rubin = 'Steve Rubin:
If Richard Simmons showed up every morning at 8am, to be buzzed in by Amy, and proceeded to the back office so Steve and he could \“Sweat to the Oldies\” from 8 – 5, with a 30 minute break to eat tofu, he still won’t win this contest. BoDog.com is taking 2/1 odds that Steve gains weight. (20/1)';
elia = 'Marc Elia:
The FNG in the office AND the FNG to the fat-off world. This contestant will need to resist the daily NYC temptations of Cheesecake, Cheesesteak, and Cupcakes. We\’ll call him the mystery man. Odds were determined with the help of a monkey and a dartboard. Don\’t forget that cupcakes are crazy delicious. (19/1)';
taber = 'Richard Taber:
This boy better hope that Mr. T circa 1983 shows up and brings him to Clubber Lang\’s gym where they can jump rope and do upside down situps. Otherwise it\’s curtains for this fat-off Olympian. Secret weapon is rumored to be a homemade fiber bar - WATCH OUT! (18/1)';
donofrio = 'Matt Donofrio:
If this guy takes on the competition like he takes on clients at company parties, this one\’s a wrap. Don\’t count out a man who won the fantasy football league on his first try but we\’re not sure if he\’s got enough weight to take the fat-off prize. (17/1)';
yonts = 'Charles Yonts:
If you could lose weight from complaining about fat-off rules then this guy would be a 100lbs by the end of the competition. Unfortunately his only hope is if his wife Meg can smuggle out some Glaxo Smith experimental weight loss drugs asap. (16/1)';
canucci = 'Desiree Canucci:
This newbie has the enthusiasm for a great start. Look for her to take the early lead only to lose it down the stretch when each competitor hits \‘the wall\’. For a daily update take the Staten Island ferry each morning and look for the crazy woman running back and forth on the top deck wearing Sergio Tacchini\’s. (15/1)';
collins = 'Amy Collins:
Determined to no longer watch the madness from the sidelines Amy is in it to win it. To keep up the cardio, Assignment Desk responses will now be answered in person. Day care viruses could be used as a weapon in the last week of competition. (14/1)';
hand = 'Chris Hand:
Another unknown newbie entering the fat-off world. One would have to think if he can avoid any more trips back to Texas and subsequent Waffle House visits anything is possible. Expect furious workout routines while playing the keyboard. (13/1)';
marrero = 'Gary Marrero:
If this guy can tighten his belt like he\’s tightened up our bank account he should have no problem winning. Then again on the first day of competition this contestant\’s winning strategy was to stuff his face with chicken and potatoes for lunch. You can laugh now but you\’ll shut your mouth when \“G-MAN: Carboload your weigh to victory\” hits the NY Times best seller list next fall. (12/1)';
kane = 'Kevin Kane:
Macy\’s already put in an order for the \“Kevin Kane: As bad as he wants to be\” china collection, due out this spring from the Miss Orch catalog. Kevin has much motivation to whip out the washboard abs for an upcoming photo shoot…in the kitchen on the radiator. Krispy Kreme association does not inspire confidence. (11/1)';
balletta = 'Nick Balletta:
This man has fat-off experience but hasn\’t delivered the goods. This time it\’s a bit different as the newly single Mr. Balletta is struttin his stuff in da club. Daily humiliation and embarrassment over his Prada & Versace wardrobe should account for substantial weight loss. (10/1)';
sparacio = 'John Sparacio:
This guy\’s been talking about losing the gut for quite some time. You can take that as motivation or procrastination, but it\’s hard to bet against a man that drinks 7 Red bulls and 10 cups of coffee by 8am. Don\’t forget, \“missing\” his insulin shots are a possibility. In the event his heels are rebroken odds go to 200 to 1. (9/1)';
cuckovich = 'Rita Cuckovich:
Switching from the bean sprout, avocado diet of California to the grease sandwich lifestyle of New York will take its toll on anyone. She has the smarts, now let\’s see if she has the willpower. If you have any stock in the Anytime Café II on John St. now would be a good time to sell. (8/1)';
ingvoldstad = 'Dan Ingvoldstad:
Life on the band circuit in New York is taking its toll on B-Star\’s superstar percussionist. Gravy fries and Jack Daniels at 3am will definitely need to cease for this man to have a chance. (7/1)';
lehon = 'Brian Lehon:
Lehon has no choice but to lose weight or risk not being able to fit in his matchbox-like Miata for the long commute back to Long Island. Brian and his stomach are rumored to be in tense negotiations. The stomach is demanding a 5 lbs loss during the competition but Lehon is staying firm at 15. A 6 foot sub incentive is on the table but only if the stomach commits by Friday. (6/1)';
vitale = 'Mike Vitale:
A fat-off veteran who\’s come close to taking it before. Definitely a threat but will probably come up a little \“short\”. He\’ll be crushed when it\’s revealed that shaved heads only helps in swimming and not fat-off\’s. (5/1)';
cottrell = 'Darcy Cottrell:
He\’s got the spunk, the attitude, and just the right amount of shadiness to pull off an upset. Rumors pervade that he sometimes cries himself to sleep over a tub of Ben & Jerry\’s after Balletta liberal bashing comments. This could tip the balance. (4/1)';
mantione = 'Matt Mantione:
A whole lot of fat-off experience + a new ladyfriend = a formidable competitor. The man knows the NY Jets need a new quarterback and just might need to be in shape by training camp. (3/1)';
delrio = 'Frances DelRio:
Excuse me?? A little birdy told this odds maker that Ms. Del Rio once lost over 40lbs using the Herbal Life diet. Add to this salsa dancing on the weekends and there is no doubt, Frances is a huge threat in this competition. (2/1)';
smith = 'Christy Smith:
A former Fat-off champion. She is supposedly disgruntled that the competition didn\’t start a week early to coincide with a personal diet. Sounds like a smoke screen. With a spring marathon looming it looks like the former champ is starting the psych warfare early. Weekly $100 Cinnabon gift certificates sent to Mark Long could derail this threat. (Even)';