Should gambling be allowed in sports?

Many people across the United States rely on the Las Vegas odds when it comes to sports betting.

We read the over and under lines and look at the point spread to see who has the advantage. Sometimes we get lucky with our picks.

As far as gambling as a legal action, Nevada is the only state in the United States to have legalized gambling, especially sports betting.

Recently, Delaware has petitioned to become the second state to allow sports betting. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and the NCAA are some of the few sports leagues and organizations that are filing a lawsuit against the state of Delaware.

According to a July 28th article on ESPN.com, it reported that the four major leagues plus the NCAA argued that allowing sports betting in Delaware "would in harms 'that cannot be remedied by subsequent monetary damages.' "

I believe that sports betting should be allowed in sports because it makes people watch the sporting events more attentively.

Look at the success of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament. Many people throughout the nation participate in office pools and often place a certain amount of money to buy into the pool.

Even the most casual fan of college basketball takes part in this event for several reasons, mainly to win some money for their wallets. Nevertheless, the office pool brings even the casual fan an opportunity to watch the sport and take part in the madness.

This example proves how much more publicity and recognition the NCAA receives through sports betting. They continually bring in new, interested people and convert them into fans, with the help of sports betting.

I'm not saying that sports betting is the only way to gain more fans of sports, but if it helps your business, why be against it?

I personally take part in small sports betting like the NCAA Men's basketball tournament office pool and often times I do lose money because of my picks. Even though I lose my money, I have fun with the betting because it makes me be more attentive towards each and every game.

The four major leagues and the NCAA should consider the marketing opportunity with sports betting. For the NCAA, you don't need to advertise your players as it is against the rules. Simply, just encourage safe betting and make sure people have fun while they watch your events.

For now, the Supreme Court has rejected the sports betting plan that Delaware has put into play, but don't be surprised if sometime in the near future, sports betting will be legal in almost every state.

Vick makes impressive debute

Michael Vick, 18 months removed from his prison stay, started in his first NFL game since December 31, 2006 as his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars on a last-second field goal, 33-32.

Vick went 4-4 for 19 yards and also rushed for a yard in his debut.

Several fans and critics wanted to see how the long layoff had affected him. He was often criticized for having a big arm but hardly any accuracy. He answered those questions last night when on a third and seven play, he zipped a pass to one of the slot receivers for a 13 yard gain.

Like many fans across the NFL nation, I was ecstatic to see Vick play again. Before he left for prison, Vick was the most electrifying player in the NFL with his quick feet and his juking ability that made opposing NFL players' knees buckle.

Granted, he didn't have the speed like he had two years ago, but nevertheless, he still has that cannon for an arm and he threw crisp passes last night that made me think that he wasn't gone for that long.

This is going to be a long road to resurrect his career, but last night's game was a great start for the revival of Michael Vick.

Gators No. 1 in AP poll by record margin

The Florida Gators, along with college football fans everywhere, expected to be ranked number one in college football for the upcoming season after finishing the year as the 2009 national champions.

No one expected them to be the top ranked team by a wide margin.

Florida received 58 out of 60 total votes in the Associated Press poll early this morning; Texas received the other two votes. In other words, the gators received 96.7 percent of first place votes in the first poll, making AP poll history.

Southern California had the previous percentage record with 95.4 percent in the 2007 season, but they didn't win the national championship that year as LSU came away with the national championship that year.

If Florida repeats as national champions this season, they will be the 11th team to start and finish the season as the number one team in the AP poll. They will also be the first team to repeat as national champions for the first time since USC in 2003 and 2004.

The top 10 teams on the AP poll are as follows (note: Oklahoma State and Penn State tied for 9th in poll):

1. Florida (58)
2. Texas (2)
3. Oklahoma
4. USC
5. Alabama
6. Ohio State
7. Virginia Tech
8. Mississippi
9a. Oklahoma St.
9b. Penn St.

Florida State is back into the top 25 in the AP poll after not being on there last year which broke a 25-year streak of consecutive times being in the AP poll.

Looking through the top 25 teams, I believe that Notre Dame shouldn't be on a top 25 poll in football period. They may have had a great recruiting class this past year, but that doesn't mean that Notre Dame will have improved after one year.

Jimmy Clausen, in my opinion, hasn't lived up to the hype as the former number one high school prospect in the country. He had an improved year last year, but he continued to struggle to lead his offense with his poor decisions and lack of playmakers. His performance in the Hawaii Bowl last year shouldn't be taken lightly, but at the same time, he hasn't showed that same consistency in his first two years at Notre Dame.

I believe the Florida Gators will repeat as national champions because of the fact that they return the 2007 Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow and all 22 players on their dominant defense that gave teams fits.

But like I've said before, I've been wrong before.

Burress gets two years in prison

Plaxico Burress accepted a guilty plea bargain to gun charges early Thursday morning.

Burress will be serving two years in prison instead of the mandated three and one half years for shooting himself with a handgun at a Manhattan nightclub.

This coming after several sources claimed Burress will try to sign with a team during this season. The New York Giants released Burress in April.

According to ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen, had Burress took the not-guilty plea, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would have suspended Burress for the entire season next year.

Also according to the ESPN.com report, Burress could be out of prison in 20 months for good behavior.

After his release in two years, Burress will be under supervision for 2 additional years as he tries to rebuild his NFL career.

As a fan of football, I am saddened that Burress ended up in this situation where he put himself in harm's way by bringing a gun to a nightclub. He was a dynamic receiver and a goal-line threat for the Giants during their Super Bowl run.

I do hope the rookies this year and the rookies of the future understand the events that took place and take that to heart. The former players who speak at the NFL rookie symposium do know what they are talking about and their words shouldn't be taken lightly.

Now football fans will see what the NFL will be like without yet another talented player because of a mistake that cost them dearly.

Are the Vikings the team to beat in the NFC?

I was watching Sportscenter earlier this morning and I missed part of what the Monday Night Football crew had to say about the Minnesota Vikings acquiring Brett Favre.

I decided to look through some of the video archives on their website with the MNF crew and I see Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski praising the Vikings for landing the best quarterback to ever play the game.

Gruden went on to say that with their already explosive running game, you pretty much have to pick your poison on who to defend: Favre and his plethora of receivers or Adrian "All Day" Peterson.

I happen to agree with Gruden's assessment on the Vikings. They already have a very large offensive line with Steve Hutchinson holding down the left tackle position, giving headway for Peterson to explode off the blocks.

Ron Jaworski, who is very knowledgeable in his assessments had this to say on the Vikings acquiring Brett Favre:

"They are now the team to beat, in my opinion now, in the NFC (National Football Conference) with the acquisition of Brett Favre. They are now a complete team. We know about the defense, they play the run as good as anyone in the National Football League. Antoine Winfield, out on the corner, fantastic, you [Jon Gruden] mention the running game in Peterson, they're gonna load the box up because because of Adrian Peterson, now you get those one on one, isolation routes to the outside: Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and no one throws to the outside better than Brett Favre."

I agree with everything Jaworski has to say except his first sentence in his speech. The Minnesota Vikings aren't the team to beat in the NFC.

I repeat, not the team to beat in the NFC.

There are three teams in my mind that are the team to beat: the New York Giants, the Carolina Panthers, and the defending NFC champions Arizona Cardinals.

Each team has a quarterback that has led their team to a Super Bowl. Two of the three quarterbacks (Eli Manning and Kurt Warner) have led their team to a Super Bowl Victory.

Each team has a two running back system that will be very hard to stop in New York's Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, Carolina's DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and Arizona's Tim Hightower and Chris "Beanie" Wells.

The Arizona Cardinals have two dynamic receivers in high-flying Larry Fitzgerald and speedy Anquan Boldin, with the dark horse receiver in Steve Breaston who can play the slot receiver as well as anybody in the league with secure hands and unquestioned strength.

The Carolina Panthers, as stated above, have a very compelling running attack with Williams and Stewart sharing carries. Both of them have power and speed, pretty much a very fearsome two-headed monster.

The New York Giants have a quarterback in Eli Manning, who some say could be better than big brother Peyton. Now I believe that's stretching the truth a little bit, but you never know what could happen. The Giants also boast a forceful running tandem in Jacobs and Bradshaw, the former with the power and deceptive speed and the latter with the speed and quickness that could make anybody's knees buckle.

The Minnesota Vikings do have the most complete running back in the NFL in Adrian Peterson. By no means am I downplaying or underestimating the abilities of Adrian Peterson. I am however, doubting the health and abilities of aging quarterback Brett Favre.

The New York Jets started out last year with an 8-3 record, tops in the AFC East and they have recently beaten the previously unbeaten Tennessee Titans on the road. But then, Favre's body betrayed him and his age quickly caught up to him as the Jets had an epic collapse that was sealed with an interception thrown by Brett Favre to the Miami Dolphins defensive lineman that ended up scoring a touchdown that secured the Dolphins their first division title in almost a decade (they last won a division title in 2000).

What makes anybody think that Brett Favre, who will be turning 40 during this season, can lead the Minnesota Vikings to their first Super Bowl victory?

It seems to me that ever since that loss in the 2007 NFC title game against the New York Giants, he has been trying to leave the game on a high note. Jerome Bettis retired after winning his first and only championship in Super Bowl XV. I am assuming Favre wants to do the same thing.

He may have the support of his friends and family to once again return to this grueling game, but at the same time, I have serious doubts that he will still be as effective as he once was.

So are the Minnesota Vikings the team to beat? I don't think so. But I've been wrong before.

BREAKING NEWS: Favre signs with Vikings

ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen reported earlier this morning that pending a physical, Brett Favre will come out of retirement once again to sign a contract with the Minnesota Vikings for between $10 to $12 million dollars.

It has been reported that Favre didn't want to go through training camp to come back to the NFL as he first denied wanting to come back.

Favre played 16 years in Green Bay before abruptly retiring last year. Few months later, Favre came out of retirement and signed with the New York Jets. After retiring again, sources believe Favre will sign with the Vikings sometime Tuesday.

Pending a physical, the Vikings will have a future Hall of Fame quarterback, who many predict, could lead the Vikings back to the playoffs and possible Super Bowl.

I am personally glad the Brett Favre saga has slowed down a little bit seeing how he most likely will sign with the Vikings. Viking fans as well as NFL fans want to know two things: will Brett Favre break down again like he did last season? Is he going to retire again after this season?

Soon we will find out. I'll be updating this story more as the day unfolds.

Tiger Woods blows two-stroke lead in Championship

Tiger Woods is the most dominant player in his sport today.

He is often compared to the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Woods is currently chasing Nicklaus' record of 18 majors won in a career.

Woods' plan to get major number 15 hit a bit of a snag this afternoon as Y.E. Yang surprised Woods by overtaking him with an eagle on the 14th green, pushing him past Woods, not letting him retain the lead, to win the PGA Championship.

What is so important about Y.E. Yang and what he accomplished? Yang accomplished two firsts. He is the first Asian-born player to win a major championship on the PGA tour. The most important first to the casual sports fan, Yang became the first golfer to beat Woods after Woods leads after 54 holes.

Woods was previously 14 of 14 after leading or co-leading 54 holes.

Yang made the putt on the 18th green, giving him not only a two-stroke lead, but also ensuring him the PGA Championship as he clenched his fist with vigor as he celebrates his first major victory.

The most critical shot, however, was on the 17th green. Yang, on his second shot on a par 3, shoots it over a tree and onto the green within six feet of the hole. Woods could only look over in awe and shock as Woods tried to make his comeback.

Yang had the opportunity to go into the 18th green with a two stroke lead after Woods bogeyed on 17, but he ended up missing by inches as he tapped his third shot to bogey on the par 3.

With this defeat, it ensured Tiger Woods of a major-less year. Although he has amassed five victories this year, he couldn't translate those successes into the major championships.

What many casual or avid followers of golf don't realize is Tiger Woods is eight months removed from his knee surgery recovery and in my opinion, even the best of players deserve to be human.

This may be the longest summer for Tiger Woods, but every golfer knows not to count out Woods in the future. He will be back to form soon enough.

But for now, let us appreciate the history that was made today in Golf as Y.E. Yang became the first Asian-born golfer to win a major championship in the PGA.

Catching up on this week's sports news

This was quite the week in the sports world:

Rick Pitino's sex scandal and extortion claim introducing another chapter with Pitino's admission of his affair with the woman that wanted to extort millions from Pitino.

Baseball's pennant race heating up as the New York Yankees pull away from the rest of the league with the best record in baseball. The Boston Red Sox slipping down the standings with their debacle of games during their road trip.

The NFL began their season with the induction of six new inductees: Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, Ralph Wilson and Rod Woodson. NFL preseason also began as teams across the league find out which players will help their team get to the promise land in Miami in February 2010.

Possibly the biggest sports news to date: Michael Vick signing a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie stated during the press conference that if Vick doesn't make a positive impact within the Philadelphia community, he will not be a part of the eagles organization.

All these stories making headlines has me thinking one thing: This might be the most interesting year in sports since 1998.

As current Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens once said, "Getcha popcorn ready."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp

As many of you know, I am from Florida and all of my favorite teams are in the Tampa Bay Area and Orlando.

Since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved their training camp back to Tampa for the first time in almost a decade, fans are able to see their team practice easily with a quick drive over the Howard Frankland Bridge, or however Buccaneers fans travel to Tampa.

Being that I reside in Tampa, I can easily cover their progress.

From watching a couple of practices, there are several players, new and old, who have made an immediate impact and a great impression on the coaches.

Some of these players include: Michael Clayton, Elbert Mack, Sammie Stroughter, Kellen Winslow II, Jermaine Phillips, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and newly acquired Mario Urrutia.

The Bucs have a completely new look in their coaching staff as well as their offensive and defensive plans.

The offense will have more of a downhill running attack as well as attacking by the deep ball. As for the offensive line, they will use more zone blocking to create more running lanes and give better pass protection for the quarterback.

The defense, known for the "Tampa 2" style defense, will now play more of a convention 4-3 defense, with the defensive line lined up against the offensive line, giving the linebackers the gaps for them to easily blitz.

This season fans in the Tampa Bay area will see a new Buccaneers team. Time will tell whether the new team has promise.

I will give you specific updates on the Buccaneers training camp on Tuesday where I will be attending the morning session of Buccaneers practice.

Football season is upon us

Do you hear that?

The sound of pads and helmets colliding viciously; Coaches berating their players to play like a team; The sight of grass stains and blood on their bodies.

Football season is upon us.

Various college football teams have already began fall practices, tuning up for a chance to dethrone the defending champion Florida Gators for a national championship.

NFL teams are a couple weeks into training camp, inviting fans to watch their practices as well as get autographs from their favorite players.

Every team will be gunning for the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, trying to dethrone them to become the best in the world.

August, to the average sports fan, is the start of the sports calender with football dominating the fall and most of winter.

Football gives a chance for friends and family to be bonded by their favorite teams or maybe divide the family or friends.

It gives us a sense of unity, as if we are on the team, willing our team to win each week.

I can honestly say that this summer has been the longest summer to wait for football season. Many of your teams have made changes; whether it is the coaching staff or the acquiring of key free agents.

Fans want to see what their team is producing for this season and asks themselves: will the team be better than last year? Are they fading away from what they were before? Do we even have a chance to contend?

The answer to all those questions, whether it's college or pro football, starts in September.

Rashard Lewis Suspended 10 Games by NBA

The off-season for the Orlando Magic has been fairly successful to say the least.

They acquired one of the best scorers in the NBA in Vince Carter, a former first-rounder with great promise in Ryan Anderson, and versatile forwards in Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes that can score and rebound.

What they didn't expect is one of their own to be caught with an illegal substance in his system.

Rashard Lewis has been suspended for the first 10 games of the season for violating the steroid policy. Lewis tested positive for DHEA, which many media outlets and sources report is a pre-cursor for a steroid. It is used to combat fatigue.

Sources reported Lewis asking for a re-test after he tested positive, and the medical staff for the Orlando Magic isolated the substance and found out it came from an over-the-counter medication that anyone can get from a local vitamin store or pharmacy.

Lewis explained he didn't know that substance was in that powder until one of the medical staff members pointed it out to him. He has expressed remorse and vows to be more careful when putting anything into his body.

Fan reactions are mostly in support of Lewis, but there are also the arrogant fan who criticizes the athlete for being that stupid to not know what he puts in his body.

While I do agree Lewis should have been more careful, I do believe Lewis made an innocent mistake.

Fans are quick to judge Lewis and say that he has tainted his reputation and that he isn't a good role model for the kids.

News Flash: Parents are supposed to be the role models period. Do not blame an athlete for whatever happens with your kids. The athlete isn't raising your child, you are.

Another thing is that some columnists have the audacity to compare what Lewis did in the NBA and how it would have fared in the MLB.

News Flash: DHEA is banned in the NBA, not in the MLB. If he were in the MLB and tested for this, this wouldn't be a story because it isn't illegal in baseball. You can't compare what an NBA player did (which by the way, only 6 players have tested positive for any type of banned substance by the NBA) to what MLB players have done for the last 20 years.

Doctor's diagnosis is to look at the situation closely before you judge a model citizen who made a simple mistake. Don't you believe any good person is entitled to a mistake? I do.