Friday, May 21, 2010

Buying Bowling Balls Online or at the Local Pro Shop?

Buying bowling balls online has many benefits, however, there are certain perks that are not necessarily included in your online purchase. The article below will breakdown the pros and cons of purchasing a bowling ball online.

The main advantage of purchasing bowling balls online is that the cost will be significantly lower than the price you may find at your local pro shop. By ordering online, you may not be subject to state sales tax on your purchase. If the website you order from is based in the state that you are ordering from, you will have to pay sales tax on your order. On the other hand, if the site is located in another state than your own, you will not be subject to sales tax.

Shipping is the one cost you will incur when ordering online. Some websites choose to list their prices including a flat fee ground shipping rate. Beware, that some websites, may say "free shipping", when in fact they add on a service or packaging fee that can be up to $5.00 or more. Other websites will list the bowling ball at a designated price, then add the shipping charged based on the zip code you are shipping to. Depending on where you are shipping to and from, it is best to compare prices across several sites in order to get the best deal.

Top weights and pin locations are one area that many bowlers might have specific request when purchasing a bowling ball. Some of the major websites will give you the option of selecting a certain range of top weight and pin location. Most of the time they are able to fulfill your request. If not, the majority of them will find the closest match and notify you of what it is before shipping the bowling ball.

Your local pro shop can easily get you the desired top weight and pin location for your new bowling ball. In fact, many may have it on hand and ready to drill the day you show up to their business. This is one significant advantage of purchasing from a local bowling ball pro shop. Another is the fact the pro shop owner can know your game or style and be able to provide you with the necessary information to make the best decision regarding your next bowling ball purchase.

With the new bowling ball, you will need to have it drilled. There are many online pro shops that do offer a ball drilling service. Most of the time there is a form on the website to enter your measurements into. What if you don't know your measurements? Or even the layout you need on the bowling ball? This is where the local bowling ball pro shop exceeds in service compared to a website.

With buying a bowling ball online, the service with the website is almost non-existent. Whereas a local bowling ball pro shop will be readily available if you need new finger inserts, more bevel on the thumb, or even some bowling ball polish.

These are just a few of the comparisons between buying a bowling ball online and a local brick and mortar pro shop. Make sure to shop around, measure the pros and cons of each, and you will be on your way to making an informative bowling ball purchase.

An excellent resource to read up on the latest releases and find the hottest links to by a bowling ball from is http://www.buy-bowling-balls.com




As an author at http://www.eZ-search.us, Chris Miller contributes to the growing content found within the site and shares his knowledge about bowling balls.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

2008 Independence Bowl - Louisiana Tech Tops Northern Illinois, Notches 7th Comeback Win of Season

You can excuse the good people of Ruston, Louisiana if they feel that any game played by their Louisiana Tech Bulldogs is not over until the Bulldogs come from behind to win. That would be because the Bulldogs logged their 7th come-from-behind victory of the season in the Independence Bowl Saturday (12-28-08), beating Northern Illinois 17-10.

The win was sweet for Derek Dooley as it represented his first bowl victory as a head coach. Dooley is none other than a former protégé of Alabama head coach Nick Saban and son of the legendary Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley. Young Dooley used his special teams, defense and a running game to turn back Northern Illinois.

Senior defensive back Weldon Brown proved to be the Bulldogs big stopper. Brown stopped one Husky scoring threat with a shoestring tackle to set up a 4th down, then batted down the ensuing pass. He also recovered a fumbled punt to set up a field goal attempt, and ended one of two late Husky drives with an interception when the game was on the line. Brown finished with 14 tackles and the Most Valuable Defensive Player award.

On special teams, sophomore wide receiver Phil Livas took a kickoff return to the house for a 97-yard score, and junior running back Dan Porter rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown.

The postseason win was Louisiana Tech's first in 31 years; their last win also came in the Independence Bowl in 1977. The victory left the Bulldogs with their first 8-win season in 9 years. They finished the year at 8-5 while Northern Illinois slid to 6-7.

Louisiana Tech was not even expected to be in a bowl game but was selected when neither the Southeastern Conference (SEC) nor Big 12 could produce a participant.

Derek Dooley inherited a team that went 3-10. He improved the Bulldogs to 5-7 last year and now has them at 8-5 and a bowl victory in his second full season. Dooley's Bulldogs upset Mississippi State to kick off this season and then won 4 of their last 5 games to get to the Independence Bowl and generate more glory for the Bulldog faithful.

Louisiana Tech and Derek Dooley are on the way up. We know this because the Bulldogs scored 8 non-offensive touchdowns this season to tie for the most in major college football. When you score on defense or special teams, everyone gets excited.

In addition to Livas' 97-yard TD return in the Independence Bowl, he returned 2 punts for touchdowns during the regular season. The last player to return a kickoff for a touchdown in the Independence Bowl was a guy named Deuce McAllister who did it for Mississippi 10 years ago.

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley




If you enjoyed this article, go ahead and leave a comment on this EzineArticles.com site. Simply scroll back up to the top of the page and look to the right. You will find a link titled "Post a Comment". Click on the link and let me know how you feel about this article. I'm interested in your comments and opinions.

Read my other detailed, knowledgeable, interesting articles on college football, including:

"So Who Are the Current Worst Players in Division 1-A Football in the Nation?"

"Tulsa the 19th Best Team in Nation? You Must Be Kidding and Here Is Why"

"4 AP Top 25 Teams Have Some Proving to Do-Missouri, Texas Tech, South Florida and Kansas"

"Meet the Illinois Fighting Illini - The Most Overrated Team in the AP's Top 25 Poll"

"Famous Quotes by Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz During Football's Annual Bowl Season"

"How to Predict When Teams Are Overrated and Due for an Unexpected Loss"

"The Sagarin Ratings: What They Are, How to Read Them and What to Do With Them"

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A Great Super Bowl it Was in 2010

This year's Super Bowl was definitely one that kept all the fans of the game watching it and getting so much out of it, just like the last two Super Bowl games were. That is so refreshing when you think about the games that took place in prior years before these three and how they were just disappointing to the fans.

The Indianapolis Colts were the team that was picked to win the game, but the New Orleans Saints really gave folks a surprise when they beat them. Drew Brees, along with the rest of the offense, played an outstanding game, but that's not to say that their defense didn't play just as well, doing a great job taking on Peyton Manning, the Colt's quarterback.

Ok, now we will talk about some of the important things that happened in Super Bowl XLIV. If you actually weren't able to see it, the following information is what you would want to know about this game.

To begin with, although he started the game on shaky ground by only getting three completions from his first seven pass attempts, Drew Brees then went on to have a close to perfect game. He got 29 out of the next 32 attempts and finished the game with a total of 32 completions from 39 attempts, 2 touchdown passes, zero turnovers and 288 total yards.

Wow, those numbers are extraordinary and no one should be surprised that Brees came away with the award for that spectacular performance as a quarterback in the Super Bowl.

Garrett Hartley, the Saint's young kicker, was just as impressive when he attempted field goals from 44, 46 and 47 yards and made all of them. During two of those attempts, the Colts were winning and when he was successful with the field goals, he helped the team win the game.

And finally, when the game was over, Peyton Manning did something that you just don't see in the Super Bowl. The quarterback for the Colts did not offer congratulations to or even shake hands with any of the players on the Saints team - he just quickly walked off the field.

It has always been the norm for the winning team's players to be congratulated by the losing team's players, so lots of folks say that what Manning did was indeed poor sportsmanship. However, Drew Brees has said that he could understand why Manning was frustrated and that he does not hold anything against him because of that.




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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Bowling Better Can Be a Lot of Fun

How many times, have you sat at the bowling alley waiting for a lane to free up, and noticed a really good bowler. After watching them throw a few balls, you may be wondering to yourself, if you could ever play that well. If you can't figure out what they're doing different then you, then maybe a few of these pointers may help.

You need to the right equipment to do anything well, and that includes bowling. If the ball is either too heavy or too light for you, it can be affecting your game. Before you buy your own ball, try out a number of different balls, to see what feels good first.

With any sport, your feet are crucial to how well you play the game. They are your bodies foundation. With that in mind, make sure you have good quality, and appropriately sized shoes. Don't use rental shoes.

Bowling can be a fun sociable sport with plenty of distractions. Learn to concentrate, when your actually throwing the ball though. There will be time for socializing after you throw that strike.

Learn a proper stance, and be consistent with it. If your unsure, ask another bowler to watch you and point out what your doing right, and doing wrong.

Use the lane markers every time. They're there for a reason. The sooner you learn with ones work better for you, the sooner your scores will improve. You should be standing in the middle of the lane, as you make your approach.

The ball release is one of the most important aspects of a good bowling game. Releasing too late, or too early can adversely affect your results. The ball should be released in front of your body. Again, if your not sure, ask a better bowler to watch you and make suggestions.

Keep your head level, and be sure to follow through with your arm. Generally, it's better to focus your eyes on the lane markers than the pins. A good follow through will improve the accuracy and consistency of your shot, and reduce strain on your arm.

If your very committed to improving your bowling game, than a coach is the best way to go. There's only so much you can pick up on yourself, or by have your colleagues watch and make suggestions. Check with your local pro bowl shop, or ask around.

It's easy to improve in any sport you participate in, even bowling. It's just a matter of know what you need to work on, and putting in the time. For motivation, just remember the better you get, the more enjoyable the game becomes.




Be sure to visit Fun Bowling Games to play some Fun Bowling Games.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Brett Favre Family

The Brett Favre family is made up of kind-hearted and caring people; the wonderful type of people that anyone would love to be friends with, or neighbors of. It is very reassuring to know that there are still good people out there who remain that way even when they have achieved both fame and fortune.

Brett Favre was born on October 10th, 1969 in the town of Gulf Port Mississippi into the family of Irvin and Bonita Favre. He was raised in the town of Kiln Mississippi which is a very small town in southern Mississippi. When he started high school he attended Hancock North Central High. It was there that Brett's father Irvin Favre was the high school football coach.

The team consisted of some excellent high school running backs so Irvin had strategically designed a run oriented offensive game plan which was quite successful. It was due to this game plan that Brett actually threw relatively few passes as the team quarterback. His father was quite aware of the fact that his son had a very real talent for accurately throwing the football, but as the excellent coach that he was he made the decision to stick with the running game plan because it was what was actually best for the school team. Brett wore jersey number 10 during his high school years.

It may seem kind of unlikely, but throughout his high school years Brett rarely threw more than a handful of passes in each game. His father's well devised and very well organized running game based on the wishbone style of offense was impressive to say the least. Brett also stayed busy as a member of the Hancock North Central High School baseball team as a starter since the eighth grade.

Both of Brett's parents were also high school teachers and he may have learned how to be such a good teacher and leader because of this aspect of his family. Small town life was very peaceful and Kiln was a very friendly place to grow up. Brett Favre's family provided an enriching home life in not only sports, but life as well.

Brett was the second born of four children to parents Bonita and Irvin. He has an older brother named Scott, and two younger siblings named Brandi and Jeff. The Favre family was known by all as a kind and helpful family. As far as scholarships went, the only one that was offered to Brett was one to attend Southern Mississippi. He graduated from college in 1991.

It was in July of 1996 that Brett Favre married his high school sweetheart Deanna Tynes. Deanna and Brett had been boyfriend and girl friend for approximately twelve years before they were finally to be married. The Brett Favre family consists of their two beautiful daughters by the names of Brittany and Breleigh. Brittany is Brett's oldest daughter and she was born on February 6th, 1989 when Brett was still a sophomore in college. His younger daughter Breleigh was born nearly 10 years latter in 1999.




Even the pros like finding tech bargains and laptops under 200 can do a lot by providing you with information you can use to fine tune your active lifestyle. Besides basic online research go on and enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle through workouts and training.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Six 2009 Bowl Teams Used Defense to Win, None More Convincingly Than Iowa

While Nebraska used its stifling defense to record the 2009 bowl season's only shutout (a 33-0 victory over Arizona), six other bowl winners used their defense to achieve victories--Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Boise State, Marshall and Connecticut.

We are defense, claimed coach Kirk Ferentz and his 10th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, and they proved it again by holding Georgia's high-powered, triple-option offense (2nd in the nation in rushing and 11th in scoring) to 12 yards passing and forcing a team-high 7 punts while beating the 9th-ranked Yellow Jackets, 24-14, in the BCS Orange Bowl.

It was the same Iowa defense that had held 4 bowl-bound teams to 10 points or less during the regular season. Georgia had only 14 three-and-outs during the season, yet failed to pick up a first down in their first 4 possessions against the Hawkeye defensive assault.

Iowa did not need a lot of offense to get the job done. True freshman Brandon Wegher ran for 113 yards in 16 carries (7.0 ypc) and a touchdown, and Ricky Stanzi, returning from a sprained ankle injury, went 17-for-29 and 231 yards passing.

The win was the Hawkeyes first in BCS bowl play, matched the school record for season wins (11-2), and gave them their highest national ranking in a half-century. Georgia finished at 11-3.

Sophomore Terrelle Pryor threw for a career-high 266 yards, had 2 TD passes and rushed for 72 yards, but it was the Ohio State defense that held Oregon's explosive offense in check as the Buckeyes whipped the Ducks, 26-17, in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State was ranked 8th coming into the game and Oregon 7th.

The Buckeye defense held Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli and his no-huddle offense to only 81 yards passing, and held star running back LaMichael James to only 70 yards.

The victory was oh-so-sweet, not just for a struggling Terrelle Pryor trying to come of age, but also for Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who won a national championship and then lost 3 straight BCS bowl games. The monkey is now off of Tressel's back.

Pryor made some early mistakes (already forgotten in winning), but when it counted in the 4th quarter, he came up big during a 13-play, 81-yard drive eating up 6+ minutes of time, and ending with a 17-yard TD strike to DeVier Posey to put the Buckeyes up 26-17, the final score with approximately 7 minutes to play.

Wisconsin, ranked 24th coming into the Champs Sports Bowl against 14th-ranked Miami, brought its big and slow Badger linemen to face the Hurricanes fast and speedy offense. Someone forget to tell the Badgers they were too slow to catch the Hurricanes. The result was a 20-14 upset victory that left Wisconsin 10-3 after the game and Miami 9-4.

The Badgers chased Miami's Jacory Harris around all afternoon, getting 5 sacks and holding the Hurricane runners to 61 yards on the ground. Meantime, John Clay rolled up 121 yards and scored 2 touchdowns in Wisconsin's victory. Clay was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

Wisconsin was on offense for almost 40 minutes during the 60-minute game. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out if you got the ball longer than they do," said Badger coach Bret Bielema, "you have a better chance of scoring more points." Nicely said Bret, and thank your defense for keeping Miami off the field.

In the first ever BCS bowl game that pitted unbeaten mid-major teams against each other, 6th-ranked Boise State upset 3rd-ranked TCU (Texas Christian University), 17-10, in the Fiesta Bowl. Boise State came in at 13-0 and left 14-0; TCU came in at 12-0 and left 12-1.

It looked like this game might end in a 10-all tie, but a gutsy call by Bronco coach Chris Petersen for a fake punt on a 4th-and-9 at the Bronco's 33-yard line resulted in a 30-yard completion by punter Kyle Brotzman to a wide-open Kyle Efaw. That keep a drive alive that resulted in the winning Boise State touchdown on a 2-yard run by Doug Martin. The TCU Horned Frogs (I'm not kidding, that's their nickname) were caught with their pants down.

The play was called the "Riddler", and TCU had no joker to solve it.

Last year TCU beat Boise State 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl. This year's BCS contest pitted two high-scoring offenses as Boise State led the nation with 44 points a game, and TCU was scoring 40 a game. However, both teams, thanks to defensive play, ended up punting 8 times.

TCU never seemed to recover after Boise State's successful fake punt play led to the touchdown that spelled the difference. The Broncos ended up one of only two unbeaten teams following bowl competition, finishing at 14-0. Alabama won the national title with the same 14-0 mark.

The victory was Boise State's second in BCS play, and gave them as many BCS wins as Michigan, Penn State and Alabama have combined.

Marshall's Andre Booker returned a punt 58 yards for one touchdown, and Mike Ward rushed for 72 yards on 9 carries (8.0 ypc) and scored two TDs to put the Thundering Herd up 21-zip as Marshall held off Ohio to beat the Bobcats, 21-17, in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Marshall finished the year at 7-6, and Ohio was 9-5.

Marshall was led by interim coach Rick Minter after Mark Snyder resigned. Snyder will be replaced by John "Doc" Holliday, the West Virginia assistant coach who was an assistant to Urban Meyer when Florida won the national championship in 2006.

South Carolina (7-6) played its worst game of the year in the Papajohns.com Bowl as Connecticut (8-5) put the hurt on the Gamecocks, 20-7. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said after the game, "I'm embarrassed. Blame me. It was a sad, sad effort, especially the offense."

Man, he was not kidding. The Gamecocks, playing in the heart of SEC country at Birmingham (AL), were sucking major Louisiana pond water. Connecticut held them to 76 yards rushing, 129 yards passing and forced them to punt 7 times. Stephen Garcia fumbled once and was intercepted once.

Connecticut led 20-0 and darn near got a shutout as South Carolina finally scored a TD with 3:24 left in the game. The Huskies' Andre Dixon picked up 126 yards on 33 carries and scored a touchdown. Connecticut players were motivated to win following the stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard, who was killed in a fight outside a school-sponsored dance in October.

Copyright © 2010 Ed Bagley




Read more of my 2009 college football coverage, including:
Fourteen consecutive weeks of NCAA Division I wrap-ups covering the top teams and key upsets.

Fourteen consecutive weeks of Ed Bagley's Top 25 Poll (heck, I figure I am as good at picking them as the writers and coaches who pick the AP Top 25 and the Coaches' Top 25 Polls, plus, I add some humor to lighten the load).

Coverage of the Washington Husky and Michigan State Spartan football programs, including Washington's stunning 16-13 upset of Southern California early in the season.

http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

Also find FREE articles and advice on resumes, cover letters, job interviews, negotiating pay, education, careers, handling objections, and how to find the high-paying jobs regardless of your educational level.

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Saturday, May 15, 2010

How to Potty Train a Puppy - Tips on Making Your Task More Enjoyable

How to potty train a puppy does not involve a potty or trying to make it learn how to use one. Instead you will be trying to make your pet house trained by teaching it to eliminate outside instead of on the place it sleeps, or on any other location inside your house. You may also use the training to teach your puppy to eliminate at a designated place inside your home. This will prevent your house from getting smelly. You will also be able to avoid the task of taking care of the mess which a puppy is sure to leave everywhere around your home.

In order to make the task more enjoyable, do not look at a method on how to potty train a puppy as the unpleasant side of having a puppy. You should take it as the first step in the bonding process between pet and master, a process which will leave a healthy and happy relationship as a result. This relationship would be your reward for training your pet to be more responsible. You should start your potty training as soon as you get your puppy home and always have in mind that it still does not have a full control of its bowel and bladder movements yet.

Any method on how to potty train a puppy would be more effective if you are going to conduct each task at the same time each day. Do not give your pet food within four hours before bedtime or take away its water bowl two hours before going to sleep. This will disrupt the routine which is so essential in teaching him to do certain tasks. Training your puppy also involves getting yourself into a routine too. Since you will have to take it out at the same time in the morning and before going to sleep, you too should wake up and sleep at roughly the same time each day.

Your chosen system on training a puppy should involve taking it outside on your yard, for a walk around the neighborhood in the morning, about ten to fifteen minutes after each drink or meal and before retiring in the evening. Do not play with your pet until it has finished eliminating as it could disrupt his schedule. If you have been out for ten minutes already and there is still no sign that it will eliminate, take your pet back to its den and wait for around ten to fifteen minutes more. You should then take it out again.

Your method on how to potty train a puppy will be more effective if you give will give it praise and accompany it with a reward every time it does a task right. Your reward does not have to be in the form of food. It can be in the form of a small playing time which you and your pet can enjoy a lot. Until you have house trained your dog fully, try to restrict it to rooms that have washable floors to avoid a permanent stain on your flooring.




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If you want more information on Dog Training Information, a Free 4 Day Ecourse and a Free Ebook on Dog Training, then go Now to http://www.dogtraininginformation.org/

Friday, May 14, 2010

Football Vs Soccer - How They Are Related, and How They Are Not

Two of the most beloved sports Football and Soccer have much in common. Lately, many are wondering why there is such an international pull for soccer while football remains an American sport. This articles intent is to bring out some of the similarities and differences between soccer and football based on: history, team size, and fan size.

History: Football vs. Soccer

Football is actually a relative from soccer. Though the date is unsure of when the sport was first known to be played, there were many professional teams starting to spring up in the late 1800s. It was not that much different from its closer cousin rugby, but was showing some far different plays from soccer already.

Here is an interesting fact. Soccer or "football" as is as known in most European and South American Countries is actually the founder of both rugby and football. The major disconnections occurred when the rules for soccer changed to a "no hands" rule. At this point rugby was born. Later as rugby split into two different kinds of play: traditional rugby which allows drop kick goals and more footwork, and American football which has kickoffs and field goals (reminiscent of its soccer days) tackling and hand offs (similar to rugby) and forward passing, options, and other additions.

Soccer on the other hand has a long history, according to the Munich Ethnological Museum there is a Chinese text dated around 50 B.C. talking about "soccer" games in china. Though it is unsure how similar these games were to what we know as soccer today.

Team Size: Football vs. Soccer

There is a tremendous size difference between football and soccer. In football you not only have players that make up a team, but you have specific teams within your team. There are three major teams that consist of a football team: The offense, the defense, and special teams. Each one has a specific objective. The offense with a quarterback, receivers, and guards' objective are to score touchdowns, while the defensive team's job is to stop the opposing team from scoring by tackling the quarterback, runners, or blocking passes. Special teams deal with punts, field goals, and kickoffs. All in all there are anywhere from 30 - 60 players that combine to make a football team.

Soccer is a continuous sport. Meaning unlike football where you have set plays and an offensive and defensive team, in soccer the ball is always going. That being the case there are still offensive and defensive parts to the play of soccer. One can tell whether a team is on the offensive or defensive by where the ball is on the field. If the ball is on your side of the field then you are on defensive, if it is on your opponent's side then you are on the offensive.

Fan Size: Football vs. Soccer

Determining which sport has a greater or more loyal fan base is difficult. Here in the United States American football by far has the larger fan base. However, outside of the United States (and perhaps Canada) you do not hear much about football, only soccer. Entire cities have been known to shut down for the world cup, and yet the most watched event was last year's super bowl. One thing is a fact. Both soccer and football have loyal fans that are not going anywhere.

Conclusion

Soccer or Football? Well when it comes right down to it, you are choosing between two very popular sports that will continue to gain momentum in the years to come.




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Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Bowling Instructions to Make You a Pro in No Time!

Bowling is an easy game to play but a difficult one to master. If you want to be good at it, then you need to have the proper bowling instructions to make yourself successful. The more successful you are at the game, the better you will play and the happier you will be playing.

Practice, Practice, Practice
If you want to be a good bowler, then you need to practice as much as possible. You want to be able to go to the bowling alley as much as you can so that you can practice alone and with friends. Each time you practice, you are learning from your mistakes and improving your form...as well as your game.

A Good Delivery
In bowling, your delivery is everything and that is why a good delivery is one of the important bowling instructions. When you deliver the ball, if you want it to go straight, do the following:

1. Keep your shoulders straight

2. Do not twist your hands or your body

3. Start with your left foot if you are left handed and end with your right foot. If you are right handed, start with your right foot and end with your left foot.

4. Gently let the ball go and point to the pin you want it to hit as part of your follow through. Do not toss the ball.

Hooking the Ball
If you want to hook the ball, then follow these bowling instructions:

1. Point slightly away from the pin you want to hook to.

2. Practice a good follow through and delivery.

3. As you are moving the ball to behind you, ensure your palm is pointing up and holding the ball.

4. As the ball moves past you and forward, turn your hand so that it creates the proper spin on the ball.




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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

8 Facts About the NFL Super Bowl

On Sunday the 7th February 2010 the 44th NFL SuperBowl competition takes place. This is a very important sporting event for not just millions of Americans in the USA but around the world. In fact of all live television broadcasts that take place in the USA during the year this is the event that is watched the most. But as well as being the most watched during the game this is when the most food following Thanksgiving Day will be consumed.

But along with the facts provided above there are some more you might be interested to learn about. Below we take a look at just what some of these are.

Fact 1 - The name Super Bowl was coined by Lamar Hunt who use to own the Kansas City Chief after watching his children in his yard playing with a Super Ball.

Fact 2 - As you will see when the Super Bowl is advertised on TV Roman Numerals are used to identify what number game is to be played rather than for the year in which it is being held. So when the first Super Bowl was played this was known as Super Bowl I as for this weekend's this is identified as being NFL Super Bowl XLIV.

Fact 3 - The game that is played this coming Sunday is the one that will determine who is actually the champion overall of the 2009 American Football regular season.

Fact 4 - The team which has won this title more than any other is the Pittsburgh Steelers who have been Champions six times. However, there are two teams who have won this title five times and they are the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.

Fact 5 - As well as winning the title five times the Dallas Cowboys are also the team that have appeared in the most games. Since it began this team has competed for winning the NFL Super Bowl title eight times.

Fact 6 - This year the game again will take place in Florida and is to be held at the Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens. Since the Super Bowl began the final has taken place 10 times in South Florida. Five times at the Sun Life Stadium home to the Miami Dolphins and five times at the Orange Bowl which has now been demolished.

Fact 7 - Before the game commences it is customary for the American National Anthem and America the Beautiful to be sung. This year the honors go to Queen Latifah and Carrie Underwood. Whilst to keep the fan entertained during the half time interval The Who will be performing.

Fact 8 - Any company wishing to air commercials during the breaks in the game are expected to pay around 2.8 million dollars to do so. The reason that these costs to place commercials is so high is because the number of people who are expected to watch the match on TV.




Despite being one of the most popular events of the year in the USA, the Super Bowl hasn't quite taken off in the same way across the pond in the United Kingdom. However things are moving along slightly with some NFL games actually being played at Wembley Stadium in London and more UK people watching the Super Bowl on TV.

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Kitchenaid Pro 600 Information

Cooking enthusiasts who love cooking and making new dishes would appreciate investing in a Kitchenaid 600. Shopping for kitchen equipment is difficult because it requires you to carefully consider the features of the product and the functions that it can perform. A food mixer is one of the essential items that is needed for any kitchen. Different types of kitchen equipment are available on the market that is capable of performing various cooking tasks. Kitchenaid 600 is a mixer that easily mixes any kind of products such as cream, bread dough and much more.

This essential appliance uses a planetary mixer to ensure that everything is mixed properly. A large variety of these are available on the market to cater for all types of customers demands. You can also choose the speed of the appliance from ten speed limits available on the market. People who purchase these for their restaurants or hotels often select higher speed appliances because they want everything to be done fast. Most of the people have purchased this appliance because of its capability of mixing even the thickest ingredients.

These kitchen appliances come in different colors, styles and features. With numerous options available you can choose the features that you would require. If you want fast mixing capabilities of Kitchenaid then you can invest in the one that offers these features and is capable of fulfilling your demands. Some of the colors that are available include copper pearl, gloss white, pearl metallic, empire red and many others.

Before purchasing this item you should have proper space allocated for it in your kitchen because it is over 16 inches tall and 14 inches long. People who don't have enough space in their kitchen usually look for alternate options that are available on the market. This item is known for its durability and people who invest in these won't have to worry about repairing or purchasing another mixer for years to come. The mixer comes with some vital tools that are required for performing the mixing tasks including metal mixing bowl, dough hook for bread, paddler mixer and a whisk. With all these items available the Kitchenaid is fully capable of performing its tasks efficiently.

Kitchenaid being one of the most essential items of any kitchen comes with different colors, tools and features and allows you to select the one that fulfills your cooking needs.




Visit kitchenaid 600 or sonic blade for more information.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Using Bread Machine Mixes in Your Oven

You don't have to own a bread machine to enjoy the variety of bread machine mixes. And you don't have to make blocky, square loaves with holes in the bottom. You can make wonderful rolls, traditional sandwich loaves, and artisan loaves with or without the aid of a bread machine. In this article, we will tell you how to convert any bread machine mix into great breads by hand, with your stand-type mixer, or with your bread machine.

First, we'll show you how to bake tempting breads from bread machine mixes without a bread machine. We'll use our Sour Cream Onion Bread Mixes because we like this onion bread so much (and we get to enjoy it when we're through with this demonstration). We like to make more than one loaf when we bake so we'll use two mixes and combine them. (When we have more bread than we can use, we slice and freeze it.) We'll mix these in a bowl instead of using our stand-type mixer and bake one in a pan and make one into a classy artisan loaf just to demonstrate versatility.

To mix in a bowl, empty the mixes into a large bowl. Mix the yeast in the warm water and add the mixture to the bowl. Add melted butter. (Be careful to let the butter cool below 140 degrees so that it will not kill the yeast.) Stir with a spatula until the mass starts to stick together. When you cannot comfortably stir any further, dump the dough onto a floured surface and begin kneading. (The dough will likely be slightly wetter than you can handle by hand. A tablespoon or so of flour on the counter should make it just right. Do not add too much flour--a softer dough will rise better.) Knead the dough until it is elastic--ten to twelve minutes. Place it in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until doubled--about an hour.

To mix using a stand-type mixer, empty one of the mixes into the mixer bowl (or half of one mix if you are baking a single loaf). Add the yeast and the water and mix with your dough hook on medium speed for 40 seconds--to start to dissolve the yeast. Add the other mix (or the rest of the mix if you are baking one loaf) and the melted butter and continue mixing at medium speed for another four minutes to develop the gluten. If the dough is too sticky, add one tablespoon flour. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it and let it rise until doubled--about an hour.

Once the dough has risen, you may form the dough into rolls, a pan-shaped loaf, or a free-standing loaf.

To form a free-standing loaf, pull the dough around the center creating a taut outer skin and a well-shaped loaf. Pinch the seams together on the bottom and place the loaf on a baking sheet that has been greased and sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaf and let it rise until doubled--about an hour.

To form a pan-shaped loaf, pull the dough around the center to form a taut skin and place the loaf in a large greased 5 x 9-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise.

To form rolls, cut away egg-sized chunks of the risen dough and pull the dough taut around the center of the roll as you would a loaf, pinching the seam on the bottom. Place the rolls on a greased pan, cover, and let rise. One bread machine mix should make a dozen medium-sized rolls.

Most artisan loaves are baked with a thicker, chewier crust than pan-shaped loaves. To create these crusts, the bread is baked in a steamy environment and it is baked to a higher internal temperature in order to drive more moisture from the loaf. (Moisture trapped in the interior of the loaf will migrate to the crust and soften it.) The internal temperature of crusty breads should reach 210 degrees. If you would like to bake a crusty, artisan bread, click here for instructions.

Bake the pan-shaped loaf at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. The interior of the loaf should be at least 190 degrees.

Bake rolls for 18 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees or until done.

If you would like to try baking these great breads from our Bread Machine Mixes, you can do so for as little as $2.04 per mix.

Baking Hint: The bronze finish that you see on the loaves in this picture was created with an egg yolk wash. Simply mix one tablespoon warm water with one egg yolk and gently brush the wash on the loaf just before baking.




Dennis Weaver is the author of "How to Bake", a free 250-page e-book. Which is free at The Prepared Pantry. The Prepared Pantry sells bread mixes and other baking mixes and offers a free Bread Center with recipes and techniques.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Chargers Lose Nail-Biter to Ravens

The San Diego Chargers have been bestowed with high hopes going into the 2009 season. Many are even speaking of this team as a favorite to emerge from the AFC conference and make its way to the Super Bowl.

This is a team that has seen multiple playoff berths over the past few years, and a core of players that continues to improve (i.e. Philip Rivers - a contender for the MVP award this season in the minds of many - Darren Sproles, and more) should propel a highly effective offensive team to a great place this season.

The Chargers opened up the season with a near loss in Oakland. The team had been heavily favored to win this game against an Oakland team that could barely win a game last year. While the Chargers came away with a 24-20 win, this was done in anything but simple fashion and they nearly blew what should have been an easy game. Chalk it up to an off day.

Come week 2, with a more challenging game against a visiting Ravens team. The fact that the Chargers were at home in front of an extremely passionate fan base gives the team the edge, but they somehow lost this game to Baltimore, despite two great opportunities to score a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, either which would have given the team the win.

So maybe the Ravens are one of the better teams in the NFL. After all, they made the playoffs last year and their youth has improved this year.

Still, the obvious flaw in this Chargers team seems to be its defense. Can the team clean up its defensive unit from here? It may need to.




Enjoy an awesome San Diego Chargers forum, at RootZoo Sports, home to the best fantasy football news online.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

NFL Week 7 Power Rankings

Here's a breakdown of some key games on the Week 7 schedule:

Dallas at Seattle (-3)

Last year, Dallas rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final two minutes to win a memorable 43-39 Monday Night shootout in Seattle. However, the Seahawks have won twice in three games against the Cowboys since Mike Holmgren has been at the helm.

The big story this week for the Seahawks was the loss of safety Ken Hamlin, who got viciously beaten Sunday night outside a nightclub after Seattle's 42-10 victory over Houston. Marquand Manuel (five starts in four years) will take Hamlin's place, and will likely be tested by Drew Bledsoe and the No. 6 ranked offense in the league. Seattle won't mind a shootout though, since they posses the NFL's top offense (407 yards and 28 points per contest). The Seahawks are tough at home, but are only 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 games at Qwest Field.

Julius Jones and Day Nguyen should return for the Cowboys this Sunday, but the Boys lost starting left tackle Flozell Adams for the season. Torrin Tucker will be Adams' replacement. Also, Patrick Crayton is sidelined for 6-8 weeks, and Peerless Price will get a chance to resurrect his career. The Dallas defense has dominated two of the NFL's best offenses the last two weeks, holding Philly and New York to a combined 23 points, 80 rushing yards, and 3-for-23 on third down.

Cincinnati (-1) at Pittsburgh

This is a crucial clash in the AFC North, and a Bengals win will leave them 2.5 games up on the Steelers. However, Pittsburgh is 8-2 against Cincy recently.

The rumor is that Ben Roethlisberger is going to suit up for Pittsburgh. His absence was obvious last week as Tommy Maddox doubled the team's season turnover total - managing four himself after Pitt had just two all year. Former Bengals coach Dick LeBeau, now the Steelers DC, has beaten his old team three consecutive times since 2003. Pittsburgh is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine road games.

The Bengals have faced the Steelers 28 times since 1990, and this is only the third time that Cincy enters a meeting with a better record. They are 1-1 in those games. I'm going to jinx Carson Palmer by mentioning that he hasn't throw an interception in 148 passes. Cincinnati is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven games, and 5-0 straight up in its last five contests after scoring 30 points.

San Diego at Philadelphia (-3.5)

Since Andy Reid took over in 1999, Philly is 9-0 in games following a bye week (6-0 in the regular season and 3-0 in the playoffs). Donovan McNabb has had two weeks to recover from his myriad of injuries (chest, leg, sports hernia).

The Eagles have thrown the ball on 72 percent of their offensive plays thus far, so they're looking for more balance. Since 2002, the Eagles are 36-9 versus the NFC but just 8-7 against the AFC. However, they've already squeezed out wins over two AFC West teams in 2005 - Oakland (23-20) and Kansas City (37-31). The Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.

San Diego is an outstanding 15-3-2 ATS in its last 20 games, but just 9-10 SU in road games since the start of the 2003 season. The Chargers have the NFL's No. 2 scoring offense (29.3 ppg) but are just 3-7 OU in their last 10 road games.

Denver at N.Y. Giants (-2)

The last time these two clubs met was on Sept. 10, 2001 - the night before 9/11.

The Giants are averaging 37.7 points a game in the Meadowlands, and are 4-1 ATS in their last five at home. New York needs to find some touches for Tiki Barber, who already has had three games with less than 15 carries. He had only two such games in 2004. The Giants are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight, and 4-2-1 SU in their last seven meetings with Denver.

Denver is riding a five-game winning streak. They carried a 13-game winning streak into the Meadowlands the last time they visited New York, but were downed 20-16. Tatum Bell is leading the league's third-best rushing attack with his 6.8 yards per carry average. Despite their gaudy record, Denver's defense is just 22nd in the league.

Without further ado, here are my Week 7 Power Rankings:

1) Indianapolis (6-0) - For all that's been made of their offensive "struggles" this season, they're sixth in the NFL in scoring with 25.2 points per game.

2) Denver (5-1) - The Broncos small corners and 26th-rated pass defense could have a long day against Eli and the G-Men.

3) Cincinnati (5-1) - I think their front seven is soft. They have a chance to prove me wrong by holding up against Pitt's running game.

4) Jacksonville (4-2) - I'd be concerned about that 25th-rated offense. But then I'd feel better about that No. 4 defense.

5) Tampa Bay (5-1) - Tim Rattay was a real nice pickup for this club. They're going to need him sooner rather than later.

6) Pittsburgh (3-2) - I hope Big Ben isn't coming back too quickly.

7) Atlanta (4-2) - I didn't think Edge Hartwell had done much for the Falcons this season, but in the two games since he's been gone they've surrendered 352 rush yards.

8) Philadelphia (3-2) - From the week after their bye to the end of the season, the Eagles are 41-10 under Reid. They went 9-3 in 2004 following the off week.

9) Carolina (4-2) - Their offense is ranked just 23rd and the defense is committing 10 penalties a game. Sloppy.

10) New England (3-3) - Since Rodney Harrison went down the Pats are 1-2, have yielded 1,263 yards (421 per game), and have been outscored 97-68.

11) Seattle (4-2) - Like Dallas, Houston employed a 3-4 defense and the Seahawks ran over it for 320 yards.

12) Dallas (4-2) - Adams had started 106 consecutive games for the Boys. A team losing its starting, Pro Bowl left tackle is not something to be taken lightly.

13) Kansas City (3-2) - This game is needed if the Chiefs want to make a run in the West. Their seventh-ranked rush offense will face the 13th-ranked rush defense.

14) San Diego (3-3) - When they meet Philly, the Chargers will have faced three teams in seven weeks that have had a bye the previous Sunday.

15) Washington (3-2) - Clinton Portis has a sore shin and hamstring, but will play. The Redskins are one of just two teams with a winning record and a negative turnover differential.

16) New York Giants (3-2) - Teams are converting an absurd 52% of third downs against the G-Men. However, their defense has forced 17 turnovers in just five games.

17) Buffalo (3-3) - The Bills have only 13 second-half points so far, but find themselves tied for first place in the East.

18) Baltimore (2-3) - This game in The Windy City is critical if the Ravens want to get back into the AFC North race. Baltimore is 4-1 in its last five against the NFC.

19) Chicago (2-3) - Teams have converted only one of 12 opportunities in the red zone into a touchdown against the Bears defense. Also, their D is holding teams to a 28.8% conversion rate on third down.

20) Tennessee (2-4) - The Titans are just 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games, and 2-4 ATS on the road.

21) Miami (2-3) - The Dolphins have won four in a row at home. In two career meetings, Miami has held Priest Holmes to 77 total rushing yards."

22) Detroit (2-3) - Jeff Garcia split first-team reps with Joey Harrington this week and could earn start against Browns, the team he played for in 2004.

23) New York Jets (2-4) - Losing Kevin Mawae may have been the deathblow to their season.

24) Cleveland (2-3) - The Browns are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games. Who knew?

25) St. Louis (2-4) - You don't really think that Jamie Martin pickup is going to save your fantasy team, do you?

26) New Orleans (2-4) - Now that the season is rapidly going downhill, the focus is starting to shift towards whether the Saints will stay in New Orleans. Could be another loss for The Big Easy.

27) Oakland (1-4) - The Raiders are the second-worst rushing team in the league with 71 yards per game.

28) Green Bay (1-4) - DC Jim Bates is doing a decent job with a terrible defense. They're 10th in total defense and 14th in scoring defense. Not great, but an improvement from their 25 and 23 rankings, respectively, last year.

29) Arizona (1-4) - Despite a weak rushing attack, the Cards are No. 3 in the NFL in time of possession with 33 minutes per game.

30) Minnesota (1-4) - Remember, between 25 to 35 percent of the "experts" picked this team to win the NFC.

31) San Francisco (1-4) - The 49ers have won three straight outright in Washington, but haven't played there since 1998.

32) Houston (0-5) - Average score of their games is 28-11.

Questions or comments for Robert? E-mail robert@docsports.com




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Friday, May 7, 2010

Wok Cooking

When the Asians and Chinese immigrated to the United States, they brought their cuisines with them. Today there are Asian and Chinese restaurants and eating places where one can enjoy their exotic and delicious dishes and delicacies. As more Asians have immigrated to the United States, they have created a demand for the fruits, vegetables, fungi, sauces, and noodles unique to their native land.

The wok is the primary utensil used in Chinese and Asian cooking. It is used especially in East and Southeast Asia. Hundreds of years ago, due to fuel shortages, Chinese cooks discovered how to prepare healthy meals using the wok which is very versatile. This bowl-shaped utensil has many advantages. Its shape produces a small, hot area at the bottom which allows some of the food to be seared by intense heat while using very little fuel. Its curved sides allow bite-sized or finely chopped stir-fry ingredients that are tossed when stir-frying to tumble back to the center of the wok and not on the stove. The curve allows large pieces of food seared at the bottom of the wok to be pushed up the gently sloped sides to continue cooking at a lower rate.

Heat is distributed evenly through the wok, making it perfect for stir-fry cooking. Heat is one of the secrets in Asian cooking. It is very economical because less oil is used for deep frying than a traditional deep-fat fryer. The wok is generally used for stir-frying meats and vegetables, but can also be used for steaming, deep frying, braising, smoking, and making soups.

Traditional woks were made out of steel, but woks made of this material are hard to find today. They usually had two handles. Today instead of double handles, woks have one long handle like a skillet. This makes the woks easier to use and move. Most modern woks are made of stainless steel, copper or aluminum. Because woks are now used on the stove top, modern woks have flat bottoms. There are also electric woks, which can be used at lower temperatures than traditional woks.

Although the wok is used to cook Chinese and Asian dishes, it has become very popular with cooks in the modern kitchen. There are many inexpensive woks on the market, and wok cooking is very healthy. So, purchase your wok, search for recipes, visit the Asian market, and enjoy the Asian and Chinese cuisines.




Audrey Hosten is the owner of http://www.cookwaresellar.com and she knows the importance of picking the right cookware for all for cooking needs. If you have questions she will help you pick the right cookware for the right job.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Pro Football - Leonard "Green Shoes" Weaver Leads Seahawks to Second Victory in 7 Games

Football should be about fun and the Seattle Seahawks finally made it so by running the San Francisco 49ers off of their home field Sunday (10-26-08) behind the catch and run explosion of Leonard "Green Shoes" Weaver and the pass snatching ability of Josh Wilson, winning 34-13.

On a day when Seattle's defense not only showed up but played, Weaver turned two short receptions by back-up quarterback Seneca Wallace into 43 and 62-yard touchdowns.

Just watching Weaver stream down the sideline in shoes with a prominent lime green presence was worth the price of admission. Weaver, Seattle's 6-foot, 242-pound fullback, was high-stepping and high-styling in taking the rock to the house twice. Normally Weaver is the lead blocker for running backs Julius Jones and Mo Morris.

Weaver's green shoes are reminiscent of another more famous athlete from the mid-1970s, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. Johnson, a 3-time, All-Pro selection as a kick return specialist, wore white shoes when everyone else wore black shoes.

Johnson had great speed, and long before showboating became an end-zone pastime in the NFL, he was one of the first players to launch scoring celebrations, initially by doing the then-famous soul dance, the "Funky Chicken".

Josh Wilson, the Seahawks' second-year defensive back and kickoff return specialist, picked up a fumble in last week's 20-10 loss at Tampa Bay and was scampering for an apparent 96-yard touchdown when some official whistled the play dead.

It came as no surprise Sunday when Wilson picked off a J. T. O'Sullivan pass and took off on a 75-yard inception return to put Seattle up 20-3 with 31 seconds left in the 1st half. Coach Mike Holmgren saw Wilson's theft as a tremendous momentum shift for his

Seahawks.

The Seahawk defense had sacked O'Sullivan 8 times in their first meeting this year in Seattle, but the 49ers walked away with a 33-30 overtime victory. This time they got to San Francisco's quarterbacks 5 times but forced starter O'Sullivan to fumble twice, and 6-foot-5, 272-pound defensive end Patrick Kerney picked up one of the fumbles and ran 50 yards, setting up a second field goal in the 1st quarter.

Seattle's missing defense earlier in the season showed up in J. T. O'Sullivan's backfield, putting so much pressure on O'Sullivan that new 49er coach Mike Singletary yanked him in favor of Shaun Hill. It didn't seem to matter because Seattle left San Francisco on top this time.

The Seahawks, now 2-5 on the year, are tied for 2nd place in the National Conference's weak West Division with the St. Louis Rams. The Arizona Cardinals are leading the division with a 4-3 mark.

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley




Read my other detailed, knowledgeable, interesting articles on Seattle Seahawk football, including:
"Does Seattle Have Too Many Stars and Not Enough Football Players?"
"Seattle's Only Hope For Sports Success Is Now Hiding in a Dumper Somewhere"
"Will Seahawks' Woeful 0-2 Start Leave Them Out of the Chase For the Super Bowl Title?
"Seattle Seahawks' Opener in Buffalo Proves an Awful Study in Ineptitude"
"Here Come the Seahawks: Stumbling and Bumbling into Holmgren's Last Year"
"Can the Seahawks Find the Grit to Deliver Holmgren a 2nd Super Bowl Winning Team?"

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Michael Vick is Done

It is official; Michael Vick is done with the rest of the NFL season. After deferring to his attorneys, the NFL quarterback has decided to accept a plea deal regarding the dog fighting operation. Vick will be spending at least ten months in jail for his actions. It was fairly obvious that Vick was headed to prison after a significant amount of incriminating evidence was found against him.

The defense attorney (Lawrence Woodward) for Michael Vick stated, "Mike's accepting full responsibility. He's going to do everything he can personally and professionally to make this situation right." Another one of Michael's lawyers (Billy Martin) went on to say, "After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick asks that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him. Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his action and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter." The Atlanta Falcons invested $ 130 million in Michael Vick, but it has come to no avail. Fortunately, the Falcons will be able to reclaim at least $ 22 million of that $ 130 million contract. To make matters worse, Vick will not be able to play in the NFL until the 2010 football season. More likely than not, the pro bowl quarterback will be waived from the Atlanta Falcons after serving time in jail.

Ticket sales will drastically plummet because Michael Vick was the box office attraction; moreover, he was the guy who filled the Georgia Dome with fans. The Michael Vick fiasco is like watching an episode of Cops. In virtually every episode of Cops, the criminal always denies that the drugs in the truck are his/hers. Furthermore, the criminals shrugs their shoulders and says "I don't know how those drugs got there" or "those drugs aren't mine" or "I was set up." In reality, the criminals always know how the drugs got there because they put them there. Similarly, Michael Vick is doing the same thing. The only difference is instead of drugs, Vick is using dogs. Initially, Michael denied he had anything to do with this transgression.

In reality, Mr. Vick knew how the dog killing equipment was at his property because he put them there. It appears that Michael Vick will not be barking out audibles at the line of scrimmage this NFL season (get it, I came up with that one all by myself). The old saying "if you can't do the time, then don't do the crime" is in full effect here. For violating the NFL conduct policy, Michael Vick will be violated in prison (unless he sent to a jail with cellmates that have erectile dysfunction). With or without Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons are already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.




http://funnyman-sports.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Antonio Gates - 2003 Draft Day Picks

Antonio Gates was born June 18, 1980 in Detroit Michigan. Ever since Gates was a young child it was obvious that he was going to be a great athlete in one sport or another. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches and weighing 260 pounds, he has all of the physical skills that a top notch NFL tight end could need. When you add this to the mental aspect of his game, it is no wonder why many people consider him to be the best tight end in the game.

Gates is a bit different than the rest of the players that you see in the NFL. Before his rookie season in the league, he had not played in an organized football game since high school. Gates decided that he wanted to go to Michigan State University to play both basketball and football, but when he was told by then Coach Nick Saban that he could only play football he decided to transfer. Subsequently, this led him to Eastern Michigan University then two junior colleges until he finally settled down at Kent State University in Ohio.

After his college basketball career was over, NBA scouts felt that at 6'4" he was not big enough to make it in the league. In turn, he began to focus his energy on getting ready for the NFL. Nearly 20 teams attended his workout, and the San Diego Chargers were so impressed that they signed him to a contract.

After a slow rookie season in 2004, Gates quickly became an offensive threat. Throughout the next three seasons combined he caught 241 passes for 2,989 yards and 32 touchdowns. This was good enough to land him in the Pro Bowl each of these three years, and also establish himself as a top offensive threat. For a guy that did not play college football, Gates is doing just fine in the NFL.




Bob writes for DraftDayPicks.com and MVP ProShop. Where you can purchase a Antonio Gates Jersey or information about a Antonio Gates Jersey [http://www.fanfrenzyzone.com/nfl/antonio_gates_bio.html]

Monday, May 3, 2010

KitchenAid Artisan Mixer - The Right Stand Mixer For Your Kitchen?

Purchasing a stand mixer is an exciting and often daunting task. There are so many mixers on the market, all with great claims. So how do you know which one is best for your kitchen? Could a KitchenAid Artisan Mixer be the perfect fit? Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of the KitchenAid Artisan series.

Reasons why the KitchenAid Artisan Mixer might be right for your kitchen


  • Large capacity - The 5 quart bowl allows multiple batches to be mixed at once.

  • Powerful motor - With 325 Watts and 10 speeds, the Artisan KitchenAid can handle recipes and multiple batches containing up to 9 cups of all-purpose flour.

  • Even mixing - A 10 speed slide control adjusts smoothly between whipping, stirring, and mixing. Since the beaters touch the bowl in 67 places, the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

  • Easy clean-up - The stainless steel bowl and the nylon-coated attachments are dishwasher safe. An included pouring shield keeps the ingredients in the bowl and off the counter. The mixer can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

  • Possibility for expansion - With the purchase of optional accessories, the Artisan Mixer can become a complete kitchen machine performing numerous tasks including making ice cream and pasta, opening cans, grinding meats, and slicing vegetables.

  • Variety of colors - With over 20 colors available, you can easily color-coordinate your kitchen and other appliances with your KitchenAid Artisan mixer.

  • Tilt-head for easy access to the bowl, beaters, and ingredients - The Artisan Mixer is the largest capacity tilt-head mixer made by KitchenAid.

  • Hassle-free warranty - If the machine fails for any reason during the first year, KitchenAid will replace it without any hassles, delivering a new product to your doorstep and arranging for the return of the failed one.

Reasons why the KitchenAid Artisan Mixer might not be right for your kitchen:

  • Clearance required - Since the head tilts back, the KitchenAid Artisan might not fit under your kitchen cabinet while it is running. Make sure you have room to pull it forward on the counter when you are ready to work.

  • Inadequate capacity or power- If you frequently make large batches or use whole grain flours, the Artisan may not be large enough or strong enough to fit your needs. KitchenAid makes two models with more power: the Pro 5 Plus and the Pro 600.

  • Less stability for heavier doughs - The bowl-lift machines are more stable when handling heavy batches than the tilt-head models.

  • Heavy-duty dough hook not available - The KitchenAid Artisan Series comes with a nylon-coated C dough hook rather than the PowerKnead dough hook available in the Pro 5 Plus or Pro 600 models.




The KitchenAid Artisan is a well-built machine designed to perform in your kitchen for many years. Its large capacity and ease of use is perfect for many kitchens. Before making a final decision, read about the features of the KitchenAid Artisan Mixer, see all the colors available, and compare it to other KitchenAid models.

http://www.squidoo.com/KitchenAid-Artisan-5-Qt-Stand-Mixer

Sunday, May 2, 2010

San Francisco 49ers Beat Seahawks, Improve to 2-0

How about those San Francisco 49ers? After a disappointing 2008 campaign that showed some promises of hope, it looks like this Niners team is ready to deliver on that hope in 2009.

Coach Mike Singletary seems to have masterminded what is quickly becoming one of the better defensive units in pro football today. Led by Patrick Willis, the 49ers defense has held its competition to just 26 total points in each of the team's first two games.

The more impressive of the two victories was San Francisco's week one win over the Arizona Cardinals, in Arizona of all places. A 20-16 win shut down the defending NFC champions, surprising many football fans around the country.

Efficient play from Frank Gore at running back, coupled with a great defensive presence thus far, has largely been responsible for this resurgence. Ironically, the team looks like it's better off without 1st round draft pick Michael Crabtree, the wide receiver so many expected to change the face of this franchise.

Crabtree refused to play after becoming unhappy with the contract that another rookie wide receiver had been offered with the Raiders, and it looked as if the state of the 49ers was in disarray entering the season.

After that win at Arizona and another impressive win in week 2 against the visiting Seattle Seahawks, things are looking up for the San Francisco 49ers, and they're surprisingly leading the NFC West division after two weeks of football.

Is this just one of those fluke starts that we see a few teams pull off each year, or are the San Francisco 49ers the real deal in 2009?




Enjoy an awesome San Francisco 49ers forum, at RootZoo Sports, home to the best sports forum online.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Buffalo Bills Look Steady in 2009

The Buffalo Bills are an interesting team. With so much attention being focused on the New England Patriots and the new and improved New York Jets (not to mention the defending AFC East champion Miami Dolphins - oh yeah, remember them?), the Buffalo Bills are being overlooked. After a tough battle in New England that almost brought them a win and a strong victory at home against Tampa Bay, maybe that should change.

Trent Edwards looks like a new QB on the field this season. Having had two very effective games for the Bills so far, Edwards has been very efficient in the pocket and is taking full advantage of his new weapons.

It looks like there's a chemistry building between Edwards and newly acquired pro bowl wide receiver Terrell Owens, as the two connected for a nice touchdown pass during the game against Tampa Bay. With Lee Evans on the other side, Edwards has two extremely capable wide receivers to turn to this season.

There's somehow a third wide receiver in town. Schouman is the name. Having had six receptions and a total of 62 yards, Schouman led the team in receptions during week two. All of this has occurred while Marshawn Lynch is serving a suspension, though you'd never know it as Fred Jackson has simply been phenomenal.

They may not be the favorites to win the AFC East, but there's no reason the Buffalo Bills should be counted out. Any football fan who remembers what the Miami Dolphins did last season should know this very well.




Come to the Buffalo Bills forum at RootZoo and enjoy the hundreds of different sports forums on the site.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Plank That Salmon - Mouth-Watering Planked Salmon Recipes

Cedar plank salmon is a method of cooking salmon that has been used for hundreds of years. It gives your salmon a natural, rich, smoky flavor, especially when the salmon is slow cooked. Your family and your guests will love the great taste of this specially made salmon.

Cedar planks or boards for grilling are sold at gourmet food boutiques, housewares stores and lumberyard; you can also purchase them online in sets. When choosing your planks, especially at a hardware store, choose cedar that is completely natural and chemical free. It shouldn't be treated with preservatives or other chemicals.

Before you heat up the grill for cedar plank salmon, you'll have to prepare your plank.  To do this, soak the board in water for 20 minutes to an hour. The longer the plank is to be on the grill, the longer you'll want to soak it. Once the plank is ready, heat up the grill; while the grill is warming up, spray the plank with olive oil.

For this particular recipe, you'll need a 1-2 pound salmon fillet, with the skin still on, ½ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Preheat the grill. Place the salmon fillet skin down on the cedar plank. Combine brown sugar, oil, thyme and pepper in a bowl. Spread the mixture over the salmon. Place the planked salmon on t the grilling grate and cook, with the grill covered for about 4o minutes or until the surface fat turns white.

Another way to enjoy cedar plank salmon is to rub about 2 pounds' worth of salmon fillets with olive oil. Place on the prepared cedar plank and top with chopped red onion, grated black pepper and lemon wedges. Grill for about 20-30 minutes until done.

This cedar plank salmon recipe calls for a simple yet sinfully tasty marinade of lime and cilantro. In a food processor blend a cup of extra virgin olive oil, a bunch of cilantro leaves, 4 garlic cloves, the juice of one lime, salt and pepper.  Cover about 4-6 salmon fillets with the marinade and place them in a Ziploc bag to marinate, preferably at least two hours or overnight. Grill on the prepared cedar planks for 10-15 minutes.




Looking for wonderful Alaskan Seafood recipes? Check out great meals to make for your family at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

How Will The Indianapolis Colts Do In 2007?

The NFL opening game is only two months away, but if you are an avid fan, no doubt you are chomping at the bit. Training camp is but a few weeks away. How will the Indianapolis Colts do this year? Let's take a look at the key areas for the Colts.

Offense

One of the best offenses in the league will no doubt excel once again. Peyton Manning will no doubt get his share of yards and touchdown passes. While the offense did lose running back Dominic Rhodes, the remainder of the offensive nucleus is back and ready. Manning is the key to this offense and a healthy Manning means more victories.

The running game is also strong. While they may be not as effective as last year due to the previously mentioned departure of Rhodes, the running back area will still do well.

The passing game is a sight to behold. Manning is confident that his receivers will be in the right spot at the right time and they typically are. Despite one of the best set of receivers in the league, the Colts reloaded and used their first round choice on a receiver with the hope that their passing game will rank as the best in the league for years to come.
All this talent would not be any good without a good offensive line. Here again, the Colts are well equipped. Pro Bowl left tackle Tarik Glenn is effective as a run blocker and pass protector giving Manning confidence his backside is well protected. The other positions are well stocked and the Colts used their 2nd round draft choice to pick up another solid lineman.

Defense

The defense has always been overshadowed by the offense. In 2006, the Colts defense ranked 12 out of 16. Not what most people would consider a Super Bowl worthy defense. It just highlights how dominant the offense is. At some point though, the Colts need to address defense. With the Patriots looking to improve and get back to the Super Bowl, the Colts cannot rely on just offense.

The defensive did not do that well in 2006. The Colts gave up a league worst, YES, league worst 173 yards per game at a clip of 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. Too often the front line was too focused on rushing the passer which opened up the rushing lanes for huge gains. This will need to stop. Opponent coaches should take note of this and control the game. By controlling the game, maybe, they can keep Manning off the field.

The linebacking corps continues to be a point of frustration for fans. For the 4th time in 5 years, a starting linebacker left the team via free agency. That is just too much turnover and no doubt added to the woeful running defense.

The secondary is also in shambles. Jason David and Nick Harper sought the free agent big bucks and left the team. Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden are expected to replace David and Harper but between the two of them they have only started two games over the last two years. Not exactly a comforting thought, especially for a defense that was prone to giving up big, big plays a few years ago.

My Prediction

The bottom line is that seven players who started a combined 273 games in 2006 are no longer with the team. That is a major hit to any team. With stiff competition in the AFC, the Colts will be hard pressed to repeat last years performance. As with every Super Bowl winner, every team that plays them wants to knock them off. It will be no different for the Colts. Each lower echelon team the Colts play will treat that game like their Super Bowl. Consequently, the Colts will have a good year, but distractions, free agency and a porous defense will be too much to overcome making the Colts a one year wonder.




Keith Scott writes articles for fun. Talk Sports and football now at his free sports based forum. Provide your thoughts about your despised rival up north or the upcoming season or about Tank.

He also writes Coin Collecting Articles for fun.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Frank Gore - 2001 Draft Day Picks

Frank Gore was born on May 14, 1983 in Coral Gables, Florida. Gore has all of the physical tools that it takes to be a success at the NFL level, as well as all of the intangibles. Not only is he considered to be a breakaway threat every time he touches the ball, but he is also powerful enough to run the ball on the inside and pick up the tough yards.

Coming out of Coral Gables High School, Gore was one of the most highly recruited players in the United States. During his senior year in high school Gore set a Dade County record by rushing for 2,953 yards. In addition to all of these yards, he also found the end zone 34 times. Throughout his high school career Gore showed college coaches that he not only had the athletic ability to be a great runner, but that he also had great vision.

After a hotly contested recruiting battle, Gore wound up choosing the University of Miami. As a true freshman he got off to a good start by rushing for 562 yards on only 62 carries. This led to him being honored as the Sporting News Big East Freshman of the Year. Unfortunately, before the 2002 season got underway he suffered a torn left ACL. This led to him missing the entire year. In 2003 he got off to a hot start, but once again tore his ACL; this time in his right knee.

Finally during the 2004 campaign he stayed healthy enough to play the entire year. This led to him rushing for almost 1,000 yards.

Gore was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 65th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. By 2006 he had established himself as one of the best running backs in the league. He did this by rushing for 1,695 yards, and being selected to his first Pro Bowl.




Bob writes for DraftDayPicks.com and AllProZone.com. Where you can purchase a Frank Gore Jersey or get information about a Frank Gore Jersey [http://www.fanfrenzyzone.com/nfl/frank_gore_bio.html]

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Learning the Two Simple Methods of Cooking Couscous

One of the best alternatives for traditional pasta, couscous is a special type of wheat that is commonly used in dishes that originated from North Africa. Many people agree that this wheat goes well with delicious fish viands, as well as dishes that have hot and spicy flavors. In addition, everyone can eat couscous for breakfast by adding milk and other fruits to the wheat. However, to those who are health conscious they can always add delicious and nutritious salad dressing to this wheat to improve its taste. For individuals who have interest in exploring other uses of the wheat, it is best that they try these two sumptuous couscous recipes, namely Plain Couscous and Couscous With Olive Oil.

Learning the Basics in Cooking Plain Couscous

The easiest way of cooking couscous is by preparing and serving it to people very plainly. When cooking plain couscous, it is important to prepare a tasty and savory sauce that will be mixed with the wheat, since the sauce will be the only source of flavor in this dish. Combine couscous and sauce in a pan and boil for several minutes. The heat must be turned-off when the mixture reaches boiling point to avoid couscous from becoming over cooked. Before letting the mixture stand for another five minutes, it is important to cover the pan to prevent the wheat from being contaminated. Serve the dish immediately.

Knowing the Steps for Cooking Couscous with Olive Oil

Another simple way of cooking couscous is by preparing it with olive oil. Pour at most two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan. Heat the pan in a medium low fire for several minutes. As an alternative for olive oil, it is best to use vegetable oil. Put couscous in the pan and sprinkle with salt to improve its taste. Constantly stir the wheat. When the color of couscous appears to be golden brown, pour boiling water. Before turning the fire off, provide a cover for the pan. Let the dish stand in the pan for at most ten minutes. Transfer the dish in another bowl and serve immediately.

Important Tips in Cooking Couscous

For individuals who have interest in cooking couscous, there are some important tips that they should consider. Instead of boiling the wheat in plain water, they can use juices, chicken stock, and beef stock as alternatives. Additionally, to those who like to prepare couscous with olive oil, they can always add pine nuts to enhance the flavor of the dish. Furthermore, the use of some herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme is encouraged to improve the taste of the wheat. Finally, when it comes to preserving excess couscous, they should always place it inside a container and put in a refrigerator to retain its freshness.

Cooking couscous is very easy and simple. In addition, it is not time consuming, which means that everyone can prepare couscous dishes. By following the procedures in cooking these two recipes, people can add new flavor and taste to the traditional way of preparing this special kind of wheat.




Peter Garant is writing cooking and food articles for both How to Cook Couscous Info and Boiling Chicken Info web sites.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Most Popular Authentic NFL Jerseys From the 2009-2010 Playoffs

The NFL playoffs is always the time when stars emerge, and as a result, their authentic NFL jerseys become extremely popular. The bright lights are on, and everybody is watching the nationally televised games. The big stars have a chance to play great and become even more popular. The young and emerging players have a chance to shine for a first time and become widely known.

With all of that said, which players have the most popular authentic NFL jerseys from the 2009 playoffs? There have been a lot of truly great performances by really special players, but here are some of the players who really made a name for themselves. Whoever you root for, it's likely that you'll need to stock up on some new discount NFL team merchandise with these young play makers.

Ray Rice: Ray Rice is the running back for the Baltimore Ravens. He was criticized as being undersized, but since he has been in the league he is really emerging as a force. He's strong, fast and smart, and he was one of the best running backs in the league in 2009. On the first play of the game against the Patriots, he ran for an 80 yard touchdown and cemented his status.

Sidney Rice: Don't be mistaken, these two players have no relation besides the same last name on the back of their authentic NFL jerseys. Sidney Rice is the crazy athletic wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, and he has been Brett Favre's favorite target all season long. He grabbed 3 touchdowns against the Cowboys to officially let fans of the Vikings know that they needed to pick up some NFL team merchandise with his name on it.

Darrelle Revis: Revis had a season at the cornerback position for the New York Jets that is simply hard to describe. He went up against a slew of Pro Bowl caliber players and even Hall of Fame players, and he completely shut them all down. In the playoffs, he continued his excellent play, shutting out the likes of Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Gates while grabbing interceptions to lead the Jets to their victories.

These are just a few of the most popular authentic NFL jerseys from the 2009-2010 playoffs. These players all took the stage and earned their place, and if you're a fan of their teams then you enjoyed a great ride. Root for your team in pride and support the young, emerging stars in the NFL with discount NFL team merchandise.




At the online store Discount Football Merchandise, you can find all of these discount authentic NFL jerseys and much more. Browse a huge selection of cheap NFL team merchandise, and find all of the players, stars and teams that you're looking for.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Tony Gonzalez Falcons' Jerseys Popular in Atlanta

Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys have been extremely popular over the last few months. When the Atlanta Falcons announced that they traded for the Pro Bowl and future Hall of Fame tight end, the fans could not have been anymore excited. Everyone started rushing out to buy their own Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey, and everybody is pumped to see what the offense is going to look like now.

When Matt Ryan debuted as a rookie, everybody had high expectations but they didn't necessarily expect anything to happen in the immediate future. They figured that like most rookie quarterbacks, Ryan would need a fairly long adjustment period while he figured out the NFL game and learned to play at the raised level of intensity, speed and complexity.

However, Ryan came out of the gates quickly and he led the Falcons to a great season. This was in part due to the great addition of running back Michael Turner. Now Ryan will have another great weapon to go to, one that could really take the team to the next level. It's the reason why so many people already own an Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey.

Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys are being gobbled up by the fans because everyone knows what he means to Ryan and the offense. With Gonzalez on the field, Ryan will always have a safety valve in any situation. In the Red Zone, on third and long an when he's under pressure, Ryan will know he will be able to find Gonzalez and that he will be able to make a play to help him out. Adding a player of that caliber to an offense that was already firing on all cylinders is going to make the Falcons a very dangerous team.

Falcons fans have a lot of wounds they still need to have healed. The quick emergence of Matt Ryan went a long way towards doing just that. Purchasing an Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey is another way to put the past behind you. Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys are a new favorite in and around Atlanta, and fans are officially looking to the future instead of looking into the past.




The time is here to pick up Tony Gonzalez Falcons jerseys for yourself and your family. In addition to an authentic Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez jersey, you can visit Discount Football Merchandise for all of the NFL team merchandise that you need.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Football Is The Most Watched Sport In America

The American Football has its roots that arise from rugby. The different universities had been playing football in the 1800s. The first football match between the Rutgers University and Princeton University was played on November 6, 1869. In that match Rutgers University won the first game 6-4. From the year 1820 to 1890, the students of Dartsmouth College played football that was known then by the name of Old Division Football and they published the rules in 1871. Since American Football was more or like rugby, Yale University's Walter Camp encouraged that the schools adopt more standardized rules so that the game would differentiate from Rugby, which was in 1882.

It was in the early 1900s that there were about 18 college football players who died and then the rules changed and required the players to not form the deadly formations such as the flying wedge and it required the players to wear protective equipment such as helmets, chest guard, shoulder guard etc. It was in the year 1912 that the game got its form of the modern game and the changes that were introduced included a change in the size of the field, which is the current size, the touchdown points were increased to 6. The football is considered second to the baseball in United States.

It was in 1920 that the National Football League also known as NFL was founded. The football saw a downtime during the World War II and then with the television broadcast, the professional football got a kick again and gained a great deal of popularity at a national level. It was in the 1960s that the professional game crossed both the college football and the baseball in popularity. In 1967, the first Super Bowl was played between the champions of NFL and the American Football League and then the two leagues were merged together. It would not be wrong to say that millions of people watch the matches when the teams are at war in the field.




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Friday, April 23, 2010

Lets Talk Steak

As I was jotting down notes for this article, I thought I would discuss everything I knew about different cuts of Beef. However, I realized that my intensions were a bit on the lofty side. There are so many cuts of beef that are considered steak; my article could easily turn into a novel. Therefore, I've decided to pick the most common cuts of meat.

First let's go over some basic information on the quality of the beef we eat.

Cuts that come from the less-used muscles along the upper and mid section of the animal (the rib and loin sections) are always more tender than the cuts that are from the muscles used more often such as the shoulder, flank, and leg. Also, because the more tender cuts make up a smaller portion of the animal, they are always in more demand and therefore more expensive.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) grades beef with based on a distinct measure of quality, which includes eight different grades. They are Prime (available at hotels, fine restaurants and high-end markets), Choice (available at most butchers and grocers), Select (uniform in quality, but leaner than the higher grades), Standard (sold as ungraded or "brand name"), Commercial (this grade and lower are used to make ground beef, frankfurters and other processed foods), Utility, Cutter, and Canner. Choice is a very good grade and it is about the lowest grade you want to consider investing your time and money into for a serious cut of beef.

Grill, Smoke or BBQ? I never refer to cooking a steak over direct heat as BBQing. That's grilling. BBQing is slow cooking over indirect heat. Smoking is the same, but with wood chips. The steaks I've listed below (excluding Prime Rib) are meant to be grilled over direct heat. I preheat my grill to about 400 degrees. I put the steak on the hot grill and let the meat sear on one side, usually about 3 minutes, then turn it over and sear the other side. Never ever poke or cut a hole in your meat. I use tongs to handle the meat and I know it is done by how spongy the meat is. If the meat has a little bounce to it when I press the center with the tongs, it's on the rare side. If it has very little give it is getting done in the center. With a little practice, you'll be surprised how easy it is. Below I've identified several of the most popular cuts of beef used to cook (grill) as steaks. I've also included Prime Rib as many fine steak houses offer this cut on their menu.

T-Bone: This is probably the most popular steak because of its distinctive look and you get a lot of bang for your buck. The T-Bone steak has the characteristic "T" shaped bone and the large muscle known as the Top Loin on one side and the smaller muscle on the opposite side is the tenderloin or filet.

Porterhouse Steak: The Porterhouse is similar to the T-bone steak, only bigger. This cut also has an extra muscle located in the center Top Loin section on the upper side. This steak is usually at least a quarter to half inch thicker that the T-Bone. It is a bold steak, not for the light of heart or someone with a small apatite. This is like two steaks in one.

Top Loin, bone-in or out (a.k.a. Strip Steak, New York Strip, Kansas City Steak, etc): This cut comes from the boneless large eye muscle from the T-bone or Porterhouse. It is average when it comes to tenderness. Best when only cooked to medium rare at the most, as it becomes tougher if cooked longer.

Tenderloin (a.k.a.: Filet and/or Filet Mignon, which is French for boneless small): This is considered the king of steaks (and the finest cut of beef) because of its tender, melt in the mouth texture; it can literally be cut with a fork. The tenderloin steak has a fine texture, is circular in shape and is usually about the size of a tennis ball. This steak is often cooked and served wrapped with a slice of bacon (barding). I personally prefer this method because while this cut is very tender, it is also very lien and the bacon adds a little fat and much flavor. This steak should never be cooked beyond medium.

Sirloin (a.k.a.: Flat-Bone Steak, Round-Bone Steak, Pin-Bone Steak): There are several cuts that come from the Sirloin section of the Beef. In addition to the Sirloin cuts mentioned above, the Sirloin also comes in the boneless Top Sirloin, which is also referred to as a Butt Steak or London Broil. This cut is average in tenderness. To achieve maximum flavor and tenderness do not cook beyond medium. Even though I consider this steak to be of average quality, it is large, which gives you a lot of meat for your money.

Rib Eye (a.k.a. Ribeye, Delmonico): This is a cut of beef from the large end of the rib section. The Ribeye is my all-time favorite when cooked properly and it is one of the most popular and expensive steaks on the market and/or a menu. The Ribeye is very tender with excellent flavor, largely due to its marbling. This cut is often served bone-in, which adds even more flavor. In its whole, unsliced form it is known as a Rib Roast (See Below).

Prime Rib (a.k.a. Rib Roast): Prime Rib comes from the Rib Roast, which is from either large or small end of the rib section. The term "Prime" doesn't necessarily mean that the cut was graded as "Prime" beef by the USDA, but even a "Choice" Rib Roast will impress if cooked properly. The difference between the Rib Eye and the Prime Rib is the way it's prepared. The Rib Eye is cut from the rib section before cooking, while Prime Rib is cut from the Rib Roast after it has cooked. It is most often served rare with horseradish sauce or the au jus.

Enjoy!




Debbie Beaston is an avid cook, specializing in grilled and/or smoked meats. Check out her BBQ sauce recipe at the 1topsecret-bbq-sauce-recipe.com/ It’s the best!