Columnist Jeff Haney: NFL analyst faces challenging weekend

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001 | 10:19 a.m.

Jeff Haney's sports betting column appears Wednesday. Reach him at 259-4041 or by e-mail at haney@lasvegassun.com.

On his website last week, pro football handicapper Tobin Hensgen ran a poll asking whether the NFL should cancel its Week 2 games in light of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.

There were two "Yes" options: Play the games and donate the proceeds to relief funds, or play them to make a statement that the enemy can't keep us down.

There were two "No" options: Set aside time for mourning, or don't expect the players to be emotionally ready.

The overwhelming choice among poll respondents, however, was option No. 5: Play the games, but "Only if Afghanistan is leveled at halftime."

After gauging the mood of America, Hensgen took down the sports betting content on his site (thegame-nfl.com) and replaced it with a dedication to the victims of last week's terrible events.

This week, with pro football ready to resume amid a patriotic fervor, Hensgen continues to see a link between sports betting and the state of the nation.

"One of the strongest statements made by our decision makers this week was the admission by Attorney General John Ashcroft that currently, more resources are dedicated to fighting illegal gambling -- meaning Internet wagering -- than terrorism," Hensgen said.

"This simple statement speaks volumes -- law enforcement has its head (in the sand) wasting taxpayer money in such quixotic excursions into the violation of Fourth Amendment rights ... and with the economy so adversely affected (by the attacks), steps to legalize and tax all gambling would generate a greater boon to Federal coffers than the California gold rush."

Meanwhile, NFL games are back on the board in Las Vegas sports books.

"Regardless of what I believe, there is a line posted this week," Hensgen said.

Keep in mind: No one is trying to be heartless or callous. But responsible sports handicapping means analyzing the games from every possible angle -- and this week that means taking into account the unforeseen break in the action.

Hensgen believes that regardless of the standings, for all intents and purposes the NFL season "begins" on Sunday. He thinks motivation will be crucial.

"I would expect the teams whose venues were closest to 'Ground Zero' to want to make the greatest statements, although many teams will dedicate their seasons to 9-11," he said. "Both New York teams will show a particular focus in winning efforts Sunday. And look for Washington to put its petty squabbles aside for at least one week and make a closer game of it on Monday than some might otherwise expect."

The Redskins are 8 1/2 to 9-point underdogs at Green Bay. The Jets are 1 1/2 to 2-point favorites at New England; the Giants are 1 to 1 1/2-point underdogs at Kansas City.

Hensgen, whose site can also be accessed through a link at sillysports.com, is participating in the Las Vegas Hilton's "SuperContest" again this year.

The Hilton contest, with its $1,500 entry (40 percent of the prize pool goes to the winner), attracts many of the nation's top handicappers each year.

Last season, while sharing some of his picks with the Sun, Hensgen finished 48-36-1 -- an impressive and profitable 57 percent, but just out of the money in the highly competitive Hilton contest, which pays 20 places.

These wagers usually carry a caveat that unless a certain number of games are played, tickets are refunded.

The NFL plans to complete its 16-game schedule, but some college games have been flat-out canceled rather than postponed until a later date.

In baseball, "meaningless" games that are rained out down the stretch may not be made up. That could affect bets on over/under season wins, which usually stipulate a minimum of 160 games played.

Before throwing away any tickets -- or for that matter, before assuming you have a winner -- check with the individual sports book for complete rules and details.

Apparently, some bettors were perhaps a bit too anxious to learn the fate of their tickets. In Las Vegas as well as offshore, there were reports of customers calling sports books last Tuesday to inquire about the wagers -- practically in the midst of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Call this behavior outlandish if you want, but be aware it has precedent.

According to William Manchester's "The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America 1932-1972," similar calls were made on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941.

The historian notes that hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, "infuriated fans" were phoning radio stations and newspaper sports departments looking for football scores.

They reportedly asked, "Aren't you getting anything besides that war stuff?"