Can the Baltimore Ravens do it Without Rex Ryan?

By Chad Kimbell

The Baltimore Ravens were one of the more successful NFL teams in 2008. Under the steady leadership of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco (who, despite his rookie status, showed the steady command of a seasoned veteran), the team had a successful 2008 campaign both offensively and defensively.

With the leadership of Joe Flacco and a stellar defense, the Baltimore Ravens finished the season 11-5, 2nd in the AFC North. 2009 may be the "year" for the Ravens. They can build on the team's success 08' and take it one step further, Super Bowl XXIV in Miami, Florida.

While most of the 2008 Ravens team is still intact, the loss of their defensive mastermind Rex Ryan (who is now head coach in New York for the Jets) led many to wonder whether the team could keep up its level of superiority when it came to defense.

Overall, the defense is becoming older but their competitive spirit is as high as ever. Ray Lewis is their emotional on-field and locker room leader. As long as Lewis is still performing at a high level, the Ravens defense will be a force to be reckoned with. Ed Reed is still one of the best, if not THE, best free-safety in the game today as well.

2009 for the Baltimore Ravens has proven to be something of a surprise - they have a potent offense unlike in years past. RB Willis McGahee, WR Derrick Mason, WR Ray Rice and WR Todd Heap give Flacco excellent targets every Sunday.

Flacco has picked up right where he left off (and in fact improved). If Baltimore can bring in a stud WR for him, he will improve even more.

There is no "sophomore jinx" with Joe Flacco - if anything Flacco has improved as a quarterback. His decision making and poise are a fantastic skill set all young quarterbacks aspire to have.

The AFC must know that the Baltimore Ravens will be a threat to raise the Lombardi Trophy in February. - 31493

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Florida State Comes From Behind To Uppend North Carolina

By Ross Everett

Florida State won their first ACC college football game of the year on Thursday, though it certainly wasn't easy. The Seminoles were down 24-6 midway through the third quarter before mounting a furious comeback to defeat North Carolina 30-27. FSU quarterback Christian Ponder threw for a career high 395 with three touchdowns and no interceptions to pace his team.

College football betting enthusiasts who overlooked the Seminoles dismal record against the spread were rewarded by Florida State's outright win as +2' road underdogs. FSU covered for only the second time this season, upping their record against the college football pointspread to 2-5. The Tar Heels haven't been a very good investment either, and the loss left their ATS tally at 2-4. The 57 points scored went OVER the posted total of 48' for the Seminoles fifth OVER in six lined games.

The win also should help settle some of the talk about the future of head coach Bobby Bowden, at least for the moment. With the uncharacteristically slow start by Florida State, there has been a good deal of speculation that the venerable coach should step away from the program. He expressed some relief in his postgame comments:

"The talk that we've had down there, there's only one thing that solves it. Winning. Play close and fight your guts out? Who cares? You've got to win."

Winning QB Ponder suggests that the comeback win demonstrates the heart of this Seminoles team:

"This proves how good we can be, and I'm just proud of the way we fought back. Down what, 24-6? And we could have given up and we didn't. That's just the character of the guys on this team."

The game was supposed to be a showcase for North Carolina, which entered the game with the nation's #3 ranked total defense. Tar Heels' coach Butch Davis observed that rankings are irrelevant once the game begins:

"It's a little bit of a wake-up call for the defense. Reputations and rankings and stats and all that stuff is somewhat insignificant. You've got to play."

Added Tar Heels' cornerback Kendric Burnley:

"It's too frustrating. I don't know what to say or how to explain anything right now. It tears you apart."

Florida State can get back to .500 next weekend with a home game against another team looking for their first ACC win of the season, North Carolina State. That'll be followed by two tough games on the road at Clemson and Wake Forest. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, must regroup in time for another nationally televised Thursday night game at Virginia Tech next week. After that, they'll return home to take on Duke and Miami in successive weeks. - 31493

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected sports betting expert. He is also a staff handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook and is in charge of setting NFL lines. He has written extensively on sports betting theory along with a wide range of other topics including fencing, self defense and falconry.

Jeff Genyk Working With High School Students to Promote Success

By Jim Johnson

After leaving his Eastern Michigan head coaching position, Jeff Genyk has spent 2009 concentrating on professional development and family. Genyk has continued with coaching his son's Flag Football and Soccer team, and resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While at Eastern Michigan, the Eagles set several collegiate records. Just prior to his departure, Genyk's team implemented the "Warp Speed" Offense.

Jeff Genyk was unaware that the warp speed offense would become the talk of college football coaches. Some of the notable coaches are Brian Kelly of Cincinnati, and Rich Rodriguez of Michigan, were intrigued by the number of plays that could be run in a game. "An offense that can put up over 50 points in a game and execute over 100 plays garnered the attention of many coaches that run the spread".

Jeff Genyk knows that his time spent time with the Coaches of Cincinnati and Michigan has been a beneficial relationship for all involved. As a college coach, I am always seeking ideas to better my coaching and am always willing to exchange ideas to increase my knowledge and skills as a head coach. The warp speed offense is an fast and fun offensive system and many teams can realize amazing results by implementing it.

Genyk also invested greatly learning the ropes in broadcasting. With the help of Dave Eanet (WGN Sports Director), Chris Martin (Big Ten Network) and Matt Shepard (WDFN Radio) Genyk pursued a color analysis position. Genyk received an opportunity to move from the sidelines to the booth this fall as an analyst for ESPN Regional Television and ESPN 360.com. Presently broadcasting games in the Atlantic Coast Conference. "Having an opportunity to work with ESPN has been a great opportunity and experience. Hopefully, I am able to enhance the viewers experience by incorporating a coaches perspective."

Genyk was involved in 3 Big Ten Championship seasons during his 12 year tenure at Northwestern as an Assistant. During this period in his career, Jeff Genyk was able to work with some of the best and brightest coaches in the country. His experiences gained while working with at Northwestern form Genyk's foundation as a head football coach.

Perhaps the most profound impact was the relationship formed with the late Steve Musseau (Former Idaho Head Football Coach) and mental performance expert. Through Genyk's work with Steve and others the "Expect to Execute" program was created. A system to ensure athletes and professionals they can execute a high level when pressure/adversity strike.

"We attempt to improve your belief system by improving focus, self talk, visualization, framing skills and physical presence." The ability to utilize the best from the sports world and improve other professionals is a very rewarding process. The "Expect to Execute" program is presently being used at Medtronic, Inc., General Motors and Michigan High School(s).

The creation of a system to help high school students develop and advance in their area of interest has also been a 2009 project for Genyk. The "Potential to Reality" program is a system for high schools to ensure athletes, musicians and actors missions get the support that they need to advance to the next level. Ron Reed, Michigan High School Principal, "The system has allowed us to focus our energy as a school and community to ensure our young people are prepared to take advantage of opportunities in the future." "Life is all about how you respond to tough situations," the late Randy Walkers favorite character phrase. Genyk is an example of this type of perseverance. - 31493

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Looking to find more on Jeff Genyk

NY Jets Rip Hapless Raiders

By Ross Everett

The New York Jets and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez found a sure fire cure to their recent struggles-a game against the lowly Oakland Raiders. Sanchez passed for 143 yards and a touchdown, plus added a rushing touchdown as New York thumped Oakland 38-0 in the largest regular season shutout win in franchise history. Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell continued to struggle, and he passed for just 61 yards with three interceptions before he was benched in favor of Bruce Gradowski. The Jets improved their record to 4-3 while the Raiders dropped to 2-5.

NFL football betting enthusiasts who took the Jets as -6 road favorites had smooth sailing throughout the game for an easy pointspread cover. The Jets improved to 4-3 against the spread while the Raiders fell to 3-5 against the number.

It was such an effortless game that the only thing that Sanchez had to apologize for was surreptitiously eating a hot dog near the end of the contest:

"I want to apologize for that. I wasn't feeling very good and didn't eat much before the game, so I was feeling a little queasy. Toward the end of the game, I probably should have eaten one of those bars or something, but someone offered a hot dog, so I grabbed it and tried to be discreet about it, but obviously not discreet enough. So I shouldn't have done that, and it won't happen again."

The Jets capitalized on three early Raiders' turnovers and started two of their first three drives inside the five yardline. Sanchez praised the defense for making his job easy:

"It makes it so easy on the offense when your defense is playing like that. Hats off to them, they had a heck of a game to shut that team out. I don't care who we're playing, that's a big-time accomplishment for our team."

Jets' coach Rex Ryan was very pleased with Sanchez's performance:

"Sanchez was great. He was just smart with the football. I think sometimes he could have put the ball on a receiver, but he was making sure the ball wasn't intercepted. It was great to see him respond."

Raiders' defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who boldly predicted the team would make the playoffs despite their slow start, was singing a different tune after the rout:

"I don't think we could have beaten an Oakland high school team today."

Despite Russell's struggles, Oakland coach Tom Cable remains committed to him as the team's starter:

"I thought he was really out of sorts early in the game. I just did not feel like at that point he gave us the best chance to have the success we needed to have offensively and made the move. JaMarcus will continue to be our starter. There is no issue there."

The Raiders will try to bounce back this weekend in a big rivalry game on the road against the San Diego Chargers. Oakland is +16' road underdogs with the total set at 42'. They'll then enjoy a bye week before back to back home games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets host Miami this Sunday, with New York a -3' home favorite and the total set at 40'. - 31493

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer specializing in boxing, NHL hockey and NHL hockey and NBA basketball betting. He serves as a consulting handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook in Costa Rica and is a noted authority on Internet sportsbook betting of all forms. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and several pet geckos.

The NFL Returns To London As New England Dominates Tampa Bay

By Ross Everett

Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers was played in an unusual venue, but produced the expected result. In the NFL's third regular season game in London, England the Patriots showed the Wembley Stadium crowd why they're among the league's best as they methodically dismantled the Bucs en route to a 35-7 victory. Oddly, it took a trans-Atlantic trip for the Pats to get their first road win of the season-the Bucs were 'officially' the home team in the contest. New England QB Tom Brady threw for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns, though was picked off twice in the workmanlike victory.

The Patriots easily covered the pointspread as -15' 'road' favorites, and improved their record against the number to 4-3 on the season. The Bucs have struggled almost as badly against the NFL pointspread as they have straight up, and slipped to 1-6 versus the money.

Afterwards, Pats' QB Brady said that he's enjoying the trip to England-as well as the victory:

"I'm feeling great. I keep rolling. That's two wins in a row. We went out there and put two touchdowns on the board there in the second half. We had plenty of distractions coming over here, but everybody was really energized. To get the win and fly home and have a bye week off is just great."

NFL football is still a big deal in soccer mad England, and over 80,000 fans jammed the stadium for the game. League commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that he'd like to see multiple regular season games held in London, with a possibility of the city eventually receiving an NFL franchise. Even a superstar like Tom Brady wasn't quite used to the rock star like treatment he received in England:

"All the flashbulbs were going off there before the kickoff. They went on for about 10 minutes, which you don't see in the States too often. I think it's a privilege to come over here and get to enjoy this type of experience. It will probably never happen again for us, so we'll retire 1-0 internationally."

Even low key coach Bill Belichick was pleased with the experience:

"It's a great way to end this week. It's been an enjoyable couple days here and glad we could end it on a positive note."

And even in Europe, Bucs' first year coach Raheem Morris continued to sound like a man in over his head as he made his weekly excuse filled post game comments:

"Tom, he's the guy that changed the game. He's the guy you worry about constantly. When you have a great quarterback like that, that's what he does and that's what he will do for you."

The Bucs have now lost 11 straight games, their longest losing streak since a NFL record 26 game losing run in 1976-77. As Brady noted, New England will have a bye next week as will Tampa Bay. - 31493

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and widely regarded sports betting expert. He is also a consulting handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook and is in charge of setting NFL betting lines. He has written extensively on sports handicapping theory along with a wide range of other topics including fencing, boxing and falconry.

Eagles Top Hapless Redskins

By Ross Everett

The 'new look' Washington Redskins offense under Sherm Lewis looked much like the old offense under Jim Zorn, and the Philadelphia Eagles had little trouble as they opened a 27-10 halftime lead en route to a 27-17 victory on Monday Night Football. DeSean Jackson scored a long touchdown both rushing and receiving, and Donovan McNabb threw for 156 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions in the victory.

The Eagles also rewarded NFL betting enthusiasts with the pointspread cover as -8' road favorites. Philadelphia is now 4-2 against the number while the Redskins continued their struggles against the NFL pointspread dropping to 1-6.

Jackson's only complaint after the game was that a sore ankle undermined the artistry of his post touchdown tap dance:

"I was out there having fun, man, honestly. My ankle was kind of hurting. I really didn't feel it, but it did kind of affect my dance a little bit. I could put it to perfection a little bit better than that."

Redskins' defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth suggested that this team has to learn to play as a unit:

"You can say but so much. You've got to actually want to. So once we get to that point -- where we want to do something -- then we'll do something. But if we just keep going our separate ways, then we'll just keep getting slaughtered like we have."

Jim Zorn was apparently more interested in playing 'gotcha' with the management that replaced him as the Redskins' offensive play caller than in analyzing the game:

"Well, the result was the same. We got 17 points. It was difficult for me. It was difficult to stand and watch. The hard part is to keep your mouth shut."

Washington running back Rock Cartwright expressed Washington's struggles in a philosophical light:

"You have to take the bitter with the sweet. And right now we're at a bitter moment."

The Eagles will host the New York Giants this Sunday, with the game currently 'pick'em' and the total posted at 44. The Redskins have a much needed bye week before they travel south to play the Atlanta Falcons on November 8. They'll host the Denver Broncos the following Sunday before playing on the road against the Dallas Cowboys on November 22. - 31493

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance writer and widely regarded sports betting expert. He is also a staff handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook and is in charge of setting NFL lines. He has written extensively on sports handicapping theory along with a wide range of other topics including fencing, boxing and dog training.

Indianapolis Shreds St. Louis To Remain Undefeated

By Ross Everett

Peyton Manning was unable to tie a NFL record with his sixth straight 300 yard game , but the Indianapolis Colts remained undefeated by ripping the lowly St. Louis Rams 42-6 at the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday. Manning amassed 235 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions as the Colts made short work of the winless Rams. St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger continued to struggle, with 140 yards passing, two interceptions and no touchdowns. The Colts are now 6-0 on the NFL season, while the Rams are 0-7.

NFL betting devotees who backed Indy as -14 road favorites easily won their bets as the Colts improved to 5-1 against the spread. After dropping their first game of the year to the number, Indy has run off five straight pointspread covers. The Chiefs dropped to 2-5 against the spread with the setback. The 48 points scored went OVER the posted total of 45.

After the game, Colts' coach Jim Caldwell praised his quarterback:

"He functions pretty well within the system. He does a great job leading our team and being a field general. I don't think he reached 300 yards, but nevertheless he was very effective."

As has become his form, Manning deflected the praise onto his offensive line:

"I really appreciate the protection I've been getting. It's something I don't take for granted."

Indianapolis tight end Dallas Clark gave kudos to the Indy fans that made the trip to St. Louis to support the team:

"We had a great following today. It was outstanding. When we were introduced it felt like a home game."

Rams' running back Steven Jackson sounded like a man out of answers:

"We have to learn to put four good quarters together. We don't know how to win a game right now."

The Colts will return home next Sunday to face a potentially tricky game against the San Francisco 49ers. Indianapolis has been installed as -11 point home favorites and the total set at 45. They'll remain at home for the following two games, hosting the Houston Texans the following week and the New England Patriots on November 15th. St. Louis will take on another one of the NFL's bottom feeders next Sunday, playing on the road against the Detroit Lions. The Rams will have a much needed bye week after that before returning to action on November 15th as they host the New Orleans Saints. - 31493

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance writer specializing in sports betting and gambling related topics. He contributes to several broadcast media outlets providing advice on how to successfully bet on NFL football. He lives in Las Vegas with three dogs and a pet alpaca.