With the NFL season just around the corner, it's interesting to take a look at some of the established lines set in various Las Vegas outlets.

The San Diego Chargers have an Over/Under win total set at 10.5. For those that don't understand this, it means one could pick the Chargers to have over 10.5 wins this season (which would be a record of 11-5 like last year, or better). Or, they could pick the Bolts to have under 10.5 wins...so a 10-6 record or worse.

Here's a look at the upcoming schedule, with an early guess on the outcomes.

Sept. 7 Carolina 1:15 p.m. WIN
Sept. 14 at Denver 1:15 p.m. WIN, but could easily be a loss.
Chargers now have two-game win streak at Denver, first time in forty years.
Sept. 22 New York Jets 5:30 p.m. WIN

Continue reading "Over/Unders and other NFL Futures..."

This week on Comcast SportsNet Northwest they've been showing Game 6 of the 1990 Western Conference finals in the NBA. Being an Oregonian and Blazer fan it brings back vivid memories. I was nearing the end of my first term away from home at Southern Oregon State College (as it was known then) in Ashland, and a large group of friends were all Blazer fans. We got together to see them on TV every game it seemed.

I remember being at my townhouse apartment I shared with my cousin, with a few guests on that great day of May 31st in '90. Man, it seemed like the greatest thing in the world when Buck Williams got the rebound at the end and heaved the ball upward like he was trying to hit the roof. The amazing thing is there were a number of segments in the series with the Phoenix Suns where Portland did not look so sharp, and even in this final game in which they came back to win.

Continue reading "Back in 1990 with the Portland Trail Blazers"

Here in Oregon I've gotten that question a thousand times it seems. Many times if I'm at a place watching a Chargers game on satellite, or just wearing Charger merch, I get people asking me that. Like I have to explain why...I hardly ever see a Raiders, Packers, Cowboys, or Steelers fan having to explain themselves why they like the team they do. But to be a Bolts fan, there has to be more to it? And of course the question gets posed more often when San Diego has success.

For me, I've been a Chargers fan going on 30 years now. Heck, I still even have a Chargers shirt from then with a 1978 copyright date. No no, it doesn't fit anymore. Probably the last time it was worn was maybe what, 1981? My early memories of watching them on television unfortunately are based around the Holy Roller game in '78. They got hosed on that. Several years ago I picked up a VHS copy of it, and man...it seems like the entire game the Chargers would go on to win. What people never mention is that if kicker Rolf Benirschke would not have missed a PAT the game would have gone overtime, final score being 21-20.

Continue reading "Ever have to explain why you are a Chargers fan?"

Today the San Diego Chargers announced a new deal for DE Luis Castillo, coming in at more than $43 million for five-years. Castillo will earn $17.5 million in guaranteed bonuses.

To me, the real number that sticks out is the $17.5 mil in bonuses. As many know, NFL contracts are hardly ever guaranteed, unlike the NBA. Castillo will have to make the team each year during the life of his deal to take home the full amount. His talent is unquestioned and he is still fairly young, but how often do we see NFL teams sign players to long-term contracts but fail to live up to them? The familiar scenario is sign him now, he plays a few more seasons, then declare he is too expensive to keep and release the player. This happens over and over.

It's because of that why the solid amount is the guaranteed money up front. Who knows if he'll ever see the remainder? Many fans like to complain when a star player holds out for more money, but I really can't fault them much since they have to get what they can, while they can. It is entirely different than say, an NBA player who is guaranteed money whether he's on the team or not. If an NFL team can cut a player loose because they don't want to commit to the salary, then on the other side the player should be allowed to re-negotiate as he sees fit.

Continue reading "Luis Castillo's big contract extension"

As has been well documented, the New York Mets have made a huge turnaround in their season since manager Jerry Manuel took over for Willie Randolph just over a month ago. One of the big reasons for the resurgence has been Fernando Tatis. Tatis replaced Ryan Church in right field about two months ago. Church, himself a good acquisition by the Mets in the off-season, had been playing well statistically but is currently sidelined with post-concussion syndrome after a few incidents.

Tatis is a veteran who is known for hitting two grand slams in a single inning back in 1999, while with the St. Louis Cardinals. That season he went on to post 34 home runs, 107 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and a .298 batting average. Since then he's been all over the majors, minors, and even out of pro baseball.

Continue reading "The re-birth of Fernando Tatis"