Washington Redskins Pay Hefty Price For Chance To Draft RG III

With all signs pointing to Andrew Luck being selected with the first pick in April's NFL Draft, teams desperate for a franchise quarterback were feeling out the owners of the second pick, the St. Louis Rams, to see what it would take to move up to that position in order to select Baylor QB Robert Griffin III. After the Peyton Manning situation, the landing spot of RG III had become the biggest story of the NFL offseason, as most observers believe he has all the tools necessary to become a star in the league for the foreseeable future.

The mystery was solved late last Friday night, as in a predraft blockbuster the Washington Redskins agreed in principle to send three-first round picks and a second-round pick to the Rams in exchange for their second overall pick in this year's draft. It is expected that the Redskins will use selection on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, though the stockpile of picks given up for the opportunity to select RG III is reminiscent of some previous trades that didn't go so well for the teams offering up the farm:

Nfl 2012

Vikings/Cowboys/Herschel Walker trade: A trade so one-sided that has become known as "The Great Train Robbery", the Cowboys shipped star running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989 for six draft picks. This trade jump started the Jimmy Johnson/Cowboy dynasty of the 1990's, with the picks obtained for Walker later being used to select such stalwarts as Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson, Kevin Smith, and Russell Maryland. The Cowboys would go onto win three Super Bowl titles, while Walker flamed out in Minnesota after a little over two seasons.

Saints/Redskins/Ricky Williams: The Redskins should remember this one fondly since they were on the receiving end of a large haul for one player. In 1999, Saints coach Mike Ditka thought it would be smart to trade all of his team's 1999 draft picks (along with a few of his 2000 draft picks) to Washington so they could move up in the draft and grab Texas running back Ricky Williams. While Ricky went on to have a long and productive career (primarily for the Miami Dolphins, his time away from football for personal reflection/yoga/weed notwithstanding), the move set the Saints franchise back for a number of years and led to the firing of Ditka after that season.

I'm not sure if the Rams ever turned this pick into a bidding war between teams in order to land the biggest haul, but either way they have put themselves in a great position for years to come. Comfortable with incumbent starter Sam Bradford, the new St. Louis regime led by coach Jeff Fisher now has the sixth pick and Washington's second-round pick in this year's draft to work with, as well as the Redskins' first-round picks in 2013 and 2014. This is a team that has plenty of holes to fill and improvements to make if they are going to challenge San Francisco in the NFC West. By obtaining such a big return for their pick, the Rams now have the flexibility to upgrade at multiple positions and build a more competitive team.

It's too early to tell how the Redskins will fare in the long run by giving up so many picks for one player, but Mike Shanahan knows better than anyone that you need a top flight quarterback in the NFL if you are going to have any chance of winning of a Super Bowl. He has won only one playoff game since he had John Elway as his quarterback, and playing in the same division as Eli Manning, Mike Vick, and Tony Romo, Shanahan can't afford to go into another season with Rex Grossman calling the shots.

This move is definitely a gamble for the Redskins, for no matter how good Mel and McShay project RG III to be there is always a degree of uncertainty with QB's selected in the first round. Griffin has been described as a bigger Michael Vick, and barring a Peyton Manning to DC scenario he will likely be the starter on day one for the Redskins. Washington has done a good job of getting younger on defense since Shanahan became the coach in 2010, and if RG III lives up to the advanced billing this team could make some noise in a few years. After trading away all those draft picks, Redskins owner Dan Snyder will have to open up his wallet to bring in player in some quality targets for Griffin to throw the ball too. Spending large sums of money has never been a problem for Snyder in the past (with mixed to poor results), so I don't foresee any issues in this regard.

Following back to back losing seasons, the question remains though whether or not Shanahan will be around to witness the development of RG III and lead a potential Redskins turnaround. Snyder has never been a patient owner, and if the Skins endure anther subpar season in 2012 Shanahan might be on the chopping block. Washington has gone all in on RG III, and unless he eventually develops into a franchise quarterback and turns the Skins into perennial playoff contenders, this four for one swap will come back to haunt them.

Washington Redskins Pay Hefty Price For Chance To Draft RG III

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Save Money, Cut the Cord on Cable TV

Looking for additional ways to save money in 2012?
"Cutting the cord" on your cable or satellite TV service can save you big money. Your Cable bill is the one "utility" that you can live without! Whether you go with an Over-the-air TV Antenna, or the wide variety of services for Streaming TV and Movie content (or both), good alternatives to cable TV are widely available.

Why I like Antenna TV
TV antennas provide the best "bang for your buck". Once you've purchased and installed your antenna, all of the entertainment it provides is completely free! I save per month* since cutting my cable TV! Your monthly savings could be as much as what you'd save on electricity if you spent thousands of dollars to purchase PV Solar Panels on your roof!

Nfl 2012

*Your savings will vary based on your current Cable TV or Satellite monthly rate.

Many OTA broadcasts during prime-time hours are in uncompressed High Definition (HD). This means it'll look better than what you are used to seeing from your cable company. It's all about your proximity to terrestrial broadcast towers. An over-the-Air (OTA) HDTV antenna can connect you to local network affiliates like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS and quite a few Spanish-language networks for news and national programming. Other content includes live sports coverage of College Football, NFL Football, Featured MLB games, Golf and more like the Olympic Games.

Streaming TV - Lots of choices
Whether you are watching free TV on the internet through network websites, watching YouTube video or streaming to your TV through an internet connected device you have lots on-demand content options. Subscription based content from Amazon, Netflix and Hulu is becoming more and more compelling as these companies compete to broaden their offerings. Pay-as-you-go streaming and downloads from Amazon and iTunes give you options for TV and Movies with no long-term commitment. All of these require high-speed internet access.

Streaming Devices
Many of the latest TVs and Blu-ray disc players are network enabled and support streaming content out of the box. a growing number of affordable set-top box devices provide access to different streaming content. We like the Roku boxes for their price and access to lots of "Channels" of streaming content. The Apple TV is also affordable with a simple interface to iTunes and Netflix streaming content and more. Do your homework and shop around, this is a competitive new consumer electronics category!

Streaming on the Go
These days we tend to be digesting more entertainment content on our phones, laptops and tablet computers. One of our favorite new devices for enjoying streaming video content is the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet. At 9 is a great value.

You have options. You can take control and save a lot of money while still enjoying great TV and Movie content.

Save Money, Cut the Cord on Cable TV

Lewis Matthews is passionate about technology and sustainability. He likes to build things, fix things, and take things apart to see how they work. Learn more about Antenna TV and Streaming to TV hardware for your home.

What the NFL Can Teach You About Your Inside Sales Team

Every so often, a person comes along who changes their field of study in a major way. Louis Pasteur changed the world of medicine with his introduction of the germ theory. Thomas Edison changed our world through the use of electricity. Albert Einstein changed modern physics. Steve Jobs changed the world of computing. And Paul Brown changed NFL football and turned it into the game it is today.

Before Paul Brown, the game of football resembled more of a rugby match with a tangle of big men grappling around a line of scrimmage. As the game evolved, especially with the introduction of the forward pass, the game began to get not only more interesting, but also bewilderingly complex as well. It would take a gifted visionary, with extraordinary drive and talent, to develop and exploit the possibilities of this evolving and exciting sport.

Nfl 2012

If some of you are thinking, "But what does this have to do with inside sales, Mike?" then I'll tell you. I've been using the same techniques to build Multi-Million Dollar Inside Sales Teams as Paul Brown used to build championship football teams, and they work. What I'm going to do now is use some quotes from the book, "The Best Game Ever" by Mark Bowden. Mark explains some of Paul's techniques, and, after each, I'll show you how they apply to building your inside team as well.

First of all, Paul's techniques were highly successful. His high school record of coaching was 80-8-2, with 7 of those losses coming in the early years. After serving in WWII, he was hired to coach Ohio State and won a national title. He then coached the Cleveland Browns of the AAFC (American Athletic Football Conference) a new pro league. The league was in existence for four years and Browns won the championship all four times!

The Cleveland Browns were so good, they out drew the Cleveland Rams of the NFL, who fled to Los Angeles. The Browns then joined the NFL, and everyone said they were from a minor league but then the Browns won the NFL title in The First Year!! They then played in the Championship Game (Super Bowl) the next 5 straight years, winning two more times.

So here's how Paul Brown did it according to "The Best Game Ever":

"Brown did it not just with masterful strategy, but with a ruthlessly efficient system of assessing and acquiring talent, and a level of organization and discipline entirely new to the game. He stunned his players by regimenting every aspect of their lives. They were given playbooks with descriptions and diagrams of every play, and after studying them in classrooms, were forced to spend hours at night copying them out by hand in their own notebooks, which were collected and graded.

"Some players learned by hearing it," explained Charley Winner, who worked as a scout for Cleveland during those years and later helped implement Brown's system in Baltimore. "Other players learn by watching you draw it up on a blackboard. Other players learn by seeing it, so we show them the film. Others learn by walking through it on the practice field. Others learn by drawing it out themselves by hand. We covered all the learning methods, so when we were through, by God, they knew it."

And here's how we translate this system into building an inside sales team: We start by identifying and scripting out a "Defined Sales Process" for your company. This includes in depth descriptions and diagrams of every selling situation your reps encounter in your sale.

Then we script out the best practice responses to these selling situations so your reps are completely prepared to succeed in them every time they are on the phone with a prospect or client. Next, we train your reps on these best practices by classroom training, recording calls, role playing and even recording the scripts on an MP3 Player and providing them to your reps to listen to over and over so we cover all the learning methods. And, by God, they will all know what to do.

Next comes the coaching, developing and evaluation of your talent. Here is what Weeb Ewbank brought over to the Baltimore Colts. Who's Weeb? Weeb was one of Brown's assistants who was hired away by the Baltimore Colts. Weed was a faithful disciple of the Paul Brown / Cleveland system, which he had helped run for five years. Oh, and some of you might know him as the head coach of the New York Jets - yes, the Namath, Super Bowl Champion Jets. More from, "The Best Game Ever":

"Weeb arrived in Baltimore with a bang. He boldly promised an NFL championship in just five seasons. Putting the Cleveland grading system in place, he began assessing players on a scale numbered zero through five. Zero meant a missed assignment. If you knew what to do and didn't do it, that was a one. If you got a lot of ones, that meant you knew what to do, you just weren't good enough to do it.

If you got a two, it meant you knew what to do and you did an average job. Three meant you knew what to do and did it well. Once in a while a player would do something truly remarkable and earn a four. Fives were exceedingly rare. Players would earn a five maybe once or twice in a season. Those who scored zeroes and ones were soon pursuing other lines of work, and in time Weeb weeded out players who scored a lot of twos."

Don't you just love that grading system?? The way we apply this to building your inside sales team is that we build a "Script Grading Adherence Form," that your managers use to measure and grade how well your reps are doing what it takes to be successful. This is one of the most important parts of the entire process, and it's often completely lacking with most companies.

By being able to access talent and find out who has what it takes - and who should be pursuing different lines of work - you are able to very quickly build a highly successful inside sales team.

Copyright (c) 2012 Mr. Inside Sales

What the NFL Can Teach You About Your Inside Sales Team

Mike has been voted one of the most Influential Inside Sales Professionals two years in a row by The American Association of Inside Sales Professionals. Mike is hired by business owners to implement proven sales processes that help them immediately scale and grow Multi-Million Dollar Inside Sales Teams. For more information, visit his website: http://mrinsidesales.com

If You Like Entertainment, Homes in Indiana For Sale Are For You!

Purchasing homes in Indiana for sale is a great investment because Indiana is home to hundreds of very famous social events that allow you to be immediately plugged into an exciting social scene greater than most states. When these events stand alone, they are very impressive in and of themselves, but when you discuss them all together, you begin to realize why buying homes in Indiana for sale is such a great idea. From auto racing, to cycling and from college to pro team sports, Indiana has it all.

Homes in Indiana for sale are considered to have value for many reasons, but one of the greatest is that we are a very active state with so much to do. Our most famous activity is racing. The Indy 500, also officially known as the Greatest Spectacle in Racing®, is the largest sporting event in the world. This one race literally brings visitors from around the world to Indianapolis to watch the 500 mile long race take place during 200 laps around the track. People who buy homes in Indiana for sale also enjoy the Brickyard 400, a relatively new NASCAR race. There is a tradition at the Brickyard for the participants to "kiss the bricks" that make up the finish line for good luck before the race begins. Also, as of September 15, 2008, Indianapolis became the second of only two Moto GP (Motorcycle Grand Prix) venues in the United States.

Nfl 2012

Indiana is also home to many renowned team sports organizations including the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), the Indiana Pacers (NBA), the Indiana Fever (WNBA) and a whole slew of collegiate teams that compete well in national tournaments. The Indianapolis Colts won the National Football League's Super Bowl in 2006 and have just built the new Lucas Oil Stadium that will house the Super Bowl in 2012. Homes in Indiana for sale benefit from having such great teams close by because it increases the demand for homes. In Indiana for sale, you will find many great houses that are close enough to these events to enjoy them without having to live downtown Indianapolis, especially if you are looking in Hamilton County. Another accolade for Indiana's sports scene is the NCAA Headquarters and Hall of Fame, located right in the heart of Indianapolis.

So whether you love watching the cars go around the track or watching your favorite NFL team win the Super Bowl, buying homes in Indiana for sale is right for you. We are the home to countless events that I didn't even mention here that will leave you always feeling entertained and never wishing you were anywhere else.

If You Like Entertainment, Homes in Indiana For Sale Are For You!

Are you ready to begin the search for your next home? If so, click here: Homes in Indiana for sale

Inspire Real Estate is a very small real estate firm servicing the central Indiana area, especially Hamilton County. Because of our size and low overhead, we can afford much lower listing commissions than other firms, saving both buyers and sellers a lot of money.

2012 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Predictions

The Arkansas Razorbacks certainly put up a memorable season last year. Despite finishing third in the SEC West behind LSU and Alabama, they earned a trip to their first-ever BCS Bowl after ending the regular season with a 10-2 record. Following a 29-16 win over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl, Arkansas tied the school record with an 11-win season. Thanks to head coach Bobby Petrino, the Razorbacks ended up No. 5 in the country and the expectations coming into 2012 are at an all-time high.

Things got sour in a hurry in the offseason however, as head coach Bobby Petrino was dismissed from the team after hiding a relationship with a female employee. The Razorbacks got John L. Smith to replace Petrino in after just a 4.5 month stint with Weber St. Smith was previously a linebacker coach and a special team's coordinator with Arkansas the previous three years. Paul Petrino returns as the offensive coordinator and Paul Hayes takes over as the new defensive coordinator after spending the last six seasons with Ohio State.

Nfl 2012

This team definitely has a lot of talent, as the Razorback return 13 starters (7 offense, 6 defense). This season all depends on how well the players will react to the new coach. There might not be a lot of changes made on this team, but they are surely going to miss the play-calling of Bobby Petrino.

Offense:

The Razorbacks are extremely happy that one of the elite quarterbacks in college football, Tyler Wilson, is coming back to the team. What's impressive about Wilson is that he has set numerous school records and became the first Razorback signal caller to receive 1st team All-SEC honors in his first season as a starter. He finished up the year with a whopping 3,638 yards with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions. With Wilson behind center, Arkansas averaged 36.8 points/game and 438 yards of total offense. Big things are expected of him coming into his senior year, which has others thinking that this team can still win without Petrino in charge.

It would have been something really spectacular to see had it not been for the injury that sidelined Kniles Davis prior to 2011 season. Davis was coming off a sophomore season where he rushed for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning him First Team All-SEC honors in 2010. Had it not been for Kniles' injury, the offense would have been even more potent for the Razorbacks. Dennis Johnson (670 yards, three touchdowns) and RonnieWingo (458 yards, three touchdowns) were solid as fill ins, but will now be used primary as backups with Davis returning in 2012. This should be one of the most improved units on the entire team.

An area on the offensive end where Arkansas may have to rely on some new faces for production is at the receiver position. Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, and Greg Child were all taken in the 4th round of the NFL Draft. There are still some strong players coming back in senior tight end Chris Gragg (42 catches, 518 yards, two touchdowns) and senior wide out Cobi Hamilton (34 catches, 542 yards, four touchdowns). Sophomore Marquel Wade and red-shirt freshman Quinta Funderburke are also expected to make contributions in the new season.

The offensive line had just two starters back last season and struggled early in the year. They did find their footing and made solid progress as the season went on, and should see a welcome improvement as 2012 rolls along. They bring back two of the top linemen in the conference in left guard Alvin Bailey and center Travis Swanson. Right tackle Jason Peacock is also coming back for the Razorbacks. Two highly touted sophomores in guard Mitch Smothers and tackle Brey Cook are expected to fill the other two spots.

Defense:

The Razorbacks have always had problems on the defensive side of the ball, but they have made some welcome strides since giving up just over 31 points/game in 2008. Last year they held opponents to just 22.2 points/game. The biggest issue for Arkansas was in stopping the run, as they allowed 168 yards/game on the ground. Injuries were a major factor in the struggles this unit faced. It will be interesting to see if Haynes can help this group make even more strides in 2012.

Even though it's hard to replace the production left by 1st team All-SEC defensive end Jake Bequette, they do have six of the top eight defensive linemen back from last season, including starting defensive tackle duo of Bryan Jones and Robert Thomas. There is a chance for the Razorbacks to allow under 4.0 yards/carry for the first time since 2006, but Chris Smith and Trey Flower need to step up.

Middle linebacker is where the Razorbacks may have major problems on the defensive end. They need to find a replacement for Jerry Franklin, who became the first player in school history to lead the team in tackles for four straight seasons. They also lost starting outside linebacker Jerico Nelson and will be moving Ross Rasner to free Safety. While top outside backer Tenarius Wright is returning, there's no doubt that this is their biggest concern heading into the season.

They also have some holes to fill at secondary, as they must fill the voids left by starting corner Greg Gatson and 3rd Team All-SEC safety Tramain Thomas. They do have some potentially great talents coming back, especially if Rasner can make a smooth transition from linebacker. Sophomore corner Tevon Mitchell should get better as he gets more burn in his second season as a starter and safety Eric Bennett is one of the up-and-coming players at his position in the SEC.

SEC Prediction - 2nd SEC West

Arkansas' only real problem right now is losing their head coach after spring practices concluded. Had it not been for that huge development, Arkansas would have a great chance to finish first in the SEC West and possibly play for a National Championship. That being said, they do get to face Alabama and LSU at home, and have a pretty favorable non-conference schedule. It's still tough to pick them ahead of LSU, despite them being a virtual lock to win double-digit games again in 2012.

2012 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Predictions

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2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason Needs

The Colts must really be lucky to win the No.1 pick in the draft twice when a generational talent was available for them. Peyton Manning, arguably the best quarterback in NFL history, was forced to miss the entire season last year. Because of this, the team wound up with a pathetic 2-14 record and was unable to get a win until Week 15. The team's bad record led it to the No. 1 pick, however, and the opportunity to choose a quarterback that would be its franchise player for the next decade. Of course, the Colts had to make a decision on the future of Peyton Manning with the franchise, and now that he has signed on with the Denver Broncos, the team is set on picking Andrew Luck come draft time. Here are the Colts' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a look at their top five needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

OT Winston Justice

DE/DT Cory Redding

SS Tom Zbikowski

C Samson Satele

QB Drew Stanton

NT Brandon McKinney

Subtractions:

QB Peyton Manning

WR Pierre Garcon

TE Dallas Clark

RB Joseph Addai

C Jeff Saturday

CB Jacob Lacey

C/G Mike Pollak

TE Jacob Tamme

ILB Gary Brackett

OLB Philip Wheeler

S Melvin Bullitt

QB Dan Orlovsky

WR Anthony Gonzalez

G Ryan Diem

Top 5 Needs:

1. Quarterback

Now that Peyton Manning is no longer with the team, it is quite obvious that the Colts need to replace him this offseason. Some might feel that Robert Griffin III is worthy of the top pick, but there is just no way that the Colts pass up on the opportunity to draft the top-rated college quarterback in the last 25 years. Andrew Luck is as close as you can get to the real deal, but it also wouldn't hurt to add another backup. Dan Orlovsky proved his worth but he, too, moved on and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Drew Stanton was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets, but it seems as though he is not the answer as the No. 2 quarterback in Indianapolis.

2. Offensive Guard

The Colts have found themselves suddenly without their two starting guards from last season. Mike Pollak decided to sign elsewhere and Ryan Diem retired. Indianapolis was able to trade for offensive tackle Winston Justice, which allows them to move Ben Ijalana into one of the vacated spots. But it would really help matters if the Colts were able to re-sign Jamey Richard. Until that happens, though, this remains one of the team's biggest priorities in the draft.

3. Corner

The Colts featured one of the worst secondaries in all of football last season, and this remains their biggest need on the defensive side of the ball. Now that Jacob Lacey has moved on and signed with the Detroit Lions, the Colts are stuck with Chris Rucker, Kevin Thomas and Brandon King as their top three corners heading into 2012. But that simply is not enough. They need to add at least two players capable of challenging for a starting spot, whether it is through the draft or via free agency.

4. Tight End

Indianapolis cut Dallas Clark and saw Jacob Tamme follow Manning to Denver. The Colts could still go back and re-sign Clark to a new deal, but as of now that seems to be a stretch. The Colts must find someone whom Luck can rely on across the middle of the field, especially in red zone situations. The team's clear priority is to draft a tight end after drafting Andrew Luck with its first pick. Coby Fleener, Luck's teammate at Stanford, could be available for them with the first pick in the second round.

5. Wide Receiver

Right after Manning left for the Broncos, it seemed as though Reggie Wayne would follow him as well. But he decided to come back to Indianapolis and try to help this team get back on track. Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez, though, thought otherwise, as they left the team in search of greener pastures. Indianapolis now needs to bring in some new weapons for Luck coming into the 2012 season.

2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason Needs

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2012 San Francisco 49ers Offseason Needs

Under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers went as far as the NFC Championship game. An injury to return specialist Ted Ginn Jr. prevented them from reaching the Super Bowl, as his replacement suffered a costly fumble in the game. But this team has already proven its worth and will be a force for years to come. The 49ers boast a defense that is top notch and with the additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs to an already improving offense, there is no doubt in my mind that this team is going places sooner rather than later. Here are some of the 49ers' biggest additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Super Bowl 2012

WR Randy Moss

WR Mario Manningham

RB Brandon Jacobs

QB Josh Johnson

CB Perrish Cox

Subtractions:

G/OT Adam Snyder

S Madieu Williams

S Reggie Smith

CB Shawntae Spencer

ILB Blake Costanzo

WR Josh Morgan

Top 5 Needs:

1. Right Tackle

Taken with the 11th pick in 2011 NFL Draft, Anthony Davis was supposed to be the answer at right tackle, but he has been a huge disappointment for the 49ers. San Francisco may still give Davis another chance to grow as a player, but I think the team should start thinking about a backup plan.

2. Right Guard

Starting right guard Adam Snyder moved on and signed with the Arizona Cardinals, but he needed to be replaced anyway. The 49ers could use their first-round pick on a right tackle, which would allow Davis to shift to guard, where it seems he will be more comfortable moving forward.

3. Wide Receiver/Tight End

The additions of Moss and Manningham are clearly difference-makers for an already pretty solid offense, but I think that more weapons on the offensive side of the ball are still needed for this team to really take off offensively. At this point in his career, Moss could be fools' gold because no one knows what to expect from him. The 49ers have one of the best tight ends in the league in Vernon Davis, but with the addition of Stanford's Coby Fleener (if he is available at their pick) they would really be tough to beat on both sides of the field. More and more teams are looking at the success of the New England Patriots and copying the two-TE sets, and if they are able to get Fleener, then teams would really have a tough time matching up with those two.

4. Nose Tackle

This isn't really a huge need, as they have returning nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga on the team, but they should really think about getting a reliable backup who would fit the size of a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle. All the team should really think about is adding someone who can serve as insurance should Sopoaga go down.

5. Defensive End

Another area that could use some added depth is at defensive end. Justin Smith and Ray McDonald are two quality starters that the team depends on night in and night out. But if one of them goes down with an injury, then the 49ers would be in trouble. The team can definitely find a veteran defensive end if it needs to and can't find a suitable backup in the draft.

2012 San Francisco 49ers Offseason Needs

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San Francisco 49ers: Odds For Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and the Rest of the QB Race

With no current NFL season and talks still underway as to if a 2011-12 season will ever happen, speculation is all we have these days. If there was a team that has been hurt the most from the NFL Lockout, it would be the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers have a new coach in Jim Harbaugh that has no experience running an NFL team. He cannot organize a practice with his team, nor can he even name his own starting quarterback. Currently, the 49ers have two quarterbacks on their roster. One may not ever start in the NFL again, and the other is a second round draft pick with zero experience running an NFL offense.

Nfl 2012

David Carr and Colin Kaepernick may be the only two quarterbacks on the 49ers' roster, but neither will be starting in Week 1.

For their starting quarterback, San Francisco will be looking elsewhere, but they will have to wait to even do that.

Here are the top possibilities at quarterback, and the odds they will be starting in Week 1.

4. David Carr

Although Carr has been quoted as saying that as far as he knows the 49ers' starting quarterback position is up for grabs, the reality is that the fans of San Francisco may not let that happen. They may burn down Candlestick Park before that day comes.

The 49ers coaches told Carr that everyone has the same shot at becoming the starting quarterback once the lockout is lifted, which is kind of like telling the rest of the field in the 2011 U.S. Open that they had a shot at winning over Rory McIlroy heading into the final round.

It is just not going to happen.

Sure, if worst comes to worst and all the 49ers' plans of acquiring a free agent quarterback crumble, then there will actually be a quarterback competition between Carr and Kaepernick, and I do not even like those odds for Carr.

Rest assured, Carr will not be the starter in Week 1.

3. Carson Palmer

As the days of the lockout continue to increase, there is a feeling that the chances of the 49ers landing Carson Palmer decrease.

Instead of having limited time to pursue Palmer, the odds are the 49ers will just keep it simple and sign Alex Smith.

Palmer has said that he would rather retire than play for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he was practically granted that in the NFL Draft when Cincinnati took QB Andy Dalton in the second round.

It is safe to say the Bengals have moved on from Palmer just as much as Palmer has moved on from the Bengals.

So where will Palmer play?

As far as reports go, the NFC West has available quarterback positions with team that have shown interest in the Pro Bowler.

The Cardinals, Seahawks and 49ers have all been rumored to be pursuing teams, but it is Seattle who may have the best shot at landing the quarterback in search of a new start.

For the 49ers, they need Palmer and want Palmer, but the longer this lockout drags on, the quicker the 49ers are going to need a starting quarterback.

Alex Smith just seems like the quick and easy way out.

2. Colin Kaepernick

When the 49ers selected Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, it was safe to say that they had dubbed him the quarterback of the future, but one that may have a small asterisk next to it, just in case.

Kaepernick is not signed because of the NFL Lockout, but he has the second best shot at starting in Week 1 of the 2011-12 NFL season.

The Nevada star is not ready for the NFL, though. He has been involved in the pistol offense in Reno and has little, if any, experience in an NFL offense. That might scare a few 49er fans, especially the way the team moved up to acquire the long and athletic signal caller.

Although there have been rumors of Kaepernick being tutored by the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (Andrew Luck), there is no substitute for an NFL training camp.

With his inexperience in an NFL system, it is unlikely that Harbaugh would turn the team over Kaepernick in Week 1 of his very rookie season.

Unless free agency goes terribly wrong for the team, Kaepernick will have to wait just another year to be seriously considered for the starting job in San Francisco.

1. Alex Smith

Smith is not signed to an NFL team yet, but you might as well pencil him in as the starting quarterback for the 49ers in Week 1.

Harbaugh may be jumping the gun a tad when he keeps referring to Smith as his guy, especially since no papers have been signed and Carr and Kaepernick are on the roster. But you cannot blame a coach for being so eager as to put a seal on a deal that may not even be close to happening.

Or maybe it is close to happening. I cannot tell which way the NFL Lockout is leaning these days.

Still, the way Harbaugh talks about him like it is a done deal, we have to figure that Smith starting in Week 1 is all but that.

It is not the way many would have liked it to be, though.

Smith seems almost like a cop-out, or the easy way out for the 49ers.

This is an exact reason why the lockout hurts the 49ers. Instead of pursuing a notable free agent quarterback to lead their team, they are forced to take the quick and easy answer in order to put an able team out there.

As much as it angers San Francisco, there is no other quarterback reasonably available that gives the 49ers a better chance of winning.

Until Kaepernick can get an offseason under his belt, or the 49ers have the time to pursue a franchise quarterback, get used to Smith under center in 2011-12.

San Francisco 49ers: Odds For Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and the Rest of the QB Race

***If you like this article, follow my Bay Area sports blog @ http://www.bayareasportstalk.blogspot.com

2012 NFL Mock Draft (With Explanations)

Pick 1, Indianapolis Colts - QB, Andrew Luck, Stanford
The first pick of this years draft will be Andrew Luck. The only question is, who will be drafting him? Colts owner Jim Irsay says the team will draft either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III with this pick, which is expected. Saying he would take Matt Kalil or Justin Blackmon would just lower the trade value of this pick. A possible trade could be made with many teams. Browns, Redskins, Jaguars, and Dolphins would be most likely.

Pick 2, St. Louis Rams - WR, Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
The best value pick here would be Matt Kalil, but Wide Receiver is easily their biggest weak spot on the team. Brandon Lloyd is a free agent this off-season and most likely won't return. Behind Lloyd they have nobody. Sam Bradford needs a weapon.

Nfl 2012

Pick 3, Minnesota Vikings - OT, Matt Kalil, USC
The Vikings had arguably the worst Offensive Line last season along with arguably the worst Left Tackle (Charlie Johnson). This is a very easy pick as they need to protect their future franchise QB Christian Ponder.

Pick 4, Cleveland Browns - QB, Robert Griffin III, Baylor
This will most likely be the landing place of RG3 if there aren't any trade ups to get him. Colt McCoy (drafted in the 3rd round in 2010) hasn't been successful, and this is the perfect opportunity for the Browns to take their future franchise QB.

Pick 5, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB, Morris Claiborne, LSU
Not only is this the best value pick at number five, it's also a big need for the Buccaneers this off-season. (38 year old) Ronde Barber will be a free agent this March, and Aqib Talib could be cut with the legal issues he is dealing with.

Pick 6, Washington Redskins - QB, Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
The Redskins number one priority this off-season should be finding a QB, and they have a couple of options. They can move up in the draft to take Luck or Griffin, they can sign Matt Flynn in free agency, or they can trade for Peyton Manning (If the Colts make him available). If none of these options work out, Ryan Tannehill would be a good pick here. Some might think this is too early for Tannehill, but after Luck, Griffin, and Tannehill there is a pretty big drop off in Quarterbacks.

Pick 7, Jacksonville Jaguars - CB, Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
This would be a great value pick for the Jaguars taking arguably the best defensive player in the draft. Their top Cornerback Rashean Mathis will also be a free agent this off-season. This pick could also be used for a pass rusher like Quinton Coples.

Pick 8, Carolina Panthers - DT, Devon Still, Penn State
This pick will most likely be used on the best Defensive Player available which would be Devon Still. They have weakneses at Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs. Their best case scenario would be if Kirkpatrick fell to the eighth spot.

Pick 9, Miami Dolphins - DE, Quinton Coples, North Carolina
Head Coach, Joe Philbin says that the team's number one priority is to find a QB. Many people think that Joe Philbin (former Packers Offensive Coordinator) will sign Matt Flynn in free agency. If there are looking to get a top QB in the draft they will have to move up. But if they dont move up, they could definitely use the number one DE in the draft.

Pick 10, Buffalo Bills - OT, Riley Reiff, Iowa
The Bills will look for a pass rusher or an offensive Tackle here. Demetrius Bell will be a free agent and he hasn't been the answer for them at Left Tackle. If Quinton Coples fell down to the tenth spot, this would be a much tougher pick for Buffalo.

Pick 11, Kansas City Chiefs - OT, Jonathan Martin, Stanford
This would be a solid pick filling a big need a Right Tackle. Their other weaknesses are at Inside Linebacker, and Quarterback. Luke Kuechly could also be a possible pick here.

Pick 12, Seattle Seahawks - DT, Michael Brockers, LSU
The Seahawks couldnt sack the Quarterback last season and Brockers would be the best defensive lineman available at this spot. If they don't re-sign Marshawn Lynch, this would most likey be where Trent Richardson Lands.

Pick 13, Arizona Cardinals - OLB, Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Inside Linebacker and Outside Linebacker are two big needs for the Cardinals this off-season. This would be a great pick here to replace their old and injured pass rusher Joey Porter with young talent.

Pick 14, Dallas Cowboys - CB, Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
The Cowboys finished with the tenth worst pass defense last season and cornerback has been a need for them the past couple of seasons. Alfonzo Dennard is said by most (Including myself) to be the best Cornerback behind Claiborne and Kirkpatrick.

Pick 15, Philadelphia Eagles - ILB, Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Last season the Eagles didn't sign their free agent Stewart Bradley (ILB) who tore his ACL earlier that year, and they went into the season starting 4th round pick Casey Matthews. Matthews was bench later in the year.

Pick 16, New York Jets - OLB, Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
Finding a pass rushing Outside Linebacker is easily the biggest need of the Jets going into the off-season. Calvin Pace isn't much of a pass rusher, and they haven't had a dominant rusher since John Abraham in 2005.

Pick 17, Cincinnati Bengals - RB, Trent Richardson, Alabama
Trent Richardson falling to the Bengals is very possible if he can make it past a few teams. And with Cedric Benson becoming a 29 year old free agent, the Bengals would love this pick hoping that they can get a top Guard with their other 1st Round pick.

Pick 18, San Diego Chargers - OLB, Nick Perry, USC
Ever since Shawne Merriman's knee problems in 2008, The Chargers have been looking for replacement at the rushing linebacker position. Perry would fit perfectly for the Chargers defense.

Pick 19, Chicago Bears - WR, Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
This would be a great pick giving Jay Cutler a Brandon Marshall type weapon. The Bears have been needing a Wide Receiver for a while now and with Mike Martz gone, this pick becomes more likely.

Pick 20, Tennessee Titans - DE, Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
Both Defensive Ends Williams Hayes and Jason Jones will be free agents this off-season. And their 2010 1st Round pick Derrick Morgan has 4 sacks in 19 games. They could also go for a Cornerback or Guard.

Pick 21, Cincinnati Bengals - G, David DeCastro, Stanford
This would be a perfect draft scenario for the Bengals if they could fill two of their biggest needs in Round one. Their Guard Bobbie Williams is going to be a 35 year old free agent, and drafting DeCastro would be great for their young QB and RB.

Pick 22, Cleveland Browns - RB, David Wilson, Virginia Tech
Peyton Hills will be a free agent this off-season and will probably be gone. Back up Montario Hardesty can't stay healthy and hasn't looked good even when he has been healthy. This would be a great pick having a fresh new offense in 2012 with a new QB and RB.

Pick 23, Detroit Lions - C, Peter Konz, Wisconsin
This might be a boring pick for Lions fans, but it's the best value pick for their needs. Center Dominic Raiola is getting old. They would have to make a reach to take the next best Cornerback or Tackle.

Pick 24, Pittsburgh Steelers - T/G, Cordy Glenn, Georgia
The Steelers have to go Offensive Line in this years draft. Specifically they need a new guard and Left Tackle. Cordy Glenn would be perfect because not only is he the best Left Tackle available, he is also the best Guard available at this pick.

Pick 25, Denver Broncos - DT, Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
The Broncos could use a lot of help at Guard and Center, but they would need to make a reach to take someone like Brandon Washington or Ben Jones. They have a pretty big need at Defensive Tackle and Fletcher Cox good value pick here.

Pick 26, Houston Texans - WR, Alshon Jefferey, South Carolina
They don't have many needs on the team. So this would be a great opportunity to build on the offense, and take Alshon Jeffery to line up across from Andre Johnson. Another possible pick could be the 350lb Nose Tackle Dontari Poe, an upgrade over Shaun Cody.

Pick 27, New England Patriots - SS, Mark Barron, Alabama
The Patriots finished the season with the 31st ranked pass defense last season. 2007 1st Round pick Brandon Meriweather turned out to be a bust and was cut before the season along with James Sanders.

Pick 28, Green Bay Packers - OLB, Andre Branch, Clemson
Finishing the season with the worst defense by far, the Packers have to go defense with this pick. Branch is a good fit for their 3-4 defense and can line up across from Clay Matthews. Also, Tight End JerMichael Finley is going to be a free agent. So if they don't sign him they could take either Coby Fleener or Dwayne Allen with this pick.

Pick 29, New York Giants - ILB, Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
The biggest need for the Giants is at Tackle, but it would be a reach to take Zebrie Sanders or Mike Adams with this pick. So the Giants will go with another need taking an Inside Linebacker to replace Jonathan Goff (who tore his ACL).

Pick 30, Baltimore Ravens - ILB, Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
This is a great value pick for the Ravens just like last years 1st Round draft pick Jimmy Smith. Burfict is known to have bad character issues which will make him drop this far. The Ravens have a great locker room and he will learn under Ray Lewis before he retires.

Pick 31, San Francisco 49ers - WR, Kendall Wright - Baylor
Not only could the 49ers use a talented WR, Braylon Edwards, Josh Morgan, and Ted Ginn are all going to be free agents this year. Wright would make a great deep threat and slot WR.

Pick 32, New England Patriots - DT, Dontari Poe - Memphis
Along with Mark Barron, the Patriots can add this 350lb 3-4 Nose Tackle/4-3 Defensive Tackle to help out with their 31st ranked defense.

2012 NFL Mock Draft (With Explanations)

prodraftguide.com

2010 Tax Relief Act: New Strategies Individual Taxpayers Need to Know

Hooray! The long awaited tax changes have finally been signed into law. The President finally signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. (Try saying that fast 3 times in a row!)

Let's keep things simple and refer to this as the 2010 Tax Relief Act. So the question is: Is this truly tax relief? Or is it a disguised tax increase? Well....the answer is Yes and No. The 2010 Tax Bill, costing Americans 7 Billion dollars, does include some pretty significant tax cuts, although not all of them will result in tax savings for us. Rather than addressing ALL the big and small changes, we want to break out the tax changes into a 3 article series: Individual Taxpayers, Business Owners, and Real Estate Investors. Each of these articles will address the changes as it relates specifically to these types of taxpayers as well as strategies that you can implement to take full advantage of the new tax cuts.

Super Bowl 2012

Hooray! The long awaited tax changes have finally been signed into law. The President finally signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. (Try saying that fast 3 times in a row!)

Let's keep things simple and refer to this as the 2010 Tax Relief Act. So the question is: Is this truly tax relief? Or is it a disguised tax increase? Well....the answer is Yes and No. The 2010 Tax Bill, costing Americans 7 Billion dollars, does include some pretty significant tax cuts, although not all of them will result in tax savings for us. Rather than addressing ALL the big and small changes, we want to break out the tax changes into a 3 article series: Individual Taxpayers, Business Owners, and Real Estate Investors. Each of these articles will address the changes as it relates specifically to these types of taxpayers as well as strategies that you can implement to take full advantage of the new tax cuts.

CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD

First, let's start with the good stuff that benefits individual taxpayers in general. Individual income tax rates will remain at their current levels across the board throughout 2011 and 2012 instead of increasing across the board as previously enacted. What does mean? Well, for an individual earning ,000, this means a federal income tax savings just under 0 per year. The reduced tax rate for all individuals is something of significance to note because there are a lot of related planning opportunities. One example is for those individuals who converted their retirement funds to a Roth account before December 31, 2010, Kudos to you! You can now enjoy the benefits of spreading any taxes that you may have to pay into the 2011 and 2012 year knowing confidently that tax rates are not going up! This means your ability to start your retirement account on its path to Tax FREE growth, delaying the related taxes, and not having to compromise to a bigger tax bill with increased rates.

ADDITIONAL ,136 TAX SAVINGS

Another REALLY great tax relief is a 2% cut to Social Security taxes (i.e. payroll taxes). Although 2% may seem like a small number, this 2% reduction is expected to put up to an additional ,136 back into each worker's pocket in 2011. One of the most important things to note is that this tax cut benefits all taxpayers, regardless of income level. This is one of those really rare tax benefits that do not discriminate against higher income individuals and anyone can take advantage of!

AMT RELIEF & OUTLOOK

The new legislation put together yet another "temporary" patch for middle income taxpayers under the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch. The AMT patch will save 21 million taxpayers that would have otherwise paid higher taxes for 2010. As an example, we have a client who owns a handful of investments properties and a management company in the state of California. The AMT patch will save him somewhere close to ,000 in taxes in the 2010 year. Of course, we all know that when we as taxpayers save money, this means we are at the same time adding to our country's deficit. The AMT patch alone is estimated to cost us 6 Billion. In our third article series, we will share a shocking proposal that the Treasury is working on to raise tax dollars that will impact all of us. Be sure to look out for our upcoming article next week!

KIDS & DEPENDENT STRATEGIES

If you have kids under age 18, you can take advantage of a great tool to help your children pay for college with the Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESA). The 2010 tax Relief allows certain taxpayers to contribute up to ,000 per child into the account. The money in that bucket can be invested into stocks & bonds, or self-directed into most types of alternative assets including gold and real estate! What most people do not know is that the ESA is extremely flexible... you do not have to wait until college to utilize the funds for your kids. Money from the ESA can actually be utilized for expenses for your child's elementary and secondary schools too! We have a client who self-directed his kids' ESA money into Super Bowl tickets and profited over ,000 in just a few months. All that profit is not only tax free but it can remain in the ESA and make additional investments for more tax free growth. When they decide to take that money out to be used for elementary or college expenses, they will pay zero taxes on that as well. Now that is the power of tax savings and wise investing!

For taxpayers with kids under age 17, you may continue to take advantage of the child tax credit of up to ,000 for 2011 and 2012. If you pay for expenses for the care of your child or other dependent so that you can work, don't forget to claim a Dependent Care Credit of up to ,100 on your tax return for this year!

ESTATE & GIFTING OPPORTUNITIES

The highly anticipated estate tax change was finally determined as part of the 2010 Tax Relief Bill. Most taxpayers will be happy to know that the estate tax exemption was increased from million per person all the way up to million per person and the top tax rate will remain at the lower 35%. This is a significant change especially for high net worth families because now the dollar amount that is exempt from estate taxes is million for married couples. For the first time, the estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes will be "unified" so that one million exemption per individual applies to all three. This will make it much easier for wealthy taxpayers to make gifts during life to children & grandchildren. If you are a taxpayer who is in a high paying tax bracket, now is a really great time to plan for ways to shift some of your income to other family members who may be in lower tax brackets. There are countless ways that you can use Family Limited Partnerships to shift income to lower taxed family members without losing control of those assets. With the current depressed market values and the new million exemption, now is the time to get your tax and estate planning in place!

As you can see, for the individual tax payers, the 2010 Tax relief resulted in a win-win for low, middle, and high income taxpayers. With all the new tax breaks, it is imperative that we as taxpayers do our part to ensure we are taking full advantage of these benefits. As part of your Goal Planning for 2011, make tax savings part of that plan! Join us next week as we focus on Part 2 of our 3 Part Series: 2010 Tax Relief Act: New Strategies Business Owners Need to Know.

2010 Tax Relief Act: New Strategies Individual Taxpayers Need to Know

KEYSTONE CPA, INC.

Maximizing Profits & Increasing Wealth

Copyright © 2010

http://www.KeystoneCPA.com (877) 975-0975

Amanda Han is a Managing Director at Keystone CPA, Inc., a firm specializing in tax mitigation strategies for business owners and real estate investors. For complimentary top-notch tax mitigation strategies, visit http://www.keystonecpa.com and sign up for the Monthly Newsletter and Member's Library.

MLS Expansion - How Big Can Major League Soccer Get?

Being a resident of South Florida, I often wonder when the MLS will venture down south once again. The South Florida soccer fans are quite vocal in their demands for a team and often flood MLS Commissioner Don Garber with hundreds of e-mails a day. They come come back with same. valid, response on why Miami or South Florida is not ready for Major League Soccer:

1. There is no local owner/group with adequate finances to support a team

Nfl 2012

2. No soccer specific stadium plan where the ownership can control the venue

While South Florida has the fan base and the TV market we, unfortunately, lack the two important items above. So as much as I hate to say it, MLS in Florida is not looking good, at least for the short term.

Currently the MLS has 16 teams with two expansion teams, the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, planning to join the league in 2011. The 19th franchise has recently been awarded to Montreal who will join the league in 2012. That leaves just one more spot to reach the domestic league limit set by FIFA and MLS has made it well known that they are looking for a second team in the New York area.

However, recent talk from MLS has suggested an ambition to expand past the FIFA limit of 20 teams. The limit is imposed on domestic leagues to limit excessive amounts of games for league players. The idea is to expand each MLS Conference, East and West, into 20 teams each and limit play to within those divisions to limit how many games a player plays and therefore stay compliant under FIFA rules. The playoffs would then be between the top teams of those two conferences similar to how it is done to today and how other American sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL run their leagues. It appears they may already have FIFA's approval as Chuck Blazer from the FIFA Executive Committee appears to approve the idea, especially since North America is the new frontier of international soccer.

What do you think of this ambitious plan for growth?

MLS Expansion - How Big Can Major League Soccer Get?

[http://usfootballer.com]

Super Bowl Hotel Packages: Get Ready for the Party of the Year!

The most exciting of all sports events, the Super Bowl will be held in Indianapolis (Indiana) on February 5th 2012. The event is one of the grandest and most watched events of the entire sporting world. Because of this, the rush for tickets and hotels has already started.

The internet is crammed with offers for hotel packages and tickets to suit all tastes and wallets.

Nfl 2012

There are many hotels and inns offering attractive packages for accommodation in south-east Indianapolis. These packages include, among other things, a reserved upper level End zone Super Bowl tickets, cocktail parties on the day of the game with former NFL champions, roundtrip deluxe motor coach transfers to the stadium, shuttle service from the hotel to downtown Indianapolis, official Super Bowl XLVI Souvenirs and daily hot breakfast at the hotel.

To make these hotel offers more attractive, some hotels are offering attractions like visits to the huge Greenwood Park Mall, art and children's museums, the zoo, spa treatments and organizing activities like boating and fishing, to keep the full family entertained.

A typical hotel package will include the following:

1. Super Bowl Tickets: A hotel reservation at the heart of the sporting action, but without tickets would be meaningless. So, every hotel package will include tickets which can be upgraded as the customer desires.

2. Accommodation: Searching for accommodation in Indianapolis at this time of the year would be a nightmare. The hotels provide comfortable accommodation. The rates will generally depend on the distance from the stadium.

3. Pre-game parties: These are a major attraction of the Hotel Packages. These parties include a premium bar and often a NFL hall of fame guest speaker.

4. Transportation: Most Tickets come with free transportation between the stadium and the hotel.

5. Concierge Assistant: The hotel concierge assistant is constantly with the guest to guide him through the sports event.

There are many websites which offer only Super Bowl tickets. Some claim to offer "the most comprehensive inventory of XLVI tickets on the secondary ticket market". Since they are constantly buying new tickets, they can provide any kind of ticket. Groups and corporate accounts are also welcome.
The available tickets range from the cheapest "Terrace Level Endzone" for 29, to the "Loge Level Endzone" for 19 and the most expensive "Street Level 25yd Line to 50yd Line" for 60.

But since not everybody is willing to fork out such impressive amounts of money, it is possible to find better deals on the internet through the Super Bowl hotel packages.

Super Bowl Hotel Packages: Get Ready for the Party of the Year!

An overview of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl hotel and Super Bowl ticket/package offers available on line for all tastes and wallets, from four star hotels to cheap motel chains.

Why You Should Buy a Television in 2012

This contradicts my original article, which says that you should not buy a television in 2012, but maybe you feel you should convince yourself otherwise, you've come to the right place. In the next 5 minutes you'll gain my top 5 reasons why you should buy a television in 2012. Starting with reason number 5:

5. Events

Super Bowl 2012

Believe it or not but 2012 is a busy year in terms of television. Besides the usual candidates like the super bowl, Eurovision song contest and sports in general - we also look forward to the Olympics and European championship soccer this summer. Those happenings won't be here next year so let's face it: you want a 42"+ television now.

4. Proven technology

And it won't be like you're buying a sick mule either. Technologies we use and love today are mature and cheap. You can find a big thin television with 3D capabilities for under 00 - that's a steal. Imagine what will happen when 4K resolutions and OLED televisions hit the market, they probably won't be this cheap. So save your wallet and get a proven mature television today.

3. Ongoing development

The third reason you may want to part with your cash this calendar year is an easy one we call ongoing development. The market isn't going to stop and wait till your purchase feels worthwhile. There's always going to be a next great thing and it's probably coming within 6 months of new ownership, either that or the price plummets down. Either way you won't win in the world of tech by waiting for perfection because the next model always has that little bit extra you'd want. As a rule of thumb wait for 3 months at maximum for the new models to come out in spring, and remember that the retiring screens can be picked up for amazing deals around this time as well.

2. CES 2012

For the enthusiasts, you probably know what has been showed at CES 2012 by this point in terms of television. For the rest, allow me to Phrase it out. Starting with the new models you'll get improved 3d glasses, the ability to talk to your television, control it without remote and a sexy stand from LG that will have your family raving. There's a lot to look forward to this year so why wait? Oh and if you'd describe your status as "very rich", there's also the possibility to pick up a 4K TV or 55" OLED as well, but it's one or the other at this point and the price I'm talking about is 00 and up.

1. You need it

Why think difficult or act indirect when I know it, you know it, why you're truly here reading this article. You want to buy a television and you probably need one as well. Maybe you're currently faced with a belly display or a HD TV from the early days when they were all labeled HD ready. There's a rule in life that is easy to understand yet hard to follow: if a choice makes you happy then do it! There're plenty of beauties out there looking for a new owner - that can be you!

Hopefully the past 5 minutes have been worthwhile to you. Hopefully you've found the answer you're looking for and are ready to act upon it. Owning a new television set is an exciting time because you get to experience your entire movie library in a whole new way and show off you living room in elevated fashion. Thanks for viewing.

Why You Should Buy a Television in 2012

Media designer & author - I'm currently writing for racedepartment and playdepartment as their senior reviewer.

Robin Chung

2012 New Orleans Saints Offseason Needs

The New Orleans Saints finished the 2011 regular season with an impressive 13-3 record, but they were unable to carry that momentum to a Super Bowl appearance as they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the second round on a last-second touchdown. Now, though, it seems that failing to get back to the Super Bowl is the least of their worries as the Saints seem to be mired in a controversy centered around a defensive bounty program. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season as a result, and several defensive players are still waiting to hear their fate. While the defense figures to struggle in 2012, it's common knowledge that the Saints feature one of the top offenses in the NFL. This year, the Saints will struggle to find improvements through the draft, as they do not have a first-round draft pick. Here are some of the Saints' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a look at their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

ILB Curtis Lofton

ILB David Hawthorne

DT Brodrick Bunkley

G Ben Grubbs

Subtractions:

WR Robert Meachem

G Carl Nicks

CB Tracy Porter

CB Leigh Torrence

OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar

Top 5 Needs:

1. Defensive End

The Saints really had a hard time trying to put pressure on the quarterback last year. As a team, they only had 33 sacks last year. Steve Spagnuolo, the new defensive coordinator, will feature a defense that is centered on getting to the quarterback. In order to do that, Spagnuolo says the team needs to have a surplus of athletic defensive ends. The Saints will have a hard time getting an elite prospect, though, as they won't be picking until late in the third round.

2. Defensive Tackle

Spagnuolo also states that you need to be deep at the defensive tackle spot to really make a difference defensively. His goal with the Saints is to install a defense similar to his days with the New York Giants. New Orleans went out and pried Brodrick Bunkley away from the Denver Broncos to help at defensive tackle. Bunkley is a solid addition, but his forte is stopping the run. The team needs to acquire a defensive tackle who can get pressure up in the middle.

3. Cornerback

The Denver Broncos were able to pry Tracy Porter away from the Saints in the offseason. While the Saints still have corners Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson to fall back on, they need to look for some added depth. Second-year corner Johnny Patrick should get more burn this year, but there isn't much else on the depth chart.

4. Linebacker

The Saints will more than likely be without the services of Pro Bowl linebacker Jonathan Vilma for most, if not all, of the 2012 season due to a suspension. The Saints already needed an upgrade at both outside spots, and with the loss of Vilma, this was supposed to be the team's biggest need heading into the offseason. But the team has done an excellent job bringing in players who are really ready to make an impact. Cutris Lofton was signed to replace Vilma and David Hathorne and Chris Chamberlain will probably man the outside. The Saints could definitely use some added depth, but right now, linebacker is no longer a huge priority.

5. Wide Receiver

The Saints avoided a huge loss when they re-signed star wideout Marques Colston, but lost Robert Meachem in the process. The Saints can stand to use their draft picks on other needs, but they should be able to land someone in free agency.

2012 New Orleans Saints Offseason Needs

Click here for the latest odds from the respected site BetFirms.com.

2012 Miami Dolphins Offseason Needs

After starting out the year a pathetic 0-7, the Miami Dolphins managed to gain a small moral victory by finishing the season with a 6-10 record. The strong finish to the season, however, was just a smoke screen. Head coach Tony Sparano was fired and replaced by Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. The Dolphins don't figure to be going anywhere until owner Stephen Ross put together a team that can contend for a division title and not worry so much about the entertainment aspect of the NFL. Right now, very few players around the league want to play for the Dolphins, and that includes the players under contract. The lack of interest among top free agents puts even more pressure on Miami to draft well this April. Here are some of the Dolphins' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

SS Tyrell Johnson

QB David Garrard

CB Richard Marshall

DE/OLB Jamaal Westerman

Subtractions:

QB Chad Henne

CB Will Allen

WR Brandon Marshall

DT Kendall Langford

SS Yeremiah Bell

Top 5 Needs:

1. Quarterback

After losing out on the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, Miami was unable to lure in free agent Matt Flynn from Green Bay, and saw Tim Tebow get traded to the Jets instead. Miami fans have long been clamoring for a franchise quarterback. David Garrard was added to compete with Matt Moore, but these players are clearly not what the fans want. Miami might just use its first-round pick to draft Ryan Tannehill, but if it decides differently, it could opt for Brandon Weeden in the second round.

2. Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall was traded away for two third-round picks, and the receiving corps now features Brian Hartline and Davone Bess. Neither Hartline nor Bess is suited to be a No. 1 receiver, and it will only get harder for them, since opposing teams don't have to load up their coverage to contain Marshall. The Dolphins' quarterback play won't get any better soon if they are unable to add some playmakers on the outside.

3. Right Tackle

Starting right tackle Marc Colombo needs to be replaced, or at the very least the team needs to add some depth to an already very thin offensive line. He played atrociously last year, but because of its lack of depth, the team was forced to play him the entire season. If Miami doesn't add a free agent or use one of its picks to prevent Colombo starting in 2012, then it would be blatantly obvious that they are not winning games. The fans are already getting deeply frustrated with the team's lack of success, and if it is unable to bring forth the best team possible, then we might see more fans lose interest in a team that is already becoming quite unpopular.

4. Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

If the Dolphins are unable to come to terms with Cameron Wake, then this will become an even bigger need. If the team has doubts at all about a deal getting worked out, then it should address this need more than once in the draft. Even if the Dolphins are able to sign Wake by the start of the season, it still needs to find another player who is capable of taking down the quarterback. Wake needs some help this year, as the lack of another pass rusher allowed opposing defenses to shift all their attention to him. Should Miami pass on Tannehill, look for it to lock up the best defensive end/outside linebacker available.

5. Safety

While adding another safety isn't a glaring need, adding another player at this position would certainly be an improvement. The Dolphins were able to pry Tyrell Johnson away from Minnesota and they have a few players more than capable of turning their careers around. The Dolphins could decide to go after another free agent if they feel that Johnson and Chris Clemons are better off in a reserve role.

2012 Miami Dolphins Offseason Needs

Click here for the latest odds from the respected site BetFirms.com.

2010 Tax Year

2010 was a crazy, tumultuous for tax law complete with a white knuckle final law that passed at the last-minute. For a super-nerdy accountant guy like me this was more drama then Super Bowl and the finale of my wife's favorite soap opera combined. Now that the dust has settled, and you're doing end-of-year tax planning or preparing to file 2010 tax numbers, the question is "Tyler, what really changed with all these laws and how does it affect me as an entrepreneur." Great question, let's investigate.

Basically, there were three big tax acts in 2010: the HIRE Act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. The last of these, we'll call it the Tax Relief Act, basically kept in place all of the so-called Bush Tax Cuts through 2012. The second, we'll call it Patient Protection, will primarily promise higher taxes for some taxpayers in future years, and the first, the HIRE Act has some sweet short-term discounts to encourage hiring.

Super Bowl 2012

The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 in brief

This act was passed primarily to continue most of the tax cuts put in place during the Bush Administration until 2012, an election year.

• Income Tax Rates - 2009 individual income tax rates will be continued for 2010 and through 2012 for all taxpayers.
• Capital Gains Tax Rates - 2009 rates on capital gains and qualified dividends will be extended through 2012.
• Payroll rebate - 2% Social Security rebate for employees - The employee's share of Social Security taxes will reduce from 6.2% of wages to 4.2% for 2011. Self-employment tax will decrease to 10.4%. The best part of the deal is that social security benefits will not be affected by discount, although, at some point in time some taxpayers will have to foot the bill for it.
• What employers have to do - employers "must implement the new rules as soon as possible but no later than January 31," in the words of the IRS. If you don't catch this by the first payroll then you can make an adjustment to the second to compensate.
• What employees have to do - absolutely nothing. It is your employer's responsibility to comply.
• AMT Patch - the exemption amount for the Alternative Minimum Tax is increased to ,450 for individuals, ,450 for married taxpayers filing a return jointly and ,225 for married but filing separately couples.
• Estate Tax - Among the biggest dramas of 2010 has been whether George Steinbrenner's heirs would inherit his estate without owing any estate tax ("death tax" to you tea party types). Well, thanks to this bill I can confidently tell you maybe, but probably not. For 2010 estate managers will have the option of selecting the new regime of a million dollar exclusion with a 35% rate thereafter or of opting under the system that would have a 0% rate but would have denied the "step-up" in basis that inheritors have received under the previous rules. It gets complicated and few of my readers are passing on > million estates in 2010 (unless you plan on dying tomorrow).
• Bonus Depreciation - what's sexier than 50% bonus depreciation? Try 100% bonus depreciation! For select fixed assets placed in service from September 9, 2010 through the end of 2011, 100% of the purchase price of the asset may be depreciated in the year of purchase. For the entrepreneurs with smaller businesses this is important because you can take bonus depreciation even in a loss situation whereas Section 179 cannot put you into a loss. Also, bonus depreciation could be advantageous with the purchase of a vehicle used for business purposes.

HIRE Act

The HIRE Act was only in effect for 2010 and provided employers with an incentive to hire previously unemployed persons by giving them a 100% reduction on the employer portion of the payroll tax of the qualified hiree. Furthermore, if the employee remained hired for 52 consecutive weeks then the employer could be eligible for a credit of up to ,000 per employee. While it is too late to hire a new employee if you hired someone eligible for the credit don't forget to apply for the ,000 credit when they hit 52 weeks!

Tax Planning in 2011

The oldest trick in the book for tax planning is for cash-basis (as opposed to accrual basis) taxpayers, like most of you, to accelerate expenses into the current year through a number of tactics, including accelerated depreciation (like Section 179 or the 100% bonus depreciation available in 2011) or through the purchase of goods and services in the current year that won't be needed or utilized until the subsequent year. Alternatively, the taxpayer could delay the receipt of revenue by not sending out billings until the subsequent year. This is the "kick the can down the road" strategy for taxes; the income will eventually have to be recognized (nerdy accountant speak for saying that taxes will be owed on it) but we would rather that day came later instead of sooner. Well, the problem with this strategy comes in times of increasing taxes, such as we are likely to enter soon. All of the above mentioned laws that provide or extend tax benefits are temporary measures that will expire in 2012, an election year. Most of the political junkies who follow these things would guess that taxes will have to rise in order to keep pace with the gigantic debt the United States is ratcheting up. If this is the case then in 2011 you could actually find yourself in the position of wanting to prepay your taxes by accelerating revenue or deferring expenses.

An additional tax bill that has already been passed into law, as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, will tack on an additional 0.9% Medicare tax for married filing joint taxpayers earning greater than 0,000 and for single taxpayers earning greater than 0,000 for the 2013 tax year by 0.9%. In addition, those same taxpayers will be charged a 3.8% Medicare tax on earnings on investments; which were previously not subject to employment taxes.

In conclusion, 2010 was a year of great uncertainty and apprehension regarding taxes for the productive class. In the end, most tax hikes and any tax reform was pushed further down the road; leaving us with something rather like 2009. Certain tax hikes are already in the books, albeit not taking effect until further down the road, and taxpayers can expect additional uncertainty in 2012 when the current tax rates expire.

2010 Tax Year

As the WebCPA and the author of WebBizFinance.com, my job is to help you grow your business and solve your business finance and accounting problems! Please visit me at WebBizFinance.com

Tyler

Draft Options For The Cleveland Browns In 2012

With the first two picks in the 2012 NFL draft already decided by the Indianapolis Colts and the Washington Redskins, the attention turns to the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns with the third and fourth overall picks. At this point in time, there is no way that Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III will be available at either one of these high draft picks, but there will be plenty of other options with potential Pro Bowlers up for grabs.

Even though Luck and Griffin are dominating the conversation in terms of the best quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL draft, one gunslinger has started to emerge as a potential high draft pick. That quarterback is none other than Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M.

Nfl 2012

Over the past couple weeks; Tannehill has really started to make a big impression on NFL scouts with the consensus being that he might be able to hold his own as a starting quarterback in this league. Even though Tannehill might be the third best quarterback, it is still uncertain which team is willing to take a chance on the rookie.

One team that might be willing to use a high draft pick on the potential starter is the Cleveland Browns. There has been talk of the Browns potentially taking USC's Matt Kalil and wanting McCoy to be the main man under center, but there is a decent chance of Cleveland going with Tannehill to either put pressure on McCoy or start over with another rookie like the Carolina Panthers did with Cam Newton last season.

Despite a promising start to the season last year, the Browns fell off once again and need an influx of talent in order to compete in the highly competitive AFC North division with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and the defending division champion Baltimore Ravens.

With that being said, the Browns fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft will be crucial to say the least. Even though the team still has Colt McCoy as their quarterback of the future, the team would almost certainly take Luck or Griffin with the fourth pick if they fell that far. Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen and that narrows the search for Cleveland.

One intriguing option for the Brown would be tackle Matt Kalil from USC. There has been talk of the Minnesota Vikings snatching Kalil with the third overall pick, but if not the Brown might be interested.

Draft Options For The Cleveland Browns In 2012

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2012 Detroit Lions Offseason Needs

The Detroit Lions finally put an end to their playoff drought with an impressive 10-6 run last year. However, they were completely outclassed by the New Orleans Saints in the opening round of the playoffs. New Orleans routed the Lions, 45-28. The Lions are hoping that they can capitalize on their regular season success last year and truly build something special moving forward. What the Lions need to do is focus on winning the NFC North and get home field in the playoffs. Here are the Lions' big additions and subtractions, plus a breakdown of their biggest needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

CB Jacob Lacey

DE Everette Brown

Subtractions:

CB Eric Wright

OLB Bobby Carpenter

Top 5 Needs:

1. Cornerback

Starting corner Eric Wright decided to move on and sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason, but his presence won't be missed as he played poorly for the Lions last year. Detroit was able to sign free agent Jacob Lacey, but he really isn't a huge upgrade over Wright. The Lions need to use their first-round draft pick on a player for the secondary, whether it is at corner or safety. The Lions could go after South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore if he falls to them in the first round, or they could gamble on Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama.

2. Strong Safety

In the 2010 NFL draft, Amari Spievey was drafted in the third round with the intention of starting him at strong safety. However, he has been a huge bust, playing horribly in his first two seasons with the Lions. What the Lions want to happen is for Mark Barron to fall to them at No. 23, which could allow them to move Spievey to his more natural position of corner. The safety class is extremely thin this year, so the only option the team has at safety is to draft Barron.

3. Center

The Lions need to finally get rid of center Dominic Raiola, as he is already getting up there in age, and he wasn't any good to begin with.

4. Running Back

The Lions have two solid backs in Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith; however, both have struggled with injuries for quite some time now. Best's best bet on the field is as a specialist who can catch passes out of the backfield. If the Lions are able to add more depth at this position, then they can build an even-stronger offense from an already-dangerous one.

5. Offensive Tackle

If it weren't for the re-signing of Jeff Backus, this would be the Lions' top priority. As it is, the team now has more glaring holes to fill, and this is no longer an immediate need. Backus does turn 35 in September, so if he suffers a serious injury, then this team is screwed. If the Lions want to continue to move closer to a Super Bowl, then they must continue to add players who can protect their starting quarterback, the fragile Matthew Stafford.

2012 Detroit Lions Offseason Needs

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The Super Bowl History

On January 15, 1967 the very first professional American football championship was played at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was billed as the AFL -NFL 1967 World Championship. Game tickets sold for .00 to .00. The game failed to sell out. Professional football spectators were not quite fanatical at that point in the sport's history, perhaps because they did not fully appreciate the potential of such an event. While the stated purpose was to determine the champion among two competing professional American football leagues, the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL), the Super Bowl has grown to represent so much more. It has become the ultimate symbol of America's resolve to succeed against all odds.

On that faithful January day in 1967 the NFL, represented by its champion the Green Bay Packers, challenged the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs. In a game played by the two best teams on Earth, made up of the best athletes on the planet, and viewed by professional football fans all over the country, Green Bay, led by the legendary Vince Lombardi, beat Hank Stram's Kansas City Chiefs 35 to 10.

Nfl 2012

When Green Bay returned the next year beating the AFL's Los Angeles Raiders 33 to 14, many believed the AFL would never match up. All that changed in 1969 when New York Jets quarterback, Joe Namath, made an off-the-cuff victory guarantee to a rowdy Colts fan during a Super Bowl press conference. In response to the heckling Colts fan, Namath said: "We're gonna win; I guarantee it." Namath's Guarantee created a sensation as news agencies broadcast the story in every major news network in the Country. On January 12, 1969 Joe Namath and his underdog AFL team went out and won the Super Bowl.

In 1970 the two leagues merged into the NFL creating two conferences out of the two former leagues. All former NFL teams, except one, became National Football Conference members and all AFL teams became American Football Conference members. One team was needed to balance the schedule, so the Baltimore Colts switched from the NFC to the AFC. Consequently the great Super Bowl match-up of 1969 cannot be repeated between the Jets and the Colts as both teams are now members of the same conference.

In 1965, prior to the merger, the upstart AFL secured a thirty-six million dollar contract with NBC for broadcast rights, which gave the league financial stability. Many cities across the country, principally in the south and the west had no professional football teams to satisfy the growing demand for the sport. As the AFL grew to satisfy that demand it also grew in prominence and began to compete for the top draft choices from college programs around the country. The two leagues observed an unspoken rule that neither would attempt to sign a player under contract in the other's league. However, when the New York Giants signed place kicker Pete Gogolak, who was under contract with the AFL's Buffalo Bills, AFL commissioner, Al Davis, took off the gloves and the AFL aggressively pursued the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL. With attractive salary offers, the AFL managed to lure 7 of the NFL's most promising quarterbacks to the AFL in the 1965 season. Although the AFL later surrendered the contracts, the NFL recognized the threat the AFL posed by plundering their talent pool. Merger talks were conducted without the knowledge of NFL commissioner, Pete Rozelle or the AFL's commissioner, Al Davis. On June 8, 1966, the team owners of both leagues announced they had reached terms for a merger agreement. The actual merger would take four years to complete.

While league officials searched for a sensational name for the annual championship game, the Kansas City Chief's owner, Lamar Hunt, proposed calling it the "Super Bowl". Hunt, who was the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs and one of the founders of the American Football League, came up with the name while watching his daughter play with a rubber ball that was a toy sensation in the mid sixties. Whamo marketed the toy as the "Super Ball". Hunt's suggestion was only intended to serve as a temporary name, until a more glorious moniker could be agreed upon. Having failed to find a more desirable or descriptive replacement, the name stuck.

More than 151.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the 44th Super Bowl in 2010. According to Neilson Ratings, the 2010 Super Bowl was the most watched television program of all time. It surpassed the long standing record set by the final episode of the popular television series M*A*S*H, which drew 121.6 million viewers on February 28, 1983. In many ways the Super Bowl has become a contest of numbers. In 2010 thirty seconds of commercial air time sold for 3 million dollars, which is a long way from the ,500 charged by NBC for a 30 second spot during the first Super Bowl. Super Bowl wagers were estimated to exceed 10 billion dollars in 2010. The game was broadcast in 34 languages in 232 countries around the world. The 2010 Super Bowl added and estimated 400 million dollars to Miami's economy as a result of the Colts and Saints challenge for the title. Fans spent an estimated 5.6 billion dollars on Super Bowl related items during the championship. The media, marketing, entertainment and background stories surrounding the Super Bowl have become every bit as sensational as the game itself.

As of 2010 only two cities north of the Mason Dixon Line have ever hosted a Super Bowl; Detroit in 1982 and 2006, and Minneapolis in 1992. That trend is about to change. Dallas will host the Super Bowl in 2011, Indianapolis in 2012, New Orleans in 2013, and New Jersey in 2014. The NFL has also given some consideration to playing a future Super Bowl in London, England.

There are many great stories that make up Super Bowl history. One such story reportedly took place during the very first championship game. According to the Orlando Sentinel, CBS and NBC both covered the first Super Bowl sharing the same televised footage, but each used its own sportscasters. The cameras missed the kick-off for the second half of the game, because sportscaster Charles Jones was busy interviewing Bob Hope. When the head referee ordered a re-kick, a CBS producer directed CBS reporter Pat Summerall to explain the mishap to Vince Lombardi, the Packer's head coach. Pat Summerall, who played as a place kicker for the New York Giants under the legendary coach, refused to go anywhere near him. The story serves as anecdotal evidence of the terrorizing roar so often associated with Vince Lombardi, for whom the Championship Trophy is now named. Sadly, there is no known network coverage of the first Super Bowl. Reportedly, the only known tape was taped over to record a soap opera.

American radio broadcast personality Mark Champion is well known by basket ball fans as the voice of the Detroit Pistons. He is perhaps less well known as the off-screen voice who asks the Super Bowl MVP "You've just won the Super Bowl, what are you going to do next?" Since 1987, Disney has been an important part of the Super Bowl tradition with its "What's Next" advertising campaign. The Walt Disney Company tapes two versions of the commercial, one promoting Disneyland in Anaheim, California and another for Disney World in Orlando, Florida and airs them in the markets geographically relevant to the two theme parks. Former Disney CEO, Michael Eisner credits his wife, Jane Eisner with the whole idea for the long running advertising campaign. In 1986, during Disney's opening celebration for the Star Tours attraction at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the Eisner's dined with Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager (no relation to Chuck Yeager), who had just broken aviation history with their non-stop flight around the world in their specially designed Voyager aircraft. Jane Eisner reportedly asked the couple what they planned to do next and they replied "Well, we're going to Disneyland." She later suggested her husband use that as part of an advertising campaign to promote Disney's theme parks. Since 1987 Disney has used what it refers to as the "What's Next" advertising campaign every year (except 2006) to promote its theme parks during the post game celebration of the Super Bowl. The ads have become as much a part of the Super Bowl as the half time entertainment and the much anticipated Super Bowl commercials.

Each year millions of fans from around the world plan their schedules around American Football's greatest event. The show stopping half-time talent, the knee slapping commercials, the galas, the background stories, and the hype are as much a part of the show as the amazing athletes that play and the brilliant strategists who stalk the sidelines. While basketball and baseball are played in other countries around the world, American football remains uniquely American. The Super Bowl is America's Championship Game.

The Super Bowl History

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Clean Energy Is Not for the Weak Spirited

Recently in the downtown Fresno Radisson Hotel, five of us who make our living in clean energy discussed the state of the industry, the economy and the latest happenings in California's sun-drenched San Joaquin Valley.

"We're on the brink," one of our group said. "About to sail down the other side."

Super Bowl 2012

Like a roller coaster? Maybe. While our mood was optimistic -- you have to have a glass-half-full attitude to be in this line of work -- the reality of clean energy is that despite whatever technological advances made and the cost reductions in getting the Earth-friendly energy into the grid, there's always another hurdle, or several.

Modern Times

The latest wrench in the machine (I always think of Charlie Chaplin in "Modern Times" when I conjure that cliche) happens to be geopolitical. Continued Middle East unrest is messing with gas prices. Rather than flock to alternatives, the American public collectively hunkers down like the only available car on the road is an H2 Hummer.

A new study by the Pew Research Center says that while Americans still look favorably upon alternative energy, the sentimental surge in support for increased production of oil, coal and natural gas has increased over the past year. "Moreover, support for allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters, which plummeted during the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, has recovered to pre-spill levels."

The study found 65 percent favor allowing increased offshore drilling, up from 57 percent a year ago and 44 percent in June 2010, during the Gulf spill.

I mentioned the study's findings at my little meeting in the Radisson, but it failed to phase anybody. This group has built up thick skin from years in the business. Selling clean energy, energy efficiency and clean air isn't for the weak-spirited.

Alternatives for energy security

Recently I did a couple of posts on natural gas. It's a cleaner burning fuel, and what I especially like about it is that the United States has a heck of a lot of it deep underground. I'm personally all for energy independence, and one of the ways to get there is the "all of the above" theory. That means including fossil fuels.

My friend Charles in Texas would beat me over the head with that fact, arguing about the importance of crude oil to super custom choppers, fast cars and jobs -- in about that order.

But I also want to be able to see the Sierra Mountains from my house. Currently, the majestic range is only visible after a drenching rain. There's just too much pollution sequestered in this natural bowl in the center of California.

Some solutions have drawbacks

Natural gas is cleaner than coal, better than diesel (but not clean burning diesel) and it generates comments like this from culled from a story by Adam Lesser in gigaom.com. He quotes Carter Bales at the Wall Street Journal ECO:nomics Conference in Santa Barbara as saying, "Natural gas is half the carbon of coal. When we are burning natural gas, we are cooking ourselves a bit more slowly, but we're clearly cooking ourselves."

Bales founded NewWorld Capital and is an authority on climate change. He points out the obvious in Lesser's piece, saying low cost energy via natural gas is good but may slow development of renewables.

Yet, the nation shouldn't ignore natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing must be done so that escaped gases don't infiltrate and render aquifers useless.

What sells in Berkeley

The bottom line is cost effectiveness. Vinod Khosla, green investor and venture capitalist, was quoted by Eric Wesoff of greentechmedia.com as saying, "Priuses sell well in Berkeley" but do not sell well in Mississippi, "and Mississippi is closer to the rest of the world than Berkeley."

In other words, for green to sell it has to make economic sense not just make you feel warm inside. "Nothing defies the law of economic gravity," Khosla says.

Ken Friesen, a Fresno Pacific University professor and shade-tree green mechanic, pointed this lesson out to those who walked by his homemade plug-in Prius at Fresno Earth Day 2012. On a no-nonsense display, he spelled out the cost between buying a new plug-in from the factory -- about ,000 -- vs. a do-it-yourself version with an aftermarket battery pack and a used car.

The cost for the latter, as I recall -- about ,000, depending on what you get the used Prius for and what kind battery pack used.

Those are market forces at work. Unfortunately, few are as talented as Friesen.

Market theory

The market theory is the same reason I have a VW Bug as my spare cool car. It's cheap and easy to work on and modify. There are a lot of VW enthusiasts. There is a ready supply of old bugs for a decent price and parts are available and cheap.

Apply that to clean energy. When solar panel prices drop to a certain sweet spot and battery prices become approachable to guys like me, expect a whole lot of new applications. Just like an iPhone, provide a platform and innovators will make stuff to put on it.

Nobody really wants to spend lots of money on electricity, just like nobody would prefer spending nearly a gallon per gas. My mechanic was recently talking about when California instituted a 5 cent gas tax way back when he was a teenager (must have been the early 1970s). His boss at the gas station where he worked on Clovis Avenue and Fifth told employees to prepare for the worst.

After all, the tax represented a 20 percent increase in the price of fuel. Turns out nobody firebombed the station. My mechanic survived with a few insults and lectures, nothing a 17-year-old couldn't handle.

Chevelle economics 101

Given the chance, and maybe an affordable electric or plug-in conversion, many motorheads from in my era might jump at the chance to hop up a 1967 SS Chevelle (I just saw a sweet one that reminded me of my old muscle car) so that it could blast by gas stations and just use the 396 cubic inch monster in emergencies. (Now that I try to make sense of how to engineer that, I wonder if it could be done. But I digress.)

So maybe we are on the brink. Leave it to the backyard innovator to make sense of it.

Clean Energy Is Not for the Weak Spirited

Mike Nemeth, project manager of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, spent 24 years working as a newspaperman editing and reporting from Alaska to California. The SJVCEO is a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life through increased use of clean and alternative energy. The SJVCEO is based in Fresno, Calif. and works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley. For more information, go to http://www.sjvcleanenergy.org.