The Most Trust Worthy Sports Figures in America

Tony Dungy is the most trusted sports figure in the country.

Reader’s Digest just released its list of the top 100 Most Trusted People in America, and several notable sports figures were part of the list.

The most trusted sports figure is Tony Dungy, former football coach and current analyst for NBC Sunday Night Football.  Dungy comes in at number 21 on the list and I completely agree.  He has transcended the world of sports by offering his steadfast advice on life, keeping good habits and overcoming tragedy and obstacles.  I guarantee if Dungy said he wanted back in the coaching realm someone would find room quickly.

The next figure on the list is directly connected to Dungy is Denver Bronco’s QB Peyton Manning.  When you look up quarterback in the dictionary his picture has to be attached.  The reason why he is so trust worthy is that when he is on the field he figures out ways to win.  He is consistently good, and you never hear of bad behavior.  Look at the way he handled being released by the Colts- class, nothing but praise for the organization.  Brett Farve should have taken notes.

This next one shows that while the establishment doesn’t trust you the overall American public does. Tim Tebow (no 40) is the third most trusted sports figure on this list. I get it, you want your daughter dating him, he is all-american clean cut, but I wouldn’t trust my team’s performance on him being a pocket passer or effective leader.  Look at the chaos in the Jets organization- or course the Jets are the definition of chaos.  But in real life Tebow is a golden virgin with his bible verses and humongous following on social media.  While I don’t think he’s going to wind up being on an NFL this season I would trust him if we met in a dark alley.

Right after Tebow is Muhammed Ali (no 41), the most recognized face in professional boxing and perhaps the only practicing Muslim on the list.  Ali transcends sports: political and peace activist, showman- he is so many things.  I can’t believe he is behind Tebow- of course I wouldn’t have thought of Tebow for this list.  I need to stop acting like ESPN and drop my Tebow coverage.

The only golfer on the list, (No 55) Phil Mickelson has one four championships and swings left handed- even though he is a righty! Not sure how trusty that is but America said so.

Eli Manning (No 58)- I’m thinking that people thought the little brother of Peyton was in fact Peyton.  But again it’s like a combination of Peyton and Tebow- all American, can actually pass the ball in the NFL, and was probably a virgin before marriage

Finishing off the list is (No 91) Michael Straham- Wow a giant black man made the list! Straham is now more famous for being Kelly Ripa’s sidekick than for his footballing- but I do enjoy his gap tooth.

Now notice what is missing- no NBA, no MLB, and if Lance Armstrong hadn’t admitted doping he probably would have made the list.  Watch for the next few days for my own list of the personalities that I trust most in sports… it is an interesting topic.

Related articles

• Forbes: Tebow Most Influential Athlete (breitbart.com)
• Tim Tebow’s popularity works against him (espn.go.com)

Webb Defects from War Eagle in SI Shoot

So my husband gets Sports Illustrated in the mail regularly… and I being the Sports Gal Pal love the coverage SI typically gives- a bit of background on current issues with sports.

But I LOATHE the annual Swimsuit Issue! Maybe its just me, but I don’t understand how you can call it a swimsuit issue when most of the models are naked?

It is the one SI I ask my husband to keep from my eyesight.  Of course he did mention one model in particular.

Katherine Webb

Now for those who may not know Webb is now famous for not only being Miss Alabama but for being Alabama Quarterback’s AJ McCarron’s girlfriend.  She was spotted in the stands during the National Championship Game because frankly she was more interesting than watching Bama’s D destroy Notre Dame.

It was a HUGE boost to her career and for them most part I say bravo!

But in the SI Swimsuit issue Webb is wearing a Bama jersey with her boyfriend’s number and the bottom of a skimpy string bikini.  The problem I have with this picture is not the lack of clothing (actually she is wearing the most clothing of any model in the magazine, and frankly looks good) but the fact that she is wearing a Bama jersey.

Webb graduated from Auburn.

For those of who who may not know, the rivarly between Alabama and Auburn is bitter, sometimes violent, and personal.  Its bad e

nough that Bama is the king of all things college football, but for a graduate of War Eagle to be published in a magazine wearing the enemies colors is just wrong.

If I were an alum of Auburn, I would demand the diploma back.

 

from SI.com Webb seen in the pictures from SI Swimsuit Issue

Webb showing her true colors

Related articles

• McCarron’s GF Poses in SI Swimsuit Issue (lostlettermen.com)
• Katherine Webb’s SI Swimsuit Issue Appearance Is Latest Step Toward Superstardom (bleacherreport.com)

The Four Rivalries to Watch Today

A House Divided (Photo credit: {just jennifer})

The final game of the regular college football season is here. I am a little melancholy because I love college football and of course my Wahoos won’t be going to the post season.

But the final game of the regular college football season means one thing: rivalry games!

I know I went over some of the big rivalry games in the NFL but those guys have nothing, nothing on the college kids. Here is some history of the best rivalries you’ll see today.

Iron Bowl Auburn vs Alabama

This is one of the nastiest rivalries in the country- period. In fact innocent trees have been victims from the outcome of this game. Here’s some back ground.

Since 1893 Auburn and Alabama have met in a game that turns brother against brother in the state of Alabama. Bama leads the series 41-31-1. The name the Iron Bowl comes from the fact that a majority of the series was played in Birmingham which had a large steel industry.

Now the two teams share hosting duties.

During the first game the controversy began as Alabama lost the game 32-22 to Auburn. Alabama considered the game to be the final match up of the 1892 season and Auburn considered it the first game of the 1893 season.

The rivalry took a break in 1907 because the schools couldn’t agree over amount of expenses to be paid players and where officials should be obtained. It took the Alabama House of Representatives to threaten to withhold funding unless they resumed the rivalry game. Serious stakes indeed. The two universities got together and agreed to renew the game- holding it in Birmingham because it was the largest stadium in the state and tickets would be split evenly between the two schools.

So this year’s Iron Bowl- there should be no contest Alabama will win and win big- Auburn hasn’t won a conference game yet this season and going against who many consider the best team in college football today isn’t going to be the day.

If you would like to learn more about this rivalry you should watch ESPN’s documentary Roll Tide/War Eagle. In this well done film you’ll see how fierce the folks down south take this rivalry and how people who didn’t even attend the schools have affected the game.

The Game: Michigan vs Ohio State

This is a game that is fierce no matter the outcome. The first meeting was in 1897 with Michigan beating Ohio State 34-0. In the past four decades this game is a national interest because often it will determine the BIG championship and the winner will often go to the Rose Bowl. According to ESPN this rivalry is the best in America- period.

In 2011 the conference grew to 12 members (well now 14 with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers- boo Maryland!) and the teams were placed in separate divisions. But the teams still play each year and could meet in the BIG championship game again.

The most notable period of the rivalry is known as the “Ten-Year War” between Ohio State coach Woody Hayes and Michigan’s Bo Schembechler. Hayes was notorious of his hatred for not only the University of Michigan but the State of Michigan. He wouldn’t even purchase gas in Michigan on recruiting trips- and almost ran out of gas before getting into Ohio. Schembechler had been an assistant of Hayes at Ohio State before leaving to be a head coach at Miami of Ohio when he left to become the head coach of Michigan.

War was declared.

Four times between 1970 and 1975 both teams were ranked in the top five of the AP Poll before their matchup. Michigan entered every game during those years undefeated and one only once against Ohio St.

In 1973 both teams were undefeated and the game ended in a tie. This forced the Athletic Directors of the conference to vote to see which team would go to the Rose Bowl. Ohio State won the vote and Michigan fans were so angry they threaten to sue.

The War ended when Hayes was fired at the end of the 1978 season after he punched an opposing player during the Gator Bowl. Schembechler had a record of 5-4-1 against Hayes.

In recent years Jim Tressel and his sweater vest brought the rivalry back to a point of focus. In his introduction to Ohio State during its basketball game against Michigan he said “I can assure you that you will be proud of our young people in the classroom, in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the football field.” Tressel succeeded leading Ohio State to beat Michigan for the first time in 14 years.

I find it ironic that Tressel’s speech talked about good in the community when he was outed as coach because of players off field antics. And because of that the NCAA sanctions the currently undefeated Ohio State can’t be ranked in the BCS (they would probably be number 2) going into this game.

One notable game during the Tressel era 2006- 1 vs 2. Both teams went into this game undefeated. The day before the match up Schembechler died. Ohio State won the game and played for a national championship against Florida. Another notable note- a half hour after the game ended the Ohio Lottery PICK 4 drawing was 4-2-3-9 matching the final score.

USC vs Notre Dame

These programs are considered the elite in the college football universe. Look at the history. Each school has 11 national championships and seven Heisman Trophies. This is considered an intersectional rivalry because they do not play in the same conference.

Notre Dame leads the series 43-35.

The game began as a conversation between the wives of Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne and USC AD Gywnn Wilson. USC was looking for a national rival and they sent Wilson and his wife to see Notre Dame play Nebraska. Originally Rockne didn’t want a home-home series between the Irish and Trojans because of the travel. It was Mrs. Wilson who convinced Mrs. Rockne that a trip to Southern California was better than cold Nebraska. Mrs. Rockne agreed and convinced her husband. A rivalry was born.

Today’s game is incredible important- as the Irish need to win to stay undefeated and go to play for its first National Title in the BSC. The Trojans- who beginning the season were ranked No 1 in preseason polls has had a most disappointing season are currently unranked and without their starting quarterback Matt Barclay. This is the Irish’s game to love.

Florida State vs Florida

First played in 1958 the Gators vs the Seminoles is a classic in the state of Florida. But the series starts much earlier than that. Florida State College was the predecessor of FSU was abolished by the Florida Legislature and was recreated to become an all-girl college. The University of Florida in Gainsville was created for men. After WWII both schools became coeducational. The governor of Florida requested that the two schools begin competing against each other athletically.

Florida leads the series 33-21-2 but FSU since 1976 the rivalry has become balanced. The last forty meetings- Gators lead 20-19-1. This year both teams have the same record and bragging rights are on the line.

Related articles

• Michigan vs. Ohio State: Remembering Jim Tressel’s Dominance over the Wolverines (bleacherreport.com)
• Irish ranked No. 1 for first time in 19 years (1070thefan.com)
• You: Alabama vs. Auburn: Breaking Down What Makes the Iron Bowl the Best Rivalry Game (bleacherreport.com)

Cowboys-Redskins Rivalry History

Cowboys vs. Redskins: Sibling Rivalry (Photo credit: Wayan Vota)

Since I live in an area with a large number of Redskins and Cowboys fans I understand this rivalry- these two clubs HATE EACH OTHER.

Sport Illustrated call this rivalry the top in the NFL and for good reason. As divisional rivals they see each other at least twice a season and both teams have won a combined eight Super Bowls.

But how did it all start and why? Well it’s really about a song and chicken feed.

Yep really.

A Texas oil tycoon Clint Murchison, Jr. wanted to bring an NFL team to Dallas and was having a hard time doing. In 1958 the owner of the Washington Redskins George Preston Marshall wanted to sell the team- and so the Redskins almost moved to Dallas until the last minute Marshall wanted a change in terms. Murchison wasn’t happy and the whole deal called off.

Then along came a man named Barnee Breeskin. Breeskin was the Redskin band director and the composer of “Hail to the Redskins.” Breeskin got into a disagreement with Marshall (see a pattern with this guy) and wanted revenge. Breeskin sold the rights to “Hail to the Redskins” for $2,500 to Murchison!

Murchison worked with the NFL to get an expansion team in Dallas and had every other owner’s approval- except you guessed Marshall. Even today in order to create an expanision team in the NFL you need unanimous owner’s approval and Marshall was the only hold out.

Until Marshall realized that Murchison owned the rights to a particular song. In order to get the rights back Marshall agreed to the expansion and the Dallas Cowboys were founded and began playing in 1960.

The fighting should be over right- no one more dig was needed. Back then there wasn’t free agency so in order to build a team Dallas was allowed to pick from certain players from other NFL teams– unless they were protected. Murchison picked Redskins’ Pro Bowl quarterback Eddie LeBaron as their starter. Marshall forgot to protect LeBaron.

How the Fans Got Involved

Back in the early days of the rivalry the fans acted like college fans do- crazy- and none better than the Cowboys Chicken Club.

December 1961 Cowboy fans sneaked into D.C. Stadium with bags of chicken feed. The idea was that during the Redskins’ half time show when Santa Claus would arrive by a sled the pranksters would release dozens of chickens on the field – 75 white and one black because the Marshall was the only owner in the league who wouldn’t put African-American players on the field.

The CCC actually got the chickens into the stadium the morning of the game and was unspotted until halftime when an official from the Redskins noticed the crates and sounds of chickens. The CCC tried to bribe the official but the official was actually Redskin general manager Dick McCann. The CCC members were arrested and the chicken confiscated.

The next year the CCC got into Marshall’s hotel room and put a large turkey in the bathroom the night before the game. Marshall fled the hotel room. Minutes before kickoff four banners reading “CHICKENS” in both end zones and on both sides of the 50 yard line were shown in the upper decks while “Hail to the Redskins” played in the stadium. Then acrobats hired by the CCC rushed onto the field in chicken costumes and started throwing eggs. One was caught but another one released a chicken during the National Anthem. By the time the players went onto the field the acrobat escaped.

The Cowboys would win that game 38-10 and the Dallas News reported that the attendance was 49,888 and one chicken.

Other memorable moments in the Rivalry

Jan 22, 1983- NFC Championship Game at RFK- Redskins defeated Cowboys to earn a trip to Super Bowl XVII and the Redskins first Super Bowl win.

The 1983 NFL season opener on MNF the Redskins were wining 23-3 at the half. Then Dallas came back and won 31-30.

December 9, 1984, down 21-6 at halftime Redskins scored 17 unanswered points on turnovers to get a 23-21 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Redskins won that game 30-28 and it was the first time in the rivalry when the Redskins swept the Cowboys.

September 9, 1985, Redskins QB Joe Thesimann celebrated his birthday at Texas Stadium with a performance including five interceptions and a benching by Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs. The Dallas fans started to sing Happy Birthday to Thesimann and the Cowboys won 44-14.

1987 Scab Game- the Cowboys had more players cross the picket line during the 1987 strike than any other team. The Redskins had replacement players considered of less caliber but still pulled out a victory. This game is considered the inspiration for the 2000 movie The Replacements. The Redskins also won the Super Bowl that season.

1989 was not a good year for the Cowboys- except for the November 5 game against the Redskins- the one victory that whole season.

In the early 1990s both teams were at the top of the NFL ranks thanks largely to the Dallas big three of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irving.

1991- Redskins were undefeated going into the game and the Cowboys gave the Redskins their only loss for the season- the Redskins would win the Super Bowl that year.

1992- Emmitt Smith had a career performance with a 140 rushing yards in a win against the Super Bowl champs. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl that year but the Redskins got a bit of revenge with a win of their own.

1993- the Redskins embarrass the Cowboys- notice a pattern- with a win. This was only four wins for the Redskins that season that would add another Super Bowl win for the Cowboys.

1996- the Redskins would close out the home stand at RFK Stadium with a win against the Cowboys.

After 1996 the years have not been kind to either team- in fact in 2001 both teams came into their MNF game with an 0-4 record. Dallas won both games that year.

2002- the Redskins broke a 11-game losing streak to Dallas with a win 20-14 and both teams had losing records

2005- during the game when Aikman, Smith, and Irvin were inducted into the Cowboys “Ring of Honor” the Redskins won the game.

Despite the history the Cowboys have owned the rivalry- 62-40-2. Today they meet for the Thanksgiving game– and it is sure to be exciting.

Related articles

• Final Word: Redskins-Cowboys (espn.go.com)
• Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins rivalry (truebluenation.wordpress.com)
• Washington vs. Dallas: Cowboys Have Thanked Redskins for Giving in the Past (bleacherreport.com)

Why is Football such a Big Part of Thanksgiving?

Houston Texans’ Running back Arian Foster hurdles Dallas Cowboys’ defender Mike Jenkins. Reliant Stadium. Houston, Tx. Sept. 26 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Happy Thanksgiving to all my favorite Gals and Pals. Today is a great one for football fans because we get Thanksgiving games!

Since the league began in 1920 there have been Thanksgiving games. Currently three NFL games are played- there are always games in Dallas and Detroit and an additional game with a rotating roster of opponents was added in 2006.

As if you needed another reason to love Thanksgiving!

The Thanksgiving football tradition started for the NFL as a promotion gimmick by the first owner of the Detroit Lions and the idea grew to include many teams during the 1920s and 1930s. When World War II broke out the NFL didn’t schedule any Thanksgiving games between 1941-1945. After the war was over the tradition was renewed with just the Green Bay Packers vs. the Lions until 1963.

The Dallas Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966 and since the Lions and Cowboys have been the traditional home teams for the Thanksgiving NFL games. It is also considered the official kick off of the red kettle campaign for the Salvation Army as it is featured during half time in Cowboys stadium.

In 2006 the NFL added a third game for Thanksgiving played at night and airing on the NFL network. This year the game will be played on NBC.

Now let’s looks at the three games.

Houston vs Detroit

Kickoff is at 12:30est on CBS

The Lions are in an eight Thanksgiving game losing streak. I have a feeling meeting up with the awesome Texans isn’t going to help the cause.

Looking at the numbers offensively the Lions look slightly better. Averaging 402 yards per game the Lions have almost 60 more yards passing per game than the Texans. This is largely due to WR Calvin Johnson who has over 1,000 yards this season.

But the running game which eats up time and makes defenses tired goes to the Texans. Arian Foster has had 249 carries and 962 yards and 10 touchdowns. Since he is averaging 96 yards per game I fully expect him to get to over 1,000 yards this season against the Lions.

Don’t expect the Lions to run the ball- which they barely do anyway- against a Texans D that only allows on average 86 rushing yards per game. Both teams are equally matched in the secondary so I expect the QBs to throw the ball- a lot. But the Texans have Foster and since the Lions allow 114 rushing yards per game I expect the Texans to put up some points.

Texans win this one.

Redskins vs Cowboys- RIVARLY ALERT

Kickoff is at 4:25pm on FOX

Talking about these two teams is painful because I’m an Eagles fan and well the Eagles are a hot mess.

But the NFL powers that be have decided to put the Redskins down in Dallas.

Offensively these two teams are polar opposites.

	Redskins	Cowboys
Total Yards per Game	380	367
Passing Yards per Game	215	284
Rush Yards per Game	165	83
Points Per Game	26	21
Third Down Conversion %	30	40
Time of Possession	1844	1926

The Redskins with the combination of RG3 and Alfred Morris have over 1,400 yards rushing between the two. The Cowboys have no running game and must rely on throwing the ball- a lot. Probably too much- but this could work to the Cowboys advantage this game because the Redskins average 289 yards of passing per game.

But the Cowboys average 107 rushing yards per game.

See what I mean about both teams really being equally matched?

Whichever squad capitalizes on its strengths- RGIII and Morris get into a good groove for running or Tony Romo and crew get the ball down field will determine the win.

And since I personally do not like either team I’m going to give the win to the home team- Cowboys by 3.

Patriots vs. Jets- RIVARLY GAME ALERT

Kickoff 8:20est on NBC

On paper this is an easy game to discuss. The Jets are terrible- terrible, terrible, terrible.

Since the Jets allow 142 rushing yards per game and the Patriots average 143 rushing yards per game Tom Brady and crew should have this game in the bag on the ground. When you add in the Patriots 289 passing yards compared to anemic Jets of less than 200 passing yards per game there really shouldn’t be a concern.

But why do I have a bad feeling about this?

Perhaps it is because Rob Gronkowski who has 748 yards this season is out with a broken forearm that he never should have gotten because there was no reason for him to be on the field for the 59^th point. The Patriots were up 59 points against the Colts measly 24. No sense at all.

If the Patriots focus on the running game – especially Stevan Ridley who has 842 yards this season- and they will win the game.

Related articles

• Thanksgiving football schedule 2012: Texans get their own holiday spotlight (houston.sbnation.com)
• Football-predicting turkey picks Detroit over Houston (khou.com)
• The History Behind The Thanksgiving Day Game (slapioneer.wordpress.com)

The Irish Heading to the Top of the BCS

All Notre Dame has to do is get past USC for a chance to get one of these

What a crazy college football weekend! The top two teams in the country go down which means my husband’s Irish will be number one in the BCS poll later today. One more hurdle- USC– to get through and the Irish are in the National Championship game. The last time Notre Dame was ranked number one was in 1993. Do you remember what was going on in 1993? Yeah me either, so this is a BIG FREAKIN DEAL!

Okay maybe not so much if you are a fan of Kansas State or Oregon– both who lost yesterday. I’m going to go over both the games so that when you discuss with your friends you sound like you know what you are talking about. I know, you’re welcome.

Oregon loses in Overtime to Stanford.

That blasted Cardinal coming in and beating Nike’s fashion show! The biggest story line from the game is going to be the controversial replay overturns of a touchdown for Stanford which tied the game late. In overtime Oregon’s kicker misses a field goal and Stanford makes its field goal.

Here’s my problem with Oregon- you choked when it mattered. The run game was stopped only having 198 yards and 40 carries- that is 127 yards below the season average. Instead of running the ball the Ducks tried to become a throwing team. Quarterback Marcus Mariota only completed half of his passes, threw an interception, and threw more on first down than he had the whole season.

Why Chip Kelly– why are you going to change the winning formula so close to getting to the big game? The Ducks are 5^th in the country for rushing yards and second for points. Didn’t see running or scoring this evening- and you deserve to not only be excluded from the National Championship Game but also the PAC-12 championship.

Number 1 Kansas State loses big to Baylor

Who would have thought Baylor would be the dream killer for Kansas St. Not I and not many others. But after yesterday’s game there is no denying that Baylor is a giant killer.

Kansas St’s quarterback Collin Klein was the Heisman front runner threw three interceptions and only had 39 yards on 17 carries. He did throw for 286 yards.

Baylor had a terrific game and it reminds me of them last year when they beat then 5^th ranked Oklahoma to stop the Sooners from a National title.

So what’s Next?

After yesterday Notre Dame will be number one and Alabama will return to the discussion and be ranked number two. The only thing Notre Dame has to do is beat USC- and right now that is a real possibility with Matt Barclay of USC being injured in the loss to rival UCLA.

Related articles

• BCS Chaos Scenario: Notre Dame in Driver’s Seat for the Moment (bleacherreport.com)
• A night of upsets and Irish, Tide rise in football (miamiherald.com)
• You: Damn Right, Notre Dame Will Be No. 1 and Irish Deserve It (bleacherreport.com)

Redskins Rule Bodes Well For Mitt Romney But World Series Result Favors Barack Obama | ThePostGame

Redskins Rule Bodes Well For Mitt Romney But World Series Result Favors Barack Obama | ThePostGame.

This is an interesting tidbit of trivia that combines the sports world and politics.

According to the article since 1940- which was the first presidential election when the Redskins were playing- if the Redskins win their home game before a presidential election then the incumbent will retain the White House.

Since the Redskins lost today history tells us that Mitt Romney will win the election.

I am not giving my opinion since this is a sports blog and enough of your friends are posting all kinds of things about the election.  But since I live in the battleground state of Virginia I can honestly say I am over the whole thing.

What I am not over though is the great game we saw in the District.  Cam Newton was 13 for 23 for 201 yards and a touchdown.  RG3 was okay with 215 yards but it felt like his coaching staff was leading him the wrong way.  Plus he was sacked four times.

The Redskins are now 3-6 and Panthers are 2-6 – not impressive records.

Related articles

• ‘Redskins Rule’ favors Romney (politico.com)
• Redskins loss could be good omen for Romney (thehill.com)
• Teams are bad, but Panthers-Redskins should be good (charlotteobserver.com)

The Two Great QB battles today

Eli Manning looks to add another win.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Welcome to another NFL Sunday- and we get a whole extra hour to enjoy some hard hitting action! These are line ups I’m really look out for today!

Carolina at Washington- AKA RG3 vs Cam Newton!

All off season when people spoke about the large amount of rookie QBs starting in the NFL one comparison came- Cam Newton, who last year in his rookie year blew up and Robert Griffin, III who is also having an explosive rookie debut.

Both are Heisman Trophy winners and both brought excitement to the college game- and were team changers- just ask Auburn fans how much they wish Newton was playing right now for them.

Well maybe not this season’s Cam Newton.

Last season Newton had an incredible rookie year where he opened with a 400-yard passing game the first by a rookie QB in is NFL opener and then a week later did it again, won the Rookie of the Year award because of his 4,051 passing yards and an NFL rushing touchdown record.

This season Newton has kind of fizzed- only having 310 rushing yards in seven games. He also has thrown eight interceptions. To make matters worse his sideline attitude is atrocious. A fun game to play if you’re watching a Panther game is to see if you can spot Newton on the sideline- here’s a hint he’s often under a towel. If I led my team to an 1-6 season start I would probably hide under a towel too. Okay no, I would pull up my boot straps and get to work- but I’m not a Heisman winning quarterback so who am I to judge.

Newton’s job is to win football games- and he is paid very well to do that. So Newton suck it up buttercup stop the whining and start driving the ball down the field.

As for RG3 I really like him- he reminds me of that popular guy in high school who is friends with everyone. He makes it really easy to cheer for him and that is painful coming from someone who really dislikes the Redskins- RG3 makes the Redskins likeable.

Plus he is putting up some impressive numbers- already rushing for 476 yards, the most by a Redskins QB. Against Minnesota RG3 became the first rookie QB to rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

So today’s match up should be great- I’m taking the Skins at home.

Pittsburgh vs NY Giants– more than just football in this one

Perhaps the biggest game so far this season is due to a lady named Sandy.

After the super storm ravaged the East Coast many were suggesting postponing the game. But the game will happen and it should be a great one to watch.

First I pray that Pittsburgh will leave the bumblebee uniforms back in Pittsburgh- the great citizens of New York have suffered enough this past week.

Next another great quarterback battle Ben Rothesberger and Eli Manning – and these guys know each other pretty well as they were both part of the same draft class in 2003. Both have two superbowl rings and both can be the difference between a win and lost.

The Giants are coming off a great road win in Dallas where they held the Cowboys to only 19 rushing yards. Yet the Giants’ defense isn’t that great- as they have let 387 yards per game and 273 passing yards. Big Ben needs to find his receivers and tight end Heath Miller (please give him the ball lots cause the Sports Gal Pal needs fantasy points!). The Giants secondary is questionable at best and Big Ben knows how to take advantage of that.

But what about Eli- expect him to look for Victor Cruz– and maybe we’ll see some excellent salsa dancing in the end zone.

So what say you Gal Pal Nation? Are you looking forward to these games or one of the many others on the docket?

Related articles

• Michael Jordan Offers Some Advice to Struggling Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton (bleacherreport.com)
• Robert Griffin: Rookie Star Will Outplay Cam Newton in Dual-Threat QB Showdown (bleacherreport.com)

Water Cooler Talk: The Least You Need to Know

Well Gals and Pals with the addition of basketball, plus NFL and College Football makes a remote hand tired. Here is the least you need to know:

Chargers rally and keeps Turner in coach position- for a little while

Talk about two horrible teams meeting up for a primetime matchup- and both with serious issues that need to be addressed.

The often the bridesmaid never the bride of the AFC the San Diego Chargers faced a Kansas City Chiefs team last evening and pulled out an impressive win. But both teams remind me that there will be quite a few coaching and General Manager changes for this division. Romeo Crennel of the Chiefs who are 1-7 for the year and Norv Turner who in my opinion should never be the head coach of anything. He took an impressive Chargers team and turned them into a joke.

So if you run into any Chargers fans remind them that my four year-old could cover Matt Cassel in the pocket. This is not an impressive win Chargers fans- and it is still going to be a long season with Peyton Manning and the Broncos looking to win the division.

Hokies get hit by Hurricanes

Okay probably not the best head line after what Sandy has done to the East Coast- but for Hokie fans its true.

Now again I’m a blogger so I don’t have to be impartial- and I will not pretend to be. After last night’s win the Hurricanes are in control of the ACC Coastal Division- not impressive really but still doing better than a ton of teams. Could we finally get a Miami vs FSU championship game! That would be amazing- and the ACC folks are probably pleading please dear God let it happen. Because who wants to watch Duke play FSU for the ACC championship? Yeah from the crickets chirping I think y’all agree.

Here is the amazing thing about last night’s game- VT should have won. Yes, you read that correctly- they out gained the Hurricanes 421-347 and held the Hurricanes to only one third down conversion- and only 3 yards of offense on 12 plays in the third quarter. So the VT defense was doing it job- especially with Exum not getting called for pass interference penalties.

So how did Miami win the game? Thank you Logan Thomas and a terrible offensive effort from the Hokies. They fumbled in the end zone and Miami recovered. Interception. And a missed field goal.

This game is just a reminder that your team can have the best stats but unless they put up points it doesn’t matter. The Hokies now lose their 10 game win streak and their fans are starting to voice concerns that perhaps the offensive leadership is not doing its job- of course its been easy to hide behind a schedule and the ACC strength in football which is none. Hokies y’all got some boot strapping to do to figure out how to correct this course because you may not even being going to a bowl game to year.

Buzzer Beaters Put Spurs on Top

Finally the best game of the night was actually the NBA matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

The Thunder have been in the news the past few days with the amazing trade of James Harden to Houston- hello 80 mil!

There were actually two cool buzzer beaters- at the end of the third quarter Thunder player Eric Maynor hit a game-tying buzzer beater from half court. And Tony Parker won the game with his last second 21-footer.

Spurs won 86-84

Water Cooler Talk: Gambling over Youth Football

Betting on Youth Football- have people no shame? (Photo credit: jvh33)

Sometimes the stupidity and greed of grownups really muck up sports. A great example is the escapade in Texas for Southern Methodist University in the 1980s that was featured in the very well done 30 for 30 ESPN film The Pony Excess. That is one of the more glaring examples of amateur athletes being used and exploited. But even that doesn’t compare to this because at least the athletes involved were older. Now the stupidity has spread to youth football.

This week the Sheriff’s Office in Broward County, Fl arrested nine men and charged them with felony bookmaking for betting on games within one youth league. The bets got as high as $100,000 on a single game.

Thankfully it appears that the players were unaware- but kids are smart and perceptive and some knew- they had to know. This league has 22 teams with over 6,000 players and according to CBS News many of the players come from “impoverished neighborhoods.” The age range for these players is 5-15 years old.

The Sheriff’s Office found out about the ring through ESPN- after producers sent them footage in 2011 showing money being exchanged between spectators at youth games during critical plays. ESPN was doing some reporting about the growing trend of gambling in youth sports.

The ringleader for this group, Brandon Bivins is known as Coach B and was the president of the Ft Lauderdale Hurricanes team while also running the two local business fronts for the gambling ring.

According to investigators, coaches- yes I said coaches- met before games and set point spreads. At this time it is not known if players were asked to throw games or underperform- but in my opinion when bets run $20,000 for an average game, you can’t tell me that a coach didn’t set things in favor for a certain better.

Things get even more interesting when it was discovered that six of the nine men arrested have previous records of being convicts- yep role models indeed. Now, I will say that I know there are men and women who have done time and turn their lives around- these cowards making money off the backs of children are not such men.

This entire story is disgusting and one of the reasons sports in America has serious problems. As a mom I believe it is important for my children to participate in organized sports. Their involvement with youth baseball and soccer will help teach team work, good sportsmanship, and develop hand/eye coordination. Learning about how to bet on the point spread is not one of those things. And had one of my babies been involved boy would these cowards have an angry mama bear on their hands.

I am curious how the Gal Pal nation feels about this story? Are you as disgusted as I am about it- or do you just shrug your head?

Related articles

• Youth football coaches charged (espn.go.com)
• Nine Men Arrested for Gambling on Pee Wee Football Games (blogs.browardpalmbeach.com)
• Nine men charged in Florida youth football gambling ring (foxnews.com)