The Bum's Sports Page For Sunday August 9th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Long Sheet

Sunday, August 9

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

PHOENIX (14 - 7) at CHICAGO (13 - 9) - 8/9/2015, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) after a division game this season.
PHOENIX is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game this season.
CHICAGO is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

CONNECTICUT (11 - 9) at WASHINGTON (12 - 8) - 8/9/2015, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 269-327 ATS (-90.7 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 83-112 ATS (-40.2 Units) in August or September games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 170-215 ATS (-66.5 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) in home games off a upset loss as a favorite since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-5 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 9-3 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

ATLANTA (7 - 14) at TULSA (10 - 12) - 8/9/2015, 4:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent since 1997.
ATLANTA is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-2 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-2 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

LOS ANGELES (7 - 14) at MINNESOTA (15 - 6) - 8/9/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 23-34 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-39 ATS (-21.9 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 78-106 ATS (-38.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 149-189 ATS (-58.9 Units) after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 58-42 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 54-36 ATS (+14.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-5 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 7-5 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




WNBA

Sunday, August 9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. CHICAGO
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Chicago's last 16 games at home

4:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. WASHINGTON
Connecticut is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Connecticut's last 6 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Connecticut
Washington is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Connecticut

4:30 PM
ATLANTA vs. TULSA
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tulsa's last 9 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Tulsa is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

7:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Los Angeles is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Los Angeles
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Sunday, August 9


Phoenix @ Chicago

Game 601-602
August 9, 2015 @ 2:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
113.407
Chicago
115.650
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 2
155
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 4
160
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(+4); Under

Connecticut @ Washington

Game 603-604
August 9, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
113.258
Washington
115.114
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2
140
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 6 1/2
145 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(+6 1/2); Under

Atlanta @ Tulsa

Game 605-606
August 9, 2015 @ 4:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
102.949
Tulsa
113.449
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tulsa
by 10 1/2
164
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tulsa
by 5 1/2
159
Dunkel Pick:
Tulsa
(-5 1/2); Over

Los Angeles @ Minnesota

Game 607-608
August 9, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
107.466
Minnesota
122.093
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 14 1/2
143
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 5 1/2
149 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-5 1/2); Under

[StarDust Bum]

CFL

Dunkel

Week 7

Winnipeg @ Hamilton

Game 127-128
August 9, 2015 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
109.264
Hamilton
121.816
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 12 1/2
48
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Hamilton
by 7
54
Dunkel Pick:
Hamilton
(-7); Under

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

CFL

Long Sheet

Sunday, August 9

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

WINNIPEG (3 - 3) at HAMILTON (3 - 2) - 8/9/2015, 5:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 5-2 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 6-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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

CFL

Week 7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report

Sunday, August 9

5:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. HAMILTON
Winnipeg is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Hamilton
Winnipeg is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
Hamilton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games

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

CFL Week 7 lines hit the board

* And finally, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opened as touchdown favorites over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with a total of 54.

[StarDust Bum]

CFL

Sunday, August 9


Blue Bombers quickly becoming a red-hot under play

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have gone under in their past four contests, after starting the season looking like they were going to be an over team.

Through the first two weeks of the CFL season the Bombers scored 28 points per game while allowing 39 ppg. From Week 3 onwards, the Bombers have tallied 19 ppg while allowing 23.5.

In their past four games Winnipeg has faced an average closing total of 51.5 despite an average combined final score of 42.5.

The Bombers visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Sunday with a current total of 53.


Tiger-Cats undefeated at Tim Hortons Field

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats may have to wait to move into Tim Hortons Field last season, but it has proven the wait. The Ti-Cats are a perfect 8-0 straight-up in their new home.

That eight game span, one of which was this season, has seen the Ti-Cars outscore their opponents by an average of 10.5 points per game. That average has been padded by some lopsided victories, which shows up in their mediocre 4-4 record against the spread.

Hamilton is currently -7.5 when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday.

[StarDust Bum]

CFL

Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, August 9

Winnipeg (3-3) @ Hamilton (3-2)-- Hamilton (even) hammered Bombers 52-26 in Winnipeg back in Week 2, outgaining hosts 457-276 in game they led 38-13 at half. TiCats won seven of last eight in series, but Bombers pulled 27-26 upset in last visit here LY. Six of last nine series games went under the total. Winnipeg is 3-1 vs spread as an underdog this year, but lost last two road games, by 29 at Edmonton, 1 at Saskatchewan. TiCats won three of last four games, beating Toronto 34-18 in home opener last week. Under is 4-0 in last four Bomber games, 4-1 in Hamilton's last five games.

Underdogs are 21-6 vs spread in CFL games this year, 3-0 this week, with three games decided by a total of ten points.

[StarDust Bum]

HOF Notes - Steelers vs. Vikings

August 7, 2015


Pittsburgh Steelers

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Quarterback Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones, Tajh Boyd (Rookie)

Mike Tomlin began his career with the Steelers dominating in preseason play, owning a 19-6 SU and 14-10-1 ATS record from 2007 through 2012. However, Pittsburgh has struggled in exhibition action the last two seasons, going 1-7 SU/ATS, while the 'under' has cashed six times in this span.

When Tomlin started in '07, the Steelers were a team to back in preseason openers, winning and covering four straight. Pittsburgh has gone backwards since 2011, losing four consecutive Game 1's in preseason action, while scoring a combined 29 points in the past two openers.

Minnesota Vikings

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer
Quarterback Rotation: Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Taylor Heinicke (Rookie), Mike Kafka

The Vikings struggled in the preseason prior to Mike Zimmer arriving on the scene last season. The former Bengals' defensive coordinator came out of the gate with a perfect 4-0 record in his 2014 preseason debut, along with a 3-1 ATS mark.

Minnesota stumbled in preseason openers from 2011-13, losing each time, but bounced back with a 10-6 victory over Oakland last August to cash as a three-point home favorite. Zimmer's defensive style slowed down opposing offenses in the preseason, yielding 12 points or less in three of four exhibition wins in 2014.

Preseason Coaching Stats

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh - 20-13 SU, 15-17-1 ATS, 12-20-1 O/U
Mike Zimmer, Minnesota - 4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS, 1-3 O/U

Preseason Results - Last Two Years

Pittsburgh

2014 (1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS, 1-3 O/U)

Pittsburgh (+2.5, 36.5) 16 at N.Y. Giants 20
Pittsburgh (-1, 41) 19 vs. Buffalo 16
Pittsburgh (+3.5, 48) 21 at Philadelphia 31
Pittsburgh (-4, 37.5) 0 vs. Carolina 10

2013 (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS, 1-3 O/U)

Pittsburgh (-2.5, 36) 13 vs. N.Y. Giants 18
Pittsburgh (+2.5, 39.5) 13 at Washington 24
Pittsburgh (-3, 40) 20 vs. Kansas City 26 (OT)
Pittsburgh (+3.5, 36) 10 at Carolina 25

Minnesota

2014 (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS, 1-3 O/U)

Minnesota (-3, 38) 10 vs. Oakland 6
Minnesota (-4.5, 40) 30 vs. Arizona 28
Minnesota (+3, 45) 30 at Kansas City 12
Minnesota (+1.5, 42) 19 at Tennessee 3

2013 (1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS, 3-1 O/U)

Minnesota (-1, 35.5) 13 vs. Houston 27
Minnesota (+3.5, 43) 16 at Buffalo 20
Minnesota (+3, 39) 14 at San Francisco 34
Minnesota (+4, 39) 24 vs. Tennessee 23

Hall of Fame Game History & Trends

Recent Trends:

-- Pittsburgh beat New Orleans, 20-7 in the 2007 HOF game, going 3-2 all-time.
-- Minnesota has gone 2-1 in HOF game appearances, knocking off Seattle in 1997.
-- The 'under' has hit in three of the past four HOF contests.
-- Four straight HOF games have been decided by four points or more.

HALL OF FAME GAME HISTORY (1962-2014)
Year Result
2014 N.Y. Giants 17 Buffalo 13
2013 Dallas 24 Miami 20
2012 New Orleans 17 Arizona 10
2011 PPD
2010 Dallas 16 Cincinnati 7
2009 Tennessee 21 Buffalo 18
2008 Washington 30 Indianapolis 16
2007 Pittsburgh 20 New Orleans 7
2006 Oakland 16 Philadelphia 10
2005 Chicago 27 Miami 24
2004 Washington 20 Denver 17
2003 Kansas City 9 Green Bay 0
2002 N.Y. Giants 34 Houston 17
2001 St. Louis 17 Miami 10
2000 New England 20 San Francisco 0
1999 Cleveland 20 Dallas 17
1998 Tampa Bay 30 Pittsburgh 6
1997 Minnesota 28 Seattle 26
1996 Indianapolis 10 New Orleans 3
1995 Carolina 20 Jacksonville 14
1994 Atlanta 21 San Diego 17
1993 L.A. Raiders 19 Green Bay 3
1992 N.Y. Jets 41 Philadelphia 14
1991 Detroit 14 Denver 3
1990 Chicago 13 Cleveland 0
1989 Washington 31 Buffalo 6
1988 Cincinnati 14 L.A. Rams 7
1987 San Francisco 20 Kansas City 7
1986 New England 21 St. Louis 16
1985 N.Y. Giants 21 Houston 20
1984 Seattle 38 Tampa Bay 0
1983 Pittsburgh 27 New Orleans 14
1982 Minnesota 30 Baltimore 14
1981 Cleveland 24 Atlanta 10
1980 San Diego 0 Green Bay 0
1979 Oakland 20 Dallas 13
1978 Philadelphia 17 Miami 3
1977 Chicago 20 N.Y. Jets 6
1976 Denver 10 Detroit 7
1975 Washington 17 Cincinnati 9
1974 St. Louis 21 Buffalo 13
1973 San Francisco 20 New England 7
1972 Kansas City 23 N.Y. Giants 17
1971 L.A. Rams 17 Houston 6
1970 New Orleans 14 Minnesota 13
1969 Green Bay 38 Atlanta 24
1968 Chicago 30 Dallas 24
1967 Philadelphia 28 Cleveland 13
1965 Washington 20 Detroit 3
1964 Baltimore 48 Pittsburgh 17
1963 Pittsburgh 16 Cleveland 7
1962 St. Louis 17 N.Y. Giants 17

[StarDust Bum]

Hall of Fame Game betting preview: Steelers vs. Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5, 35)

Football bettors rejoice as the NFL returns with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings face off and will look to get their seasons off on the right foot with the Steelers failing to get past the Wild Card round since 2010-11 and the Vikings not making the postseason since 2012.

The Steelers lost in the Wild Card round against the Baltimore Ravens last season when the team Pittsburgh offensive line allowed Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked five times. The Vikings are coming off a year full of controversy with the circus that was Adrian Peterson's legal issues, but found a gem in Teddy Bridgewater. The former Louisville signal-caller finished the season leading all rookie quarterbacks in yards per game and quarterback rating.

LINE HISTORY: Various books opened the game with the Vikings favored by 2.5-points, but that line has majorly shifted to -3.5. The total has never really moved off the originally set 34.5.

INJURY REPORT: Steelers - T Mike Adams (Out-Back), CB Senquez Golson (Out-Shoulder) Vikings - LB Casey Matthews (Out-Hip)

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "NFL teams go about preseason games in different ways. Some teams will just go thru the motions, and others actually use the games to prepare them for the regular season. It all depends on the coach’s philosophy. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin: “We don’t prepare a lot for the first game whether it’s the Hall of Fame Game or our first preseason game. We kind of play rules football and don’t spend a lot of time from a game standpoint. We don’t spend a lot of time focusing on our opponents the first time out.”

Minnesota’s situation is different. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was away from the team for some time; he was taking care of his sick father. Upon return, Zimmer had this to say about the Hall of Fame Game: “We want to be crisp, we want to look sharp and I want to see the things we’ve been practicing being taken to the game field.” Because of the above information, the Vikings have gone from a 2-point favorite up to a 3.5-point favorite." - Covers Expert Steve Merril

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "10 days ago we had this Hall of Fame matchup between the Steelers and the Vikings at Vikings -3 with a total of 34.5, now the line currently sits at Vikings -3.5 with 67 percent of the action to cover that number and the total is up to 35 with 71 percent of the action on the over." - Michael Stewart of Carbonsports.ag

ABOUT THE STEELERS: It is hard to look at this game too seriously for the Steelers as almost their entire starting offense will be sitting this one out. QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le'Veon Bell, WR Antonio Brown, TE Heath Miller, C Maurkice Pouncey and LB James Harrison are among the players sitting out the game against the Minnesota Vikings. Landry Jones, who has reportedly been very productive in training camp, will see the significant amount of snaps from under center. There is also expectation that CB Brandon Boykin will see plenty of action since he was recently acquired from the Eagles and has told the coaches to 'throw me in whenever.'

Expect the Steelers defense to show some creative looks throughout the preseason with new defensive coordinator Keith Butler in charge. There could be a lot of misdirections and Butler will try to get one-on-one matchups for his defensive ends.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS: Even though Teddy Bridgewater missed Friday's walk-through due to family matters, he is expected to get the start for the Vikings. In last year's preseason Bridgewater threw five touchdowns with no interceptions and a QB rating of 111.2. There has been no official word on whether or not we will see Adrian Peterson enter the game for the Vikings, but coach Mike ZImmer said the lineup will depend on his "mood."

The Vikings defense was far from perfect last season, which led the organization to fo defense-heavy in this years draft. The top three picks by the team (Trae Waynes, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter) are all defensive players who will likely see some significant time this preseason. Especially Kendricks as Anthony Barr has been dealing with some lingering injury issues in camp.

TRENDS:

*NFC teams are 9-2 SU and 8-2-1 ATS versus AFC teams in contests in Canton.
*Eight of the last 11 Hall of Fame Games have played Over with a total of 35 or less points.
*The Steelers are 2-9-1 ATS in the past three preseasons.
*The Vikings went 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS last preseason.

CONSENSUS: 51 percent of users are taking the Vikings with 55 percent on the over.

[StarDust Bum]

Bettors siding with Vikings, Over in HOF Game

Brace yourselves, football is coming.

Sunday marks the kickoff to the NFL preseason as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Hall of Fame Game. Ahead of the occasion, it appears football-starved bettors at CarbonSports.ag are siding with the favored Vikings.

"Our line is currently sitting at Vikings -3.5 and 67 percent of bettors are backing them to cover the chalk," said Michael Stewart, an oddsmaker for the book.

"After opening the total at 34.5, we've since bumped up that number to 35. Seventy-one percent of totals action is on the Over."

[StarDust Bum]

More than 67,000 attend Packers' Family Night practice
August 9, 2015

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers accomplished two goals with their annual Family Night practice.

The Packers entertained 67,191 fans for 90 minutes, and none of the players got hurt on Saturday night.

''It's a win every single practice when you walk off the field and you don't have a major injury. And that's really how I view it,'' Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

''Injuries are a part of the game, you do everything you can from a risk-assessment focus to try to minimize those big injuries. Because the big injuries obviously change things - change starting lineups, change opportunities and maybe even change your direction.''

The Packers were already without a number of key players for practice, including inside linebacker Clay Matthews, who has been out since Monday with knee soreness.

At Friday's practice, Matthews said he should be back to practice next week.

Also sitting out Family Night were key contributors defensive tackle Mike Pennel, linebackers Jayrone Elliott (shoulder soreness), Nick Perry (groin), Mike Neal (hernia surgery, physically unable to perform list) and Adrian Hubbard (groin).

''It's definitely good. This is just another practice,'' cornerback Demetri Goodson said about the injury-free night.

''This is great for the fans, but each and every time that's what we shoot for is to have clean practice, everybody play hard and fast. But the most important thing is for everybody to stay healthy out there. We have a really long season.''

Wrapping up the first full week of training camp, the Packers players were energized by the crowd filled with young and old fans.

''It's nice to kind of feel that energy and get the crowd roaring in there a little bit, and you just kind of get back into it,'' kicker Mason Crosby said.

''Obviously, we were very fortunate that we could have a Family Night practice and have 67,000 people in the stands. In that aspect, we were very fortunate in that. We get to kind of work on what to expect whenever we go play other places.''

Early in practice, the No. 1 defense showed it was up to the task to take on the offense's top unit.

On a third-and-5, safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix stepped in front of an Aaron Rodgers pass intended for wide receiver Davante Adams.

''For a veteran like Ha Ha can get one, it kind of gives us motivation on the back end,'' cornerback Casey Hayward said.

''Just the defense to get a turnover early, and he got it on 12 (Rodgers), so that's definitely a big thing as well. Ha Ha has been doing a great job, and hopefully we can continue that trend.''

Rodgers told reporters earlier in the week that he's throwing more ''50-50'' balls during training camp to see if his receivers can go up and get the ball. In the first week of camp, Rodgers threw five interceptions - the same number he threw all of last season.

''We know 12 is very careful with that ball, so we kind of know what he's doing, he's testing all his wide receivers,'' Hayward said.

''Hopefully they can come down with those balls, and if not, breaking up the balls from us. He has to trust those guys as well, but we're also doing a great job of coming out with the ball.''

It wasn't long after the Clinton-Dix interception that Scott Tolzien was inserted at quarterback and rookie cornerback Tay Glover-Wright found a deflected pass in the air and hauled it in.

Despite the interception, Tolzien, who is vying for the No. 2 quarterback job with rookie Brett Hundley and Matt Blanchard, had a solid night.

That was evident in his time in the two-minute drill late in practice. With the hypothetical setting of 1:42 showing on the clock, the Packers down by four points and starting at their 35, Tolzien led the team inside the red zone with three straight complete passes.

''There's a lot to learn in every drill,'' McCarthy said. ''Every drill has things that go on for a player, whether it's a fundamental or technique. I think any time you're in a game situation, particularly two minute, which is probably in my view the most important situation because so many games each year to that situation. I thought Scott did a very good job with his individual responsibility.''

With the Packers' Family Night just five days prior to their preseason opener at New England, Hayward thought the game-like atmosphere was what the players needed.

''They're timing it just perfect,'' Hayward said. ''We're getting tired of beating up on each other, so hopefully we can go out there and beat up New England a little bit.''

[StarDust Bum]

Predicting the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016 class: Favre leads the way

Before we get to anything else here, let's all congratulate the 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame class of Jerome Bettis, Junior Seau, Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Will Shields, Bill Polian, Ron Wolf and Mick Tingelhoff.

I wanted to get that out of the way because as of right now, we're done talking about them. Instead, we're going to talk about something you can debate with your family for the next six months: Who should be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016?

There's actually one guy you won't have to debate with anyone about because he's pretty much a lock to be inducted next year -- the Ol' Gunslinger, Brett Favre.

If Favre's inducted, he'll end a 10-year Hall of Fame drought at quarterback. Favre's induction would take place in August 2016, which would be exactly a decade after the last quarterback was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Both Troy Aikman and Warren Moon were inducted in 2006.

Besides Favre, there will be several other notable players who will be Hall of Fame-eligible for the first time next year. That list includes Terrell Owens, Clinton Portis and former Steelers guard Alan Faneca, but I don't see any of those three guys getting the nod in their first year of eligibility.

So who will join Favre in Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame induction next August?

It's time to predict the 2016 class.

Predicted class of 2016 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Brett Favre, quarterback, Atlanta Falcons (1991), Green Bay Packers (1992-2007), New York Jets (2008), Minnesota Vikings (2009-10)

As long as the selection committee doesn't decide to penalize Favre for sending a few lewd text messages back in 2008, he should be a lock for induction next year.

Sometimes it's easy to forget just how dominating Favre was early on in his career.

When Favre was traded from Atlanta to Green Bay in February 1992, he went to a moribund franchise: The Packers had put together exactly one winning season in the nine years before Favre's arrival.

That all changed when Favre took over the starting quarterback job permanently in Week 3 of 1992. After Favre took over, the Packers would go on to play in two Super Bowls, winning one during a span where the Packers made the postseason 10 times in 12 years.

Favre would also win the NFL MVP Award three straight times (1995-97), something no other player has ever done.

When the 11-time Pro Bowl selection decided to retire for good in 2010, he left the NFL as the league's all-time leader in touchdowns (508), passing yards (71,838) and completions (6,300). Favre has since fallen to No. 2 in TD passes behind Peyton Manning.

Kurt Warner, quarterback, St. Louis Rams (1998-2003), New York Giants (2004), Arizona Cardinals (2005-09)

With Favre likely getting a Hall of Fame nod in 2016, some people might be wondering if that hurts Kurt Warner's chances. Would the committee really select two quarterbacks in the same year?

If the recent past is any indication, then Warner shouldn't have anything to worry about on that front. The last time a quarterback was enshrined came in 2006 when two quarterbacks were inducted into the Hall of Fame -- Aikman and Moon.

The year before that was also a big one for quarterbacks as both Dan Marino and Steve Young were inducted in 2005. Apparently, these things come in pairs.

If anything's going to hurt Warner's induction chances, it's not going to be Favre, it's going to be that ugly five-season stretch in his career (2002-06) where he went 8-22 as a starter. During that timespan, Warner actually threw more interceptions (30) than touchdown passes (27).

Warner's putrid play during those five years is what makes the rest of his career so impressive. In his seven good seasons, Warner won two MVP awards and played in three Super Bowls. The four-time Pro Bowl pick also led the NFL in touchdown passes twice and passing yards once.

The good news for Warner is that every player who has ever won multiple MVPs has ended up being a Hall of Famer. That list includes Joe Montana, Steve Young and Johnny Unitas. The list will also eventually include Favre and Warner, if the selection committee can get over that ugly five-year span.

Orlando Pace, left tackle, St. Louis Rams (1997-2008), Chicago Bears (2009)

If Warner was the Ringmaster of the "Greatest Show on Turf," then Pace was the big top that kept it all together. The No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, Pace went on to play a pivotal part in the Rams' improbable Super Bowl run of 1999 just one season after the Rams finished 4-12.

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection was arguably one of the three best left tackles of the past 20 years. The other two left tackles in the top three, Walter Jones and Jonathan Ogden, were both recently inducted into the Hall of Fame.

There's no reason Pace shouldn't join them in 2016.

The HOF selection committee has been infatuated with offensive linemen lately, with five having been inducted since 2012. That's good news for Pace because he's really the only Hall of Fame-worthy lineman up for induction next year.

Alan Faneca might eventually get in, but he'll be a longshot in 2016, especially since it's his first year of eligibility.

Marvin Harrison, wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts (1996-2008)

Over the past two years, the Hall of Fame selection committee has slowly been clearing up the logjam that was developed at wide receiver with Cris Carter (2013), Andre Reed (2014) and Tim Brown (2015).

Those three inductions are good news for Harrison, because it was unlikely he was going to get in before any of those three and for awhile, it didn't look like they were going to make the cut. Brown and Carter were both named finalists six times before being inducted, while Reed was a finalist eight times before his eventual induction in 2014.

The good news for Harrison is that he's likely not going to have to wait the eight years that Reed did.

The former Colts receiver is third all-time in receptions (1,102), fifth in touchdown catches (128) and seventh in receiving yards (14,580) -- numbers that should earn the eight-time Pro Bowl pick a Hall of Fame nod in what will only be his third year of eligibility.

It's going to be important for Harrison to get inducted in 2016 because if he doesn't, it's only going to get more challenging after that. Harrison's already up against some big-name receivers in 2016 like Owens, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Both Bruce and Owens finished their careers with more receiving yards than Harrison.

Kevin Greene, LB/DE, Los Angeles Rams (1985-92), Pittsburgh Steelers (1993-95), Carolina Panthers (1996, '98-99), San Francisco 49ers (1997)

Greene is probably the biggest longshot on this list, but I think the fifth time is going to be the charm for the former pass-rusher.

Greene has been a Hall of Fame finalist since 2012, but he hasn't been able to get to Canton, thanks in large part to a crowded field of candidates that included Charles Haley, Michael Strahan, Chris Doleman, Junior Seau and Derrick Brooks -- all guys have who have been elected recently.

The biggest argument for Greene is that he was basically an unstoppable pass-rusher for 15 straight years. To put that in perspective, Greene had more sacks (12) during the final year of his NFL career than he did in any of his first three seasons.

Overall, Greene finished his career with 160 sacks, the third-highest total since the NFL made the sack an official statistic in 1982. Only five guys have recorded 140 or more sacks in their career and four are in the Hall of Fame (Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Doleman, Strahan). It wouldn't be a shock to see the Hall finally add the five-time Pro Bowl selection who was the NFL's single-season sacks leader three times.

Greene's biggest competition for the fifth and final spot will be probably be Tony Dungy or Jimmy Johnson. Greene will probably need to hope that voters end up being split on the two coaches.

Just missed in 2016: Tony Dungy, Jimmy Johnson, Terrell Davis, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Morten Anderson, John Lynch, Eddie DeBartolo Jr.

The 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be announced in a television special that's tentatively set to air Feb. 6, 2016, on CBS, the day before Super Bowl 50.

[StarDust Bum]

Prospect Watch: Williams, Fulmer, Reed starting strong with new teams

A whopping 55 prospects were traded prior to last week's trade deadline, including several top prospects. The second wild-card makes getting to the postseason a little bit easier, and, as a result, it appears teams are more willing to trade minor leaguers for big-league help down the stretch.

Now that a week has passed since the deadline, most of those traded prospects have appeared in games for their new organizations. It takes a few days to report and get settled in, stuff like that. Here's a look at some the prospects moved at the deadline who are off to strong starts with their new teams.

OF Ramon Flores, Mariners: Flores, 23, has gone 14 for 29 (.483) with four doubles, seven walks and three strikeouts in eight Triple-A games after going from the Yankees to the Mariners in the Dustin Ackley trade. Flores fits the left-handed-hitting platoon outfielder profile to a tee -- he's also a sound defender in the corners -- and he's basically major-league ready. Not a future star or anything, but the kind of player who could go on to have a long MLB career.

RHP Michael Fulmer, Tigers: Six strikeouts and two hits allowed in 6 2/3 innings in your first start with your new organization is a good first impression, right? That's what the 22-year-old Fulmer did with Double-A Erie last week after going to Detroit in the Yoenis Cespedes trade. Fulmer is fifth in the minors with a 1.90 ERA this season and he's the kind of fastball/slider power arm the Tigers love. Detroit is not shy about promoting pitching prospects aggressively. Expect Fulmer to get consideration for the big league rotation in spring training next year.

RHP John Gant, Braves: The Braves acquired Gant from the Mets in the Juan Uribe/Kelly Johnson swap, and, in two starts with Atlanta's Double-A affiliate, he's allowed one run in 11 2/3 innings while striking out 16. Gant, who turned 23 on Thursday, is not a big stuff guy, he's more of a command and control pitcher who relies on deception and a deep arsenal. That's not a sexy profile but it is valuable, especially while chewing up innings at the back of the rotation for the league minimum.

LHP Sean Manaea, Athletics: Manaea, 23, was part of the Ben Zobrist trade, and he has a 2.77 ERA in two Double-A starts and 13 innings with his new team. That includes a 16/2 K/BB. Manaea has been held back by non-arm injuries in recent years (groin, hip, ribs) but his arm is electric, with a big fastball and a wipeout slider. His delivery isn't the prettiest and his command can come and go, though his upside is sky high. Manaea's healthy and has been impressive in his first two starts in the A's organization.

LHP Cody Reed, Reds: Reed was in the middle of a breakout season with the Royals when they shipped him to the Reds as part of the package for Johnny Cueto. The 22-year-old hard-throwing southpaw has allowed one single run in two starts and 15 innings since the trade, striking out 18 and walking four. Reed has learned to harness his mid-90s gas, and both his changeup and breaking ball are improving. He's had an excellent year overall (2.27 ERA) and should be ready to help Cincinnati next season.

OF Nick Williams, Phillies: Williams, 21, is 7 for 18 (.389) in four Double-A games since being included in the Cole Hamels trade, though most of that comes from one game. But boy, what a game it was: 4 for 4 with a double, two home runs, a walk and five runs scored. That's the kind of game that makes you dream on what Williams can become given his athleticism and incredible tools. He's hitting .393/.443/.730 over the last calendar month. Wowza.

[StarDust Bum]

At the Gate - Sunday
August 9, 2015

It does not get much better than yesterday’s Whitney (G1) at Saratoga where Honor Code ran down Liam’s Map in deep stretch, returning $9.50 as my top pick and toping a $2 recommended exacta that paid a hefty $76.50 and a trifecta with Tonalist that paid $225.50.

The question was whether Honor Code was better going around one turn like he did in his Met Mile (G1) score. The Shug McGaughey trainee was aided by sharp early fractions and he came running late in one of the most impressive efforts we have seen all year.

A showdown in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) between him and American Pharoah would be something to behold, and I just hope both stay happy and heathy for the next couple of months.

Our day at the Spa started slow, but we ended on a good note, knocking down the final three races with my top picks, paying $9.50, $11.20 and $5.30. Along with my second choice Cavorting in the Test (G1), the late Pick 4 paid $433.00 for $1.

If you used my Best Plays Report for Saturday you know we got pretty lucky in the second race at Del Mar. My top pick Warrensdollarsigns ran second at 11-1 to my fourth choice Rock N Bunny, who won by ¾ of a length at odds of 28-1.

However, she caused interference in the stretch and our top pick was placed first, returning $24.00. That also gave us the recommended exacta which paid $305.60 for $2.

It was a tough call, but since it went our way for a change, I will take it.

Palace Malice is back in action today as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the $100,000 Alydar at the Spa. The five-year-old makes his first start since running a disappointing third in the Diablo Stakes at Belmont Park on May 10.

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

SAR Race 1 Clm $16,000 (1:00 ET)
2 Real Estate Rich 4-1
7 Energetico 7-2
3 Attractive Ride 2-1
1 In the Beat 10-1

Analysis: Real Estate Rich raced in between foes down the backstretch and had to check in traffic nearing the 5/16's. He was angled out very wide turning for home but faded to finish a well beaten ninth. He ran pretty well two and three back in third place finishes, two back for a $25,000 tag. He was claimed out of his last outing by the Barbara barn that is showing a 1 for 21 mark first off the claim. He catches a weak group and can move forward off his last start facing this weak group.

Energetico set the early fractions and weakened to finish fifth last out for a $25,000 tag. He was claimed out of the race by the Contessa barn that is 9% winners first off the claim. He drops into a softer spot here tagged for $16,000. He ran solid numbers in his last three starts at the Big A earning figs good enough to handle this group.

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 2,7 / 1,2,3,7
TRI: 2,7 / 1,2,3,7 / 1,2,3,4,7

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 9 The Alydar (5:50 ET)
7 Souper Lucky 8-1
6 Palace Malice 5-2
12 Matrooh 4-1
11 Mylute 6-1

Analysis: Souper Lucky is coming off a sharp win last out against $40,000 optional claimers at laurel Park and looks to be sitting on a good one here as he steps back into stakes company. The Mike Trombetta trainee has spent most of his time in Maryland but he did break his maiden over the Spa main track back in '13. He has earned triple digit Beyers in three of his last five starts and his 8-1 morning line looks fair enough. Looks to have the best shot of beating the chalk here.

Palace Malice seems likely to get bet down from his 5-2 morning line. He did not fire his best last out in the Diablo in a third place finish in his first go off a nine-month layoff. He won four of his five starts last year including the Met Mile (G1). The Todd Pletcher trainee put in a bullet drill on Aug. 2 and looks ready to go, but his price is likely going to be on the light side in this spot.

Matrooh has won three of his four starts since coming to the U.S. and landing with the Chad Brown barn. He looks sharp enough to step up into stakes company here off good win last out against $100,000 optional claimers. The third place finisher in that race was Wealth to Me who won next out, but that victory was against $12,500 claimers on a Jacobson jam job.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5-1 or better.
EX: 6,7 / 6,7,11,12
TRI: 6,7 / 6,7,11,12 / 1,6,7,11,12

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Del Mar:

DMR Race 8 The La Jolla Handicap G3 (5:40 PT)
6 Papacoolpapacool 3-1
9 Prospect Park 5-2
3 On 7-2
10 Royal Albert Hall 10-1

Analysis: Papacoolpapacool stalked the early pace, came with a six wide move and drifted in down the stretch in a fifth place finish in the Oceanside. This guy won a pair of turf stakes back to back earlier this year, winning the Pasadena and La Puente. He has won four of his nine starts on turf and is going to be a slightly better price that our second choice.

Prospect Park just missed by a nose last out in the Los Al Derby (G2) and now makes his turf debut. The winner of his last race was the streaking Gimme Da Lute, who won the state bred Real Good Deal here on Aug. 2. His pedigree leans more toward dirt, by Tapit out of a Bertrando mare that has dropped four other winners but no turf winners. He has had a couple of drills on turf and has plenty of talent.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 6,9 / 3,6,9,10
TRI: 6,9 / 3,6,9,10 / 2,3,6,9,10

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
R1: #1 In the Beat 10-1
R2: #9 Crazy Cat Woman 8-1
R4: #1 Tizquick 8-1
R5: #8 Brevard 15-1
R6: #2 J La Tache 8-1
R8: #7 Alexa’s Spirit 15-1
R9: #7 Souper Lucky 8-1
R10: #7 Easy Feeling 8-1
R11: #5 Jumpin Frac Flash 12-1

Good luck today!

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Sunday
August 9, 2015


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Red Sox are 10-0 since Sep 02, 2014 after a road loss in which they scored first.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

When John Lackey starts the Cardinals are 0-11 OU since Sep 10, 2014 after his team scored a total of fewer than three runs in his last start.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Red Sox are 10-0 OU since Apr 10, 2015 after scoring 6+ runs in a road game.

CHOICE TREND:

-- The Pirates are 11-0 since Sep 07, 2014 after a win in which they came back from a deficit and in the last game of a series.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Royals are 10-0 since May 19, 2015 after a home game in which they had multiple multi-run innings.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

-- There were 671 fumbles in the NFL LY; 308 of them (45.9%) were recovered by the other team.

-- Philadelphia Eagles (-8) turned ball over 36 times LY, most in the NFL. Green Bay and New England (13 each) both turned it over the least.

-- Houston (31), Dallas (30) led the NFL in takeaways; Jets 13 (-11) had the least. How does a Rex Ryan defense have the least turnovers in the league?

-- NFL kickers made 94-154 (61%) of 50+-yard field goals LY.

-- Demarco Murray ran ball for 1,845 yards LY, 484 yards more than anyone else. Dallas ran him into the ground, then let him walk; now he's an Eagle. Hmmm....

-- Jacksonville (450), Washington (414) lost the most yards on sacks LY; Houston (108) and Denver (118) lost the least


**********

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Random stuff on a summer day........

13) Why teams lose: top of 5th, White Sox trail 3-2 in Kansas City; Jose Abreu is up with men on first/second two out- the slow-running catcher is on second. They pick him off second, WITH JOSE ABREU UP!!! Awful, terrible baserunning.

Royals score four in bottom of 5th, then Abreu leads off the sixth inning with a solo home run, because that happens to losing teams after a runner gets picked off.

12) Very bad news for the Marlins: Jose Fernandez is back in Miami getting his shoulder checked. More bad news: Marcell Osuna got pulled from his AAA game last night in New Orleans; impatient people like me thought he was getting called back to Miami, but turns out he was taken out because he sprained his wrist. Oy.

11) When the 49ers released troubled Aldon Smith, at least they saved $2.9M in cap room, small consolation. They've had a terrible offseason, for sure.

10) Since July 1, they've had over 32 inches of rain in Tampa Bay area, 8+ inches just in August- they don't have proper drainage to handle all that water. Not good.

9) Phillies have a catcher named Cameron Rupp; wonder if he is a college hoop fan, seeing as Duke plays home games in Cameron Indoor Stadium and Kentucky plays its home games in Rupp Arena. I'm just askin'....

8) Rams signed Nick Foles to a 2-year contract extension, so while I have no idea where the Rams will call home next year, I know who their QB will be and that is lot more important to me.

7) Want to win a bar bet? A guy named Tom Van Arsdale, who played in 929 NBA games over 12 seasons, scoring 14,232 points (15.3 ppg) has played in most NBA games without ever playing in a playoff game. His brother Dick also played in the NBA-- the twins were selected on consecutive picks in the 1965 Draft.

6) Pirates are 14-3 in last 17 home games; their bullpen got nine of those 14 wins.

5) Astros lost 13 of their last 15 road games; since acquiring Carlos Gomez, he is 9 for 35 and Jose Altuve is 9-37- they need to be better than that. Altuve has played in 17 games since his last walk and he is about four feet tall (5-5 or so really).

4) Rashad Muhammad, a Las Vegas kid whose brother played for UCLA and is now in the NBA, has transferred from San Jose State to Miami. Funny, I saw San Jose play a few times LY-- had no idea they had a player good enough to play in the ACC.

3) St Louis Cardinals look like a good bet to win the NL Central; that leaves six teams fighting for the four remaining playoff spots. Mets/Nationals and Dodgers/Giants are batting for division titles; the two losers will battle Pirates/Cubs for the two Wild Card slots-- two good teams are staying home in October.

2) Very nice ceremony in Arizona last night; they retired Randy Johnson's #51 and gave him a drum set just like the one the band Rush uses. Johnson spoke nicely, as he mentioned by name trainers, equipment guys and lot of teammates. Good to see.

1) Happy 80th birthday Lee Corso, one of the great characters in sports TV. I hope I am as sharp as he is when I turn 80; hell, I wish I was that sharp now.

[StarDust Bum]

More in a minute