the refs were real bad. i think gruden was so pissed because of that blown fumble call. first possession of the game and he had to use a challenge. they should let them challenge all day if they are right. could you imagine winning two possession changing challenges in the first quarter and then losing a game in the fourth when the refs blow another call and you are out of challenges.

and what about the two point conversion. down 34-9 and going for two? how stupid. maybe the chart doesn't go all the way to down 25, 24 is a workable number.

Kind of lost in the shuffle is the story about Raiders All Pro center, barrett robbins, about his "disorientation" during superbowl weekend... from espn.com

Further details about Robbins' absence from the Raiders and his removal from the team became clear Monday from sources' reports.
On Friday, Robbins was in his hotel room for the team's 11 p.m. PT bed check, but he missed the Raiders' team meeting Saturday as well as the walkthrough practice at Qualcomm Stadium. The next time someone from the team had contact with Robbins was 45 minutes before Oakland's final meeting Saturday at 8 p.m. PT. Robbins was told not to attend the meeting.

Four Raiders teammates, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday that Robbins spent Saturday in Tijuana, Mexico.
"gee, tell us something we dont know?" maybe he got stuck in that crazy line..

This Robbins guy makes no sense but tonight espn reported Callahan wanted to bench him midseason but David vetoed him. His father had bouts with depression and he did also his senior year in college. I don't believe it's puta related as he could get better looking girls in SD for free. And he plays the Chargers every year in SD. He is going to be waived by Raiders.

Bucs won because of a better defense, too much team speed, and cuz Gruden knew the Raiders inside out ... I sound like a broken record.

The Robbins situation is amusing cuz the guy is a walking schmuck, but anyone using it as an excuse is on crack. It's not even remotely comparable to Eugene Robinson or Stanley Wilson. I wonder if the loser will show up for the Pro Bowl next week ...

Attending the game was interesting ... it was very much like being at a Laker game ... a lot of "fans" that don't give two shits about either team and who don't know anything about the game. It's almost a shame that more of the die-hard Raider fans were not in attendance. The NFL should do like college and allocate the majority of the Super Bowl tickets to the respective teams' season-ticket holders ... or at least give them first shot at it.

The worst part of it all wuz I could not pull a Robbins and make a quick TJ run ....

-Superman-


(Message edited by Superman on January 27, 2003)

Well Again the Chargers are releasing one after another.
Who is this guy anyways ? Junior Seau ? Was he a starter ?

Matter fact back in Boston if it wasnt for him we probably would have forgotten San Diego had a team. Sure he has been hurt and hasn't been the number one guy the last year or two but he brings leadership and tuffness to the team. Without him there is no tuff guy on the Chargers !

Releasing all these vets seems to be the norm nowadays but how will this affect a team that struggles to reach 500.

Where is he going ? Pats ? Bills ? Arizona ?
Those are a few of my predictions
Does he have the Guts to put on a Raiders jersey ?

Will they be the next Seattle Mariners ?
Release all your star players and surround yourself with decent players and go for broke ?

Perhaps they will now focus on offense and worry about defense later.

Go Bengals !!

Milktuff

Emmitt Smith to Play for Cardinals

PHOENIX (AP) - The NFL's career rushing leader believes he still has some yards left in those 33-year-old legs. The Arizona Cardinals sure hope so.

Released by Dallas last month, Emmitt Smith agreed to terms with the Cardinals on Wednesday, moving from one of the league's most storied franchises to one of its most downtrodden.

``Emmitt will start,'' coach Dave McGinnis said, adding that he will also help break in Marcel Shipp, who led the Cardinals in rushing last season in his second year.

Smith will wear the same No. 22 he wore with the Cowboys.

The Cardinals said Smith got a two-year contract, but did not disclose terms. It was believed to be worth about $4 million a year.

A starting job was one of the things Smith had sought and one of the things the Cowboys couldn't guarantee when they released him Feb. 27 after 13 seasons and 17,162 yards.

But Smith's other desire - winning again after three Super Bowl victories in Dallas - may not be so easy. Arizona finished 5-11 last season and has been one of the NFL's consistently losing franchises - it has one playoff victory since 1947.

Smith contributed to the Cardinals' woes over the years. He scored 25 career touchdowns against them, his highest total versus an opponent.

Overall, Smith ranks No. 1 in NFL history with 153 rushing TDs.

Smith, who will turn 34 on May 15, failed to reach 1,000 yards this season for the first time since his rookie year in 1990, gaining 975 yards.

Smith rushed for over 100 yards in only two games, including the one with Seattle on Oct. 27 in which he broke Walter Payton's career rushing record of 16,726.

The Cardinals plan to formally introduce Smith on Thursday at their practice complex in Tempe.

``I've always been very confident in my abilities,'' Smith said right after being released by Dallas. ``I think I'm a 1,300-yard back, and I will be out to prove that.''

``I am not a guy that is afraid of competition,'' he said. ``I walk up and face it full throttle. I will help someone's organization get to the Super Bowl, get back to the Super Bowl or win the Super Bowl.''

Rod Graves, the Cardinals' vice president, said he did not know if any other team was interested in Smith.

Graves and Bill Bidwill, the team's owner, said they believed that Smith's presence alone would enhance the image of the Cardinals, both locally and nationally.

If nothing else, Smith should help boost attendance - the Cardinals have rarely sold out since moving from St. Louis after the 1987 season. And when they have, it often was against Dallas, which still retains a solid fan base that existed before the Cardinals arrived.

Graves suggested that it was a unique contract, perhaps involving marketing. Smith already does several national television commercials.

``We recognize Emmitt Smith as a total package,'' Graves said.

The Cardinals began the free agent period with two negatives - losing quarterback Jake Plummer to Denver and wide receiver David Boston to San Diego. They were arguably the team's most exciting offensive players.

Since then, however, they have signed Jeff Blake to replace Plummer and safety Dexter Jackson, who had two interceptions for Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl and was voted the game's Most Valuable Player.

McGinnis, who was an assistant with the Chicago Bears when Payton was finishing his career there, said he expects Smith to make the same contribution to Shipp and other Cardinals that he saw from Payton.

``Walter was a great example to everyone who was there at the time,'' he said. ``Emmitt will do the same, on the field and in the locker room.''

The Cardinals entertained Smith lavishly when he was here for his visit.

Bidwill said that when they took him out to dinner, they made sure he sat where he could have a view of the entire Valley of the Sun.

``He turned to me and said: 'You made sure I sat in this seat, didn't you?''' Bidwill said.

Pathetic. Hopefully he'll pull a Dorsett in training camp and that'll be the end of him.

-Superman-

Superman
I agree ! It was pathetic to see him hanging on with a woeful Dallas team just to break the record , now he goes to a team where he knows he will get the most carries so he can push his stats as high as possible. He would have shown much more class to take less money for a shot at another ring. What is he going to win in Arizona ?? I think he has shown his true colors.

the most carries? yeah they have a huge offensive line, but if they are down 14 in the first quarter, they will be throwing for the next three.

It's the rare great athlete who goes out on top. Emmitt is just joining a long, sad list. Emmitt actually only had one offer, and that was from Arizona. I would not have minded seeing him on a team with a real shot, but none of those teams were willing to make him the starter. It makes sense for the Cardinals, since 90% of the fans at Dallas-Arizona games were Cowboys fans. They will sell a lot of season tickets, but that's about it.

-Superman-

Sampson

Throwing to whom ?????

David Boston of course!!

Opps, never mind.

throwing to defensive backs of course, nothing has changed.

Give me a fuck'n break! This on today's ESPN's website:

The Oakland Raiders have asked a judge to prevent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers from wearing their uniforms for games in California because they violate the Raiders' trademark rights.

The Raiders claim Tampa Bay's pirate logo is too similar to Oakland's. And the Raiders object to the Panthers' uniforms because two colors -- silver and black -- match those of the Raiders.

NFL spokesman Joe Browne said the issue is one of a handful that remain from a 1996 suit by the Raiders listing multiple grievances against the league. Some were transferred to courts in Los Angeles, where another Raiders case against the league is being fought.

Others already have been dismissed by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge John Herlihy. He did not rule Tuesday on the Raiders' efforts to seek a court order against the NFL banning those uniforms in California.

Papers filed by the Raiders in the San Jose case say the Buccaneers' logo "is likely to dilute the distinctive quality of the Raiders' mark, thereby lessening its capacity to identify the Raiders and causing irreparable harm that cannot adequately be compensated by an award of damages.''

NFL attorneys argued there will always be overlap among logos and colors. One of them, James Hunt, said "Michigan could say any uniforms featuring predatory cats'' would be prohibited in that state, given that the Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars also have such animals in their logos.

Herlihy seemed sympathetic to the NFL's position.

If California tells Tampa Bay to wear a new uniform for games here, he said, then Florida might say "when the Raiders come to Florida, get that logo off your uniform,'' Herlihy said, suggesting the Raiders might "put a daisy on your uniform'' as an alternative to their pirate.

The Panthers had no comment on the suit.

Frankamente, I always kind of liked the old Tampa Bay Uniforms, with the Gay Bucanero on the helmet...I mean, the swashbuckling guy had a knife in his mouth...

Plus, ya gotta love that blend of orange and white...

Seriously, tho, the old uniforms were better...

YoungBrig

This weeks picks:

Vikes/GreenBay OVER 47
Bills -1
Raiders/Titans Under 46

Upset of the week:
Vikings(moneyline+195) will beat the packers at Green Bay.

Jets blew it tonight.

They gave the game to the Redskins.
Defense was totaly asleep with two minutes left.

Vinnie choked again and no longer a threat. Chad pennington is clearly better.

Whoever called a counter dive on 3rd and 1 with 3 plus minutes left and a blitz right in Vinnie's face is the all time worst call in the history of the NFL. A two year old could of seen the middle was all stacked up.

Maximus743whoisapissedoffJETSfan

Maximus
Don't you know, Jeff Hackett is the Jets Offensive coordinator play caller?

Hey Athos,

Actually it's Paul Hackett.

Hey Maximus,

The Jets actually blew it a hundred different ways tonight.

Quit calling 7 yard passes on 3rd and 9.

Take care, silver

I heard it was Buddy Hackett

Hey Milky,

You're right!!! It has to be Buddy Hackett. How else do you explained the play calling?

Silver my mistake
The bald guy who used to be head coach at USC, offensive coordinator for the Chiefs.

"This weeks picks:

Vikes/GreenBay OVER 47
Bills -1
Raiders/Titans Under 46

Upset of the week:
Vikings(moneyline+195) will beat the Packers at Green Bay."

ahhhh, 4-0 is a much better start than I had last year. Hopefully I can keep this up.

Great call Snapper... Minnesota on the ML that is.

I had them and Buffalo too. Pretty much had all the games pegged but the 6 that I actually played. The stinking Rams got me.

I got suckered into the whole "Everyone is healthy and they are getting ready to explode" and should score 30 points from a good friend of mine.

Word are out that all you have to do is flustered Kurt Warner and a turnover is waiting to happened.

Naturally, you have got to have the talent to be able to do that. Therefore, I will be on the look-out for teams that can put pressure on a quarterback playing the Rams in the future.

Sure... anytime a team put alot of pressure on the qb. They more than likely will be successful. But not many qb fumbles like Warner. Some will tuck the ball in and try to run. Other will just take the sack. Whereas, this Warner character tries to buy time and hold the damn ball like a loaf of bread or force a bad throw.

Way to go Snapper the Greek - the Vikings played huge - except for the last five minutes or so. I was thinking that Ben was the new defensive coordinator but then realized it was George O'Leary.

"the Vikings played huge - except for the last five minutes or so."

Yeah don't remind me. I had the Vikings plus 5 1/2 in the second half and left for lunch with the vikings kicking ass.

I returned from lunch and went to collect my $60 winnings on my $10 3 team parlay only to be told that the vikings let up and almost blew the game.

I was totally shocked but not as shocked as I was when I also found out I lost an easy $100 10 pt teaser by the Dolphins not being able to beat the lowly Texans by 4 measley points.

As long as I lost I'm happy the fucking dolphins lost the game straight up.

the only problem is now they will be more up for the game next week against my Jets.

Sunday morning I was having a nice serene morning at Hotel Pueblo Amigo with some friends. Snapper came over and ask if he could join us and before I could answer he just sat down. Things went down hill until I left for my 1:00 appointment.

I had a Chiefs, Buffalo, Saints parlay and two other three game parlays where I won two out of three games. I think next week I will just give Caliente my money and quit wasting time on selecting games.

"I think next week I will just give Caliente my money and quit wasting time on selecting games."

LOL!
I obvious can relate.
5- 3 team parlays all 2for 3
1 ten team parlay 8 for 10

and I left Caliente in the alley with not one single winning ticket.
Makes for a long drive home to HellLA.

Maximus,

Although you didn't cashed. You did good. 8for10 is awesome!!!

The Rams ruined a good day for us.

We'll get them this week

Silver,
Damn those Lams. What a way to ruin a potentially great trip.


Yes we will get them next week and I look forward
to returning to the streets a big winner.

This week appears to me to be a lot more tuff than last week. I don't feel really confident about any game.

This weeks picks:
Ravens/Browns- UNDER 40.5
Titans/Colts- UNDER 44
Titans +2

Upset of the week: (real long-shot this week)
Texans(moneyline+308) will beat the Saints in New Orleans.

Uh oh, many games looking too easy this week, which means I am probably missing something pretty important:

Buffalo should pound J'ville.
Carolina should get shutout by Tampa.
Seattle is a much better team than Arizona.

Disclaimer: Whenever I gamble, I LOSE!

Shitty week for me. Although Jamal Lewis gave me 48 points on my fanasty team.

"This weeks picks:
Ravens/Browns- UNDER 40.5 LOSER
Titans/Colts- UNDER 44 WINNER
Titans +2 LOSER

Upset of the week: (real long-shot this week)
Texans(moneyline+308) will beat the Saints in New Orleans." LOSER

For the season:
Picks against the spread 4-2
Moneyline 1-1

Great week for me!

Twenty dollar three game parlay:

Buffalo
Seattle
Minnesota

Five twenty dollar straight bets on the three above teams plus Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Only loss was Philadelphia and if I had listened to Milkman I would have had a perfect week.

Re: Kyle Boller, I watched this guy for 4 seasons in Strawberry Canyon at Cal and you have no idea how mystified I am that he finds himself a starting QB in the NFL...He was simply awful for three years under Tom Holmoe; his Senior year was-- at best-- decent, but then, it should have been given the number of snaps he took over the years...

I mean what was he, the 5th(?) best Pac-Ten QB last year behind Palmer, Pickett, Gesser, and Walter?...The guy's arm strength is overrated, he lacks accuracy, and he posesses little if any game instincts-- no "moxy"...

Billick is way wrong on this one-- that guy (Redman) sitting on the bench is a much better QB...I am staying away from the Ravens this year...

YoungBrig

Youngbrig, that reminds me of two shitty QBs that my Vikings had years ago, Brad Johnson and Rich Gannon(both in last years SuperBowl).



This weeks picks:
Vikings -3½
Seahawks -3
Ravens -1

Upset of the week:
Buffalo(moneyline+145) will beat the Dolphins in Miami.

There is a lot of money being put on the Chargers this weekend.

I just got back from the book and the line on the Ravens/Chargers shifted a full point since yesterday. That's good for me, now the game is a pick instead of Ravens -1.

(Message edited by snapper on September 20, 2003)

The only game I like this week is Tampa to beat up the Vick-less Falcons. Tampa can't gag two weeks in a row, can they?

YB, Carson Palmer sucked ass his first few years at USC too and took a big part of the blame for USC always underachieving. You make Boller sound like he's the latest version of Cade McNown. You may be right, but it's hard to believe anybody could be THAT big of a bust.

Oh, and re: Redman, he had his shot last year and failed miserably. That isn't always proof positive that a guy sucks, but it's pretty damning evidence. The guy did NOTHING.

If Boller can't make it in the NFL (Looked pretty decent yesterday) he can get a job in Hollywood. That guy is one good looking stud.

To bad all Cal gratuates are not that lucky.

"This weeks picks:
Vikings -3½ WINNER
Seahawks -3 LOSER
Ravens pick WINNER

Upset of the week:
Buffalo(moneyline+145) will beat the Dolphins in Miami." LOSER

For the season against the spread:
6-3

For the season moneyline:
1-2


What yesterday told me.
1) Packers are very weak at the receiver positions.
2) Seahawk's defense isn't as "for real" as the first two games suggested.
3) Charger's defense continues to have problems against the rush.
4) Daunte Culpepper is a pussy. I wonder if McNair bruised his back if he would stay in the game. Ok ok, Daunte DID break three bones in his back, but is expected to return next week. Gus Frerotte proved himself as a strong backup QB.
5) Kelly Holcomb shows some promise, but still has a lot to prove.

Tonight's game should be a great head-butting match-up. I predict Raiders(+4½) and over(42½). I don't feel good enough about that to bet it, but I'll still be watching this game.

This week's picks:
Colts -2
Packers -4
Chiefs -3

Upset of the week:
Falcons(moneyline+225) will beat the Panthers in Carolina.

Money won/lost this year(based on $100 betting units, vig is also factored):
Straight bets +$270
Moneyline -$5

I'm a little concerned about my Colts bet since Edgerrin James will most likely NOT be playing, but I think N.O. is so disorganized that there is no need to make a counter-bet on N.O. and just eat the juice. I'll need a little bit more luck on this one than usual.

Edge hasn't done much this year besides suck up clock time and NOT SCORE. The Colts are better off in bombs away mode against teams with D's as bad as N.O.'s.

Chiefs -3? They were -4 and climbing the other day when I looked. That game is the mismatch of the week this week, but this is the NFL and the game's in Balto., meaning I wouldn't bet any money I couldn't afford to lose.

Jeez, now I see KC -3 and it opened at -3. Maybe Mexico has adopted a new team in addition to betting the wad every time the Cowboys and Raiders play?

Manning 300 yards and 6 TD's in three quarters on the road at New Orleans, a team that was supposedly a playoff contender on paper before the year. They sure miss Edgerrin...

Dominic Rhodes looks like he would LAP Edge in the 40 right now. Too bad, as he was great once upon a time.

Don't forget about the Colt's defense. They had one sack, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown. (they also scored me 18 fantasy points)

Without Edgerrin James their leading rusher was Dominic Rhodes with 35 yards, but who needs a rushing game when Marvin Harrison can receive for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

Peyton Manning, 314 yards passing and 6 touchdowns is vary impressive, but as far as betting goes I'd be careful of betting on them against a team with a secondary.

********************************************************
This week's picks:
Colts -2 WINNER
Packers -4 WINNER
Chiefs -3 WINNER

Upset of the week:
Falcons(moneyline+225) will beat the Panthers in Carolina. LOSER

Money won/lost this year(based on $100 betting units, vig is also factored):
Straight bets +$570
Moneyline -$105

Snapper:

You are correct in your caution regarding Indianapolis...

New Orleans, with their injuries on defense, was not going to be able to stop the Colts offense...Manning and Harrrison were basically lining-up against a scout team...They were practicing in pads, basically...

What was a bit disappointing from the Saints perspective is that with their offensive talent-- great receiving corps, good to great QB in Brooks, good to great Back in McAllister-- they didn't have the guts to hang with the Colts punch for punch...I saw more of a lack of intestinal fortitude on the part of the Saints than I did sound defense on the part of the Colts...

YoungBrig

This is a vary tuff week. I don't feel too confident about any teams covering the spread. I'm only betting on OVER/UNDERS this week.

This weeks picks:
Raiders/Bears OVER 42½
Raiders pass protection sucks, but not as bad as the Bear's rush protection. I expect a big game from Charlie Garner(Oak, RB). I also wouldn't be surprised if Marty Booker(Chi, WR) gets his first touchdown for the year.

Steelers/Browns UNDER 42
Steeler's have a passing offense that has to go up against the Brown's secondary witch is ranked in the top five. The Browns are a consistently low scoring team, that is going up against the strong Steeler's defense witch is ranked near(if not at) the top for the entire NFL.

Saints/Panthers OVER 37½
The entire Saints organization is in shambles. I expect a huge game from the Panther's defense and special-teams. Hopefully the Panther's offense doesn't get too worn-out form being on the field so much.


Upset of the week:
SeaHawks(moneyline+120) will beat the Packers in Green Bay.
This is my best shot at picking up a moneyline bet since week #1. Green Bay has a strong running game that could be stopped by the Seahawk's defense. As I mentioned before: "Seahawk's defense isn't as "for real" as the first two games suggested", but this statement is mostly directed at their secondary. The Seahawk's secondary doesn't worry me since I also mentioned that the "Packers are very weak at the receiver positions". Also Green Bay is coming off an away monday-night game. We'll see...
I may add one more Moneyline bet later in the week. It all depends on if the Vikings decide to bench Moss and Culpepper for this upcoming non-division game against the Falcons. Benching these two players may be a good move for the Vikings so their back injuries have time to heel with an upcoming bye-week.


Record for the season:
Straight Bets 9-3
Moneyline 1-3

No more moneyline bets for this week. Vikings announced today that Randy Moss is going to play on Sunday. Culpepper is going to be out for Sunday's game if he can't make it through tomorrow's practice(witch he most likely will not).

This game is give'n me a hardon, so I have to add it to this weeks picks
Vikings -4
Frerotte's passing rating is at the top of the NFL at 128.2 thanks to Randy Moss' ability to make huge plays. Also, there are only 4 teams in the NFL that have a pass-defense rating lower than the Falcons.
The only thing that's keeping me from saying the "L" word is that Frerotte's performance only reflects 1½ games.