The Bum's Sports Page For Friday July 24th Best Bets-Trends-News !

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CFL

Week 5

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Trend Report
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Friday, July 24

7:00 PM
CALGARY vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Calgary is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Ottawa is 3-15 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games

10:00 PM
TORONTO vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
Toronto is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 7 games
British Columbia is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
British Columbia is 17-3 SU in its last 20 games when playing Toronto


Saturday, July 25

7:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. EDMONTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 6 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 6 games on the road
Edmonton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Edmonton is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Winnipeg


Sunday, July 26

7:00 PM
HAMILTON vs. SASKATCHEWAN
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Hamilton's last 6 games on the road
Hamilton is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games when playing Hamilton
Saskatchewan is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Hamilton

[StarDust Bum]

CFL

Friday, July 24

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Game of the day: Friday CFL doubleheader
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Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa RedBlacks (+5, 47)

The Calgary Stampeders look to continue their hot start when they travel to Ottawa to face the Redblacks on Friday. The Stampeders erased a 16-point deficit en route to a 26-25 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 4 to take sole possession of first place in the West Division.

The defending Grey Cup champions haven't exactly steamrolled their way to the best record in the CFL, winning their three games by a combined seven points, but are a sparkling 18-4 in their last 22 regular-season contests. The Redblacks' 2-0 start seems like a distant memory following back-to-back losses to the Edmonton Eskimos. Ottawa suffered a humiliating 46-17 setback in Edmonton before dropping a 23-12 decision in the nation's capital, and hopes its sputtering offense can get back on track in order to notch its first win in franchise history against Calgary. "We have good enough players on offense if we can get the ball in their hands," Redblacks coach Rick Campbell told reporters. "Calgary is a big challenge but it's doable."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN

LINE HISTORY: Books opened Ottawa as a 5.5-point home dog. The total opened 47.5.

INJURY REPORT: Stampeders - WR Kamar Jordan (Questionable, undisclosed), OL Karl Lavoie (Questionable, shoulder). RedBlacks - WR Khalil Paden (Questionable, undisclosed), RB Jeremiah Johnson (Questionable, undisclosed).

ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (3-1 SU, 0-4 ATS, 0-4 O/U): Bo Levi Mitchell struggled with his accuracy against the Blue Bombers as he went 12-of-21 for 165 yards and a touchdown while Jon Cornish was named one of the CFL Top Performers of the Week after racking up season-high 120 rushing yards on 15 carries. "I just have to play better," Mitchell told reporters. "My team got it done for me man." Calgary's patchwork offensive line will need to be reshuffled once more as Karl Lavoie injured his left knee in the first half against Winnipeg and was to have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS, 1-3 O/U): Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris has looked all of his 40 years in the last two weeks, throwing two interceptions while being held without a passing touchdown. "That's not acceptable," Burris told reporters. "We have the personnel that can get it done and now we just have to make it happen." Chris Williams caught seven passes for 90 yards against the Eskimos and is ranked fifth in the CFL with 270 receiving yards and Zack Evans recorded two sacks to bring his season total to three.


TRENDS:

* Stampeders are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Under is 10-2 in RedBlacks last 12 Friday games.
* Under is 6-0 in Stampeders last six games in July.
* Under is 7-2 in RedBlacks last nine home games.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-six percent of users are backing the Stamps.


Toronto Argonauts at B.C. Lions (-3, 54)

The Toronto Argonauts look to get back into the win column when they stay out West to take on the BC Lions on Friday. The Argonauts suffered a 25-20 setback to the Calgary Stampeders in the second of four straight road games and have lost nine of their last 12 contests away from home since the start of 2014.

Toronto has dropped 11 of its last 12 games in Vancouver but hopes to build off its 40-23 victory at BC Place last year, and improve to 3-1 for the first time since 2010 in the process. The Lions look to win three consecutive games for the first time since August 2014 after squeaking out a 27-24 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. BC quarterback Travis Lulay is showing no ill effects from the shoulder trouble that has hampered him for the last two seasons and is flashing the ability that won him the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2011. BC's offense is starting to rev up too, putting up 62 points in its last two games as the players get more comfortable in Jeff Tedford's new high-powered system.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Lions as 3.5-point home favorites. The opening total was 54.

INJURY REPORT: Argonauts - OL Branndon Braxton (Questionable, suspension), SB Andre Durie (Out indefinitely, knee). Lions - G Cody Husband (Questionable, undisclosed), DB Ryan Phillips (Questionable, hamstring), LB Jason Arakgi (Questionable, hamstring).

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (2-1 SU, 3-0 ATS, 1-2 O/U): Trevor Harris continues to be a revelation in his first year as a starter as he threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns to give him a CFL-best nine on the year. Vidal Hazelton caught a team-high six passes for 98 yards and Tori Gurley and Kevin Elliott each hauled in a score to pace the aerial attack for Toronto. Defensive tackle Cleyon Laing and defensive back Devin Smith were fined after being penalized for late hits as the league continues to crack down on unnecessary roughness.

ABOUT THE LIONS (2-1 SU, 0-1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Lulay threw for 127 yards and two touchdowns and added 105 yards on the ground to become the first BC quarterback since Casey Printers in 2005 to rush for more than 100 in a game. "Travis is a very special player," running back Andrew Harris told reporters. "When he can do that for us it's going to change a lot of things." A.C. Leonard caught the first two touchdown passes of his CFL career and Harris was his usual reliable self, running for 94 yards and a score versus the Roughriders.

TRENDS:

* Under is 16-6 in the last 22 meetings.
* Argonauts are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
* Lions are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games in Week 5.
* Over is 3-0-1 in Lions last four home games.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-two percent of bettors are backing the Lions.

[StarDust Bum]

CFL

Friday, July 24


Underdogs up north are crushing it through four weeks

CFL underdogs have not stuck to the script this season and are cashing for their backers at a ridiculous rate.

After another good weekend, going 3-1 against the spread, underdogs are now an incredible 11-2-1 ATS through four weeks of the CFL season. That is a cash rate of an unthinkable 84.62 percent.

Being a road dog hasn't intimidated anyone either, with away dogs going 7-1-1 ATS, good for a 87.50 success rate. Home dogs are 4-1 ATS.

Not only are underdogs covering the spread, the are doing so with ease. In the 11 games they have covered, they have done so by an average of 10.73 points per game.

The Edmonton Eskimos are the only team to cover the spread as a favorite, topping the Ottawa RedBlacks in consecutive weeks.

The lines for Week 5 are currently off the board, but make sure to check out our Live Odds pages as soon as they are released.


It was a big week for unders up north

The under remained hot in Canadian Football League action this past weekend, going a perfect 4-0.

The under is now 10-5 through four weeks of play, cashing 66.67 percent of the time.

The best under bets so far are the Montreal Alouettes and the Calgary Stampeders both at 0-4 O/U.

The totals are currently off the board for Week 5.

[StarDust Bum]

2015 Regular Season Standings

West Division

GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV STREAK

Calgary 4 3 1 0 6 86 97 3 - 0 - 0 0 - 1 - 0 1 - 0 - 0 W2

BC 3 2 1 0 4 78 83 1 - 0 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 2 - 0 - 0 W2

Edmonton 3 2 1 0 4 80 55 1 - 0 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 W2

Winnipeg 4 2 2 0 4 106 127 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 L1

Saskatchewan 4 0 4 0 0 122 134 0 - 3 - 0 0 - 1 - 0 0 - 3 - 0 L4

East Division

GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV STREAK

Toronto 3 2 1 0 4 88 76 1 - 0 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 L1

Ottawa 4 2 2 0 4 76 101 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 0 - 0 L2

Montreal 4 2 2 0 4 85 69 2 - 1 - 0 0 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 W1

Hamilton 3 1 2 0 2 88 67 0 - 0 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 0 - 1 - 0 L1

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To view video previews click below:

Videos | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League

Videos | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League

Videos | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League

[StarDust Bum]

CFL.ca Game Notes: A look at Week 5

TORONTO – The rain wreaked havoc on some of Week 4. The weather forecast calls for more CFL football in Week 5, beginning with a double-header on Friday night.

The Stampeders travel to Ottawa looking to remain atop the CFL standings while the REDBLACKS hope to break a two-game funk with a win.

Toronto is coming off a bye week and taking on a Lions team that looks like it is beginning to get on a roll.

The Eskimos, coming off a pair of wins, host the Bombers. Will Shakir Bell be able to match his impressive debut for Edmonton? Or will Drew Willy lead the Bombers to a win?

Finally, Riders hope to earn their first victory of the year as they take on the Ticats. Will they be able to get on the board?

Equipped with the most up-to-date storylines, stats, milestones and trends, enjoy this week’s CFL.ca Game Notes.


Friday, 7:00 pm ET: Calgary at Ottawa

Friday, 10:00 pm ET: Toronto at BC

Saturday, 7:00 pm ET: Winnipeg at Edmonton

Sunday, 7:00 pm ET: Hamilton at Saskatchewan



Trends and Highlights

Close games in 2015: Three of last week's games were decided by 4 points or less and that is now 9 out of 16 games in total. That is 56% of the games this year compared to just 22 % (1 in every 4 or 5) in both and 2014 and 2013.

Margin of victory: The average margin of victory of just 8.7 points is unprecedented in the modern era of Canadian football and lowest since 1947. Since 1958 and the unification of professional football across Canada the average margin of victory has been has been just under a 14-point differential in our games.

Close losses: Calgary has won three games to lead the CFL and by a total of only 7 points combined. Saskatchewan has lost four games by a total of 12 points. Only one other time in over 100 years of Canadian football has a club ever lost 4 games in a row all by margins of 4 points or less. The current parity trend has seen this happen twice since 2013 – Edmonton lost 4 in a row by margins of 1, 3, 3 & 3 points in August-September of 2013.

Penalties Update: Each week in 2015 has been high, all above the 2014 average of 21.6/game. However, each week has also dropped from the previous one from a max of 30.0 per game in Week #1 to just 23.0 last week. The cumulative average is now down to 27.13 per game and this matches the trend of a declining running average in 5 of the last 6 seasons as the year progresses.

Pace of play: Despite horrible weather conditions, Ottawa and Edmonton played their game last week in just 2:39. Only one game in all of 2014 took less time than that (Edmonton and BC took 2:37 to play on November 1st). The key last week’s 2:39 game was the first sub-20 penalty game in 2015 (17 in total). Last week’s games averaged 2:49.


CFL Pick'Em Marquee Matchup: Week 5

CFL.ca presents Best in the League

Dunk's CFL Rookie Report: July rankings

On Pace: CFL is on pace for eight 1000-yard rushers compared to only seven in the last three years combined. 15 receivers still on 1000-yard pace. Eight QBs are on pace to go over 4000 yards in 2015. One QB passed for 4000+ yards last year.

Completion %: The 70.0 completion % mark has been exceeded only 4 times in CFL history led by Ricky Ray’s 77.2% in 2013. Dave Dickenson did it twice and Anthony Calvillo once. In 2015, there are five CFL quarterbacks at 70%+ led by Winnipeg’s Drew Willy at 77.0%.

Kicking Converts: An odd pattern in one-point convert success and it has been anything but uniform so far in 2015. Four kickers are 18-of-29 combined with 11 of the 12 misses among them (Hajrullau, Shaw, Paredes and Bede). The others are 30-of-31 for 97%, not far from the CFL-wide rate in 2014 (99%). Another oddity: For field goal attempts at or around the new convert length, our kickers have made ALL 10 in 2015. No FG misses from 30-33 yards out.

Drop in 2-and-outs: In 2014 QBs completed an average of 10.7 passes per game on 2nd down to extend a series. In 2015, that is up to 12.9 per game (+20%).

Officials getting it right: In the first 11 games, there were 15 coach's challenges or 1.4 per game and 7 were successful (47%). Since then over the last 5 CFL games there have been just three coach's challenges (0.6 per game), and none of those were successful.

Almost TDs: There have been just two kick return TDs in 2015 but another four called back by return holding/illegal block calls.

A new sort of offence: Kickoff singles! There have been 7 already and were only 9 all last season.

SSK at 504 net yards per game: The 1990-94 era of the CFL game is when most team offence records were set; In 1991, BC set the single-season record of an unbelievable 506.5 yards per game. That era was referred to as “Basketball on Grass” and the top three single game averages all come from that time. In 1991, BC started with four straight 500+ yard games averaging 523 per game through Week #4. In 2015, Saskatchewan has the second-highest average ever after four weeks at 503.5.

CFL Punting: In the last 65 years, there have been only 59 seasons where a punter has averaged 46 yards or more per kick. That’s just less than once per season on average. In 2015, there are seven punters currently at 46 yards or more led by rookie Richie Leone at 49.0. The average CFL punt in 2015 is 46.1 yards – the highest league-wide average in CFL history (#2 1983 at 45.8).

Offensive scoring rebound: Last season, the CFL hit a low mark for offensive TDs averaging only 3.81 per game, the lowest average since 1979. This year that has gone back up to 4.44 per game or about 17% more than in 2014.

Looking Ahead

Pass Protection #1: The Lions lead the CFL with only two sacks allowed and have not allowed any in their last 31 possessions and covering their last 77 pass plays.

Lulay Loves Home: In his career as the Lions’ starting QB, Travis Lulay has compiled a record of 22-6 in his 28 home starts. His first 9 starts were at Empire Field and BC went 4-5. At B.C. Place however, the Lions are 18-1 in his 19 starts.

Andrew Harris: BC’s tailback has gained 262 yards from scrimmage in his last two games, his second highest output in back-to-back games since July 20-30/13 (275
yards: 133 & 142). The other pair of great consecutive games was July 12-19/14 when he had a career-best pair of outings with 203 yards followed by 150 on July 19th. Harris is on pace for 2,016 yards in 2015.

Travis Lulay: Despite only 127 yards passing, Lulay became the first BC QB to rush for 100+ yards since Casey Printers in 2005 (125 on Oct 16th). Lulay surpassed his career high with 105 yards on just 6 carries. The only other BC QB to rush for 100+ yards in game was Jim Walden in 1960 (116 yards).

Feasting on Argos: The Lions’ best two records in club history against any opponent are against Ottawa at 41-19-2 .669 and against Toronto at 53-33-2 .608. Since 2004 the Lions are 19-4 vs Toronto but only 1-2 in the last three meetings. Toronto snapped an 11-game losing streak at BC last year winning 40-23.

#1 in Fewest Giveaways: BC has only 3 turnovers in 3 games and has yet to lose a fumble (only team without one to date). Last year the Lions finished #4 at +5 and are #3 at +2 this season.

Getting back to Even: The Lions have been in and around the .500 mark across club history over the last two seasons and finally went over that mark in 2014. Since then 6 losses in the last 10 games have them back one game below .500. A win this week would make that even once again.

Richie Leone: He is #1 in the CFL in punting at 49.0 yards (#3 net at 39.1), has made all 8 of his FG attempts including a club and B.C. Place record 56-yarder and 66.1 yards.

Bighill & Elimimian: The club’s dynamic pair of linebackers have 23 and 21 tackles thus far and each ranked in the Top 4 in the CFL despite playing just 3 games. Bighill’s average of 7.7 tackles per game is #1 in the CFL and both are on pace for 120+ in 2015.

Dynamic Duo: Collie and Arceneaux have been targeted 44 times in three games by Travis Lulay and that is as many as the next four BC receivers in total.

Western Schedule: The Argos have yet to play an Eastern rival yet in 2015 and with this week’s game will make it four in a row in inter-divisional play. They play 6 of their first 7 games against western clubs before a stretch of 6 of 7 against East Division teams.

No Dispute: Scott Milanovich and the Argos have yet to throw a challenge flag this season, the only club yet to do so in 2015.

Trevor Harris: Harris has easily been the CFL’s most efficient QB this year with a passer rating of 121.5 through 3 games. That pace is just behind the league record set by Ricky Ray in 2013 at 126.4 and would be #2 in CFL history if kept up. He has been sacked 9 times however in 2015, the most of any QB.

Coming Off a Bye Week: With the return to 9 teams, bye weeks have become a larger issue. Toronto had three byes last year and were 2-1 in those games.

A.J. Jefferson: The 100-yard interception return by Jefferson on Jul 5/15 vs Saskatchewan was the second 100-yard plus ‘pick 6’ by a Toronto defender in the last two seasons – but the one before that was way back in 1977 by Eric Harris (115 yards).

2nd Half Strong: Toronto has been especially good in the 2nd half of games this year outscoring opponents 40-15 and 54-27 including their one overtime victory.

What's the Rush?: The Argos are the only CFL club yet to score a rushing touchdown this season as all 9 of their offensive drive TDs have been via the pass.

#1 in the Red Zone: Toronto has been the strongest so far inside their opponents’ 20-yard line picking up a touchdown on 8 of their 10 opportunities.

Preview: Toronto at BC Wk. 5

Strong start: Ronnie Pfeffer is 4-of-6 on his FG attempts but one more stat needs to be taken into account- his average attempt has been from a CFL-high 44.2 yards.

Chad Owens: On a per game basis, no player has been thrown to as often as Owens. He has 28 targets for a 9.3 per game average making 18 catches for 209 yards.

Scoreless 1st Quarter Streak: The REDBLACKS have yet to score in the 1st Quarter this year but they are far from the CFL record. The expansion BC Lions in 1954 went a record 8 games in a row without scoring in the first 15:00 of the game.

Fewest flags: Ottawa has been the CFL’s least penalized team through Week #4 at just 11.3 calls per game.

Canadian Catches: Brad Sinopoli leads all Canadian receivers with 28 targets and 243 yards (#8 in the CFL) and 7 second down conversion catches.

Slow starters: In 2015 the two lowest scoring 1st Quarter clubs are Ottawa and Calgary. The REDBLACKS have yet to score in the first 15:00 and trail 28-0 cumulatively. Calgary has scored only 15 points in the 1st Quarter in 2015 and is -30 at 15-45 to date.

Slim Wins: 2015 matches the lowest cumulative winning margin by any Stampeders club across their first three victories of any season. Their first three wins in 2011 were also by 7 points total (2, 1 & 4) as well as 1987’s first three wins.

Rene Paredes: Has three clutch FGs made inside the final 2:14 in 2015 (Gm#1 from 50 yds with 0:00 left to win; Gm #3 from 30 yds with 1:27 left to make it 25-20; and Gm #4 from 40 yds to win with 2:14 left). He is 2-of-4 on his remaining attempts in 2015.

Fantasy Notes

QB: Trevor Harris (28.4%), Kevin Glenn (25.6%), Travis Lulay (11.9%), Matt Nichols (7.9%), Bo Levi Mitchell (7.5%)

RB: Jerome Messam (42.5%), Paris Cotton (13.1%), Shakir Bell (12.6%), Kendial Lawrence (12.1%), Brandon Whitaker (4.7%)

REC: Weston Dressler (38.0%), Eric Rogers (33.5%), Austin Collie (16.0%), Andy Fantuz (11.7%), Brad Sinopoli (10.1%)

Flex: Jerome Messam (14.6%), Kendial Lawrence (11.8%), Paris Cotton (8.4%), Shakir Bell (7.3%), Weston Dressler (5.9%)

Kicker: Richie Leone (62.1%), Paul McCallum (11.2%), Delbert Alvarado (7.8%), Lirim Hajrullahu (3.4%), Justin Medlock (2.9%)

Defence/ST: Calgary (26.4%), Ottawa (17.4%), Hamilton (15.0%), Toronto (12.3%), Edmonton (11.0%)

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Betting Recap - 7/13-7/19

July 20, 2015

League Betting Notes (from Monday, July 13 through Sunday, July 19)

-- Favorites went 10-6 straight up
-- Underdogs went 8-7-1 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 12-4 SU record
-- Home teams posted a 10-5-1 ATS record
-- The 'under' went 10-6

Team Betting Notes

-- It was a good week to be at home, as home teams won 12 of their 16 games with the home side going 10-5-1 ATS. Bucking the trend was Atlanta (7-9), as they posted a 2-1 ATS mark on the road in three tries.

-- New York (10-5) picked up three straight wins this week, and they posted covers in each of the outings, too, including a win at Phoenix (9-6).

-- The Mercury were cooled off in their loss at home to the Liberty, and they have now failed to cover in three consecutive outings. Bettors also love the fact the 'under' has hit in three straight games for Phoenix.

-- Tulsa (10-7) had another rough week, going 0-3 SU/0-2-1 ATS in their three outings on the road. They have won just once in the past six games away from home, going 2-3-1 ATS during the span.

-- Chicago (10-6) got back on track Sunday against San Antonio (4-12). The Sky did fail to cover the 11 1/2-point number, however, making them just 3-5 ATS over their past eight games.

-- Indiana (8-7) was limited to just one game this week, as their game in Connecticut (7-6) was postponed due to airport/travel delays. Indiana was set to travel from D.C. to Hartford, Conn., but weather and mechanical problems forced their commercial flight back to the gate. No makeup date has been announced.

-- The Sun was probably thrilled with the postponement, as they haven't been able to get anything right lately. After a 7-1 SU/ATS start, the Sun have dropped five consecutive games while going 2-4 ATS in the past six overall.

-- Minnesota (12-3) won for the fourth straight game, and they're 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS over the past six away from home. At home the Lynx have posted a 6-1 SU/5-2 ATS mark, and they'll look to keep it up with three straight home dates from July 22-31.

-- Los Angeles (2-12) continues to struggle, as they enter the new week with five straight losses. They're also 0-4 ATS in their past four games, and the 'under' has hit in four in a row after a 7-0 'over' run from June 21-July 5.

[StarDust Bum]

Dodgers, Mets clash in N.Y.

July 24, 2015


LOS ANGELES DODGERS (55-42) at NEW YORK METS (49-47)

First pitch: Friday, 7:10 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Los Angeles -105, New York -105, Total: 7.5

The Dodgers will be looking to take a 2-0 series lead on the Mets on Friday night.

The Dodgers will be heading into Friday’s contest having won four of their past six games and six of their past 10. They’ll look to continue their hot stretch with a win over a Mets team that has scored three or fewer runs in six of their past seven games. New York has won just two of those seven and will need to find a way to start hitting the ball or they will have no chance of making it to the postseason.

These teams have split wins against one another in four meetings this year, but the Dodgers are 5-2 when hosting the Mets over the past three seasons.

The pitching matchup in this one will be between LHP Ian Thomas (0-1, 5.23 ERA, 8 Ks) for the Dodgers and LHP Jon Niese (5-8, 3.36 ERA, 73 Ks) for the Mets. It is Thomas’ first career start and he has pitched just 10.3 innings on the year. The Mets are a lousy 7-17 against the money line in home games after a game where they stranded three or less runners on base over the past three seasons. They are, however, 32-15 against the money line when playing at home this season.

Los Angeles will be relatively healthy coming into this game, but New York could be without RF Michael Cuddyer (Knee) and is already without C Travis d’Arnaud (Elbow) and 3B David Wright (Back).

The Dodgers are going to try to stay hot with a win in New York on Friday and it’ll be up to Ian Thomas to give them some solid innings in this game. This will be Thomas’ first career start and he was 4-1 with a 4.14 ERA in the minors this season before being called up and throwing a few bullpen innings. If he can give the Dodgers something close to a quality start then he will have done his job well. With Thomas being inexperienced, Los Angeles will need to get some run support in this game.

That will all begin with 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.297, 21 HRs, 60 RBIs), who is 0-for-9 against Niese in his career. It will be very difficult for his team to win if he can not figure out New York’s starter on Friday. RF Yasiel Puig (.259, 5 HRs, 20 RBIs) has also struggled against Niese, going 0-for-6 with two strikeouts against him. He does, however, come into this game with six RBIs in his past six games. He’ll look to keep himself going in this one.

One guy who has done well against Niese in his career is RF Andre Ethier (.281, 10 HRs, 33 RBIs). Ethier is 4-for-10 with two RBIs in his career against the Mets starter and will need to provide a solid presence at the plate on Friday.

The Mets have been struggling lately and they will need to start hitting the ball better in order to support their elite starting rotation. One guy who has taken it upon himself to get on-base is RF Curtis Granderson (.251, 14 HRs, 31 RBIs). Granderson has just two RBIs over the past six games but has also gotten a hit in eight straight contests.

He’ll need to start doing so when there are runners on the bags though. 1B Lucas Duda (.237, 12 HRs, 38 RBIs) has not homered in eight games now and New York needs him to start hitting for power. He was one of the bright spots offensively for this team early in the year but has really slowed down as of late. CF Juan Lagares (.254, 3 HRs, 25 RBIs) has two multi-hit games in the past five contests and three in the past 10. He could provide a spark for the Mets in this one.

Fortunately for New York, the team is loaded with arms and Niese has been one of them. The lefty has been on a tear of late, allowing three or less earned runs in eight straight games.

His most recent start against the Cardinals might have been his best of the season, going 7.2 innings and allowing no earned runs on just five hits. The Mets will need another performance like that on Friday.

[StarDust Bum]

At the Gate - Friday

July 24, 2015

It is opening day at Saratoga on Friday afternoon, and the meeting kicks off with an outstanding 10-race card with plenty of good betting opportunities and a couple of graded stakes.

The traditional opening day stake is the $150,000 Schuylerville (G3) for two-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the main track. The race drew a field of eight.

Trainer Wesley Ward sends out a pair, with Moment is Right (5-2) coming off a win in the Astoria and Banree a fifth place finish in the Tremont at Monmouth Park.

Both are training well, but while Ward is well known to win plenty of juvenile races, he has struggled at the Spa dating back three years, winning just three races from 54 starters.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will send out Positively Royal (2-1) who was well backed at the betting windows when she won her debut at Belmont Park on June 18. Dating back three years Pletcher has won 49 juvenile races from 165 starters.

Pletcher has won the Schuylerville five times including last year with Fashion Alert.

The co-feature on the card is the $200,000 Lake George (G2) for three-year-old fillies which drew a field of 12 and is one of the most wide-open races on the day.

I settled for longshot Jellicle Ball (10-1) from the Graham Motion barn. The filly is Group 3 placed and is making her U.S. debut.

Saratoga will be running six days a week with Tuesday the lone dark day. Over the 40-day meeting, we have 69 stakes worth over $18 million on tap.

The highlight of the meeting is the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) which will bring together some of the horses that went down the Triple Crown trail, possibly including American Pharoah.

The Travers Day card on Aug. 29 includes five other Grade 1 stakes, including the $1 million Sword Dancer Invitational at 1 1/2 miles turf. Also on the card are the $750,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares and the $700,000 Forego at seven furlongs.

The $500,000 Ballerina for fillies and mares and the $500,000 King’s Bishop, both at seven furlongs, and the $400,000 Ballston Spa (G2) for turf fillies and mares round out the day’s stakes.

With racing six days a week now is the perfect time to purchase my monthly package for just $99.95. You will receive my daily Saratoga full card report along with my Best Plays Report each Saturday and Sunday which will include my strongest plays from Del Mar and Saratoga.


Here is today’s opening race from Saratoga to get the day off to a good start:

SAR Race 1 OClm $40,000N2X (1:00 ET)
3 Beyond Empire 5-2
5 Sea Raven 3-1
1 Royal Posse 5-1
2 Groupthink 7-2

Analysis: Beyond Empire made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot last out at this level on his return from Dubai. The gelding was making his first start off a five-month layoff. He passed his first state bred condition over the Spa main track here last summer and should be tighter second off the bench.

Sea Raven stalked the early pace, took over the lead and could not match strides late with the winner in a runner up finish last out at this level. It took him five tries to pass his first condition and ran well in both starts at this level, both runner up finishes. He owns a solid pace profile throughout and he broke his maiden here last summer at today's nine furlong distance.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 2-1 or better.
EX: 3,5 / 1,2,3,5
TRI: 3,5 / 1,2,3,5 / 1,2,3,4,5

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 9 Lake George G2 (5:28 ET)

3 Jellicle Ball 10-1
1 Celestine 8-1
12 Partisan Politics 5-1
2 My Year Is a Day 12-1

Analysis: Jellicle Ball makes her U.S. debut here for the Graham Motion barn that is 33% winners (with a +ROI) with runners with Euro shippers. She ran second in a Group 2 at Newbury in her second career start and was fourth last out in the Coral Distaff at Sandown Park for John Gosden. It looks as if Motion's other filly My year Is a day should move forward second off the layoff yet Johnny V. jumps off to ride our top pick.

Celestine has won four in a row, winning the Wild Applause last out going a mile here by a nose over Partisan Politics, who looks good in here but drew a lousy post. This will be the farthest the filly has had to travel but she looks up to it and her 8-1 morning line looks generous.

Race Rating: $$$
Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 6-1 or better.
EX: 1,3 / 1,2,3,12
TRI: 1,3 / 1,2,3,12 / 1,2,3,10,12

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Saratoga

R2: #9 Corinthian’s Joy 12-1
R2: #5 Argyle Gal 8-1
R3: #4 Little Mary Ellen 8-1
R3: #6 Wild in the Streets 12-1
R5: #2 Daisy a Day 10-1
R7: #4 Lahinch Classics 10-1
R8: #3 Doubledown Again 8-1
R9: #3 Jellicle Ball 10-1
R9: #1 Celestine 8-1
R9: #2 My Year in a Day 12-1
R10: #13 Swagner 8-1
R10: #2 Bracigliano 10-1
R10: #1 Igotthediscoinme 15-1

Good luck today!

[StarDust Bum]

Backing the Badgers

July 24, 2015


Paul Chryst has returned to Wisconsin to take over the program after Gary Andersen shockingly bolted out of Madison to take the Oregon State job. Chryst, who spent the three previous seasons as the head coach at Pitt, was born in Madison, played quarterback for the Badgers and was the offensive coordinator under Bret Bielema from 2005-2011 when UW had five double-digit win campaigns.

Chryst kept defensive coordinator Dave Aranda around for his third year at UW. Under Aranda, Wisconsin has given up 20.8 and 16.3 points per game in '13 and '14, respectively. The new OC will be Joe Rudolph, who had the same position at Pitt the last three years and was TEs coach at UW from 2008-2011.

Wisconsin has the easiest schedule in the Big Ten this season. From the Big Ten East, the Badgers draw Rutgers and Maryland, who they beat by a combined score of 89-7 last year. They bring back five starters on offense and six on defense from a squad that went 11-3 with an overtime win over Auburn at the Outback Bowl.

I like a pair of preseason wagers on Wisconsin, including its win total to go 'over' 9.5 wins at a -105 price. I'm also bullish on the Badgers to win the Big Ten West for a +155 payout (risk $100 to win $155).

Before we break down UW's schedule, let's touch on the team's personnel. As a freshman and sophomore, QB Joel Stave made 19 starts and posted a 28/16 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Then just days before last year's opener vs. LSU, former DB Tanner McEvoy was named the starting QB over Stave, who was struggling with his accuracy due to a shoulder injury.

A week later, reports out of Madison indicated that Stave was done for the season. Those reports turned out to be inaccurate and Andersen went back to Stave as his starter in the sixth game. Although he threw only nine touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions, the Badgers went 8-1 in his nine starts. Stave now has a 21-7 record in 28 career starts going into his senior campaign.

Although Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon is gone to the NFL after rushing for 2,670 yards and 29 TDs while averaging 7.5 yards per carry, the UW backfield is in good shape as usual. Junior RB Corey Clement is poised for a breakout year. Clement rushed for 969 yards and nine TDs while averaging 6.5 YPC in 2014.

Phil Steele ranks UW's offensive line as the third-best in the Big Ten. The Badgers bring back their top WR in Alex Erickson, who had 55 receptions for 772 yards and three TDs last year. With a solid o-line, veteran QB, explosive RB and reliable No. 1 WR, there's no reason to think Wisconsin won't be able to average 30-plus points per game.

How consistent has UW's defense been since 2009? The Badgers haven't given up more than 21.8 PPG during this span. This unit gets McEvoy back to start at free safety. Also, leading tackler and first-team All Big-Ten selection Michael Caputo returns at strong safety. Vince Biegel, a junior OLB, is also back after making 7.5 sacks and earning second-team All Big-Ten honors in 2014.

How easy is the schedule?

Sat, Sept 5 vs. Alabama * (from Arlington)
Sat, Sept 12 vs. Miami (Ohio)
Sat, Sept 19 vs. Troy
Sat, Sept 26 vs. Hawaii
Sat, Oct 3 vs. Iowa
Sat, Oct 10 at Nebraska
Sat, Oct 17 vs. Purdue
Sat, Oct 24 at Illinois
Sat, Oct 31 vs. Rutgers
Sat, Nov 7 at Maryland
Sat, Nov 21 vs. Northwestern
Sat, Nov 28 at Minnesota

Well, if Nebraska isn't ranked on Oct. 10, there's a strong possibility that UW's opener against Alabama in Arlington (Jerry World) will serve as the only game the Badgers play against a ranked opponent.

Wisconsin figures to be a double-digit favorite in all seven home games vs. Miami (OH.), Troy, Hawaii, Iowa, Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern. The Badgers get an open date before hosting the Wildcats on Nov. 21.

According to the Games of the Year lines at 5Dimes.eu, UW will be favored in all 11 games after facing Alabama as an underdog. The Badgers are currently two-point 'chalk' for their toughest road game at Nebraska. The other road games are at Illinois, at Maryland and at Minnesota. In the last five seasons, Wisconsin is unbeaten in 10 games against the Illini, Terrapins and Gophers, with all of those victories coming by double-digit margins.

I think Alabama will beat Wisconsin in the opener, but we've seen much stranger things happen. If Gordon doesn't get hurt in the opener against LSU last season, the Badgers probably win what turned into a 28-24 loss thanks to a second-half rally by the Tigers. Like 'Bama, UW beat Auburn last year and both schools got smoked by Ohio State.

I think Wisconsin has a great chance at going 11-1. Even if the Badgers fall to Alabama and lose at Nebraska, we'll still be good with our 'over' win total bet if they win out from there. They'll undoubtedly be favored in all those games, so bettors will have the option of hedging.

In other words, if UW already has two losses and is favored by 14 at Illinois, one could back the Illini on the money line or plus the points. I'm confident UW will win at Illinois and at Minnesota, so I don't recommend the aforementioned hedge scenario. I'm just recognizing that option will be available for gamblers if either of those two road assignments cause any angst.

[StarDust Bum]

Report: Ohio State's Miller shifting from QB to receiver

July 23, 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Braxton Miller is shifting from quarterback to receiver, whittling Ohio State's QB competition to two star passers.

Miller told SI.com on Thursday night that he plans to start the season in the H-back position and also hopes to return punts. He had surgery to repair of torn labrum in his throwing shoulder before the start of last season and sat out while J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones led the Buckeyes to their first national title since 2002.

Barrett led Ohio State to an 11-1 record before breaking his ankle. Jones then guided the Buckeyes to victories in the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin, the national semifinal against Alabama and the championship game against Oregon.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Miller was Big Ten player of the year in 2012 and 2013.

[StarDust Bum]

AFC East Breakdown

July 24, 2015


It has been a wild offseason for the AFC Eastern Division. Free agent signings, trades and two coaching changes, has brought a lot of attention to this Conference.

Beside the fact that the New England Patriots are coming off their fourth Super Bowl victory in the past 14 years and sixth appearance overall in the big game during that period, the division has had a number of other interesting twists.

History

Odds to win AFC East - per Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook
New England Patriots 5/9
Miami Dolphins 7/2
Buffalo Bills 9/2
New York Jets 10/1

AFC East Win Totals - per Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook
New England Patriots - 10 (Over -180, Under +160)
Miami Dolphins – 9 (Over +105, Under -125)
Buffalo Bills – 8.5 (Over -130, Under +110)
New York Jets – 7.5 (Over -120, Under +100)

Odds Subject to Change – Updated 7.23.15

The Patriots are dealing with the deflation controversy that has potentially left them without the services of Tom Brady for the first four regular season games. Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone opted out of his contract. In the process, Marrone picked up a four million dollar payment because of an unusual clause contained in his contract. The Bills replaced Marrone with former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, whose Jets were an unimpressive 4-12 last season.

If that wasn’t enough, the Jets hired their third general manager in the past four years. Add to the mix a very average Miami Dolphins team and who knows how this division will turn out.

Listed below are my notes on all four teams and predicted order of finish.

1) New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have been the class of the division during the past 12 seasons, winning six straight and 11 of the past 12 division titles. Bill Belichick is one of the best coaches in NFL history. He always seems to find a way to put his team in contention. The Patriots are expected to be without Tom Brady for the first four games of the season but that could change in the coming weeks.

He will be replaced by second-year quarterback, 2014 second round selection Jimmy Garoppolo, who passed for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns during his senior season at Eastern Illinois. Belichick has a knack for replace aging veterans that are asking for a lot of money, with serviceable veteran replacements or younger players. The Patriots remain the class of the division and should be able to find a way to win their seventh straight division title. Look for the football genius Belichick to have Garoppolo ready for the first four games of the season. I’m not going out on a limb, but I like New England to win the division regardless of the Brady suspension.

2) Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills were 9-7 in 2014 and have high hopes for the upcoming season. They have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. The Bills were fourth in total team defence, third in pass defence and eleventh in rushing defence last season. They upgraded at the skilled offensive positions with the additions of all-pro running back LeSean McCoy and controversial wide receiver Percy Harvin. The big question remains at quarterback. The Bills reached for E J Manuel with the 16th pick in the 2013 draft. This was a terrible and surprising pick. Manuel struggled with accuracy at the college level and continues to do so at the pro level.

The Bills have brought in veterans Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor to compete for the starting job. Cassel 33, should be an upgrade over last year’s starter Kyle Orton. Taylor spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens as a backup and has thrown just 35 passes during his career. The Bills would be a serious threat if they had a quarterback. Their defence should be better with new head coach Rex Ryan, but this will not be enough to overcome their deficiency at the quarterback position. That problem will be compounded by a poor offensive line. The Bills should have enough to contend for second place in the division and a Wild card spot in the playoffs.

3) Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are coming off another average season. They finished third in the conference with an 8-8 record. Starting third year quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a very good season, passing for 4,045 yards with 27 touchdown passes with only 12 interceptions. The Dolphins finished 14th overall in team offense. The defense finished 12th overall. They struggled against the run, finishing 24th in that category.

The addition of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh should help this unit and ownership is certainly for him to pay dividends considered they invested millions in the All-Pro player. The Dolphins were lucky to pick up former Louisville wide receiver Devante Parker with the 14th overall pick in this year’s draft. Parker should help improve Miami’s 17th ranked passing attack. Miami finished close to the middle of the pack in overall offensive and defensive statistics last season. They will need to improve on both sides of the ball if they hope to compete for a playoff spot. I expect the Dolphins to finish third in the division. The Fins could surprise but I’m not buying them in what could be the final season for head coach Joe Philbin.

4) New York Jets

The New York Jets are coming off a terrible 4-12 season. They fired head coach Rex Ryan and replaced him with former Arizona Cardinals defensive guru Todd Bowles. Mike Maccagnan takes over for John Idzik as general manager. The Jets are a team in disarray. Maccagnan is their third general manager in the past four years. They have brought back cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, after a two-year absence and Antonio Cromartie who played with the Cardinals last season. The Jets released Percy Harvin and acquired all-pro receiver Brandon Marshall from the Bears to replace him. The nine-year veteran has over 100 receptions in five of his nine seasons.

This is a transition year for the Jets. They could be in for a long season because of their weakness at quarterback. New York drafted Gino Smith in the second round of the 2013 draft. Smith was recently ranked last out of 32 starting quarterbacks in a NFL opinion poll of coaches and talent evaluators. Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick has been brought in to compete for the starting job, although the Jets will probably want to see if Smith can be a starting NFL quarterback. Bryce Petty was drafted in the fourth round and is probably a few years away from being ready to compete for the starting position. The Jets have made some upgrades, but I cannot see them being competitive in a strong AFC conference with Smith as their starting quarterback. Despite having arguably the best secondary in football, I still expect the Jets to finish last in the AFC East due to the unanswered question mark behind center.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

Favorites to win these six college football conferences this season.......

AAC-- Cincinnati/Memphis 2-1, Houston 4-1, Central Florida 4-1

ACC-- Clemson 2-1, Florida State 5-2, Georgia Tech 7-2

Big 14-- Ohio State 1-4, Wisconsin 7-1, Michigan State 8-1

Mountain West-- Boise State 1-3, San Diego State 7-1, Utah State 10-1

Pac-12-- Oregon 5-4, USC 2-1, Stanford/UCLA 3-1, Arizona State 8-1

SEC-- Alabama 9-5, Auburn 3-1, Georgia 6-1, Ole Miss 8-1

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here..........

13) I invented a new basketball statistic yesterday, while watching a one-sided game at Bishop Gorman HS. NegAssists, the amount of points scored off liveball turnovers, as opposed to deadball ones. Let me explain.......

12) A deadball turnover is a ball thrown out of bounds or anything where the clock is stopped and the ball has to be inbounded. A live ball tuenover often results in a fast break opportunity for the opposition and tends to be much more damaging- these are the results we want to track with NegAssists.

11) You can call it NegAssists when tracking how often your own players' mistakes result in opponents' points, but we need a word for points our team scores off liveball turnovers. It is late here, let me think-- until we come up with something better, we'll call them FastForce points-- FF points.

10) Anyway, they ran out of roster books for the media by the time I got to Bishop Gorman yesterday (how the hell is anyone awake in Las Vegas at 8am???) so I cannot write about individual players, since I don't know who they are. I'll be back downtown at Cashman Center today at the adidas event, where I have a book with players' names.

9) I'm not inferring anything here, but a team sponsored by Allen Iverson with nice purple uniforms warmed up for its game with each player throwing lob passes to himself off the floor and then trying to dunk. This with 20 or 30 college coaches sitting there watching their every move, out of sheer boredom. No bueno.

You'd think the geniuses who coach this team would resort to layup lines or a drill to showcase their players' immense athletic skill. Phil Martelli was sitting next to me and he is recruiting the big man off that team-- strong kid.

8) I see Tom Izzo, Steve Alford and Roy Williams watching a game, thats pretty much a game I'm interested in watching-- has to be one or two high level kids there.

7) Any big kid at this level of basketball should be expert at finishing around the basket with both hands; it is inexcusable not to be, since you can practice that by yourself, for hours on end if need be. Yet you watch these games and see a lot of missed layups by big kids.

6) Hint to prospects: dribbling behind your back in traffic is a bad idea, behind-the-back passes in transition do not impress too many coaches. Simple, effective plays that result in points scored impress coaches and result in scholarships offered.

5) When a coach yells out "swing the ball!!!" he wants the ball passed around the perimeter to the other side of the court. When a kid hears this command but jacks a 3-pointer instead, college coaches notice and wonder if that kid is coachable.

4) A's traded Scott Kazmir to Houston; not unexpected, since he will be a free agent in the fall. Kazmir is hurt but fighting thru it because of the free agency-- A's had to make sure they got something for him. It'll hurt more when they trade Ben Zobrist.

3) Zach Greinke's wife is having the couple's first child, so Greinke will probably miss tonight's game against the weak-hitting Mets, but he could be back later this weekend. Kershaw had a perfect game thru six against the Mets last night.

2) Ohio State's Braxton Miller will switch from QB to WR this fall, easing the crush of talent the Buckeyes had at QB. Kid could've transferred and played QB at ton of other schools, but they must've convinced him he can play WR in the NFL.

1) It is funny to see a prominent coach sit near a court to watch a game and casually look around to see who else s there, to see who his competition for players is.

[StarDust Bum]

Red Sox struggles continue with eight straight losses

The Boston Red Sox continue to limp along as one of the worst teams in baseball, as they have dropped their past eight games. Those games have seen the Red Sox lose by an average of 3.5 runs per game.

A large reason as to why is the Sox faltering offense, as they have averaged a mere 2.4 runs which is more than two less runs per game than their season average.

The Red Sox are currently -134 when they host the Tigers Friday.

-----------------------------

Total for Phillies-Cubs matchup gets posted

The total for Friday's matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs has hit the board at offshores and it has opened at 8.5.

Weather looks to be decent at Wrigley with wind blowing out to left-centerfield at around 11 miles per hour. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s under partly cloudy skies.

Probable starters are Jerome Williams for the Phils (+241) and Jon Lester for the Cubs (-265).

[StarDust Bum]

Head coaches in waiting: Top candidates for every NFL team

Jul 23, 2015

While retread coaches have become a hot item in recent years, there's still room for some newcomers in the NFL, too.

Three times in the last decade, two coaches on their first NFL job met in the Super Bowl — the Harbaugh brothers following the 2012 season and Mike Tomlin against Ken Whisenhunt and Mike McCarthy, respectively, following 2008 and 2010.

So who are the hot assistants now who could be in that next wave of successful, first-time head coaches? Here are some of the best:

Arizona: Coordinators James Bettcher and Harold Goodwin. Bettcher, early in his career, has established a commanding presence, and players seems to like him. The only thing that seems to be holding back Goodwin is that he does not call plays.

Buffalo: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is considered an innovative offensive mind who isn't married to one particular style and can adapt to the talent on the roster. In San Francisco he made the offense work with dink and dunk quarterback Alex Smith and a power running game, and then was able to utilize the particular skill set of Colin Kaepernick in a slightly different scheme.

Carolina: Assistant head coach/defensive backs coach Steve Wilkins is coach Ron Rivera's right-hand man. He has done a good job for the last three years with a patchwork secondary.

Chicago: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio did a terrific job in San Francisco and some were surprised he didn't get the call to replace Jim Harbaugh. If his 3-4 scheme turns around a defense that ranked 30th in the NFL the last two years, he's become a hot prospect.

Cincinnati: Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson actually had a head-coaching gig, of sorts — 8-8 with the Raiders in 2011, their best record in 13 years. Then he was fired. He did a good job re-tooling an offense that rose to sixth in the league a year ago, its best rating in more than a decade.

Cleveland: Defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil has shown real leadership skills and gotten players to respond.

Dallas: Special teams coaches don't often become head coaches, but John Harbaugh did — successfully — and so might Cowboys special teams coach Rich Basaccia. He had a head-coach interview in Cleveland last year.

Denver: Running backs coach Eric Studesville has endured two coaching changes and served four games as interim boss in 2010. He's a good teacher.

Detroit: Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin nearly landed a head coaching job this offseason, and seems almost certain to get one next year unless the Lions' defensive suddenly implodes.

Green Bay: Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt is held in high esteem by the players he has coached in Green Bay the last seven years, and the Packers lead the NFL with 114 interceptions on defense as well as 63 interceptions made by cornerbacks since 2009, Whitt's first season in his current position. He'll be only 37 this season.

Houston: George Godsey has risen from quarterbacks coach to the Texans' offensive coordinator in just one season. Now, head coach Bill O'Brien, who used to be the playcaller, has given Godsey those responsibilities.

Indianapolis: The name of offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has come up a lot in college coaching searches already. It may be just a matter of time before it happens in the NFL, too.

Miami: Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor rubbed some veteran wide receivers the wrong way with his candor last year, but he helped Nick Foles develop in Philadelphia and has done a fine job with Ryan Tannehill in Miami.

Minnesota: Scott Turner, son of Norv, is in his fifth year as an NFL assistant and, as the Vikings QB coach, did a terrific last year with rookie Teddy Bridgewater. The return of Adrian Peterson should give the Vikings offense a big boost this year.

Oakland: Defensive coordinator Ken Norton, a fiery leader, has worked under Seattle coach Pete Carroll and now he works for a former Dallas teammate, Jack Del Rio.

San Diego: Defensive coordinator John Pagano is the brother of Colts coach Chuck. He does a good job scheming to cover up a lack of talent.

Tennessee: Offensive coordinator Jason Michael will get a chance to polish his resume this year working with rookie QB Marcus Mariota, who must transition from a college spread offense to a traditional NFL system.

Washington: Offensive coordinator Sean McVay, just 29 years old, is the grandson of former Giants coach/longtime 49ers executive John McVay. Head coach Jay Gruden said the two of them think alike, and McVay's development should get speed along this year from two old vets added to the coaching staff, Bill Callahan and Matt Cavanaugh.

--Ira Miller is an award-winning sportswriter who has covered the National Football League for more than four decades and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. He is a national columnist for The Sports Xchange.