On Canucking fire!

If you thought the NFL was tough on coaches, the English Premier League has seen its 19th managers axed in 19 months including three at Chelsea. Not included in that is Newcastle who, when not firing coaches, are seeing them go to the hospital for heart surgery...the Portand Trail Blazers are in the market for a point guard. Somebody alert Bryan Colangelo. Oh, they want an ELITE point guard? Moving on. Doesn't look like Amare Stoudamire will be heading to Portland, though Miami remains in the running...how about that Vancouver Canucks PTP last night? Down 3-1 in the third, they rallied for three to win 4-3 and pick up a nice +$117 for PTP followers hammering it at Pinnacle...good to see the Philadelphia Flyers mugging for pictures with Porn Star Gina Lynn...who could have leaked A-Rod's failed drug test news to Selena Roberts at SI? Try A-Rod's ex-wife Cynthia, for one possibility...speaking of jilted lovers, who would tell the world their ex has AIDS? Try this girl, for one - Roberto Alomar's ex...check out this amazing list of Spring Training cliche's, complete with who said them last year. The final one from Dontrelle Willis turned out to be entirely comical...AC Milan has today as a deadline to sort out a transfer deal with the LA Galaxy to keep David Beckham in Milan beyond the March 9th loan date. I'd wager it gets done, both sides should want it to happen really. Beck's and AC Milan face cross-town rivals Inter Milan in the big match of the weekend...back later with your PTP. Have a great Friday.

10:55AM Update: your PTP tonight is a bit of a departure in that we're giving a puck and a half on the Montreal Canadiens to beat the Colorado Avs comfortably. If you're skittish, play the straight money line at -104. If you like value, go the -1.5 +275 on the puck line to make a nice chunk of change.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Favre

Brett Favre is said to be retiring. Now more than ever Brett, don't go away feeling you'll be missed. He did the NY Jets a huge favor to get them out of cap hell, though that is more accident than design given Favre's always been about looking out for #4. I'll give him credit though, he's the only guy in history - I guarantee it - who will see interceptions end his career both times he retired. Very fitting..how exactly has Phoenix Suns GM Steve Kerr kept his job? And how is he even allowed to explore a trade of Amare Stoudamire? They could well be a bigger disappointment than the Toronto Raptors, scary as that sounds...Jon Gruden - unemployed coach - says Tim Tebow could revolutionize the quarterback position. Gruden in love with a QB? Good to know e things never change...and there I was yesterday blasting the U.S. Congress for pursuing drug usage in baseball - something they've since let go in the case of A-Rod - and then you get an even bigger waste of time: there have been eight arrests in the Michael Phelps Bong Incident. South Carolina must be the safest place in the world to live if the cops have time to pursue something like this. Guess them hillbillies aren't brewing moonshine anymore...Terrell Owens is recruiting Ray Lewis to come play for the Dallas Cowboys. See, the Cowboys do have a leader...Roko Ukic had a dynamite game in a shocking Toronto Raptors win over the San Antonio Spurs. Josee Caleron is now the first NBA player in history to miss another game from being "sore"...if you haven't heard the Roberto Alomar story, he's being sued by an ex-girlfriend who claims he has full blown AIDS and had unprotected sex with her. Weird. Gobbie is denying that he's got AIDS. I'm a little sour that if he does, I'm not the first to say he caught more than the taste...last night's PTP might have been the easiest wager I've ever won in my life. The total finished at 155 on an over/under of 209.5. Awesome. Another pick comes later on the always tricky short Thursday board...have a great Thursday.

Raising the Bar

It didn't take long for the Congress grandstanding to begin. One Congressman wants A-Rod called on the carpet to see what else they can find out. Right, because the first time was so illuminating. Since these clowns figure they can review what happened in baseball five years ago and criticize, wonder who gets to call Congress on the carpet for letting the Wall Streeters take the global economy down the toilet? Way to keep your eye on the prize, fools...hope Tony Romo's girlfriend isn't a listener of the Jim Rome Show, where one caller dubbed her Jessicow Blimpson...Minnesota Wild defenceman Cal Clutterbuck has been the target of Don Cherry of late, and one Wild fan fired back with probably the best thing you could call Grapes on a variety of levels: Liberace. Amazing. Thanks to ROTR for passing this my way...good of an Ontario Provincial Police officer to get nailed - on duty - for breaking the province's racing laws, driving 165 kph in a 100 zone...the pressure of the Prime Time Picks got to me. I admit it. So I hit some 'roids. Forgive me for last nights dud of a pick...there are several soccer friendlies - and not so friendlies, like Mexico visiting the U.S. tonight - including England travelling to Spain to face the European Champions. English captain John Terry has vowed that if the Spanish fans continue with rascist taunts of England's black players, they'll walk off the field. Good for England. I'm sure, like the ill advised Spanish Olympic hoops picture, that the taunts are in tribute to the black players. Or not...it is no secret that I'm not a huge fan of Derek Jeter's personality - ask him if the sky is blue and he'll waffle on an answer - and even less a fan of the results of his leadership. But his plan to address the A-Rod steroids situation once and only once when camp gets together for the media is a great one. It'll minimize the distraction, at least to him, by not letting it become a daily discussion...Baseball Prospectus ran its projected finishes for the 2009 season for all teams and has the Boston Red Sox and Yankees finishing a game apart at the top of the AL East with the top records in the AL. A .500 season is forecast for the Toronto Blue Jays - I've got the under there. The Hardball Times ran 100 trials of the 2009 season and had the Yankees first in the East with an average of 101 wins...the NHL's best of the west - San Jose - dropped in to face the beasts of the east in Boston last night, and the Sharks exploded for three goals in a little over six minutes to win 5-2...Bar Rafaeli rode a RM plug last month to the cover of SI's Swimsuit Issue. Good stuff. More Bar from SI here. Also shockingly impressive in this issue is Danica Patrick..have a great Wednesday, back with your PTP later.

3:37pm UPDATE: Your PTP is up.

An unqualified "yes" from A-Rod

Well, at least A-Rod didn't go with the tried (anagram: tired) and true "I didn't knowingly..." or try to minimize his usage of PED's to one or two times to "deal with an injury" or apologize but not speak to what he was apologizing for, or a denial, and good for him for that. I'm sure he'll take plenty regardless, but this ought to save the Roger Clemens treatment at least. Oddest quote of the day goes to A-Rod's New York Yankee teammate Jorge Posada, who when if he would be on the list of 104 that were busted in 2003, said "I hope not. I think I've done things right." Hope? Think? Maybe he's leaving some room in there for something he took from GNC that is now banned, but seems an odd quote...in discussing last the annihilation of BJ Penn and the vaseline controversy, Georges St. Pierre claimed it wasn't a factor but if Penn wanted a rematch, he'd be glad to oblige him this summer and of course, Penn responded that he's willing. No way Dana White and UFC doesn't take them up on that, considering the early returns say the fight was their best ever pay-per-view buy rate...speaking of UFC, UFC97 will be in Montreal on April 18th, with Anderson Silva facing Thales Leites, and Chuck Lidell taking on Shogun Rua. See the rest of the card - so far - here...the way the New York Rangers navigated the early part of the season when they played far more games than anyone and won the vast majority, you'd think they'd be cruising now with a lighter schedule. Instead, they don't score and are sliding down the standings...best line I've heard about Kellog's goal of "protecting children" by dumping Michael Phelps comes from Dave Ziron of ESPN: "if they want to protect children, stop making Frosted Flakes"...Big Phil Scolari is out as Chelsea manager after the side has struggled in form and results the last month. Strange timing with a crucial Champions League match with Juventus but two weeks away...frankly, I'm shocked at the beating the Toronto Raptors are taking in the poll this week. Am guessing a considerable chunk of that is about expectations, but still, for the voters to figure they'll have a worse 2009 than the Maple Leafs who are almost promising ugly results is telling...another PTP winner as the streak of winners continues to six. If you're not on board at Pinnacle yet, shame on you...does it seem like there are loads of long-term injuries of late in the NBA, or is it just me?...Charlie Axel Woods is the new name for Tiger Woods baby boy, delivered Sunday. I'm sure that kid will not have any pressure on him whatsoever...one A-Rod moment begs the question: if his yelling "ha!" was "bush", how is Jose Calderon's clapping his hands in the oppositions face when they're about to shoot not?...have a great Tuesday, back later with your PTP winner.

5:56pm UPDATE: Your pick for the night is the Cleveland Cavs -6.5 -105. Enjoy.

PTP

Not in love with this, but playing the Houston/Milwaukee Over 195 -105. Good luck!

Reveal 'em all, says Schilling

A strange voice of reason in the Alex Rodriguez juicing story - Curt Schilling. Schilling thinks all 104 names on the 2003 list should be revealed and put an end to the speculation and hopes the game can move forward. Generally, I find Schilling annoying, but he makes some good points in a solid piece here...one theory on why A-Rod refused to talk to Selena Roberts of Sports Illustrated is because she's got a book coming out called "Hit & Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez". Clearly, an unauthorized bio. An interesting view on unnamed sources comes from this spot...in case you missed the third annual ESPN NHL player poll, you can find that here. Some are interesting, like Marty Turco as the goalie most likely to make the best forward or defenceman, and some are entirely predictable, like Sidney Crosby as biggest whiner...hell of a week for the LA Lakers, with huge road wins at Boston and yesterday at Cleveland, the Cavs first loss at home this year, despite losing Andrew Bynum. Along the way, they added Adam Morrisson. Two out of three ain't bad...so you turn your defence around and make it to the Super Bowl where you narrowly lose. Your reward? Well, if you're Clancy Pendergrast, defensive coordinator, you get fired by the Arizona Cardinals...Manchester United midfield warhorse Ryan Giggs weaved through the West Ham defence and slotted home a beauty to the far corner to give United a 1-0 win - another clean sheet - and another winner for Prime Time Picks, 6-2 on the month now. Your Monday pick will be up by 6pm...honestly, is there anything more out of touch with "cool" than the Grammy's?...of all the footballers paid for by teams in history, none has cost teams more than Nicolas Anelka, now at Chelsea. Second? Once-again Tottenham striker Robbie Keane...Blue Jays fans rejoice! The USA Today list of 100 future stars has Jays outfielder/cannonball Travis Snider listed at second. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price ranks first...the NFL Pro Bowl goes- oh, wait, missed it...most stunning contextualization of the trillion dollar economic bailout plan in the U.S.: if you were to spend a million dollars every single day since we started keeping score of years, you still wouldn't have spend a trillion dollars...have a great Monday.

1:23 PM - UPDATE - Word is A-Rod will be speaking to ESPN this afternoon.

Time to bat clean-up

If Alex Rodriguez is at all smart, or has even paid a bit of attention, he'd best come clean now and say that he used in 2003, that he's sorry, and it has never happened since and never will again - even if he never used at the time. The way things went for Roger Clemens in his denial in the face of (some) evidence is nothing he wants any part of. I'll repeat what I said years back: baseball should have declared amnesty to everyone who came forward with the promise of no punishment, with the understanding you'd be treated far more rashly if you were later implicated. The whole "secret" tests of 2003 was a sham, and Bud "$18 million man" Selig should lose his job for presiding over such a mess...shame about that Atlanta Hawks pick when Mike Bibby ends up getting scratched at the last minute, but finally back to .500 on PTP for the year, and off to a strong start for February. Today, playing Manchester United at -0.5 -155, kickoff at 11am as the leaders travel to London to face West Ham, coverage on The Score (in HD!) at 11am...Chelsea dropped points at home again yesterday in a scoreless draw with Hull, and look nowhere near the side that was dominating in August through October. Liverpool won 3-2 at Pompey to jump well ahead of Chelsea...the Toronto Raptors scored all of 70 points in their latest loss at not-so-mighty Memphis. That they're not blowing away the field in the latest poll question is shocking...can't say I saw the Toronto Maple Leafs performance coming last night, a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs just don't seem right at the moment...if you can figure out why the LA Lakers deal Vladimir Radmanovic to the Charlotte Bobcats for Adam Morrison - other than they fear what he'll do around snow the coming all-star break - I'd love to hear it. I know the Lakers are looking to get bigger, but Morrison?...it took Alexander Ovechkin a mere 296 games to score his 200th goal of his career. That is damn impressive, fifth fastest all-time...for my money, Ste-rod is a far more clever nickname than A-Roid...today's picture comes courtesy of one of Raptorschat's finest posters, well done Scully... Have a great Sunday. Go Man U!

Women shouldn't drive, says Arshavin

It is funny hearing boxing guys like Bob Arum or Larry Merchant trash MMA as "two guys humping" when it goes to ground, but two boxers hugging and dancing about is somehow different...talk about your odd stat. Serena Williams has won the Aussie Open in every odd numbered year since 2003...Toronto Raptors play by play voice Matt Devlin and Rod Black sound so alike it is scary, til you listen to what they say. Devlin is light years preferable...that your boy here despises all things All-Star game almost universally is well established, but it just got worse in hearing that not only is the NBA including a game of HORSE, but that it won't actually be called HORSE. It'll be called GEICO. That's right, they sold the rights to a sponsor...the talk that Derek Jeter should be moved to centre is gaining steam in the media with plenty of statistical analysis as to why it would improve the Yankees. ESPN's Rob Neyer takes it a step further and says that Jeter should stay at short until this deal is done, and then be cut loose because he's not worth re-signing. Neyer best be careful venturing into the new Yankee Stadium, sacred cow steaks are not on the menu even though more than likely, he's right. If there's one thing I really respect in the Boston Red Sox, it is that GM Theo Epstein doesn't let the past outweigh the present or future. If Jeter was a Sock, you could bet he'd get moved to a spot where his defence didn't hurt the team, and he'd re-sign only at a lower price...hot on the heels of UFC 94, UFC gives a free card on SpikeTV tonight as Joe Lauzon faces Jeremy Stephens in the main event with a juicy side of Mac Danzig taking on Josh Neer. Is there any organization that does more right to give fans what they want than UFC? That starts at 9pm on Spike...Shaquille O'Neal is talking about going back to the LA Lakers, saying the previous feuding with Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson was all about marketing. Really?...here's an incredible number when it comes to pitchers in baseball called the "3400 Club", which ranks the pitchers who have thrown more than 3400 pitches the season prior. Why? It predicts durability the following season. Don't believe it? Check out the 2007 list and you'll notice a heap of guys that had off years in 2008. So looking at the 2008 list, this Yankee fan is sweating bullets!...three straight Prime Time Pick winners for you now, and feeling like I'm in a groove. Hope you've been on board, that is 11-6 since the poll question on whether to continue or not went up. Playing Aston Villa on the road this morning (10am start so get in!). The Villans have won six straight on the road and seven straight overall in EPL play and are more than staking their claim for a Champions League spot next year. The Rovers are very much a middling team at home who concede plenty of goals, and at a pick, hard not to love Aston Villa. Also played AC Milan today at -1.5 -125 in what will be easy stuff against Reggina at home, and will likely add an NBA play or two later...GBVH passed on a fantastic piece on new Arsenal signing Andrei Arshavin where he describes his ideal woman, despite being married for all intents and purposes, and better still, says women shouldn't be allowed to drive. Awesome...looks like Sean Avery's time in exile is about done, and the New York Rangers seem the likely landing spot. In case Avery was watching his two former teams last night, the Dallas Stars dropped a 10-2 fisting on the Rangers...that's it for today, have I given you enough to talk about?

Bonus pick: Won't be counting this one given the whole "one game per day" nature of the PTP, but here's a winner for you: hammer Atlanta -7.5 over the visiting LA Clippers.

Excorcising the demons in Boston

Free agent pitcher Ben Sheets is debating having surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. The recovery time for that is 9-10 months. Now, if you're a free agent, and know you've got an issue - there's a reason a guy with his numbers remains unsigned, and that is it - why not do the surgery last October or November and be that much closer to a return? Only Scott Boras has been giving worse advice this offseason...Memo to news anchor: when you're discussing one topic, make sure your production staff has the right video lined up, unless you're looking to produce something hilarious like this. Thanks to RM regular TS for this one...Lawrence Taylor and Stevie Wonder are being mentioned as possible contestants on Dancing With The Stars. I can think of dozens of great possibilities for this already...the San Antonio Spurs play one game at home in the next month, so expect them to be more likely to slip in the standings than to overtake the LA Lakers...the latest issue of Sports Illustrated has LeBron James as the runaway winner of the player poll for best all-round athlete in the NBA with 66% of the vote. If you witness LeBron play at all, you're bound to wonder where the other 34% went...you'll be seeing a lot more stories like this one in the coming months that suggest that Derek Jeter should not be the Yankees shortstop because of his sliding-into-the-abyss defence at that spot, and that he'd do his team a favor by moving to centre field...staying with the Yankees, Andruw Jones has declined an invite to the Yanks spring training as a non-roster invitee, claiming he's got other offers that would see him on rosters. Sure, and there's a huge field vying for ManRam...Baltimore Ravens free agent linebacker Ray Lewis will not be taking a hometown discount because "if you don't play less, you don't take less." How awesome is that explanation? He's also not opposed to looking elsewhere, and seems interested in the New York Jets...U.S. Swimming has suspended Michael Phelps three months from competition for his marijuana use, not that anybody will notice as it is in odd numbered, non-Olympic year...how awesome was that LA Lakers overtime win over the Boston Celtics last night? Even better if you were on board with the Prime Time Pick last night!...have a great Friday, back with your PTP by 5pm Eastern.

UPDATE: Your PTP for the night is up, continuing to ride NBA plays as per the last week and more aside from the Super Bowl. That may change tomorrow with a morning EPL play, so be sure to check in early Saturday.

PTP

Your Prime Time Pick is now posted. Not a lot to love on a short NBA board, and I'm avoiding the NHL like the plague these days, so making a small play on the LA Lakers tonight at +7. How can you not take 7 points for one of the best, who are looking to make up for last year's embarrassing close out game? Also like the 76ers Under 216 (more than the Lakers pick, to be frank) but wouldn't be fair to give you four minutes to get the wager in.

Good luck!

LeBron ups the ante

After a visit to the eye doctor's yesterday, I was able to confirm my Lasik sugery of 11 years ago remains perfect. It just seemed like I was seeing a disgusting blur ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday in the form of the Montreal Canadiens throw ups, err, throw back jerseys...speaking of the Super Bowl, Sunday's game pulled the second highest rating in the game's history, topped only by last year's game...what remains unsaid in the David Beckham discussions that could and likely will see him leave the LA Galaxy: what about all the season ticket holders of the Galaxy that bought tickets assuming they'd be seeing DB23?...good to see the Toronto Raptors show some heart last night, even if they ended up dropping a 115-107 decision to the LA Lakers. Missing was Jose Calderon for the duration, and Chris Bosh went out in the fourth with a sprained knee. Talk amongst yourselves if the effort was a coincidence. What is certain: if you sit out a game for anything only referred to as "sore", you're a bitch...an idea that makes too much sense: ditch the World Baseball Classic, and send the pros to the Winter Olympics. Largely the same timing, less frequent, and you can bet the U.S. players would take a greater interest than they do now...the NHL trade deadline is a month away, but that didn't stop TSN from airing "Countdown to Tradecentre '09"...after Kobe Bryant dropped 61 at Madison Square Garden, LeBron James dropped in and scored 52 as part of the first 50+ point triple double since 1975...separated at birth: Philadelphia Flyer Jeff Carter and tennis star Andy Roddick...Derek Jeter says he and the New York Yankees support Alex Rodriguez. Yawn...did you think the NFL dropped the tradition of the Super Bowl MVP getting a Cadillac? Nope, just the fine folks at GM wanting to keep it low-key when they're receiving billions in bailout money which just goes to prove the cover up is always worse than the crime...

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon go off on Sally Jenkins over her excusing Michael Phelps actions, and hit on Barry Bonds/Roger Clemens and more.

Wednesday PTP

A little late, but tonight's play is Orlando at -13 over LA Clippers. Hammer time! Get in.

Craptors at it again

I've heard some suggestions for improving the NFL's overtime format but here is a new one that is said to be gaining steam: first team to score six points wins. That's fantastic and eliminates a lot of the current method of winning the toss, picking up a couple first down and kicking a winning field goal, while not getting to the lame college method of starting at the opposing team's 35 with both getting equal chances to win. This idea is most like the actual game. Make it happen, Roger Goodell...the Dallas Stars are 15-6-3 since ditching Sean Avery. GM Brett Hull may have screwed up signing him, but he deserves credit for changing course when most GM's would stubbornly stick to their initial instinct...Stephen A. Smith has not backed off one bit from his statement that Chris Bosh will leave the Toronto Raptors when his contract expires after next season. And the more Bosh tries to play it as made up while not saying he wants to stay, you have to give it some credence...Bosh and the Raptors were killed in Cleveland last night, and tonight get Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers at home. Fortunately, this one is on TSN2 so most won't see the senseless slaughter of the Raps. I'd contemplate betting the Lakers even at -100...new poll question at the right. Get your vote in...not sure which Jim Rome take on Michael Phelps is funnier. That his bong rips explain the 10,000 calories he packs in a day, or that with his lung capacity, he must have crushed all the weed in that house in one shot...202 WWE Diva pics. Why? Because 201 would not be enough...if you're ever contemplating plastic surgery, here are 30 reasons why it is a bad idea...when you think your job sucks, consider that there is someone that was getting paid to rub hot liniment oil all over Roger Clemens for a time, including on his beanbag. Seriously. That comes from the new Joe Torre/Tom Verducci book "The Yankee Years". Added bonus from the book, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex Belth? It reminds us how great Alex Rodriguez really is...if you heard about the PETA ad that was banned as being "too hot" for Super Bowl Sunday but haven't seen it, here's your chance. Whatever your opinion, it probably wasn't as steamy as the porn that was shown for a time on an Arizona station. Here are the rest of the ads, if you care...back later with the PTP. Still sour over last night's fourth quarter deluge to push the game over...hope NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman doesn't read the Toronto Sun, because this piece on the state of the NHL from Bill Lankhof would likely ruin his day. Illuminating stuff for those with their heads in the sand about the health of the NHL...have a great Wednesday.

Groin pains

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul left the Hornets game last night with a groin injury. The Hornets were outscored 42-17 by the Portland Trail Blazers the rest of the way to lose 97-89...heard one NHL rumor floated that had the Montreal Canadiens trading Alexei Kovalev, Andrei Markov and Jaroslav Halak to the Florida Panthers for Jay Bouwmeester and Nathan Horton. No chance the Habs make that deal even if they had a deal to extend Bouwmeester, who is a free agent after this season...separated at birth: The Score's Adnan Virk and the New York Yankees Andy Pettitte...it is almost becoming a weekly installment: wrestling talk. Here's a look at the 20 Worst Mask Gimmicks...two weeks until baseball camps open and there are piles of big name free agents still available. Word is Adam Dunn, regular 40 home run man, could be had for a year and a mere $5.5 million. Guessing Toronto isn't a possibility after JP Ricciardi cracked Dunn last year...speaking of free agents, the latest on Manny Ramirez is he turned down a one year deal for $25 million from the LA Dodgers. No chance he gets an offer for that much elsewhere...when you think top five paid men in baseball for 2008, you likely don't figure Bud Selig checks in third at $18 million. That's a serious ticket...there's a giant fuss made in New York everytime LeBron James rolls into town so of course Kobe Bryant made sure the basketball public remembers who the man is in dropping a Madison Square Garden record 61 points on the Knicks last night...BJ Penn has filed a protest over vaseline that was on Georges St. Pierre's shoulders during Saturday's fight - a no-no. I think he should be more upset about the glue GSP must've had on him too as Penn couldn't seem to get GSP off him for the last three rounds...AC Milan management say that David Beckham wants to stay in Italy beyond the scheduled March return to the LA Galaxy. Gee, play for a top team in a top league or play for one of the worst teams in a lesser league? Hardly a tough decision...managed to catch Sunday's The Office on the PVR last night. As great as it was, not sure there have been a funnier five minutes in the history of television than that opening sequence...back with a PTP winner later today. Have a great Tuesday.

PTP: As you can see to the right, the Prime Time Pick for the day is up. Loving these "totals" of late, and tonight is no different.

Sixburgh!

You can now call them the Sixburgh Steelers as the Super Bowl champs now have six of the trophies to top the rest of the league. It was a fantastic game virtually start to finish and particularly the fourth quarter. Maybe the best one yet? Ben Roethlesberger completed 70% of his passes and was money when needed most in the final drive. Is it me, or does every play Santonio Holmes makes seem huge? Not sure anyone would think the Steelers win a game in which they gave up 407 yards, but win they did...another season of the NFL come and gone in a flash. The beauty of the NFL is in its intensity - 5 months of meaningful games. By comparison, the NHL started a month later and is barely half way through its regular season. You simply cannot sustain attention for that long...destined to be the hottest selling jersey in the CFL: Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Justin Beaver...you'd think that Michael Phelps would know enough to not let a picture be taken while he's hitting a bong, no?...the Detroit Tigers are looking at trading a starting pitcher or two. I'd imagine you would, when they're virtually all garbage...wanna know what 1474 megapixels looks like? Check out this incredible picture of Barack Obama's inauguration, and zoom to any point in the picture. Crazy stuff...Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colanagelo is denying a report from Stephen A. Smith - and we know what the "A" is for - that says Chris Bosh has told the team he will not be staying after his contract expires after next season. My guess is that Smith will end up being right, but doesn't have any actual information of substance. He's likely just playing the guessing game so he can end up saying "told you!" when Bosh leaves, which I think he will...Craig Hartsburg's out as the Ottawa Senators coach and surprisingly, Pat Quinn isn't coming in, at least not yet. How a team with Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfreddson can't score is beyond me...word is Matt Cassel could be moved to Kansas City, where former New England Patriots personnel whiz Scott Pioli is now the general manager. Could he net the Pats a #1 pick? You'd think so, when Cassel is proven unlike everyone else in the top of the draft class the Chiefs might be looking at...Jamie Langenbrunner scored three game winners in multiple goal games last week. Impressive...New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs says Plaxico Burress cost the Giants a trip to the Super Bowl. That ought to do wonders for team chemistry if, as believed, Burress comes back...back with the PTP later. Have a great Monday.

Super Sunday!

Seldom have I seen a more dominant performance than the one Georges St. Pierre put in en route to a fourth round stoppage "on the doctor's advice" of BJ Penn. Absolutely incredible against a guy who is renowned for his defence in particular yet couldn't stop the onslaught...if you're still awake in a couple hours, the Australian Open men's final is kicking off what should be a fantastic day of sports on the 2009 calendar. Roger Federer is my pick to knock off Rafael Nadal with the world's #1 ranking also at stake. Have to figure Nadal's semi-final has to have emptied his tank to a large degree...at 11am Eastern, Liverpool hosts Chelsea in a huge Premier League fixture (coverage on The Score) that could see a draw cripple both teams chances after Manchester United downed Everton yesterday, and of course, the big NFL final goes today - the Super Bowl, as you may have heard it referred to as - in what should be a pretty compelling game if the analysts are accurate. Few are predicting anything but a close game but not this guy, I think the Pittsburgh Steelers - who I've praised up and down all season - are simply too good to not get it done in impressive fashion. They've beaten the best along the way, and tonight, after playing one of the toughest schedules in NFL history, they'll hoist the stirling silver trophy to cap off an impressive season. It would be practically cheating to call anything else the PTP to open February, so we're taking the Steelers -6.5..the ads are always a big part of Super Bowl Sunday, check out the 10 sexiest of yesteryear here...here are the 30 most ridiculous prop bets being offered on the game today. Plenty of options can be yours at Pinnacle, of course...and while we're linking away, how about this mosaic? Warning: don't be opening this around your mom or co-workers, if you know what I mean...the NFL Hall of Fame inductees were named yesterday. How is it even possible that Cris Carter - #2 all-time in receptions to Jerry Rice - was denied? Shannon Sharpe is the #2 across most tight-end categories and won three rings, but he's denied? Tough crowd...post Super Bowl tonight, The Office is running an hour long episode with special guests Jack Black and Jessica Alba. If you're looking for a different kind of Office special, here's a preview of "The Office - XXX"...have a great Sunday.

UPDATE: Now packing a barf bag for my Super Bowl party for the disgusting patriotic pap we'll be forced to see when Bruce Springsteen plays "Born In The USA". Word to the wise: do the same.

January Prime Time Picks

• Jan. 31 - Atlanta Hawks +2 -105 (14-16-1, -$273) - LOSER
• Jan. 30 - Chicago Bulls/Sacramento Kings U 213 -103 (14-15-1, -$169) - WINNER
• Jan. 29 - Cleveland Cavs/Orlando Magic U 196 - 104 (13-15-1, -$269) - WINNER
• Jan. 28 - Chicago Bulls/LA Clippers Over 195.5 -105 (12-15-1, -$369) - LOSER
• Jan. 27 - Cleveland Cavs -14 -104 (12-14-1, -$265) - LOSER
• Jan. 26 - Phoenix Suns -4 -104 (12-13-1, -$161) - WINNER
• Jan. 25 - Boston Celtics -9 -105 (11-13-1, -$261) - WINNER
• Jan. 24 - Knicks/76ers U 207 -103 (10-13-1, -$361) - LOSER
• Jan. 23 - NY Knicks -5.5 -110 (10-12-1, -$258) - WINNER
• Jan. 22 - Boston/Orlando U 192.5 -109 (9-12-1, -$358) - WINNER
• Jan. 21 - Houston -4.5 -107 (8-12-1, -$458) - WINNER
• Jan. 20 - Chicago Bulls -4 -108 (7-12-1, -$558) - LOSER
• Jan. 19 - Liverpool -1 +113 (7-11-1, -$458) - LOSER
• Jan. 18 - Philadelphia Eagles -3.5 -107 (7-10-1, -$358) - LOSER
• Jan. 17 - Manchester Utd -1 -110 (7-9-1, -$251) - PUSH
• Jan. 16 - Toronto Raptors +4.5 -106 (7-9, $-251) - LOSER
• Jan. 15 - Grand Salami U 57.5 -106 (7-8, -$145) - LOSER
• Jan. 14 - Manchester United -1.5 -119 (7-7, -$39) - LOSER
• Jan. 13 - Miami Heat -1 +100 (7-6, +$80) - WINNER
• Jan. 12 - Detroit Red Wings -1.5 +165 (6-6, -$20) - LOSER
• Jan. 11 - NY Giants -4 -107 (6-5, +$80) - LOSER
• Jan. 10 - Arsenal -1.5 +115 (6-4, +$187) - LOSER
• Jan. 9 - Toronto Raptors -5 -113 (6-3 +287) - WINNER
• Jan. 8 - Florida -5 -108 (5-3, +187) - WINNER
• Jan. 7 - Man United -1 -107 (4-3, +87) - LOSER
• Jan. 6 - NY Knicks -2 -106 (4-2, +$194) - LOSER
• Jan. 5 - Canada -1 -106 (4-1, +$300) - WINNER
• Jan. 4 - Philly Eagles -3 -106 (3-1, +$200) - WINNER
• Jan. 3 - Indy Colts -1 +101 (2-1, +100) - LOSER
• Jan. 2 - Russia -2 -103 (2-0, +$200) - WINNER
• Jan. 1 - USC -8 -108 (1-0, +$100) - WINNER

There will be blood

I accept the argument that women's tennis is more esthetically appealing, looks aside. It doesn't have the power of the men's game so rallies are naturally longer. But I don't accept the argument they should be getting paid the same as the men in a Grand Slam when Serena Williams can dispatch her opponent in 2 of 3 sets to win the Aussie Open in 59 minutes as it turned out in a 6-0, 6-3 beating. At 59 minutes, the guys are barely breaking a sweat. Play 3 of 5 and then you can have the same cash. You can be sure that Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal will be earning their payday tonight in the men's final...also tonight, UFC 94 goes from Las Vegas and as mentioned a couple days back, it should be one hell of a main event in Georges St. Pierre vs. B.J. Penn. Penn backed off his "I want to kill GSP" statements Thursday on the Jim Rome Show but was one hell of an interview. Quick question: how was GSP not Canada's Athlete of the Year last year?...Serie A - Italy's top flight soccer league - might be in another gambling scandal as it appears champion Inter Milan intentionally dropped points down the stretch last year to increase the gambling odds on the chances they'd take the title in the end, which they did, resulting in a higher payout presumably for some heavy hitters...you learn something every day in the sporting world, baseball in particular. Did you know that there is actually a limit to the number of "Type A" free agents you can sign? Each year, baseball classifies free agents as Type "A" or "B" based on their value, and draft picks are assigned for "A" free agents you sign from another team. That is common knowledge I'd guess. But they also have a formula that specifies how many "Type A's" you're allowed to sign in a given year and this time, it is three. So if the New York Yankees even wanted to sign Manny Ramirez or Ben Sheets right now and the players were willing to play for a dollar, they can't because they previously signed CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixera. I suspect that somewhere, Scott Boras is curled into the fetal position lamenting the loss of his fav bargaining chip, the "Yankees are interested" card...have one last chance to get to a .500 record for the month of January which is pretty impressive after one horrific week this month. Playing the Atlanta Hawks +2 -105 tonight. Enjoy!...see, an entire RM during Super Bowl Week with nary an NFL reference. I'm sure that'll be more than made up for tomorrow. Have a great Saturday, enjoy UFC 94 if you can.

Prime Time Pick

Not sure why I'm loving these NBA total plays like I am, but back at it with a Bulls/Kings Under on 213 -103. Good luck.

Serious Guacamole

How great is that caricature on the right? If you don't agree, you clearly haven't seen who is lounging on Jessica's couch...Shannon Sharpe says that on Super Bowl Sunday, there are enough avocado's consumed to stack them 18 feet high from endzone to endzone. Who figures this stuff out?...in 2008, there was only one left-handed starting pitcher who gave up fewer home runs, pitched more innings and had a lower rate of walks per 9 innings than the New York Yankees Andy Pettitte. That would be CC Sabathia. Two lefties at Yankee Stadium is going to be a real good thing..the Pittsburgh Steelers faced nine of the top 10 defenses this past season. Translation: they'll get theirs against the Arizona Cardinals who are not a top 10 team defensively...maybe it is just me, but I think I'm looking forward to Georges St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn at UFC 94 tomorrow as much as I am the Super Bowl this weekend. If you get a chance to see UFC Primetime - a three part preview of the fight that goes to each man's camp - check it out on Spike pre-fight today or tomorrow. This is gonna be a war. My money is on GSP, but no result would surprise me...it wasn't looking good for the "under" on 195 play last night at 111 points at the half but thanks to a 29 point half for the Cleveland Cavs and 76 on the half including the Orlando Magic, it was a comfortable under in the end and a 99-88 Magic win...it'll be Roger Federer against Rafael Nadal in the finals of the Australian Open. Great weekend for sports, to state the obvious...I get that TSN paid some big bucks to cover the Olympics, but that watermark they're using on screen is a touch oversized, no? Then again, it is more subtle than the four billion ads they ran over the last year plus telling everyone they had the Grey Cup...how has Joe Torre's upcoming book been received by his former employers? Not good. Best line on the subject: "David Wells will be named the team nutritionist before Torre is invited back to the Bronx." Hope it was worth it, Torre. No more number retirement, no Old Timers Day, nada. Asked what he'd do if he saw Torre now, Wells said he'd "knock him out"...Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Michael Irvin told Jim Rome that not only will Anquoin Boldin have a greater impact on the Super Bowl than Larry Fitzgerald, he's also a better receiver overall...as you may have seen from GBVH yesterday, Mickey Rourke will not be taking on Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania after all. I'd expect Vince McMahon to kill Rourke for backing out over the coming weeks, but the publicity will be well worth it for the WWE...the United States is putting in bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup's. Bet on them getting one of the two. The beauty of the World Cup is that you don't even need to say what sport it is. Really, it is the only true World Cup...back with the Friday night PTP later. Have a great day.

Get textually active

Please text "317" (minus the quotes) to 25858 for a Toronto Raptors contest yours truly is trying to win where I'd fly to a game with the team. There'd be a lot of blog fodder out of that...GBVH mentioned that quasi-handicapper Randle the Handle appeared on Fan590 yesterday and revealed a shockingly bizarre stat for the NFL this year. In 256 games, 125 underdogs covered, 125 favorites covered, and there were six pushes. But that is not all! 123 games went over, 123 under and there were 10 pushes. Vegas usually has the splits relatively even, but that is ridiculous...here's why the English Premier League is so mammoth: the league has 81 separate national TV deals. These deals bring in so much cash that staying up brings in £26 million to the 17th place side and increases for every spot up to the top. Great way to incent performance, no? One team that won't be getting the top prize is Liverpool who went from first a few weeks back to soon-to-be five points out in second with Chelsea when Manchester United takes care of their game in hand. Wonder if Empties Crushed feels not crushed about that?...add Mike Mussina to the quotables in the new "Joe Torre" book. Mussina says that Mariano Rivera hasn't been the same since the 2001 World Series loss to Arizona. For a guy as smart as he is, Mussina just said something pretty moronic. That's the same Mussina that went 5-7 in his playoff career for the the Yankees. And he's talking about Money Mo? Not sure I've said this before, but Mo is the most valuable Yankee on those World Series teams and since...David Beckham scored again for AC Milan and also left the game injured. I'd put the chances of him staying with LA Galaxy at zero. Oh, and I'd put AC Milan's red/black uni up there with all time best jersey's in any sport...former Tampa Bay Buc Simeon Rice called ex-Bucs coach Jon Gruden a "scum bag," no doubt largely influenced by Gruden sending him packing. Just wondering, are the rest of the coaches who had no use for Rice afterwards scum bags too?...

Aussie Open

Nolan said yes to this?

Not sure how Nolan Ryan, legendary red ass, is involved in upper management with the Texas Rangers, and an abomination like their new bucket - at right - is approved as part of the uniform for 2009...after three increasingly impressive performances from him, AC Milan is willing to pay $8 million ($CDN) to purchase the contract of David Beckham from the LA Galaxy. Memo to the Galaxy: Sell! After all, Beckham can walk after the 2009 season for nothing. Pocket the cash, spend it on other players...UFC is capitalizing on a hot run in the public eye and opening a series of UFC branded gyms in the U.S., complete with octagon's. Finally something for Ken Shamrock to do other than talk about coming back...who wins the Super Bowl of WAG's, Arizona Cardinals or Pittsburgh Steelers? Well, if you've got Brenda Warner on your side, that pretty much has to mean you lose, right?...check out Chelsea's Michael Ballack go "Randy Johnson" on a pigeon around the one minute mark...good of Kurt Warner's agent to wait til Super Bowl week to talk of how his client would be nuts to not explore free agency. The only person that helps now is his agent...for those keeping score, that's four times now that Novak Djokovic has shut it down in a major. The on-court temperature in his loss to Andy Roddick was just under 60 degrees celsius. No joke...here's a peak at the all-time Top 10 NFL Defences...ahead of next month's World Cup qualifier, Mexico is hoping to turn around their struggling ways when playing in the U.S. in a rather unique way. One promotion is offering voodoo dolls of U.S. players. Seriously...ESPN's Buster Olney noted that when David Wells wrote a book that gave a few glimpses into the New York Yankee clubhouse, then-manager Joe Torre tore him up for betraying the clubhouse code. Wonder if Torre is chewing out his mirror these days?...back later with your Prime Time Pick.

Prime Time Pick

Not sure when I'll get back online today and don't want to see this line move on you. Get down on the Cleveland Cavs at -14 -104 tonight. Another easy cover is coming up.

"Losers"?

A recent category called "Losers" on Jeopardy! had this for a $1000 answer: "one second from defeat in the 2008 Super Bowl, this losing head coach threw a hissy fit and stalked off the field." Question: "who is Bill Belichick?". Wow, that's incredible...Tony Romo has the NFL's biggest endorsement deal for Starter. Well, it is a good thing there isn't a product called Finisher, because he wouldn't be endorsing that. I'll stop hammering him and the Cowboys once we're a month out from that debacle in Philadelphia. Wade Phillips excepted, of course..anybody figured out yet how the NFL, NBA and MLB have all talked to varying degrees about economic concerns in the past few months, but Gary Bettman insists all is well in the NHL? Seriously, does anybody believe him? Emperor Nero thinks he's deluded...a full slate of English Premier League action today. Manchester United 'keeper Edwin van der Sar will set an EPL record for consecutive shutout minutes if he keeps a clean sheet against West Brom into the 84th minute today which would give him 1,026...just week's after panning "The Wrestler" as not representative of the business that is WWE, Vince McMahon sees opportunity knock and he tears the door off the hinges: star of "The Wrestler" and Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke will face Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania. Genius move by Vinnie Mac given how much pub that movie and Rourke are pulling right now. A genius move by you would be going to see this movie, it meets the hype and then some...under the Department of Bargain: Andy Pettitte at $5.5 million. Granted, he's got the chance to double that with incentives so it is a great deal for both the Yankees and Pettitte if he has a solid year. Pettitte is expected to pitch fourth as the Yanks try to manage Joba Chamberlain's innings. Still would have preferred Ben Sheets, but he's a huge injury concern...is Andrei Arshavin Arsenal bound? Sure looks that way...5 out of 6 now for PTP, life is good! Back later today with another winner...have a great Tuesday.

Stay classy, Joe

Joe Torre's reputation as a classy guy is about flushed now with a new book coming out next week. How else do explain him cracking on former boss Brian Cashman for not standing up for him after the 2007 season, when Torre had previously and repeatedly said he had? If not for Cash, he'd have been unemployed after he led the Yanks into the toilet with a 3-0 lead over the Boston Red Sox in 2004. Good of him to hammer A-Rod too, the guy who almost single-handedly took the Yanks to the playoffs in 2007 and made him even a possibility for 2008. Let's see what kind of manager he is if the LA Dodgers are minus Manny Ramirez. ManRam's the only reason Torre saw the playoffs last year, even in a garbage division. Stay classy, Joe...the LA Galaxy have set their sites on Newcastle United striker Michael Owen. I'd give that about no chance of happening in the next couple years, and why would they want Owen in any event? He's about as fragile as an athlete can be...current Galaxy star David Beckham, on loan with AC Milan, scored his first with the Serie A side and that will only escalate the talk he's going to stay beyond March...incredibly, 65% of respondants at an ESPN.com poll would rather have Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner lead their team in the Super Bowl than the Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlesberger, leading in every state but Pennsylvania. Count me among the 35% and come next Monday, that number will flip. Warner cannot handle a rush, and it forces him to make bad throws and fumble the ball. Big Ben doesn't rattle that easy, and hell, he can carry a couple would be tacklers if need be and complete a throw...any regular reader here will know I crack on the NHL regularly for being pretty dull to watch overall, but yesterday's 12-11 goalfest in the All-Star game may have been even worse than watching two skill-killing trap teams go at it. Perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh, what with my legendary hate of the All-Star game concept in all sports aside from baseball...how'd you like that for easy Prime Time Pickin's yesterday? The Boston Celtics dumped 74 points on the Dallas Mavs by the break and cruised to a 24 point beatdown. Have .500 well within my sites and the horror of that second week in January is starting to fade...have a great Monday, back later with your Prime Time winner.

Chickens are athletic

Any guesses as to which two numbers are retired by the Miami Heat? If you had Michael Jordan and Dan Marino - yes, THAT Dan Marino - you are correct...ESPN The Magazine on hockey in its January 26th issue: "goals are only a bit more common than broadcast deals."...Michael Vick thinks chicken are clever and agile. I predict cock fighting in the future...good to see former Major Leaguer and full-time white trash John Rocker hasn't learned to keep his hate to himself, going off about a Jew...the Cleveland Cavs are 20-0 at home to start the season. Of course, now that we're talking about it, you can bet they'll lose in the next week...at the NHL Skills Competition, how awkward was that standing ovation for Vincent Lecavalier and then prolonged wait for the introduction of Alexander Ovechkin to egg it on?...last night's Prime Time Pick went sour as easily as the previous two nights went sweetly. Today's pick comes between 3 and 4pm...having trouble deciding what is more lame: All-Star weekends including skills competitions in general, or people who buy All-Star jerseys of their fav player...one week from a fantastic sports weekend with UFC 94 with a BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre main event on Saturday, and then the small matter of the Super Bowl Sunday. Will beat this weekend's washout...is it just me, or does Cristiano Ronaldo look really uninterested this season?...that the NHL asks people to pay to watch that Young Stars game is a joke. That was the most awful sporting event you'll see this year, and a half hour of my life I'll never get back...4-1 underdog "Sugar" Shane Mosley whipped Antonio Margarito in the first big boxing matchup of the year. Expect some serious gloating from Cam Stewart on Drive This on Monday - he was pumping up what a great value play Mosley was at 4-1...have a great Sunday.

PRIME TIME PICK: A bit earlier than anticipated. Playing the Boston Celtics today at -9 to crush the Dallas Mavs. Enjoy. Get down with Pinnacle.