickets.

Strategy #5
Another option for SEC Championship tickets is www.ebay.com. Ebay will have a plethora of tickets, but consumers should be aware that you could be paying top dollar for a ticket that is fraudulent. I have heard horror stories of people buying on Ebay, so I have always been leery of using it. I found some really good tips on using Ebay on Consumer Choice Review. This site provides a step by step guide to buying on Ebay.

Strategy #6
Go to the stadium and take the risk that there are no tickets available from scalpers. Or that the tickets that are available are ridiculously expensive or even worse, possibly counterfeit or stolen. I would never pay hundreds of dollars in cash for tickets that could turn out to be fake or stolen. You should always use a credit card because they offer protection of purchases that turn out to be fake or stolen tickets. ***Be very careful when taking this approach and be sure to read the tips posted on Consumer Choice Review prior to taking this strategy.

All in all, there are several options to find tickets to any sporting event you want to attend, whether it is the SEC Football Championship or the NCAA Final Four. The deciding factor is how much are you willing to pay? And what price are you willing to put on your protection as a consumer?

Is Airsoft Better Than Paintball?

2008-01-14T21:04:00.011-08:00

by: Niall Roche

This question is bound to stir debate and controversy amongst the most ardent of airsoft or paintball fans.

Both airsoft and paintball are both hobbies based on replica firearms and wargames. Is this unhealthy? That depends moreso on the person themselves rather than the hobby. An interest in pursuing a hobby that involves weaponry only becomes unhealthy if taken to extremes - which is true of most things in life. Paintball and airsoft are not morbid hobbies and only run the risk of being dangerous when participated in by dangerous people.

Paintball itself is a more mobile sport. It requires a certain level of physical fitness, mobility and skill - if you paintball then you gotta be able to move fast. The weapons themselves are functional and are only designed to serve the purpose of the sport as opposed to looking good. Paintball rifles are designed to take a real beating when it comes to their use. Paintball fans fall into the 'extreme sport' category and enjoy the pure adrenaline of each paintball match and are driven by the desire to win.

Airsoft is a somewhat different sport. The guns used in airsoft are both conversation pieces and are also functional sports 'weapons'. Airsoft rifles and pistols are capable of firing both small plastic pellets and paint filled pellets so are useful both in the sport itself and also for backyard target practice.

The major difference is the power of the guns themselves. Paintball guns are driven by high powered gas cylinders whereas airsoft guns fire projectiles either through springs, electronic firing mechanisms or with compressed gas. The issue is that most airsoft guns lack the range and accuracy of the larger paintball guns simply because they were never designed with long range fire in mind.

Conversely airsoft guns are available in a huge range of styles and models. Everything from a Glock handgun to a sniper rifle to a CAR15 assault rifle. Airsoft guns are equally at home hanging in your livingroom or at use on the airsoft playing field. You can even go as far as buying an airsoft minigun. Many airsoft fans simply collect the guns and never get involved in airsoft wargames at all. This is the much the same as many sword collectors - they display the weapons at home but don't go running around waving them at people.

The truth is that neither airsoft nor paintball is superior. They're both a case of personal preference. If you're the extreme sports type then paintball will suit you more. If you're more of a collector then airsoft will be more you thing.

Regardless of whether you're a paintball fan or an airsoft fan it's essential to take proper safety precautions when using these guns. Proper eye protection in the form of safety goggles should always be worn and suitable protective clothing to cover your neck and upper torso should also be worn. Even though some people see these as guns as toys they are capable of causing injury either through accident or even deliberate malice.

This article was written by Niall Roche and provided courtesy of Airsoft-Guns-Guide.com where you can find lots of information on air soft guns.

Offensive Decline of the 2005 MLB Baseball Season

2008-01-14T21:04:00.009-08:00

by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

By Proloy Bhattacharyya
NFLSystems.com
proloy@nflsystems.com

As of today, total runs scored per game are down 0.52 runs a game. Most people attribute this considerable drop in offensive production to the new steroids policies. We are entering a new era where pitching dominates and this will have a serious impact on baseball betting for the next couple of years. Relying too much on past trends and systems of even a year ago will hurt even the astute bettor unless they take into account some of the new trends and angles that we have seen this season.

The most striking statistic is that a larger number of games are resulting in shutouts. 11.1% of the games played to date have resulted in a shutout as opposed to an average of 9.68% over the past several years. This means that pitchers are more dominant than ever before.

We can no longer “expect” those miraculous 3 run HRs to help our game easily sail over the total. In fact, we would expect a larger number of unders now. Historically, over/unders rarely dip below 7. They would be 6.5 only when two potential National League CY Young award winners are facing off. If two great pitchers were facing off in an American League stadium then the over/under would rarely dip below 7.5. Therefore, any bet on the over deserves a second look.

Another item to note is a team’s performance after a shutout loss. These teams are 128-104 +24 units this season.

We have all heard the saying “save some offense for tomorrow”, well, going against teams off an outing where they scored greater than 10 runs is 117-95 +27 units this season.

Going for teams off a bad hitting performance or against a team off a good hitting performance has proven to be extremely profitable this season!

Although these could be aberrations, it is important to note current trends in the MLB when analyzing a game that one wants to bet on.

Great Baseball Quotes

2008-01-14T21:04:00.007-08:00

by: Aron Wallad

Great Baseball Quotes

I love what prominent baseball people have to say about the great ballplayers. They seem to eloquently capture what we are thinking.
"It was his solemn duty to catch a ball that wasn't in the stands." - Monte Irvin (Newark Eagles OF, May 6, 1981), on Willie Mays

"Maybe they should see if his body is corked." - Howard 'Hojo' Johnson (NY Mets), on Bo Jackson, from Sports Illustrated, October 19, 1986

"When he took BP everybody would kind of stop what they were doing and watch." - Jim Kaat, former pitcher, on Mickey Mantle

"I played with him for nine years and marveled at how hard he hit and how fast he ran. How can anyone ever forget the catch he made on Gil Hodges' line drive to save Don Larsen's perfect game?" - Tony Kubek, former shortstop, on Mickey Mantle

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

"Having Willie Stargell on your ball club is like having a diamond ring on your finger."
Chuck Tanner

"Ted Williams was the greatest hitter I ever saw, but (Joe) DiMaggio was the greatest all around player."
Bob Feller

"No one hit home runs the way Babe (Ruth) did. They were something special. They were like homing pigeons. The ball would leave the bat, pause briefly, suddenly gain its bearings, then take off for the stands." Lefty Gomez

"When Neil Armstong first set foot on the moon, he and all the space scientists were puzzled by an unidentifiable white object. I knew immediately what it was. That was a home run ball hit off me in 1933 by Jimmie Foxx."
Lefty Gomez

"Every time Johnny Bench throws, everybody in baseball drools." - Harry Dalton

"He (Babe Ruth) hits a ball harder and further than any man I ever saw." - Bill Dickey
"He (Lou Gehrig) just went out and did his job every day."
Bill Dickey

"He gets better every year, that's what's remarkable about him. Some guys are good and stay good. Some guys are good and get better. He reminds me of Kareem. Hubie Brown said that Kareem worked at the beginning of every season to improve some facet of his game. It's that way with the best, whatever the profession. That's the way this kid is."
Ed Bradley on 60 Minutes - Talking about Derek Jeter

"I think he was one of the greatest third basemen of all time. He had one of the sweetest swings I ever saw." - Teammate Johnny Logan - Referring to Eddie Mathews

"How good was Stan Musial? He was good enough to take your breath away." - (1989)
Vin Scully
"When he (Maury Wills) runs, it's all downhill." Vin Scully

Seeing what these writers, ballplayers and managers has to say about these players lights up the page for me. I can visualize these players on the field hitting home runs, running with arms outstretched to catch a ball or throwing out a would be base runner trying to steal a base.

This is my baseball memorabilia.

Golf Stretching Secrets to Improve Performance

2008-01-14T21:04:00.005-08:00

by: Mike Pedersen

The trend in larger and therefore heavier club heads in recent years has made golf stretching secrets even more important to acquire.

To make matters worse for golfers not interested in embracing golf stretching secrets, golf is a game unlike other sports where continuous playing improves fitness and endurance. This is because the golf swing lasts only a second.

It is instructive that many golfers are yet to appreciate this rather important fact. This is the reason who they have found it very difficult to see any improvement in their game. Still it is common to see golfers practice hitting the ball for hours on the course. The writing should really be on the wall by now. And that is it is unlikely to improve any golfer’s game if their body is not golf fit.

Muscles that are not fit will usually be flabby and stiff, making a good golf game virtually impossible because a golfer will tire easily and using the correct golf swing will be virtually impossible.

Learning golf stretching secrets should enable a golfer to do the right stretch exercises that will dramatically improve on their flexibility of the body and thus impact positively on their golf swing and all aspects of the game.

Golf stretching secrets include the fact that stretch exercises are critical in taking care of every golfer’s most important and critical piece of equipment. And that is the body. The right stretch exercises will help the body cope with the golf game which is a physically demanding sport.

It requires strength, endurance and muscular control to hit a golf ball at high speed and in the right direction, consistently on a golf course.

Learning the secrets of golf stretching will also allow a golfer to do the right warm up exercises even before they go onto serious stretching routines. All this preparation means that the body will be ready to perform at its’ best and the results will clearly show the true value of golf stretching secrets.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Listen Up: It's Football Season Again!

2008-01-14T21:04:00.003-08:00

by: Jon Bischke

It's starting to get a bit chillier outside and the sun is setting earlier. This can only mean one thing. Football season is upon us again. As the New England Patriots embark on an historic attempt to win three consecutive Super Bowls, every other team in the league is gunning to take them down. The Philadelphia Eagles are hungry to the championship having been to four consecutive NFC championship games. And the AFC is stacked with several teams who would love to dethrone the Patriots including the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders with new addition Randy Moss. And in the world of college football it's up to everyone to see if they can upset vaunted USC from their throne and prevent another team from winning three straight titles.

Let's face it. You love football. But sometimes sports talk radio gets a little tiresome. So if you're looking to learn a little more about the game you love why not check out some football audio books and podcasts? It's a great way to gain a great understanding of the history and intricacies of the game.

Why not start your football audio odyssey with "Namath" a biography of Joe Namath, one of the sports' most colorful characters. Follow "Broadway Joe" his childhood, collegiate career and the Super Bowl III victory where Namath infamously guaranteed victory. Namath was a trend-setter both on and off the football field and his story is truly an amazing one.

Another interesting looking title is "The Junction Boys". This is the story of Paul "Bear" Bryant's 1-9 Texas A & M team of 1994. If this title sounds familiar it's likely because this book provided the inspiration for an ESPN movie bearing the same name.

Interested in learning more about some of the game's most vaunted coaches? Try taking this trifecta of audiobooks on for size. "When Pride Still Mattered" is the story of Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. "Bootlegger's Boy" by Bud Shrake is the story of Barry Switzer, the outspoken former coach of the Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys. "Paterno By the Book" wanders from football but is insightful nonetheless as would be expected from one of college football's winningest coaches.

Round out your football knowledge by learning more about fantasy football from a trio of new podcasts. Regardless of whether you're a hardcore fantasy football with a half-dozen teams or simply a newbie who belongs to the local office league, you'll be able to gain the edge on your competitors by listening to The Fantasy Football Guys Podcast, The Football Fantasyland Podcast and THE Fantasy Football Podcast.

The best part of all of these football titles is that they can be listened to on your way to work or while you're on the treadmill burning off all those calories you ate last Sunday when you were watching…football. Happy listening!

About The Author: Jon Bischke is the Founder of LearnOutLoud.com and is passionate about helping you improve your life. He invites you to check out the complete selection of educational and self-development audio and video material at http://www.learnoutloud.com For the HTML version of this article complete with links to the titles that were mentioned, please visit http://www.learnoutloud.com/football01

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential

2008-01-14T21:04:00.001-08:00

by: Craig LePage, CSCS, NASM-CPT

Time and time again we see today’s golfers out on the driving range trying to better their game. Whether it’s working their short game or driving the long ball, hours upon hours are spent on trying to master proper technique in order to take strokes off their game. What most golfers are unaware of is that the proper technique they are striving for is often hampered by something call muscle imbalance. Muscle imbalances are postural deficiencies that will cause faulty movement patterns, discomfort or even pain during activities such as a golf swing.

Muscle imbalances can be caused by many other factors besides golf, for example sedentary lifestyle, occupation, and injury just to name a few. Repetitive movements such as a golf swing can cause muscles on one side of the body to tighten while the apposing muscles become weak and lengthened. This will often result in the loss of power and accuracy in a golfers swing. For a golfer to achieve his or her true potential, one must correct these imbalances that are hampering their ability to perform proper technique.

Muscle balance can be achieved through a method of exercise called Corrective Exercise. This type of exercise program focus’ on identifying and correcting both tight (short) muscles and lengthened (weak) muscles through a series of strengthening and flexibility exercises. Achieving muscle balance will result in a strong balanced posture and allow the body to perform at an optimal performance level (increased power and accuracy).

When hiring a fitness professional to improve your golf game ask them if they are experienced on the topic of corrective exercise. A complete evaluation should be performed to identify your areas of need.

For additional information please contact (Craig LePage) craiglepage@yahoo.com
Or log on to www.lakenormanfitness.com

Craig LePage, CSCS, NASM-CPT

Craig is a well-known Fitness Professional in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, where he resides with his wife Nicole. He has been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for more than 10 years. His credentials include a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut, CSCS credentials from the NSCA and a Personal Training Certification from the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Craig has written for Charlotte, NC area Newspapers, authored his own fitness & nutrition program and is a frequent guest on a Charlotte area radio show that focus’ on health and wellness. He is currently co-authoring a golf specific exercise book (Play Better, Longer – Golf) and is also working on a book of his own that should be available sometime next year.

Craig LePage CSCS, NASM-CPT

Craig is a well-known Fitness Professional in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and is the Director of Precision Fitness Mooresville. He has been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for more than 10 years. His credentials include a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut, CSCS credentials from the NSCA and a Personal Training Certification from the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Craig has written for Charlotte, NC area Newspapers, authored his own fitness & nutrition program and is a frequent guest on a Charlotte area radio show that focus’ on health and wellness. He is currently co-authoring a golf specific exercise book (Play Better, Longer – Golf) and is also working on a book of his own that should be available sometime next year.

How to find the right paintball gun for you

2008-01-14T21:03:00.007-08:00

by: Mansi gupta

Sports and hobbies have a special place in our lives. They are not just responsible for our physical and psychological development but also act as our best pals especially in times of aloofness. Since Homo sapiens are different by birth, they have varying interests. Some individuals prefer chess and cricket while others spend their time playing baseball, rugby and football etc. People thence adopt different means to live up to their interests or desires. In fact it is an essential universal human characteristic that we do or endeavor to do things we like. For instance we eat food that we like, wear outfits that are good in our perception, visit places that intrigue us and so forth.

If you are an individual whose pursuit is lies in shooting, here is a lifetime gift for you from Paintball. Paintball, a worldwide leading brand in manufacture of exclusive products such as goggles, Hoppers, Harnesses etc. has come up with a remarkable range of paintball guns to match everyone’s taste and style of shooting. Paintball offers a collection of 14 timeless guns that are a perfect blend of quality, incredible working and unique designs. The guns that are further subdivided are variously named as – Icon Paintball Guns, ANS Cockers, Automag PaintballGuns, Black Dragun, Bob Long, Diablo Paintball Guns, Indian Creek and so on. A spectrum of paintball guns entails a horde of options and difficulty in selection. But friends selecting a paintball gun might not be as strenuous as it seems. All you need to do is to enlist all your requirements such as the kind of shooting you do and aim to do, the pattern of the gun that matches your style, the extra features you are looking for and the amount you can spend at ease on purchasing a gun. Taking up few cases in point here-

• If you are accustomed to battery operated devices and want to own a gun with a rechargeable battery, Paintball presents a black glistening 32 Degrees Icon Electronic LED at just $108.00. The regular price of this gun is $125.00 but at a special discount offer, this gun is available at mere $108.00.

• The 32 Degrees Icon-X Paintball Gun is for all those who had ever in their lives willed to possess a gun that looks apart from the usual, has an inconceivable range and is easy to operate. This Paintball Gun comes in three ravishing colors- Black, Blue and Silver.

• Exclusively crafted from highest quality metal, the Psycho Ballistics Paintball Guns in sparkling silver, immaculate blue are perfect for those who are hungry for innovative designs and features. These distinguished guns come at a sale price of $119.00.

• Well if you have guns with cool sporty looks in your mind, its time to act upon your wish. A variety of Bob Long Paintball guns (2005 Lasoya, 2005 Ripper, Russian Legion etc.) portray awesome athletic designs with special characteristics for instance long barrels, light weight, comfortable grip and distant range that will never let you miss the target.
• Besides these there are Automag Paintball Guns that appear like an airplane and are blessed with an excellent luster, negligible back thrust and ideal to aim at distant places.

• Not to forget are the soundless, feather light Diablo Paintball Guns that serve you with all the latest attributes.

Besides these there are countless other Paintball guns that have received a laudable response. You can take a look at the complete assortment of Paintball guns through Internet. Keeping your necessities in mind, you can now order for these guns online and acquire them at a heavily reduced cost.

So, will your next destination be targets of Paintball Guns…think about it!

Mansi gupta writes about paintball guns.

Online shopping for bike accessories

2008-01-14T21:03:00.005-08:00

by: Andrew Caxton

At one time you could only buy cycling equipment at your local cycle shop, if they had what you wanted or you had to hope they could order it and then you would have to wait for it to come and hope it was the right size, colour or price. Then cycling magazines started to have adverts for the bigger stores and you could post off a cheque and wait for your prized article to arrive. Now things could not be easier, your at home watching the Tour de France on television, you see you hero attack on the mountainous slopes of Alpe-d’Huez, what are those sexy carbon cranks he’s using? They look like FSA or are they Campagnolo, they could be Stella Azurra, which are they? How much will they cost? Where can I get them? Well, get on the Web, put the name of that most wanted item into your search engine and see what it comes up with. The next move can be nearly as exciting as riding your bike up the mountains, that’s making comparisons of all the equipment, something you probably wont be able to do at your local cycle shop and then ordering it online, the worst bit is waiting for it to arrive.

All the top cycle components, clothing, frames and cycle manufacturers have their own web-sites, once you’ve found what you really want for your bike, most sites can link you to a retail out let, from there, with the use of your credit card you can order the goods on-line, or check out a store near to where you live and if they stock what you are looking for. This is best for items of clothing, shorts and jersey sizes vary from one maker to another and there is nothing worse than receiving your new professional look a like kit and it is too big or small, so get down to your local cycle shop or sports store, try on your choice for size and if all is OK, you can buy it there and then or if you don’t mind waiting and it’s at a better price, order and pay for it online and wait for it to arrive in the post to your house.

How To Buy Cycling Shoes On Line…

There are many cycling shoes on the market, and finding the right ones for you can be hard. Look them up on the web, go through the search engine or if you have a particular make in mind, find them online and if you can’t try some in a shop, this is best, because size can be a problem, one manufacturer size 9 could be a half size bigger or smaller than another company, and most of the best cycling shoes are Italian, so remember that European sizes are very different from American or English sizes, and German shoes are wider and Italian shoes are narrower and you may be looking for a size 44 or 45, so try as many different shoes you can and then make your decision. Very importantly with shoes is which pedal system you are using, Look, Shimano, Campagnolo, Time and all the other systems have different fittings on the sole of the shoe, check up which they have on the shoe manufacturers web-site and then it should then be safe to order them online.

….And Helmets

An other good and very important item you could look for online is a cycle helmet, as with most cycling goods there are many different helmets on the market, some times the helmets you see on the heads of the professionals are difficult to find, but anything is possible on the net, just type it in and away you go, it may be that just the helmet you are looking for is available in Holland, get it ordered, it may take some time to come but if its what you want it’ll be worth it. Sizes of helmets, like shoes can vary, so if it is possible to try before you buy, then make sure it’s a comfortable fit, the big difference between cycle shoes and helmets is that helmets come with different pads to go inside so you can make the helmet fit exactly, which could help if you’ve ordered the wrong size, this is not something you can do with cycling shoes.

The net is a great way to find the frame size you want for your new bike, with the new sloping frame designs it can be tricky to know which size to order, all frame designers have their own ideas for what is best, so if you know the top tube length of your present bike then you can compare online with the design dimensions on the manufacturers web-site and then you will know what size to order either at you local bike shop or from your internet supplier. As this is probably the most important and expensive thing you’ll buy for your cycling, and so with online shopping you can make sure you make the right decision.

http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com

About The Author:

A. Caxton is a successful freelance author and the webmaster of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. An online cycling magazine that focuses exclusively on bicycle components and parts, clothing and heart rate monitors.

2005 AFC East Football preview

2008-01-14T21:03:00.003-08:00

by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: AFC EAST

In the AFC East I expect to see the Patriots drop off a bit, but not much, the reason for the projected drop off is mainly due to the fact that the Patriots will be without the services of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, both have moved on to head coaching positions, Weis with Notre Dame and Crennel with the Cleveland Browns. Eric Mangini is the new defensive coordinator, while Bill Belichick will be calling the plays on offense himself.

The Patriots play seven games this season against 2004 playoff teams and four of those affairs will take place on the road, the Patriots also lost a lot of talent such as WR David Patton, OG Joe Andruzzi, and CB Ty Law via free agency and very well could be without their defensive leader LB Tedy Bruschi whose status is uncertain following an off season stroke, then there is the matter of the Patriots winning three of the past four Super Bowls, meaning that the Patriots have played nine post season games above and beyond the normal sixteen game regular season schedule over the past four years and have had to deal with all of the off season commitments and hoopla that come with winning the big game, also, don’t forget that the team that wins the Super Bowl is in the least best position come draft time, meaning that the “Fresh Blood” talent pool on the Patriots has depleted due to their success.

The saving grace for the Patriots in the AFC East comes from the fact that the Jets did not help themselves a whole lot in the draft other than taking Kicker Mike Nugent out of Ohio State with their top selection, like the Patriots, the Jets also lost a lot of talent via free agency with the departure of starters WR Santana Moss, TE Anthony Becht, RT Kareem McKenzie, and DT Jason Ferguson, however, the greatest loss to free agency for the Jets may turn out to be RB Lamont Jordan who could have stepped in quite nicely if 32 year old RB Cutis Martin goes down to injury.

However, the Jets were smart enough to pick up former Dolphin QB Jay Fiedler to back up starting QB Chad Pennington who has been injury prone as of late, Jet HC Herm Edwards replaced his offensive coordinator Paul Hackett with former Titan offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger which will be interesting because Heimerdinger likes to throw the deep ball, meanwhile, Pennington is fresh off shoulder surgery and is better suited for the west coast style of short ball passing.

Buffalo finished the 2004 season strong down the stretch in winning 8 of 9 games before losing their final game of the season at home to the Steelers, however, that season ending loss to Pittsburgh was costly as it proved to be a difference maker in deciding who went to the playoffs and who stayed at home, the Bills are indeed a team on the rise with a really good defense and excellent special teams, however, they probably booted QB Drew Bledsoe out of town a year too early and will be starting last years #1 draft pick JP Losman in his place which of course means some growing pains this season for the young QB.

Miami finished the 2004 season with a shoddy 4-12 record but like Buffalo looks to be a team on the rise in the AFC East, I won't be foolhardy enough to predict a playoff berth after a four win season but I do see major improvement for the Dolphins this season and think a seven or eight win season is not out of the realm of possibility when considering that the Dolphins now have Nick Saban at the helm as their new HC.

Unlike Steve Spurrier when he made his NFL debut with the Skins, Nick Saban was smart enough to go out and get experienced NFL assistants, Saban brought in former Viking offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to run the offense and former Charger coach Hudson Houck to run the defense, Saban also engineered one of the best drafts of any team in the league, look for former Auburn RB Ronnie Brown to make an immediate impact.

In closing, the Patriots finished up 2004 with an impressive 13-5-1 ATS mark on the heels of posting a 14-4-1 ATS mark in 2003, can New England once again dominate the spread wars in 2005? Probably so, but not to the extent of the past couple of seasons, you see my friend “Joe Public” type bettors will in all likelihood view the Patriots as a “Go against” team in 2005 due to the loss of Weis and Crennel, however, Belichick is still the HC and Tom Brady is still the QB under center.

With that being said I would recommend making a play on the Patriots whenever they are receiving points in a doggie role, not much value will be had this season with the Jets, meanwhile, both Buffalo and Miami will be unpredictable during the first eight weeks of the season due to the fact that both teams will have new starting QB’s under center and both teams have weaknesses up front on the offensive line, in Miami's case their players have to learn new schemes on both sides of the ball due to a whole new coaching staff.

Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.

Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections visit us at footballforecastor.com today!!

2005 College coaching changes

2008-01-14T21:03:00.001-08:00

by: James Campbell

They say once you leave home you can never look back, however, someone apparently forgot to tell that to this years crop of first year head coaches in the college ranks, for example, Dave Wannstedt, Charlie Weis and Mike Gundy have accepted positions at their alma maters while Frank Solich, Walt Harris, Terry Hoeppner and Ed Orgeron are moving closer to their home towns, Brent Guy and Bill Cubit have with the addition of big titles made a return appearance to former employers, and lets not forget that Steve Spurrier and Tyrone Willingham have returned to the SEC and Pac-10 which originally spawned them.

In the college ranks there exists a distinct advantage with regard to familiarity, many of this year’s new hires used that same familiarity to their advantage during the interview process, 2005 brings no less that 20 newly hired Division 1-A head coaches, following is a listing of the new HC’s and where the former HC ended up as well as a brief synopsis on what each newbie is walking into…..good luck!

BYU
Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall
Former HC: Gary Crowton—now the Offensive coordinator at Oregon

Returning BYU to its glory days will be a tough task but new HC Bronco Mendenhall has an outstanding reputation as a near genius when it comes to coaching defense, Mendenhall is only 38 yrs old and this is his first head coaching gig so he has a lot to prove and of course a lot to change in this program when considering that the Cougars have gone a shoddy 14-23 since that stellar 2001 season when they posted a mark of 12-0.

EAST CAROLINA
Head Coach: Skip Holtz
Former HC: John Thompson—now co-defensive coordinator at South Carolina

If the new Pirate skipper has a last name that rings a bell in the back of your mind...it should...he is the 41yr old son of Lou Holtz who retired from South Carolina following last season, Skip Holtz served as his dad’s offensive coordinator with the Gamecocks since 1999 and hoped to succeed his father, however, the availability of Steve Spurrier nixed that notion.

FLORIDA
Head Coach: Urban Meyer
Former HC: Ron Zook—now Head coach at Illinois

Urban Meyer at only 40 years of age is another member of the up and coming crop of young HC’s to keep an eye on, Meyer made his mark at Bowling Green by completely turning around that program in 2001 and then the following year led those Falcons to a top 25 finish.

The past two years Meyer has been at Utah and capped off his short stay by leading the Utes on a 16 game win streak followed by a blow out win over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl which was the first ever BCS bowl appearance by a non-BCS school...in Meyer’s two years at Bowling Green and his two years at Utah he compiled a lofty four year mark of 39-8...look out SEC!

ILLINOIS
Head Coach: Ron Zook
Former HC: Ron Turner—now Offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears

After a disasterous (by Gator standards) three year stay at Florida which saw Ron Zook compile a mark of 23-14 following the departure of Steve Spurrier to the Washington Redskins, the Gator faithful had their fill and ousted Zook, however, somehow someway, Zook landed on his feet and is now heading up the Illini. Zook’s strength is teaching and running a strong defense which of course was former HC Turner’s weakness, only time will tell.

INDIANA
Head Coach: Terry Hoeppner
Former HC: Gerry DiNardo—Currently unemployed

Hoeppner had six winning seasons as the HC at Miami of Ohio and was instrumental in molding star QB Ben Roethlisberger into the prize catch that he turned out to be for the Pittsburgh Steelers, now its off to the Big Ten for Hoeppner who will have his hands full trying to turn around the program at Indiana.

LSU
Head Coach: Les Miles
Former HC: Nick Saban—now Head coach of the Miami Dolphins

It only took Les Miles four short years to bring a down and out Oklahoma State program into the media spotlight as well as gaining a spot in the hearts of the Cowboy faithful after knocking off Oklahoma twice during his tenure. Miles leaves Stillwater with a 28-21 record and three straight bowl appearances.

Oddly enough Miles takes over a Tiger program from former HC Nick Saban who jumped from the college ranks to the NFL ranks with the Miami Dolphins, I say oddly enough because Les Miles took the opposite approach having left the NFL for the college ranks with regard to Miles having been the tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 1998 to 2000.

In the big scheme of things Miles takes over a Tiger program that was left in great shape by Saban, thus, no re-building needed here, all Miles has to do is keep LSU on the right path, the retention of Jimbo Fisher and addition of Bo Pelini out of Oklahoma to run the offense and defense should have LSU once again in contention for the National Title.

MIAMI OF OHIO
Head Coach: Shane Montgomery
Former HC: Terry Hoeppner—Now Head coach at Indiana

Hoeppner got most of the credit for the success of the Redhawks but those in the know realize that he couldn’t have got it done without Shane Montgomery who served as the RedHawks offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Hoeppner since 2001, those that keep tabs on the rising stars in the coaching world know that in 2003 Montgomery was a finalist for the Broyles Award which is given annually to the game’s top assistant.

Keep an eye on the Redhawks to produce another Ben Roethlisberger with Montgomery’s guidance who in turn was a star QB himself at NC State from 1987 to 1989, Montgomery earned three letters as a Wolfpack QB and was named MVP of the Peach Bowl and Copper Bowl in successive seasons, look for the Hawks to continue to thrive under Montgonery and especially QB Josh Betts who figures to have a break out year.

MISSISSIPPI
Head Coach: Ed Orgeron
Former HC: David Cutcliffe—Now QB coach at Notre Dame

Former HC David Cutcliffe’s fall from grace was swift with the Ole Miss faithful following last seasons mark of 4-7, funny how short their memories are that this same guy posted a combined record of 31-18 in the previous four seasons, but then again QB Eli Manning was on the squad for the previous four years...no Eli no winning season.

Cutcliffe’s demise was really brought about by his less than stellar recruiting skills, in new headman Orgeron the Rebels get a guy that is a proven master at teaching defensive linemen and who also just happens to be one of the top recruiters in the country, Orgeron oversaw the defensive line at Miami, Syracuse and most recently at USC.

He’s also been on the staff of four national championship teams, and has tutored the likes of Cortez Kennedy, Russell Maryland, and Warren Sapp, Oregeron spent seven seasons with the Trojans and over the past four years doubled as the recruiting coordinator...starting to feel bad for opposing offenses in the SEC yet? Don’t feel too badly yet as this is Oregeron’s first gig as the “Man” and the SEC is a lot tougher than the Pac-10.

NEW MEXICO STATE
Head Coach: Hal Mumme
Former HC: Tony Samuel—Currently out of coaching

When you’re New Mexico State and have had losing seasons four of the past five years and have not gone to a Bowl game in 45 years you tend to get a little desperate, enter Hal Mumme who brings tons of baggage along with him stemming from the four years he spend at Kentucky, Mumme built up the Kentucky program and even had a QB taken #1 in the draft (Tim Couch) but in the end he left them in disgrace amid more than three dozen NCAA violations, the past two seasons Mumme has been in exile heading up the Southeastern Louisiana program.

NOTRE DAME
Head Coach: Charlie Weis
Former HC: Tyrone Willingham—Now Head coach at Washington

Charlie Weis is one of the more intriguing additions to this years crop of new HC’s in the college ranks as Weis is making a return to his alma mater and is fresh off his third Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

Not only is Weis going to be a college head coach for the first time ever but this is also his first job outside the NFL since leading Franklin Township (N.J.) High School to a state title in 1989. Weis is a classic rags-to-riches story of a coach, who didn’t play the game and earned his stripes at the high school level before Bill Parcells gave him his first break in 1990, since then he’s spent every season working for either Parcells or Bill Belichek.

OHIO UNIVERSITY
Head Coach: Frank Solich
Former HC: Brian Knorr—Currently out of coaching

Ohio’s landing of Frank Solich is another surprising hire in the college ranks and makes Ohio a team to keep an eye on this year, Solich is originally from the Cleveland area which probably explains this move on his part after being unceremoniously dumped by Nebraska after posting a mark of 58-19 during his tenure, Solich brings a wealth of experience to this small MAC school, unfortunately for Ohio this job is probably just a stepping stone for Solich.

OKLAHOMA STATE
Head Coach: Mike Gundy
Former HC: Les Miles—Now Head coach at LSU

Gundy has spent most of his adult life in Stillwater and still holds the record as Oklahoma State’s all time leading passer, he was the offensive coordinator at this program under Les Miles and with the departure of Miles to LSU was promoted to the HC which makes him the youngest head coach in division I-A football, look for Gundy to keep the Cowboys on course.

PITTSBURGH
Head Coach: Dave Wannstedt
Former HC: Walt Harris—Now Head coach at Stanford

After 16 mostly up and down years in the NFL coaching Dallas, Chicago, and Miami, Dave “Wanny” Wannstedt returns home to Pittsburgh and to his alma mater in an attempt to bring back the glory years of the 1970’s to Pittsburgh when the Panthers and Steelers ruled the roost, don’t be surprised if the media reports “Wanny” asking the advice of Jimmy Johnson when considering that together they won a national championship in 1987 and a pair of Super Bowls in the early 1990’s.

SAN JOSE STATE
Head Coach: Dick Tomey
Former HC: Fitz Hill—Currently out of coaching

Most coaches are retiring at age 66 but not Dick Tomey who will attempt to breathe life into a Spartan program that’s had one winning season since 1992, the Spartans should improve under Tomey who was the defensive genius behind the famed Desert Swarm defense during his tenure at Arizona, Tomey took the Arizona Wildcats to seven bowl trips and the program’s only Top 10 finishes in 1993 and 1998 but he will be hard pressed to duplicate that kind of success with the Spartans who posted a 2-9 record last year and have gone a combined 14-33 over the past four seasons.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier
Former HC: Lou Holtz—Retired from coaching

Major kudo’s must be given to the Gamecocks for replacing one legendary coach with another as Steve Spurrier makes his return to the college sidelines following two forgettable seasons with the Washington Redskins, whether you like Spurrier or not you have to recognize his brilliance and ability as he sustained one of the greatest coaching runs in the modern era of college football while at Florida, in 12 seasons with the Gators Spurrier compiled a 122-27-1 record, won six SEC titles and won a national championship. Look for the ole ball coach to have the Gamecocks competing for their first SEC title before long.

STANFORD
Head Coach: Walt Harris
Former HC: Buddy Teevens—Now Head coach at Dartmouth

Walt Harris returns home to Northern California following five straight winning seasons and last year’s Big East championship while at Pittsburgh, however, Harris was not well liked in Pittsburgh and could not get along with superiors which caused constant controversy and mudslinging in the media. Harris is however, a major upgrade over Teevens and should be able to bring stability to the Stanford program.

SYRACUSE
Head Coach: Greg Robinson
Former HC: Paul Pasqualoni—Now Assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys

It took 30 years as an assistant coach but Greg Robinson has finally landed his first HC job, Robinson spent the first 15 years of his career at the college level and last fall as the co-coordinator of the Texas defense but he’s actually best known for his achievements in the NFL, from 1994 to 2003 Robinson was the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs, picking up Super Bowl rings with Denver in 1997 and 1998.

Here’s a nugget to keep in mind my friend, in eight bowl appearances as an assistant coach which includes four Rose Bowls with UCLA and Texas, Robinson coached teams have yet to lose. Robinson is a firey competitor and figures to bring it with him to Syracuse so keep an eye on this team as a possible giant killer in the watered down Big East.

UNLV
Head Coach: Mike Sanford
Former HC: John Robinson—Retired from coaching

Utah’s unprecedented success last fall opened the door for Utah HC Urban Meyer to take the Florida job, for assistant coach Kyle Whittingham to take over in Utah and for Mike Sanford to take over the program at UNLV. Along with Urban Meyer, Mike Sanford was one of the architects of a Ute spread offense which baffled defenses last season.

UNLV is a program to watch as they have a ton of potential, look for Sanford to bring a fresh energy and an option attack that’s geared toward putting fans in the stands and points on the board.

UTAH
Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham
Former HC: Urban Meyer—Now Head coach at Florida

Whittingham has spent the past ten years as the defensive coordinator at Utah and now gets his shot to strut his stuff as he takes over for Urban Meyer and assumes his first head coaching position. During his tenure in Salt Lake City the former BYU linebacker has regularly produced underrated and fundamentally sound defenses that have ranked in the Top 25 in points allowed six of the last eight years.

Whittingham has his work cut out for him at Utah as expectations are very high following last seasons 12-0 mark, the Utes became the first non-BCS school to win a BCS bowl game and the Utah faithful want more of the same. The problem is that it won’t be so easy this coming year as offensive masterminds Urban Meyer and Mike Sanford are gone.

UTAH STATE
Head Coach: Brent Guy
Former HC: Mick Dennehy—Currently out of coaching

Brent Guy spent the past four years as Arizona State’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and now becomes the 25th head coach in Utah State history. No stranger to Logan, he coached Aggie linebackers from 1992 to 1994 and was Dirk Koetter’s defensive coordinator at Boise State from 1998 to 2000 when the Broncos won two Big West titles , Guy’s Bronco defense led the league in total defense and scoring defense in back to back seasons.

Utah State’s move to the WAC and need to upgrade facilities signal a pivotal time in the program’s history, those around Cache Valley are hopeful the high energy Guy can effectively usher in a new era of Aggie football while helping raise the $16 million needed to give Romney Stadium an extreme makeover, those that have followed Aggie football know that while Guy is a key to the future he is also a bridge to the past as he was on staff in 1993 when the school captured its only bowl win.

WASHINGTON
Head Coach: Tyrone Willingham
Former HC: Keith Gilbertson—Currently out of coaching

After his highly publicized dismissal from Notre Dame Tyrone Willingham returns to the familiar Pac-10 which spawned him, Willingham was at Stanford prior to taking over the Irish and guided the Cardinal to their first league title and Rose Bowl appearance in nearly three decades and was twice named Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

Say what you will about Ty Willingham but the fact of the matter is that he’s the epitome of sideline professionalism and preparation, after failing to turn around the Irish in three years some have begun to wonder out loud if he’s just an average head coach, however, with only one bowl win in ten years as a college coach you really can’t blame the doubters.

WESTERN MICHIGAN
Head Coach: Bill Cubit
Former HC: Gary Darnell-Currently out of coaching

Cubit returns to Kalamazoo where he coached the Bronco offense to some impressive results from 1997 to 1999, Cubit’s only college head coaching experience came at D-III Widener from 1992 to 1996. With W. Michigan riding a streak of four straight losing seasons capped off by last seasons 1-10 finish, anyone could have predicted a change.

A look at the roster shows the name of QB Ryan Cubit, yup, a father and son combo, it has to be sort of weird when your dad’s the HC, but at least Ryan won’t have to work too hard learning a new system since his dad has been his teacher since birth.

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.

Get a Hobby

2008-01-14T21:02:00.019-08:00

by: Peter Jay

According to Dictionary.com, a hobby is “an activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure” (Dictionary.com). Merriam-Webster defines a hobby as “a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). A hobby is relaxation and pleasure, OUTSIDE of one’s occupation. Many people today, go to work, come home, do not do anything, and then go back to work the next day, like mindless drones slaving away at their job, making money for bosses and owners who are pursuing their own interests and hobbies. That is why they started the business in the first place; it was something interesting to THEM that THEY could pursue. Well, it is time to work to live, not live to work; that is my motto. Find something to do outside of the workplace, something that YOU enjoy, something that relaxes you and brings you pleasure. Find something you can do with your family or with other people, to have good experiences, rather than that job you are always doing.

It is time for such working people to find a new hobby. Find something they like to do. There are a million hobbies or interests one can pursue. Just think of all the things you like, or all of the things you ever wanted to do. Think of what you need to do to achieve those things, and start doing it. Do it in your spare time. You will be surprised what a difference just half an hour a day focused on one particular interest will do. Many of my own hobbies I learned by studying them on my own in my spare time. If you can learn anything, you can learn anything, it just takes time, and if you prioritize right, time is something you do have. Learn another language, a new game, a new sport, a new musical instrument, or a hobby craft you would enjoy.

Maybe you have many interests or hobbies you would like to pursue. That is great, the more the better. Variety is the spice of life. Find a variety of hobbies you would like to pursue and spice up your life a bit. Some of the hobbies I enjoy or camping and hiking. I bought myself an acoustic guitar and taught myself to play. I taught myself to play the piano a little, and I also play the trumpet. One hobby is designing websites. I speak English and Russian, but I want to learn some other languages as well.

Geocaching is a fun new hobby; use Global Positioning Systems to find hidden treasures. I also like to play yard games like croquet, kubb, bocce ball, and others. Sports have always been a way for me to find pleasure and relaxation. I play tennis, basketball, golf, football, and others. Some people find pleasure in scrapbooking or other hobby crafts.

If you cannot think of a hobby now, come to VarietyAccess.com your online hobby store and browse our hobbies. See if you cannot find one that interests you. We provide everything you need or want to pursue your hobbies or interests from sports hobbies to craft hobbies, music hobbies to camping and outdoors hobbies.

Whatever your interests are, start pursuing them. Find an activity or interest outside your regular occupation that YOU can do for pleasure and relaxation. Start living again. Do not live to work, but work to live. Think of anything and everything you enjoy or that makes you happy and fill your lives with a “variety” of those things. Quit living your life for things that are not important to you and start living for the things that are important, recreation with family and friends, relationships, self-improvement, and the pursuit of happiness.

Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access – Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com.

2005 NFC South football preview

2008-01-14T21:02:00.017-08:00

by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: NFC South

In the NFC South look for Tampa Bay and Carolina to catch and over take the Falcons in 2005, the fall from grace will fall on the shoulders of QB Michael Vick who has been to a large extent a product of media hype, sure the guy runs like a deer but so do most wide receivers and that is exactly what Vick is, a wide receiver playing out of position.

Remember the media hype surrounding Pittsburgh QB Kordell Stewart when he was in his “Slash” role with the Steelers? Then you also remember that he ended up saddling his team with disappointing loss after loss once other teams in his division and conference figured out how contain him in the pocket and make him play catch with his receivers.

Somehow someway the Falcons finished with a record of 11-5 straight up and 7-9 ATS during the regular season last year, a closer look see reveals that Atlanta won six games by a grand total of 16 points, in other words more than half of the Falcons 11 regular season wins were by an average point difference of only 2.6 points per game which includes defeating the Niners, Cardinals, and Giants by a total point difference of only 9 points and to think that these three teams finished 2004 with a combined straight up record of 14-34.

Michael Vick had the worst statistics of any playoff QB last season as evidenced by his 14 to 12 TD to INT ratio, a QB rating of only 78.1, and throwing for a mere 2313 total passing yards, to put things into perspective consider that Peyton Manning finished 2004 with a TD to INT ratio of 49 to 10 with 4557 total passing yards and a QB rating of 121.1, Viking QB Duante Culpepper finished the year with a TD to INT ratio of 39 to 11 with 4717 total passing yards and a QB rating of 110.9.

I won’t bore you with the statistics of the remaining 2004 Playoff QB’s but trust me when I say each of the remaining playoff QB’s had numbers better than Vick, but to put things another way, consider that Titan backup QB Billy Volek came off the bench in relief of sidelined QB Steve McNair last year and ended up with a TD to INT ratio of 18 to 10 with 2486 total passing yards and a QB rating of 87…enough said.

In reality Atlanta had a good season due to the fact that Tampa Bay and Carolina had injury filled bad seasons, look for that to change in 2005 when considering that the Panthers had a total of 14 players sidelined with injury during the first half of 2004 which was the root cause for their shoddy 1-7 straight up and 3-5 ATS start, however, the Panthers started to get healthy during the second half of 2004 and rebounded to post a 6-2 straight up and 6-1-1 ATS record with both losses coming by way of a field goal.

To showcase Michael Vick the NFL schedule maker saw fit to have Atlanta appear three times on Monday Night Football in 2005 including the season opening Monday Nighter which will be a playoff rematch against Philadelphia, in an attempt to make things easy on Vick in prime time each MNF appearance will take place on the Falcons home field.

With that being said, Atlanta’s three opponents on MNF will be the Eagles, the Jets, and the Saints and each team will have a passing attack that can fully expose the Falcons weak defensive secondary, for the sake of “Value” we will be wagering against Vick and company in each of these three Monday Night appearances and recommend that you do the same.

In our 2005 preview of the AFC West we made mention of the fact that the Oakland Raiders have gone 9-23 straight up and 9-22-1 ATS since their Super Bowl appearance following the 2002 season, remember who the Raiders opponent was in that Super bowl?

Of course you do, it was none other than the Tampa Bay Bucs. Like the Raiders these Bucs have also fallen on hard times over the past two seasons as evidenced by their 12-20 straight up and 12-19-1 ATS record since that January 26, 2003 Super Bowl appearance, historically speaking Tampa Bay’s two year record of 12-20 is the worst of any NFL team in history following a Super Bowl victory.

Tampa Bays woes have been offensive in nature when considering that the Buc defense held opponents to less than 300 yards per game on average for the fourth straight year in 2004, however, for the third time in this same four year span Tampa’s offense failed to average at least 100 rushing yards per contest and over the past four years have finished 30th, 27th, 23rd, and 29th in the league in rushing.

Look for Tampa Bay’s rushing numbers to improve dramatically in 2005 due to the drafting of RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, OT Chris Colmer, and OG Dan Buenning along with the free agent addition of former Jet TE Anthony Becht who was very instrumental in clearing the way for Jet RB Curtis Martin to rumble to four straight 1000 yard seasons including Martin’s career high 1697 yards in 2004.

New Orleans is an enigma in a lot of ways as they are now paying the price for being a middle of the road team over the last four years with regard to posting straight up marks of 8-8, 8-8. 9-7, and 7-9 since 2001 which has led to another very average draft for a very average team.

However, the odd thing about the Saints is that they have an HC with a defensive background in Jim Haslett, yet finished 32nd in the league last year in total defense, on the flip side of things the Saints are immensely talented on offense and managed to post a 4-0 straight up and ATS mark in their final four games of 2004 after posting a shoddy combined record of 5-11 straight up and 6-10 ATS over their final four games from 2000 to 2003, see what I mean? These Saints are a paradox.

In closing, I fully expect the public to over rate the Falcons in 2005 and as recommended above I would look to play against Michael Vick and company in each of their three MNF appearances and especially since the ole history book shows that Atlanta has posted a mark of 1-13 ATS in their previous 14 Monday Night games.

New Orleans opens up their regular season with a visit to Carolina and the Saints might just catch the Panthers looking ahead to week two when New England comes to Charlotte, NC for a rematch of the 2003 Super Bowl, its always nice to know that according to past history the doggie in Saint/Panther contests has a record of 6-1-1 ATS in the past eight meetings.

With regard to the Panthers and Buccaneers, barring injury I would recommend a wager on them each and every time they are installed as a doggie getting at least a field goal, the only exception to this is when Tampa travels to New England on December 17th as the Bucs will be playing their third straight road game and will be in a divisional sandwich having just played at Carolina and a home date with Atlanta on deck.

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.

2005 AFC North Football preview

2008-01-14T21:02:00.015-08:00

by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: AFC North

In the AFC North I expect to see the Pittsburgh Steelers who posted a mark of 16-2 straight up and 11-7 ATS overall last season to win a close divisional battle over the Baltimore Ravens who finished up their 2004 campaign with a 9-7 straight up and ATS mark and over a much improved Cincinnati Bengal team that finished with an 8-8 straight up record for the second straight year in 2004, the Brownies once again look to pull up the rear in what should prove to be the toughest division in the NFL in 2005.

Pittsburgh has a tough row to hoe this season, the Steelers only have five games on the 2005 docket against 2004 playoff teams but four of those affairs take place on the road and that includes Monday Night road games at San Diego and at Indianapolis, overall the Steelers will play 10 of their 16 games against teams that posted .500 records or better last year, thus the reason for the projected drop off in regular season wins.

Like most teams Pittsburgh lost quite a bit of talent to free agency, most notably the Steelers lost a total of five linemen along their offensive and defensive fronts which could cause depth problems if the ole injury bug hits and those losses were in addition to star WR Plaxico Burress departing to the big apple to play catch with Eli Manning.

Baltimore has a very favorable schedule with regard to playing seven games against playoff teams from a year ago, however, five of those seven affairs will take place in Baltimore and two of those games are against dome teams (Vikes and Colts). The Ravens drafted WR Mark Clayton out of Oklahoma and overall had the best draft of any team in the AFC North, the free agent addition of WR Derrick Mason from the Titans along with the drafting of WR Clayton should bolster a stagnant Raven passing attack that was fully exposed last season.

The Bengals finished 2004 with an 8-8 straight up record for the second straight year under HC Marvin Lewis, Bengal faithful should be overjoyed with their seasonal finishes over the past couple of years when considering that these same Bengals posted a total of 8 wins combined during their 2001 and 2002 campaigns.

With QB Carson Palmer starting his second full season under center and weapons WR Chad Johnson and RB Rudi Johnson happy with new contracts, Cincinnati has all of the pieces on offense to make the playoffs in 2005, the Bengal’s major malfunction during their 2004 campaign was their run defense but the drafting of Georgia DE David Pollack who will play LB for the Bengals and Georgia LB Odell Thurman should correct that problem.

A new era starts in Cleveland Brownie land with the arrival of new HC Romeo Crennell who replaces ousted Butch Davis, the Brownies are actually an expansion team once again when considering that they have a totally new front office, totally new coaching staff and have replaced most of their offensive and defensive starters, the saving grace is that the new QB will be experienced retread Trent Dilfer who should be able to provide much needed leadership.

The Brownies added a lot of talent via the free agent market and actually had a pretty good draft which was highlighted with WR Braylon Edwards as their top choice, but in the big scheme of things there has been way too much turnover in this organization to expect much in 2005, look to play the Brownies whenever a home doggie of more than a FG after week four of the regular season, by this time the team should start to gel a little and the public won’t be ready for the opportunity.

In closing, the AFC North is a three horse race between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Baltimore for the top spot, the difference maker will probably be who catches the ole injury bug and who avoids it, with that being said Pittsburgh gets the nod to win the division because of their depth at the QB and RB positions.

With regard to betting opportunities, Pittsburgh played 12 non divisional games in 2004 and went 6-6 ATS in those affairs, a closer look see reveals that the Steelers were a betting underdog in five of the six non divisional games they covered, meanwhile, the Steelers were favorites in five of the six non divisional games they failed to cover.

In other words as a dog playing a non divisional game the Steelers were virtually a sure bet to cover the spread, however, as a favorite in a non divisional game the Steelers had a tough time getting it up and hence proved to be almost a sure bet to NOT cover the posted number, a check backward in time reveals that these Steelers have failed to cover 6 of the past 7 times they have taken to the road as a favorite of six points or less against a non divisional opponent…things that make you go hmmmmm!!

Dirt Bike Racing

2008-01-14T21:02:00.013-08:00

by: Andrew Green

What’s so good about dirt bike racing?

The adrenalin is flowing, heart beat racing and blood pumping; the dirt bike racing is about to begin. As far as adrenalin fuelled sports go, you don’t get much more action packed than dirt bike racing. It’s fast, and to coin a well-used phrase, it’s furious. People from age 4 to age 64 love the thrill and regularly take part in dirt bike racing.

What should I consider when dirt bike racing?

First and foremost, you should consider your safety. The very nature of dirt bike racing as a sport means it’s dangerous and it’s even more dangerous if you don’t take it seriously. Any reputable dirt bake track won’t let you on if you don’t have a helmet, goggles, a jersey, pants, chest protector and in some cases a neck protector. You should always pick gear that fits because if it doesn’t fit it isn’t safe.

Dirt bike riders don’t appreciate people who ride recklessly, and if you are a reckless rider you will undoubtedly get an ear bashing for your dangerous behaviour and quite possibly kicked off the track. Dirt biking is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, but taking it seriously and following all the proper safety rules will help you make the most of it.

The bike also plays a serious part (obviously) and when you are selecting a dirt bike either for yourself or for your children you should always make sure that the rider can sit on the bike with their feet touching the floor and legs bent slightly. If the bike is too big there is no way you can have full control and the same can be said if it’s too small.

Also, consider how practised you are. The more experienced you become as a rider the better you become. Don’t try getting air of incredible heights until you really know what you are doing. Beginners should be happy with a foot or two of air; the riders you see on TV who are climbing up to ten feet have been riding for years and years to be able to do that.

As a beginner you will probably find a line you are happy with and stick to it. While this is unlikely to win you any big races, it will give you chance to hone your skills and gain confidence. Once you’re a bit more experienced you will be able to take different lines to overtake people and win races.

Dirt bike racing is not something you can just throw yourself into. It takes plenty of practise to become any good and you should never try anything you aren’t confident with. If you stick to this and find yourself a reputable track then you won’t go far wrong.

About The Author: Dirt Bikes HQ, http://www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking.

Dirt bike racing is not something you can just throw yourself into. It takes plenty of practise to become any good and you should never try anything you aren’t confident with. If you stick to this and find yourself a reputable track then you won’t go far wrong.

Basketball: Becoming More and More Popular Worldwide

2008-01-14T21:02:00.011-08:00

by: Dylan Miles

On any given day, all around the world, people are playing basketball. Today, basketball rates as one of the all-time most popular sports worldwide. Basketball tournaments are played out between players of all age groups from little five and six year olds to adults of all ages and levels. Sports networks around the world, on any given day, will report on professional basketball tournaments around the world and broadcast local and international games.

Basketball continues to grow in popularity, because it is a relatively cheap game to get into, can be played indoors and outdoors, in summer and winter, by girls or boys, men and women, anywhere in the world.

When one thinks of basketball one normally associates it with the United States and the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Americans have been playing basketball professionally since 1896, but today, there are up to 300 million people playing basketball all around the entire globe. In fact, these days, American basketball teams even recruit foreign players into their teams.

According to Wikipedia.com, basketball didn't evolve from older more primitive versions of the game, but was invented by a man called Dr. James Naismith, in 1891, so that his college students could keep fit in the winter. In fact, that's how college basketball began! The game was initially played with a soccer ball. Then a brown ball was designed. The characteristic orange ball that we know today was designed in the late 1950s.

From American college basketball to professional league, basketball first evolved into an international sport in 1932 and became an Olympic sport in 1936. Since then, its popularity worldwide has grown exponentially.

Creating a Baseball Fantasy League

2008-01-14T21:02:00.009-08:00

by: jay moncliff

Baseball Fantasy Step #1 Calling all Teams
The first baseball fantasy step to creating a league is getting your teams together. This basically means you need to get 8-12 friends together to create teams. Remember, if you have less than 8 teams or more than 12 your season will not be as enjoyable. The suggested 8-12 baseball fantasy teams mean you will be able to have a competitive season.

Baseball Fantasy Step #2 Elections
Every baseball fantasy league needs a commissioner, or someone who is in charge. This person will be responsible for compiling each team’s statistics on a weekly basis and distributing them to all of the players. Be sure you elect a commissioner who is responsible and takes the position seriously.

Baseball Fantasy Step #3 One League or Two
This can be a tough decision, but it must be made. This is the decision of whether or not to use only one league or both the American and National Leagues.

Baseball Fantasy Step #4 The Draft
Acquiring players can be done in many different ways, and the best way for your baseball fantasy league to do this is what works best for all teams. Sometimes a draft works, other times an auction, decide what works best and then stick with it.

Baseball Fantasy Step #5 Rules
Each league has rules so far as statistics and how points are accumulated. Whatever rules apply to your league make sure all teams are aware and follow the rules.

Baseball Fantasy Step #6 Have Fun
Remember to have fun and enjoy your baseball fantasy league. This has been going on for years and millions of Americans really enjoy this activity. Some play for money, some play for trophies, and others simply play to win. Whatever you choose to play for, make sure all teams are in favor.

About The Author:

Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.baseballcenter.info a blog focusing on the Baseball, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Baseball. For more info on Baseball visit: http://www.baseballcenter.info

2005 AFC West Football preview

2008-01-14T21:02:00.007-08:00

by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: AFC West

The 12-5 straight up win San Diego Chargers were the surprise team of the NFL in 2004 when considering that they had posted a shoddy record of 4-12 straight up and 6-10 ATS in 2003, if you had hitched your wagon onto these Chargers all season long in 2004 you were indeed a happy camper as the Bolts tallied a 13-2-2 ATS mark when it was all said and done.

If not for a missed FG on a muddy rain soaked field against the Jets in these Chargers opening playoff game last year, there is no telling how far the momentum of these Bolts may have carried them when considering the Jets lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the very same manner the following week.

However, in the big picture San Diego faced five playoff bound teams during the 2004 regular season and posted a shoddy 1-4 straight up mark in those games with their only win against a playoff team coming against Denver 20-17, the Chargers major malfunction in 2004 was their 31st ranked pass defense which forced the Bolts to outscore teams.

A closer look-see reveals that the Charger defense only registered 29 sacks all season long, meaning that not all the blame for that 31st pass defense ranking can be attributed to the Bolt defensive backs, some of the blame must go to the defensive front that failed to pressure opposing QB’s. The Bolts did draft two potentially great defensive linemen with their first two picks by selecting DE Shawne Merriman out of Maryland and DT Luis Castillo out of Northwestern.

The Chargers were installed as doggies 10 times in 2004, this fact was a major reason why the Bolts were able to have the point spread success they had last season, with that being said, these Chargers will not sneak up on anyone this season and that includes the oddsmaker.

The now healthy Kansas City Chiefs will battle the Bolts back and forth for the top spot all season long, a sense of urgency will fill Chief land this season due to the fact that HC Dick Vermeil and most of his coaching staff are in the final year of their contracts.

The Chiefs along with the Raiders had an excellent draft, head Chief Dick Vermeil knows that his defense allowed more passing yards to opponents than any other team in the league last season, Vermeil managed to bolster his defense for the 2005 campaign with the free agent signings of former Steeler LB Kendrell Bell and former Miami defensive backs CB Patrick Surtain and SS Sammy Knight.

Kansas City finished 4-1 straight up and 3-2 ATS coming down the stretch last season and when the smoke cleared had the NFL’s number one ranked offense by averaging 418.3 yards per contest which was 14 more yards per game on average than the 2nd ranked Indianapolis Colts, if the Chiefs can stay healthy and avoid another 1-4 straight up and ATS start on the season, they will once again be a playoff contender.

Did you hear that? I am talking about the whisperings coming out of Colorado and more specifically out of Denver these days, is it possible that Bronco HC Mike Shanahan is indeed an over rated commodity that is undeserving of past praise?

Well, the truth of it is that Shanahan and his troops have failed miserably since the retirement of beloved QB John Elway, the Stanford product retired following back to back Super Bowl wins and in the six seasons since his retirement the Broncos have made the playoffs just three times, however, Denver has not made it past their opening playoff game and each of these three playoff appearances ended in utter defeat with the Broncos losing by an average score of 37-12.

Shanahan has a lot of folks scratching their heads and wondering if someone spiked his punch with regard to his draft choices and free agent signings this season, riddle me this….Why would you sign four free agent defensive linemen off of the Cleveland Browns roster when that same Cleveland Brown defense allowed a whopping 144.6 yards to opposing running backs in 2004?

Why would Shanahan use a third round pick in the draft on problem child RB Maurice Clarett who sat out last season and was nothing but a distraction to the Ohio State Buckeye program? Does Shanahan like controversy on his team? Is Shanahan trying to prove that he can rehabilitate problem children better than professional psychologists? And what about those defensive linemen from the Brownie organization, does Shanahan think his defensive line coach teaches technique that much better than Cleveland to over come lack of talent or heart?

Questions questions questions, speaking of questions how bout dem Ray’duhs? Watching his team finish with a record of 5-11 straight up and 6-10 ATS in 2004 did not sit well with owner Al Davis who along with 2nd year HC Norv Turner had one of the very best drafts of any team in the league by snagging Nebraska CB Fabian Washington with their top choice followed by Houston CB Stanford Routt and Arizona State QB Andrew Walter with their second and third picks.

Overall, using seven total draft selections Oakland drafted five defensive players, the silver and black also make some key free agent signings with regard to bringing former Jet RB Lamont Jordan and former Viking WR Randy Moss to town along with four other free agent signings to bolster their defense.

The Raiders, like divisional rivals San Diego and Kansas City, all shared the very same major malfunction in 2004 which was overall defense and more specifically pass defense. Oakland allowed 371 yards per contest to opponents in 2004 which ranked them 30th overall in total defense and only Kansas City and San Diego allowed more yards through the air than Oakland last season.

Needless to say, Oakland owner Al Davis has reached his boiling point after seeing his beloved Raiders post a combined record of 9-23 straight up and 9-22-1 ATS since the Raiders appearance in the Super Bowl against Tampa Bay on January 26, 2003, however, this years draft and fee agent crop appears to have righted the ship talent wise, now its just a matter of getting all of this new talent to gel together and become a team.

In closing, the AFC West appears to be a two horse race between the Chargers and Chiefs for the division title, based on how teams finished in 2004 the Chargers are saddled with the NFL’s 2nd toughest schedule and will sneak up on no one this season, look to play against the Bolts when on the road as a favorite laying more than a FG.

The public will once again play nothing but OVERS when it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005 and who can blame them as Chief games exceeded the posted total 10 of 16 times last year, amazingly enough the O/U number placed on Chief contests last year was 46 or higher in 12 of their 16 games!

However, the Chiefs have the NFL’s 4th toughest schedule and should show improvement on defense which will create “Value” by playing Chief games to go UNDER this season and especially when the number is above 48.

Denver has proven to be unreliable in most categories as of late and appears to be in a downward spiral, I would advise picking your spots very carefully with these Broncos.

Oakland should definitely improve their seasonal win/loss record in 2005 as this will be HC Norv Turners 2nd year at the helm and QB Kerry Collins 2nd year under center in Turners offense, however, the high profile signings of WR Randy Moss and RB Lamont Jordan will have “Joe Public” bettors throwing dinero at the Raiders which will create “Value” by going against the Silver and Black and especially when on the road in the early going.

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.

Exercise and Kids: The difference between training children and adults!

2008-01-14T21:02:00.005-08:00

by: Raymond Kelly

The greatest mistake a person can make when exercising with children is to treat them like little adults. Children are growing and developing rapidly. This means that certain physiological issues must be considered when they are exercising.

Bone Injuries That Affect Growth
When most parents think of children and weight training
their first concern is the possibility of it affecting
their growth. Contrary to popular belief, weight training
will actually improve the bone and muscular systems. It is
when children have a lack of qualified supervision that accidents occur. Actually, growth problems are extremely rare when children are given well-designed programs with qualified supervision. In fact, growth problems occur more frequently in dynamic sports such as Tennis, Swimming, and Baseball, than they do in weight training.
Another misconception about growth related injuries is that
it will happen without you noticing it. It is actually
quite painful because you are actually cracking the top of
the bone. It will cease the growth in that bone only so if
you get this injury in your upper left thigh (femur), only
your left femur will stop growing. Your right femur will continue to grow.

Kids Have Higher Heart Rates and Lower Blood Pressure
A child has a smaller heart and less blood volume than an
adult so the child’s heart compensates by beating more
often (per minute). A child’s blood pressure is also less
than an adult because this is directly proportional to body size. It reaches adult levels in their late teens.

Children Don’t Perform Well Without Oxygen!
Children have a limited ability to perform anaerobic
activities due to the limited production of the enzymes required for provide energy in the absence of oxygen.

Keep Kids Cool In The Heat
A child’s sweat glands are not yet fully developed so they
are less effective at cooling down through evaporation then adults. Make sure they drink lots of water and always exercise in light, cotton clothing.

This article is free for republishing

Ray has worked extensively in the health and fitness
industry for over 15 years. He has a degree in Exercise
Science and is a Level 2 Strength and Conditioning coach.
Ray has been involved in athlete development for the
Olympics and world championships for 10 years, also
lecturing at coaching accreditation courses http://www.free-online-health.com

Choosing a Golf Club

2008-01-14T21:02:00.003-08:00

by: jay moncliff

Cast Iron Golf Club

The cast iron golf club is made from cast iron and the majority of the weight of the golf club is around the perimeter. Because of this the sweet spot is larger and this type of golf club is really great for beginners or those who have trouble making full contact.

Forged Iron Golf Club

The forged iron golf club is generally used by professionals simply because of its design and function. The center of the golf club is the center of gravity and the front of the club is a bit heavier. If you are an experienced player then you might consider a forged iron golf club.

Also, you will need to choose a size for your golf club as well from standard to midsize or oversized.

The standard club is smaller, so the sweet spot is as well. Generally professionals and advanced players use a standard club.

Midsize golf clubs are great because they have a bigger sweet spot and are a bit larger than the standard golf club. Average players frequently use midsize golf clubs because they are easy to control and have a larger sweet spot.

Oversized golf clubs are generally used by seniors and individuals who have a hard time hitting the ball straight on. The one problem with these clubs is they can be difficult to control. The bonus, a huge sweet spot so when you make contact your ball goes further!

About The Author:
Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.golfclubsreviews.info a website specialized on Golf, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Golf. For more info on Golf visit: http://www.golfclubsreviews.info

Benefits of A Golf Fitness Stretch Trainer

2008-01-14T21:02:00.001-08:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Hardly any professional worth his name today will dare approach their game without a golf fitness stretch trainer of sorts.

The game of golf has changed tremendously in recent times. No longer is it viewed as the leisure sport of old. Golf is now recognized as an athletic sport where performance depends a lot on your fitness level. Thus the wide introductions of golf fitness stretch trainers and training.

Stretch training plays an important role in improving the flexibility of a golfer and therefore the quality of the swing both in terms of controlled direction and much more power and distance.

A stretch training program from a qualified golf fitness stretch trainer will also help in increasing strength in the golf-specific muscles of the golfer.

A golf fitness stretch trainer also helps a professional golfer to recognize the correct warm-up exercises to carry out before any session on the course. This not only improves performance greatly, but it also reduces on the risk of injury.

Golf related injuries can be quite frustrating to a golfer especially when that golfer continues to ignore the possible benefits in quick and permanent recovery that are possible with the help of a golf fitness stretch trainer.

There is one compelling factor about golf that makes the work of a golf fitness stretch trainer so important. In other sports, it is possible to increase fitness level and muscle strength by simply playing the game itself as much as possible.

Sadly this is not the case with golf. One of the reasons is that the most common and strenuous activity in the game, the golf swing, usually lasts barely a second.

This means that the only way to improve golf fitness and the strength of muscles is by exercising away from the course and generally making use of the services of a golf fitness stretch trainer.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

2005 NFC North Football preview

2008-01-14T21:01:00.009-08:00

by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: NFC North

Look for a changing of the guard In the NFC North in 2005 as I fully expect to see the Green Bay Packers pass the torch to the Vikings and finish below the .500 mark, Pack QB Brett Favre has spent 14 of his 15 NFL seasons in Green Bay and has had a Hall of Fame career which includes the honor of being the NFL’s only three time MVP, Favre also has the distinction of being the NFL’s “Iron Man” with regard to his starting 225 consecutive games.

However, Favre will turn 36 yrs old on October 10 and his offensive line is significantly weaker with the key losses of starting offensive guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle, and those losses are in addition to losing starting S Darren Sharper and bit players S Michael Hawthorne and S Bhawoh Jue who provided depth in an already weak defensive secondary.

Other than snagging Favre’s replacement in QB Aaron Rogers with their top draft selection the Packers had a very average draft which is not a good thing when considering that they really didn’t pick up anyone of consequence in free agency, Green Bay opened up their 2004 campaign with a 1-4 straight up and ATS record which includes losing their first three home games to the likes of the Bears, the Giants, and the Titans which is not a good sign considering that these three teams finished up 2004 with a combined record of 16-32 straight up.

The Vikings appear to be the heir apparent to the NFC North throne as the ousting of WR Randy Moss who was nothing but a distraction along with the best draft of any team in the division and a good free agent crop might just turn these Vikings into a serious contender for the overall NFC crown when the smoke clears.

However, with that being said the real question is whether the Vikings can overcome the distraction of the team being sold as well as the silly game time decisions and poor clock management of HC Mike Tice who if you recall was busted for scalping Super Bowl tickets.

Detroit figures to give the Vikings a battle for the crown as long as they can remain healthy, Lion HC Steve Mariucci is in his third year with the organization and needs to make strides this year if he wants GM Matt Millen to hang around after 2005, Steve Mariucci was brought in after the Lions finished 2001 and 2002 with a combined record of 5-27 straight up and 15-16-1 ATS.

In Mariucci’s two seasons with the Lions they have gone 11-21 straight up and 17-15 ATS which means although slowly there has been improvement, the Lions selected three Pac-10 players with their top three choices by drafting WR Mike Williams out of USC with their top selection which makes this the third straight draft that a WR was chosen with the Lions first overall pick, with the Lions second pick they chose DT Shaun Cody out of USC and with their third choice they picked CB Stanley Wilson out of Stanford.

The Lions got a possible steal in the fifth round with QB Dan Orlovsky out of Connecticut, Detroit was also very active in the free agent wars by picking up QB Jeff Garcia who used to play for Mariucci in San Francisco and thus knows this offense very well, if QB Joey Harrington continues to under perform expect to see a switch to Garcia. The additions of problem child WR Kevin Johnson and TE Marcus Pollard will bring veteran leadership to the offense.

HC Lovie Smith and his Bears continue to be a work in progress as they once again will bring up the rear in 2005, windy city faithful had high hopes for this team following a 13-4 straight up and 11-5-1 ATS season in 2001, however, in the three seasons since that break out year of 2001 these Bears have tallied a dismal 16-32 straight up and 20-28 ATS record and the song will remain the same in 2005 as the Bears used their top draft choice on RB Cedric Benson.

Benson will in all likelihood be one heck of a back, the problem lies in the fact that the Bears don’t have an offensive line to block for the poor guy, Chicago’s terrible offensive line play in 2004 was the root cause of the Bears seeing three QB’s including Rex Grossman sidelined with injuries, its head shaking stuff to consider that this offensive line allowed a staggering 66 sacks which in the end caused the Bears to finish with an overall offensive ranking of 32nd in the league.

In closing I see the NFC North as a race between the Vikings and Lions for the top spot with the Packers coming in third and Chicago bringing up the rear, if not for the Vikings bad game time coaching I would expect to see them win this division handily, however, Viking HC Mike Tice will probably cost his team two close losses via bad decisions when its said and done.

The Vikings will probably be a public darling for most of the season so not much “Value” will be found by backing them, instead look to play against the Vikes when they are installed as road favorites this season as they are 4-10 ATS in this role over the past four years, the Vikings also tend to be way over valued by the public when playing at home as evidenced by the Vikes 1-10 ATS record as a home favorite of more than six points.

Look to jump on the Lion bandwagon this season when they are installed as road doggies, Detroit posted a road mark of 3-5 straight up and 5-3 ATS in 2004 which is eye opening stuff when considering that they had lost 24 straight road games prior to 2004, if these Lions can remain healthy and QB Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia have a decent season these Lions will have an offense that can keep them in any game they play.

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.

2005 NFC East Football preview

2008-01-14T21:01:00.007-08:00

by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: NFC EAST

The Eagles once again appear to be the top team in the NFC for 2005, however, I wouldn’t look for them to win 13 games this season due to the fact that each of the other teams in the NFC East should improve this year. A look at the Eagles schedule for 2005 reveals the fact that Philly will face the league’s third easiest schedule when considering the Eagles 2005 opponents combined for a 118-146 straight up record last season.

One would expect that with the Eagles posting a straight up record of 54-20 over the past four seasons that they would eventually have a bad draft due to having to choose from the draft leftovers, however, that has not been the case as the Eagles once again had a pretty good draft which is a testament to just how good HC Andy Reid is with regard to being able to wheel and deal in the draft as well as his ability to pick talent.

The Eagles weren’t all that active in the free agent market but were able to snag a quality backup QB in Mike McMahon from Detroit who became expendable when the Lions picked up QB Jeff Garcia. It should be no surprise that the Lions picked up Garcia when considering that Garcia was Detroit HC Steve Mariucci’s QB when both were in San Francisco.

Cowboy HC Bill Parcells used free agency to bring in RB Anthony Thomas to backup Julius Jones and also snagged QB Drew Bledsoe to run his offense for 2005, however, Parcells main focus during the off season was to fix what ailed his defense which allowed 406 points in 2004. Parcells appears to have been successful with a quality draft head lined by picking up DE Demarcus Ware, DE Marcus Spears and LB Kevin Burnett with his top three selections in the draft.

Overall Parcells had an excellent draft and used six of his eight draft selections on defensive players which should serve to shore up a shaky pass rush which allowed opposing QB’s time to toss 31 TD’s last year. The Giants threw last season away by using QB Eli Manning under center earlier than they probably should have, however, the playing experience gained in 2004 should serve Manning well this season and especially since QB Kurt Warner is now in Arizona which means that Manning will not be looking over this shoulder.

The Giants only had four draft choices which was the fewest amount in franchise history, however, they were able to pick up CB Corey Webster out of LSU in the second round, Webster should have been a top 10 or top 15 pick but fell to the Giants with the overall 43rd pick in the draft due to injuries sustained in College, the G-Men used free agency to bring in QB Tim Hasselbeck to back up Manning and signed a go-to WR in former Steeler Plaxico Burress for Manning to play catch with.

By not addressing glaring needs on offense Washington appears set to bring up the rear in the NFC East for 2005, last year Skin HC Joe Gibbs brought in former Jag QB Mark Brunell to run his offense, however in the nine games Brunell started last year he only completed 49.79% of his passes and at seasons end finished with a QB rating of 63.90.

In contrast QB Patrick Ramsey started seven games in 2004 and completed 62.13% of his tosses which was good enough to post a QB rating of 74.8, the Skins used their second draft selection on QB Jason Campbell out of Auburn which was probably a bit of a reach as Campbell will need lots of work, however, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Patrick Ramsey will be the starting QB for 2005.

Regardless of whether the Skins decide to go with either Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey at QB for 2005, Washington still needs to fix their offensive line play which was atrocious to say the least and was the main reason for the Skins averaging a meager 15 points scored per contest last year.

The Skin defense appeared set to be the bright spot for this team once again in 2005, however, the arrest of safety Sean Taylor on gun charges, the free agent loss of CB Fred Smoot and the off season ankle injury/stress fracture to top draft choice CB Carlos Rogers leaves that open to debate.

In closing the Eagles posted an overall mark of 15-4 straight up and 12-7 ATS last year, I fully expect to see the public back these Eagles in most outings in 2005, however, a check of last season shows that 3 of the Eagles 4 straight up losses occurred against AFC teams and 4 of the Eagles 7 spread losses came against the AFC.

A check of the past three seasons reveals the fact that Philly has only lost a total of 14 games in this time frame, however, 7 of those 14 losses came at the hands of AFC teams, and to think that in the past three years these Eagles only played AFC teams a total of 13 times!!

This of course leads me to believe that 2005 road games at Kansas City and at Denver might very well be prime spots to go against Philly and especially if the Eagles are installed as road favorites when considering that the Eagles have gone 4-9 ATS overall against AFC teams over the past three seasons, in road games (not counting the SB) against AFC teams during this same time span Philly posted a mark of 2-4 ATS.

I would be careful in picking my spots with regard to Dallas, New York, and Washington this season until after the fourth game of the year because of the QB situation at each location, with that being said keep an eye on the Cowboys who could very well end up being the surprise team in this division as well as in the NFC this year if QB Drew Bledsoe can remain healthy and the Dallas defense shapes up like I think they will.

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.

Burton Bullet N Baron Snowboards For Big Boots

2008-01-14T21:01:00.005-08:00

by: Jeremy Hier

Burton snowboards have been making sure boarders get the best ride down the slopes for many years. Burton's reliability and credibility are etched in stone. Two boards you may consider are the Burton Bullet and Baron.

The Burton Bullet has a giving sidecut and snappy flex which offers increased pop and an incredible ride for a wide board. This all combines to give you a fast, responsive, versatile, snowboarding experience.

The Burton Bullet is constructed with a wider waist width which allows riders with a size 10.5 or bigger foot to power through, speedy turns. Those with big boots will find the Bullet fun to ride and long lasting.

The Bullet's slantwall construction provides bigger-boot riders a controlled snow feel and durability. A 70's muscle graphic looks great on the board which includes a silver metallic detail print.

Next is the Burton Baron ES. It offers incredible stability and control, from groomers to hips, to off-piste stashes. Riding the Baron hard all day is a snap.

Burton has created the Baron for larger-footed riders. Its implanted Carbon I-Beam and added Dual Warp Lite Triax fiberglass ensure high speed. Its Dragonfly core is designed according to a specific strength to weight ratio, as well as Pressure Distribution Edges. This increases the boards snap and edge control.

About The Author:
Discover how to snowboard from our experts and read our Burton Triumph review and more.

Cold Nights and Hot Games: Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney

2008-01-14T21:01:00.003-08:00

by: Ron Richards

Each year, colleges and universities from all over the nation send their men's basketball teams to the "Last Frontier State" to the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. The competition heats up the cold winter days and nights, as teams meet head on to battle for buckets. Colleges and universities get the opportunity to play against their top rivals and powerhouses of the game. These games draw in record crowds each year, as any basketball fan should not miss the chance to attend this fast paced pre season classic.

The main question on any sports fan's mind is, why Alaska? The reason is simple, former University of Alaska Anchorage head coach, Bob Rachal found a loophole in the NCAA rules determining pre season play. In an effort to draw more attention to the state, the University of Alaska Anchorage, and the Seawolves athletic program, Rachal became the mastermind of what began as the Sea Wolf Classic. The NCAA rules stated any games played outside the contagious 48 states did not count towards a program's pre determined allotment. For this reason, participants of the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney can get an early gauge of their teams prowess against national talent.

The first Sea Wolf Classic was held in 1978 for the '78-'79 basketball season and saw the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University crush the University of Louisville's Cardinals. The tournament ended in 1978, leaving many wondering if it would become an annual event. Much to everyone's relief, the Sea Wolf Classic became a Thanksgiving tradition in 1979, but under a new name.

Broadcaster Billy Packer is credited with changing the name from the Sea Wolf Classic to the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney back in 1979. In this stunning tournament, the title game came down to the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Iona College Gaels. The Wildcats proved too powerful for the tiny New York school, and emerged victorious as the second champion of this fantastic new basketball challenge.

A list of past champions reads like a who's who of College basketball, including NC State, Louisville, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA to name a few.

The attendance may have been meager in the early days, but soon the action caught on, and now college basketball fans of all ages flock to the state for the Thanksgiving weekend Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. What better way to celebrate our national day of thanks than by cheering on teams from all across the country? Many hotels, cruises, and lodges have special packages designed with the college basketball fan in mind.

If you find you cannot wait until December to enjoy hot hoops action, head to Anchorage and watch the action melt away the snow! Plan a trip for the family and bring budding sports fans to experience the thrilling display of skill and sportsmanship, or make it a raucous occasion for celebration with your best hoops loving buds. Whoever you bring, just make sure you bring yourself to this annual college basketball showdown!

About The Author:

A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives in the beautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by taking an affordable Alaska cruise.

Beginning Billiards

2008-01-14T21:01:00.001-08:00

by: Clifton Tan

Welcome to www.billiard-cue-site.com . Pocket billiards or pool refers to a game played on a six pocket billiard table. It mainly consisit of 15 object balls and a cue ball. Snooker on the other hand is played on a billiard table with 21 object balls and a cue ball. Carom billiards to a game played with 3 balls on a table and no pockets.

Basic skills are required or almost the same for playing either snooker, pool or billiards, or carom billiards.The most noticeable smilarities are the way the player hold the billiard cue, the stance and the movements of the arms.

Despite all these smilarities in playing billiards, snooker and carom billiards., there are of course differences that distinguish itself from one another. In billiards, the player is suppose to pocket the 15 balls with a cue ball as quickly as possible, while the carom billiards must keep 3 balls in the game.

Anyone interested in billiards must have played a game of pool at any one time.Or maybe it all started because your friend invited you to have a game of pool. And after observing for a while, you become fascinated by the technique and the way the game has to be strategized in order to beat the opponent. Soon you picked up a billiard cue, aim at the cue ball and the object ball, and started playing. Maybe not for too long, you bought a two-piece billiardcue for the pride of ownership. And all the bullshit about how you started playing billiards or pool are history, you are a frequent player at a pool hall near you.

It is not an accident that pool ranks among the top sports in American, while the english version, snooker ranks number one in Britain, not soccer. And billiards has been playing all around the world as a leisure sport or favorite past time. It is mainly because pool halls are everywhere and to play the game, you don't need to bring or buy loads of equipment, mostly one billiard cue is all you need. The game not only challenge your opponents but also challenges yourself in attaining higher level skills as you go along.

Probably it will not take long for you to realize that the cue ball don't respond to what you desire the cue ball to react. The cue ball may run too far or sometimes too near, maybe the cue ball bank at the wrong angle and rest on the wrong spot, or worst you miss a cue. These are beginner's mistakes, but never let this mistakes ruin your pleasure in billiards or pool or don't make it a habit. Mistakes are normal as part of the learning process. But mistakes are only beneficial when you try to learn from them.

Pocket billiards is a game that everyone can learn to play. If you practice it, you will soon discover that the game requires planning, strategy, concentration and intuition. Very soon you will instill an intuition of strategizing the game against your opponents 5 steps ahead of them. Billiards or pool is not a game of chance, it is but a game of physics, it relates to the build of billiardcue to the strength you exert on the cue ball. Read some of the articles on banks
shots, follow shots, follow shots, straight shots or break shots. After reading them, practice them, and soon you can feel the game.

Another tip to know is that, whenever you are planning for a practice session, practice it with an experienced billiards player. If you are playing billiards or pool, play with an expert or a more advance billiards player. Only by playing with them, then he can spot your mistakes, like the way you hold your billiard cue, your stroke or he may impart some useful tips to you. Never be embarrased to ask a more experience billiards player, I believe they will be more than happy to help you.

Baseball Quotes

2008-01-14T21:00:00.009-08:00

by: Aron Wallad

Funny Baseball Quotes

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. Earl Wilson

When they start the game, they don't yell, "Work ball." They say, "Play ball." Willie Stargell, 1981

When we played softball, I'd steal second base, feel guilty and go back. Woody Allen

A baseball park is the one place where a man's wife doesn't mind his getting excited over somebody else's curves. Brendan Francis

There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare. Tallulah Bankhead

Baseball is very big with my people. It figures. It's the only way we can get to shake a bat at a white man without starting a riot. Dick Gregory

What does a mama bear on the pill have in common with the World Series? No cubs. Harry Caray

Confucius say: Baseball wrong - man with four balls cannot walk. Author Unknown

With the money I'm making, I should be playing two positions. Pete Rose, 1977

Andre Dawson has a bruised knee and is listed as day-to-day. Aren't we all? Vin Scully

Cricket is baseball on valium. Robin Williams

Finish last in your league and they call you Idiot. Finish last in medical school and they call you Doctor. Abe Lemons

The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing. Dizzy Dean

I managed a team that was so bad we considered a 2-0 count on the batter a rally. Rich Donnelly, minor league manager

Let no one accuse baseball of not being tough on drugs. During his baseball career, Steve Howe was given 7 lifetime suspensions. Bill Ferraro, baseball fan.

I could never play in New York. The first time I came into a game there, I got into the bullpen car and they told me to lock the doors.Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles

On his own scouting report: "Very deceptive. Slower than he looks.Joe Garagiola

A lot of things run through your head when you're going in to relieve in a tight spot. One of them was, 'Should I spike myself ? Lefty Gomez

Three more saves and he ties John the Baptist.
Hank Greenwald, on Bruce Sutter

Creative Action – Seven Tips to Financial Success

2008-01-14T21:00:00.007-08:00

by: Tania French

My sister loves lists. She says they keep her on track and trigger her memory. So, she asked me to make a list detailing what it took for me to reach the level of success I have.

Actually what she really wanted is to learn what it takes to stay committed and focused on a goal. Her goals seemed to blur and then disappear after initially burning as bright as the sun on a summer's day.

This is quite common. So don't fret.

But now forget that you were once a goal-setter-trasher. Go into unfamiliar territory and cast off those shackles of procrastination. Be fearless and eager to learn.

Let's start with the basics:

1. Turn off the TV. You won't change your life if you keep watching the world go by. So get off your couch, or bed, toss the remote, walk to your tube and press the OFF button. Better yet, put it behind closed doors. It's addictive. Seeing it might disturb your creativity. Now, I know you might feel deprived and suffer from withdrawal, but, when your life changes you'll get over it.

2. Go to a bookstore. If you don't have a good dictionary and thesaurus, Walk to your local bookstore and purchase these two indispensable items. While your browsing, check out the Biography section to read books written by people you wish to emulate. Equally as important, buy How To/Advice books on the subject your interested in.

3. Read. Back home on the couch, sans remote, read, read and read. Underline, highlight and take notes. Write down what you are learning.

4. Grab a pen and notepad. Now that it's quiet, start listening to your thoughts. Write. Write anything that comes to mind. Write about the life you want. Describe it in absolute detail. This should not be a hardship. Make it fun. Feel yourself living the life you always wanted. If you can't handle it, go back and start from the top.

5. Ask questions. Ask experts who have succeeded in what you want to do all the questions you have. Commit this Rudyard Kipling poem to memory: "Six honest serving men--they taught me all I know--their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who."

6. Pick a product you want to sell. Remember - all forms of art must be successfully marketed into actual products or services. Create your first niche product.

7. Watch your thoughts and words. In order to maximize success, remember: the words you choose and use create your life's news.

Your full commitment is changing your life for the better. The more creative fuel you emit towards your goal, the faster you'll reach it. You know your life is in your hands. Now get those hands dirty. Watch your fears melt away.

That is the power of Creative Action.

About the author:
Click here for your common-sense guide to living a fulfilled and wealthy life.

Tania French is a composer who has enjoyed performances and radio broadcasts of her music worldwide.
© 2005 Tania French. All Rights Reserved.

2005 AFC South football preview

2008-01-14T21:00:00.005-08:00

by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: AFC South

In the AFC South look for the Jacksonville Jaguars to nip at the heels of the Colts for most of the season but in the end the Colts with an improved defense must be given the nod to win the division. Colt HC Tony Dungy had to do something with his defense given the fact that they were ranked 28th overall in the NFL last season and allowed a whopping 237 yards per game thru the air which ranked them 26th in pass defense, Dungy came through in a big way by drafting five defensive players within his first six selections and three of those picks were used on defensive backs.

The Colts top draft pick this year was used on CB Marlin Jackson out of Michigan, with their second pick they drafted CB Kelvin Hayden out of Illinois, Jackson should be an instant starter while Hayden will in all likelihood be used in nickel packages, with their fifth selection the Colts took S Matt Giordano out of California for depth and help on special teams.

When you had the best passing attack in the NFL in 2004 and overall averaged 404.4 yards per game on offense its no small wonder that the Colts didn’t tinker much on this side of the ball, however, the Colts were indeed fortunate to finish the 2004 campaign with a straight up record of 13-5 overall when considering just how bad their defense was in allowing an average of 366.1 total yards per game which of course is the reason why Colt contests exceeded the posted total in 12 of 18 outings last year.

Jacksonville was the opposite of Indianapolis with regard to not allowing a lot of points but then they didn’t score a lot of points either, as a matter of fact 12 of the Jags 16 outings in 2004 dipped UNDER the posted total and according to the ole history book the Jags have now failed to score 30 points or more in their past 50 straight contests, with QB Byron Leftwich back under center and a year of experience under his belt I would look for the Jags to score more points this season, however, keep in mind that HC Jack Del Rio is and always will be a defense first coach that likes to play conservative on offense.

Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and Houston have the distinction of being in a three way tie for having the 13th toughest schedule in the NFL for the 2005 season based on their opponents 2004 final win/loss records, this does not bode well for Jacksonville and Houston who are trying to unseat the Colts for the top spot.

Houston has improved their seasonal win/loss total each of the past three years since their 2002 NFL debut and it would not surprise me to see this Texan team win 8 or 9 games in 2005 and possibly take the second spot in the divisional standings when its all said and done. What looks to hold these young Texans back in 2005 is the fact that they are in the same division as the Colts and Jags.

Texan QB David Carr has proven he can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’ when considering that he was sacked 49 times last season, this same offensive line was responsible for most of the injuries that Texan RB’s absorbed in 2004 and this weakness will probably prove to be Houston’s downfall once again in 2005 as they have not taken steps to correct this fault.

If these young Texans can stay healthy this season and improve their offensive line play they will indeed surprise some folks, however, look for these Texans to tire coming down the stretch as they will take their bye early in the season during the third week of the schedule and must play three of their final five games on the road and in this same span will play much improved Arizona and Jacksonville teams at home.

The Titans finished last years campaign with a 5-11 straight up and ATS record which was by far the worst finish under HC Jeff Fisher during his tenure. The good news for the Titans is that they had a pretty good draft which should give them a much needed shot of youth on their roster, the bad news is that they are still in salary cap hell for this upcoming season which is the reason why they were so quiet in the free agent wars.

With the being said, Titan HC Jeff Fisher is still one of the very best coaches in the league and always seems to get the most out of his troops. Although I see Tennessee once again finishing up in the cellar I believe there will be many opportunities to win some wagers this season with these Titans, however, these opportunities will probably not present themselves until after the first four weeks of the new season.

Tennessee opens their season against four playoff teams from 2004 when they take on the likes of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, St Louis, and Indianapolis in their first four outings, all four games will in all likelihood be marked in the loss column which will create “Value” when they play their next five games against non playoff teams prior to taking their bye during week 10 of the 2005 season.

Cleveland Indians: 2005 Title Contenders or Pretenders?

2008-01-14T21:00:00.003-08:00

by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

I lived in Cleveland for two summers not too long ago. My second year there was when they had their fire sale. Jim Thome was one of the last to go. Their argument to him was that it would take a long time before they start to contend again so that it was best to part ways.

Well, the Indians are contending in a hurry and are atop the Wild Card by 1.5 games. There is no question in my mind that these Indians are title contenders. With the questionable starting pitching of the Boston Red Sox, inconsistent hitting of the Angels and White Sox, the Indians prove to be the only team with a great balance of hitting and pitching.

What’s better news is that these Indians are lethal on the road. Their road record of 45-29 is the third best in baseball. The Indians can play small ball and they can also play long ball which makes them great in any ballpark on the road. They can run the bases and move people over in pitching friendly ballparks. They can also hit home runs in hitting friendly ballparks.

Their pitching staff is headed by lefty C.C. Sabathia and is supported by one of the best bullpens in baseball. There is no doubt these Indians are playing the best baseball. The Indians are on a 70% run spanning more than 40 games and are hitting both lefties and righties extremely well.

The one glitch to the Indians season is that they are a combined 8-18 against AL playoff teams Red Sox, Angels, White Sox. If they are going to advance to the World Series, these are the teams they are going to have to beat.

Chat about all sorts of sports information at the Sports Wagering Forums.

Choosing A Horse

2008-01-14T21:00:00.001-08:00

by: Mark Woodcock

Choosing a horse will be one of the most important decisions you ever make so for the sake of both you and the horse - take your time.

At 50 I was a bit older than the average first time horse owner, so should have got it right. I fell in love with a pretty little horse that I had ridden on a riding holiday when he was in his own environment and I was relaxed and had all the time in the world.

9 months later, after a lot of heartache I admitted that he was the wrong horse for my lifestyle and experience and fortunately he was able to go back to his original owner. Pretty traumatic for me, but less so for him as he was going back to where he was happy.

Our livery yard owner helped me decide what type of horse I was looking for by considering the following:

1. My horse riding experience
2. Who I would be able to ride with
3. The grazing, stabling and riding available to me
4. How much time I had for horse care and training
5. How much money I had to buy a horse and care for it
6. What size horse I was comfortable with and was sensible for me
7. Whether I wanted a particular horse breed or colour

We decided that based on the above, a traditional coloured gypsy horse would be ideal and found Amy, a 5 year old ex brood-mare. She was road trained and gentle with lovely paces, but was oblivious to all the standard horse training commands.

2 years on I can't imagine life without her. She may not be the most beautiful horse around (though I think she is) and with a full time job to fit round her, she adapts to whatever horse care and horse riding routine I need. We have had a lot of fun improving our horse riding skills together and I hope that we will still be doing so for many years to come.

So step back and consider the above points before you choose your horse, as he/she will be relying on you to make the right decision

About The Author:

Learn the essential information for picking the right Horseback Riding Vacations at Horseback Riding Vacations

Functional Exercise For Golf Warrants The Quickest Results

2008-01-14T20:59:00.007-08:00

by: Mike Pedersen

Functional exercise for golf can mean different things to different golfers. But the key is to take a look at the golf swing mechanics and devise golf exercises, drills, and golf programs to strengthen weak or limited phases of the swing.

Not every golfer has the same deficiency and treating golfers this way is like “one-stop” shopping. This will result in failure. No improvement for the golfer. This is a complete waste of time, money and physical effort.

The first step is for the golfer to partake in a golf fitness evaluation to determine the correct functional exercise for golf program.

This evaluation should cover strength, flexibility, stabilization and endurance. These are all key factors in performing at your best. These individual tests cannot be general fitness tests, but tests devised specifically for the golfer in mind.

Functional exercise for golf is dynamic, sequential and incorporates core strength and stabilization. Any functional exercise for golf that does not address this is not for golfers.

First off the golf posture is not common among many sports or athletic movements. Being ‘bent-over’ at the waist with your weight more at the balls of your feet incorporate balance and stabilization immediately.

And remember…this is only at address!

To maintain your posture dynamically throughout the golf swing takes a ‘unique’ blend of all components mentioned above. That is why it is so important to incorporate functional exercise for golf in your routine.

Once you’ve taken the above mentioned evaluation, you’ll have a good idea of what your weaknesses (limitations) are and start designing a function exercise for golf program that will hit those areas.

This functional exercise for golf program should be done a minimum of twice, but preferably 3 times a weak to get results. Being consistent with your program will leave you a happy golfer on the course.

No one ever said it would be easy, but by incorporating a functional exercise for golf program will be well worth it.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Favorite Hobbies - Yard Games

2008-01-14T20:59:00.005-08:00

by: Peter Jay

Yard games are a popular and simple hobby. Once you have a yard game, you can play it all you want for free, anywhere, anytime. You can go to the park with friends to play or just play in your backyard. There is no limit to a yard game hobby. Most yard games are simple and you can play them with your family, even children or with your friends. They can be a fun activity for everyone.

I have often played yard games as a hobby and even began selling them online. I manage the website for PlayCroquet.com, which is owned by Yard Game Central. At PlayCroquet and Yard Game Central, a variety of common and obscure yard games are sold from around the world. The games include, croquet, kubb, bocce ball, petanque, quoits, horseshoes, ladder golf and more. For many years growing up, my favorite yard game was croquet. This was because I had not played any others, however.

Now my favorite yard game is kubb. Kubb is a Swedish outdoor game. It has been around for centuries. Some people call it Viking chess. I do not know why though, because it is not anything like chess. The game works by lining up ten blocks of wood, kubbs; five on one end and five on the opposing end. A larger piece of wood, the king, is placed in the middle. There are two teams standing on the opposite sides. The teams take turns throwing sticks or batons at the kubbs on the opposing end. Whichever team knocks down all of the kubbs of the opposing team first and then knocks over the king, wins. If one team hits the king over before they have knocked over all of the kubbs, that team loses. The king is kind of like the eight ball in pool or billiards.

Horseshoes and bocce ball are some of my favorite hobbies or yard games as well. I kind of like those games or hobbies where you just throw things at something else. I played horseshoes a lot last summer. We used to just go at night to a horseshoe pit at the park and play in the dark. It was fun playing at night. There were some lights around, so you could see a little bit. You could usually just see a sparkle of light reflecting off of the pole in the horseshoe pit, and had to aim at the reflection. We got pretty good at it though.

Bocce ball is fun, because it is kind of relaxing. It does not take a lot of brain power. You just throw your ball at the main ball or at your opponents’ balls and that’s it. It is like an adult version of marbles. You can play it for hours. All you do is take the main ball, and throw it somewhere. Then you try to see who can get their ball the closest. Whichever team gets their ball the closest, gets a point. If they have several balls closer than any other of the opposing teams balls, then they get a point for each ball.

Croquet is another game I like. I have played croquet more than all of the others. It is the one that I grew up with. It takes a little more effort and strategy to play, and each player can play for themselves, up to six players, unlike the other games where there is two teams. I guess croquet can be played with two teams, but the version I have always played - poison croquet - is every man for himself. That is my favorite version of croquet though. Find a hobby today at your online hobby store and more.

Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access – Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com.

Do you want the Top Ten Reasons to Select Directv? Here they are!

2008-01-14T20:59:00.003-08:00

Unlike cable television, Directv can offer over 225 channels! With that amount of channels to choose from, you will not have to feel limited at all. There are so many choices that you can choose from. Whether it is romance, soap operas, college or professional sports, comedies, action or thrillers, Directv has it all! You will not be lacking when it comes to variety and different choices. If there is one thing that Directv is, that would be bountiful!

You own it! Literally! You get to keep the equipment as your own when you get your whole Directv package. Cable television does not offer you the availability to keep the equipment, so that is one way to tell that Directv is a definite winner.

What could be the number three reason why to select Directv for your company? Maybe because you get 100 percent digital channels! This definitely ensures quality. How much better can it get when you can have both quality and quantity at the same time?!

Rolling in at the fourth reason as to why you should purchase Directv would be because it offers High Definition TV! That one says satisfaction in itself.

What could number five possibly be? You are available to get Multi-Channel viewing! Who wouldn’t want to have the power of watching different channel’s on different televisions at the same exact time?

Let’s roll onto lucky number six as to why you should get Direct tv shall we? What is your chance of having an outage? Not very much, because the statistics show that there is only a 1 percent chance! When cable television has a 3-5 percent chance of an outage, which one would you rather pick? I don’t know about you, but I would pick Directv.

Lucky number seven is here at your service! If you are a sports fan, which obviously sports is a huge deal here in the United States. You will absolutely adore Directv after you hear that you will get the availability to the NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings, NHL on the Ice, and last but not least ESPN Game Day!

The eighth reason why you should purchase Directv is because you can choose can get Pay-Per-View Movies & Events! There are approximately 80 channels to choose from! Cable TV only offers you approximately 40 movies to choose from, now you can decide which one is the better deal!

Do you plan on moving? Reason number nine will encourage you even more to look into the Directv system! You can move or reinstall the system in your new home when you buy Directv. This will make your life a lot easier. When you get done with the move and get your satellite system all set up, you can throw your feet up, relax and watch your favorite television show from your favorite satellite provider!

We’re at our last reason for this article as to why you should look into getting the Direct tv system! Because you can get JD Power! This is claimed to be the number one ranking versus both cable and satellite providers for your customer satisfaction! Now what are you waiting for? Those are your Top Ten Reasons to Select Directv!

Don't Let High Ticket Prices Keep You From Seeing The "Big" Game

2008-01-14T20:59:00.001-08:00

by: Jeff Howard

Don't Let High Ticket Prices Keep You From Seeing The "Big" Games By Jeff Howard
Have you ever dreamed about seeing a big sports event like the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, or Daytona 500 in person? If so, what kept you from realizing your dream?

Before you answer that one, let me demonstrate how the typical fan tries to buy tickets. I'll use the Indianapolis 500 as an example. As I write this the "Greatest Spectacle In Racing" is a few weeks away.

Since many fans don't start thinking about tickets until weeks, or months, before the event, it's very possible some are just now deciding they want to see this race.

Even at this late date, there are still a few tickets available directly from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but rest assured the choice seats are long gone.

There's good news, however.

A quick Internet search shows there are are plenty of good seats available. At one popular ticket broker site, they range in price from $65 to $645 each depending on track location. According to the official Indianapolis 500 website, these same tickets have a face value of $40 to $90 each. So, if you buy your tickets from a broker, you'll end up paying 2, 3, or 4 times face value.

Not so good news.

Before I get back to my original question, let me say this. If you're independently wealthy, go ahead and buy your tickets from a broker since money isn't an issue. However, if you're like the rest of us, it was probably the high cost of tickets that kept
you from seeing a game or event in person.

So how do you avoid overpaying for tickets? Well it's really quite simple. Plan in advance. See, I said it was simple.

Since every major sports event occurs at approximately the same time each year, there's no reason why you shouldn't be planning for next year right now. Let's get back to our typical race fan. Once he discovers how much Indy 500 tickets will set him back, he'll decide that's too much and forget about the race. A year rolls by, and the approaching race starts making news. By this time maybe he's forgotten about the ticket prices, or maybe he thinks this year he'll find bargain tickets somewhere.

Nope.

This year the prices are even higher, so he gives up yet again all the while thinking to himself that "one of these days" he's actually going to plunk down the money for tickets. Good luck. Sadly, while savvy fans will be experiencing the sights, sounds,
and smells of the race in person, he'll be watching from home on the small screen.

Now if he would have just planned in advance for his race-day experience, the outcome could be very different. Many of those same tickets selling for well above face value in the weeks leading up to the race could have been had for face value a year earlier.

The window of opportunity for many sports tickets opens shortly after the preceding year's event has ended. This is even the case for some of the biggies like the Super Bowl or the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The tickets are out there. You just have to know when and where to look. Here are some suggestions.

1) Check the official website of the sponsoring organization. Many times this will have all the information you need, including ticket procedures, deadlines, and special
requirements. Do this as soon as possible after the event has taken place and keep checking periodically until updated information has been posted.

2) If you're more impatient, call the organization directly. You can usually find a phone number on the website, but if it's not there call 800 directory assistance. Ask how you can purchase tickets to next year's game, or at least get your name on a waiting list so you'll be notified when tickets are available. Make sure you know all the pertinent dates, addresses and prices so you'll be ready when they go on sale.

3) Check the official website of the host venue. Often the arena or stadium handles ticket sales, as is the case for the first/ second and regional rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In this case, the early bird definitely gets the worm. Again, a
polite phone call may provide additional information or get your name on the proper list.

4) Consider joining a team's fan club or booster club. Many times these memberships come with special advance notice of tickets sales or access to in-demand tickets. For example Boston Red Sox fans should join the Red Sox Nation to get ticket preferences for some of the hottest seats in Fenway Park. Membership will only set you back $9.95, a small price if you score some premium tickets.

5) Finally, search the Internet for information about the specific event or venue. You may find a little-known piece of information that allows you to apply for highly-coveted tickets. Be creative and try different word combinations as your search terms. Read everything you can find about the upcoming game or previous games. It's all about your willingness to put in a little "leg work" that may pay off in face-value Super Bowl or Final Four tickets.

In fact I just applied for 2006 Final Four tickets last week, but I'm sure many hoops fans didn't even know that was possible.

So, regardless of the event or game, if you want to see it in person without taking out a second mortgage for tickets, try a little advance planning. With persistence and patience, you may just be watching it next year from the front row.

******************************************************************************************
Jeff Howard publishes SportsTicketSecrets Tip Sheet, a monthly ezine providing tips, information, and advice for sports fans who are tired of watching the "BIG" games on TV. To sign up and receive a preview of his latest publication "Super Bowl Ticket
Secrets" visit http://www.superbowlticketsecrets.com
******************************************************************************************

2005 NFC West Football preview

2008-01-14T20:58:00.001-08:00

by: James Campbell

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 Warner 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 Warner 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 Claiborne 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.

Coach Tom Craft got fired!

2008-01-13T19:40:00.001-08:00

by: alfred johnson

The NCAA Football former quarterback for the Aztecs in the mid-1970s Tom Craft was fired Monday after failing to post a winning record in four seasons.

The NCAA Football athletic director Jeff Schemmel promised to hire a replacement, “Give Tom a lot of credit. I think the program's better than it was before," Schemmel said.

Schemmel hopes to hire a replacement by Christmas, promised to hire a replacement "who can excite the community."

Possible candidates: The former Washington and Colorado NCAA Football coach

Rick Neuheisel, Bobby Hauck, coach at Division I-AA Montana its another option.

Schemmel saids San Diego State can become a top 10 program.

This article is free for republishing

Alfred Johnson provides all sports fans with the most recent a up to date news information in the sports world. Mr. Johnson has been an exceptional article writer for www.bookemdirect.com

Paintball Is A Bang-Up Sport For Anyone

2008-01-13T19:39:00.001-08:00

by: Lee Rummage

Ron Fowler said it feels like being hit with a wet towel. Bryan Vasaris said it's like being snapped with a rubber band or stung by a bee. Being shot by a paintball gun doesn't sound very fun. So why is paintball one of the fastest growing sports in America, according to the National Sporting Goods Association? "It's a stress relief, because you can go out and shoot at people and not dangerously hit them," Vasaris said. "But it's also being with a group of guys that you like to hang around with."

The most commonly played paintball game is "capture the flag." There are rules variations, but the object is for a team to capture the opposing team's flag while protecting its own. Players eliminate opponents by shooting them with their paintball guns.
The games can be played outside in an open field or forest, or inside at a specially designed facility with inflatable bunkers and other obstacles. "It's not the hide-and-seek game everyone thinks," Vasaris said. "It's really action-packed and fast-paced." Players use carbon dioxide- or nitrogen-powered guns that fire thin, gelatin capsules filled with non-toxic paint - the "paintballs."

Vasaris, 22, who has been playing paintball since he was in high school, will be a senior at the University of Cincinnati this year and is the president of the school's paintball team. He said getting shot isn't as bad as it seems. "After the first time, I didn't even think about getting hit," Vasaris said. "There is such an adrenaline rush that you don't even feel it."

For those who want to experience that rush, there are plenty of paintball facilities around Cincinnati. A good place to start for beginners is the Hueston Woods Paintball Club at Hueston Woods State Park.

Tom Arvan, who has been the paintball club's general manager for 12 years, likes to promote the game to new players. "My personal enjoyment is seeing the kids play and seeing first-time players come off the field with a grin on their face," Arvan said.
Hueston Woods is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and offers two fields, including one that is wooded with some constructed obstacles. The cost to play is $27, which includes a gun, a carbon dioxide tank, 200 paintballs and protective gear. Players who have their own equipment pay $12. The fields are open Monday through Friday by reservation for groups of 15 or more. Arvan said Hueston Woods has catered to birthday parties, bachelor parties, fraternity and sorority parties and corporate outings. "We have had high praises from corporate groups for team-building," Arvan said. "It's a game that really fosters some friendship and sportsmanship."

Arvan said his paintball field is open to players of all skill levels. "Paintball is a sport that isn't dominated by youth and physical size," Arvan said. "We've had mom, dad, grandma and grandpa out here."

For more information on the sport of paintball please go to www.alphasportsinc.com

Alpha Sports Inc provides readers with information on Paintball News. We work hard to keep you up to date on the latest paintball news, events, and paintball gear. Please visit us at www.alphasportsinc.comAlpha Sports Inc provides readers with information on Paintball News. We work hard to keep you up to date on the latest paintball news, events, and paintball gear. Please visit us at www.alphasportsinc.com

Home Field Advantage in the MLB

2008-01-13T19:38:00.001-08:00

by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

In one of our earlier articles, we demonstrated how the home field advantage was stronger in the first game of a series and qualified that by explaining how the opposing team has to travel to a visitor’s stadium and may struggle in the first game.

I wanted to apply a few handicapping principles that we generally apply to the NBA such as the betting against a team on zero-days rest angle.

Home teams in the first game of a series are 54.4% winners if their opponent is playing back-to-back days but only 52.8% if their opponent has had 1 or more days rest. This is a significant advantage that is averaged over approximately 5000 games.

If we condition this fact on our team not having to travel because its previous game was at home, the percentage increases to 975-801, 54.9%. In fact, blindly betting home teams in this situation is +26 units over the past 6 years. Because of the large number of games in baseball, even simple angles such as these do not get factored into the spread as they should.

As my “2005 YTD Home Favorite Money Line Records” piece suggested, home teams perform much better against non-divisional rivals than against divisional rivals. Utilizing that knowledge, we improve this system to 55.6%, +39 units.

American League favorites that fall into this system are 226-113 (66.7%), +56 units over the past 6 seasons with no losing seasons. Even though this is coincidental

Chat about all sorts of sports information at the Sports Wagering Forums.

Seattle Supersonics Full Of Energy

2008-01-13T19:36:00.001-08:00

by: Julie Smith

On the NBA round, Seattle Supersonics won again last night on a basketball game played against Indiana Pacers. For the third time in a row, the Sonics have shown their fans they are full of energy and they are improving their scoring techniques.

As back up guard Ronald Murray said: “We're just trying to bring whole lot energy, and keep the rhythm going and the pace going.”

An evidently tired Indiana team couldn’t achieve the objective they had in mind for this basketball game. It might have been that the NBA team didn’t have all the concentration they required or they haven’t got all the sleep hours they needed. Even though Ron Artest said the long road trip didn’t have any effect on the Pacer’s performance. Anyway, it worked out just fine for Seattle Supersonics. The final score for this game was 107 - 102

The Sonics also won last Friday when playing with Cleveland Cavaliers: 115 – 108.

About the Author:
Julie Smith is one of the most recognized copy writers on Sports and currently writes for http://www.instantactionsports.com
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

This article is free for republishing

ESPN the Cheap Magazine, Literally

2008-01-13T19:23:00.001-08:00

by: david chase

Back in the day ESPN was merely space fodder for people with cable subscriptions; back when only the "real" sports fan (me) could sit in front of the tube and bear with the constant rambling of numbers and statistics. Oh it was great. Back before they offered a cheap magazine subscription that was nothing more then an extension to their online subscription service they offered through their website. These were the good old days.

No over-sized clowns spraying the screen with saliva as they scream a point that has already been beat to death by every other major sports media outlet. No silly Ebonics from Stuart Scott and his lowly attempts at integrating hip-hop lingo and culture with sports commentating. Back in the day Berman's sound effects, wit and satirical humor were actually pretty clever; they were fun, and stimulated conversation amongst the boys who played ball out front. Now your left with mainstream content, the "edge" is gone, the only thing that spews out of these writer's pens, and analysts mouths is sponsor-friendly garbage.

Can anybody take ESPN's content seriously anymore? Sportscenter was a morning ritual. ESPN the Magazine would have been a no-brain annual subscription; Peter Gammons and his sports monologues--to a diehard--were simply un-passable. Could you imagine how great their magazine's content would be without ESPN having to be handcuffed by their endless affiliates, and licensing partners? It would be nice to sit back and get the real opinions out of these analysts and writers. Honestly, its probably the only thing I miss about the 80's.

I don’t want dummied down content from their discount magazine and their trashy over-sized recycled paper they call pages. I want opinions on how they really feel about a controversy in sports. As a long time ESPN fan it has become disheartening watching the network dive head first into homeplate only to have their nose busted by the Catchers shin-plates.

You can contact david@magazine-subscription-cheap.com and visit his latest internet project and website http://magazine-subscription-cheap.com

CollectibleSport.com offers a great selection of collectible sports memorabilia and gift ideas

2008-01-13T18:54:00.001-08:00

COLLECTING anything, antique or modern, is limited by two factors: the money available and the space to be filled. Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to sports watches or cards, jerseys, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to find out what the admiration is all about.

Sports Memorabilia Collectors are flocking by the droves to buy Collectible Sports Memorabilia from CollectibleSport. They are taking advantage of the great selection and value found for most popular sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, NASCAR, die cast cars, sports bobble heads, and sports hero posters. This is the perfect marriage of the popularity of Collectible Sports Memorabilia and the upcoming holiday gift giving season.

Visitors to CollectibleSport.com have commented on the excellent layout of the site, the ease of use, the great selection, and fantastic deals to be found there. Updated items are being continually added for the sports currently in season.

Collectible Sports Memorabilia that can be found at CollectibleSport.com allows the connection to a time that we love to remember regarding a special sporting event. Those experiences are brought back from our memory with the Collectible Sports Memorabilia collected for a particular event.

As those special sporting events happen, make sure you capture that exhilarating feeling. Make sure you do not miss out on those Collectible Sports Memorabilia items that capture those special moments. Now is the time to visit CollectibleSport.com and check the special prices and selection.

The holiday gift giving season is fast approaching. A Collectible Sports Memorabilia item from CollectibleSport.com would make the perfect gift!

Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.

http://CollectibleSport.com

http://www.GolfClubsHome.com

http://Profits-For-You.com

http://www.WebHomeHaven.com

by: Kevin Fairbanks

This article is free for republishing

Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.

http://CollectibleSport.com

http://www.GolfClubsHome.com

http://Profits-For-You.com

http://www.WebHomeHaven.com

Collectible Sports Memorabilia

2008-01-13T18:53:00.005-08:00

Summary:
Modern sports has become astonishingly popular. This popularity has propelled the collectible sports memorabilia industry to new heights, also. Physical connection to a sporting event or personality with a collectible sports memorabilia item creates a special bond between fan and sport.

Article:
COLLECTING sports collectibles or sports memorabilia, antique or modern, is limited by two factors: the money available and the space to be filled. Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to Baseball Memorabilia, Basketball Memorabilia, Football Memorabilia, Golf Memorabilia, NASCAR memorabilia, Diecast Collectibles, Bobble Heads, Hero Posters, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to find out what the admiration is all about.

An encyclopedia definition of Sports Collecting would go something like this: "The hobby of sports collecting consists of acquiring specific sports items based on a particular sporting interest of the sports collector. These sports collections of sporting things are often highly organized, carefully cataloged, and attractively displayed." A sports collectible (or collectable) is defined as a manufactured item designed for people interested in sports to collect. The term sports memorabilia usually refers to items related to sporting that can be directly connected to a recent or historical sporting event or sports personality. There are many people that collect these sports memorabilia and collectibles.

Since collecting depends on the interests of the individual collector, it may deal with almost any subject including sports collectible & sports memorabilia. The depth and breadth of the collection may also vary. Some collectors choose to focus on a specific subtopic within their area of general interest, for example Baseball memorabilia of the New York Yankees, Basketball memorabilia of the Los Angeles Lakers, Football memorabilia of the Dallas Cowboys, Golf memorabilia of Tiger Woods, NASCAR memorabilia of Tony Stewart, Diecast collectibles of fire trucks, Bobble Heads for any sport, & posters of heroes such as Lance Armstrong. Others prefer to keep a more general collection, accumulating any or all Baseball memorabilia, Basketball memorabilia, Football memorabilia, Golf memorabilia, NASCAR memorabilia, Diecast collectibles, Bobble Heads, or Hero Posters.

When the NBA, MLB, and NFL began selling their basketball, baseball, and football jerseys in stores during the 1980s, game used jerseys also became a hot item among sports memorabilia collectors. Former NBA player Dennis Rodman was famous for taking off his jerseys and throwing them to the stands after his games were over. Michael Jordan is probably the basketball player whose memorabilia is most sought after by collectors. Today’s stars include Ben Roethlisberger, Shaquille O'Neil, Nomar Garciaparra, etc. These players seem to be pushing the already popular area of sports collectibles and memorabilia to a new level of acceptance to the public.

Collections can take the form of a single item such as a signed baseball, football, or basketball. Collections can also take the form of a series of items, such as jerseys from each member of a particular baseball, basketball, or football team. A NASCAR collection of hats from different drivers is very popular. Golf balls with different logos are especially popular. The cost of any sports collectible memorabilia item is directly proportional to the popularity of the sports figure with which the item correlates. The more popular the sports figure, the more money the sports collectible memorabilia item will demand. The whole sports collectible memorabilia industry is driven by supply and demand. The more demand the higher the price and vice versa. Also, the more supply of an item, the lower the price. Sports cards would be a good example. Only so many of certain cards were ever made. Those carry a higher price than those that were made in bulk. Quality is a very big determining factor in the price of any sports collectible memorabilia item. In general, the better the quality, the higher the price.

Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.

http://CollectibleSport.com

http://www.Collectible-Sports-Memorabilia.com

http://www.GolfClubsHome.com

by: Kevin Fairbanks

This article is free for republishing

Sports Massage - An Introduction

2008-01-13T18:53:00.003-08:00

Sports Massage - An Introduction

Many therapists offer Sports Massage on their “Massage
Menu” yet few understand what Sports Massage is about.
When a client comes in requesting a Sports Massage, some
therapists merely react by going in deep. Sports Massage
is so much more.

Whilst Sports Massage does have some aims in common with
other forms of massage therapy, the usual experience in
conventional massage is to aim to restore the normal
function when someone is injured. But in sport there is no
‘normal’ and athletes are always looking to improve and
gain a competitive edge. Most athletes aim to reach a
level of performance they can never achieve.

A Sports Massage therapist has great potential to assist
the athlete to become better, rather than merely normal.
In striving to be better, the athlete attempts to
systematically increase the level of training and thereby
subjecting the body to gradual and controlled overuse.
This overuse can often create imbalances and problems in
the soft tissues, which if ignored may become chronic.
Clearly this may hinder the athlete’s performance and/or
rate of improvement. Sports Massage can become a key
ingredient in an athlete’s success and this is why top
competitors incorporate it as an integral part of their
training regime.

So what is Sports Massage? McGillicuddy(1) defines Sports
Massage as “the specific application of massage techniques,
hydrotherapy protocols, range of motion/flexibility
protocol and strength-training principles utilized to
achieve a specific goal when treating athletes”. He
considers that there are three principles that are vital to
understanding what type of Sports Massage to apply to an
athlete at any given time. These principles are:
? Timing
? Technique and
? Intent

The timing of Sports Massage is related to when the massage
is applied, is it pre-event or post-event, during a
maintenance period or possibly post-injury when
rehabilitation is required. The technique refers to what
massage/stretching/strengthening methods the therapists
employs to attempt to achieve the intent, the desired
outcome.

The intent of pre-event massage is to warm up the muscles
and to get blood flowing through the muscles. The massage
techniques generally used are petrissage, vibration,
percussion, compression, muscle broadening strokes, etc.
With post-event massage, the intent is assist in the
recovery process by increasing venous and lymphatic
circulation to assist with removal of metabolic by-products
and thereby decreasing muscle soreness so that the athlete
can return to full training faster. The massage techniques
would include effleurage, compression, petrissage, passive
movements and light stretching. The intent of maintenance
massage is to keep the athletes muscles and tissue in
optimum condition and is generally scheduled at a regular
frequency (be it weekly or fortnightly), closely married to
the athlete’s training program.

Thus Sports Massage is not about going deep nor it is
learning one technique. The requirement for the therapist
is to apply the appropriate treatment at the appropriate
time, which takes education, skill and experience.

(1) M. McGillicuddy. “Three Key Principles of Sports
Massage”. MassageToday.com May 2003, Volume03 Issue 05.

by: Richard Lane

----------------------------------------------------
Richard Lane is a qualified remedial and sports massage
therapist, with a mobile massage practice in Sydney's Inner
West (www.innerwestmassage.com.au or
info@innerwestmassage.com.au). Health fund rebates. ATMS
13020

Richard Lane is a qualified remedial and sports massage
therapist, with a mobile massage practice in Sydney's Inner
West (www.innerwestmassage.com.au or
info@innerwestmassage.com.au). Health fund rebates. ATMS
13020

Contact him at http://www.innerwestmassage.com.au

Why use an internet sports book to make wagers?

2008-01-13T18:53:00.001-08:00

Although I started using online sportsbooks almost ten years ago, I still maintained contact with a couple of local books for the express purpose of getting better lines with regard to the local or favorite teams of choice in my neck of the woods, the reasoning of course was so that if I saw "Value" in going against the the local or favorite teams of choice then what better place to get the best line when going against them then in their home area?

However, a not so funny thing happened when one of the locals that I was using got crushed one week three years ago and skipped town and in doing so stiffed me for $1200, since that point in time I have wagered strictly online!

I have always held the believe that if you want the beat deal available then it would be foolhardy to purchase the first car that you see at the first dealership that you visit, that very same line of logical thinking should be applied to "Sports investment" and of course is the very reason why I personally use four different "outs" as a means of gaining as much of an edge as possible with regard to finding the best line on games that I am wagering on, sometimes a half of a point here or a half of a point there can make all the difference in a winning week versus a break even or losing week.

It never ceases to amaze me for example how some people will be totally misers with regard to insisting that any light on in a room with no one in it is a capital crime, these same individuals always seem to be the ones not willing to take the wife and kids to a movie or out to a restaurant for lunch or dinner because they may have to fork over a few dollars on something they consider unwarranted and wasteful.

However, these same individuals find nothing wrong with shacking up in a tavern all Saturday or Sunday afternoon with the boys watching the games and betting with the local bookies, don't get me wrong as I like to stop for a beer or two myself now and then, but why do I make this comparison you ask?

Simple my friend, if someone as I described above was truly cost conscious and on a quest of sorts for savings and "Value", why then would anyone in their right mind make sports wagers strictly with local bookies? Aren't these local guys the ones who make you wait until the morning of the game to get their lines? Aren't these the same guys that you have to track down and fight busy signals to reach on the ole telly phone?

What real "Value" can be had from a local book that basically shoves his/her line in your face and figuratively speaking says "take it or leave it pal"?

Hometown gamblers using strictly local bookies are missing out on more than just the convenience of being able to place a wager on an upcoming NFL or College football game days in advance, these hometown gamblers using strictly local books are also missing out on their fair share of "Moola"----"Black gold"----"Texas Tea"....No I am not going to start singing about Jed Clampett here but instead about the sign up bonus's offered by online sportsbooks.

Think about it a second, let's say that you have a $5000 starting bankroll that is dedicated to nothing but sports investing, you could deposit the whole $5000 with one sportsbook and get as much as a 20% sign up bonus for doing so, which means that you would now have a starting bankroll of $6000...that's your $5000 plus the $1000 sign up bonus, right?

WRONG!! Most sportsbooks in fact have limits on the total sign up bonus for an individual that ranges anywhere from $200 to $500, if that is the case then why not divide up your initial $5000 starting bankroll four ways between four different sportsbooks and possibly get a 20% sign up bonus from each sportsbook?

$5000 divided four ways would mean that if you were to deposit $1250 at each sportsbook and got a 20% signup bonus with each one, your starting bankroll with each of your four sportsbooks would then be $1250 plus a $250 sign up bonus for a total of $1500.

Thus $1500 X 4 means that you now have a $6000 starting bankroll, ( that's your $5000 plus the $1000 in total sign up bonus's ), and your money is now evenly spread out over four different sportsbooks which now allows you to "Line shop".

As you now see, by depositing your entire bankroll with one sportsbook you could actually cost yourself some dinero in lost sign up bonus money, an added benefit of spreading your starting bankroll over three or four different sportsbooks is derived from the fact that sportbooks require you to "Roll over" the amount in your account so many times prior to being able to withdrawl funds.

For example, if the sportsbook that you are using has a five (5) time rollover rule in effect and your initial deposit was $1000.00, you would have received $200 with your initial deposit for a total of $1200 if the sign up bonus was 20%.

You would now need to wager a total of $6000 or ( $1000 + $200 ) X 5 in total bets placed before you are entitled to keep the initial sign up bonus and make a withdrawl of your funds, I would however advise you to be careful and to do your homework before depositing any funds anywhere as there are probably just as many "Fly by night" operations out there as there are legitimate and reputable ones.

Ask questions of others that you know who may have used the different sportsbooks and hear what they have to say, troll thru the various forums and posting boards and post messages that ask the opinions and experiences of others.

The main over riding factor to the equation is that you want to have the ability to "Line shop" for the best possible odds with as many reputable sources as possible.

Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping, we take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.

Over the past 30 plus yrs, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections, visit up at footballforecastor.com today!

by: James Campbell