Carolina Panthers - How the Carolina Panthers Made History

The Carolina Panthers is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and is a member of the National Football League (NFL), representing both North and South Carolina. They are one of the four teams playing in the South Division of the National Football Conference (NFC). The Panthers began playing as 1995 NFL expansion teams, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Panthers uniforms are colored black, blue and silver. They play at the Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A lucky start

Merely two years since the team was instituted, they won in their division and qualified to compete at the playoffs in the 1996 season. Never had any other expansion NFL team were able to achieve success that early. The year before, they won seven games-the most number of wins by an expansion team. Panthers owner and founder Jerry Richardson was awarded a new NFL franchise in 1993, the first one after 1976 (when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks were given a franchise).

The worst season

The 2001 NFL season was a disaster for the Carolina Panthers. In fact, it was their worst year. They would go down in history for having the most consecutive losses in NFL record, losing 15 straight games and finishing with a 1-15 record. Two seasons later, under the wing of head coach John Fox, they were able to reverse their fortunes and finished the regular season with an 11-5 record. They continued on to the playoffs after winning the South Division Title of the National Football Conference and went on to compete at the Super Bowl XXXVIII against the New England Patriots. They could have won that season but four seconds on the clock, their chances of winning were undone by the Patriots' Adam Vinatieri who kicked a 41-yard field goal leading to the Panthers' defeat.

A close call

Dom Capers, former Pittsburgh Steelers Assistant coach, was the Panthers' first head coach. In their first season in 1995, they lost their first five games but recovered pretty well during their last 11 games, winning seven games in all, thanks to Panthers receivers Willie Green and Mark Carrier. The Panthers defeated the San Francisco 49ers, which was the defending league champion during that time-again, the first ever instance in NFL history for an expansion team. In 1996, the Panthers proved its professional status yet again by winning 12 games in the NFL and getting the North Western Division Title in the NFC. At that time, the Panthers had put together an impenetrable team including running back Anthony Johnson and quarterback Kerry Collins; Pro Bowl linebackers Lamar Lathon, Kevin Greene, and Sam Mills, which made up the the second-best defense in the NFC; Placekicker John Kasay who converted 37 field goals on a league record; and league's top kickoff returner Michale Bates who averaged 30.2 yards per return. Dom Capers was named coach of the year. After defeating the Dallas Cowboys during the playoffs, the Panthers lost to the Green Bay Packers who went on to become that season's Super Bowl Champions.

Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on sports gear. Many articles are related to mlb gear and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

Three Basic Types of Business Ownership Structures - Advantages and Disadvantages

There exist three basic types of business structures. One should know the basic forms before getting into a business situation to avoid potential problems. The three basic types of business structures are as follows:

i) Sole Proprietorship:

This type of business is owned by one person who is called a proprietor. The proprietor manages the business. Some disadvantages are as follows: the proprietor assumes all risks of the business and personal assets can be taken by creditors. One major advantage of the sole proprietorship is the owner makes all the decisions.

ii) Partnership:

a) The general partnership business structure is owned by more than one person.

One or more partners may manage the business. As to disadvantages, like the sole proprietorship, partners assume the risks for the business and their assets may be taken by creditors. Additionally, partners may disagree about the best way to run the business, which could result in a conflict. An advantage of a partnership is the owners share risks and decision making.

b) There is another form of business structure in the partnership arena, which is

called the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). This form is different from the general partnership structure. Liability is limited to the assets of the partnership in this business form.

iii) Corporation:

a) The general corporation is owned by stockholders (or shareholders).

Usually a corporation may have many owners and they usually employ professional managers. The owner's risk is usually limited to their personal investments and they often have very little influence on the business decisions. However, the corporation veil may be pierce if the corporation is negligent in its operation.

b) The next corporate form is the Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). This

structure is different for the general corporate form. As the name implies, liability is limited in this form as in relation to the general corporate structure.

c) Finally, there exists the non-profit corporation. These types of corporations

are normally 501(c) such as a church, community based organizations, a public high school, YMCA, and the like. The tax structures are normally different for the profit making organization as in relation to the non-profit making corporations.

Before any business decision is made it's best to consult a professional in the area such as an attorney who specializes in the field of business formation. There are also some business consulting firms where help may be obtained. The Small Business Association also has a group of individuals available to help known as, Service Corps of Retired Executive (SCORE), or Counselors to America's Small Business. 

Joseph S. Spence, Sr. (aka "Epulaeryu Master"), is the author of "The Awakened One Poetics" (2009), which is published in seven different languages. He also co-authored two poetry books, "A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul" (2005), and "Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul," (2006). He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which focuses on succulent cuisines. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas. He has completed over twenty years of service with the U.S. Army.

http://www.trilogypoetry.com/

Hiking Boots - Cleaning, Care, And Maintenance Of Your Most Important Piece Of Hiking Equipment

Good quality hiking boots are an investment that can be expected to last a long time, but only if you take care of them. This article will tell you how to take proper care of your hiking boots, from breaking them in to having them resoled, so you will get the most value for your investment.

In this article, I will discuss five main points of proper care and maintenance of your hiking boots:

1. Breaking them in.

2. Waterproofing.

3. Cleaning and general maintenance.

4. Resoling.

5. Knowing when they've had it.

Breaking In your Hiking Boots

The purpose of breaking in your hiking boots is to soften them so they will not hurt your feet. They must be made flexible at exactly the places where your feet and ankles bend. The best way to do this is to walk in them. The goal of breaking in your hiking boots is to do it in short walks, so you don't find yourself in the middle of the wilderness with blisters and an inflexible pair of hiking boots.

Hiking shoes or day-hiking boots might not need any break-in, but try it just to be sure. Very heavy hiking boots might not actually break in, but wearing them will make your feet grow tougher in the places where the boots refuse to bend.

In either case, what you want to do is to wear your new hiking boots for short periods of time. Wear them around the house, on your morning walk, on your way to work and back (or wear them at work, if your job does not require a lot of walking and if dress codes permit). Wear them on short hikes.

Once the boots are properly broken in, they will feel comfortable as you walk. Then you're ready to take them on a serious hike.

You may have heard of leaving your new hiking boots out in the weather, or soaking them and wearing them as they dry out, or other drastic and exotic techniques for breaking them in. If it seems like a bad idea, that's because it is. Break them in gently, and they will last much longer.

Waterproofing your Hiking Boots

Most hiking boots are already waterproof when you buy them, but you still have to do some additional waterproofing. Check the manufacturer's recommendation, either in documentation that came with the boots or on their Web site.

Different materials require different kinds of waterproofing. Leather, whether full grain or split, requires a wax-based waterproofing compound (which is exactly what shoe polish is). Fabric, especially nylon blends, requires silicone-based waterproofing spray.

Since most hiking boots are made of a combination of leather and fabric, you will have to use both types of waterproofing. And be careful, because the silicone-based sprays can be harmful to the glued seams of leather hiking boots. The best approach for such dual-material hiking boots is to spray the silicone-based waterproofing on the fabric panels while shielding the leather, then spray the wax-based waterproofing on the leather panels and the seams.

If you have full grain leather hiking boots, you can either use a wax-based waterproofing spray or old-fashioned shoe polish. Shoe polish works best on the seams, as you can put it on extra thick and work it into the seams and stitching.

Before you first use them, and after each major hike, clean your boots thoroughly and give them a full waterproofing treatment. Hiking shoes, worn infrequently, might need the waterproofing treatment just once a year or so, but use your judgment. If you see new scuff or wear marks after a hike, reapply the waterproofing.

Cleaning and General Maintenance of your Hiking Boots

Clean off the mud and dust from your hiking boots after each day of hiking. Each time you stop for a major break on a hike, check your boots and remove any excess mud or dust. To clean your boots while hiking or camping, just kick against a rock, bang your boots together, or scrape with a stick if necessary.

If you let the mud dry on your boots, it will both leach out the waterproofing and soak into the boot. This slowly destroys leather, and it's not good for nylon, either.

Once you get home, or at least every few days on a protracted backpacking trek, wipe your boots with a damp cloth. Be sure to get off all the foreign matter, so there is nothing to interfere with the waterproofing chemicals, and so you can inspect them for damage.

If a seam is coming undone, cut off any dangling threads. If the dangling thread catches on something, the seam will simply come undone that much faster. Depending on the extent of the damage and the cost of the boots, you might want to bring them to a cobbler for repairs, or simply apply extra shoe polish to hold the loose ends in place and to ensure that the seam is waterproof.

If your boots have gotten soaked, dry them out slowly. Rapid drying will make the leather parts shrink and pull away from the fabric parts and from the rubber sole. Pack the damp boots full of wadded newspapers, and replace the newspapers every few hours until the boots are dry.

In between hikes, a pair of shoe trees will help your boots to hold their shape. And this will be very important to your comfort on your next hike.

Resoling your Hiking Boots

If you have a good pair of backpacking boots, you can have the soles replaced when they wear out. This will cost anywhere from $40.00 to $80.00.

Hiking shoes or day-hiking boots are not worth resoling. Generally, the uppers will wear out as fast as the soles, but even if the uppers appear to be in good shape, the cost just doesn't make sense.

Look for an experienced cobbler in your town to resole your boots. There are services on the Web that will do this, too, but the shipping costs add considerably to the overall cost. The main benefit is that all such services guarantee their work. If you don't know a cobbler you can trust with your precious hiking boots, search for "boot resole" on the Web.

After your hiking boots have been resoled, they will be like a new pair. That means you must break them in again.

Knowing When your Hiking Boots are Worn Out

Inspect your hiking boots for wear, and recognize when it's time to replace them or, if they are worth it, to invest in major repairs.

The most obvious wear point is the tread. Sometimes the tread will be visibly worn, such that the cracks between the knobs of the tread are not deep enough to provide traction. On some hiking boots, you will discover that there are two layers within the sole, and after the softer portion wears through, you are walking on a harder inner portion that does not provide good traction on hard rock.

Another common wear point is the inside of the scree collar (the padding around the top that keeps pebbles out without chafing your Achilles tendon). If the lining has worn through and the foam padding has been exposed, your hiking boots must be repaired or replaced promptly.

Check the lining of the sole of your hiking boots. Very often, you will find a hole wearing through under your heel or toe. (Removable insoles can prevent this, but be sure to replace the insoles regularly.) Such a hole will soon begin causing blisters.

In some hiking boots, the uppers will begin to wear at the seams. You may find that the seams are coming apart very rapidly, as friction between the panels makes the fabric weaker, allowing even more movement and more friction.

Hiking shoes and day-hiking boots may fail by the sole separating from the uppers. If this happens before the shoes have begun showing other serious signs of wear, take it as a lesson: Avoid that brand in the future. If it happens in conjunction with other failures, well, it's just time for a new pair of hiking boots.

If your hiking boots contain both leather and fabric, you may find that the leather has slowly stretched from the constant tension of the laces. The fabric will begin to wrinkle as the leather stretches away from it. Once this begins, seam failure will soon follow.

Another problem with stretching leather is that your hiking boots may reach a point where you can no longer tighten them! I have only seen this once, on a pair of split leather day-hiking boots. (Hated to see them go.)

Full-grain leather, properly cared for, is almost indestructible. If not properly cared for, it will crack. There's not much you can do but replace the boots, and try to take better care of the next pair.

Conclusion

Take care of your hiking boots, and they'll take care of you. Keep them clean, waterproof them with the manufacturer's recommended waterproofing compound, and they will serve you for thousands of miles on the trail.

Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit [http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm]

X1 Football Helmet Incorporates New Technology to Protect Players From Concussions

A lot of attention has been paid to the dangers of concussions in football since the death of former NFL defensive back Andre Waters and the release of a report that indicated concussions were tied to depression in ex-NFL players. Those incidents have led the NFL to undertake several new initiatives and, across the nation, football programs from the high-school to professional levels are taking a more proactive approach to preventing head injuries. A former Harvard quarterback and his innovative company are also contributing to the cause with their newest invention - the X1 football helmet.

The X1 is the product of Xenith LLC, a company established in 2004 by Vincent Ferrara - a Harvard quarterback in the mid-90s and a graduate of Columbia's business and medical schools. Ferrara founded Xenith with the mission of advancing safety and activity through innovation and education, and the company is currently focusing most of its attention on finding ways to reduce concussions through new technology. Much of the technology Xenith has developed so far is featured in the X1, which incorporates an innovative head protection system not currently seen in any other helmet. The system is called Xenith Adaptive Head Protection(TM), and it's comprised of patent pending "Aware-Flow(TM) Shock Absorbers" and a new fitting method known as "Fit Seeker(TM)". According to Xenith, the combined effect of these two technologies is designed to reduce the risk and severity of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.

Here's how the system works: the X1 is equipped with 18 Aware-Flow Shock Absorbers embedded between the outer shell of the helmet and a flexible interior head piece. Each shock absorber is a lightweight, hollow disk made from thermoplastic urethane, with a small hole in the center that allows air to flow in and out. Unlike the foam in standard football helmets, the shock absorbers respond differently to high, medium and low impacts. The disks absorb a low-impact hit by slowly letting air out and compressing. But with a more forceful (high-impact) hit, air pressure inside the disk creates greater resistance - slowing down the speed at which the disks compress even further. The overall purpose of the X1's shock absorption system is to reduce the sudden movements of the head that often cause concussions. Meanwhile, the "Fit Seeker" component assures that the helmet doesn't go flying off during impact.

Recently, the X1 football helmet received approval from the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) - a nonprofit organization that commissions research and attempts to establish standards for athletic equipment. No word yet on whether the NFL is looking into this new technology, or when the X1 will be available for retail purchase.

You can find more information about Xenith and the technology involved in the X1 football helmet at http://www.xenith.com

Shad Connelly,
Executive Editor -
Invention & Technology News (http://news.inventhelp.com)

Fantasy Football Playoff Challenge Forecast

The NFL's regular season is over, but the fantasy football season continues. Hopefully your fantasy football team was successful this season, but if not, one more chance for redemption awaits you. And even if you tasted success, and won your league, the playoffs allow you one more opportunity for fantasy football glory. And to help you achieve that exaltation, here are our player rankings.

Player 1
1) Peyton Manning: Despite playing less than a full game in each of his final two contests, Manning was second in the NFL in completions, completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns (tied with Brett Favre). All that and his team was working on an undefeated season before essentially forfeiting their final two games.

2) Drew Brees: Brees set the NFL record for single-season completion percentage and led the NFL with 34 touchdown passes despite sitting out Week 17. If you believe the Saints' late-season struggles were just a blip on the radar, Brees is an excellent option.

3) Philip Rivers: Rivers never seems to get mentioned when the top quarterbacks in the league are mentioned, but fantasy football enthusiasts know plenty about him. His 104.4 quarterback rating for the season was third in the league, and he was in the top-10 in both passing yards and touchdown throws.

4) Tony Romo: Romo had a great season, coming in third in the NFL in passing yards, and he happens to be playing his best football right now. Dallas is the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and many pundits like them to make a run at the Super Bowl.

5) Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers was fourth in passing yards, passing scores and quarterback rating for this season, so there's no doubt he is one of the best in the game. Green Bay is the fifth seed as well, which means it's unlikely they'd be playing any home games. He's the ultimate boom-or-bust candidate in this group.

6) Brett Favre: Favre had a remarkable year in every way, and he ended the regular season with a flourish. You have to wonder, however, if the Vikings will gear up the running game more in the playoffs than they did towards the end of the regular season.

Player 2
1) Kurt Warner: We all saw what Warner could do last season if he got hot in the playoffs, and despite the Cards getting waxed by the Packers last week, it didn't seem like they gave their full effort, did it?

2) Donovan McNabb: McNabb was worse than his pedestrian numbers (20-of-36, no touchdowns, no interceptions) indicated last week against the Cowboys, as he missed a number of open receivers. That and the fact that Philly is the No. 6 seed in the NFC will lead some to be pessimistic about him for a postseason fantasy football run, but remember that Philly had won six in a row, and McNabb has led his team on a number of deep playoff runs.

3) Tom Brady: While we certainly believe the Patriots can make an extended playoff run, Brady is dealing with a plethora of problems. First and foremost are his busted bones - he reportedly has three cracked ribs and a broken index finger on his right (throwing) hand. Not to mention the fact that Brady has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in three of his last four games, and his leading pass-catcher, Wes Welker, tore up his knee and will miss the playoffs.

4) Joe Flacco: If you're looking for a sleeper candidate, Flacco may be your man. He doesn't put up huge numbers, but the Ravens have the running game and defense necessary to allow them to make an extended push in the playoffs, with Flacco doing enough to give you decent fantasy points along the way.

5) Carson Palmer: Really, Palmer and Mark Sanchez should be 6A and 6B, as neither is much of an option. Palmer was horrendous against the Jets last week, completing one of his 11 throws, for zero yards. New York is No. 1 in the NFL against the pass, but even if Cincy does beat them, Palmer won't give you much.

6) Mark Sanchez: Sanchez is the poorest passer among quarterbacks whose teams made it to the playoffs, and he should be treated as such here. Even a Super Bowl run for him may not produce equal numbers equal to two games from other quarterbacks in the playoffs.

Player 3
1) Adrian Peterson: Peterson led the NFL in rushing scores, and despite the fact he didn't have a 100-yard rushing game in the playoffs, his fantasy football value is beyond doubt, and there's reason to think that if the Vikings advance to the Super Bowl, he'll have a lot to do with it.

2) Ray Rice: Rice has huge value in this scoring format due to his pass-catching acumen, and if you believe that the Ravens can win at least one game, he may be worth choosing.

3) Joseph Addai: Addai doesn't rack up huge yards, but he was tied for ninth in the league with 10 rushing scores, catches the ball quite a bit, and also is on a team many think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

4) Thomas Jones: Jones has a tough go of it in the first round, against the Bengals' seventh-ranked run defense, and though he ran for two scores against them last week, he gained just 78 yards on 27 carries.

5) Ryan Grant: Grant is an excellent runner, and the Packers blew away the Cardinals last week, but his lack of receptions really hurts his value.

6) Cedric Benson: Benson will have to be most of the offense if Cincinnati is to advance in the postseason, but the Jets are a tough defense and there is no frame of reference for how he'll do against them because he sat out last week in their contest.

Player 4
1) LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson has the advantage of being the lead back on a team that very well could wind up in the Super Bowl. Still, he had just one game with at least 75 rushing yards this season and two games with more than two receptions.

2) Pierre Thomas: Thomas had a bruised rib which was part of the reason he didn't suit up last week, but it's not a serious injury. He's a do-it-all back whose only question mark is how many carries he'll get.

3) Marion Barber: Barber had a solid season, though he carried the ball 20 times just once, and not more than 17 in any of his last six games. On a positive note, he did manage 91 yards last week against the Eagles.

4) Reggie Bush: Bush is more of a slot receiver than a running back, but the Saints clearly have the ability to make the Super Bowl, and he could catch enough passes to make him a worthwhile option.

5) Beanie Wells: Wells is now the lead back on a Cardinals team that we all know is dangerous considering what they did last season, and that was without a running game that Wells now provides them.

6) Brian Westbrook: Westbrook is a real wild card, and though we're not high on him due to what could be limited usage, if the Eagles wind up making a solid postseason run, Westbrook could be a big part of that, especially catching the ball.

Player 5
1) Felix Jones: Jones' explosiveness is what makes him an attractive option in this group. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry this season, tying Jamaal Charles for the highest average of any back with at least 100 carries. He also catches a decent amount of passes and received at least 10 carries in each of his last four games.

2) Darren Sproles: Speaking of explosive, Sproles fits right into that category, and he's also a very good receiver out of the backfield, but he doesn't receive the amount of carries Jones gets.

3) Chester Taylor: Taylor is a solid player who totes the rock between 5-10 times per game with 2-4 catches per. He could have good value if you think the Vikings are Super Bowl-bound.

4) Willis McGahee: We all saw what McGahee could do in Baltimore's last game of the season, and it may surprise you to know that he tied for fifth in the NFL with 12 touchdown runs.

5) Donald Brown: If the Colts weren't as good as they were, Brown would be last on this list, but he can pick up points based simply on the fact he may play more games. But he's clearly second fiddle to Joseph Addai, and has battled injuries all year.

6) Tim Hightower: Hightower received double-digit carries just once in his final five games, and he isn't explosive with the ball in his hands. What he does bring is potential fantasy points due to his ability to catch the ball.

Player 6
1) Dallas Clark: Clark was fifth in the NFL in receptions this season, tying teammate Reggie Wayne with 100 passes caught. He also tied Wayne for seventh in the league in touchdown grabs with 10, and is the most reliable pass-catching tight end in football.

2) Reggie Wayne: Wayne's numbers nearly mirrored Clark's in every way but receiving yards, where he picked up 158 more. Yet he's behind Clark due to his slow end to the year. He had fewer than 50 receiving yards in five of his final six games.

3) Sidney Rice: Rice broke out this season to place fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,312 on 83 receptions for a robust average of 15.8 yards per catch. But with receptions so valuable in this fantasy football scoring format, he ranks behind both Indy players.

4) Antonio Gates: Gates is one of the best pass-catching tight end in the game, and arguably number one. He ended the season on a great note, catching a touchdown in each of his final four contests.

5) Vincent Jackson: Jackson started hot, slowed down, then got hot again, racking up 100 yards in two of his final three games. His inconsistency is a concern, especially with so few games in the postseason to make his mark.

6) Marques Colston: There's nothing wrong with selecting Colston, it's just that the Saints have so many weapons, you never can tell who will be the player Drew Brees goes to in any specific game.

Player 7
1) Randy Moss: Moss tied for the league lead in touchdown catches with 13, and without Wes Welker, the onus to do big things in the New England passing game falls squarely on him.

2) Miles Austin: No receiver is currently playing better than Austin right now, who is physically dominating his opponents. He gained 90 or more receiving yards in five of his last six games, and wound up third in the league in that statistic.

3) Larry Fitzgerald: One of the players tied with Moss for the most touchdown catches in the NFL was Fitzgerald, though all things considered, he had a bit of a disappointing season, especially where receiving yards are concerned - he ranked 17th in the NFL with 1,092.

4) DeSean Jackson: Jackson is capable of pretty much anything, but he ended the season with two games of fewer than 50 receiving yards, and plays a Cowboys team that held him in check in Week 17.

5) Greg Jennings: Jennings' four touchdowns on the season was a huge disappointment to fantasy football owners across the land, though he still gained over 1,100 yards. But it's hard to ignore his lack of trips to the end zone and the fact that he caught fewer than 70 passes on the year.

6) Chad Ochocinco: Ochocinco will have to go up against Darrelle Revis in the Bengals' opening playoff game, and Revis, combined with a knee bruise, held Ochocinco to zero catches and zero yards in Week 17.

Player 8
1) Jason Witten: Witten's 94 catches this season were ninth in the NFL, though he only scored twice - once in Week 2, and again in Week 17 - against the very same Eagles team he'll be facing this week.

2) Brent Celek: Celek has become a trusted option for Donovan McNabb, and has proven that all season, but especially in the final weeks. He's the only one that didn't seem to have the dropsies in Week 17 against the Cowboys, a game in which he had seven receptions for 97 yards.

3) Percy Harvin: Harvin is a home run hitter who can find the end zone any time he touches the ball. He'll also run the ball at least once per game, giving him further value. By no means is he a bad option, it's just that he may not get as many looks as some other players in this group. Unless you think the Vikings are headed to the Super Bowl; then, by all means, insert him in your lineup.

4) Anquan Boldin: Boldin is suffering from injuries to both his knee and ankle, and may not suit up for Arizona's initial playoff game, so check his status before employing him in your fantasy football lineup.

5) Donald Driver: Driver had six receptions for 65 yards in Week 17 against Arizona, but he hasn't had a big game since Thanksgiving, and ended the season with fewer than 80 receiving yards in nine of his last 10 games

6) Derrick Mason: Mason is as reliable as they come, but Baltimore will win by running the ball, and their prospects for going deep into the playoffs seem remote.

Player 9
1) Julian Edelman: Edelman takes over the Wes Welker role in the New England offense, and that means big things in this scoring format. For example, in Week 17 he was targeted a whopping 15 times and came up with 10 catches for 103 yards.

2) Jermichael Finley: Finley is on his way to becoming one of the league's elite tight ends, and he finished the season with a bang, gaining 80 receiving yards or scoring a touchdown (or both) in each of his final five games.

3) Pierre Garcon: Garcon battled a hand injury late in the year that stunted what was seemingly excellent growth throughout the season. He was really playing well in the middle of the year before this injury caught up to him, and he can be effective on a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.

4) Robert Meachem: Meachem was extremely hot in the middle of the year, catching a touchdown in five straight games from Weeks 9-13. He's only scored once since then, however, and gained at least 70 yards just once in his final seven contests.

5) Jeremy Maclin: Maclin, Philly's first-round pick this year, has had a very good rookie season, but he's behind both Brent Celek and DeSean Jackson on the depth chart, and had fewer than 50 yards in both of his meetings with Dallas this season, the team the Eagles will face in the first round of the playoffs.

6) Jerricho Cotchery: The Jets pound the rock on the ground to win their games, and despite the fact that Cotchery and Mark Sanchez clearly have a solid chemistry, he's really not worth using.

Player 10
1) Devery Henderson: It's a gamble placing Henderson here, but one that could really pay off. He gained 804 yards this season on 51 receptions, and is always a threat to make one or two huge plays per game.

2) Bernard Berrian: Berrian had a highly disappointing season for his fantasy football owners, but he's on a Vikings team that isn't afraid to use all of their options, and one that could make a significant postseason run.

3) Jeremy Shockey: Shockey has been battling an injury, and hasn't caught a pass since Week 14. Still, it's possible he comes up with a solid postseason effort, because everyone on the Saints is capable of doing so considering how much they spread the ball around.

4) Braylon Edwards: Edwards gained less than 50 receiving yards in six of his final seven games, but he has the capability to deliver. Still, it's difficult to believe in him, especially considering the Jets are the lowest seed in the AFC, and win by running the ball and defense.

5) Roy Williams: If Williams gets the opportunity, he's shown he can make some things happen, but whether he does or not is anyone's guess. He's extremely frustrating to fantasy football owners, and can't be trusted, even if his talent says he can.

6) Steve Breaston: Breaston has ceded catches and yards to Early Doucet, so unless it's found out that Anquan Boldin's injury is a serious one, you should leave him be.

Player 11
1) Austin Collie: With Pierre Garcon out, Collie flourished, catching a touchdown in three consecutive games from Weeks 13-15. He also had nearly 100 yards in Week 16 and is a promising threat to, at the minimum, give you fantasy points with receptions, if not huge yards.

2) Malcolm Floyd: Floyd actually picked up 776 receiving yards on the season, which was more than players like Pierre Garcon, Jeremy Maclin and Robert Meachem. The problem was he did it on just 45 catches, which hurts in this scoring format, and he found the end zone only one time.

3) Patrick Crayton: Crayton is option three or four on the Dallas depth chart, depending on if Roy Williams actually shows up. But he had a big game against the Eagles in Week 17, and shouldn't be completely discounted because of his low spot on the pecking order.

4) James Jones: Jones did more than you might think by the Packers this season. He caught just 32 passes, but gained 440 yards, and more importantly, caught five touchdowns, which was one more than teammate Greg Jennings.

5) Todd Heap: Heap caught two touchdowns in each of his game during Week 15 and 16, and while that meant gold if you had the cajones to use him during your fantasy football playoffs, it was a rare feat for him, and he's just as likely to pick up 30 yards on two catches.

6) Dustin Keller: Keller is a middling option who didn't catch more than three passes or gain even 35 yards in any of his final five games.

Player 12
1) Nate Kaeding: Kaeding tied David Akers for the league lead in field goals, and was one of just two players who made 25 or more kicks to make at least 90 percent of his tries. He's the best kicker on a team with realistic Super Bowl expectations.

2) Ryan Longwell: Longwell has the benefit of kicking indoors until/if he reaches the Super Bowl, which is a nice bonus. He also plays on a high-scoring team and led the NFL in extra points made.

3) Garrett Hartley: Hartley only played five games this season, and though he was 9-for-11 in field goals, he only attempted one kick from 40 yards and beyond, and missed that kick. Still, he's on a team with a potent offense, and could be kicking in three games, which means plenty of points.

4) David Akers: As mentioned, Akers was tied for the league lead in field goals made. But he's on the sixth-seeded team in the NFC, and it may be difficult for the Eagles to advance deep into the postseason. Still, they very well could win a game or two, possibly making Akers a worthwhile selection.

5) Stephen Gostkowski: Gostkowski is on a team that can put up a lot of points, and has at least one home game, but his problem is long-distance kicking - he made only seven of his 11 kicks from 40 yards or beyond.

6) Jay Feely: Feely wasn't always accurate, making just over 83 percent of his field goal tries, but he was tied for third in the league in kicks made. Still, there are other options in this group that are better simply because they are on better teams.

7) Mason Crosby: Crosby made only 75 percent of his kicks this season, which is the worst percentage in this group. And he was only 6-of-13 from 40 yards or beyond.

8) Shaun Suisham: Suisham is a solid kicker, but he and Hartley are the only ones in this group not to have made a 50 yarder, and Suisham played nine more games than Hartley.

Player 13
1) Colts: The defensive group is the most subjective, and essentially boils down to which team you believe will go the furthest, thereby offering you the most opportunity to rack up points. For that reason, we've simply ranked the teams by their playoff seed.

2) Chargers:

3) Patriots:

4) Bengals:

5) Jets:

6) Ravens:

Player 14
1) Saints: The defensive group is the most subjective, and essentially boils down to which team you believe will go the furthest, thereby offering you the most opportunity to rack up points. For that reason, we've simply ranked the teams by their playoff seed.

2) Vikings:

3) Cowboys:

4) Cardinals:

5) Packers:

6) Eagles:

NFL Visa Card Application

By now, you have probably seen the NFL Visa credit card commercials. Players like Tom Brady, the New England Patriots linemen, and Visa.com promoting the NFL.

There are two key promotions going on right now regarding the NFL Visa card, and the NFL promotion using the visa.com logo.

The first promotion which is offered by the NFL Extra Points Platinum Plus® Visa® Card is offering a $50 gift certificate good at the NFLshop.com, after your first qualifying purchase, plus a chance to earn rewards and points towards merchandise for your favorite NFL team. The NFL Visa credit card is offered by Bank of America (formerly MBNA), and features a 0% intro APR for the first full billing cycles on balance transfers and cash advances. In addition, there is no annual fee, and each dollar spent is equal to one reward point.

Whether you are looking for a Pittsburgh Steelers Visa card, or a Minnesota Vikings Visa card, you can choose your favorite team's logo to put on your NFL Visa credit card, when you apply for the NFL card. Not only do you get to display your favorite teams logo on your credit card, but as you spend money on your NFL Visa card you earn points. These points, which are redeemable for NFL merchandise, give you an opportunity to purchase your favorite teams jerseys, and other merchandise. This allows you a chance to almost double up on NFL promotions, as it is a Visa card, which also includes you in the NFL Visa.com promotion, which is outlined in the next paragraph.

The second promotion which is offered by visa.com, is an opportunity to win tickets to the Super Bowl, the Pro bowl, or the playoffs. There is no need to enter, all you need to do is use your Visa card between September 1st through December 31st 2008 and you will automatically be entered. Each time use your Visa card you will get another entry into this promotion. If you use your Visa card to pay for a bill, you will also get a bonus entry into the NFL Visa promotion.

Winners of the visa.com NFL promotion also get a chance to hang out with an NFL player throughout the game they win tickets for. The trip package also includes airfare, hotel stays and accommodations, and a $500 NFL themed gift card.

If you choose to apply for the NFL extra points Visa credit card, and use your credit card to pay bills, buy gas, get groceries, and more, you give yourself a chance to double up on NFL promotions, you can show up at an NFL playoff game, or even the Super Bowl with your team's logo draped around your back, inside your wallet and inside your home.

Learn more about the NFL Visa card, and apply securely online to start earning rewards towards merchandise at NFLshop.com

2008 NFL Mock Draft

The 2007 season has yet to begin for the National Football League. Creative minds have. Here's my super-early predictions for the draft, next April.

1. Oakland Raiders- Darren McFadden RB ARK

2. Detroit Lions- Calais Campbell DE MIA (Fla)

3. Minnesota Vikings- Brian Brohm QB LOU

4. Dallas Cowboys (Via Cleveland Browns)- Jake Long OT MICH

5. Arizona Cardinals- Glenn Dorsey DT LSU

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DeSean Jackson WR CAL

7. Houston Texans- Kenny Phillips S MIA (Fla)

8. San Francisco 49ers- Mario Manningham WR MICH

9. Miami Dolphins- Colt Brennan QB HAWAII

10. Atlanta Falcons- Frank Okam DT TEX

11. Tennessee Titans- Limas Sweed WR TEX

12. Buffalo Bills- Antoine Cason CB ARZ

13. St. Louis Rams- Jonathan Hefney S TENN

14. Kansas City Chiefs- Chad Henne QB MICH

15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Derrick Harvey DE/OLB FLA

16. Green Bay Packers- Dwight Lowery CB SAN JOSE

17. Jacksonville Jaguars- James Laurinitis LB OHIO STATE

18. Cincinnati Bengals- Dan Connor LB PENN STATE

19. Carolina Panthers- Sedrick Ellis DT USC

20. New York Giants- Rey Manualuga LB USC

21. Philadelphia Eagles- Malcolm Jenkins CB OHIO STATE

22. Seattle Seahawks- Barry Richardson OT CLEMSON

23. New York Jets- Chris Long DE UVA

24. Dallas Cowboys- Adarius Bowman WR OKLAHOMA STATE

25. Washington Redskins- Tyson Jackson DE LSU

26. San Diego Chargers- Brandon Flowers CB VaTech

27. New Orleans Saints- Vince Hall LB VaTech

28. Indianapolis Colts- Quentin Groves DE/OLB AUBURN

29. Denver Broncos- Tom Zbikowski S NOTRE DAME

30. Chicago Bears- Erin Henderson LB MARYLAND

31. Baltimore Ravens- Xavier Adibi LB VaTech

32. New England Patriots- Mike Hart RB MICH

The 2008 NFL Draft takes place next year live on ESPN and ESPN 2.

This article 2008 NFL Mock Draft is brought to you by my partner Jabari at the NFL Draft Notebook.

Football Terminology - Tight End Passing Routes

These routes and names being taught are according the West Coast offensive scheme (Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Bucanneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers). This information is not meant to replace the terminology or execution that may be taught by a High School, Junior High, or Pop Warner coach. However, every single pass receiving route taught today on the amateur and professional level is derived from the same basic concepts. Therefore, I encourage you to implement these techniques because they will greatly enhance your route running ability.

Passing Tree Routes

Middle spot - Designed to be usually a 3rd read for the Quarterback. The most important coaching tip for this route is making sure you stop directly over the ball, 5-6 yards deep. Do not drift or slide until you make contact with the QB.

Drag - This is West Coast Offense terminology for a route ran into the flat. A big mistake young players and even coaches make in utilizing this route, is that they bow or round the route. This only makes the Tight End easier to defend. The key coaching tip on this route is to pick a point on the near sideline about 3-5 yards past the line of scrimmage, and then run as straight as you can to that point.

Stick - A simple 5 yard out. This route can be run various ways depending on coverage, but in this case you will practice this route if you are in man coverage.

Coaching tips:

- Get a good release off the ball

- At 4-6 yards past the line of scrimmage stick, plant and break the route with your inside foot and then run away from the defender slightly downhill. You should expect to catch the ball 3-4 yards deep.

Middle Cross/Flanker Drive - Another name for a 10-12 yard "in" route.

Coaching Tip:

- Make the first 10 yards look like you are on a Go or Seam route. At 10-12 yards fake an outside break, then plant, break, and cut with your outside foot. Once you hit your break, run slightly downhill. You should expect to catch the ball 8-10 yards deep.

Option/Hook - This route is designed to take advantage of the leverage a defender will give you. If he is playing out side you will break inside. If the defender is playing you with inside leverage, you will break the route outside.

Coaching Tip:

- Make sure you widen the defender at least 2-4 yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your route. This will create separation and give the defender an opportunity to commit inside or outside leverage.

Deep Dig - The West Coast Offense uses this route in 3rd and long situations. The route is ran similar to the Option/Hook but at 13-15 yards past the line of scrimmage. Like the Option/Hook route, you must get width in your initial 5 yards to widen the defender.

Shallow Cross- An underneath route designed to take advantage of Linebackers and 1 on 1 coverage. Make sure you get a good release off the line of scrimmage. Initially angle your route until you get to 4 yards deep, at that point give a little head fake like you are going to go up field, then break your route across the field. You will most likely expect to catch the ball where the opposite tackle will be.

Seam/Go - The foundation of all pass routes. The key is beating the man in front of you. Get a good release of the line of scrimmage and the first person to the 15 yard line wins!

Coaching Tip:

- Make sure you widen the defender at least 2-4 yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your route. This will create separation from you and the Middle Linebacker and give you an opportunity to catch the ball between your man and the Free Safety. You will usually catch the ball 10-17 yards down-field.

Middle Cross/Flanker Drive (Middle Closed) - In some instances when a Tight Runs a Middle Cross the Middle Linebacker will pick you up in coverage. Rather than trying to beat him across the field after your break, run towards him a good 2-3 steps and turn back the direction you came an run an out route. An unstoppable play if read correctly by the receiver and QB.

Skinny Post - This play works magic against a cover 2. This play is run when the Safeties are jumping the Flag route.

Coaching Tips:

- Make sure you widen the defender at least 2-4 yards during the initial 4-5 yards of your route. This will create separation from you and the Strong Side Linebacker, leaving room to run the Post.

- At 10 to 12 yards pas the line of scrimmage, take 1-2 steps like you are running a Flag, then cut, plant, break with your outside foot and run a Post. DO NOT RUN TOWARD THE SAFETY, he will light you up if you catch the ball. After your cut, stay in the inside shoulder of the defender.

In some cases you may feel like you are running a Seam if the safeties are tight together.

China - This route is designed to take advantage of Linebackers that jump the Drag route. The mechanics of this route are the same as the Drag, but after 3-4 steps into the Drag, stop and comeback to the QB. Do not reverse pivot or spin out of the route. You simply just have step, plant, and cut.

Deep Middle - This route is designed to take advantage of the Middle Linebacker in the Tampa Cover 2.

Coaching Tips:

- For the first 5-6 steps make this route look like a Shallow Cross.

- Once you get to where the play side Offensive Guard would be then break your route up field, and then sit and break your route at 10-12 yards directly over the ball.
Seattle - This is West Coast Version of the Flag route. The only difference is the angle after the break. In a Flag the Tight End will try to keep the route high towards the back corner pylon in the end zone. The Seattle route however, is run flatter after the break to try to get under the Safety. In some cases, the route can almost look like a 10 yard out route.

Flag - Designed to expose Man or Cover 2 coverage.

Coaching Tips:

- Make your break at 10-12 yards. Do not break your route too early. Make the defender think you going on a "Go" route for a touchdown, then break into a flag...

- On your break, cut with your outside foot, take two steps like you are running a Post, then break it back into a flag with your inside foot. After the break run towards the back corner pylon. Stay "skinny" and up field.

Casey Poppinga is a former NFL Tight End that writes for the fooball training & coaching site TouchdownSkills.com.

The Top Five NFL Stadiums

A good football stadium can make even a losing game not seem like a total loss. If you're not a fan of one of the top teams in the NFL then at least you may be a fan who gets to watch games in one of the top stadiums the NFL has to offer. Out of all 31 stadiums the NFL teams play in, one man went out and ranked them from best to worst. Thanks to Dan Pompei you can have an idea of where you'd like to view a game.

Coming in first was Qwest Field belonging to the Seattle Seahawks. The stadium offers a beautiful view of Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the Seattle Skyline. From various points in the stadium a fan can view these attractions, along with the game. How does it get any better? The field isn't far from downtown Seattle so a fan does not have to go far to do some pre and post game partying.

The second best stadium belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Raymond James Stadium has a layout all its own. From the palm trees in the end zone to the flags along the top of the stadium, this place really stands out. The north end zone also sports a 103 foot long pirate ship in Buccaneer Cove is what really separates this stadium from the rest. And for those fans who love sun, every part of the stadium gets it so no one is left in the dark.

Coming in third is Houston's Reliant Stadium. Since the dome is made from a fiberglass fabric, sun is a natural star in this stadium. Enough light is allowed in the stadium for it to have natural grass which the players seem to love and the game will be fun to watch whether the dome is open or closed.

In fourth place is Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. Ranked by Dan as the best indoor stadium ever, the brick and exposed duct work make this stadium feel like a trendy oversized loft that was converted from an oversized factory. With a seven story atrium and a connection to Hudson's warehouses, Ford Field was built like more of a workplace than a football stadium. Thanks to the Ford family, the field has really invigorated Detroit's downtown area.

And finally, in fifth place comes Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. With this stadium do you not only get to view a good football game but you can also travel a few minutes to view the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. Even the architects felt they should let fans see some of the city by creating gaps in the seating bowl where fans can look upon downtown Cleveland. Also, with all of the glass in the stadium, a fan doesn't have to feel as confined as in other stadiums where all they see are other fans and the game.

Bob is with EZ Ticket Search providing premium seating in the secondary market. NFL Tickets and Super Bowl Tickets can be purchased online. Visit my blog EventOutlet.com to read more NFL articles.

Late Season NFL Betting

Betting during the last week of the NFL season isn't for the novice football bettor. Week 17 of the NFL brings chaos for many bettors every year. This is because the NFL teams in contention to make playoffs or they are already in the playoffs with their home filed locked up causing some serious situations to arise in which there is no motivation to win the game.

That being said, the teams who have the home field locked up and have nothing to gain will almost always sit their starters for the whole game or half of the game at minimum. An example would be week 17 of the 2005/2006 season in which the Seattle Seahawks opened as a minus 2 favorite at Lambeau field vs. The Green Bay Packers. Quickly the line dropped and started going in Green Bay's favor with a whopping 7 ½ point move all the way to -5.5 at game time.

A novice better would not be aware of the fact that both the quarterback along with the rest of the starters and major cogs would be sitting after the first or second series of the game would view this as a dream line with Seattle getting 5.5 points. The bettor naturally can't contain himself and therefore throws down a whopper on Seattle. But all the while the Packers are the value play here in spite of having to lay the points. Seattle then has no motivation to win and they want to protect the starters health for the playoffs so this then puts them in a poson that causes them not to give a care if they lose the game.

We hope you are better educated to think before betting on fishy lines at the end of the NFL football season in the future. Always do you research and read the game previews to help know if a team is fighting for playoff position has thrown in the towel or is going to be sitting their starting players. It will make a huge difference and better help you to explain the line because something one will figure out rather quickly when betting is if it looks to good true than mostly it is!

Jarred writes about NFL Picks, NFL Football Betting and College Football Betting at Maddux Sports.

NFL Sports Fans Are Notorious For Their Passion

Fans of NFL football are among the worlds most devoted sports fans and are relentless in their team devotion. Although there is no one factor that accounts for why NFL fans love their teams, for fans of the game, there are enough reasons to set aside at least one day per week for gathering in excitement while watching the game, whether live in the stadium or live on the big screen TV.

Some of the reasons why NFL teams attract the ultimate sports fans include entertainment, escape, gambling, family, group belonging, self-esteem, and just getting worked up about whether the future holds a win or a loss. Most of these reasons belong to all fans, but some are more motivating than others. According to researchers, team devotion is the main reason NFL fans devote themselves to the game. Football fans are some of the craziest out there and if you have a ticket to a live game, you will more than likely witness their antics if you get close seats to the more fanatic sections of the stadium.

NFL sports fans are notorious for their passion, even in the worst of economic conditions. In addition to following the game live, fans are very active online, and they're not just consuming sports information, they're creating it too through forums and blog commenting. Such online social media arenas enable NFL fans to gather together and share the latest news and talk about the games.

Like with most major sports around the world, owning a team jersey is important part of being a fan. No matter which team they like, NFL fans are usually desperate to own and wear their team's jersey, especially with their favorite player's name and number on it. Such souvenir jerseys are handed down from generation to generation and become family tradition. Whatever the reason for loving NFL sports, and whatever team is attracting the fans to the tailgate or the TV, this sport is truly an American sports fan tradition.

Win Prizes For Being A Sports Fan http://www.fanranker.com

University of Idaho Vandals Had One Football Player Taken in the 2010 NFL Draft

The University of Idaho Vandals had one player taken in the 2010 NFL Draft and that one player is Mike Iupati who played guard for the Vandals and hopes to win a starting offensive line position with the San Francisco 49ers after the bay area team selected him with the number 17 overall pick in the first round.

The University of Idaho football team competes in the Western Athletic Conference which is commonly referred to by the acronym WAC. As a frame of reference the WAC had a total of five players out of 255 2010 NFL Draft selections come from the mid major conference. By comparison the Southeastern conference which is commonly shortened to SEC had 49 players represented in the 2010 NFL Draft, nearly ten times as many as the lowly Western Athletic Conference.

Mike Iupati was the first player from the WAC chosen in the 2010 NFL Draft and was considered one of the top prospects at his position in all of college football entered the primetime nationally televised event held in Radio City Music Hall in New York City. There were only three offensive lineman selected head of Iupati in a draft that saw a total of 38 offensive linemen taken. At 6'5" 330 pounds Iupati has the right build for an NFL offensive guard.

Before playing in four seasons of college football for the Vandals Mike was born and raised in the south pacific in American Samoa and spent his high school years with his family in Anaheim, California. In part due to arriving in the United States later in life and also having scholastic issues as a result of trying to pick up English as a second language (his native tongue is Samoan) Mike did not have the array of college scholarship choices that are normally associated with NFL first round selections.

Through hard work, persistence, and a bit of luck Iupati found his way onto the University of Idaho football team in 2006. After persevering through setbacks that included a surgically repaired shoulder Mike eventually flourished into a dominant interior offensive lineman who finally gained national attention as a senior.

In 2009 the Idaho Vandals had one player taken in NFL draft. Eddie Williams was selected in the seventh and final round by the Washington Redskins. Prior to Tight end Eddie Williams being selected the University of Idaho had the bitter sweet distinction of producing Mr. Irrelevant for the 2008 NFL Draft. Mr. Irrelevant is the title given to the very last player selected in the NFL Draft. In 2008 that player was David Vobora, a linebacker from Idaho.

Kim, the author of this article, wonders if Mike Iupati will buy a University of Idaho golf bag and join his future teammates on the 49ers for occasional rounds of golf. While golf isn't normally an offensive lineman sport Mike does have the rare opportunity to represent his school with an Idaho University golf bag amongst groups of golfers in the fraternity that is the NFL.

Football Wall Art - Kick It Up A Notch, Right Onto Your Walls

A sport that attracts more than thousands of people has an equal number of Football wall art customers. The art is a collection of paintings, posters, murals filled with football related moments, players or objects. For a football fan, he might want to decorate his room in a theme that talks about his love for the game. He might have a couple of football wall art of his favorite teams, a football signed by a leading player and a couple of caps with names of various famous players. All the football wall art is to let the visitors know of his passion for the game and reflect his personality as well. It is not simply a poster on the wall, but it means more to the person and is a way of them having a piece of that sport or event in his life.

Just like for a cricket fan, the autographed T-shirt or a sweaty T-shirt thrown to him post the match means a lot, for a football fan too they have special meanings. For a person who has attended a football playoff and got the autograph from their lead quarterback, he would be proud to show it off at his home or office. It would be something he is likely to cherish for the rest of his life. There are children who love to have a room that is filled with colours, pillows, paint and everything done up in their favorite teams' colour. They might even have a flag of their team, a few T-shirts and caps with player's signature or initials on them. All this is their way of creating an identity for themselves.

For a person crazy about a sport and wanting a piece of it, football wall art is the only option. A Pittsburg Steelers jersey or a Florida Gators photo frame would also make for ideal memorabilia to collect and display. Some go to the extent of picking up bed linen with their team's color and logo on it. For someone aspiring to be a famous golf player, having a painting or portrait of Tiger woods would be a source of inspiration for them. They might get motivated and want to perform better, practice more to get good at the sport. One can also create their own art with pictures they have collected over the years and put them up on their room wall or door.

Football wall art also includes murals done on walls in houses and other buildings depicting a famous moment that is remembered by all. It could be a huge catch that saved the match or the last touch down that helped win the Super Bowl championship. Or simply a painting of the player who led the team to its victory after many years or playing but tasting only defeat. Football art is very popular around the world and among all sports fans who love to display their love for a sport through paintings, wall hangings and even photo frames.

Article written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of http://www.skyfireproducts.com. Please check out these links Sports Wall Art [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-template/wallart/Page] & Sports Page [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-template/sportsindex/Page]

Super Bowl Venues

Majority of the Super Bowl games that were held were played in one of the three most frequent cities that were used as the game's venue so far. These three cities are New Orleans in Louisiana, the Greater Miami Area and the Greater Los Angeles Area. In fact 25 out of the 41 games that were ever played were held in one of these three cities. New Orleans and the Greater Miami Area have been the Super Bowl venues for nine times each and the Greater Los Angeles area has been the game's venue for seven times. Following these would Florida, Tampa and San Diego, which have hosted the Super Bowl thrice each.

Some of the stadiums where the Super Bowl was held are Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Miami Orange Bowl, Tulane Stadium, Rice Stadium, Rose Bowl, Louisiana Superdome, Tampa Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium and a lot more.

The venue for the Super Bowl games is usually chosen by the National Football League or NFL around 3 to 5 years prior to the game actually being held. Typically, different cities place their bids to be able to host the Super Bowl. After the bids have been received, the NFL owners have a meeting to select, decide and finalise the location. The venues for the next 4 years of the Super Bowls have already been decided, up to 2011 Super Bowl XLV. There was also a suggestion made by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in October of 2007 that there could be a Super Bowl which would be played in London.

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Chicago Bears - Urlacher Trade?

The Chicago Bears are one conservative NFL team. Maybe it is their part of NFL history. Maybe the Chicago Bears are just built to stand pat while other NFL teams wheel and deal. However, the Chicago sports stations are tossing the idea that Brian Urlacher may be traded.

The idea that the Chicago Bears would trade their poster boy, the NFL player that most exemplifies what the Chicago Bears stand for, and could be a throwback to an earlier NFL or Chicago Bears day, seems jarring. #54 seems the type of player that would play his entire career with the Chicago Bears, have his number retired on a Monday Night, the whole shebang.

However, the team, although brass does not want to admit as much, could be headed for a rebuilding period, which is not what Chicago Bears fans want to hear. The Bears' Super Bowl appearance was just over a year ago, but it seems more like a decade. The Bears are in disarray, especially on offense. They need all kinds of NFL Draft help, and they even resigned Rex Grossman to ensure future meltdowns on offense.

Indeed, now could be the right time to move Brian Urlacher. His trade value, provided he is healthy, will never be higher, and the draft picks returned could yield big jack in the upcoming NFL Draft. It sounds like sacrilege, but it may be the difference from getting out of the darkness, and staying in the middle of the NFL pack for years to come.

[http://www.fastbreakblog.com]

Watch Live NFL Football - How To Watch NFL Football For Free?

NFL fans should have wondered if there is actually a way to watch NFL football for free. In this information technology era, that is not impossible. Watching NFL football online could be the answer for NFL fans, who are searching for a way to watch their favorite game for free.
Free does not mean that they will not spend money to achieve that.

What does free really means?

Considering the fact that the software you need to watch NFL games online requires only a low one time payment for unlimited lifetime access, you could say that it is literally free.

Not to mention the fact that you can save the money you pay for your monthly TV subscription. Saving $500 is not unachievable.

what are the other advantages?

• Subscribers are getting access to more than 3,000 channels and 1,500 radio stations


• Users are allowed to watch the NFL games they missed by using the on demand feature


• It is accessible anywhere in the world as long as there is a reliable internet connection


• Subscribers are given access to unlimited download


• 
  


• Treat it as your portable satellite TV receiver since there is a way to connect a PC or laptop to a TV by using a TV-PC card

I personally like the on demand feature because i might miss some NFL games when i have business to deal with. What if we see from other funs that users can actually get not only being able to watch NFL, but TV shows, movies, soccer, music videos, and more.
Certainly for a NFL fans, the other does not matter, however it is worth considering since it is the value of the offer.

I will never have to worry about not being able to watch my favorite NFL team anymore while being on vacation.

I certainly hope i have shared a valuable information. Please visit Watch NFL Football For Free for more details about the software.