One guy that doesn't get enough credit behind the scenes is Tom Patterson. He actually got me thinking today about his Dream Team thing for football season. I started to think even though I have the time daily to handicap my own games, who would I pick and why. Obviously I can't pick all the pros, but even a pro capper at times can use help with specific things..Most pro's like to network..IMO it's a must to network, so at any level it's helpful to have handicappers sharing opinions.
Here's my list and why for myself and why these 4 cappers would be beneficial even to me.
NFL Reg Season - Dave Essler - I said it before and I'll say it again for the 100th time. Writeups !!..When I first started with Pregame years back I would read Dave's writeups after they posted...I used them for information and the information helped me because Dave always packs his plays with a good healthy write-up. Knowledge is power and Dave was someone you just had to read daily IMO to get an edge with information.
Playoff NFL - Greg Shaker - This is an easy call for me. Less games often times means we want to bet more. Years back with only a few games for the playoffs, I was betting every side and total. Today it's much different, but having a guy who can do totals like Greg is a big benefit at this time of year. I don't want to spread myself to thin and I don't want to make bets these days without enough information.
CFB Reg - Ken Thomson - When it comes to college sports, Ken is the man...Just listen to the show once the CFB season starts..He has a ton of information on teams and he gets a pretty good inside view with interviews he does live on and off air..He knows a ton of people that we just don't have access too. We hate to say "inside information" but Ken has access to ask the questions to people we don't at times.. If you read Ken's work during during CFB & CBB, you'll see what I mean.
CFB Bowl Season - This was tough for me...you help me decide...Nover - Always solid and was hot as hell last year....Marshall - I like volume and Bruce bounces all over the place...I would lean strong at Bruce, because the bowl matchups are rather odd..I can see Bruce capping many teams and using them throughout the year. When they matchup he would have a pretty good idea IMO what these oddball teams and games might turn out like. A must have come bowl season....Shaker - Again...I would want a totals guy when two teams that haven't played matchup and play. I think Shaker would be the guy I would fall on most here, because I love betting totals during bowl season. I would trust Greg being he always has totals plays along side his side plays.
So that's my list....I still can't decide who my 4th would be, but I would go with. Essler, Shaker, Thompson & Marshall.
I think they would benefit me the most even though I cap my own games and have the time to do so. We just can't do it all and we all need help. These 4 would help me round out some of the areas for me. I would find it to be well worth it for 2016.