Let this be a lesson to anyone who loans money to, or vouches for, anyone for any reason ever.  When someone, even a well known multi-millionaire, tells you they’re “good for it”, they probably aren’t.  Such is the case of Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt and the bail bonds company that claims he still owes them over twelve grand.  Twelve grand they loaned out ‘on the finger’ – i.e. without collateral – to spring his friend from the pokey.  According to NJ.com:

Bails Bails Bails and Boss Bail Bonds have filed a criminal complaint against the former Bayonne High and Rutgers University star, claiming that he vowed in open court to pay the $12,500 bail for Albert Robinson of Jersey City, who had been charged with hindering apprehension and weapons offenses.

James Lisa, the Jersey City attorney representing Bails Bails Bails, said that Britt told them he didn’t have the money with him but convinced them that he was good for it when they posted the $12,500 bail in January 2010.

Months later, the bail bond companies said, Britt told them he never said he would pay for Robinson’s bail.

Britt is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Thursday on a claim of theft-by-deception, according to the criminal complaint.

In June Robinson was charged in the Jersey City waterfront murder of Jermaine Williams.

In January 2010 Britt was pulled over and arrested at a traffic stop in Glen Ridge after police said that he had outstanding warrants out of Elizabeth and Jacobstown for for unpaid traffic tickets.

Again, kids, this is not a good business model.  I don’t care who walks in your door, at least get a down payment or a simple signed voucher or something.  Assuming this story is true, it’s good to remember that NFL players that are still hanging around with accused murderers and don’t know how to pay their traffic tickets probably have significant issues.  And sooner or later those issues will undoubtedly hamper your ability to collect.

The sooner Britt separates himself from people like Robinson and begins establishing much more healthy relationships in his life, the better off he and his creditors will be.  Of course, it might be a little to late for Bails Bails Bails by then.

[Source: Deadspin]

Okay, this makes a lot more sense.  As we reported earlier this month, it was odd that Jeff Fisher – after 17 seasons as head coach – would be returning to the Tennessee Titans given their losing season and his tensions with former starting quarterback Vince Young and owner Bud Adams.  Now Sports Illustrated reports that Fisher and the Titans are “parting ways”.  Lets imagine for a moment the conversation that likely transpired between Fisher and Adams.

Bud: “Jeff, you’re fired.  I liked that headcase we had at quarterback but you cut him.  Also, our record sucks.  Why the hell did we pick up that Moss kid, anyway?  I thought he was supposed to be good.  Anyway, sorry about the timing.  I meant to do this earlier but nobody else wanted your job.”

Jeff: “Screw that!  You can’t fire me, you crusty old bastard.  I QUIT!”

Bud: “Eh…Okay, fine.”

Jeff: “Oh…okay.  Well, bye”

Okay, so the above exchange was a bit of a dramitization, but one has to wonder why this is happening now and not 3 weeks ago.  The SI article sheds some light on the subject:

Though information about Fisher’s situation was scarce Thursday, it was confirmed by a league source that he will not return to coach the team in 2011, contrary to what was previously expected. Fisher was said to be in the process of negotiating the terms of his departure with Titans owner Bud Adams.

According to a league source, only Adams, Fisher, Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt and team general counsel Steve Underwood were aware of Fisher’s imminent departure early Thursday evening.

Fisher has been on the job with the Houston/Tennessee organization since being named interim head coach late in the 1994 season, and he was expected to return for a 17th season full season this year. But Fisher’s future with the team was considered somewhat tenuous given that he was entering the final year of his contract, and Adams did not decide to retain him until Jan. 7, five days after Tennessee closed out a disappointing 6-10 season — the Titans’ worst since 2005.

While it’s not known what prompted the change regarding Fisher’s status in Tennessee, league sources say Fisher was not happy to lose a pair of his longtime defensive coaches last week. Fisher fired defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil, one of his closest friends, and saw well-respected Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn accept a similar position on Andy Reid’s staff in Philadelphia. Given that he just one year of security to offer any potential coaching replacements, it was thought that Fisher’s task of filling those roles would be difficult.

The fact of the matter is that Jeff Fisher can probably write his own ticket.  He might not be quite as marketable as Bill Cowher, but half the league would probably fire their current coach to grab Fisher…if they could get away with it.  What we do know is that the NFL’s longest tenured head coach is doing what most of us expected him to do.  Leaving a bad situation in Tennessee and looking for a new start.

[Source: Zimbio.com]

ESPN is reporting that former Tennessee Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn has just been hired by the Philadelphia Eagles to coach the same position.  Either Washburn sees the Eagles as more of an ‘up-and-coming’ opportunity or he just can’t stand the losing that’s been going on with the Titans lately.

The hiring has been seen as a bit of a coup by sports writers and fans across the Twitter-verse.  It appears few, if any, Titans fans are happy about this.

[Source: Bleacher Report]

He hasn’t been fired and there’s been no contract extension.  So, it looks like Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Titans will be staying on as head coach, at least for the moment.  What, exactly, is this man thinking?

Titans owner Bud Adams said Fisher will return as head coach for the 2011 season.  According to the report on ESPN NFL:

“I appreciate all of our fans’ patience over the last week while I deliberated on the immediate future of the football team,” Adams said in a statement. “I have informed our senior management that Jeff Fisher will be our head coach next season.

“Jeff has meant a great deal to this franchise and we have reached some incredible heights under his leadership. Obviously, I have very high expectations for our football team and want to deliver a championship to our fans. Jeff understands this and shares my expectations. The results of his leadership have been some very good football teams and I believe he will get us back to an elite level.”

The Titans issued the following statement from Fisher: “Mr. Adams and I had a good talk about where we are as a football team. Clearly I am pleased with the news today. Presenting Mr. Adams with his first Lombardi Trophy is still the objective and I will continue to work for that goal.”

The decision comes two days after Adams agreed the Titans needed to part with Vince Young five seasons after he ordered the quarterback drafted.

So there’s the hook.  Fisher, who could probably have had any of the open head coaching positions in the NFL, has decided to stay on for an 18th season with a team that just went 6-10.  It seems, from the outside looking in, an excellent opportunity to move on to something new.  But now that Vince Young is finally gone, maybe Fisher foresees the Titans becoming the team he was hoping they’d be the past five years.  This just might be the fresh start Fisher is probably looking for.

[Source: TennesseeTitanfootball]

Cleveland Browns (5-8) at Cinncinnati Bengals (2-11)

Backed by a power running game featuring the surprising Peyton Hillis and a decent passing game with rookie quarterback Colt McCoy, the Browns have turned a miserable start to the 2010 season into what may very well be a mediocre finish.  That’s a lot more than can be said for the Bengals, whose star free agent receiver TO has been blaming the coaching staff for their lousy record.  The Bengals are done.  The Browns still have something to prove. Browns 24, Bengals 17

Washington Redskins (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (4-9)

The Cowboys have shown they have way too much talent to be as bad as they looked the first six weeks of the season.  Sure, they lost to Philadelphia at home last week, but there’s nothing about the Eagles that remotely resembles the bumbling Redskins.  Any team that has to bench Donovan McNabb for Rex Grossman is in serious trouble.  If the Redskins finish the season any better than 5-11, it would be a minor miracle.  Cowboys 28, Redskins 17

Houston Texans (5-8) at Tennessee Titans (5-8)

Both of these teams had promising starts.  The Texans took down Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts and the Titans routed the Oakland Raiders.  But for the past 5 weeks or so it’s mostly been downhill for these clubs.  At this point, neither one is threatening to win the AFC South.  The Texans, however, still seem to care about their season.  Vince Young is out in Tennessee.  Chris Johnson’s quest for 2,500 yards rushing is looking more and more like a bad joke.  And in the NFL, rule #213 is this; never bet on Kerry Collins as your starting quarterback.  Texans 28, Titans 20

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) at Indianapolis Colts (7-6)

Unlike Texans v. Titans, this one is probably for all the marbles in the AFC South.  If the Jaguars win, they will likely take the division, given their two game lead and very winnable games in weeks 16 and 17 (vs Washington and at Houston).  If the Colts win, however, they hold the tiebreaker over the Jaguars with games at Oakland and vs Tennessee.  Unfortunately for the Jags, their not the San Diego Chargers.  Manning will pull this one out, but Jacksonville will keep it close. Colts 28, Jaguars 24

Buffalo Bills (3-10) at Miami Dolphins (7-6)

Miami still has a shot at the playoffs (with some help) and it all starts here.  Figuring out how to win a game at home would help.  The Bills aren’t really as bad as their record would indicate, but they have trouble moving the ball against good defenses.  If Chad Henne can have an efficient game,  they Dolphins should handle the Bills.  If the Bills find a way to win this one, the Dolphins’ playoff hopes are officially ’squished’.  Dolphins 20, Bills 17

Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) at New York Giants (9-4)

Okay, this game is one to get excited about.  Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson against a stout Giants’ defense with a game lead in the NFC East on the line should be enough to get any football fan jazzed.  Both teams will make the playoffs, but this game could mean the difference between a third seed division champion and a sixth seed wild card.  If the Giants take this one, they not only grab a one game lead but the tiebreaker as well.  The Eagles have extremely winnable games at home against Minnesota and Dallas to finish the season.  The Giants still have to go to Green Bay.  I think it’s safe to say whomoever wins this game takes the division.  The Giant’s will find a way to slow down Vick, but it’s almost a pick ‘em. Giants 27, Eagles 24

Detroit Lions (3-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

Prediction: The Lions will be good…one day…within the next decade.  Given Detroit’s history, I’d say that’s a bold prognostication.  Sadly, that doesn’t help them this season.  Tampa Bay, though still hard to figure out, is playing well behind quarterback Josh Freeman.  Eh, well, at least the Lions will be in good draft position in 2011…again. Buccaneers 28, Lions 20

Arizona Cardinals (4-9) at Carolina Panthers (1-12)

Look, at one time this season, Arizona had some say in the NFC West divisional race.  Not anymore.  Face it, if you’re not a fan of one of these teams, you really don’t care anyway.  Ah, what the hell. Panthers 44, Cardinals 17

New Orleans Saints (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

The Saints have found ways to win on the road and the Ravens have shown that their defense is not as dominating as in seasons past.  But it’s still very good.  After an incredibly emotional win last Monday night, though, the Ravens will find it difficult to keep up with the New Orleans and a pass-happy Drew Brees.  The Saints will find a way to hold off Ray Lewis and the boys, and Joe Flacco will have a tough time with the Big Easy’s defense.  But if the Ravens can get their running game going, they could just beat the NFC’s second best team. Saints 24, Ravens 20

Altanta Falcons (11-2) at Seattle Seahawks (6-7)

The NFC’s best team takes on the division leading Seahawks.  Too bad that division is the NFC West.  Seattle has a beautiful stadium with a great game day atmosphere, lots of crowd noise and Tom Skerrit It won’t be enough.  The ‘Hawks will put up a good fight, though…just before they get trounced.  Lucky for them, somebody in the NFC West is going to win it with a 7-9 record.  Ugh! Falcons 31, Seahawks 17

Denver Broncos (3-10) at Oakland Raiders (6-7)

The AFC West has become a two-horse race, but the Raiders can still make the playoffs if they win out, San Diego loses one of it’s two remaining games and Kansas City loses one of theirs – that’s not including the game the Chiefs would have to lose to Oakland in week 17.  Yeah…good luck with all that.  Denver is beyond bad and is currently paying TWO head coaches, neither of which actually work for the team anymore.  Oh, and Tim Teabow is starting in place of an injured Kyle Orton – they guy who has produced 90% of the Broncos’ touchdowns this season.  It won’t be the 59-14 spanking that Oakland laid on Denver back in October, but the Raiders should win this one handily. Raiders 27, Broncos 10

New York Jets (9-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

Three weeks ago, this would have been a great game.  But the last two weeks the Jets have scored a total of 9 points, and quarterback Matt Sanchez has looked more like a clueless rookie that a franchise player.  Pittsburgh’s home-field advantage is just too big.  And unless the Jets can figure out a way to win a game without using their coaches to trip opposing players, New York will be sitting at 9-5 by Sunday evening.  It won’t be ugly, but it ain’t gonna be very pretty, either. Steelers 24, Jets 17

Chicago Bears (9-4) at Somewhere in Minnesota Vikings (5-8)

Assuming the field is ready, the Vikings will host the Bears to Minnesota’s 9th loss.  Brett Favre probably won’t start, but does anyone really care anymore?  The streak, and Favre’s career with the Vikings, is over.  It is really time they both moved on.  In their defense, the Vikings have shown a little fight over the past 5 or 6 weeks, but the 2010 season has been an abyssmal failure for a team that finished 12-4 in ‘09.  The Bears are surprisingly good given the fact that most people thought Jay Cutler sucked. Bears 28, Vikings 20

Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) at St. Louis Rams (6-7)

It’s the battle for the Governor’s Cup in the Show-Me-State.  That’s Missouri, by the way.  I could tell you were wondering.  Both teams lead their respective divisions and have been nothing less than pleasant surprises for their fans.  Rookie Quarterback Sam Bradford has done wonders for the Rams and Matt Cassel – before his appendectomy – was on a pro-bowl pace, winning AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.  The Rams have played well at home but they’re catching the Chiefs at a bad time – one week after an embarassing shut-out at the hands of the San Diego Chargers.  Look for the Chiefs to be focused and get the job done.  Of course, if Brodie Croyle is in at quarterback again, all bets are off.  The Chiefs will probably win this one, but not by a lot. Chiefs 27, Rams 21

Green Bay Packers (8-5) at New England Patriots (11-2)

Okay, am I the only football fan who is officially sick of the Patriots.  It must be nice to draw the Packers at Foxboro just when their starting pro-bowl caliber quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is out.  Green Bay still has a strong defense led by linebacker Clay Matthews, but it probably won’t be enough to beat the home team.  Tom Brady continues to look like Superman in a football helmet, leading the league in TD passes with 29 while tossing only 4 picks.  It makes me urp up a little to say it, but the Pats will win another one on Sunday. Patriots 31, Packers 24

[Source: Dotsperiod]

Houston Texans’ Andre Johnson is perhaps the best WR in the NFL. He is respected by all, and unlike Terrell Owens or Chad Ochocinco, he goes about his business and doesn’t whine or complain.

Titans DB Cortland Finnegan is very good at what he does as well. He is even better at getting under opponent’s skin, playing dirty, and irritating not just the opposition but even his own teammates and Titans fans from time to time.

So almost every NFL fan enjoyed watching Johnson rip Finnegan’s helmet off and throwing several punches to the noggin of Finnegan during the Texans blowout win against the Titans on Sunday.

Finnegan is probably lucky there was officials and teammates to break that up before Johnson broke him. Finally, someone stood up to Cortland. Will that cause Finnegan to back down the way he plays? Probably not!

Here is a look at our NFL Week 6 Picks against the spread.  Good luck and happy betting!

Lines via The Spread

Here is a look at our NFL Week 5 Picks against the spread.  Good luck and happy betting!

Lines via The Spread

Here is a look at our NFL Week 4 Picks against the spread.  Good luck and happy betting!

Lines via The Spread

Here is a look at our NFL Week 2 Picks against the spread.  Good luck and happy betting!

Lines via The Spread