The time has come for the NFL to eliminate playoff byes.
It is overdue.
The current format doesn’t make sense, either.
Dear Parents: Please Don’t Raise Your Kids as Chicago Cub Fans
November 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
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I don’t want to come off as the type of person who tells people how to raise your kids or how to be a parent; but I feel, as a victim of what I’m about to discuss, that I need to speak out.
Please, whatever you do, do not raise your child as a Chicago Cubs fan.
Is Duke’s Austin Rivers The “Next Big Thing”?
November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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I am a diehard Dukie. Have been since I was a little kid.
I have seen some talented players come through the ranks; from Jay Williams to Shane Battier to Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer.
Is Doc Rivers’ kid Austin the next big thing?
In Praise Of The ‘Unstoppable’ Midrange Jump Shot
November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Post-baseball Michael Jordan.
Current-day Dirk Nowitzki.
Every day Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
These three vintages possessed, in my opinion, the three most unstoppable moves in basketball history: Jordan’s turnaround; Dirk’s fadeaway; and Kareem’s sky hook.
Obviously, each of these players are among the greatest players that the NBA and basketball has ever seen. Each player possessed certain qualities that made him special. Yet the three players couldn’t be more different.
But interestingly enough, each player’s “Go-to” move shared something in common – it was taken from the area on the floor that is most neglected by basketball players of every age, talent level, and style:
The glorious land of midrange.
[Read more...]
Jon Washburn @The_Dr_TwitchJay Cutler’s Press Conference Removes Light At End Of The Tunnel For Chicago Bears Fans
November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Good news is hard to come by for Chicago Bears fans and it definitely didn’t come Wednesday afternoon. Jay Cutler addressed the press this afternoon about the status of his injured thumb that will keep him out for the rest of the regular season.
Bear fans were still hopeful Cutler would return for the playoffs if the Bears were able to make it, but Cutler himself didn’t sound too optimistic about that possibility.
College Football Picks and Spreads for Conference Championship Game and Bedlam Week
November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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This is an exciting week in college football as conference championship games are going to be played and the BCS bowl game picture will be revealed.
Things will look a little differently than in years past as the Pac 12 and the Big Ten will play their first conference championship games. The Big 12 might not have a championship game, but they have one of the best matchups this week as Oklahoma State tries to keep their national championship dreams alive against Oklahoma.
Here are the point spreads and picks, as well as relevant information, for this weekend’s top games. [Read more...]
Is this the funniest commercial starring an NFL player…ever?
November 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
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As you have surely heard by now, Jake Delhomme is back in the NFL.
The man who quarterbacked the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2003, and who is renowned as a great guy and good leader, but who in subsequent years became synonymous with terms like “interception” and “noodle arm”, is now a member of the Houston Texans.
But no matter where Delhomme goes, now or at any time in the future, to me he’ll always be Bojangles’ Defender of the Fresh Biscuit.
Where does Bob Costas fit on NBC boadcasts of MLS?
November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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He may not have any role. He may not be asked to participate.
There is, though, a possibility that Bob Costas will have something to say for MLS broadcasts on NBC in 2012.
Big Ten Championship Game Preview: Wisconsin vs Michigan State Analysis, Point Spread, Prediction, and Poll
November 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
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The Big Ten has been a mixed bag this season, with several teams looking dominant at times but struggling when least expected. The inaugural Big Ten Championship Game pits two teams who have been through some topsy-turvy weeks against one another.
(And courtesy of our friends at Verizon, you have a chance to win four free tickets to the game, but you need to act quickly. Click here.)
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start em, Sit em Lineup Advice, Projections, and Roster Q&A
November 29, 2011 By 55 Comments
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I know what you’re thinking…
“I love the NFL, and I need my start/sit advice for Week 13, but I’m just SO pumped for the Big Ten Championship game this weekend that I can’t even think about it!”
You’re in luck!
Click here (or here for a work-friendly page) and comment, “I want tickets!!!!” in order to win FOUR free tickets to the Big game this weekend between Michigan St. and Wisconsin, courtesy of our friends at Verizon.
Seriously…that’s all you have to do. What have you got to lose? We’re even going to save you time by helping you out with your start em, sit em questions in this post and in the comment section!
Now on to week 13.
[Read more...]
Jon Washburn @The_Dr_TwitchMontee Ball’s Case For The Heisman Trophy
November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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In one of the most exciting and craziest days of my life, I witnessed the Wisconsin Badgers upset top-ranked Ohio State in a nationally televised football game last fall, under the lights at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
From David Gilreath’s return of the opening kickoff until the final whistle prompted the student body to storm the field, the atmosphere was absolutely electric.
The Badgers had a dominant backfield with the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in John Clay as well as an excellent change-of-pace back in sophomore James White. The duo combined for 38 carries on 179 yards in helping to lead UW to a 31-18 upset of the Buckeyes on their way to a Rose Bowl berth.
Toiling on that depth chart was Montee Ball, who used that game as a breakout party, of sorts.
College Basketball Podcast: Trevor Mbakwe, Tim Abromaitis Unfortunate Injury Edition
November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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In episode #12 of The Bottoms Line College Hoops Talk Podcast, host Andy Bottoms is joined by Rob Dauster and Troy Machir of Ballin’ Is a Habit to discuss all the latest news and events in college basketball.
This week, they discuss: the unfortunate knee injuries to Tim Abromaitis and Trevor Mbakwe; the 3-team race in the MWC; a great week for the A-10; Harvard; struggling Big East teams; and a look at how UNC will respond to their first loss. Also, a look ahead to a few big games over the weekend.
NFL Power Rankings Week 13
November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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We as a culture of NFL writers and fans need to find something else to talk about other than Tim Tebow and Ndamukong Suh.
I’m not saying to eliminate them as a topic altogether, because obviously they are leading stories week to week in the NFL. What I’m saying is there has to be something else to talk about.
It’s true: Stanley from The Office has a totally inexplicable and absolutely must-watch music video
November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Maske at Upprox put it right: “I’d love to tell you I have even a semblance of a clue as to what the hell is going on here and provide you with some comforting guidance. But I can’t.”
If you’re a fan of The Office, you absolutely have to watch this video. And just prepare to stare with your mouth agape wondering how the hell this is even possible.
12 Things We Learned Over Thanksgiving Weekend
November 29, 2011 By 2 Comments
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Congratulations to the British Columbia Lions, who defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-23 in front of a crowd of 54,000 to win the 99th Grey Cup. I’m not sure that Vancouver deserves nice things, considering how the city responded to losing the Stanley Cup, but I can’t imagine that Winnipeg is too torn up about the loss. After all, the Jets are back!
Anyway, here’s what we learned this weekend:
