Chad Johnson runs His Mouth to Prepare for the Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals enigmatic wide receiver, Chad Johnson, is breaking out of his silence.

Throughout the NFL Football season, Chad Johnson has been largely quiet off the field. And, compared to his three-time Pro Bowl standards, quiet on the field with just 30 receptions and one touchdown in six games.

But the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver broke out verbally with the media. Johnson came out of his shell on the day Sports Illustrated hit newsstands with, guess who? Chad on the cover.

''Trick or Treat: Is the NFL's Bad Boy Really Mr. Good Guy?'' asks the headline beneath a photo of Chad Johnson, who peers from beneath his gold Mohawk and above a tiger-striped left arm folded across his chest.

''Hey, world, 8-5 is on the cover of SI,'' Johnson said. ''It's a big day. I look good. I look good.''

Johnson's also in the November issue of GQ.

''I mean, what better time to come out and be the real 8-5?'' he asked. ''I'm in GQ. I pose in the... never mind.''

And, completing the well-choreographed flurry of publicity, Johnson is talking loud and proud again (he popped a James Brown CD in the locker room sound system during lunch) just in time to play against DeAngelo Hall, the Pro Bowl cornerback of the Atlanta Falcons and a regular Johnson phone pal.

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons will meet Sunday for NFL Football week 8.

Chad Johnson is looking forward to playing against Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, whom Johnson considers the top cornerback of NFL Football. Hall is anticipating the matchup, too.

Who will win this week's game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons? Bet and play WagerTalk's NFL Football Handicapping Contest and decide for yourself. Make your pick now.

All Star Sportsbook has the odds for this week's NFL Football game on Sunday:

Atlanta Falcons +3.5

Cincinnati Bengals -3.5

Will this Bear play for Chicago Against the 49ers?

The Chicago Bears should forget about interpreting Cedric Benson's body language.

On Wednesday at Halas Hall, Benson's words portrayed a running back as frustrated as he is confused about his role with the Chicago Bears.

Asked about the promise of increased playing time this week against the San Francisco 49ers that offensive coordinator Ron Turner delivered on the team's weekly radio show Monday night on WBBM-AM 780, Benson revealed how far out of the loop he feels. Either that or he needs to get an AM radio.

''If they are planning on it, I wish they could tell me so I could prepare instead of like hoping I can catch the hint,'' Cedric Benson said. ''I wish they'd be a little more upfront and more businesslike about the situation. I hope they're not planning on doing something and not telling me.''

Turner later took responsibility for the failure to inform Benson of the Bears' plan to insert him for the third series against San Francisco. But Turner's valiant effort to protect his player came too late to undo the additional damage Benson had inflicted on his reputation as a moody malcontent.

Before taking a swipe at the coaching staff's lack of communication during Wednesday's open locker room, Benson had complained about the difficulties of finding a rhythm with no clear-cut rotation behind starter Thomas Jones.

''It's hard to get into one when you're in for a series, out for a couple, in for a couple, out for a quarter,'' Benson said.

He had one carry at Arizona after a season-high 14 against Buffalo.

''I have no idea on a week-to-week basis,'' he said.

Coach Lovie Smith, suddenly a friend of the First Amendment, defended Benson's right to express himself. Well, with a perfect start so far in the NFL Football season, Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith can get away with basically anything.

Who will win this week's game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears? Bet and play WagerTalk's NFL Football Handicapping Contest and decide for yourself. Make your pick now.

All Star Sportsbook has the odds for this week's NFL Football game on Sunday:

San Francisco 49ers +16.5

Chicago Bears -16.5

Are the Badgers Good Enough in College Football now?

Are the Wisconsin Badgers good enough for NCAA College Football now?

Securing an accurate reading on the University of Wisconsin Badgers hasn't been easy this season, particularly for those poll voters who haven't seen the team in person.

Two issues have made it difficult for observers to get a feel for UW (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten Conference), ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll and No. 18 in the USA Today poll.

First, UW has played just one team currently ranked in the polls, the Michigan Wolverines, and it is possible that number won't change until the bowl game.

Second, several Big Ten teams have reshaped their rosters with young players and are typically struggling. The league is very strong at the top but weaker at the bottom than in past seasons.

''I think we're a good team,'' senior offensive tackle Joe Thomas said recently. ''But we still have a lot of room to improve and that is the exciting thing. We have a huge upside. We've played really good games lately but we still can play a better game.''

UW appears to be a legitimate top 15 today. If the Badgers continue to improve and win they will have a legitimate chance to finish in the top 10 because they'll likely face a higher-ranked team in their bowl game. The 14-point loss in the Big Ten opener at Michigan revealed UW's potential and that loss looks even better almost five weeks later. Michigan (8-0, 5-0) has climbed to No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, behind No. 1 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0), a team UW has the misfortune of missing this season.

Michigan's front seven on defense is the best in the Big Ten and could be the best in the nation. The Wolverines have difference-makers on all three units and tailback Mike Hart gives them the ability to control the clock in a tight game if needed.

As well as UW has played in its current four-game winning streak, outscoring its opponents by a combined 165-41, the fact UW was within striking distance of Michigan in the fourth quarter should tell voters what they need to know about this team.

Here are some odds from Bodog on who will win the NCAA College Football BCS Championship:

Oklahoma Sooners 6/1

USC Trojans 8/1

Texas Longhorns 8/1

Michael Vick makes Steelers' Bill COWER in Fear

Twice as dangerous. That's how Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher described Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons.

Bill Cowher never has opened a news conference saying anything remotely negative about any opponent his Pittsburgh Steelers will be going up against. Perhaps not in Joe Paterno's league for praising his next foe, Cowher still could work for FTD because he delivers so many bouquets.

He even called the Atlanta Falcons ''twice as dangerous'' this week because they lost to the New York Giants Sunday to fall to 3-2.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be going up against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday for NFL Football week 7. But if Cowher's ''twice as dangerous'' argument was in any way true, imagine how dangerous the STILL winless Oakland Raiders will be the following Sunday for the Steelers.
It does not mean Cowher's words aren't often true. And yes, he could not contain himself when he talked about Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, someone he hopes his defense can contain Sunday in Atlanta.

Michael Vick is unique, dangerous, very unique, special, a challenge, a big challenge and a quarterback with an unbelievably strong arm, according to Cowher. Never mind that he also is a quarterback with an inaccurate arm, completing barely 50 percent of his passes, or that his 66.0 passer rating looks good only to those who saw Ben Roethlisberger in his first three games this NFL Football season.

What makes Vick unique from other NFL Football quarterbacks is not his passing, it's his ability to run. There, he has no peer at the position, perhaps in NFL history. Vick has 401 yards rushing after five games, 33 fewer than Willie Parker. His average of 8.7 yards per carry dwarfs his 5.78 yards per pass completion.

''Certainly, this whole offense is very unique because of what Michael presents back there,'' Bill Cowher said.

If you're not following NFL Football that much, you would think Bill Cowher coaches the Atlanta Falcons with the way he praises Michael Vick this much.

Can the Pittsburgh Steelers take advantage of the now struggling Atlanta Falcons? Bet and play WagerTalk's NFL Football Handicapping Contest and decide for yourself. Make your picks now.

Who will win Super Bowl XLI at Miami, Florida? Sports Interaction has the outright odds on that one.

Indianapolis Colts 7.00

Dallas Cowboys 15.00

Seattle Seahawks 11.00

Pittsburgh Steelers 11.00

Struggling Packers Struggle Some More in NFL Football

Green Bay Packers wide receiver, Koren Robinson, will sit out the remainder of the NFL Football season.

Refusing to buy the argument that hearing Koren Robinson's appeal before his criminal charges in Minnesota were resolved was unfair, NFL Football upheld his one-year suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

The league heard Robinson's appeal and little more than 24 hours later announced the Green Bay Packers' receiver would be suspended without pay for at least one year.

In a brief statement, the league said Koren Robinson is eligible to be reinstated no sooner than Sept. 18, 2007. A league spokesman said that date is one year from the day it determined Robinson violated the policy.

Robinson was allowed to play until the appeal was heard, and it's unclear whether that means Robinson won't be reinstated until one year from Tuesday. The league spokesman referred all other inquiries to the NFL's written substance-abuse policy, which states the suspension for players in the third stage of the program, as Robinson is, is one calendar year.

That means Robinson's ban is not for 16 games (the length of an NFL regular season) but rather for 365 days.

The policy also states that "following the one-year banishment, the Commissioner, at his sole discretion, will determine if and when the player will be allowed to return to the NFL."

The one-year ban also means Robinson will not be allowed to work out at Lambeau Field or take part in any team functions with the Green Bay Packers either during the regular season or in the offseason.

Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, said that he had not spoken with Robinson about the suspension. He said he thought league rules prevented him from having any contact with a suspended player.

"I've really never been involved in this process before, but my understanding is we're not allowed to be involved as an organization," McCarthy said. "In respect to the NFL guidelines, we will follow those guidelines.''

Can the Green Bay Packers beat the Miami Dolphins without Koren Robinson? Bet and play WagerTalk's NFL Football Handicapping Contest and decide for yourself. Make your picks now.

Who will win Super Bowl XLI at Miami, Florida? Sports Interaction has the outright odds on that one.

Indianapolis Colts 7.00

Dallas Cowboys 15.00

Seattle Seahawks 11.00

Pittsburgh Steelers 11.00

Raiders might Play Thrice on NFL Monday Night Football

At least here's something to look forward to if your a fan of Oakland.

The Oakland Raiders announced that their Oct.22 game against the Arizona Cardinals would be moved to Monday night, Oct.23, if the Oakland Athletics reach the MLB Baseball World Series.

The Raiders are scheduled to play the Cardinals on Oct.22 this Sunday.

Should the Oakland Athletics play in the MLB Baseball World Series, Game 2 is scheduled to be played that day in the American League city.

If the Raiders-Cardinals game is moved to Monday night, kickoff would be at 7 pm.

Oakland Raiders season ticket holders with questions are urged to call 1-800-RAIDERS and check Raiders.com for updates.

The Raiders made no announcement regarding the Oct.29 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, also scheduled for McAfee Coliseum. That game could also be moved, with Game 7 of the World Series scheduled for that evening.

If that game were also moved, the Raiders would end up playing on Monday night for three consecutive weeks. Oakland plays on the road against Seattle on Monday night, Nov.6.

Three NFL Monday Night Football games in a row for a team without any wins to show for this NFL Football season is unfair indeed.

Who will win Super Bowl XLI at Miami, Florida? Sports Interaction has the outright odds on that one.

Indianapolis Colts 7.00

Dallas Cowboys 15.00

Seattle Seahawks 11.00

Pittsburgh Steelers 11.00

Michigan and Penn State Collide in NCAA College Football

This Saturday, the undefeated Michigan Wolverines will put their perfect record on the line as they visit Penn State and the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

Everyone likes to be ahead of the curve and come up with the big call before it happens. That's why more and more are starting to hint that the Michigan Wolverines, not Ohio State, might be the real favorite to win the Big Ten title and play for the national championship.

The Wolverines have been every bit as impressive as the Buckeyes winning every game by 14 points or more, and with Northwestern, Ball State and Indiana ahead, only this game against Penn State and a date next week against Iowa stands in the way of the showdown in Columbus.

The Penn State Nittany Lions have bell plodding along beating the teams they should be, losing to Notre Dame and Ohio State, and escaping Minnesota with an overtime win thanks to a gift pass interference call to keep the final drive alive.

This is their chance to get back into the Big Ten title race and turn around a ho-hum season. It's asking too much to be a replay of last year's classic 27-25 Wolverine win, the only loss of the season for Penn State.

Michigan's run defense continues to be unbelievable leading the nation by allowing just 40 yards per game despite playing great rushing teams like Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan State.

Penn State's offense has been saved by RB Tony Hunt, who has four straight 100-yard games, but he likely won't be going anywhere as Michigan will load up to stop the run and allow its great corners to hang one one one with the Nittany Lion receivers.

While Anthony Morelli has been fine, and he played well against Minnesota, he's still a question mark against a good defense. Is he good enough to beat Michigan? Probably not.

Here are some odds from Bodog on who will win the NCAA College Football BCS Championship:

Oklahoma Sooners 6/1

USC Trojans 8/1

Texas Longhorns 8/1

Randy Moss is Disgruntled of the Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have much bigger concerns to worry about than Randy Moss spouting off again.

With an 0-3 record and a team that’s struggling in all phases of the game, a disgruntled wide receiver is the least of their problems.

In his latest ramblings, Randy Moss said this week that he wasn’t concerned about the team’s poor start because “it doesn’t seem like nobody else is concerned.”

“I don’t really want to single players out,” Moss said. “I mean, I don’t really know what the feeling is. But I know the feeling is bad, so that’s saying no one cares about what’s going on around here.”

Moss has not talked to local media members since after the second exhibition game of these struggling Oakland Raiders in Minnesota on Aug. 14, but has been critical of the team and coach Art Shell in various national interviews the past few weeks.

In his latest, he said the coaching staff is not letting the veterans be leaders and said he’d welcome a trade if management thought that would help the team.

“I don’t want to be the downfall, or the negative or the cancer of the team,” Moss said. “That’s definitely not my goal to do. If they feel trading me and getting me out is the best thing to do, I’ve been traded once, two won’t hurt.”

Raiders head coach, Art Shell said he’s not concerned by what his players say to the media.

“I don’t worry about all the stuff that’s being said,” he said. “I know the character of the players in this locker room. I know what they’re like and I know what they’re capable of doing and what they’ve done. I don’t worry about that. Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t worry about that.”

The Oakland Raiders will be on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers in NFL Week 5. Can they finally win one? Bet and play WagerTalk’s NFL Football Handicapping Contest today.

Who will win Super Bowl XLI at Miami, Florida? Sports Interaction has the outright odds on that one.

Indianapolis Colts 7.00

Dallas Cowboys 15.00

Seattle Seahawks 11.00

Pittsburgh Steelers 11.00

Hurricanes will look to Prove Something in College Football

The Miami Hurricanes and head coach Larry Coker needed a win in the worst way last weekend in NCAA College Football.

Not only a win, but they also needed an impressive, statement performance. They got the W, but it wasn’t pretty as they beat previously undefeated Houston 14-13 in the Orange Bowl that continued to keep the questions alive surrounding Coker and if his team is still battling as hard as it can be.

On the other hand, the North Carolina Tar Heels haven’t stepped on the field since getting pounded by Clemson 52-7 and must travel to Miami for the second consecutive season.

Both teams are 0-1 in the conference and need a win to stay within shouting distance of the ACC Coastal Division leaders.

Who has the advantage? The Miami Hurricanes may have their problems this NCAA College Football season but Miami is still Miami.

Miami’s run game improved mightily last week due in large part to the insertion of freshman RB Javarris James into the starting lineup. James ran for 148 yards against a better than advertised Houston defense and will face the 114th ranked run defense this weekend.

Although Miami should be able to run the ball well, it’s their ability to stop the run that is the main reason Miami will end up with the W.

Here are some odds from Bodog on who will win the NCAA College Football BCS Championship:

Oklahoma Sooners 6/1

USC Trojans 8/1

Texas Longhorns 8/1