Friday, February 4, 2011
Sports World |
- Vince Lombardi - The Man, The Myth, The Legend
- Super Bowl XLV: The Intangibles
- Bai waiting on easy ground for Haydock trial
- O'Sullivan warned about conduct
| Vince Lombardi - The Man, The Myth, The Legend Posted: 04 Feb 2011 06:45 AM PST In a small bungalow in Green Bay, there once lived a man who has become one of the all-time greats of American football. Born in 1913, Vincent Thomas 'Vince' Lombardi came to Green Bay in 1959 and inherited a Packers team that had recorded only one win in 12 attempts the previous season. By the time he left nine years later, they had won five championships in seven years, and he had firmly established himself as a legend of the game. Even those who bet on the NFL owe him a debt of gratitude for helping make the modern game what it is. It is not just his stats that make Lombardi so memorable, though they are impressive: nominated Coach of the Year in his first season, finishing with 98 wins and only 30 defeats, and posting a 9-1 record in the playoffs. A film of the 1967 Packers, The Greatest Challenge, described Lombardi as a man 'whose iron discipline was the foundation on which they built a fortress'. But he was no iron man, being often moved to tears, as when the film was first screened at his home. During Lombardi's time as a coach, discrimination was prevalent outside the organisation, but for the coach all his players were 'neither black nor white, but Packer green'. Lombardi's players were as devoted to him as he was to the game, and it was his character as much as his success that makes him so popular. Those casting their eye over the NFL betting tips this weekend should remember the impact he had on the game. He leaves quite a legacy. Not just the Vince Lombardi Trophy, for which the Packers and Steelers will compete on Sunday. The quotation 'Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing' is often attributed to Lombardi, although it is unlikely that it originated with him. But a slightly different version sits better with the great man's values: 'Winning isn't everything; the will to win is the only thing'.  |
| Super Bowl XLV: The Intangibles Posted: 04 Feb 2011 06:13 AM PST There are many differences of opinion concerning Super Bowl XLV, but one thing almost everyone can agree on is that it is one of the hardest Super Bowls to call. The two teams are so evenly matched that it could be the littlest things that make a difference. Here, then, are the intangibles, those often overlooked elements that could provide a crucial edge. Pittsburgh like playing scrappy, outdoor games. Green Bay have an explosive offence, as evidenced by 35 straight points at Arizona. A high-scoring game naturally favours the Packers, while in a low-scoring contest the Steelers are thought to be the likely winners. Cowboys Stadium, which is domed with fast turf, might just help the Packers. But Pittsburgh don't like losing Super Bowls. They've only done so once. Several of the current roster have been here before, for the wins in 2005 and 2008. Experience, especially if positive, can only help and people looking to place a Super Bowl bet should remember this. Some people get nervous beforehand; some feel it when the whistle blows. If Green Bay start slowly they could be in trouble. They have not been more than seven points behind all season, but there's a first time for everything. The Packers do however have home advantage and have chosen to wear their home green jerseys, despite white road jerseys bringing success in their playoff games. Home advantage won't show in the crowd though, which will be equally split between Cheeseheads and Terrible Towels: the orange and black of the Steelers against the Packers' green and gold and the Super Bowl betting hints at a pretty even game. It will be close. The Packers are two-and-a-half point favourites and that seems generous. Historically, the Steelers win close games and the Packers lose close games. To prevail in a tight game on Sunday, Green Bay will have to upset the form book.  |
| Bai waiting on easy ground for Haydock trial Posted: 04 Feb 2011 05:37 AM PST Richard Lee's mudlark Le Beau Bai, third in the 2009 Welsh Grand National behind Dream Alliance and a lively outsider for this year's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 9, looks set to tackle Haydock's big three-and-a-half mile handicap chase in mid-February, as long as conditions are testing, writes Elliot Slater. Lee's eight-year-old finished third in the race last year when it was known as the Blue Square Gold Cup. This year, under the banner of the Totesport.com Grand National Trial, hopes are high that Le Beau Bai can go two places better. The Cadoudal gelding was sent off 5/1 favourite for last year's renewal, but after moving into third place on the home turn was unable to go with the leaders and could not improve his position, eventually trailing in 20-lengths behind Scottish raider Silver By Nature. In four outings so far this time Le Beau Bai has run his best races on heavy ground so connections are once again hoping that the ground will be as testing as it can be without being unraceable. If the underfoot conditions are any better than 'soft' then Lee's stayer would be an unlikely runner and anyone keeping an eye on the Grand National odds should remember this. Looking further ahead to the Grand National, Lee confirmed that much the same rules apply. His dream is to encounter conditions similar to those that saw Red Marauder beat Smarty in the mud bath that was the 2001 renewal. Most years the ground is closer to 'good' at Aintree so the chances are that in all probability Lee will end up disappointed and look instead to something like the Midlands Grand National where soft ground is a regular occurrence. Le Beau Bai ranges in price from as short as 40/1 to as big as 80/1 for the Aintree marathon.  |
| O'Sullivan warned about conduct Posted: 04 Feb 2011 02:22 AM PST Barry Hearn, the chairman of World Snooker, has warned Ronnie O'Sullivan about his conduct after he withdrew from the German Masters earlier this week. The Englishman had been scheduled to play Dominic Dale on Thursday but cancelled his participation in the event. It is believed that medical reasons are to blame although he was in top form in the inaugural Snooker Shootout in Blackpool last weekend. O'Sullivan has form when it comes to cancellations – last year he withdrew from the Shanghai Masters, as well as 10 lower-ranking events and anyone who was planning on betting on the snooker star would have been disappointed. This attendance record has contributed to the former world number one falling to tenth place in the rankings and Hearn has had strong words to say about the prodigy. Writing in the Guardian, he said: "I don't care if Ronnie doesn't play but what he can't do is enter and pull out at the last minute, without very good reason. "It's his face on all the posters in Germany; it's a very important tournament for us as we try to develop the European market and an awful lot of people are going to be disappointed he's not there. "This can't go on. Ronnie's very likeable when he wants to be but he should start considering his future in the game and his responsibilities to it." O'Sullivan has always been a fans' favourite and his achievements have made him one of the greatest stars on the snooker circuit. It's fair to say that a tournament without him is a tournament significantly devalued and fans may feel short-changed with his no-show. The incident will add fuel to the fire for The Rocket's critics but he will be hoping to prove everyone wrong later in the year at the World Championship, where he is 9/2 favourite in Ladbrokes Snooker Betting to prevail.  |
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