2012 NFL Team Preview: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens were one scoreboard operator error away from making the Super Bowl last season. If you think they have a chip on their shoulder this season, that is an understatement.

Baltimore is a favorite to win the AFC, but out of all the contenders, they are getting the least amount of media attention. Their biggest news this off-season was Ray Rice signing a new contract.

They do have a few injury issues that will hurt them this season. Terrell Suggs is due to miss most of the season because of an Achilles injury. Can they pressure the quarterback enough for their defense to be effective?

It’s a ‘put up or shut up’ year for Joe Flacco. Is this the year he surpasses 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns?

Here’s our 2012 NFL team preview for the Baltimore Ravens.

2011 Win/Loss Record: 12-4

Key Additions: WR Jacoby Jones, OG Bobbie Williams, QB Curtis Painter, DE Courtney Upshaw, WR Tommy Streeter, S Sean Considine, CB Corey Graham, DT Ryan McBean, OG Tony Wragge, OG Kelechi Osemele and RB Bernard Pierce.

Key Losses: WR Derrick Mason, CB Dominique Foxworth, S Tom Zbikowski, DT Cory Redding, DT Brandon McKinney, S Haruki Nakamura, LB Jarret Johnson, OG Ben Grubbs and LB Jameel McClain.

Non-Division Schedule: AFC West and NFC East

Fantasy Sleeper: WR Tommy Streeter – After after the NFL Draft, I had Jacoby Jones listed as the Ravens’ fantasy sleeper as Jacoby Jones. Well, the Ravens have been vocal about their fear of Jones’ hands and his past fumbling issues. Streeter’s mentor is Ray Lewis and writers have taken notice of his abilities. He’s 6’5 and ran a 4.40 40-time, so he has the skills to be a deep threat. They currently have Torrey Smith in that role, but Streeter is a nice hand-cuff in a deep league.

Team Analysis: You look at who the Ravens added and who they’ve lost, they seem to have improved their team by making it younger. Smith, Streeter, and Jones will fill-in for the retired Mason, even though Flacco still needs a dependable possession receiver. Boldin will play that role, but will often be the target of double coverage. Ray Rice is due to have another amazing fantasy and real-life season. They will have to rely on Pernell McPhee and rookie Upshaw to replace Suggs for most of the season. That could be a problem, but their defense is good enough that Haloti Ngata and Lewis will help with the pass rush. I am really, really looking for Week 3, when they play the New England Patriots at home…that will be an amazing game!

2012 Wins Over/Under Line: 10 (Prediction: OVER)

2012 Projected Win/Loss Record: 12-4

CLICK HERE to read the rest of our 2012 NFL Team Previews

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

2012 NFL Team Preview: Atlanta Falcons

After mortgaging their entire 2011 draft to acquire Julio Jones, Atlanta went 10-6. They lost to the eventual Super Bowl winner, New York Giants, and looked bad doing it. You never want a ‘2’ next to your name, unless the final score is 2-0.

In 2011, Atlanta won the games they were supposed to win and lost the games they were supposed to lose. They were a bit vanilla and didn’t have too many memorable moments that I can recall.

Can Michael Turner rebound from a horrible second-half in 2011? Does a new offensive coordinator translate into better passing numbers for Matt Ryan?

Here’s our 2012 NFL team preview for the Atlanta Falcons.

(Yes, that is Playboy’s Jaime Edmondson in an Atlanta Falcons shirt…expect a lot more of her in our NFL team preview posts.)

2011 Win/Loss Record: 10-6

Key Additions: CB Asante Samuel, LB Mike Peterson, C Peter Konz, OT Lamar Holmes, Bradie Ewing and Jonathan Massaquoi.

Key Losses: CB Kelvin Hayden, WR Eric Weems, S James Sanders and LB Curtis Lofton.

Non-Division Schedule: AFC West and NFC East

Fantasy Sleeper: WR Harry Douglas – I did think Jason Snelling would be the best fantasy sleeper on the Falcons, but Harry Douglas is a better deep sleeper. The new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is rumored to be implementing a pass-happy offense. Matt Ryan looks good early in camp and is said to already have a good feel for the new offense. Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez can’t catch all the balls and if Douglas can stay healthy, he’ll get some targets.

Team Analysis: Ryan will be better under the new offensive coordinator. They won’t have to rely on Michael Turner as much, which is a bonus for the team. His heavy workload seems to be taking a toll on him and Snelling could find more carries by the end of the season. Asante Samuel will help them a lot in the secondary. They were 20th in opposing passing yards and facing the NFC South is difficult a difficult task. They catch a break in the scheduling by playing four games against the AFC West, but then face the upgraded NFC East. They will have a better season in 2012, especially since Ryan will have a full training camp with Jones and the rest of his wide receivers.

2012 Wins Over/Under Line: 9 (Prediction: OVER)

2012 Projected Win/Loss Record: 11-5

CLICK HERE to read the rest of our 2012 NFL Team Previews

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

Sports Crush (Olympics Edition): Jen Kessy & April Ross

We already know who Missy May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings are, but U.S. Women’s Beach Volleyball has two new members that everyone should know. Jennifer Kessy and April Ross will be household names by the end of the 2012 Olympics.

The duo barely missed making the 2008 Olympics, but went on to win the 2009 World Championships.

Beach volleyball fans already know them and they are expected to do very well in the 2012 Olympics. I hope they win a medal, because ABC needs new women athletes to invite to participate in ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

After the Olympics, they could have hyphens after their names real soon, just like May and Walsh…Jen Kessy-Roberts sounds nice.

Here is a photo gallery of the Kessy/Ross beach volleyball duo. Continue reading →

2012 NFL Team Preview: Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals finished the 2011 season very strong. In their last nine games, they went 7-2 with four overtime wins. Expectations are much higher this season, but did Arizona just get lucky by winning four overtime games?

Arizona has more question marks than sure things in 2012. The quarterback situation is a mess and the running game will be unpredictable.

San Francisco stepped up and took control of the NFC West last season. With Seattle and St. Louis predicted to have down seasons, can Arizona keep winning close games and become a surprise playoff team?

Here’s our 2012 NFL team preview for the Arizona Cardinals. (I’m sorry the photo I used for this is of a shirtless Larry Fitzgerald, but it’s kind of a running joke on this site)

2011 Win/Loss Record: 8-8

Key Additions: CB William Gay, WR Malcolm Floyd, LB Quentin Groves, S James Sanders, C Adam Snyder, RB Javarris James, OT Bobby Massie and CB Jamell Fleming.

Key Losses: RB Chester Taylor, WR Chansi Stuckey, CB Richard Marshall, OG Deuce Lutui and S Sean Considine.

Non-Division Schedule: AFC East and NFC North

Fantasy Sleeper: RB Ryan Williams – Williams is coming off major knee surgery and will miss at least two games to start the season. I don’t trust Beanie Wells as the starting running back and the Cardinals backup options are a mixed bunch. LaRod Stephens-Howling is small and won’t be getting goal line carries. Williams is a guy you need to circle and keep an eye on his progress.

Team Analysis: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn’t decided who will be the starting quarterback. Kevin Kolb and John Skelton have shared the snaps in camp so far. I don’t trust Wells to stay healthy or Stephens-Howling to be a big factor. The offensive line is improved and should keep the starting quarterback off his back, whoever ends up with the job. Calais Campbell, Adrian Wilson, Daryl Washington and Patrick Peterson will be tested by facing the AFC East and NFC North this year. The schedule is more difficult this year and I don’t see them improving on their 8-8 record last season.

2012 Wins Over/Under Line: 6 1/2 (Prediction: UNDER)

2012 Projected Win/Loss Record: 5-11

CLICK HERE to read the rest of our 2012 NFL Team Previews

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

WTF: Taylor Swift’s Yearbook Picture

Taylor Swift’s parents should have been charged with child abuse for letting her be photographed with Allen Iverson braids.

She is now disqualified from being included in any future Maxim ‘Hot 100’ lists. This photo has ended any chance of that happening again.

No wonder Joe Jonas dumped her over the phone. He probably saw this picture hanging up at her parents’ house and didn’t want to risk the chance of seeing it again.

…I also forgive Kanye West for interrupting her.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

Black Lips Pay Homage to Iconic Baseball Mascot [VIDEO]

Chief Noc-A-Homa was the super racist mascot for the Atlanta Braves from the 1950s until 1986. He was beloved by fans and best known for emerging from a tepee in the bleachers to rally the hometown crowd.

Black Lips is a band from Atlanta and wanted to pay homage to the former mascot. “Noc-A-Homa” is their song about the former Braves mascot. The video depicts a present-day Chief Noc-A-Homa who has fallen down on his luck. He enacts his revenge for being humiliated for years. Continue reading →

2012 Olympics: Basketball Odds + Prop Bets

Our friends over at Bovada.lv hooked us up with the betting odds and prop bets for the basketball event during the 2012 Olympics.

I’m a big fan of straight odds, but there are some interesting prop bets on the board that should interest many gamblers.

I enjoy the historical prop bets that have Michael Jordan’s stats from 1992 face Lebron James’ 2012 stats. Charles Barkley/Kevin Durant and Magic Johnson/Chris Paul have similar prop bets.

Are you going to put some money on the Olympics? Team USA is heavily favored to win the gold in London, so betting on them would be super patriotic, right? (At least that’s what I tell myself)

Men’s Basketball Props

Basketball – Men’s – Odds to win the Gold Medal

USA 1/8

Spain 13/2

France 28/1

Argentina 28/1

Lithuania 33/1

Russia 33/1

Brazil 40/1

Australia 100/1

Great Britain 250/1

China 400/1

Nigeria 500/1

Tunisia 1000/1

Basketball Men’s – Odds to win Silver

Spain 4/9

France 7/1

Argentina 7/1

Basketball Men’s – Will USA and Spain meet in the finals?

Yes 4/5

What will be the average margin of victory for the USA Men’s Basketball Team at the 2012 Olympics?

Over/Under 25.5

What will be the largest margin of victory for the USA Men’s Basketball Team?

Over/Under 45.5

What will be the smallest margin of victory for the USA Men’s Basketball Team?

Over/Under 12.5

Will the USA win both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Gold Medals?

Yes -600 (1/6)

No +400 (4/1)

Lebron James – PPG for the tournament?

Over/Under 17

Lebron James – APG for the tournament?

Over/Under 4.5

Lebron James – RPG for the tournament?

Over/Under 6.5

Kobe Bryant – PPG for the tournament?

Over/Under 13.5

Kevin Durant – PPG for the tournament?

Over/Under 17

Carmelo Anthony – PPG for the tournament?

Over/Under 13.5

Historical Matchups – Who will Average More Points Per Game

(Whole Tournament)

Lebron James -2

Michael Jordan (1992) +2

(Note: Jordan averaged 14.9 pts per game)

Kevin Durant +1

Charles Barkley (1992) -1

(Note: Barkley averaged 18 pts per game)

Kobe Bryant -.5

Karl Malone (1992) +.5

(Note: Malone averaged 13 pts per game)

Historical Matchups – Who will Average More Assists Per Game

(Whole Tournament)

Chris Paul Pick

Magic Johnson (1992) Pick

(Note: Magic averaged 5.5 assists per game)

Game 1 Lines

USA -24.5 -8000 167.5

France +24.5 +1400

Total Points – Team USA

Total Points – Team France

71.5

Margin Of Victory

USA by 1-5 18/1

USA by 6-10 10/1

USA by 11-15 6/1

USA by 16-20 9/2

USA by 21-25 4/1

USA by 26 or more 1/1

France by 1-5 50/1

France by 6-10 200/1

France by 11-15 250/1

France by 16-20 300/1

France by 21-25 350/1

France by 26 or more 400/1

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

MLB Trade Rumors: Dempster, Garza, Grienke & More

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is less than a week away. The rumors are swirling and the buyers and sellers are yet to be set in stone. The extra wild-card spot has generated more buyers this year.

The NL Central bottom dwellers are destined to be the most active sellers. The Houston Astros have already made a few deals and the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs are the teams who have the most rumored marquee players on the trading block.

Can Chicago finally find a few home for Ryan Dempster? Will the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers acquire pitching help?

Here are the latest MLB trade rumors gaining the most traction.

– The Dodgers have a leg up on the competition to acquire Dempster. Chicago has asked for minor-league pitcher Allen Webster. If Los Angeles don’t want to part with him, they have Zack Grienke and Josh Johnson in their sights.

– Grienke’s list of suitors keeps growing as Milwaukee keeps losing games. Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, and Chicago White Sox all occupy that list. Atlanta and Texas have the best top-tier prospects, but Grienke would have to agree to sign an extension if Milwaukee hopes to get the maximum return for him.

– Josh Johnson is another pitcher on many teams’ wishlist. The Miami Herald doesn’t believe a deal will happen unless they get an offer too good to turn down. They have already dealt Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers, so anything is possible.

– The Cincinnati Reds are looking to acquire a speedy outfielder. The Minnesota Twins’ Denard Span and Philadelphia Phillies’ Juan Pierre are their top trade targets. Span has more tools than Pierre, but would cost more. The Washington Nationals are rumored to be looking at Span as well, so a small bidding war could take place.

– The Twins hot and cold starter, Francisco Liriano, could land on the team who loses out on the Garza, Dempster, and Grienke sweepstakes. The St. Louis Cardinals, Washington, Texas and both Los Angeles teams are rumored to be scouting him. He is a high-risk/high-reward player, but a team wouldn’t have to mortgage their future to obtain him.

– Matt Garza was supposed to be the belle of this year’s trading deadline, but an average first-half have dulled trade offers. The best rumored offer has been a package from the Dodgers that would include 20-year old pitching prospect Zach Lee. Dempster’s unwillingness to agree a trade to Atlanta has left Chicago in a difficult situation. The Dodgers appear to be his ideal destination, but a Dempster rental won’t haul the level of prospects Chicago covets.

– The Los Angeles Angels are talking to the Tampa Bay Rays about pitchers Wade Davis and James Shields. Davis is a cheaper option and could pitch at the back-end of the rotation or come out of the bullpen.

– The New York Yankees aren’t expected to trade for third base fill-in for Alex Rodriguez. Mark Reynolds and Chone Figgins would have been ideal candidates, but Eric Chavez is expected to take over the everyday role.

– Hoping to stay in the AL East division race, the Baltimore Orioles are hoping to land a mid-rotation starter. They are finding it difficult since every team is asking for top prospects Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado. They are rumored to be shopping prospects Jonathan Schoop and Xavier Avery, but aren’t looking for a pitching rental. Jason Vargas, Joe Blanton, Shaun Marcum, and Liriano are the pitchers rumored to be Baltimore’s trade targets.

– The shortstop trade market is saturated with starter-level talent. Stephen Drew, Yunel Escobar, Marco Scutaro, Jimmy Rollins, Jamey Carroll, Brendan Ryan, and Jed Lowrie are all on the trading block. The Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay, and Milwaukee are all looking for shortstop help. Drew is getting the most interest from Pittsburgh and Boston.

– Justin Upton is no longer on the trading block. I didn’t see the Arizona Diamondbacks being serious about trading their franchise player. They just wanted to see what kind of offers were out there.

– Milwaukee could deal Aramis Ramirez before July 31st. He is in the first year of a three-year deal. San Francisco and the Dodgers are in need of third base help. Los Angeles just acquired Hanley Ramirez, but he was a horrible third baseman in Miami.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

Yankees Aquire Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki’s time in Seattle has officially ended.

The New York Yankees have acquired the Japanese legend from the Seattle Mariners for right-handers D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquar.

Ichiro, 38, has seen his production declined over the last season and a half. His $17 million dollar price tag didn’t equal his value on the field. His batting average and on-base percentage are both career lows at .261 and .288.

He could find new life in New York with the short porch in right-field. He isn’t known for his power, but even the worst power hitters find themselves knocking a few out at new Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees miss the speed of Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher is currently dealing with a hip injury. They saw a need and made the most surprising trade this season.

Mitchell and Farquar aren’t top-tier prospects. Mitchell has seen time with the Yankees this season and has a minor league ERA in the mid 3.00 range.

Could this trade be Seattle’s way of making amends for trading an injured Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero last summer?

This was clearly a salary dump and the Yankees have the extra income to absorb some of Ichiro’s remaining contract. It is unknown the amount of cash Seattle is sending over in the deal.

Both of these teams begin their series tonight…and yes, Ichiro will appear in pinstripes tonight.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

List of Dead Wrestlers Who Have Performed on WWE "RAW"

WWE’s RAW is approaching its 1000th episode and they have spent the last two months parading out retired wrestlers to celebrate the show’s milestone. The list of available talent has been reduced to the usual suspects (Roddy Piper, DDP, etc), because many of the past superstars who have appeared on RAW, have passed away.

New York Post sportswriter Phil Mushnick has taken aim at WWE and Vince McMahon (yes, I’m just as surprised as you…the Post actually writes about non-gossip issues). He points out the number of past perfomers who have died before the age of 45. In his Sunday column, he says that if “the WWE would present a roll call of past WWE/WWF performers who didn’t live past 45”, but quips that it would probably take too long.

Do you blame McMahon for the untimely death of so many of his employees? Here is a list of every wrestler, manager, and referee who have died before the age of 45. Continue reading →

Sports Crush: ESPN’s Samantha Steele

ESPN’s College Gameday will have a new face this fall. Samantha Steele-Ponder will be called up to the Majors and take the spot vacated by Erin Andrews, who recently left to join Fox Sports.

Steele has been working at the Longhorn Network and worked sideline duty at various college football and basketball games for ESPN.

With the departure of Michelle Beadle and Andrews, she will most likely be the new female face of ESPN along with Charissa Thompson and Sara Walsh.

We fill you in on Steele’s background and attach a mini photo gallery to help you get to know her a little better.

Steele-Ponder, 26, is a graduate of Liberty University and her father is a football coach. She worked for Fox Sports Net and Fox College Sports before landing a job at the Longhorn Network.

She will be hosting the pre-Gameday show on ESPNU at 9am, helping at the College Gameday broadcast on ESPN, and take over sideline reporting duties during the Thursday and Saturday night football games. She will be thrust into the spotlight and college boys will surely be giving her the same rude catcalls they yelled at Andrews for years.

She’s the perfect addition to the broadcasts. She’s professional, extremely likable, and cute as a button.

Here is an ESPN podcast that introduces Steele as the new addition to College Gameday.

If you wish to follow her on Twitter, she can be found @SamSteelePonder. We wish Miss Steele the best of luck this fall.

Steele married Christian Ponder during the 2012 NFL season. He is a very lucky guy!

Here are a few pictures of Samantha Ponder on the job.

(photo credits: Samantha Steele-Ponder, Getty Images, and ESPN)

Jeremy LinRON: The Smartest Guy In The Room

The New York Knicks made everyone anxiously wait for their decision on Jeremy Lin. I haven’t seen so many will they/won’t they moments since Ross and Rachel sucked the life out of “Friends”.

New York finally made their decision and opted not to match the offer sheet that Jeremy Lin signed with the Houston Rockets.

Lin, 23, will receive $25.1 million over three years, a price the Knicks couldn’t see as the correct value for the point guard phenom.

Houston was sneaky and their offer sheet included a back-loaded contract that would have paid Lin $14.8 million in the third year of the contract. The Knicks would have been over the luxury tax and cost them nearly $43 million in salary + “repeat offender” luxury tax.

Lin came out yesterday and said that he would have loved to finish his career as a member of the New York Knicks. It’s the politically correct thing to say, but it was sincere. Lin was a borderline NBA player before he found himself in New York.

Jeremy Lin didn’t need his Harvard education to know that signing Houston’s offer sheet was the smartest decision he could make. No one can blame Lin for signing it. He had a very exciting six-week run last year before injuring his knee. He had a few moments of vulnerability, most notably a 1-11 shooting night against the Miami Heat. A $25 million dollar offer might not be there in a few seasons.

Carmelo Anthony’s comments earlier this week about Lin’s offer sheet being a ‘ridiculous’ amount of money didn’t help the situation. Lin had most of his success when Anthony was injured and one would have to believe that jealousy could have lead to that comment. If Lin had stayed, he would have taken away from Anthony’s spotlight.

The Knicks wouldn’t have been able to pay him near the $8 million annually that Houston will pay him. His marketability will be hurt by not staying in New York, but Yao Ming did very well as a member of the Rockets.

Goran Dragic and Kyle Lowy already out of town. The core players on the team are very young. Royce White, Terrence Jones, and Jeremy Lamb will be contributing right away as rookies (if they aren’t moved in an escalated attempt to sign Dwight Howard…ugh).

The Rockets will be Lin’s team. I look forward to watching them in 2012-13…they will be a lot of fun.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.