EPISODE 030 - "Dwier Brown calls the studio.""
In this episode Dwier Brown calls in to discuss his and Danny Biancullo's love for baseball. We also get a quick debrief on upcoming NFL games and Kaepernick's starting for San Francisco.
You can purchase Brown's book here: https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Build-Fathers-Dreams/dp/0996057102
Blogs by Danny B Part 9
Blogs by Danny B
Part 9
By the time the NCAA Bowl season started we were all burnt out, everyone looked older than they did when the season started including me and my cousin who were not use to these type of hours.
I knew after the Super Bowl we were able to take a little break to regroup and get a second wind for March Madness and the NBA Playoffs which was a common thing in the Sports Service Industry..
It was a few days before the Super Bowl (Chargers/SF) that I got the call from the East Coast that my mothers husband died from a heart attack. I never got along with the guy, actually no one did but his buddies at the bar, which was his home away from home. It was over 4 years since I last seen my mother so I thought the timing was right to pay her a visit and heal some old wounds.
Three days after The 49ers destroyed the Chargers I arrived in Newark Airport and was headed to Bethlehem Pa, the place my mother had been living for several years since she left North Bergen NJ.
It was really great to see my mom and spend time with her but I had less than 2 weeks to spare as I booked a open ticket and needed to get back to California to resume my role as a news writer for Jack Price. Since I am a gym rat I grabbed a 1 week membership at World's Gym on Airport Road around the corner from where my mom lived, little did I know that working out at that gym would change the course of my life and career which still amazes me all these years later. They say in life its not what you know its who you know that matters and I agree 100% as meeting Mickey "The Mob" would hold true for me... Not only did Mickey introduce me to one of the pioneer's of the offshore betting industry, he also introduced me to my wife Jamie... Both would change my life and lead me to where I am today...
Look for part 10 soon..
Danny B
Blogs by Danny B Part 8
Blogs by Danny B
Part 8
If you ever worked for a Major Sports Service you understand how competitive it can be, especially with all the egos and all the money at stake. The guys were basically decent and easy to talk to but not to be trusted. You needed to make sure you were on your toes or you would be cut out of a deal in a second, there was also a lot of back stabbing and deception in the office.
I was always very competitive and quickly became the top earner as a news writer. Even though there was no Jack Price, Mark was able to pick winners! We had a amazing Football Season hitting over 60% which leads to great profits for everyone..
The season was long and grueling but it was very rewarding in a lot of ways, I was able to learn and earn from some of the top guys in the industry.. We also had our share of laughs especially on Monday Nights when Mark would take us all out to The Strip Clubs and drop a shit load of money on booze and girls.. Mark was making over 1 million a month from 900#s.. He also had Sex Hotline numbers too that added to his income. Overall I really liked Mark and being apart of his company helped excel my career, it was a great jump start...
In my next blog I talk about how I wound up in Allentown...
Danny B
NCAA Football Top 25
AP Poll: Alabama holds firm at No. 1, as top 5 remain unchanged
by Dane Belbeck
Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports
The top five remained unchanged in the AP Poll, with Alabama continuing to sit atop the bunch for the sixth straight week.
The Crimson Tide hammered Arkansas 49-30 on the road to win their 18th consecutive game. Ohio State, Clemson, Michigan, and Washington hammered their opponents by a combined 291-78 score, and all held their places from No. 2 to No. 5 in the poll.
Houston likely saw its playoff chances dashed in a massive upset loss to No. 25 Navy, dropping from No. 6 to No. 13 in the process, while Texas A&M took over their place with its double-overtime win over No. 9 Tennessee.
No. 7 Louisville, No. 8 Wisconsin and Nebraska round out the top 10 as the schedule hits the halfway point of the 2016 season.
The Cornhuskers and Badgers joining the Wolverines and Buckeyes in the top 10 gives the Big Ten four teams with that distinction for the first time since 1960.
RankTeamRecordPrevious Rank
1Alabama6-01
2Ohio State5-02
3Clemson6-03
4Michigan6-04
5Washington6-05
6Texas A&M6-08
7Louisville4-17
8Wisconsin4-111
9Tennessee5-19
10Nebraska5-012
11Baylor5-013
12Ole Miss3-214
13Houston5-16
14Florida State4-223
15Boise State5-019
16Miami4-110
17Virginia Tech4-125
18Florida4-118
19Oklahoma3-220
20West Virginia4-022
21Utah5-124
22Arkansas4-216
23Auburn4-2NR
24Western Michigan6-0NR
25Navy4-1NR
Advertisement
Related Articles
Top-25 disasters: 5 preseason ranked teams that have crashed in 2016
Top-25 disasters: 5 preseason ranked teams that have crashed in 2016
Heisman Power Rankings: Jackson retains top spot, contested by fellow pivots
Heisman Power Rankings: Jackson retains top spot, contested by fellow pivots
Corso gets emotional reflecting on 20 years of headgear picks
Corso gets emotional reflecting on 20 years of headgear picks
Listen: How far can Texas A&M go in 2016?
Listen: How far can Texas A&M go in 2016?
Miami dismisses freshman WR Sam Bruce
Miami dismisses freshman WR Sam Bruce
Advertisement
Daily Newsletter
Sign up to get the latest trending sports news, in your inbox.
Sending...
Subscribe
Get Breaking News!
Facebook Messenger Bot
Get the latest updates on your favourite teams.
The ultimate, personalized mobile sports experience.
Top Leagues
- MLB Baseball
- NHL Hockey
- NBA Basketball
- NCAA Men's Basketball
- NFL Football
- NCAA Football
- CFL Football
- PGA Tour
- Mixed Martial Arts
Company
Follow Us
adsense ad
EPISODE 029 - "@meethematts & Kenny Bello"
Our buddy @Meetthematts calls in as he walks into Mets Stadium for the game vs the game vs the Giants and Kenny Bello weighs in on our country's future candidates.
MLB Playoff Power Numbers
Playoff Power Rankings: Cubs, Red Sox poised for deep run
by Jonah Birenbaum
With the regular season officially in the books, it's time to look ahead to playoffs, which begin Tuesday night when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre in the American League wild-card game.
So, to get you ready for what's sure to be a bonkers October, here are your MLB Postseason Power Rankings:
1. Chicago Cubs
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. NYM/SF
103-58+2526-8
If you want a blueprint for the perfect team, head to the North Side of Chicago. The Cubs' lineup is littered with superstars, from presumptive National League MVP Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo to Addison Russell to Ben Zobrist, their fourth-best starter had an ERA 19 percent better than league average after adjusting for park effects, and their closer happens to be the most dominant reliever in baseball history. After more than a century of futility, this could be the Cubs' year.
2. Boston Red Sox
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. CLE
93-69+1844-2
The big-bopping Bostonians scored 101 more runs than the second-most prolific American League club this season, and with their late-inning relievers finally healthy at the same time, the Red Sox may have enough firepower in their lineup and bullpen to compensate for a rotation that thins out significantly after Rick Porcello (3.15 ERA; 3.39 FIP) and David Price (3.99 ERA; 3.60 FIP).
3. Texas Rangers
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. TOR/BAL
95-67+87-7
A trade-deadline bonanza (along with the return of Yu Darvish) dramtically improved a team that overperformed through the first half of the season, and the Rangers will head into the playoffs having played .589 ball over the last two months while managing the third-highest isolated power (.187) since the start of September.
4. Washington Nationals
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. LAD
95-67+1511-5
Even without Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals still have a formidable 1-2 punch in Max Scherzer (2.96 ERA) and Tanner Roark (2.82), and Daniel Murphy's impending return from the buttocks strain that sidelined him for the last couple weeks of the season should stabilize an offense that scuffled hard over the final month of 2016.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. WAS
91-71+875-1
Trivia question: Which pitcher (min. 20 starts) leads the majors in adjusted ERA over the last two years? If you guessed Clayton Kershaw, you're wrong, as that distinction belongs to Rich Hill. So, as the NL Division Series looms, it appears no team has a more potent top-of-the-rotation tandem than the Dodgers, whose lineup also scraped together the fourth-most runs in baseball in the second half.
6. Cleveland Indians
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. BOS
94-67+1012-4
All season long, people have underestimated the Indians, so why stop now? Sure, they'll have home-field advantage in the division series and went 53-28 at Progressive Field during the regular season, but would you really put your money on a team of Jose Ramirezes and Tyler Naquins with both Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar nursing injuries?
7. Toronto Blue Jays
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. BAL
89-73+9310-9
If they can squeak by the Orioles on Tuesday at Rogers Centre, where they posted a .785 OPS (108 wRC+) this year, the Blue Jays' unfailingly reliable rotation may be able to carry a lineup that, woeful September notwithstanding, still has plenty of firepower.
8. Baltimore Orioles
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. TOR
89-73+299-10
After staying afloat all season by virtue of their big bats, the Orioles flipped things around in September, with their pitching staff somehow authoring a 3.06 ERA to keep them in the hunt while their homer-happy offense scuffled. Should they survive Tuesday's play-in game in Toronto, the Orioles will need their hitters to wake up, because expecting Ubaldo Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo, and Wade Miley to keep pitching effectively is a fool's errand.
9. New York Mets
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. SF
87-75+544-3
Though the Mets were able to navigate a deep postseason run last year in spite of themselves, don't bank on it happening again this October. With all due respect to Noah Syndergaard, Yoenis Cespedes, Asdrubal Cabrera, and the ageless wonder Bartolo Colon, the Mets are simply too hurt - Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz are done for the year - and too mediocre to be taken seriously.
10. San Francisco Giants
RecordRun DifferentialRecord vs. NYM
87-75+843-4
It's an even year, and they'll have Madison Bumgarner on the mound for the wild-card game, but the Giants don't have much else going for them, having posted a .416 winning percentage in the second half while eking out the fifth-lowest OPS (.705) in the majors.
Blogs by Danny B Part 7
Blogs by Danny B
Part 7
After a good chuckle Mark called us into his office and told us they do that with all the new guys until they settle in a day or two. I guess since there was millions of dollars at stake he wanted to feel people out before he let the "cat out of the bag" there was no Jack Price there was no John Stryker or John West Sports, just faces of the guys in the office with different stage names posted on the Sports Schedules and Newspaper adds which was a very common practice during that era.
The guys used a different name for each company they were representing, in our case we only worked under the Jack Price entity, so for me there was no confusion I was Danny B; plain and simple.
We worked 7 days a week 10 to 12 hours a day but we had fun and the money was good considering we were new and only got to deal with the small bettors, 25-100 per game. Mark threw me weekly bonuses since I did some commercials and score phone ads for him as he liked my voice and how I looked on the TV spots that aired on Saturdays.
In my first full month I made just under 8k, not bad for someone just getting started but not good compared to what the Senior Reps were making...
In my next blog I will cover my first NFL season as a handicapper.
Danny B
Fantasy Week 4 Rankings
Fantasy: Week 4 Rankings (Updated)
by Justin Boone
Quarterbacks
PlayerOpp
1Cam Newton@ ATL
2▲Philip Riversvs NO
3Andrew Luck@ JAC
4Matthew Stafford@ CHI
5Drew Brees@ SD
6Kirk Cousinsvs CLE
7Ben Roethlisbergervs KC
8Andy Daltonvs MIA
9Carson Palmervs LA
10Blake Bortlesvs IND
11Joe Flaccovs OAK
12Russell Wilson@ NYJ
13Derek Carr@ BAL
14Trevor Siemian@ TB
15Matt Ryanvs CAR
16▲Alex Smith@ PIT
17Ryan Tannehill@ CIN
18▼Dak Prescott@ SF
19Brock Osweilervs TEN
20Jimmy Garoppolovs BUF
21▲Brian Hoyervs DET
22▼Eli Manning@ MIN
23▲Sam Bradfordvs NYG
24Tyrod Taylor@ NE
25▼Jameis Winstonvs DEN
26Blaine Gabbertvs DAL
27▼Ryan Fitzpatrickvs SEA
28Marcus Mariota@ HOU
29Cody Kessler@ WAS
30Case Keenum@ ARI
Blogs by Danny B Part 6
Blogs by Danny B
Part 6
I can not remember the exact date but I do remember the first call I made for Jack Price on my first day at work was a sale for 100.00 off a sheet in a huge book filled with names and numbers. The guy was from Pittsburgh and his name was Bobby who bet 25.00 per game. Each rep had to make at least 200 calls a day or they did not get live leads that came in daily, especially if you were a News Writer.
What that means is your main job is to get new accounts for the Senior Reps that would manage their accounts. We were teamed up: 2 News Writers would work for a Senior Rep, there were 5 of them.
My cousin worked under a guy name Kenny who was well seasoned and probably the top earner out of the group. I worked under a fella named Dave Brown who was Jack's childhood friend. Dave was a funny guy who came in smashed everyday but was very good at his job.
As I describe Jack Price to you there is one thing I left out on purpose, Jack's real name was Mark and we did not realize he was Jack Price until our 2nd day at work. You see Jamo thought Mark was just Jacks office manager even though they met several times prior at the track. Mark never told us anything other than he worked for Jack who was in Las Vegas. The day I met Mark he told me the same so we assumed Mark worked for Jack and he was a very successful gambler that was making millions betting on the games. No one in the office told us anything until our second day at work when I said to my cousin that Mark looks a lot like the photo of Jack Price that was featured in the schedule that was sent out to gamblers. Back in the day TV, Score Phones, Newspapers & Betting guides were the main way to advertise if you were a Handicapper. I asked Dave Brown if he felt Mark looks like Jack and he started laughing and so did everyone else..
Look for my next blog that will continue where I left off..
Danny B
EPISODE 028 - "@Meetthematts & Joe Caracappa!"
Meet the Matts and Joe Caracappa knock this episode out of the park by calling back into the podcast. We also cover the Jose Fernandez tragedy, Mets baseball, Seattle/Jets, and Giants/Vikings. Special Guest "Bobby Valentine" calls into the studio as well. Great Laughs!
MLB Playoff Picture
MLB Playoff Picture: 3 things to know from Monday
by Jonah Birenbaum
Every night, we look around Major League Baseball and identify three things you need to know about the playoff races. Here's what happened Monday:
Indians lock up AL Central
An injury-shortened start from American League Cy Young candidate Corey Kluber couldn't stop Cleveland on Monday night at Comerica Park, where an offensive onslaught fueled a 7-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers, and helped the Indians clinch their first division title since 2007.
The third AL team to clinch a postseason spot, the Indians still have a chance to ensure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs (including the World Series), as they sit just one game behind the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the league.
"It is so hard to get to do one of these things that I want them to enjoy every minute of it," manager Terry Francona said. "I want them to celebrate, because I'm so proud of them and what they've done."
Mets lose ground, but help Marlins heal
If there was ever a time a team didn't want to win in the thick of a playoff race, it was Monday night at Marlins Park, where the New York Mets dutifully lost 7-3 to the mourning Miami Marlins in their first game following the horrific death of Jose Fernandez.
"I feel like it's great for them that they were able to win," said Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon. "You know what, though? I would've really enjoyed it if it was (Fernandez) who got the win over me."
Though their noble defeat definitely inspired some good karma, it also cut the Mets' lead over the San Francisco Giants for the top National League wild-card spot to just 1/2 game, and prevented them from extending their lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, who sit one game behind the Giants after losing, 15-2, to Cincinnati on Monday.
Blue Jays' lead atop wild-card race dwindles
The surging Toronto Blue Jays were headed for a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees until Mark Teixeira keyed a wild ninth-inning comeback with a mammoth solo shot off Jason Grilli that helped his club take the series finale at Rogers Centre, 7-5.
In dropping the combative affair, Toronto's lead over Baltimore for the first wild-card berth in the American League dwindled to one game heading into Tuesday - when, as it happens, the Blue Jays will host the Orioles for the first installment of a pivotal three-game set.
Propelled by a pair of home runs from Robinson Cano, meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners pulled within two games of Baltimore - and, at 83-73, moved into a tie with the Tigers - thanks to a 4-3, 11-inning win over Houston.
Blogs by Danny B Part 5
Blogs by Danny B
Part 5
I was in California for only a few days when OJ Simpson took his infamous ride in the White Bronco, he drove right pass us as we were watching a little league game my cousin was coaching. Like most I was a fan of OJ and could not believe what was happening, the Juice was loose and now being chased down the freeway.
I met Jack Price in late June at the track, a place he loved to visit and bet BIG MONEY on the Horses. He was excited to meet me as he always liked hiring East Coast reps, he felt we were more aggressive than the West Coast personal he had working for him. Jack Price was the King of 900#'s and made a fortune every month promoting picks on his nationwide score phone that was very popular back in the day. Price told me I have a great voice and wanted me to do commercials once Football season started up and also pitch picks on the score phone which could lead to me making a lot of money.
We had about 6 weeks before the season began so we had some time to kill so we watched the OJ story unravel on TV and enjoyed the great weather Southern California had to offer and caught some Dodger & Angel games.We were told once the season started we would be living in the office 7 days a week for 8 months, this turned out to be true!
In my next blog I will talk about my 1st day on the job and my first client...
Danny B
Blogs by Danny B Part 4
Blogs by Danny B
Part 4
The fast life was catching up to me and I was getting tired of the daily grind, if you grew up in Hudson County NJ you can relate to what I am saying. I feared if I did not make a change I would find myself running a losing race or winding up dead like a few of my friends, change was a must.
My cousin Jamo who I mentioned in my first blog was no stranger to gambling and was telling me for several months to move to California and we can work for a guy named Jack Price who at that time was one of the best known Sports Handicappers in the nation. Price ran a network of companies out of Santa Ana in a huge warehouse that was filled with fancy cars, boats and other toys anyone would admire.
My cousin had went on a interview once prior but did not follow through on the job offer at that time but he kept in touch with Price and hung out with him several times at Santa Anita Race Track. Price loved to hire East Coast people because he felt we had a edge over most salesman that worked for him. Price told my cousin he would be a good fit to his company that was bringing in over 1 million a month in revenue from 900#'s and direct sales.
I decided to take my cousin up on the offer and left NJ in June of 1994 to start my new career as a Sports Handicapper that would begin in August when the NFL preseason kicked off.
My next blog will cover my 1st of 22 years in the industry.. Hope you enjoy it.
Danny B
NFL Fantasy Week 3 Rankings
Fantasy: Week 3 Rankings (Updated)
by Justin Boone
Quarterbacks
PlayerOpp
1Drew Breesvs ATL
2▲Andrew Luckvs SD
3▼Aaron Rodgersvs DET
4Cam Newtonvs MIN
5Ben Roethlisberger@ PHI
6Matt Ryan@ NO
7▲Carson Palmer@ BUF
8▲Ryan Tannehillvs CLE
9▲Russell Wilsonvs SF
10Philip Rivers@ IND
11Blake Bortlesvs BAL
12▼Eli Manningvs WAS
13▲Marcus Mariotavs OAK
14▼Matthew Stafford@ GB
15Joe Flacco@ JAC
16Derek Carr@ TEN
17▼Jameis Winstonvs LA
18▲Ryan Fitzpatrick@ KC
19Kirk Cousins@ NYG
20▲Dak Prescottvs CHI
21Brock Osweiler@ NE
22▼Tyrod Taylorvs ARI
23Brian Hoyer@ DAL
24Alex Smithvs NYJ
25▼Carson Wentzvs PIT
26Andy Daltonvs DEN
27▲Sam Bradford@ CAR
28▼Trevor Siemian@ CIN
29Jacoby Brissettvs HOU
30Case Keenum@ TB
31Blaine Gabbert@ SEA
32Cody Kessler@ MIA
EPISODE 027 - "@Meetthematts, @PhillyGodfather, @The_SportsGuy7, and Joe Caracappa call in the studio..."
Special Note: This podcast starts 30 minutes into the actual conversation. We do cover plenty of NFL and MLB in this so stay tuned! I apologize for the technical difficulties. - ANDY
Thanks to our guests for calling the show!
NFL Fantasy News
Fantasy: Reviewing the landscape after Week 2
by Justin Boone
Week 2
- T.J. Yeldon - It's not happening for Yeldon in fantasy this year. The second-year back had a beautiful matchup all to himself Sunday, and managed a disappointing 38 yards on 15 touches as the offensive line continued to struggle. The desperate among us may want to take a chance on Chris Ivory taking control of this backfield when he returns to full health, but Jacksonville's running game is bordering on a stay away scenario for fantasy owners.
- Adrian Peterson - A torn meniscus may have been shielding us from seeing the truth about Peterson - that he's no longer an elite back. Prior to suffering the injury Sunday night, Peterson had totaled 50 rushing yards on 31 carries through six-plus quarters in 2016, an average of 1.6 yards per carry. Dating back to last season, the 31-year-old topped 70 yards just once over his final six games, including playoffs. While he sits out, the Vikings will get a chance to see if Jerick McKinnon can emerge as a new weapon, but tough-run defenses await over the next three weeks (Panthers, Giants, Texans).
- Tyrod Taylor - Fantasy owners who lost faith in the TyGod after he fell flat in Week 1 likely regretted their decision as he threw for three touchdowns Thursday against the Jets. Taylor showed he still has an extremely high ceiling with that performance, but his stats were inflated by two long scores. Unless new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn can cure the foot injury that's reduced Sammy Watkins to an average player, every member of the Bills' passing game will be a risky fantasy play over the next month.
- Melvin Gordon - With Danny Woodhead out for the year due to a torn ACL, Gordon's projections for the rest of the season get a nice bump. After racking up 159 yards and three scores over the first two weeks, Gordon now gets to feast on the weak run defenses of the Colts and Saints. If he stays healthy, a breakout season is guaranteed.
- Seahawks' offense - The good news is Doug Baldwin reportedly avoided a serious knee injury after an MRI came up negative. The bad news is the offensive line is a major area of concern and has stifled Russell Wilson and company for two straight weeks. Better days are ahead as they get the 49ers, Falcons, and Saints in three of their next five games. Time to make a trade offer for your favorite Seahawk.
- Charles Sims - How is Sims only owned in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues? If Doug Martin misses time, Sims would vault into the high-end RB2 conversation, with RB1 upside. As it turns out, Martin was forced from Sunday's game with what he later called a "slight tweak" of his hamstring, leaving his Week 3 status in doubt. Sims deserved to be owned in almost all leagues prior to this news, so make sure you grab him wherever he's still available.
- Browns' offense - Corey Coleman looks like a potential star, Isaiah Crowell posted a 100-yard game, and Josh Gordon is coming back in a couple weeks. However, all the early season excitement over the Browns might be over with Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown sidelined. Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler will start by default and that's a problem if you're rostering a Browns skill position player. It was fun while it lasted Cleveland.
- Raiders' backfield - Latavius Murray owners have seen a nice return on their investment through two weeks, but they can't be happy with the backfield by committee that's developed in Oakland. Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington aren't challenging Murray for the starting job, however they are severely decreasing his weekly value by siphoning work. Murray, who's averaging 14.5 touches per game, has been surprisingly efficient so far and he'll need to keep that up if he's going to remain an RB2.
- Quincy Enunwa - The Jets are devoid of a receiving threat at tight end, which has allowed Enunwa to carve out what appears to be a consistent role in the offense. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound receiver leads the team in receptions with 13, and has 146 yards and a touchdown through two games. The team talked him up in training camp and now he's delivering alongside Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. If he's still on the waiver wire in your league, don't hesitate to scoop him up and see how long this lasts.
- Ezekiel Elliott - The rookie has yet to break out, posting two solid yet unspectacular stat lines to start the year. The production will come, as long as his fumbling issues don't get him sent to the bench first. Elliott didn't play a snap after his second fumble of the day versus the Redskins. It was veteran Alfred Morris who toted the rock down the stretch, scoring the game-winning touchdown. Elliott is firmly entrenched as the Cowboys starter, so owners can remain calm, but don't be surprised if Morris' usage lowers Elliott's ceiling slightly.
3 Intriguing QB's from week 2...
3 intriguing QB performances from Week 2
by Sage Rosenfels
What does it take to be an NFL quarterback? I’m sure I could throw out the many cliches you hear around combine time. He has a strong arm. He can make all the throws. He is a coach on the field and a great X’s and O’s guy. He’s a dual threat who can beat you with his arm and legs. We’ve heard all of these phrases and they are all true. But the most important attribute of an NFL starting quarterback, which is also much more challenging to predict, is “He knows how to win games."
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott, in only his second-career start, proved to me that at a very young age he already has an understanding of what it takes to win NFL games. Having a strong arm or the ability to run had zero to do with how he managed the game for the Cowboys and brought them their first victory of 2016. Let me take you through the key plays in his final few drives which impressed me the most, but wouldn’t stick out as big plays on the stat sheet.
To begin the fourth quarter, the Cowboys were trailing Washington 23-20 with the ball at their own 30-yard line. Prescott gets sacked on the first play of the drive and then the Cowboys lose another yard on a second down run. It’s now third-and-16, and rather than playing conservative with the young quarterback, the Cowboys trust his decision-making skills. They call a pass, but Prescott checks it down for a 10-yard gain. The Cowboys punt. No big deal right? For a young player, learning how to live for another day and end every possession with some sort of kick isn’t an easy task. Dallas trusted their quarterback to make the right play and he rewarded them with a veteran move. Smart play No. 1.
Next, on a key drive with six minutes left and facing a third-and-11, Prescott finds a mismatch with Cole Beasley lined up against safety David Bruton Jr. Not only does he see the matchup, but the Cowboys audible to a new play and he finds Beasley on a 12-yard out route and a first down. Recognition. Audible. Execution. Key first down. Smart play No. 2.
Lastly, with Dallas up 27-23 with under two minutes left and Washington holding one timeout, Jason Garret calls a bootleg on a third-and-6. Taking more time (or timeouts) from the Redskins is key at this point. You can see the trust Jason Garret has in his QB by putting the ball in his hands to make the right decision. Most coaches simply run the ball and punt. Instead, Prescott rolls right, only to find nobody open. Instead of throwing the ball away which would stop the clock, Prescott takes a meaningless sack. Washington uses its last timeout. Dallas punts and forces Washignton to go 90 yards for a touchdown to win. Smart play No. 3.
Playing NFL quarterback is a lot of things. Winning is the only thing that matters. Prescott has shown a lot in his rookie season, but nothing as impressive as how he managed the game in his first victory on Sunday.
Ben Roethlisberger
Speaking of guys who know how to win, Ben Roethlisberger finds a way to get the job done in many different ways. He won a lot early in his career by leaning on Jerome Bettis and the NFL’s best defense. He only had to throw the ball 20-25 times a game to win. Though Roethlisberger had a knack for making the big play, he wasn’t depended on to carry his team.
During the middle of his career, Ben became one of the best “playmaker” quarterbacks in the NFL. His ability to extend plays by moving around in the pocket, fighting off 300-pound defensive lineman, and finding open receivers down the field was incredible. Brute strength and natural ability helped him become a top-five NFL quarterback on his way to a second Super Bowl ring, but Roethlisberger also got beat up and the injuries started to mount.
In 2016, Roethlisberger is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but is still finding other ways to win. His defense is good, but it definitely won’t be confused with the Dick LeBeau Steelers defenses of the mid-2000s. He’s got a superstar tailback in Le'Veon Bell who is currently suspended. So now how is he winning? By using his experience and smarts instead of his braun.
Though he is helped by the fact that veteran running back DeAngelo Williams is looking like a young Pro Bowler, Roethlisberger has also become one of the best throwers in the game. Antonio Brown is his obvious first target, but Cincinnati wasn’t going to let Brown beat them this week, so Roethlisberger spread the ball around to eight other targets on a nasty, wet day in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger doesn’t rely on one thing to win. Take away one option, and he will beat you with another.
Whether it’s with a strong defense, an elite running game, or a star wide receiver, Ben will find a way to beat you. It doesn’t matter if he has all three options available or just one - his game has evolved to be multidimensional. Sunday, he beat Cincinnati in terrible conditions. If you are going to contend year after year in the AFC North, you better understand how to win ugly. Roethlisberger has won a lot of games like this, and he’d have it no other way.
Sam Bradford
The performance many people were keeping an eye on this week was that of Sam Bradford with the Minnesota Vikings. Traded only two weeks ago, I documented the challenges Bradford faced before he could find success in his new home.
He passed those tests with flying colors against the Packers on "Sunday Night Football." With a running game which was non-existent, Bradford looked comfortable with the offense and his accuracy was suburb. It didn’t take long for him to realize what Vikings fans have known for a year: throw it to Stefon Diggs, A LOT.
Bradford has always been an excellent deep-ball thrower. With Adrian Peterson and a strong defense, the likely game plan would be to call plenty of play action and take deep shots. The Vikings struggled to run the ball Sunday night, managing only 30 yards, but the key play in the game came after two successful Peterson runs. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner quickly capitalized on the Packers’ safeties getting overly aggressive in the run game. A full play-action fake to pull up the Packers’ linebackers and strong safety, and Bradord hit Diggs on a beautiful inside post. Timing, accuracy, and the experience to read the coverage correctly were all on Bradford’s side.
If the Vikings win this year, it will be because of plays like this. Their defense is as good as there is in the NFL. Their run game has to pick up. But so far, Sam Bradford has done his part in his new home up north in Minnesota.
Blogs by Danny B Part 3
Blogs by Danny B
Part 3
The 80's were a crazy and fun time, great music, great friends & the money I was making was amazing! On any given week I would make 5 to 10k, sometimes more from betting and my percentage of what I brought in through my betting route. Most of my clients were childhood friends or friends of a friend etc. The problem I had was I enjoyed the night life and the better things in life, fancy cars, hotels, food, women and parting!
Normally after a weekend of going nuts I would spend most of my profit or blow it in Atlantic City or in the local gambling houses that were a dime a dozen in North Jersey. Taken book was not my only source of income as we did other things I choose not to mention in this blog to earn money.
The crew I worked for were very connected and were very powerful and feared men, men you don't cross or say no to. I did what I was told and never turned down a request that was asked of me, I was a solider and very loyal one.
In my next blog I will explain why I left New Jersey and the lifestyle I lived for over a decade..
Danny B
Blogs by Danny B Part 2
Blogs by Danny B
Part 2
The Army was a great experience for me, especially being awarded Solider of the Year at the 101st Airborne Division.. I also got the chance to travel and spend time in Germany.. I also met President Regan and served under Col Pete Dawkins who won the Heisman Trophy when he played for Army..
I got out of the Army in 1982 and was determined to try my hand at Baseball, a dream I had since I was 8 years old. While I was in Germany a baseball scout noticed me and recommend I give it a shot and gave me a number to Brad Smith who owned a independent team in Southern California. I played well but I quickly realized the competition was overwhelming and gave up my dream after 1 season.
I left California in December of 1983 and headed back to New Jersey the place that I ran from 4 years prior. With nothing to fall back on I reached out to a old friend that was a big time bookmaker (Big Sid) who gave me a job collecting money and recruiting new players that were looking to bet.
I was very good at what I did and made a name for myself on the streets as a solid guy and great earner..
In my next blog I pickup the story and the lead up to me becoming a Sports Handicapper and the
various moves I made over my 22 year career.
Danny B
Blogs by Danny B Part 1
Blogs by Danny B
Part 1
It was June 1994 when I arrived in Southern California, I remember it so clearly..
My cousin Jamo picked me up at LAX and we were headed to Buena Park close to Knott's Berry Farm were my family was living..
My cousin had been there since 1984 after leaving NJ due to Gambling debts he owed to several bookmakers and he also owed loan sharks money too, a very common story for many who grew up in Hudson County NJ..
Since we were teenagers Jamo and I were betting on sports, from Football to Baseball to Basketball to hanging out at the race track, we were hooked and loved it... There was a bookie on every corner so placing a bet was as easy as buying candy back then. too easy!
By 1979 I was in deep debt myself and owed several bookies nearly 15k.. I was only 16 at that time, crazy but true... After clearing up my debt I needed to get away so I joined the Army on my 17th birthday and left 1 month later to attend basic training in Fort Knox Ky..
In my next blog I will cover the early years from 1983-1994 that lead me to a career as a professional sports handicapper.. I hope you enjoy it...
Danny B