Seattle places LB Vobora (shoulder) on injured reserve

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks have placed backup linebacker and special teams standout David Vobora on injured reserve with an apparent shoulder injury.

The Seahawks made the move on Monday, a day after their 23-17 loss to Washington. Vobora was seen in the locker room after the game with a wrap on his left shoulder but the team did not specify Vobora's injury.

Vobora signed with Seattle on Oct. 4 and primarily played on special teams, although he did play some linebacker on Sunday when David Hawthorne had to leave the game in the third quarter.

To fill Vobora's spot, Seattle claimed Adrian Moten off waivers. Moten signed with Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent, but was waived on Nov. 27. He played in 10 games for the Colts and had three tackles.

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Steelers hold off Chiefs with defense

CBSSports.com wire reports
Nov. 27, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ben Roethlisberger joked that the broken thumb on his throwing hand was "still attached" Sunday night. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin thought the injury was a non-issue, and perhaps it was given the way the former Pro Bowl quarterback played.

One thing is certain: The Chiefs sure wish it had been a bigger problem.

Roethlisberger threw a short touchdown pass to Weslye Saunders in the first half, and the Steelers took advantage of four turnovers by Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko in a 13-9 victory that allowed them to keep pace with Baltimore atop the loaded AFC North.

"They're a good football team, good defense," Roethlisberger said. "It's tough because it's a mixed feeling type of thing: You're happy to get the win, but you're disappointed the way the offense played. I think that's what team's all about. The defense stepped up huge today."

Roethlisberger finished 21 of 31 for 193 yards and an interception for the Steelers (8-3), whose defense lost All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu to a head injury in the first quarter yet still managed to keep the bumbling Chiefs (4-7) from scoring a touchdown.

Kansas City has reached the end zone only once since beating San Diego on Oct. 31.

The Chiefs nearly did on their final possession, marching across midfield to the 37. That's when Palko dropped back and looked for Dwayne Bowe, but his throw was high and behind him, and Keenan Lewis hauled in the interception with 29 seconds left to seal the win.

"I just read the quarterback. I knew I had help underneath, so I could stay back and protect deep," Lewis said. "When the ball came out of the quarterback's hand, I saw that Bowe had already made his move. That's when I knew I could make a play."

Palko, making his second successive start in place of the injured Matt Cassel, also fumbled a snap and threw interceptions to Ike Taylor and Ryan Mundy on back-to-back passes in the first half.

Palko fared little better than he did last week against New England, when he tossed three picks in his first NFL start. He finished 18 of 28 for 167 yards in what was likely his last chance.

The Chiefs claimed former Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton off waivers Wednesday with the intention of having him compete with Palko for the starting job. Orton didn't arrive in town until Friday, though, and he was inactive Sunday night after participating in only one practice.

"He'll have a much better chance this week to compete," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said, "and like I said, Tyler is the starter, but whatever position we say, if someone gives us a better chance to win, that's the guideline we generally follow."

Kansas City led 3-0 in the second quarter when Palko's first interception, which Taylor returned to the Chiefs 8, resulted in a 21-yard field goal by the Steelers' Shaun Suisham.

The second pick was returned by Mundy, who had taken over at safety for Polamalu, to the Kansas City 24. The defense appeared to hold Pittsburgh when Tamba Hali sacked Roethlisberger on third-and-7, but safety Jon McGraw was called for defensive holding to give the Steelers a first down.

Three plays later, Roethlisberger found Saunders in the back of the end zone.

"He was kind of one of the last options," Roethlisberger said. "I saw Wes coming in the back of the end zone, he's kind of a big target, so I just kind of threw it up to him."

Ryan Succop added a 49-yard field goal later in the second quarter for Kansas City, his second of the game, but Suisham answered with his own 49-yarder on the final play of the first half.

Succop added a 40-yard field goal with 6:11 left in the fourth quarter.

Polamalu left the game in the first quarter when he tackled 290-pound Chiefs offensive tackle Steve Maneri, who had caught a pass in the flat after lining up in the backfield.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year's head hit Maneri's knee and he crumpled to the turf, where he lay while trainers came out to check on him. Polamalu was a bit wobbly when he stood up and Tomlin said after the game that he was experiencing "concussion-like symptoms."

Roethlisberger showed little evidence of the broken thumb that caused him to be somewhat limited in practice, hitting 10 different receivers. He got some help from Rashard Mendenhall, who ran for 57 yards, and a defense that kept giving the Pittsburgh offense prime field position.

The Steelers squandered a promising opportunity in the first quarter, driving inside the Chiefs 10-yard line. But backup running back Mewelde Moore had the ball poked out by Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali and it was recovered by Javier Arenas in the end zone for a touchback.

Kansas City gave the ball right back when Palko fumbled the snap moments later.

Pittsburgh also had a decent drive end midway through the scoreless third when Roethlisberger underthrew Antonio Brown down the sideline. Kansas City safety Travis Daniels swooped in to make the interception, but the Chiefs' bumbling offense couldn't capitalize.

That wound up being the story of the game.

"We're excited about winning -- and winning on the road -- and making the necessary plays," Tomlin said. "We produced turnovers tonight, and that was big for us."

Notes

Kansas native Martina McBride sang The Star-Spangled Banner. Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet, who attended Kansas State, threw the ceremonial first pass. Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey left in the first half with an illness. The Chiefs finished with 252 yards of total offense.

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Falcons' Smith hopes to continue feasting on rookie quarterbacks

The Falcons roughed up rookie Cam Newton once already this season and face Carolina again Dec. 11. (US Presswire)

ATLANTA -- To death and taxes, add this item to the list of life's inevitabilities: Atlanta Falcons' coach Mike Smith not losing to a rookie quarterback.

Since Smith became the Atlanta coach in 2008, the Falcons are a perfect 8-0 against rookie starters, following Sunday's 24-14 victory here over the Minnesota Vikings and rookie first-rounder Christian Ponder. Typical of a team that often plays down to the level of its competition, and sputters maddeningly on offense for inexplicable stretches, the Falcons struggled to put away a Minnesota club that is now just 2-9, and played on Sunday without its best player, tailback Adrian Peterson.

But the Falcons still won, something they always do versus rookie quarterbacks under Smith, and the schedule and circumstances now set up for them to face three more rookie starters in a row before a showdown with nemesis Drew Brees at New Orleans the day after Christmas.

"You treat [rookies] with the same respect you do everybody else in this league," said Atlanta weakside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who continued his strong play Sunday with a team-high 10 tackles [three for losses], a sack and a hurry of Ponder. "Everybody's dangerous. But, just like I had to do last year, you have to pay some dues. There's a learning curve."

Against the Falcons and Smith since 2008, it's been a steep one, and likely about to get even steeper.

Winners now of two straight games, following their gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Saints on Nov. 13, the Falcons figure to further fatten up their 7-4 record against rookie quarterbacks. For Atlanta, the road to a third straight playoff appearance with Smith at the helm is currently paved with rookie quarterbacks.

The Falcons have topped two rookie starters so far this season, and the upcoming schedule is favorable in that regard.

In what was expected to be a difficult road game, the Falcons will face rookie T.J. Yates at Houston next Sunday. A fifth-round pick seven months ago, Yates, an Atlanta-area native who had never even taken an NFL regular-season snap before Sunday, will replace the injured Matt Leinart as the Texans' starter. Leinart, who sustained a collarbone injury, was, of course, filling in for Matt Schaub (foot), who is on I.R. for the rest of the season.

On Dec. 11, the Falcons travel to Charlotte for a return matchup with the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton, the top overall pick in the 2011 draft. The Falcons beat the Panthers and Newton in their earlier meeting, a 31-17 win on Oct. 16 at the Georgia Dome. Four days later, in a Thursday night mis-matchup, the Falcons host the Jacksonville Jaguars and first-rounder Blaine Gabbert, to complete what could be a four-game run against rookies.

Through Sunday's games, Ponder, Yates, Newton and Gabbert were a combined 6-19 as starters in the league. Newton was the only one of the group with more than two victories on his resume.

Things could change a bit, obviously, in the next few days. Texas almost certainly will sign a veteran free agent to bolster its wobbling depth chart, but Yates is still probably better prepared at this point than any late addition might be. Gabbert was yanked by the Jacksonville coaching staff late in Sunday's loss to Houston, but team officials announced shortly thereafter that he will remain the starter. There is always the possibility of injury that could snap the thread of the Falcons facing off against callow starters.

The run of success against rookie starters, though, likely will continue.

To a man, Atlanta defenders surveyed on Sunday were unaware of the club's record under Smith against rookie quarterbacks. No one, however, was surprised.

"The thing about [Smith] and his staff," said second-year veteran defensive tackle Corey Peters, "is that they don't change. There's a [consistency]. You prepare the same, no matter who is on the other side of the ball."

The Falcons' 8-0 mark against rookies has included victories over Josh Freeman of Tampa Bay (twice in 2009), the New York Jets' Mark Sanchez (2009), Sam Bradford of St. Louis (2010), Jimmy Clausen of Carolina (twice in 2010), Newton (2011), and now Ponder.

In those eight contests, the rookie quarterbacks completed 151 of 251 passes for 1,593 yards, with eight touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. The cumulative passer rating for the eight rookies, who were sacked 16 times in the defeats to the Falcons, is 71.02. Atlanta's average margin in the victories was 12.4 points, with all but two of the wins by10 or more points. Maybe most notable is that none of the rookie quarterbacks managed more than 17 points against the Falcons.

Under Smith, the Falcons simply own rookie quarterbacks.

To his credit, Ponder was poised and collected Sunday, completing 17 of 25 throws for 186 yards, with a touchdown pass and no interceptions. He was sacked four times, but had his team in a position to steal the game after rallying from a 17-0 halftime deficit. His 39-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin, on a fourth-and-13 play in the fourth quarter, was a terrific effort.

The Atlanta defense, despite its four sacks, didn't particularly load up on blitzes, although Weatherspoon's sack came on an inside, extra-man rush. By unofficial count, the Falcons sent an extra defender on the rush on less than half of Ponder's 29 drop-backs.

Said Ponder: "I thought we did some good things, but ..."

But the Vikings lost, which is what rookie quarterbacks have all done against the Falcons since Smith arrived in '08.

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The NFL Throwback Jersey Makes a Big Difference

You may be wondering what's the difference between a NFL throwback jersey versus an average football jersey? Well for one, the NFL throwback jersey is actually a "throwback", so to speak, in the olden glorious days of football. As the name implies, it is a throwback or a representation of the football days when it was just starting out and when named such as the Bus and the Fridge were used to identify some of the greatest names in the face of NFL sports.

If you claim yourself to be a football fan, you should definitely get yourself one of these great NFL throwback jerseys. In the older days of football, the NFL was known to be more than just a commercial sport. Critics who used to pour their love over football are now saying the NFL has become more entertaining than it should be. In the olden days, football involved hard hitting action from all players and teams are formed based from the fact that they mean game business and not literal business on field. Nowadays, some say that the NFL has been run over by big shot corporations. Players, critics say, are now playing for themselves more than for the team.

The NFL throwback jersey is also a reminder of the days when names such as John Elway and Aikman have graced the fields of American football. Real football fans can really say that they are fans if they have this NFL throwback jersey on. Apart from bringing back the glory days, these football jerseys are also known for being replicas of the old team logos. So more than just being proud of having symbolized the great years of American football, its also a great way of commemorating the old teams which have been associated with the football game.

Even though they may represent the past of football, you will discover that finding a NFL throwback jersey is pretty easy to find. Prices may also vary according to the authenticity of the jersey in terms of being actually worn by the players themselves. The internet is one of the best venues for finding authentic throwback jerseys. Some online websites even host bids for those who wanted to purchase a jersey and if it's a limited edition, you would really have to invest some time in it. On the other hand, you can also find websites making replicas of NFL throwback jerseys. You can afford them at lesser costs. Furthermore, some would also allow you to personalize the throwback jersey with additional fees as it fits.

However, you should remember being detailed when it comes to sizes and shipping details. If you are going to purchase a NFL throwback jersey online make sure that the size fits you well and that the shipping procedure is fair enough for you. Shipping fees may or may not be inclusive of the jersey's price so you have to ask about it before purchasing any item or else you might end up surprised with the additional fees you have to pay for.

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

Show Team Support Through Youth NFL Jerseys

The National Football League or NFL has been very famous all over the world in the 21st century. However, we remain clueless that it struggled during its first decade of operation with teams coming in and dropping out with discouraging regularity. Just like other sports associations like NBA and FIFA, the NFL never gained popularity on its first day. It started in the 1920s and Joe F. Carr was commissioned as the league's president. The NFL started to gain popularity when Red Grange signed with the Chicago Bears, which is one of the league's most powerful team back then. Grange was the most phenomenal among the halfbacks of his time and when he had his debut against the Chicago Cardinals at Wrigley Field in Chicago, 36,000 fans went to see his game. This number doubled when they fought against the New York Giants at Polo Grounds in New York. This kind of crowd was unheard, before this. Red Grange retired in 1935 and became one of the all time greats of the NFL.

The NFL has been a part of every American's life nowadays. No NFL fan can live without their own NFL apparel. Every popular NFL team has its own line of youth NFL jerseys. Whether it is summer or the popular winter outfit, youth NFL jerseys has its own variations and styles. For every NFL fanatic, it is imperative to make sure that his/her inventory is always on track. There is no other way to support your popular team than by going to the games in your very own youth NFL jerseys.

The popular youth NFL jerseys is not just for NFL games and gatherings; you can actually wear it for almost any occasions. Not for the coat and tie cocktail parties though. Although authentic NFL jerseys are out in the market, replica jerseys are still part of the fashion. Even though it is cheaper than the authentic ones, it is very stylish that you can wear them to any informal occasions. Tank tops for girls can be very sexy, and tots can join in the fun with their popular team's youth NFL jerseys.

You can buy these apparels on your nearest sports house, NFL establishments and certain shopping centers. However, the most convenient way to get your hands on to your popular team's youth NFL jerseys is to go to your computer and shop online. Some NFL stores have their online counterparts that you can easily purchase any NFL apparels from them in the comfort of your own couch. These online stores offer within the day delivery that it feels like you bought them yourself at your nearby shopping district.

Whenever you just feel like it, or there is a sudden surge of eagerness to buy a particular NFL apparel, you can always go online and purchase it. Just make sure that it is within your budget and the site where you are buying it from is secured. You do not want anybody hacking your personal information.

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

The Top New Features in Madden NFL 11

Personalized NFL Jersey

Wearing NFL jerseys is a very great way to show that you are supporting your team regardless they loose in one or two games or have clinched the title.Actually, NFL jerseys are a bandwagon in sports industries as more and more loyal fan base even the curious ones have become interested in wearing them.But in wearing them, you don't have to wear just any team's jersey just because your friend wears the same thing.

It will be better if you choose which team you really like and most likely to support in every twist and turns of the game. Don't hide if you are rooting to a rival team of your friend after all you are free to choose which one you really like. Now, after you pick the team, then it is really recommended that you buy NFL related things that other fans collect. These NFL related goods would publicly show how much you really support your team.

Some of these sports goodies are MLB jackets, NFL hats, NFL throwback jerseys, NFL replica or authentic jersey and personalized NFL jerseys. Among the six sports goodies mentioned, personalized NFL jerseys is one of the most favorite. Wearing them is really a great feeling that can make your head high because you know that you are supporting a NFL great player and team. When you wear the jersey, you will be beaming with pride as you are shouting for your team's name.

It is even greater that you are wearing your NFL jersey when you are visiting in the rival's home turf and your team is winning, thus making you more proud of your team and the item you are wearing. Men are not just ones, who can wear jerseys, as years past, women become interested in NFL that is why women attendees had skyrocketed now than before.

If you will observe, women attendees in the past are wearing men sizes but now sports house no acknowledged women love for jerseys, that's why they have now available sizes for women. Women can now attend the NFL that is really tailor-made for them.

If you have a wife or girlfriend that you want to date in the NFL games, it will be even better if aside from you, they are also wearing their jersey, too. To place order for jerseys, you should have in mind the word or words that you want to place at the back of them.The word can be your nickname, surname or any word that are special to you. If you have a gal, it will really be romantic if you put her name in the jersey that you order for her.

Along with the name, you also have to choose a number that will be placed just below the name. You can choose a number special to both of you or the number of the jersey of your favorite NFL player.

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

NFL Replica Jerseys - A Must Have for NFL Fans

You know that football season has begun when you see almost everyone wearing NFL jerseys all over the place. There are fans some who wear the NFL authentic jersey while majority are wearing NFL replica jerseys.

Actually, wearing NFL jersey is not just a fad but it is more likely part of a lifestyle that loyal football fans use to show their undying support to their team. Loyal football fans can really attest that wearing NFL jersey add more pride to them knowing that they are one with the valiant players playing in the field.

So, if you really consider yourself a loyal football player, then you must have a NFL jersey in your closet. But the question now is what will you buy? Do you want authentic jerseys? Or do you prefer NFL replica jerseys?

But what is really the difference between NFL authentic jerseys and NFL replica jerseys? NFL authentic jersey is always a great deal. These are made the same way jerseys are made for the players. You can say that a jersey it is authentic when it is made of a heavy fabric, twill numbers and has extra stitching for added protection. This type of jersey also has a NFL logo.

These authentic jerseys are really of great quality but these jerseys are really quite pricey.

Meanwhile, NFL replica jersey is very alike in terms of appearance with the authentic jerseys. It is made with thin mesh material and the numbers at the back are quality printed. It is characterized with drop tail and also has NFL label and equipment shield that are sewn in the collar like the one you see in authentic jersey.

NFL replica jersey is one great way to show that you support your team. It is like holding a boom microphone announcing to the whole town that you are a genuine supporter of your fave team without robbing your pockets because NFL replica jersey is cheaper than the NFL authentic jersey.

NFL replica jerseys are not really heavy compared to authentic jerseys are made of but replica jerseys are really very cool to wear plus the fact that it really looks good. And that is really what matters for football fans. At the market today, you can avail NFL replica jerseys at around forty dollars to seventy-five dollars apiece.

For those who need bigger sizes, don't worry, NFL replica jerseys are can also be avail at bigger sizes. Additional charges apply for bigger sizes. And who says that football is only for men? Women now can also avail NFL replica jerseys.

NFL replica jersey is great an outfit for women who enjoys supporting her fave team without loosing femininity.

In the end, it can be said that you are short in supporting your team if you don't own any NFL jerseys, and though we know that NFL authentic jersey is really expensive, that still not excuse because there are NFL replica jersey that are affordable and can really show your support without sacrificing quality.

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

NFL Football - Facts and Fun

Regardless of what team you follow in the NFL, all fans have one thing in common - the love of the sport. American Football and the NFL in particular is known and loved throughout America, and the world. With the love of NFL football comes the pleasure of having your team and fellow fans unite to enjoy the sport, the atmosphere and the feeling of being a part of a massive following.

We all support our teams in various ways, and we all enjoy NFL football to differing levels, but regardless of this we all still love to show our support for our team and announcing it to friends and family. We get the opportunity to do this in an endless list of ways from hanging a flag over our bed, drinking from our team's mug and donning our team's jersey. Despite how you follow your team and to what degree you love NFL football every fan feels at home when surrounded by the game, and the apparel of the sport.

 

From the Arizona Cardinals to the Washington Redskins we have access to an endless list of gifts and items to show our love of NFL football and our teams. With more NFL fans worldwide than can be counted the sport is loved by all, and is growing everyday. It is difficult to know whether football, or the NFL has more followers, but it is known that in every corner of the globe lays and NFL football fan.

 

Facts of NFL Football - The NFL Football league started in 1920 with eleven teams, and since has nearly trebled in size with currently 32 teams competing each season. Despite baseball being known as the American national pastime, American Football and the NFL is the most popular sport in the United States.

The highlight of the NFL Football season is the Super Bowl which is made up each year of the divisional champions from the AFC (American Football Conference) and the NFC (National Football Conference) - they meet at a neutral venue to decide the Super Bowl champion, the dream of every NFL fan.

NFL football has been known to exceed baseball in regards to fans and spectators by double according to records of 2008, and auto racing by treble. These figures alone show the incredible phenomenon that NFL Football has become and every fan wants to be a part of it on various levels.

This is becoming an increasingly easy task with the growing number of online stores such as QuarterbackFan [http://www.quarterbackfan.com] - selling gifts, apparel and memorabilia from all aspects of NFL Football.

6 Avoidable Mistakes When Selecting an NFL Gift For a Relative Or Friend

Are you looking for the perfect gift? Finding the perfect gift for someone can be challenging, taking into consideration his or her personal interests. For example, it seems as if there are an unlimited number of choices when selecting a gift for an NFL fan. How do you know whether to pick a collectible, car accessory, tailgate and grilling gear, a replica helmet, or a Bobble Head? Here are some mistakes to avoid, in order to pick the right NFL gift for any occasion:

1. Never buy generic gifts except for gift-exchanges

You could consider generic gifts (i.e. self-shaking salt and pepper shakers), for situations such as gift-exchanges. However, when selecting an NFL gift for someone you know, try to make the gift as personal as possible. If the gift receiver owns a vehicle, consider car accessories. If he or she is a student, mull over school supplies. If the person's birthday is in December, consider Christmas items.

2. Never throw away the receipt

Even if you have picked the "perfect" NFL gift, save the receipt! Always provide the gift receiver with a means of exchanging the gift, if necessary.

3. Never fall for gender stereotypes

Unfortunately, some lingering gender stereotypes could prevent you from selecting the best NFL gift. For women, there is the stereotype that that they simply dislike sports, or that they are not fans of contact sports. For men, there is the stereotype that they are naturally fans of sports. When searching for the perfect NFL gift, it is important to bury these stereotypes. Your goal should be to find the best gift for a particular person.

4. Never be afraid to do some detective work

You might have to do some research, to learn which type of NFL gift would be best for the receiver. While the use of surveillance cameras is not recommended, here are some effective methods you could use:

o Look for clues that the gift receiver drops

o Notice if the gift receiver wears gear of a particular team

o Observe what the gift receiver owns and what he or she needs

o Discuss with relatives and friends the preferences of the gift receiver

5. Never shop for yourself

We always consider a gift receiver's interests and preferences, right? Well, you might be surprised. Even if we are a fan of a particular NFL team, such as the New York Giants, we should not assume that the gift receiver is a fan of the same team. Furthermore, he or she may have a different preference regarding hues, fashion sense, decor, etc. Thus, it is vital always to take a gift receiver-centered approach when selecting an NFL gift.

6. Never discount asking directly for gift ideas

Some gift receivers would not be offended if you asked them what type of NFL gift they would prefer.

The "perfect" NFL gift is the one that is perfect for the gift receiver. By avoiding some common errors, increase your chance of scoring a touchdown when you pick a particular present!

Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on NY Giants merchandise [http://www.booyahvillage.com/nfl-new-york-giants.html]. Many articles are related to NFL gear [http://www.booyahvillage.com/nfl.html] and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

NFL Picks and Tips for Sports Investors During the NFL Preseason

?This seems to be a norm for most seasoned sports bettors. A considerable number of sports bettors who are initially focused on regular season of the NFL ultimately find it more appealing and rewarding when they go for NFL picks during the preseason. For a lot of savvy sports investors, this seems to be a sound betting philosophy, although logic dictates that the real deal only happens during the regular season.

Obviously, you will not have the confidence going for NFL picks during the preseason for the simple reason that NFL teams are playing with nothing at stake. For most of us, this is a valid assumption and you cannot place bets when the teams are playing by simply going through the motions without any real concern about the final outcome.

The truth of the matter is that NFL preseason games can be the treasure trove for sports bettors who will decide to use NFL picks and give the preseason a try. If you really want to follow the lead of successful and seasoned sports investors then preseason NFL picks have got to be part of your betting arsenal.

Here are some important tips that you have to be aware of when betting during the NFL preseason.

Consider new coaches and coaching staff of NFL teams

You don't really need to be a rocket scientist to understand that appointments of new coaches and coaching staff do affect the overall performance of NFL teams. In most instances, a new coach would be handling a team with so-so performance during the previous season. This alters the general complexion of the game and it is highly likely that the coaching staff and players will have that extra push to notch those wins to get the team back on the winning track.

Consider the rotation of players

While this may not be established during the initial games, a sharp sports investor will be able to find NFL teams that will utilize their starters more often than the others. This is material advantage and you should expect to have a winning NFL picks that are going for NFL teams that are inclined to give more playing time to their starters during the preseason.

Consider the Competition in the QB Position

If you have an NFL team that has a pair of quarterbacks or more jockeying for the starting position, the coach will most likely allow each of the quarterbacks to assume the slot with the team's starting unit. This means sharp dips and picks in the overall performance of the NFL team. This element should be taken into account when you assess your betting options and consider your winning NFL picks.

Discover the Recommended Sports Handicapper yielding more profits than the stock market. IG Sports Picks specializes in providing high end information for sports bettors, and best of all, it's all recorded in a spreadsheet and line graph that display all earnings. Please go to my website to see my services.

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The Fan's Guide To The NFL Lockout

Recently, you may have heard of the possibility of a NFL Lockout on the news or in the paper, and wondered, "What is this all about"? Well, in order to properly understand the NFL Lockout, one must first have a basic understanding of what a Collective Bargaining Agreement, or CBA, is. In simple terms, a CBA is an agreement between an employer (the NFL in this case) and a representative body of employees (the NFLPA). The CBA between the NFL and the NFL Players Association covers everything from the health insurance benefits for the players, to the revenue split between the owners and the players.

The main issues of concern in the current CBA regard the shared revenue between the NFL and the NFLPA and the expansion from a 16 game regular season to an 18 game regular season. These two core issues are essentially what have led the NFL to a lockout, and so far, neither side has made much of an attempt to budge from their respective positions.

Recent attempts at reconciliation and cooperation have been made through federal mediation to no avail, and unfortunately it looks as though this will have to be settled in court. For the fans this means that an NFL Lockout could result in the cancellation of the 2011-2012 football season.

It is no surprise that the fans are pretty fed up with the NFL's infighting. To most it appears to be two very wealthy sides battling it out over more money with no interest in their most important asset, the fans. Many fans have taken it upon themselves to petition the NFL owners not to lockout the players, however, it seems to have had very little effect as the owners continue to push their agendas.

Now fans are taking it a step farther. The No Nonsense Fan League is a fan run organization that has recently vowed to send a physical letter to the NFL for every fan who wishes for their voice to be heard, in an unprecedented attempt to become the representative voice of the fans. Fans from all over the country are taking part in the project and "banding against the NFL Lockout". In doing so each fan receives a "Fan Bandit" wristband to wear in protest of the NFL Lockout, in addition to the letter that is being sent to the NFL on their behalf. Whether or not the fan's attempt to stop the NFL Lockout will work remains to be seen. However, one thing is for certain. The NFL fans are not going to stand by and watch their favorite sport be ruined by the very same people who already make billions of dollars each year in ticket and merchandise sales, and TV and sponsorship deals.

Find out what you can do to stop the NFL Lockout

Maurice Clarett of Ohio State University Tried to Enter the NFL Draft Early After Freshmen Season

15 of the Most Popular NFL Jerseys (and the Players Inside)

1. Brett Favre. Brett's most endearing quality is his longevity and continued success in arguably the most important position in football. On the other hand, Favre's wild tendencies and current waffling over retirement and remaining in the NFL drive many fans crazy. Delighting fans for years as a Green Bay Packer, only to move on to the New York Jets and then finally to the Minnesota Vikings has put Favre's name on many colors over the years.

2. Jay Cutler. Jay is one of those players in the NFL who has brought a lot of promise from the day he was drafted from Vanderbilt College. A mediocre year in Chicago marked his trade from the Denver Broncos. From time spent with the Denver Broncos to currently leading the Chicago Bears, many people along with Cutler himself are looking forward to the future.

3. Troy Polamalu. Troy has arguably become one of the Pittsburgh Steelers most important defensive weapons since joining with the team out of USC. Troy is easily identifiable not only for his skill on the gridiron but also for his long hair and recently appeared in a shampoo commercial. The Pittsburgh Steelers look to continue their success with Polamalu's tough and creative style of play.

4. Michael Vick. Although Michael's recent legal troubles have given him plenty of detractors, he maintains a strong following of supporters and has recently been "re-created" with the Philadelphia Eagles. Michael made a turbulent start to his career with the Atlanta Falcons, showing tremendous athletic abilities mixed with questionable personal decisions. Vick's diversity in football allows him to be successful not only as quarterback but at a variety of positions.

5. Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben has spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading them in two Super Bowl victories-becoming the youngest Super Bowl winning quarterback at only 23. Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers have dominated much of the last decade, although Ben has had his share of injuries and controversy to go along with his success.

6. Tony Romo. Surprisingly, Tony Romo earned a sort with the Dallas Cowboys after going undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft. Romo has had a successful career with Dallas and has been surrounded by many skilled (and controversial) players. Tony is poised to continue his success with Dallas into the future, hoping to win his first Super Bowl championship.

7. Mark Sanchez. Known to his N.Y. Jets teammates as "Sanchise", Mark became one of only four quarterbacks to win his first rookie playoff game. In 2009 Sanchez earned the largest New York Jets contract in history, illustrating the team's intention of him leading them into the foreseeable future. After leading the Jets to the 2010 AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sanchez is poised to even greater accomplishments in the future.

8. Tom Brady. After winning three Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots and countless other accomplishments, Brady and the Patriots have become synonymous with success in the NFL. Brady's consistency and excellence are a standard in the NFL that Brady and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick are building upon for the future.

9. Adrian Peterson. The Minnesota Vikings selected Adrian "All Day" Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft. Peterson went on to set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a game and win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Peterson continued to excel with the Vikings and the Brett Favre led offense.

10. Eli Manning. Eli showed the stellar talent he possesses when he not only won the Super Bowl championship with the New York Giants in 2008 but was named MVP of the game. Since his career start in 2004, expectations have been extremely high for Eli and he continues to excel.

11. Terrell Owens. Terrell begin his colourful NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, and then moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and finally the Buffalo Bills. Known popularly (or infamously) as T.O., Owens has achieved great success with his teams while sparking countless controversies.

12. Peyton Manning. Continuing the family legacy of NFL success, Peyton won the 2006 Super Bowl championship with the Indianapolis Colts and has consistently been one of the highest rated passers in the NFL. Peyton is known for his meticulous football planning and for his work as comedy host of SNL. Fans and detractors alike will continue to watch Peyton's accomplishments grow over time.

13. Hines Ward. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers Hines has become known as one of the most versatile wide receivers in the NFL. Ward is outstanding both as a receiver for short and long yard plays as well as blocking for his teammates. Ward achieved the Super Bowl championship with the Pittsburgh Steelers twice.

14. LaDainian Tomlinson. Upon being drafted with the San Diego Chargers in 2001, Tomlinson or "L.T." as he is popularly known, became the top running back with the team. While the ultimate championship has eluded L.T., he has numerous achievements, including the single season NFL touchdown record. LT has recently signed with the New York Jets and will bring his excellence to this up-and-coming team.

15. Jason Witten. Witten has enjoyed great success with the Dallas Cowboys since 2004, being consistently named to the Pro Bowl in his position as tight end. In 2007 Witten joined elite company as he became just the third tight end in NFL history with 96 or more catches in a single season.

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Greg Smith
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NFL Sports Merchandise - Personalized NFL Jersey

Football game is a popular game in the U.S and number of supporters doubly increases for each season.

With the growing number of fans and supporters enormously growing, NFL sports merchandise also grows leaps and bound.

We can see NFL sports merchandise like NFL key chains for drivers, NFL ashtray for smokers, and NFL laptops for tech gadget lovers. There is also NFL jackets, hats, replica jerseys and personalized NFL jersey.

With all the sports goodies mentioned, the last one is the most favorite among fans because it can create more statement than the others.

As you see, not all fans has wheels to drive, not all are smokers and some had already own a laptop so the best merchandise is something that you can actually wear whether in the stadium or outside of it.

But though NFL jackets, hats and replica jersey are something that you can wear, nothing can still compare to the feeling of being proud with your personalized NFL jersey.

Personalized NFL jersey is a good investment because this is a good way to show your support to your team plus the fact that it can be personalized to your preference.

You can put your name or number that is special to you or can also be the number of your favorite player in the team.

But aside from adding personal touch to the jersey, personalizing it will really save you lots of money.

As we know players are being traded or sometimes there are involved in controversies that will be a problem.

For instance your favorite player is traded to another team? What will happen to the NFL replica or authentic jersey that you bought few months ago? It means you cannot wear that NFL jersey again.

Another situation is what if the player who wears the jersey was involved in a scandal? Do you still want to wear the replica jersey of the one who had the scandal? Of course not, so what is the best thing to do?

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

The Availability of Cheap NFL Jerseys

NFL jerseys are in great demand in the US with many fans giving their support of all the National Football Teams of the NFL. Wearing these jerseys is not only a way to show support during a match but also part of everyday life for many active football fans, who wish to how who they support. With their being so many teams it is vital to offer a variety of the teams to your customers. For this reason, it is important that you get the best deal on your purchase so that too much of your cash is tied up in stock. Getting cheap NFL jerseys is a matter of finding the right supplier by doing sufficient research.

There are many kinds of cheap NFL jerseys.

Cheap NFL jerseys obviously don't cost a lot and there are a few reasons for this:

? Low manufacturing costs

? Low quality materials used.

? Bulk buy

? Replica vs authenticity

Manufacturing costs

When locating a supplier you will find that many are based in China where the manufacturing costs are far less than in western countries. Many costs are lower there, for example, labor and materials, and as such they are able to manufacture and sell cheap NFL jerseys in bulk to the US.

Quality of materials

Lower quality materials, even cottons and buttons can affect the price of cheap NFL jerseys. When a manufacturer is purchasing hundreds and hundreds of buttons, for example, it works out very well for them to use a poorer quality button at half the price. Of course the result is a less durable but cheap NFL football jersey. These are often found to be preferable to buyers from the US. The reduction in costs are favorable to them where quality has been compromised in small items that would inevitably be replaced at a later stage. This is also justified by the large turnover in cheap NFL football jerseys in retail stores.

Buying in bulk

Not only do manufacturers buy in bulk when making the NFL football jerseys and cheap NFL throwback jerseys, but also when they sell them in bulk to distributors, they are able to give a good price which suits their customers. In this way distributors making bulk purchases of jerseys for resale in their store are able to give a better deal to the football fans, creating a larger customer base.

Cheap NFL Replica Jerseys

Replica NFL jerseys are cheap because they do not need to go through the licensing and payment of royalties to the NFL Football League and their teams. Since licenses and royalties account for a great percentage of the cost of the actual jersey many distributors and manufacturers try to skip this process as buying fabrics and other materials at increasingly better prices is becoming difficult.

So the difference between a cheap NLF replica jersey and an authentic NFL jersey is simply that there are no official licenses held by the manufacturers or the distributor concerned and that royalties are not being paid to NFL for the use of their teams names, logo and colors.

Buy a cheap jersey through internet marketing.
cheap NFL Jersey

2006 NFL Mock Draft Top Five Value Picks

Here's a 2006 NFL mock draft of the top five value picks, so throw out all of the other methods for measuring college players and their potential value in the NFL.

Most 2006 NFL mock drafts look at team needs and potential trades. None of that here. In an NFL draft that is this top-end heavy, it's all about value. Forget need in the top five and take the best player.

Some people say the Houston Texans would trade the first pick to select a quarterback or to stockpile picks to improve one of the most dreadful offenses the NFL has seen in many years.

Forget it. With Reggie Bush entering the NFL, 2006 mock NFL draft, along with the actual NFL draft, should have Bush as the first player being taken. Bush is destined for stardom. He's a young, fast version of Marshall Faulk, arguably the best football player ever to lace up the cleats.

At number two in this Barnes version of the 2006 NFL mock draft, it's AJ Hawk. Most experts have Hawk anywhere from four to seven in their NFL mock drafts, but a player of Hawk's skills and fierce competitiveness doesn't come along often. Hawk impacts games, and not many players do this.

D'Brickashaw Ferguson is third in the 2006 NFL mock draft. This monster lineman will make most QBs and RBs better.

Fourth on the Barnes 2006 NFL mock draft list is quarterback Matt Leinart. He fits all of the NFL draft expert's package for greatness, with the size, intellect and background. Someone gets a 10-year winner in this draft pick.

Rounding out the 2006 NFL mock draft at number five is Mario Williams. The NC State defensive end has protypical size and speed and finished his collegiate career with 14.5 sacks. He'll terrorize QBs for many years, and no one should pass on him at this spot.

Check out more great information now at Expert Commentary [http://sportscommentary.suite101.com]

A Guide to Finding the Perfect NFL Jersey For Yourself

There is something about the NFL that just can't compare to any other sport. The excitement, the camaraderie and the special way that fans support their teams are just some of the reasons that NFL fans like to invest in vast collections of NFL gear to show their support properly.

Your love for the NFL can be expressed in many ways. You want to support your team as much as possible, and this can mean screaming and cheering at games, or kitting yourself out in your teams gear. The fact that you want to express your love for the NFL through NFL jerseys and other accessories is understandable.

If you are looking for a new NFL jersey, you need to read this article to ensure that you buy only the best jersey and other NFL accessories for yourself.

NFL jerseys: An overview

Every team on the NFL has its own unique apparel, from jerseys to caps and beyond. No matter which NFL team you support, there is a wide range of apparel you can buy to show your complete support.

The jerseys come in two main varieties, the authentic, and the fake. In addition, the differences between the two can often only be seen in the price, with real NFL jerseys and apparel costing far more than the fakes.

Thanks to online shopping, it's possible to find a great deal on NFL apparel, if you know where to look that is. Luckily, all you need is an internet connection and a bit of time to spare in order to find the best NFL clothing for less. Start by searching for your specific team and browse the available selection.

Whether you support the Minnesota Vikings or the Eagles, there is a perfect NFL jersey for you. For an NFL fan, there is no greater gift than a quality NFL jersey. If you are looking to spoil an NFL fan in your life, consider buying an NFL jersey as a gift.

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 [http://www.nflkidsjerseys.org/]

Week 9 Judgements: 49ers QB Smith silencing bust talk in 2011

1. Jim Harbaugh's biggest achievement is finding something in Alex Smith nobody else could. Don't tell me the49ers knew what was coming. They traded up in the second round to draft Colin Kaepernick. But this just in: Smith is 8-1 in his last nine starts, with only two interceptions this season. Better yet, he just led the 49ers to their fourth straight road victory.

2. Me? I'm all for an Alex Smith-Aaron Rodgers NFC Championship Game so we can relive that 2005 draft all over again.

3. Time to start the countdown on San Francisco clinching the NFC West. The 49ers are five games up with eight to play. That's just another reason why Harbaugh is the frontrunner for Coach of the Year.

4. Tom Brady is right. You're going to see what the Patriots are made of this week when they play the Jets. New York hasn't lost at home and is coming off its best and most intimidating defensive performance of the year. Plus, New England is in a funk. Bad enough that it lost its last two and that its defense stinks; but Brady isn't himself. In his last four games the league's reigning MVP has seven TD passes and five interceptions. In his first four he was 13 and 5. Maybe Brady can't rescue these guys after all. I guess we're about to find out.

5. This is what I like most about what Eli Manning did: He not only beat New England where Brady almost never loses -- at home -- but he did it without his best two offensive weapons, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and running back Ahmad Bradshaw. Aaron Rodgers will be everyone's mid-season MVP, but Manning deserves consideration for the silver.

6. Looks like Buffalo's Stevie Johnson is the next guy out of our Experts Pool. Sorry, Stevie, it's not Buffalo's time.

7. For all the talk about San Diego being explosive on offense that marked the first time this year the Bolts reached 30. Prior to Sunday there were four teams that averaged 30 or more and nine that averaged 25. San Diego was in neither group.

8. Sure glad I listened to all those people telling me that Tim Tebow can't play and should sit down. Yeah, sure, he's 2-1, just beat Oakland in Oakland, and he needs to sit down.

9. Uh, for those interested, Denver is a game out of first place in the AFC West. That tells you more about the division than it does the Broncos.

10. Please tell me that the bellyaching over Joe Flacco in Baltimore has ceased. That wasn't just a game-winning drive. It was a magnificent series reminiscent of a 12-play, 92-yard drive Ben Roethlisberger launched vs. Baltimore in 2008 ... in Baltimore no less. With the victory, his second straight over Pittsburgh, Flacco proved he's the quarterback who can take Baltimore to the top.

11. And this season's Cliff Klavan Award goes to ... the Indianapolis Colts. Talk about mailing it in. Their last three games the Colts have been outscored 120-24. "We will never accept this kind of chronic losing," said owner Jim Irsay in a Sunday tweet. "It's an unwelcome visitor that we will not tolerate." Maybe, but when it comes with Andrew Luck it's a lot easier to swallow.

12. Memo to Mike McCarthy: Next time you win the coin toss, take the kickoff. The last three times the Packers won they deferred, and all three times their opponent scored a first-series TD.

13. I saw a story that said Miami owner Stephen Ross wants Stanford's Andrew Luck "in the worst way." And this is news?

14. You never like to lose someone of Mario Williams' caliber. But look what his injury has done for Houston: Forced the Texans to play rookie Brooks Reed. So what? So Reed has sacks in each of his last three games (including two Sunday) and is getting invaluable experience that will make Houston a deeper and better defense in the future.

15. The more I see Julio Jones, the more I wonder if Cleveland should have made that Draft Day deal. The Browns need nothing more than playmakers, and Jones would've been a nice start for Colt McCoy.

FIVE THINGS I LIKE

1. Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals were supposed to be one of the league's bottom feeders, but they're not. Instead, they're tied for first in the AFC North, and I can tell you why: Andy Dalton. He doesn't play like a rookie quarterback. I understand the attention Cam Newton's getting in Carolina and how he's energized the Panthers, but I also understand this: Dalton has more touchdown passes, a higher completion percentage and a 6-2 record.

2. The Giants hoisting coach Tom Coughlin to their shoulders in the locker room after Sunday's win. Yes, that was Coughlin laughing with his players -- a signal how much he treasured the come-from-behind win. People used to say Coughlin was too tough, too stiff, too player-unfriendly to last in New York. Uh-huh, and Joe Flacco can't beat Pittsburgh, either. Puh-leeze.

3. San Diego's pass rush. The Bolts struggled all season to get to the quarterback, averaging fewer than two a game prior to Sunday. Then they dropped Aaron Rodgers four times -- all in the first half -- and pulled him down within a yard or two of the line of scrimmage on at least three other occasions. At least they got something out of their third straight defeat.

4. Torrey Smith's touchdown catch with eight seconds left to shock Pittsburgh. Smith is the guy who dropped the game-winning TD 30 seconds earlier and committed a brutal holding call that cost the Ravens a game-opening TD. "All you need is one play," said Flacco, "and that's what we got."

5. Dallas' upcoming schedule. I know, the Cowboys draw Buffalo next weekend, but it's in Dallas where they're 3-1. Then it's Washington, Miami and Arizona. That will take the heat off Tony Romo in a hurry.

FIVE THINGS I DON'T

1. What is going on with San Diego's Philip Rivers, and, honestly, I wish I knew. I bet the Chargers do, too. Rivers already has more interceptions (14) through eight games than he had all of last season (13). But his worst gaffe Sunday might have been an intentional grounding call that sabotaged the Chargers' next-to-last drive. "It was either that or the sack," Rivers said. I tell you, it's always something with him this season. Too bad, too. He's been one of the league's best and most efficient quarterbacks, but not this season.

2. Cleveland's run defense. Yeah, the Browns miss Eric Mangini, and Sunday's game will tell you why: Houston ran for a season-best 261 yards, including 132 in the first half on just 15 carries. Oh, yeah, all three of the Texans' touchdowns were runs, too.

3. Those stories about why Miami cornerback Vontae Davis didn't make the Kansas City trip. Hungover and late for work? You gotta be kidding me. Now I know why the Dolphins stink. Hey, wasn't this the guy who said he was part of the best cornerback tandem in the NFL? Maybe we should have administered a sobriety test then.

4. Carson Palmer trying to pick up the NFL in mid-season. I don't care how good you are, when you miss training camp and preseason there are repercussions -- and Palmer is finding out the hard way. Make that six interceptions in one-and-a-half games. Now he goes home to San Diego (he lives in Del Mar) for a Thursday night game with San Diego, with the winner taking sole possession of first in the AFC West.

5. Clay Matthews' performance. He was opposite right tackle Jeromey Clary, which should've been a mismatch. But it wasn't. Clary neutralized last year's runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, holding him to one tackle, in what one Green Bay observer called Matthews' worst performance of the season.

FIVE GUYS WHO HAVE SOME 'SPLAINING TO DO

1. Referee Ron Winters -- His crew marked off a 5-yard penalty as 6 and a 15-yard penalty as 16. This is not rocket science, Ron. If you need help, that's why we invented math.

2. Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau -- I'm with NBC's Tony Dungy, a guy who knows something about defense. I don't get what Pittsburgh was doing on the Ravens' last series, particularly those last two plays. Bump and run? Sorry, I don't get it, not with speed like Torrey Smith on the outside.

3. Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham -- He scores the go-ahead touchdown, then draws a personal foul for taunting an opponent. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. That moves the Giants' kickoff from the 35 to the 20. You don't give Tom Brady an advantage like that and expect to escape ... and the Giants didn't. Brady led the Patriots to a go-ahead touchdown.

4. New England coach Bill Belichick -- The Patriots defense stinks, and I'd have some sympathy except ... he's the guy who drafted the guys that comprise the league's worst unit. Bad enough what we saw a week ago in Pittsburgh; Sunday was worse. The Patriots couldn't stop the Giants from sailing 80 yards in the last 1:21.

5. Washington coach Mike Shanahan -- He sat down Rex Grossman after his four interceptions vs. Philadelphia, replacing him with a quarterback (John Beck) who hadn't started since 2007. So what happens? Washington not only loses three straight with Beck; it has one touchdown in its last 25 possessions. Time to face facts, Mike: The quarterback who can win for you isn't on the roster.

JUST ASKING BUT ...

• What's happened to the Oakland Raiders?

• Do the Bengals make the playoffs?

• What lasts longer ... Washington's allegiance to John Beck or Kim Kardashian's marriage?

• Who wins the AFC East?

• What's going on with Tom Brady?

NUMBERS ON THE WALL

0 -- Tim Tebow fourth-quarter passes

2 -- Arizona safeties this year on intentional grounding

3 -- Straight games with Cleveland's Phil Dawson hitting a field goal from 50 yards and beyond

6-0 -- New Orleans when it runs for 100 yards

10 -- Punts in the first half of New York Giants-New England game

13-3 -- Combined records of Jim and John Harbaugh

20 -- Career 100-yard receiving games by Wes Welker

36 -- Straight games with a Drew Brees touchdown pass

MY TOP FIVE

1. Green Bay

2. San Francisco

3. Baltimore

4. Pittsburgh

5. Detroit

MY BOTTOM FIVE

32. Indianapolis

31. Miami

30. St. Louis

29. Seattle

28. Arizona

NEXT WEEKEND'S THREE BEST GAMES

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati ... Time to find out about the Bengals.

New York Giants at San Francisco ... It's best of NFC East vs. best in NFC West.

New England at N.Y. Jets ... Get ready for another week of Great Rex-pectations.

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Wear Your Authentic NFL Jersey with Pride

One of the most famous sports around today, particularly in North America, is the NFL football. It a huge source of entertainment that fans from every generation cherishes. Many people unfamiliar with the sport may be confused the other sport called Soccer, however, NFL football is an American favorite. It is recreational sport that gathers tons of crowds and families together to cheer for their favorite team. The lovable sport and its many features is why many devoted fans look for authentic NFL jerseys. Authentic NFL jerseys give fans a precious memorabilia to hold on to. It is a valued symbol that fans from all over the world can appreciate.

The authentic NFL jerseys are a part of the NFL football identity. It unites fans and sport enthusiasts alike, and gives them something to relate with each other. Even though many different fans cheer for many different teams, wearing a football jersey is something that represents their love for the sport no matter what team they may support. Wearing a jersey is equivalent to showing the public world that you a fan or a particular sport or team. It is equal to revealing a part of a fan's identity. Wearing these jerseys can give a fan a feeling of belonging to a special group of people who belong to one big team. That is why these precious jerseys are held in such high regard. Jerseys are a fan staple in any sport.

There are two types of jerseys available. There are authentic jerseys and replica jerseys. There is a very obvious difference in these types of jerseys. Although both types of jerseys have the sewn name of the player on it, the difference lies in the mesh sleeves. The replica jersey usually has its body and sleeves with a nylon mesh, while the authentic jersey has a combined mesh sleeve. The more obvious difference in the replica and authentic NFL jersey is that authentic ones have a standard NFL logo on it. Some people may have difficulty telling authentic and replica jerseys apart, however there are still many little differences that reveal which is which. New fans may want to research about what memorabilia they are buying, because some stores may claim that they have authentic NFL jerseys, but sell replica jerseys for an authentic jersey's price.

Another feature of an authentic NFL jersey is that it can have a real player's autograph. Some sports fan stores deliver the jerseys with a player's photo and other memorabilia when it is specially ordered.

Many fans, new and old, are now looking for authentic NFL jerseys to add to their fan memorabilia collections. These jerseys have become an important facet of the football sport culture. Many casual fans are also buying these jerseys so that they may feel they are part of the football culture. They understand that these jerseys hold a certain prestige in the football world. One of the greatest sports legacies has been NFL football, and the authentic NFL jerseys have become a vital part of any true football fan's life.

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

NFL Football Betting - Three Football Handicapping Tips to Make You a Pro This NFL Betting Season

Informative NFL Trivia

NFL History

The National Football League or more popularly known as the NFL is the biggest professional American Football league. It originally was formed in 1920 as was called the American Professional Football Association which was later changed to the American Professional Football League a year after. Its name was changed yet again to its current name a year after that. The league started with a mere 11 members but has evolved to 32 teams divided into 2 conferences with 16 teams each. This in turn has resulted in a flood of NFL merchandise available such as mini NFL helmets. The long history of the league has thus resulted in some amusing and interesting NFL trivia.

NFL popularity

American Football has been the most popular sport in the US since 1965. The NFL has the largest per-game attendance of any domestic professional sports league in the world, pulling over 67,000 spectators per game for every one of its two most recently completed seasons, 2006 and 2007. However, the National Football League's overall attendance is only about 20% of that of Major League Baseball, due to MLB's 162 game schedule.

In a sports poll completed in 2008, the NFL was the favorite sport of almost as many people (30 percent) as the combined total of the next four professional sports - baseball (15 percent), auto racing (10 percent), hockey (5 %) and men's pro basketball (4 percent). In addition, Football's American TV viewership numbers now surpass those of other sports. In addition, independent studies suggest that the average global viewership is just over 100 million, with the vast majority of whom are U.S. viewers.

The NFL logo

The old NFL logo with 25 stars was used between 1970 and 2008. It was replaced with a new logo, which contains 4 stars, for the 2008 season.

The Super Bowl Trophy

The trophy a team is given for winning the Super Bowl is called Vince Lombardi Trophy; Lombardi successfully the Packers to multiple NFL Championships in the 1960s.

NFL Players

Intriguingly, former Charger Defensive Lineman Ernie Ladd also managed a career in professional wrestling.

NFL Teams

The Green Bay Packers are not only the sole NFL team that is publicly owned by the community and fans. It is the only professional sports team in the United States with such a distinctive ownership arrangement. The Packers had the honor of winning the first two Super Bowls ever played, although at the time they were not yet referred to as Super Bowls. The

Berg Payne is an avid sports fan on the verge of being a fanatic. When he is not at the game, he can be found meticulously going through his vast collection of NFL merchandise which makes up for just a fraction of his popular sports memorabilia collection.

Chargers reportedly interested in Panthers' WR Smith

Veteran wide receiver Steve Smith cleared out his locker and packed his belongings from the Carolina Panthers' team facility last month.

Was it the first step in the next phase of his career? He has two years remaining on his current contract and is owed $7 million for 2011 and $7.75 million for '12.

Smith, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, wants to be traded and the Los Angeles native prefers a California landing spot. The paper, citing sources close to the situation, indicates the Chargers are extremely interested in acquiring Smith if he becomes available at the conclusion of the NFL lockout. At present, player movement is not allowed because the league is, technically, closed for official business.

Coach Ron Rivera, entering his first season as a head coach, has maintained that Smith is part of the team's future in Carolina.

"Steve's a Carolina Panther. That's a situation where as we go further on we'll address. We'll talk and he knows how I feel about things. My biggest thing is let us put it all together and see how it works, see if it's something that can work for all of us. That's probably the most important thing. But we have to do what's best for the Carolina Panthers," Rivera said in February.

Smith, 32, has played 10 NFL seasons, all with the Panthers, and has 52 touchdowns. But he began last season with a broken arm that kept him out of the preseason and never found a groove amidst a season-long quarterback issue in 2010. The Panthers went 2-14, leaning on rookie Jimmy Clausen after veterans Matt Moore and street free agent Brian St. Pierre went down with injuries.

In December, Smith said Clausen should apologize to the veterans in the huddle and said he had a lot to learn. Clausen had issued an apology to defensive captain Jon Beason for a poor peformance in a 31-10 loss to the Saints.

"I'm the last guy to tell anybody to be apologizing, but if you're going to apologize, you know, you should apologize to the people in the huddle with you," Smith said. "But he has a lot to learn. He ain't in Notre Dame anymore, that's for sure."

The Panthers used the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton. Whether Newton, a junior who won the Heisman Trophy and national championship in his lone season as a starter, can contribute immediately is open to debate. The current lockout, also prohibiting rookies from hands-on learning at the team facility, would seem to favor Clausen returning as the team's starter with Newton learning for most or all of his rookie season.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

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Spotting Cheap NFL Jerseys

Unflappable Flacco shrugs off drops, achieves statement victory

Take away the drops, and Flacco's stats are 7 of 10 for 92 yards on the final drive. (US Presswire)

PITTSBURGH -- Joe Flacco doesn't get happy, doesn't get mad, doesn't seem to register emotion like a human being registers emotion. He plays football with bland detachment, like a librarian stacking books instead of a quarterback trying to avoid James Harrison.

And that ticks some people off. They don't get it. They can't relate to it. It's spooky to watch, but when it works -- and it worked Sunday night -- it's beautiful to watch. Beautiful and still spooky, because normal people don't handle stress like Joe Flacco handles it.

But a normal person, even a normal NFL quarterback -- even a very good NFL quarterback -- wouldn't have been able to handle the stress Flacco handled Sunday night. There might be only two other quarterbacks in the NFL who could have led the game-winning drive engineered by Flacco on Sunday night, a 92-yard lesson in perseverance that gave the Ravens a last-second, 24-20 victory against the Steelers in a pivotal AFC North game.

Those two other quarterbacks are named Brady and Rodgers, by the way.

Flacco doesn't have the Super Bowl bling of Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, but he has that ability. His window is closing in Baltimore -- star defensive players Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, not to mention star receiver Anquan Boldin, are in their 30s and can't play at this level for too much longer -- but the window is open this year. And if the Ravens get it done, I promise you this comeback in Pittsburgh will be seen as the launching pad.

This was the kind of victory that can catapult a team into the stratosphere, and the AFC is there for the taking. Unlike the NFC, with the Packers clearly the dominant team, the AFC has no frontrunner. Well, it had no frontrunner until Sunday night, when the Ravens emerged from the pack thanks to their maddeningly cool, sometimes downright cold, quarterback. Joe Cool? Joe Freezing.

He needed every sub-zero degree of body temperature he could muster on a final drive when he was facing 92 yards, the crowd, the Steelers and the butterfingers in his own huddle. And he was facing all of that with only 2:24 to play.

"Joe was the same in the huddle every single play," Ravens receiver Torrey Smith said. "He's the same person he always is."

Before that drive was done, three different Ravens would drop passes from Flacco -- including Smith, who couldn't reel in a 37-yard pass in the end zone with 35 seconds left. The first drop, though, was by running back Ray Rice, who botched an outlet pass with 1:30 left and the Ravens on their own 42. Two plays later, on fourth-and-1 from the Steelers 49, Flacco hit Boldin for 10 yards.

"Nobody blinked," Rice said of the drops. "Joe Flacco is going to put the ball in the right place."

After Flacco's fourth-down pass came a short completion to tight end Ed Dickson, then the drop in the end zone by Smith. This was the second ball Smith dropped on the night, the first coming in the second quarter on an out pattern that hit Smith, who wears No. 82, between the "8" and the "2." Had Flacco been throwing a lawn dart, it would have pierced Smith's sternum. It might have killed him.

Flacco? He didn't even look angrily at Smith. Flacco never looks angrily at anyone. He looks sleepy, like he can't be bothered or doesn't even care, although that's obviously not the case. But it is how it looks, and like I said, it's spooky.

So anyway, after the drops by Rice and Smith, Flacco locked in on his best receiver, one of the more sure-handed receivers in the NFL -- Boldin. On second-and-10 from the Steelers' 26, Flacco found Boldin open over the middle hitting him in stride with 16 seconds left at the Steelers' 10.

Boldin dropped it.

Had a doctor strapped a blood-pressure sleeve on Flacco's right arm, at that moment, it probably would have registered 110 over 70. Which is perfect blood pressure. Or maybe it wouldn't have detected any numbers at all. Ice water doesn't generate much pressure, probably. Who knows?

All we know is this: On the next play, the play after Boldin's drop, on third-and-10 from the Steelers' 26, with 16 seconds left and the crowd of 64,851 standing and screaming and the temperature dropping to 40 degrees, Flacco threw a laser into the back of the end zone to the same guy who dropped a potential touchdown moment earlier. This time, Torrey Smith held on.

This time, Joe Flacco showed some emotion. He smiled. May even have screamed. Forgive him, but this was an exciting moment.

The Ravens are now 6-2, tied atop the AFC North -- and all of the AFC, come to think of it -- with the surprising Bengals, a team Baltimore still must play twice. The Ravens have swept the Steelers, meaning Pittsburgh will have to catch the Ravens and then pass them outright to finish ahead of Baltimore in the playoff race.

Don't put anything past the Steelers, though. This is one tough, tough team. They were playing with a makeshift core of linebackers, without receiver Hines Ward after a devastating helmet-to-helmet hit by Ray Lewis early in the second quarter, and with a new punter. But they nearly won this game, rallying from a 16-6 deficit in the fourth quarter, taking a 20-16 lead on Ben Roethlisberger's running 25-yard strike to Mike Wallace with 4:59 left.

After a Baltimore three-and-out, the Steelers had the chance to run out the clock or pad their lead. They reached the Ravens' 29 when Mike Tomlin made a passive-aggressive choice that didn't work at all. Faced with a 46-yard field goal, he hesitated before sending out the kicking team, sending them out so late that Pittsburgh was called for delay of game -- taking the decision out of his hands.

At that point, a punt was the prudent choice, and the Steelers punted. And it worked, with injured Daniel Sepulveda replacement Jeremy Kapinos killing a punt at the Ravens 8.

Now a touchdown would win it for the Ravens. Still, Tomlin liked his odds.

"I made the decision to make them work the length of the field," Tomlin said. "Ultimately, that was probably the best option for us."

Against 28 or 29 quarterbacks, that would have been the winning option. But Flacco's not normal, man. He was dreadful most of the game on first and second downs, when the pressure's low. But on third down, with no margin for error? He was incredible on third down, leading the Ravens to a 14-of-21 conversation rate. That touchdown pass to Smith? That was third down. And it was to Torrey Smith, the most buttery of the Ravens' butterfingers. Flacco's cool like that. He's cold.

"It's not my job to get down on Torrey," Flacco said.

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A List of the Highest Paid Football Players in the NFL

In researching information for this article, the latest data for the presentation of the highest salaries in the NFL is for the 2008 season. It should be noted that this list changes from year to year. Also, the salary cap imposed by the NFL commission increases from year to year. The salary cap is the amount of money an NFL team can spend on salaries for their players per year. The salary cap has progressively increased year by year since its inception back in 1994.

The NFL salary cap, as negotiated by the players Union in the current collective bargaining agreement, is 62.24% of all football related revenue divided by 32 teams. For the 2009 season that figure is 128 million dollars.

The following shows the steady increase in salary cap since 1999:

Salary Cap Per Team for NFL Player Salaries by Year:

2008 $116 million

2007 $109 million

2006 $102 million

2005 $85.5 million

2004 $80.5 million

2003 $75 million

2002 $71 million

2001 $67.5 million

2000 $62.2 million

1999 $58.4 million

As the salary cap increases, so does the salary of players. The real question is how is the money distributed to players. There is a type of salary distribution model that teams use which is not known to the general public. What is known is that the top 20 salaries for 2008 only had a couple of quarterbacks. Yet the highest paid player for 2008 was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. So who were the highest paid NFL players for 2008. The following table tells it all:

TOP 20 HIGHEST PAID PLAYERS IN 2008

1. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh $ 27,701,920

2. DE Jared Allen, Minnesota $ 21,119,256

3. WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona $ 17,103,480

4. QB JaMarcus Russell, Oakland $ 16,872,400

5. RB Michael Turner, Atlanta $ 16,003,840

6. G Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants $ 14,890,000

7. CB Asante Samuel, Philadelphia $ 14,145,000

8. WR Randy Moss, New England $ 14,006,720

9. T Flozell Adams, Dallas $ 14,005,760

10.DT Tommy Kelly, Oakland $ 13,978,480

11. WR Terrell Owens, Dallas $ 13,731,560

12. WR Bernard Berrian, Minnesota $ 13,705,000

13. T Michael Roos, Tennessee $ 13,505,520

14. C Jeff Faine, Tampa Bay $ 13,105,760

15. DE Will Smith, New Orleans $ 12,950,000

16. QB Tony Romo, Dallas $ 12,886,600

17. G Travelle Wharton, Carolina $ 12,850,000

18. DE Antwan Odom, Cincinnati $ 12,800,000

19. CB Terence Newman, Dallas $ 12,611,240

20. RB Marion Barber, Dallas $ 12,522,400

Lets examine the concept of salary in the NFL a little more closely. As previously stated, how teams pay their players and the value they place on them is known by only a few, including the player agent. It is interesting to note that having high salary players does not necessarily mean success to the team.

A case in point. One of the most successful NFL teams over the past ten years has been the New England Patriots. Yet only one player from the Patriots is in the top 20 for 2008. That is wide receiver Randy Moss. Yet Oakland, over the past ten years, which has two players in the top 20, has not seen the success that the Patriots have had. As a matter of fact, they have not even come close.

Also, you can see five players from the Dallas Cowboys in the top 20 list for 2008, yet they have not been in the Super Bowl since 1995 (Super Bowl XXX). It appears that the New England Patriots like to spread their money around to their players, so that one or a few players do not get an enormous salary while the rest of the players make a fraction of that amount. Randy Moss may be an exception to this rule.

This team concept of salary distribution that the Patriots employ falls in line with the team concept they have set for their players when it comes to playing football. The Patriot's organization believe that it requires a team effort to win football games, and not the superior effort of only a few players. Maybe that is one of the reasons the Patriots have been so successful over the past ten years. And lets not forget that the Patriots is one of the best managed teams in the NFL. Part of that management is proper salary distribution. Team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick seem to know what they are doing.

In any case, NFL player salaries continue to increase year by year. Today the lowest rookie makes a bare minimum of $285,000.00 (at least for 2007). In terms of all professional sports, the NFL players are the highest paid. This is why so many college players seek to get into the NFL. But it should also be remembered that the average length of a career for a player in the NFL is only 4 years. So obviously a player needs to make all he can during that short career. The question is are the players worth these very high salaries.

A persons salary is dependent on one major factor. That is how many other people can do the job they are doing? The fewer the number of people that can perform a particular job, the higher the salary. Not to many people can play in the NFL. Also, the players do deserve most of the revenue that is produced simply because, without the players, you would not have any business entity. And since fans are willing to pay the high ticket prices, then I would have to answer the question that yes, the players do deserve the salaries they receive.

Football is a form of entertainment, but it is a form of entertainment Americans can not do without. Even in the Roman period, people had a need to see the gladiators fight in the Colosseums. The Romans had to pay to see their gladiators fight to the death. Sometimes all the seats were free, if a rich person had given money to pay for the show. Other times, you had to pay, and it cost more money for the good seats than for the bad seats, so the poor people had to sit way up top in the Colosseum where it was hard to see. Even the Colosseums had their nosebleed seats. The point is, Romans were willing to pay to see the gladiator form of competition. This willingness to pay to see competition has existed throughout the history of mankind.

Every year, fans watch their teams with the hope that their team will reach the Super Bowl, or in some cases, simply end up with a winning season. And in the end, we really do not care to much about a players salary. As long as we enjoy watching our team play, we will continue to pay high ticket prices.

So to conclude, there are really two basic reasons why NFL players can make millions of dollars per year. First and foremost, fans are willing to pay high ticket prices to see their team play. Secondly, not to many people can play in the NFL. This results in a high demand for their skill. Lets face it, not to many people have the skill of a Tom Brady or a Ben Roethlisberger. So as long as the demand for tickets remains high, players will continue to enjoy a high income.

Information sources for this article:

Sources: payscale.com, usatoday.com, historyforkids.org

Thomas Sullivan, the author of this article, is a web developer and publisher who lives in the Boston, MA area. He is the creator and webmaster for NFL Merchandise [http://new-england-patriots-tickets.top-seo-solutions.com/?page_id=7], an online store for the NFL fan, located at the site New England Patriots [http://new-england-patriots-tickets.top-seo-solutions.com/].

How to Watch NFL Football Games If You Don't Live in the United States

Not every country's television networks give a lot of time to American football. So if you are an NFL football fan who doesn't live in the US, it might be hard to watch your favorite teams. Fortunately, if you have a good internet connection, there is a solution. It's called NFL Game Pass.

NFL Game Pass is a joint venture between the National Football League and Yahoo Sports. Up until the regular season starts, you can sign up for an off-season game pass for under $40 and watch all of last season's games, including the Super Bowl. Once the regular 2009 season starts, you can buy a season pass for all NFL games. This doesn't include the post season. For the 2008 seasons, this pass cost $209.95 in US dollars.

If you only follow one team, there is also a Follow Your Team pass which is about $50 cheaper. Or, if you only want to see a few specific games, there are weekly passes. Last year, these cost $19.95. I would expect pricing will be pretty close to the same this year.

Now for the bad news. Well, it will be bad news for some people. The NFL Game Pass is meant just for viewers outside North America. So if you don't live in the US, but live in another country in what NFL defines as the North American region, you won't be able to get the NFL Game Pass and you likely can't get the US alternative, NFL Supercast, that's available through DirecTV. These countries include Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

For the most part though, the Game Pass is a great option for international NFL fans. The streaming is very good quality and you can either watch the games live or you can watch them On Demand the day after a game airs. This is really convenient if you live in a time zone that would make watching NFL games live difficult.

If you want to watch the NFL live online, you can find out more about NFL Game Pass. Or if you live in the US and want to watch all of the NFL games online, you will want to get the NFL Sunday Ticket and the NFL Supercast player which can stream games to your computer.

Eddie Martin is a New England Patriots fan and lives 20 minutes from the Foxboro stadium.

Points to Remember While Purchasing a NFL Jersey

Weddle waits, watches as big-money years pass by

San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle was at home babysitting his kids Wednesday night, doing the dad thing because, like all NFL players, he has more time on his hands this spring than he has at any time in his career.

What Weddle should be doing instead is figuring out ways to make sure his kids are set for life, thanks to his brand-new, high-paying, bonus-filled, free-agent contract that would bring an influx of investment money.

Too bad he might not get that contract this year -- or even next.

Eric Weddle's coverage and tackling skills are coveted in the pass-happy NFL of the 21st century. (Getty Images) Weddle is one of the many players who thought this would be their free-agency year, their cash-in moment, but instead are left as the victims of the NFL's labor dispute, unable to move now and maybe for two years.

"I kind of keep my cool about it," Weddle said. "I try to keep it in the back of my mind. But it still stinks. You come in, play well, and hope to get that second contract and now you don't know if you will. If you get hurt, you never know if it will happen for you. That's frustrating."

The current labor situation may be a fight between the owners and the players union -- oops, trade association -- one that includes court battles, legal briefs, circuit courts, judges and the like, but sometimes we lose sight of the pawns in this game.

The players.

Are some of them being used for the good of the fight? I say yes. Weddle is one of them.

He is 26 years old. He just finished his fourth season in the NFL. He has started 45 games the past three seasons. Weddle didn't make the Pro Bowl last season, but he should have.

Weddle is the type of player that usually cashes in big in free agency. I've talked to several personnel people about him and they all insist he would be a hot commodity on an open market. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith, who tendered Weddle as a restricted free agent in case he is that, raved about Weddle at the league meetings in March.

But instead of a new five-year deal that would set him for life, he's left waiting. Safety Antrel Rolle got a five-year, $37 million contract from the New York Giants last year. Weddle is every bit as good as Rolle. Yet Weddle has to sit back and watch as the league tries to figure out the operating rules for 2011 and beyond, with the courts playing a big part.

The labor situation currently has free agency on hold because of the lockout. And even when it starts, nobody knows what rules will be in play. Can a fifth-year player like Weddle be unrestricted? Or will it only be players with six years' experience like last year? It used to be a four-year player with an expiring contract was a free agent.

Weddle is one of about 200 or so players who thought this would be money time for them, able to test the market. But instead most have been tendered as restricted free agents, which means leaving would be almost impossible if the 2010 rules are in play.

Some of those in the same situation as Weddle are Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny, Jets receiver Santonio Holmes, Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson and Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards. All those players are entering their fifth or sixth season and all are between the ages of 24 and 26.

That puts them all in their prime earning years. Teams crave that type of player.

"You never want to pay players on the downside of their careers," one AFC personnel man said. "You want the guy getting his second contract, the 26-year-old or so player. Those players will give you four or five good years on a five-year deal. Older players might only give you two or three."

Weddle has started the past three years for the Chargers. He has made himself into one of the better cover safeties in the NFL. With the way the game is played now, with so much passing, a safety has to be like a blown-up corner, capable of covering in the middle of the field and staying with a tight end who can run. They also have to be willing tacklers.

Weddle is both, which is why his value would be so high.

"It's disheartening," Weddle said. "You just have to roll with the punches. But it's in the back of your mind, knowing there is a strong possibility that you can't get your contract. You have to be mentally tough. You have to just go out and play at a high level and hope you don't get hurt. You play well, hoping to get the contract, and now you never know. It's tough."

What the union leaders fail to realize is that the NFL is made up of individual corporations, despite the claim that it's all for one. Who could bemoan a player like Weddle not wanting what is best for him?

That's what makes it so tough for him to handle his current predicament. Weddle isn't hurting for money. He said he and his wife have never been big spenders, so it's not about him. It's about his kids.

"I've saved my money," Weddle said. "We're fine. But it's more about the future. When you have kids, you know what you are truly playing for. You want to see them have the good life. That's the tough part. That's what makes this so tough."

Who is it again that says the labor fight is good for all the players?

I'm not so sure that's the case for Eric Weddle. These are his earning years. Would you want yours taken away by some labor fight over issues that really won't impact your career much? I doubt it.

"We just have to sit back and wait and hope this thing gets worked out," Weddle said. "It's hard being patient. You play yourself into this position and you'd like to take advantage of it. It takes a lot of hard work. It's frustrating."

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