The NFL cannot win this year. Every step they have taken to make notable changes in the game has attracted repercussions of one form or another, many times distracting from conversations about NFL betting lines and odds, instead raising questions about the competence of those in charge.

There haven’t been nearly as many voices opposing the league’s decision to revise the injury report procedures, though; the revision has obviously reduced the number of players listed through the first two weeks of the season.

However, the number of listed players who have been classified as questionable has grown substantially. The game status report, which was released two days before kickoff, constituted 272 players who had been listed with injuries.

The 33 percent drop from 2015 is very notable, a direct result of the NFL’s decision to remove the probable’ category. The problem here is that 163 of those listed players (a 73 percent increase from the first two weeks of the 2015 season) have been designated as questionable.

In other words, these are 163 players who the NFL are uncertain will play in a game. You can see how this is skewing the figures and raising misconceptions when game data is analyzed. More than half of all the players (Three-Fourths to be exact) that have been designated as questionable’ have actually played in a game.

Week 2 was especially prevalent with so-called questionable players (79 percent); this is as opposed to 53 percent of questionable players appearing in a game within the same period in 2015.

Despite confusing a few analysts, the conundrum created here isn’t all bad, or rather this isn’t as problematic an issue as some people have suggested, primarily because it has removed the uncertainty.

Teams are more likely to declare players out; as such, people do not need to make guesses about the number of players who have been injured in any given week.

Along with revising injury report procedures, the league also introduced a doubtful’ category. People in this category are deemed as being unlikely’ to be in uniform. This category hasn’t been utilized as frequently.

Only seven percent of players have been listed as doubtful’ on the game status report. Not everyone pays attention to the injury report, primarily because they think it is a mundane and largely unnecessary obligation.

However, opposing teams and even fans spend lengthy portions of time pouring over such reports, this along with gamblers and participants in fantasy leagues. For such people, injury reports provide useful insight into the availability of players for specific games.

The NFL was driven to make changes to reporting procedures because the probable’ category was receiving very little use. The majority of probable’ players always ended up playing games they were expected to seat out.

The effectiveness of the NFL’s revised procedures cannot be measured extensively so early in the season, though; the first two games offer too small a sample size. If a coach is competitive enough, he will find ways of reducing the insight provided into his team.

So, it is difficult to determine how effective the new procedures will be in the long run, not when coaches are so determined to keep the minutiea of their rosters private.

The use of marijuana by NFL players as an aid to deal with the pain they go through has been in the news for the past couple of years as players and former players are asking the league to review it drug policy. A few days ago, Eben Britton, who played in the NFL for six season, recently said in an interview that he was at his best during games when he was high.

In the interview, Britton said the NFL games he played in when he was stoned were the best games of his career. Britton, who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears during his career, said that Cannabis cements his surroundings. He added that he has heard people say they are pretty much useless when they are stoned, but the drug has the opposite effect on him.

Britton also said in the interview that he believes anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of NFL players use marijuana. Despite the high estimate of players using, not too many get busted for the use of the drug because the NFL doesn’t test for it as much as they do for performance enhancing drugs.

According to reports, the NFL tests for recreational drugs like marijuana once a season, and after the tests are over, players go back to using it. The league probably isn’t as strict on the testing because it isn’t a performance enhancer, but those who have been caught have been dealt with by the league.

Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams retired from the league after multiple failed tests, Cleveland’s Josh Gordon was suspended for a year for multiple failed tests, and Britton was also suspended for the entire 2015 season for multiple failed tests.

In recent years, the attitude towards the use of marijuana has been changing. Multiple states have made the use of marijuana legal, which has spurred some former NFL players to petition the league to allow its use as an alternative to the painkillers they get from team medical staff. The players argue that marijuana is a safer alternative and isn’t as addictive as the painkillers.

Former Baltimore Ravens player Eugene Monroe pledged $80,000 to study the effect of marijuana use by NFL players to try to reduce their use of addictive opioids and anti-inflammatory drugs they receive from teams to help them deal with their pain.

At the time, Monroe said there was enough evidence that suggest that marijuana use is safer than opioids and other drugs NFL players take for their pain. It has also been suggested that marijuana can help with concussions, making it something the NFL seriously has to look into.

In addition to the medical benefits, Britton said marijuana has other positive social uses. According to the former player, marijuana helped him socialize with teammates. Britton said that after practice, a couple of players will meet up at one of the players’ homes and smoke marijuana. During those sessions, the players didn’t talk about football, they just hung out and had a good time getting to know each other better.

Despite the potential benefits of using marijuana for pain, it doesn’t look like the NFL will change its stance anytime soon.

With the prestigious Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triopmhe at Chantilly now just a matter of weeks away, trainer Roger Varian believes that former Juddmonte International Winner Postponed is on target for yet another victory this time around. The four-year-old is undoubtedly the favourite in the horse racing tips among bookmakers, with a win at Knavesmire in August only further demonstrating his credentials for the meeting just outside Paris. Such a win confirmed Postponed as the best middle-distance turf horse in the world, with further high profile victories undoubtedly lying ahead. The victory also increased Posponed’s career earnings to more than £4,360,000, closing the gap on the all-time record for a British-trained horse.

However, despite being offered odds of 7/2 on in the horse racing tips at bookmakers Coral, Varian’s prized asset is unlikely to have things all his own way, with stiff competition coming in the shape of Harzand, Minding, and Order of St George among others. Up next for Harzand is the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes this weekend in a meeting that should suit the dual Derby winner. Trainer Dermot Weld has withdrawn Harzand from Sunday’s Prix Niel, which had been seen as a good warm-up option for October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Despite this, the three-year-old remains just 5/1 with Coral for victory at Chantilly.

Elsewhere, Christophe Lemaire declared himself extremely happy after partnering Japan’s latest Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe challenger Makahiki in a gallop over 1m1f of Chantilly’s straight Piste des Reservoirs a few weeks ago. Makahiki is at 8/1 in the horse racing tips at Coral having arrived in France a matter of weeks ago, and having won four of his five races, including the Japanese Derby, the Yasuo Tomomichi trained horse is certainly one to look out for.

Favourite for November’s Meboure Cup, Order of St George, who has established himself as one of the best in Europe Europe with an emphatic success at Royal Ascot this year, is part of a possible team of seven for record-breaking trainer Aidan O’Brien. O’Brien is seeking to win the prize for the first time in his career, with Order of St George currently 10/1 on with Coral to win the race held at Flemington on November 1st.

The international community is trying to come to terms with the shock revelation that some countries with which other nations have links simply do not exist.

Two hundred and seven countries were represented at the opening ceremony of Rio 2016, and it is now clear that at least eight had been invented. Continue Reading

Being a sports fan in Cleveland does not make for an easy life, considering the the rollercoaster of emotions the teams from the region have put their supporters through.

The Cleveland Browns are renowned for their collapses in the 1980s in the two AFC Championship matches against the Denver Broncos, nicknamed ‘The Drive’ and ‘The Fumble’.

Broncos quarterback John Elway led a 99-yard drive to lead his side to the Super Bowl, breaking Browns’ hearts, while one year later running back Ernest Byner fumbled on the goalline against the same opponent, spurning the chance to tie the game.

Cleveland have endured similar horror shows in the world of basketball and baseball. A young man by the name of LeBron James aimed to break the ‘Cleveland Curse’ after being drafted first overall by his home state club in 2003. Continue Reading

Ahead of his first title defence of his IBF heavyweight belt, Anthony Joshua has revealed plans to unify the heavyweight division, despite his relative inexperience in the sport. Never lacking in confidence, Joshua believes that he can reach far greater heights in the world of boxing, with the former Olympic gold medallist holding a perfect professional record from his sixteen fights to date. Joshua takes on American Dominic 88Breazeale at the end of the month, and has been training with the GB Olympic squad in preparation.

The Londoner is the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers for the fight, with Betway offering odds of 1/33 for Joshua to come out victorious. With the fight scheduled to once again be held at the capital’s O2 Arena, the bright lights of Las Vegas will surely be waiting in the wings should Joshua impress against Breazeale. Joshua claimed the IBF title after a second round knockout of Charles Martin, and with 31 KO’s from 33 wins between himself and Breazeale, fans inside the area on June 25th could well be set for more fireworks. You can find his betting odds on Betway, as well as a full schedule of boxing match ups for the upcoming months.

Also on the card for the night of boxing is George Groves, as he returns to the ring against Martin Murray, in what is an eliminator for the WBA world super-middleweight title. Groves is the 2/5 favourite with Betway having defeated David Brophy by way of knock out last time around. Elsewhere, Chris Eubank Jr defends his British middleweight title against Welshman Tom Doran, with the son of the former great given favourable 1/25 on odds by Betway.

At the start of July, we see the much anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitchsko, as the pair meet in Manchester. Despite Fury playing down his chances in the build up to the fight, having ridiculed his own weight and sparring performances, the WBA champion is 20/21 with Betway to claim victory on home soil. Joshua has long been linked with an all British heavyweight contest with Fury since his breakthrough in the division, and is 4/5 with Betway should a potential fight get the go ahead in the future.

Last time, we told yer all about t’ Glazer family’s shoddy attempts t’ finally sort out United and make ‘em all ‘bright, clean & nice-looking guys.’ But ‘ow has this news been received, eh?

Andy Tate rants:

Avram Glazer, yer are a priiiiiize nob! Ya got the business on a flamin’ technicality, all because ah a bloody legend ‘oo as told yer the rest o’ us wooden pay nah mind if yer went on ahead and roooooined us club. Well let me tell ya this, Av…
The name’s Avram Glazer, well Ah’ve ad enough bad treatment rammed down my throat wi’ all yer stupid, stupid business games, yer flamin’ spermburpin’ dingalows!

Louis Van Gaal is less bothered:

I just can’t see what all the fuss is about. I mean, they’re only fans, after all. They should just stop being so arrogant, and thinking it’s all about them!

Anyway, I’m more worried about how much longer we can keep up outclassing Norwich City. This massive purple patch might just be unsustainable. And Even Eric Black is starting to get a bit cocky when he’s trolling me on Twitter. Let me try and get our priorities right!

Notable across-the-pond sporting enterpreneurs ‘The Glazer lads, PLC.’ have recently decided that the old-fashioned European way of doing football just isn’t financially viable for such a serious enterpreneurial concern as Manchester United Soccer, uh, Whatever Club.

So, they have now renamed their most lucrative business concern yet as the ‘Glazer Family and Co. Manchester, England United-and-Incorporated European Soccer Entertainment Corporation.’ Or just GFACMEUAIESEC for short. (ish). Continue Reading

After disappointment at the Rugby World Cup 2015, which included arguably the most shocking defeat in the tournament’s history, team coach Heyneke Meyer yesterday confirmed that the Springbok will take a yearlong hiatus to pursue ‘other opportunities’.

Team captain Flourie du Preez later confirmed the news, adding that the team with be facing a US ‘All Star’ team at American Football in July 2016. Responding to journalists at a fundraising event in Pretoria he said, “I’ve always fancied playing quarter back and I could use the additional income, so why not?” Continue Reading

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is nothing if not a pragmatist. Bristling at criticism of his side’s lack of attacking flair of late, the Dutchman has insisted that his team is still a work in progress.

It is, as he has labelled it, at a moment in an ongoing process.

United’s fans, spoiled as they were during the unprecedented entertainment levels of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, are unimpressed. ‘Processes’ are not what they pay to see. Continue Reading

In historic fashion, the curse of the Billy Goat again reared its ugly head on those Lovable Losers, the Chicago Cubs.

Game four of the National League Championship Series ended with the New York Mets beating the Cubbies by the score of 8-3, sweeping the team everyone thought was destined to win the World Series because Back to the Future predicted it.

The Mets hammered Chicago Cub pitcher Jason Hammel so bad he only lasted two innings innings in the post season game, ensuring the continuation of planetary rotation and balance within the cosmos. Continue Reading

Chelsea strode to the Premier League title last season after a dominant performance for the majority of the campaign. The Blues were streets ahead of their nearest rivals and Jose Mourinho’s men had high hopes prior to the start of the 2015-16 season.

However, they have failed to inspire confidence and Chelsea are looking more like relegation candidates than defending champions. Despite their poor form and performances, Mourinho has tried to put the blame on luck and refereeing decisions.

For the past few years, the Portuguese has claimed in the press that there is a conspiracy against his side. While he very rarely accepts that they were simply outplayed by the opposition, Mourinho tends to give credit to their conquerors. After the recent 3-1 home defeat by Southampton, the Chelsea boss was once again discussing a lack of refereeing decisions to his men and placed the blame on referee Robert Madley (see video below). The Portuguese believes that Madley is not the only official to have a campaign against his side and insists that the Premier League’s top referees all enjoy watching the Blues lose. Continue Reading

Vladimir Putin has now liberated most Russian football clubs and has gently taken them under his wing, guiding them into the comforting and steady hands of public ownership.

So from now on, if private football clubs wish to remain private, they must now prove their moral and spiritual worth (say nothing of financial!), by making their players wear long shorts for modesty.

…

Especially the men’s clubs! Continue Reading

Former rugby legend Bucky Guinstella has begun his long march out of the sporting wilderness, and has embarked upon a new literary career as a Twitter troll.

However, the joke seems to be on him, and he is not having much success.

Maybe he’s just an unrecognised genius?

Well, time will tell. Continue Reading

Football Legend

Self-styled, very much self-stylish, and scandalously glossy-cape-porting Caliph Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has made thinking about football, dreaming about football, or otherwise being remotely aware of the historical existence of football, an unforgivable and inexcusable hate crime against The Greater Good.

Back of the Old Onion Swag

And on a completely unrelated note to the latter tyrannical and highly bureaucratic measure, the UK Government have passed a new benevolently-Tory-paternalistic motion. Continue Reading

The new season has already started over here, so time to take a more politically-conscious eye at the footballing world. Continue Reading