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07/07/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - We now know that the LeBron James sweepstakes is set to end Thursday night in prime time, but the NHL's biggest free agent may take a little longer to choose his next team.
It was originally expected that Ilya Kovalchuk wouldn't last long on the open market, as is normally the case when supreme NHL talent is available via free agency. But, here we are, nearly a week into hockey's summer shopping season and a certain Russian sniper has still yet to make a decision on his future.
Heading into free agency it appeared the New Jersey Devils, who acquired Kovalchuk from the Atlanta Thrashers at the last trade deadline, and the Los Angeles Kings had the best chance of signing the five-time 40-goal scorer, but now it seems that leaving the NHL to play back home in Russia is a distinct possibility.
At the present time, smart money says the Devils have the best chance at signing Kovalchuk, but news reports out of Russia are suggesting that SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL is close to locking up the superstar for $9 million a year.
Now, the Kings, who were said to be out of the Kovi sweepstakes earlier this week when he reportedly turned down LA's offer of 13 years, $84 million, are said to be back in the race.
Also, depending on who you listen to, the New York Islanders are in the mix to sign Kovalchuk, but if you believe that, then I've got a Lighthouse Project at Long Island to sell you.
Through all these rumors, we've heard next-to-nothing from the Kovalchuk camp. On Monday, Kovalchuk's North American agent, Jay Grossman, revealed on Twitter that his client was "looking to make a decision on his future today," but eight hours later we were told there would be "no announcement tonight." If that was an elaborate plan by Grossman to increase his Twitter followers, then it worked, but we haven't heard anything of consequence from the agent since.
If I were Kovalchuk, it wouldn't take me long to figure out that the Kings were my best NHL option.
With the Devils, Kovalchuk would maybe have a better chance to win a Stanley Cup next year or two seasons from now, but the Kings and their talented, young roster are set up to compete for titles for the next decade or so. All LA really lacks is a potent sniper, and with 338 goals in 621 career games, there has been no one with more tallies than Kovalchuk since he entered the league with the Thrashers back in 2001-02.
Only Alex Ovechkin is a better pure scorer and considering Kovalchuk's countryman is signed with Washington through 2020-21, we may never see Ovie hit the open market. So, if a goal-scorer is what you covet, there is no better option than Kovalchuk. That being said, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi needs to find a way to sign Kovalchuk without jeopardizing his young team's salary cap situation in the future.
Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello also has cap issues to think about when considering signing Kovalchuk. The team will likely need to unload money before the start of the regular season to make the cap situation work.
As for Kovalchuk's KHL option, there is little the North American media can offer on that subject. Kovalchuk's Russian agent suggested earlier this week that his client was certainly leaning towards staying in the NHL, but we can't really know how strongly the winger is considering playing professionally in his home country.
If Kovalchuk winds up playing in the KHL, it would be a huge loss for North American hockey. There are few players who can take over a game offensively like Kovalchuk, and a move to Russia would rob NHL fans of a chance to witness one of the game's greatest talents.
One hopes that Kovalchuk's ultimate decision isn't based primarily on money, but it would be hard to blame him if it was. For all the knocks on his game, like he doesn't play defense or the fact that has never even won a playoff series, Kovalchuk's unique sniping ability allows him to command top dollar and, at 27 years of age, there is no better time to capitalize on his value to a prospective NHL or KHL team.
Kovalchuk's impending decision may have taken a back seat to LeBron's all- consuming search for an NBA destination, but that doesn't make it of any less interest to die-hard hockey fans. I certainly hope Kovi makes a choice soon, but let's pray he doesn't need to take up an hour of prime time TV in order to come that decision.
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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.
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.
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.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
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
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
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