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Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Championship Betting Review - 13 February 2006

Reading stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to 12 points with a professional victory over struggling Southampton on Friday evening.

The bookmakers were taking no chances and the Royals were a best-priced 4/9 to win their third match in a row and first half goals from Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle justified that decision. The Saints are now winless in six matches and could find themselves dragged into a relegation battle.

Sheffield United dropped more points with a goalless draw at Plymouth Argyle. Following their 4-1 drubbing at Brammall Lane by Watford in midweek, the Blades were 6/5 to win at Home Park but failed to break down the resolute Pilgrims.

Free scoring Watford hit four goals for the third match running with a crushing victory over Coventry City. Punters will have ploughed into the 5/6 available and the Hornets did not disappoint with goals from Ashley Young, Marlon Kings, Darius Henderson and Jay DeMerit.

Derby's caretaker manager Terry Westley oversaw his second successive goalless draw at the expense of Leeds United. With just two wins in their last five matches Leeds are seeing their chances of automatic promotion fade.

Preston North End extended their unbeaten run to 24 matches with a thumping 5-1 win against floundering Luton Town. Billy Davies side were 8/11 before kick off and found themselves 2-0 up through Lewis Neal and David Nugent. An own goal from Tyrone Mears halved Prestons lead on 82 minutes but he scored at the right end two minutes later. A stoppage time goal from Claude Davis and a penalty from Chris Sedgewick completed the rout.

Cardiff City boosted their play-off hopes with a convincing victory over Stoke City. A rocket from Kevin Cooper gave the 4/5 Bluebirds the lead after 18 minutes and further goals from veteran defender Neil Cox sealed the points.

Gary Waddock celebrated his first match in charge as QPR caretaker manager with a 1-0 win against struggling Millwall. Marc Nygaards goal after 56 minutes secured a 20/21 win but Millwall are now seven points from safety.

Leicester City recorded their third win under caretaker boss Rob Kelly as they edged away further from the relegation zone at the expense of third-from-bottom Brighton & Hove Albion. The Foxes, 9/5 before kick off, found themselves 2-0 ahead through Patrick McCarthy and Iain Hume before midfielder Alexandre Frutos pulled a goal back for Brighton.

Dry Yoga Mat

Is Troy Aikman a Hall of Famer?

For the first time since 2001, a full compliment of six players was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'm 45 and was able to see and remember each during his career. In my opinion, four selections are solid (Reggie White, Warren Moon, John Madden, Rayfield Wright), one leaves me ambivalent (Harry Carson), and then there's troy Aikman.

Reggie White was the most dominant defensive lineman of his era and retired with most sacks (198) in NFL history at the time. The "Minister of Defense" started in the USFL but in his 15 year NFL career went to 13 Pro Bowls. No Brainer.

Madden and Wright were senior-committee selections and both have merit. Madden has the highest winning percentage (.759) of ANY coach with 100 wins and won a Super Bowl, probably long overdue. Rayfield Wright was considered the "linchpin" of the offensive line for the great Cowboy teams of the 70's - no problem there.

Warren Moon's NFL numbers are staggering. His CFL/NFL numbers are mindboggling! In 23 years of organized football, Warren Moon threw for 72,184 yards and 457 touchdowns, 51.061 and 313 in the NFL. By comparison, Dan Marino finished with 61,361 and 420. The hall didn't hold Moon's vagabond final years and lack of Super Bowl ring against him.

Harry Carson in my eyes was one of the parts of the sum in that great "Wrecking Crew" defense of the Giants Parcell's Giant era. Lawrence Taylor deservedly got all the pub but lets not forget that Brian Kelly and Brad van Pelt were both excellent linebackers and Jim Burt and Leonard Marshall vastly underrated defensive linemen. Nitschke, Butkus, Lambert, Carson ???

troy Aikman's career stats: 61.5%, 32,942 yards, 165 TDs, 145 Ints, QB rating of 81.6

There have been six other quarterbacks inducted into the Hall of Fame since 2000 (Montana, Kelly, Elway. Marino, Young, and Moon), and everyone's number other than Steve Young's dwarf troy Aikman's. So lets start with Steve Young.

Steve Young is another I would consider good but not great yet compared to Aikman, Young is first ballot. Despite spending half his career in the USFL, Tampa bay, hurt, or sitting behind Montana, Young still threw for slight more yardage and 67 more touchdowns than Aikman. Young could also hurt you with his legs rushing for 4238 yards at 5.9 yards per carry with an additional 33 touchdowns.

Of the seven, Aikman's completion percentage is lower than all but Kelly (60.1%) and Moon (NFL number 58.4%). Aikman's 165 touchdowns pales in comparison to everyone else's 237+. The others all threw for 40,000 plus yards and only Moon (80.1) and Elway (79.9) had lower quarterback ratings.

Call me old school but I think the Hall of Fame should be reserved for the truly greats of the game. I realize that HOF criteria is not strictly numbers based and involves many intangibles including leadership and winning but troy Aikman was clearly not great. This is an argument generally reserved for baseball but applicable here.

Let's look at some players that are coming up soon, just retired or will retire soon. Most I consider good but not great. Perhaps the closest analogy to Aikman is Scotty Pippin, decent numbers, 6 championships, Does he deserve to get in ??? In my eyes - No/Maybe. Regardless of situation, ANWHERE, Scotty Pippin was good 17/9 player that played excellent defense. He's a slam dunk to go but if on fringe, the defense would send him through.

Jerome Bettis. The Bus. He's top 10 rushing all-time but if Steeler's hadn't won, where's Jerome. Does he deserve to go? A marginal yes, Will he get in? Maybe down the line during a thin year. Could anybody in good conscience mention his name in the same breath as Earl Campbell. I don't think so.

Baseball is the most fun. In an age of Roids and Juiced balls, how about these guys, Juan Gonzalez (420+ HR's), Jeff Bagwell (430+ HR's), Tom Glavine (260 wins), Frank Thomas (420+ HR's). Cobb, Ruth, DiMaggio, Aaron, Bagwell. Rolls right off your tongue doesn't it

A lot of great players get dogged about their careers for not winning a championship, Ted Williams, Dan Marino, Maravich, Barkley, and Karl Malone. Some get dogged for not winning enough, Wilt Chamberlain. There are lots of good players considered great because they won and in this instance, troy Aikman can step to the head of the class.

Pilates Exercise Yoga And Pilates

Epic T60 Treadmill a Commercial Grade Treadmill

Epic T60 treadmill is a treadmill brand manufactured by Icon Health and Fitness, Inc. Icon basically brought the Epic brand back to life for a few retail chains, the most recognized being Costco. The Epic T60 treadmill is made exclusively for Costco, the discount retailer. Epic T60 treadmill has useful and desirable features for the home gym and for general fitness training.

The Epic T60 treadmill is a popular treadmill and is priced right. However, since the pricing is under $1,000, it won't have quite the ruggedness or solid built construction like some other treadmills on the market, most notably the Smooth treadmill Icon Health and Fitness, Inc. uses Epic brand name on exclusive models of treadmills and markets products like Epic T60 treadmills specifically for large retailers like Costco.

Epic T60 treadmill is a strong machine available at lean price. The Epic T60 treadmill incorporates the best of Icons designs. It is designed for use in the home gym.

Epic T60 treadmill features an adjustable cushioned platform with a large surface and is capable of supporting weights up to 350 pounds. Equipped with a strong motor and power incline, the Epic T60 treadmill is suitable for both light and intense weight loss and fitness regimens, as well as general sports training.

Additionally, feedback and readout displays on the Epic T60 treadmill keeps track of time, distance, calories burned, speed, and pulse measured through the pulse sensor grips. Heart rate is measured and displayed using an optional chest pulse sensor.

The Epic T60 treadmill offers pre-programmed and customizable workout programs and iFit.com, the interactive workout technology found on most Icon exercise equipment. With the optional chest sensor, iFit will control the speed and incline of the treadmill in response to individuals heart rate providing a workout under the guidance of trainers online or on CD. Users home stereo, computer, portable device and VCR can all be connected to the Epic T60 treadmill to keep users entertained while training.

The Epic T60 treadmill can be folder away after use. The warranty period of this treadmill is good. The motor carries a 12 year warranty, frame has a warranty of 15 years and parts & labor carry one year warranty.

The Epic T60 treadmill offers a 3HP commercial grade continuous duty motor, walking deck up to 20 x 60, PWM controller, 2-ply commercial belt, adjustable cushion deck, 2 cm MDF with 2-sided phenolic coating, 6.3 cms rollers (front & rear), incline up to 12%, six LED window displays, digital controls, feedback displays to speed, time, distance, incline, calories, pulse, 10 preset programs, 2 pulse programs, 2 use defined programs and 350 lbs user weight capacity.

A couple of concern for the Epic T60 treadmill could be the keypad which seems to give some Icon models trouble. The deck coating in this Epic treadmill model is considered to be thin. Epic T60 treadmill uses the cheaper rollers. Users while buying an Epic T60 treadmill should get an extended warranty from Universal technical Services (UTS).

Epic T60 treadmill is a commercial grade treadmill offering range of features so as to achieve the performance and workout needs of users. Users can achieve their body results and fitness by exercising on the Epic T60 treadmill.

Swache Yoga Mat

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