College Football: The Complete History

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The very first university football game was played between Princeton and Rutgers on November 6th, 1869 at New Brunswick in New Jersey. There were different things between the game played that day and the games we watch today. In the early days of college football, the football was round and the field 120 yards long and 75 yards wide and each team had 25 players.

The popularity of college football was fairly low in the early days and there were only 6 teams by the time a rugby ball was adopted for playing with and the first officials of the game were used. In the following year a crossbar was added to the goalposts and these remain in use for college football games to this day. The college football field was also made smaller and the members of each team were reduced to 15.

In 1876 a crossbar was added to the goal posts at a height of 10 feet (in effect to the present day), and the field was reduced to nearly modern dimensions. At the same time the number of players on each side was lowered to 15.

It took until 1880 before more revisions were made to the rules and the teams were limited to 11 players. In 1882, the downs system was introduced in college football games although it began as a requirement for a team to make 5 yards in 3 downs which remained in effect until it was changed to 10 yards in 4 downs in 1912. The college football game now became much more popular and widespread with over 250 colleges playing by 1900.

The first real college football uniform was designed in 1877 and included a tightly laced canvas jacket, black knee pants, stockings and a jersey with orange trim. This form of college football uniform did not offer the players very much protection, unlike the college football uniforms used today and a number of college football players suffered serious injury and some were even killed.

The number of officials at a college football game grew from a single referee in 1885 to a trio in 1894. These three college football officials were a referee, an umpire and a linesman. Eventually, a field judge was added to the team of college football officials in 1915, then a back judge in 1955, a line judge in 1972 and finally, in 1983, a side judge.

By 1894 the officiating crew had grown from a single referee (first required in 1885) to a trio: referee, umpire, and linesman. A field judge was added for a brief period starting in 1908, and was made a permanent part of the crew in 1915. A back judge was not added until 1955, with a line judge added in 1972 and a side judge in 1983.

In 1905 there was such an outcry about the violence of a college football game that a governing body was needed to oversee changes in the game. This became the National Collegiate Athletic Association and it still exists to create rule changes and procedures to ensure the safety of college football players.

Jordan Dunham
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Fantasy Football, a Quick Introduction

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Whether you already know every professional football team and player like the back of your hand, or you just want to learn enough to look less blank when conversing with friends, family or coworkers, fantasy football can enhance your NFL viewing experience.

As a lottery commercial says, "you have to be in it to win it". In order to join the fun, you have to pick a "host", select your preferred NFL players, and join or start a league.

You have a ton of options when considering where to host a fantasy football team. Some of the most commonly played "hosts" include CBS Sportsline.com, SportingNews.com, YahooSports Fantasy Football and CDM Fantasy Sports.

Depending on the host and league, you'll play one of several formats. One requires an upfront payment to enter your league, but doesn't charge you for players you pick up during the season from a free agent or "waiver" pool. Generally, the higher you pay as your upfront fee, the larger your prize if you win your league for the season.

The second format is free to join, but will cost you for most or all players you claim off waivers or as free agents after the initial draft period ends. Generally, trades with other players are free of charge. Be careful, though! Those trades can be costly in another way you if you give away too much to get that must-have player.

The most common formats allow you a team made up of one or more quarterbacks, one or more running backs, one or more wide receivers, one or more tight ends and one or more defense/special teams (DST) units. Depending on the league, you may play all of your players at once or pick some players as "starters" and assign others as "reserves". Only your active players (starters} earn you points for that week. You get points for their league-defined accomplishments each week. What and how much your team will score will vary from league to league.

Now you need players on your team, so it is time for you to "draft" some. Using your basic understanding of football, and drawing on your NFL savvy, or some free or paid information sources to review, you'll rank real NFL players before your league draft. You may also be able to use the players as "pre-ranked" by your host.

You'll also need to decide whether you want the excitement and time commitment of a live draft, or the relative ease and less time offered by an automated draft. If you are a beginner, the automated draft is highly recommended.

During the season, there are "BYE" weeks, during which an NFL team and its players get the week off to recharge. Real players also can be injured, so you lose their productivity. On the other hand, you and your team don't get any time off, so you'll probably have to make trades and waiver wire moves to ensure that you have a full, strong team playing every week.

Those are the basics. Now, it is up to you to apply your special knowledge, instinct or hunches, and "Win one for the Gipper". Before your draft, you might want to challenge friends, family members or co-workers who have similar skills to yours to join your league. Some healthy competition can make your fantasy football experience even more enjoyable.

Mark Larsen
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Signed Ji-Sung Park Man United Shirt Being Given Away For Charity

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Few have not heard of Ji-Sung Park, the Korean superstar dubbed the "Shaggy Haired-One" of UK Premiership team Manchester United. Park rose to international stardom in 2002, scoring goals against England and France during international friendlies in May, preceding the World Cup of 2002. During the World Cup, he scored the winning goal in South Korea's match against Portugal . His first professional contract was at J-League's Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2000, and he was the first Korean footballer ever to go straight to the J-League without going through the K-League. He was arguably the most influential player of the team by 2002 and following his stellar performance World Cup that year, it was evident that the J-League was too small a stage for Park.

His international career began as a defensive midfielder at age 18. When Guus Hiddink became the head coach of South Korea, Park's position was changed to winger. Since then, Park is considered to be versatile player who can play in a range of positions, from wing-back to central midfield. After the World Cup, Park was recruited to PSV Eindhoven, to play under his mentor and former national team coach Hiddink. Unlike his compatriot Young-Pyo Lee, who rapidly became a fixture in PSV Eindhoven's starting lineup, Park struggled and a few poor performances which unfortunately saw him being boo-ed by some of the PSV fans.

By the end of 2003-2004 season, Park had adapted to The Netherlands, he quickly proved his worth to the team forming the backbone of PSV Eindhoven's midfield play with fellow Korean Young-Pyo Lee and Dutchmen Mark van Bommel and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Park's energetic movement created havoc against all opponents at all areas of the field, both offensively and defensively. His PSV career highlight came he scored the first goal against AC Milan at the Champions League semi-finals.

Park was scouted by Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United by the end of the 2005 season who believed that Park's energetic style of play and outstanding fitness could be the foundation his flagging Manchester United side needed. Also, with the aging of Ryan Giggs and the relatively inexperienced Cristiano Ronaldo on the right wing, Park was sought after, in order to keep the Manchester United midfield fresh but also provide experience to a mostly young team. In July 2005, Ji-Sung Park signed a four-year contract with Manchester United for four million pounds.

As anticipated, Park impressed fans during Manchester United's pre-season tour of the Far East, as well as in the first game of the season against Everton with his tireless, energetic roaming of the pitch and pressuring of opponents, such that Ferguson picked him over Ryan Giggs and the popular Cristiano Ronaldo against Aston Villa on 20th August the following week. His lack of composure in front of goal is considered his main weakness as he has, on many occassions, come close to scoring but he has opted to pass the ball to his other team-mates. Park has been renowned for his good attitude and strong work ethic which have helped him excel for both club and country. His fitness is known to rival that of a marathon runner, and his former teammates at PSV Eindhoven have jokingly suggested that Park plays with an oxygen tank strapped to his back.

Ji-Sung Park's unofficial website is soon hosting a charity contest where fans can win a genuine Man United shirt, hand-signed by Park, worth hundreds of pounds. Every person who enters- needs to donate 2 pounds & predict how many goals in total Park will have scored for Man United in all competitions by the end of the season. All money raised is being given to a local South Korean charity- a football academy for deprived youngsters, in conjunction with the famous South Korean team: Suwon Bluewings, the famous football club, from where Park is from and was born. For more information please visit: www.ji-sungpark.com

Robert Brookes
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Ji-Sung Park invades the big league

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European and South American teams have for the longest time, dominated football. The players from these countries consistently set the bar for football excellence all over the world. Teams and players from Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and England are the most prominent and have been most identified with what Pele has called “the beautiful game.”

The dominance of South American and European players has been virtually unstoppable. Not even the American’s athleticism has been able to make a dent in football. It remains one of the few sports where the United States has failed to either dominate or made a very significant contribution to the world stage. This dominance by these two regions can be attributed to two things. In South America, the strong love for “futbol” has meant that it continually produced world-class talent that cannot be ignored by the rest of the world. Their development remained unfettered because the love for the sport meant there were various outlets for the youth to develop their skills. On the other hand, the dominance of Europe in football can be partially attributed to the racism that was quite prevalent during the early years.

But with the positive developments in world football more and more players from other countries are getting known for their exceptional skills as players – and Asia seems to be a goldmine for fresh new football talents.

One of the most prominent football talents to ever come from the Orient is Ji-Sung Park. The Korean native is currently proving his mettle in one of the biggest football stages on earth – England’s pro football league. And what’s more he playing for a team that is undoubtedly an icon of football, Manchester United, the biggest and richest football franchise in the world.

Having signed a lucrative $7.4 million deal for Manchester United, Park now has an amazing opportunity to show what Asian football talents can accomplish and so far, he hasn’t failed anyone.

Park was first noticed during the World Cup in 2002, when Korea had a tremendous (some say miraculous) run towards the semifinals. He was next seen playing for Eindhoven. Although he rarely received playing time during his first year, by 2005 he has eventually become an integral part of the team.

Park’s transfer to Manchester United last July 2005 has cemented his reputation for amazing skills and exceptional work ethic. Sir Alex Ferguson fully realizes what Park can contribute to the team. As a sign of his faith in Park, he has allowed him to play in various positions and has included in him in very crucial games. This goes to show how valued Park is in Manchester United roster.

Park is proving to be a great investment for Manchester United. But more than that, Ji-Sung Park is testament to the immense football talents that are just waiting to be discovered in Asia.

Robert Brookes
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Football Heroes Capture Our Hearts

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Super Bowl Day! The championship of the National Football League! A hundred thousand spectators yelling and cheering in the stadium! The intensity of the competition vibrates over the television in every home! Excitement resonates everywhere! No one remains unaffected by this event!

The excitement all began in the 1860s when courageous players from Princeton and Rutgers played the first football game in New Jersey. The Rutgers’ players wore scarlet-colored scarves wrapped around their head like turbans. This was long before helmets were mandatory and the Princeton players evidently played bare-headed. The competition was fierce. It was intense.

The rivalry between the schools was played out in two vicious games that resulted in football being banned for a time because it interfered with academic studies. This same accusation has plagued college football teams every since.

The memorable heroes of this sport are still talked about years after they’ve passed on. On a dusty dirt field in Ohio in 1915 the infamous Jim Thorpe, a running back, played against the most determined defensive end, Knute Rockne. They didn’t have a television camera on them, but their names went down in history. Rockne was a Norwegian immigrant who grew up in Chicago and went on to Notre Dame. He became the college’s most famous football coach. He died in a plane crash in 1931. Jim Thorpe, a twin, was an American Indian of the Sac and Fox Tribe in Oklahoma and was studying at a federal government vocational school for Indian students. Not just a football player, he went to the Olympics in Stockholm in 1912 and won gold medals in both the pentathlon and the decathlon.

When King Gustaf V of Sweden presented Thorpe with his two gold medals, he said, “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world!” Bruised members of other football teams playing against Thorpe agreed that he was the theoretical super player in flesh and blood.

The National Football League formed in 1920, and George Halas was one of the twelve founders. In 1921 his Decatur, Illinois, team moved to Chicago and was nicknamed the ‘Bears.’ Halas created his own fast-moving history as the owner, coach and captain of the team he helped make famous.

When introduced to President Calvin Coolidge, along with team member Red Grange, as being with the Chicago Bears, the President replied, “How interesting. I’ve always enjoyed animal acts.” Football was not yet the favorite American sport.

Television both educated and influenced the public regarding football. Especially with the instant play-back features that modern electronics provides, football has captured the hearts of Americans. Now fans can see a unique play not only once, but from several angles, over and over again. They can study every move of their heroes.

Paul Babs
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The NFL Draft-What Players will make a Difference

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April 29-30, 2006 live from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, it’s one of the biggest events of the year! Is it the Rockettes? No. Maybe it’s that dreamed of Beatles reunion? No. Then it must be the latest country music awards show! Not at all.

It’s the one draft that won’t give you a chill. If anything, this draft sparks the beginning of the 2006-07 NFL season, and yet, there’s not one play run, one signal called, or one zebra in sight. It is the only non-sporting sports event of its kind-the NFL Draft.

It’s a time when fans that can never get enough football are glued to their televisions and computers, when college football players from around the country say an extra prayer or two, and when professional football coaches and general managers make decisions that can make or break their upcoming season.

Everyone is looking for that "impact" player-a guy who can make a big difference on a team in their initial season. Of the 32 NFL clubs, 14 had losing records and ten were 5-11 or worse last season. These are the teams that need to desperately improve and due to their poor records, they get to pick first. That means organizations like Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Denver-those who had winning seasons and went deep into the playoffs-will be at the end of the line this year.

For a college player to be a top-ten pick, they need to have a few things going for them. First, they must be one of the best at their position. They also need to be a good fit with the team that’s picking. Finally, there’s that "impact" factor, which can trump whether the player is a good fit with a particular team. Running back Reggie Bush (USC), quarterback Matt Leinart (USC), and defensive end Mario Williams (North Carolina State) are all top players but only one can go first. On April 29th, it looks like Reggie Bush will be the player chosen number one in the draft.

The Houston Texans have the first pick and it’s projected that they are going to choose a high profile money player. They can actually use a defensive force like Mario Williams, but chances are they will go with Bush. Why? Running backs like Bush are rare. Along with winning the 2005 Heisman Trophy, Bush shattered school records and was an All-American. He’s a hard worker with great acceleration and the ability to elude defenders by quickly changing direction.

However, running backs probably get punished the most in an NFL season, which means they have a very limited shelf life. Great running backs tend to show signs of wear and tear by their tenth year, which often manifests itself in reduced output and reoccurring injuries. The one concern about Bush is his durability. He has had shoulder surgery, and he’s small by NFL standards. By the way, although it’s almost certain that Bush will go first, it is not a given that Houston will pick first.

The Texans may trade down with another team, like the New York Jets, giving them the first pick. The Jets certainly need offense. However, if New York does trade for the top spot, they may actually not choose Bush. The Jets’ quarterback situation is tenuous and that makes USC’s Matt Leinart an attractive pick.

Leinart stands 6’ 5" and is a smart player with excellent decision-making abilities. These are great attributes for a NFL QB. In the pocket, he is accurate, consistent, and possesses fine field vision. The one knock is his mobility, which is not an uncommon problem for quarterbacks.

If the Texans trade with another team and move down that will also complicate the draft, especially for New Orleans. The Saints really need a quarterback and would definitely take Lineart-a player that most experts believe could start in his first pro season. The choices for the Saints would then become quarterback Vince Young (Texas) or a defensive player such as Williams, defense tackle Haloti Ngata (Oregon), safety Michael Huff (Texas) or safety Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech).

Vince Young led his Texas Longhorns to the National Championship against USC this year. He’s an amazing athlete with great arm strength, fine mobility, and great running ability. However he needs to mature more as a passer and would probably suffer as a first-year starter. Presently, there’s concern about his accuracy, which can be improved over time. Perhaps the biggest downside on Young is one of his upsides-his running ability. In the NFL, unlike the college ranks, quarterbacks who run, like Atlanta’s Michael Vic, can become injury ridden and mistake prone.

Mario Williams, who is projected to go third to the Tennessee Titans, is big, athletic, and quick. At 6’ 7" and 290 pounds he’s got NFL size, power, and speed. The Titans are in need of a speedy defensive player. Williams can be effective immediately.

Green Bay really needs to upgrade its defensive and offensive line, which means it’s well positioned in the draft. It will have numerous choices, including offensive standouts D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Virginia) and A.J. Hawk (Ohio State) and, on defense, safeties Michael Huff (Texas) and Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech) and defensive tackle Ngata.

Ferguson has been a constant standout at Virginia and should be the first offensive tackle taken in the draft. He’s big, quick, and hard working and would be an immediate force for the Jets, Packers or 49ers. A.J. Hawk should be a solid professional offensive linebacker; although his college career was spent on "D," many believe he lacks the size to play that side of the ball in the pros. Hawk is explosive, tough, and hard working with excellent football instincts.

Safety Michael Huff could be a perfect match at corner back for the San Francisco 49’ers. He possesses fine instincts, coverage awareness, and closing speed. He reads quarterbacks well, which may be the tradeoff teams take in lieu of his small size. San Francisco needs someone like Huff, who can start immediately and will learn quickly.

University of Maryland tight end Vernon Davis has strength, quickness off the line, and great hands and concentration-all of which should serve him well in the pros. He’s small for a NFL tight end and may be more adept at wide receiver. Any team would be better with the addition of Davis but the Arizona Cardinals could really use a player like this on offense.

College standout Jimmy Williams looks destined to be a solid NFL safety. He’s aggressive, tough, and fast but must improve in terms of coverage awareness. Oakland, Buffalo, and San Francisco can all benefit from his skills and drive.

Haloti Ngata is a great defensive force with size, speed, and strength. He has the potential to be a premiere defensive lineman, constantly controlling the line of scrimmage. He’s also shown a lot of potential towards improving his technique, which gives him a big upside. He may go to Detroit, but the Houston Texans team can really use this player, while the Lions are looking for a quarterback. If these two teams trade draft slots or draft picks, it could benefit both.

The top ten prospects-Reggie Bush (RB), Matt Leinart (QB), Mario Williams (DE), D’Brickashaw Ferguson (OT), A.J. Hawk (OLB), Michael Huff (S), Vernon Davis (TE), Jimmy Williams (S), Haloti Ngata (DT) and Vince Young (QB)-will be in the forefront of this year’s draft. Chances are three or four of these players will go on to have long NFL careers. Right now, these ten men show all the promise in the world. Soon, they’ll be asked to work harder, think more, and develop greater skill levels than they ever have before.

Those who survive and flourish will be the ones who can adapt the best and work the hardest, relying on more than just the talent that got them there. After all, New England’s Tom Brady was sixth in the NFL draft. No, not the sixth pick-he went in the sixth round as the 199th draft pick. How do you spell "adaptability" and "hard work?"

Paul-Mroczka
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Spot the Ball Competitions brought Online

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The position of the ball must be deduced from the positions of the sportsmen shown in the photograph and perhaps where they are looking.

The game was extremely popular in the UK in the 1980s as part of newspaper promotions. Players would pay for a certain number of crosses on the picture, which was sent in by post to the promoter. Sometimes players could cover the picture with hundreds of crosses, and special stamps were manufactured which helped people fill in the picture with regular arrangements of crosses. Where several entrants had identified the correct area, a special high-powered magnifying device would be used to determine which of the crosses was the closest.

Sometimes the "correct answer" is the position of the ball as judged by a panel of experts, rather than the position of the actual ball before it was removed. This may be to prevent collusion with anyone who has seen the actual photograph used.

1in3000.com has developed this popular form of competition and brought it to an online playing field. Each spot the ball competition is a game of skill and judgment where both the thrill of playing and the odds of winning are higher. 1 in 3000.com offers people who love to play games a chance to come together to test their skills in sports competitions with fantastic prizes. Taking part is easy, winning is a question of skill.

Spot.Click.Win competitions use photographs of real games of sport to offer players a 1 in 3000 chance of winning one of our luxury prizes. From football fans to avid golfers, these competitions offer all sports enthusiasts the chance to win an out of this world prize and to choose from a variety of exciting prize level games.

Try your skill, for example, at winning a Ferrari or Aston Martin in a £55 ticket level game or use your skills to win a luxury sports car from a £20 ticket competition. Playing the games is fun, exciting and easy and for the player with the best skills in each competition a dream prize is only a click away.

dave stanton
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Is Al Michaels Still The Best NFL Play-By-Play Announcer?

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When ABC “traded” Al Michaels to NBC this off-season to be their number one play-by-play announcer for their new Sunday night NFL football package, it became clear that he is still perceived to be the best play-by-play announcer in the business. However, is that perception still a reality?

Michaels began his career back in 1986 on ABC’s Monday Night Football, where he remained until switching to NBC for the 2006 season. While at ABC, Michaels was part of several broadcast teams including the likes of Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford, Boomer Esiason, Dennis Miller and Dan Fouts, and most recently John Madden. Despite the frequent changes, Michaels always remained because of his innate ability to convey an array of information to the casual viewer.

With NBC’s recent signing of Michaels and John Madden to man their Sunday Night NFL booth, it shows that Michaels is still the most sought after announcer in the business. NBC decided to woo Michaels over Fox and CBS lead play-by-play announcers Joe Buck and Jim Nantz respectively, as well as veterans Dick Enberg and Mike Patrick, and newcomers Kevin Harlan and Gus Johnson..

The amazing thing about Michaels (and probably the reason why NBC chose him) is that he is nearly flawless. He rarely misses a call, is always up to date with the latest news, knows the rules, and adds just enough humor. His only real “flaw” may be his desire to mix in references to the point spread and over/under of games despite the fact that the NFL would rather he not.

Of those mentioned above, Buck, Harlan and Johnson have talent but are still too raw, while Enberg is on the tail end of his career. Both Jim Nantz and Mike Patrick can certainly make their cases as the best play-by-play announcer in the sport.

Nantz (paired with Phil Simms) likely was not targeted because of his value to CBS as a college basketball announcer. I doubt that CBS would likely let him go, at least not without a fight. Michaels on the other hand, did not have an NFL job with ABC after MNF moved to ESPN. His only job on ABC was with the NBA, something he wasn’t particularly good at.

With Sunday Night Football moving to NBC, Mike Patrick was left out of the NFL, which is an absolute travesty. Patrick, who will now work College Football for ESPN, handled the ESPN Sunday Night booth with Joe Theisman and Paul Maguire with phenomenal skill. Theisman and Maguire would often engage in pointless arguments and make erroneous statements, and Patrick was able to pull it all together into a somewhat presentable booth. His abilities were most recognizable when he missed time in the 2004 season and was replaced by Pat Summerall for a few games. Those broadcasts were absolutely unwatchable. It is likely that he wasn’t considered for the NBC job because he didn’t come packaged with a respectable partner (like Michaels does with Madden) and because he doesn’t have the name recognition of Michaels. Both reasons are understandable, but make no mistake his skills are on par with Michaels.

In an industry with remarkable turnover and constant competition, Michaels has remained at the top of his field for nearly twenty years, as evidenced by his new deal with NBC. This is a testament to his dedication and work ethic in an extremely difficult and demanding industry.

Disagree? Make your opinion heard! Rate and review sports announcers at Announcers.SportsLizard.com.

Adam McFarland
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WHY ARE FANS WILD OVER ARENA FOOTBALL?

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The Arena Football League (AFL) is in full swing, attracting
fans with fast, hard-hitting action, a lot of scoring, and
dazzling plays made in tight quarters. The AFL, which has just
entered its twentieth season, features 19 teams in two
conferences - the National and American. Each conference is
divided into two divisions, with the Eastern and Southern
divisions in the National Conference and the Central and
Western in the American.

If you've ever watched an AFL game, you certainly recognize
it as being similar to the NFL version. Scoring is basically the
same, although there are variations, and rules are also
similar but, again, with some wrinkles that give the indoor
version of American style football an added edge. The sport
is a whole lot of professional football with some racket ball,
basketball, and shrinkage thrown in. It's the Mini-Me of NFL
football.

The Teams

The National Conference contains ten teams with the Dallas
Desperados, New York Dragons, Philadelphia Soul, and
Columbus Destroyers in the Eastern Division and the
Orlando Predators, Austin Wranglers, Georgia Force, Tampa
Bay Storm, and Kansas City Brigade in the Southern
Division. Last season the Dragons and Force were tops in
their divisions.

In the Central Division of the American Conference the four
teams are the Colorado Crush, Chicago Rush, Nashville
Kats, and Grand Rapids Rampage. The Western Division
includes the Los Angeles Avengers, San Jose Sabercats,
Las Vegas Gladiators, Arizona Rattlers, and Utah Blaze.
There are a total of nine teams in the American Conference
of which the Crush and Avengers were the best in their
respective geographical divisions.

The Field

The dimensions of the AFL field are what help make this a
unique brand of football. The indoor surface, which is
padded, is 50 yards long and 85 feet wide. The goal posts,
like the field, are also smaller than those in the NFL - nine feet
high with a crossbar height of 15 feet as opposed to those in
the NFL, which are 18 ½ feet wide with the crossbar at 10
feet.

There are 48 inch high sideline barriers made of high density
rubber, which help to ease the impact of receivers, running
backs, and defensive players smacking into the stands as
they go out of bounds.

Each end zone, which is eight feet deep, has a rebound net
that is 30 feet wide and 32 feet high. The rebound net keeps
the ball alive after a missed pass. If a ball is caught off the
net, it is live and in play until it touches the playing surface.
This feature, which allows play to continue, provides
additional action. The nets and the short field help to increase
scoring opportunities and are partly responsible for the
typically high scores. It's not unusual in an arena game for
teams to put up a combined total of over 100 points! In fact
the field, along with the rulebook, is geared towards creating
a plethora of scoring opportunities, giving the AFL game an
ongoing give-and-take unpredictability you often don't find in
the NFL.

The Rules

The petite field demands fewer players; you'll find 8 rather
than the standard NFL 11 on either side of the ball. There are
also fewer specialists in the arena game - quarterback, one
offensive specialist, a kicker and two defensive specialists.
The offensive line must have four players and the defensive
line three.

A few ways in which the rules are focused on keeping play
continuous and action ongoing include the
offensive/defensive rosters, the substitution rule and the play
clock. Players, except for the specialists, play both offense
and defense, which means there is less change over when
the ball is turned over. Additionally, all non-specialists may
substitute only once during a quarter. Finally, unlike the very
long 45 second clock found in the NFL, the arena league has
a more basketball-like 25 second clock, which over the
course of a 60 minute game just about doubles the number of
plays run.

There are four 15 minute quarters; however, unlike the NFL,
the clock does not stop for out of bounds plays or incomplete
passes unless the game is in the last minute of play in the half
or the referee stops it for a penalty or injury. Once again, play
occurs at a very quick rate, making the game action-packed.
Each team gets three timeouts per half.

One thing that's missing from the AFL that you'll find in the
NFL is the punt. That means, with the shortened playing field
and the no punt rule, every play off the offensive line has the
potential to put points on the board. The offense has four
downs to move the ball 10 yards for a first down or to score.

Scoring is also a bit different from the other league with a
drop kick after a TD being given 2 points and a drop kick
field goal being awarded 4 points. All other scoring is the
same.

Passing follows NCAA rules, which state that a receiver must
have one foot inbounds when catching a pass. The nets are
the other variation from the NFL game. The receiving team
may also use the nets during a kickoff or a missed field goal
to field balls. Thus, as long as the kick doesn't stray off into
the sideline area, there is always the chance for a runback,
since the ball cannot be kicked beyond the end zone.

Overtime rules also vary a bit from those in the National
Football League. NFL football plays one sudden death
overtime period during the regular season. AFL overtime
runs the same number of minutes, but it is not a sudden death
situation. Each team gets one possession in the overtime
and if a team is ahead after that, they win. If the game is still
tied after both have had one possession, then the next team
that scores wins. A regular season game can end in a tie.

Wagering

With so many scoring opportunities and such a small playing
field, it's obvious that one of the hallmarks of AFL football is
high scores. Scores such as 62-63 are not unusual in the
arena league. Depending on the weekly match-ups,
over/unders can easily top 100 points, whereas NFL
over/unders tend to range between 33 and 46 points. Overall
point spreads are the same as typical NFL differentiations,
ranging from +/- 3 to the rare 10 ½ or 14 ½ variance.
However, the spreads are determined differently.

Scores in the games tend to be relatively close, although
there are your 65-25 blowouts. One of the great things about
arena ball for bettors is the league is much more open about
team information, willingly reporting injuries to odds makers.
Why is this the case? The AFL knows that one of the things
that has made the NFL so popular is betting, and they'd like
some of the recognition and mass appeal that comes with
Vegas and sportsbook "action."

This is a less defensive minded league, which makes
handicapping an AFL game different from analyzing an NFL
contest. Remember, there's much less specialization in arena
ball, which means players must have skills on both sides of
the ball. This also magnifies the importance of an injury, which
can have a bigger affect in the AFL than it does in the NFL.
Squads are also smaller in the 50-yard league, with 20 men
per team and four reserves. Again, that translates into each
player carrying more weight in the game.

The typical home field advantage in the NFL results in a 3-
point spread, whereas that advantage in the AFL is 5-points.
Two things influence the higher spread - the high scoring and
the intensity of AFL fans. In arena football, spectators are
extremely close to the game, making the experience more
like a NBA game than a NFL contest. The physical closeness
of fans to tough, unrelenting play can exacerbate emotions.
Arena football venues rock! Thus, the home field advantage
has more power over the outcome of the game.

When wagering, you should carefully consider the kicking
game. Remember, it's a fifty-yard field, which means an
accurate kicker with a good leg can score from anywhere.
Additionally, there are no weather conditions to influence
kickers or any other players. Finally, there's a lot more
passing in the AFL and when researching QB, offensive and
defensive ratings you want to keep this in mind. Player power
ratings are also determined differently because players
perform on both sides of the ball.

Arena football, with its emphasis on offensive action, creating
more scoring opportunities, and desire to have more
continuous play than the NFL, offers fans and bettors a venue
unlike any other. Rambunctious, fast-paced, and frenetic,
arena football has created its own niche in the world of
professional sports. Fans love it - take a look if you haven't
already. If you love the sport of football, you'll probably get
hooked.

Paul _Mroczka
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Gearing up for the World Cup, Ji-Sung Park fan site launches its online forum

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The largest fan site of the famous South Korean footballer, Ji-Sung
Park, has launched an online forum to deal with its many thousand of daily
visitors- with the excitement of the World Cup building all the time-
at an alarming space. The South Korean football world is growing close
to a frenzy and their hopes rely on Ji-Sung Park even more
Already a hugely popular fan site (the no.1 site in Google, Yahoo and
MSN for any Park-related enquiry one could imagine)- with over 3,000
visitors per day, http://www.ji-sungpark.com has had to think of ways to
cater to the large percentage of its visitors who are from South Korea.
Apart from integrating an online South Korean translator, site owner
Robert Brookes is constantly thinking of new ways to keep his site
visitors. Recent additions and events have included: an online quiz for a
Ji-Sung Park t-shirt, a comprehensive article inventory and a preview of
the World Cup in Germany, focusing on South Korea, some uniquely design
Ji-Sung Park wallpapers available for free download, live video feeds
and perhaps most exciting of all- a charitable auction for a hand-signed
Ji-Sung Park no.13 Manchester United shirt.
But where could the site communicate and interact with its huge
following- being the only true and comprehensive presence of Ji-Sung Park
online? Simple: start up a forum. And that is exactly what site owner and
lifelong Man Utd. fan, Robert Brookes has done:
http://www.ji-sungpark.com/forum/
As Brookes says: ‘I want our South Korean guests to feel welcome and
comfortable and not be inhibited by English that isn’t perfect. Mine
isn’t either!! The point is to chat about Park and his remarkable
achievements- not just in a footballing sense- but also in his attitude and life
story, one of courage, determination and single-mindedness against the
odds.”
Ji-Sung Park himself is already talking up South Korea’s chances at the
imminent World Cup in Germany this coming June. Quoted in the Korean
press recently, he said:
“I am certain we can go even beyond the round of 16. We're all
determined to prove to the world that what happened in 2002 was not the product
of luck and home advantage."
The new forum at http://www.ji-sungpark.com/forum/ is taking bets….
But what of the player himself? So famous that he has had a road named
after him in his native town of Suwon and now playing for the most
famous club in the world….
Park bench? This was the nickname that was mooted for Ji-Sung Park when
he went to England and Manchester United last summer. Fans of the more
cynical persuasion -- and football fans are not known for lacking that
trait -- felt that the signing of the Korean was as much due to his
ability to sell shirts than what he could do on the field.
United's season is now nearly over and with the team on a great run,
finally putting some pressure on Chelsea, it seems a good time to look at
how the "new engine," as he has been named in the Korean media, is
doing in the northwest of England.

The verdict has to be pretty good. The 24-year-old should be satisfied
with his performance since the season started last August. A look at
the amount of playing time that the player has enjoyed suggests that Park
is a valuable part of the squad, but not yet an automatic starter.

Reporters talk of "first names that the coach writes on the team sheet"
and while Park isn't one of those at United- yet, that title doesn't
belong to many of his teammates either. Perhaps only goalkeeper Van Der
Sar, defenders Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand and striker Wayne Rooney
can be secure in the knowledge that unless they are being rested for a
forthcoming game, they will be starting on the pitch. Even the prolific
Ruud Van Nistelrooy discovered to his apparent amazement that he cannot
assume first team selection every match.

Park lies in between that select group and the backup players. He
always plays some part in the game but is never quite sure of how many
minutes he will spend sitting on the bench (one that is heated at United!)
or on the other, more active, side of the white line.

Out of the Red Devils first 34 games this season, the Korean star has
been available for selection for all but two, due to a knee injury. He
has seen action in 29 matches, a surprising statistic for those,
including Guus Hiddink, who said that his former protege would be wasting his
time at Old Trafford.

"Park will be a waste of time at Manchester," said the PSV coach when
"Ji," as he his known by his new teammates, signed for the two-time
European champions.

"He will spend most of his time on the bench; it was not a wise
decision for him to go. The Brazilian midfielder Kleberson is a good example
for Park, he went to United and was a failure. Park should have stayed
with PSV for another year."

Those comments are beginning to sound less and less like the wisdom
Koreans expect to come from the Dutchman's mouth and more like sour grapes
as the season has progressed.

Although Park is not yet an automatic starter for the club, for those
who have followed his career there is an expectation of better to come.
After a slow start at PSV, his progression was almost meteoric. It is
now the United players whose can be heard singing the praises of their
hard-working teammate. And this most of all after his winning goal
against Arsenal recently!

Despite the language barrier, Park has demonstrated a wicked sense of
humour:

"I may not be as handsome as Beckham but I feel I could be just as good
as he is," he said last month. "I understand the pressure of coming to
Manchester United and the expectation of the fans over here. I want to
show my value to United in terms of my ability, not for some marketing
strategy in Asia."

He has already shown that he has more to offer than providing an "in"
to the Asian market. It remains to be seen if he can take the next step;
making himself an indispensable part of the Manchester United team and
rise again to such dizzy heights in this year’s World Cup in Germany.

Perhaps this partly explains the unfathomable success of
http://www.ji-sungpark.com and it’s new forum
http://www.ji-sungpark.com/forum/ ……

Robert Brookes
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Why I Love NCAA Football

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If you love college ball as much as I do, then I know you're going to want to have all the latest gear from your favorite schools. So I recommend that you try shopping online for your official NCAA football products. With the money you save, you might even be able to attend a couple more games this season!

In addition to apparel, there are many other official NCAA football products that I can buy. For example, I like to collect sports memorabilia, and mini helmets are one of the hottest items in that area right now. Because they're so popular, it can be hard to get your hands on one from your favorite school -- if you insist on shopping at malls, that is.

I've never had any problems finding official NCAA football collectibles, including mini helmets, from even the most sought-after teams such as USC, Texas, and Notre Dame. Other popular collectibles include bobblehead figures of star players, mini footballs, and retro jerseys.

Along with convenience, there's another very important reason that I choose to buy official NCAA football merchandise online: low prices. Regular stores with expensive leases and lots of employees just can't offer the same discounted prices that online retailers can.

That means I can buy official NCAA football products whenever the mood strikes. I don't have to wait for sales or save up my money for weeks and weeks to be able to afford what I want.

Most of my friends think the NFL is the best game in town, but I disagree. I'd take college ball over the pros any day because I prefer to watch athletes giving their maximum effort for school pride and love of the game rather than big-money contracts and shoe endorsements.

That's why I make sure I support my favorite college teams by purchasing as much official NCAA football merchandise as I can and by attending as many games as possible.

As luck would have it, my favorite college teams are spread out all over the country. I like a couple of SEC teams, several Big 10 teams, and a few in the Pac-10. I obviously can't go to all those different campuses whenever I want to buy fan apparel, so I shop for my official NCAA football gear online.

There are many sporting goods websites out there that are really involved in the college scene and offer a wide selection of products to choose from.

I definitely can't get this kind of convenience at the local mall! So no matter what kind of official NCAA football items I need, I know I can get them all from a single website.

For example, I can purchase an authentic UCLA jersey, Wisconsin Badgers hoody, LSU jacket, and Florida State hat in one order from one website, and I can do all of this without even getting out of my chair. I can't think of an easier way to buy official NCAA football apparel than that!

Scott Michaels
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Racquetball Equipment For Starters

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Racquetball looks like a daunting sport to play with the ball bouncing heavily in a closed . But with the right racquetball equipment, racquets, gloves, balls, clubs, supplies, and most of all attitude, the game becomes a fun albeit challenging experience. Too costly? Not really, because with the popularity and following the game has, sporting goods manufacturers produced a variety of equipment that could fit any budget.

The basic racquetball equipment set you need to start playing includes a ball and a racquet. Accessories like the gloves, grips, protective goggles, and other supplies are for safety and improvement of playing skills. Though these accessories can't guarantee that you'll win your first game, at least they'll keep possible bruises, muscle pains, and losing points difference to a minimum.

The first equipment you must pay attention to is your racquet. As a general rule, the more expensive the racquet, the better it is. But for starters, a medium-priced racquet will do just fine. Aluminum-framed racquets are cheap but you'll have to exert extra effort for more power. They also cause too much vibration making them harder to hold steady. Advanced players prefer the more expensive titanium or graphite frames because of the power these racquets give. These are basically light racquets for ease of maneuvers on the court. Balls and clubs are usually standardized, hence, whatever you buy is just fine. The differences between high-priced balls and clubs from lower-priced ones are so subtle that they are rendered insignificant.

Gloves are just like racquets. This is where price difference again come into play. Better quality gloves are generally more expensive. But before settling for cheaper gloves, consider this: The gloves, aside from helping you to hold and steady your racquet, also protects your hand from blistering. They also prevent possible wrist injuries. The blisters that cheap gloves might give you can dampen your interest in the sport even before you have fully-experienced it. Another body safety item is the goggles. These protect your eyes from possibly getting hit by the ball because of too slow reflexes. With these on, you needn't to worry about coming out of the court with bleeding eyes.

Lastly, before buying any racquetball equipment, racquets, gloves, balls, clubs, supplies, and other racquetball gears, it is important to do simple tests. Check the comfort of the goggles and the gloves. Grip the racquet and give it a few swings. It's no use buying top quality equipment if you're not comfortable using them. Aside from the right gear, confidence and attitude will serve you in your game.

Andrew Corner
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Tips On Choosing The Best Pro Football Pick

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When it comes to picking pro football games, there are a number of factors that can affect your success. Last minute injuries to key players, weather, and even an odd bounce of the ball can mean the difference between a win and a loss for both the football team and for you. So how do you make the right picks? There is no real answer; in fact it is called gambling for a reason. There are, though, some tips you should consider. So, to that end, here are some tips on choosing the best pro football pick.

Pick Early

One of the best tips on choosing the best pro football picks you can get is to pick early. When the lines first come out on the game, that is the time you will likely get the most favorable spread. As the week goes on, bets are placed, and things happen, the spread can change dramatically, which can make it much more difficult for you to decide. When you make the picks early in the week you can get on the bet when the line is fresh and before betting has driven it one way or another. This is probably the most common of the many tips on choosing the best pro football picks you will hear.

Go With Your Gut

Another one of the best tips on choosing the best pro football picks you will get is to go with your guy. One of the biggest mistakes that amateur football gamblers will make is to over-think or overanalyze the games. You likely do not have inside information or access to the teams, so beyond what you already know about the game and the teams, there is not much you will learn that will allow you to “cheat” the line. Even pro gamblers fail often, so overanalyzing the games will not help you any more than going with your gut will. See the line, think about the game, decide how you feel about it, and make your picks. It sounds simple, but it is going to serve you better than studying the game deeply.

Pick A Game On Its Own

One of the best, but least heard tips on choosing the best pro football picks is to pick each game on its own. What does that mean? Instead of hedging your bets by picking one game one way because of how you chose another one, you should pick each game in a vacuum, so to speak. Make your picks and stick with them. Hedging can eventually cause you to lose two games when you might have only lost one otherwise. Keep that in mind and you will actually minimize your losses more than when you try to hedge out.

There are many pro tips on choosing the best pro football picks out there, but these are a few to get you started. Remember, pick early on the first line, go with what your gut tells you, don’t over-think the game, and pick each game on its own merit. Do those things and you will be on your way to responsible picking of pro games.on the links.

Jack Peterson
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Playing Fantasy Football And Choosing Top Picks

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Fantasy football is a huge industry. Every fall, millions of people around the world participate in the games. Some do it for money, some for just fun, and others for the ever-important bragging rights. Playing fantasy football and choosing top picks are the obsession of so many as the NFL season approaches, that taking a look at strategies for making the right picks is appropriate. Here are some strategies you should consider employing when it comes time for you so start playing fantasy football and choosing top picks this season.

First of all, when your fantasy draft rolls around, think depth. Rare is the fantasy season in which all of your players go untouched by the injury bug. Couple that with bye weeks and you will see how important depth is. So how do you draft depth? You have to think about what you are going to look for as the draft progresses. Watch for third year wide outs that may come into their own once they understand their team’s offense. They make great backups because it can take a few weeks for the breakout to happen. Also, look for hot rookies who may surge late to sure up your second and third string.

Secondly, you can’t really over manage your team. Every week that you are playing fantasy football you need to be paying attention to the details of your team. Because you drafted for a deep team, you are going to have decisions to make about your starting lineup every single week of the season. Look at matchups and how your players have done against opponents in the past. Trends can help you a lot if you see them. So use the internet to get information, stats, and to know when an injury can sway things your way or away from you.

Third, throughout your season of playing fantasy football, you should keep a close eye on free agents, the waiver wire, and try to make at least a couple of trades. Even if you had a really good draft, the way the season develops will help you with what changes you need to make to get over the top. Use your deep draft to sure up your starters and tighten your lineup as crunch time approaches.

Finally, make sure you are highly familiar with your league’s scoring system. Different fantasy football leagues emphasize different stats. Make sure you know, as you make trades and sign players, whether you need yards, touchdowns, or some other stat to catch those players ahead of you. It is easy to make assumptions, but sometimes a mediocre player can be great for your team if he can get you that one stat you need.

Playing fantasy football and choosing top picks is a science to many. However, these tips mostly fall under the category of common sense. If you follow them then you will have a fantastic chance of making the playoffs. Once you are in the playoffs, anything can happen; anything, including you winning it all and taking home money or bragging rights.

Jack Peterson
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How To Find Free Football Picks

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Believe it or not, learning how to find free football picks is not really all that difficult. However, finding good free football picks is something else altogether. With so many “experts” wanting to charge you hundreds of dollars for their picks, wouldn’t it be good to know how to find free football picks that are worth your time? Here are some of the best ways to find such picks so that you can have that bit of extra input when you go to place those bets or enter your office football pool.

Check Sports Experts

Obviously, for most any information, the internet is a good starting point. In searching online for free football picks, you should start with sports and football sites. Sports channels, sports publications, and sports websites almost all offer their picks. Often times, they even offer those picks against the number from sports books. Often times, like professional football handicappers, the people on sports sites who are making the picks have made the sport and the teams their lives. The information, then, is likely close to as good.

Find Deals from Handicappers

Learning how to find free football picks includes checking services that would normally charge for the picks. For instance, if you go online and look at football handicapping services, many of them will offer free picks as a sort of “sample.” Additionally, they sometimes even just offer picks on the front pages of their websites as a way to show off their skill in the picks. They figure that once you see how often the free pick is right you will buy their services. For you, that means you can fish around the internet and find a number of free picks on games. You may not get every pick, you may not get the “lock of the week,” but you will get access to “expert” information on a variety of games, and isn’t that all you are really looking for anyway?

Free Services

Believe it or not, when learning how to find free football picks, you will likely discover that there are actually handicapping services that are free. How is that possible? Many of these sites and companies get their money from advertising on their website. Beware, though, because you will likely have to register an email with such companies. They may make their money be getting your address for bulk emailers. To avoid the problem, just establish a new email address so that you can still take advantage of the free picks. With free services, you can separate the reliable from the unreliable by watching their picks for a couple of weeks without betting. Then, once you know who is legit, you can start adding the services picks to your factors when deciding on your own picks.

When it comes to picking football games for fun or for money, or for both, it is important to have all the information you can get. Sure, you could hire a handicapping company to help you with your picks, but at the end of the day, the best way to get help is by learning how to find free football picks.

Jack Peterson
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Football Picks Services Compared For You

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If you enjoy the thrill of betting on football games against the number, then you are likely always looking for any advantage you can get. You enjoy seeking out insider information, getting early tips about an injury, or simply feeling like you have a better feel for the games than others.

One way you care really get an advantage is by using the experts who do have that inside information as well as the knowledge of a professional football game handicapper. There are many services out there that claim to be able to help you. To choose the right one, though, you must have football picks services compared for you. Then you can select the one that will give you that edge you are so desperately seeking when it comes to football betting.

One to consider when you have football picks services compared is Doc Sports This handicapping services has actually been in business for over 30 years. They have had great success, but do not make any outrageous claims on what they do. They win some and lose some, but win more often than not. The company is honest and affordable. So if you want to look at a football handicapping service that will pick quality games for you in an honest manner, Doc Sports is worth a look.

While Doc Sports is available both online and off, one website that offers good service in pro football is http://FootballLOCKS.com. This company approaches NFL handicapping a different way than many others. They use what they call backwards odds handicapping. This means that they work with a question as to why the line was set where it was. Once they have that knowledge, it is easier to figure out which lines might be a bit off. It is unconventional, but has been effective for them.

Another well known and effective place to think about with football picks services compared is Coaches Corner Sports. This offshore company will offer football picks as well as a wealth of information about key games. Their prices are good and they even allow you to easily place bets through their site. Additionally, the offer a number of other sports picks as well.

If you are strictly into football, then you can’t really have football picks services compared without http://football-picks-online.com. This company offers NFL season picks from the preseason through the super bowl. They have a solid record in the past and have a very easy to use service. You can have picks emailed to you and you can get information on the website directly as well. The choice is yours.

By having football picks services compared for you, you can decide which company will offer you what you need when it comes to finding that advantage. If you want that edge and a little help from the pros, then consider some of these handicapping and picks services to give you a helping hand. After all, who knows better than the professionals? Nobody, and that is why you will have the edge.

Jack Peterson
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College Football Picks Explained

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Picking college football games has become more and more popular in recent years. The process of picking the games happens in a number of forums in a number of places every year during the fall season of college football. Understanding what the situations are and why picking college football games are enjoyable to some makes the whole industry more understandable. Here, college football picks are explained in the context of several situations.

The Spread

To have college football picks explained properly, you need to first understand point spreads. The point spread is how sports books encourage betting on both sides of any game. A number is assigned to a team in the game. That number is how many points the book believes that team would need to have added to their score for you, the better, to believe they might win the game. For instance, if Indiana is playing Northwestern, the book may say the line is Indiana plus 3. That means, if you bet on Indiana and they win or lose by less than three, you win the bet. The spread is part of what makes picking college football games difficult and exciting.

The Office Pool

College football picks explained in the context of the office pool, or any pool for that matter, make it easier to understand. In a pool, money is collected from a number of individuals and held centrally. The money is then paid out to the winner, and sometimes paid to second, third, etc. places in the competition as well. In a pool, the participants would compete by picking college football games every week. In many pools, the games are picked using the point spread (see above). This makes the selections more challenging and thus the money harder to win.

Straight Gambling

College football picks explained to one may also be mentioned in connection with actual gambling with a sports book. Some people who enjoy gambling like to use sports books to bet on their favorite college football picks. That is because they at least feel like they have some knowledge of what is going on and have a fighting chance. Unlike casino games, there is little about football gambling you don’t control except for the lines. That false sense of control is what makes picking college football games as a way of gambling incredibly popular.

That, in a nutshell, is college football picks explained. You will find that no matter where you go, there are people picking college football games for a number of reasons. By learning what the betting lines and point spreads are, you have a better idea of how the process works. Additionally, by understanding how a pool works and how much many people enjoy straight up gambling on college football picks you can see what the appeal is in picking the games. Though it may not be your cup of tea, you will find that there area thousands of people out there who pick college football games every week for one reason or another.

Jack Peterson
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Known Football Logos In A Town Without An NFL Team

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The city of Los Angeles, the second largest city in the U.S., has no professional football team. That fact, however, should not be interpreted as meaning that Los Angeles has no well-recognized football logos. In fact, it has two.

Every fall there is one really big football weekend in Los Angeles. That is the weekend when the USC Trojans play the UCLA Bruins. On that weekend, and during the entire week leading to that weekend, the team logos seem to be everywhere. The rivalry between USC and UCLA has become a widely-reported rivalry.

The rivalry between USC and UCLA seems to underline the importance of sports logos. The fans from each institution, the alumni as well as the students and professors, collect around the stands that sell items with the different logos. Each purchase represents an effort to demonstrate support for a favored team.

Sometimes the logo is part of the “dressing” on a special marker made by some students. When the students create such a marker, then it eventually appears on the TV news. That serves to reinforce the importance of the team logos.

Residents in other parts of the United States get excited about other rivalries. Their excitement leads them to fly flags with different logos. Yet nowhere else in the U.S. does the excitement surrounding two sports logos have the same meaning that it does in Los Angeles.

While the City of Los Angeles has moved closer to having an NFL team, it does not yet have one. It has been without one for more than 10 years. Football fans in the City would love to welcome an NFL team. They eagerly await the decision on the team’s stadium.

At this point, it looks like the coliseum at USC will probably serve as the stadium for a new football team. Yet no one has officially ruled out the other possibilities—the Rose Bowl and the stadium in Anaheim. Once a decision has been made, then the City will prepare to welcome its new team.

No doubt the Los Angeles Times will carry detailed information about the team logo for that transferred or expansion NFL team. Then the citizens of Los Angeles can get set to purchase plenty of items bearing that logo. Seeing that the City has been without a team for so long, the football fans are apt to go overboard in their display of the logo for their new favored football team.

Dana Bradley
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The World Cup Fever!!

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Waiting for the World Cup to start has always been a punishing yet rewarding experience for soccer aficionados. The former is felt days after the last World Cup ends, the latter, days before the next one starts. Soccer fans will declare that the long four-year wait is all worth it once this truly world event begins with that starting kick off. All that pent up excitement has to come out sometime and what better way for it to go than through the explosion of cheers, applause and jubilant gestures of support once the games are underway. Finally, the excruciating wait is over as the eight groups of thirty-two teams from various countries compete for the World Cup Trophy and their respective nation’s pride. Last Friday marked the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Several countries virtually went into a standstill as history unfolded in the Allianz Arena at Munich.

This truly is an occasion of global proportions as football devotees root for their country’s team with fervent display of loyalty and zeal. In the 64 grueling and exciting matches ahead, soccer fans are sure to get a treat as the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Beckham strut their wares on the road to football glory. The powerhouse that is Brazil is clearly the team to beat this year. In the seventeen previous tournaments since the first World Cup in 1930, Brazil has been a dominant force having won five of the seventeen events including the one back in 2002. The defending champions shouldn’t take it easy though because hot on their heels are other soccer superpowers and they are not trailing far behind in talent and passion. Italy, England, Germany and Argentina are only few of the countries that will surely make Brazil’s journey to the finals very difficult. The other countries in FIFA’s top world ranking list includes Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, Czech Republic and the United States. These are all formidable teams that can certainly hold their own in this tournament and could easily be this year’s World Cup champions. It is almost an impossibility to predict who will raise the trophy in Berlin on July 9 but that’s simply the beauty of it! One thing is for sure, the country that gets to keep the World Cup Trophy for the next four years will have justly earned and deserved it. All this rich history, glorious pride, legendary teams, prominent personalities and beautiful venues will be the making of one of the best tournaments thus far.

Talking about the World Cup would be incomplete without mentioning the hooligans that this event seemingly attracts. Add booze to the mix and you’ve got an explosive situation warranting a serious once over.

Too often, the World Cup has been analogous to thousands of people trooping into colossal stadiums, euphoric crowd shouting, ultra tight security and some minor riots happening near and around the stadium. Although there is nothing wrong with this image (except for the riot part) and all the fanfare, the real value of this monumental event is not just about winning the most sought after accolade in sports. It is the coming together of different countries and cultures under one common goal. Let’s play futbol!

Tom Takihi
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NFL Football Betting

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If you bet on sports, there’s a good chance that you bet on football. Football betting accounts for about 40% (estimated) of all sports betting annually. A good portion of that goes into the NFL. Every season people rush to their favorite sports book off or online to make a wager. One of the most common wagers in NFL football is the parlay bet. People love winning big and the parlays give you the opportunity to win many times your original wager. However, many NFL football bettors walk away with losing tickets.

Can you make money betting on the NFL? Any professional sports bettor will sound off with a resounding yes answer. It’s been widely estimated and quoted that only 1% of sports bettors win on a consistent basis. If this is accurate, why is it so? One reason could be a lack of understanding of the game of NFL football. Another reason could be the lack of understanding of what a line really is.

If you are finding yourself constantly picking the losing team or just coming up short for a nice parlay win, give point totals a try. Many feel that betting on totals is a much easier game than picking sides. When you bet a totals line, you are betting on the total number of points scored between both teams during the game (regular time and over time). For instance, if the line was 38.5, you could wager on the under or over. Bet on the over and you want both teams to score 39 points or more—so you win. Bet on the under and you want both teams to score 38 points or less.

There are sports bettors out there who make a living off of totals lines. Some feel that there is less handicapping time involved as well. This means you can handicap more game, look for sweet lines and spend your time doing other things. It’s also possible to bet totals lines for just the quarters or the halves. For example, if a totals line is 40, the under/over for the first half might be 20. Furthermore, the line for the first quarter might be 8 or so. Typically the second and fourth quarter lines are larger than the first and third quarter lines.

The next time you sit down to make a wager on NFL football, give some thought to the totals line. It just might swing you into the winning column. If you are already a winning NFL sports bettor who’s not playing totals much, check them out. You should be able to add to your profits. There’s a reason why football betting is so big. It’s fun and profitable.

Jake Truman
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College Football Betting

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College football has been called a pure game. The players are out there on the field playing for glory and school pride. They don’t get paid and many of them are hoping to get a shot at the NFL. College football has no salary cap and there’s nothing stopping a school from signing many top recruits in the country. In fact, a recent report showing the top high school possible recruits revealed that a strong majority had USC and Texas on their list of college choices. Good players want to play at a good school. As a result good schools get better and poor schools get worse.

Year in and year out we hear the names of top programs like Ohio State over and over. College football is a freer game than the NFL. Coaches are not afraid to try trick plays and run the option. As a result, the points can really add up. One trap that many college football bettors that also bet the NFL fall into is handicapping the game as if it was the NFL. In the NFL, each and every player—no matter how bad they seem—is one of the top players in the entire football world. In college football, there are handfuls of NFL type players with scores of just average players.

In the NFL, you would never see a spread between two teams in the 40s. However, it’s a common occurrence each week in college football. Yes, those favorite teams cover too. One aspect of the game that must be on any bettors mind is motivation. If the game features two bitter rivals, the game could be a hot contest no matter what the talent level. If nothing else, the worse team could remain closer to the favorite. It’s important to analyze the coaches as well. What type of coach does each team have? Does the coach like to run often? Does the coach like to fire away even when the game is won?

Here’s an example. For years Air Force was a team that would run the ball 80% of the time—effectively too. If they were playing a team that’s soft on the run, look out. By knowing the team’s game plan, you can forecast the outcome better. If Air Force were playing a poorer team, record wise, that had a really solid run defense, what would you do? If you were simply a college football handicapper that looks at wins/loses, you would most likely fail.

In the pros, teams are more apt to adapt. If the run is not working, they go to the air. However, in college football, some programs are built a certain way and they stick to their game plan for the most part. If the team is built as a running powerhouse, they are going to keep at the run, because that’s all they can really do. The grand lesson here is to not look at college football like you would the NFL. While it’s football, it really is not the same game.

Jake Truman
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College Football Betting Online

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College football has been called a pure game. The players are out there on the field playing for glory and school pride. They don’t get paid and many of them are hoping to get a shot at the NFL. College football has no salary cap and there’s nothing stopping a school from signing many top recruits in the country. In fact, a recent report showing the top high school possible recruits revealed that a strong majority had USC and Texas on their list of college choices. Good players want to play at a good school. As a result good schools get better and poor schools get worse.

Year in and year out we hear the names of top programs like Ohio State over and over. College football is a freer game than the NFL. Coaches are not afraid to try trick plays and run the option. As a result, the points can really add up. One trap that many college football bettors that also bet the NFL fall into is handicapping the game as if it was the NFL. In the NFL, each and every player—no matter how bad they seem—is one of the top players in the entire football world. In college football, there are handfuls of NFL type players with scores of just average players.

In the NFL, you would never see a spread between two teams in the 40s. However, it’s a common occurrence each week in college football. Yes, those favorite teams cover too. One aspect of the game that must be on any bettors mind is motivation. If the game features two bitter rivals, the game could be a hot contest no matter what the talent level. If nothing else, the worse team could remain closer to the favorite. It’s important to analyze the coaches as well. What type of coach does each team have? Does the coach like to run often? Does the coach like to fire away even when the game is won?

Here’s an example. For years Air Force was a team that would run the ball 80% of the time—effectively too. If they were playing a team that’s soft on the run, look out. By knowing the team’s game plan, you can forecast the outcome better. If Air Force were playing a poorer team, record wise, that had a really solid run defense, what would you do? If you were simply a college football handicapper that looks at wins/loses, you would most likely fail.

In the pros, teams are more apt to adapt. If the run is not working, they go to the air. However, in college football, some programs are built a certain way and they stick to their game plan for the most part. If the team is built as a running powerhouse, they are going to keep at the run, because that’s all they can really do. The grand lesson here is to not look at college football like you would the NFL. While it’s football, it really is not the same game.

Sebastien Veilleux
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2006 Fantasy Football Top 25 Quarterbacks

2006 Fantasy Football Top 25 Quarterbacks

Football article brought to you by Dave Buick, Posted on: 2006-07-24 -->Social bookmark this page<--

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Dave Buick’s Top 25 Quarterbacks &
How They Might Act at your Party in the Park

Hey party people, its Dave Buick again writing just after the sunrise. Heres a little map for you to use when scouting quarterbacks for your fantasy football leagues draft.

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Cool – Shotgun beers with this guy.

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Cool – Party with this guy.

3. Carson Palmer, Cincinatti Bengals, Uncool – Injury concerns but ould definitely pull off cool.

4. Matt Hasselback, Seattle Seahawks, Cool- Has decent receivers and is in a high powered offense but has a tendency to disappear for a while in the middle of your party.

5. Eli Manning, New York Giants, Cool- This junior is starting to drink with the big boys.

6. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams, Cool- Pass happy hippy Mike Marz is gone, but new dad Linehan likes to throw as well.

7. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers,Cool- The most underrated partier in the league.

8. Drew Bledsoe, Dallas Cowboys, Cool- A lot hinges on the new “star”ting receiver’s tendency to puke at parties.

9. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles, Uncool- Used to walk around proud at parties, now has trouble getting into locked doors.

10. Ben Rothlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, Uncool- This guy can hang, but his fantasy football statistics could be more desirable.

11. Trent Green, Kansas City Chiefs, Cool- Often overlooked, always has a beer in his hand.

12. Daute Culpepper, Miami Dolphins, Uncool – Uncool because of injury concerns but this guys behavior at parties is legendary – could be a steal.

13. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, Uncool- Injuries place him here as well but has the talent.

14. Micheal Vick, Atlanta Falcons, Uncool- This guy used to be the party, now no one wants to drink next to him.

15. Jake Plummer, Denver Broncos, Cool – Plummer’s tolerance drops in January which has sent him sliding down fantasy football draft boards but his 2005 statistics were decent.

16. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers,Uncool – Hey, who doesn’t want to party with Brett Favre? If your fantasy football league subtracts for interceptions don’t even think about drafting him.

17. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals, Uncool- This guy passes out in the park all the time.

18. Aaron Brooks, Oakland Raiders, Uncool- Who knows what he’s going to do? Throwing to Moss might make him worth a backup flyer by any fantasy football manager.

19. Mark Brunell, Washington Redskins, Cool – This guys fridge is stocked with S. Moss, Randle-El and Cooley, especially for late in your fantasy football draft.

20. Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions, Cool – Kitna could come out of nowhere and party the hardest at your kegger in the park with that well dressed hippy Mike Marz calling plays.

21. Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars, Uncool- Leftwich hasn’t really progressed as much as most people thought and his backup, David Gerrard, might be cooler than him.

22. Steve McNair, Baltimore Ravens, Uncool-It’s been years since this guy made it past midnight.

23. Brad Johnson, Minnesota Vikngs, Cool- Johnson only threw 4 interceptions last year while tossing 12 touchdowns in just 10 games. He’s been partying for years.

24. Chris Simms, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Uncool- If the cops show up, hide him in the bushes.

25. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers, Uncool- Since he’s never been to a real kegger in the park, who knows, but he’s showing up with some cool dudes in Tomlinson and Gates

Chicago Bears 2006 Preview

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The Chicago Bears had a great season in 2005. They finished 11-6 and went to the playoffs. Their one problem was scoring. Many in the media have touted the Bears as the NFC North champions. Are they correct? Let’s take a look at the 2006 Chicago Bears. Fortunately for them, their division is not that tough.

Key Moves

One major move by the Bears was the addition of Brian Griese. The offense was up and down last season. Griese will be fighting for a job. He comes in as a backup, but if Grossman fails to impress, Griese could take the reins. Their defense loses a good player in Jerry Azumah. Despite being only 28, he had to call it quits. His body got the best of him.

Quarterbacks

One of the issues last season was the health of Rex Grossman. He’s expected to be healthy this season. Grossman could help the Bears offense soar. The signing of Brian Griese gives the Bears a solid backup. Even is Grossman goes down, they won’t experience a horrendous drop. Neither quarterback is upper echelon. The Bears QB situation is just above average.

Running Backs

The Bears are sitting pretty in the running game. Thomas Jones should have another great year. They also have Cedric Benson in the wings. The running game of the Bears is the offense’s strong point. Throw in the tough blocking Bryan Johnson and you have a ground attack that will eat up yards. Thomas Jones had 1,335 yards last season. As nice as that is, Cedric Benson is expected to be better when he’s ready.

Receivers

The receiving core is a bit lackluster. Sure, there’s Muhsin Muhammad, but he’s not getting any younger. Aside from Muhammad, there’s not too much to be excited about—yet. The young Bears receivers do have talent and could blossom into solid contributors on the field. Right now, the receiving core is just average.

Defense and Special Teams

Last season it was all about the defense. The Bears defense constantly made critical plays and kept their team in the game. The 2006 Bears defense is above average again. The best component of the defense is the linebacker unit. They are off the charts. The weak part of the defense is the secondary. Losing Jerry Azumah didn’t help any. The Bears did pick up cornerbacks Ricky Manning and Dante Wesley. The secondary will have to step it up in 2006. The special teams unit has its ups and downs. Punter Brad Maynard needs to have a better season. The Bears hope that Robbie Gould, kicker, was not just a one year wonder. On the plus side, the Bears did add a couple return men that could be home run type of guys.

2006 Prediction

It’s possible that the Bears win their division, because the division is weak. However, I believe they will be an 8-8 team. The schedule is not too tough, but it’s not the walk in the park it was in 2005. In 2005, the Bears had a 2-4 record against really good teams. This is why they faltered in the playoffs. They were not as good as their record indicated. In 2006, they have 8 games that look to be pretty tough, 2 that are middle ground and 6 that are against lower tier teams.

Jake Truman
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Detroit Lions Preview 2006

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It’s no surprise that the Detroit Lions had a miserable season in 2005. Over the last five seasons, 2004 was their best with six wins. In 2005, they finished 5-11, which is around average for them. Their worst season recently was in 2001 when they had just two wins. Are the Lions doomed for another season of 2-5 wins? Is there any reason for hope?

Key Additions

One of the major additions for the Lions is actually their new coach. Mike Martz is going to change the Lions for the better. Even if their talent level remains the same, they will be a tougher team under Martz. The Lions won’t become the St. Louis Rams, but they should improve and no longer be a doormat on the way to the win column for the opposing team.

Quarterback

The quarterback position is always a sore point with the Lions. To improve their QB situation, the Lions signed Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Shaun King. Who’s going to start? Right now, this position is a toss up between backup-level quarterbacks. Kitna has the most talent of the three, but he’s not someone that will bring a team to the next level. Actually, maybe he will—we are talking about the Lions. Still, just saying that the Lions are average at the quarterback position is an improvement.

Receiving

The receiving unit of the Lions is one disappointment after another. The lone bright spot is Roy Williams. They signed Corey Bradford. He should bring a veteran experience to the team that will help the younger receivers grow. The receiving unit is still a bit green. Martz needs these guys to step it up.Right now, the receivers are average at best.

Ground Game

The problem with the ground attack is there isn’t one. In 2004, Kevin Jones looked like he was going to give the Lions a consistent running attack. He has 1,133 yards in his rookie season. However, last season he plummeted to just 664 yards. Was his rookie season a fluke or did he have sophomore growing pains? He figures to get plenty of carries this year, so we will definitely find out.

Defense and Special Teams

The defense for the Lions is below average. Their weak point is the secondary. Any team with a good passing attack is going to eat up the Lions. They are only slightly better on the front line. The Lions are going to have trouble getting to opposing quarterbacks and stopping teams from scoring. Perhaps their best defense would be a good offense. The special teams are good. Jason Hansen is returning for a 15th season and Nick Harris is an excellent punter. If Eddie Drummond can stay healthy, the special teams will be above average.

2006 Prediction

The Lions head into 2006 with a series of questions to answer. Their new head coach is also taking over the role as offensive coordinator. Martz has the ability to call plays and the Lions offense might surprise. The problem is Matrz doesn’t have a very solid QB with big play ability to work with. Kitna is the closest to this, but he will become an interception machine if forced in a heavy passing game. The Lions have 11 games against middle of the pack or better teams this season. It’s not a stretch to say they will be 5-11.

Jake Truman
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2006 Fantasy Football Top 25 Running Backs

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Dave Buicks Top 25 Running Backs & How Long They Will Last at Your Party on the River

Hey party people. What’s going on this weekend? Tell your fantasy football commissioner to order twice as much beer as he thinks he needs. Better to be safe than sorry. This is a little production/durability metaphor thing to use for your fantasy football league

1. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs- Sunrise for this guy.
2. Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks- Sunrise. Will be sitting next to LJ but beware of him sneaking off into the tent during the playoffs if his team has the NFC West locked up.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers- Middle of the night. Tomlinson could make it until sunrise but he’s been a little banged up the past couple of years and the Chargers are going to expect him to drink a case every weekend.
4. Tiki Barber, New York Giants- Sunrise. Statistically, Barber is right there with the top 3 backs and is the clear cut # 4 overall.
5. Edgerin James, Arizona Cardinals- Middle of the night. James has been dinged before, we’ll see if he can still shotgun beers at 5 in the morning.
6. Rudi Johnson, Cincinatti Bengals- Sunrise. Another underrated back. I put him ahead of Portis simply because this guy is going to be lounging next to the goal line quite often in that high powered Cincinatti offense.
7. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins- Sunrise. Portis is surprisingly durable for his size but can he score at this party?
8. Stephen Jackson, St. Louis Rams- Middle of the night. Jackson will be carrying all of the Rams beer by himself through the woods & to the River, we’ll see if Jackson holds up.
9. Lamont Jordan, Oakland Raiders- Middle of the night. This guy didn’t make it until sunrise last season so whose to say that this weekend will be any different.
10. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins- Middle of the Night. The first year carrying the load makes brown a candidate to be passed out on the beach at some point this season.
11. Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Buccanears- Middle of the night. Williams ran right into a wall last year early on and was inconsistent the rest of the way. Was nursing his beers by the end of the year.
12. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints- Sunrise. I’ve never partied with Bush before but I have a feeling he’s going to be up their with the big guns at sunrise.
13. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles- Midnight. I expect this guy to start making excuses around eleven then slipping into the trees and walking to his car.
14. Dominick Davis, Houston Texans- Midnight. This guy only played eleven games last year. I don’t trust him.
15. Willis McGahee, Buffalo Bills- Middle of the night. McGahee was portrayed as a bit of a wine cooler drinker last year but he has never missed a game in two years as a starter. Low touchdown totals definitely knock him down some notches.
16. Julius Jones, Dallas Cowboys- Early evening. Jones may roll into the season at eight and exit by ten. Who knows, he’s missed 11 games the past two years and has a backup that knows how to party.
17. Reuben Droughns, Cleveland Browns- Middle of the night. This guy hasn’t missed a game for two years. While racking up 1200+ yards last year he only found the end zone twice.
18. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers- Middle of the night. Fast Willie just might be up for this lifestyle. Fantasy football manager, take a chance on Willie.
19. Kevin Jones, Detroit Lions- Midnight. This guy was King Buster last year. Lightweight.
20. Chester Taylor, Minnesota Vikings- Midnight. Hey, Chester may party longer, I have no idea. He’s never had a full time gig and his tolerance is unknown.
21. Tatum Bell, Denver Broncos- Middle of the night. Who knows? He plays in Denver. When he gets to drink, he’ll be there with you at sunrise. Fantasy football league managers take note.
22. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens- Midnight. 900 yards in 15 games. Yikes. What happened to this guy, he used be able to party with the best of them.
23. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts- Midnight. He is certainly showing up to river with the cool guys but will he be able to hang? Worth a risk, throw him a sixer.
24. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots- Middle of the night. He might not show up until midnight but might just drink until noon.
25. DeShaun Foster, Carolina Panthers- Supper time. He’s yawning already.

Dave Buick
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