2005-2006 NFL Tips, Picks and Odds

2006-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

2006 NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii

by: Regisuzuki

Peyton Manning is in while kid brother Eli Manning is out. As a result of a near-perfect record, the elder Manning was one of seven Colts selected to play in the upcoming 2006 NFL Pro Bowl game on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 in Hawaii.

The Pro Bowl game pits the best players from AFC against the best from the NFC, at Honolulu’s 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. The Pro Bowl is more than a game. It’s a week-long celebration of the NFL and its partnership with Hawaii. There were a record 70.5 million votes cast on NFL.com and via the Sprint wireless service — a 16 percent increase over the 61 million cast last year. [...] NFL Pro Bowl takes centerstage in Hawaii

Posted in Sports, NFL, Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Sports Betting, Sportsbooks | No Comments »

2006-02-07T01:29:00.000-08:00

Ben hits Super Bowl XL: The youngest QB winner

by: Regisuzuki

Years and decades later, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally got the one for the thumb, the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl ring. They did it, appropriately enough, on a night when their quarterback was all thumbs, not that it matters a whit to any of them, starting with Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger did less to win this game than pretty much any winning quarterback in the 40 years of Super Bowl history. He made about two plays in the Steelers’ 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Two plays, if you were really counting - one throwing and one running. It is, uh, supposed to take more than that.

Two plays. The first was a third-and-28 conversion in the second quarter, a play where Roethlisberger gingerly danced at the line of scimmage, staying just behind the line and hitting Hines Ward for 37 yards. The second came three plays later, when Roethlisberger carried around the left side and dived in for the Steelers’ first touchdown, barely reaching the goal line.

That was pretty much it. With that, into the history books. Youngest Super Bowl QB winner: Ben there and done that

Posted in Sports, Football, NFL, Super Bowl, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, Sports Betting No Comments »

2006-02-07T01:26:00.000-08:00

Bettis closes NFL career with Pittsburgh's 5th Super Bowl

by: Regisuzuki

This is how Jerome Bettis deserved to go out. With confetti falling on his head. With the game ball in his hands. With the Super Bowl title his.

The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL on Sunday night, beating the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10, in front of a Terrible Towel-waving crowd that made Ford Field look like Heinz Field. It was the Steelers’ fifth Super Bowl title in six attempts, and the first in 14 years under coach Bill Cowher, who finally can say that he, like larger-than-life predecessor Chuck Noll, actually can win the big game.

And it was the final game that Bettis will ever play. In an announcement that was not unexpected but sad nonetheless, the Bus said he would retire after 13 years in the league. What more could he want? He had just won the Super Bowl in his hometown. So unless he watches a replay and decides to overturn the ruling on the field, this is the end for Bettis. [...] Bettis closes NFL career with storybook ending

Posted in Sports, Football, NFL, Super Bowl, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jerome Bettis, Sports Betting, Sportsbooks No Comments »

2006-02-07T01:21:00.000-08:00

The razzle dazzle in the 43-yard touchdown sealed Pittsburgh's 5th Super Bowl victory

by: Regisuzuki

XL indeed. Talk about your extra-large plays, the ones that will be remembered and shown as long as they talk about the Super Bowl. Add a 43-yard touchdown pass by Pittsburgh wide receiver Antwaan Randle El to fellow wideout Hines Ward to the list.

This one, coming with 8 minutes, 56 seconds left will stand as the signature play of Super Bowl XL. Fueled by its trickery, Pittsburgh went on to a 21-10 victory against Seattle at Ford Field on Sunday night. It was the Steelers’ fifth Vince Lombardi Trophy, finally giving them a championship ring for the thumb. Pittsburgh is tied with San Francisco and Dallas for most Super Bowl wins.

The biggest in a game of big plays happened this way:Pittsburgh, leading 14-10, had driven to a first down on the Seattle 43. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger handed off to running back Willie Parker, who ran right — and gave the ball to Randle El, coming the other way.

Roethlisberger said a safety was blitzing on the play and the quarterback ended up watching it from the ground. It appeared to be minor mischief, an end-around, but Randle El pulled up and launched a pass to Ward, far behind the coverage. He waited for the ball and gathered it in at the 6, then darted into the end zone. [...] One for the thumb: Razzle dazzle ends in 43-yard touchdown, seals 5th Super Bowl victory for Pittsburgh

Posted in Sports, Football, NFL, Super Bowl, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, Bill Cowher, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Mike Holmgren, Sports Betting, Sportsbooks No Comments »

2006-02-07T01:08:00.000-08:00

New bloods are already getting ready to make it big

by: Jeffdstuff

A new breed of NFL athletes are already getting ready to make it big in the professional ranks.

Football fever is still in the air as one team finds their way to the top, a young crop of talented football athletes are on the outside already looking in to bask in football glory.

And hopefully, someday, play out their own Super Bowl history.

So who are these so-called young guns who will take the world of football as we know it to yet another level?

Let’s take a look at probably college football’s biggest star, Mr. Lionheart, Matt Leinart.

Matthew Leinart born May 11, 1983 in Santa Ana, California, is a […] Will the Lionheart Shine in the NFL?

Posted in Sports, Football, NFL, College Football, Rose Bowl No Comments »

Who will be the Super Bowl hero tonight

2006-02-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

Somebody will become a hero tonight. And it could be just about anybody. It might be an obvious candidate like a quarterback or wide receiver. But it also could be the player you’d least expect to bask in Super Bowl glory.

For Seattle, there’s a good chance the Super Bowl XL spotlight will shine on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck or running back Shaun Alexander. For the Steelers, obvious possibilities are QB Ben Roethlisberger or wide receiver Hines Ward or running back Jerome Bettis, a Detroit native.

But it also could be somebody not as well known to the general public, like Seattle receiver Bobby Engram and cornerback Marcus Trufant, or Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith and safety Chris Hope.

All it takes is one big day, maybe even one big play, for somebody to become a hero, to have his exploits rerun over and over again on ESPN, to get a guest spot on Leno and Letterman, not to mention a trip to Disney World.

For one game, it’s possible for a bit player to steal the show from the stars. The history of the Super Bowl is filled with unlikely heroes who usually toil in anonymity, but on this day shine for millions of fans around the world. Who’s gonna be the next Super Bowl hero?

Posted in Sports, NFL, Super Bowl, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, Bill Cowher, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Mike Holmgren, Sports Betting No Comments »

Steelers vs Seahawks Super Bowl XL

2006-02-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

Steelers vs. Seahawks. AFC vs. NFC. A team playing in its sixth Super Bowl, and a team playing in its first. Two respected coaches, no idiots on either roster, and in the case of Pittsburgh, one beloved old running back trying to win his first championship while playing in his hometown.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers last raised the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl Champions, on Jan. 20th, 1980, current Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was not yet born. Strong safety Troy Polamalu’s mane of hair wouldn’t begin sprouting until he came into the world 15 months after Super Bowl XIV, and Steelers running back Jerome Bettis was but a growing seven-year-old.

That trio of superstars and their Pittsburgh teammates don’t have a memory of a Steelers Super Bowl victory, a fact that the AFC Champions will be trying to change on Sunday night, when they meet the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at Detroit’s Ford Field. Bill Cowher’s team [...] Who’s the best?: Steel Curtain vs Flying Seahawks

Posted in Sports, NFL, Super Bowl, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, Bill Cowher, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Mike Holmgren, Sports Betting, Sportsbooks | No Comments »

Beware of fake Super Bowl tickets

2006-01-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

There is still some time left to buy a ticket to the Super Bowl, but buyers beware. Not all tickets for sale are legit. Because the tickets are hard to come by, many people have been going online to websites like eBay.

The Steelers and Seahawks are headed to Super Bowl XL in Detroit, and everything from the hype to the ticket prices will be extra large. There are ticket scalpers, travel packages and parties. There is a ticket lottery and a staggering price tag for just about everything.

One couple in Cranberry found tickets for $1550, but when they contacted eBay about the deal, they found out that the tickets were apart of a scam. Before purchasing tickets to the Super Bowl, people should make sure to look for hologram on the front, with the letters XL in red. Beware of ticket scams: Spot a fake Super Bowl ticket

Governors place a wager on NFL Championship

2006-01-27T20:26:00.000-08:00

In the annual gamesmanship that goes on between Super Bowl states, the governors of Pennsylvania and Washington have placed a wager on the outcome of the NFL Championship.

In a press release, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said today he is repeating the wager he made last week with Colorado and is putting up one box of Pittsburgh's Original Hot Dog Shop hot dogs and a case of Heinz condiments, including ketchup, mustard and relish. However, because it's the Super Bowl, Mr. Rendell is adding Primante Brothers Sandwiches and Eat n' Park Gold and Black Smiley cookies. Pennsylvania, Washington governor wager on Super Bowl

Seahawks faces biggest trial in Steelers

2006-01-25T21:34:00.000-08:00

The Seattle Seahawks, who will travel to Detroit to play Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5, were discounted by a lot of people who believed Coach Mike Holmgren should step aside and that the franchise might be better off without running back Shaun Alexander.

That speculation faded, though, as the franchise led the league in scoring, went undefeated at home, and Alexander was selected the NFL's most valuable player.

Now comes the biggest test. Standing between the Seahawks and the Lombardi Trophy are the road-hardened Steelers, the first sixth-seeded team to reach the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh is the designated home team for the game and will play the Seahawks... Seahawks face ultimate test in Steelers

Ben leads Steelers as NFL's best active team

2006-01-25T20:32:00.000-08:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers, led by second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, have seemed to be the NFL's obviously best active team since the night when New England's luck disappeared in Denver.

En route to almost certain victory in the Super Bowl, the Steelers illustrated first of all last Sunday - when they conquered Denver, 34-17 - the value of a good quarterback. For, without Roethlisberger, they're just another good football team in the AFC.

Big Ben transforms the Steelers into champions - do-everything champions who play sound defense, run the ball with passion, and throw with brilliance. Passing brilliance is something new for their leader, Bill Cowher, who has coached Pittsburgh for 12 years while always falling short of Super Bowl championships.

Roethlisberger, who at 6 feet 7 is bigger than most linebackers, has a knack for doing everything that any football team could expect of a quarterback. In Denver, he seemed almost equally adept as a pocket passer and as a scrambler, Big Ben transforms Steel Curtain as NFL's best active team

Quick survey of the NFL

2006-01-24T01:31:00.000-08:00

The Seattle Seahawks will play in their first Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Detroit; the Pittsburgh Steelers will return for a shot at the franchise's fifth Super Bowl title. Both teams dominated their opponents in Sunday's conference championship games. Before the much anticipated Super Bowl XL matchup, Sports Betting Index takes a first look at the protagonists for football's "Grand Daddy of 'Em All".

VS. COMMON OPPONENTS

Pittsburgh 4-2; Seattle 3-2

NFL RANKS

Pittsburgh: Defense vs. pass 198.0 (16th); defense vs. run 86.0 (third); total defense 284.0 (fifth); pass offense 182.9 (24th); run offense 138.9 (fifth); total offense 321.8 (tied for 15th).

Seattle: Defense vs. pass 222.4 (25th); defense vs. run 94.4 (fifth); total defense 316.8 (tied for 16th); pass offense 216.1 (13th); run offense 153.6 (third); total offense 369.7 (second). First Look at Super Bowl XL

"The Bus" final destination Super Bowl XL

2006-01-24T01:28:00.000-08:00

The distance between Pittsburgh and Detroit is about 220 miles - about a 5- or 6-hour bus ride. The journey Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome "The Bus" Bettis took 13 NFL seasons to complete.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Denver Broncos last Sunday, to win their first AFC championship since 1995, the ride Bettis had so longed to complete finally will stop in the place he knows the best - Detroit, Michigan. Oh yes, the Bus will head his way home for his first and probably his last Super Bowl trip.

It's hard to remember that just two seasons ago, the Steelers' organization had all but told Bettis, "thanks for the memories, now put your bags on the bus and drive out of town". Despite having rushed for more than 9,200 yards in eight seasons in Pittsburgh, Bettis was told he would no longer be the feature back. Super Bowl XL may be Bettis' final Bus Stop

Super Bowl Betting is around the corner

2006-01-24T01:25:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl XL betting is on! Football fans all across the globe will start placing their bets on Super Bowl XL. Be it for money or just for fun, through an office pool or online, tens of millions of people in America will be betting on the outcome of the big game, and Bodog Sportsbook is already offering odds on the four possible Super Bowl match-ups.

Thanks to the growth of online gambling, Super Bowl XL is on track to become the world's most bet on sporting event of all time. As the world's leading online gambling site offering online sports betting, online casino gambling and online poker, Bodog Sportsbook has all your pro football playoff lines and NFL Super Bowl futures and props! Super Bowl XL betting will exceed $500M

Shaun Alexander hopes to add Super Bowl Trophy to his MVP Award

2006-01-24T01:21:00.000-08:00

Three words, Super Bowl Seahawks.

Say it again just to make sure it's for real. Or say it because you like the sound of it.

Because it is for real. The Seahawks are going to Detroit for Super Bowl XL as NFC champions after their 34-14 win over the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field.

The Seahawks will play the Pittsburgh Steelers at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 5. The Steelers, the AFC's sixth seed, won their third straight road game in the playoffs, beating Denver 34-17.

Thirty years into franchise history, Seattle is playing for the NFL championship for the first time. The Seahawks earned their place in much the same way they have won games all season, a balanced offense with a tempo that threw off and tired out the opponent, and a big-play defense that once again was stout in defending the run. 3 NFL S's: Seattle, Super Bowl, Seahawks

Steelers punched their ticket to Super Bowl XL

2006-01-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

The Pittsburh Steelers did the unthinkable. Forced to play on the road throughout the playoffs, they became the first team in NFL history to beat the No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds in consecutive weeks to reach a Super Bowl.

In the AFC Championship Game, the redhot Steelers punched out the Denver Broncos, 34-17 and punched their ticket to Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5 at Detroit's Ford Field. The Seahawks did what most expected them to do. They took care of business on the West Coast, proving with back-to-back playoff victories, including yesterday's 34-14 trouncing of the Panthers in the NFC Championship Game, that they're indeed the best the conference has to offer.

Will the Steelers finally get one for the thumb? Pittsburgh is 4-1 in its five Super Bowl appearances, but this will be its first appearance since losing to the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX at the end of the 1995 season. The Steelers won Super Bowls IX, X, XIII and XIV. Super Bowl XL will be the first Super Bowl appearance in the 30-year history of the Seahawks, leaving the Cardinals, Lions, Saints, Browns, Texans and Jaguars as the only franchises never to get there. Steelers, Seahawks make Detroit's Super Bowl XL

Coach Holmgren Super Bowl exclusive list

2006-01-23T18:41:00.000-08:00

Wasn't it just yesterday that Mike Holmgren had no idea what he was doing anymore, that his Seattle Seahawks were a regular-season Tarzan but a postseason Jane, that even he might have been staring at his coaching mortality after last season, when he was considering resigning?

The Seahawks are playing in the Super Bowl for the first time, after a home victory over Carolina under the genius mind of Holmgren, who won two Super Bowls (XXIII and XXIV) as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in San Francisco and one (XXXI) as head coach in Green Bay, to again make an appearance on the grandest stage in football.

It took coach Holmgren seven years to win his first playoff game with the Seattle Seahawks. Now he hopes to lead the franchise past the Pittsburgh Steelers to its very first Super Bowl win. Holmgren became the fifth coach in NFL history to lead two teams to the Super Bowl. Holmgren took Green Bay to the title game in 1996 and 1997. Don Shula (Baltimore, Miami), Bill Parcells (New York Giants, New England), Dick Vermeil (Philadelphia, St. Louis) and Dan Reeves (Denver, Atlanta) were the others. Holmgren joins Super Bowl exclusive list

Bodog betting the Bus and Big Ben will keep winning through Motor City

2006-01-23T18:37:00.000-08:00

Leading online sportsbook Bodog is betting the Bus and Big Ben will keep winning through Motor City. The Pittsburgh Steelers emerged as 4-point favorites as Bodog Sportsbok picked the Steelers to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl XL.

Bodog made the AFC champion Steelers 4-point favorites immediately after the Seahawks finished off the Carolina Panthers, 34-14, in the NFC title game. The teams will meet Feb. 5 in Detroit, Michigan. Pittsburgh went through the one, two, and three seeds, and a lot of people think the AFC from top-to-bottom was a lot better conference than the NFC.

The over-under line set at 47 points. The over-under lets bettors put money on whether the teams combine to score more or less than that amount. Initial odds often change as online bookmakers weigh the money bettors put on one team or the other. Bodog installs Pittsburgh as Super Bowl favorites

True Road Warrior Super Bowl XL

2006-01-22T21:31:00.000-08:00

The Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers each will attempt to do something Sunday only one team has done since the NFL instituted a multiple-wild-card, three-step playoff system in 1978.

Only the 1985 New England Patriots reached the Super Bowl by winning three playoff games on the road. Both the Panthers, winners at the Giants and in Chicago, and the Steelers, victorious in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, can equal that feat and perhaps set up a true Road Warrior Super Bowl XL.

Four teams did reach conference championship games with two road wins, only to be turned away at the door to the big game: the 1987 Vikings lost in Washington, 17-10; the 1989 Rams lost in San Francisco, 30-3; the 1995 Colts lost in Pittsburgh, 20-16; and the 1996 Jaguars lost in New England, 20-6. NFL road warriors try to punch Super Bowl ticket

NFL playoff predictions to be consider

2006-01-21T19:09:00.000-08:00

With most people's NFL playoff predictions no longer possible, say hello to an incredibly unpredictable weekend of pro football. The NFLâ€™s Final Four isn't exactly brimming with star power. The dream rematch spotlighting Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning? Neither made it out of the second round.

The Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be the hottest teams remaining. But in order for the Panthers or Steelers to make the Super Bowl, they will need to win a third playoff road game against the Seahawks and Broncos, respectively. Some NFL playoff odds to consider

Can Ben Roethlisberger alter Pittsburgh Curse

2006-01-20T21:54:00.000-08:00

Four games. Three quarterbacks. Twelve interceptions. No victories. Yes, The Curse is hovering like a throbbing rain cloud over the previous Pittsburgh Steelers signal-callers. Can Ben Roethlisberger make it go away on Sunday in the AFC final at Denver?

Roethlisberger was just 13 years old when The Curse began afflicting Steelers quarterbacks in championship games. It started in 1996 against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX, when Neil O'Donnell threw three interceptions in a 27-17 loss. It continued against the Denver Broncos in 1998, when Kordell Stewart threw three interceptions in a 24-21 AFC Championship loss at Three Rivers Stadium. It returned four years later when Stewart got picked off three more times in a 24-17 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots.

Then, in his AFC Championship game debut last year at Heinz Field, Roethlisberger got hit with the title-game whammy - a triple-whammy, at that. He threw three interceptions, including one that was returned 87 yards for a touchdown, and the Steelers found themselves on the wrong end of a 41-27 decision. Big Ben try to lift 3-IT Curse on Steelers QBs vs Broncos

NFL's MVP "full go" for Sunday's game against Panthers, said Holmgren

2006-01-20T20:23:00.000-08:00

The brighter the lights and the bigger the stage, the better for Shaun Alexander, right? Not necessarily.

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, who left in the first quarter of Saturday's NFC divisional playoff win against the Washington Redskins with a concussion, has been cleared to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the Carolina Panthers.

Alexander suffered the injury late in the period after taking an apparent knee to the side of the head during a run up the middle. The reigning league MVP stayed down with his face buried on the ground for several minutes before leaving the field with the help of Seattle's trainers and did not return. The Alabama product had only nine rushing yards on six carries and also fumbled inside the Washington 15-yard line on the first drive of the game.

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren told the press that his precious running back and NFL's MVP is "full go" for Sunday's game against Alexander's good to go but is he ready for Seattle's bigest playoff game?

NFC Championship Game: The Chess Match

2006-01-18T22:31:00.000-08:00

Seattle Seahawks mentor Mike Holmgren and Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Dan Henning are two of the very best, and most experienced at that, coaches in the game of football.

Both Holmgren and Henning have been calling football diagrams, sets and audibles for decades but their styles contradict one another.

For the Seattle Seahawks' Mike Holmgren, he tends to run the pure version of what was dubbed as, 'the West Coast offense.' Adding that to his creativity in the three-receiver diagrams he likes to run, using the pass to set up the run.

For the Carolina Panthers' Dan Henning, he does the opposite. While Holmgren likes to pass the football, Henning plays more conservatively as he opts to use the running game to pound for yardage. Henning will work out of two-back or two tight end sets to reach his goal of running the football, 35-40 times.

On the NFC Championship, both of these NFL coaching legends will duke it out as they both lead their respective teams to that final step towards football's biggest and grandest stage, the Super Bowl. Read More

Super Bowl rings out for grabs

2006-01-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

All four NFL coaches in next weekend's conference championship games have led teams to at least one Super Bowl. But Denver's Mike Shanahan, Carolina's John Fox, Seattle's Mike Holmgren and Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher don't have a lot of championship ring owners on their rosters.

Pittsburgh, for instance, has won four Super Bowls, yet not one Steeler starter has a ring. In fact, several key players - among them quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker - were born after Jan. 20, 1980, when the Steelers last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

The only player in Carolina's starting lineup who has reached pro football's mountaintop is center Jeff Mitchell, who was a member of Baltimore's Super Bowl-winning team in 2000. Even Denver, which won consecutive titles in the 1997 and '98 seasons, has but a few holdovers from those teams, among them center Tom Nalen, tackle Matt Lepsis, defensive end Trevor Pryce and kicker Jason Elam. Safety John Lynch won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002. So, now that New England has been eliminated, a lot of potential Super Bowl newbies can start making room in their jewelry boxes for some gaudy additions. Read More

Steelers AFC Championship game against the Broncos

2006-01-16T22:03:00.000-08:00

After beating the mighty Indianapolis Colts, the surging Pittsburgh Steelers try to win on the road once more as the Steelers take their vaunted "blitz of steel" at Denver in the AFC Championship game against the Broncos.

This will be Pittsburgh's sixth AFC title game in 12 seasons. But this also will be its first of those on the road, not necessarily a bad thing, considering that the Steelers are 1-4 at home in those previous championships. They are the first sixth-seeded team to reach a championship game since the NFL went to the current lineup of six playoff teams from each conference in 1990.

But they are no ordinary sixth seed. Remember that they were 15-1 last season and lost to New England in the championship game at Heinz Field, no disgrace given what the Patriots have been doing this century. And remember that they started 7-2, and seemed headed for a division title and no worse than a second or third seed when Ben Roethlisberger hurt a knee and then a thumb and they lost three straight.

Roethlisberger was a hero Sunday on both offense and defense, making what was probably a game-saving tackle when Nick Harper seemed headed for a touchdown after picking up Jerome Bettis' fumble in the wacky final minutes of the win in Indy. Read More

Panthers try third trifecta over Seattle

2006-01-16T21:36:00.000-08:00

First it was the NFC East champions New York Giants. Then the NFC North champions Chicago Bears. Next week, the Carolina Panthers will try for a road trifecta as they travel to Seattle to face the offensive minded Seahawks for a place in Super Bowl XL.

In the very even NFC, these could very well be the two best teams. Seattle had the conference's best record, but Carolina was probably the preseason favorite. One problem: both lost key players to injury in their wins this weekend.

Shaun Alexander, the league's leading rusher and MVP this season, left the Seahawks' 20-10 victory over Washington Saturday with a concussion. Indications are he will play. Carolina lost starting running back DeShaun Foster for the season with a broken ankle. Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers injured his shoulder but said he expects to play next week. Read More

Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts will complete NFL's Final Four

2006-01-15T20:16:00.000-08:00

By tomorow, teams vying to reach Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5 will be trimmed to NFL's version of the Final Four. Look for the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers to be in that number with victories today in the divisional round of the playoffs.

PITTSBURGH at INDIANAPOLIS (minus 10):

Much has been made of Peyton Manning's lack of success in the postseason. The Colts take the first step in quieting his skeptics today against a game but outmanned Steelers' team. Colts 24, Steelers 16. The Indianapolis Colts are heavily favored heading into their first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at the RCA Dome. Read More

Cincinnati Banged-Pals

2006-01-10T01:14:00.000-08:00

In their first playoff appearance in 15 years, the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a pair of losses.

They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-17 in an AFC Wild Card Game at Paul Brown Stadium in front of 65,870 fans and they lost their franchise player.

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, who set a team record this year with 32 touchdown passes and recently signed the biggest contract in team history, left the game with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Bengals announced their goal was to have Palmer back by the beginning of training camp for the 2006 season.

''Unfortunately our season is over,'' said head coach Marvin Lewis of the team's 11-6 record in his third season. ''We had a good season, not a great season. We're not satisfied with things, but we'll learn from it and move forward.''

Palmer was forced to leave the game following the Bengals' second offensive play, a 66-yard completion to Chris Henry. After releasing the ball, Palmer was hit in the left knee by former Bengals player and current Steelers defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen. Palmer was taken off the field on a cart.

''The range of emotions when that happened was incredible,'' backup quarterback Jon Kitna said. ''You're excited the big play happened. And as I'm excited I look around and I see somebody laying on the ground. I start looking for Carson, and he's not standing up.''

Kitna played the rest of the game, throwing for 197 yards and a pair of costly second-half interceptions.

Kitna did, however, lead the offense on three scoring drives in the first half, including a seven-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh that gave Cincinnati a 17-7 lead. Overall, the backup quarterback was 14-of-20 in the first half for 109 yards and no interceptions.

The Bengals outgained Pittsburgh 222 yards to 166 in the first half, and Cincinnati held the Steelers' vaunted rushing attack to just 38 yards.

But in the second half, the bottom fell out.

The NFL Playoffs continue as the remaining NFL teams vouch for football supremacy. Who will survive? And who will win Super Bowl XL?

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NFL handicapping takes more than just logic and luck

2005-09-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

Of all sports, nothing is as humbling as the NFL. I don't mean playing it. I mean predicting it. This one league routinely defies every pretense of expertise. The NFL dares you to figure it out, and knows you can't.

It should be so easy, this glorified guesswork. The simplicity of it is why the failure at it is so vexing. We are not being asked to devise peace in Iraq, foretell earthquakes, or explain Pythagoras' hypotenuse theorem.

Oakland at Philadelphia, dammit. Who wins? Get a chimpanzee to flip a coin on each game and theoretically the method should produce a .500 record of picking winners straight up - or even against the spread, considering the betting line is designed to make each game seem like a tossup. Yet there are weeks when we NFL handicappers, who tend to replace the coin with painstaking research, find even .500 something of a Holy Grail. Is it humbling? Actually it's embarrassing. Take a look at these.

Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated's "Dr. Z," cherry-picking his 10 favorite games, went 3-7 last week. Not against the point spread. Just picking winners. The great Peter King, who knows this league as well as anybody, went 4-12. Yes, You heard it right. Zimmerman and King are also finding it hard to predict NFL results.

All of a sudden we're meteorologists, guessing where storms might go but really having no more idea than your uncle who senses rain when his sciatica acts up. Just look at King. He's the kind of guy who prepares for predicting games by poring over trends, tapping inside sources and watching film. And goes 4-12.

Logic and reasoned hunchwork don't have much on plain guessing. Not when awful Cleveland can beat Brett Favre at Lambeau Field, where Trent Dilfer had been 0-8. Not when Chicago, offensively moribund in its opener, wins its second game 38-6 or the Colts starting 3-0 even without Peyton Manning's vaunted offense.

Every NFL week has an all-hell-broken-loose feel in a parity age that makes any threat to any of the NFL's greatest season. Only two weeks in, a mere seven of 32 teams are 2-0. And of those seven, only the Steelers and Colts had winning records last year. The league is full of such regular tumult, it seems almost normal that New Orleans played a home game in New Jersey last week or the Cardinals in a home game in Mexico!

By the way, I am already 3-0 in my Yahoo Fantasy League (a public league) and went 9-7 in NFL Week 3 of Sportsbetting.com's $500,000 Gridiron Pick'em Free Contest. Am I ready to replace Zimmerman or King? Your guess is as good as mine.

NFL Betting Game Odds: Bodog Sportsbook

Odds to win 2006 Super Bowl:

New England Patriots 5/1

Indianapolis Colts 16/5

Philadelphia Eagles 13/2

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Baltimore Ravens 33/1

Prediction: With the departure of Ty Law and the unexpected injury of Ted Bruschi, the Patriots no longer have the defensive personnel that can stop NFL offensive machines like Indianapolis or Pittsburgh. Expect the Colts or Steelers to steal the Vince Lombardi trophy this year.

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tags: NFL, Football, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, NFL Betting, NFL Betting Tips, NFL Betting Odds, NFL Betting Picks NFL Football, NCAA Football

Clash of the Titans: Moss vs. T.O. and Steelers look to get even with Patriots plus other Week 3 NFL betting tips, picks and odds

2005-09-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

It's a big week for grudge matches in the NFL: New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game rematch... and Terrell Owens vs. Randy Moss. Sports Betting Index's RegiSuzuki picks the Week 3 NFL winners plus live NFL betting odds and lines from MyBookie, Parlay Book and BetCom.

CAROLINA PANTHERS at MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Carolina Panthers proved last week their defensive line is still one of the team's biggest strengths. That's not good news for the Miami Dolphins and their anemic running game. Carolina looks to build off an impressive win over the two-time defending Super Bowl champions when it plays its first road game of the year in Miami.

Prediction: All over football, the defenses seem to be ahead of the offenses. Except in Cincinnati, maybe. RegiSuzuki puts the over/under on total touchdowns in this game at two. Carolina to win.

CLEVELAND BROWNS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Romeo Crennel has proven he can stop Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts ' high-powered offense, but suddenly it's their defense he has to worry about. As Manning tries to bounce back from one of his quietest games as a pro, the Colts look to continue dominating on the defensive end when they host Crennel and the Cleveland Browns.

Prediction: We refuse to jump on the Romeo Crennel bandwagon, especially not with Peyton Manning steaming after such a lousy game last week. RegiSuzuki says Peyton throws four TD passes and Edgerrin James runs for 100+ yards. Colts will win big.

OAKLAND RAIDERS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens may have off-field issues, but there is no denying their on-field chemistry for the Philadelphia Eagles . Kerry Collins and Randy Moss are still looking for theirs as they lead the Oakland Raiders into Lincoln Financial Field.

Prediction: A matchup of two men who really don't like each other. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens will each surpass 100 yards receiving with lots of gesturing, but Moss will make his second miserable five-hour plane trip home in three weeks. Eagles to win and deal the Raiders their third straight defeat.

CINCINNATI BENGALS at CHICAGO BEARS

As well as Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals' offense has played, an improved defense has been the most promising element of the team's fast start. Coming off a dominating effort on both sides of the ball, the Bengals look to improve to 3-0 for the first time in 15 years when they visit the Chicago Bears.

Prediction: This is more of a vote FOR the Bears than a vote AGAINST the Bengals. The Bears, with the efficient QB Kyle Orton managing the game, can play keep away long enough to give Cincinnati only seven or eight possessions. Chicago to win a by seven points or less.

TENNESSEE TITANS at ST. LOUIS RAMS

The offense of the St. Louis Rams is nicknamed ''The Greatest Show on Turf.'' The team's defense doesn't have a catchy name, but this season, the unit is making its case for equal billing as St. Louis prepares to host the Tennessee Titans.

Prediction: With apologies to comedian Adam Sandler from The Longest Yard, RegisSuzuki wonders if the Titans still think of "The Longest Yard." We bet Titans coach Jeff Fisher does. Titans will lose again.

ATLANTA FALCONS at BUFFALO BILLS

The Atlanta Falcons haven't had much success in games Michael Vick hasn't started. They're hoping to avoid that scenario this week when they visit the Buffalo Bills. Vick injured his hamstring last Sunday in Atlanta's 21-18 loss at Seattle, and was held out of practice. He is listed as questionable, but said he could play Sunday even if he doesn't practice the rest of the week.

Prediction: If Vick was not injured, Atlanta is a shoo-in to beat the Bills but RegiSuzuki can't pick the Falcons to go into Buffalo and make enough plays to win. Memo to Willis McGahee: Time to rise up, big fella. Time to go for 126 in about 32 lugs. Bills will win at home.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at NEW YORK JETS

Just two games into the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets are dealing with bothersome injuries. The Jaguars hope to have quarterback Byron Leftwich available, while the Jets will be counting on the services of running back Curtis Martin when the teams meet in East Rutherford, N.J.

Prediction: RegiSuzuki's getting a little shaky on his pick of the Jaguars to win the AFC South (but who believes in his picks anyway?), but they're good enough - and defensively stout enough - to hold off a struggling Jets offense. Jags to steal one on the road.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Strong emotions have surrounded the New Orleans Saints throughout the early season. The prevailing one among the players and coaches this week is anger. Coming off a loss in their ''home'' opener, the Saints hit the road again to face a reeling Minnesota Vikings team that desperately needs a win.

Prediction: Daunte Culpepper will finally notch his and the Vikings first win of the season. Vikings to win by 10 points or more.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at GREEN BAY PACKERS

Carnell ''Cadillac'' Williams is providing a youthful spark for a resurgent team the way Brett Favre once did for the Green Bay Packers. Led by the NFL's leading rusher, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to improve to 3-0 for the first time in five years when they visit Favre and the struggling Packers.

Prediction: Favre will not let this one slip away. No three dingers for the Bucs. Packers will raid Tampa Bay at Lambeau Field.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Picked by some to have a breakout year and maybe even win the NFC West, the Arizona Cardinals now are simply trying to avoid a second consecutive 0-3 start under coach Dennis Green when they visit the Seattle Seahawks.

Prediction: At some point, Kurt Warner's got to be able to use his stud receivers and put on an offensive show. Not this week. RegiSuzuki likes Matt Hasselbeck, with lesser receivers, to outplay Warner.

DALLAS COWBOYS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

While the Dallas Cowboys were shocked by a fourth-quarter loss in Week 2, the San Francisco 49ers were embarrassed for four quarters. The Cowboys and 49ers, each coming off a disappointing second game, look to bounce back when they meet at Monster Park.

Prediction: Drew Bledsoe to Terry Glenn three times for 30-plus-yard scores. Julius Jones for 119. Six days after Bill Parcells' world spun into chaos, the Cowboys will restore order. Dallas will win again on the road.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Though no team has looked better through two games, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not faced a real tough test. Here comes a big one.

Facing the only team to ever beat him, Ben Roethlisberger tries to move the Steelers a step closer to the longest regular-season win streak in league history as they face the club that owns the record in an AFC title game rematch with the New England Patriots.

Prediction: RegiSuzuki believes Bill Belichick can figure a way to stop Willie Parker or Ben Roethlisberger, but not both. Don't ask how the game is going to go, but the Steelers will make enough plays to somehow win and stay undefeated.

NEW YORK GIANTS at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Eli Manning caused quite a stir last year when he refused to play for San Diego. For one season at least, the Drew Brees -led Chargers were fine without him. After being chosen by San Diego with the top overall draft pick in 2004, only to be traded to the Giants on the same day, Manning is likely to receive a rough reception from Chargers fans when he leads New York into Qualcomm Stadium.

Prediction: In the immortal words of that wise old owl Bill Parcells, the desperate team usually wins in football. There is no team more desperate in the AFC right now than San Diego, which travels to New England in Week 4 not wanting to be 0-3 and facing the defending champions. LaDainian Tomlinson will charge his way to a victory.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at DENVER BRONCOS

The Kansas City Chiefs finally have a defense that can take pressure off the offense. That could mean trouble for the rest of the AFC West as the Chiefs look to take control of the division when they face the Denver Broncos.

A win by the Chiefs would give them an early two-game lead atop the AFC West and two road division victories. That's why coach Dick Vermeil is determined to keep his team focused on Sunday's game and not a possible 3-0 start.

Prediction: Dick Vermeil has a lovely new vineyard business in northern California. But he's not ready to go tend the ol' grapes yet. He and Al Saunders will figure a way to shred the Broncos.

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tags: Sportsbook, Football Betting, NFL, NFL Football, Pro Football, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots NFL Football Tips, NFL Week 3

After two bitter setbacks: Vikings are back to the drawing boards

2005-09-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

Visibly dazed and frustrated by the manner in which they've lost their first two games, the Minnesota Vikings might have to turn to one of those TV advice-givers for answers to what's gone wrong.

Most preseason predictions had Minnesota winning the NFC North, with an occasional Super Bowl appearance sprinkled in. Even the ultimate cynic could not have foreseen this team being outscored 61-21 and turning the ball over 12 times in two sobering defeats.

So the Vikings spent hours watching film of their 37-8 loss at Cincinnati, figuring out how to fix their problems, frequently reminding everyone that 14 games remain on the schedule, expressing confidence in the coaches and players they've got and vowing that they'll be better this week.

Despite the terrible start, the division goal remains very realistic right now. Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay don't appear anywhere close to being good enough to make the playoffs, either.

Accountability was wide-ranging, with just about everyone accepting blame for this September swoon. The revamped defense looked as though it significantly regressed, allowing 504 total yards, eight third-down conversions out of 17 attempts and 27 points before halftime that could've been more.

The offensive line actually seemed to block better after a dismal showing in the opener against Tampa Bay, but Daunte Culpepper forced a lot of bad throws. There has been some question about the ability of offensive coordinator Steve Loney, who's also the offensive line coach, to handle two jobs.

Though declining to be specific, Mike Tice indicated he might transfer some of the play-calling responsibility or move Loney from the sideline to the booth for Sunday's game against New Orleans. But none of that matters, of course, if the Vikings keep coughing the ball up.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

Week 2 Matchup:

no odds yet

Prediction: The Vikings will notch their first win of the season this coming Sunday.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Minnesota Vikings, Daunte Culpepper, MIke Tice , Steve Loney, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Saints vs Giants: A Game For a Cause

2005-09-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

With an unprecedented nationwide disaster relief effort as a backdrop, the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints meet Monday night in a game that could provide a huge boost to the winner.

The Giants have not opened with two straight wins since 2000, the year they reached the Super Bowl, and haven't won consecutive games since last October. The Saints are coming off an emotional win at Carolina in their first game since being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Monday's game was to be the Saints' home opener on Sept. 18 before damage to the Louisiana Superdome three weeks ago caused the NFL to move it to Giants Stadium.

While Saints players have used the devastation suffered by residents of the Gulf Coast as a rallying point, it is worth remembering that the team has won five straight games dating back to last season, second best in the league behind New England's six-game streak.

Both New Orleans coach Jim Haslett and New York coach Tom Coughlin expect improvement from their teams despite the opening-day wins. The Saints forced four turnovers against Carolina but needed a 47-yard field goal from John Carney with 3 seconds left for a 23-20 victory.

The Giants had a punt return and kickoff return for touchdowns in a 42-19 win over Arizona that made up for a less than outstanding performance by quarterback Eli Manning (10-for-23 for 172 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions).

Parts of Giants Stadium will be decorated with the Saints' fleur-de-lis to make the visitors feel at home, and there will be a distinctly New Orleans flavor to the pregame and halftime entertainment. In addition, several hundred displaced New Orleanians will attend the game, as will New Orleans Police Chief Eddie Compass and other members of the New Orleans Police and Fire Departments.

None of that will change the fact the Saints are looking at spending the entire season away from home. They are one of the NFL's better road teams - 5-3 away from home in 2004, versus 3-5 at the Superdome - and already proved their mettle a week ago. Whether they can sustain that performance level amid the distractions will be a central question Monday night.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

Week 1 Matchup:

New Orleans Saints +160

vs New York Giants +180

Prediction: Eli Manning will bounce back after a so-so week 1. No more upset win for the Saints as the Giants will pull the Saints back to earth with a convincing victory.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Duce McAllister , Eli Manning, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

NFL Football Week 2 Tips, Picks and Odds

2005-09-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while we close our eyes and we can see a big board registering a final score. It's so vivid that we even forget that it's in the future. Thus, we close our eyes and see the scoreboards around the NFL this Sunday, and they unveil the following results:

Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans

The Ravens will turn to backup quarterback Anthony Wright to jump-start their offense as they visit the Titans. Wright takes over for starter Kyle Boller, who hyperextended his right big toe in the third quarter of Baltimore's season-opening 24-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday.

Tennessee is looking to rebound from a 34-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

Prediction: Ravens will win. Pick UNDER 37

Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears

After a win over the reigning NFC North champions, however, the Lions hope to finally be ready to put past failures behind them as they try to maintain their momentum against the Chicago Bears.

Bears coach Lovie Smith is looking for an improved performance from his offense, led by rookie quarterback Kyle Orton. Orton, who became the starter after Rex Grossman got injured and Chad Hutchinson was cut in the preseason, completed 15-of-28 passes for 141 yards against Washington.

Prediction: Bears will claw the Lions. Pick the Bears @ +2

San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb might not get along real well anymore, but they have one thing in common. Both can't wait to get on the field this week.

Owens wants to show up his former team, McNabb looks to prove his chest injury is not an issue and the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles try to bounce back from a season-opening loss when they meet the San Francisco 49ers.

Prediction: Eagles will notch their first win.

Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With their fortunes resting largely on the play of some of their younger players, both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills have reason for optimism following impressive season- opening wins.

The Buccaneers and Bills, who each played like teams ready to contend for a playoff spot last weekend, look for more strong play from their youngsters when they meet at Raymond James Stadium.

Prediction: The Bucs will manhandle Buffalo. Pick Tampa Bay @ -3

Minnesota Vikings @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals try to begin a season with two straight wins for the first time in four years as they play their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings. While Carson Palmer further proves he will be a great one, Daunte Culpepper will rebound in a big way when his team desperately needs it.

Prediction: Vikings will rebound by beating the Bengals. Pick OVER 48

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans

Running back Willie Parker and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will try to duplicate their Week 1 success as they lead Pittsburgh into Reliant Stadium for a matchup with the Houston Texans. The last thing the Texans want to face is a stout defense like Pittsburgh's after opening the season with a dismal 22-7 loss at Buffalo.

Prediction: Steelers will win big. Pick Steelers @ -6.5

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

The Colts, coming off an impressive defensive performance, play their home opener against the only visiting team to win at the RCA Dome last season as they meet the Jacksonville Jaguars. Indianapolis' defense could face a tough test this week from Byron Leftwich and Fred Taylor.

Prediction: Colts will not let the Jaguars steal one again. Pick OVER 46

New England Patriots @ Carolina Panthers

Tom Brady hopes to lead the Patriots to a second straight win as they visit the Carolina Panthers in a Super Bowl rematch from two years ago. Trying to stop the Patriots will be tougher than normal for the Panthers, who will be without standout defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, a Pro Bowler in 2003.

Prediction: Carolina will pull off a monumental upset. Pick UNDER 43

St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals

Kurt Warner became one of the best stories in the NFL when he went from playing in the Arena Football League to leading the St. Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl title.

Two seasons removed from playing in St. Louis, the 34-year-old quarterback faces his former team for the first time when the Arizona Cardinals host the Rams.

Prediction: After an opening-day loss at the hands of the Giants, the Cards will dominate the Rams this time. Pick OVER 44.5

Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks

After beating Philadelphia at home in a heated rematch of last season's NFC championship game, the Falcons journey to Seattle for a meeting with the Seahawks. One of Atlanta's goals this season is to play better on the road, where they went 4-4 last season while going 7-1 at home. That quest begins against a Seahawks squad looking to rebound after a lackluster performance in a 26-14 loss at Jacksonville on Sunday.

Prediction: Michael Vick will again carry his team to a victory. Pick Atlanta @ +1

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

The Jets will try to regroup following an embarrassing loss in Kansas City when they take on the surprising Miami Dolphins. Despite the turmoil, the Jets are favored against the Dolphins. New York has won 11 of the last 14 meetings between the teams, including a 41-14 victory on Monday Night Football last Nov. 1.

Prediction: Chad Pennington will rebound to help deliver the right results. Pick New York Jets @ -6

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos

Antonio Gates' suspension cost the San Diego Chargers in Week 1. They're hoping his return will lead them to victory in Week 2. The All-Pro tight end will make his season debut as the Chargers visit the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos limp home hoping to fare better than they did in a humiliating 34-10 loss at Miami last Sunday. Denver hadn't lost a season opener by that many points since 1966.

Prediction: LaDainian Tomlinson will run his team to a road win. Pick the Chargers @ +3

Cleveland Browns @ Green Bay Packers

Brett Favre will be trying to help the Green Bay Packers rebound from their worst offensive game of his tenure. Missing one of the league's best deep threats and rising stars won't help.

Favre will have to make do without wide receiver Javon Walker as the Packers try to recover from a loss in their season opener when they host the rebuilding Cleveland Browns.

Prediction: This one is a gimme. The Packs will surely win. Pick Green Bay @ -6.5

Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders

The Kansas City Chiefs may have the most feared rushing attack in football, if Larry Johnson can stay around to be a part of it. Assuming he will be available after his latest legal matter, Johnson is expected to keep taking carries away from Priest Holmes when the Chiefs renew their rivalry with the Oakland Raiders.

If you like offense, offense and offense, this game will surely put the lights out on the scoreboard.

Prediction: The Raiders will outshine the Chiefs. Pick Oakland @ +1.5

All NFL Football Betting odds from: BODOG Sportsbook

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Donovan McNabb , Terrell Owens, Michael Vick, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Warner returns to old playground as Cardinals face Giants

2005-09-08T23:59:00.002-07:00

Kurt Warner returns against the New York Giants in the season opener with the one possession he never had playing for them last season: a team to call his own - even if it's the Arizona Cardinals.

Warner leased the Giants from Eli Manning for the first nine games last year, knowing when he signed it was inevitable Tom Coughlin would turn the operation over to the future of the franchise. The timing was up to Warner.

When 5-2 became 5-4 after back-to-back losses to the awful Bears and the almost-as-bad Cardinals, and the sacks and fumbles and his annoying habit of holding onto the ball too long was bringing down the team, that was it for Warner.

Now it's Manning vs. Warner.

It's a chance for Warner to prove Coughlin gave up on a two-time MVP too early to play a rookie, and not let him finish what he started. But Warner says he doesn't look at it that way.

Instead of being bitter, he looks at his Giants experience as providing the stage to prove he can still play. The result, he says, is the Cardinals' starting job. Warner showed a lot of class last year. He was always supportive of Manning, even though when the Giants made the change, his own career was at risk.

Manning lost his first six starts, including his 0.0 QB rating game against the Baltimore Ravens. In a way, Manning's struggles made Warner's play in the first nine games look better.

Warner is starting his third season opener in three years with his third different team. Two years ago, playing for the Rams against the Giants at the Meadowlands, he had a nightmare. He was sacked six times, fumbled six times and suffered a concussion. Last year, playing for the Giants in Philly, he threw for 203 yards in a 31-17 loss.

He is back in an offense that needs him to make big plays, just like it was in his best days in St. Louis. But he hasn't shown he can play at an elite level since 2001. That's a long time. The Cardinals have a potentially explosive offense with receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin and rookie back J.J. Arrington.

Warner was the perfect choice to baby-sit and help Manning learn. Now, on Sunday, he'll be trying to teach him another lesson.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

Week 1 Matchup:

New York Giants -3 (-105)

vs Arizona Cardinals +3 (-115)

Prediction: Kurt Warner will get his revenge against his old team. The Cardinals will unleash their suffocating defense and will turn the game into a low-scoring affair. Cardinals will win by seven points or less.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, Kurt Warner , Eli Manning, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Jaguars, Seahawks collide amidst another storm threat

2005-09-08T23:59:00.001-07:00

Not even the threat of a major storm could dampen Jack Del Rio's and Byron Leftwich's enthusiasm for Sunday's NFL season-opener at Alltel Stadium. Coach and quarterback are confident of the upcoming season, as the Jacksonville Jaguars began preparations to play the Seattle Seahawks.

The weather issue is Tropical Storm Ophelia and forecasters aren't sure what to make of Ophelia's future. Some models have the storm turning out to sea. Some have it making landfall in central Florida. Forecasts include the possibility Ophelia will strengthen into a hurricane.

When and where are the unknowns, which means the Jaguars have to prepare for any and all circumstances. It is the plight of a team in Florida. It's the September routine and the Jaguars are accustomed to it. Whatever happens, one player ready is Leftwich, who was selected by his teammates as one of three team captains. The other two are Donovin Darius (defense) and Nick Sorensen (special teams).

Leftwich will lead an offense with an all-new playbook into a season for which the Jaguars are facing playoff expectations. They are expectations initiated by Del Rio on draft day when he said it was time for his team to take the next step. There has been no retraction.

The Seahawks lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs last season for the second consecutive year. The Jaguars missed the playoffs by one win last season and hope to make this the team's first playoff year since 1999.

The Jaguars have two Pro-Bowl defensive tackles but the team's run-defense declined late last season, allowing consecutive 100-yard rushing performances in the final two games. Del Rio cited his team's run-defense, which dropped to 11th in the league from number two in 2003, as an area that needs to improve.

Mike Holmgren's Seahawks, of course, bring with them running back Shaun Alexander, the league's second-leading rusher last season. If the weather is wet and windy, Alexander's role in the game will only grow in importance.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

Week 1 Matchup:

Jacksonville Jaguars -3 (-115)

vs Seattle Seahawks +3 (-105)

Prediction: Bet on the Jaguars to drown the Seahawks by more than ten points.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Byron Leftwich , Shaun Alexander, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Cowboys charge to San Diego for season-opener

2005-09-08T23:59:00.000-07:00

The Dallas Cowboys finally kick off their 2005 season this Sunday, traveling west to take on the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.

San Diego, 2-2 this preseason, won the AFC West with a 12-4 record last season, though its campaign came to a staggering halt with a 20-17 overtime, home loss to the New York Jets in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

There was little wonder why San Diego emerged as one of the league's sleeper teams when analyzing its style of play last season, which specialized in turnovers and ball-control offense. The Chargers, who were backed by the league's third-best turnover margin (plus-15), committed few mistakes offensively and pressured opposing quarterbacks into making poor throws, picking off 23 passes last season.

Led by the improved play of quarterback Drew Brees, who posted the league's third-highest passer rating (104.8) and tossed only seven interceptions, the Chargers were able to mix in a potent passing attack with their ball-control running game to score 55 touchdowns while only surrendering 36 scores.

This will be the first meeting against the Cowboys for the former TCU standout LaDainian Tomlinson since 2001 when Tomlinson and the Chargers visited Texas Stadium during his rookie season. Tomlinson rushed for 90 yards that day in a Chargers win.

And while he has remained the starting tailback, which is unlikely to change for years to come, the Cowboys certainly have plenty of new faces this time around trying to stop Tomlinson. Only defensive end Greg Ellis and linebacker Dat Nguyen remain from the 2001 Cowboys defense.

Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Ferguson, one of the new defensive players on this year's team, has faced Tomlinson three times as a member of the Jets, including twice last season. But like Bill Parcells, Ferguson said his fellow teammates don't need a lot of first-hand experience to know Tomlinson will be tough to stop. And the Cowboys know they must get to Tomlinson before he gets to the outside, where he becomes even more dangerous.

The Chargers and Cowboys have faced one another only once before on opening day, with the Cowboys winning, 17-14, on Sept. 9, 1990 at Texas Stadium in Emmitt Smith's two-carry, for two yards NFL debut. The Cowboys lead the overall series record, 5-2.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

Week 1 Matchup:

San Diego Chargers -5

vs Dallas Cowboys +5

Prediction: The Cowboys will upset the Chargers. Bledsoe will perform well while Julius Jones will run for two TDs. Cowboys by seven points or less.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Drew Bledsoe , Drew Brees, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Colts resume Super Bowl bid vs tough Ravens

2005-09-08T23:16:00.000-07:00

The long wait is over for all gridiron maniacs. The Indianapolis Colts resume their quest for a Super Bowl trophy Sunday away from the RCA Dome against the Baltimore Ravens.

Ambitions are seldom more believable than before an NFL season opener, when each team has Super Bowl dreams. The Colts are again a title contender and on the road. The Sunday night opener at Baltimore is the Colts' sixth consecutive season opener away from the RCA Dome.

The Colts have won four of the past five road openers. They've had winning seasons and reached the playoffs in four of those years. The Colts are 30-30-1 in season openers, the league's only .500 team in first games. After moving from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984, they lost their first eight openers before beating Cleveland 14-3 at the Dome in 1992.

Since the arrival of quarterback Peyton Manning in 1998, the Colts are 5-2 in openers. Tony Dungy is 5-4 in first games as a head coach, 2-1 with the Colts and 3-3 while with Tampa Bay.

This season's opener is special for Colts safety Gerome Sapp, who played for the Ravens in 2003, then was cut at the outset of 2004 in a move that divided the team's decision-makers. Sapp said the Ravens intended to cut Corey Fuller, but Fuller talked them out of it by reminding them how he got Deion Sanders to sign with Baltimore.

These are questions the Ravens will have to answer Sunday. They need to get improved and inspired play out of center Mike Flynn and guard Keydrick Vincent if they want to run the ball in the middle.

The Ravens' strength is running the ball, but with Corey Simon, the Colts are more prepared than they were a year ago, in fact, just a week ago. Simon says he is in great shape, and ideally the Colts would like for him to play 15 to 20 plays against the Ravens.

But regardless of how much he plays Sunday, he has given the Colts hope. The Ravens had an opportunity to sign Simon, but it just wasn't the opportune time and they might pay dearly for doing so.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

Week 1 Matchup:

Indianapolis Colts -3 (-105)

vs Baltimore Ravens +3 (-115)

Prediction: The Colts offensive trio of manning, Harrison and James will be too much for the low-scoring, defense-oriented Ravens. This will be a blow-out.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Peyton Manning , Edgerrin James, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls?: History doesn't favor New England

2005-09-06T23:08:00.000-07:00

Seven teams have been in position to execute a Super Bowl helmet trick, and seven have failed. Green Bay had its chance, as did Miami, Pittsburgh (twice), San Francisco, Dallas and Denver. In each of the past five decades, at least one NFL franchise has repeated as Super Bowl champion.

Now, after winning the title in the 2003 and 2004 seasons, the New England Patriots will have their crack at the record books, a chance to prove their ring dynasty is weightier than any other in league history.

Already, the Patriots are facing some imposing hurdles. Gone are their offensive and defensive coordinators, both of whom became head coaches elsewhere, and their two best linebackers. Meanwhile, the team spent the off-season locked in a contract squabble with its best defensive player.

All of which means - the Patriots remain the team to beat. They are led by Tom Brady, whose 48-14 record gives him the highest regular-season winning percentage of any active quarterback with at least 15 starts. Should he win another Super Bowl, he will join Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to win four.

There are reasons to believe New England has a good chance to win a third consecutive championship, among them the fact the Patriots have 18 of 22 starters returning. And, if NFL history is an accurate indicator, the loss of both coordinators might not be a crippling blow.

But history says going for three isn't a charm. NFL teams that had a chance to win three straight Super Bowls, as New England does this year, suffered the following fate during their third season:

Green Bay Packers, 1966-67: Finished 6-7-1 in 1968, third in the Central Division, after coach Vince Lombardi left aging team and went into temporary retirement, and assistant Phil Bengtson took over.

Miami Dolphins, 1972-73: Won the AFC East at 11-3, but lost first playoff game to Oakland, 28-26. Raiders lost to Steelers in AFC title game.

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-75: Reached AFC title game in 1976 with what owner Dan Rooney calls the best team of that era. Lost, 24-7, to Oakland without several regulars who were injured.

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1978-79: Aging team went 9-7 in 1980, third in AFC Central. Missed playoffs.

San Francisco, 1988-89: Lost, 15-13, to strong New York Giants team in NFC title game.

Dallas Cowboys, 1992-93: Lost NFC title game, 38-28, in San Francisco under Barry Switzer, who took over as coach when Jimmy Johnson left in a dispute with owner Jerry Jones after '93 title win. Won Super Bowl again after the '95 season.

Denver Broncos, 1997-98: Finished 6-10 and last in the AFC West in 1999 as John Elway retired and Terrell Davis was lost with a knee injury after rushing for 2008 yards in 1998.

Read also our special conference previews for the upcoming 2005 NFL football season: AFC Championship --- NFC Championship.

NFL Betting Game Odds: Bodog Sportsbook

Odds to win 2006 Super Bowl:

New England Patriots 6/1

Indianapolis Colts 5/1

Philadelphia Eagles 6/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 14/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Prediction: With the departure of Ty Law and the unexpected injury of Ted Bruschi, the Patriots no longer have the defensive personnel that can stop NFL offensive machines like Indianapolis or Pittsburgh. Expect the Colts or Steelers to steal the Vince Lombardi trophy this year.

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2005 NFL NFC Preview: Super Bowl still cuts throught the heart of Philadelphia

2005-09-05T23:59:00.001-07:00

Come one! Come all! Try to knock off the Philadelphia Eagles! St. Louis did it, so did Tampa Bay and Carolina - all reached the Super Bowl by beating the Eagles in the NFC championship game - but none maintained the necessary momentum to do it again.

Philadelphia has played in the last four conference title games, finally making it to the Super Bowl on the fourth try. There are plenty of potential contenders this season, both new and familiar.

There's Minnesota, which lost Randy Moss yet still has in Daunte Culpepper one of the best quarterbacks in the league, a player with rare size, speed and leadership abilities. There's Atlanta, which not only has a playmaker supreme in Michael Vick but a punishing 4-3 defense featuring a ferocious lineup of pass rushers.

There's resurgent Carolina, which rebounded from a 1-7 start last season to win six of its final eight. There's Green Bay, with quarterback Brett Favre and his 205 consecutive starts, and Ahman Green and his five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

There's St. Louis, with its bevy of spectacular receivers. And there's Arizona, the darkest of dark horses, which has won one playoff game since 1947, yet has reason to hope with Coach Dennis Green and reinvigorated quarterback Kurt Warner at the helm.

But it isn't as if Philadelphia has slacked off. The Eagles endured the distraction of the Terrell Owens contract squabble and appear to have emerged from training camp unscathed.

They have an outstanding rookie defensive tackle in USC's Mike Patterson and a young defense that figures to improve with another year in the system. Brian Westbrook is explosive as a runner and receiver, and tight end L.J. Smith is poised to have a breakout season.

Now that the Terrell Owens circus appears to be over, the Eagles can concentrate on football. Donovan McNabb is coming off a 31-touchdown season, and the Philly defense is even better than last year's Super Bowl version, mostly because the young Eagle defensive backs have another year in Jim Johnson's system.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Odds to win NFC Championship:

Philadelphia Eagles 12/5

Carolina Panthers 6/1

Atlanta Falcons 7/1

Seattle Seahawks 10/1

Prediction: As long as the Eagles are soaring, the NFC's road to the Super Bowl still cuts through the heart of Philadelphia.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Philadelphia Eagles, NFC, Donovan McNabb , NFC Championship, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 NFL AFC Preview: Can the Colts finally outduel the Patriots?

2005-09-05T23:59:00.000-07:00

The AFC is yet again the best conference in the NFL and is currently on a roll, winning six of the last eight Super Bowls. The New England Patriots are trying to become the first team to win three championships in a row and four out of the last five. They are clearly a dynasty and this season could separate this team from all of the great teams before them.

And if the Indianapolis Colts could ever build a defense to match their score-at-will offense, Peyton Manning could use Lombardi Trophies for doorstops. So far, that hasn't been the case.

Indianapolis surrendered 370 yards a game last season, 29th in the league, and made a team with a record-setting offense far more vulnerable than it should have been.

Indianapolis will have to be a lot better on defense this season for the Colts to unseat New England at the helm of the AFC. There are reasons to believe Coach Tony Dungy's defense will be more competitive this season, namely an improved secondary. Watch for second-year safety Bob Sanders and rookie cornerback Marlin Jackson to make big impacts.

Of course, the Colts will have plenty of competition to get that far again. Pittsburgh looks as good as the Steeler team that went 15-1 last season with a rookie quarterback, surprising San Diego is better on defense and still has an inspired Drew Brees running the offense, and Denver, Baltimore and Kansas City all could make serious runs at the defending champion.

New England, looking to become the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era, has to overcome the loss of both coordinators and two star linebackers, Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson. But the Patriots have cleared significant hurdles before.

They certainly have some hurdles to overcome, starting with the loss of both coordinators, Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis, who became head coaches at Cleveland and Notre Dame, respectively. For a team that has thrived despite a razor-thin margin of victory, this season could bring a fall back to earth.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Odds to win AFC Championship:

Indianapolis Colts 3/1

New England Patriots 7/2

Kansas City Chiefs 10/1

New York Jets 11/1

Prediction: Watch for the steadily improving Colts to edge the Patriots in the AFC championship game before losing to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, AFC , AFC Championship, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Typhoon-wrecked Saints seek new shelter

2005-09-02T23:49:00.000-07:00

The New Orleans Saints, displaced by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, are weighing contingency plans in the likely event that the Louisiana Superdome will be unusable this NFL season.

The club already has temporarily moved its headquarters to San Antonio, where players will begin practicing at the Alamodome next week. It is possible that stadium could be used for the Saints' Sept. 18 home opener, and perhaps for the rest of the season. The Saints and the NFL also are exploring the possibility of playing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, or Jackson, Missisippi. There have even been preliminary discussions about the Saints using Reliant Stadium in Houston, home field of the Texans.

Among other sports-related efforts to aid victims: the New York Yankees donated $1 million to the Red Cross; the University of Florida will give proceeds ($75,000) from its pay-per-view telecast against Wyoming on Saturday to the Red Cross; the NBA players' association said it would help deliver supplies to the hardest-hit areas, led by Chicago Bull guard Chris Duhon, a native of Slidell, La.; and Baron Davis, who played for the New Orleans Hornets for three seasons, donated $50,000 to the Red Cross' disaster relief fund.

The Saints, who practiced at San Jose State this week, will leave for San Antonio after tonight's game in Oakland. The team has given the players the weekend off to allow them to reconnect with their families.

The most likely scenario is the Saints will play their home games at the Alamodome, which has a seating capacity of 66,000 and was built partly in hopes of luring an NFL team. Tom Benson, owner of the Saints, made his fortune as a car dealer in San Antonio.

The Alamodome is a more likely temporary solution than Baton Rouge, where long-planned renovation work is being completed on LSU's Tiger Stadium. LSU postponed its Saturday season opener against North Texas because the campus has been designated by the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness as a major emergency evacuation center with its basketball arena and field house serving as medical triage units.

It is rare but not unprecedented for the NFL to reschedule or relocate games as a result of a natural disaster. A game in Miami between the Dolphins and Steelers was moved to a night game last season because of Hurricane Ivan. A year earlier, a Monday night game between the Dolphins and Chargers was moved to Tempe, Ariz., because of wildfires in San Diego.

In 1989, the league moved a game between the Patriots and 49ers from Candlestick Park to Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto after the Bay Area earthquake damaged Candlestick.Three years later, the NFL postponed for six weeks a game between New England and Miami because of damage from Hurricane Andrew.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: BODOG Sportsbook

2005/06 NFC South Divisional Odds:

Atlanta Falcons 11/10

Carolina Panthers 2/1

New Orleans Saints 9/2

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6/1

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, NFC South, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl , Superdome, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Heisman Trophy Contenders: Surviving the rigors of Heismania

2005-09-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

As the college football season rapidly approaches, coaches, players and fans are anticipating the start of the big race. Not the race for the Conference crown or the race for the Rose Bowl. It's the contest to see who is left holding the revered trophy when the smoke finally clears.

Hello, Mr. Heisman.

The Heisman trophy, awarded annually in December to college football's best player, is voted on by a panel of roughly 900 media members. Members, whose identities are kept secret, are inundated every year with Heisman propaganda from sports information directors across the country.

Leading the pack of early contenders are USC's one-two punch, Reggie Bush and last year's winner Matt Leinart. It's amazing to see Reggie run, catch and return punts. He does it all with style. But can the President earn enough votes playing alongside last year's winner?

With offensive guru Norm Chow's gone, Leinart, who's recovered from off-season elbow surgery, needn't worry. In his quest to become the second two-time Heisman winner, he still has more talent around him than Hugh Hefner. He is the odds on favorite going in. Archie Griffin won back-to-back Heismans but Leinart could win three national championships.

One that could steal the trophy from the two Trojans is Texas Longhorns' would-be savior Vince Young. Young has an unorthodox throwing motion, but he can take over games with his speed and elusiveness. However, he must improve passing. Games against Ohio State and Oklahoma will decide his chances.

Lookout also for Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma. With quarterback Jason White gone, the offense will revolve around Peterson, last year's runner-up. One disadvantage on his quest for Mr. Heisman is that three linemen also departed, creating uncertainty up front.

There's no questioning his talent, but Chris Leak's Heisman status will depend on how well he makes the transition from pocket passer to point man in Urban Meyer's spread-option attack.

Darkhorses to win the trophy are Ted Ginn Jr. of Ohio State, Reggie McNeal of Texas A&M, Laurence Maroney of Minnesota, Gerald Riggs Jr. of Tennessee and Louisville Cardinals' Brian Brohm.

No matter who ends up clutching the trophy at season's end, it can be assured that they've had their entire athletic department behind them all the way. Ultimately, the true test for the candidates will be surviving the rigors of Heismania.

read also related article:THE HEISMAN TROPHY CURSE

College Football Betting Odds from: Oasis SportsBook

Odds to win Heisman Trophy:

Matt Leinart (USC) +120

Reggie Bush (USC) +400

Adrian Peterson (OKLA) +400

Vince Young (TEX) +600

Ted Ginn, Jr. (Ohio St.) +700

Chris Leak (FL) +1000

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Technorati: NCAA, Football, College Football, USC, USC Trojans, Rose Bowl , Reggie Bush, Heisman Trophy, Matt Leinart, NCAA Football

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2005 Tennessee Titans Preview: Young guns will back old McNair

2005-08-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

Steve McNair's back, but a lot of his NFL buddies won't be with him in 2005. The winds of change swept through the Music City this offseason, as some of the most familiar names in Tennessee Titans franchise history were set free for salary cap reasons.

Many of those veterans will be replaced with younger, less experienced players. It hardly sounds like a recipe for success after a dismal 5-11 season. Offseason surgery repaired McNair's sternum and lifted his spirits for the upcoming season. He hopes to return to MVP form this fall after suffering through an injury-plagued 2004 campaign.

He'll have to find a new favorite target following the departure of Derrick Mason, and the Titans must improve on both sides of the ball. Tennessee is expected to get most of its injured players back in time for the '05 season, and Titans coach Jeff Fisher says despite the turnover on the roster he expects to field a competitive team.

Coming off a co-MVP season, McNair had high hopes heading into last year. But an unusual sternum injury ruined his season, and he played in only eight games. McNair enters the 2005 season in the best shape of his life after dedicating himself to the offseason program. Many felt he opted not to retire because he didn't want to end his career on a sour note.

If he plays well - and stays healthy in '05 - it could reenergize him to keep playing several more years. This fall, he'll be working with one of the game's most respected offensive coordinators, Norm Chow. In McNair's absence last season, backup Billy Volek certainly proved he's capable. Volek completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,486 yards and 18 touchdowns and was especially effective throwing the deep ball.

The Titans got 1,067 yards out of Chris Brown in '04, but they didn't get all of their questions answered about the talented running back. For the second straight year, Brown missed five games because of injuries. When he played, he was especially productive and provided a breakaway threat the team hasn't had in awhile.

Chow is expected to increase Brown's role in the offense even more this fall, and if the third-year back stays healthy he could take a lot of pressure off McNair.

Fisher doesn't want to hear any of the "rebuilding" talk. But face the facts - the Titans lost key players - and they're counting on youngsters to step in and produce all over the field. The Titans have been a popular Super Bowl pick in past preseasons, but no one will be picking them this year. In a division that continues to improve, they'll be fortunate to finish .500.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Odds to win AFC North Division:

Indianapolis Colts 1/4

Jacksonville Jaguars 4/1

Houston Texans 9/1

Tennessee Titans 12/1

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans, Norm Chow , AFC South, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Denver Broncos Preview: Searching for elusive postseason win since Elway era

2005-08-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

With the past two football postseasons ending almost identically, in a dizzying blur of blue-and-white in Indianapolis, Mike Shanahan is banking that a little brown will go a long way for him as he steer the Denver Broncos to the 2005 NFL season.

His one-stop shopping spree landed four Cleveland Browns - all defensive linemen - in an effort to boost a Broncos defense that Peyton Manning ripped apart in successive years. Never mind that three of the players - Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown and Ebenezer Ekuban - are former first-round draft picks who failed to meet expectations. Shanahan is hoping a change of address will bring out the best in them and help the coach get his first playoff victory of the post-Elway era.

Jake Plummer received a vote of confidence last year from coaches, even if his erratic nature irritated fans. While he threw for a franchise-record 4,089 yards and tied John Elway's club mark of 27 touchdown passes, he also tossed 20 interceptions - some in the most critical situations.

The hope is, in his third year under Shanahan, Plummer will finally settle down. How well he plays will go a long way toward determining if the Broncos get in the playoffs.

WR Rod Smith, doing his best Jerry Rice impersonation, returns for his 11th NFL season. He is as steady as ever. It helped that Ashley Lelie stepped up last year and became a deep threat. The big question is at the No. 3 wideout spot. Triandos Luke and Darius Watts were spotty at best.

The Broncos struck gold in last year's draft by selecting linebacker D.J. Williams. Now they hope the re-acquisition of Ian Gold, who starred for them in 2002 and 2003, will pay even bigger dividends. It will be up to fourth-year pro Monsanto Pope and troupe of ex-Brownies - Ekuban, Warren, Brown and Michael Myers - to generate the defensive pressure that was missing in last year's AFC Wild Card loss.

Shanahan, though he has faced mounting criticism, continues to have the backing of owner Pat Bowlen. But this year won't be any easier for the Denver Broncos, who have gone 10-6 the past two seasons only to be embarrassed in the playoffs.

They have a tougher schedule - both Super Bowl teams are on the slate - and the AFC West, with the improvements made by Oakland and the Chiefs, figures to be a tougher division. A stretch run that starts Thanksgiving Day in Dallas and ends New Year's Eve in San Diego will determine whether the Broncos will return to the postseason.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Oasis Casino and Sportsbook

2005/06 AFC West Divisional Odds:

Kansas City Chiefs +200

San Diego Chargers +250

Denver Broncos +250

Oakland Raiders +300

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Jake Plummer, Denver Broncos, Super Bowl , Mike Shanahan, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Jacksonville Jaguars Preview: Ready to overcome the pain

2005-08-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

The Jacksonville Jaguars hope the growing pains are over for young coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback Byron Leftwich as they enter their third football season together.

Del Rio, who was hired as the head coach in 2003 after only six years as an assistant, spent two years growing into the job and building the team he wants while he made several changes in his coaching staff. Now he hopes to end Jacksonville's five-year playoff drought and end the Colts' AFC South domination.

Whether they make it probably depends on whether Leftwich matures this year into a quarterback who can carry the team. After being drafted in the first round in 2003, he endured the typical rookie struggles when he became the starter after three games due to an injury to Mark Brunell. Leftwich went 1-4 in his first five starts before going 4-4 in his final four starts as a rookie.

When Leftwich started out 3-0 last season, the Jaguars appeared to have turned the corner. But Leftwich was then injured twice - missing two games with an injured knee and suffering a concussion in the final home game against Houston. The Jaguars went 6-7 in the final 13 to miss the playoffs by a game.

Fred Taylor's health will be a major concern for the Jaguars this year. Taylor, who ran for 1,224 yards last year in 14 starts, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January. Del Rio said at the draft that Taylor won't be ready to play until June at the earliest, but the team expects him at full speed for training camp.

If they improve by a game or two this year, the Jaguars figure to have their first playoff team since 1999. Reggie Hayward was the only major veteran addition to a team that fell a game short of the playoffs last year, but the Jaguars hope that his improvement plus the development of some of their young players will be enough to vault them into the playoffs.

The key for the Jaguars is to get a fast start; they open the season with six of their first seven games against playoff teams. If they're in the race at the halfway mark, they should have a shot at making the playoffs.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

NFL Football Player Props:

Who will be on the cover of Madden 2007?

Byron Leftwich 10/1

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Jimmy Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars, Byron Leftwich , Fred Taylor, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 San Diego Chargers Preview: Chargers encore or just a one-season wonder?

2005-08-29T23:59:00.001-07:00

Great weather, fine beaches and a top-notch NFL team, too? Man, those San Diego fans have all the luck. The Chargers, after years of wipeouts, finally rode a successful wave in the AFC West. They turned a 4-12 record on its nose last season and won their first divisional title since 1994.

So after the departure from eight straight non-winning seasons, what do the Bolts do for an encore? The Chargers seem primed to build on their recent stunning success, returning every starter and buoyed by a confidence seen in these parts as often as snow.

But it won't be easy. The Chargers play seven games against playoff teams, and their road slate has five contests three times zones away. Both Super Bowl participants, the Patriots and Eagles, will host San Diego.

But the Chargers remain convinced that their franchise is on the rise. With three Pro Bowlers in running back LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Antonio Gates, and a defense that is among the best at stopping the run, they might be right.

Brees went from being toast to the toast of the town in a reversal of fortune seldom seen in the NFL. He brushed off the acquisition of rookie Philip Rivers with one of the best seasons ever by a Chargers quarterback. Brees was retained as the team's franchise player, though the club still believes Rivers is the future.

Tomlinson was slowed by a groin injury for the majority of the season. All he did was rush for 1,335 yards, 17 touchdowns and say "aloha" to his second Pro Bowl invitation. This season should see Tomlinson return to health, but likely not the same workload he had before last year. With the emergence of Gates and a receiving corps bolstered by Keenan McCardell, the Chargers don't have to call Tomlinson's number every time they need yards.

This is a team on the upswing. Many of the skill players are in their prime - Tomlinson, Brees and Gates - and they are led by a head coach who knows how to win; Schottenheimer is eighth on the NFL's all-time list for victories. That being said, a demanding schedule awaits a team that went but 1-5 against playoff squads last season. And if the pass defense isn't enhanced by the pass rush, the Chargers will have difficulty staying among the elites.

But considering the acumen with which A.J. Smith is building this club, the Chargers are positioned to be an AFC West contender for years. While they will be hard-pressed to match last year's 12-4 mark, another trip to the playoffs should come the Chargers' way.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Who will be on the cover of Madden 2007 ?

LaDainian Tomlinson 14/1

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Drew Brees, San Diego Chargers, Antonio Gates , AFC West, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Kansas City Chiefs Preview: New look for Vermeil

2005-08-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

This time, the Kansas Chiefs didn't ignore the obvious and wish away their defensive deficiencies. Coach Dick Vermeil confronted them head-on, acquiring at least three new football starters and two more defensive players who should make significant contributions.

There's no question the Chiefs improved themselves defensively with the acquisition of three starters in linebacker Kendrell Bell, cornerback Patrick Surtain and safety Sammy Knight. Linebacker Derrick Johnson, the first-round draft pick, and end Carlos Hall will be expected to help even if they aren't starters.

But there's also no guarantee the newcomers will make enough of a difference to put the Chiefs back in the playoffs after last season's disappointing 7-9 finish in the AFC West.

Trent Green had another big year for the Chiefs in 2004, and even though he will be 35 at the start of this season, he's showing no signs of slowing down. Green's physical abilities aren't the best in football, but he can make all the throws and is usually very accurate. He also understands the Kansas City system and what the coaches expect from him. He does well in executing their wishes.

When healthy, Priest Holmes and Tony Richardson give the Chiefs one of the NFL's best backfields. Holmes was on pace for another big season last year when it ended after eight games because of a knee injury. He's been unable to finish two of his four seasons with the Chiefs because of injuries. But if he's right, Holmes should be able to deliver the numbers the Chiefs have come to expect.

Richardson is a versatile back who gives the Chiefs a power-running alternative to the quicker Holmes. He's at his best as a blocker leading Holmes through a hole.

The Chiefs won't suddenly become a defensive powerhouse even though they will have a new look. But they do have too much talent to merely flounder around the middle of the NFL pack, as they did last season. So look for the Chiefs to be a playoff contender. If they can manage a strong start against a tough early schedule, the Chiefs should be in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs all season long.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Oasis Casino and Sportsbook

2005/06 AFC West Divisional Odds:

Kansas City Chiefs +200

San Diego Chargers +250

Denver Broncos +250

Oakland Raiders +300

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Terrell+Owens, Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl , Dick Vermeil, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Baltimore Ravens Preview: Lewis to run Ravens' show once more

2005-08-25T23:59:00.002-07:00

After a disappointing season in which the Baltimore Ravens fell behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North Division standings and out of the playoffs altogether, the team's front office overhauled its coaching staff and roster.

On defense, where the Ravens lacked the punch that had long made them one of the most feared teams in the NFL, the Ravens promoted line coach Rex Ryan to coordinator, replacing Mike Nolan, who left to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

The Ravens' offense, which has seldom matched the production of the high-scoring units coach Brian Billick had as coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, also underwent a major facelift.

The Ravens made several roster moves, signing former Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle in addition to adding former St. Louis Rams starter Tommy Polley at outside linebacker. Offensively, underachieving receivers Kevin Johnson and Travis Taylor were let go, and the Ravens added former Tennessee Titan Derrick Mason, who led all NFL receivers with 96 catches in 2004.

Kyle Boller, a first-round draft pick in 2003, enters his third season as a starter, and he is embarking on a pivotal stretch in his career. The Ravens' passing offense has not finished higher than 27th in any of the previous three seasons, though Boller's statistics last year - he completed 258-of-464 passes (55.6 percent) for 2,559 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions -- were better than his rookie season.

Jamal Lewis entered last season as the team's biggest strength after rushing for 2,066 yards in 2003, but now he's a question mark. He rushed for just 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in a season slowed by injuries and a suspension.

Baltimore's busy offseason has it in position to contend for its second division title in the past three years. However, the Ravens were also considered by many as the division's top team entering last season, but injuries, combined with an inconsistent passing game, kept them out of the playoffs.

The Ravens appear to be a better team entering this season than the one that just missed making the playoffs last year, which bodes well for a team that believes it's a Super Bowl contender.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Odds to win AFC North Division:

Baltimore Ravens 10/11

Cincinnati Bengals 17/5

Cleveland Browns 16/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 9/5

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Kyle Boller, Baltimore Ravens, Jamal Lewis , AFC North, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Indianapolis Colts Preview: Will the Colts finally break the jinx?

2005-08-25T23:59:00.001-07:00

In the days and weeks after the Indianapolis Colts' 20-3 AFC playoff loss to the New England Patriots, team president Bill Polian and head coach Tony Dungy came to the realization that one thing had to change if the Colts ever wanted to make a legitimate Super Bowl run.

The offense is not the problem, despite the fact that it was held without a touchdown in the New England game. Rather, it was the overall play of the defense, and the shoddy tackling of the secondary in particular, that needed a major upgrade.

After winning back-to-back MVP awards and another AFC South plum, Peyton Manning returns with just one goal in mind - win the Super Bowl. Despite throwing for 4,557 yards and an NFL single-season record 49 touchdown passes last year, Manning is a man on a mission this year. League records and postseason awards are nice, but the Colts have come up short in the playoffs the last three seasons and Manning knows that he has the tools to lead Indianapolis a long way this year.

The 2005 season might very well be Edgerrin James' swan song with the Colts. James was tagged as Indianapolis' franchise player during the offseason and, after finding a slow market for veteran running backs, inked a one-year deal with the team. If a long-term deal can't be worked out between James and the Colts before the end of the year, the chances are pretty good that he will test the free-agent waters.

The Colts welcome back three receivers who had over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2004, led by six-time All-Pro Marvin Harrison. Harrison had 86 receptions for 1,113 yards and 15 touchdowns, followed by Reggie Wayne (with a team-high 1,210 yards and 12 touchdowns) and Brandon Stokley (1,077 yards and 10 Tds).

With the strong possibility that James won't be back for the 2006 season, time is running short for the Indianapolis Colts' offensive triplets. Defense, as in past years, will be the all-important key to just how far Indianapolis will go in 2005. There has been improvement, but it hasn't come quickly enough.

Coach Tony Dungy's crew has come close in recent years, but until the Colts can find a way to get past those pesky Patriots, a Super Bowl run will remain just as elusive as it has already proved to be.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

NFL Football Player Props:

Odds to win the MVP 2005-2006 Season

Peyton Manning 4/1

Player to have most Receiving Yards in the Regular Season

Marvin Harrison 5/1

Player to have most Rushing Yards in the Regular Season

Edgerrin James 15/2

Who will be on the cover of Madden 2007 ?

Peyton Manning 7/2

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Edgerrin James , Marvin Harrison, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Cleveland Browns Preview: Can Savage salvage Browns' season?

2005-08-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

The Cleveland Browns are starting over again. Entering their seventh season in the AFC North since returning as an expansion franchise in 1999, the Browns have their first general manager and third football head coach.

It was no accident that owner Randy Lerner moved 180 degrees in his thinking on the makeup of his football operation. After four years of former coach Butch Davis calling all the shots, Lerner wanted a clear delineation of duties for his general manager and coach.

The new setup gives GM Phil Savage full authority in the draft and the makeup of the final roster. Savage, 40, got his NFL start in Cleveland in the 1990s under former Browns coach Bill Belichick. When the old team was moved to Baltimore, Savage developed into one of the best talent evaluators in the league. He assisted in the drafting of 10 eventual Pro Bowl players in nine years with the Ravens.

For his coach, Savage turned to Romeo Crennel, who earned his third Super Bowl championship in four seasons as Belichick's defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots. Crennel, 58, also won two championships with the New York Giants under Bill Parcells.

One of Savage's first personnel decisions was to stabilize the quarterback position. He chose to trade for 11-year veteran Trent Dilfer, who earned a Super Bowl ring with Baltimore in 2000. Dilfer hasn't started 16 games since 1998, but he convinced Savage he was in great shape and was determined to finish his career with a bang. He signed a four-year contract.

Savage sees Dilfer as a transitional quarterback who can double as a mentor to rookie Charlie Frye and second-year prospect Josh Harris. Frye was a popular third-round draft choice from Akron who has the intangibles of Brett Favre, if not the rocket arm.

The Browns haven't had a true No. 1 receiver since they were reborn in 1999. They feel that first-round pick Braylon Edwards of Michigan will more than adequately fill that role. If Edwards is an immediate starter, holdovers Andre Davis, Antonio Bryant and Dennis Northcutt will battle for the other wideout spot.

Savage has enormous confidence in Crennel and coordinator Todd Grantham being able to incorporate and teach the 3-4 defensive scheme with a defensive roster that is lacking in playmakers. That side of the ball will take time - a few offseasons of acquisitions - to fully develop.

In the meantime, the offense on paper looks like it should be the team's strength. If the line can keep Dilfer healthy through 16 games, he has enough playmakers to help out the defense with possession time and points.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Bodog, leader in offshore sports wagering, has listed the Browns at 130/1 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Cleveland as the longest shot to win the AFC Conference at 70/1. In its odds to win the AFC North Division, the Browns are at 16/1, the worst in the division.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Trent Dilfer, Cleveland Browns, Phil Savage , Charlie Frye, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Miami Dolphins Preview: Another new coach, another rebuilding season

2005-08-24T23:59:00.001-07:00

Athough this is a rebuilding season for the Miami Dolphins, they are not starting from scratch. Their football roster is far superior to that of the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, two other teams with comparable NFL records in 2004.

Many NFL pundits believe that new Dolphins head coach Nick Saban is the closest thing to Bill Belichick. They are both control freaks, they plan exhaustive schedules for their players, and they have very high demands. Saban eventually plans on switching the defense into a 3-4 scheme, but until he gathers the right players, they will primarily use the 4-3.

The picture of the offense may look strikingly familiar to you: a questionable quarterback, a problematic offensive line, and a good running game. Gus Frerotte has a couple of similar characteristics to AJ Feeley, such as he doesn't throw the ball well when his feet are not set and sometimes he tries to make too much happen, but overall, he is probably the better choice at quarterback.

The receivers on this team are excellent, especially with the prospects of David Boston contributing as the third wideout, but the offensive line may not provide enough protection for the passing game to really flourish.

Ronnie Brown has missed considerable time from training camp, but he will be the starter when he does arrive. He is an excellent all-around back and should provide what Ricky Williams supplied in his first two seasons in Miami. As for Ricky, the only reason Saban brought him back was to prove that he still has trade value. If he regains his skills, some team will give up a fourth- or fifth-round pick for him by next year's draft.

Essentially, this is the same old Miami Dolphins we have known to hate and love over the past decade. The foundation is built around a strong defense, the offense will be able to run the ball, but there are still major reservations about the offensive line and the quarterbacks.

The roster is in transition, and the division is strong, so it would be asking too much to expect the playoffs now. A seven- or eight-win season for the Dolphins would be a great accomplishment. In two years, Saban will have more of his type of players, and by 2007, he might be able to make a real playoff run.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Bodog Sportsbook, an online sports betting, casino gambling and multi-player poker entertainment company with great betting lines, fantastic customer service and fast payouts, has listed the Dolphins at 75/1 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Miami as the longest shot to win the AFC Conference at 38/1. In its odds to win the AFC East Division, the Dolphins are at 15/1 in the list topped by the New England Patriots.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins, Nick Saban , AFC East, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Oakland Raiders Preview: With Jordan and Moss, Raiders eager to kick-off season

2005-08-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

The 2005 NFL regular season is still more than two weeks away, yet it's already clear the Oakland Raiders made one of the league's biggest acquisitions of the off-season. And we're not only even talking about Randy Moss.

LaMont Jordan is incredible. The former New York Jets part-timer runs inside, he runs outside and he catches passes. You have to wonder if Kerry Collins will ever call a play for Mr. Moss.

OK, let's not get carried away. Moss will get his touches. So will Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel. In fact, every Raiders receiver - and Collins as well - will enjoy playing in a comfort zone this season because defenses will always have to account for Jordan.

The last time the Raiders had a back like this, Charlie Garner carried two aging wide receivers and a journeyman quarterback all the way to the Super Bowl. The offense was so good, the Raiders were able to win five times in 2002 when their opponent scored 20 or more points.

Perceptions aside, there is pressure on Collins on the eve of the season's first exhibition game. Collins responded to the tough times last year with a flourish. Now the ante has been raised. The hammer and nails are there. Time to build Godzilla. And he will be watched, closely.

He says he isn't going to try to hit five-run homers every time out, even though it may be tempting given the additions of Moss and running back Jordan to spice up the offense. Meanwhile, Collins comes into his second year in the Raiders colors with a confidence bred of survival.

Oakland's overall success will be dependent upon how well Collins plays. That might be asking a bit much because the Raiders need him to be more consistent and more effective than he has been. Collins is a streaky, hit-or-miss player who is prone to funks where he doesn't complete a high percentage of his passes and throws interceptions in bunches. That doesn't bode well for the Raiders in the long run.

It's going to be that kind of season in 2005. It'll be a rare Sunday when the Oakland defense keeps its opponent out of the 20s. But thanks in large part to Jordan, the scoreboard will get a workout whenever the Raiders have the ball as well. It should be fun.

Look for the Raiders to be an improved team. However, a tough schedule and a questionable defense make it unlikely that the Raiders will make the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season.

Bring on the Kansas City Chiefs. That Sept. 18 home opener ought to be a doozy for all Raider fanatics.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Bodog Sportsbook, an online sports betting, casino gambling and multi-player poker entertainment company with great betting lines, fantastic customer service and fast payouts, has listed the Raiders at 26/1 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Oakland as a longshot to win the AFC Conference at 18/1. In its odds to win the AFC West Division, the Raiders are second best at 3/1 just behind the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Kerry Collins, Oakland Raiders, Randy Moss , AFC West, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 NFL Preview: Buffalo Bills ready to saddle up

2005-08-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

A lot of pundits are predicting a tough NFL football season for the Buffalo Bills with first-year starter J.P. Losman at quarterback. But there are plenty of reasons for Bills fans to think that this could be a big year for the Bills.

One big reason expectations are high on Buffalo is coach Mike Mularkey. Mularkey has shown great leadership qualities after lifting the team out of its 0-4 start to a near playoff berth. Football experts also impressed that Mularkey has surrounded himself with a staff of seasoned coaches like Sam Wyche, Tom Clements and Jim McNally.

After undergoing two weeks of productive practices and participated in a controlled scrimmage in Green Bay, the Bills won't know where they stand until they start playing regular season games. This will mark the official season debut for Losman as the Bills' starting quarterback. Most top signal-callers don't play much in their first regular season game, but Losman will surely be making plenty of cameo appearances for the Bills.

Losman has already faced three-time NFL Most Valuable Player Brett Favre in a scrimmage at Green Bay and got to measure himself against Colts quarterback and reigning league MVP Peyton Manning in a preseason game which the Bills won convincingly. What Mularkey hopes Losman picks up is how to handle pressure, read defenses and make sound decisions.

Fans are now to see how the entire offense will come along. The upcoming season will be an opportunity for Losman to continue to develop his timing with wide receivers Eric Moulds and Lee Evans. Running back Willis McGahee will surely play, but Mularkey is interested in seeing how the backup situation will shape up.

Eyes will be on the Bills' revamped offensive line as well. The unit has two new starters in left guard Bennie Anderson and left tackle Mike Gandy, who has been the more scrutinized of the two newcomers. However, it is uncertain how much of a challenge the offense will get.

The goal in Buffalo will be the re-emergence of a franchise that has gone five straight winters without playoff football, and last won a postseason game when Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Marv Levy were still in town. The Bills came close to ending their playoff drought last season, when they won nine of 11 following an 0-4 start but blinked on the final week in a home loss to Pittsburgh and finished out of the money.

The Bills appear to be ready to start the season but they are bound to make mistakes, and Losman is probably not ready to carry the load on his own. That puts a ton of pressure on a defense that, while talented, still lacks an elite-level pass rusher to scare the likes of division foes like the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

The Bills appear destined to finish third, and with enough improvement by the new-look Dolphins, could realistically descend to the AFC East basement.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

NFL Football Player Props:

Odds to win the MVP 2005-2006 Season

Willie McGahee 35/1

Player to have most Receiving Yards in the Regular Season

Eric Moulds 13/1

Player to have most Rushing Yards in the Regular Season

Willie McGahee 13/1

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, JP Losman, Buffalo Bills, Eric Moulds , Willie McGahee, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Arizona Cardinals Preview: Warner takes show to Grand Canyon state

2005-08-23T23:45:00.000-07:00

Before taking a chance and signing Kurt Warner, the Arizona Cardinals evaluated each and every one of the 277 passes he threw last season. And they came away convinced that Warner, who has finished each of the last two seasons as a backup to younger quarterbacks, still had the arm strength and accuracy that made him one of the most brilliant passers in NFL football history before a succession of shoulder, hand and finger injuries - plus a frightening concussion - led to his demise in St. Louis.

After a one-year stopover with the New York Giants last season, Warner is with his third team in three years, quite a comedown for a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player who led the Rams to two Super Bowls during 1999-2001. He lost his job to Marc Bulger and became a salary cap casualty in St. Louis.

Actually, Warner was a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year honors last season as he led the Giants to a 5-2 start. But after two consecutive losses by a total of 10 points, Giants coach Tom Coughlin replaced Warner with rookie Eli Manning, the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Warner knew Manning would eventually replace him as the Giants quarterback of the future, but not as long as he kept the team in the playoff hunt. The Giants went 0-6 with Manning at quarterback before winning the season finale. His passer rating was 55.4 compared with Warner's 86.5.

Warner is still somewhat bitter about his season in New York. So Warner left New York and signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Arizona and a chance to play in a quarterback-friendly offense for coach Dennis Green, who had success with veteran quarterbacks Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon and Jeff George at Minnesota.

Warner, who is still the NFL's all-time leader in career completion percentage (65.9) and second in passer rating (95.7), has the benefit of throwing to three of the league's most talented young receivers in former first-round picks Larry Fitzgerald (2004) and Bryant Johnson (2003), and Anquan Boldin, a 2003 Pro Bowl starter. He also has a promising young running back in J.J. Arrington, the Cards' second-round pick from California.

Championships? Has the Arizona heat gotten to Warner? The Cardinals haven't won an NFL championship in 57 years, the longest drought in the NFL, when the franchise was based in Chicago. Since 1947, the franchise has qualified for the playoffs five times, winning one postseason game, in 1998.

But Warner remembers what happened in St. Louis, when the Rams had the league's poorest record in the 1990s, before he stepped in for an injured Trent Green in 1999 and emerged from grocery store stock boy to Super Bowl hero. He threw for 4,353 yards and led the league with 41 touchdown passes and a 65.1 completion percentage as the Greatest Show on Turf reversed the culture of losing football in St. Louis - a mentality created by the St. Louis Cardinals before their move to Arizona.

Clearly, the Cardinals have a chance at contending this season in a weak NFC West Division in which Seattle, 9-7, was the only team in the division with a winning record last year. And the Seahawks lost to St. Louis, 8-8, in all three meetings, including a playoff game.

Warner won't have to wait long to find out how the Cardinals will measure up against the Rams. In a cruel twist, the NFL has Warner facing his former teams in the first two weeks of the regular season - at the Giants on Sept. 11, and at home against St. Louis on Sept. 18.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Bodog Sportsbook

Bodog Sportsbook, an online sports betting, casino gambling and multi-player poker entertainment company with great betting lines, fantastic customer service and fast payouts, has listed the Cardinals at 35/1 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Arizona as a longshot to win the NFC Conference at 17/1. In its odds to win the NFC West Division, the Cardinals are tied with the Seahawks at 2/1.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals, Dennis Green , NFC West, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

2005 Cincinnati Bengals Preview: High hopes, but still plenty of questions

2005-08-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

The opening of the new NFL football season for the Cincinnati Bengals has been long anticipated by players, coaches, fans and media alike since the final gun sounded on a 38-10 win at Philadelphia to end the 2004 NFL season.

There are legitimate postseason hopes for the Bengals this season, hopes that would end a 14-season drought from the NFL playoffs if they come to fruition. In order to break the league's longest playoff-less run the Bengals have several questions to answer as the NFL preseason goes to its homestretch.

The transition of top draft choice David Pollack to strong side linebacker. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has downplayed the move, saying Pollack has the ability to make the move smoothly, but the former college defensive end will go through an adjustment period as he learns to cover tight ends and running backs. That's something he never had to do at Georgia while amassing a school-record 36 career sacks. One aspect that Pollack won't lack is intensity. He has always attacked the game at full speed.

The run defense must be better if the Bengals are going to beat out Baltimore and Pittsburgh for the AFC North title. Another performance worthy of the league's No. 26 ranking just won't do.

On paper the offense appears ready for a dominating season as all 11 starters return as well as several key backups. Paper begins its transition to reality as the season starts. Quarterback Carson Palmer is completely healed from the strained knee ligaments that ended his season with three games to go in 2004 and he dropped 10-15 pounds in the offseason. He should be more mobile in the pocket and more comfortable with receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh this season.

The depth at wide receiver and the competition for jobs it has created will be fun to watch. Johnson and Houshmandzadeh are the starters. Can the two rise to the challenge? Kevin Walter has been a key contributor on special teams the last two seasons but is that continued role enough to keep his job? Cliff Russell and Jamall Broussard have kick return abilities but is that all? Does anyone else want to come up and challenge?

How do the players react to Chuck Bresnahan as the new defensive coordinator? Bresnahan is probably a better fit with Lewis in terms of coaching style than his predecessor Leslie Frazier. The Naval Academy graduate is more fire-and-brimstone than the quieter Frazier, but will that translate into better results? Ultimately, this is a question that won't be answered until the regular season.

Away from the big picture storylines of the preseason, the best moments for spectators in the stands are during the regular season. Can the Bengals make it this time? Hopes are high but still, the answers to the questions remain a mystery.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

PinnacleSports, leader in offshore sports wagering, has listed the Bengals at +5018 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Cincinnati as the fifth longest shot to win the AFC Conference at +2359. In its odds to win the AFC North Division, the Bengals are at +350, third worst in the division.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Lewis , David Pollack, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Drew Bledsoe mystery: Is he up to Par(cells)?

2005-08-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Drew Bledsoe set NFL passing records and got to the Super Bowl as a young quarterback for the New England Patriots and then-coach Bill Parcells. But they came up short of a title. Now, a decade later, the two will try again - this time for the Dallas Cowboys.

The last time they were together, Bledsoe was trying to establish himself among the NFL's top quarterbacks. This time, at age 33, he'll be trying to prove he can still perform up to his previous standard.

Bledsoe will be looked on to provide guidance to a team that was inconsistent on offense and finished 6-10 last season after making the playoffs in Parcells' first year. His leadership was apparent at practice, where he offered encouragement to teammates after every successful offensive play.

Parcells has noticed a difference, saying Bledsoe has learned additional facets of the game since he last coached him. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Bledsoe, 6 feet 5 and 238 pounds, needs only 192 yards to become the 10th quarterback in NFL history to accumulate 40,000 passing yards. He ranks in the top 20 on the league's all-time lists in completions, passing attempts, yards and touchdowns.

On the flip side, he has been known to hold onto the ball too long, having been sacked 402 times, including 140 in his three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, to whom the Patriots traded him after he was beset by injuries and made expendable by the rise of Tom Brady.

But is he the same quarterback who did not throw more touchdowns than interceptions until his fourth NFL season? Bledsoe has a firm grasp on the starting position, a welcome relief for the Cowboys after last season's quarterback carousel.

Bledsoe, who played nine seasons with the Patriots before joining the Bills for three, is one of four Super Bowl quarterbacks who this season will be looking to recapture their legacy. The others are Oakland's Kerry Collins, Cleveland's Trent Dilfer and Arizona's Kurt Warner.

Bledsoe will hand off to Julius Jones, a running back from Notre Dame who showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season. The receivers include Terry Glenn, one of Bledsoe's favorite targets in New England, and Keyshawn Johnson. The Cowboys also have third-year tight end Jason Witten, who is coming off an 87-catch, six-touchdown season.

Although Bledsoe hasn't led a team to the playoffs since 1998, he had a pivotal victory in the 2001 AFC title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bledsoe replaced an injured Brady and led the Patriots to their only offensive touchdown in a 24-17 upset.

Well, he may not be the same Bledose, but surrounded by talent and having been reunited with Parcells, he may have found a fair situation.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook and PinnacleSports

Online sportsbooks BODOG and PinnacleSports have laid down their football futures betting propositions on the Cowboys for the upcoming 2005-2006 NFL Season. BODOG has listed the Cowboys 30/1 to win the Superbowl while PinnacleSports had the Texas team at +3071.

As for them winning the the NFC Conference, Dallas was 12/1 at BODOG while in PinnacleSports, they are at +1443. Both sportsbooks listed the Cowboys as second favorite to the Philadelphia Eagles to win the NFC East Division.

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PinnacleSports, former known as Planet Pinnacle is a reliable bookie that is on the market for years without any bad tale about their services. They are great for serious punters and also for those who are into betting on American sports and Under/Over bets, since their odds for this events are simply great.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, 2005 NFL Football, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl , Drew Bledsoe, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Houston Texans hope to end mediocrity

2005-08-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, the Houston Texans are making progress as the NFL's newest football franchise. Dom Capers' club went from 4-12 in their inaugural season, to 5-11 in 2003, to 7-9 last year, and are expecting to continue their upward trend in 2005.

Trouble is, more slow, steady progress probably isn't going to earn the Texans a playoff berth this season. A two-game leap to 9-7 would likely be just good enough to keep Houston on the outside looking in on a talented and crowded AFC picture, and to be sure, Capers and company are shooting for more.

That's why Houston made several quiet but pivotal changes this past offseason, in the hopes of shaking up the franchise in all the right places. Inside linebackers Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman, who had given the defense its identity for most of three seasons, were dispensed with, as were former secondary starters Aaron Glenn, Marlon McCree, Eric Brown, and Kenny Wright.

Offseason acquisitions in linebacker Morlon Greenwood (Dolphins), cornerback Phillip Buchanon (Raiders), and defensive tackle Travis Johnson (a first-round draft choice out of Florida State) were brought in to assist a unit that will have a fresh look under new coordinator Vic Fangio.

On special teams, return man J.J. Moses was given his walking papers in May, and Buchanon and speedy fourth-round pick Jerome Mathis (Hampton) were welcomed in to give the club some additional punch on punts and kickoffs.

If the moves pay off, the City of Houston could be looking forward to playoff football for the first time since Warren Moon guided the Oilers into the 1993 AFC Playoffs. And that's the only type of progress Texans fans are likely to applaud.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

PinnacleSports, leader in offshore sports wagering, has listed the Texans at +7923 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Houston as the third lomgest shot to win the AFC Conference at +3594. In its odds to win the AFC South Division, the Texans are at +1050, second worst in the division behind the Titans.

For more live Sports Betting Game Tips, Scores, Odds and Lines, just click here: Oasis Sportsbook or BODOG.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Dom Capers, Houston Texans, Tom Brady , Terrell Owens, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Curtis, McDonald Make Rams More Dangerous

2005-08-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

Ever since the 1999 St. Louis Rams emerged on the football scene as the "Greatest Show on Turf," they have been known for their two outstanding receivers.

The combination of Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt might be one of the best the league has ever seen over a five-year span, but the dynamic duo might be on its way to becoming the NFL's most explosive barbershop quartet.

Ask anyone around Rams Park these days the biggest reason for optimism heading into this season and the answer will invariably involve the myriad possibilities of the offense. Those possibilities might not be so endless were it not for the emergence and development of the perfect compliments to the St. Louis version of Batman and Robin.

Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald didn't just arrive on the scene last season; they ran through it like world-class sprinters hopped up on Red Bull. Ask the Seattle Seahawks what they remember about their first meeting with the Rams last season and Nos. 83 and 84 will probably be mentioned followed by a slew of words that aren't suitable for print.

The Rams spent the better part of a year waiting for Curtis and McDonald to get with the system. Unfortunately, both suffered through miserable, injury-plagued rookie seasons.

Curtis played in four games in 2003, missing the first five games of the season with a broken fibula. McDonald played in eight games, but suffered a thumb injury that kept him out for four weeks. Those injuries didn't necessarily keep Curtis and McDonald out for the whole season, but they might as well have.

Thanks to Curtis and McDonald's development, if there is one thing that this team will be able to do, it's throw a variety of things at opposing secondaries. The only problem for those opponents is that whatever the Rams throw might be too fast to keep up with.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

PinnacleSports, leader in offshore sports wagering, has listed the Rams at +4081 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged St. Louis as a longshot to win the NFC Conference at +1711. In its odds to win the NFC West Division, the Rams are at +210, second best in the division behind the Seahawks.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Kevin Curtis, St. Louis Rams, Shaun McDonald , Isaac Bruce, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

It's Chow Time: McNair ready to test new Titans' offense

2005-08-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

The Tennessee Titans are ready for their first test of Norm Chow's offense NFL-style, and Steve McNair is quite excited about it. After a forgetful season last year, the Titans are now expecting more touchdowns and fieldgoals under the former USC offensive wizard.

The Titans, who ended the 2003 campaign a heartbeat away from a spot in the AFC Championship, went down in 2004, and went down hard. With quarterback McNair spending most of the season nursing a bruised sternum that required offseason surgery, Jeff Fisher's club fell from 12-4 to 5-11, a mark that brought with it the indignity of last place in the AFC South.

A banged-up defense was stretched to the limit in the closing month-and-a-half of the season, and during an ugly five-game losing skid that dropped the Titans to 4-11, that unit gave up an eye-popping 41.6 points per game.

Fisher lured Chow away from the college ranks where he spent 32 years devising offenses that ranked among the nation's best year in and year out. He tutored three Heisman Trophy winners and was the assistant coach of the year three times. He had to replace Mike Heimerdinger, who left for the same job with the New York Jets. Chow was asked to simplify the playbook, and he has added lots of motion and shorter drops for McNair to help him get rid of the ball quicker.

After reaching the playoffs in four of the previous six seasons, the Titans are in rebuilding mode. Only 11 Titans have four or more years' experience in the NFL after nine starters were traded away in the offseason. Fisher definitely needs a new starting right tackle, wide receiver, two cornerbacks and top defensive ends.

Despite the obstacles, there is hope in the Music City that the Titans can take a San Diego Chargers-size leap back to the top of the division this season. At the very least, Tennessee supporters will take solace in the fact that this year's Titans can't possibly be last year's Titans.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

PinnacleSports, leader in offshore sports wagering, has listed the Titans at +9510 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Tennessee as the second longest shot to win the AFC Conference at +5111 behind the Cleveland Browns. In the NFC East Division, the Titans are at +1500, last in the division.

For more live Sports Betting Game Tips, Scores, Odds and Lines, just click here: Oasis Sportsbook or BODOG.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots , Norm Chow, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Jaguars' return to glory

2005-08-15T23:59:00.001-07:00

This is the point in the year at which almost every fan of every NFL team feels they have a chance to have a good season. It's a fun time because there aren't any stats or records to prove you wrong. It's easy to think your team will be the Cinderella surprise this year.

Fans look at the upcoming schedule and start picking the games they know are certain wins and the games their team has a chance of losing. Getting 10 wins and making the playoffs always seems like a strong possibility this time of year.

So how about the Jacksonville Jaguars? Fans witnessed the signing of Reggie Hayward, who addressed what many fans considered to be their biggest need, a pass-rusher at defensive end.

They hired a new offensive coordinator who plans on adding some excitement and, more importantly, points. According to most Florida fans, the Jaguars just landed the sleeper of the century when they drafted Matt Jones, a long-term answer for finding a replacement for aging wide receiver Jimmy Smith. And to add to the good news at the wide receiver position, gans have read the stories of how Reggie Williams came into camp this year looking like the wide receiver Jacksonville hoped he would be last year.

The first four years of the franchise spoiled the Jaguars and their fans. Going to the playoffs four times in the first five years, including two trips to the AFC championship game, made them believe winning was easy. The Jaguars sure made it look easy.

Now, one huge reality check later, fans have seen that winning is not all that easy after all. Like so many other teams, teams swung for the fence by disregarding the future impact of the salary cap and, making matters worse, teams struck out. Clubs paid the inevitable price for taking that swing and it cost the Jaguars four consecutive losing seasons.

Is the wait finally over?

The team has shown many signs that it is poised to return to the playoffs and, with the Jaguars' cap in such a healthy state, it looks like this will be the beginning of another team who will make winning look easy for years to come.

The 2005 season will be the Jaguars' return to glory.

NFL Football Betting odds: BODOG Sportsbook

NFL Football Player Props:

Who will be on the cover of Madden 2007?

Byron Leftwich 10/1

Odds to win the MVP 2005-2006 Season

Byron Leftwich 15/1

Player to have most Receiving Yards in the Regular Season

Jimmy Smith 15/1

Player to have most Rushing Yards in the Regular Season

Fred Taylor 30/1

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Jimmy Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars, Byron Leftwich , Fred Taylor, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Even without T.O., McNabb can still pilot Eagles

2005-08-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

The nagging question is whether the Eagles have enough talent at wide receiver to get back to the Super Bowl and win it. The answer is that the Eagles have the quarterback to get back to the Super Bowl, although, of course, Donovan McNabb still has to prove he is the man to win it.

If this becomes the Season After T.O., it will be up to McNabb to run an offense with Greg Lewis, Billy McMullen and rookie Reggie Brown as the wide receivers. You can assume that Andy Reid will add another legitimate wideout to the roster, but you can also assume he won't be as explosive as Terrell Owens.

However it shakes out, McNabb is the answer to the question. All the talk about young receivers struggling in Reid's system has missed a major point: When Todd Pinkston was a rookie, McNabb was in his second season and first full year as the starter. When Freddie Mitchell was a rookie, McNabb was in just his third season.

Reid's offense is just as complicated as ever, obviously. There is as much for Brown, the second-round pick from Georgia, to learn as there was for Pinkston and Mitchell. The difference is that the guy under center has mastered the system and has run it against every kind of NFL defense. The point is that McNabb's experience and knowledge can help make Brown, Lewis and McMullen more productive than Pinkston, Mitchell and James Thrash were at similar points in their development.

For the first five years of his career, McNabb worked under Reid's philosophy that it was better to have a bunch of good, solid, smart receivers than a superstar who demanded the ball. People close to McNabb made it clear that he hungered to find out what life would be like with a true No. 1 receiver.

McNabb found out last year that his collaboration with Owens was great fun to watch, and it will be a shame if that is lost. But there's no erasing the confidence McNabb picked up from it, or his awareness that you have to trust your receivers to make plays.

There is one more reason to believe that McNabb can be the answer to the most pressing question about this offense. After a year with T.O., and an off-season of being insulted by T.O., you have to believe McNabb would love nothing better than to prove that Owens wasn't the key to the Eagles' success last year.

They can go back without Owens, and the reason is No. 5.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

PinnacleSports, leader in offshore sports wagering, has listed the Eagles at +579 to win the Super Bowl. It has also tagged Philadelphia as the overwhelming favorite to win the NFC Conference and NFC East Division at +230 and -287, respectively.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots , Terrell Owens, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Hart of a champion

2005-08-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

When sports fans think of Rocky Balboa, they think of a champion, an underdog who battled through adversity and rose to the top. Considering Chargers free safety Clinton Hart's long road to success, it's fitting that his hero is the Italian Stallion.

Hart's road has been a long, arduous journey. His father and older brother were both incarcerated when he was a teenager, and Hart passed up several football scholarship offers to stay close to home and keep an eye on his mother and younger brother.

The steps that eventually led him to the NFL weren't easy. Hart made just $162 per week playing for the Tallahassee Thunder, an AFL2 Team, and endured 20 hour bus rides throughout the season. He continued to chip away at the odds though, just like his idol Rocky.

Just one year later, Hart was named AFL Rookie of the Year as a member of the Tampa Bay Storm. His performance caught the attention of NFL scouts, and in 2002, Hart received a contract offer from the Philadelphia Eagles. As Hart planned, he was sent to NFL Europe where he spent the 2002 season with the Rhein Fire and Amsterdam Admirals before returning home to attend training camp with the Eagles.

During nine games with the Eagles, Hart tallied 61 tackles (39 solo), seven pass deflections, and one sack for a seven yard loss. Dawkins returned healthy for the 2004 season, so Philadelphia waived Hart in early September. Just one day later, San Diego came calling.

Hart has a tattoo emblazoned on the inside of his left forearm that reads "Psalm 23," a Biblical passage about being fearless when caught in one of life's many valleys. His mother tells him to read the passage every time she calls, so he keeps the reminder closer than most and rubs the tattoo six times for his family members while he's on the field.

His valley today is fighting for that starting job, as well as pushing his fellow teammates to reach that peak. Hart has made it through the valley and is now living his dream. He hopes to deliver a one-two punch on opposing offenses this season, one that Rocky Balboa would be proud of

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

Odds to win 2006 Super Bowl:

New England Patriots +574

Indianapolis Colts +488

Philadelphia Eagles +566

Pittsburgh Steelers +1359

Atlanta Falcons +1504

New York Jets +1883

San Diego Chargers +3046

Buffalo Bills +5031

Denver Broncos +3933

Minnesota Vikings +1744

Pinnacle Sports, former known as Planet Pinnacle is reliable bookie that is on the market for years without any bad tale about their services. They are great for serious punters and also for those who are into betting on American sports and Under/Over bets, since their odds for this events are simply great.
For live Sports Betting Game Tips, Scores, Odds and Lines, just click here: Oasis Sportsbook or BODOG.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Tom Brady, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots , Clinton Hart, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Super signing helps corner market on Jets' championship dreams

2005-08-10T23:17:00.000-07:00

Even though the Super Bowl trophy seems to have taken up permanent residence in Foxboro, the NFL's new Titletown, this is the year the New York Jets catch and pass the Patriots.

Herm Edwards and Terry Bradway would never put it in such blunt terms, but the Jets are going for it right now. Why else sign Ty Law, a 31-year-old cornerback going into his 11th season and coming off the dreaded Lisfranc foot fracture? The Jets need Law to be the shutdown corner he was in New England and a leader on a defense where he is their only starter over 30.

Law represents a mission statement for the Jets: They are not only going after the Patriots, they are going after their trophy. The equation of the Jets' free agent additions and the Patriots' personnel and coaching losses should add up to the end of the Patriots' run. Although the Jets keeping the Patriots out of the Super Bowl is realistic, starting a Super Bowl run of their own is a more complex issue. But it's not far-fetched as long as Chad Pennington's shoulder doesn't fall off.

Of course, the Patriots did beat up on the Colts in the AFC title game two years ago, which prompted the NFL to start calling a massive number of penalties last season on defensive backs for breathing on receivers after five yards.

But you have to say this about the Jets: They do have a swagger about them even if they have yet to earn it. Law's big-game experience and accomplishments will only add to the confidence of the defense. And if the Jets are to get to Detroit in February, they likely will have to beat Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in January. A shutdown corner is a precious commodity in the playoffs. Law has been one. His left foot, which required surgery, is suddenly one of the keys to the Jets season.

Assuming Law is healthy - he passed his physical and on-field test and was given Ray Mickens' No. 24 before Mickens hit the waiver wire - then signing with the Jets helps them and hurts the Patriots, even if New England did win the Super Bowl last season with Law on injured reserve.

Law is one of six Patriots on all three of the Super Bowl championship teams in the last four years not back this season. And although Bill Belichick is clearly the NFL's state-of-the-art coach, losing coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel will test his resiliency. So will losing team leader Tedy Bruschi for this season.

If anybody knows what it takes to stop Brady, you have to figure it's Ty Law.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

Odds to win 2006 Super Bowl:

New England Patriots +500

Indianapolis Colts +600

Philadelphia Eagles +450

Pittsburgh Steelers +1000

Atlanta Falcons +1400

New York Jets +2000

San Diego Chargers +1800

Buffalo Bills +3000

Denver Broncos +2500

Minnesota Vikings +2000

Pinnacle Sports, former known as Planet Pinnacle is reliable bookie that is on the market for years without any bad tale about their services. They are great for serious punters and also for those who are into betting on American sports and Under/Over bets, since their odds for this events are simply great.
For live Sports Betting Game Tips, Scores, Odds and Lines, just click here: Oasis Sportsbook or BODOG.

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Tom Brady, New York Jets, New England Patriots , Ty Law, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Seidman settling in for payoff; Tight end ready to prove himself

2005-08-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

The wrapping paper has looked very nice for two years, but maybe it's time to see what's actually inside the total package.

Maybe this is the year Carolina Panthers tight end Mike Seidman, once described by offensive coordinator Dan Henning as 'the total package,' really can do. More than ever, the opportunity is there.

For the second straight preseason, the Panthers have gone to training camp and handed Seidman a chance to emerge with the starting job. He spent the first week getting extensive work with the first team, and the coaching staff is hoping he can stay there.

At 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds, Seidman has the size to be a strong blocker. He also has shown enough athletic ability to make the coaches think he can be an effective receiver. That's a tantalizing combination, but it didn't always translate into playing time and production in Seidman's first two years.

Like many rookies, Seidman saw a jumbled picture when he came out of UCLA in 2003. He showed a few flashes, but his playing time was limited; he caught five passes for 35 yards. Seidman said he was starting to feel more comfortable near the end of his rookie season, but he tore the ACL in his left knee in the 12th game and had surgery.

Seidman's rehabilitation was unusually quick and he was back on the practice field at the start of training camp last year. He was getting a lot of work with the first team, but his knee might have put him in over his head.

His most memorable play of last season came Dec. 26 when he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass against Tampa Bay as he lay on the ground in the back of the end zone.

The competition is strong. Dependable Kris Mangum, the starter last year, has shown he can contribute as a blocker and receiver. Michael Gaines spent his rookie season primarily as a blocker.

Seidman is hoping this is the year he can finally do everything well.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: BODOG Sportsbook

2005/06 NFC South Divisional Odds:

Atlanta Falcons 11/10

Carolina Panthers 2/1

New Orleans Saints 9/2

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6/1

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, NFC South, Carolina Panthers, Super Bowl , Mike Seidman, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Marino and Young Enter Football Hall of Fame

2005-08-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

By the time they retired, there was little doubt that Dan Marino and Steve Young would be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They were dominant quarterbacks in the 1980's and '90's, Marino a strong-armed member of the storied draft class of 1983, Young a left-handed, fleet-footed refugee from the United States Football League.

Yesterday, they reached that milestone, heading into the Hall of Fame along with two former stars from early in the last century, Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman.

Just before their induction ceremonies, Young, who threw a record six touchdown passes to lead San Francisco to victory in Super Bowl XXIX, said at a news conference that he came to Brigham Young from high school as a wishbone quarterback, yet he dreamed of being Roger Staubach.

Young won two most valuable player awards with the 49ers after replacing Joe Montana. Marino was introduced by his 20-year-old son Daniel, bringing tears to the eyes of the quarterback who set N.F.L. records with 4,967 completions, 8,358 passes, 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns.

Pollard and Friedman did not play in the postwar, television generation. In their time, the 1920's and '30's, statistics were kept unevenly, and there is little to remember their accomplishments by.

Pollard was one of the first two African-Americans in the National Football League and became its first black coach, with the Akron Pros in 1921 - a distinction that did not change until 1989 when the Oakland Raiders hired Art Shell.

Dr. Steven Towns, Pollard's grandson, said at the news conference that the time required for his grandfather to be inducted was difficult for the family to understand. Pollard's name is now synonymous, through the Fritz Pollard Alliance, with the campaign to increase the number of blacks coaches and general managers.

Friedman, who would have turned 100 last February, was one of the leading quarterbacks of his day. After completing an all-American career at the University of Michigan, he played for the Cleveland Bulldogs, Detroit Wolverines, Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1927 to 1934. In his first four seasons, including two with the Giants, he passed for 53 touchdowns.

Red Grange once said that Friedman was "the best quarterback I ever played against." Friedman would later coach the City College football team and become the athletic director of Brandeis University.

In later years, Friedman grew frustrated with not being elected to the hall, and once accused the league of "arrogance beyond belief" for excluding pre-1958 players from receiving pension benefits. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1982 in his apartment on the East Side of Manhattan.

Today, his nephew, David, said, that his uncle's induction "has been a long time coming. A lot of people haven't heard of him, but when you look at his statistics, he's pretty impressive."

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Oasis Casino and Sportsbook

2005/06 NFC West Divisional Odds:

Seattle Seahawks +120

St. Louis Rams +200

Arizona Cardinals +220

San Francisco 49ers +3500

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Terrell+Owens, Steve Young, Super Bowl , Dan Marino, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Vermeil voices second thoughts about retiring when season ends

2005-08-05T23:28:00.000-07:00

Maybe this won't be Dick Vermeil's last year coaching after all. In January, at the end of Kansas City's tough and disappointing 7-9 season, the oldest head coach in the NFL honestly thought it would be. But now the bounce is back.

Despite his 69 years, the only man to coach teams to victory in both the Super Bowl and the Rose Bowl feels animated, energetic and eager. Everything will hinge on how the 2005 Chiefs do. Provided they compete and he still feels up to the job, Vermeil, who was the NFL's coach of the year in 1999, just might return for his 16th campaign.

He already hastily retired once and lived to regret it. Shortly after the Rams won the Super Bowl after the 1999 season, he unexpectedly stepped down and returned to his 114-acre estate in rural Pennsylvania.

It has been four seasons since Chiefs president Carl Peterson, Vermeil's friend from his UCLA and Philadelphia days, fired then-head coach Gunther Cunningham and talked Vermeil into taking his place. A 34-30 Kansas City record, with only one playoff appearance in 2003, has left Vermeil feeling dissatisfied, hungry to see the project to a successful conclusion.

But forcing an old friend into a painful decision is the last thing he wants. For now at least, amid the sights and sounds of Kansas City's scenic North Woods training camp, last winter's weariness has given way to a refreshing sense of renewal.

Vermeil feels but they've got to get the job done. That's what the Chiefs had hoped when they brought Vermeil to Kansas City. So far, they've only done it once and the Chiefs should have been a playoff team two other times.

Vermeil loves being a leader and coaching. When asked about this question: "Does that light still burn?". Vermeil quickly answered, "You're darn right it does."

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Oasis Casino and Sportsbook

2005/06 AFC West Divisional Odds:

Kansas City Chiefs +200

San Diego Chargers +250

Denver Broncos +250

Oakland Raiders +300

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Terrell+Owens, Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl , Dick Vermeil, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Bledsoe eager to create own Cowboy legend

2005-08-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe looked like John Wayne as he took the field for the Dallas Cowboys' first practice of training camp. He didn't so much walk as swagger.

He arrived 45 minutes early, before almost everyone else. Not that it mattered. All nine cameras were trained on Bledsoe, intent on capturing his every move, as if his entrance might provide some hint about whether he is qualified to be the Cowboys' next quarterback.

Not since Troy Aikman retired five years ago have the Cowboys had a bona fide quarterback. They have paraded through a bevy of up-and-comers, has-beens and never-weres. But until Bledsoe walked on the field Saturday morning, nobody had shown any signs of being the real deal.

Bledsoe looked the part. And later, when reporters were peppering him with questions about whether he still has what it takes at age 33, he sounded the part. What everybody wants to know is: Can he still play the part?

Bledsoe already has a legacy - as a really good NFL quarterback who, not unlike former Cowboys quarterback Danny White, was never able to win a championship. He did not play when the Patriots won their first Super Bowl and had been traded away when they followed it up with two more.

What Bledsoe is trying to do is add a postscript to his legacy, and for his stage he has chosen a Cowboys franchise that has become almost synonymous with legendary quarterbacks. Don Meredith. Roger Staubach. Troy Aikman.

All of them reside in the Cowboys' exclusive Ring of Honor, and trying to follow them has humbled a good number of good guys. Although the Cowboys have a long history of legendary quarterbacks, they also have a recent history of subpar quarterbacks who, for varying reasons, proved incapable of extending that tradition.

Quincy Carter tried and failed, and tried and failed again. Neither Chad Hutchinson nor Vinny Testaverde provided a suitable answer to "Who's next?" Trying to answer that question, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has gone through seven quarterbacks since Aikman retired in 2000.

Parcells tapped Bledsoe as No. 8 this off-season because he believes Bledsoe still has that something that made him a great quarterback when they were together in New England.

Bledsoe says he has plans for his retirement. He just has a little unfinished business to take care of before leaving football for good. It is an exit worthy of The Duke himself.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

Odds to win 2006 Super Bowl:

New England Patriots +568

Indianapolis Colts +598

Philadelphia Eagles +560

Pittsburgh Steelers +1381

Atlanta Falcons +1485

New York Jets +1831

San Diego Chargers +3032

Buffalo Bills +4746

Denver Broncos +3691

Minnesota Vikings +1718

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, 2005 NFL Football, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl , Drew Bledsoe, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

MOSS' BIG MOUTH HITS RAIDER NATION

2005-08-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

Randy Moss issued his first apology as a member of the Oakland Raiders yesterday. He has not done anything wrong yet, but he figured it would be good to get it out of the way.

Moss' arrival has energized the Raiders camp. From his customized, purple SUV in the parking lot to his ritual of doing push-ups after every dropped pass, Raiders nation is buzzing thanks to the arrival of the game's most dazzling receiver. His No. 18 silver and black jersey is already the NFL's top-seller.

Never one to be bashful, Moss stated yesterday that he considers himself worthy of all the attention. He boastfully said that what he's doing and what he's been able to do in double and triple coverage throughout his career rank him as the best receiver in the league. He wants to continue to be the best until he leaves the league.

The Raiders hoped for the same when they made the trade with the Vikings in February for the five-time Pro Bowler. The Vikes grew tired of the star receiver after he left a regular-season game early and faked mooning the crowd in Green Bay during the playoffs.

Moss rolled into camp here in a custom four-door Chevy Avalanche pickup featuring "shaved" door handles (there are none, remote entry required), a purple paint job, 30-inch chrome wheels and a license plate that reads, "Tipp Drill 84."

Moss saidhe plans on giving the truck away through a promotion on his Web site rather than paint it silver and black. On the field, Moss is concentrating on learning coach Norv Turner's offense, in which he figures to be quarterback Kerry Collins' main target.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Oasis Sportsbook

Odds to win 2006 Super Bowl:

New England Patriots +500

Indianapolis Colts +600

Philadelphia Eagles +450

Pittsburgh Steelers +1000

Atlanta Falcons +1400

New York Jets +2000

San Diego Chargers +1800

Buffalo Bills +3000

Denver Broncos +2500

Minnesota Vikings +2000

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Randy Moss, Oakland Raiders, Super Bowl , Bill Parcells, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

The Lighter Side of Bill

2005-08-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Bill Parcells came to Cowboy training camp noticeably slimmer, talking about having fewer practices and saying he has something to prove. Is this a new introspective, softer, salad-eating Parcells? Not quite.

Parcells begins Year Three of his stay in Big D eager to put last year's 6-10 record behind him. The former Giant and Jet coach would like to forget the four losses by 20 or more points, the 20th-ranked rushing offense and the defense that gave up 25 points per game.

The New Jersey native, who turns 64 next month, is 15 years removed from his last Super Bowl title and he knows his business is one of short memories.

With that in mind, Parcells set out to bring in more of "his" guys. Drew Bledsoe, who played for him in New England, was brought in along with former Jets Jason Ferguson and Aaron Glenn to put more of Parcells' fingerprints on this franchise.

Ferguson's addition also enables Parcells to install a 3-4 defense, something he hopes will help turn his defense from sieve to stopper. Another change Parcells made this year is a cutback on two-a-day practices during training camp.

The love affair between Parcells and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also continues, with the two tossing bouquets at each other. What seemed like an unlikely marriage when it began three years ago on a tarmac in Teterboro has experienced very little turbulence.

All of that work will be meaningless, though, if the Cowboys don't produce on the field. Bledsoe replaces Vinny Testaverde under center and second-year back Julius Jones will be the team's primary running back.

Queer Eyed Parcells is ready to go.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Oasis Sportsbook

Odds to win 2006 Super Bowl:

New England Patriots +500

Indianapolis Colts +600

Philadelphia Eagles +450

Pittsburgh Steelers +1000

Atlanta Falcons +1400

New York Jets +2000

San Diego Chargers +1800

Buffalo Bills +3000

Denver Broncos +2500

Minnesota Vikings +2000

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, Drew Bledsoe, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl , Bill Parcells, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

Getting a raw deal; One-way contracts have NFLers up in arms

2005-08-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

It is the Summer Of Discontent in the NFL, with Terrell Owens making the most noise. Things are so out of whack that Ricky Williams just might be the happiest camper.

The source of all this uneasiness is money. The owners have lots of it and the players want more. The issue is NFL contracts. Unlike baseball and the NBA, entire NFL contracts are not fully guaranteed. The guaranteed money comes in signing bonuses and option bonuses, rarely in base salaries. So, even if a player has a seven-year deal, he can be cut and the remainder of the contract is thrown in the garbage.

In effect, it's a one-way deal. Players are bound to the team for the length of the contract, but a team can cut a player any time it wants as long as it doesn't destroy its salary cap. The larger the signing bonus, the harder it is to cut a player early in the contract because of the cap ramifications.

Renegotiations and contract upgrades have always been an area of contention between players and owners, but it has exploded this summer with Owens at the front of the line. Patriots All-Pro defensive lineman Richard Seymour, with two years remaining on his pact, is a camp no-show.

Javon Walker, unhappy making $515,000 after a breakout season in Green Bay, surprisingly reported to Packers camp, but wants a new contract with two years left on his rookie deal. Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward, who has made the last four Pro Bowls and has a year left on his contract, is not expected to report to camp and has threatened to sit until he gets a new deal. Jets defensive end John Abraham, also a camp no-show, has refused to sign the franchise tender with no long-term deal in sight. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has refused to sign San Diego's tender and did not report to camp.

Football is such a high-injury sport, it would make no financial sense for teams to guarantee seven-year deals. Besides, the old NFL theory is that players won't be motivated unless they fear getting cut and not getting paid. One solution would be guarantee shorter-term contracts for veterans, allowing players to get new deals two or three times during their careers after their rookie deals and eliminate the fictional last years of contracts. It would render signing bonuses obsolete. But it would require the NFL to change its business model.

Owens is expected to report to Eagles camp and avoid the $6,000 daily fine for players who are under contract and fail to report, but seems ready to make life miserable for the Eagles. A year ago, he signed a seven-year, $49 million deal with Philly. Nobody forced him to sign that contract. It included a $2.3 million signing bonus. Last year, he made a total of $9.16 million. His base salary this year is $3.25 million. Next March, he is due a $5 million roster bonus when he will be 32. There is speculation the Eagles will cut him next year, way short of paying him $49 million.

The Eagles have not budged on Owens: They have no intention of reworking his contract despite Owens hiring persistent and ubiquitous agent Drew Rosenhaus. Owens has made it ugly with the potential for it to get much worse, especially if he continues to take shots at Donovan McNabb.

Two other Rosenhaus clients, Colts running back Edgerrin James, who signed for the franchise number of about $8 million, and Walker, reported to camp when there was speculation that they would sit out. Walker wants an upgrade after catching 89 passes last season. Brett Favre made a mistake sticking his nose in Walker's business and that's another QB-WR relationship that may have been irreparably damaged.

Other NFL playes? Get in line. Time to cut a new deal for you.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: Oasis SportsBook

NFL Totals (week 1):

Oakland Raiders vs New England Patriots

Over 49 pts -110

Under 49 pts -110

Denver Broncos vs Miami Dolphins

Over 38.5 pts -110

Under 38.5 pts -110

Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns

Over 44.5 pts -110

Under 44.5 pts -110

Houston Texans vs Buffalo Bills

Over 40 pts -110

Under 40 pts -110

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Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, 2005 NFL Football, Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl , New England Patriots, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

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At the Colts' Camp, a Familiar Center of Distraction

2005-07-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

The Indianapolis Colts could have entered training camp with nothing to worry about beyond preparing for their early start to the preseason and finally making a run past the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl. Instead, as the team reported to camp Wednesday, much of the talk involved Edgerrin James.

The running back created a stir this week after it was reported that he would show up at camp on time but would refuse to go with the Colts to their preseason game in Tokyo. He had threatened to miss the start of camp because of his unhappiness with being named the team's designated franchise player and with his contract.

The Colts placed a franchise tag on James during the off season, and he signed a one-year deal for slightly more than $8 million, according to The Associated Press. After that, James's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he wanted a long-term deal and had permission to seek a trade.

It was not a scenario any of the players or coaches at camp were eager to discuss Wednesday, and nobody would speculate what would happen if James refused to make the trip for the Aug. 6 game. The Colts do not consider James's fear of flying a strong enough excuse for missing the trip, and James's documented disdain for preseason games will not let him off the hook.

James, who has a chilly relationship with reporters, made it to camp in time for the team's first meeting, according to the Colts' media relations department. But he did not speak with reporters, and there was no way to verify independently whether he actually arrived, because members of the news media were allowed to talk only with players showing up before 2 p.m. who went through the dormitory's front door.

The Colts have had their share of preseason issues in the past. Last year, Indianapolis was the last team in the N.F.L. to sign all of its players. Two seasons ago, Vanderjagt and quarterback Peyton Manning had a short public battle of words, with Vanderjagt questioning Manning's passion and Manning suggesting that nobody cared about an "idiot" kicker's opinion.

This week started well for Indianapolis, with the team agreeing to terms Tuesday with the first-round pick Marlin Jackson, a defensive back out of Michigan. James, who was the fourth-leading rusher in the league last season with 1,548 yards, will make the long flight to Japan if Manning has any influence over the situation.

NFL Football Betting Odds from: PinnacleSports

NFL Totals (week 1):

Oakland Raiders vs New England Patriots

Over 49 pts -106

Under 49 pts -104

Denver Broncos vs Miami Dolphins

Over 38.5 pts -102

Under 38.5 pts -108

Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns

Over 44.5 pts -105

Under 44.5 pts -105

Houston Texans vs Buffalo Bills

Over 40 pts -105

Under 40 pts -105

For live Sports Betting Game Tips, Scores, Odds and Lines, just click here: PinnacleSports or BODOG.

for more FIFA World Cup Soccer Betting Tips, Odds, Picks and Predictions, click here: World Cup Betting

Technorati: NFL, Football, NFL Football, 2005 NFL Football, Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl , 2005 NFL Season, NFL Football 2005, National Football League, NFL Betting Tips

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