Shanahan is fired in Denver

Wow this is big news he had been there forever!!! Make sure to sign up at Bet Jamaica for the free NFL playoff contest! Click the banner on the right sidebar to get in for free!

DENVER — Mike Shanahan became the latest and most stunning victim of the NFL coaching purge, fired Tuesday by the Denver Broncos after a late-season collapse knocked the team out of the playoffs for the third straight year.

Shanahan joined Eric Mangini, Rod Marinelli and Romeo Crennel on the unemployment line after going 24-24 over the past three seasons, including three straight losses in 2008 that turned a three-game division lead to an 8-8 record.

Good Start, Rough Finish

In four years with John Elway, Mike Shanahan and the Broncos made the playoffs three times and won two Super Bowls. After Elway retired, the Broncos have no championships.

	1995-98	1999-2008
W-L	47-17	91-69
Win pct.	.734	.569
Division titles	2	1
Playoff W-L	7-1	1-4

Despite that, and the 52-21 loss to the Chargers that ended Denver’s season Sunday, this was a shocker: the ouster of a 14-year coaching veteran who brought two Super Bowl titles to a city yearning for a championship and was considered by many in this town to be “coach for life.”

In a statement, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said: “After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned.”

Shanahan, 56, was 146-89, but the Broncos remained stuck at only one postseason victory since John Elway retired in 1999 after Denver’s second championship.

This season was especially ugly. It included a historic collapse that saw Denver become the first team since divisional play started in 1967 to blow a three-game lead with three games left.

The Broncos’ defense gave up 448 points, third worst in the NFL, including 112 during the three-game collapse at the end. It was ranked 29th in yards allowed and tied for last in the NFL with a minus-17 turnover margin.

AFC West blog

ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.

• Blog network: NFL Nation

In years past, Shanahan had relieved defensive coordinators — Greg Robinson, Ray Rhodes, Larry Coyer and Jim Bates — in almost revolving-door fashion.

This year, as the defense floundered, it became obvious it wasn’t just a coaching problem. It was an issue of talent on the field, and in Denver, Shanahan makes all the personnel decisions.

His top two draft picks in 2007, Jarvis Moss and Channing Crowder, were barely a factor this season. Two of Denver’s top veteran acquisitions from last year, Niko Koutouvides and Dewayne Robertson, also did very little.

Shanahan had three years left on his contract, worth about $20 million.

“I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time,” Bowlen said in the statement. “His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.”

Bowlen said that the team will hold a news conference on Wednesday morning to make the announcement, and Shanahan will speak shortly thereafter.

NFL PLayoffs

Well with some good college basketball, bowl games, and the NBA, I was going to post some picks but the NFL playoffs are here!!

I have to admit I was disappointed when my Patriots did not make the playoffs and they finished 11-5 but that is what happens when you don’t take care of business in your own division. Anyway I am going to be surfing the web for some great NFL playoff contests and post the links here and see if I can win some. If anyone knows any great contest please post the link here. I like to get in as many as possible.

The lines came out this week and it was interesting to see so many road favorites.

I do think there are a few dark horses.

AFC:In the AFC I like Baltimore as a darkhorse. They are playing great and have proved they can compete with the big boys in the AFC like the Steelers and the Titans since they play the same type of ball. Hate to try and think a rookie at QB could pull it off but Flaco seems pretty secure.

NFC:Panthers–okay the #2 seed is no dark horse but they would play almsot every game at home where they have played well and if they get the chance to play the Giants again things could easily go in their favor.

Anyone know any other great darkhorse candidates? Feel free to comment they are always welcomed and again anyone that wants to add exchange links, I am open to ideas as I try to increase traffic, but I am  new to the blogging thing and so it’s a work in progress for me!

I know Bet Jamaica is going to have a contest for the NFL playoffs so stay tuned! Click the banner I have in my sidebar and you can check it out!

Favre its time

Before we go into the offseason and get buried with stories about how #4 is going to think about retiring, let’s just say it and get it over with. It’s time Brett. it was obvious that you were wearing down as the season was ending and there has to be a few Jet fans that have to be wondering if they would have done just as well if they kept Chad Pennington. You are in a city that will come down on you hard and they have no loyality for what you did in Green Bay. Other quarterbacks played with other teams to have a few extra years–even the great Joe Montana, but you have to quit now. You will go to the hall and you will be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. As a fan I love what you did and you brought great excitement to the game, but watching you today was just plain painful. Hang up the cleats Brett and thanks for the memories.

NFL Week 17

finally NFL is here! Here are my picks for today! Good luck if anyone is playing!

1. Sunday December 28th Tampa Bay -13
The Raiders looked great last week in the final game at home but don’t look for a repeat performance this week. Tampa needs the win and have killed their own position down the stretch. It is also the last game for DC Monty Kiffin. Tampa Bay has lost three straight and now not only needs to beat Oakland, but also hope for Philadelphia to beat Dallas to earn a post-season berth. The Bucs are 20-12-1 ATS at home in December and 27-10 ATS after losing SU as favorites. The Raiders have come up short in 20 of their last 25 on the road during the final month of the season and dropped 17 of their last 21 finales ATS. Oakland is 0-7 ATS vs. NFC and loses big!

2. Sunday December 28th Philly -2
This is a big game for both squads as it is a must win to even have a shot at the playoffs. The Cowboys had a big chance but lost at home when the defense collapsed in the waning minutes of the game. Philadelphia is 25-8 ATS avenging a close loss by seven points or less. The Eagles are also 8-1 ATS off a division setback. Dallas has flopped in 19 of its last 26 season finales ATS. There is nothing McNabb would like more than to send T.O. home for the playoffs. A big game from McNabb and Westbrook will put Dallas to rest for the season.

3. Sunday December 28th Vikings -6.5
The Giants have nothing left to play for while the Vikings have everything in the world to play for. Minnesota wins the NFC North with a victory or a Chicago loss. The Vikings play very well at home and the Giants will look to avoid injuries. The defending champs are 12-19 as road favorites of three or more and 10-16 ATS on the road after allowing 28 points or more. The Giants should just go through the motions and this will be close if not an outright win for the Vikings.
4. Sunday December 28th Houston -2.5
The Bears won an overtime game on Monday night to stay alive in the playoffs but now have to go to Houston. The Texans were playing great ball until they ran into a buzz saw in the pathetic Oakland Raiders. The last game at home and off an embarrassment the Texans will throttle the Bears on a short week. Chicago has struggled on the road down the stretch, posing an 8-29-1 spread mark on the road in December and failing at a 2-10-2 clip in its last 14 tries. The Bears are 6-10-1 ATS on the highway against AFC opponents. Take the Texans to win big!

5. Sunday December 28th Jets -3
The Jets need this win and they need the Patriots to lose if they are going to make into the playoffs. New York has won 12 of 16 against Miami, including a 24-14 win as 2 1/2-point road favorites this year. The Jets have ‘covered’ at a torrid 12-3-2 clip versus the Dolphins at the Meadowlands. Miami has dropped 14 of its last 20 road finales ATS and is 10-25 ATS versus division foes the last four week of the season. Miami is a pathetic 49-72 ATS vs. the division. The Jets win after an embarrassment last week in Seattle.
6 Sunday December 28th Buffalo +6.5
Everyone is talking about how the Patriots need the Jets to win or Baltimore to lose to make the playoffs, but hold the phone. The Patriots still need to win to make sure that they even have a shot at the playoffs and as you can tell by the performance in Buffalo the bill are not done playing by a long shot. They have cashed seven of nine as home dogs off a SU win and would love to knock New England out of the playoffs after all the beatings they have taken by them this year.
7. Sunday December 28th Bengals -2.5
No one has been paying attention but the bengals are playing pretty good football. They have a solid ground game in Cedric Benson who put up some gaudy numbers last week against the Browns and the defense has been playing well overall. This week they play a bad team with a bad defense and have a shot at ending the season on a good note. The Bengals have covered 15 of 17 versus poor pass defenses – allowing seven or more yards per play – during the second half of the season. The Bengals win in easy fashion over a tired KC team.

Bowl Games-Take it to a new level

Well at least my fist post here was a winner! I wanted to try a few more for today’s bowl games. If anyone stops by to read these I could use some help with this Word Press thingy too. It’s new to me so I am trying to make it look fancy but it has been slow going.

On to the Bowl Games

North Carolina +2–The Tarheels have had a great season and WV has been up and down. the heels can finish off the season with a big win here and they should keep Pat White in check.Big problem for Mountaineers is 3-12 ATS mark away from home vs. ACC foes.

Carolina on the other hand has some good things in their favor.Coach Butch Davis teams are 6-0 ATS after no-cover in two out of three affairs.North Carolina is 12-13 and 9-6-1 ATS in bowls, with West Virginia 12-16 and desultory 6-12-1 ATS, including 0-4 against the number as favorites. The ACC has won and covered five of the six Car Care bowls with the Big East 1-4 SU and ATS.

Wisconsin +5.5

This is a play on experience as the Badgers have a ton of senior talent in this game, the other team with this much senior leadership was FAU and you were able to see what they did last night.Wisconsin is 6-3 ATS as bowl underdog and will attack the Noles run defense which was exploited in November for 192.6 yards per game. The Badgers run all over Bowden and the Noles!

California -10

This is a big number but with a ton of suspensions and little motivation, Miami is in trouble.

The Canes are just 4-12 ATS after the first month of the season over the last two seasons,and they will be facing a hostile crowd with Cal right down the street.Cal is 11-1 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points over the last three seasons.Cal wins in a laugher!

Enjoy the day and thanks for reading!

Take it all in –Friday NBA

Well since I started a blog I might as well post a game that I am betting on tonight–I love basketball and think it is one of my best sports when it comes to handicapping.

New Orleans -2

The Hornets are much better than they played on X-mas against Orlando. Going home will help this team as they play the Rockets tonight.Being at home has made all the difference in this series.The host in the series has won three straight games by an average of 13.3 PPG. Don’t worry about the back to back spot because the hornets are 30-15 ATS in back to back games and have revenge!

I found a system to use in this game tonight while gathering information.

Play Against – Road teams (HOUSTON) after having won 2 of their last 3 games, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%)
109-58 over the last 5 seasons.  ( 65.3% | 45.2 units )

8-2 this year.  ( 80.0% | 5.8 units )

I don’t know where many of you bet but I mostly use Bet Jamaica and WagerWeb? If you think there is somewhere better let me know! If you decide to follow my play and it wins, great no need to thank me. If you decide to follow me and it loses, sorry and no need to bash me. Just taking a gamble!

Take a Leap

Well when i decided to write a blog I figured I might as well and try my best to make it interesting. I am not a writer, nor do I pretend to be. I would be lost without spell checker but here goes!

I decided to take a leap and try Word Press and write my own blog. This is the space where I would tell you what its going to be about but I am not sure what that is going to be, maybe a variety of things. I like sports and like to bet on them (thus the witty title) and I have a great family and a cool job! So who knows but I thought the best way to go about it would be to start posting. So for whomever stumbles upon this blog I hope you enjoy it and if you want to chime in with anything then “take a gamble!” It’ can’t be any worse then mine!