NFL Season Preview: Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are trying desperately to find something to bring success to Cleveland. They were only able to win 4 games last year and changes need to be made. Unfortunately the addition of Jake Delhomme may have been more desperate than productive.

Delhomme was once a solid quarterback for the Panthers. He was never seen as a guy that would carry the squad through the season, but he was good enough to win games if the right pieces were around him. He was not able to continue on in the pattern in the recent past in Carolina. The Browns signed him in hopes that he would bring some veteran leadership to Cleveland, but his signing might have been a bit of a stretch.

The Running game will be led by Jerome Harrison out of Washington State. Harrison has been in the league for several years now, but previous to last season he had only compiled a little more than 400 rushing yards in his career. He did manage to rush for almost 900 yards last year, but he is far from a franchise back at this point.

The Browns will probably be looking to use this year as a rebuilding year rather than a season to make a run at the playoffs. They simply do not have the talent necessary to compete in a division with so many strong teams.

The 2010 season will probably result in another draft pick in the first several picks of the NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns.

Casinos: Reno Casino Files for bankruptcy

These are harsh economic times indeed and it would seem that the gambling industry and online casino are also suffering the downturns.

This week, the Siena casino in Reno has declared bankruptcy because of tax evasion issues and a lack of funds. The Nevada gambling commission wanted to suspend the casino’s gambling license but since it filed for bankruptcy and now has bankruptcy protection it is still able to operate but its operations are now heavily regulated. The casino owes $153,000 in taxes and has until the first Thursday in July to make good on these taxes.

Since the casino has filed for bankruptcy they are now under federal jurisdiction. The casino faces many more problems other than just the $153,000 owed in gambling taxes. They also owe $140,000 in taxes for their 215 room hotel and they could lose their housing license if they are unable to pay it off by the end of the year. They have also been forced to lay off 35 workers.

They also owe the NV electric company a ton of money totaling $400,000. They have setup a payment plan with them that requires payments of $50,000 every two weeks. All this unpaid debt is turning out to be a huge liability to the casino. The owner has expressed his wishes in hoping that the casino can survive under these rough times.

NFL minicamps: Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers held a minicamp for the whole team from April 30 to May 2. The minicamp was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Instead of the camp being seen as a battle for depth chart positioning, it was seen as more of an opportunity for rookies mingle with the vets and get acquainted with NFL football.

Cornerback Richard Marshall was absent from the minicamp. The free agent received an offer that he felt was less than he was worth. He did not sign the offer sheet, and thus was not obligated to attend the practice.

The Panthers did have some positive news regarding their secondary as a result of the minicamp. Sixth round selection Jordan Pugh was a pleasant surprise for the Panthers. The ball-hawking defensive back was everywhere, breaking up and picking off passes.

In the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Panthers selected quarterback Jimmy Clausen out of Notre Dame. The quarterback situation is up for grabs in Carolina as a result of the release of long-time quarterback Jake Delhomme. Matt Moore inherited the starting spot, but Clausen held his own during the workouts and has expressed his intent to be the team’s starter.

With the departure of defensive end Julius Peppers, many are concerned about the state of Carolina’s defense. Linebacker Thomas Davis will have a lot to do with how the defense performs, and he performed well at minicamp. His success is a surprise to the team. About six months ago, he blew out his knee against the New Orleans Saints.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao Preview: Boxing

In a highly anticipated boxing match July 17, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally go toe-to-toe.

With 25 wins by knockout, bet on boxing star, Mayweather Jr. is a perfect 41-0. in seven different weight divisions, Manny Pacquiao is the first boxer in history to win seven different titles. Any boxing fan, casual or die-hard, has been dying to see the two faces each other in the ring. however, the two have never fought, after a March 13 fight fell through.

With each fighter scheduled to take a split of $50 million up front, the March 13 bout was supposed to take place at MGM Grand Las Vegas. Over a conflict over Mayweather’s insistence that Pacquiao undergo Olympic-style drug testing, the fight fell through, which can take blood samples at any time. Pacquiao refused to fight unless the drug tests were scheduled, and the fight was subsequently cancelled.

About a fight between Mayweather and boxing betting favorite, Pacquiao, Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum is still “very optimistic”. For both the MGM Grand Las Vegas and at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, he has reportedly reserved the date of November 13.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, has stated that he and his fighter want to “shut (Mayweather) up” in a November 13 bout. He has stated that he and his fighter want to “shut (Mayweather) up” in a November 13 bout, “We’re going to fight November 13th against somebody and me and Manny both hope that it’s Mayweather”.

 

The lack of a clear favorite would be the beauty of a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. a dull match would be very unlikely and both fighters rank among the best of all time. Although Pacquiao took a bit of a hit with the drug testing issue, he is still right up there with Mayweather in terms of fan appreciation he has been much more aggressive in scheduling another fight with him.