Lawrence Taylor indicted on rape charges in N.Y. – Super Bowl

Pro football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor has been indicted by a suburban New York grand jury on charges of rape, criminal sexual act and sexual abuse.

By nbcsports.msnbc.com

How NFL Suspensions Affect Betting Odds

Today we are going to take a look at how suspension for football players affects the the NFL Odds in Vegas. Specifically, we are going to look at the calateral damage that has happened as a result of players behaviors in Pittsburgh. I am not interested in attacking the Steelers program just that they have had player suspensions that have resinated throughout the NFL and will affect how odds are set in Las Vegas for the 2010 campaign.

At this moment the Steelers have a 20 to 1 line as the team to win the Super Bowl in 2010. Actually with what’s been going on there the odds are lower than I expected. You have to consider their starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger will not be there for the first 4 games of the season. If you couple that with the loss of Santonio Holmes to the Jets, as a result of a 4 game suspension, the Steelers chances of running the table seem very bleak for the 2010 season. You couple that with the improvements of teams like Baltimore and Cincinnati in their division and I am surprised that they are not more like 30 to 1 dogs.  But than again, what doI know. The Philadelphia Eagles are 18 to 1 and they just had a going out of business sale this off season. Many of their seasoned veterans are gone now and they are banking on their young players to step up and win in arguably the toughest division in Football.

Lets take a step back and think about what the odds would be if the Roethlisberger and Holmes suspensions never happened. This would mean that Big Ben would be starting  from game one and still have Holmes as his number one receiver. Holme’s receiving numbers were good last year but not gaudy. You must consider the fact that Holmes drew a majority of the double teams in 09 which in turn freed up Mike Wallace deep. This year Mr. Wallace will not have that luxury. Likewise, after 4 games this year the Jets will have another legitimate number one on the field with Holmes. Teams will have to decide whether to double him or Braylon Edwards, which is a pick your poison, because either receiver is a problem for any defense. And, this is probably one of the reasons that the Jets have 10 to 1 odds of winning the Super Bowl.

Sports betting is all a guessing game but it is an educated guessing game much like playing the stock market. You take in as much pertinent information as possible and make you best predictions based on that knowledge. If you feel that the Steelers will do fine with their back ups through the first 4 games of the season and that Big Ben will come back with a chip on his shoulder to prove himself to be one of the best QBs in the league, than place your bet. Or, maybe you think that Santonio Holmes will be more of a problematic distraction for the Jets than he is worth and you want to stay from the Jets. Anyway that your football brain wants to slice it, you have to take into consideration that the NFL discipline policies has effect on the outcome of a season and you need to consider and way all options before you lay your money down.

Roethlisberger’s Troubles Reservice

Today the Bureau of Investigation from the state of Georgia released the video tapes that were in evidence regarding the alleged sexual assault involving Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a female college student. To me, the most revealing material that I observed in the tape was that the alleged victim mentioned more than once that Ben Roethlisberger displayed a very short temper and that was the reason that she left him have his way. She feared what he might do if she refused him too much. She claimed that she was brought to a private area where Big Ben met with her and exposed himself. She says that she said no and moved away from him through an unknown door which led to a bathroom and that he followed her in and closed the door behind and the alleged assault took place.

Most of us figured on some graphic details to emerge from this investigation. Actually, the woman seem very calm and unaffected as she described what happened. I am not judging her validity or character in any way, I just expected her to seem more frantic and upset. There are over 50 Cd’s that were released today and I am sure that the first reporters that got their hands on them went directly to the interview with the alleged victim. However, I would not be surprised to see much more from the disks in the future. Later this week the Super Bowl winning quarterback has scheduled 2 interviews to finally discuss some of these issues from that infamous night.

The one prediction that I am willing to make, as far as the future of  Ben is that it will likely go one of two ways. This stuff will keep coming out about him and his character will continually be battered and bruised. Where it will become interesting is when the NFL seasons starts. If the Steelers get off to a bad start and Ben comes in and saves the day, all will be forgotten, as long as he keeps his act clean. However, after 4 games (it won’t be 6) , if whichever QB that replaces him is winning games and doing well, don’t be surprised if his number one spot along with a spot on the team period, comes into question. There are too many people just waiting for him to fall on his face, so he can be shipped off and become someone elses problem. So, set back this fall, and enjoy the show.

Lawrence Taylor in Trouble Again

NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker and ABC’s DWTS contestant Lawrence Taylor has been charged with 3rd degree rape and the solicitation of a Prostitute in Ramapo New york.  Taylor has had a checkered past and was suspended from the NFL twice for substance abuse. The Super Bowl winning linebacker allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 16 year old runaway prostitute. It is a class “E” felony and can carry a 4 year prison sentence.

Taylor’s attorney denied all charges at the arraignment and said that he and Taylor will be fighting all of the allegations. Taylor, 51 claims that he has been sober for the past several years and that drugs and alcohol are not associated with the charges and his past indiscretions have nothing to do with what may or may not of happened in this case.

Many of Lawrence Taylor’s friends, teammates and other associates have been tight lipped about the accusations. The consensus seems to be to wait and see what happens in the near future. Many believe that every time Taylor seems to straighten his life out, something else all ways comes up. He just doesn’t seem to be able to turn the corner on his post NFL life.  Taylor has a self recognized dark side that seems to rear its head from time to time and get him into trouble. His attorney argued that Taylor is not a flight risk and that there is a good chance that the charges will be reduced, but the latter claim seems a bit optimistic at this point of the legal process. His bail has been set at $75,000.00.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick: ‘Quite a few’ calls on second-rounders – Super Bowl

Patriots coach Bill Belichick: ‘Quite a few’ calls on second-rounders.
By Mike Reiss

PFT: League faces tough decision on Roethlisberger – Super Bowl

PFT: League faces tough decision on Roethlisberger
By profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

Wait ’til next year: Colts hope loss fuels another Super Bowl run – Super Bowl

The Indianapolis Colts constantly will be reminded of blowing a 10-point lead in Super Bowl XLIV and failing to live up to expectations following a near-perfect regular season.
By Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin said absence from team workouts wasn’t about contract – Super Bowl

Miles Austin said his absence from Cowboys workouts was about getting in shape, not his contract status.
By Tim MacMahon

‘Productive’ talk for Roethlisberger, commish – Super Bowl

The NFL is weighing possible disciplinary action against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who met with league commissioner Roger Goodell one day after learning he won’t be charged in the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student.

By nbcsports.msnbc.com

Saints return to Crescent City, where fans’ joy, hope haven’t waned – Super Bowl

Hoarse, hungover and happy, New Orleans woke up Monday wondering if that Super Bowl thing really happened.
By Associated Press

Next Page »