The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

Shaddok MMA Academy guest Matt Granahan and Kamal Shalorus

2011-01-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

Shaddok MMA Academy guest Matt Granahan and Kamal Shalorus

First Annual “Fight for the Veterans”

2011-01-20T07:49:00.000-08:00

Are the odds stacked against the Jacksonville Jaguars

2010-09-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

As pre season ends an we all await the start of the NFL how will the Jaguars do this year?

So lets break down the Jaguars in the following areas:
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
Coaching
The Bottom Line

In 2009 the Jaguars had a shot at the playoffs at 7-5 last year and blew four games in a row to end the season.
The attendance at home was only 49,652 and there was talk of the Jaguars moving to LA.

WILL 2010 PROVE TO BE ANY DIFFERENT?

The Jaguars have already made a good comeback, signing Everbank to sponsor the stadium. Selling the amount of tickets to avoid blackouts this year, and even going 2and 2 in preseason.

This year the offense is going to be built around Maurice Jones Drew.
Last year he rushed for 1,400 yards, and 15 touchdowns.
HOPE YOU FANTASY PLAYERS ADDED HIM TO YOUR TEAM.
Already this year some questions about the QB position with David Garrard vs Luke McCown.
As far as the passing game all eyes will be looking at Mike Simms Walker and wide out Mike Tomas.
Also the Jaguars will depend on Eugene Monroe and Eban Britton.
THE HEAT INDEX GIVES THE JAGUARS A 7 OUT OF 10 RATING

The Defense last year had only 14 sacks, and no pass rush!
This year they signed a veteran Aaron Kapman and took Tyson Alualu.
THE JAGUARS ARE GOING TO GIVE UP POINTS!
The heat index gives the defense a 3 out of 10 rating.

Teams rely on special teams and the Jaguars brought in a ton of players this year.
Rookies could be the added spark or the downfall of the Jaguars this year.
Doing returns two rookies Deji Karmin and Scotty McGee.
Kicking will be an issue as the kicker Josh Scobee has seen his accuarcy sink from a 92.3 percent of field goal attempts made in 2007, to 76 percent in 2008, and down to 64.3 percent in 2009.
THE HEAT INDEX GIVES THE SPECIAL TEAMS A 3 OUT OF 10 RATING.

Coaching with Jack Del Rio, well lets just say his job is on the line.
In the past seven years Del Rio has had a record of 57-55, and two playoff appearances.
If the team is interested in going to LA or firing Del Rio the 2010 season will decide the fate of both.
The heat index gives the coaching staff a 3 out of 10 rating.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
There is very little to like about the team and the situation.
There is no veteran leadership, and no inspiration from the staff.
MAYBE THE JAGUARS WILL HAVE A SURPRISE SEASON, BUT THEY WILL NEED TO OVERCOME A LOT OF OBSTACLES.
THE HEAT INDEX GIVES THE INTANGIBLES A 3 OUT 10 RATING.

The Heat index rates the Jaguars at 20/50 rating.
I hate to say this but it is impossible to see the Jaguars making a run at the Superbowl with a division with the Colts, Texans, and Titans.
Also with games outside the division with Dallas and San Diego.

THE ONLY WAY THE JAGUARS WILL HAVE SURPRISE SEASON IS IF THE DEFENSE STEPS UP AND THE OFFENSE FINDS A SPARK OF ENERGY.

VEGAS HAS 45-1 ON JAGUARS WINNING THE SUPERBOWL.

THE OUTLAW PREDICTION:
JAGUARS SHOCK THE HECK OUT OF ALL OF THIS YEAR!

WRITTEN BY
THE OUTLAW MICHEAL TOMSIK

Boat Casino vs Land Casino in Mayport Florida

2010-09-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

If you all do not rember two weeks before christmas in 2009 the Sun Cruize operations closed boats in Mayport, and Daytona, and other areas leaving 600 employees unemployed.
Recently some of the people that operated Sun Cruize have managed to open a new company called Jacks are Better and are planning a return of a casino boat in Mayport.
My hats go off to the new owners, and people behind making the ship a possibility.
However why not open a noramal land base casino in Jacksonville?

The boat while I am sure will do well. As really there is no compition in the area for a casino. You have to drive to the Hard Rock, or go to a internet cafe, or you can go to the Poker Rooms in Orange Park at the Dog racing track.
You can bet horses and dogs there also.

If someone was bright they would open a 24 hour land base casino in Jacksonville.
With the boat you have to sail out to international waters, about 3 miles out.
It takes about an hour each way, than you gamble for 2 or 3 hours.
You have to deal with weather conditions, tides, waves and other factors as well.

With a land based casino you can have returants, hotel, bar, night club, entertainment, shopping and a whole lot more. A small casino in Mayport would not be that hard to construct and parking is availalble. If you go out and look at all the fenced off areas that are availalble right on the river front.

While a casino boat may employ up to 100 people, a small casino could employ upwards to 5000 employees. Some of the larger casinos in Vegas employ more than this amount.

Also look at the history of casino boats in Florida:
In 2004 the Florida Gaming Commission stated 17 boats operated in Florida.
In 2008 the number was at 14.
In 2009 the commssion stated that less than half of that number survived.

Some of the companies that have gone down:
Sun Cruze Casino, Horizions Casino, Treasure Island Casino, and more are listed.
Many of these companies in bankruptcy or just closed the doors.

One company called The Big "M" Casino still operates out of Fort Myers area.

A land Based casino would draw from the local population as well as being a tourist attraction. While the casino boat attracts locals, and can be seen as a tourist attraction it does not operate 24 hours a day or 7 days per week.

The Last ship sailed Wed to Sundays two times a day, and I understand the new company is going to follow the same format.

With the boat you have expenses like gas, wear and tear on the boat, sanitation,
employee training in case of emergency, and other factors as well.

I hope that the new company does well but would like to see some one stand up and say lets open a land base casino here in Jacksonville!

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

Is Cheerleading a Sport?

2010-06-22T10:40:00.001-07:00

Is Cheerleading a Sport?

DL Seymour signs $12.4M franchise tag with Raiders - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

2010-06-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

DL Seymour signs $12.4M franchise tag with Raiders - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

2010-06-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

http://paymewhatiamworth.com/

Check this web page out and say the Outlaw Micheal Tomsik sent me!

The Outlaw Thursday Throw Down with the Florida Falcons

2010-06-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

The Outlaw Thursday Throw Down with the Florida Falcons

The Outlaw Thursday Throw Down with the Florida Panthers

2010-06-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

The Outlaw Thursday Throw Down with the Florida Panthers

The Outlaw Thursday Throw Down with possible guest Iran Barkley

2010-06-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

The Outlaw Thursday Throw Down with possible guest Iran Barkley

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outlawsportsradio.rss

2010-06-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outlawsportsradio.rss

Thursday Night Throw Down with guest THE FIX IS IN!

2010-05-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

Thursday Night Throw Down with guest THE FIX IS IN!

Monday Night Outlaw Sports Radio Promo

2010-05-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Monday Night Outlaw Sports Radio Promo

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik VS The Pro Leagues

2010-05-11T06:37:00.001-07:00

Let me ask you a question: WHY DO WE LOVE SPORTS?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT BEING A SPORTS FAN OF A FAVORITE TEAM, A FAVORITE PLAYER?

HAS THE SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS GONE TO FAR?

Sports is a part of our history, it would come as a shock to me that some one today would not have some knowledge of the sports world in some sort of fashion.

However the money has taken over the industry, sports is ranked the 22ND largest industry in the world.

Sports has become an entertainment industry however it is not about the game anymore, or the best team, or extremely good player (IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY)

The true facts are the games are fixed, gambling, criminal activity, and the manipulation of games all happens!
We choose to ignore it and the industry covers it up.

There are some disturbing facts about these four major leagues in sports:
(NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB)
In 2009:
NFL had revenues of over 6.6 BILLION DOLLARS
MLB had revenues of over 8.63 BILLION DOLLARS
Teams in the NBA made around 828,985 dollars per game!
NHL had revenues of over 1.9 BILLION DOLLARS

I really want you to stop at this point and think about this.
You really want to believe that companies that are involved in this type of money do not have some dirty little secrets involved.

Lets discuss criminal activity in these four leagues in 2009:
The NFL lead the way in 2009, with approximately 20 to 25 percent of players being arrested and convicted of crimes ranging from petty crimes to felony convictions.
The biggest problem in the NFL was DUI and related crimes.
THE MLB and NHL and NBA also had several issues with crime in 2009 with players.
These stories are often covered up as fast as possible, they do not want to ruin the ride the leagues have greated with the TV networks that supply them with a large chunk of the revenues!

OUTLAW SPORTS RADIO IS MAKING AN OPEN CHALLENGE TO ANY SPORTS LEAGUE TO COME ON OUR LIVE SHOW AND DISCUSS THESE ISSUES!

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
Outlaw Sports Radio

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

2010-05-11T06:37:00.000-07:00

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

NFL owners opt out of CBA

2010-03-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement, initially negotiated in 1993, has been extended on several occasions, most recently in March 2006. The 2006 extension, which could have continued through the 2012 season, gave both the NFL and the NFLPA an option to shorten the deal by one or two years.

NFL clubs today voted unanimously to exercise that option and to continue negotiating a new agreement for the 2011 season and beyond that will work better for both the clubs and the players.

What does this mean to fans and games on the field?
Even without another agreement, NFL football will be played without threat of interruption for at least the next three seasons. The 2008 and 2009 seasons will be played with a salary cap. If there is no new agreement before the 2010 season, that season will be played without a salary cap under rules that also limit the free agency rights of the players. If not extended, the agreement would expire at the end of the 2010 league year.

We are resolved to do our best to achieve a fair agreement that will allow labor peace to continue through and beyond the 2011 season.

What are the issues?
A collective bargaining agreement has to work for both sides. If the agreement provides inadequate incentives to invest in the future, it will not work for management or labor. And, in the context of a professional sports league, if the agreement does not afford all clubs an opportunity to be competitive, the league can lose its appeal.

The NFL earns very substantial revenues. But the clubs are obligated by the CBA to spend substantially more than half their revenues – almost $4.5 billion this year alone -- on player costs. In addition, as we have explained to the union, the clubs must spend significant and growing amounts on stadium construction, operations and improvements to respond to the interests and demands of our fans. The current labor agreement does not adequately recognize the costs of generating the revenues of which the players receive the largest share; nor does the agreement recognize that those costs have increased substantially -- and at an ever increasing rate -- in recent years during a difficult economic climate in our country. As a result, under the terms of the current agreement, the clubs’ incentive to invest in the game is threatened.

There are substantial other elements of the deal that simply are not working. For example, as interpreted by the courts, the current CBA effectively prohibits the clubs from recouping bonuses paid to players who subsequently breach their player contacts or refuse to perform. That is simply irrational and unfair to both fans and players who honor their contracts. Also irrational is that in the current system some rookies are able to secure contracts that pay them more than top proven veterans.

Our objective is to fix these problems in a new CBA, one that will provide adequate incentives to grow the game, ensure the unparalleled competitive balance that has sustained our fans’ interest, and afford the players fair and increasing compensation and benefits.

Will there be TRIPLE CROWN winner in 2010?

2010-03-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

Only eleven horses have ever won the Triple Crown, none since 1978. In 1973, Secretariat established the largest margin of victory in the history of American Grade 1 stakes races with a 31 length win. Of those eleven horses, Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons won the Triple Crown twice (the only trainer to do so), and an eleventh trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, scored a Triple Crown as a trainer in sweeping the 1995 races with different horses, the only individual in the Triple Crown to do so. Ten jockeys have won the Triple Crown.

The three American Classic Races are collectively known as the U.S. Triple Crown. As of the completion of the 2008 season, the races have attracted 3,889 entrants (a figure that counts a given horse twice if it enters two of the races). Of these, 274 horses have won a single leg of the Triple Crown, 50 horses have won two of the races (21 the Derby & Preakness, 18 the Preakness & Belmont, and 11 the Derby & Belmont), and 11 horses have won all three races. The 11 Triple Crown winners are Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), and Affirmed (1978).

Since 1931, the order of Triple Crown races has been the Kentucky Derby first, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes. Prior to 1931, the Preakness Stakes was run before the Kentucky Derby eleven times. On May 12, 1917 and again on May 13, 1922, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes were run on the same day.

At completion of the 2008 season, the three Triple Crown races have attracted 3,889 entrants. Of these, 274 horses have won a single leg of the Triple Crown, 50 horses have won two of the races (21 the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, 18 the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, and 11 the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes), and eleven horses have won all three races. Pillory won both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in 1922, a year when it was impossible to win the Triple Crown due to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes occurring on the same day.

There has not been a Triple Crown winner since June 7, 1978, and this is the longest drought in Triple Crown history. Since 1978, eleven horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Of those, Real Quiet has come the closest to winning the Triple Crown, losing the Belmont Stakes by a nose in 1998. Charismatic led the Belmont Stakes in the final furlong in 1999, but fractured his left front leg in the final stretch and fell back to third. The four most recent horses to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes but lose the Belmont Stakes were War Emblem in 2002, Funny Cide in 2003, Smarty Jones in 2004, and Big Brown in 2008.

Several horses have won two of the three races since the last Triple Crown win, most recently Afleet Alex in 2005, who lost the Kentucky Derby but won the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The most unusual of those situations was in 1995, when Thunder Gulch won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and stablemate Timber Country won the Preakness Stakes. Both horses were trained by D. Wayne Lukas, making him the only Triple Crown-winning trainer without a Triple Crown-winning horse.

Only one horse, Alydar, has placed (second place) in all three races. He was defeated by Affirmed in all three races in 1978 by a combined margin of two lengths. In addition, Mane Minister finished third in each race in 1991, and Hawkster finished fifth in each race in 1989.

Gallant Fox is the only triple crown winner to sire another triple crown winner, Omaha.
On May 21, 2005, the Visa credit card company withdrew its sponsorship of the Triple Crown, effective in 2006.[citation needed] It relieved Visa of paying the $5 million bonus to the owner of a horse that would win the Triple Crown. Triple Crown Productions has sponsored the races since 2006.[citation needed] The $5 million bonus remains intact.[1]

Many believe Visa withdrew its sponsorship as a result of the New York Racing Association's decision to break with the other two tracks on a television contract. On October 4, 2004, NYRA announced that the American Broadcasting Company and ESPN would hold television rights to the Belmont Stakes, breaking from Triple Crown Productions' deal with NBC Sports.[citation needed] NBC Sports holds the broadcasting rights to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes until 2010. Triple Crown Productions was formed in 1986 with ABC. Prior to that, the individual racing associations made their own deals with the television networks (ABC and CBS).

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
Outlaw Sports Radio on Blog Talk Radio

There's unrest aplenty on the NFL labor front

2010-03-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

It's a fight between millionaires and billionaires, so it's not something that's going to elicit much sympathy from everyday Americans.

But the dispute between NFL players and team owners could result in a lockout in 2011 — the first labor meltdown since the 1987 strike — and that would certainly grab the attention of football fans.

As the NFL Players Assn. conducts its annual meetings in Hawaii this weekend, and owners prepare to convene later this month in Orlando, Fla., the two are on opposite sides of the actual and philosophical map.

What's the dispute about?

No surprise here: money. Owners believe players have gotten too much of it under the current collective bargaining agreement, struck in 2006, and that they haven't shouldered enough of the financial risk of "growing the pie" with new stadiums, NFL.com, NFL Network, international games and the like.

Is there extra pressure on the two leading men, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith?

Yes. Each is making his debut as the No. 1 negotiator on a CBA, and each has to convince his constituency that he fought hard and left nothing on the table.

Both Goodell and Smith have to live up to the legacies of former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and former union head Gene Upshaw, who presided over a long era of labor peace and unparalleled prosperity.

Smith faces the pressure of possibly being the NFLPA leader who gave back financial gains Upshaw made in the last negotiations, or being the person in charge when labor peace ended.

What got them to this point?

Four years ago, owners were facing a similar deadline, and, in the 11th hour, agreed to a CBA cobbled together by Tagliabue and Upshaw.

Owners agreed to that deal but almost immediately regretted it. They saw it as heavily lopsided in favor of the players. In the spring of 2008 — at their earliest opportunity — they unanimously opted out of that deal, setting the current countdown in motion.

In every other case before this, the labor deal was extended before the disincentive of an uncapped year was reached. Not this time. The deadline passed last March 5, and there is no salary cap for this season.

States Go All In, Expand Gaming Fix Budget

2010-03-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Faced with a drop in gambling revenue, states are adding games, considering new casinos and increasing lottery options -- anything to keep their cut of the profits rolling in.

States are adamant that they don't want to take advantage of anyone, but with budgets in free-fall and tax increases a losing hand politically, lawmakers acknowledge they are dependent on gambling dollars.

At least 18 states this year are looking to expand games of chance because of a drop-off of anywhere from 5 to 14 percent in the money they collect from casinos, horse racing, lotteries or other gambling.

"Absolutely, we're addicted to gambling dollars," said Iowa state Rep. Kraig Paulsen, the House Republican leader and an opponent of plans to expand gambling in Iowa, which already receives about $300 million a year from the industry. "The current budget couldn't be close to being balanced without that money."

The idea of luring people to the craps tables when they are being battered by the recession is an awkward one for state governments -- a point that has been raised by people who deal with the collateral damage from gambling.

The new blitz "makes gambling more enticing, makes people more curious," said Doug Billingsley, whose treatment center provides counseling for problem gamblers in Iowa.

In many states, the funds for helping problem gamblers have been cut sharply because of the budget problems.

Some gamblers say they don't know how they can afford to wager more when they are earning less.

"People don't have as much to spend," said Freda Lofthus, 71, as she was playing slot machines at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino near Des Moines. "I spend about half of what I used to."

But in state capitols, the urgent budget problems trump other concerns.

Pennsylvania, where recently legalized casinos have installed 25,000 slot machines over the past few years, is among states now allowing table games, such as poker, blackjack, roulette and craps. New York is putting 4,500 video lottery terminals at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell wants to offer keno in restaurants so that people can gamble while they eat.

Socially conservative states are no less ambitious. Lottery ticket machines have been installed in grocery stores in Florida. Florida joined Powerball last year and is considering a second multistate game.

Kansas is promoting the outlaw ambiance of Dodge City, which now lures gamblers with 600 slot machines and a full spread of gaming tables. Missouri casinos have upgraded their slots with dazzling 3-D graphics and themes like "Star Wars" and "The Wizard of Oz."

"As the recession became deeper, that expected revenue became more important," said Shaun Adamec, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley of Maryland, where at least 10,000 slot machines are being installed in five locations.

The only alternative in Maryland and elsewhere would be to raise taxes. "There's no appetite in the Legislature for an even modest tax increase," said Gary Tuma, a spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, which hopes for an additional $140 million in the 2010-11 fiscal year from its gambling expansion.

Iowa already has 17 state-licensed casinos, and Gov. Chet Culver recommended this month that the state approve four more, citing the potential for new jobs.

According to the American Gaming Association, the nation's nearly 450 non-Indian casinos saw their revenue from gambling drop 5.6 percent from 2008 to 2009, after a decline the year before. Casino revenue is down from $34 billion to $30.7 billion since 2007. States typically get a percentage of the revenue, though the formula varies.

Among the states seeking to expand games of chance, Illinois saw a 14.6 percent decline in its gambling revenue and New Hampshire a 9.7 percent drop from 2008 to 2009.

Clyde Barrow, a gambling expert at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, said states rationalize gambling "as a voluntary tax because nobody has to gamble." But he said studies show that many respond to the temptation.

"We do know the closer you put casinos to people the greater propensity to gamble," Barrow said.

NEW ATTITUDE BY THE OUTLAW

2010-03-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Outlaw Sports Radio will air every Thursday 8PM to 9PM est.
No Sponsors, no commercials, no co-host!
Live on Blog Talk Radio!
No more videos, no more main web pages, just visit me at MySpace, Twitter, Blogger, or Facebook.

Show is taking a twist also I am going after the leagues, the sports, the players!

The show could be interesting if you want the truth and can handle being an Outlaw!

Show links here:
http://www.myspace.com/outlawsportsradio
http://twitter.com/TheOutawmtomsik
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outlawsportsradio

Outlaw Sports Radio shuts down Florida Operatiions

2010-03-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

Outlaw Sports Radio
Calls it quits in Florida
The small broadcasting company called Outlaw Sports Radio throws in the towel in Florida!

Today was a sad day indeed when the owners of Outlaw Sports Radio threw in the towel on the operation of a small web casting company located on Jacksonville Florida.

After nearly a year on the world wide web, and a brief ESPN début the Outlaw from Outlaw Sports Radio says that the interest in his company has not been as high as his family hoped in 2010.

With sponsors cutting ads, and local sports groups, radio stations, and newspapers not finding any interest in our company we found it nearly impossible to continue operations of the company.

Even after obtaining co-host for the show in Feb 2010, and higher ratings on the world wide web in Feb and March 2010 the company was not able to obtain interviews, guest, and major sponsors needed to operate the company in Jacksonville, Florida.

The company is not completely closed we are still broadcasting on Blog Talk Radio once per week on Thursdays from 8PM to 9PM.
We have no official contracts or sponsors for this show!
We are continuing the show for fun at this point.

We have a my space, twitter, and face book page you can visit.
Just look up:
Outlaw Sports Radio

You can contact us at: outlawsports@live.com
We are looking to find a place to call home on a local radio station if any one is interested.
The Outlaw is also interested in co-hosting and hosting on any local sports shows in Jacksonville, Florida.

The company is planning on re-opening in 2011 on the West coast.
Possibly in Nevada, Arizona or Oregon.

Thanks to everyone involved in OSR!
Micheal Tomsik, 3/12/2010

Super Bowl to show more ads with people in their underwear

2010-01-26T21:10:00.000-08:00

I see London. I see France. I see the Super Bowl's underpants.
Just six years after Janet Jackson's famous Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" during a halftime show, it's the Super Bowl advertisers — including Dockers, CareerBuilder.com and Bud Light — that seem to be itching to show some skin, again.

Or, at least a hint of it.

The Super Bowl has always been a catalyst for cultural advertising trends from the sexy to the sophomoric. But these latest commercials are less about being sexy and more about showing everyday — very everyday in some cases — people in their undies. And that, says advertising psychologist Renee White Fraser, is brilliant marketing.

"People love to imagine other people in their underwear," she says. "It's a provocative — but safe — way to get viewer attention."

Not everyone agrees with that.

"I think people just lose their minds when it comes to advertising in or around the Super Bowl — and this is proof of that," says Barry Schwartz, professor of psychology and social theory at Swarthmore College.

Here's who's going long on briefs for the game:

•Dockers. The struggling khaki-pants maker will air a commercial that features about 30 men marching in unison in their undies while singing the song I Wear No Pants.

It's about guys who no longer wear the pants around the house. "Our culture kind of celebrates that guy," says Jennifer Sey, Dockers marketing chief. "We're encouraging men to not be that guy."

•CareerBuilder.com. The online job search specialist, partly owned by Gannett (parent of USA TODAY), still is tabulating online votes for its consumer-generated Super Bowl ad, but one of the two finalists takes place in an office where "casual Friday" attire means a workforce that's decked out in nothing but underwear.

"This is just an exaggeration of a bad work environment," says Richard Castellini, chief marketing officer at CareerBuilder. "It's a way to let people laugh at the experience of the job search."

•Bud Light. In a new spot posted on its Facebook fan page, Bud Light features an office full of folks who are only too eager to strip down to their briefs — or less — so they can donate their duds to a clothing drive in exchange for free Bud Light.

While the ad won't air during the Super Bowl, Anheuser-Busch— which will air five minutes of Super Bowl ads during the game — says its aim is to display Bud Light as playful and to get folks talking ahead of the game. "January is the time to put stuff like that out there, leading up to the big game," says Keith Levy, marketing vice president.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

The Outlaw TNA Wrestling Review for 1/22/2009

2010-01-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

I sat down on Thursday night and turned my television to Spike TV to catch my first show of the new TNA.
First of all let me say this I have asked TNA for interviews, wrote letters, e-mails.. and they do not even have the courtesy to reply.
Some way to treat your fans and the media for a company that wants to build up and not go down!
Besides that I will write a fair review on TNA.

First of all why are they bringing back all these has beens and want to be wrestlers?
The TNA is looking more and more like the old WCW.
Why TNA let Hogan get rid of the six sided ring and go back to the regular ring is beyond me.
Secondly why bring Eric Bishop into the company?

I have a theory that the CEO of the WWE hired Hulk Hogan to go into TNA and destroy it. I think that the WWE saw that TNA was building up to be a treat to the WWE and devised a plan to bring it down.
IT IS JUST A THEROY!

What is up with Bobby Lashley, is a MMA fighter or a TNA wrestler?
Well maybe some you fans out there have a theory also call in live Tuesdays 1PM EST or Thursdays 6Pm EST at 1-347-857-4417 and give me your thoughts on this situation.

THE OUTLAW TNA REVIEW:
I found most of the matches boring,and the entire night a disappointment!
I was so bored I was playing balloon volley ball with my daughter during the entire show.
The show started off with Rick Flair coming out of a limo with some pretty girls and the TNA Champ AJ Styles.
They continued to the ring.
Once in the ring Flair talked about why he was at TNA, and why AJ Styles and Flair where working together.
Curt Angle came out with Hogan and a re-match was set up later in the program so we will get back to that match.
They showed Mick Foley coming into the arena looking for Eric Bishop, they showed Kevin Nash talking to Hogan. Where are the matches, yep this feels like WCW!
They showed Hogan removing X-Pac and Scott Hall from the Arena with security.
They showed a match featuring the Nasty Boys, and do you remember Mr. Kennedy.
He came out to the ring and was doing his talking when Abyss attacked him.
Of course this was because he had cheated with brass knuckles in the last match.

This is pretty much how the show was for the night.
One match featured with the TNA knockouts, but it really was nothing to talk about.
The MAIN EVENT was the re-match of Curt Angle and AJ Styles minus one Rick Flair as Hogan had banned him from the ring.

Besides TNA going to commercials several times during the match it was pretty good. AJ had gotten Curt Angle in a angle hold and the bell rang. Curt had not tapped out. No one really ever explained why the bell rang, but again Hogan came out to the ring.
Curt Angle and Hogan exchanged words, and Curt Angle even spit on Hogan.
The broadcasters on TNA asked if they thought Hogan was involved?
The night ended with Eric Bishop coming to the ring with some blood on his head and in the ring firing Mick Foley.
Leaving me with even more questions about TNA.
If Mick Foley is a owner of TNA .I do not see how that is possible.
This is another problem with TNA maybe they have to many people who want to be in charge and no enoupgh people making matches and getting the fans involved!
What is the exact deal of Jeff Jarret who started TNA?
Did he sell the company out and why does he have no say in whats going on in TNA?

My review would be THUMBS DOWN to TNA at this point.
TNA was better when they set themselves apart from the WWE having the Octagon instead of the four sided ring. Having wrestlers that had never been involved with the WWE or WCW. Bringing in all these old wrestlers and the old story lines have the look and the feel of the old WCW. It is boring and I really did not feel like watching another show like this one!

IS HOGAN REALLY ON THE PAYROLL OF THE WWE.. AND IS HE DESTROYING THE TNA?

The Outlaw would really like to find Out the answers to this questions and more!

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Davis might face disciplinary action

2010-01-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Boston Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis shouted an obscenity at a heckling fan during Wednesday night's loss to the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills, a reaction coach Doc Rivers called "unacceptable" and said might result in a fine or suspension.

Davis
"Not from me, but he might from the league," Rivers said of possible disciplinary action. "I'm upset that we lost, people call me names, but that's part of the game. If you win the game, it keeps a lot of people quiet."

The jeering fan near the Celtics' bench repeatedly called Davis "fat boy" and told him to lose some weight. Davis' response was audible on both the Boston radio and television broadcasts of the game and prompted the fan, according to a report in the Boston Globe, to file a complaint with NBA security.

The Globe also reported that the fan, Scott Zack, had been warned earlier about his heckling of Davis.

"We know what happened, and that's unacceptable," Rivers said. "It's tough when the fans are yelling that stuff at you, but you have to be stronger than that."

Davis was fined by the team earlier this season for an off-court altercation that ended with Davis fracturing his right thumb and missing the first 27 games of the season. Davis also offered to pay part of a fine incurred by Rivers for a flagrant foul call on Davis earlier this month that resulted in the coach's ejection.

Rivers said in an interview on Boston sports radio station WEEI on Thursday morning that the 24-year-old Davis still had strides to make in the maturity department.

"I don't think it's a huge step backwards [in Davis' maturity], but it is a step backwards," Rivers said. "Glen Davis has to grow up."

Rivers admitted he didn't hear exactly what the fan was screaming Wednesday night, but believed a verbal confrontation was avoidable.

"It's common sense, when a fan is yelling and it's offending the people around him, then the guy will be removed," Rivers told WEEI. "If a player points or coach points to security, there's a very good chance that person will be removed."

Rivers admitted that Detroit is one of the toughest arenas to play in given the crowd and, while he was glad it didn't escalate to any sort of physical confrontation like the 2004 brawl that occurred at The Palace, he was disappointed Davis got verbally involved.

"I've heard some vile things [said] to me and to players -- it's amazing what you hear," Rivers said. "You should turn around, point to security and let them deal with it."

Rivers then pointed to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday earlier this week, noting: "This is what he heard and how many times he turned his cheek -- if he can do it, why can't we do it on a basketball court?"

www.outlawsportsradio.com
The Outlaw MichealTomsik

UFC – Brock Lesnar to return to the Octagon this summer

2010-01-20T09:32:00.000-08:00

UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is set to return to the Octagon this summer.

Lesnar will fight the winner of the Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir fight at UFC 111.

Lesnar appeared alongside UFC president Dana White on ESPN in the U.S on Wednesday to make the announcement.

Lesnar said that he had been feeling sick for some time while he was training for his fight with Shane Carwin, which was scheduled for UFC 106 last November.

He talked about being diagnosed with diverticulitis after it was originally suspected he had mononucleosis. Lesnar revealed that surgery was being considered but he began to feel better and heal, dropping 40lbs in the process. A visit to the Mayo Clinic revealed in Brock being told surgery was needed but a medical earlier this month revealed he had put 30lbs of his lost weight back on. Brock called it a miracle and said there are no risks in him returning to the Octagon.

If the winner of Carwin vs. Mir cannot fight Lesnar, Lesnar will face the winner of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez who meet at UFC 110 next month

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

NFC and AFC Championship Game Predictions

2010-01-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

AFC NEW YORK JETS VS INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
SUNDAY JAN 24TH AT 3:00PM

So far everyone has been shocked by the Jets. I hate to say I told you so but I did.
This round you got the Colts who will go up against a very strong defensive team. The key to this game is to get Manning off his game and create turn overs.
If the Jets can do that they will be in the winners circle at the end of the game.
Colts I am still disappointed in your team, after all you could be going for a perfect season.That is all in the past however.
First off all I want the Jets to win just like I wanted the Ravens to beat the Colts.
My daughter Alyssa loves the Colts so I am changing my tune for my love of her not the Colts!
DO you remember back in regular season when the Colts and Saints where undefeated and I said they would meet in the Super Bowl?
If not that's OK.
I think if the Jets manage to pull off a victory here they will indeed have my vote to win the Super Bowl.
Vegas odds have the Colts favored by -7.5 on the point spread.

MY PREDICTION: COLTS

NFC MINNESOTA VIKINGS VS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
SUNDAY JANUARY 24TH 6:40PM

This game could turn out to be the better of the two games in my opinion.
Here you have a very hot New Orleans Saints vs Brett Fave and his offensive weapons on the Vikings.
Defense will play the key role if the Vikings can stop Reggie Bush, Drew Brees and the passing game of the Saints.
As with all games turn overs will be a key ingredient in who walks away with this one.
Vegas odds have the Saints at -4 on the point spread.

MY PREDICTION: SAINTS

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

UFC sells 10-percent stake to UAE

2010-01-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

After strong whispers over the weekend that multiple trips by UFC officials to Abu Dhabi were to negotiate the sale of a 10 percent minority stake, the news became official today when the promotion released the information to AP:

Flash is now ahead of Dana White in the ownership pecking order. White owns nine percent, Flash owns 10 percent while the Fertittas, Lorenzo and his brother Frank III, each own 40.5 percent.

The infusion of money also opens speculation that the Fertittas could use the money as a crutch for their struggling gaming company, Station Casinos

UFC is rumored to be holding its first fight card in the middle east on Apr. 10 in Abu Dhabi. Lorenzo Fertitta and White are pictured with Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of former United Arab Emirates president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Couture repeats his claim that Lesnar will return soon

2010-01-12T12:16:00.000-08:00

The biggest mystery in MMA just got more interesting with Randy Couture reiterating that Brock Lesnar's recovery is way ahead of what Dana White has been suggesting. Couture first told HDNet's Inside MMA and again repeated to Cagewriter that he spoke with Lesnar, who already said he was training.

"He was very upbeat and very positive," said Couture. "[He] said that he was training again but he wasn't cleared yet to get on the mat and that he felt way better and that he'd be back in the spring."

Couture also said he was under the impression Lesnar already had his surgery and the situation was under control. That was Monday morning before Ultimate Fight Night 20 in Fairfax, Va. Meanwhile four hours later, White was still telling telling the Chad Dukes and LaVar Arrington Show on WJFK in Washington, D.C. that Lesnar may be out 16-18 months. So what's the real story? Is White setting us up for a dramatic return in the next few weeks?

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Wizards questioned in gun probe

2010-01-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

Three players were meeting with authorities involved in the Gilbert Arenas gun investigation. Two were suspended, including one who had nothing to do with Arenas.

Another was excused. Another was sore and was scheduled for an MRI.

That left the Washington Wizards without enough players to hold a decent practice Monday morning. No wonder Flip Saunders cut things short after less than an hour, and no wonder the coach had an obvious answer when asked if things were starting to get back to normal.

"Considering that we had three guys meeting with lawyers and the district attorney this morning during practice? No," Saunders said. "We have people still meeting with people. We had only eight people available. That's something right now that we have to live with and fight through."

Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson were the players called away because of the investigation. Saunders sat before the grand jury looking into the case last week, and Randy Foye met with authorities Friday. Investigators appear to be working their way through the roster to obtain every detail possible about the guns Arenas kept at the Verizon Center and the Dec. 21 spat between Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton that prompted Arenas to take the guns out of his locker.

"You pretty much look at it as two guys really made poor judgment," said Antawn Jamison, one of the team's captains. "They let something heated dictate a poor judgment."

Arenas was suspended indefinitely by the NBA last week, pending the outcome of the investigation. Crittenton has been excused by the team from practices and games while the legal process plays out. While Arenas has acknowledged keeping guns in his locker and taking them out in a "misguided effort to play a joke," Crittenton has kept a low profile, revealing no details about the incident and saying through his lawyer that he did nothing wrong. Crittenton has an injured foot and hasn't played this season.

The last thing the Wizards need is yet another distraction, but a new one was added to the list when Saunders announced that Andray Blatche was suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team," including a series of unspecified actions during Sunday's loss to New Orleans. Blatche missed Monday's practice and will sit out Tuesday's game against Detroit, returning for Wednesday's game at Atlanta.

Saunders said Blatche's actions were unrelated to the Arenas investigation. Blatche has already been penalized by the team for an Arenas-related incident -- he was one of four players fined $10,000 last week for clowning around when Arenas pantomimed shooting guns before a game at Philadelphia.

Then there's Mike Miller, who finally returned Friday after missing 21 games with a strained right calf -- only to aggravate the injury during the third quarter Sunday. Saunders said Miller would be day to day, but the veteran was having an MRI just in case.

"It's too much already," Jamison said. "But this is our job. This is what we get paid to do. When things are going well, you still got to do your job, and when things are not going well, you still got to do your job. ... I can't be down. I'm going to enjoy it, whether I have six guys out there."

The Wizards have actually played relatively well the last two games, despite the absence of Arenas and the accompanying swirl of attention. They beat Orlando on Friday and were tied in the fourth quarter with New Orleans before losing by five.

But Jamison is starting to wonder how much adversity the team can handle.

"We've learned just as much as you can possibly learn," Jamison said. "With injuries and off the court distractions and things of that nature, knock on wood, what else can we learn from? It wears on you."

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Del Rio staying in Jacksonville amid USC reports

2010-01-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

The Jacksonville Jaguars are sticking with coach Jack Del Rio, at least for another season.

Owner Wayne Weaver met with Del Rio on Tuesday, then said they would continue their rebuilding project with the Jaguars.

The announcement came amid speculation that Del Rio was a candidate to succeed Pete Carroll at Southern California. Carroll left USC to become the Seattle Seahawks coach.

Del Rio, a former All-American linebacker at USC, denied a report in the L.A. Daily News that he had been sent a contract Monday night. He said he never considered leaving Jacksonville.

Weaver scheduled a news conference for 3 p.m.

The Jaguars lost their final four games, faded from playoff contention and finished last in the AFC South for the second straight season. It was a significant setback for a small-market franchise known more for empty seats than postseason prowess.

Many Jaguars fans have expressed frustration with Del Rio, who is 58-57 in seven seasons and has just one playoff victory.

But Weaver cleaned house last year, parting ways with several veterans and turning control over to general manager Gene Smith. He kept Del Rio, however, and said he was confident he would get things turned around.

Smith and Del Rio took an aggressive approach to revamping the roster. Four rookies started most of the season, and several more played significant snaps.

The result was a 7-5 start that had Jacksonville in line for a wild-card spot. The late losing streak ended all those postseason thoughts.

Nonetheless, Del Rio believes the team is close to getting back to the playoffs. The franchise has missed the postseason eight times in the last 10 years.

Del Rio just completed the first year of a contract extension and would be owed nearly $16 million if Weaver fired him—a huge payout for a team that blacked out nine of 10 home games because of slumping ticket sales.

Weaver also recently extended the contracts of Del Rio’s assistant coaches, the first indication he planned to keep the entire stick intact.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

NCAA probe of USC complete

2010-01-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

After almost four years of investigation, the NCAA’s probe into the University of Southern California athletic program has reached a conclusion. Sources familiar with the investigation have told Yahoo! Sports that the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions will meet Feb. 19-21 to address what investigators uncovered at USC. According to typical NCAA procedures, if sanctions are necessary, they will be determined and then made public via a news conference within six to eight weeks of the February hearing.

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn declined comment. The NCAA’s website indicates the next meeting of the Committee on Infractions will occur Feb. 19-21 in Tempe, Ariz.

Neither USC nor Pac-10 officials could be immediately reached for comment.

The meeting will be the apex in the NCAA’s probe into USC’s athletic program, as it represents the first determination on whether sanctions should be leveled against the school. The determination on a hearing date also indicates USC has received a letter of allegations from the NCAA and that the school has responded in some way. According to NCAA procedures, schools informed of infractions have at least 90 days to respond. After the response period has expired, a case summary is completed and a date is set for the Committee on Infractions to meet and determine whether there is a basis for sanctioning.

The NCAA’s investigation of USC has been ongoing since April 2006, when a series of Yahoo! Sports reports detailed allegations of extra benefits given to running back Reggie Bush and his family by a failed sports marketing company. Since then, the probe has come to encompass former Trojans basketball star O.J. Mayo and the men’s basketball program, after a report by ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” detailed benefits that allegedly had been funneled to Mayo. Former Trojans basketball coach Tim Floyd abruptly resigned after a Yahoo! Sports report detailed an alleged $1,000 cash payment from Floyd to a man who had helped steer Mayo to USC. The investigation is believed to also include Trojans running back Joe McKnight, whose use of a 2006 Land Rover and ties to a marketing entrepreneur in Santa Monica also have come under scrutiny after a recent report in the Los Angeles Times.

Recent developments at USC, including its decision to self-sanction its basketball program, appear to have occurred after the Trojans received the NCAA’s letter of allegations. News of the hearing also indicates that former Trojans football coach Pete Carroll has been aware for weeks of the specific violations the NCAA may be alleging against his program. Carroll resigned as USC football coach on Sunday and has been named coach of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

The NCAA probe has stretched beyond individual athletes, widening its focus to USC’s control of its sports programs, as well as various aspects of compliance and oversight, according to sources. It is expected to make conclusions on USC’s institutional control and whether the school had the proper checks and balances in place to oversee its athletes.

USC already sanctioned itself for NCAA violations during the 2007-08 season related to Mayo allegedly having accepted benefits from known sports agency runner Rodney Guillory. The penalties levied by USC included a ban on postseason play, a reduction of scholarships, recruiting restrictions and the vacation of all victories from the 2007-08 season. Both Mayo, through his agent, and Floyd have denied wrongdoing.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

NFL Divisonal Round Sunday Game Predictions

2010-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

The results for the Wild Card Games. Arizona 51, Green Bay 45 (OT), Baltimore 33, New England 14, Dallas 34, Philadelphia 14, N.Y. Jets 24, Cincinnati 14.
My picks for week one came out 2/2

This week the games get even more intense as the Divisional Rounds decide who will go to the AFL and NFL Championship games. The question is who will be going there?
So here are my predictions for the Divisional Games.

Sunday 17TH 1PM on FOX
Dallas Cowboys VS Minnesota Vikings
Vegas odds have Vikings favored between -2.5 to -3 points.
This is another game that should be packed with offense.
It will be up to the defense on either team to create turn overs that will determine the outcome of this game. Well at least thats what I think.
The Dallas offense averages 399 yards per game, while the Vikings average is 379 yards per game.
Dallas averages 367 passing yards per game, while Vikings average is 259 yards per game.
Dallas also averages 131 rushing yards, while the Vikings average 119 rushing yards.
Dallas averages 22 points per game, while the Vikings average 29 points per game.
The story is pretty much similar on the defensive side of the ball between these two teams.
Dallas Defenseive averages 315 yards allowed per game, while Vikings allowed 305 yards.
Dallas allowed an average of 225 passing yards per game, while the Vikings allowed 218 yards per game.
Dallas allowed an average of 15 points per game, and the Vikings allowed 19 points per game.
I had a hard time with this pick becuase I would like to see Brett Farve in the Super Bowl with the Vikings, but at the same time would like to see the Cowboys advance in the play offs. I believe it will come down to interceptions so I give the edge to Dallas.
MY PICK: COWBOYS

Sunday 4:30PM on CBS
New York Jets VS San Diego Chargers
Vegas has the Chargers favored by -7.5 to -8 points.
The New York Jets will need to pull out all the stops to beat the San Diego Chargers.
Looking at the averages on both sides of the field San Diego Chargers should win this game but stranger things have happened in the NFL.
The Offesive stats favor the Chargers:
Chargers averages 360 total yards per game, while the Jets average 321 Yards per game.
Chargers average 271 passing yards, and the Jets average only 148 yards.
Chargers average 88 rushing yards, while the Jets average 172 yards per game.
Chargers average 28 points per game, while the Jets average 21 points per game.
On the defensive side of the ball the averages favor the JETS however.
The Jets only allowed an average of 252 yards, while the Chargers allowed 327 yards.
Jets only allowed an average of 153 passing yards, while Chargers allowed 209 yards.
Jets only allowed an average of 14 points per game, while the Chargers allowed 20.
Jets only allowed 31% of third down conversions, the Chargers allowed 40%.
I think this will set up a classic offense vs defense game, and I feel the Jets have been under estimated up to this point.
The Jets would be the headline story if they can manage to beat the Chargers.
I like San Diego and would like to go with the Vegas odds but I am going to pick an upset in this game and say the Jets pull off a win in San Diego.
My Pick: JETS

www.outlawsportsradio.com
The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

NFL Divisional Round Saturday Game Predictions

2010-01-11T06:08:00.000-08:00

The results for the Wild Card Games. Arizona 51, Green Bay 45 (OT), Baltimore 33, New England 14, Dallas 34, Philadelphia 14, N.Y. Jets 24, Cincinnati 14.
My picks for week one came out 2/2.

This week the games get even more intense as the Divisional Rounds decide who will go to the AFL and NFL Championship games. The question is who will be going there?
So here are my predictions for the Divisional Games.

SATURDAY 16th 4:30PM on Fox
Arizona Cardinals VS New Orleans Saints
This should be a high scoring game because both teams have an offense that can move the ball down the field, I think the defense will decide the game.
Offensive Stats:
Cardnials average 344 yards per game while the Saints average 403 yards per game.
Cardinals average passing yards per game are 251 yards, and the Saints average 272 yards.
Cardinals average rushing yards per game 93, and the Saints average 131 yards.
The game should be very offensive, but I give the edge to the Saints on defense.
Vegas odds have the Saints favored by -7 points.
MY PICK: SAINTS

SATURDAY 16TH 8:15PM on CBS
Baltimore Ravens VS Indaipolis Colts
Vegas odds have the Colts favored by -6.5 points, and most people are picking the Colts to move to the Super Bowl. I have a different type of view about the Colts.
I was dissapointed they did not go for the perfect season and lost the last two games of regular season. I do not feel the Colts are unbeatable I saw the Jaguars almost beat them in Jacksonville, Florida. The game came down to the last play of the fourth quarter. IF Jacksonville Jaguars can nearly beat the Colts than the Ravens have a very good chance to win this game in my book.
It will come down to turn overs and defense in this game and I give that edge to the Ravens.
On Defense the Ravens only allowed an average of 300 yards per game, while the Colts allowed 339 yards per game.
Ravens only allowed 207 passing yards per game, while the Colts allowed 212.
Ravens only allowed 93 rushing yards per game, while the Colts allowed 126.
Ravens allow an average of 16 points per game while the Colts average 19 points.
Ravens also only allowed 36 percent of third down conversions, while Colts allowed 45percent of third down conversions.
MY PICK: RAVENS

wwww.outlawsportsradio.com
The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

NFL faces off-the-field challenge

2010-01-11T06:04:00.000-08:00

The National Football League's appearance before the Supreme Court this week is shaping up as a legal Super Bowl that could affect the cost of Pittsburgh Steelers caps, Green Bay Packers jackets and possibly even stadium tickets and player salaries.

As other major sports leagues watch closely, the court will hear an appeal Wednesday by a suburban Chicago clothing manufacturer that lost a contract to make caps with NFL logos when the 32-team league signed an exclusive contract with Reebok.

The manufacturer, American Needle, claims the deal illegally thwarted competition and raised prices.

It is appealing a lower court's decision that the NFL is shielded from the usual antitrust rules barring competitors from acting collectively.

If the court sides with the NFL and rules broadly, it could give sports leagues significant bargaining power — not just in the marketing of merchandise but possibly in salary contracts with coaches and players. Even if the court rules narrowly, hundreds of millions could be at stake.

"For the court to consider a case that could have a wide-ranging impact not only on the NFL and other sports leagues is significant in itself," says Daniel Glazer, a New York lawyer who specializes in sports and licensing.

If the court issues a sweeping decision, Glazer and others say, leagues could have greater muscle in other commercial deals from concessions to player salaries.

Yet, as Glazer and other analysts note, the contemporary Supreme Court is not prone to sweeping rulings.

The Obama administration, siding partly with American Needle, has urged the court to rule that judges should review sports antitrust disputes on a case-by-case basis.

Strong interest

The stakes are evident from more than a dozen "friend of the court" briefs. Groups siding with American Needle include the National Football League Coaches Association, which is worried about losing bargaining power with individual teams. The NFL has support from the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association, which are concerned about frivolous antitrust lawsuits over valid league contracts.

The question: When can major sports leagues, consisting of many individual teams, be considered a "single entity" and exempt from antitrust law that bars separate businesses from conspiring with one another.

For the licensing of logo merchandise, American Needle says, the 32 football teams should be regarded as individual competitors, just as they are on the field.

"The NFL in this case is trying to do an end-run around the laws that ensure that popular products like NFL hats and jerseys are available at the lowest possible prices," says Washington lawyer Glen Nager for American Needle. Nager refers in his brief to a Reebok vice president's claim that "basic fitted caps that were selling for $19.99 a few years ago are now selling for $30."

Gregg Levy, a Washington lawyer representing the NFL, declined an interview request. In his brief, Levy highlighted the collective purpose of the league. "The NFL produces an entertainment product ... culminating in the Super Bowl championship game," he said, adding that member teams promote a "joint entertainment product."

Levy casts the dispute as limited to promotional activities.

Antitrust gray area

The case began after NFL Properties, through which the NFL promotes its brands, signed the exclusive contract with Reebok in 2001 and American Needle sued.

Sports leagues have long had an ambiguous place in antitrust law because they are made up of separately owned entities, yet their product arises from collective action.

The Chicago-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, whose decision backing the NFL is before the justices, touched on that when it said, "Asserting that a single football team could produce a football game is less of a legal argument than it is a Zen riddle: Who wins when a football team plays itself?"

The appeals court said the issue should be addressed not only "one league at a time," but also "one facet of a league at a time."

In American Needle's appeal, Nager stresses the higher prices consumers face when less competition exists in the making of NFL merchandise.

Levy, for the NFL, counters that the value of logos on sports paraphernalia arises only from the collective efforts of the NFL: "Consumers buy hats, shirts and other goods bearing club marks — e.g. a blue star on a silver background (the Dallas Cowboys), the letter G in a green oval (the Green Bay Packers), a turquoise dolphin wearing a football helmet (the Miami Dolphins) — not because those symbols have intrinsic value or independent appeal, but rather because they represent affiliation with an NFL team

THE Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

NFL Divisional Round of Playoffs are all set

2010-01-10T18:55:00.000-08:00

It took a few extra minutes, but the lineup for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs is set.

The Cardinals' high-powered offense will take on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on Saturday at the Superdome.The Arizona Cardinals beat the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime Sunday on Karlos Dansby's 17-yard fumble return for a touchdown to round out the field. Earlier, the Baltimore Ravens routed the Patriots 33-14.

Arizona (11-6) will face the NFC's top seed, the New Orleans Saints (13-3), in New Orleans on Saturday. The reward for Baltimore (10-7) is playing the AFC's top seed, taking on the Colts (14-2) later Saturday in Indianapolis.

The Ravens' win at New England sends the Jets to San Diego. A Cowboys-Vikings matchup in Minnesota already was set after Dallas won a playoff game for the first time since 1996 on Saturday night.

The Jets, Ravens and Cowboys all made statements this weekend that they're in top form. The Cardinals seemed poised to do the same when they raced out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead. But the Packers (11-6) scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to send the game to overtime.

www.outlawsportsradio.com
The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

The Outlaw Showdown Challenge

2010-01-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

So you think your an Outlaw, and you think you can back your stuff up live on the air than we CHALLENGE YOU TO A SHOWDOWN!

CALL IN LIVE TO ANY OF THESE SHOWS:

Tuesday Jan 12th 1PM ALL SHOWS ARE EST TIME ZONE
Thursday Jan 14th 9PM

ARE YOU AN OUTLAW OR CHICKEN?

CALL IN NUMBER 1-347-857-4417

I DARE YOU!

Los Angeles announces intentions to poach the Jaguars or Bills

2010-01-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

There's a company that plans to build a stadium outside of L.A., and that company also has plans to steal a couple of NFL teams from other cities. Their intended targets of thievery: the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars.
At the very least, that last part is true. Building a bigger stadium for Jacksonville football fans would be like building a bigger public library for high school drop-out crystal meth tweakers. It's just not going to get much use.

It's kind of a strange announcement, and if I were a Jaguars or Bills fan, I'd take it a little personally. Basically, the L.A. people have just announced that they hate you and are planning on taking something that you love. That's just not very nice.

There's no reason to panic yet, though, as we're a long way from anything like that happening. A lot of people have wanted to put a team in L.A., and every single one of them has failed to get their act together. When it comes to landing an NFL team, L.A., for about fifteen years now, has been all talk.

I wouldn't worry too much about it just yet, Bills and Jags fans. Of course, it probably wouldn't hurt to start, you know, filling your stadium, either.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Barry Hardy a former WWF star at Club Christophers!

2010-01-04T12:21:00.001-08:00

Barry Hardy
Ring name(s) "Bad Boy" Barry Hardy
Executioner #2
Agony
Billed weight 230 pounds (100 kg)
Born July 5, 1962 (1962-07-05) (age 47)
Richmond, Virginia
Resides Daytona Beach, Florida
Trained by Larry Sharpe
Charlie Fulton
Debut 1989

Wild Card predictions for Sunday Jan 10th 2009

2010-01-04T09:46:00.001-08:00

Sunday January 10th features two games:

1:00pm on CBS
Baltimore Ravens VS New England Patriots

Accoding to a poll on ESPN with over 18523 votes counted on the poll 52% of the fans say New England Patriots win, and 48% say the Baltimore Ravens win the game.

No Wes Welker: The Patriots hope rookie Julian Edelman can replace the departed Welker, who was lost to a knee injury on Sunday. But without Welker's underneath presence the Ravens can devote more double coverage to Randy Moss, a huge factor for their struggling secondary. Baltimore has the league's best run defense, and the Patriots are a pass-heavy team, so Tom Brady's attempts figure to be up.

Banged up Brady: Brady is playing through painful finger and rib injuries and is not very mobile to begin with. The Ravens need defensive tackles Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg to collapse the interior pocket, with Terrell Suggs cleaning things up off the edge. Suggs created a touchdown with a sack of Brady in the first meeting. If Brady has enough time to pick out second and third options in the pocket, Baltimore's weak corners will get burned and take penalties.

The other Ray: This game will be more about Ray Rice than Ray Lewis. Rice is elusive in space, is the fulcrum of the Baltimore's offense and is a matchup nightmare. He is young QB Joe Flacco's favorite option and will have to have a big game for Baltimore to win. New England's top defensive linemen, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork, have been banged up, and the Ravens could be in good position to win the game at the point of attack. Flacco has stumbled in the fourth quarter and in the red zone, and asking him to do too much might backfire.

Prediction for the game: Ravens defense runs rampid on New England Patriots and turn overs decide the game, If the Ravens defense shuts down Tom Brady and the pass game the Ravens win the game, but if the Ravens allow New England Patriots to move the ball they lose. I give the edge to the Ravens!

4:40pm on FOX
Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardnials

Accoding to a poll on ESPN with over 16975 votes counted on the poll 74% of the fans pick Green Bay Packers to win and only 26% pick the Arizona Cardnials.

The Packers steamrolled the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday, 33-7, winning essentially every facet of the game and scoring the first 33 points. With three takeaways against Arizona, the Packers finished with the best ratio in the NFL (plus-24). Packers QB Aaron Rodgers finished another masterful season by going 21-for-26 Sunday. The Cardinals ran for just 46 yards, and Green Bay held the ball for nearly 38 minutes.
You don't hear too many people talking about Green Bay defensive linemen Johnny Jolly, Ryan Pickett or Cullen Jenkins, but all three get the job done and have been key in the Packers' second-ranked defense. Throw in rookie B.J. Raji and you have a dominant front. These men have triggered the club's quick conversion to a 3-4 scheme, and make it easy for linebackers like Clay Matthews to run around and make plays.
So much of the Cardinals' run to the Super Bowl last season was centered around stud DT Darnell Dockett. If he doesn't find a way to make Rodgers run around it's going to be a long day for Arizona. Green Bay's offensive line was the worst in the NFL in the first half of the season, but one of the best in terms of drive blocking and pass protection in the second half. Rodgers is far too good to be able to step up in the pocket and spread the ball around.
Larry Fitzgerald was pretty much unstoppable last January. It may take another heroic effort for this team to advance this weekend. Charles Woodson is as good of a shutdown, press-man corner as there is in the NFL. He very well may be the defensive MVP. If Woodson, who left Sunday's game with a right shoulder injury, does his thing against Fitzgerald, you have to fancy the Packers' chances.

Prediction for the game: Green Bay Packers stop Fitgerald and the Arizona offensecomes to a stand still, or the Arizona Cardinals have the biggest upset in the play offs up to this point. I look for the Packers to take this one.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Wild Card prediction for Saturday Jan 9th 2009

2010-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY JAN 9Th 2009 features two games:

4:30pm on NBC
New York Jets VS Cincinnati Bengals

Jets had the play offs handed to them facing the Colts who decided to rest starters in the game.Jets also beat the Bengals 37-0 in the last game of the regular season.
The Jets have a young QB Mark Sanchez who will need to make some key plays for the Jets. Jets will bring the running game, and Jets have led the NFL in total defense and scoring defense much of the season
Jets won three of their final four games in regular season.

Bengals will bring the defensive game to rattle the Jets Offense.
The Bengals on the other hand have to be looking for revenge in this game after being beaten 37-0 by the Jets in the last game.
Bengals have had an interesting season with the death of player Chris Henry,and Chad Ochoncinco distracting the team with all his entertainment tactics.
Carson Palmer the Bengals QB will need to put some offense or the Jets will walk all over the Bengals again with the defense of the Jets.
Bengals have a Strong defense also however and chose to rest leading rusher Cedric Benson against the Jets on Sunday.
Bengals lost three of their final four games in regular season.
The Bengals need to stop the run as in the last meeting Mark Sanches only had eight passes for 63 yards.

Prediction for the game: Jets will run the ball, and the Bengals will need to stop the run, plus if the Bengals offense gets motivated the BENGALS WILL WIN THIS GAME!

8:00pm on NBC
Philadelphia Eagles VS Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys lead, 55-43, and have a 2-1 advantage in the playoffs. Dallas swept the series this season, 20-16, on the road Nov. 8; and 24-0 in the season finale at home on Sunday.
The Cowboys won an utterly one-sided affair Sunday, taking the division in the process. Tony Romo threw for 311 yards, the second time this season he topped 300 yards against the Eagles. Running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones each ran for 91 yards, and wide outs Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin each topped 90 yards receiving. It was a dominating performance for Dallas, which had 21 first downs to 10 for the Eagles. Donovan McNabb failed to top 230 yards passing in either game against Dallas. In the first meeting, he was sacked four times and threw two interceptions.
Dallas is the only team to truly bottle up the Eagles' big-play specialist this season. Jackson had just two catches for 29 yards in the first game. Sunday Jackson had just three catches for 47 yards. Without that vertical element, Philadelphia could be in trouble. Dallas is stout against the run, and while TE Brent Celek moves the chains, Jackson makes this offense go. If nothing else, the Eagles need to establish him in the screen game and find a way to make him a focal point.
DeMarcus Ware is a destructive force, and if he's able to run free, it's game over. Eagles LT Jason Peters has been battling injuries and the Eagles run a rhythm, timing offense. If the Eagles sell out to chip and defend Ware, Anthony Spencer needs to collect on the opposite side. Philadelphia's loss of center Jamaal Jackson, out for the season, may have an unsettling affect on the rest of the line.

Dallas swept the season series for the first time since 2005. ... Romo set Dallas single-season records for yards and completions. ... Any potential questions about Wade Phillips’ job security would be quashed by another win over Philadelphia this weekend.

Prediction for the game: Dallas is going to either bring the game to the Eagles are blow it and let the Eagles walk away with a win. I would say Dallas has an advantage in this game but the Eagles are looking for a huge upset so I am going with the Dallas!

THE OUTLAW MICHEAL TOMSIK
WWW.OUTLAWSPORTSRADIO.COM

Club Christophers MMA Wrestling

2010-01-03T20:21:00.000-08:00

Club Christopher's is located at 1620 Wells Rd in Orange Park, Florida.
We had been invited by Wayne Griffs who was operating the booth.
They offer amateur MMA and WWE and TNA style wrestling.

A description of the Club:
A small square ring sits on the first floor with seating all around the ring, and there was a bar available also.
The second floor had a view of the ring and some places off to the side to sit down.
The Third floor offered a little more seating a second bar, and the play booth was over sitting a view of the ring and the club.

Doors open at 5Pm with a $15.00 cover charge.

We arrived around 6PM with a match already going in the ring and about 20 to 30 people in the club. Some of them fans and some of them the wrestlers or fighters.

As we did Outlaw Sports Radio live I missed a few of the matches interviewing the production company, wrestlers and fans live.

One match left me a little concerned about a few things and wanting to ask a lot of questions to the promotion person.
In this match a wrestler called Security came to the ring and was awaiting his opponent.
Than two wrestlers entered the ring wearing all black suites.
They also brought some weapons like a weed eater, iron, trash can and
some other stuff that was thrown in the ring.
The two tagged teamed the wrestler called Security hitting him with blows I had been told that where not allowed in these types of matches.
They even hit him with the weed eater a couple of times.
They continued to work him over and than they removed his mask, and continued to assault Security.
I got very concerned as the wrestler called Security managed to escape the ring and the two followed him outside.
I was on the third floor at the booth.
It seemed this was not a planned match, and they had no idea what was going on.
I began to ask myself who contains problems if they become an issue?
The referee had done nothing, and no one was entering the ring to stop the match.
I walked down stairs and found out one of the trainers was calling the production manager to come outside the building.
I decided I would walk out the door to find out what the heck was going on.
A wrestler SAT on the steps outside, I can only assume it was Security because I never saw his face. The wrestler was holding his hand and crying in pain.
I did not get a good look at his hand but I can tell you he had suffered a major injury and that he most likely had broke a few fingers, or even worse.

I left the building and the event even though I wanted to stay to see the final match.

As I was explaining to Anne what I had saw a lot of questions and concerns entered into my mind.

We will have to get these questions and concerns answered on Feb 7th 2009 at 6PM
at Club Christophers!

Join US there
The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

NFL to review policy on playoff teams resting starters

2010-01-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Coach Jim Caldwell played by the rules when he opted to pull quarterback Peyton Manning and other starters in the third quarter of the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the New York Jets last Sunday.
Those rules will come under review during the offseason, in part because of fan outrage following the Colts' 29-15 setback.

"We are aware of the fan reaction and that is a factor to be considered," NFL senior vice president of public relations Greg Aiello said.

"Some teams that have everything clinched, like the Giants and Patriots two years ago, choose to play all out to continue or gain momentum for the playoffs."

The current rule was endorsed by the league's competition committee, adopted by the 32 teams and reviewed in 2005. It states that a team that has clinched its division title "has earned the right" to rest its starters for the playoffs, and that preparing for the postseason is as important as "protecting some other team's playoff opportunity."

The Colts are expected to play Manning and other starters sparingly Sunday at Buffalo in a game that has no playoff ramifications. There's a chance San Diego, Cincinnati and New England will limit the playing time of some of their high-profile players in games that could determine another team's playoff fate.

"We expect to continue to review this issue," Aiello s

Will the NFL go to a 18 game set up next year or in 2011?

2009-12-30T15:22:00.000-08:00

More games that count, perhaps as early as August 2011?
That's exactly what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants.

There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games. Among them is reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

Still, the commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings.

"It's possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this," Goodell said Wednesday. "Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it's clear we don't need four preseason games anymore."

Goodell said the league has not seriously discussed the subject with its broadcast partners. He couldn't imagine them not being interested in more meaningful games.

"I think the quality of NFL programming, that every one of our network partners would say, if they have the chance to have more regular-season programming, they'd be interested in it," Goodell said. "A key point is the fans also recognize players they want to see are not in those preseason games; that's why they are not attractive. They want to see those players play."

As for those players and their union, Goodell recognizes an expanded schedule will be part of CBA negotiations. Owners opted out of the current deal last year, and it expires after the 2010 schedule, which would be an uncapped season.

"Under the current agreement, additional regular-season games would not be covered," Goodell said. "I think our most important priority after we get done with our internal analysis is talking to our key partners, and that includes the players. I think we want to make sure that the right dialogue takes place before we make any final votes."

DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA's incoming executive director, wants any decision that affects the players to happen collaboratively.

"His hope is that the concerns and interests of the players will be seriously considered," said George Atallah, a director at the public relations firm Qorvis Communications and a spokesman for Smith during his transition. "He was elected by the players to be their advocate on such issues and is more than ready to serve them."

Among the issues team owners must discuss is when the regular season would begin; how many bye weeks would be scheduled; how deep into February the playoffs and Super Bowl would go; and when the offseason programs -- including the combine and the draft -- would be held.

Plus, where would the extra games be played, particularly with 17 of them?

One possibility, an idea Goodell and senior vice president of sales and marketing Mark Waller first mentioned several years ago, would be 17 neutral-site games, including some abroad. That would enable the league to step up its efforts internationally, a particular goal of Goodell's.

"There's been some discussion about that," Goodell said. "That's been one of the appealing features of converting preseason games into regular-season games is it gives you more inventory, more games that you can take to neutral sites, either internationally or domestically. So that is a compelling feature."

Another option would be having one conference play nine home games during a season, and the other conference do so the next year.

An 18-game schedule, obviously, would eliminate such concerns. It also would mean dropping two preseason contests.

"Fans don't believe preseason games are up to our standards," Goodell said.

Clearly, neither does he.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

The NFL headed for no salary cap in 2010

2009-12-30T15:18:00.001-08:00

The NFL is headed toward a season without a salary cap next year, and it will take an unexpected breakthrough in the sport's labor negotiations to avoid it.

Negotiators for owners and the NFL Players Association have made modest progress toward resolving the major financial issues at stake in ongoing discussions about a possible extension of their labor deal, sources familiar with the deliberations said. However, people on both sides of the negotiations said in recent days they consider it unlikely that the owners and the players' union will complete a deal in time to prevent next season from being played minus a salary cap. In fact, one source, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to comment publicly on the talks, said it's "becoming close to a certainty."

A system that has helped to promote competitive balance among the teams since being put in place in 1993, greatly boosting the sport's prosperity and popularity, would be replaced by a system in which teams could spend what they wish on players while facing other restrictions on free agency that NFL officials say would serve to preserve competitive balance.

"The forefathers of our league put personal interests aside to promote competitive balance," said Peter Schaffer, a veteran NFL agent. "That prevented the NFL from turning into Major League Baseball with George Steinbrenner and the Yankees. ... Right now you have two of the smallest-market teams out there, Indianapolis and New Orleans, having these wonderful seasons. The salary cap is part of that. If it goes away, it will eventually affect competitive balance."

For years, revenue-sharing among the teams and a salary cap to regulate spending on players have been fundamental components of the NFL's successful business formula. The teams share the revenues from their lucrative national television contracts equally, with the idea being to keep a franchise in Green Bay, Wis., on relatively equal financial footing with a team in New York.

The salary cap has gone hand in hand with that, keeping one team from too greatly outspending another to assemble its roster. It is a flexible ceiling on player salaries, but it is designed to make a team pay a future price for any extravagant spending. The system stayed in place through a series of extensions of the labor deal negotiated by former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Gene Upshaw, the late executive director of the union. Upshaw said that the best thing he could do for the players was to ensure they received a fair share of the sport's revenues and then do everything he could to help the owners increase those revenues.

Problems arose before the last extension of the labor deal was completed in 2006. There was a growing revenue disparity between the league's wealthiest franchises and other teams after some owners found ways to maximize revenue streams not shared with other teams. Upshaw also wanted the players to receive a larger portion of the league's revenues under the salary cap.

The deal approved by the owners in 2006 gave the players about 60 percent of total league revenues. The owners also approved a supplemental revenue-sharing plan that was to transfer at least $100 million annually, and potentially up to $200 million per year if the labor deal stayed in effect for its full six-year duration, from higher-revenue to lower-revenue teams. That was needed, owners said at the time, for some teams to meet their increased salary cap obligations to the players under the new deal. But owners found the deal to be too expensive and exercised a clause in the agreement to end the labor deal two years early. That made next season the final season in the deal, and this season the final one in the agreement with a salary cap.

The two sides always had made the final season in their labor agreements a non-capped season, believing that both parties would be wary of venturing into the great unknown of a season without a salary cap. That worked in the past but might not work this time in the first set of negotiations overseen by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith, who replaced Upshaw as executive director of the players' union.

There also would be new free agency rules that would go into effect automatically for an uncapped season. A player would need six seasons of NFL service time to be eligible for unrestricted free agency, instead of the four seasons now required. Each team would be given an additional transition-player tag to use, along with its current allotment of one franchise player or transition player designation, to restrict the mobility of its players in free agency. And the top eight playoff teams could sign a free agent only to replace a lost player.

According to the most recent figures available, 237 players would be eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason in an uncapped system. An additional 203 will be restricted free agents under an uncapped system -- enabling their teams to retain them by matching any contract offers from other clubs -- instead of being eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason. That group of 203 players who would lose some of their free-agent mobility includes Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.

The prevailing sentiment within the sport for now is that the owners and players are likely to go through a season without a salary cap in 2010, then will try to negotiate a deal before the 2011 season could be threatened by a work stoppage

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Who is going to the Playoffs in the NFL?

2009-12-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

1. Indianapolis Colts (14-1) – Clinched top seed in AFC.
Sunday: at Buffalo, 1 ET (CBS/DirecTV 704)

2. San Diego Chargers (12-3) – Clinched No. 2 seed and first-round playoff bye with win at Tennessee.
Sunday: vs. Washington, 4:15 ET (Fox/DirecTV 714)

3. New England Patriots (10-5) – Clinched AFC East title with win vs. Jacksonville. Lead Bengals based on better strength of victory (Patriots have beaten teams with combined 65-85 record; Bengals have beaten teams that are a combined 60-89).
Sunday: at Houston, 1 ET (CBS/DirecTV 706)

4. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) – Clinched AFC North title with win vs. Kansas City.
Sunday: at Jets, 8:20 ET (NBC)

5. New York Jets (8-7) – Currently No. 5 seed based on better conference record than Houston (6-5 to 5-6) and better record in common games (3-1) than Denver (2-2) and Baltimore (0-4).Would clinch No. 5 seed with win. Eliminated with loss to Cincinnati (because Jets then would not beat Denver in common games tie).
Sunday: vs. Cincinnati, 8:20 ET (NBC)

6. Baltimore Ravens (8-7) – Currently No. 6 seed because of better division record than Pittsburgh (3-3 to 2-4), better conference record than Houston (6-5 to 5-6) and head-to-head victory vs. Denver. Would clinch No. 5 seed with win and New York loss. Would clinch No. 6 seed with win and New York win. Eliminated with loss.
Sunday: at Oakland, 4:15 ET (CBS/DirecTV 717)

7. Denver Broncos (8-7) – Currently No. 7 seed due to better conference record than Houston (6-5 to 5-6). Would clinch No. 5 seed with New York loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Pittsburgh loss and Jacksonville loss. Would clinch No. 5 seed with win and New York loss and Baltimore loss and either Pittsburgh loss or Houston win. Would clinch No. 6 seed with win and 1) New York loss or Baltimore loss (not both), and 2) Pittsburgh and/or Houston loss. Would clinch No. 6 seed with loss and either 1) New York loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss and Miami loss and Jacksonville loss, or 2) Pittsburgh loss and losses by three of the following: New York, Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville. Eliminated with 1) Jets win and Ravens win, or 2) Steelers win and Texans loss and either Jets win or Ravens win. Eliminated with loss and 1) Pittsburgh win and New York win or Baltimore win or Houston win or Jacksonville win, or 2) Miami win and wins by at least two of the following: New York, Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville.
Sunday: vs. Kansas City, 4:15 ET (CBS/DirecTV 716)

8. Houston Texans (8-7) – Currently 8th in AFC because of better record than Pittsburgh in common games (3-1 to 1-3). Would clinch No. 5 seed with win and New York loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss. Would clinch No. 6 seed with win and losses by two of the following: New York, Baltimore, Denver. Eliminated with loss or wins by at least two of the following: New York, Baltimore, Denver.
Sunday: vs. New England, 1 ET (CBS/DirecTV 706)

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) – Would clinch No. 5 seed with win and New York loss and Baltimore loss and Houston loss. Would clinch No. 6 seed with win and either 1) New York loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Houston win, or 2) Houston loss and either New York loss or Baltimore loss. Eliminated with loss or 1) New York and Baltimore wins, or 2) Houston win and New York, Baltimore or Denver win.
Sunday: at Miami, 1 ET (CBS/DirecTV 707)

10. Miami Dolphins (7-8) – Currently No. 10 seed based on head-to-head win over Jacksonville but would lose multiple-team 8-8 ties with Jacksonville because of worse conference record (7-5 to 6-6). Would be No. 6 seed with win and New York loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Houston loss and Jacksonville loss. Eliminated with loss/tie or New York win/tie or Baltimore win/tie or Denver win/tie or Houston win/tie or Jacksonville win.
Sunday: vs. Pittsburgh, 1 ET (CBS/DirecTV 707)

11. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) – Would win all 8-8 ties because of 7-5 conference record. Would be No. 5 seed with win and New York loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Houston loss and Pittsburgh loss. Would be No. 6 seed with win and 1) New York loss and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Houston loss and Miami loss, or 2) Pittsburgh loss and loss by exactly one of the following: New York, Baltimore, Denver, Houston. Eliminated with loss or wins by at least two of the following: New York, Baltimore, Denver, Houston.
Sunday: at Cleveland, 1 ET (CBS/DirecTV 705)

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

1. New Orleans Saints (13-2) – Clinched top seed with Minnesota loss at Chicago.
Sunday: at Carolina, 1 ET (Fox/DirecTV 709)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) – Clinched playoff spot but would lose NFC East tiebreaker with Dallas due to head-to-head sweep. Would be No. 2 seed with win or both tie and Minnesota loss/tie. Would be No. 5 seed with loss and Green Bay loss/tie. Would be No. 6 seed with loss and Green Bay win.
Sunday: at Dallas, 4:15 ET (Fox/DirecTV 713)

3. Minnesota Vikings (11-4) – Have clinched NFC North title because of head-to-head sweep vs. Green Bay. Would clinch No. 2 seed and first-round playoff bye with win and Philadelphia loss/tie, or tie and Philadelphia loss. Would be No. 3 seed with Philadelphia win plus Minnesota win and/or Arizona loss. Would be No. 4 seed with loss and Arizona win.
Sunday: vs. Giants, 1 ET (Fox/DirecTV 710)

4. Arizona Cardinals (10-5) – Clinched NFC West title. Would be No. 2 seed with win and Philadelphia loss and Minnesota loss. Would be No. 3 seed with win and either Philadelphia loss or Minnesota loss (not both). Would be No. 4 seed with loss/tie or both Philadelphia win/tie and Minnesota win/tie.
Sunday: vs. Green Bay, 4:15 ET (Fox/DirecTV 715)

5. Green Bay Packers (10-5) – Clinched playoff berth with win vs. Seattle and Giants loss vs. Carolina. Currently No. 5 seed because of head-to-head win vs. Dallas. Would be No. 5 seed with win or Dallas loss, or tie and Dallas tie. Would be No. 6 seed with loss/tie and Dallas win.
Sunday: at Arizona, 4:15 ET (Fox/DirecTV 715)

6. Dallas Cowboys (10-5) – Clinched playoff berth with win at Washington. Would be No. 2 seed with win and Minnesota loss and Arizona loss. Would be No. 3 seed with win and 1) Minnesota win and Arizona loss, or 2) Arizona win and Minnesota loss. Would be No. 4 seed with win and Minnesota win/tie and Arizona win. Would be No. 6 seed with loss (Would be No. 5 seed with tie and Green Bay loss).
Sunday: vs. Philadelphia, 4:15 ET (Fox/DirecTV 713)

Sun Cruz Employees out in the cold

2009-12-29T21:49:00.000-08:00

According to the bankruptcy filing, the company owes several hundred companies and individuals money, totaling between $50 million and $100 million.

Last week about 20 of the largest creditors formed an ad hoc committee to try to obtain payment.

In addition to outstanding debt, the company also failed to pay for insurance premiums for employee health policies that had been deducted from employee paychecks.

Some employees lost their COBRA rights as a result and are now uninsured, according to a statement released by the committee.

Fortress Investment Group, which was Ocean Casinos lender, took control of the company in November 2008 and there are questions about motivations of the bankruptcy, said Jonathan Stein, an attorney representing the group.

"It's highly, highly unusual in the gaming industry to leave unpaid gambling debts, and that seems to have occurred here," he said.

"There is also a great deal of questions whether a withdrawal of $1.6 million in cage cash, used to pay gambling debts, was lawful or not."

He said the committee is pursuing an investigation into whether there was any illegal activity.

The bankruptcy filing appears to be intended to benefit Fortress at the expense of other creditors, the committee said in the statement.

Attempts to reach Ocean Casinos for comment were unsuccessful.

In recent years changes in Florida gaming rules, which have allowed American Indian tribes to provide land-based gambling, has eaten into the casino boat market, said Eric Rahn, a gaming consultant who has more than 25 years of experience in the maritime gambling industry.

SunCruz, a Florida-based company, likely saw a decline as the result of those changes, but the Myrtle Beach operation was profitable, he said.

"I think there is enough demand in the area, I believe the market has been established," Rahn said.

"Unless South Carolina and North Carolina change their gaming laws there'll continue to be a need to provide this type of adult entertainment."

The general state of the economy also has had an impact on the industry, but he said he expects it will continue to prosper in certain markets, including along the Grand Strand, as long as a healthy business can come in to operate another ship.

"Over the years it's been proven two ships could survive up there," he said.

The remaining casino boat sailing out of Little River, the Big "M," has seen business pick up since SunCruz started sailing, said Jo Mull, the marketing coordinator for the company.

"People came over [but] we do everything so differently they're finding it hard to get used to us," she said.

Chris Sager, who played poker aboard the SunCruz ship several nights a week, said the Big "M" doesn't offer live poker or sports betting, his two main activities aboard SunCruz.

He was upset to find out that SunCruz had shut down when he went to pick up past winnings, he said.

"They owed several people money and they don't say nothing or go out on a cruise one more time," Sager said.

Business had slowed on the SunCruz ship for the last few weeks it was operating, he said.

The Big "M" didn't see a big dip in passengers during that same period and doesn't plan to make any changes in the number of trips, types of gambling it offers or its marketing.

Little River can sustain two casino boats and "there is definitely enough room for two of us," Mull said.

Horry County, which collects a $7 per passenger fee from the casino boats will lose some money with SunCruz gone, but for the time being the uptick in passengers going on the Big "M" may help lighten the blow, said Harold Worley, the Horry County councilman who represents Little River. SunCruz also owes the county more than $100,000 for October fees and an unknown amount for November.

"The bankruptcy filing is obviously going to affect the waterfront but at some point in time I think you are going to have a boat replace that boat," Worley said.

In addition to pressures that the overall economic downturn and fewer tourists have put on the boats, North Carolina is allowing a form of video poker at Internet cafes, he said.

"That's draining off a few customers that would go," Worley said. "Between those two issues it's creating

Casino called Sun CRuz Filed BK

2009-12-29T21:21:00.000-08:00

The parent company of a Grand Strand casino boat has filed for bankruptcy. Oceans Casino Cruises, based in the Miami area, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy Monday.
The company ran the Sun Cruz casino boat that docked in Little River.
Court documents show the company claims more than 200 creditors and over $50 million in liabilities.
Nevada Gold and Casinos, Inc., which had a contract to manage the company, has said it is negotiating to purchase some of the casino boat company's assets.
The boat attracted thousands of gamblers each week to the waterfront at Little River that's lined with bars and restaurants.
While many managers of those businesses say they feel sorry for the boat's employees, it's hard to find too many of them who are heartbroken at the loss of the Sun Cruz.
At Fibber's, a waterfront restaurant that caters mostly to retired folks, owner Rich Dobkin says his business won't suffer at all from the loss of the casino boat.
In fact, he thinks the boat was a detriment to the community.
"They never really did too much positive things for the area. They ate up parking. Parking's our biggest problem down here on the waterfront. They attracted not the type of people I'd like here on the waterfront," Dobkin said.
Dobkin says it'd be fine with him if the one remaining casino boat, The Big M, left the area, too.
He says the casino customers rarely patronize other waterfront businesses and clog the area's few parking spaces.
Down the street at Crab Catchers restaurant, manager Neil Mantor says he feels bad for the casino boat's employees, but says it was "kind of shady" the way the boat suddenly shut down and left.
"There was no rumors about the company struggling or anything like that. That's the longest running one down here, so we just kind of assumed it was stable."
Mantor says the Crab Catchers schedule didn't coincide well with the casino boat's, so the loss of the boat won't mean much to his business, either.
Dobkin says he'd like to see Horry County and Little River try harder to bring more shops and attractions to the waterfront instead of the casino boats.
"I don't think gambling's really helped the waterfront here. I know Horry County has gotten money out of it for the taxpayers but I don't know what Little River benefits by the gambling ship here, except for employment maybe for residents."
Most business people who talked to NewsChannel 15 don't expect the boat to be gone for long. They say they're already hearing rumors the Sun Cruz will get a new owner and could be back as soon as next week.
Sun Cruz owes Horry County more than $100,000 in unpaid passenger fees

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

The Outlaw Solution for Mayweather VS Pacquiao

2009-12-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

Ok Pacquiao and Mayweather you guys both know this is the biggest fight ever. Yet Pacquiao has a problem with the blood test 24 hours before the fight. So why not do the olympic style test 30 days before the fight and after the fight, and do the NFL, MLB, NHL test before the fight and everyone will be happy.

Recent News on this fight:
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum made what he called his “final proposal,” suggesting that each camp make representations to the Nevada State Athletic Commission as to why their preferred testing system should be used. Both sides would then be expected to accept the commission’s final ruling on a testing format. Arum said that if the Mayweather camp doesn’t agree, he would begin negotiations Monday with Paulie Malignaggi as Pacquiao’s next opponent.

But Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer indicated to Yahoo! Sports that they would not accept such a proposal, meaning Arum’s deadline of Monday morning would not be met.

Mayweather with adviser Ellerbe.

(Getty Images)
That means Pacquiao-Malignaggi and not Pacquiao-Mayweather will happen on March 13, right?

Not so fast.

In this feud that operates in a parallel boxing universe, where truth, spin and trickery make awkward bedfellows, ultimatum can mean conciliation. Indeed, with the egos and pride involved on all sides, it could take this fight heading to the brink of collapse before it can actually get sorted out.

Everyone knows what is at stake here, from Arum to Schaefer to the fighters themselves. The magnitude of the fight, the biggest and most lucrative of both fighters’ careers, means that negotiations must be made with strength and conviction.

But it is all for nothing if the whole thing goes to shreds, leaving nothing more than a black hole of lost money for both sides.

So Monday, deadline or no, this thing has a ways to run.

“We are prepared to have this handled in a way that is not us deciding or them deciding,” said Arum, speaking while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “The commission meets on Jan. 19. Mayweather’s people can say why they believe additional testing above what we agreed to is necessary and we can give our viewpoint.

“Let the commission decide. If they come away and decide Manny needs to be blood tested every single [expletive] day, then we will go with that. This is the way to go to give this thing legitimacy. I hope they [Team Mayweather] see reason.”

Arum’s concession may help swing public opinion in Pacquiao’s favor. The Filipino star’s arguments that he did not like needles and feared that blood testing within 30 days of the fight would drain him were met with little sympathy.

But it is Mayweather who stands to look unreasonable if he does not accept this proposal. And now we may find out once and for all whether the Pretty Boy’s stance over the drug issue was more mired in deep concern that Pacquiao is a steroid cheat or mere posturing aimed at disrupting his opponent.

Either way, there are no guarantees that the Nevada commission would approve the kind of random testing that Mayweather’s people want, as it would effectively be an admission that its current policies are ineffective and potentially would set an expensive precedent for future fights.

“It does not make sense for this to become a commission matter,” Schaefer told Yahoo! Sports. “This is a contractual matter. The commission did not decide the weights or the purse split or how the foreign television rights would be sold.

“If this is Bob’s final ultimatum, then that’s what it is. That is his decision if he wants to take that position. I very much hope this fight can be made, but the reason it is at a standstill is because of the way they have handled things.”

Ellerbe’s response when told of Arum’s offer was brief and to the point.

“Random is random,” he said. “We are all intelligent people and we know what random testing is. That is what we want and it has not changed.”

This to-and-fro negotiation is boxing’s biggest fight right now, and it has become a bitter feud. There has to be some give and take – and with millions of dollars and countless reputations on the line, it would still be a surprise if Mayweather-Pacquiao doesn’t happen, despite all the bumps in the road.

“This is boxing and it is the boxing business,” HBO commentator Larry Merchant said. “Mayweather calls himself ‘Money,’ so it is hard to see him walking away from this much of it, especially when he thinks he is going to win.

“This would be the biggest fight that has been sabotaged because of a blood feud. No one wants to see it come to that.”

Also this twist to the fight a LAWSUIT?
Negotiations to finalize a lucrative boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. took another bizarre twist Friday as Pacquiao threatened libel lawsuits and the chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions was accused of telling a Filipino journalist that Pacquiao is using performance-enhancing drugs.

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said Friday that reporter Ronnie Nathanielsz of the Manila Standard told him that in September, Nathanielsz was in the Golden Boy offices in Los Angeles when Richard Schaefer accused Pacquiao of using PEDs.

Schaefer, whose company is representing Mayweather in a fight expected to be the largest-grossing in history, recalls meeting Nathanielsz in his downtown Los Angeles office but denied the allegations.

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Manny Pacquiao denies taking steroids.

(Ethan Miller/Getty)
Nathanielsz, whose newspaper has not reported the alleged conversation, declined via email to comment.

Talks to finalize the bout between the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world hit a snag on Tuesday when Mayweather issued a statement demanding “Olympic-style drug testing” administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Top Rank, on behalf of Pacquiao, declined and the sides have exchanged bitter words since.

On Friday, Arum said he spoke on the telephone late Thursday with Winchell Campos, a Pacquiao publicist. Arum said Campos told him Pacquiao planned to file a lawsuit against Mayweather, Mayweather Sr., Golden Boy Promotions and Schaefer for allegations Pacquiao says they made without evidence that he is on performance-enhancing drugs.

Arum said he tried to talk Campos out of issuing a statement from Pacquiao announcing plans for the suit. But Arum said Campos then put Pacquiao on the telephone and that Pacquiao was as angry as he has ever heard him.

“Manny is usually this mild-mannered guy, but he was unbelievably angry,” Arum said. “I never heard him like that. He told me to make it stop. This was a different Manny than I’d ever heard. When I hung up, I said, ‘What the hell was that about?’ ”

When he spoke to Nathanielsz by telephone 30 minutes later, Arum said Nathanielsz recounted a meeting in Schaefer’s downtown Los Angeles office in the buildup to the Sept. 19 fight in Las Vegas between Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez in which he alleged that Schaefer told him Pacquiao was using performance-enhancing drugs.

Arum, who flew to Mexico on Friday for a week-long vacation, said Nathanielsz’s comments clarified things for him. He said he had been puzzled by Mayweather Sr.’s public allegations against Pacquiao, but said they began to make sense after speaking with Nathanielsz.

“Ronnie said he came over early for the [Mayweather-Marquez] fight and he met with Schaefer,” Arum said. “He said they met for a half hour and that Schaefer went on and on and on that Manny is a cheater and that Manny uses steroids and that Manny was on performance-enhancing drugs.

“Ronnie asked him, ‘Why would you take this attitude with this young man?’ Ronnie told me he thinks Schaefer is pissed off that Manny chose us over Golden Boy, though Schaefer is happy to take the money.”

Pacquiao signed promotional contracts with both Golden Boy and Top Rank in 2006. Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya met Pacquiao at Los Angeles International Airport and gave him a suitcase filled with $250,000 in cash, which Pacquiao later was forced to return, as an inducement to sign.

Lawsuits were filed and the matter was eventually settled in arbitration by retired judge Daniel Weinstein. Weinstein ruled Pacquiao would be promoted by Top Rank, but that Golden Boy is entitled to a percentage of profits in perpetuity from all Pacquiao fights as long as Top Rank had Pacquiao under contract.

Arum said he has asked his attorneys to have the arbitration reopened and have Golden Boy eliminated since Schaefer’s actions were not in the fighter’s best interests.

Schaefer said Nathanielsz has had a good relationship with Golden Boy, particularly with its matchmaker, Eric Gomez. Schaefer admitted he hosted Nathanielsz in his office, but denied he made any accusations about Pacquiao and performance-enhancing drugs.

“I would never accuse anybody of anything and those who know me know that’s just not the way I am,” Schaefer said Friday. “I would never go and allege anybody is doing anything, so that is absolutely not true that I would have said to anybody that Manny is cheating. I didn’t.

“We have a pretty good relationship with Ronnie. I think Eric does. He came to see our offices, but there was no accusation of cheating. And in this process, over the last few days or weeks, not once did you hear me say, to you or to anyone else, that I am accusing Manny of taking anything or doing anything illegal.”

Schaefer also questioned why, if Nathanielsz had such information, that he had not reported it.

Mayweather Sr. began inferring that he suspected Pacquiao was on steroids or some other performance-enhancing substance in September, not long after Nathanielsz visited the Golden Boy offices.

After Pacquiao’s victory over Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas, Mayweather Sr. suggested to Yahoo! Sports reporter Martin Rogers that Pacquiao’s improvements were not natural.

“You know there is something going on with him,” Mayweather Sr. told Rogers. “If I was Floyd I wouldn’t fight him because of that. It just don’t add up. Take a look at them old pictures, man. That’s a different dude. And he got knocked out when he was 30 pounds lighter, but now he can stand there and take Cotto’s best shots? Come on.”

Arum reiterated Friday that Pacquiao is clean and said the fight can be salvaged if Mayweather backs off his insistence that testing be administered by USADA. USADA’s procedures demand random testing up to and including the day of competition.

Pacquiao has an aversion to giving blood close to an event, both Arum and his adviser, Michael Koncz, have said, believing it weakens him. Arum said Pacquiao would submit to testing if it were done under the auspices of the Nevada Athletic Commission.

“They’re corrupted in this thing; they’re complicit,” Arum said of USADA. “Both sides here know the people involved in the Nevada Athletic Commission. It can handle the testing and we can work out a protocol that will prove Manny is not on anything and that won’t interfere with the fight.”

Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions and the fighter’s closest friend, refused to say Friday whether his side would accept testing done by any group other than USADA, as it has demanded.

Ellerbe said he and Mayweather adviser Al Haymon came up with the idea to require the testing, not Mayweather Jr., as a way to protect their fighter.

“We’re waiting to see if Manny Pacquiao is going to do the Olympic-style drug testing,” Ellerbe said. “The bottom line is that neither Top Rank, nor Manny’s camp, nor Mayweather Promotions or Golden Boy Promotions are going to dictate how the blood and urine testing is conducted.

“I understand this could be the biggest fight in the history of the sport, but all money ain’t good money. You can’t put a price tag on anything when it comes to a man’s livelihood. The fighters are the only ones stepping up, putting their lives on the line. It’s the fighters who are putting their lives on the line, not me, not Top Rank, not Golden Boy, not Al Haymon. Our responsibility here is to protect the interests of our guy and that’s what we’re doing.”

In his statement in which he threatened to sue, Pacquiao denies taking steroids and said he didn’t sue Mayweather Sr. earlier because he didn’t want to create distractions during his preparations for Cotto.

“I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it,” Pacquiao said in his statement. “I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.

“Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don’t be a coward and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring.”

Arum said he plans to continue parallel negotiations with Lou DiBella, who promotes Paulie Malignaggi, and plans to resume those talks on Monday for a Pacquiao-Malignaggi fight on March 13.

Malignaggi has suggested Pacquiao may have taken performance-enhancing drugs and Arum said Pacquiao would agree to some type of testing administered by a regulatory agency like the Nevada Athletic Commission to quell those fears.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Week 17 the whos in and who is out of the NFL Playoffs?

2009-12-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

The NFL Playoffs are all but set in the NFC.
Week 16 decided the fate of many teams in the NFC.
Currently the teams who are in the playoffs are:
Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings, Packers, Saints, Cardinals

The AFC Playoffs still make the final week of regular season football fun to watch.
Currently the teams who are in the playoffs are:
Patriots, Bengals, Colts, Chargers

With the final week a lot of teams still have a shot including the following teams:
Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Broncos who all have a win/loss record of 8-6.

For the Jaguars, Dolphins and Titans who all have a win/loss record of 7-8 hope is almost gone.
The only possible way they could make it would be if all five teams above lost and they won the last game, and even than it comes down to a lot of other factors.

I think these games for week 17 will be the best games to keep your eyes glued on:

Bengals VS Jets
Reason: Jets need to win to get in the Play offs.

Patriots VS Texans
Reason: Most likely Patriots will not play the starters but the Texans need a win.

Steelers VS Dolphins
Reason: Steelers need a win and the Dolphins have a slim chance still at the play offs.

Ravens VS Raiders
Reason: Ravens need this one and the Raiders would love to spoil the playoff hopes of the Ravens.

Chiefs VS Broncos
Reason: Broncos need a win to make play offs.

Eagles VS Dallas
Reason: Both are in the play offs but this game determines who will be at home and who will be on the road. Also last time they played the Eagles made the Cowboys look really bad so it is a revenge game for the Cowboys.

Titans VS Seahawks
Reason: Though it is a very slim chance the Titans will bring it all in hopes of a play off shot.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Jacksonville Jaguars Stink, Stank and Stunk!

2009-12-27T14:47:00.000-08:00

The Jacksonville Jaguars looked so bad today it was really Sad

Brady threw four touchdown passes, three to Randy Moss, and the young defense put together its third straight solid game as New England beat Jacksonville 35-7 on Sunday, further dimming the Jaguars’ slim postseason chances.

For the Patriots (10-5), it was another encouraging outing in what had been an inconsistent season. They clinched the AFC East title after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2002 despite an 11-5 record. And they did it in a one-sided manner, just like most of their games in the 2007 season when they lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants 17-14 on a last-minute touchdown.

Brady bounced back after throwing for just 307 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his previous two games. He completed 23 of 26 passes for 267 yards, reminiscent of his brilliance the last time the teams met—26 of 28 for 262 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 31-20 divisional playoff win on Jan. 12, 2008.

Jacksonville dropped its third straight game and fourth in its last five after going 6-4 in its first 10. New England won its third straight—outscoring the opposition 72-27—after losing three of four.

It also was another bounce-back day for Moss two weeks after Carolina players questioned his effort in a 20-10 Patriots win. He caught one scoring pass the next week in a 17-10 win at Buffalo, then was the Moss of old against the Jaguars.

He caught a 2-yard scoring pass for the first touchdown after the Patriots got the ball on downs at the Jacksonville 35. Then, with 45 seconds left in the half, Moss raised his hand in the back of the end zone when the Jaguars somehow left him wide open and Brady found him for a 6-yard score and a 28-0 halftime lead.

His third touchdown came six seconds into the fourth quarter, a 17-yarder on which he reached the ball out to the goal line. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio challenged and, while officials reviewed the play, fans chanted “Randy, Randy, Randy” and he smiled broadly at them.

The touchdown call was upheld, giving Moss the ninth three-touchdown game of his career, and Stephen Gostkowski’s(notes) extra point made it 35-0. Moss finished with four catches for 45 yards.

The Jaguars (7-8) ended the first series of the game by forcing Laurence Maroneyes to fumble at the Jacksonville 1-yard line after the Patriots had moved 82 yards. And they mounted an impressive drive on the first possession of the third quarter, moving from their 26 to the Patriots 5. But David Garrardthrew his second interception of the game as Shawn Springs picked off his first pass of the season.

That’s the kind of day it was for the Jaguars—from a fourth-and-1 that failed in their own territory to Brandon Meriweather’s 56-yard return of Garrard’s first interception, to punts on their other four first-half possessions.

The Patriots also scored on Chris Baker’s 26-yard reception and Sammy Morris’ 1-yard run.

The Jaguars couldn’t stop Wes Welker either. He had 13 catches for 138 yards, his seventh game of the year with at least 10 receptions and sixth with at least 100 yards.

Jacksonville finally scored with 12:41 left on a 2-yard keeper by Garrard

Foget the Casino Boat and lets open a land base operation in Jacksonville, Florida

2009-12-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

The problem with the boat in Mayport was a lot of things. First of all the weather conditions, and the sea conditions determined a major role in the company business.
The other part was following the laws and regulations.

I think Sun Cruz Casino or Nevada Gold Casino should ask for a gambling Establishment that is open 24 hours a day on the dock or even consider a real casino in Jacksonville.

For all accounts the casino boat did attract business, but the simple fact is that many people do not want to be stuck on a boat for 5 hours to gamble. If the company could make it so the boat would stay at the dock and never leave except for maintenance issues you cut a lot of expenses down, also you could open the casino boat 24 hours per day. If the city would not let the boat sit on the dock maybe just float in the river instead of going 3 to 10 miles out in the ocean. They could make it an attraction just to sail in the river up and down while gambling. This would save a lot of passengers from the seas sickness, weather conditions would be less of a factor.

My position is also backed by the fact that around town you see these sweepstakes halls that are gambling establishments on the Internet, we have two dog parks that offer poker rooms, and horse betting. I am surprised one of these companies do not jump at the chance to open a full blown casino in Jacksonville.

I would love to talk to people interested in my idea of opening a casino in Jacksonville.
If your interested please e-mail me:
outlawsports@live.com

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Blood test issue turns to test of will

2009-12-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

So far 57% of people think the fight will happen, and 43% thinl it will not.

So far the date was set, the place was set, but the details of the fight are not set as it comes down to a simple blood test issue.

On Wednesday, Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank proposed a drug testing schedule that would include three blood draws and an unlimited number of urine tests in an attempt to salvage the bout that hit a negotiating snag on Tuesday, when Mayweather’s side insisted on random Olympic-style drug testing administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The world’s top two boxers had agreed to meet on March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for what is expected to become the largest-grossing bout in the sport’s history.

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Arum said frequent urine testing is sufficient in the final 30 days to prevent either fighter from using performance-enhancing drugs. He said Pacquiao is willing to submit blood samples in early January, in mid-February around 30 days prior to the fight and then again in the locker room immediately upon conclusion of the fight.

In the interim, Arum insisted urine testing would be sufficient.

“Everything can be picked up by urinalysis,” Arum said. “Everything.”

Travis Tygart, the CEO of USADA, disputed Arum’s contention and said a combination of blood and urine testing is required to be effective. He also said that to be most effective, athletes would have to be subject to random testing while out of competition.

If any testing is conducted in the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight outside of what is mandated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, it would be during competition since the fighters are scheduled to start training in early January.

“To have an effective program, you have to collect blood and urine,” Tygart said. “The reason for that is that there are some things that are only detected in urine and there are some prohibited drugs that are both very lethal and potent from a performance-enhancing standpoint that are only detected in blood. One of those, for example, is human-growth hormone (HGH). There is no urine-based tested for human-growth hormone. It doesn’t show up in the urine. It’s only a blood-based test. That’s true of a number of prohibited substances, particularly those that would enhance and aid a boxer.”

Experts told Yahoo! Sports that the amount of blood the fighters would be required to give is minimal and would have no impact upon their performance.

Pacquiao is reticent to give blood within days of a fight because he believes it weakens him, his adviser, Michael Koncz, told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday by telephone from Manila, The Philippines, where he has been meeting with Pacquiao.

An extraordinarily angry Arum, who had harsh words for Mayweather’s camp, which includes the boxer’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, said a deal would have to be reached Thursday in order to salvage the show.

Mayweather Jr. released a statement on Tuesday in which he demanded the testing be conducted and that it be administered by USADA. That didn’t sit well with Arum, who said he wanted whatever testing was done to be conducted by the Kansas City, Mo.,-based National Center for Drug Free Sports.

Bob Arum, right, says if an agreement can’t be reached by Thursday, the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is off.

(Getty Images)

“The fight is definitely off,” Arum said. “I read their statement and we’re not acceding to it. Unless they pull that statement and call me, they can go screw themselves.”

Victor Conte, the founder and president of the Bay-Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO), said that while Pacquiao might be affected mentally by having his blood drawn, the draws would have no impact upon his performance in the fight.

Pacquiao, though, isn’t the only high-profile athlete who has expressed reservations about giving blood near or at the time of competition. Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell complained he was tested excessively during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, in which he won a gold medal as a member of his nation’s 4 x 100 meter relay team.

“I got pretty upset two days ago because since I have been here, they have tested me four times,” Powell said during the 2008 Games. “They’ve taken so much blood from us we’re going to be very weak before the final.”

Conte

Conte said to do comprehensive testing, drawing three tubes of blood with three milliliters in each would be sufficient.

“That amount would be less than one-half of one percent [of the total blood in the body],” Conte said. “It’s not going to have any effect, the drawing of blood. Could it have some mental effect? It possibly could and that’s what Asafa Powell did complain about in Beijing. And now we have this complaint from the Pacquiao side.

“That’s the only down side of that. It’s certainly not going to have any physical effect, giving blood before a fight.”

Mayweather’s statement indicated that several elite athletes, like basketball players LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, swimmer Michael Phelps and cyclist Lance Armstrong, have submitted to the testing that he is requesting.

Arum said Wednesday that none of those athletes provided blood and that each gave only urine samples. However, Schaefer, who is representing Mayweather in negotiations, said each of them competed under USADA requirements in Beijing, which includes random blood and urine sampling.

“We asked and we were told that Kobe, LeBron and Michael Phelps all submitted themselves to the same policies, which includes the right of USADA to test for blood,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer, though, said he didn’t know independently whether any of them had given blood.

Arum vehemently insisted none of them gave blood and said Pacquiao would not do so any closer than 30 days out from the fight until it is over, even if that meant the fight did not occur.

He said he consulted experts who “were unanimous in their opinion” that urine testing would be sufficient.

However, Dr. Gary Wadler, an internal medicine physician and chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List and Methods sub-committee, said an athlete should not be able to dictate the terms of testing.

Wadler called Top Rank’s offer to have Pacquiao give a sample in early January, 30 days before the fight and then immediately at the conclusion of the fight “a non-starter.”

Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to begin training for a fight with Floyd Mayweather in January.

(Getty Images)

“The fundamental principle is that the time and place of testing is in the domain of the governing body, not of the athlete,” Wadler said. “It would lose all its validity if the athlete could pick and choose when he is going to be tested and for what he’s going to be tested for and how he’s going to be tested. They’re sophisticated enough now that if someone wanted to, you could play the calendar to your advantage.

“There are pretty savvy guys out there who are quite conversant with that very issue. That, to me, would be a non-starter.”

Arum said he objects to USADA doing whatever testing is agreed to because of its many requirements.

He said the National Center for Drug Free Sports is used to working with professional athletes and administers testing for the NFL and Major League Baseball.

“USADA is an Olympic body and it is not for professional sports,” Arum said. “They’ve got all this crazy paperwork. It’s nonsense. [The National Center for Drug Free Sports] deals with pro athletes in a professional kind of way. They don’t do [blood] tests during the season. They do urine tests. Urine tests will detect everything. Blood tests are archaic.”

Schaefer hoped that Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach could intervene and talk to Pacquiao and convince him that submitting to the USADA testing would not hurt him or impact his performance.

He said a deal would have to be reached by sometime early next week in order for the fight to go off as planned in March.

“Freddie could explain to Manny that there is a very small amount of blood taken, only about a tablespoon, and that it wouldn’t have any impact on him at all,” Schaefer said. “Kobe is Manny’s hero and Kobe has done it. If Freddie talks to him, this could get resolved very easily.”

Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, reiterated Wednesday that the testing is the only outstanding issue. Though there has been talk that there is an issue over whether or not the fight will be for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight title, Ellerbe said the drug testing is the only unresolved issue.

“That’s it,” he said. “Otherwise, we’re done.”

WHAT is wrong with the NFL and Eagles Players?

2009-12-24T13:24:00.000-08:00

Shutdown Corner Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:24 am EST

Eagles players honor Michael Vick with award for courage
By Chris Chase

According to Philadelphia Eagles players, the most courageous man on the team in 2009 was one who started the year serving time in prison for an act of extreme cowardice.

Today, the Eagles announced that Michael Vick was the 2009 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given to a player who shows courage in the face of adversity. Vick's teammates voted for the award, thus demonstrating how tone-deaf and out-of-touch NFL players are with reality.

According to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Web site:

Each year, the Ed Block Courage Awards honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by their teammates for team effort, as well as individual performance.

The Ed Block Courage Award recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. He is also a community role model.

One recipient is selected from each NFL team, usually for things like coming back from injury, doing good work in the community or long, dedicated service to a franchise. I'd be surprised if the award's founders intended for the honor to be given to someone doing community service as part of the terms of his parole or for showing courage in the face of reporters asking legitimate questions about federal crimes.

The Eagles' vote is not only a slap in the face to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, but to the other 31 players who won the award for their respective teams. Some men are truly deserving of the honor, like Ravens safety Dawan Landry(notes) who was nearly paralyzed last year, but has come back in '09 with four interceptions and a touchdown or Mike Furrey(notes) of the Browns, who does extensive volunteer work in his community. Adding Vick's name to the roll makes the award seem illegitimate and meaningless.

Apparently Philadelphia players confuse Vick handling dogfighting questions and booing with a measure of class as some sort of courage. That Vick only got a chance to show this mild courageousness because of the extreme cowardice it takes to murder helpless animals isn't something that crosses their mind. They confuse Vick's desperation with some sort of integrity.

I'm all for second chances and find myself rooting for Vick to redeem himself both on and off the football field. He's served an appropriate sentence (and then some) and I see no reason for him to keep paying for his past transgressions. But I also see no reason to celebrate his character.

Michael Vick(notes) is very much a work in progress. A few years from now, I hope he will be deserving of such an honor. At this time, however, he has only just started down the path to redempt

Mayport Sun Cruz Casino Boat is gone from the Dock!

2009-12-24T12:33:00.000-08:00

For all those of you following the story on Sun Cruz Casino in Mayport the boat is no longer at the dock as of 12/24/2009. At least it was not there when I went to take some photos of it.

TITLE FIGHT IS OFF THE BOOKS

2009-12-23T18:06:00.000-08:00

The biggest fight of 2010 — Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather — could be off.
Early Tuesday evening, Golden Boy Promotions, which represented Mayweather in negotiations, distributed a press release that said the March 13 bout was in "jeopardy."

Reached late Tuesday night, Bob Arum of Top Rank, who promotes the Filipino, took it a step further.

TELL US: Who's to blame if Pacquiao-Mayweather is off?

"The plug is pulled. The fight is off as far as we're concerned," he said, adding that he expects Pacquiao to fight on that date but is seeking a new opponent.

The public remarks highlight a significant turn because both sides, including television partner HBO, have been cautious to not speak publicly about specifics regarding the bout for fear of jeopardizing negotiations.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) has demanded drug testing as required by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency which includes random blood and urine sampling. Pacquiao (50-3-2 38 KOs), however, will not agree to have his blood taken within 30 days of the bout. He did agree to have his blood taken before the press conference to kick off the promotion and after the bout.

"The press release is absurd," said Arum, Mayweather's former promoter. "Mayweather proves that he's a coward and he's looking for a way out of the fight. The Nevada commission has been doing drug testing for the last 40 years. To appease Mayweather, we agreed they could do urine analysis anytime they wanted. But Manny doesn't want them to draw his blood when he's in training because it weakens him."

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said earlier Tuesday that Top Rank president Todd duBoef told him Pacquiao would not agree to have his blood taken within 30 days of the bout.

"Todd told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn't want to do it so close to the fight," Schaefer said in the statement. "(Pacquiao) would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight."

Mayweather said Pacquiao needs to explain himself immediately or face questions regarding his status as a clean, drug-free athlete.

"I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken, because frankly I don't know anyone who really does," Mayweather said. "But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level. I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same.

"It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night. I hope that this is either some miscommunication or that Manny will change his mind and step up and allow these tests, which were good enough for all these other great athletes, to be performed by USADA."

Las Vegas was expected to host the bout and construct an outdoor venue to accommodate what likely would be the highest grossing fight of all time. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao stand to make at least $25 million for the fight.

"All they're doing is harassing Pacquiao. I'm not going to allow it to happen," Arum said. "We're willing to do urine analysis at random even though we don't have to do it under Nevada rules. … I know deep down Mayweather doesn't want the fight. He can take a walk."

In 2002, the Nevada State Athletic Commission found that Fernando Vargas tested positive for performance-enhancing substances in his bout with Oscar De La Hoya.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Little River Sun Cruz Boat is gone and left a bill !

2009-12-23T06:53:00.000-08:00

The Sun Cruz Casino Boat in Little River has set sail indefinitely and no one knows if it's coming back.

With the departure, they've left a hefty unpaid tab with Horry County.

Financial trouble is looming for the ship that's now at sea.

In its wake, 150 people are without jobs and Horry County is out at least a couple hundred thousand dollars.

But there may be hope. Most agree the ship will be rescued, but by whom is not yet clear.

The parking lot is empty, the dock unattended, and a note tacked on the door says the Sun Cruz Casino franchise is closed for now.

The note says they will not sail until the transfer of ownership of the company.

The big players involved are quiet, but what we know paints a picture of financial trouble.

Sun Cruz fell behind on payments to Horry County. They didn't pay the $102,000 October passenger fee. And they haven't paid November or December yet.

The ship's parent company, Oceans Casino Cruises Incorporated, owns other operations in Florida.

Sources have said the Little River operation has always been profitable, but the ones in Florida have drained the company dry.

It was announced last week a new company may gobble up some of Ocean Casino's assets, including the Sun Cruz Casino line.

NewsChannel 15 spoke with one couple who said they were stunned and upset after booking a sail with Sun Cruz only to be stood up.

"And you think it a common courtesy after asking me three times what hotel I was in, my hotel room number, and my cell phone number, they would call us back and let us know that we're not running any cruises. They never called. So my wife and I just said the heck with it," said Anthony Papa.

The county's attorney said if there is a new buyer for Sun Cruz, they'll have to settle up the late payments to the county before they set sail again.

There is still one gambling boat left in Little River, and that is the Big M Casino.

Sun Cruz Casino Boat leaves Little River

2009-12-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

A casino boat that had operated out of Little River is gone, and no one seems to know if or when it will be back.

The Sun Cruz Casino Boat sailed away Monday night around 6:00, according to the manager of the marina where the boat was docked.

The gaming company Nevada Gold, which manages the boat, put out a statement last week saying it had ceased operations, pending their purchase of Suncruz assets.

Suncruz owes Horry County more than $100,000 in unpaid passenger fees and reportedly owes $300,000 to a port authority in Florida where it operates another boat.

Nevada Gold officials wouldn't comment beyond their official statement

Nevada Gold in Discussions to Purchase Selected Assets of SunCruz Casinos

2009-12-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

HOUSTON, Dec. 18, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE Amex:UWN) announced today that Oceans Casino Cruises, Inc., owner of SunCruz Casinos, decided to cease operations of its casino cruises effective December 15, 2009. In November of 2008, Nevada Gold was engaged by Oceans Casino Cruises, Inc. to provide management services to SunCruz Casinos. Although its management contract is currently in effect its future status is uncertain.

Nevada Gold is currently in discussions to purchase selected assets from Oceans Casino Cruises, Inc. These discussions are subject to numerous conditions and there can be no assurance they will result in the purchase of any assets.

Robert Sturges, CEO of Nevada Gold stated, "We recognize these are difficult times for the employees of Oceans Casino Cruises, Inc. We hope to have the opportunity to work with these employees after our acquisition discussions are complete."

About Nevada Gold

Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE Amex:UWN) of Houston, Texas is a developer, owner and operator of gaming facilities in Colorado, Washington and the southeastern United States. The Colorado Grande Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado, the Crazy Moose Casino in Pasco, Washington, the Coyote Bob's Roadhouse Casino in Kennewick, Washington and the Crazy Moose Casino in Mountlake Terrace, Washington are wholly owned and operated by Nevada Gold. The Company has an interest in Buena Vista Development Company, LLC which is working with the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians on a Native American casino project to be developed in the city of Ione, California. The Company also has a management contract with Oceans Casino Cruises, Inc., owner of SunCruz Casinos. For more information, visit http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ctr?d=180645&l=5&a=www.nevadagold.com&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nevadagold.com.

The Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1552

BRETT Farve VS the Coach

2009-12-21T10:03:00.000-08:00

It was always going to be about December and, more importantly, January. The Minnesota Vikings, even with Tarvaris Jackson(notes) at quarterback, were going to win the weak NFC North. If you have that defense and that Adrian Peterson, you can hold off Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit and get back to the postseason.

So whatever Brett Favre(notes) did the first three months of the season would be for show – just like last year with the New York Jets. The end was for the dough and three Sundays into December it’s beginning to crumble.

For the second time in three weeks, Favre couldn't avoid the pressure.

(Rick Havner/AP Photo)
The team was listless Sunday, losing 26-7 to a lousy Carolina club. It’s now 11-3 on the season, but 1-2 on the month. And, in the confrontation that will send the frozen Upper Midwest into a virtual meltdown, coach Brad Childress tired to bench Favre in third quarter only to have the quarterback somehow overrule him.

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“Yeah, there was a heated discussion, I guess you would call it,” Favre told reporters afterwards. “We were up 7-6 at the time. No secret, I was getting hit a little bit. I felt the pressure on a lot of plays. We had seven points. So I think everyone in the building was like, ‘They’re not moving the ball, they’re not getting points.’ Brad wanted to go in a different direction and I wanted to stay in the game.”

Favre won that test of wills, which, may not be taken well within the Vikings locker room. Since when does the player get to tell the coach to shove it? Actually, it happens more than you think, which doesn’t mean it isn’t a significant sign about who’s in charge of whom.

From afar, it didn’t look like you could pin the loss all on Favre’s surgically-repaired shoulder. His wideouts dropped too many passes. Peterson managed just 35 yards on 12 carries and not until it was too late did he break a nice screen pass open.

And, as Brett conveniently mentioned, he was sacked four times and rushed a million more. Julius Peppers(notes) all but lined up in the Vikings backfield. The offensive line was terrible.

Then again, did Brett Favre really need to mention it? When it goes bad for Tom Brady(notes), he takes the blame and defends his teammates’ talent, effort, performance. When it goes bad for Favre, he starts talking about secrets.

“I was getting hit a little bit. I felt the pressure on a lot of plays.”

While Favre was rushed and pressured as he went 17-of-27 for 224 and one pick, he could’ve avoided at least a couple of those sacks. The guy holds onto the ball forever trying to make crazy plays, just one reason he’s become so easy to take down. Yes, his line was lousy, but he could’ve adjusted.

Perhaps that’s why Childress was willing to sit a man he all but begged to come out of retirement, allowed to skip training camp and watched earn MVP talk – for Jackson, presumably, a player who’s thrown 15 passes all season.

“We were having a conversation about how the game was heading at that point in time and what we needed to do to head it the other way,” Childress would only say.

When Jackson is the other way …

This is not the first time Childress has been unable to pull Favre from a game according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The coach tried to sit Favre during a 17-point victory at Detroit earlier this year only to have Favre refuse (in six other victories, Favre sat late in the game). Perhaps against Detroit he wanted to pad his stats. Perhaps he didn’t want a backup to get a chance. Perhaps he just “loves to play the game” as the announcers slobber.

Perhaps he ought to figure out how to help his teams finish as strong as they start. And while you can’t blame him for looking crossways at Childress and saying, “I’m Brett Favre, he’s Tarvaris Jackson” sometimes that isn’t the point.

Not all of Childress’ instructions were carried out on Sunday night.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty)

“We were up 7-6,” Favre said postgame Sunday about the “conversation.” “Yeah, it’s not 70-6, but we’re up 7-6. So I said, ‘I’m staying in the game, I’m playing.’ I don’t know if it was exactly to protect me, or we had seven points, I’m not sure. That’s his call. But we talked it out.

“I didn’t have time to sit there and say why or what. My response was, ‘We’ve got to win this ballgame and I want to stay in and do whatever I can.’ Now, unfortunately, I didn’t do that, but that was my intention.”

Yes, unfortunately. Favre’s intentions have always been easy to identify. He wants individual glory wrapped in team success. When it works, it really works. When it doesn’t, everything blows up.

“I could sense we were struggling, and there were a lot of reasons for that, and I’ve got no problem taking that on my shoulders,” Favre continued, showing, by mentioning “a lot of reasons” that he’s got a problem taking it on his shoulders. “That’s what I’m here for.

“But in no way being up 7-6 and being banged around a little bit, would I consider coming out. I don’t even know if I would consider that being down 70-6. But winning the ballgame? I don’t know. … But believe me, I wanted to get something going, I wanted to score points. I don’t know the answer to that question of what his reasonings were.”

He probably didn’t care. When you install Brett Favre as our quarterback, you don’t get to make a second decision. You get a QB who’s not sure he would accept a benching down 70-6. You’re all in with this guy, or he’s going to defy you on the sideline, argue with you in the media and keep inviting sacks while waiting to throw balls all over the field.

This was the deal Childress made in the calm warmth of summer. Now it’s winter in Minnesota. The season is in the balance, Brett Favre is still talking.

UFC FRANK MIR wants Brock Lestnar or Shane Carwin

2009-12-21T09:59:00.000-08:00

Frank Mir took step one in his “Vision Quest” on Saturday night when he leapfrogged a pack of hungry UFC heavyweights to what could be the biggest money match in company history.

In the 1985 movie, Matthew Modine played a wrestler who was totally and completely obsessed with beating a muscular monster named “Shute,” the unbeatable local high school wrestling champion.

“Shute” was a fictional character. At least he was until 1999, when Brock Lesnar showed up at the University of Minnesota, a decade later became the living embodiment of that character as the UFC heavyweight champion.

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Like the lead character in the movie, Mir, who steamrolled Cheick Kongo on Saturday night at UFC 107, seems completely obsessed with getting a shot at the monster who beat, taunted and humiliated him after winning at UFC 100, the biggest show in North American MMA history, on July 11.

The moment is hard to forget for anyone who saw it, as Lesnar’s post-fight behavior became the biggest story in sports for a few days. But it’s harder still for Mir, the loser of the match.

A week ago, there was very little interest in a third Mir vs. Lesnar fight because of how handily Lesnar beat Mir the last time. But now, provided Mir doesn’t lose and Lesnar can return, the fight would likely do more business than any fight the UFC would put on in 2010.

Mir (14-4) may not be the rightful No. 1 contender, but there is no other heavyweight who would garner anywhere near the public interest, as much because of Mir’s verbal talents as his physical ones. In a world where hype overrides substance in drumming up interest, Mir reigns supreme as the UFC’s best talker among fighters.

Of course, no matter how well a fighter talks, you still have to win your way to title shots, and Mir did so in impressive fashion Saturday, needing only 1:12 to beat Kongo (24-6-1) at the FedEx Forum.

The new Mir, coming in at 264.5 pounds, the heaviest of his career, knocked Kongo down with a looping left hand, the first punch he threw in the fight. On the ground, Mir grabbed a guillotine choke and Kongo eventually passed out, stunning the crowd of 13,896.

Most of the fans booed Mir when he came out, largely because of his verbal taunts of Kongo on the countdown show that aired this past week. Mir downgraded Kongo’s striking, saying it wasn’t world class, and said that when it came to wrestling and submissions, Kongo was the worst guy in the heavyweight division.

“When you talk as much [expletive] as he did, you’d better back it up,” UFC president Dana White said after the show.

Mir made no bones about his desire to fight Lesnar, who is currently battling a case of diverticulitis.

“The first thing is, I want him to get healthy,” said Mir. “But when he gets healthy, he may not want to get too healthy.”

Right now, there is no target date for when Lesnar will be back in the cage. It will be 4-6 weeks before doctors can determine how well his recovery has gone and whether or not he will need major surgery, which would put him out for several more months.

White said if Lesnar needs the surgery, there will be an interim champion. If not, they’ll get a contender ready. Shane Carwin was initially the top contender, though he’s also out of action with a knee injury. The other top contenders, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez, are scheduled to fight on Feb. 21 in Sydney, Australia.

Mir felt his performance should put him ahead of Velasquez, generally thought to have the most potential at this point of the four contenders.

“When Velasquez beat Kongo, he couldn’t knock him out or submit him in three rounds,” said Mir. “I almost knocked him out and did submit him.”

But if Mir could pick his next opponent, it would be Nogueira.

“He’s talked a lot of crap about me,” said Mir, who is the only person to have ever finished the legendary Brazilian in his entire career, in a match where Nogueira clearly wasn’t himself coming off a staph infection and a knee injury. “Look, he could say it once, but he says it so often he might as well be wearing a T-shirt that says ‘I had a staph infection and a major knee injury when I fought Frank Mir.’

“But if I was really bothered by it, I’d get back at him by never giving him a rematch, that way I’d always have it over him.”

Mir said that if Velasquez wins, he’d have no interest in the Nogueira fight, feeling it wouldn’t at that point benefit his career.

As for his other two rivals for a title shot, Velasquez and Carwin, Mir has his own scouting report.

“Cain Velasquez, I feel, is the best wrestler in the division,” he said. “And he’s got great cardio. But he’s lacking punching power.”

“Shane Carwin, he’s a better Brock Lesnar than Brock Lesnar. He’s just as powerful, if not more powerful. But his defense is his weakness. He got knocked down by Gabriel Gonzaga.”

Mir was largely responsible for the late interest in the show with his televised taunts of Kongo, as well as the unveiling of his new physique, built on heavy powerlifting and Olympic lifting movements. Mir felt he simply didn’t have the power to contend with Lesnar in their second meeting, which came about after Mir submitted Lesnar with a kneebar in 90 seconds in Lesnar’s first UFC match.

But there were a lot of questions whether adding so much weight so quickly wouldn’t play havoc with his conditioning, since even the smaller Mir had questionable stamina.

As it turned out, that question was never answered.

“I showed that I could rebound from a bad loss,” Mir said. “I had all the pressure on me. Another loss would have been devastating to my career. I talked so much that it put even more pressure on me. But if you saw me walking to the ring, you could see the pressure didn’t affect me.”

Mir’s goal is to get up to around 280 pounds, when his previous best conditioned weight was between 240-252.

“I want to get to where I’m cutting 15-20 pounds just to make 265 pounds,” said Mir, regarding his goal for the Lesnar showdown. “That’s going to take some time. But that way I’ll be the same size he is. I may not be quite as strong as he is, but I’ll be strong enough to neutralize his strength, and then it will come down to who is the better technical fighter. He will never be as technical a fighter as I am because he started too late.”

TNA goes head to head with WWE on a Monday

2009-12-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

Wrestling fans mark your calander becuase TNA with Hulk Hogan is going head to head with WWE on a January 4th 2010.
SpikeTV and TNA Wrestling have unveiled a huge billboard in New York City's Times Square to promote the upcoming January 4 live Monday Night "iMPACT!" on SpikeTV! The billboard is located at 1500 Broadway in Times Square! If you are visiting NYC in the next few weeks, be sure to check it out!

HULKAMANIA IS COMING BACK TO MONDAY NIGHT ON “TNA iMPACT!” LIVE JANUARY 4 ON SPIKE TV

Hulk Hogan’s First Live Appearance On Spike TV’s “TNA iMPACT” Will Be In A Special 3-Hour Live Episode Monday, January 4 At 8:00 PM ET/PT

The biggest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, will make his first live appearance on Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling’s “TNA iMPACT!” in a live 3-hour special on Spike TV Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8:00PM ET/PT. Hogan and TNA President Dixie Carter attended “The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights” Finale in Las Vegas where Hogan made the announcement in an interview with Joe Rogan.

“TNA iMPACT!” will be going against “WWE Monday Raw” on USA Network, the first time two wrestling companies have broadcast live head-to-head since the “Monday Night Wars” in the late 1990’s between WWE and WCW. This “iMPACT!” special will broadcast live from the TNA iMPACT! Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fl.

Hogan’s first appearance inside the six-sided ring of TNA Wrestling will follow weeks of speculation after Hogan and Carter announced their partnership on October 27 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Hogan has hinted in various media interviews that he’ll have multiple surprises in store for TNA Wrestling fans.

“I knew when I signed with TNA, that it would be important to make a statement with the first episode. Going head-to-head on January 4th, makes the statement loud and clear: Game on!” Hogan said.

“TNA is kicking off 2010 in the biggest way possible with the biggest name in the history of our sport. Hulk Hogan is a pop culture icon, and his arrival will change not only TNA, but the entire professional wrestling landscape. We’re firing that first shot,” Carter said.

Joining Hogan for the three-hour live “iMPACT!” will be TNA World Heavyweight Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe, “The Boss” Bobby Lashley and “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan.

“TNA iMPACT!” will resume its normal timeslot on Thursday, January 7th at 9:00 PM ET/PT with an encore viewing of the live “iMPACT!” special.

Danica Patrick enters Nascar in Style

2009-12-21T06:34:00.001-08:00

Once IndyCar star Danica Patrick figured out how to get in and out of the stock car, the rest of her testing session at Daytona International Speedway went without any problems.

Her five laps around NASCAR’s most famous track Friday felt “a little slow”—no surprise since those IndyCars go about 50 mph faster—and her test was considerably smoother than the storied superspeedway.

Her main concern?

“I felt most disoriented with how the heck I am supposed to get my stuff on?” she said following a rain-shortened ARCA test. “I can’t get in the car with all that stuff and I can’t buckle my belts and I can’t do it with my helmet on. So I get in the car and I have to tuck my hair down the back of the suit and I can’t do it because I am strapped in and I am just awfully confused, so I decided I needed everything on but my helmet and then get in the car.

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“It sounds silly, right? It’s logistics, but they’re logistics I am not used to. I am used to being fully dressed and then getting in the car.”

If that turns out to be her biggest problem, then her NASCAR future might be brighter than the fluorescent, green-and-orange paint job on her No. 7 Chevrolet.

Patrick started the day with a van ride around the track, getting a much better feel for the 2 1/2 -mile tri-oval than she ever got testing IndyCars on Daytona’s road course or racing in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 2006 and 2009.

Rain delayed the start of the session, and Patrick had dozens of photographers and reporters following her every move through the garage.

“It was a bit of a circus out there,” she said. “I’m not unfamiliar with having people around, although it does seem a little funny when there is not much else going on. I definitely feel very singled out. I’m lucky for that, so it definitely felt like there is a lot of interest.

Even competitors were taking pictures during the drivers meeting.

“I definitely felt the lenses of cameras all morning,” she said.

Patrick took part in a private test session in Orlando last week, driving ARCA and Nationwide cars, so this wasn’t her first laps in a stock car.

They were her most anticipated. How would she handle the hefty cars on a bumpy track? How would she communicate with crew members? Would she stall leaving pit road, spin coming out of a turn or scrape the wall? Some of the concerns seemed justified when she admitted afterward that she didn’t even know the track was 2 1/2 miles around.

But there were few hiccups.

“The car is different,” she said. “It definitely moves around quite a bit. It was getting some action in the rear on the bumps. It was getting a little bit loose, but I kept my foot in it and I tried not to chase it too much with the steering. Didn’t want to have an accident, but I felt all right. It was fun. I trusted the car. I trusted the preparation of it. I trusted the guys.”

Patrick was one of a record nine women at the first day of the three-day test. Part-time IndyCar driver Milka Duno, twins Amber and Angela Cope, Alli Owens and Leilani Munter were among the others. But none of them received the attention Patrick got.

Even NASCAR president Mike Helton showed up to watch the sport’s newest star.

“I don’t know I can relate it to anything I can remember,” Helton said. “Obviously, there was anticipation when Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. and Matt Kenseth moved from the Nationwide Series to the Cup Series and there was anticipation when Tony Stewart decided to switch from open wheels to our type of racing, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything quite like this.”

Patrick will make her stock car debut in the ARCA race at Daytona in February. She plans to drive a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series in 2010 and hasn’t ruled out making her NASCAR debut at Daytona.

Her hesitation?

“Just don’t know enough right now,” she said. “It’s quite an arena to run my first Nationwide. With 30 Cup guys out there, it’s going to be really, really challenging.”

Although crew chief Tony Eury Jr. said Thursday that Patrick is capable of top-15 finishes every week, she stopped short of placing any lofty expectations on herself, especially after just a few laps.

“I would have to say that putting a number on it at all is a bold move,” Patrick said. “I don’t ever do that, really. I never really say I think I should run third today or 13th. I never say any number whatsoever because you just don’t know. I never want to be held accountable or judged by you based on what I say. I never give a number. All I can say is I hope to go out there and win every single race, and we’ll see what happens from there.”

Helton called Patrick’s arrival positive, adding that “it doesn’t hurt us to have good story lines, and this is certainly a good story line.”

But can she live up to the expectations?

“I don’t know,” Helton said. “I sure hope so, and I hope everybody’s expectations can be reasonable. That’s important. She’s obviously got her own goals and expectations. … It’s important for the rest of us to be reasonable with ours.”

The Sugar Bowl Floida VS Cincinnati Jan 1st 2010 8:30PM

2009-12-21T06:28:00.000-08:00

Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap is back with the team, back at practice and could be back in the starting lineup in the Sugar Bowl.
The fifth-ranked Gators reinstated Dunlap on Friday, less than three weeks after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
“He’s going to play,” Meyer said after practice. “I met with the administration, president and also the athletic director. His first mistake. It was a real serious one, but he paid a serious price as well. Real serious mistake, but he’s been a good student, good person, and represented well.”
Dunlap was arrested Dec. 1 after a Gainesville Police officer found the player passed out behind the wheel at an intersection. Meyer suspended Dunlap for the Southeastern Conference championship game, which the Gators lost 32-13 to Alabama.
Meyer said school president Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley agreed Friday that Dunlap should be reinstated because it was his first time in trouble in three seasons.
“There was a lot of discussion, and like I said, the previous track record,” Meyer said. “It’s case by case. If there was another issue, then there’d be an issue. And there hasn’t been, and that’s what basically administration let me know. They let me know.”
Dunlap, a 20-year-old junior from North Charleston, S.C., has a hearing scheduled for Jan. 21.
According to police, Dunlap was passed out through several traffic signals around 3:45 a.m.—hours after a teammate’s birthday party. An officer woke up Dunlap through a cracked window, but he kept falling back asleep.
Dunlap had watery and bloodshot eyes, the officer said, and there was a smell of alcohol. Dunlap failed a field sobriety test, refused a breath test and was arrested.
Dunlap, the defensive MVP of the Bowl Championship Series national title game in January, has 35 tackles and seven sacks this season.
Dunlap had been considered a top-10 pick in the NFL draft, and many expect him to leave school early in January.

Florida players insist there’s still plenty to play for when the Gators face Cincinnati on New Year’s Day in the Sugar Bowl.

“We have a month left with each other, with this team and it’s a special team,” senior wide receiver David Nelson said. “We might not be playing for a national championship, but we’re still playing (to be) a top-5 team in the country and for a 13-1 record. That’s something we’re not going to take light. We’re going to enjoy each other. This is a special group.”

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The Gators fell short of their stated goal to repeat as BCS national champions when they lost 32-13 to Alabama in the SEC championship game. Florida is looking to avoid a letdown similar to what Alabama suffered in the Sugar Bowl last season. After Alabama lost to Florida in the SEC title game, the Tide lost 31-17 to Utah to close the season with two straight losses.

“Winning (22) straight games in a row … is not much of a letdown,” redshirt junior offensive lineman Carl Johnson said. “We had the nation’s (longest) win streak there for a while. We’ve still got a BCS bowl game. We’ve still got another opponent. It’s not much of a letdown.”

Cincinnati, though, could come into the game with extra motivation after head coach Brian Kelly left the team to become head coach at Notre Dame. Many Bearcat players have said that they want to finish the season with a perfect record to prove they can win without Kelly.

UF safeties coach Chuck Heater still expects the Gators to be ready for the Bearcats (12-0).

“They take on challenges very well, so I would expect them to step up, rise up and do what men do when you have another game to play,” Heater said.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Florida coach Urban Meyer says Cincinnati could contend in the SEC.

Meyer can only hope the Gators will summon a better effort then they did against their last Southeastern Conference opponent. After a stunning 32-13 loss to Alabama that ended dreams of an undefeated season and repeat BCS championship, Florida (12-1) will look to regroup against the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl.

“We have to move on pretty quickly from the loss,” UF offensive lineman Carl Johnson said. “We have one more chance to make everybody proud.”

Florida held the No. 1 ranking from September until its loss to the Crimson Tide in the SEC title game.

“We’re 12-1, we have to stay positive,” Florida cornerback Joe Haden said. “We have to focus on the bowl game.”

Meyer said his he’s confident that his senior-laden team won’t suffer a letdown against the undefeated Bearcats (12-0). Cincinnati clinched its second straight Big East title with a 45-44 comeback win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

“If you’re dealing with an immature football team, you have an issue,” said Meyer about responding the right way. “We don’t.”

Scouting The Offense: Florida will look to find a way to get Jeffery Demps and Chris Rainey more involved in the offense after the two running backs combined for just three carries against Alabama. Florida senior receiver David Nelson was one of the few bright spots against Alabama, catching four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line has improved in pass protection since true freshman Xavier Nixon moved into the starting lineup at left tackle four games ago against South Carolina. Florida held Alabama without a QB sack in the SEC title game.

Scouting The Defense: Florida was unable to get a pass rush going against Alabama, recording just one sack on a safety blitz. The Gators can’t afford to let Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike to get comfortable in the pocket. Florida also must shore up its tackling after giving up a surprising 272 yards rushing against Alabama.

Matchup To Watch: Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard vs. Florida CB Joe Haden. Gilyard, a Florida native, will be looking forward to making big plays against the Gators. But he’ll have to shake himself free from Haden, one of the best cover corners in college football and a projected NFL first-round draft pick. In one of the few bright spots of the SEC title game for the Gators, Haden shut down talented Alabama receiver Julio Jones.

Other Key Matchups:

Cincinnati WR Armon Binns vs. Florida CB Janoris Jekins.

With UF CB Joe Haden matched up against Cincinnati receiver Mardy Gilyard on one side, Jenkins (5-foot-11) will face the task of matching up against the much taller Binns (6-4, 200). Look for Cincinnati QB Tony Pike to throw the ball high and try to get the ball to Binns, especially in the red zone. Binns has 10 TD catches this season.

Florida’s kickoff coverage unit vs. Cincinnati receiver/return specialist Mardy Gilyard.

Florida coach Urban Meyer takes pride in his special teams, even using starters to cover punts and kicks. The Gators will need to contend with the speedy Gilyard, who had three returns for TDs this season.

Florida’s offensive line vs. Cincinnati’s pass rush.

Florida has allowed 26 sacks this season, but the line actually played well in the SEC title game against Alabama and didn’t allow a sack. The Gators will need to give starting quarterback Tim Tebow time to throw against a Cincinnati team that’s had 35 sacks in 12 games this season.

Quote To Note: “Our legacy is going to be dependent on how we finish this season.”—Florida coach Urban Meyer, on his team’s motivation for the Sugar Bowl.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Bowl Breakdown:

Florida vs. Cincinnati, Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1, New Orleans, La.—Florida gets the Southeastern Conference consolation prize this season after losing 32-13 to Alabama in the SEC title game. The Gators will be making their 19th straight bowl appearance, which ranks first among SEC schools and second nationally. It will be Florida’s eighth Sugar Bowl game appearance.

Players To Watch:

QB Tim Tebow—The Sugar Bowl will mark the final game in Tebow’s storied four-year college career. Tebow is Florida’s unquestioned offensive leader and UF’s top threat in both the running and passing game. Look for Tebow to will his teammates into not finishing the season on a negative note.

MLB Brandon Spikes—Spikes is the senior leader of UF’s defense. Like Tebow, Spikes will be motivated to finish his career on a positive note.

TE Aaron Hernandez—Look for Florida to work the ball to Hernandez underneath and up the middle in an effort to loosen up Cincinnati’s defense. Hernandez (739 yards, four TDs) is a junior but could decide to put his name in for the NFL draft after the season.

DE Jermaine Cunningham—Cunningham will play his final game. If Carlos Dunlap is still suspended, Cunningham will need to step up as UF’s top pass-rushing threat. Cunningham and Dunlap are tied for the team lead in sacks with seven.

Roster Report:

• It’s still unclear whether DE Carlos Dunlap will play in the Sugar Bowl. Dunlap was suspended for the SEC Championship game after being arrested for a DUI earlier in the week.

• LB A.J. Jones (knee) sat out the SEC title game and is questionable for the Sugar Bowl.

• WR/KR Brandon James aggravated a foot injury and was forced to sit out the second half of the SEC title game. James wore a protective boot on the foot in the locker room following the game but said he did not know if it will hold him out of the bowl game.

• Florida coach Urban Meyer was treated for dehydration at Shands Hospital in Gainesville on Sunday morning after the SEC title game. Meyer was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon.

• Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has accepted the head coaching job at Louisville. Strong will return to the Gators on Dec. 17 and coach in the Sugar Bowl.

• UF receivers coach Billy Gonzales has left to become the passing coordinator at LSU. Gonzales was replaced by Central Michigan wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, who coached with Florida coach Urban Meyer at Bowling Green.

NFC Playoff Race

2009-12-21T06:25:00.000-08:00

NFC playoff race

1. New Orleans Saints (13-1, clinched South and first-round bye): Don't think losing to Dallas provided any sense of relief. Players and coaches were hurt. They should be at full strength defensively soon with DT Sedrick Ellis and solid cover corner Jabari Greer poised to return from injuries. They're closing in on homefield advantage and should have little trouble capturing it with Tampa Bay and Carolina on deck.

2. Minnesota Vikings (11-3, clinched North): If the Vikings win out over the Bears and Giants, they would need a monumental collapse by the Saints to gain homefield advantage. Not likely. Now they have to wonder if they can win at New Orleans; all three of their defeats this season -- including Sunday night's at Carolina -- have come on the road.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4, first in East): Their victory over San Francisco puts them in position to win the division. Denver and the Cowboys, both trying to get into the playoffs, will push the Eagles. It is Andy Reid's style to rest players, so if Philly clinches next week, it could open the door for Dallas to get into the playoffs in the finale. Wow.

4. Arizona Cardinals (9-5, clinched West): This bipolar team could make a run back to the Super Bowl or be one and done. Arizona could ease back against St. Louis and Green Bay the next two weeks and lose its focus ... or play up to its potential. Finale vs. the Packers could be a first-round preview and a very vanilla game if neither team has anything to play for.

5. Green Bay Packers (9-5, second in North): Loss to Pittsburgh was heartbreaking but not backbreaking. Packers' superior conference mark (7-3) didn't take a hit against the AFC's Steelers. Realistically, one win in their final two against Seattle and Arizona should be enough to get them in. It's just a matter of if they'll go in as the No. 5 or 6 seed.

6. Dallas Cowboys (9-5, second in East): How big was that win against New Orleans? Call it a season saver. With questions about their December woes behind them, they can concentrate on beating Washington and Philadelphia to punch their ticket. It's all in front of them. Then again, we've heard that before.

New York Giants (7-6, third in East): They're all must-wins now, starting Monday night at the nation's capital. Even with victories against the Redskins, Panthers and Vikings, nothing's guaranteed. Dallas controls its destiny, as does Green Bay. The Giants could be on the outside looking in.

Seven and Seven make the AFC wild in the next two weeks

2009-12-21T06:03:00.000-08:00

If anything the NFL is proving that the last two weeks will be very interesting in the AFC.
This week Tennessee, Huston and Pittsburgh won games, and New York, Jacksonville, and Miami lost leaving a seven and seven field of opportunity.
The Ravens and Broncos need to win the next two weeks making the record 10 wins and 6 losses, but if for some reason either team losses one game the field is wide open for a team with nine wins will represent the AFC in the post season.

The AFC playoff race looks like this:

1. Indianapolis Colts (14-0, clinched No. 1 seed): They finish against the Jets at home and at Buffalo, teams that could see plenty of Curtis Painter instead of Peyton Manning. A perfect regular season would be nice, but expect Indy to play things conservatively -- and still find a way to finish unbeaten.

2. San Diego Chargers (11-3, West winners): The Chargers' Christmas Day game against Tennessee on NFL Network could be a thriller with the Titans hanging on to their slim -- but remarkable -- playoff lives and San Diego trying to maintain its momentum going into the playoffs. The Chargers have a stranglehold on the No. 2 seed, so while they don't catch a break in the season finale against a dangerous Redskins team, that game might not have any meaning by the time it rolls around.

3. New England Patriots (9-5, first in East): The Patriots' escape in Buffalo and losses by the Jets and Dolphins pretty much greased the skids for a division title. New England still isn't playing like a team that scares anyone, but the team's history shouldn't make opponents feel comfortable either. The Patriots close against the Jaguars and Texans, 7-7 teams in desperation mode.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (9-5, first in North): It seems like we've been saying for weeks that their lead in the North is secure. Probably still is because of their 6-0 mark in the division, but the Ravens lay in the weeds a game back (actually two having lost twice to Cincinnati). Following the death of teammate Chris Henry, the Bengals have to snap out of their funk and rally with heavy hearts to write a happy ending to their best season in years. The Chiefs and Jets will make them work, especially if New York is still alive in Week 17.

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-6, second in North): The Ravens might be the team that emerges from this glut of wild-card hopefuls but it will have to win in Pittsburgh next week, which won't be easy. Neither will the finale at Oakland; the Raiders have been successfully playing the role of spoiler for weeks. Should the Ravens fight their way in, they could be that "hot" team no one wants to play in the playoffs, like they were last year when they entered as a wild card.

6. Denver Broncos (8-6, second in West): The Broncos are hoping their schizophrenic season -- in which they won six straight, lost four, won two and now lost two -- takes yet another turn. They've lost six of their last eight and have no momentum heading into the next two weeks that will decide everything. You have to think they have last season's debacle still on their minds, at least the holdovers from a franchise that underwent an offseason facelift. Big game at Philadelphia before a breather against Kansas City in finale. A split might not be good enough.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-7, tied for second in South): The good news for the Jaguars is that they sit in pretty good position with the best conference mark (6-4) among the 7-7 hopefuls. The bad news: Their final two games are on the road. Jacksonville has only won twice away from home and both remaining games will be played in un-Florida-like climates (New England and Cleveland).

Miami Dolphins (7-7, tied for second in East): No team has a more intriguing road, although the final two games are in South Florida. Houston and Pittsburgh, respectively, will either push Miami out of the playoffs or will be cast out of the 7-7 mix by a Dolphins team that has re-invented itself at quarterback and tailback. Conference mark: 5-5.

New York Jets (7-7, tied for second in East): New York's offense remains a huge issue, but the Jets could catch a two-tiered break. They face the Colts next week and the Bengals in the finale. The Colts have nothing to play for (except a perfect season) and the Bengals might be locked into their playoff spot by the finale. Conference mark: 5-5.

Steelers (7-7, third in North): Well, well, well. The defending champs might want to play ball after all. Beating Baltimore at home is a must, but so is holding off Miami in Florida. Pittsburgh could have safety Troy Polamalu back to provide inspiration and on-field production. Their 4-6 conference mark isn't going to help in tiebreakers.

Titans (7-7, tied for second in South): It is amazing Tennessee has worked itself to this point, and it might not be done. San Diego isn't going to be too keen on having to travel to Nashville for a Christmas night game, and the Titans end the season at Seattle. Problem for Tennessee is a 4-7 conference record -- worst among the playoff hopefuls and a likely death knell of a tie-breaker.

Houston Texans (7-7, tied for second in South): If there was ever a time for Matt Schaub to post a defining snapshot, this is it. The Texans face Miami and New England. Victories over both would still leave the team with six conference losses, which ultimately could be the downfall of both Houston and coach Gary Kubiak.

AFC/NFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS PICTURE.

2009-12-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

Indianapolis is the only team left with out a loss after Dallas beat the Saints 24-17 on Saturday. The Colts clinched the top seed in the AFC with a win over the Broncos.
San Diego Chargers have a 5-1 record vs AFC West opponents but Broncos may be able to match that.
Cincinnati Bengals failed to clinch AFC North title with a loss to Vikings and Ravens win over the Lions.
New England Patriots must win at Buffalo on Sunday to have a chance at winning a tie breaker against the Dolphins.
Dolphins already have clinched three-way tiebreaker with Patriots and Jets.
Denver Broncos are not out of the playoffs yet with games left against the Chiefs and Raiders.
DO THE JAGUARS HAVE A SHOT STILL????
Jaguars are only here by virtue of a three way tie against the Ravens and Dolphins. The Dolphins win the AFC East tiebreaker with the Jets based on a head to head sweep.
Though the Dolphins beat the Jaguars neither team played the Ravens.
The Jaguars have a 6-3 conference record, which beats the Ravens 6-4, and Dolphins 5-4.

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

Saints clinched first round playoff bye. Clinch top seed with a win and Minnesota loss.
Minnesota Vikings clinched a play off berth with a win over the Bengals.
Clinch NFC North with a win or Packers loss.
Philadelphia Eagles have a one game lead over the Cowboys in the NFC East, but the Cowboys currently win tiebreaker.
Arizona Cardinals Lead the 49ERS by two games in the NFC west, but the 49ERS win tiebreaker based on head to head sweep.
Green Bay Packers lose tiebreaker with Vikings based on head to head sweep.
Dallas Cowboys have a one game lead over the Giants for the final wild card spot, but the Giants have a tiebreaker because of the head to head sweep.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
Outlaw Sports Radio
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Sun Cruz Casino Closed 12/2009

2009-12-19T18:32:00.000-08:00

A Casino company called Sun Cruz Casino close on Dec 16th 2009 with out notice leaving three casino boats and nearly 300 employees with no jobs.
The company had made no attempt to tell the employees or clients of the casino boats about the closure. I think companies like this should be accountable for some of the actions they took. Instead of coming out and explaining to employees and clients that the company was in trouble they lied. They continued to lie stating weather, audits and other factors where the reason for not operating the three boats the company owners.

Whats even worse is that the news did not even put very much pressure on the company to explain itself. No federal or state agency stepped up to find out what was going on.

The company owes the port fees of over $200,000 in one location.

Local news channels 9 and 6 did a small story on it and an article in the Jacksonville Times on 12/18/2009. Here are the web pages for you if you would like to view them:
http://www.wftv.com/news/21986276/detail.html
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/sun-cruz-casino-cancels-cruises-127260.html?cxtype=ynews_rss
http://www.wftv.com/news/21990597/detail.html

According to Sun Cruz Casino they are in the process of selling the company but there is no news on whom is buying, or if the sale is going to really happen. The company refuses to give out any information.

They had no problem however leaving employees with no jobs.
In one report some of the employees had not been paid.

Employees that where not paid should contact the Federal Labor Wage Department at: http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/

Also you can file unemployment in Florida at:
http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/

Also you can file a complaint against the company if your an employee or patron to these state and federal agencies:
http://www.myfloridalhttp://
www.bbb.org/icense.com/dbpr/pmw/index.html

The employees and clients await the fate of Sun Cruz Casino, also Nevada Gold Casino is not responding to any questions.

Jacksonville Should be proud of how the Jaguars played the Colts

2009-12-17T21:40:00.000-08:00

If at any time Jacksonville Jaguars thought they had no fans in Jacksonville the Colts game on Thursday Dec 17Th 2009 hopefully changed the mind of Wayne Weaver the owner.
Fans packed the stadium!
It was one of the best games I have seen in a long time.
Jacksonville offense took to the field like it was nothing.
I had thought a repeat of last weeks game against Miami would be in store.
Where the Jaguars offense would not move the ball.
This game however proved to be quite a show on both sides of the ball.
Jaguars took the lead several times during the game.
The Jaguars defense also did a bang up job holding the Colts on several key plays.
A 65 yard pass in the 4Th Quarter put the Colts on top by 4 points over the Jaguars.
With less than 2.o minutes left in the game the Jaguars marched down the field looking like they wanted to end the winning streak of the Colts.
With 53 seconds left however the Colts defense got an interception that ended the game
35 to 31.
Jacksonville lost the game but I saw a real hungry team that wanted to win and they came to play!
I think if Jacksonville Jaguars would play every game like this the winning record would be a little bit better next year if they do not move away or get sold to LA.
Fans should support the team they played great both on offense and defense.
I was happy I watched the game live.
However in one of my other post we may have to talk about the prices for food, drinks and the parking at Jacksonville Stadium.

I hope the Jaguars continue to play with that heart of fire I saw tonight and that the fans in Jacksonville will step up and show the team we support you win or lose if you give it your best shot and out it all on the line!

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS YOU MADE MY MOST WANTED LIST FOR THIS GAME TONIGHT!

OUTLAW SPORTS MOST WANTED LIST!

2009-12-11T17:40:00.000-08:00

THIS YEAR WE HAVE STARTED TO CREATE OUR MOST WANTED INTERVIEW LIST FOR 2010:

NFL, NCAA, UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE, LFL LEAGUE, ARENA FOOTBALL, JACKSONVILLE SHARKS, JACKSONVILLE ROLLER DERBY GIRLS, THE AXEMEN, JACKSONVILLE KNIGHTS, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, JACKSONVILLE SUNS

NASCAR, IRL, MONSTER TRUCKS, MOTOCROSS

BOXING, MMA, KICKBOXING, UFC, STRIKEFORCE, WWE, TNA

MLB, SOFTBALL, NBA, WNBA, COLLEGE HOOPS

GOLF, TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, OLYMPICS, SOCCER, SURFING, SKATING

CHECK OUT: WWW.OUTLAWSPORTSRADIO.COM
THE OUTLAW MICHEAL TOMSIK

Browns Beat Steelers

2009-12-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

Who would have guessed that the Cleveland Browns would beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6 on a Thursday Night in December.
The 1-11 Browns pull of a win against the 6-6 Steelers.
This does not go well for the Steelers in a race for the Wild Card Spot.
It also is the 5Th loss for the Steelers!
Well in this game the funny part is that Roethlisberger had a better game than Quinn if you look at the stats:
Roethlisberger had 18 completed passes to Quinn only having 6 completed passes.
Roethisberger has 201 yards compared to Quinn only 90 yards.
Defense was main part of the Steelers losing to the Browns as they sacked Roethisberger 8 times compared to Quinn only being sacked once!
Rushing yards Cleveland 171 the Steelers 75
Total net yards Cleveland 255 and Steelers 216.
Also the Steelers only got two field goals and no Touchdowns.
The Browns Defense defiantly won this game or the lack of the Steelers offense lost the game!
However you want to look at it I can imagine that Steeler Fans will be in a roar after this game!

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
http://www.outlawsportsradio.com/

Companies should provide the bottom line to employees!

2009-12-10T16:54:00.000-08:00

Since this year brought in a recession and the economy has been the topic of conversation lately I began to think about why companies lie and cover up facts about the company to employees.
I started my theory that companies should by law have to give employees information about the company on a quarterly bases.
I was pointed from some one whom I was discussing this subject with that you can research some information on a company if it has stock that is publicly traded.
My reply was that many companies are small business owners and not required to provide employees with any information about the company or themselves by law.
Think about it just for a moment what your employer knows about you, or even if your just applying for a job the type of information that you give out.
First of all you give your name, phone number, address, e-mail, social security, education background, employment history, personal and professional references, and sometimes jobs require dmv, credit and criminal background checks as well.
When hired did the owner come in and give you any information about themselves?
What do you really know about your company or the person or people that own it?
Small business owners take a lot of risk in opening and operating a business, but not all people are good at managing and keeping the business a float.
Owners should be required by law to send out a quarterly statement of the company operation cost and what the company is making. Yes I know you business owners are going to scream at me. I think most people would want to know that the job they have is secure in these times, who needs to show up to work everyday wondering if they will have a job that day.
I only say this because in my experience this has happened several times in places I was employed. The company was being sold, or going out of business, closing the doors but they lied to all the employees all they way till the end. I never really understood why they did this.
I was told they did not want employees to quit.
Yet if they had been truthful about the situation maybe the employees would have stayed till the end. It would have given them time to look for other jobs, get training in another career.
The more I thought about it it became clear to me that small business owners should be required by law to release information relating to the company to employees.

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

Lingerie Football

2009-12-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

The LFL has 10 teams but really has not be mentioned very much on any sports station that I am aware of. So here is some info about the LFL:
The basics of LFL:
Playing Field: 50 yard field, 8 yard end zones, 30 yards wide
Scoring: Touchdown 6 points, Safety 2 points, 2-yard run or pass conversion 1 point, a 5 yard is worth 2 points, no punting or field goals allowed
Offense: 7 players on the field, 1 QB, 2 Running Backs, 1 Down-Line woman, 3 Wide Receivers
Defense: 7 players on the field, 2 downlinewomen, 1 linebacker, 2 corner backs, 2 safeties
Team Roster: 14 active players and 6 inactive players
Time of Play: 2-17 minute halves, 15 minute half-time, 8 minute sudden death overtime, ;35 second clock
You can look at the web page at www.LFL.com

This is another league that I would love to interview but after sending e-mails everyday, and calling them out live on the air they did not reply.

I am putting the LFL on the Outlaw Most Wanted List also!
Is the LFL afraid of the Outlaw Micheal Tomsik or will they answer the Most Wanted Call Out?

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
www.outlawsportsradio.com

United Football League

2009-12-10T14:45:00.000-08:00

The United Football League has been on my MOST WANTED list for an interview. However they are chicken to do a live interview with me because they do not like the questions I ask.
The United Football had four teams this year:
California Redwoods, Florida Tuskers, New York Sentinels, Las Vegas Locomotives.
The situation with the UFL is that they are not forthcoming about how the League operates and who is involved with the UFL.
They did manage to survive from August to November 2009, and signed some decent players.
However when I mention the UFL at any college, or minor league I am always given negative information about them.
Seems as the league has not updated the web sight to tell people what they are planning in 2010.
So here are some of the questions I would love to ask the UFL if they ever dare to interview with me!
OUTLAW QUESTIONS:
Will there be a second season of the UFL?
When will the second season begin and end?
Will there be more teams added to the UFL in 2010?
Will the UFL keep the promise to operate football in states and places where there are no football teams?
After all they only had one team in Las Vegas Nevada that had no football teams already.
Where might some of those places be?
Will the UFL keep the ticket prices low, and will they be able to keep the league on TV?
If some one was interested in purchasing a team how much would it be?
Who monitors the league as far as rules, regulations and policies about the game rules, regulations, playoffs, and championship games.
How many fans did the UFL have in 2009?
Will the UFL sign any type of agreement with the NFL to be a Minor League of the NFL?
Do you think the return of the Arena Football will have any affect on the UFL?
What will the UFL do to keep fans involved and interested in the League?

Well as you see I have a lot of questions and no answers from the UFL.

I am putting the UFL on my MOST WANTED LIST!

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik
Outlaw Sports Radio
www.outlawsportsradio.com

Going to the Movies..It's Complicated Movie

2009-12-10T04:57:00.000-08:00

We got invited to advanced screening of It's Complicated.
The film has Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, ans Alec Baldwin.
The movie is coming out on Christmas Day.

The movie was written and directed by Nancy Meyers.
She also wrote Somethings Gotta Give and The Holiday.
The movie is a comedy about love, divorce and everything between.

Jane played by Meryl Streep who has three grown kids, owns a bakery and has been Divorced from Jake played by Alec Baldwin for ten years.
At the graduation of the youngest son the two meet up at a bar and the night turns into the unimaginable.
Jane finds herself the other woman having an affair with her x-husband who is married to Agness played by Lake Bell.

Adam played by Steve Martin an architect hired to remodel Janes kitchen gets caught in the middle of this love triangle. Steve Martin does not have a major role but is funny in the parts he does play.

I thought this would be a classic chick flick but it was far from what I expected.

I brought my 11 year old daughter thinking I would have to cover her eyes for half the movie.

It turns out that the movie was really funny and had little sex or profanity shown.

The little parts they did show was Jake played by Alec Baldwin Naked on the bed but covered his you know what by a lab top computer.

You did see his behind a little bit.

That was even played off so funny that you did not even care.

I have to tell you I don't write about movies much but I strongly say go take your partner to this movie, you will leave talking and having a good laugh.

I don't recommend this for younger kids still because they will not get the adult comedy involved and my daughter was bored with the movie.

It is more of an adult film with the jokes being about sex.

I would give this movie a thumbs up however, because the entire audience was laughing at many parts in the movie, and the actors played this one to the tee.

Go see It's Complicated!

The other part of my blog is about how movie theaters charge you an arm and leg for drinks, popcorn and candy. I really do not know how any one even goes to a movie these days because if you take your family you will spend a fortune on a soda, candy or popcorn.
No wonder Cable has become so popular or that famous Red Box.

I was waiting for my wife and daughter in the lobby and decided to check out the prices on a soda, candy and popcorn.

A soda started at $3.00 for a small going up to $6.00 for a large.

The popcorn started at $5.00 for a small going up to $9.00 for a large.

Candy ranged from $3.75 to $4.25.

The sad thing about this is that the same items can be found at any gas station, or local store for much less.

If I would have bought three small sodas $9.00, on med bag of popcorn $7.00 I would have spent $16.00.

Tickets if I would have purchased them would have been $9.00 each a total of $27.00.

A night out at the movies for a party of three $43.00.

I think movie theaters should find a way to offer reasonable prices on sodas, popcorn, and candy at least, and to stay in business they should offer good ticket prices.

Thanks for reading my blog,

The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

Check us out at: www.outlawsportsradio.com