Posts Tagged ‘NFL betting’

April 20th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

Cappers Info's 2010 NFL Draft coverage starts with our analysis of the AFC teams and what position each team needs to address and what they might do with their first pick in the draft this year.

Kansas City Chiefs: Barring any trades, the Chiefs are the first team to make a selection in the AFC this year at #4. Drafting an offensive lineman makes a lot of sense for Kansas City, as QB Matt Cassel was under constant harassment last year. It is also going to need to address a lot of defensive positions, so even though Eric Berry may be a decent option, Iowa T Bryan Bulaga makes the most sense.

Cleveland Browns: What don't the Browns need? If by chance Sam Bradford is still on the board, he seems to be the logical selection for a team that just doesn't have a quarterback right now. However, in the likelihood that he is gone, it's probably just going to be a case where this team takes the best player available. Tennessee S Eric Berry may be the best player in this draft period, and he'll be a great addition for Cleveland at #7.

Oakland Raiders: Does anyone in the Oakland War Room have any idea what Al Davis is thinking? Save perhaps a quarterback and a running back, the Raiders could do just about anything at Pick #8, as the team just has a million gaps in their lineup. If Oklahoma T Trent Williams is still available, expect to see him be in silver and black next year.

Buffalo Bills: Quarterback. That's where the Bills have to go at some point in this draft, but there's still a question if Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen is that man or not. There's a big need for an explosive playmaker on the offensive side of the ball as well. Buffalo is also certainly going offense with this pick, and we can see the Bills taking Clemson RB CJ Spiller with the #9 pick.

Jacksonville Jaguars: If the Jaguars trade down, don't be shocked if QB Tim Tebow is the pick for them considering that he is the local boy and a Jacksonville native. However, if they stay at #10, they're going to need to probably address the defense at some point for a team that only registered 14 sacks all year in 2009. Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan is a logical choice.

Denver Broncos: The Broncos need some major help on defense, but they also have glaring needs at offensive line and wide receiver. With WR Brandon Marshall now gone, this could be where Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant ultimately ends up in what could be a total slam dunk or a horrifying blunder by the Denver front office.

Miami Dolphins: Miami's wide receiver problem was addressed by picking up the aforementioned Marshall, so the Fins are probably going defense. Considering the 3-4 defensive scheme, if Alabama LB Rolando McClain fell this far, the Dolphins would be doing cartwheels.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans are going to have to fill a major hole at defensive end with DE Kyle Vanden Bosch leaving through free agency. Morgan may still be on the board this late, but if he isn't, South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who has been rocketing up draft boards could be the pick. Don't be shocked to see a linebacker go here as well, especially if McClain is still available.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have a huge need at offensive line for an aging group that did a miserable job of protecting QB Ben Roethlisberger last season. There are going to be plenty of options available here. In order, Pittsburgh would probably prefer Rutgers OT Anthony Davis, Idaho OT Mike Iupati, or Florida C Maurkice Pouncey.

Houston Texans: The Texans have made no bones about what they're aiming at in this year's draft. They need a running back and a defensive back of some kind. A reach for RB Ryan Mathews is possible, but if S Earl Thomas is there, he's going to be the pick. Houston already failed once by passing on a local Texas boy by not drafting LB Derrick Thomas (and instead going with Florida State DT Travis Johnson, who has never been heard from since), so it won't pass on a chance to grab a local star again.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals would be awfully upset at #21 if Houston grabbed Thomas one pick in front of them, but another Texas man would be a logical pick as well with LB Sergio Kindle. A wide receiver is also an option here, as WR Chad Ochocinco badly needs another friend in his receiving corps.

New England Patriots: Ever since Bill Parcells was calling the shots in New England, the Pats have gone with the "best player available" strategy. There really aren't any glaring holes on this team, but there are going to be plenty of value picks here. Bryant may still be on the board, but TE Jermaine Grisham is a better selection and can really stretch the middle of the field and open things up for WR Randy Moss on the outside.

Baltimore Ravens: Picking up WR Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals probably ended Baltimore's search for wide receivers, which opens the door for one of the most frightening defenses in the NFL to try to reload just a bit more. Penn State's DE Jared Odrick is another man that could step into the fold as a madman hybrid type of player that the Ravens just love. He could be the pick at #25.

San Diego Chargers: The Bolts have left themselves with some major holes to fill this season after getting rid of RB LaDainian Tomlinson and DB Antonio Cromartie. If Fresno State's RB Ryan Mathews is still on the board, he is a logical selection, as San Diego loves those smaller type of running backs that can zip through small holes.

New York Jets: If the Jets believe that there is any chance that DT Kris Jenkins might not be ready for the season, taking a nose tackle may be a wise option this late in the first round. Tennessee's Dan Williams is a perfect fit for this defense, though Alabama DT Terrance "Mount" Cody is also an option. If nothing else, Cody could rival HC Rex Ryan as the biggest man on the team bus.

Indianapolis Colts: Trying to figure out what the Colts are going to draft is always a difficult prospect. They really don't have any major glaring needs, it does seem as though the offensive line is where GM Bill Polian is going to want to go. The run on offensive linemen may be gone though. Still, USC OT Charles Brown seems like a logical fit.

 
April 20th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

Cappers Info's 2010 NFL Draft coverage continues with our analysis of the NFC teams and what position each team needs to address and what they might do with their first pick in the draft this year.

St. Louis Rams: The Rams still have to decide if they want to go with a defensive tackle or Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford with the #1 pick in the draft. Bradford is the far more logical option in spite of the fact that the team just traded former first round DT Adam Carricker. Look for the Oklahoma signal caller to be the man under center in St. Louis for the next decade.

Detroit Lions: There doesn't seem to be much doubt about the fact that the Lions are going with a defensive tackle in Round 1 of the draft. Even though most prefer the man that Tampa Bay is going to be looking at, expect yet another Sooner DT Gerald McCoy to be the selection. Left tackle is also a huge team need to protect last year's #1 overall pick QB Matthew Stafford.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: If the Lions really take McCoy, you'll see someone in pewter running up to the podium with the name "Ndamukong Suh" on a card. Many feel as though the Nebraska DT is the best player on the board in this draft, and the Bucs would love to have him. Tampa Bay will address needs at wide receiver and defensive back (specifically safety) as well in this draft.

Washington Redskins: QB Jimmy Clausen could be the pick for the Skins, as Donovan McNabb is most likely only a short term answer. However, knowing owner Daniel Snyder, he'll want Washington to take an immediate impact player. There's almost no doubt that one of the offensive linemen behemoths is going to be the pick here, so we'll look for Washington to go with Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung.

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks have a pair of first round picks to work with this year, and if they're feeling frisky, they may try to package them to move up in the draft. However, landing any of the offensive tackles in the top end of the round should suit Seattle, and Oklahoma OT Trent Williams is a legitimate choice.

San Francisco 49ers: If Clausen slips this far, San Francisco is going to be thrilled to have him at #13. Regardless, the Niners are going to be looking for a playmaker, and if Clemson RB CJ Spiller isn't still on the board, Florida's DB Joe Haden makes a lot of sense as well. This is probably going to be a "best player available" type of situation. San Fran also picks at #17 as well.

New York Giants: Ideally, the Giants would land LB Rolando McClain from Alabama, but if he is already off of the board, they're probably going to have to go with a best player available feeling as well. Many are tabbing Rutgers OT Anthony Davis as the man here, but DE Jason Pierre Paul out of South Florida may be a possibility as well.

Atlanta Falcons: The cornerback problem for the Falcons was solved when DB Dunta Robinson was acquired via free agency. Atlanta would love to see either Pierre-Paul or Georgia Tech's DE Derrick Morgan fall to it as well, but if that doesn't happen, Michigan DE Brandon Graham seems to be the next best choice to be the bookend for John Abraham.

Green Bay Packers: It's going to be all about the defense for the Packers this year. They'd love to grab one of those in between type of LB/DEs, and TCU's Jerry Hughes fits that mold perfectly. He's the most logical selection at Pick #23.

Philadelphia Eagles: Whether it is a safety or a corner, it seems that defensive back is the biggest concern for HC Andy Reid and the Eagles. Texas S Earl Thomas makes sense, but Boise State DB Kyle Wilson is a solid athlete that will fit in well with a very physically gifted Philly squad.

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are a bit of a mess after a tumultuous offseason. They're going to need to address several defensive positions, but the offense isn't exactly solid as well. If Florida State's Patrick Robinson is still sitting there, Arizona may grab him as a big corner to go up against some of the strong passing games in the NFC West.

Dallas Cowboys: Glitz and glamour. That's what the Cowboys have always been about. Don't be overly shocked if this is where QB Tim Tebow comes off the board, but more logically speaking, safety is a big need. Jerry Jones would be happy to see USC's S Taylor Mays still sitting there for him at #27.

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings may elect to draft a quarterback for the future here in Texas QB Colt McCoy or Tebow, but we think that defensive tackle is going to be the better option for a team that is starting to get really old at that position. Alabama's Terrance Cody would be a "huge" acquisition for Minnesota at #30.

New Orleans Saints: Though a safety would be nice to replace Darren Sharper, outside linebacker is also a prime concern for the defending champs. Missouri's Sean Weatherspoon is a freakish athlete that can fly around the field, and he's just the type of player that HC Sean Payton's defense needs to invest in.

Chicago Bears: The Bears don't have a first round draft pick courtesy of the deal that brought QB Jay Cutler to town. Expect to see Chicago go after either an offensive linemen or possibly one of the several playmaking wide receivers to compliment Devin Hester.

Carolina Panthers: Carolina could really use a quarterback right now to replace QB Jake Delhomme. Though the Panthers don't have a first round pick, they may be in a position at #48 to snare Tim Tebow if he falls that far. If not, Colt McCoy could also be an option. A speed rusher to replace the departed DE Julius Peppers may also be in line.

 
April 12th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

Send us your wounded. Send us your insane. Don't mind us. We'll just go contend for another Super Bowl.

That's what the New York Jets are thinking right now. A year ago, they traded for the embattled Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards. All he did from Week 5 through the end of the season in green and white was bring in 35 receptions for 541 yards and four scores. Though those numbers are relatively pedestrian, he was certainly a big play threat for rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who needed all the help that he could get to go along with WR Jerricho Cotchery, who only caught three touchdown passes in 2010.

For lack of a better term, was this franchise out of its mind? After all, acquiring Edwards on offense seemed to do nothing but compliment a defense that was already considered a bit off its rocker. That 'D', headed up by Captain Crazy himself, HC Rex Ryan, was insistent on sending six, seven, or maybe even eight blitzers on the same play.

That "crazy" club not only made the playoffs, but after they got there, Ryan proclaimed that the Jets should be the favorites, not just to win their first round game against the Bengals, but to "win the whole darn thing."

Pardon my French, but damn was he almost right!

GM Mike Tannenbaum continued the offseason shenanigans by signing RB LaDainian Tomlinson, a man that was basically cast out of San Diego for his declining stats. Is there any doubt that LT is going to go off for a dozen touchdowns again just to spite the Chargers?

The pillaging of the Bolts continued when the Jets traded a conditional mid-round draft pick for CB Antonio Cromartie. The former first round draft pick fell out of favor in San Diego, but he is still one of the most talented defensive backs in the league. Pair him with the rising star, DB Darrelle Revis, and New York could have the most talented secondary that the NFL has seen in decades.

Now on Monday, the Jets finalized a deal that sent Pittsburgh Steelers WR Santonio Holmes to the Big Apple for a fifth round draft pick.

Holmes had a real bust out year in 2009 for the Steelers, catching 79 balls for 1,248 yards. Now, he packs his bags to New York, even though he'll have to sit out the first four games of the year after getting nailed for substance abuse.

The schedule is going to be significantly hard this year for New York than it was a year ago when it swiped the final playoff spot in the AFC. However, if you can find the right price on the Jets, they may be worth taking.

Don't let the fact that Holmes and Edwards will be suspended for the first four games of the season scare you. This is still a team that plays ridiculous defense, and DT Kris Jenkins should be back to even further nail down that defense that really became prominent in the postseason.

On top of that, it's pretty clear that Ryan isn't afraid of taking on anyone. Bring on Brady. Bring on Manning. Let's get it on with Rivers.

One thing is for certain. If Ryan can figure out how to keep his Jets just as insane as they were in 2009, with or without all of the distractions and off the field issues, there isn't going to be a team in the NFL that wants to match up with them in the 2010 NFL betting campaign.

The Jets can be found at +1500 to win the Super Bowl at Sportsbook.com.

 
April 5th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

For QB Donovan McNabb, his NFL career has to be one of sheer frustration. After all, when then Commission Paul Tagliabue stepped up to the microphone and announced, "With the second pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select…" everyone clad in green and white was hoping to hear the name, "Ricky Williams."

Instead, that sentence out of the commish's mouth ended with, "quarterback Donovan McNabb, Syracuse."

Let the booing begin.

The press in Philadelphia, which is known to be just a tad bit on the harsh side, made a mockery out of the move from the get go, saying how much more the Eagles would've done with Williams in their backfield than McNabb under center.

All that McNabb did in his 11 years in Philadelphia was bring the team to five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl. He only threw for 216 touchdown passes against 100 picks and only ran for another 28 scores with his own two legs. He has only thrown for at least 16 touchdown passes every year since his rookie campaign. He only threw for 32,873 yards and averaged 222.1 yards per game in his career. He only completed 59.0 percent of his passes.

Oh yeah, and he's only a Hall of Famer.

But apparently, McNabb wasn't good enough for the Eagles, and now, he's been shipped out of town.

It's not unusual to see a player at the end of his career ultimately end up playing somewhere outside of the city that made him famous. After all, Emmitt Smith played in Arizona. Jerry Rice ended up in Oakland and Seattle for awhile. Joe Montana finished with the Chiefs, as did Warren Moon. Heck, even Vinny Testaverde left Tampa Bay after awhile.

But in the wee hours of Sunday night, McNabb was traded within his own division, as he is now going to be Mike Shanahan's starting quarterback as a member of the Washington Redskins.

In exchange, all that Philly got back was a second round draft pick this year, and either a third or a fourth in 2011.

You don't think that the Syracuse product has the game in Philadelphia circled on his calendar already, do you?

What this means for football bettors is that the face of the NFC East has turned over. Unless former Houston Cougars' QB Kevin Kolb or the beleaguered QB Michael Vick can prove that he is ready to step up and be a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL, the Eagles are probably going to turn themselves into a team that is battling for draft position as opposed to one that is fighting for a championship.

For Washington, the need for a quarterback became apparently when QB Jason Campbell really failed to progress under the tutelage of HC Jim Zorn, who was known as a quarterback expert as a coordinator. Many thought that QB Sam Bradford out of Oklahoma was going to be the man that owner Dan Snyder looked to in the NFL Draft. But with speculation swirling that Bradford was heading to St. Louis, the Skins had to make a move.

They made a huge one.

This isn't the first time that a quarterback was traded from Philadelphia to Washington. The McNabb trade came just three days after the 46th anniversary of the Eagles trading Sonny Jurgensen to the Redskins for QB Norm Snead and DB Claude Crabb. All that Jurgensen did was become known as one of the greatest pure passers of his time and lead Washington from the depths of obscurity into a Super Bowl contender in the 1970s.

And just like Jurgensen, who was booted out of Philadelphia after simply not being good enough, McNabb faces the exact same challenge in Washington.

On yesterday's trade, Jurgensen simply said, "These guys never learn."

If the Eagles don't fly back to the playoffs in 2010 and Washington does instead, the press will still be swarming in Philadelphia, but the next people that are going to be asked to leave town for not being good enough are HC Andy Reid and GM Howie Roseman.

Maybe the Eagles organization needs to look itself in the mirror. It might not have been Donovan McNabb's fault that they never won a championship after all.

 
January 30th, 2010 By Andrew "Mr. Multi-Task" Ryan - Cappersinfo Contributor

Super Bowl XLIV betting action commences on Sunday February 7th, and this matchup is one of the most anticipated in years. The New Orleans Saints (15-3, 9-9 ATS) and Indianapolis Colts (16-2, 12-5-1 ATS) will engage in NFL gambling warfare in what has the potential to be one of the most electrifying Super Bowls of all-time. The oddsmakers in Las Vegas originally opened the Colts as 3.5-point favorites, but that line has since shot up as high as six at some offshore sportsbooks. The Super Bowl wagering odds feature a 'total' of 56.5, and you can find those lines right now at BetUS Sportsbook.

New Orleans is the decided underdog of this game largely due to the fact that its quarterback's name isn't Peyton Manning. QB Drew Brees put up very comparable numbers to those of the future Hall of Famer in the regular season though, as he threw for 4,388 yards and 34 TDs against 11 INTs in 15 starts. Manning ended the regular season with 4,500 passing yards and 33 touchdowns versus 16 picks.

Manning does seem to have more quality weapons at his disposal than does Brees, but again, the discrepancy is probably a lot closer than one would think. Brees' top targets are WRs Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem. That trio of receivers combined to catch a whopping 166 passes for 2,600 yards, and 20 TDs in the regular season. Manning has utilized WRs Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon more in the postseason than he is accustomed to, but those two both put up comparable numbers to the best of what New Orleans has to offer. Even though the Saints will utilize both RBs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas more than the Colts will use RB Joseph Addai in the passing game, what Indy has that New Orleans doesn't is that one big-time receiver that will always be there as a security blanket for Manning. WR Reggie Wayne caught 100 passes in the regular season for 1,264 yards and ten TDs. There may not be a better tight end in the league in the passing game than Dallas Clark, who also had 100 receptions and ten visits to the end zone in the regular season.

Neither team focuses in on the rush as much as it does the pass. The Colts threw passes on nearly 63% of their downs in 2009. Addai did score ten rushing touchdowns behind an offensive line than only conceded ten sacks of Manning all season, but his rushing total (828 yards) was pedestrian for a starting running back. New Orleans was a bit more rush-conscious, as it only threw the ball a shade under 55% of the time on the year. Thomas, Bush, and RB Mike Bell all had fantastic regular seasons, as they combined to rush for 1,837 yards and 16 TDs. Much like Indianapolis, the Saints feature an offensive line that does a fantastic job of keeping Brees off of the turf, as he was only sacked 20 times in his 15 starts.

Defensively, the numbers don't lie. Neither squad's strength rests on that side of the football. New Orleans came into the postseason ranked 25th in total 'D', allowing 357.8 yards per game. Indianapolis wasn't much better, conceding 339.2 yards per game, 18th in the NFL. However, both of these teams can put pressure on the quarterback and force turnovers. The Saints forced the second most turnovers in the NFL in the regular season (39), while Indy cashed in on 26 blunders by the opposition. The Colts recorded 34 QB sacks in '09, while the Saints only had one fewer.

All time, the Colts are 2-1 SU and ATS in their franchise's three Super Bowl appearance. New Orleans will be in its first Super Bowl in team history next Sunday. The underdog has covered the football betting lines in back-to-back championship games and is 6-2 ATS and is 3-5 SU over the L/8 Super Bowl gambling matches.