Nice Guys Finish Last

 Anquan Boldin was laid out in the dying minutes of the Cardinals vs. Jets game, a game that was really over at half time despite a nice come back attempt by the Cardinals. Boldin cut across the middle of the field and was hit by Eric Smith (who ended up getting a 1 game suspension) in a helmet to helmet collision that left Boldin unconscious in mid-air. Anquan Boldin has made a career of catching passes in tough places, especially over the middle, a place that most receivers avoid due to open field hits from linebackers and safeties. What people aren’t talking about is the fact that Boldin was a near hold-out, who opted to take the high road despite advice from his agent to sit out this season. Teammate Larry Fitzgerald signed a monster 4 year 40 million dollar deal in March. This was a huge slap in the face for Anquan Boldin, who has been on the team longer, and who has been waiting for a contract renewal for quite a while. There are not a lot of receivers built like Boldin, and many fans would kill for a player of his caliber. I feel bad for a guy that decided to NOT make waves and play hard for his money, instead of sitting out and crying like many receivers do. I hope Anquan Boldin can bounce back and continue on the great year he is having.

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3 yards and you win.
3 yards with 4 attempts and the biggest offensive line in the NFL and you win.

Andy Reid has had to answer a lot of questions in the last 24 hours, as the Philadelphia Eagles could not win a game that was practically handed to them on a silver platter. The Chicago Bears had a complete melt down in the 2nd half, and the Eagles for the life of them couldn’t seem to find the end zone despite several attempts. Eagles fans are the hardest to please, as they can always find something to bitch about, but after browsing message boards and blogs it seems there is a consensus feeling as to what went wrong….the play calling. Head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg seem to be using a playbook from the early 90’s, as nothing seems creative or original in any way.

The Eagles run the West Coast Offense, which is a popular scheme, but it can have its flaws. Bill Walsh was the mastermind behind the “West Coast” style that attacks defenses with quick slants and screens. It is also known for never focusing on one target, instead getting the ball in everyones hands, thus keeping defenses guessing. Many teams are currently running the West Coast system, including Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Washington. However, there are different versions of this style of football; it’s like telling a funny story or joke, over time you add your own quirks or twists to it. Unfortunately, it seems like Andy Reid has forgotten how to deliver the punch line. Andy Reid has built his team to move the ball with speed rather than size. Their top receivers D. Jackson, R. Brown, and K. Curtis are all small speedy guys who are great between the 20’s, but are not fit for the red zone. Improving the red zone scoring percentage was number one on the “things to do list” for Andy Reid and M. Mornhinweg last offseason, but with no pass catching TE’s or additions to the play calling such as motion or unique formations, Eagles fans are in for another frustrating season. If I could make a suggestion, it would be getting McNabb to practice the fade route (which he hates) to Hank Baskett, or to use a bunch receiver formation off to one side, keeping the defense split as the pass has to be expected. I have never seen the slant pattern into the dirt work for Philadelphia, yet they try it at least once a game. I wonder if they call that play the Quick Dirt?

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“Money Where Your Mouth Is” Week 4

This a weekly column that puts our expertise to the test, as we show a couple of the bets that we are placing on specific games, or prop bets offered by the many sports books and casinos. Of course we are a sports betting advisory, so our goal is to help you win money, but if you can’t afford to place bets…don’t.

Great Bets

Tampa Bay -1
Brian Griese, with his new found confidence, will prevail on Sunday. Green Bay is having trouble against the run, allowing an average of 5.7 yards per carry. This is bad news for the Packers, as they face a coach who loves to run a smash mouth, westcoast offense. Not to mention cornerback Al Harris is out with a ruptured spleen. I think Aaron Rodgers will hit the wall in his first road game in the battle of the Bays. Take two tylenols for that Tampa 2 headache, Rodgers.

Philadelphia -3
This line keeps jumping all over the place with the possibility of B.Westbrook not playing on Sunday. The Eagles may be 2-1, but they’re 3-0 against the spread, and Gridiron Experts feels that this team could win even without their star RB. Yes, there was a banged up Steelers O-Line last week, but the credit wasn’t given to how well this team is playing. The Boo-Birds have one of the best run defenses in the league, as well as a pro-bowl stacked secondary. I think the game plan will be to kick away from D. Hester, and call long, tiring drives to wear out the Bears defense.

San Diego -7.5
This road trip the Chargers are beginning is long and grueling, and may be the make or break for their entire season. Expect a fired up defense, but a close game. There are holes on this defense now; the Chargers lost Merriman and possibly Olshansky, and with A. Cromartie jumping every route trying to get his 15 INT’s, there will be a lot of big plays both ways. Nevertheless, Tomlinson looks himself, and he will make up for lost yards in this game.

Long Shot of the Week

Denver -9.5
The Broncos keep getting lucky in the 4th quarter, and have holes in their passing defense, but do you really see the Chiefs being the ones to knock them off their high horses? The big question is, can Denver win by ten points? …yeah, easy money.

Hey, why not (bet cheap)
Parlay bet: Redskins +11 and Falcons +7

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We’re breaking out the “outplay formula” a week early (the outplay formula). Gridiron Experts is having an up and down season and need the robot in the cage to get back on track. This system is our secret weapon which breaks down team and player averages.

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 Hank Baskett has a few reasons to smile these days. For starters, he was the go-to threat in the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, with 8 catches for 85 yards. The Philadelphia Eagles have relied on Hank Baskett and new rookie DeSean Jackson to carry the work load with Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis injured this season. But his greatest catch has to be Kendra Wilkinson, a playboy pet that he is rumored to be engaged to…nice work Baskett!

Hank Baskett

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Early look at week 4

Oh boy, there are some great matchups coming up in week 4, including the Toilet Bowl between the winless Browns and Bengals. Each team is struggling and can’t seem to find their rhythm. Cincinnati did play well against the NYG on Sunday, and they look like they may be turning it around, but the Cleveland Browns have been playing so bad that there is talk of inserting quarterback Brady Quinn to change things up. Last year these two teams faced off in a monster shootout game that ended in a Browns win 51-45.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were seconds away from also playing in a toilet bowl game against the distracted Texans this coming week, but kicker Josh Scobee saved the Jags when he nailed a game winning field goal against their rivals the Colts. That kick could be the wake up call these sleepy cats needed. There has been a lot of talk about the numerous injuries to Jacksonville’s offensive line, but recently signed free agent veterans and back ups have come together to form a make-shift line that has the Jags running again.

Games worth watching:
Minnesota at Tennessee
Philadelphia at Chicago
Green Bay at Tampa Bay
Washington at Dallas

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Ronnie Brown, who was most likely on everybodies fantasy bench this week, had his best ever NFL game in a 38-13 upset win over the Patriots. A first round pick in 2004, Brown was having an average NFL career despite showing spurts of potential until his ACL injury last year. But there were no nagging injuries on Sunday; Brown was a machine, and he was used as the ultimate weapon against New England. Ronnie Brown had 113 yards and 4 TD’s on the ground, as well as a nine yard passing touchdown, in a college like offense that shocked the Patriots (and the world) in a huge upset.

Ronnie The Robot dolls?

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“Money Where Your Mouth Is” Week 3

This a weekly column that puts our expertise to the test, as we show a couple of the bets that we are placing on specific games, or prop bets offered by the many sports books and casinos. Of course we are a sports betting advisory, so our goal is to help you win money, but if you can’t afford to place bets…don’t.

Last week we gave out 5 free picks and we went 5-0!!!

Gridiron Experts would love to continue the roll we’re on from last week, but instead we have to give out a “heads up” warning, as this week could steal your winnings. Las Vegas is zeroing in on a tough line, making you really earn it; most favorites are listed by almost too much. This entices people to take the underdog and get the 10-12 points, but since most of the favorites are at home this week, these points are actually realistic forecasts. In the first two weeks, bookies were rolling their eyes at some of the long shots that came through, including the two huge upsets in week one (Bears over Colts & Panthers over Chargers). We suggest placing only a couple of bets in week 3. 

Great Bets

Carolina Panthers +3
Steve Smith is back, and for those who think he’ll be rusty, you couldn’t be more wrong. Smith wasn’t hurt, he was suspended. He still practices with the team, and this makes him a huge fantasy sleeper as well as a fresh weapon to add to the Panthers already solid offense. The Vikings are favored at home (for some reason?) with a banged up Adrian Peterson and old man Frerotte at the helm. This would be a good pick even if the Panthers were favored, but getting 3 points as insurance against a field goal loss is a great safety net for placing money on this game. So far the Panthers made us studs in week 1 and looked good in week 2…why stop now?

Philadelphia Eagles -3
Even though the Steelers are on the road, they are practically playing in their backyard. McNabb wears his heart on his sleeve, and despite a bad hand off to Westbrook on a running play that resulted in a fumble last week, D-Mac looked great. If there was a finger to point, it would be at the non-blitzing defense that gave too much time for Romo to throw on Monday night. Expect an all out attack on Big Ben and his bruised shoulder. If the Eagles can keep up the running yards, this will be another big win for the birds.

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Gridiron Experts Free Picks Week 3

Kansas City at Atlanta -5
Atlanta is the favorite, but the line ranges from 3 to 6 points as various sportsbooks see this game differently. So what’s wrong with the Chiefs? Nothing, they’re in rebuilding mode after cleaning house in the offseason. The big question is who’s going to show up on Sunday: a young team with nothing to lose, or a frustrated group that are used to being able to do more? Larry Johnson is running mad, and needs to let his offensive line work for him. The edge has to go to the home team, as this game is one that will be forgotten amongst the other great games on Sunday, but a must win in pick ‘em pools. ATL 20-17

Carolina at Minnesota -3.5
Gridiron Experts likes the Panthers in this game, mainly due to the highly anticipated return of Steve Smith. Add to that the fact that Carolina has faced tough defenses in weeks 1 & 2, and should be able to light up the Vikings secondary. As for the Vikings, Gus Frerotte is taking over at QB…so now you have a quarterback that can’t run or throw. CAR 24-21

St. Louis at Seattle -9.5
The return of kicker Josh Brown to Seattle will put points on the board, but the Seahawks will sneak one by and grab their first win.  SEA 27-23

Cleveland at Baltimore -2
The Browns are looking like they didn’t go to training camp, while the Ravens feel like it’s never ended, as they had a forced bye week after only one game. The Browns need this game and will take it from the Ravens. CLE 17-16

 
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia -3
These teams are so close to each other, the crowd might be cheering both ways in this Pennsylvania battle. The Eagles look like contenders again, and will pressure Big Ben and his bum shoulder. PHI 29-24

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