NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO BLOG TOMORROW OR FRIDAY. SEE YOU AGAIN ON MONDAY.
Let’s go to the gridiron:
The Sun Sentinel is reporting that the Dolphin coaches asked Richie Incognito to “toughen up” Jonathan Martin after Martin missed a voluntary team workout last spring:
Here is video footage of Richie Incognito yesterday:
More from Armando Salguero, who questions the existence of Dolphin “leadership”:
MY TAKE REMAINS THE SAME: Unfortunately, this situation will only continue to get worse as the days go by. There is a lot more to this story than we are seeing. I truly do not believe that this is just a racist issue alone, even though Incognito is probably a racist among other shortcomings. The fact is that the “rookie hazing” continued well into Martin’s second season with the team, and Nate Garner, who is white, was also a victim of the cafeteria pranks. Believe me, there is a lot more to this story than race. The reports that the veteran players made rookies and younger players pay for expensive outings, including expensive dinners, strip clubs, and even a trip to Las Vegas will also be investigated. Regardless of his ability on the field, the Dolphin locker room and roster will be a much better place without Incognito around.
How Dolphin coaches and staff were totally ignorant as to what was going on is totally unacceptable and unbelievable. Coaching is much more than just on the field. It includes the managing of an entire team roster. The NFL has launched a thorough investigation into this situation, so look for new guidelines and punishment to come. The responsibility should fall squarely on the shoulders of the coaching staff and head coach Joe Philbin. Some responsibility also has to fall on the doorstep of GM Jeff Ireland, who drafts these players out of college and brings in free agents such as Incognito. This story will continue to get worse and worse as the whole truth comes out, especially if Dolphins’ coaches told Incognito to “toughen up” Martin, as is being reported.
The Fins’ next game will be next Monday night, in Tampa, against the Buccaneers, who are still winless this season.
Since there will be no blog tomorrow or Friday, here are my picks for this week in the NFL. Maybe if I do them early without much thinking I’ll get back to my winning ways. Record so far this season is 30-29-4 against the spread, and 39-24 straight up.
Here is this week’s NFL schedule, along with my picks:
THURSDAY
Washington @ Minnesota +1 8:30 pm NFL NETWORK
The Redskins came from behind last week to beat the San Diego Chargers in overtime, but have been very inconsistent this season. Their defense is as much the problem as anything else, but the Vikings are just as bad on the defensive side of the ball. This one is a clunker, but I’ll just go with the Redskins, even though they are on the road.
SUNDAY
Seattle @ Atlanta +4 1:00 pm FOX
Seattle keeps finding ways to win, even though they haven’t been overpowering the last few weeks. The Falcons have been awful all season as injuries keep mounting in Atlanta. I’ll take the Seahawks on the road.
Detroit @ Chicago +3 1:00 PM FOX
Philadelphia @ Green Bay -9 1:00 pm FOX
St. Louis @ Indianapolis -10 1:00 pm FOX
Jacksonville @ Tennessee -9 1:00 pm CBS
The Titans defeated the Rams last week, and this week the task is much easier as they take on the woeful Jaguars at home. Big number on the spread, but Jake Locker and Chris Johnson should have good days against Jacksonville. I’ll go with the Titans at home.
Oakland @ NY Giants -7 1:00 pm CBS
Buffalo @ Pittsburgh -4 1:00 pm CBS
Cincinnati @ Baltimore +2 1:00 pm CBS
Carolina @ San Francisco -4 4:05 pm FOX
Gotta go with the 49ers at home. Cam Newton and the Panthers have been on a roll, but I don’t see them continuing their nice run this week against San Francisco. The 49ers will be ready this week.
Houston @ Arizona -1 4:25 pm CBS
Denver @ San Diego -6 4:25 pm CBS
The Broncos are the class of the AFC, and the Manning express will continue to roll this week in San Diego. I’m feeling generous and confident enough to take Denver and give the six points on the road.
Dallas @ New Orleans -6 8:30 pm NBC
The Saints are still smarting over the loss against the Jets last week, and they will take it out on the Cowboys at home. Drew Brees will make sure the Saints don’t lose again this week. Taking the Saints minus the points.
MONDAY NIGHT
Miami @ Tampa Bay +2 8:30 pm ESPN
The Dolphins are eager to get back on the field and play football, as opposed to being press fodder after the bullying scandal in Miami. The Fins ran the ball well last week against the Bengals, and look for more of the same against the winless Bucs, who almost stole one last week against the Seahawks in Seattle. Former Canes RB Mike James has played very well for Tampa Bay since taking over at RB after the injury to Doug Martin, but he won’t be enough. The Dolphins’ defense will make life difficult for QB Mike Glennon this week. I’ll take the Fins minus the points on the road.
Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:
Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
In college football, the University of Miami takes on Virginia Tech at the Seven Names Stadium this Saturday at 7:00 pm. You can watch the game on ESPN on your cable or satellite system.
Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have more from Coral Gables:
The FIU Panthers will be in Murfreesboro, TN to play Middle Tennessee at 4:00 pm on Saturday. No TV or radio.
Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:
Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #2-ranked FSU:
From Gainesville and the University of Florida, who fell from the top-25 after losing to Missouri on Saturday:
Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:
Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 11, including TV listings:
Moving to the hardwood,
The Heat beat the Toronto Raptors last night 104-95 as LeBron James scored 35 points to lead the way. It was the 500th straight game that LeBron scored in double figures. Dwyane Wade added 20 and Ray Allen contributed 14. Chris Bosh did not make the trip to Toronto after the birth of his daughter. The Heat return home for a four-game homestand, beginning tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Clippers, and then a Saturday night encounter with the Boston Celtics.
Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:
In news from around baseball,
The finalists are in for the major awards in MLB. The Rookies of the Year will be announced on Monday, the Managers of the Year on Tuesday, the Cy Young award winners on Wednesday, and the MVP’s on Thursday.
Seattle has a new manager:
Even though the Marlins are saying that they are keeping Giancarlo Stanton, people in Boston are licking their chops over the possibility of trading for the Man-Child:
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: What player won the first Triple Crown in major league history in each league? The answer comes later, alligator.
On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers:
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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock. Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions:
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: What player won the first Triple Crown in major league history in each league?
Using 1920, the year that RBI became an official stat, as the beginning, Rogers Hornsby of the St. Louis Cardinals won in 1922 in the National League, and Jimmie Foxx won it for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1933. By the way, did you know that Foxx was the head baseball coach for the University of Miami Hurricanes in 1956 and 1957?
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. SEE YOU AGAIN ON MONDAY, November 11.
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