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NBA: 2013-14 Western Conference Preview

by Ace Feltman

2013-14 NBA Western Conference Preview. Photo credit NBA

I love Holidays. I think they bring out buried feelings of joy and happiness in people that don’t often get to see the light of day anymore. Folks are happier, kids are giddier, and teens are pressing their folks for gifts, even on Mother’s and Father’s Day. But my favorite holiday of them all is Halloween. And it has absolutely nothing to do with costumes and or candy but rather the date on the calendar it represents. October 31st signifies the start of the basketball regular season! Either your team has one game under it's belt, or is preparing for game one or is glorifying a local television broadcast with fun Halloween graphics heading into and out of commercials.

The 2013-2014 NBA season kicks off two days in advance of trick-or-treating with national broadcasts coming on October 29th put October in the rearview and gear up for the season ahead. My annual basketball previews

The Weekly Muck: NFL Picks from the Black Lagoon Week 7

by Gene Henke

NFL Picks for Week 7. Photo credit NFL

In the words of one of my all-time favorite movie characters; Wooderson (Dazed and Confused), “alriiiighttt, alriiiiiiighttt.” The Swampman is off to a great start bringing you his NFL picks outta the Muck delivering four out of five winners last weekend. I did say that I would earn your trust in no time! For those of you who are reading The Muck for the first time, welcome! Just to reiterate, Swampthing gives you his top five NFL picks every week in addition to his reasoning why. Yes, I am talking in the third person. The Swampthing likes it. Last week I supplied you with a bucket full of five slimy spoilers and while 4 of them covered, three of them won outright! That’s what Swampy is talking about baby! This week I have three slimy spoliers as well as two small favorites in store for ya. The SwampKing is looking forward to providing you with some unique perspective on NFL matchups. This is just to look at things maybe a little differently than you may have at first. Think of it as a friendly insight to consider before making your big picks this week. That’s what I’m here for, afterall the Swampy loves you baby! Remember that and write it down! Enjoy friends:

NFL: The Matt Flynn Effect

by J.T.

Matt Flynn starts over again, this time
with the Buffalo Bills. Photo credit NFL

Matt Flynn was released this week by the Oakland Raiders. This comes as a surprise being that the Raiders traded for the Quarterback this off season with plans of him being the starting QB. It seems harsh, but don’t be sad for Matt because his pockets have been laced salute to him for that.

Andrew Luck is 3-0 against West
Coast teams. Photo credit NFL

by Rodney Fisher

This Monday Night Football game will mark the debut of the 2012 #1 pick Andrew Luck to the historic platform. It will also be the debut of both head coaches head-to-head. The Indianapolis Colts take the trip out west to face the San Diego Chargers with an impressive 4-1 record. The Chargers started out well behind the play of a resurgent Phillip Rivers, but ran into some obstacles last week against their division rival Oakland Raiders.

Vince Young says he is ready when the
Texans call.

by Rodney Fisher

Things turned from bad to worse for the Houston Texans. They lost a fourth straight game to the St. Louis Rams 38-13, and it wasn't even that close. The Rams led 38-6 after three quarters. Fans in Reliant Stadium cheered when Matt Schaub left injured and backup T.J. Yates entered the game. He later threw the one play the Texans have mastered this season. The pick-six.

Other fans took to social media to voice their opinions.

Deion Sanders reportedly removed from Prime
Prep Academy. Photo credit NFL

From my own experience, Deion has always looked out for the kids first and foremost.

There will be more to follow with this story...

NBA: 5 Things Learned From Watching Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings

by Rodney Fisher

DeMarcus Cousins and Paul Gasol will start their NBA
season in much different situations. Photo credit NBA

While Kobe Bryant is trying every miracle of medicine to get back on the court as soon as possible, his teammates will start the season with pretty low expectations. The Kings, on the other hand, have much higher expectations with a secured building block player and a new ownership to help direct the project. A few realizations came to mind watching both teams play in Las Vegas, of all places, at the MGM, since both teams are gambling this season anyway.

Can the Steelers get their first win of the season? Photo credit NFL

by Gene Henke

Greetings my little explorers! It is a pleasure to meet you all and welcome you to the swamp where your favorite slimy creature lurks in the sludge. Please allow me to first formally introduce myself; my name is Gene Henke Jr. and I am an NFL enthusiast, analyst, writer, and blogger. I go by the codename: Swampthing. Strange, yes I know. I will explain this as well; I got my start a couple seasons ago during the North Jersey floods when I started posting my thoughts and opinions on NFL forums under that name for fun. Long story short, it is my passion and a hobby of mine which I thoroughly enjoy doing.
Swampthing’s point of view took off a bit and here I am.

Each week RFSports has been kind enough to allow me to come on here and bring you my top picks for the week as well as my reasoning behind them. In no time I will earn your trust and become your favorite swampy pal and somebody whom you can come to for advice on NFL selections every week. I will be summarizing my top five picks. They will consist of four of my favorite plays as well as a Bonus 5th.I have quite the bucket full of slimy spoilers as my selections are all in fact underdogs. Who doesn’t love some good doggies?! The SwampMan surely does, and this week they are barking! Without further ado, I bring to you Swampthing’s Muck of the Week! Enjoy.

NBA: Rebuilding Boston Celtics Win Huge Commitment from Rajon Rondo

by Mattman

Rajon Rondo's commitment to the Boston Celtics' future could be the biggest offseason development that no one talked about. Just like Houston scored with Dwight Howard and Golden State made a splash with Andre Iguodala, the rebuilding Boston Celtics won big with Rondo's enthusiasm about their future.

NBA: Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans - Inside the Locker Room

by Rodney Fisher

Dallas Mavericks 92, New Orleans Pelicans 94. Photo Courtesy of Mavs.com

Video after Jump

Josh Freeman joins the Minnesota Vikings.
Photo credit NFL

by J.T.

The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride for Josh Freeman. Freeman went from being the Buccaneers starting QB to inactive then released within 2 weeks. The breakup with the Bucs seemed to be very nasty, they leaked confidential information and personal emails. Even with today's state of social media I've never seen a team go this low to black ball a player they once drafted to be their franchise QB, I know this regime wasn't the ones to draft him but still.

NFL: Monday Night Football Preview - New York Jets vs Atlanta Falcons

by Rodney Fisher

Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons (1-3) take on the
New York Jets (2-2). Photo credit NFL

The New York Jets (2-2) fly south to the Georgia Dome to try and ground the Atlanta Falcons (1-3). The Jets come off a blow-out loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons will try to enter their bye week without losing two straight at home.

NBA: Dirk Nowitzki Talks Upcoming 2013-14 Season With Dallas Mavericks

by Rodney Fisher

Dirk Nowitzki at Mavs Media Day. Photo credit Rodney Fisher

Dirk Nowitzki shares his thoughts on the upcoming NBA season and his new teammates in Dallas.

Derrick Rose returns to the NBA. Photo credit Adidas

by Rodney Fisher

Everyone knows how much of a basketball fan I am and I know it may be only the second game of the preseason, but watching this game only made me more anxious for the 2012-13 season to start. The Indiana Pacers challenged the Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference, while the Chicago Bulls minus Derrick Rose could not overcome injuries and illness. Like that one song, by that one guy, times are changing.

The winning track record will be put to the test this week, as some of the better teams in the NFL head out on the road.

Without further procrastination, here are the Sunday Predictions for Week 5

Monta Ellis. Photo credit NBA

by Rodney Fisher

Since being drafted 40th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Monta Ellis has been out to prove he belongs with the elite group. His natural scoring ability allowed him to bypass college for the NBA. He spent a majority of his rookie season adjusting to the business aspect of basketball that is missing from playing for your local high school team. Now with the Dallas Mavericks and importantly head coach Rick Carlisle, Ellis is ready for stardom.

Amare Stoudmire and New York Knicks. Photo credit NBA

by Mattman

There are almost 100 million reasons why the New York Knicks signed themselves out of a foreseeable NBA Championship when they picked up Amare' Stoudemire in the 2010 NBA offseason, and it all starts with his famously "unmovable" contract.

Although the Knicks' 5-year, 99.7 million dollar (uninsured) investment in Amare' Stoudemire sounded like a great start for an NBA franchise that was looking to streamline their squad into an NBA

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Minnesota Timberwolves: Have draft day blunders kept them out of the playoffs?

by Mattman

The NBA Playoffs have not been kind to the Minnesota Timberwolves over the past decade.

In fact, the T-Wolves and the NBA postseason are practically not even on speaking terms at this second, and Minnesota currently holds the longest playoff drought amongst active NBA franchises as we speak.

Can you say "separation issues"?

Paul George gets max contract. Photo credit NBA

by J.T.

Paul George gets "PAID". The Indiana Pacers are extending their star forward at the tune of 5 years 90 million dollars. George's rise to stardom has led to him getting cashed out. He helped push the Heat to a game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Will George build off of a year that he averaged 17.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.1 apg and 1.8 spg? PG can ya boy get a loan? Will this contract hamper his game? No matter what happens he should be set for life. Do your thing PG keep ballin'

Follow me at http://thefrontofficenews.com
-JT

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NFL: Ranking The 0-2 Teams

by Rodney Fisher

Carolina Panthers take on NY Giants to end
winless season. Photo credit NFL

We are in week 3 of the young NFL season and eight teams have started out 0-2. Two teams were in the playoffs just last season, while others are perennial division favorites that find themselves rebuilding or nursing some critical injuries on their roster. Then again, some of the teams are just that bad.

1. Washington Redskins - You could make the argument that their first two games was an extended preseason, since their best player RGIII has only played in two games back from surgery. The have been blown out the first half of both games, but seem to be able to put up points in the second half.

NFL: Indianapolis Colts Playing With House Money

Trent Richardson arrives at Colts facility after being traded
by the Cleveland Browns. Photo credit NFL

by Chad Jones

Per the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a 'Minimum Team Cash Spending' provision mandates every team spends 89% of Cap Space over two 4 year windows, (2013-2016) & (2017-2020).

Drew Brees stated on this CBA Provision in an E-Mail per Pro Football Talk:

"It doesn’t matter how high the cap is if they are only going to spend that much. So with a minimum in place, it requires all teams to be at or above that minimum. More money in players pockets.”

Century Link field. Photo credit Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have a good team and a great home field crowd which leads to an amazing home field advantage.

by J.T.

One of the most anticipated matches of the year happened Week 2 when the Seahawks and 49ers linked up. This matchup highlighted two great defenses with explosive offenses. There has been Madden 25 commercials highlighting the teams dual threat star Quarterbacks respectively Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson. I waited all day for this one game and Breaking Bad (heck of an episode wasn’t it?) and boy was I pissed but I realized how tough it is to play the Seahawks at home and calmed down. Before I blew a gasket I remembered what happened to the Saints playing at CenturyLink Field in the playoffs in the fact that no team has beat them there since 2011 and it made me say one thing during this year’s playoffs no one wants to play them at home, I mean no one.

Floyd Mayweather remains undefeated. Photo credit Showtime

by Kendrick Johnson

Leading up to his clash with Mexican Superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, boxing’s pound for pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather told anyone who would listen September 14 would be easy work. For nearly all 16,000 in attendance, Mayweather’s latest masterpiece looked very easy as the “Money Man” rung up another victory while making a guaranteed $41.5 million.

NFL on RFSN

RFSN has announced their new NFL Sunday LIVE Lineup starting this weekend. Now you can get all the new information on every NFL team before kickoff! Don't set your fantasy lineup until you listen to us!

9:00am cst/ 10:00am est - The Sunday Morning Slant w/ Asylum Fantasy Football
11:00am cst/ 12:00pm est - The Picks w/ RF Sports Radio
11:30am cst/ 12:30pm est - Football Extra Points w/ Scott King of FootballExtraPoints.com

Listen on your mobile device on the TuneIn Radio App under "RFSN"

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Vlog: NFL Picks for Week 2

by Rodney Fisher

I'm back everyone! New picks for the NFL Week 2. Again, the picks are for recreational purposes...or something like that.

Video after jump

Delle Donne and Brittney Griner. Photo credit WNBA

by J.T.

I was watching some WNBA last night because nothing else was on but it was also a Griner/Delle Donne matchup and as a fan of all sorts of basketball I can have time for that.

In the winding seconds with game tied at 68, Delle Donne got the ball at the top of the 3 point line isolated on Bonner; honestly she channeled her inner Dirk because I swear I thought I was looking at a female Dirk when she made her move. She took a few dribbles did a nice left to right spin move to get separation and she cashed out leading the Sky to the victory (70-68).

Video after jump

NFC West

by J. T.

I know people will state the AFC North is the best division in football, some will argue the NFC East or NFC South is the best division and everybody would be able to make valid points to back their case but I’m not here to shoot down the other divisions, I’m here to marvel at the marvelous jump the NFC West has made within a short period of time.

Chicago Bulls. Photo credit NBA

by Mattman

Between free agency findings and signings that shook up the "power rankings" over the summer, a plethora of sustainability questions surrounding a two-time defending champ, and a new generation of influential NBA talent, there's something funky brewing out East.

Marshawn Lynch and Frank Gore. Photo credit NFL

by Chad Jones

San Francisco: Super Bowl Losers Curse Not an Issue
GM Trent Baalke, Coach Jim Harbaugh & unheralded executive Paraag Marathe lead one of footballs most innovative & successful organizations. In a primetime rematch with perennial contender Green Bay, San Francisco was well-prepared & executed it's game plan at a postseason level. In a week 1 filled with sloppy play & mental lapses across the league; San Francisco was firing on all cylinders. The running game never established except spots in the 3rd Quarter, which forced 2nd year starter Colin Kaepernick to take the stage. Credit also goes to Anquan Boldin, who delivered one of the best performances of his career.

New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons. Photo credit NFL

by Chad Jones

New Orleans: Defense in Big Easy?
Sean Payton's return to the Big Easy reignited the Saints to a 23-17 Win v. Division Rival, & presumptive Super Bowl contender Atlanta. The offense remained dynamic & lethal in Payton's absence; and churned out 419 Yards on Sunday. It's Drew Brees' show, a big strike passing game that complements intermediate precision passing, and mixed in running opportunities. The true week 1 takeaway was the vastly improved Defensive performance.

Jay Cutler. Photo courtesy of NFL

by Chad Jones

Green Bay- Aaron Rodgers makes the Pack Favorites
Over the past 4 seasons, Aaron Rodgers has led the Packers to 47 Wins against a mere 17 losses. It's built around Rodgers' execution of Mike McCarthy's scheme, whose talent covers up issues across the team. The first issue has been the offensive line. Starting a 4th Round Rookie Left Tackle & a 2012 Undrafted Free Agent at Right Tackle; many perceived issues would persist in 2013. Against a tough road opponent, protection was better than many anticipated. The concern that persists is the one dimensional offense, lacking a complementary running game despite a 2nd Round investment in Eddie Lacy.

NFL: NFC East Week 1 Reaction- Chip Kelly's Arrival

by Chad Jones

Chip Kelly, Mike Vick. Photo courtesy of NFL

NFC East:
Cognizant that 10-11 wins carries the 'NFC Beast', preseason prognostications ranged. Consensus varied from the Redskins repeating, Giants rebounding, to 'America's Team' reemerging. What nobody believed was the mystery of Chip Kelly's arrival in Philadelphia with holdover Michael Vick would be a resounding success. The Eagles Monday Night Football performance, in particular the first half, has put the league on notice.

Don't miss the kickoff of the NFL season with Football Extra Points on RFSN!

2013 NFL Season Preview & Predictions

2013 NFL Season Preview and Predictions

by Statmark

I wrote my first NFL preview back in High School in 1991 which makes me a youngin to most experts and an old fogey to the whippersnappers. Regardless, I’ve been writing about football for a long time and have never made an effort to put it out beyond my inner circle of friends and to the masses. So we’ll see how this goes. When I did this post last year, I talked about the “inner hunger teams” of that came oh-so-close but fell just short are so frequently the most logical choice to go to the Super Bowl the following yet and conveniently enough, the 2011 Conference championship losers – the Ravens and 49ers – confirmed my statement by meeting in this past Super Bowl. So which two teams fall into that category this year? Ironically enough, those two teams BOTH fall into the NFC while the AFC has no one team that truly represents that “inner hunger”. The Patriots and Broncos (or more specifically, Brady and Manning) are perennial powerhouses that can’t replicate the desire of those teams that have never tasted the sweet sod of Super Bowl Sunday. However, in the NFC, we have both the Falcons and the Seahawks (and many might say the 49ers fall into that category as well, although as a general rule, the Super Bowl loser is LESS driven than a team that lost in the Conference Championship).

NFL Preview: Power Rankings By Division

by Rodney Fisher

2013-14 NFL Preview Power Rankings

Now that the NFL season is upon us, it is now time for our NFL Power Rankings to return. We take a look at each division for our first list. The NFL has grown into a league of parity, which for fans is the best case scenario. In no other league can a bad team turn into a championship contender over one offseason. See the Washington Redskins last season for evidence.

For this list, we took a close look at the preseason for what it is worth. We took into account injuries, new coaches, new coordinators, and returning power teams.

Lets get to the 2013-14 NFL Preseason Power Rankings:

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Lamar Odom: Flesh and Blood

by Matt Silverston

Say what you want about Lamar Odom, and go ahead and criticize his lifestyle and the choices he's made, but I will never hesitate to stand up for those human beings who suffer from addiction and mental illness.

Given that Odom's story as well as his whereabouts are uncertain and up-in-the-air at this time, the biggest issue at stake here is so much more than money, a reality TV drama, or a basketball hoop. His future livelihood as a healthy, spirited human being is under attack and in immediate jeopardy.

NFL: 49ers and Chiefs swap disappointing 1st round receivers

by J.T.

Alex Smith of Kansas City Chiefs. Photo courtesy of USA Today

The 49ers and Chiefs can’t stop dealing with each other can they? Both teams were back at it after coming together during the off season to make a swap.

Alex Smith for two 2nd round picks was the deal months ago that brought the two teams together and Monday they came together to trade disappointing 1st round receivers, The 49ers send 2012 1st round pick A.J. Jenkins to the Chiefs for their 2011 1st round pick Jonathan Baldwin.

NFL: A.J. Jenkins you are next up

by J.T.

A.J. Jenkins of the San Francisco 49ers. Photo credit NFL

49ers star receiver tore his achilles and more than likely will be
~~out for the season~~ the majority of the season. Crabtree finally claimed his spot as the 9ers number 1 receiver last year, being the first receiver to get over 1,000 receiving yards for the 9ers since Terrell Owens.

With injury comes opportunity for other players

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defense/Special Teams

by Rodney Fisher

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings Defense

Why not save the rest for last? Drafting the right defense may seem like the best function of auto-draft, but some research could make the difference. You should look for defenses and special teams that can score points. Do they have a speedy return guy? Do they have some studs in the secondary or can the frontline cause turnovers? Another strategy is to look at the division the defense will play in. If you can hit on a defense that plays against poor offensive competition or young quarterbacks, you may have your diamond in the rough.

Here is our rankings for defense/special teams:

24/7 Sports Talk

The winning track record will be put to the test this week, as some of the better teams in the NFL head out on the road.

by Chad Jones

The Seattle Seahawks have a good team and a great home field crowd which leads to an amazing home field advantage.