Actually the goal this year is to replicate last season’s success.  In limited betting 2/3 games per weekend I actually had a successful gambling season for the first time in my life.  The only thing I enjoy doing more than placing the bets is talking about them, so let’s get this thing started.

Oklahoma (-33.5) over Utah State
In 2009, OU had two home games scheduled for September that they won by a combined score of 109-0.  The results have been similar in 2007 and 2008.  Utah State is terrible and has been for some time and will be completely overwhelmed.  Take the Sooners.

Cincinatti at Fresno State OVER 58
Neither of these defenses can handle a decent offense, and both of them have enough firepower to light up a scoreboard.  Expect this game to be in the high thirties or forties.

Virginia Tech vs Boise State UNDER 50
The line here keeps going up, and you should keep letting it go up and take the under.  Virginia Tech failed pretty miserably (the yards per play splits tell the story) against good defenses last season and Boise State’s defense is outstanding.  BSU has a good offense, but they’re not going to light up VT.  This game is staying under.

But something happened to me as last season came to an end.  Maybe this was unique to me but I don’t think it was.  I got burned out.

It had nothing to do with a change in how much I cared about the Eagles.  Far from it, that fire still burns.  But I simply couldn’t spend another off-season reading every day about another failed playoff run and the predictable, tired “who will McNabb play for next season” drama while the same arguments play out in every paper, radio, and blog that covered the subject.  I just wasn’t up for it, so I reduced my winter and spring investment in the Eagles to basic news.

The trade made me feel as twisted up as anyone else.  And all the relief that came with Donovan’s baggage (well, most of it) being taken by truck down to DC somehow reinforced my decision to keep the Birds at arms length for a while.  It was cathartic.

It’s nice to be getting back in the swing of things, though.  I’m guessing I’m not alone.  Just seeing NFL teams square off this August really got the blood flowing again and I feel like I’ve hit stage 8 or 9 of my Donovan recovery.  Just in time.

[XKCD] Yep, it really is an exciting time for anyone interested in space.

[Football News Now]  Seems like every day Jamaal Jackson increases his odds of playing in the season opener.  And in inconsequential site news that no one cares about, we’ll be avoiding linking to Philly.com directly as long as their site is intrusive and obnoxious with their ads.

[Iggles Blog] Get the game review from Tommy Lawlor of this weekend’s frustrating game against the Chiefs.

[Washington Post] MLB trying to grow the game in China.

So when they decided to combine Salty’s injury history with what is happening to the Red Sox this season, something like a “mysterious leg infection” was bound to happen. In fact, he’ll probably be dead soon.

[HardballTalk]

The baseball guys at FoxSports.com report that the Pirates could be on the verge of firing John Russell, who is in the middle of his third losing season with the Buccos.  According to the report and “multiple league sources”, the Pirates are holding talks about his immediate future.

It is a perfectly legitimate exercise for a team like the Pirates to have discussions about the future of anyone in the organization, and certainly the manager.  But you have to wonder, in the middle of a season where the Pirates are (rightfully) undertaking a major youth movement, what would be the wisdom of suddenly changing the skipper.

The team has no expectations of contending, of course.  So unless Russell is not the right guy to get the young guys behaving and training like major league players, all this move will do is add instability to an already tumultuous season.

“Stiff, impassive demeanor” is a phrase being used to criticize Russell apparently.  Funny, that it’s in stark contrast to the “player friendly, good-guy” image of Dave Trembley that got him fired.

Frankly, it’s our belief that young players need a stable, level-headed guy at the helm, especially when the losses are piling up.  Dismissing Russell would be a mistake at this point, especially since an attractive alternative isn’t available (Bobby Valentine, seriously?).

Let the season play out, continue to call up the young players.  No managerial change at this point is going to convince your fans your “determined to win”.  You know what will do that?  Actually winning.

[MLB Trade Rumors]

Stanton has incredible power which he put on display during spring training.  He already has 17 HR’s for Triple-A Jacksonville.  His power stroke will likely translate immediately (though tempered a little) in the majors.

But be careful here.  He’s hitting .306 this season, but this is a guy who has 45 strikeouts in 160 at-bats.  Major League pitchers will not be as forgiving, they’ll find those holes in his swing.  This is a player who is likely to hurt, not help your average both in the short and long-term.

Bid, but don’t overbid on Stanton.

With the news today that BP’s initial estimates of oil spill rate were — surprise! — well under reality, things really look bleak for the GoM ecosystem.

His fastball was consistently 96-98, breaking stuff was unhittable.  Now, to be fair, the Red Wings have generally found everything unhittable this year.  So take it for what it’s worth.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the night came as Strasburg was being fetched off the mound by his manager in the seventh.  The sell-out crowd gave him a standing ovation, but that turned to a loud chorus of boos when he never acknowledged it.  No tip of the hat, no wave, nada.

C’mon man.  I know you probably think this is small-time stuff, but show the paying customers some respect and be a little gracious.

The beef was not that Girardi thought there was no evidence that Beckett was injured.  Rather, he was protesting the fact that Delcarmen was called for before the umpires were informed that Beckett was injured (i.e. it was “indicated’ that he was injured).