Status Quo for Lions

Football Betting Lines

12/20/2006 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Lions have never beaten Brett Favre in Lambeau Field, and despite the veteran quarterback's three interceptions, nothing changed this past Sunday. Detroit lost for the 12th time this season (and seventh time in seven tries on the road).

"The effort and the energy was there, the execution was not," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "It was not good enough."

That has been the theme in Detroit this year. In fact, with this being the sixth consecutive double-digit-loss season, that has been the theme since basically the start of the millennium (or "Millen-nium").

Jon Kitna threw a pair of interceptions and has now thrown a pick in 12 straight games - seven of which were multi-pick games.

The running game seems to have gone on Injured Reserve along with Kevin Jones and his Lisfranc foot injury. Ex-Ram Arlen Harris (and ex-Lion, too - he was initially cut after training camp) carried the ball nine times for 18 yards. Harris was able to catch five balls for 33 yards, but that had a lot to do with the Lions' inability to get the rock downfield to the receivers. Harris is expected to start the final two weeks of the season.

"It's terribly frustrating," Kitna said. "You play this game and every week the only goal is to win. And when you're not doing it, the frustration mounts. It's just...what can you say? It's frustrating. You can't let it crush you."

MIKE WILLIAMS SHOWS UP

In a classic example of looking on the bright side, it can be noted that Lions fans watching the game Sunday finally got to see glimpses of former first- round pick Mike Williams. The 6-4, 229-pounder from USC was the oversized target wearing No. 88 who beat Charles Woodson over the middle on more than one occasion.

"About the last four weeks, I thought each week in practice he's been getting better," said Marinelli of Williams. "How he's doing and how he's performing. As he grows you can see the impact he can have for us.

"I mean, that's a positive today. I just want to keep encouraging him to get better, to do things right every day, how he practices and prepares. As he can see, we need him."

Heading into Sunday, Williams had been active for just five games and had registered one catch on the year. Against the Packers, he had three receptions for 42 yards, and also drew a pass interference penalty.

Mike Martz has not been fond of the ex-Trojan's practice habits or lack of professionalism and the Lions offense demands more speed at the wideout position than what Williams offers. But after watching Williams work the middle against Green Bay, it is obvious that he possesses certain skills that you want on the field. One can't help but wonder if a move to the tight end position wouldn't be a bad idea. The problem there, however, is that Williams probably cannot be counted on to learn new assignments (he has struggled with the ones he has as it is), and he would almost certainly be a liability as a blocker.

The Lions will have a chance to evaluate Williams and get a better feel for what he is able to do over the final two weeks of the season. His outing in Week 15 was a good start.

NFL SUSPENDS ASSISTANT FOR ONE GAME

Lions defensive line coach Joe Cullen has been suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for one game for what was described as "conduct detrimental to the team." Cullen made headlines back in the preseason for going through a Wendy's drive-thru sans clothing. Eight days after that citation, he was arrested for driving under the influence.

The Lions had already suspended Cullen earlier in the season but he was permitted to work with the defensive line throughout the week. In this instance, he cannot.

"The league had previously informed us of this possibility, so this was not unexpected," Marinelli said in a statement. "I do want to say that I am really proud of how Joe has responded to his mistake. He has been getting treatment and has done a commendable job in dealing with his problem. He has definitely learned from his mistake and has moved forward in a very positive manner."

WHO'S HOT

Linebacker Paris Lenon had a nice showing against his former Packer team. Lenon intercepted a Brett Favre pass in the end zone, and also led Detroit with eight tackles on the afternoon.

WHO'S NOT

Quarterback Jon Kitna struggled working behind a very sub-par offensive line. Kitna was 16-of-26 for 135 yards, with zero touchdowns, and three turnovers (two interceptions, one lost fumble).

NEXT UP

The Lions host the Chicago Bears on Christmas Eve. This potential massacre should be watered down by the fact that the Bears have clinched homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and thus will have nothing to play for.

---

Andy Benoit is the author of Touchdown 2006: Everything You Need to Know About the NFL This Year. For more information or to contact Benoit, visit www.touchdown2006.com.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

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Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.

Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting

So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.

Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?

If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)

Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).

In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.

Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.

The Bubble Breakdown
CONFERENCE LOCKS SHOULD BE INS AT-LARGES TAKEN
(assuming no auto bid outlier)
ACC Betting Odds 6 0 5
Big East Betting Odds 5 0 4
Big Ten Betting Odds 2 2 3
Big 12 Betting Odds 3 0 2
Pac-10 Betting Odds 5 1 5
SEC Betting Odds 4 0 3
MVC Betting Odds 1 1 1
MWC Betting Odds 2 1 2
TOTAL 28 5 25

As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.

(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)

If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech

The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.

 

Work left to do:

Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.

Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).

Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

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