Thursday Trends and Indexes

[djmauiboy]

Pro Basketball Trend Report

PHOENIX (10 - 6) at NEW JERSEY (7 - 10) - 12/7/2006, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 146-185 ATS (-57.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
PHOENIX is 61-41 ATS (+15.9 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 41-28 ATS (+10.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 2-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-1 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




DETROIT (11 - 7) at DALLAS (13 - 5) - 12/7/2006, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in road games after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 42-24 ATS (+15.6 Units) in home games against Central division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 162-113 ATS (+37.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
DALLAS is 159-117 ATS (+30.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
DALLAS is 43-24 ATS (+16.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.


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




* I DIDN'T SEE ANY INFO ON THE MIAMI GAME

[Udog]

[B][SIZE="5"]

* I DIDN'T SEE ANY INFO ON THE MIAMI GAME

I haven't even seen a line on that game yet, dj! I wonder what the deal is.
I haven't even started following NBA yet.

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet

Pro Hockey Trend Report

TORONTO (13-11-0-5, 31 pts.) at BOSTON (13-10-0-2, 28 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 7-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a division game this season.
TORONTO is 5-1 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
TORONTO is 66-55 ATS (+128.2 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
TORONTO is 59-46 ATS (+112.3 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
BOSTON is 84-85 ATS (-42.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-5 (+3.5 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-5-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.9 Units)




PITTSBURGH (11-12-0-3, 25 pts.) at NY RANGERS (13-10-0-4, 30 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 21-42 ATS (+72.1 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 98-116 ATS (+98.0 Units) as a home underdog of a half goal or even on the puck line since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 146-168 ATS (+146.0 Units) as a home favorite of a half goal or even on the puck line since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 171-206 ATS (+171.0 Units) in home games against the puck line since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 59-76 ATS (+59.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is 6 or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 49-67 ATS (-48.1 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 15-28 ATS (-23.6 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 45-75 ATS (-74.8 Units) in home games after allowing 4 goals or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 47-69 ATS (-45.4 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 5-6 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 6-5-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.4 Units)




MONTREAL (15-8-0-4, 34 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (14-10-0-3, 31 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 3-1 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 3-1-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)




BUFFALO (21-4-0-2, 44 pts.) at FLORIDA (9-15-0-5, 23 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 16-9 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 21-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games this season.
BUFFALO is 21-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) as an underdog or pick on the puck line this season.
BUFFALO is 21-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) as a favorite or even on the puck line this season.
BUFFALO is 12-2 ATS (+9.2 Units) as a road underdog of a half goal or even on the puck line this season.
BUFFALO is 12-2 ATS (+9.2 Units) as a road favorite of a half goal or even on the puck line this season.
BUFFALO is 12-2 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games against the puck line this season.
BUFFALO is 12-2 ATS (+9.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more this season.
BUFFALO is 21-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) first half of the season this season.
BUFFALO is 40-18 ATS (+15.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 188-275 ATS (+188.0 Units) as a favorite or even on the puck line since 1996.
FLORIDA is 122-140 ATS (+122.0 Units) as a home favorite of a half goal or even on the puck line since 1996.
FLORIDA is 167-204 ATS (+167.0 Units) in home games against the puck line since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 3-2 (+2.2 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 3-2-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)




ATLANTA (18-7-0-4, 40 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (13-13-0-2, 28 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 9-21 ATS (-17.0 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak since 1996.
TAMPA BAY is 13-6 ATS (+19.1 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 78-79 ATS (+180.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 6 or more since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 8-4 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 8-4-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.5 Units)




ST LOUIS (7-16-0-3, 17 pts.) at DETROIT (15-7-0-4, 34 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 28-80 ATS (+172.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 28-80 ATS (+172.9 Units) as an underdog or pick on the puck line over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 28-80 ATS (+172.9 Units) as a favorite or even on the puck line over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 16-46 ATS (+87.3 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 32-6 ATS (+16.3 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 14-12 ATS (-16.9 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 9-2 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 9-2-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.8 Units)




CALGARY (13-10-0-2, 28 pts.) at MINNESOTA (14-10-0-3, 31 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CALGARY is 20-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) as a road underdog of a half goal or even on the puck line over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 20-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) as a road favorite of a half goal or even on the puck line over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 20-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) in road games against the puck line over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 1-7 ATS (-6.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
CALGARY is 3-10 ATS (-8.4 Units) in road games after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
CALGARY is 68-53 ATS (+122.7 Units) in December games since 1996.
CALGARY is 89-98 ATS (+225.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
CALGARY is 87-79 ATS (+180.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
CALGARY is 6-2 (+3.5 Units) against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
CALGARY is 6-2-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.0 Units)




PHOENIX (10-16-0-0, 20 pts.) at CHICAGO (10-12-0-3, 23 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 139-188 ATS (+464.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 72-100 ATS (-50.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 2-3 (+0.1 Units) against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 3-2-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.8 Units)




COLORADO (12-13-0-2, 26 pts.) at SAN JOSE (20-8-0-0, 40 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 16-28 ATS (-12.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 7-15 ATS (-10.6 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 4-1 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 4-1-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.1 Units)




NASHVILLE (17-8-0-2, 36 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (10-15-0-4, 24 pts.) - 12/7/2006, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 12-23 ATS (-21.9 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 3-12 ATS (-9.5 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 41-22 ATS (+10.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 90-82 ATS (+186.4 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 25-7 ATS (+12.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 2-2-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.0 Units)

[pm530]

NHL DUNKEL

Game 1-2: Toronto at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.340; Boston 12.853
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Neutral; Over

Game 3-4: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.145; NY Rangers 12.579
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Neutral; Neutral

Game 5-6: Montreal at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 12.261; NY Islanders 11.956
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+1 1/2); Under

Game 7-8: Buffalo at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 13.410; Florida 10.945
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-1 1/2); Over

Game 9-10: Atlanta at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 13.405; Tampa Bay 11.454
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-1 1/2); Under

Game 11-12: St. Louis at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 10.099; Detroit 12.905
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 3; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-1 1/2); Under

Game 13-14: Calgary at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.488; Minnesota 12.462
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary by 1 1/2; 5
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-1 1/2); Under

Game 15-16: Phoenix at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 9.939; Chicago 11.983
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-1 1/2); Under

Game 17-18: Colorado at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 12.221; San Jose 13.491
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Neutral; Over

Game 19-20: Nashville at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 12.789; Los Angeles 11.649
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+1 1/2); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, December 7th

Phoenix at New Jersey, 7:35 EST
Phoenix: 14-2 ATS after playing 3+ games as a home favorite
New Jersey: 28-15 Under as a home underdog

Detroit at Dallas, 8:05 EST TNT
Detroit: 1-11 ATS Away off BB ATS losses
Dallas: 25-9 ATS after covering 3 of their last 4 ATS

Miami at Sacramento, 10:35 EST TNT
Miami: 30-13 ATS off a DD loss
Sacramento: 3-15 ATS vs. Miami

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Thursday, December 7th

(TC) Michigan at Miami OH, 8:00 EST ESPNU
Michigan: 5-1 Under off BB non-conference games
Miami OH: 7-0 Under at home off a road loss

Florida State at Georgia State, 7:00 EST
Florida State: 30-14 ATS after playing a game as a home 'dog
Georgia State: 0-6 ATS at home off a cover

Alabama at Notre Dame, 9:00 EST ESPN
Alabama: 1-16 ATS off 6+ SU wins
Notre Dame: 9-0 Over as a home favorite of 6 points or less

Pepperdine at Long Beach State, 10:00 EST
Pepperdine: 12-26 ATS after covering 4 or 5 of their last 6 ATS
Long Beach State: 8-1 Under at home off BB road games


Added Games:

Murray State at Eastern Kentucky, 7:30 EST
Murray State: 4-12 ATS off a home win
Eastern Kentucky: 0-7 ATS after playing BB games as an underdog

Austin Peay at Morehead State, 7:30 EST
Austin Peay: 3-12 ATS as a road underdog
Morehead State: 0-8 ATS after allowing 60 points or less

Iona at Rider, 7:30 EST
Iona: 11-2 Under Away after playing a game as a 'dog
Rider: 18-33 ATS as a home underdog

Samford at Jacksonville State, 8:30 EST
Samford: 6-0 Under Away off BB non-conference games
Jacksonville State: 6-0 ATS playing only their 3rd game in a week

SE Missouri State at Tennessee State, 8:30 EST
SE Missouri State: 26-43 ATS off a cover
Tennessee State: 14-3 ATS after scoring 65 points or less BB games

Eastern Illinois at Tennessee Tech, 8:30 EST
Eastern Illinois: 12-1 Under as a DD road underdog
Tennessee Tech: 6-0 Under at home off a conference loss

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, December 7th

Toronto at Boston, 7:05 EST
Toronto: 12-28 SU playing their second game in five days
Boston: 7-2 SU off a division game

Pittsburgh at NY Rangers, 7:05 EST
Pittsburgh: 5-0 Over off BB home games
NY Rangers: 6-15 SU off a division loss

Montreal at NY Islanders, 7:35 EST
Montreal: 10-2 SU off a loss
NY Islanders: 18-32 SU at home off a home loss by 2+ goals

Buffalo at Florida, 7:35 EST
Buffalo: 12-2 SU in road games
Florida: 1-9 SU playing with same-season revenge

Atlanta at Tampa Bay, 7:35 EST
Atlanta: 9-20 SU off 3+ wins
Tampa Bay: 13-6 SU after scoring 1 or 0 goals

St. Louis at Detroit, 7:35 EST
St. Louis: 3-24 SU off 4+ losses
Detroit: 32-6 SU off a division game

Calgary at Minnesota, 8:05 EST
Calgary: 1-7 SU as a road favorite
Minnesota: 7-1 Under off a one-goal win

Phoenix at Chicago, 8:35 EST
Phoenix: 6-14 SU as an underdog
Chicago: 8-1 Under off BB games allowing 3+ goals

Colorado at San Jose, 10:35 EST
Colorado: 4-14 SU off BB Unders
San Jose: 18-4 SU as a favorite

Nashville at Los Angeles, 10:35 EST
Nashville: 4-13 SU away off a road loss
Los Angeles: 17-1 SU at home off a division win by 1 goal

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

Six-Pack for Thursday

-- Dusty Baker has to look at the cash the Cubs are tossing around this winter and ask, "Why not last winter?"

-- Dogs cannot see the color red.

-- Lions may have drafted three WRs in first round, but on Sunday, backup QB McCown caught two passes against the Patriots, for 15 yards. What a disaster they are.

-- In last three games, Titans outscored their opponents by 51-10 in second half.

-- So much for free speech; Jim Mora Sr quit his radio job after his criticism of Michael Vick stirred the pot in Atlanta.

-- Thursday is Larry Bird's 50th birthday; NBAtv has a full day of Bird highlights, including a game against San Diego Clippers, so you can get nostalgic about the good ol' days when the Clippers sucked.

[Udog]

Thursday's List of 13: Categorizing NFL starting QB's....

There are so many young QBs playing early in their careers, we've divided the 32 starting QBs into groups, rather than rank them 1-32. I don't presume to know enough to split hairs and decide between who is #16 and #17, so we've written a little about each, and placed them into categories.

Really, really good QB's, Hall of Fame good
P. Manning, Colts-Only knock against him is that his commercials are becoming annoying. Has won in Foxboro two years in row, so shut up about that.

Brady, Patriots- Has won three Super Bowls, is consummate teammate. With the millions of dollars spent on scouting, why wasn't he drafted higher? He played at freakin' Michigan, for Pete's sake.

Guys who will be in the Hall of Fame, but either his skills are fading, or he'll make HOF if he starts wearing his helmet while riding his motorcycle
Favre, Packers- Clint Eastwood in cleats; first ballot Hall of Famer, exciting to watch, durable, but the time to go is coming near. If he was on real good team, he'd still be in top group, but he isn't.

Roethlisberger, Steelers-Giants screwed up royally, trading draft picks and taking Eli instead of Rivers or Big Ben. Has had lot of bad things happen to him this year (bike accident, appendectomy, college coach had brain surgery) but he's hung in there and is still flingin' then around park every Sunday.

Guys who have been very good, but won't make HOF and whose skills are fading
McNair, Ravens- Ravens are like Rams 80's, bringing in new QB every year, in hopes of lightning striking and Super Bowl being won. McNair once came with a yard of OT in Super Bowl; he is gutty, gritty, but he doesn't run as much anymore, and he isn't blessed with great receivers.

Brad Johnson, Vikings-Seemingly on way out in Minnesota, Johnson is a pro, a quiet guy who won Super Bowl title, then been brushed aside in couple other places, like he had nothing to do with winning the title. Life is unfair sometimes.

One-of-a-kind
Vick, Falcons- Unfair to group him with anyone else; he is worth the $180 I spend on the DirectTV package by himself; a breath-taking runner, seems like good guy, but some days, he throws ball like Timothy Robbins in Bull Durham and fumbles every other time he gets hit. Would it kill the Falcons to get him some receivers who can catch?

Guys who could win the Super Bowl, but haven't
McNabb, Eagles-Injury history is starting to hurt his rating, but has played in four conference title games, one Super Bowl, and survived a certain #81. Always thought he should run with ball more, but I'm not the one getting hit after run.

Green, Chiefs-We'll never know what he would have done with '99 Rams, but he's had solid career, even with late start. Walking advertisement for sitting and watching before getting chance to play.

Palmer, Bengals-Recovered very quickly from terrible knee injury. Has turned around team that was definition of inept; now they're annually solid contenders.

Brees, Saints-Could be MVP in 2006; distributes ball well, is leader, has confidence about him. Is he the best player ever to be allowed to walk by his team?

Guys who can get you to playoffs, but that's it
Bulger, Rams-Has had benefit of great receivers, but doesn't take enough chances; when Martz went for tying FG from Carolina 19 and 0:39 left in playoff game few years back, it told you what you needed to know about what he thought of Bulger in red zone. Not durable or elusive, but accurate and dependable, just not championship timber.

Pennington, Jets- Second coming of Pat Haden; they even look alike. Smart, short, not the strongest arm, but doesn't turn ball over either. Will never make you throw your remote, but he'll never hoist the Lombardi Trophy either.

Hasselbeck, Seahawks- Has benefit of playing for Holmgren, has great RB in Alexander but just don't think that much of him. Maybe it was that INT for TD in OT of playoff game at Lambeau, after he got all cocky during the coin toss.

Guys who are played for while, but I still don't know what to think
Kitna, Lions- Have feeling he is underrated; without his team attitude, Carson Palmer's start in Cincinnati would have been lot tougher. Too bad he's on a horrible team; come to think of it, when he has played, his team has never been good, but I don't think its been because of him.

Delhomme, Panthers-Seems to be fading, but is spunky leader who came within three points of OT in Super Bowl. Is having bad season this year; am guessing Carolina drafts QB next spring, and Delhomme is '07 version of Jake Plummer.

Garrard, Jaguars-He is better than Leftwich; lot more mobile, better passer than you think. Question is whether he gets his chance to be the #1 guy in Jacksonville or somewhere else? I say it'll be in Jacksonville.

Carr, Texans-Has improved under QB guru Kubiak, but would guess Texans are still bit disappointed. Probably still belongs in "incomplete" category, but heat is going to go up on him every time Houston native Vince Young wins another game, especially since Young is in same division, on team that used to call Houston home.

Guys who couldn't win the Arena Bowl
Harrington, Dolphins-He actually still has chance to save his career, but when team drafts three WRs with #1 picks, and the passing game is still awful, maybe its not all the WRs' faults. Plus, played whole NFL career in dome or Miami; should be better by now.

Brooks, Raiders- He just isn't good; got saddled with difficult situation with Saints last year, then went to an even worse team. He's Michael Vick's cousin, by the way.

Grossman, Bears- Plays on team with amazing defense, but Bears turned ball over 24 times in last seven games, and natives are clamoring for Brian Griese, which is not exactly like chanting for Johnny Unitas or Billy Kilmer to come in.

Simms, Buccaneers- Was lousy at Texas; has actually been better in pros, but if his dad wasn't a former NFL star, he's delivering packages for FedEx somewhere instead of playing against Redskins at FedEx Field.

Incomplete Grades
Young, Texans- Could be the Michael Jordan of football, the way teams passed him by last April. Has confidence, is big, leads well, and others follow. If I could take one of the guys in this group, I'd take Young.

Romo, Cowboys- Being anointed as next Staubach/Aikman; can he start ten games before we send him to Canton? Looks like he has intangibles, looks like he can lead, he is sure mobile, but time is always a test of greatness, and one month ain't enough time.

Rivers, Chargers-Started 52 games at NC State, then sat for two years, now in charge of one of NFL's best teams. We think he's going to make Giant fans sick over next decade, but just like with Romo, that's why we tune in on Sundays, to find out if we're right.

E. Manning, Giants-People in New Jersey don't like guys with hang-dog looks on their face when things go wrong, and Eli has that. Could be football's Ed Whitson, or maybe the next Giant coach will be smart enough to let him call all the plays and go no-huddle, which is when he looks best, by far.

Losman, Bills-Went from dome at Tulane to winds off Lake Erie; I don't like him much, although he has good arm and decent mobility. His press conferences are some of the worst ever. I wonder what his teammates think of him; he just seems so cocky, without having any real achievements.

Smith, 49ers- Has improved a lot under Norv Turner, but still too early to tell. Is nephew of former Michigan State coach John L. Smith, by the way, which has nothing to do with this article, but I have nothing else to say about him.

Frye, Browns- Can run some, is stuck with receivers whose mouths work much better than their hands. Play of Derek Anderson last week could invoke a vision of Wally Pipp, and make Frye's wrist heal quicker than anyone thought possible.

Leinart, Arizona- Until Cardinals get an offensive line, they could bring in Emmitt Smith (oh wait, they already did that), Dan Fouts, and Jerry Rice in to play, and they'd still suck. Has done OK in his debut season, but also has terrific WRs when he has time to find them. Would love to know why Raiders, Lions passed over him in draft.

Campbell, Redskins- Played for four offensive coordinators at Auburn, now plays for dysfunctional franchise in NFL, so he has seen it all. Playing for Al Saunders will be good for his career; he could use some stability.

Cutler, Broncos- Played in zero bowl games at Vanderbilt, but their costliest losses were high-scoring shootouts. Obviously reminds Shanahan of John Elway, or else he wouldn't have traded up to draft him. He'll soon find out that being Denver's QB is hell of a lot different than being Vanderbilt's.

[GrandPa]

Huge fan of the trends, indexes, and especially the 6-pax and 13 thoughts.

Keep 'em comin'!