Joseph D'Amico
Bryan Leonard
Owner of Bryan Leonard Sports for the last 28 years.
Vernon Croy
Vernon Croy is one of the most reputable sports Handicappers in the World and he has been very consistent at making his Clients money throughout his prestigious career in all Major and Minor sports.
Tony Karpinski
TonyK (3G-Sports) has won several handicapping contests especially in football, as he finished in the top 10 in the renowned NFL Las Vegas Hilton $500,000.
Rob Vinciletti
Rob Vinciletti is the Founder of Golden Contender sports,he is a sports wagering broker, known and respected nationwide for his no nonsense approach and work ethic.
Conditioning is key in NFL lockout by The Sports Network
Watching Kimble crank out numerous bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds at ease in the PSU weight room could make the casual weightlifter just want to go home, sit on the couch and eat potato chips watching re-runs of “Cheap Seats” on ESPN Classic.
It was that strict routine which enabled Kimble to do one-armed push-ups after the Nittany Lions scored a touchdown, along with a myriad of flips and twists that could make Mary Lou Retton blush. Kimble understood clearly what it took to represent the university during his time as the Nittany Lions’ mascot, and his dedication to keeping both his mind and body in remarkable shape translates to what a few NFL players currently are up to during the labor dispute.
Football could take a back seat for some NFL players in 2011 because of the current work situation. With players locked out from training facilities and having no contact with coaches or front-office personnel, some have taken it upon themselves to avoid falling into a few traps of television viewing, jet-ski riding or simply gaining weight.
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez recently held a passing camp in Southern California in which he catered lunch every day. Sanchez didn’t have to hold such a posh camp that included handing out copies of playbooks, ice baths and prize giveaways, but the Jets know they are right on the cusp of bringing home a Super Bowl title and the former USC stud didn’t want to miss a beat.
Sanchez had a few of his weapons on hand, including running back LaDainian Tomlinson and wide receiver Braylon Edwards, during the events, which the quarterback said helped build even stronger rapport and relationships with his teammates. With no agreement between the league and the players union yet in sight, Sanchez is doing the right thing at the most opportune time to stay on point.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and feel-good story Michael Vick has been unloading passes to teammates such as Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and Jason Avant in order to keep his mind on football. The lefty signal-caller, who has signed his one-year tender with the Eagles after being designated the club’s franchise player prior to the lockout, is entering his first preseason as Philadelphia’s clear-cut starting quarterback and wants to be sharp for this “upcoming” season.
“Being on the same page [with receivers], [getting] timing, which is very important,” said Vick about the benefits of the informal workouts. “I think everybody has to be on one accord, all thinking the same. Practice and film study are important, but just familiarizing ourselves with each other, that’s going to be big for us.”
It’s big for any athlete — whether in the NFL or even a college mascot — to maintain focus for an upcoming campaign because as previously stated, going home and eating bags of potato chips is not conducive to staying on top of the job. If I went home every night and never tuned into what’s going on in the sports world, I wouldn’t last very long at my job. Just ask JaMarcus Russell about what it takes to keep a sharp mind and physique in order to impress your boss and teammates.
On second thought, don’t do that.
“It takes years of training to get into perfect condition for any sport and as little as weeks to fall out of it,” Kimble, who spent time around such future NFL players as LaVar Arrington, Brandon Short and Larry Johnson while at Penn State, told The Sports Network via text message. “This [lockout] is the kind of situation that can definitely derail many athletes who have taken years to mentally and physically tweak up a perfect game.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, whom like Russell was a No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, is already turning heads with his desire to learn as much as possible before his rookie campaign eventually gets underway. Though it has to be tough on the athletes who were just drafted and don’t have any semblance in what to do while the NFL continues to battle it out through the judicial system, that hasn’t been the case for the chiseled former Auburn star, Heisman Trophy winner and BCS champion. During the Panthers’ workout gatherings, Newton has been garnering attention from around the league and his teammates for his work ethic and yearning to soak up as much information as possible.
Panthers linebacker Jon Beason shared his thoughts on his team’s new quarterback.
“He showed up every day early. He’s working hard,” Beason said. “He’s interacted well and he’s shown some great leadership.”
Being forced to learn the playbook without the aid of coaches, Newton understands he’s not in Kansas anymore, so to speak. He mentioned how he’s no longer competing against college freshmen, but bigger, faster and stronger grown men. Several top-tier college players have fizzled out when it’s been their chance to shine on the professional level because they weren’t able to make the adjustment.
It must also be pointed out that Newton and the rest of the rookies are presently without contracts or signing bonuses, since the lockout has put a freeze on player negotiations, which makes their participation even more of a reflection of their work ethic.
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker mentioned last week that learning as much as you can and picking the brains of the veterans is vital to keeping your dream job. Like many of his cohorts, he’s been trying to maintain his strength and absorb as much information as possible in the absence of minicamps, formal workouts or practice sessions under the supervision of coaches.
Locker would have already been through a rookie minicamp and several weeks of supervised workouts with coaches had it not been for the current labor disagreement.
One thing athletes like Kimble, Vick and Newton can agree on is that staying ahead of curve can only benefit down the road. Whether the doors ultimately open for another NFL season, however, is a different story.
Visit www.aasiwins.com for all your FREE NFL winners, news, articles, and updates.
