| Okay, there are just way too many running backs | | | | game that means anything in the standings since |
| declaring for the NFL Draft.What, are classes at the | | | | Week 15. Then again, they have Peyton Manning |
| nation's largest universities getting harder or | | | | steering the ship and they are the same team that |
| something? No, no one's surprised that Reggie Bush | | | | went 13-0 after going 0-5 in the pre-season, thus |
| declared early; he's probably going to be the first | | | | should be no problem dusting off the cobwebs and |
| overall pick. Nor can I quibble with Vince Young (kind | | | | getting the team refocused. As for the Seahawks, |
| of an RB in QB's clothing, if you know what I mean), | | | | the books opened up high due to the inability of the |
| after his amazing Rose Bowl performance. I have to | | | | Redskins' offense against the Bucs and the injury to |
| take some umbrage at LenDale White's decision to | | | | Clinton Portis. If they can capitalize on Seahawk |
| go. Bush's backfield mate could've had the Southern | | | | turnovers and hold Alexander early, this could prove |
| Cal spotlight all to himself with Reggie out of the | | | | to be a hard fought and close affair.BA, Professional |
| picture, and, barring injury, would almost certainly | | | | Handicapper's League: The Colts have not played a |
| have gone higher in '07 than in '06.Now comes the | | | | meaningful game in six weeks. So no, I don't think |
| cavalcade of huh? Laurence Maroney out of | | | | you are crazy for thinking this line is too high. Their |
| Minnesota? Hm. Nice back, lots of yards. But do it on | | | | offense is based on rhythm, meaning they could |
| the big stage, Larry. Brian Calhoun of Wisconsin? Is | | | | easily be out-of-synch for a quarter or two. On the |
| he worried his meteoric, out-of-nowhere 2005 will | | | | other hand, they could look like the Colts of Weeks |
| vanish if he hangs around lovely Madison one more | | | | 1-14. If so, the Steelers are in for a long day, and the |
| year? Maurice Drew out of UCLA? I mean, he's a | | | | line would actually look a bit low. A tough call on that |
| nice college player, but he's (maybe) 5'8", 205 lbs. He's | | | | one, on Sunday. Seattle is an awfully good football |
| Kevin Faulk. Demetris Summers out of South | | | | team. I think this line is based more upon the fact |
| Carolina? (And I do mean out of South Carolina: | | | | the Skins are really doing it with smoke and mirrors. |
| Steve Spurrier kicked the kid off the Gamecocks | | | | How long can you rely on opportunistic defense to |
| football team after his freshman year; if you're too | | | | win you ballgames? Also, 120 yards out of your |
| dirty for Steve Superior, you are mighty dirty.) | | | | offense won't get you past the Seahawks. In this |
| Demetris. Buddy. Seems as though you could do with | | | | ballgame initially I don't think that line is high |
| a little Marcus-Vick-style maturation before setting | | | | enough.What do you think of Vince Young's decision |
| your sights on Maurce-Clarett-land, huh?The bottom | | | | to enter the NFL Draft early?Where do you see him |
| line here is: NFL teams aren't looking to pay running | | | | going, and do you think he'll be an effective pro?BA, |
| backs a lot of money anyway, which is why they | | | | Professional Handicapper's League: Young's stock |
| typically wait and wait and wait to take them on | | | | could not be any higher than what it is now. After |
| draft day. (Who can forget Steven Jackson's | | | | that Rose Bowl performance, he had to go. I see him |
| precipitous fall out of the first round two years ago?) | | | | going to the Titans at #3 and being an awfully good |
| Combine that with the fact that, like, everyone is | | | | pro. Unlike Michael Vick, he already has an established |
| coming out early, and some of these fellows aren't | | | | arm. He showed that by leading the nation this year |
| going to get drafted until the second day. Is school | | | | in passing efficiency. This also tells us he has the |
| really that bad?What did the handicapping world think | | | | capability to make solid smart decisions.GJ, |
| of the Wild Card weekend in the NFL?Bob Aggarwal, | | | | BoDog.com: What better time to turn pro than being |
| Professional Handicapper's League: Big surprise in my | | | | the talk of the nation and stealing the spotlight away |
| mind as home cooking did not result in home wins. | | | | from Bush and Leinart? His performance brought him |
| Also, very surprised by the play of the New York | | | | from a projected #9 or #10 overall pick down to #2 |
| Giants. Out-coached and outright losers as three-point | | | | or #3, thus you can't fault him for jumping over to |
| favorites at the Meadowlands? We really had that | | | | the NFL. I think it would be wise for the Saints to go |
| game pegged as being much closer. The Carolina | | | | with the quarterback that is more NFL ready right |
| Panthers will give Chicago all they can handle | | | | now, which is Matt Leinart. Tennessee then will take |
| Saturday. As far as the Pats go, they are really | | | | Vince Young, much to the delight of Steve McNair, |
| turning things around. They are not quite as | | | | who has mentored Young over the past years. |
| good-looking as they were last year during their | | | | Young's mobility will make him a very good fit for the |
| championship run, but they're awfully close. Their | | | | Titans. Yes, his throwing motion is unconventional and |
| secondary is certainly coming around. The | | | | a lot has been said about how we will suffer in the |
| Washington Redskins are doing it with smoke and | | | | NFL because of his style. Forget all that. Young led |
| mirrors. 120 yards in offense will not get you past | | | | the nation in passing with a 168.6 rating this year and |
| the Seahwaks. They have to play much better on | | | | passed for over 2,700 yards and 26 touchdowns. |
| that side of the ball next week or they will be | | | | Better numbers than Leinart. We witnessed |
| heading back to the nation's capital losers.Greg | | | | greatness in the Rose Bowl, and witnessed a legend |
| Jorssen, BoDog.com: The underdogs and the | | | | being born.Changing sports for just a moment, which |
| favorites split their games; each winning twice. Thus | | | | college basketball team is more for real: Texas or |
| handicapping world breathed a sigh of relief early on | | | | Villanova?GJ, BoDog.com: Both teams are definite |
| in the playoffs. Those that played the Under last the | | | | powerhouses. I picked the revitalized Longhorns at |
| weekend made out pretty good. That's not | | | | the start of the season to battle Duke all season |
| surprising, considering this time of year finds | | | | long. Their early season set-back to Duke seemed to |
| defenses kicking it up a notch. In fact, the four | | | | stagger them, losing the next game to Tennessee. |
| teams that were victorious held their opponents to a | | | | Since then, they have won five straight, including an |
| combined 30 points. We're seeing an interesting | | | | impressive win in Memphis. People are starting to talk |
| development with the divisional playoff games this | | | | again about a back-to-back-to-back championship for |
| weekend. Last year during the divisional playoffs, the | | | | Texas (baseball, football, and now possibly |
| favorites went 4-0 straight up and 3-1 against the | | | | basketball). Villanova had their first loss at home to |
| spread, and the books did extremely well. We're | | | | West Virginia, then slugged out a hard-fought |
| seeing similar betting trends for this weekend; thus if | | | | overtime victory Wednesday night at Rutgers. The |
| the home teams do well and cover, we will see | | | | guard-heavy Wildcats have already shown that they |
| another strong result. It appears that bettors have | | | | play extremely well against Big 12 schools, with |
| fallen in love with the one-week wonder and an | | | | impressive victories over Kansas and Oklahoma. Have |
| apparent hate on for the home teams who have | | | | fun at the game! Should be quite a battle.BA, |
| been the best team all year! Very interesting trend | | | | Professional Handicapper's League: I have Villanova as |
| indeed!Should Seattle and Indianapolis really be nearly | | | | the better team only because they are more |
| double-digit favorites over Washington and Pittsburgh | | | | experienced and boast more weapons. Aside from |
| next week? Especially in the case of Indy, am I | | | | Tucker and Gibson, the Longhorns don't know |
| crazy for thinking that seems high?GJ, BoDog.com: I | | | | exactly where their offense will come for night in and |
| think teaser bettors will be drooling over these two | | | | night out. Sure, Aldridge will get you some points and |
| games. The Seahawks and Colts both should win | | | | Buckman will battle underneath, but the Cats have |
| their games, but 9 and 10 points seems pretty high. | | | | four players that can light it up on any given |
| The Steelers are on a roll, while the Colts limp into | | | | night.Christopher Harris is a featured writer for the |
| the playoffs on a three-game losing streak (yes, I | | | | Professional Handicappers |
| know they beat the Cards, but barely; that still | | | | League. |
| counts as a loss in my books!) and have not played a | | | | |