Greg Cote's Random Evidence of a Cluttered Blog

Dolphins' gloomy outlook: Win odds for each game; plus my latest video (U-S-A!), Canes football over/under, Garrard, Uncle Luke, naked sushi & more

NEW VIDEO! WHY YOU SHOULD BE ROOTING FOR U.S. WOMEN'S SOCCER MORE THAN FOR LEBRON'S TEAM USA: Click on YouTube/TheGregCote for my latest video, the eighth we've done so far.

[1) It is WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8. Marlins activate Giancarlo Stanton. 2) Happy to be back from a week's vacation (more on that below) and in the Blog Saddle again. 3) Join us at Twitter.com/gregcote. 4) U.S. places land rover on Mars. Obama links his administration with NASA triumph. Not to be outdone, Romney says he invented Mars]

"U-S-A!" WOMEN'S SOCCER WINS OLYMPIC THRILLER: America's women's soccer team played itself into the gold-medal match vs. Japan with a 4-3 overtime thriller over Canada yesterday. Extra time in the second overtime, seconds from a penalty-kicks tiebreaker, when Alex Morgan's goal decided it. USA rallied from three deficits to win. One of the best moments of these London Games. (In more of a ho-hum result, LeBron James and Team USA routed Argentina 126-97 in men's basketball).

DOLPHINS ONLY FAVORED TO WIN FIVE GAMES, SAYS MEAN-SPIRITED COMPUTER: The good folks at predictionmachine.com have run the coming NFL season 50,000 times (so you don't have to) and what spits out is not good news for Miami. Dolphins are given more than a 50 percent chance of winning in only 5 games and, factoring upsets, are given an overall victory over/under of 6.5. Best bets to win the Super Bowl are the Eagles (18% likelihood), Patriots (14.2), Packers (9.2), Texans (9.2) and Steelers (7.2), with Miami's title shot put at 0.2%. Game-by-game, here is how the computer sees the Dolphins chances of winning, from most to least likely: 65.8% vs Titans (Game 9); 61.6 vs Jaguars (G14); 60.2 @ Colts (G8); 54.6 vs Rams (G6); 52.3 vs Raiders (G2); 48.5 vs Jets (G3); 44.5 vs Seahawks (G11); 41.1 vs Bills (G15); 37.8 @ Cardinals (G4); 33.7 @ Jets (G7); 32.5 @ Bills (G10); 31.1 @ Bengals (G5); 27.5 vs Patriots (G12); 27.0 @ Texans (G1); 20.7 @ 49ers (G13); and 15.6 @ Patriots (G16).

Garrard out the gate as starting QB: Dolphins' first official in-season depth chart is out and has David Garrard at No. 1 quarterback ahead of Matt Moore and rookie Ryan Tannehill. But, as coach Joe Philbin said in a late-morning news conference, "It's a fluid situation." Offensive chief Mike Sherman today, on his QB situation: "That will not be a weakness of our football team. We'll have a good starter when we get done." Dolphins open their preseason schedule this Frday night at home vs. Tampa Bay.

Poll result: Dolfans not a real optimistic bunch: In the previous blogpost we invited you all to set expectations for the coming Dolphins season (you can still vote) and a plurality of 37.3 peercent voted "short again: 7 or 8 wins." Next came "wild-card contention: 9 wins" with 32.6%, followed by "not pretty: 6 or fewer wins" with 20.9%. Only 9.2% voted for "playoffs: 10-plus wins."

CANES FOOTBALL PEGGED FOR 7 WINS: The latest Bovada over/unders on regular-season college football wins peg UM for 7, trailing fellow in-staters FSU (10), Central Florida (8.5), Florida (8) and South Florida. Nothing for FIU or FAU, although I'd guess Panthers for around 9 and Owls for about 4. Nationally, joining Noles in double-digits are Alabama, Oregon and Southern Cal at 10.5 and LSU and Oklahoma at 10.

UNCLE LUKE PREVAILS: Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell (pictured), former notorious 2 Live Crew frontman turned Miami high-school football coach, has won a court fight to regain his full coaching certificate to continue as Northwestern's defensive coordinator. It was a victory over the Florida Department of Education, which was letting its view of Luke's past obscure the good he does now. Congrats to Luke and to his terrific attorney, our friend Mike Carney of Kubicki Draper.

OLYMPICS UPDATE: PHELPS PARTIES WITH GOLD MEDALS, PINOCCHIO IN JAVELIN: TMZ.com reports that swimmer Michael Phelps has been partying in London with his gold medals (pictured left), which is considerably more acceptable than partying in London with his bong. Note to regular guys in London bars: You have no pickup line that will compete with Michael Phelps whipping out his gold. Pictured right: Google's latest Olympics-related icon appears to picture Pinoccio throwing a javelin. Serious Olympic comment: Serena Williams' gold-medal obliteration of Maria Sharapova was about as dominant a major championship performance as I can recall. Click here to hear a Jacksonville sportscaster rant against Bob Costas signing off past midnight. Updated pertinent Summer Olympics medal leaders are below, entering today's/Tuesday's action:

China 31 gold - 19 silver - 14 bronze -- 64 total

United States 29 - 15 - 19 -- 63

Great Britain 19 - 12 - 12 -- 43

Cote d'Ivoire 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0

Let's go Cote, Official National Team of This Blog!

Spoiler Alert! LeBron, Team USA win basketball gold!: I am tired of media outlets giving Olympic Spoiler Alerts. This is the instant-information age. If you honestly desire a self-imposed info blackout so that you can be surprised by a result eight hours after it happened, well, you're on your own, pal.

EATING SUSHI OFF A NAKED WOMAN: Well who hasn't, right? A Miami Beach restaurant, Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi, offers -- for $500 -- a platter of sushi served atop a nude woman (pictured). I see at least one health-code violation (no hair net). Personally, I'll stick with a standard dinner plate, thanks. Although I wouldn't mind being at the table next to the person ordering the Nudie Roll.

LATEST WORLD SERIES ODDS: Bovada's post-trade-deadline, stretch-run odds to win the World Series have it Yankees at 19-4, Rangers 5-1, Angels 15-2, Nationals 9-1 and Reds/Tigers both 10-1. Bleepin' Nats! Your disappointing Marlins are slotted 21st and can't imagine many takers even at 90-1.

MY SUMMER VACATION: Just returned from an eight-day New England holiday around Massachusetts and Maine. We started and ended in Boston, around the Wharf/North End area, and in between we hit Bar Harbor, Boothsbay Harbor and Ogunquit in Maine, and then Salem and Provincetown in Mass. The latter is proudly self-proclaimed as the gayest city in America and was, for its everybody-gets-along diversity, as impressive and memorable in its way as the vista of rocky coastline. Special thanks to that Minke whale for the impressive breaching. (Who knew there were Minke whales?) The scale says I gained only three pounds while away, which is stunning because I think I ate approximately 415 pounds of lobster and also may have consumed a beer or two, as indicated here.

DEAR GREG...: "...your blog's OK but would be better if occasionally you would show a photo of an unbearably cute dog with plaintive eyes wearing a nautical life-vest. Thank you." Dear reader: Doubt I can find such a photo, sorry.

Click back. Will be updating/adding much more to this Back From Vacation Jubilee Blogpost...

Grade Hurricanes' 2012 football recruiting class (with poll); plus Angelo Dundee, Super Blog Thursday (pray for Tommy), Matt Moore, LeBron, Cats & more

[1) Happy Groundhog Day! Although it was sad to hear about Punxsutawney Phil (pictured) being run over by that 18-wheeler. Hey that's just a rumor. Can't swear to it. 2) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Click on Triumphant Day for Golden, Canes for today's latest column from me.

UM WINS TRACY HOWARD SWEEPSTAKES, CLAIMS TOP-10 CLASS: Tracy Howard (pictured), the elite cornerback from the backyard, Miramar High, chose Miami over Florida and FSU in a nationally televised announcement this morning. Howard was the most prominent South Florida football player not yet committed and is a huge National Signing Day prize for the Canes -- one that elevated UM's 2012 recruiting class into the No. 10 spot nationally in ESPN's rankings. Howard's announcement came in his school auditorium, cheers erupting as he pulled on a UM cap and touched his thumbs together in the familar "U" sign. "Why not win in my city and my hometown?" Howard said. "Why not do it here?" A big, big victory for coach Al Golden and the Canes. Howard is the sixth Canes recruit rated in the ESPN Top 150, and the highest ranked at 18th. The others: RB/CB Duke Johnson, Miami Norland (35th); WR Angelo Jean-Louis, Palm Beach Central (41st); DE Tyriq McCord, Tampa Jefferson (96th); S Deon Bush, Miami Columbus (101st); and WR Malcolm Lewis, Miramar (145th). All in all, a big day for Miami considering the school was recruiting under the cloud of likely NCAA sanctions ahead. How do you feel about UM's new recruiting class? Hey, here's a poll! I know, I don't like instant grades, either. So just think of it as a statement of your level of excitement over this class, all things considered. Vote now.

ANGELO DUNDEE, R.I.P.: Legendary boxing trainer Angelo Dundee passed away at 90 in a Clearwater hospital last night after a heart attack, family at his side. Dundee shaped Muhammad Ali's career; they are pictured here way back when. Dundee stands with the fight doctor, Ferdie Pacheco, as kings of Miami's heydays in the sweet science, days when the 5th Street Gym reigned. Farewell, Angelo.

SUPER BLOG THURSDAY: PRAY FOR TOMMY: Supermodel and superwife Giselle Bundchen, a.k.a. Mrs. Tom Brady, sent an email to family and friends that became privvy to the nefarious media. "I feel Tommy really needs our prayer, our support and love at this time," it partly read. Tommy! Giselle is pictured. Should the Patriots lose Sunday, think of it as one of the better consolation prizes out there. Or perhaps two of the better consolation prizes. (I didn't just say that did I?) Two other quick Super Blog Thursday thoughts: 1) EA Sports' annual SB simulation, using Madden NFL '12, has the Giants winning, 27-24, so why play the actual game? 2) The National Chicken Council reports 1.25 billion wings will be eaten Sunday. And that's just by me!

SUPER BLOG WEDNESDAY: MADONNA, ELTON: Madonna, oldish but aging well, is Sunday's Super Bowl halftime performer and her setlist is revealed! Reportedly Madge's 12-minute show will find her lip syncing singing a new song, "Gimmie All Your Luvin," the classics "Ray Of Light and "Vogue," as well as samples of "Music" and Holiday." Meanwhile, the commercials are always a favorite part of the Super Bowl -- according to the people who produce Super Bowl commercials -- and among them Sunday will be a new Pepsi ad featuring Elton John as a king. This would be the same Elton whose feud with Madonna included him recently exhorting her to "lip sync good" on Sunday. Elton is pictured here in a still from the new ad. (Love your music, Sir, but you are one strange, strange man).

A LITTLE R-E-S-P-E-C-T FOR MATT MOORE, PLEASE?: I'm talkin' to you, Brandon Marshall. But not just to you. Click on Chopped Liver for the column by me (and thanks for making it the most-read thing on all of MiamiHerald.com today). See, the Dolphins' opportunities to upgrade their quarterback situation are few, and risky. They almost certainly won't trade up to draft Robert Griffin III. Peyton Manning is looking more and more doubtful for medical reasons. Matt Flynn stands as the likeliest path, but he is unproven with all of two career starts. The options after those three are marginal free agents and lower-ranked draftees. Don't write off Moore just yet. That's all.

MY BLOG READERS VS. STATEWIDE VOTERS: In my Republican primary poll (a few posts back), rounded results were Mitt Romney 48 percent, Ron Paul 25, Newt Gingrich 19, Rick Santorum 9. In Tuesday's statewide vote it was Romney 46, Gingrich 32, Santorum 13, Paul 7. The big difference: More Paulies here, fewer Newts. That's OK.

LEBRON AND HIS BICYCLE: Heat star LeBron James made big news for bicycling (pictured) the 40 minutes or so from his home to the downtown arena for the recent game vs. the Bulls. I'd be more impressed if he biked last night's game: Heat at Milwaukee. Postscript: LeBron scores 24 in first quarter, Heat lead by as many as 18, but somehow lose to Bucks. Miami forming a reputation for rising for the glamor opponents but sometimes coasting vs. the lesser foes. LeBron, though, has been consistent and consistently great. What a season he is having!

PANTHERS' PASS HUGE TEST: It was overshadowed by National Signing Day and the Heat playing, but the Florida Panthers' 4-2 home win over the Washington Capitals last night was the game of the year so far for the Cats -- one for first place in the NHL Southeast. Bulls-at-Heat the other day was billed as a big statement game but it was false drama; those teams will meet again in the playoffs and everybody knows it. With Caps-at-Cats, this was a truer declarative for the Panthers, who must win the division or risk continuing the club's long playoff drought.

TERRELL OWENS BROKE: Terrell Owens says he is broke (story here) after making more than $80 million in his NFL career. The national group, People Who Feel Sorry For T.O., will be meeting tonight at the Waffle House. Corner booth. 

Click back. Will be adding to and updating this latest blogpost throughout the day...

Predicting who Dolphins, Heat, Marlins will get; plus Heat title odds, Urban Meyer-as-in-liar, dead rats & more

[Thanks to all who joined our live chat today. Do it every Wednesday 1-2 p.m. Click HERE to join then or to post questions any time. Tuesday marked 10th anniversary of death of George Harrison: Gone but never forgotten. Also, join us on Twitter @gregcote]

HEAT FAVORED TO WIN NBA TITLE: From Bodog, Heat is 9-4 favorite to win NBA championship, with Lakers 5-1, Bulls 7-1, Thunder 15-2, Mavericks 17-2 and Celtics 12-1. Heat over/under on wins (with 66-game season) is 48.5. Also, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade attended Tuesday night's Duke-Ohio State game in Columbus. Click here for the tale.

OH, CRYSTAL BALL: ON DOLPHINS, HEAT, MARLINS...: The newly unlocked Heat and newly spending Marlins are shopping in free agency while the Dolphins are preparing for the draft. Each team has its realistic top targets in mind. Here is my current prediction for each team's eventual top signing:

DOLPHINS: QB MATT BARKLEY, Southern Cal --- Conceding Stanford's Andrew Luck to the Colts, Miami -- likely to choose somewhere between 4th and 10th in the first round -- could very well have its choice between Oklahoma's Landry Jones and USC's Barkley. Dolphins catch a break because many of the teams as bad or worse already think they have their franchise QB (Rams, Panthers) or have recently spent a No. 1 pick on the position (Vikings, Jaguars). Barkley, though only 6-2 and with good-not-great arm strength, is climbing up most mock drafts (surpassing Jones in Todd McShay's latest for ESPN) and has ready-now, pro-style skills that would suit the Dolphins' needs.

HEAT: C SAMUEL DALEMBERT, Sacramento Kings --- The 6-11 center, 30, would be an upgrade at the position where Pat Riley most wants improvement/solidity. Dalembert is from Haiti, lives in Palm Beach and already has said in an interview how excited he'd be to join Miami's Big 3. He'd need to accept a significant pay-cut to the $5 million mid-level exception the Heat could offer, but he seems willing to be agreeable.

MARLINS: P C.J. WILSON, Texas Rangers: Wilson, here being wooed this week, is what the Marlins most need: Not only a starting pitcher, but a lefty. Getting shortstop Jose Reyes might cause more excitement, but getting Wilson would patch a bigger hole. At 31 he is in his prime and coming off a 16-7 season (31-15 the past two years) with a 2.94 ERA and 206 strikeouts. Those are ace-numbers.  

URBAN MEYER-AS-IN-LIAR: Urban Meyer resigns as Gators football coach because of health concerns (he says) and to spend more time with his family (he says). One year later he is the new Ohio State coach. Voila! Guess OSU offered some magic Buckeye Juice to make him all better. Also guess he spent so much consolidated quality time with his family that he grew tired of them and needed a break. Also guess maybe Urban was kidding when he called Florida his "dream job" and "the best job in America." Gator fans, y'all got played. Dear Urban: You were always the next great offer from putting football above health and family again, and everybody knew it. Coaches' lip-service might change, but their priorities rarely do.

OH THAT OZZIE!: New Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen adorns the cover of the new ESPN The Magazine, along with his dog and his dog's tongue. 

THE SHAME OF SUH: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh suspended two games without pay for his shameful Thanksgiving stomp (followed by that ludicrous lie). That seems fair as long as it comes with a warning against any further breach of sportsmanship. The NFL worries too much about silly sportsmanship issues like end-zone celebrations. What Suh did was feloniously embarrassing.

ME, PICKS: Had an OK-to-solid Week 12 on my NFL picks, going 10-6 straight-up and 8-6-2 (two games were off-board) against the spread. Details coming on this Friday's pix page.

ME, FANTASY: The reeling Greg's Lobos sank to an embarrassing 3-9 in a heartbreaker, losing 139-138. Had an 11-point lead entering Monday night's game, with Hakeem Nicks and Marques Colston both playing. Thought I was golden. My opponent? He only had Victor Cruz. The same Victor Cruz who scored 37 and danced the salsa on my defeated, supine body.

COTE'S STATE OF THE STATE: Our latest updated weekly ranking of the seven FBS teams in our state, with previous week's rank in parentheses. Entering collball Week 14:

1. FSU Seminoles (1) 8-4, 5-3 ACC

2. Miami Hurricanes (2) 6-6, 3-5 ACC

3. Florida Gators (3) 6-6, 3-5 SEC 

4. S. Fla. Bulls (4) 5-6, 1-5 Big East

5. FIU Panthers (5) 8-4, 5-3 Sun Belt

6. C. Fla. Knights (6) 5-7, 3-5 C-USA

7. FAU Owls (7) 1-10, 0-7 Sun Belt

LOMBARDI AT THE MOSAIC: Thanks to the good folks at the Mosaic Theatre in Plantation for having us out to watch Lombardi and then host an audience discussion afterward. Good time, great play. Those who judge actors and acting only by TV and film cheat themselves. What a performance by Ray Abruzzo as Lombardi in an intimate, 150-seat venue. Check out the Mosaic if you haven't.

A RAT'S LIFE: Over the long holiday weekend I detected and swiftly killed a rat in my garage with a baited trap. Do I feel guilty? Not even a little bit. Do I care what PETA might think? Even less. I wrote a haiku, less in eulogy than celebration: "Oh dirty rat, nocturnal invader. Clickety click, sniff sniff, snap!"

GOLF FOR GOOD CAUSE: The Piper High baseball program I've been involved with has its annual fundraiser golf tournament this Saturday Dec. 3 (1 p.m.) at the new Seven Bridges Springtree course in Sunrise. Only $80 per golfer, includes dinner buffet. If interested call Mike Morejon at (954) 494-8140.

INTERNET VS. SANTA: This story posits that kids' access to the Internet makes it harder for parents to grow Santa Claus-believing children. I hope Santa doesn't read this. He'll stop giving computers as gifts.

THE REAL T-30: The Real T-30 is our weekly cumulative, consensus Top 30 college football ranking based on a season-long combination of the three major polls: Associated Press, USA Today, ESPN. Points based on 30 for a No. 1 ranking, 29 for No. 2, etc. This aggregate ranking following Week 13 will be the last until the final post-bowls standings:

Rank   Team   Points   (Last week)

1   Louisiana State   1,235   (1)

2   Alabama   1,200   (2)

3   Oklahoma   1,104   (3)

4   Stanford   1,080   (4)

5   Oklahoma State   1,073   (6)

6   Boise State   1,059   (5)

7   Arkansas   979   (7)

8   Oregon   960   (8)

9   Wisconsin   889   (9)

10   Virginia Tech   797   (10)

11   South Carolina   744   (11)

12   Nebraska   726   (12)

13   Clemson   628   (13)

14   Michigan State   613   (14)

15   Michigan   486   (16)

16   Houston   459   (17)

17   Texas A&M   457   (15)

18   Kansas State   405   (20)

19   West Virginia   401   (19)

20   FLORIDA STATE   394   (18)

21   Georgia   331   (23)

22   Texas   323   (21)

23   Georgia Tech   307   (22)

24   Penn State   289   (24)

25   Texas Christian   287   (26)

26   Baylor   281   (27t)

27   FLORIDA   262   (25)

28t   Southern Cal   244   (30)

28t   Arizona State   244   (27t)

30   Auburn   209   (29)

33   SOUTH FLORIDA   144   (33)

43   MIAMI   13   (43)

48t   CENTRAL FLORIDA   7   (47t)

Click back. Will be adding much more to this latest blogpost...

Dolphins and Tebow and Luck, oh my! Who will you be cheering for Sunday? (with poll); plus Texas Rangers video by me and friends, NFL predix & more

[Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

DOLPHINS AND TEBOW AND LUCK, OH MY!: Help me sort through this. The scene at Sunday's Dolphins-Broncos game should be odd to say the least. Fans will be cheering for the Dolphins, of course. Fans also will be hoping Miami loses again with the No. 1 draft pick and Stanford QB Andrew Luck in mind. And fans will be cheering for Broncos QB Tim Tebow. (Luck and Tebow are pictured right). In all three cases I'm talking about South Floridians -- Dolfans for the most part. Take a dip in our poll. Whether you'll be at the stadium or watching on TV, for what will you most be rooting and why? Seems strange to even ask, but these are strange times.

NFL PREDIX: THE DOLPHINS WIN! THE DOLPHINS!: It had to happen sooner or later. (Didn't it...?) Miami beats Denver, 24-17. The Dolphins are very angry. You helped make them that way with all your "Suck For Luck" talk. They will win, whether you like it or not. Click on Week 7 Gems for all of our latest NFL predictions. And on QB Hotspots for our accompanying Friday Page column.

GO RANGERS!: St. Louis has won enough. Texas deserves this. Rangers turned around the entire World Series with last night's ninth-inning rally to even it 1-1 heading to Arlington. In their honor, I offer this brief video starring a few fellow Texas supporters. Pictured left to right: LeBron James, slain Libyan despot Moammar Gadhafi, me, Al Golden and Tim Tebow. Click here to enjoy the video. Well, to watch it, anyway. (One more reason to support the Rangers: A pumpkin honoring manager Ron Washington!)

WHERE PREP FOOTBALL STARS ARE HEADING: Dade-Broward high-school football stars among the ESPN top-150 recruits, and where they are headed: No. 18--CB Tracy Howard, Miramar (UM among 12 finalists); No. 19--Ath Ricardo Lewis, Miami Beach (Auburn commit); No. 48--Ath Randy Johnson, Norland (UM commit); No. 62--WR Amari Cooper, Northwestern (Alabama commit); No. 65--S Deon Bush, Columbus (UM among 20 finalists); No. 74--WR Justin Ferguson, Flanagan (Notre Dame commit); No. 82--WR Avery Johnson, Ely (LSU commit); No. 95--CB Amos Leggett, Homestead (UM commit); No. 146--WR Malcolm Lewis, Miramar (UM among 8 finalists).  

IT ENDED RIGHT WAY FOR GADHAFI: Even though he was nice enough to participate in my baseball video (above), I must say it ended right for the Libyan dictator. To have been captured in the safety of government custody would have been too good. Men like that should see their demise on the streets, among the people they ruined for decades. OK now back to sports!

NEW ODDS FOR SUPER BOWL, TEBOW, MORE: Bodog's updated SB faves have Packers at 3-1 and Patriots 4-1, followed by Ravens 8-1, Chargers and Saints both 10-1, and Lions 12-1. Dolphins are now alone at 750-1, dead last. Over/unders Sunday for two notable new starting quarterbacks: Carson Palmer, 230.5 passing yards; and Tebow, 175.5 in air and 45.5 rushing.

Click back. Will be adding more to this latest blogpost...

Heat statement: Rout of Celtics puts NBA title in play; plus Panthers fire DeBoer, LeBron's mom's arrest (with poll); plus Affirmed, pimpin' Cats, '60s songs & more

[Twitter.com/gregcote]

GAME OF THE YEAR: HEAT ROUT CELTICS: Heat win by 23 at home in a rout of Boston. Small picture: It gives Miami a big edge in winning the overall No. 2 seed in the conference. Bigger picture: It's a statement game that establishes Miami's ability to beat the Celtics and, by extension win the east and reach the NBA Finals. The second-quarter skirmish, set off by Jermaine O'Neal's flagrant foul on LeBron James, underlines that this has become a nasty (and therefore great) rivalry. Delicious! Original post: The No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference is in play, but even more important for Miami, the Heat -- 0-3 against Boston this season -- must prove it can beat its nemesis with the playoffs upcoming and these the two biggest Eastern claimants to reach The Finals. Heat also must resign itself to doing playoff battle with this roster, as it looks more and more as if Udonis Haslem won't be back in time to help much. Prediction: Heat by 6.

DEBOER OUT AS PANTHERS COACH: The Panthers relieved Pete DeBoer of coaching duties this/Sunday morning after three seasons as head coach. It's hard to argue the decision. His tenure showed some upswing but, bottom line, extended Florida's embarrassing NHL-record playoff drought to 10 seasons. GM Dale Tallon has accrued enough trust to back the notion he'll find somebody better.

GLORIA, GLORIA, GLORIA: We briefly mentioned the arrest of LeBron James' mother, Gloria, in the previous post, but here is a new photo of her snapped as cops led her away. She is charged with simple assault for allegedly striking a valet around 4:30 a.m. Thursday outside the Fountainebleau. Click here for a TMZ.com video interview with the valet, Sorel Rockefeller. And click here to access the Miami Beach PD booking video (scroll to 'Gloria James Booking Video'). James also is charged with disorderly intoxication. (Kids, if you plan to be drunk in public, please at least be orderly about it). Gloria had LeBron when she was 16 and is only 43 herself. I envision a new documentary, "NBA MOTHERS GONE WILD!" James reportedly sent a Heat employee to bail Ma out. Remember the good old days when teams just had to worry about their players getting in trouble with the law? Now the cone of concern extends to players' families. (Trend!) I think coverage of this story is justified because it involves LeBron and because it is a legitimate distraction for the Heat as the playoffs near. Am I wrong? Take a dip in our poll and weigh in.

MY NEXT READ: AFFIRMED: Friend Lou Sahadi has written a new book, Affirmed (pictured), about the last horse to win the Triple Crown. I don't read many sports books, maybe one in 10 of all those sent to me, but this one I look forward to reading.

PIMPIN' WITH THE PANTHERS: Your Florida Panthers (10 straight seasons out of the NHL playoffs) continue to be much better at making money than scoring goals. The latest: They sold naming rights to the rink (the ice itself) to Lexus. That's right. It's now "the Lexus rink at BankAtlantic Center" -- something I will never, ever again refer to in print. You ever notice that Lexus and lemon both start with 'le'?

SPEAKING OF SELLING...: Nike Jordan Brand will introduce a new Dwyane Wade sneaker line called Fly Wade in May, billing it as the lightest shoe Nike has yet turned out. No, I do not expect the company to send me a free pair just because of this mention, nor would I accept such an unethical gratuity. (Size 10 1/2, please).

GREATEST SONGS OF THE '60S: This is a new list from Rolling Stone. 10. "God Only Knows," Beach Boys; 9. "All Along the Watchtower," Jimi Hendrix Experience; 8. "Whole Lotta Love," Led Zeppelin; 7. "Hey Jude," Beatles; 6. "Light My Fire," Doors; 5. "My Generation," Who; 4. "Gimme Shelter," Rolling Stones; 3. "Satisfaction," Rolling Stones; 2. "A Day In the Life," Beatles; and 1. "Like A Rolling Stone," Bob Dylan. Can't argue much. Think 5 and 2 are a bit over-ranked but love all these songs. The start of "Gimme Shelter," leading to where Charlie Watts kicks in big, is among the greatest song openings ever.

SLIM PICKINGS FROM LEMMING: Recruiting guru Tom Lemming lists for CBSSports.com his national top 100 college prospects for 2012, and only three Dade-Broward guys make it , and none in the upper half. They are: 58. WR Avery Johnson of Pompano Beach Ely; 65. DB Deon Bush of Miami Columbus; and 77. DL Jelani Hamilton of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

Click back. Adding more stuff to this latest post later...

Debut of Virtual Tony Sparano (with video); plus Canes get transfer-QB from Michigan, judge rules in favor of Krop High, Dolphins' 2012 Super Bowl odds & more

[Thanks to today's live-chatters. Do it each Wednesday 1-2. Click right here to post questions any time].

BLOG DEBUT OF OCCASIONAL REALLY BAD, AMATEURISH MINI-MOVIES!: Me and a little technology is a potentially scary thing. Today, my first effort: "Virtual Tony Sparano Explains Himself." Click below or click here to see it on YouTube. I think it has a shot at a Golden Globe in the new category, Short-form Animation About Tony Sparano That Neither Looks Nor Sounds Anything Like Tony Sparano.  

CANES GET TRANSFER-QB FROM MICHIGAN: May the Forcier be with them! QB Tate Forcier (left) is a Hurricane now after switching UM's. He lost his starting job at Michigan last season but in 20 career games passed for 2,647 yards, 17 TDs and 10 picks.

JUDGE OVERTURNS FHSAA PENALTY, RULES FOR KROP HIGH!: [Click on Reverse The Call for today's column by me on this. Can't claim what I wrote had any influence but am glad what I suggested happened: The judge overruling the FHSAA and allowing Bryan Delancy and Krop High's boys basketball team to participate in the playoffs]. Original post: Krop High in northeast Miami-Dade is being barred from the boys' basketball playoffs and told to forfeit its season because of immigration issues involving senior player Bryan Delancy (pictured), who is from the Bahamas. This strikes us as unfair. The governing Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) claims the kid does not have the proper immigration paperwork, but even if true it could be argued that is beside the point. The point is that public schools are not allowed, by law, to ask a student about his or her immigration status. All that is required is to reside in the proper district and maintain an adequate grade point average, and Delancy fulfills both of those obligations. The sticking point is that Krop was supposed to have filed immigration papers for Delancy and did not. The school bears its share of responsibility here, yes. But, bottom line: What is fair? Is it right that the school's team forfeit its season because one of its players was a proper student but lacking in athletic paperwork? Lenience is called for. Sadly, the FHSAA had none.

PATS FAVORED FOR 2012 SUPER BOWL, DOLPHINS 40-1: Packers and Wisconsinites haven't even stopped partying yet, and already BetUS.com is posting odds for the lockout-threatened  2011 season. Patriots are favored to win it all at 9-2, followed by Packers 6-1, Steelers 7-1, and Colts and Jets 8-1. Next tier brings Falcons/Ravens/Chargers at 12-1, Bears/Saints/Giants/Eagles at 15-1, and Cowboys at 18-1. Buried deep in the mid-pack: Dolphins at 40-1, tied for 17th. Bodog.com has it slightly different, with Packers favored at 7-1, Pats 8-1, Steelers 10-1, Chargers 12-1, Colts/Saints/Ravens 14-1, and Falcons/Cowboys/Jets/Eagles all 16-1. Bodog puts Dolphins at 45-1, 20th overall.

LITTLE GUY CLEANS UP ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY: Well, OK, anybody who can afford to bet big isn't exactly a "little guy," but he is compared to the Las Vegas sports books. Better day for bettors than bookies, it says here.

HEAT KING-O-METER UPDATE: LEBRON STILL IN CHARGE: Latest update on our unpopular King-o-Meter, tracking which of the Heat's would-be Kings is having the better overall season. This update is after 50 games, through last night's home win vs. Indy: LeBron James leading Dwyane Wade by 2,914.37 King points to 2,548.47 in our cumulative ranking factoring 10 statistical categories. The two are tied in games led, 25-25. Note, LeBron's recent 51-point game vs. Orlando equated to 107.24 King points, a season-high for either player. (Regular updates here in the blog whenever you see the crown symbol pictured.

DEAR GREG...: ..."your blog is OK but would be better if you would show a picture of Alex Rodriguez and Cameron Diaz frolicking last week in the Miami surf. Thank you."

CAN'T WIN A SUPER BOWL WITHOUT A GREAT QB?: The posit makes some sense. Then again, Jim McMahon, Doug Williams, Jeff Hostetler, Mark Rypien, Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson. Something to ponder for those dead-set on deciding there's a "formula" when there isn't.

LEBRON EDGES DURANT: Sports Illustrated polled 154 NBA players and asked whether they'd rather spend the next 10 seasons playing alongside LeBron James or Kevin Durant. LeBron: 58 percent. That's especially impressive considering LBJ is almost four years older.

THE LIST: HURRICANES IN THE DRAFT: A site called Draftmetrics.com analyzed the past 20 NFL drafts (1991-2010). Here are the top-10 schools based on most number of NFL games started by drafted players:

1. Miami Hurricanes   4,568 starts (117 players)

2. Florida State Seminoles   4,416 (114)

3. Ohio State Buckeyes   3,899 (115)

4. Tennessee Vols   3,778 (116)

5. Michigan Wolverines   3,588 (91)

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish   3,531 (105)

7. Florida Gators   3,343 (107)

8. Georgia Bulldogs   3,253 (90)

9. Nebraska Cornhuskers   3,132 (102)

10. Southern Cal Trojans   2,864 (110)

Others with 2,000-plus, in order: Penn State, Auburn, Louisiana State, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas A&M, California, Virginia, Washington, Michigan State, Arizona State and Alabama.  

National Signing Day: What state school won? (with poll); ESPN ranks FSU class 1st, Gators 12th

[Thanks to all our Wednesday live chat participants. Click right here to join us live Wednesdays at 1 p.m. or to post questions any time].

WHAT STATE SCHOOL IS GETTING THE BEST TALENT HAUL ON NSD?: I have this column online and in today's pulp edition regarding the Hurricanes and National Signing Day. It's on the overblown phenomenon NSD has become, on the impossible need to not rush to judgment in instantly ranking a school's incoming class, and on how the decision of Palm Beach QB Jacoby Brissett (pictured) could swing whether Al Golden's first class for UM is judged positively or as a disappointment.

FSU and Florida are dominating nationally in terms of state schools, according to updated ESPN rankings, rated 1st and 8th, respectively. But things could change. Click back onto ESPN's rankings and follow The Herald's coverage for updated news.

I'll admit this poll aims higher than it can reach. I am asking college-football fans to be impartial and not automatically flock to their school and it's probably impossible. UM's recruiting class could consist solely of octogenarians and women and many Canes fans would still vote it No. 1. Same for other teams' fans. Still, let's give it a shot, shall we? It ain't rocket science. It's a blog poll! So let's defy logic and instantly judged! Take a dip, and tell us what you most like, or don't, about your school's 2011 bounty, based and early commitments and with developments throughout the day.

Will update this post with major developments as they happen.

Merry Christmas from me to you! (with annual video); plus Canes gunning for Aquinas QB, Heat-Lakers, FIU bowl, Dolphin/NFL picks & more

MY ANNUAL HOLIDAY VIDEO TO YOU!: I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas to all of you, except those not celebrating Christmas, who get a belated Happy Hannukah or a generic Hey How's It Goin'. This year's brief holiday video -- click on FELIZ NAVIDAD to watch and listen -- stars myself, Heat star LeBron James, Dolphins QB Chad Henne, Jets coach Rex "Feet" Ryan and new UM coach Al Golden. It's a wonder I could get all of them together for the video shoot, as busy as everyone is. This year's video theme is on honor of the Hurricanes' upcoming bowl game in El Paso near the Mexican border, and is dedicated to the best readers and bloggers anywhere -- mine. Enjoy!

NEIL ROGERS, R.I.P.: Neil Rogers (left), legend of South Florida radio and a true original, passed away yesterday at age 68. What a talent. He mattered. He will be missed.   

NEW CANES REGIME COVETS ST. THOMAS AQUINAS QB: Sources of mine at both the high-school and college levels tell me new University of Miami coach Al Golden covets St. Thomas Aquinas QB Jake Rudock (pictured), whose senior season was just minted with a national championship. Rudock has made an early committment to Iowa, but I hear the Golden regime is making a late push to keep the 6-3, 190-pound pro-style passer at home. The UM staff likens Rudock's qualities, including smarts, to Ken Dorsey. Stay tuned. (I am also told Golden was not the least bit disappointed that Northwestern QB Teddy Bridgewater changed his mind and is headed elsewhere).

THE GIFT OF HEAT-LAKERS: I'm not a big fan of games on Christmas. I admit that. But Heat at Lakers on Christmas Day sure feels like a gift worth unwrapping, doesn't it? Both teams (especially the losing team) will emphasize afterward that it was just a regular-season game, but make no mistake this one has the heft and feel of an NBA Finals preview. Delicious. (By the way, a new anti-LeBron James documentary is being made called Losing LeBron, chronicling his first Heat season through the eyes of Cavaliers fans. Click here for the promo video. Geez, can't these people get over it already! Move on, Cleveland).

FIU GOES BOWLING: Best of luck to coach Mario Cristobal and his FIU Golden Panthers vs. Toledo on Sunday in the Little Caesar's Bowl in Detroit. A big year for FIU, with a first piece of the Sun Belt title, a first bowl appearance and, maybe, a first bowl win.

DOLPHINS, NFL PICKS: Dolphins will beat Detroit Sunday, but close. Click on Week 16 Gems for all this week's picks. And click here for Friday Page NFL column, which asks the question: What's stranger: Rex Ryan's wife's foot fetish? Or Miami's 1-6 home record?

Well, Merry Christmas once again! We'll be back with a new Dolphins-Lions blogpost on Sunday morning.

Will Dolphin owner's admiration of Gruden put Sparano on hot seat?; plus NFL Week 12 picks, Obama on Heat woes, new TSA slogans & more

[Hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did. My crowd always especially loves the Cajun deep-fried turkey. If only the three gallons of oil needed didn't cost three times as much as the doggone bird!]

SPARANO ON THE HOT SEAT? / NFL WEEK 12 PICKS: I note in my Friday Page NFL column today (click here) that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, I am told, is a big admirer of Jon Gruden, which could factor into Tony Sparano's status if this season ends in disappointment for Miami. In this week's picks I have host Oakland beating the Dolphins Sunday, 19-17, although it's a crapshoot with the QB mystery over whether Chad Henne will be back or Tyler Thigpen will go again. Brandon Marshall's very iffy status and a tough venue also tilt the pick westward. Click on Week 12 Gems for all this week's remaining NFL predictions. (Our mark on Thanksgiving games was 3-0 overall, 1-2 vs spread).

OBAMA ADVISES YOU TO BE PATIENT WITH HEAT: President Obama tells Barbara Walters in an interview that "it takes some time for [the Heat] to come together." The very fact the president of the United States is discussing the Heat's troubles with Baba pretty much summarizes the over-the-top scrutiny this team is under. Miami is 8-7 with three straight losses entering tonight's home game vs. Philly. The momentum for Pat Riley to take over for Erik Spoelstra grow tea party-like in its fervor and irrationality. If there is such thing as a must win in an NBA late-November, tonight is one in terms of alleviating building pressure. A win and a big I'm-still-here performance by disappearing Dwyane Wade will work small wonders. 

KING-O-METER UPDATE: Our unpopular Heat King-o-Meter, a running cumulative gauge of whether Dwyane Wade or LeBron James is having a better season, shows LeBron opening his lead to 823.11 King points to Wade's 663.27 through 15 games. LeBron has led in five straight games and now is up 9-6 in games led. Updates in the blog throughout the season, factoring 10 statistical categories.

UNCLE LUKE THE (SUPPOSEDLY) CHANGED MAN: Enjoyed today's Herald piece on ex-rapper Luther Campbell's transformation into an assistant football coach at Miami Central High. Good for him. One nitpick, though: I think Uncle Luke's Twitter followers would be surprised to read that he has left the [censored] profanity behind. Umm, he [bleep]ing hasn't.

TSA UNDER FIRE FOR AIRPORT GROPING: Personally the full-body scanner does not bother me. Nor do I mind the personal pat-down, although I always request a female patter who looks Scandinavian if possible. But the fact lots of folks are upset about the supposed intrusion has given rise to a bunch of fake Transportation Security Administration slogans, which I am happy to pass along here. My favorite: "We Are Now Free to Move About Your Pants."

Click back. Adding more stuff to this post later.

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GREG COTE: READ columns and blog in The Miami Herald and MiamiHerald.com, including general sports columns, Friday NFL predictions page and Sunday "Random Evidence" notes. FOLLOW on Twitter. WATCH for occasional appearances on ESPN's Outside the Lines and elsewhere. LISTEN on 790 The Ticket's weekly Dolphins pregame show and most Tuesdays around 4:20 p.m. JOIN in live chat every Wednesday noon to 1 p.m. CONTACT at gcote@miamiherald.com.

UM super-regional bound!; plus can FIU catch Miami in sports stature? (with poll), Dolphins owner says Super Bowl & more

[Follow at Twitter.com/gregcote because it's free!]

DOLPHINS OWNER PREDICTS SUPER BOWL: Oh yeah and in other news, Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross says, "I think in February, we will be playing in the Super Bowl." (Of a team that went 7-9 last year). Ross also says he thinks QB Chad Henne could be "the greatest quarterback in Dolphins history." Of a guy beginning his first season as a starter and chasing the legend of some bum named Dan Marino). In the updated AFC East standings, Miami has now passed the blowhard Jets for Most Outlandish Optimism.

FIU VS. UM: THE POLL: The two schools' at-times bitter rivalry had been back on the front burner with both playing in the same NCAA regional at UM. Can or will Florida International ever enjoy the overall national stature in athletics that Miami does? I would doubt it if only because UM has such a head start and big lead in major national championships. But is it possible over (a long) time? Sure. Take a dip in our poll and tell us what you think and why.

Online Surveys & Market Research

UM 10, TEXAS A&M 3 (Final): OK, Canes are regional champs after beating Texas A&M 10-3 today. Now comes the hard part: a best-of-three super-regional vs. Florida in Gainesville starting Friday night -- with only the survivor going on the College World Series in Omaha. ... I just turned in my all-tournament team ballot for this regional. My Most Outstanding Player vote went to UM 1B Scott Lawson. And the MOP winner is: Lawson. ... Wheels come off for Aggies in the seventh, Canes now up 10-2 and headed for the super regional. ... Yasmani Grandal busts out of regional slump with two-run double and Harold Martinez fgollows with RBI double as Canes now up 7-2. Before the at-bat Grandal had been 3-for-13 in the regional with zero batted-in. ... The no-tomorrow stakes continue as A&M brings in ace Barret Loux to pitch the sixth. ... Sam Robinson now pitching for Miami. ... Canes settle for one run from bases-loaded, no-outs situation. Up 4-2 on RBI groundout by Harold Martinez in fifth. ... Sun out and back in play in the fifth after a 22-minute rain delay. Canes will have bases loaded with no outs in top of fifth when we resume. ... Nervous lead. Canes only have two hits through four innings. ... UM brings in ace Chris Hernandez to pitch bottom of third (UM is the visiting team). ... We're underway on a (fairly) sunny Tuesday afternoon, winner-take-all in the NCAA regional championship game. Winner advances to this coming weekend's super-regional vs. Florida in Gatorville. Loser licks wounds. I'm here columnizing. ... Earlier in this NCAA regional being hosted by UM, FIU was eliminated but Garrett Wittels doubled to extend his historic hitting streak to 56 games, second-best ever by a collegian and two shy of the all-time NCAA record. The sophomore's streak will resume with the start of next season. ... Click on El Grande Yasmani for my column off last night's rain game. It's on his being drafted and being -- despite Wittels' streak -- the best college baseball player in South Florida in 2010. 

MLB DRAFT'S FIRST ROUND: ONE LOCAL SURPRISE: No shock that Manny Machado, the Miami Brito shortstop (pictured), went third overall to Baltimore in Monday night's baseball draft, or that UM catcher Yasmani Grandal went 12th to Cincinnati. The local stunner was that Nick Castellano, the Archbishop McCarthy third baseman, was snubbed altogether in the first round. I thought the Marlins (picking 23rd) would go for pitching, but the two guys I'd mentioned (Barrett Loux, Karsten Whitson) were long gone, so the Fish took California prep star Christian Yelich, an outfielder/first baseman. See ya in a few years, kid. Maybe.

THE LIST: STATE SCHOOLS IN COLLEGE WORLD SERIES: Ranked by total CWS appearances:

Miami  23 (last in 2008); 4 titles (last in 2001)

Florida State   19 (last in 2008); no titles

Florida  5 (last in 2005); no titles

Rollins  1 (1954); no titles

Click back. Updating and adding to this post throughout the day...