Stosur faces tough draw at Brisbane (AP)
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Author: Stosur faces tough draw at Brisbane (AP)
BRISBANE, Australia (AP)—U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur faces a difficult road in her first tournament of 2012, with Serena Williams, Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters and former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic on her side of the Brisbane International draw. Hometown favorite Stosur opens play Monday at Pat Rafter Arena against Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus. Williams, who hasn’t played since losing the final to Stosur at Flushing Meadows, arrived in Brisbane on Saturday and will play Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa in the first round. Clijsters and Ivanovic could meet in the second round if they win their opening matches. Top-seeded Andy Murray will play Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan in a men’s first-round match Tuesday.
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Phils, Rollins agree on $33M for 3 yrs. (AP)
Phils, Rollins agree on $33M for 3 yrs. (AP)
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Jimmy Rollins is bringing his swagger back to the Phillies. Three people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that Rollins has agreed to a 3-year, $33 million contract with Philadelphia. The deal includes a vesting option for a fourth year. The people spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because the agreement is pending a physical. “Gotta deal with me for 3 (4) more years!” Rollins wrote on Twitter. He also thanked former Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, who tweeted congratulations to Rollins and the Phillies. Rollins is a three-time All-Star shortstop and the 2007 NL MVP. He has spent his entire career with the Phillies after being selected in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft, and was a free agent for the first time. Rollins, who turned 33 last month, sought at least a five-year deal. The Phillies didn’t want to go that long, and were able to reach an agreement after the market for Rollins lessened. From the start, Rollins said he wanted to stay in Philadelphia. He has been the heart and soul of a team that has won five consecutive NL East titles and the 2008 World Series. Rollins is undeniably the team leader, a charismatic personality who brings a special confidence to the clubhouse. Rollins was the guy who boldly proclaimed the Phillies were the team to beat in the division before the 2007 season, even though Philadelphia hadn’t won anything in 14 years. He backed that up by having an MVP year, and leading the Phillies to their first postseason appearance since 1993. Rollins hasn’t come close to matching the numbers he put up in 2007—.296 average, 30 homers, 94 RBIs, 20 triples, 41 steals. But he remains one of the best defensive players at his position, and is still an offensive threat atop the lineup. He hit .268 with 16 homers, 63 RBIs and 30 steals this year. He has been plagued by leg injuries in three of the last four years, and played in a career-low 88 games in 2010. He started 135 this year. Re-signing Rollins had been a top priority for the Phillies. Their biggest move of the offseason was giving former Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon a $50 million, four-year contract. Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:• Padres deal Mat Latos to Reds in biggest trade of the offseason• Canadiens fire Jacques Martin; can Randy Cunneyworth rescue season?• Male cheerleader gets team disqualified … because he’s a boy
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UCLA fires Neuheisel after 4 seasons (AP)
UCLA fires Neuheisel after 4 seasons (AP)
LOS ANGELES (AP)—UCLA fired coach Rick Neuheisel on Monday after four disappointing seasons in charge of his alma mater. Neuheisel will be allowed to coach the Bruins (6-6, 5-4 Pac-12) in Friday’s Pac-12 title game at Oregon, athletic director Dan Guerrero announced. Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson will be the Bruins’ interim coach if they receive a bowl berth. Neuheisel is 21-28 since taking over the program in December 2007, never building the momentum he needed to reach his goal of challenging Southern California for city supremacy. Guerrero fired Neuheisel two days after UCLA’s 50-0 loss to No. 9 USC, the Bruins’ largest loss since 1930 in their crosstown rivalry game. “I thanked Dan for the opportunity,” Neuheisel said on the Pac-12’s promotional teleconference for the title game, less than an hour after his firing was announced. “I don’t need reasons. Certainly when you’re UCLA coach, you’d like to play better against USC. When you lose in the fashion we did, that’s a difficult pill to swallow.” The Bruins will represent the Pac-12 South in the inaugural league title game on Friday despite finishing two games behind postseason-banned USC in the division standings. UCLA is a 30-point underdog against the Ducks with a Rose Bowl berth on the line for the winner. If UCLA loses to Oregon, the Pac-12 would have to petition the NCAA for bowl eligibility for a 6-7 team. The Bruins haven’t indicated whether they would pursue a waiver, although Johnson’s appointment as interim coach suggests they would. UCLA made it to just one bowl game in Neuheisel’s first three seasons, winning the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C., in 2009. Neuheisel’s firing before the title game is an ugly end to the 50-year-old coach’s self-described dream job. He was a quarterback at UCLA, leading the Bruins to an unlikely victory in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 1984. On Sunday, Neuheisel said he believed he deserved to return as the Bruins’ coach, citing their five conference victories, bowl eligibility and title game berth. He said he felt the Bruins had “moved the needle” to keep UCLA on a path to excellence. “We have certainly had some unfortunate evenings where things haven’t gone our way, but I think the program is headed in the right direction,” he said. Neuheisel had more success during his first two head coaching stops at Colorado and Washington, leading the Buffaloes to 33 wins and three bowl victories over four seasons before taking the Huskies to four straight winning seasons and a Rose Bowl victory after the 2000 campaign. Neuheisel eventually was fired by Washington after a series of problems in Seattle ranging from player discipline to a rift with school leadership to his infamous involvement in an NCAA basketball tournament pool. After two years out of coaching and a stint on the Baltimore Ravens’ staff, Neuheisel took over at UCLA. But the Bruins went 4-8 in his first and third seasons, with a 7-6 finish in 2009. He had high expectations for his current team, but the Bruins have won consecutive games just once all season, usually alternating blowout losses and narrow victories. UCLA still went 5-1 at the Rose Bowl this season, and surprising losses by Utah and Arizona State propelled the Bruins into the Pac-12 title game even before their blowout loss to USC. When Neuheisel returned to UCLA, he declared the “football monopoly is over” in the Los Angeles area—words that haunted him with each loss by his Bruins. Neuheisel ended up with much less success than former teammate Karl Dorrell, who was fired in 2007 after going 35-27 in five seasons that included four bowl berths, a 10-2 campaign in 2005 and a Sun Bowl victory. Johnson joined Neuheisel’s staff this season, replacing Norm Chow after Neuheisel’s messy public breakup with the longtime offensive mastermind. The former NFL assistant coach was the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator for most of last season, and he has helped Neuheisel to lead a resurgence of UCLA’s offense this year. Neuheisel and Chow installed Nevada’s pistol offense at UCLA last season, a surprising decision viewed as desperation by two veteran coaches with a wealth of experience in other systems. The switch revived UCLA’s nonexistent ground game, but the formation still felt gimmicky and unsuited to UCLA’s personnel even this season, when the Bruins had decent success with the emergence of Kevin Prince as a running quarterback. Neuheisel remained confident in his abilities until the end, saying last week that he thought UCLA had “closed the gap more” in its rivalry with USC. The Trojans then delivered the third-biggest blowout in the rivalry’s history, shutting out UCLA for the first time since 2001. Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:• Better with age: Former NBA star Yao Ming launches own winery• German footballers use rock-paper-scissors to decide who should kick• Suprising omission in top-10 best NASCAR Sprint Cup tracks
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Penn St. earns first win without Paterno (AP)
Penn St. earns first win without Paterno (AP)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)—No. 21 Penn State won for the first time since coach Joe Paterno was fired, with Stephfon Green running for two touchdowns and the Nittany Lions’ solid defense holding Ohio State scoreless in the second half of a 20-14 victory Saturday. Penn State (9-2, 6-1) earned a share of the Big Ten’s Leaders Division title and set up a division title game next week at Wisconsin. The winner will play in the conference’s first championship game on Dec. 3. In what was expected to be a defensive struggle, the teams did all of their scoring in the opening half before the defenses took over. Braxton Miller ran for a touchdown and threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Jake Stoneburner for Ohio State (6-5, 3-4), but he had an intentional grounding and three incompletions on the Buckeyes’ final possession. The teams exchanged handshakes at midfield after the opening coin toss— although there was a smattering of boos from the Buckeyes faithful. It was a gesture of mutual respect and sportsmanship in the wake of the scandal which has hit Penn State. A former defensive assistant coach was arrested two weeks earlier for allegedly molesting several young boys. Paterno was fired, the university president and AD lost their jobs and the NCAA is looking into the athletic program’s actions. Ohio State had one last shot to win the game, taking over after a Penn State punt with 36 seconds left. But Miller was being sacked by linebacker Nate Stupar when he was called for intentionally grounding. Miller then was incomplete on three desperation heaves as a small pocket of Penn State fans ran onto the field to celebrate. The teams were scoreless in the third quarter, thanks to a goal-line stand by the Buckeyes. Ohio State handed over the ball at its own 11 when Jordan Hall’s wildcat handoff to Dan Herron was muffed in the backfield and Jordan Hill fell on the loose ball for the Nittany Lions. Helped by two Ohio State penalties, Penn State had a first-and-goal from the 2 but failed to dent the goal line on four running plays. Storm Klein and Michael Bennett stopped Silas Redd as he vaulted the line on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1, stopping him short and bringing the crowd to its feet. The Buckeyes also turned it over on a Carlos Hyde fumble, but the Nittany Lions didn’t score on that turnover either. McGloin completed 10 of 18 passes for 88 yards with one interception. Green rushed 16 times for 93 yards, with Redd adding 63 yards on eight attempts in the bruising battle. Miller, a freshman, ran for 105 yards on 18 attempts, with Herron adding 76 on eight carries. Miller completed 7 of 17 passes for 83 yards. DeVier Posey, playing his first game after serving two NCAA suspensions totaling 10 games for accepting improper benefits, had four catches for 66 yards. Penn State, which had scored 24 points total in its last two games, had 20 in a first half of unexpected offense from both teams against stout defenses. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 102 in the nation in scoring at 21 points a game, needed just five plays to find the end zone. Green split two tacklers at the line after taking a direct snap and he outraced the defense for a 40-yard score that quieted a crowd of 105,493 on hand for Ohio State’s senior day. Ohio State fell behind 10-0 for the third game in the row later in the quarter when McGloin drove the Nittany Lions 54 yards and Anthony Fera converted a career-best 43-yard field goal. He would later top that by closing the half with a 46-yarder. The Buckeyes, also at times an offensively challenged team, counterpunched with touchdowns on their only two second-quarter possessions. Miller sprinted around right end for a 24-yard touchdown run. He also found Jake Stoneburner at the back of the end zone for a 7-yard scoring pass to cut the lead to 17-14. Stoneburner had three touchdown receptions in the Buckeyes’ first game of the year—a school record for a tight end—but had not caught a pass in the last three games. Penn State took a 17-7 lead in between the two Ohio State touchdowns when Green pinballed into the end zone from 4 yards out. The Nittany Lions had won just two of their last 10 games in Columbus—but both came against true freshmen quarterbacks (Art Schlichter in 1978, Terrelle Pryor in 2008). With a first-year player (Miller) again at the controls for the Buckeyes, they did it for a third time. Follow Rusty Miller on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rustymillerap .
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NASCAR gets its ‘Game 7′ for season finale (AP)
NASCAR gets its ‘Game 7′ for season finale (AP)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—NASCAR has tinkered and tweaked and tried time and again to create a championship system that would resonate with sports fans. The goal was to get a “Game 7” type moment that developed into can’t-miss-TV. Now, after several tweaks to the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format, NASCAR seems to have exactly what it wanted with a two-driver title fight heading into Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s Carl Edwards going for his first Cup title over two-time champion Tony Stewart in a battle between two NASCAR drivers who are well recognized beyond industry lines. Edwards goes into the finale clinging to a three-point lead over Stewart, and both drivers have been at the top of their game the last month. They finished second and third at Phoenix on Sunday to eliminate everyone else from title contention and ensure one of them will take the Cup next weekend from five-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. “It’s the best points battle I’ve been a part of at this level,” Edwards said. “I still don’t understand why we’re both running so good. Seems like subconsciously we’re both able to dig down and our teams are able to give us what we need and everybody has been performing at a high level. It’s been neat that this battle has brought out the best in us.” It’s also brought out the best in NASCAR, which heads into its championship weekend with some healthy momentum and exciting story lines that have boosted interest. Through the first eight Chase races, ratings are up more than 7 percent from 2010, and the overnight numbers from the major markets following Sunday’s race at Phoenix were at 2.7—up from 2.4 last year. The Nationwide Series will crown a new champion on Saturday and, under new participation rules set this season, it won’t be a NASCAR superstar. Because drivers were allowed to collect points in only one series this year, the title focus has been on the Nationwide and Trucks Series regulars. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a 24-year-old in the Roush Fenway Racing development system, will win his first NASCAR championship with a finish of 37th or better in Saturday’s race. He’ll be the first non-Cup driver to win that series title since Martin Truex Jr. Stenhouse’s title bid was aided in Phoenix when Jason Leffler wrecked contender Elliott Sadler, in a race that ended with Sam Hornish Jr. in Victory Lane. Considered one of the greatest American open-wheel racers, Hornish had been kicked around in stock cars and, the tears he shed following his first NASCAR victory showed just how trying the last few years have been. Hornish’s victory was popular in motorsports circles, and again proved that racing in NASCAR is very, very difficult no matter the skill level. There will be a new winner in the Trucks Series, too, as Austin Dillon goes into Friday night’s finale with a 20-point lead over Johnny Sauter and a 28-point advantage over James Buescher. Dillon, the 21-year-old grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, needs to finish 16th or better to claim the title. Even if he doesn’t, though, and loses out to Sauter or Buescher, the champion will not be a driver staving off retirement. Except for Travis Kvapil in 2003, every Trucks Series champion has been an aging veteran extending their career through the series. The champion maybe could have even been 53-year-old Ron Hornaday Jr., had he not been intentionally wrecked by Kyle Busch two weeks ago at Texas. The deliberate accident took the four-time Trucks champion out of contention, and earned Busch a weekend suspension. He fought all last week to get back on the track at Phoenix, where a last-minute agreement with sponsors got him to Phoenix and kept the NASCAR world buzzing about Busch’s future. The entire episode also backed NASCAR into a bit of a corner. NASCAR President Mike Helton insisted Busch was suspended specifically because of what happened with Hornaday, and not because it was another misstep in a career pocked with bad behavior. So it was the line, so to speak, in the “Boys, have at it” policy that permits drivers to settle their scores without NASCAR interference. And then it wasn’t. When Brian Vickers wrecked Matt Kenseth in Sunday’s race, most everybody believed it was payback from their on-track collision at Martinsville last month. After all, Vickers had promised retaliation, and Kenseth knew it was eventually coming. So it seemed more than a little suspicious to see Vickers ramming into the back of Kenseth, then staying on his bumper until Kenseth was in the wall. But NASCAR said nothing was afoul, and earlier reports of a brake problem by Kenseth maybe even provided an explanation for how Vickers ended up running into Kenseth. Kenseth didn’t buy it, and neither did most race fans, who failed to see an obvious distinction between Busch’s behavior and Vickers’. “It was so premeditated, it just surprises me that (NASCAR) didn’t do anything,” Kenseth said. “They need to figure out how to get the drivers to settle their difference in a different way and talk about it, or figure it out, or do something instead of using your car as a battering ram.” It was just another subplot in what’s shaped up to be an exciting close to another season. It’s what chairman Brian France so desperately wanted—he said as much when he hinted at offseason points changes last year—and gives NASCAR plenty to promote this week in the buildup to Edwards vs. Stewart on Sunday. “I want to go to Homestead tomorrow and start,” Stewart said after Sunday’s race. “I want tomorrow to be Friday. I’m pumped up. I’m excited about it and ready to go.” So is everyone else.
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Head2Head: Is a two-man title battle good entertainment? (NASCAR.com)
Head2Head: Is a two-man title battle good entertainment? (NASCAR.com)
The essence of sports is one versus another. Two titans, giving it all they have for one championship. Aside from golf, every major sport in America has either two individuals or two teams in one final battle for the ultimate prize. And that’s exactly what we have this year in the Cup Series. In a battle that has spanned two months, it’s Carl Edwards, who has been consistently strong all season, and Tony Stewart, who squeaked his way into the Chase only to dominate once there. What we are watching in this year’s Chase is exactly what sport is about. Why on earth would you want to add more to the equation? In this case, more does not equal better … not by a long shot. What we have witnessed since Stewart called his shot after his third victory on the season at Martinsville has been epic. Edwards and Stewart have provided a Chase that will be remembered for quite some time. At Texas, Stewart and Edwards finishing 1-2, with Stewart cutting Edwards’ points cushion to three; at Phoenix, with the duo once again finishing back to back, this time second and third; all the talk, all the intrigue—this is how championships are to be decided. When it comes to sports, we fans like our rivalries. Red Sox/Yankees, Lakers/Celtics, Alabama/Auburn, Tiger/Phil—it doesn’t matter the sport, we like two entities to settle it on the playing field. Edwards and Stewart might not be “rivals,” but for a month they acted like they were, and it made this Chase one to remember for years to come. • Bill Kimm, NASCAR.COMThe opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. The Sprint Cup Series rolls down to South Florida with two of the sport’s biggest names battling mano a mano for the title. Can’t get much better than that, right? Wrong. Sure, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart have earned it, and I’m not advocating any changes to the Chase. I’m just saying that having more drivers in the mix allows for more interest across the board. The first season finale I ever attended, there were five drivers still alive going into the final race: Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick. There were so many storylines, and so much tension. Now? It’s a two-car race and the other 41 cars might as well be playing tiddlywinks. Having a season finale so bereft of drama for all but two drivers is a step backward for a Cup season that has had plenty of action. It’s a tight competition, to be sure. But it would be better with more guys in the mix at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Everyone wanted to rant about how Johnson winning five consecutive titles made the sport “boring.” Well, I’m telling you that having 43 cars out there with only two of them racing for the grand prize is boring. Please don’t misconstrue. Edwards and Stewart have earned this, and whichever one hoists the trophy will be a deserving champion. But who doesn’t want a little more excitement mixed in with the coronation? • Jill Erwin, NASCAR.COMThe opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
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NFC Conference Betting – Vikings at Saints
NFC Conference Betting – Vikings at Saints
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints Betting Odds – Game Pick Banner -Online Sports Bettingat Bodog Sportsbook NFL Football Game Picks Bears at Eagles Spread Pick Ravens at Steelers Spread Pick NY Giants at New England ATS Pick Tampa Bay at New Orleans ATS Pick NFL Betting Recap – Week 8 San Diego at Kansas City Betting Pick Dallas at Philadelphia ATS Pick Cleveland at San Francisco ATS Pick New England at Pittsburgh Odds NFL Betting Recap – Week 7 Baltimore at Jacksonville ATS Pick Indianapolis at New Orleans ATS Pick Kansas City at Oakland ATS Pick Houston at Tennessee ATS Pick Buffalo at NY Giants ATS Pick New Orleans at Tampa Bay ATS Pick Chicago at Detroit ATS Pick Green Bay at Atlanta ATS Pick Oakland at Houston ATS Pick Bettors Toolbox 2011 NFL Betting Trends 2011 Strength Of Schedule Free Office Football Picks NFL Handicapper’s Database Weather Forecasts NFL Future Odds AFC East Odds AFC West Odds AFC South Odds AFC North Odds NFC West Odds NFC East Odds NFC South Odds NFC North Odds Super Bowl Odds Rookie of the Year Odds Top Defensive Rookie Most Passing Yards Most Rushing Yards Most Receiving Yards NFL Handicapping Halftime Betting Tips Strategy for Wagering NFL Totals Sandwhich Game Handicapping Theory 8 Myths about Betting on Football NFL Key Numbers Halftime Betting Preseason Betting Football Gambling – How to Win Overlooked Handicapping Tools NFL Betting Basics
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Marion Jones representing US on diplomatic visits (AP)
Marion Jones representing US on diplomatic visits (AP)
Former track star Marion Jones is making a series of diplomatic visits to Serbia and Croatia this week on behalf of the U.S. State Department, an international opportunity for her to continue rehabilitating her tarnished image. Once considered the fastest woman in the world, Jones had a public downfall — being forced to serve prison time and give back her five medals from the 2000 Sydney Olympics after lying to federal investigators about taking performance-enhancing drugs. Since getting out of jail, she started a career in the WNBA—playing a season and a half for the Tulsa Shock—and has started a campaign to encourage others to think before making critical decisions. This week, Jones is visiting with school children and other citizens in Serbia and Croatia, the former Yugoslav republics hit by war and earthquake in recent years. “It paints a very positive picture of who we are as a country and the fact that she’s here on the invitation of the United States government shows that our country believes in people always having opportunities to come back from adversity,” said Ryan Rowlands, a public affairs officer for the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade who helped arrange Jones’ visit. “So that’s been a great part of this message.” Jones called it an honor to be chosen by the government to represent the country. She said it is the first time she has delivered her “Take a Break” message overseas, the crux of which encourages people to take their time before making key decisions but realize that even the hardest times can be overcome. “I’m just so overjoyed and gratified to have been given this opportunity to assist the U.S. State Department in the quest to help people in Serbia and Croatia, people who have suffered—help them see and achieve success in their lives and help the country rebuild,” Jones said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’m just overwhelmed and excited.” During stops in Nis and Belgrade, Jones held basketball clinics and visited with elementary and high school students. She is scheduled to make a presentation Thursday at the University of Zagreb in Croatia and to younger students before concluding her trip Friday. “I think that this country is in the process of rebuilding,” she said. “My story is one that I am also rebuilding from making some bad choices in the past, so I think that was one of the main reasons that I was chosen because I have decided to not give up in my quest to help people.” Jones said she encountered a particularly curious girl, perhaps 13 or 14 years old, who asked her a series of questions. She tried to encourage her to pursue her dreams, whether that’s to be an Olympic gold medalist, a leader or something completely different. “We’ve all been given different gifts and talents and it’s how you get to it, how you bring it all to fruition that counts,” Jones said. Rowlands said he began pursuing Jones four months ago. “With her excellent work already in the United States, we thought that teaming her up with young people here that also loved sports and cheered for their champions—but many of whom also watched her succeed in her various deals — we thought that was a natural fit,” he said. Jones said she hasn’t closed the door on her basketball career, which got interrupted when she was cut by the league-worst Shock midway through the season, or on pursuing another role in the WNBA. For now, she has appearances lined up through early next year to deliver her “Take a Break” message, and the State Department trip has her considering ways she can spread it globally. “I surely hope that this is just the first of many opportunities that I get to share my message, talk about my journey and help people just live a better life,” Jones said.
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WTA Moscow Open: Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Lucie Safarova
WTA Moscow Open: Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Lucie Safarova
Written by Diana on 19 October 2011. Agnieszka Radwanska and Lucie Safarova will meet on Wednesday in the second round of the Kremlin Cup. Agnieszka Radwanska has been in electrifying form in the tail end of the 2011 season, and this has pushed her up to eighth in the world rankings. Back to back title successes at the Toray Pan Pacific Open and the China Open should put her in good spirits for this week, and she’ll be doing her utmost to guarantee qualification for Istanbul. Radwanska will begin here on Wednesday with a second round showdown against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. Safarova made a lengthy run last week in Linz, which bodes well for this week. That said, she may be a little fatigued having edged past Arantxa Parra Santonja in round one (6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3). Safarova has historically caused trouble for Radwanska though, and she heads into this matchup with a 3-1 head to head record against the Pole. Radwanska will be hoping to avoid a third straight loss against the world No. 27, but she should be able to achieve this if recent results are anything to go by.
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Video: Eagles take the bait, jump offsides on hard count and lose
Video: Eagles take the bait, jump offsides on hard count and lose
There were approximately 70,000 people at Orchard Park Stadium on Sunday for the Buffalo Bills-Philadelphia Eagles games and 69,999 were anticipating that Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes) would be trying to get the Eagles to jump offsides on fourth-and-inches with 1:23 left in the game. Philadelphia defensive lineman Juqua Parker(notes) was the only one in the dark. Baiting defenders offsides with a hard count works about as often as those crazy lateral plays at the end of games. When it does, it’s a living tribute to a lack of discipline, ignorance of game situations and a total absence of good sense: You know it’s bad when Andy Reid is baffled by the foolishness of a late-game maneuver. We exaggerate a little, of course; Parker obviously knew Fitzpatrick’s intent was to bait Philly into a penalty with the hard count but he couldn’t control his reflexes enough to prevent himself from falling into the trap. Buffalo appeared to have little intention of snapping the ball and likely would have accepted a delay of game (or taken a timeout) and then punted to the Eagles, giving Philly a chance to tie on a last-minute touchdown. Instead, the penalty gave Buffalo an automatic first down and allowed Fitzpatrick to take a knee on the next two plays to seal the 31-24 victory. An aside: I’m not a big fan of this new-ish trend of offensive lineman moving after a defender jumps into the neutral zone and acting like that baited them into breaking their stance. It’s as lame as flopping. If the Bills want to take advantage of Parker’s jump, Fitzpatrick should have to snap the ball, not have one of his offensive lineman act like the leap made him move. In no way should this be construed as a defense of Parker, mind you. In no way at all. Related: Juqua Parker, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles
