Sports Jam Session / Descarga Deportiva

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

TUESDAY, November 5, 2013

The blog is again coming to you from the beautiful North Georgia mountains:

Let’s go to the gridiron:

After suspending Richie Incognito indefinitely for “conduct detrimental to the team” for his role in the situation regarding Jonathan Martin, the team has now made it clear that, regardless of the outcome, Incognito will never play again for the Dolphins. This scandal has put the Dolphins in the public eye and under a microscope, a place no team ever wants to be.

MY TAKE: 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 his many other shortcomings as a wannabe human being. 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 just 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.

Incognito "done" with Dolphins

Bullying is now on NFL's radar

More details are emerging in Dolphins' scandal

The Fins’ next game will be next Monday night, in Tampa, against the Buccaneers, who are still winless this season, after blowing a 21-point lead against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Dolphins preparing to play the Bucs with a patchwork offensive line

Monday, November 4, 2013

The blog is again coming to you from the beautiful North Georgia mountains:

Let’s go to the gridiron:

More fallout from the bullying allegations from Dolphins headquarters. Last night, the Fins suspended offensive lineman Richie Incognito indefinitely for “conduct detrimental to the team” for his role in the situation regarding Jonathan Martin, who left the team last week due to verbal abuse and threats from Incognito and some teammates. This has gotten really ugly and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. The NFL is looking in to the situation, including allegations of racially-motivated threats.

MY TAKE: The hazing of rookies by veteran players in the NFL has been going on for ever, but these allegations are much, much worse than that. Incognito has been known as one of the dirtiest players in the league during his career, and this is now extended into his own locker room. Incognito has probably worn out his welcome in Miami and this behavior could be a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy and will probably warrant further action from the league. Martin should also realize that he is an adult, not a little kid in a school cafeteria, and should have put a stop to this immediately. Inviting someone to join you in the cafeteria, and then getting up and leaving when that person sits at the table has been going on since the beginning of time. There are reports that Martin himself participated in the same lunch-room pranks against other players, including offensive lineman Nate Garner, who is white. There are also reports that the veteran players made rookies pay of expensive outings, including expensive dinners, strip clubs, and even a trip to Las Vegas. That is the equivalent of the school bully taking your lunch money. This is just really messed up, and the responsibility should fall squarely on the shoulders of the coaching staff and head coach Joe Philbin. It seems impossible to me that the coaches didn’t know this was going on. Coaching is much more than just on the field. It includes the managing of an entire team roster. 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 is a real messy situation.

The Fins’ next game will be next Monday night, in Tampa, against the Buccaneers, who are still winless this season, after blowing a 21-point lead against the Seattle Seahawks yesterday.

Dolphin veterans used rookies and young players as their personal ATM's

Dolphins suspend Incognito

Dolphin rookies forced to "pay up"

Martin's agent sent Dolphins notice

More from Armando Salguero:

Dolphins in Depth

In this week’s picks, I am 2-3-1 against the spread, pending tonight’s Chicago-Green Bay matchup. Record so far this season is and 30-28-4 against the spread, and 38-23 straight up.

Here is this week’s NFL schedule, along with the rest of my picks:

THURSDAY

Miami 22 Cincinnati 20 OT

SUNDAY

Tennessee 28 St. Louis 21

NY Jets 26 New Orleans 20

Cleveland 24 Baltimore 18

New England 55 Pittsburgh 31

Indianapolis 27 Houston 24 PUSH

Kansas City 23 Buffalo 13

Washington 30 San Diego 24

Dallas 27 Minnesota 23

Carolina 34 Atlanta 10

Philadelphia 49 Oakland 20

Seattle 27 Tampa 24 OT

TONIGHT

Chicago @ Green Bay -9 8:30 pm ESPN

The Pack has beaten the Bears six times in a row, and have won 11 consecutive games at home overall. The Bears will be without QB Jay Cutler and linebacker Lance Briggs. I’ll take the Packers and give the 9 points.

Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:

NFL Nation Blog

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 Florida State Seminoles trounced the University of Miami Hurricanes 41-14. The Seminoles led 21-14 at the half, and Miami had the ball to begin the second half with a chance to tie the game, but it wasn’t to be. The Seminoles dominated in the second half to send the Canes to their first loss of the season. Florida State is now ranked #2 in the country, while Miami fell to #11. Worse news for the Canes is that star running back Duke Johnson is out for the year after suffering a broken ankle.

All is not lost for the Canes

Stephen Morris shines, but not enough

Next up for the Canes: Virginia Tech this Saturday at 7:00 pm at the Seven Names Stadium.

Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have more from Coral Gables:

Eye on the U

The FIU Panthers lost to East Carolina at the Cage on Saturday, 34-13.

Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:

FIU puts up a fight, but falls

FIU struggling to keep attendance at the required number

Panthers Prowl

Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #2-ranked FSU:

FSU blog | Seminoles Chant

From Gainesville and the University of Florida:

UF blog | Gator Clause

Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:

NCAA Top 25

Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 11, including TV listings:

NCAA Schedule for Week 11

Moving to the hardwood,

The Heat lost to the new and improved Brooklyn Nets on Friday, 101-100, and were home yesterday and defeated the Washington Wizards 103-93. Next game for the Heat is tomorrow night in Toronto against the Raptors. They will then have four games in a row at the AAA, beginning on Thursday against the Los Angeles Clipppers.

Heat beat Wizards 103-93

Wizards - Heat boxscore

Heat getting "too comfortable"?

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Heat are 2-2 to begin the season, so this team is obviously in trouble. They need to fire the head coach, break up the team, etc, etc. We’ve heard this before, haven’t we? What was the team’s record the last three years after four games? The answer comes later, alligator.

Heat Check

Yesterday's NBA game summaries

Today's NBA schedule and game previews

Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:

2013-2014 Miami Heat schedule

In news from around baseball,

Yankees, Jeter agree on one-year deal

Brad Ausmus new manager in Detroit

ESPN's winter forecast - National League

ESPN's winter forecast - American League

If you believe the Marlins GM, Stanton is staying put

On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers:

Panthers don't like shootouts

On Frozen Pond

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Beautiful North Carolina Property For Sale

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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Heat are 2-2 to begin the season, so this team is obviously in trouble. They need to fire the head coach, break up the team, etc, etc. We’ve heard this before, haven’t we? What was the team’s record the last three years after four games?

In 2010-2011, the Heat was 3-1 and finished 58-24. In the strike-shortened 2011-12 season, the team started 4-0 and finished 46-20. Last year, the team was 3-1, including an embarrassing 20-point loss to the Knicks on their way to a 66-16 regular season. Bottom line, don’t panic. The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint.

Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.

Friday, November 1, 2013

TGIF - The Friday Blog - November 1, 2013

The blog is again coming to you from the beautiful North Georgia mountains:

Let’s go to the gridiron:

The Dolphins beat the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime 22-20, when defensive end Cameron Wake sacked Bengals QB Andy Dalton for a safety. The Fins again blew a two touchdown lead in this one, but managed to tie the contest with 14 seconds left on a 44-yard Caleb Sturgis field goal. The teams exchanged punts in the overtime period, and on a third and ten from their own eight-yard line, Wake broke through to bring down Dalton in the end zone to end the game, only the third time in NFL history that a game ends on a safety. Miami was able to run the ball against Cincinnati, with Lamar Miller rushing for 105 yards on 16 carries, his first 100-yard rushing game in the NFL. Miller had a terrific 41-yard run that, unfortunately, ended in a fumble into the end zone that was recovered by the Bengals. Ryan Tannehill did enough to win, and completed 20-28 passes for 208 yards. More importantly, he committed no turnovers. The Fins’ next game will be next Sunday, in Tampa, against the Buccaneers, who are still winless this season. The Bucs are in Seattle to face the Seahawks on Sunday.

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Dolphins’ win last night was only the third time in NFL history that a game ended on a safety. Who did it before? The answer comes later, alligator.

Dolphins win, come back to life

Fins rise from the dead

More from Armando Salguero:

This Dolphin win was very important

Dolphins in Depth

I’m very happy to miss on my pick for last night’s game. Anytime I miss, and the Dolphins win, I’m thrilled. My record so far this season: 28-26-3 against the spread, and 36-201 straight up.

Here is this week’s NFL schedule, along with the rest of my picks:

THURSDAY

Miami 22 Cincinnati 20 OT

SUNDAY

Kansas City @ Buffalo +3 1:00 pm CBS

Tennessee @ St. Louis +3 1:00 pm CBS

The Titans have lost three in a row, but I look for them to rebound against the Rams, who lost starting QB Sam Bradford for the season and have former Jet castoff Kellen Clemens running the show. Tennessee QB Jake Locker is healthy once more and RB Chris Johnson is licking his chops as he faces the NFL’s worst rush defense. Take the Titans and give the three points.

San Diego @ Washington +1 1:00 pm CBS

Minnesota @ Dallas -12 1:00 pm FOX

New Orleans @ NY Jets +5 1:00 pm FOX

Gotta go with the Saints, minus the points. The Saints’ defense is playing very well once again under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and Drew Brees is just back to being himself, and leads the league in passer rating and touchdown passes.

Atlanta @ Carolina -9 1:00 pm FOX

Philadelphia @ Oakland -1 4:05 pm FOX

Tampa @ Seattle -15 4:05 pm FOX

Baltimore @ Cleveland +2 4:25 pm CBS

I’ll take the road team again in this contest, especially with the Ravens coming off a bye week. The Ravens have beaten the Browns 11 straight games, with Cleveland’s last win coming in November of 2007. Taking the Ravens minus the two points.

Pittsburgh @ New England -5 4:25 pm CBS

As much as I would love to see them lose, I can’t go against the home team in this game. The Patriots are 34-3 at home since Nov. 30, 2008, when they lost to the Steelers in Foxboro. Tom Brady always seems to find a way to win. I’ll take the Pats and give the 5 points.

Indianapolis @ Houston +3 8:30 pm NBC

I’m playing a hunch here, and taking the Texans plus the points. Houston’s defense has been very good, in fact, they are the best in the league in total defense and yards allowed. The Texans can also run the ball with Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Foster has been great against the Colts in the past, with 752 yards and six TD’s in five career games against Indianapolis.

MONDAY

Chicago @ Green Bay -10 8:30 pm ESPN

The Pack has beaten the Bears six times in a row, and have won 11 consecutive games at home overall. The Bears will be without QB Jay Cutler and linebacker Lance Briggs. I don’t like double-digit spreads, but I’ll take the Packers and give the 10 points.

Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:

NFL Nation Blog

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 #7 University of Miami Hurricanes will be in Tallahassee to take on the #3 Florida State Seminoles on Saturday. Game time is 8:00 pm and you can watch it on ABC. This is the first time that the Canes and Seminoles have been matched up as top-ten teams since 2003, and FSU is favored by 22 points over the Miami.

Canes not worried about being huge underdog to FSU

"Famous" Jameis Winston is a tough task for the Canes

Don't forget that the FSU pass defense is #1 in the country

Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have more from Coral Gables:

MY TAKE ON MIAMI - FSU: As much as my heart wants Miami to win, my head says no way, Jose. Miami's defense will have trouble with Jameis Winston, and the FSU defense will make life very difficult for Stephen Morris. I just hope that the Canes are somehow able to keep the game close, although I honestly don't see that happening.

Eye on the U

The FIU Panthers host East Carolina at the Cage on Saturday. East Carolina has scored 50 points or more three times this season, and the Pirates are a prohibitive 25 point favorite over FIU.

Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:

Panthers Prowl

Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #3-ranked FSU:

FSU blog | Seminoles Chant

From Gainesville and the University of Florida, who fell from the top-25 after losing to Missouri on Saturday:

UF blog | Gator Clause

Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:

NCAA Top 25

Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 10, including TV listings:

Week 10 College Football Schedule

Moving to the hardwood,

The Heat play their third game in four nights as they take on the Brooklyn Nets in Brooklyn. The Heat have beaten the Nets 13 consecutive times, but this is a very different Nets team, with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and new head coach Jason Kidd, although Kidd will not be coaching today, as he completes a two-game suspension for a DUI incident. Dwyane Wade will be back in the lineup today after sitting out the loss to the Sixers on Wednesday. Game time tonight is 8:00, and it will be aired on Sun Sports and on ESPN.

Heat - Nets a budding rivalry