Falcons sign first-round pick Weatherspoon
Football Betting Lines
07/29/2010 - Flowery Branch, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with their 2010 first-round draft pick, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, the club announced on Thursday.
Financial terms were not released.
The 6-foot-2, 244-pound linebacker was taken with the 19th overall selection in this year's draft out of the University of Missouri. In 53 games with the Tigers, Weatherspoon compiled 12 1/2 sacks, and four interceptions -- two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also had five forced fumbles, 17 passes defensed and 413 total tackles, which rank as the third-highest total in school history and 10th on the Big 12 Conference's all-time list.
Weatherspoon, who was a Butkus Award finalist as a senior, finished that year with 4 1/2 sacks, one interception and 111 tackles, including 14 1/2 for losses.
Ottawa, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Ottawa Senators on Thursday re-signed forward Peter Regin to a two-year contract. Regin, 24, registered 13 goals and 16 assists in 75 games with the Senators last season, his first full NHL campaig
<< Hughes named manager at Fulham
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fulham named Mark Hughes its new manager on
Thursday and signed him to a two-year contract.
The former Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City manager replaces Roy Hodgson,
who left to join Arsenal this offs
<< Kings' Greene sidelined three months following shoulder surgery
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Kings announced Thursday
that defenseman Matt Greene is expected to be sidelined approximately three
months after recently undergoing shoulder surgery.
Greene, 27, appeared in 75 gam
<< Real Madrid sold its 'soul' to Schalke
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Raul in Royal Blue? Fitting, I guess, even
if it's tough to imagine. Raul ended his 16-year stay at Real Madrid this week
and started his second life at Schalke on Thursday.
Signed to a "lifetime contract"
<< Desmond helps Nats win series from Braves
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ian Desmond went 2-for-3 with a home run and
drove in two, as the Washington Nationals edged the Atlanta Braves, 5-3, in
the rubber match of a three-game series.
Scott Olsen (3-2), who was reinstated from
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Anibal Sanchez was nearly perfect on the mound as he tossed his second career shutout in Florida's 5-0 win over San Francisco. Sanchez (8-6), who authored a no-hitter in 2006, gave up just one hi
Jimenez gets 16th win as Rockies snap eight-game slide >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ubaldo Jimenez turned in seven strong
innings and Clint Barmes drove in three runs as Colorado blitzed Pittsburgh,
9-3, to stop an eight-game losing skid in the finale of a three-game series at
Coors F
Orioles send Tejada to Padres >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles on Thursday traded
veteran infielder Miguel Tejada and cash considerations to the San Diego
Padres in exchange for right-hander Wynn Pelzer.
Tejada batted .269 with seven ho
Broncos come to terms with Tebow >>
Englewood, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Broncos agreed to terms with
quarterback Tim Tebow, a first-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, on
Thursday.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but The Denver Post reports it is a
Steelers sign former Cowboys T Adams >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly
signed veteran and longtime Dallas Cowboys tackle Flozell Adams.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Thursday revealed the deal is for two years.
A former second-ro
How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?
The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Football Betting Lines
The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.
Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.
Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.
A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.
Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.
Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.
And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.
2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win
Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1
Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1
Donald Brown (IND) 5/1
Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1
Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1
Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1
Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1
Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1
Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1
Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1
Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1
Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1
Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1
Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1
Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1
Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1
Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1
LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1
Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2
Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1
Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1
Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1
Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1
Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1
Jason Smith (STL) 40/1
Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1
Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1
Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1
Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2
Pat White (MIA) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 9/1
To visit this sports betting site go to BettingExpress.com for all your football betting lines needs.
For sports betting with credit cards site go to BettingExpress.com as well.