News and Notes in the NFL

Commisioner Roger Goddell seemed happy about the performance of the replacement refs in the Cowboys 24-17 victory over the Giants on Wednesday night. “Our officials did a more than adequate job last night,” Goodell said at a Bloomberg Sports Business Summit in New York City. “I think we’ve proven we can train officials, get them up to NFL standards, and we’ve done that in a three-month period. These officials will get even better as time goes by. The game is not going to stop.”

Adrian Peterson has declared himself fit to play in the Vikes opener vs Jacksonville but ultimately it’s the team’s decision and they’ve stated that it will be a game time decision.

Bear’s linebacker Brian Urlacher has also declared himself ready for Chicago’s opener against the Colts. Urlacher missed practice Thursday but plans top practice Friday and then play Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger’s wife is expecting and Big Ben has said that if she gives birth on a Sunday that he will miss that game. “I’m not missing the birth of my child,” Roethlisberger said, via the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. “There’s no chance. I know some fans probably don’t want to hear that, but there’s no chance.” No.7 has not divulged his wife’s due date.

News and Notes in College Football

Last night in college football, the chalk and under cashed their tickets as Cincinnati spanked Pittsburg 34-10. The Panthers, playing on four days rest and off a 31-17 loss to Youngstown State that saw several starters suspended, were never in the game. Cincinnati’s George Winn busted the first play of the game for a 58-yard touchdown and the Bearcats were on their way rushing for 259 yards at 8.3 yards-per-carry.

Tonight, Utah travels to Utah State in a battle for Beehive State bragging rights. The Utes are 7-point favorites over the Aggies and the total has been bet down to 52.5 from an opening 54. Both teams won their openers thumping regional foes, Utah blanking Northern Colorado 41-0 and Utah State thumping Southern Utah 34-3. Utah is 8-1 (5-1 ATS) recently in the series. Weather conditions will perfect in Logan.

The Marquis de Sade must have been the schedule maker for poor Savannah State. Last Saturday, the Tigers were mauled 84-0 at Oklahoma State and this week they travel to Tallahassee to face the No.6 ranked Florida State Seminoles. Savannah State is getting a Nevada sports book record 70.5 points in this one and yes there is a line if you are daring enough to give or take the points. You are seeing that correctly, that’s ten touchdowns plus the hook.

MLB Diamond Dust

SP3′s thoughts and prayers are with Oakland A’s pitcher Brandon McCarthy who underwent brain surgery after getting hit in the head by a line drive in Wednesday’s game with the Angels. A CATS scan after the game revealed a fractured skull and epidural bleeding which required the surgery. McCarthy walked off the field after getting drilled by the liner off the bat of the Halo’s Erick Aybar. The Athletics issued a press release on Thursday, stating McCarthy is “alert, awake and resting comfortably, and has shown signs of improvement.”

Brian Blessing and Pat Williams analyze tonight’s Dodgers/Giants series opener

The BMW Championship

The players are making a shambles of Crooked Stick Golf Club at the BMW Championship with four players sharing the first round lead of eight-under with an an additional four players just one shot back. Webb Simpson, Bo Van Pelt, white-hot Rory McIlroy, and Graham DeLaet all fired first-round 64s, while Vijay Singh, Ryan Moore, Luke Donald, Tiger Woods all shot 65s. In all, 37 of the 70 starters shot -3 or better and only eight golfers failed to shoot par.

Justin Timberlake courted as minority owner of Grizz

Prospective Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera is reaching out to prominent Memphis locals, including Justin Timberlake, to become minority owners in the Grizz assuring the team stays in the city. Pera is on track and awaiting approval to buy the Grizzlies for $350 million from current owner Michael Heisley. He will then sell one-third interest in the team to prominent locals including Timberlake and J.R. “Pitt” Hyde the founder of Auto Zone.

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