Riddell Football Helmets - The Football Favorite

The head is one of the most crucial parts of the body. This is where our brain is lodged and as we all know, the brain allows for all proper body functions to follow suit. The worst that can happen when the brain is damaged is that motor functions will be affected such as walking and even eating. A person can risk losing permanent control of his motor system if it happens that he accidentally damages his brain. This is the reason why people always make it a point to have some protection on their heads especially when undergoing rigorous activities.

One of the most rigorous activities known to people is American football. Just thinking of the hard packed action brought about by tackling is more than enough to consider that sport as rigorous. It really is something that only tough people can handle. However, despite people being tough and all to be able to play American football, there still remains the fact that the head can only be as tough as a person's skull can provide protection for it. Thus, football helmets are deemed extremely necessary. Regardless of how talented and how skilled a player is in football, without a helmet he would still be not allowed to enter the game field.

Riddell football helmets capitalize the innovation and uniqueness of its football designs. Above all else, this particular football helmet banks on its capacity to be able to protect the toughest players during the toughest football games. Riddell football helmets have a very unique design and feature which is continuously being developed through research and quality feedbacks from users. Aside from these, Riddell football helmets also rely on the latest scientific researches when it comes to head injuries so that they can surely provide players with safe and protective head gear.

An example of this is the recent effect of some new results found out about head injuries. Spearheaded by the charities of NFL, it was discovered that majority of the head concussions which players can possibly experience while playing football are actually caused by side impacts on the head. The usual notion was that the top or front of the head is the sensitive part when it comes to head concussions. From these substantial results, Riddell football helmets have developed a new line of products in the hopes of providing upgraded protection to football players.

The newest product which Riddell football helmets came out with is the RevolutionT. This particular helmet is developed to particularly minimize the risks involved in becoming a victim of head concussions. The helmet has been systematically designed via a computer and the structural changes are noteworthy of this helmet in the past 25 years of football playing. Moreover, the RevolutionT from Riddell football helmets will not just be available for professional NFL players. The new line is also set to be available to college and high school football players as well as other athletes from youth leagues. The helmet was also formed in partnership with Biokinetics and Associates.

Article Riddell Football Helmets [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-NFL-Football/Categories] is written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of skyfireproducts.com

Bike Riding Jerseys Boost Capability

Cycling has grown in popularity and fortunately, the importance of appropriate cycling gear has become appreciated. A quality riding jersey designed solely for cycling is particularly important for occasional and dedicated bikers alike. Wholesale jerseys mall shops and internet sites feature a vast array of styles fashions. The cyclist will find that jerseys wholesalers stock not only name brands like "Pearl Izumi" but lots of quality styles from sportswear designers too. Bicyclists need to comprehend three fundamental aspects of the jersey so that they can choose the best design for themselves.

First, freedom of movement is essential to a top-notch jersey. Biking means vigorous and repetitive motion and the jersey should allow unrestricted arm and shoulder action. Upper arms and cuffs should fit comfortably and snugly. The material should be lightweight, but contour the body closely - who wants to be barreling down a hill with jersey flying or, whoops, an surprise exposure?

The second quality to look for from wholesale jerseys is comfort. While the fabric should be light, for cool weather riding, the jersey should be long-sleeved and cozy. In any climate, wicking, or the process of transporting sweat from the body to the outside air to allow cooling is vital. Ventilation is likewise a consideration - for example, many riding jerseys will have front zippers so that the wearer can control the breeze. Another element of ease is the presence of pockets for small gear, usually featured on the back of the jersey.

The third quality to remember when considering the selection of wholesale jerseys is freedom from risk. Why are the inventories of jerseys' wholesalers replete with bright purple, orange, royal blue, lime green colors; patterns with checks, lines, dots, logos, photographs; and reflective fabrics? Because before all else, the cycling jersey must furnish risk avoidance and risk avoidance; in the biking arena, that means standing out. Every two-wheeler from amateur to champion has to be certain she can be easily spotted and safely avoided by other drivers on the roads. The jersey's shades and designs may also be needed for uniforms, but the first critical function is the well-being of the cyclist.

Consumers should look for flexibility, comfort and visibility in their selection of cycling jersey. You will pedal more competently with the suitable jersey on your back.

I have a great interest in wholesale jerseys such as NBA jersey, soccer jersey and NFL jersey. As a famous jersey wholesaler, I have engaged in this line for more than 10 years. I am glad to share experiences of wholesale jersey with you.

College Football Mayhem - Flagrant Helmet-to-Helmet Shots Need to Stop Before Someone Gets Killed

I watch college football because it is rough, tough, exciting and fun. The parity in college football today means no team is safe from being upset on any game day. I do not watch college football because it is beyond vicious.

After seeing Washington's quarterback Jake Locker take a helmet-to-helmet shot against the Oregon State Beavers Saturday (11-10-07), my emotions ran the gamut from concern to anger to outrage to action.

No penalty was even assessed for the flagrant shot. Not only should a penalty have been assessed for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct, the offending player should have been immediately ejected.

This kind of illegal hit is not tolerated in professional football because the player is defenseless when hit. Why it is even tolerated and celebrated in college football is beyond me.

I do not care if the hit was considered inadvertent or intentional. It does not matter. That flagrant hit could have cost Jake Locker his career, it could have paralyzed him for life, or even killed him if he suffered a broken neck.

This kind of barbaric tackling is not football as much as controlled, intentional mayhem. It was not that long ago that some coaches gave bounties for these kinds of hits, especially when the star player on the opponent's team was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Oregon State players have developed a reputation for extreme play. In this particular game, won by the Beavers 29-23, the officials appeared to have lost control of the game as more taunting, pushing and shoving resulted in 3 more Beavers and 1 Husky being kicked out of the game.

I am not consoled by the fact that the Beaver player who delivered the savage hit apparently apologized and was praying for Locker later. It might have allowed the player in question to throw off any feeling of guilt about the hit, but any amount of praying would not have helped one iota if Locker had been paralyzed or killed as a result of the hit.

These flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits have to stop. Period. Do not spend your precious time trying to convince me these hits are inadvertent. Nine out of 10 players do not even try to tackle players anymore. They throw their bodies at them, hoping to knock them over.

Tackling might be taught in spring training but it is seldom exercised on the field anymore. Why do you think we are getting scores like 74-62 and 73-68 (these are real scores from real games). Defenders are using their bodies as missiles to bring people down.

Instead of secretly rewarding players for helmet-to-helmet shots, coaches need to bench players who use the tactic to bring down players. Even if rules committees do not allow the tactic, coaches have to implement and enforce the rule to bring it to an end. Some coaches only seem to care if it is their player who is on the receiving end of a vicious helmet-to-helmet attack.

There have been enough tragic, career-ending injuries in football at all levels when playing fair without escalating the sport to mayhem with purposeful, flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits.

Please do not give me this crap about inadvertent helmet-to-helmet hits. A player can just as easily aim his head at the runner's midsection or legs as his head if that is how he wants to tackle someone.

When is the last time you saw a running back get past the line of scrimmage in the open at his 30-yard line and then run with his head down 70 yards toward the end zone? When is the last time you saw a receiver catch the ball on his 30 and run with his head down 70 yards for a touchdown?

When you do a helmet-to-helmet hit you have to instantaneously calculate coordinates, lower your head to projectile position and launch yourself into your target. There are no accidental helmet-to-helmet hits.

Later that same night I saw on a football wrap-up program that Hawaii's outstanding quarterback Colt Brennen was on the receiving end of a vicious helmet-to-helmet. I am sure the intention was to maim Brennen so he could not stand up straight. Just like Locker, Brennen could have become instantly paralyzed or even killed by the action.

How stupid does this look for a college sport to be potentially killing its players? The NCAA needs to take its feet off of the counter, stop counting how much money its empire is generating, and address this issue with authority. The NCAA has no problem being a major nuisance on little stuff, how about tackling the bigger issue of its players' safety?

If the NCAA ever had to open its books as a non-profit corporation and come clean on how much money they are generating for themselves, their faces would be redder than the sea of red among Nebraska fans at a Cornhusker football game.

It almost goes without saying that I was disappointed that Washington lost its away game to Oregon State, lost its chance at a bowl game, and is now facing its 4th straight losing season.

The unnecessary, flagrant helmet-to-helmet shot on Jake Locker only added to Washington's struggle to turn its program around.

Instead of calling for Coach Ty Willingham's head and the heads of his Washington coaching staff, how about saving Locker's head and every other player's head who has needlessly suffered from an unconscionable, flagrant helmet-to-helmet hit?

Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley

Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. My intention is to inform, educate, delight and motivate you the reader.

Read my articles on "How to Predict When Teams Are Overrated and Due for an Unexpected Loss", "The Sagarin Ratings: What They Are, How to Read Them and What to Do With Them" and my 14 consecutive weekly wrap-up articles on the 2007 College Football Season.

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

Throwing The Perfect Football Pass

While football is considered one of America's greatest pastimes, few know the secrets of throwing the ball properly. A proper football pass is a perfect spiral delivered directly to the target. With that in mind, this article will attempt to explain some methods that actual football coaches use to teach their quarterbacks the right way to throw.

When trying to throw the perfect spiral, there are three things that you need to consider: the positioning of your hand, the release of the ball, and the timing of the whole pass movement. As far as gripping the football goes, many coaches recommend that you grip the ball with your ring finger placed on the first lace of the football. Your pinky should also grip the laces, and the best positioning for the pinky is between the next two laces up from the first. This usually varies from player to player, due to hand size and preference. For instance, Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles is a highly respected quarterback who keeps his fingers on laces one and four, respectively.

When it comes to the actual throw of the ball, it's recommended that you hold the ball with as tight of a grip as possible. This tends to aid the spiral's spin, making it easier to catch for the receiver. After pulling back for the throw, you're going to want to make sure that you are on your last step before you take the throw is with the foot that you are throwing with. Simply put, if you are throwing with your right hand, your right foot should be forward. One little trick that many coaches use to help their players develop aim in their throws is to point at where they want to throw with the big toe of their leading foot. This helps the body to rotate properly and to ensure a throw in the right direction. When it comes to releasing the ball, you should release when your wrist is cocked at a 90 degree angle from your upper arm. Immediately after releasing the throw, flick your wrist in a downward direction. This causes the ball to spin, and when done properly can result in a perfect spiral throw.

Now that you can see some of the basics of getting a good throw down, it's time to practice. Just be sure to watch what is going wrong when you try to make a pass so that you can better correct the problem in the future. It's all just a process of getting your body used to doing the proper motion.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Sport's Source, About Games [http://everythingaboutgames.net/], and Totally Traveling

BCS Football Standings Screwups - 2003 and 2004

The 2003 college football season was the first really controversial season for the Bowl Championship Series. Three teams: LSU, Oklahoma, and USC had only one loss and had every right to play in the championship game. BCS ranked USC third in the final polls despite gaining the top spot in both the AP and Coaches' polls. However, by being third in the BCS, they were left out of the final game. USC's win secured a share of the national title, but they were forced to share it with LSU automatically won the Coaches' poll by winning the BCS National Championship.

The next year, 2004, drew an even bigger dilemma. Three teams from BCS conferences all ended the season undefeated. USC won the Pac 10; Oklahoma won the Big 12, and Auburn won the SEC. Although the SEC was thought to be the toughest conference that year, Auburn was not highly rated at the beginning of the season, and never passed USC or OU in the BCS rankings. This left undefeated Auburn without a chance to play for the national title. USC then demolished OU 55-19, and the AP voted them number one, and Auburn was not even given a share of the title. Auburn ran through a gauntlet in the SEC, remained undefeated and was not even given an opportunity to play for the championship. Auburn went on to beat Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl to finish the season undefeated. Utah also went undefeated in 2004, but since they were from the smaller Mountain West Conference, they were overshadowed by the other three teams.

Auburn's biggest problem was they didn't look good enough in spring practice. Despite the BCS trying to limit preseason perceptions, USC and OU started the season number one and two, respectively, in the AP and Coaches' Polls, which count for two thirds of the BCS formula. Auburn began number 17 in the AP and 18 in the Coaches' poll. Despite winning all their games, they were never able to jump either USC or OU, and therefore shut out of the big game.

Bill Parks is a college football writer. He is the chief editor for a site which calculates BCS Rankings. For more great information on the BCS Football Standings visit http://www.whatifbcs.com

Fundametals of Coaching Youth Football

1) Understand the Game - It's imperative that your team understands the basic rules and tactics of the game of football. And that has to start at the top - YOU.
If you really explore our site, you'll find a wealth of information all in one place on subjects such as football plays, drills, fundamentals and much more.

You should also seek out books on coaching football, attend football clinics, watch football games on TV and talk to other coaches with more experience. Search out information through as many sources as you can.

2) Character - If you want your players to carry themselves with a high moral code, you need to show them the way. You must show them what a true role model is. How do you do this?

Start by being consistent. When you say you're going to do something, be sure you follow through with it. Be sure your team always sees you under control no matter the situation. Show your team that any situation can be handled by staying in control of your emotions.

That doesn't mean you have to sacrifice any of your fire or intensity. It just means handling all the things that come up in practice and games without flying off the handle. If the coach can't show character, how can the players be expected to?

Character is also shown when you can admit you're wrong when you make mistakes. Your team will develop much more respect for you if you apologize when you make mistakes rather than trying to set yourself above the standards you expect of them. It's OK when this happens. You're human and we all make mistakes. Just don't try to cover them up or hide from them. You'll be amazed what that'll mean to your players.

3) Communication - Seek out all the info you can to improve your communication skills.

4) Make it Fun - Being able to enjoy the process is vital to a team's success. If practice is all drudgery and no fun, you'll lose your players quickly. Strive to strike a balance between serious learning and a laugh or two.

Allow for a little humor when mistakes are made. When players want to laugh and get loose once in awhile, take it as a sign that they're having fun, not that they're being disrespectful. Keep practices fun and keep all players involved in the process.

5) Be Positive - Nothing will kill your players more than a negative attitude. A positive attitude will keep you above the competition.

Yes, bad things will happen. Your players will make mistakes at the absolute worst times. You'll make bad calls or decisions. Above all else, keep things in a positive light and move on. The only things you can control are you attitude and your actions. Everything else is outside of your control, so don't get negative when those things upset you.

Make sure your experience coaching football is an over-all positive one for both you and your players.

Improve Your Communication Skills when Coaching Football
Some of the best football coaching tips we can give you involve communication. You can know everything there is to know about football - the plays, drills, fundamentals, etc. If you can't communicate effectively, though, you're headed for a tough time. When coaching youth football.

Former NFL Quarterback offers low priced youth football coaching dvds, quarterback training dvds, a free football coaching newsletter at http://www.footballtools.com

Collectible Sports Memorabilia

COLLECTING sports collectibles or sports memorabilia, antique or modern, is limited by two factors: the money available and the space to be filled. Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to Baseball Memorabilia, Basketball Memorabilia, Football Memorabilia, Golf Memorabilia, NASCAR memorabilia, Diecast Collectibles, Bobble Heads, Hero Posters, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to find out what the admiration is all about.

An encyclopedia definition of Sports Collecting would go something like this: "The hobby of sports collecting consists of acquiring specific sports items based on a particular sporting interest of the sports collector. These sports collections of sporting things are often highly organized, carefully cataloged, and attractively displayed." A sports collectible (or collectable) is defined as a manufactured item designed for people interested in sports to collect. The term sports memorabilia usually refers to items related to sporting that can be directly connected to a recent or historical sporting event or sports personality. There are many people that collect these sports memorabilia and collectibles.

Since collecting depends on the interests of the individual collector, it may deal with almost any subject including sports collectible & sports memorabilia. The depth and breadth of the collection may also vary. Some collectors choose to focus on a specific subtopic within their area of general interest, for example Baseball memorabilia of the New York Yankees, Basketball memorabilia of the Los Angeles Lakers, Football memorabilia of the Dallas Cowboys, Golf memorabilia of Tiger Woods, NASCAR memorabilia of Tony Stewart, Diecast collectibles of fire trucks, Bobble Heads for any sport, & posters of heroes such as Lance Armstrong. Others prefer to keep a more general collection, accumulating any or all Baseball memorabilia, Basketball memorabilia, Football memorabilia, Golf memorabilia, NASCAR memorabilia, Diecast collectibles, Bobble Heads, or Hero Posters.

When the NBA, MLB, and NFL began selling their basketball, baseball, and football jerseys in stores during the 1980s, game used jerseys also became a hot item among sports memorabilia collectors. Former NBA player Dennis Rodman was famous for taking off his jerseys and throwing them to the stands after his games were over. Michael Jordan is probably the basketball player whose memorabilia is most sought after by collectors. Today's stars include Ben Roethlisberger, Shaquille O'Neil, Nomar Garciaparra, etc. These players seem to be pushing the already popular area of sports collectibles and memorabilia to a new level of acceptance to the public.

Collections can take the form of a single item such as a signed baseball, football, or basketball. Collections can also take the form of a series of items, such as jerseys from each member of a particular baseball, basketball, or football team. A NASCAR collection of hats from different drivers is very popular. Golf balls with different logos are especially popular. The cost of any sports collectible memorabilia item is directly proportional to the popularity of the sports figure with which the item correlates. The more popular the sports figure, the more money the sports collectible memorabilia item will demand. The whole sports collectible memorabilia industry is driven by supply and demand. The more demand the higher the price and vice versa. Also, the more supply of an item, the lower the price. Sports cards would be a good example. Only so many of certain cards were ever made. Those carry a higher price than those that were made in bulk. Quality is a very big determining factor in the price of any sports collectible memorabilia item. In general, the better the quality, the higher the price.

Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.

Hitch Covers, Hitch Plugs

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Sports Collectible - What You Must Have To Be Cool

Sports collectibles are goodies that every sports lover will want to get their hands on. There are exclusive sports collectible stores around the world where one can feast their eyes on their team gears, foot wear or other apparels worn by then during the match, and also find autographed balls and bats up for sale. Sometimes these memorabilia might be on sale, and other times they could be bought by bidding on the price and if yours is the highest you might win the product. Whatever be the mode of getting hold of these valuables, sports enthusiasts across the world don't mind or think twice about shelling out money over these items. For some it is a must have, and for others its something they add to their collection. As long as one knows their limits and is aware of how much time and money they are spending on these, its safe, else it becomes an addiction which is unhealthy. It would eat up their savings and time leaving them with no income or way to take care of their family.

Autographed footballs, helmets, bats and balls, or even photographs by leading players would be worth a lot, and are available only in limited quantities. So, if one has any hope of grabbing one of these treasured memorabilia, they should touch base with one of the websites that will have stocks. Some of the stores and sites have antique products or those of legendary players we which are considered part of vintage collection. Greeting cards with a player's picture on it, or a autographed picture of Tiger woods, or maybe the shoes used by Ronaldo are all things that would sell instantly. All sports collectibles are available for the public to buy and some are more expensive than others because of their history or maybe because they are the last piece left.

Display cases, and plaques of your favorite team would look beautiful when placed along with other pictures and mementos on the mantle and so people flock towards these stores to buy them. Some have this as a hobby while for others its a passionate part time thing. They would be part of a group or forum where all members are into sports and they each have a huge collection of memorabilia. They might all meet up once in a while to discuss the latest game, the players and also share information where a particular memorabilia might be available or seek others' help while interesting in a piece of jewelery or photo that is available in another town. The sports collectible are a major rage among teenagers, as it forms part of who they are, a reflection of their personalities and they look up to these sports stars and try to impersonate them. For others, these sports collectibles are a way of being in touch with their fondest memories or a match that created a revolution or to look back on a glorious moment involving their favorite teams.

Article written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of Sports Fan Store [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-NFL-Football/Categories], skyfireproducts.com.

Sports Fans and Television - Beyond the Game

Sure, it's obvious that you can watch major games and serious matches with your television. And while there are plenty of articles devoted to singing the praises of deciding to watch the game at home with friends rather than dropping hundreds on tickets to overpay for hot dogs and shiver at the stadium, that's not what this is about. This is about figuring out to do once your favorite team is out of the playoffs, or when the season finally wraps up. This can sometimes be a stressful time for those die-hards who live and breathe their team in question, and are a bit sluggish when there's nothing on television to watch.

The fact is that for those sports fans who have television, there's always something on. And while it might not be the big game in real-time, the options are often just as compelling. Take the entire world of ESPN Classic, for example. Sometimes particularly bad losses hurt in the moment, but are important to explore after a suitable amount of time. Figure out where your team went went wrong--or celebrate the moments that they did a truly excellent job--by reliving the games. Whether it's marveling at what uniforms used to look like or getting to watch one of the best moments in sports on a big screen rather than YouTube, ESPN Classic definitely knows how to deliver. Whether you're feeling like catching up on the history of basketball or football, there's always something there to watch.

But perhaps you're not interested in catching up on old news, and need to see what's happening today. If you're adventurous enough to get involved with a new sport, you might find that on something like satellite TV, there are channels and channels devoted to game play. So you never quite loved rugby before, but now you're totally into it? Well, you can watch all of the big rugby matches, depending on what kind of package you have with your dish.

Of course, if you tire of trying to figure out what the rules of cricket, rugby, or curling might be, there is always the world of the celluloid. And while you might not think to watch sports movies if you'd rather be watching NFL Sunday Ticket, the fact is that a truly invigorating sports film can have you laughing, crying, and cheering in the matter of a couple of hours. Choose from the classics or the contemporary hits, and get the entire family together.

This is one of the best moves for anyone who is starting to get on the nerves of roommates or spouses, as picking a film that involves sports but is not a sporting event can be a way to win people back over. Whether you decide on something focused on a less serious sporting event, like "The Sandlot" or "The Mighty Ducks," or a sweeping and somewhat moving biopic like "Rudy" or "Prefontaine," there is truly something out there for everyone if it's sports films on satellite tv that you're pursuing.

Let directstarTV.com expand your sports-related viewing options. With satellite TV sports programming, there's never been so much too choose from.

2009 Road to the Super Bowl

After nine weeks the NFL is shaping up with some very interesting matchings coming up. At this point there appears to be about ten teams with a decent shot at making it to the Big Game. Over the next four weeks figure in tough schedules, key injuries, and a little luck, and the field should narrow to the top four candidates. At this point The New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans look awfully GOOD. That being said the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins figure to contest the issue strongly.

The schedule factor gives a favorable edge to The Washington Redskins, however, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Green Bay also have scheduling that could be in their favor. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have a little tougher road to hoe.

Also, keeping it interesting over the next four weeks is the emergence of three or four improving teams, i.e. watch Baltimore, New York, and Arizona.

Next, the injury bug and Lady Luck will play their part too. Keep tuned for updates on Big Ben.

As of this early date, Tennessee is 8-0, N Y giants 7-1, Carolina 6-2, Washington 6-2, Pittsburgh 5-2, NY Jets 5-3, New England 5-3, Chicago 5-3, Philadelphia 5-3, Green bay 4-4 and also, still hanging in there Tampa Bay 6-3, Chicago 5-3 , Baltimore 5-3 and Arizona 5-3. Give it three or four weeks and it will look a little clearer.

How do the current win streaks look? Tennessee 8, NY giants 3, Philadelphia 3, Baltimore 3, Washington 2, Chicago 2, NY Jets 2. Just keep in mind some teams have had easier schedules so far but in the end it will even out a little more.

Keep a watch on key matchups. Week 10 Tennessee @ Chicago and N Y Jets @ Philadelphia. Week 11 NY Giants @ New England, Chicago @ Green Bay, Baltimore @ NY Giants Week 12 NY Jets @ Tennessee, Philadelphia @ Baltimore, NY Gs @ Arizona, Week 13 Arizona @ Philadelphia, Carolina @ GB, NY Giants @ Washington, Pittsburg @ New England, Week 14 Philadelphia @ NY Giants, Washington @ Baltimore., Tampa Bay@ Carolina Week 15 Pittsburg @ Baltimore, Week 16 Pittsburg @ Tennessee, Philadelphia @ Washington, Arizona @ New England, Carolina 2 NY Giants, Green Bay @ Chicago, and Week 17 Tennessee @ Indianapolis, and Chicago @ Pittsburg. There you have it, Please keep in mind once the playoffs star it's a whole new ballgame.

May all your sports dreams come true.

Ashi, is a big fan and self proclaimed expert of NFL football. He can be reached on his new website on Sports Dream of business people at http://www.xispl.com

Big Ben and Pittsburgh Steelers - It's Time to Part Ways

It is time for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Big Ben Roethlisberger to part ways. It has been a long enough ride, sometimes fun - sometimes not so much, its time for a new chapter in both parties life. Big Ben loves to gamble when it comes to playing Quarterback in the National Football League. He loves to hold on to ball as long as he can, scramble left-scramble right, throw a defender off, then boom make a pass for a big play!

Unfortunately he also likes to gamble with his life and his reputation. First it was the motorcycle incident that almost took his life. How many times did Bill Cowher ask Big Ben to ride with a helmet on. Terry Bradshaw and a couple of other guys who you think Ben would take their advice tried to help out but it all want on closed ears.

The Rooneys should look into trading Big Ben for the number 1 overall pick. It would be a win - win for all parties involved. The St. Louis Rams would get an experienced Superbowl winning franchise quarterback and Big Ben would be able to have a fresh new start from all of his stupidity in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers would get rid of their biggest headache for the past couple of years, and would also be able to get the organizations good reputation back. Hopefully the Steelers can make a move today with the NFL Draft and trade away to one of the teams with a Top Ten Pick!

M. Ray Alston III

From Low Rise to Regular Rise - Styles and Fits of Horse Riding Breeches For Every Equestrian Rider

Horse riding breeches and jodhpurs provide riders of every skill level the close contact with their horse that they need to ride safely and securely. In addition to being functional, horse riding breeches also create a stylish appearance that is crucial in the show ring. Riding horses is an athletic endeavor that deserves the highest quality riding apparel. The experience of riding can be made even better when the horse riding breeches worn are the correct cut and fit for your specific body type and riding style.

Casual riding, endurance riding, hunt seat, dressage: they all have different physical requirements and demands that result in the need for different styles of horse riding breeches. In addition to these issues, different body types, different weather, and other factors all combine to narrow down the best choice for your horse riding breeches and jodhpurs.

Brand Names Really Are Better

Sometimes shopping for discounts, seconds, and used equipment is fine, but not so with horses. Horses are big, heavy, and occasionally panicky animals. Riders can best protect themselves, and their horses, by wearing well-crafted, form-fitting horse riding breeches or jodhpurs and other riding apparel designed specifically for riding. This is not the place for baggy pants or raggedy shirts that can catch on something and cause a fall.

There are enough established, high quality manufacturers of elegant and fun riding breeches, show coats, ratcatchers, gloves, and other riding apparel to make shopping for equestrian apparel fun and rewarding. Three of the best-known names include The Tailored Sportsman, TuffRider, and Equine Couture. These fine businesses have withstood the test of time and demonstrated that they use only the finest materials and world-class craftsmanship, ensuring that every purchase is well worth the money.

What Is It About Waistbands?

The waistband on women's riding breeches can come with or without belt loops and most of them are made of stretchable material. They come in wide and regular widths. The width of the waistband is largely a matter of personal preference. So, too, is the height of the waistband. Waistband height is also a factor of riding style. Low-rise waistbands are ideal for endurance riders and hunters, providing an extra measure of flexibility and freedom of movement. On the other hand, the high-rise waistband looks far more sleek and elegant in the show ring, regardless of the class.

In Any Kind Of Weather

As anyone who has ever owned a horse knows, horses must be worked frequently and regularly, regardless of the weather. Luckily, there are now lined women's riding breeches to keep riders warm in winter and ultra-lightweight fabrics for summer riding. Most modern fabrics used in making high quality riding breeches and jodhpurs are made from cotton combined with stretchable Lycra or Spandex for form-fitting comfort and flexibility.

Moisture-wicking materials are useful year-round. Not only do they prevent chafing, they also keep the rider comfortable in any weather. Sweating from a tough training session in the summer heat is bad enough, but, in the middle of winter, it can lead to a bad case of pneumonia if the rider gets too chilled for too long. These high tech materials from The Tailored Sportsman and other fine retailers provide year-round comfort, style, and functionality for riders of every skill level.

Selecting Show Apparel

The appropriate show apparel will depend largely upon the style of riding. Dressage riders compete in entirely different equestrian apparel than pleasure riders. Riding apparel and equipment must be selected according to the sanctions set out by the show organizers. Once a rider knows specifically what those requirements are, they can go online and select the riding breeches, show coat, ratcatcher, gloves, and helmet they will need to look and feel their very best in the show ring. A new crop is always a nice touch.

Unlike generations past, riders today can enjoy the flexibility, style, and comfort provided by modern textiles. At the same time, riders are no longer limited to the classic colors of white, black, and beige. While not always appropriate for the show ring, the colors available in riding breeches extends all the way to sage, espresso, deep purple, charcoal, taupe, chocolate, and more!

The most important factor to consider when purchasing riding breeches is the ability to move freely, to maintain close contact with the horse, and to avoid injury. Of course, it's always nice to look your best, wherever the ride occurs!

Anne Coyle is a writer for The Equestrian Corner. They are proud to offer the latest product line from The Tailored Sportsman and other horse riding breeches for every body type and budget.

Texas High School Football

Bringing the best of all high school football players is the Txprepsfootball All Texas Team. These are elite members of Texas high school football teams. One of the players is Garrett Gilbert from Lake Travis. Garrett has hit the records with 4,826 yards in a single season. He is the son of former National Football League Gale Gilbert, who played for the Chargers, Seahawks and the Bills. Not to mention this quarterback has made 52 touch downs in 2007 and he is responsible for leading his team to the Class 4A Division II State Championship.

Some of the state records were placed years ago. Kenneth Hall set the record for most career rushing yards at 11,232. That was in Sugar Land 1950-53. Earlier in the century was another phenomenal player, Samuel Baugh. He was named the first best professional football quarterback. He later went on to play for the Washington, Redskins.

Earl Campbell is a Pro football Hall of Fame member. Nicknamed The Tyler Rose (after the place he is from, Tyler, Texas). In 1978 he went on to play for the Houston, Oilers and named the Offensive Rookie of the year and the Most Valuable Player, by the Associated Press. He also went on to play for the New Orleans Saints.

Doak Walker, born in Dallas, Texas, was crowned All American football player with the Heisman Trophy. That was back in 1948. Then he went on to play for the Detroit Lions and helped to pave the way to the National Football League Championships. He too, is a member is the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

There are a total of thirteen outstanding football players from the Texas state history books. All of which have went on to become phenomenal athletes, thus making Texas well known for their talented National Football League players of all time.

Currently, sitting at number four in the nation is the Katy, Texas Tigers. Some former Katy, Texas high school football players include Jorge Diaz, who is offensive lineman went on to play for the National Football League. He played for the Tigers in 1991 and is now with the Tampa Bay, Buccaneers. Eric Heitman is also a offensive lineman playing for the San Francisco 49Er's. He played for the Katy Tigers in 1997.

The Tigers are a great team setting state records. James Aston, a rushing back set the record at 34 rushing carried in a Championship game and that was back in 2003. In 1999, Jamel branch, who is also a rushing back set the record with 249 rushing yards in a Championship game.

Over the years, the state of Texas has brought us some of the most phenomenal athletes. Many of them were branded the best of NFL in some way or another.Also, because Texas has brought the NFL some of the greatest all time players, I believe that is the main reason why Texas high school football is so popular today. They have certainly paved the way for some of the National Football League's finest of all time.

Get Recruited Now! Learn how to gain the most exposure to the top college athletic organizations in the nation. Learn everything you need to know from a scouts perspective and earn the athletic scholarship you've dreamed of.

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Tactics, Strategies and Great Football Practicing Skills For You and Your Team

Line of scrimmage tactics

In various plays whether you are on offense or defense you will want to have a strategic advantage over your opponents. Use the proven technique of double teaming to get great results on the field It is basically putting two linemen on one. The strategy works for putting a hole in the line of scrimmage as two easily overpowers one. Here are some pointers for this strategy: First, players need to step together, and second lock hips. This forms an impenetrable line in the middle and as each lineman is on the edge of the opponent it will be very difficult to go around. The double team should focus on the shoulders, and arm pits of the opponent to control dominance. Also, this maneuver needs to happen quickly and efficiently.

Proper Catching Leads to Great Ball Security

Catching the football properly and effectively is fundamental to a strong offense. A great catch can be broken down into three steps: First, keep your arms extended out in front of your body with your hands out forming an imaginary triangle with your fingers and thumbs. Second, keep your eyes on the ball through the entire catch. Third, secure the ball tight and high against your ribs, forearm, and biceps. Bad habits can form easily as many receivers look away mid catch to scan the field for defenders. This increases fumbles and turnovers. To overcome this habit set up a simple drill where two players pass the ball to each other stopping at each critical step: the catch, the follow through, and the tuck.

Staying Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is all it takes to prevent dehydration, and thus should be an important part of football practices. Make sure that during the football practice players have their water bottles handy and are drinking often. Times have changed and coaches these days should be aware of hydration needs and not use water as a reward, or withhold it as a punishment. These safe practices will help keep players energized and healthy.

Learning the Plays from the Playbook

Learning a play is critical because when an individual learns a play and executes it properly, it benefits the whole team. In order to start learning a play, make sure that you first pay attention to the instructions when they are given. As you start to practice the play make sure to slow it down, there is no sense in practicing errors. Practice is a great time to get some extra help, so if you are struggling with a certain play remember that your coaches are there to help you master the techniques. Always, always ask for the help that you need. After practice is over visualize the play in your mind. Go over it again and again, and you will find that your mind will help you learn the plays even when you sleep.

ChargersProShop.com is the official online store for the San Diego Chargers and their Chargers Jerseys. Its products include jerseys, authentic game worn merchandise, Chargers Shirt, Hats, and More! Shop Now!

Dallas Cowboys Merchandise Will Definitely Wow True Blue Fans

Die Hard Dallas Cowboys fans will be thrilled with the wide selection of collector's items and functional items the online NFL store has to offer. There are items perfect for your home and office, tailgating paraphernalia, jewellery, gift items, and car accessories.

Dallas Cowboys merchandise online

If you are looking for Dallas Cowboys merchandise online, then prepare yourself to browse one of the hottest collections in the NFL memorabilia store. You will find furniture and décor for your home and office - items that will unmistakably show that you are a Die Hard Cowboys fan.

Take for example the coffee table shaped into the Cowboys helmet. This is surely a piece of furniture you'd want to show off to your friends. You can also decorate your bedroom with a Cowboys theme. Grab the Cowboys pillows, bed sheets, comforters, bed skirts, shams, bed rests and curtains to complete the official blue theme. Add more Cowboys spirit with a wall hanging and a lamp. Non-Cowboys fans will surely keep out!

Needing a dip in the pool? Don't forget to use your Cowboys field pool and toddler lifeguards for your kid. There's also a beach ball, swim ring, and inflatable goal post - all with the Cowboys logo. These and so much more are available among the Cowboys merchandise online.

Dallas Cowboys logo jewellery

It wouldn't be a surprise why the famous blue and white star logo would make for fantastic Cowboys jewellery. The online Dallas Cowboys merchandise has a selection of earrings, pendants, and rings for Die Hard Fans to choose from. The flashing earrings are battery powered and have tiny lights that flash intermittently. The online sports shop also has dangling earrings made of enamelled pewter.

Dallas Cowboys necklaces and pendants are also sure to impress. The Dallas Cowboys Leather Necklace and Pewter Pendant has a leather necklace, beads, and carved pewter for the pendant. The pendant is hand painted and carefully designed to make sure the Cowboys logo is rendered perfectly. This pendant bears the star logo and the Cowboys name proudly. The other pendants are shaped in the Cowboys star logo.

The Cowboys merchandise would, of course, be incomplete without its line of watches. The Agent Series watch is a durable timepiece with its Velcro strap and rugged case. It also has a silver dial and silver studs - making it attractive, as well. For dressy outfits and formal events, Die Hard Cowboys fans may choose to don the Coach Series watch. It has a stainless steel strap and shows the official logo and colors on its dial. It relies on Citizen Quartz movement and is water resistant up to 5 ATM. Even dressier is the Sapphire series with the official logo embossed in platinum and sapphire crystal lens. There are also other watches and jewellery that bear the popular Cowboys logo.

 Online Cowboys gifts

If you are making your gift list for Christmas, get some help from the Cowboys merchandise online - you're sure to find something nice for everyone. There are light up snowman ornaments, helmet ornaments, jersey ornaments, football player ornaments, and 3D ornaments - all are unmistakably Cowboys memorabilia. There are also football ornaments, Christmas balls etched with the Cowboys logo, and Santa dressed in Cowboys blue. Complete the Cowboys-themed holiday with a team stocking, too.

If you want to give your fellow Die Hard Cowboys fan something that's even more special, there are photo mints of Dallas Cowboys star players and the Super Bowl photo mint collection, among others. You will definitely find choosing one a challenge! Gift merchandise made specifically for Halloween and back to school days are available, too.

Katie writes article on Sports products. Among her many written articles, one is on Dallas cowboys merchandise, Cowboys Jewelry and Online Cowboys gifts to present our partner, parents, lovers and friends.

Christmas Gifts and Presents For Sports Fans

Christmas is right around the corner, and finding gifts for everyone on your Christmas or Holiday Shopping List can sometimes be a daunting task. For those sports fans on your list we've got some very clever gift ideas such as the Ball Park Pen. These pens are not just pens that look sporty, these are pens made from the actual wooden seats of demolished ballpark stadiums.

Laser engraved with the stadium name and its years of existence, these handsome writing instruments are a piece of history that any sports fan would love, especially if you select their favorite stadium, or a stadium where they watched most games. There are also bottle openers and corkscrews made of the same wooden seats. It'll be valued and kept forever by your favorite sports fan.

Other great presents for baseball fans or football fans include Stadium Cuff Links, again made from the seats of demolished stadiums, but coated in the original paint from the stadium and the stadium name engraved on the back. Or how about giving Ball Park Hammers with the name of their favorite NFL, MLB or College football team logo on it?

Great Christmas gifts or presents for sporting fanatics can also come in the form of signatures by famous athletes on numerous items such as The Derek Jeter signed 27th World Championship article in the New York Times (mounted and framed) or a Derek Jeter signed baseball of the 27th World Championship, encased in glass. And every sports man or sportswoman loves an autographed baseball jersey from their favorite player on their favorite team, complete with number and team colors. And autographed model sized NASCAR helmets are a big hit.

Autographed Newspaper Prints from the NY Times is always a great gift for a fan of all sports. Choosing the game that just knocked their socks off, that is autographed by team members, is a piece of memorabilia that every sports spectator would love to get their hands on.

From pictures to books, baseballs, footballs, basketballs... and everything in between, you may find that your sports fan friends and family are the easiest to buy for. There are so many items that represent the many teams and athletes that they love and admire. Be creative and unique with your gift giving and you are sure to get smiles and lots of thanks. Making your loved ones happy at Christmas is more fun than receiving gifts yourself. Look around for these great types of unique sports gifts and make them happy this year.

Excellent site to find unique Christmas gifts and presents for the sports fan is http://www.veryclevergifts.com.

Scott Moger is an Internet entrepreneur and author who has been published internationally. His book on Internet marketing includes chapters on how to find Christmas gifts and also features a novelty gift site which offers unique gifts to all visitors. Earlier Mr. Moger held top management positions at Columbia Pictures, ABC TV, and 20th Century Fox TV and has represented Miramax Films and Warner Brothers TV.

2007 Special Kick-Off Edition - College Football's Top Ten Blowouts

At last! The 2007 college football season is about to burst upon all those new wide-screen televisions! Although we are about a week to the summer side of Labor Day, why not get excited now? After all, our treasured autumn pastime is about to launch it's annual smear/wipeout/butt-kicking season.

Schools are looking at their 2007 schedules with anticipation and dread. Winning and losing in the first few weeks of the season can make or break one's chances in the BCS. This year, perennial FirstWorst favorite Duke has taken losing to a brand new level by losing the ACC Championship - for 1965. Owing to a fluke of scheduling and some kind of previous misapplication of the rules, the Conference this week awarded the 1965 title exclusively to South Carolina - stripping Duke of it's share of the ACC crown. It isn't bad enough that Duke can't kick an extra point and save a game against another dog team, it can't even hang onto a success from when the biggest off-field concern was one's draft number.

Since that time, the college football season has evolved into a three-part series of events. The Bowl season concludes the annual gridiron campaigns, the conference season determines who attends which bowl games, and the season-opening "games" are designed to - well - who knows what they are designed to do. Although it escapes understanding how Nebraska improves its performance on the field by wiping out Ball State, these games actually count in poll calculations. It is equally curious why a program like Ball State would acquiesce to visiting Lincoln in September to receive the abuse. Perhaps the promise of a big paycheck helps.

Some schools don't think beating anyone 56-0 is any fun. Their fans don't either. For others, these early games may be their only wins. Notre Dame boasts an incredibly difficult schedule this year. In their quest for the national championship, the Irish are rolling out some of the top football schools - not including poor Navy and Air Force - to convince the BCS gurus that they are indeed the best. ND leads with an opening game at home against Georgia Tech, hits the road against Penn State and follows that up with a pleasure trip to Ann Arbor for a date with Michigan. Kudos to the Irish for leading with tough games!

On the other end, Duke University - champion of the 2006 FirstWorst poll and fresh off a stellar 0-12 season - also confronts a very difficult schedule. Of course any game Duke schedules will be difficult, but the Devils set themselves up with a tough road by most standards in 2007. If it wasn't enough to face Florida State, Georgia Tech and Miami the wizards of Duke scheduling threw in Notre Dame and Northwestern! Duke has the right idea for scheduling - if it was Notre Dame. Unfortunately, they need Nebraska's idea of scheduling to get back on their feet. Duke recently hired a new head coach and might not have accomplished much recruiting this year. They are just trying to put a team on the field. Look for the Bleu Devils to make another run at the 2007 FirstWorst Championship but give 'em credit for putting themselves on the field against opponents that people want to see.

Why do so many top tier schools put dog games on their schedule? Of course they want to avoid injuries, but a better course of action to accomplish that would be to ban beer in the athletic dorm to keep kids from falling down the stairs or tripping over cheerleaders. Perhaps Ohio State wants to practice their second and third strings against teams that don't have matching uniforms. The reasons for these games are anyone's guess. But why a fan would pay attention to one is beyond comprehension.

It is without shame that our premier universities are charging admission to dedicated fans to watch some incredibly lopsided games. These are simply embarrassing events masquerading as football games. As a public service, The Scholarly Sages of Sport at FirstWorst present the early season's worst ten football games.

1. Appalachian State at Michigan. Saturday, September 1.

Mercy...why would a perennial powerhouse stoop to this? And what does Michigan expect to learn by playing this game? (and can the players spell "Appalachian?") Maybe this is a warm up primarily for the grounds crew and stadium staff, but the Michigan football team could get more experience playing against itself.

Appalachian State finished a very respectable 13 - 1 in 2006... in what was then Division I-AA. The Mountaineers apparently want to dip their big toe in big time college football. Chances are that they will not only lose those big toes, but lose the legs they are attached to as well as other vital body parts. Adding to the tragedy of this game even being played, the thing is actually going to be televised - probably to the Maize and Blue fans who burned all their money on beer and didn't have enough left over for a ticket.

2. Western Kentucky at Florida - Saturday, September 1.

How can this possibly be entertaining? The Gators bring their usual first-rate team to the field to take on the Hilltopers in what is sure to be a total thriller - primarily for the vendors. The stadium staff better lay in extra beer for this one. This may be a warm up for Gator fans to strengthen their arms doing the Gator-chomp and singing "Go Gators!" while juiced up on barley beverages warmed to 100 degrees inside their collective noggins.

3. Murray State at Louisville - Saturday, September 1.

Mark your calendars for this one folks. It is slated for ESPN coverage! But where is Murray State and what are they doing playing football? Murray State actually does field a football team and is located in Murray, KY. The school is proud to have finished the 2006 season a perfect 0-8 in whatever lower level division they play in. And now they are headed to play a hungry Louisville team anxious to break into the ranks of consistent top football performers? Does Louisville have enough money to pay a school like this to show up? The Cardinals posted a fab 12-1 record in the 2006 season including wins over some decent schools.

It took the crack team at FirstWorst some extra research to determine that the team name for Murray State is the 'Racers'. (This is normally a quick task, but the MSU -not Michigan State - website apparently lives on someone's dad's ancient PC in the freshman dorm. The thing took forever.) We would be hard-pressed to judge the quality of the remainder of the Murray State schedule, as it includes schools most of us have never heard of - including Lambuth.

4. Ohio State (weeks 1 and 2) versus Youngstown State and Akron.

The storied Buckeyes are to be commended for at least keeping the embarrassment in-state. OSU scores a big double-header win in the FirstWorst blowout lineup this year with two sure-to-be-butt-kickings at home.

OSU Alums must be paying travel expenses for these poor schools, so they also want to keep expenses down. Even though there are a couple of in state schools willing to show up in Columbus for a complete public flogging, it amazes most scholarly readers that anyone - including the OSU fans and Alums - would agree to be a part of it. It adds to the embarrassment that the opponent monikers are the 'Penguins' and 'Zips' respectively. You just can't make this stuff up.

5. Florida International at Penn State - September 1.

FI finished a perfect 0-12 last season, including an 0-7 mark in the mighty Sun Belt Conference. Florida International must be looking for recognition to aid in it's recruiting efforts. Unfortunately, this one is for comic relief only. The Nittany Lions will be sure to look past FI to their date with Notre Dame at home in week 2, but State should be able to send out their freshman squad and still hit triple digits. Football scholars recommend keeping the clock moving at all times.

6. Troy at Florida - September 8.

Troy had the honor of handing Nebraska a 56-0 victory last September in Lincoln. It is part of the Troy Trojan Tradition (T3) to send a bunch of guys to a big school to take pictures from the field and get whacked by the opposition's second and third strings. And God Bless 'em, the Trojans are kicking off their 2007 season against the Razorbacks in Fayetteville on Sept. 1. These Trojans believe in themselves, however. With a Sun Belt Conference title to their names in 06, these guys think they can compete. Well... they certainly threw their helmets into the right ring to find out. The line separating courage and stupidity is impossible to distinguish at Troy. In fact, the Psych TAs offer a workshop on the topic right after each game.

We really want to know what Troy head coach Larry Blakeney will say prior to kick off against Florida. "Protect yourself at all times?," or "keep on believing?" He has plenty of wins at Troy. Unfortunately, not many are against teams that put more than 15,000 people in their stadiums. One of these years though, Troy is gonna break through with a huge win against a top tier school. You can't say they don't try. After all, you have to be in 'em to win 'em. But then again, if a Lion invites you to lunch, make sure he has eaten before you arrive.

7. Samford at Georgia Tech - September 1.

Samford (not Stanford) finished 1-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference in 06 and is primed to open the season against the G Tech Wrecks in Atlanta. Does Samford give out football scholarships? Is there any provision for not showing up?

How can this be enjoyable for a small school team? The team gets to fly on a plane, but has to go to Atlanta and play outside before Labor Day. Someone is getting a whole bunch of money for this.

8. Idaho at USC - September 1.

Having the Vandals invited to LA seems redundant. Does Idaho show up with paint cans hidden in their equipment bags? So. Cal may have its own problems, but winning isn't going to be a concern for the Trojans. Why did USC set this thing up? The boys from the wild northwest get a trip to the big city, perhaps free tickets to Disneyland and lunch with a great big mouse in exchange for agreeing to be on the same field at the same time as the vaunted Trojans.

Besides a rout, what are USC or football fans in general getting out of this deal? This game won't be much of a challenge or provide any kind of learning experience. But someone has got to warm up the band and the USC Cheerleaders and it might as well be another set of Vandals.

9. Citadel at Wisconsin - September 15

Who is the Citadel? No one outside of the school really knows for sure, but seems that they play in the Southern Conference along side such traditional winners as Appalachian State and Elon. And now these guys want to go up to Madison on the 15th to try and derail the Badgers? The Citadel is a military school, but one doubts that among the institutional values is the concept of suicide. So why in the world would Citadel participate in this?

10 Rotten Game of the Week - Buffalo at Temple - September 8 The #10 spot in the FirstWorst game schedule is reserved for the rotten game of the week. And this one is a rotten game each year. In 2006, these two juggernauts slugged it out for a full 60 minutes without either team scoring a touchdown. Buffalo turned in a stirring 1-7 conference mark, and looks poised to repeat in the MAC cellar. Instead of recruiting, Temple used their off-season to design new uniforms to lose in.

So mark your calendars football fans! The bending-over season is upon us. And check back with the firstworst.com for reviews, embarrassing moments and the weekly FirstWorst Futility Rankings.

The FirstWorst Futility Rankings appear each Thursday in this space. Check out the final 2006 rankings or look for the 2007 preseason notes. If you would like to suggest a topic or think the Scholarly Sages of Sport at FirstWorst have missed something, please send us a note! If your question is printable and interesting, check for it on the soon-to-be-appearing comments page.

Custom Football Uniforms - Making Their Presence Felt

Now that the New Orleans Saints are the standard bearers for professional football, people nationwide are not just looking for football jerseys but custom football uniforms and jerseys. However, most people think of department stores or sporting good facilities for their purchase. Have you ever given thought to finding some of the best custom football uniforms or jerseys online?

If you perform a simple search online you will find that there are many custom shops that specialize in designing custom made sporting apparel. The good news is - the size of your order doesn't matter, finding exactly what you are looking for can be achieved. Many shops are now equipped with software that allows buyers to visualize the design they are looking for before placing an order. Some companies even have special programs that allow you to build your own custom football uniforms, review it and decide if you want to place the order or not.

Athletic uniforms are to athletes what logos or trademarks are to businesses. It gives an individual an identity like no other but it also instills a certain level of confidence, comfort and intelligence. Custom football uniforms are so constructed or designed for enhancing the performance of an athlete. It's tailored-made based upon the integrity of the game and the season.

These uniforms bear the individual's name and number in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, styles and designs. Anything from shorts, t-shirts, jerseys, skirts, fleece, long sleeves or shorts t-shirts and workout attire can be custom-made. Every uniform is custom-made based upon an individual's measurements, budget, flavor and fashion. Wearing something that's outdated, ill-fitting or improperly sized can make an athlete look ridiculous and his/her performance could be affected.

There is an enormous selection of custom football uniforms made readily accessible for your particular team which can make all the difference between excellent and mediocre performance. Here is your opportunity to claim ownership to quality and professionally designed uniforms for your team.

ScoreWear specializes in quality and customization. Football and softball uniforms are our forte; however, we also specialize in a variety of sports apparel as needed by teams including t-shirts, socks, bags and jackets. Feel free to visit us at ScoreWear

Sports Fan Gear For the Real Fan in You

In recent years sports fans have been revamped from what they were many years ago. It's not just a question about their eating more modern fast foods, but it has more to do with the way in which they flaunt themselves. Their means of expressing themselves are to dress up for the particular sport event.

Those were the days when just painting your faces with the colors of the respective teams was in rage, but the fanatical sports and games fans of today express themselves with sophisticated sports-fan-gear replete with armor and helmet.

Some of the more restrained methods that you can see are sporting team checks that have the team logo or team image on them. This is deemed one of the most efficient ways to show your allegiance to a specific team. You will find that there are team logo checks for almost any sports league or team.

Into this fray has entered the women sports fans who love to choose form the myriads of colors of female fan gear. Their fan-gear is fast gaining importance. You will find figure hugging jerseys, T-shirts, shirts, hats, backpacks and pocketbooks in all sorts of pastel colors manufactured with just the woman in mind. Many of the sports shops stock up their shelves with these gear for women sport fans.

You will find a variety of sports gears like jerseys, T-shirts, shirts, hats, caps and other accessories in sport shops, your local malls and for that matter even in online sports stores. The reason for this sudden increase in sports-fan-gear is that the interest in sports in itself is growing in leaps and bounds and manufacturers are finding that creating fan gifts is an extremely lucrative business.

Another set of sports fan gear is for the kids. You will be amazed to find shops sporting baby cheer leader garments or jerseys with proud parents vainly showing them off.

You know, fan gear is also gaining plenty of popularity as Christmas gifts. If you are in a quandary about what to buy your man for Christmas; if he is a sports lover, then you can bet your high horses that he will be thrilled to receive fan-gear as a Christmas present. These gifts can be anything ranging from team jerseys, hats, caps, blankets, credit cards, team sunglasses; just about anything that will make him feel that he belongs.

No matter where you are, you are sure to find sports fan gear of local as well as national and international sports. And the beauty of it all is that the gear is beginning to get really exciting and original with manufacturers thinking up novel ways to attract sports fans. Irrespective of your taste, you will quite definitely find sports gears in the market.

You can buy cheap Nascar merchandise through internet stores. This would be a dream gift for any racing fan. You can click hereto know more about sports fan gear.

Minnesota Vikings Jerseys and Apparel - The NFL's Bestsellers For 2009 Postseason

Minnesota Vikings jerseys have been selling like crazy all season long, and why not? Everything about the Vikings has been a big story throughout the year and now fans wearing their Minnesota Vikings apparel are hoping that the team can keep it together and make a deep run through the playoffs... maybe even to the Super Bowl!

It all started in the off season, when the crazy Brett Favre rumors started swirling. Was he coming out of retirement? Is he injured or is he healthy and ready to play? Just when it seemed like he was finally done considering it, he changed his mind again and showed up to the team for the end of training camp.

Just like, Brett Favre Minnesota Vikings jerseys became the number 1 hot ticket item throughout the league. While many were skeptical at how good he would be after the end of his single season with the Jets, however he hushed those critics immediately. He has played excellent football, guiding his team to huge wins, last minute comebacks and a great regular season.

All the meanwhile he has put up huge numbers and has reined in his tendencies for throwing interceptions. It helps that he also has a fantastic running back like Adrian Peterson to throw the ball too. Peterson is another favorite for all of the Purple People Eaters in their Minnesota Vikings apparel. He's one of the best running backs in the league, perhaps the single best, and he's a true force.

Other offensive threats have also emerged, creating more options for fans looking to buy new Minnesota Vikings jerseys. Sidney Rice became one of the best playmaking wide receivers in the league for example. He and Favre have formed a great tandem, and they read each other very well.

The defense on the Vikings is also terrific. Jared Allen Minnesota Vikings jerseys have been bestsellers since he was first acquired two years ago. He's one of the fiercest defensive players in the game, and fans love his work ethic and overall attitude. He's just one of the big names on the defensive unit that can make a game changing play at any time.

So as you can see, there have been many reasons why Minnesota Vikings jerseys have been the bestselling options all year long. From the crazy Favre drama and his amazing year, to the breakout year of Sidney Rice and the continued dominance of Peterson and Allen, there is a lot to root for. So throw on your authentic Minnesota Vikings apparel and watch as the Vikings take on the rest of the NFC in the playoffs.

The 2009 playoffs are here, and for fans of the Vikings, there is plenty to talk about. You have a huge selection of discount Minnesota Vikings jerseys to choose from. That includes the likes of Brett Favre, Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson. You can visit Discount Football Merchandise for all of the Minnesota Vikings apparel that you need and you can find some fantastic prices. Then you can cheer on your team in style as they make a run to the Super Bowl!

College Sports Apparel - Clothes From A Different League

College sports apparel is available on various websites today, and so interested fans can buy them from there instead of hunting for them in stores. You could be an avid basketball, baseball, cricket or hockey fan, and can be assured that you will find your team related products and apparels on the Internet. The past couple of decades has seen a sudden spurt in fans reactions to various sports and the NCAA also is part of the list. There are matches that draw huge crowds, some of whom have planned for this game weeks or months in advance. If a game is not very popular, then the college sport apparel marketed in stores is a good way of promoting the sport and grabbing attention. The team jerseys, caps, and belts are usually what fans enjoy picking up and owning. Some fans buy these before a match and come wearing the same to cheer their favorite teams. If you are looking for a hat with logo, or a collared polo T shirt with your college team colors, or maybe a jersey that sport your favorite players number, you are bound to find them all on the websites.

Some of the websites also hold apparel featuring players of yesteryears, who are today sports legends. These are rare pieces that some ardent sports fan would do anything to get their hands on, and form part of collectibles. For a person to own an apparel featuring their favorite player is something to boast about or show off to their friends. There are some in colleges who have been known to swap jerseys or caps because their loyalties have changed or they have changed colleges. This is a common scene among college sports fans, apart from their crazy zeal to go watch every match live. No matter who your favorite NCAA team is, you can search for their accessories or clothes with their logo , you will find it.

Be it the Boston college apparel, or Arkansas state university apparel, you will find the one you are looking for in different sizes and shapes. Everything from college team jackets, sweatshirts, watches, wrist bands are available for every single college team. Apart from these, fancy college hats, polo necked T shirts are also stocked. Since they are regular piece of clothing but with a team colors or patterns on them, they have a higher value and make for good gifts especially to a person who is fond of that particular team. These college sports apparels if original could be a bit on expensive side, so one should watch out for fakes and then buy. Just like in sports good, there are originals and duplicates, here too there are many companies that make almost original looking college sports apparels. So make sure to check the quality of the product and the logo etc to ensure you are not getting conned. If its online, choose your team apparel and size, make the payment for it to get delivered home.

Article written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of Sports Fan Store [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-NFL-Football/Categories], skyfireproducts.com.

Saints Vs Colts - Its Game Time For Super Bowl 44 As Vendors Strive to Be Part of the Game

When caterer Francine Powers was called to the big leagues of the Superbowl 44, it came out of the blue. Her expectations were not really that high. The phone from her home office rang and on the other end she was given an invitation to try out for a shot at the Super Bowl. Powers moved her fledgling company from her house kitchen in Miami. Her caller came from a large Los Angeles corporate caterer, Ambrosia Productions. It has been hired by the National Football League to manage the pregame function for the 1992 Super Bowl. It wanted to hire local caters to subcontract on the deal and in the list of members that was found in the directory of a Miami minority business development group, the phone number of Powers' was found.

She was doubtful. She asked, if the company is really sure that she is fit and can manage to cope up with the requirements. This is what she remembers asking. Ambrosia's replied no problem and ask her to show what she can do. After an audition that included two dozen caterers to submit the requirements, Powers managed to squeeze thru and were awarded as one of three chosen caterers.

She made a repeat performance in the Super Bowl in 2007 this time, not as a subcontractor but as a major contractor for the Miami game's half-time spread.

After fifteen years, the NFL has started too grown more formal about getting recruitment of small companies into the bidding process for America's annual football event extravaganza. Its Emerging Business Program coordinated each year by the host city's organizers, help to give trainings to the leaders of minority- and woman-owned businesses to manage to get the contracts for the big game.

Powers bid on three contracts for the 2010 Super Bowl 44 event and has gotten two out of three. Her firm named, We're Having a Party, will be providing delightful boxed meals for parking lot attendants and will also offer soup station for the NFL tailgate party. Every time I make bid, I act as if it is the first time, Powers says. Up to the smallest detail, I do not take any thing for granted. This type of work will not earn you a ton of money, but it puts your business on stable and better footing. This is a good example of what the Super Bowl 44 can do for a small and growing business.

AmericanFootballBlog.com is dedicated to bringing you the latest news on NFL and Superbowl XLIV. Discover Saints vs Colts game time analysis on http://www.americanfootballblog.com/super-bowl-44-logos-revealed-and-no-campaign-ads/

The Real Deal on NFL Football Helmets

The NFL is one of the most loved sports in the USA. However, there is an equipment which is often taken for granted despite its relevance to the game. People and football fans often think that this thing is just a mere accessory helping make their football players look authentic and hard core action packed while out there on the field. What many people do not realize is just how vital this particular football accessory plays while strapped onto a player's head.

NFL football helmets are very important. Without it, players cannot play and will certainly not be allowed to play on field. American football is a highly contact sport which nobody can predict but the players themselves. And these players can only predict the outcome of a game while all of them are but seconds away from scrambling to make a perfect touchdown. NFL football helmets are like the real deal when it comes to football. With all of the tackles which must be faced and dodged, every football player's safety relies on the helmet protecting their heads.

This is also the reason why NFL football helmets are made with such cut-throat designs. Some players and teams even ask their helmets to be customized. Although it is considered to be very important, NFL football helmets cannot contain too much features which can take its toll on the helmet's weight. After all, the player will have to be able to wear it throughout the duration of a play with much ease. It does not help that another unnecessary discomfort will be added while a player concentrates on the game's play.

As you may notice, NFL football helmets look complex and they sometimes look highly different from other football helmets. In general, you will see that chin straps are made from only the best quality materials. Chin straps are made from materials which will really hold the helmet in place. Sometimes, NFL football helmets also come already with its own mouth piece although is not really required. The state of the art designs of these helmets really does make it unique and helps it stand out from the rest of the crowd.

As great as these helmets seem to be, it also requires maintenance to ensure that it will always be in great shape. Helmets, even the ones being used in NFL games, can undergo wear and tear if not properly tended to. This is why one some levels it can be considered that these particular types of helmet are somewhat high maintenance in their own right. Usually, reconditioning is necessary to make sure that these helmets are kept in tip-top shape regardless of what games in needed to cruise through.

Apart from reconditioning, these helmets also undergo a specific disinfectant procedure so that they can be maintained clean as always. After all, helmets also get dirty while on field. All that mixture of perspiration and mud is definitely something every player will not be psyched to experience in every game. Therefore, spray cleaners and other helmet solutions are used for disinfection.

Article NFL Football Helmets [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-NFL-Football/Categories] is written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of skyfireproducts.com.

NFL Jerseys Represent the League's Fanaticism

The National Football League is one of the oldest sports organizations in the U.S. right now. The league is not just part of the history of sports in America, it has become part of the daily American consciousness and that of the American culture. With nearly 90 years of football action, the league has made a mark on the heart of almost every American around the world. This also explains the popularity of anything involved with the league - from NFL players, and merchandises such as NFL jerseys and shirts, among other things.

Though younger than baseball's major league of NBL, most Americans agree that American football is the number one sport in the U.S. right now. In fact, the championship game Super Bowl has the largest number of viewers than any sporting event in the U.S.

Because of the league's popularity, which has been stamped in the history of America for nearly 90 years, it is not surprising that more and more Americans engage into this sport. Parents, especially American fathers, buy their sons NFL jerseys and teach them as early as grade school on how to throw and catch the ball. The sport is physical, exciting and adrenaline pumping, and you don't get into the same situation, every point and touchdowns are hard earned, which makes this sport more lovable.

This sport is so close to the heart of most Americans. Entrepreneurs are aware of this and are taking advantage of the demand by selling football souvenirs like team helmets, team shirts, team jerseys and player NFL jerseys in various online stores.

One of the most popular NFL jerseys ever made was the Denver Bronco's 1968 uniform. It was made up with their popular orange crush color with unique bright orange and blue color schemes. This uniform of Broncos had been with the Broncos through a lot of championship games, but sadly, the Super Bowl Championship cup eluded them.

In 1996, the Broncos made a more balanced color combination with their uniform. They used darker blues and simpler orange accents for their jersey. With that NFL jersey, Broncos won two back to back Super Bowl Championship, some people say its the jersey's new color scheme that gave them good luck.

The Author is an expert in article writing and has done a lot of research online and offline. Come visit the author latest websites on NFL Youth Jerseys and NFL Kids Jerseys

Rule Changes For the 2008 NFL Season

Well, it seems like the excitement of the Giants' amazing victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII is finally beginning to die down, and NFL fans are already getting geared up for the upcoming 2008 NFL Football Season. When a new NFL season is being developed, the current rules are always looked at and efforts to improve them take place. This NFL season is no exception and there have already been some important changes made, as well a many proposed changes that are still on the table.

One of the more amusing changes in rules to be proposed for the upcoming football season was a possible ban on hair flowing out of players' helmets. Some NFL players, such as Troy Polamalu, have some really long hair and the sports teams are worried that it is obscuring the player's name and number from the viewers' sight. If this rule had been instated it would have required the players to cut their hair, or find a way to keep it tucked into their helmets during the duration of the game. This isn't the only reason for the proposed rule change however. The Kansas City Chiefs asked that the rule to be instated because of an incident that occurred when their running back, Larry Johnson, pulled another player down by his hair and held it for some time after the two had hit the ground. This resulted in a penalty against him. The Chiefs would like to make sure that this never happens again by requiring hair to be tucked into helmets if it is over a certain length. Luckily for the players this rule change was voted down, but be on the lookout for it to pop up again in the future.

Some proposed changes have already passed when the NFL owners gathered together to discuss them in Palm Beach, Florida recently. One such change concerns the Defense receiving a microphone helmet, a privilege usually reserved only for the quarterbacks. Another new rule allows coaches the ability to defer the coin toss should they win and wish to keep the football for the second half. Also new to the game this year will be instant replays for field goals. The Incidental Facemask grab has been done away with as well. Facemask grabs must be held now in order for the player to receive a penalty.

The 2008 football season is sure to be an important and exciting one as there are some other changes that are going to take place that don't necessarily have to do with rules. For one thing, the NFL is going to be sporting a new logo. This will be the first time the league has ever updated their logo. It will feature 8 stars to represent each of the league's divisions. On a somber note, this will be the last season that the Dallas Cowboys will play at Texas Stadium; their new Stadium will be in Arlington, Texas. Another interesting change involves the retirement of Brett Favre.

Jason Forthofer is the owner of Get Football Helmets where you can shop for authentic NFL helmets and revolution authentic helmets.

Miniature Football Helmet - Tiny And Cute, As Good As The Real

Miniature football helmets are a way of bringing home a piece of your favorite team and preserving the same. There are plenty of teams playing in the NFL leagues and people can choose the team they root for and pick up a miniature football helmet from the souvenir store. It is also easier to collect and display these around the house or office as they don't occupy much space. The Arizona Cardinals, or the Clemson tigers might be the team you support, and you can pick up their mini helmets from any website or store which sports the team colors or names on it. It would make a wonderful addition to your growing collection of sports collectibles.

There are some mini helmets available which can be included in your Christmas decorations, you can hang them on the Christmas tree. A fun way to include your favorite sport as part of the festive celebrations. These mini helmets are a smaller version of the big helmets worn by the players, these are all of 3inches in height and is made of good quality products and so last long time. These are available not only for National Football league teams but also for the smaller college football teams. And for the bigger Super bowl teams too, there are miniature helmets available. These helmets are exactly like the bigger ones, right down to the detail in the face mask or the buckle on them. A person could get hooked on collecting these tiny helmets, because they are affordable, not as expensive as the bigger ones. They also take up lesser space and can be kept away in a cupboard along with other curio items. Or one can make a neat little collection of these miniature helmets. If in a family, there are four members, each supporting a different team, they can buy helmets of all their favorite teams and this way each one's loyalties will be displayed.

Be it the Indianapolis Colts Pink Riddell team or maybe the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, the miniature helmets are all made with the best material , with foam padding on the inside and leather strap in the chin area. The players' autograph will also be there on some, but the team logo will appear on the back of the helmet. Taking from this idea, there are companies that have created a mini helmet mp3 player as well. The sports fan can carry a miniature football helmet sporting the colors or logo of his team and listen to music at the same time. This is a fun way of incorporating sports interests with music and marketing a product that serves dual purpose. The miniature football helmets are a interesting and innovative method of promoting a college team or giving the sports enthusiast a chance to possess a piece of the game he loves at an affordable price. For those who yearn for a piece of football apparel or accessory, this is the ideal solution making them popular among peers.

Article written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of Sports Fan Store [http://www.skyfireproducts.com/servlet/the-NFL-Football/Categories], skyfireproducts.com.