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….

What’s Wrong With Sports – The Attitude of NASCAR

NASCAR needs to look in the mirror. The intentional wrecking, the pit lane melees, the 20-car crashes…it needs to stop NOW. Somebody is going to get killed.

In Sunday’s race at Phoenix International Raceway, tempers flared on and off of the track. Chase competitors Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon touched late in the race while battling for fifth place. The incident caused Gordon to lose some ground. He retaliated on Bowyer by intentionally putting him into the wall, ruining Bowyer’s chance of being able to race for the Championship next week at Homestead.

The feud on the track led to punches in pit lane. Gordon and Bowyer’s crew broke into an all-out melee after the crash. Bowyer himself sprinted from his car straight to Gordon’s team truck before being stopped by NASCAR personnel.

It needs to end.

NFL 2012 MidSeason Report

The 3SN team hands out the mid-season awards and reviews what's happened so far in the 2012 season. We finish with an update on our Super Bowl predictions. Believe it or not, not much has changed for our picks!

Relationship Issues

Heartbroken in your relationship? So are we...

Week 10 Fantasy Football Advice - WBBW

Get your start/sit/sleeper info for week 10 of the fantasy football season and James joins the Ryan and Christian Show on ESPN Radio 1240 WBBW. Also, we talk a little fantasy hoops as the NBA season gets going!

Week 10 Fantasy Football Start/Sit/Sleeper

A day late in being posted, but we know our fantasy experts will come ready to work! See who we say to start and sit and who are sleepers at each position for week 10!

Quarterback:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	Andrew Luck (at JAC) – He just set the rookie single-game passing record with over 400 yards…now he plays Jacksonville, allowing 255 yards per game (25th) and only have 4 INTs (30th).	Philip Rivers (at TB) – Call me crazy…Yes Tampa Bay allows the most passing yards per game, but they also have allowed an equal number of TDs and INTs this year. So, unless your league is insanely yardage heavy with no penalties for turnovers, stay away from Rivers on the road.	Ryan Fitzpatrick (at NE) – One thing to worry about here is potential for weather…but if it’s even remotely alright, Fitzpatrick is a big sleeper pick against NE’s #28th ranked pass defense. They allow over 2 TDs a game through the air and only have 9 INTs on the year.
The Saint:	Matt Stafford (at MIN) – He didn’t do well the first time against the Vikings, but this is a new Stafford and a new Lions team since their first matchup. Start him.	Mike Vick (vs. DAL) – Dallas ranks fifth in passing yards allowed, and only the 49ers have allowed fewer TDs in the air. Combine that with DeMarcus Ware against a backup offensive line…just sit him okay?	Ryan Fitzpatrick (at NE) – Roll the dice here. BUF will get way behind, like normal, and Fitzpatrick will end up throwing for multiple TDs late to have a productive fantasy day.
Mad Scientist:	Eli Manning (at CIN) – Two bad weeks in a row for Eli and many may start to bench him. Not quite yet, though. He faces the Bengals this week, who rank 20th in passing defense.  He’s well worth the start.	Jay Cutler (vs. HOU) – I can’t trust Cutler. Not against the Houston defense. He hasn’t needed to throw all year…I expect turnovers.	Joe Flacco (vs. OAK) – After giving up 250+ rush yards to a rookie last week, expect Oakland to focus on shutting down Ray Rice. It will be a Flacco show!

Running Back:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	BenJarvus Green-Ellis (vs. NYG) – The G-Men give up 118 yards per game on the ground. This might seem like a stretch pick. But he’s getting his touches. He had 17 carries for 56 yards and a TD against Denver’s stout defense. I expect a nice day for the law firm!	Ryan Mathews (at TB) – Tampa has the #1 ranked rush defense in the league, Mathews has struggled mightily this season, and it’s a west coast team playing a 1:00 game on the east coast. Nothing bodes well for Mathews right now.	Jacquizz Rodgers (at NO) – The Falcons will run the ball against the league’s worst run defense, and Rodgers looks like the much better back in Atlanta. He gets much more looks out of the backfield in the passing game as well, especially in the second half of games.
The Saint:	Stevan Ridley (vs. BUF) – Worst rush defense (14 TDs allowed this year) in a potential blowout.	Steelers RBs (vs. KC) – Just because we cannot trust anybody’s status, don’t start Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, or Jonathan Dwyer at this point.	Rashad Jennings (vs. IND) – Indy’s rush defense isn’t doing well, and with MJD still out, this is Jennings’ chance to shine on the big stage of TNF.
Mad Scientist:	Willis McGahee (at CAR) – Carolina’s rush defense hasn’t allowed many TDs, but they give up yardage big time. Expect Peyton to audible to McGahee on many occasions.	Fred Jackson (at NE) – Spiller can get you enough catches for a flex position, but Jackson splitting time just is not good enough.	Rashad Jennings (vs. IND) – Hope he gets the touches he deserves. This game will be closer than some anticipate.

Wide Receiver:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	Emmanuel Sanders (vs. KC) – Antonio Brown out, enter Sanders to take over the short pass game and the punt return game. The KC secondary, which has allowed the third-most TDs in the league this year, will have to focus on Miller and Wallace, allowing Sanders to finally get his chance to shine!	Dwayne Bowe (at PIT) – Remind me why I draft Bowe each year? Playing PIT this week…great….	Ryan Broyles (at MIN) – Over the past three weeks, Broyles has 12 catches for 140 yards and 2 TDs. With Titus Young going off, defenses will be keying on him, leaving Broyles in the slot getting more open looks. Depending on matchups, I say start him even against MIN.
The Saint:	Mike Wallace (vs. KC) – Wallace will get added touches with Antonio Brown out. He may return punts, too.	Denarius Moore (at BAL) – Being on the road makes this a bit tougher. The Ravens defense is not that great, but they play well at home. And don’t forget this is the Raiders traveling east.	Brandon Lloyd (vs. BUF) – He’s back. Don’t forget about him. He’s getting red zone looks finally, and is fantasy worthy yet again.
Mad Scientist:	Julio Jones (vs. NO) – It’s rough having the difficulty of Jones/White each week. Both went over 100 yards last week, and I hope it continues.	Jeremy Maclin (at DAL) – Maclin goes as Vick goes…and right now they both are going to the fantasy bench.	Malcom Floyd (vs. TB) – Worst pass defense. He should find some openings this week against the Bucs.

Tight End:

	Start ‘em	Sit ‘em	Sleeper Pick
Value Man:	Jason Witten (at PHI) – Is this an obvious enough pick after his 18-catch performance two weeks ago? Jason Witten is back in the swing of things. Expect double-digit targets each and every week going forward. And the Saints and Jimmy Graham just ate up the PHI defense.	Vernon Davis (vs. STL) – In his last three games, Davis has just 5 receptions for 71 yards. I can’t trust that, especially when STL allows just 63 yards to opposing TEs this year. More of an issue though is how SF is running their offense right now, and it is using Davis more as a decoy than a receiver.	Brandon Myers (at BAL) – He has been consistent in targets, receptions, and yards. Last week I told you to get him and he got his first two career TDs. Will you listen again this week with him playing against the 22nd ranked pass defense?
The Saint:	Heath Miller (vs. KC) – Consistent 5-6 catch games. Don’t stray from Miller.	Kyle Rudolph (vs. DET) – The entire Vikings offense underperformed the first time they played the Lions.	Vernon Davis (vs. STL) – He’s about to bounce back after three straight terrible games.
Mad Scientist:	Vernon Davis (vs. STL) – Ignore prior stats. He’s tired of hearing about the negativity. He will show this week why you should not only hang on to him, but also start him regularly.	Dennis Pitta (vs. OAK) – It sure looks like Flacco has forgotten about him. Oakland does well against TEs as well.	Greg Olsen (vs. DEN) – Always under the radar and a favorite target of Cam Newton.

What's Wrong With Youth Sports

Youth sports are quickly multiplying across the country.  Leagues are being formed at much younger ages for all sports. I’ve seen football leagues (full contact) beginning at the 5-6 age level. Soccer leagues are going down to 3 or 4 years old.

Enough is enough.

7 and 8 year old tee-ball teams from a district are being selected with one “stacked” team and a couple other teams with the kids who aren’t as interested in the sport or just aren’t as athletic for their age.

Enough is enough.

I’ve also seen sports growing in other ways in older sects. Many more travel teams, AAU teams, and all-star teams are being formed in the junior high to high school level. Some kids end up not playing for their respective high school teams and instead participating in travel leagues with other kids they don’t even know.

Enough is enough.

3SN Live - Football Debates

We're back! Like Obama, we're back for more, though nobody is shouting "four more years" for us! And don't worry, we won't talk politics. Half way through the NFL season, we'll debate what's happened so far and what to expect the rest of the season. We'll also talk about the Pitt/Notre Dame controversy and break down the BCS chaos that is expected to hit college football. And of course some fantasy football as well! Remember to tweet us @3SNetwork, comment on this page, message us on facebook, or chat with us through Ustream to be a part of the show!

LIVE AT 7:00 PM EASTERN!

Rules of the Game - College Football Jersey Numbers

This past weekend, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh battled in an instant classic that took three extra periods to decide a winner. The Irish kept their perfect season alive with a 29-26 victory, while Pitt’s upset special fell just short…or more accurately, it fell wide right.

In the second OT, Pitt had the opportunity to kick a field goal that would have won them the game. However, kicker Kevin Harper pushed the 33 yard attempt wide right. His miss extended the game to the third OT where Notre Dame QB Everett Goulson ran in the game-winning TD.

That third OT probably never should have happened.

Notre Dame should have been assessed a personal foul penalty on Pitt’s missed field goal. The penalty would have resulted in an automatic first down for the Panthers at the 8 yard line, essentially guaranteeing victory for Pitt.

But why should the Irish have been assessed a personal foul penalty? They didn’t rough the kicker, didn’t rough the holder, didn’t rough the snapper, and didn’t grab a facemask.  They honestly did nothing wrong.

Notre Dame should have been flagged for having two players wearing the same jersey number at the same time.

It's obvious that two players both wearing #2 were on the
field for the defense on this critical play. The question is,
how much did that even impact the result of the play?

Didn’t notice? Look again. Two players (Chris Brown and Bennett Jackson) both wearing #2 are on the field for the big field goal attempt. This should have been flagged, giving Pitt another chance at game-winning points in the second OT.

Now tell me this…WHY IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE!?!? As in, why do college teams even allow for this possibility to occur?