Herschel Walker calls out Dana White and Lesnar

Dana White is perhaps one of the most well-known figures in the biggest party town in America, Las Vegas, so it’s safe to say that has a ton of friends. But it also seems like every time the UFC President opens his mouth, he manages to make a few new enemies as well.

That seems to be the case with former NFL running back-turned Strikeforce MMA fighter Herschel Walker, who called out White Tuesday morning on ESPN’s First Take TV show for taking issue with his signing.

Okay, so enemy is a strong word, but Walker definitely has issues with the way White responded to his signing.

White questioned Walker’s credentials and age (47) when he was signed, continuing his war with up-and-coming MMA organization Strikeforce.

Walker challenged White to an MMA fight, noting that White has also been training, and suggested that the money could be donated to charity.

But that’s not all, as Walker continued on to say that he could beat all of the fighters on season ten of The Ultimate Fighter, which includes Kimbo Slice, four former NFL players, and MMA veterans like Wes Sims and Roy Nelson among others.

As if that wasn’t enough, Walker, who still hasn’t had his first pro fight, also said he’d like to fight Brock Lesnar, the UFC heavyweight champion, at some point.

All of which of course has garnered tons of publicity for both Walker and Strikeforce as well as White and MMA in general.

At this point, it seems as though the mainstream media is milking MMA for all it’s worth and doing their best to reel in the casual fan who probably can’t tell Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuria from Shogun Rua. There was no reason for Walker to even discuss the Lesnar issue, but it’s an enticing hypothetical situation that despite its lack of relevancy is still fun to talk about

NFL Week 4 Power Rankings

Another great weekend of football. Who would have thought the Broncos and Jets would be 3-0? Or that the Titans and Dolphins would be 0-3?

The Lions finally won a game after 21 months of losing and have the same record as both Superbowl teams from last season.

But that is what is great about the NFL. Any given Sunday any team can win and any team can lose.

1. New Orleans Saints: their passing offense was sttoped, but they managed to win it over the ground. Pick your poison.

2. New York Giants: the game was more like a scrimmage vs the Bucs this week and they dominated.

3. Baltimore Ravens: if you started the Baltimore D in your fantasy football league you probably cashed in some points. They didn’t have any trouble against Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson.

4. Indianapolis Colts: the 2009 defense brings back memories of their 2006 defense when they won the Superbowl.

5. Minnesota Vikings: Vintage Brett Favre. His last second pass to newly acquired TE Greg Lewis is why they brought him back and that is why he came back. If you haven’t seen it, click here.

6. New York Jets: Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez have this team winning when they shouldn’t be.

7. New England Patriots: at least Tom Brady got a TD this week.

8. San Francisco 49ers: even without Frank Gore they were one play away from beating the Vikings in Minnesota. Too bad Mike Singletary forgot Brett Favre is still Brett Favre.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers: they remain in the top ten because they still are defending the Super Bowl Champions, however they better start playing as champions if they want to defend their crown.

10. Atlanta Falcons: they battled against the Patriots for 3 quarters. They must of forgot the game lasts for 4 quarters.

11. San Diego Chargers: they struggled in the red zone once again. Not every team they face will be the Dolphins.

12. Cincinnati Bengals: a good football team. They should be 3-0

13. Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler has five TD in two games. His season opening debacle must have been an anomaly, now only if Matt Forte can run like he did last year.

14. Green Bay Packers: This is Aaron Rodgers team now, he threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 38 yards and a TD on the ground.

15. Dallas Cowboys: finally the defense showed up, but when will the Real Tony Romo?

16. Denver Broncos: I wonder if the Chargers thought they were going to be behind in the standings to the Broncos after 3 weeks.

17. Philadelphia Eagles: the big news is that Michael Vick played finally with Eagles. The bad news is that he completed no passes and had one rush for 7 yards. The Eagles may no longer need Vick with Kolb taking over and winning.

18. Arizona Cardinals: like the Steelers, they are the other Super Bowl team with the same record as the Lions. What does that tell you?

19. Tennessee Titans: mistake free football. A lesson the Titans haven’t bothered to learn.

20. Buffalo Bills: the Saints defense held T.O. without a catch for the first time since his rookie season in 1996, ending a 185-game streak that was the longest of any active player.

21. Seattle Seahawks: you can’t win with Seneca Wallace running the show.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew had his first 100-yard game of the season and scored three touchdowns.

23. Houston Texans: they won at Nashville and looked impressive. They loss against the Jags and looked like the same ol’ Texans.

24. Oakland Raiders: time is running against JaMarcus Russell. He’s not proving to be worth all the money Al Davis is paying him. Too bad they let Jeff Garcia go.

25. Detroit Lions: they won!!!

26. Washington Redskins: they lost to the Lions.

27. Miami Dolphins: winning the time possession does not means you will win a football game, at least not for the Dolphins.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: one candidate to imitate the Lions 2008 season.

29. Cleveland Browns: BradyQuinn or Derek Anderson? The Brown’s problems are not only in the QB position. If their running game was any good perhaps they wouldn’t need to worry about who was their QB.

30. Carolina Panthers: they could of beat the Cowboys in Dallas, but penalties and turnovers hurt them in the 2nd half.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Did the Bucs play this weekend? It seems like the Giants were the only team on the field.

32. St. Louis Rams: Mark Bulger is hurt and Laurent Robinson is out for the season. From bad to worse.

Favre and the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers

Probably there is no bigger story in week 4 for you NFL betting fans than to see Brett Favre and the Vikings hosting his old team the Green Bay Packers with new QB Aaron Rodgers.

This upcoming Monday Night Football will be a very emotional game for everyone. The “cheese heads” have all but forgotten how Brett Favre became lead the Packers for 15 years. They won’t forget Super Bowl XXXI, when Favre completed 14 of 27 passes for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns in a win over the New England Patriots, 35-21.

A Monday Night that Favre and the Green Bay faithful will never forget was in 2003 against the Oakland Raiders when he started one day after his father died to a heart attack.

Favre passed for four touchdowns in the first half and 399 total yards in a 41–7 victory over the Raiders

"I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play. I love him so much and I love this game. It’s meant a great deal to me, to my dad, to my family, and I didn’t expect this kind of performance. But I know he was watching tonight.

Brett Favre may be the most storied QB in Green Bay history but his multiple retirements and un-retirements have left a bad taste in many mouths. This week is the first time Favre will go up against his old team since he left Green Bay.

Favre meeting against Green Bay couldn’t get in a better time for the Vikings as he led his team to an almost impossible win over the 49ers this past week, hitting WR Greg Lewis on a 32 yard catch in the end zone with the 4th quarter ticking down.

"He’s been in many, many, many, many situations like that," coach Brad Childress said, "so it never hurts you to have a veteran like him going down the field."

Favre threw his first interception of the season against San Francisco but has 5 touchdown passes in three games and a 94.5 QB rating, pretty good for someone who is almost 40

The only game that will be bigger will be on November 1st when Favre and the Vikings visit Lambeau Field to play the Packers.

2009 Favre Stats

RAT: 94.5, YDS: 566, TD: 5, INT: 1

NFL Monday Night Football Odds:

Green Bay Packers: +3.5 Total 46

Minnesota Vikings: -3.5

Total: 46

Monday Oct 5th 8:35pm ESPN

NFL Fantasy Football Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

NFL week 3 ended with a few more players hit with injuries. Chad Pennington and Laurent Robinson out for the season. Frank Gore and Felix Jones are out for 2-3 weeks. And bye-weeks are starting for Atlanta, Philadephia, Arizona and Carolina. With this in mind here are my Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups.

Shaun Hill, QB, San Francisco: Hill faces a horendous St. Louis defense and with the way he has played the last few weeks he is a great bye-week starter. Last year, Hill averaged 214.5 yards per game and tallied four scores against St. Louis in two contests. So far this season, the NFC West doormat has surrendered 263.3 yards per game and five aerial strikes to QBs, equal to the fourth-most fantasy points allowed.

Jason Campbell, QB, Washington: Campbell has passed for 340 yards and 2 TDs last week. The Redskins face Tampa Bay in week 4 and Campbell has thrown for 497 yards and 3 TDs in the last 2 games vs Tampa Bay. A great spot start.

Glen Coffee, RB, San Francisco: With Frank Gore sidelined at least the next three weeks with an ankle injury, the Coffee could pay instant dividends as the starter. Up next for San Fran is a porous St Louis Ram’s defense.

Fred Taylor, RB, New England: Taylor took charge of the running game this past weekend with 21 carries and over 100 yards. By no means is Taylor a weekly start, but he is great for a bye week plug in.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianaopolis: A sixth-round draft pick from Division III powerhouse Mount Union a year ago, the league’s other Pierre has filled in brilliantly for injured starter Anthony Gonzalez. Garcon has 2 TDs in as many games and is getting the trust of Peyton Manning. Gonzalez may be out for upto another month and defenses are double teaming Reggie Wayne.

Mike Sims-Walker, WR Jacksonville: Sims-Walker is the number 2 guy after MJD in Jacksonville. He has had 3 straight 100 yard games. If avaialble in your league pick him up

Pennington Done For Year, Dolphins Aquire Tyler Thigpen

Miami QB Chad Pennington’s season is officially over.

The Dolphins placed Pennington on the reserve-injured list in order to create a roster spot for quarterback Tyler Thigpen. Thigpen was acquired Tuesday from the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick.

Pennington hurt his right shoulder Sunday at San Diego. This injury may not just be a season ender for Pennington, at 33, he likely faces a third operation on the same shoulder — the previous two coming in 2004 and 2005.

Pennington will seek a second opinion from orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews, who performed the other two operations. 

Thigpen will back up second-year pro Chad Henne, who will make his first NFL start Sunday against Buffalo. Rookie Pat White is the Dolphins’ other quarterback.

Thigpen is excited about the move to Miami, even though the Dolphins are 0-3, said his agent, Joel Turner.

Parcells may have wildcat duty in mind for Thigpen, who ran a spread offense last year with the Chiefs. At 225 pounds, he’s a powerful runner and the first quarterback in Chiefs history to score a touchdown three ways: as a passer, rusher and receiver.

Henne is expected to get an extended opportunity as a starter. Taken in the second round of the 2008 draft, he has been considered Pennington’s heir apparent for more than a year.

NFL NFC Recap – Favre Does it Again and the Lions Finally Win

Are there any doubts in Minnesota anymore? Facing their first loss of the season, the Minnesota Vikings needed a miracle in order to beat the San Francisco 49’ers on the road. One was delivered when Brett Favre heaved the ball some 42 yards down the field to Viking wide receiver Greg Lewis who tip-toed inside the line on the back of the end zone and brought some magic to the Vikings.

Lewis’s catch gave the Vikings a 27 to 24 victory at home in the most entertaining game of Week 3. There won’t be any naysayers for a while because Favre did what he has done most of his career, make the miracle pass and create a great finish. Look closer, though, and things aren’t all that rosy for Minnesota. The Vikings were favored by 7 points against the 49’ers yet they needed the miracle just to win the game.

San Francisco had the victory in their grasps, but let it get away. From a betting perspective, the prospects of the 49’ers beating spreads is much better than the prospects of the Vikings covering spreads. Minnesota is going to get caught eventually on the short end of the stick. It could happen sooner than expected as the Norsemen face Green Bay twice, Pittsburgh once and Baltimore once in four of their next five games.

Saints and Giants Roll Along

The New Orleans Saints and New York Giants continue to do wonders against the rest of the NFL. The Saints won ugly, well, ugly for them anyhow, this past Sunday when beating the Buffalo Bills by a score of 27 to 7. Some Saints’ fans might see the glass has half empty because Drew Brees threw for less than 200 yards and didn’t throw for a touchdown pass.

This NFL betting fan tends to see the glass half full as the Saints found a way to cover a +14 ½ point spread without getting a touchdown pass out of Brees. Not only that, but the Saints held the Bills, a team that had scored 24 points against New England and 33 points against Tampa Bay in their first two games, to only 7 points. The kicker is that all this came on the road.

If New Orleans can win games and cover spreads without Brees playing like Johnny Unitas, does any team in the NFL have a shot at stopping these guys? Probably not.

The Giants were brilliant against Tampa Bay on the road when thumping the Bucs 24 to 0. Can we now end the idea that the G-Men don’t have the wide receivers to challenge for the NFC Conference crown? Both Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have turned out to be sure handed and quick footed. The most important thing about the two, of course, is that quarterback Eli Manning has faith in them.

The G-men have already beaten two division foes in the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. They are an exceptionally good team on offense, defense and special teams and will only get better as the season wears on.

The Giants and Saints are easily the two best teams in the NFC right now.

Detroit Ends the Losing Streak

The streak is finally over for the Detroit Lions. The losers of 18 games in a row finally ended the worst record in NFL history when they beat the Washington Redskins at home.

Forget about Detroit playing well, the truth is that Washington is the biggest mess in the NFL this year. Coach Jim Zorn has no leadership skills. Neither does QB Jason Campbell. This team is a mess and let’s be honest, they’ve already given up. If I were owner Daniel Snyder, I’d make wholesale changes right now. The Redskins not only lost to the terrible Detroit Lions, but they only put up 9 points on the St. Louis Rams a week before.

Congratulations to Detroit for blowing out the +6 ½ point spread when winning 19 to 14 but shame on Washington for being a heartless bunch of losers.

Cutler is Doing Just Fine in Chicago

After Jay Cutler’s awful debut as the Chicago Bears quarterback in Green Bay three weeks ago, the boo birds were out in Chicago ready to turn the former Vanderbilt star into a piñata. Not anymore. Cutler led the Bears to a victory straight-up and ATS as home underdogs against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 and then, as -1 favorites on the road, beat the Seattle Seahawks.

Since the four interceptions against Green Bay, Cutler has thrown 5 touchdowns and only 1 interception in the two games against Pittsburgh and Seattle. His QB rating has risen from 43.2 against Green Bay to 104.7 against Pittsburgh to 126.4 against Seattle.

Cutler will continue his terrific play, he’s too good of a quarterback not to, and the Bears will continue to win. Minnesota and Green Bay had better watch out in the NFC North Division.

Packers and Cowboys Bounce Back from Losses

The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys both lost straight-up and ATS as favorites at home last week. Green Bay bounced back with a 36 to 17 victory over the St. Louis Rams and Dallas bounced back with a 21 to 7 victory over the Carolina Panthers in the newly built Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Green Bay’s victory was legitimate. The Cowboys’ victory was luck. Carolina is just a terrible team in the 4 th quarter and the Cowboys took advantage of 3 turnovers in order to get their victory.

Whether or not that this is a sign that the ‘Boys can hang with the Giants and Saints in the NFC is debatable. For Green Bay, they are starting to get their offense on track. That makes them a legitimate contender in what is quickly becoming the toughest division in football, the NFC North.

Champions League Group E – ACF Fiorentina vs. Liverpool

After the Fernando-Torres-show Liverpool fans were treated to against Hull City in Premier League action on Saturday, with the Spanish striker pulling off the hat trick in ‘Pools 6-1 victory over Hull, Liverpool heads into Champions League in good stead, looking for their second straight Group E victory.

Liverpool will be looking to put forward a much better performance than they did in their opener against Debreceni VSC when they took the 1:0 victory at Anfield Stadium. It’s not that they played badly. After all, they won and got the job done. But the win was minimal, they lacked that spark that many know they have in them and Torres and Gerrard, the two key staples on the Red bench, didn’t have their best night. The lone goal came from ever-dependable Kuyt as he picked up a loose ball from a parried effort by Fernando Torres and neatly slotted it into the net. Torres having another great night as he did against Hull City would almost certainly help Liverpool when they stare down Italie Serie A side ACF Fiorentina at Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence.

Alarm bells should be ringing for the Italians who will be mindful of Liverpool’s free-scoring weekend and overall upped level of play. The Italians not only have to answer the question of how to stop Torres but how to stop the entire team as Coach Rafa Benitez’s side has combined for 10 goals in their last three matches. It doesn’t help the Italians that they lost their Champions League opener to Lyon and are so far pointless in European action. Nor does it bode well for their chances to stop Torres when their star striker Alberto Gilardino will be giving this match a skip after being suspended.

Soccer Betting Line:

Fiorentina +½ -115 +285 2½ O +110 U -130 Draw +230
Liverpool -½ -105 -105 2½ O +110 U -130 Draw +230

Match Time: 02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday September
Venue: Artemio Franchi – Florence – Italy

Soccer Betting Trend: The market on Liverpool in their second Champions League Group match is markedly different from the first. Against Debreceni, Liverpool were untouchable favourites and they were expected to drum Debreceni senseless. Tale told they only managed a minimum win. This time around, Liverpool are once again favoured but not so to be untouchable – they are listed at a demure -105 price tag. Regardless of their lacklustre Champions League opener, soccer bettors looking to back Liverpool can be sure they are the value bet and the odds are not bad at all – definitely worth the risk. Fiorentina do not have the quality to stop Liverpool and without their striker, they will have trouble dictating play..

Soccer Free Picks – Top Pick Liverpool -105. Added value plays can be found on the spread and totals. Liverpool to cover the spread at – ½ -105 and combined totals on the Over 2.5 +110

Champions League Group E – Olympique Lyonnais vs. Debreceni VSC

Joint Group E leaders with Liverpool, Olympique Lyonnais will be looking for their second win in European competition when they face Debreceni VSC in Budapest on Tuesday. Olympique Lyonnais will be mindful of the Hungarians respectable 0:1 loss to Liverpool FC at Anfield Stadium. Obviously, the Hungarian side will not be a cakewalk for the French.

If Debreceni were not happy about the loss to Liverpool in their European opener, they have to be feeling much better about the result right about now. Exceedingly better than Hull City are who got schooled 6:1 on Saturday indeed. That the Hungarian debutants held their ground against Liverpool has to give them some hope ahead of their match against Lyon – even if the market doesn’t believe they have a prayer.

Soccer Betting Line:

Debrecen +1 +125 +700 2½ O -125 U +105 Draw +325
Lyon -1 -145 -240 2½ O -125 U +105 Draw +325

Match Time: 02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday September 29 2009
Venue: Ferenc Puskás – Budapest – Hungary

Soccer Betting Trend: The Hungarians put forward a promising account of themselves against Liverpool and for the most part, they dealt with the most dangerous weapons on the Red team efficiently, thwarting the attacking skills of Torres and Gerrard. Debreceni returned to winning form against Ferencvaros and scraped a 4:4 draw against Kaposvar on the weekend. The Hungarians will be looking to continue their good form and two-match unbeaten streak when they welcome Lyon to Ferenc Pukas Stadium in Budapest.

The bookies tip the home side at huge underdog odds of +700 and perhaps only their diehard fans will be willing to risk money on them. To bet on such odds you would have to be a real Debreceni believer. Yet, if they can hold their weight respectably in perhaps one of the most intimidating venues in soccer as Anfield Stadium is, it stands that in comfortable and familiar surroundings they theoretically are not without a shot?

Theoretically, yes. Realistically, no. Olympique Lyonnais are a solid side and they have a lot of European experience. They know how to win matches like these and they will be ready for the Hungarians. Lyon are undefeated in France Ligue 1 and currently second spot in the table.

Soccer Free Picks –Lyon -240 | Under 2.5 goals +105

NFL Week 4 Power Rankings – Ravens Take Over Top Spot

The Baltimore Ravens are suddenly the best team in the NFL.  I know that beating the Cleveland Browns 34 to 3 this past Sunday isn’t the best measuring stick, but it was enough for me to put them to the top of my NFL Power Rankings.  The Ravens are undefeated both straight-up and against the spread and QB Joe Flacco has been terrific so far in 2009.

Because their defense is still solid, the Ravens have to be considered the best team in the AFC and possibly in the NFL right now.  Don’t get me wrong, I love QB Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets but Flacco is steadier at the QB position than Sanchez right now.  That’s the difference.

Let’s take a look at the Week 4 NFL Power Rankings.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 4

** SU means straight-up

** ATS means against the spread

1. Baltimore Ravens (3-0 SU, 3-0-0 ATS) – - Yes, they were supposed to beat Cleveland, but covering a spread by 17 ½ points above the betting line is still awesome.  That Joe Flacco is a special guy.  The Nevermores deserve the top spot.

2. New York Jets (3-0 SU, 3-0-0 ATS) – - Beating the Tennessee Titans at home was impressive.  What was more impressive is how Mark Sanchez keeps playing like a bad ass veteran.  That could change this Sunday when the Jets face the Saints, but so far, so good as the Jets added a 24 to 17 victory over the Titans to pad their impressive stats.

3. New Orleans Saints (3-0 SU, 3-0-0 ATS) – - The Saints beat the Buffalo Bills without Drew Brees throwing for 200 yards and a touchdown.  Brees was blanked yet the Saints put up 27 points and allowed the Bills to only score 7.  The Saints D also ended Terrell Owens record of 185 straight games with a catch.  If the Saints’ D steps up, then this team is probably unbeatable straight-up or ATS.

4. Denver Broncos (3-0 SU, 3-0-0 ATS) – - Laugh all you want about Kyle Orten.  All I know is that the Broncos held the Raiders to only 3 points as a 1 point road favorite and put up 23 of their own.  With both Correll Buckhalter and rookie Knowshon Moreno in the back field the Broncos are a tough team for anybody to face

5. New York Giants (3-0 SU, 2-0-1 ATS) – - Steve Smith and Mario Manningham are making G-Men fans forget all about Plaxico Burress.  A 24 to 0 victory over Tampa Bay helps as well.

6. Indianapolis Colts (3-0 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - Hmm…the Colts play like chumps against the Jags in Week 1 but pull out the victory.  Then in Week 2, they beat Miami straight-up and ATS.  Finally, on the road against the Cardinals, the Colts show the rest of the NFL that they are the same team they have always been by thumping Arizona 31 to 10.

7. Minnesota Vikings (3-0 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - I have to give Brett Favre props, but I’m not sold on the Norsemen just yet.  They got lucky straight-up as 7 point favorites against the 49’ers.  The writing is on the wall to me.  Beware betting this team in the future.  Trust me.

8. San Francisco 49’ers (2-1 SU, 3-0-0 ATS) – - Poor San Francisco.  They were one miracle play away from going 3 and 0 straight-up.  They’re still 3 and 0 against the spread and are obviously the best team in the NFC West this season.

9. Chicago Bears (2-1 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - Jay Cutler has this team going in the right direction.  After an embarrassing loss in Week 1, they showed up against Pittsburgh and now take out the Seattle Seahawks on the road 25 to 19 as 1 point favorites.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - Ochocinco said that the Bengals would make the playoffs.  Everyone laughed at him after Cincy lost to Denver.  Well, Denver is 3 and 0 SU and 2 and 0 ATS and Cincinnati has beaten the Green Bay Packers on the road and the Pittsburgh Steelers at home as underdogs.  Maybe, we should stop laughing at Chad.

11. Green Bay Packers (2-1 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - The loss against Cincinnati in Week 2 doesn’t look as bad now that the Bengals beat the Steelers.  Green Bay bounced back with a 36 to 17 victory as favorites on the road against the St. Louis Rams.  A big time Monday night matchup against the Norsemen looms.

12. Atlanta Falcons (2-1 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - There’s no shame in losing to New England on the road, but losing by 16 points as +4 ½ point underdogs?  Atlanta didn’t make the adjustments while New England did.  That was the difference in this game.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - The Eagles needed to bounce back after the terrible loss to the Saints in Week 2.  They did it with a beat down of the Kansas City Chiefs 34 to 14.  Yes, Michael Vick played, but Donovan shouldn’t worry about Vick taking his job as Kevin Kolb threw for two touchdowns and over 300 yards without an interception.

14. Dallas Cowboys (2-1 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - Tony Romo is the human version of the Patriots.  Up to kick-off in their game against Carolina on Monday night, everybody was talking about how awful Tony Romo was.  Now?  Oh, he’s a hero again.  Like the Chargers, don’t let the record fool you.   This team isn’t very good.

15. New England Patriots (2-1 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - One week, football betting fans put a stake in their hearts; the other week, they’re the darlings of the NFL again.  The 26 to 10 victory over Atlanta was nice, but they’ll need to do better this week against the #1 ranked Baltimore Ravens.  Tom Brady especially.

16. San Diego Chargers (2-1 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - San Diego had to come back from their Week 2 giveaway game to the Baltimore Ravens.  They needed Chad Pennington to get hurt for Miami to do it.  Don’t be fooled by the 23 to 13 victory over the Fins.  The Chargers still aren’t a good team to bet either straight-up or ATS this year and their inconsistencies are going to catch up to them.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - The Jags finally broke through with a victory in 2009.  2 and 1 ATS is something to cheer about for Jacksonville who everybody was talking about as the worst team in the AFC South just one week ago.  They beat the Houston Texans on the road straight-up, 31 to 24, as 4 point underdogs.

18. Buffalo Bills (1-2 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - Buffalo played very well against the Saints for almost 3 full quarters before the Saints decided to unleash their powerful running game and started to get to Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards.  The Bills are a decent team but they obviously don’t have what it takes to beat the New York Jets and the New England Patriots.

19. Oakland Raiders (1-2 SU, 2-1-0 ATS) – - The Raiders are back!  Yeah, they fooled us all by beating Kansas City on the road last week and covering the spread.  They fooled us all by almost beating the San Diego Chargers on the road and beating the spread.  They didn’t fool us this past Sunday when Denver beat them down like the losers that they are.  JeMarcus Russell must go.

20. Arizona Cardinals (1-2 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - The Arizona Cardinals are supposed to be better than this.  They were too conservative against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night and it cost them.

21. Houston Texans (1-2 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - Houston just doesn’t have what it takes mentally to get to the next level.  How do you beat Tennessee on the road and then lose to Jacksonville at home?  By being the Houston Texans, that’s how.

22. Seattle Seahawks (1-2 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - Good teams find a way to beat teams like the Bears at home.  This is true even with their starting quarterback on the bench.  That means Seattle just isn’t a good team.  No argument here.

23. Detroit Lions (1-2 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - Detroit broke the streak by playing tough against a terrible team.  They beat the Washington Redskins 19 to 14 as 6 point underdogs and are now the darlings again of the Motor City.  Of course, it might be their only victory of 2009, but, hey, it’s something, right?

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2 SU, 0-3-0 ATS) – - Pittsburgh will bounce back straight-up.  Against the spread it might be a different story.  Pitt wasn’t very good ATS in 2008 and it appears they won’t be very good ATS in 2009.  It doesn’t mean, of course, they don’t string together 10 victories in a row straight-up and make it to the Super Bowl.

25. Washington Redskins (1-2 SU, 0-3-0 ATS) – - Are you kidding me?  Really…I have nothing to write about these losers.

26. Tennessee Titans (0-3 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - Man, the Titans could taste the victory in their mouths as they took the lead over the New York Jets this past Sunday, but that Mark Sanchez kid is tough and Kerry Collins just doesn’t have a go to guy out there.

27.  St. Louis Rams (0-3 SU, 1-2-0 ATS) – - The Rams are terrible, yes, but they did put up 17 points against the Packers.  That’s the key.  They have to score.  If they figure that out, then they might win a game this year.  Of course, they’ve already lost to the Redskins.  So…what are the BetOnline odds on another team going 0 and 16 two years in a row?

28. Miami Dolphins (0-3 SU, 0-3-0 ATS) – - The Fins have to be the unluckiest 0 and 3 team in NFL history, right?  They controlled the clock and then got Peytonized in Week 2.  Then, this past Sunday they lose Chad Pennington for the year.  The faster you rise, the harder you fall in the NFL.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3 SU, 0-3-0 ATS) – - It doesn’t really matter who quarterbacks this team, Damon Huard, Matt Cassell, whatever.  They’re awful.

30. Carolina Panthers (0-3 SU, 0-3-0 ATS) – - When Delhomme went to the Panthers all of those years ago, people were laughing at the Saints for letting him go.  Now, does everyone see why?  Three more turnovers on Monday night against the Cowboys effectively ended the Panthers’ season.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3 SU, 0-3-0 ATS) – - Way to leave the Bucs high and dry, Chucky!  The defense is terrible except for linebacker Barrett Rudd and the offense doesn’t exist.  The Bucs have benched Byron Leftwich for Josh Johnson.  Does it matter?  I think not.

32. Cleveland Browns (0-3 SU, 0-3-0 ATS) – - At least St. Louis has an excuse.  They don’t have any real players.  The Browns?  No excuses.  They blow.  It would be awesome to see the Browns play the Redskins.  It would be like watching two separate walls of paint drying at the same time. 

Dolphins Trade for Thigpen as Pennington is Done for the Year

The Miami Dolphins have come back down to earth after last year’s improbable AFC East division crown. They have started the season at 0-3 and just lost their starting quarterback for the rest of the season.

It was announced yesterday that Chad Pennington would be placed on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the year as he’s elected to undergo surgery to repair a torn capsule in his shoulder, thus ending his 2009 campaign.

Pennington sustained the injury after taking a shot from linebacker Kevin Burnett after throwing an incomplete pass on third down. He was in obvious pain after the hit and once he got to the sideline, took off his helmet and shoulder pads and didn’t return to the field.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first, or even the second time Pennington has suffered a serious shoulder injury. As a member of the New York Jets, Pennington missed three games in 2004 with a shoulder injury which he had repaired in the offseason, then injured the shoulder again in the third game in 2005, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season.

It seems a strange and eerie coincidence that it was in game three of this season that he was also knocked out for the year with a shoulder injury. Despite many people questioning if he’ll ever return, Pennington remains positive:

"I am hoping for the best and preparing for the worst," he added. "It’s not my first rodeo with injuries and experiencing things like this."

The famous Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure on Friday in Birmingham, Alabama, the same Dr. who operated on Pennington’s shoulder in 2004 and 2005.

Adding insult to injury are the fresh stitches on his nose as a result from helmet to the face while diving for a first down in Sunday’s game.

The Dolphins didn’t waste anytime making a move to shore up the QB position. With two unproven backups behind Pennington in Chad Henne and Pat White, Bill Parcells has brought in a guy with some NFL experience in Tyler Thigpen.

The Chiefs former starter had slipped to third on the depth chart behind Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle which made him expendable.  He was acquired by the Dolphins on Tuesday for an undisclosed 2010 draft pick.

Thigpen gives the Dolphins a veteran guy behind second-year pro Chad Henne, who is expected to make his first NFL start Sunday against Buffalo. After Pennington left the game Henne stepped in and went 10-for-19 for 92 yards.

Expect rookie Pat White’s role to increase as they will likely try to use the Wildcat formation even more these next few weeks in an attempt to keep defenses off balance and take some of the pressure off of Henne.

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