Enough is Enough

We've about had enough with happenings in the NFL. From Ndamukong Suh kicking a player in the groin to players asking from each other for autographs, from the definition of an elite QB to fans thinking they can control their teams by petitioning the President...it just needs to stop. Enough is enough.

BCS - What to Watch for?

It’s Championship Weekend in college football! That means only one thing: Let the Bowl Controversy Starters (BCS) begin! In our latest version of “Rules of the Game” we break down the Bowl Championship Series, including how the teams are ranked and how the ten teams are chosen for the BCS bowl games. Then, we’ll look at the teams still in contention for a BCS bowl and make sure you know what to look for this weekend!

Fantasy Football - Week 13 Start/Sit/Sleeper

Time for your fantasy football start/sit/sleeper picks for week 13! This is likely your last week before the fantasy football playoffs, or maybe the first week of your playoffs! So let's get you that all important W! Be sure to send us your individual start/sit questions by commenting on this post, by emailing us, or by tweeting us @3SNetwork.

3SN Live - Changes

Dotson and Dellav are LIVE at the Crane Room in New Castle at 6:00 EST tonight! The theme of tonight's show: Changes. Changes at QB, changes in conferences, changes in the BCS teams, and changes to your fantasy team as the playoffs approach! Tweet in to the show @3SNetwork to have your comments heard and your questions answered!

Onward to Victory!

Unbelievable! Something I never thought I would see.

I was three years old the last time Notre Dame was ranked #1 in the AP poll (back in 1993). I wasn’t even born the last time the Rally Sons won a National Championship. Yet all I have heard about my entire life is the glory of Notre Dame and how great they used to be.  

Yet for my entire life, when Notre Dame fans would sing of her, it would be of the glory days and certainly not in the 21st century.  Yet everybody would get to see the Irish week in and week out due to their contract with NBC, and of course everybody would sound off about how much of a joke they are or how they don’t deserve to make a BCS bowl. Like in any sport, unless you were a part of the group (in this case, a son of Notre Dame our Mother), then you forget about “her fame” of the past and see only the “now” in front of you.

Pitt Script - New Uniform Design

360 Sports Network's Panther Chronicler Alex Dellaverson had the pleasure of speaking with Bryan Brunsell, an avid supporter of University of Pittsburgh athletics and one of the major influence in the "Bring Back the Script" campaign with Pitt athletics. Check out his Facebook and Twitter pages for more information about the Script Pitt campaign. In a Q&A from Panther to Panther, Bryan explains his campaign and why Pitt should return to their former colors. Bryan is a true image of the 360 concept - a passionate and dedicated sports fan who has something important to say - and we are proud to let his voice be heard!  

What is the Point of Instant Replay?

The Lions had many chances to win today. They missed an OT field goal, fumbled in OT in field goal range, and got sacked in the 4th quarter twice knocking them out of field goal range.

But they shouldn't have even needed it to begin with in their 34-31 OT loss today to the Texans. The loss knocks the Lions out of playoff contention, and it was largely impacted by a new rule that doesn't make sense.

When instant replay was first instituted into the NFL in 1999, everybody was excited. Calls that were missed on the field were finally able to be looked at a second time and be corrected.

However, it's becoming way too frequent where the instant replay system DOES NOT WORK!

For the NFL, the worst of these occurrences came on arguably the most-watched non-playoff game of the year: Detroit Lions Thanksgiving.

Houston running back Justin Forsett runs for about a six yard gain, gets tackled, but pops back up and runs 75 more yards for a touchdown. The refs did the right thing in not blowing the whistle. All scoring plays are automatically reviewed, meaning they would go to the monitor and see that his elbow and knee had hit the ground, so they would correct the call on the field. However, Lions coach Jim Schwartz threw the challenge flag, which is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the team. Further, because of the inappropriate flag throwing, the Lions cannot be the beneficiaries of any subsequent review. The result: an 81-yard touchdown run (Texans franchise record) that is a fraud.

So let's further break down not only this rule regarding the challenge flag on a non-reviewable play, but also the NFL instant replay system in general.

Week 12 Fantasy Football - Start/Sit/Sleeper

Don't forget to send us your individual start/sit questions! We'll answer them all!

Quarterback:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	Tony Romo (vs. WAS) – He needs to show America that he can be called an “elite” quarterback. Facing the Redskins porous pass defense on Turkey Day sounds like just the way to make that happen!	Philip Rivers (vs. BAL) – The Ravens have such deceptive numbers. They give up the 8th most passing yards per game, but nobody has given up fewer TDs through the air. That, and I never trust Rivers.	Colin Kaepernick (at NO) – He played extraordinarily well against the league’s best defense. Not only that, he did not turn the ball over against the team averaging 3 takeaways per game. Now he goes to NO and is to start. If he is starting, he’s well worth a look!
The Saint:	Robert Griffin III (at DAL) – He’s coming off of a big week, and though the Dallas pass defense is at the top of the NFL, their LBs can’t keep up with the scrambling RGIII.	Philip Rivers (vs. BAL) – So unimpressive. It never seems to stop does it. And facing the Ravens…	Andrew Luck (vs. BUF) – We keep forgetting about Andrew Luck and I don’t know why. Facing a Buffalo defense allowing 2 TDs per game, tied for 7th most in the league.
Mad Scientist:	Andy Dalton (vs. OAK) – Dalton is getting the TDs week in and week out against all quality of defenses.	Matt Schaub (at DET) – Playing at Detroit on Thanksgiving is never easy, especially when the Lions have a top 10 pass defense!	Chad Henne (vs. TEN) – 30 points as a backup against a VERY GOOD Texans defense last week, and now he plays one of the league’s worst pass defenses.

Running Back:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	Ronnie Hillman (at KC) – Other than Willis McGahee, Hillman is the only Bronco to have double-digit carries in a week. He’ll get the start against the KC defense allowing the 6th most points to opposing RBs.	Michael Turner (at TB) – He’s done. He had a 1.1 yards/carry average against the lowly Saints. His only value comes in goal line carries, where he got a score last week luckily for owners. There are many better, more consistent options out there. Unless your league is TD heavy, it’s safer to keep him on your bench.	Jacquizz Rodgers (at TB) – PPR monster, he’s going to continue to get increased touches. Especially facing the league’s worst pass defense, he could get 6 to 8 receptions this week. He won’t get goal line carries, though, and that’s a shame.
The Saint:	Marshawn Lynch (at MIA) – He’s much worse on the road, but I see him having a standard day for him. He’s a must-start.	Adrian Peterson (at CHI) – Chicago needs to have a HUGE bounce-back game after getting embarrassed by the 49ers last week. That doesn’t bode well for A.P.	Stevan Ridley (at NYJ) – Tough to call him a sleeper but think about it, he has such up-and-down performances that he’s usually a flex play at best and we forget about him. They’ll need to establish the run early against the Jets.
Mad Scientist:	Doug Martin (vs. ATL) – Atlanta gives up over 130 rushing yards per game, and the Bucs sure are making it a point to pound Martin the ball.	Mikel Leshoure (vs. HOU) – Jacksonville did well against Houston last week, but it was in the passing game, not the rush. Jalen Parmele had 24 carries for 80 yards, Chad Henne had 500 yards passing. If you’re playing Lions on Turkey Day, do it with the passing game.	Marcel Reece (at CIN) – The Bengals give up the 22nd most points to opposing RBs. Reece had 103 yards rushing and another 90 receiving last week as the starter. Those numbers will continue.

Wide Receiver:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	Dez Bryant (vs. WAS) – He’s back. He’s coming off of a 120 yard performance with a TD, and now faces some of the league’s most underperforming corners.	Mike Wallace (at CLE)– I don’t trust the backup QB to get Wallace the ball enough, especially in a run-first, low-scoring game.	Denario Alexander (vs.  BAL) – He has averaged 6 catches for 115 yards and 1.5 TDs over the past two weeks. He might not get the TD against the Ravens, but the yards will certainly be available. Julian Edelman (at NYJ) – Especially if you get special teams points, you MUST play him. He ran for 47 yards, caught 6 passes for 58 yards, returned a 64 yard punt for a TD, and had nearly 100 yards in kick return yards. Of all of those stats, though, the best one of all: he was on the field for 52 of New England’s 61 snaps last week. Wow.
The Saint:	Stevie Johnson (at IND) – He’s consistent, but consistently slacking. He’s getting 6-8 catches each week, though, and is a TD away from having a great game each week.	Wes Welker (at NYJ) – The Jets will take Welker out of the game, especially with Hernandez banged up and Gronkowski out. He’s losing time on the field, too, to a better athlete: Julian Edelman.	Vincent Jackson (vs.  ATL) – The Bucs are looking good right now and will need to throw early and often to stay ahead of the Falcons. Atlanta’s pass defense is decent, but Jackson is a flex play for sure with the way Freeman is throwing the ball.
Mad Scientist:	Michael Crabtree (at NO) – Colin Kaepernick threw it all around, including to Crabtree. Now facing the Saints poor secondary, Crabtree is a good WR2 pick this week.	DeSean Jackson (vs. CAR) – No Philly WR is worth playing at this stage.	Cecil Shorts, Justin Blackmon (vs. TEN) – Tennessee is a bottom five passing defense, and both Shorts and Blackmon had huge days with Henne throwing the ball last week.

Tight End:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	Vernon Davis (at NO) – He nearly single-handedly caused me a loss last year against the league’s best defense. Now he’s facing the Saints terrible defense…do you remember what he did against NO in the playoffs last year?	Kyle Rudolph (vs. CHI) – You could think about Rudolph after what Vernon Davis did to CHI last week. However, remember that Rudolph is NOT Davis. Don’t fall into this trap.	Jermaine Gresham (vs. OAK) – Oakland is ranked 25th against opposing TEs and Gresham is becoming a favorite red zone target of the Red Rifle.
The Saint:	Jermaine Gresham (vs. OAK) – Oakland can’t stop the TE and Dalton is heating up.	Aaron Hernandez (at NYJ) – Banged up with no Gronkowski means the Jets can focus on him and shut him down quite easily.	Brandon Pettigrew (vs. HOU) – Consistent targets, needs to make the catches. At least four passes last week to Pettigrew were thrown behind him. Those completions and he’d have 100 yards.
Mad Scientist:	Brandon Myers (at CIN) – Regular starter now without any question. He’s getting the targets, more than any other TE in the NFL.	Heath Miller (at CLE) – Not a good matchup against Cleveland, and there’s a terrible QB situation right now.	Garrett Graham (at DET) – Second TE on Houston, he had 8 receptions for 88 yards and 2 TDs last week. They’re liking the two-TE set in Houston, so keep an eye on Graham and consider starting him if your TE position has had trouble lately.

Turkey Day Fantasy Football Advice - WBBW

James joins the Ryan & Christian Show on ESPN Radio 1240 WBBW for the weekly fantasy football (and basketball for Ryan of course!) discussions! Get your Turkey Day lineups ready with the 360 Sports Network!

3SN Live - Turkey Day Edition

Dotson and Dellav are LIVE for a special Thanksgiving Eve edition of 3SN Live at the Crane Room. There is LOTS to discuss this week...Notre Dame #1, Steelers injuries, Jack Taylor scoring 138 points, 49ers QB controversy, the B1G gaining two members, and of course fantasy football. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some pre-Thanksgiving sports talk!

He Said / He Said - The State of the Big Ten

With Maryland and Rutgers leaving their respective conferences to join the Big Ten Conference, the entire country ends up shaken. What conferences win from this move? What do we expect in the future? Much is unsure, and that's why we debate. In our latest version of "He Said / He Said" our collegiate sports experts Dellav and Dotson debate the future of the Big Ten with the latest conference realignment in college sports.

He Said / He Said - The State of the ACC

With Maryland and Rutgers leaving their respective conferences to join the Big Ten Conference, the entire country ends up shaken. What conferences win from this move? What do we expect in the future? Much is unsure, and that's why we debate. In our latest version of "He Said / He Said" our collegiate sports experts Dellav and Dotson debate the future of the ACC with the latest conference realignment in college sports.

Week 11 Start/Sit Advice - WBBW

Injuries are the tale of the tape this week. What should you do with your team this week? James joins ESPN 1240 WBBW on the Ryan and Christian Show to answer all of your fantasy football questions. Hear what start/sit advice we have for you this week! And keep sending us your start/sit and add/drop questions! We answer them all!

3SN Live - Nov. 14, 2012

3SN LIVE tonight at 7:00 EST from the Crane Room in New Castle, PA. Lots to discuss tonight...BCS, Miami Marlins, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, and of course fantasy football. Also a shout out to the Neshannock Lancers football team facing the Clairton Bears (lead country with 58-game win streak) in the WPIAL semifinals on Friday!

Rules of the Game - NFL Overtime

The NFL overtime rules changed this year. However, a rule that’s been in place for decades is causing confusion for players.

For only the fifth time since 1990, an NFL game has ended in a tie. In 2008 when his Eagles tied with the Cincinnati Bengals, Donovan McNabb became sort of the enigma of the NFL when he came out saying he didn’t know you could tie in the NFL.

He’s not alone. When the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams tied on Sunday, players on both sides of the field were confused. Rams WR Danny Amendola was preparing for a second OT when the referee announced the game was over. 49ers S Dashon Gouldson was admittedly confused when he saw players going to the middle of the field to shake hands, wondering where everybody was going.

Maybe it is time for players to be fully aware of the rules in the NFL? As for the casual fan, here are the current overtime rules for the National Football League and how we feel about them.

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Prior to this year, the NFL ran overtime like a “sudden death 5th quarter” where the ball is kicked off like the start of a new game and the first team to score would win. That no longer is the case.

Now, both teams have a chance to possess the ball, kind of…

Upon winning the coin toss to start OT, a team may select to kick, receive, or defend a certain end of the field. It used to be that everybody would receive because if you score you win. That’s not necessarily the case anymore, and maybe some strategy can come into play now.

If the team who possesses the ball first in OT scores a touchdown, the game is over right there. If the team scores a field goal on their first possession, the defending team has the chance to match the score with a field goal of their own, or even to win the game by scoring a touchdown. If the score is still tied after both teams possess the ball once, the game advances into sudden death. If the tie is not broken before the 15:00 period ends, then the game ends in a tie.

Now, as for our analysis of the overtime rules: it’s the worst OT system in sports. The system improved with the addition of the possibility of both teams possessing the ball. We much prefer the college and high school football system where both teams are given the ball in scoring position (25-yard line in college, 10-yard line in high school) and they continue playing until the tie is broken. In the NFL, at least special teams are still a factor in terms of kickoffs and punts. But the system is still flawed in my mind.

And the biggest reason it is flawed is the possibility of a tie. There is no possibility of a tie in high school football, no possibility in college football, so why is there the potential of one in the NFL? I’d much prefer forgetting special teams and instead have both teams possess the ball at the 50 yard line. Either that or just run it like a standard 15 minute quarter and whoever leads after that time is the winner. If that second scenario is adopted, then ties SHOULD be implemented. I think the current system is better than last year’s, but it still has a long way to go.

 …especially when the players don’t know the rules….