Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
09/30/2006 -
The Chris Simms story started last Sunday evening with a couple of Internet reports that said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was in ``critical condition.'' One of them added that his family had been called to his bedside.
It was all very alarming, with the not-too-subtle implication that the 26-year-old quarterback, who had just been beaten and battered in a loss to Carolina, might be on his death bed.
Alarm certainly was the reaction in the press box at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, where the Patriots were preparing to play the Broncos. It was much the same in Charlotte, where the word spread quickly - even reaching Carolina defensive lineman Al Wallace, who delivered one of the harder hits on Simms during the game.
``I tried to listen to the reports,'' Wallace said. ``I called my wife to see what happened. I scrambled home and started praying.''
What did the Bucs have to say about all this?
At first, nothing.
They stonewalled, the natural, knee-jerk response for NFL teams whenever they're questioned on health issues. But what opponent was going to gain an advantage from postgame misinformation that badly needed immediate clarification?
Finally, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and NBC, who has a longtime relationship with the Simms family, reached Chris' mother Diana about two hours after the report surfaced, and the truth came out: Simms had surgery to remove his spleen, and was not in any danger.
Thank you, Peter.
And thank you to the major media outlets, all aware of the reports but unwilling to go with sketchy information. That's unusual in an era when the emphasis often is on getting it first, if not necessarily right - leading to unsubstantiated or inaccurate information on the Web and over the air.
No thanks to the Bucs: GM Bruce Allen, coach Jon Gruden and whomever might have told team spokesman Jeff Kamis to say nothing. Only after King's report aired did the team finally issue a statement from team physician Dr. Joe Diaco.
A couple of hours too late for the thousands who surely heard the wrong thing and feared the worst.
Maybe we'll all learn.
The media have to police themselves on accepted standards for sourcing and accuracy. And the NFL and its teams have to pay more than lip service when it comes to providing information.
While NFL teams are notoriously mum about injury reports - citing a competitive advantage they don't care to yield - they also stall and stammer when bad news breaks, notably arrests or other off-field problems. In some cases, it works both ways, as it did in Dallas this week, when Bill Parcells seemed clueless about the events surrounding Terrell Owens' hospitalization.
``When I find out what the hell is going on, you will know,'' Parcells said after T.O. showed up at Cowboys headquarters with his publicist to explain he hadn't attempted suicide. ``Until then, I'm not getting interrogated for no reason.''
When San Diego safety Terrence Kiel was arrested last Tuesday, the team issued a vague statement saying it was aware of an ``off-the-field situation.'' But it declined further comment and gave no specifics. It took a press release from the Drug Enforcement Administration the next to day to specify that Kiel was called off the practice field and arrested on felony drug charges.
When Chargers linebacker Steve Foley was shot and wounded by police on Sept. 3, general manager A.J. Smith put him on non-football injured reserve, then told the media there was ``misinformation'' about Foley's situation. However, Smith refused to elaborate and told reporters they would have to get that information from his agent.
Yes, there's a lot to be said for ``innocent until proven guilty.'' There's a lot to be said for medical confidentiality.
But in an era when free-floating and erroneous information from dubious sources is on the Web or on the airwaves on a minute-by-minute basis, the people with the accurate information need to share it.
The Simms episode illustrated another potential problem. Doctors and trainers often follow the direction of the coach, and the message there is implied: When in doubt, clear injured players.
Simms, whose choirboy looks mask an inner toughness, was clearly hurting during Sunday's game with Carolina, went into the locker room to get examined, then returned to the game.
``In the huddle, he was gasping for air,'' receiver Michael Clayton said. ``He'd call part of the pass routes, then gasp for air and finish it. ... Everybody was saying: `Chris, are you OK?' You could tell he was fighting it.''
Gruden absolved his medical people the day after the game.
``Our doctors, our medical staff, checked him carefully; his abdomen, his chest, and he showed no symptoms whatsoever of any spleen injury, of any bleeding or anything of that kind,'' the coach said. ``So we felt he had a sore case of the ribs. Like many quarterbacks, like many football players, they've been able to push through it and finish a football game.''
Who's able to start a football game is just as much a cause for misinformation. Despite commissioner Paul Tagliabue's efforts to make injury reports more accurate, coaches still play games with it. When teams are chastised for leaving off injured players, they simply inflate the lists to include half the roster.
``I think they spend so much time playing with the list that they forget to game-plan,'' laughs Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Cowboys to Super Bowl victories after the 1992 and '93 seasons.
A watershed moment for injury gamesmanship came last October, when Falcons quarterback Michael Vick injured a knee against Minnesota and coach Jim Mora strongly hinted the next day that his one-of-a-kind QB could be fine.
``Who knows with this kid? He might run out there and start practicing on Wednesday. I wouldn't put it past him,'' Mora said at the time.
Vick was listed as ``probable'' on the official injury report until he was downgraded to ``questionable'' by Saturday. Then he missed the Falcons' game against the Patriots, infuriating Bill Belichick, one of the league's leading injury-report manipulators.
So Belichick, who had used wide receiver Bethel Johnson to simulate the elusive Vick in practice, ``retaliated'' the next week by upgrading a mass group of players from questionable to probable one day and downgrading them the next.
After the New England game, Mora was asked about Vick's status and replied: ``I will tell you Wednesday. ... Of course I told you that last week, too. Why would you ever believe me right now? I wouldn't.''
More disinformation: Agents routinely give out contract terms, often under a veil of anonymity. Then the team complains that the media got the numbers wrong, but decline to give out the right ones.
In other words, even the facts may not be facts.
---
DIRTY DOZEN: The top six and bottom six teams based on current level of play:
1. Indianapolis (3-0). Despite allowing nearly 162 yards rushing per game.
2. Seattle (3-0). Better than last year's Super Bowl team.
3. Cincinnati (3-0). Good win in Pittsburgh.
4. San Diego (2-0). Move down after trip to Baltimore?
5. Jacksonville (2-1). Could easily have won in Indy.
6. Chicago (3-0). Let's see how the Bears handle the Seahawks.
(tie) New Orleans (3-0). Feelgood team.
27. Cleveland (0-3. Decent effort against Ravens. But only an effort.
28. Miami (1-2). No credit for beating Tennessee at home.
29. Tennessee (0-2). Move up off tough effort in Miami.
30. Detroit (0-3). Nothing changed in five years.
31. Houston (0-3). Nothing changed since they were founded.
32. Oakland (0-2) Nothing changed after bye week.
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Jagr plays first game since offseason shoulder surgery
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -Jaromir Jagr hit the ice with the New York Rangers on Friday night for the first time since his dislocated left shoulder was repaired nearly five months ago.He took fairly regular shifts through every period of the Rangers' 2-1
<< Spurs look toward training camp, new season
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -Spurs guard Tony Parker said Friday the finger he broke last month while preparing for the world championships is ``100 percent.''Before leaving for 10 days of training camp in France, his home country, with the Spurs, Parker told
<< Phils short on sleep as they open season-ending series with Marlins
MIAMI (AP) -Following the Philadelphia Phillies' most recent endurance test, Jeff Conine arrived at home so late that two of his children had already left for school.``My daughter woke up this morning and said, `What time did daddy get home?''' Coni
<< Webber, Iverson long to lead 76ers back into postseason
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Allen Iverson stepped in front of the cameras looking like himself - wearing a No. 3 jersey, as much a part of his identity as his all-out play, with a headband wrapped snugly around his cornrows, grown longer down the neck.Iverso
Cardinals reliever has abdominal strain >>
ST. LOUIS (AP) -St. Louis Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock has been unavailable the last two games because of a lower abdominal strain, the team said Saturday.Trainer Barry Weinberg said Hancock, 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in 62 games, complained of pain af
40 Saves >>
The major league relief pitchers who have saved 40 or more games in a season with saves, team and year (date and game number of 40th save in parentheses):Through Sept. 3057 - Bobby Thigpen, Chicago White Sox, 1990 (Aug. 19, 118)55 - John Smoltz, Atl
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS (MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2006) >>
G AB R H BAGomez, BAL 21 71 6 31 .437Matsui, NYY 18 51 11 21 .412Grudzielanek, K-C 15 63 11 24 .381Cano, NYY 28 110 15
Vikings LB Leber out; Bills minus LB Spikes >>
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Vikings starting linebacker Ben Leber was listed as inactive for Minnesota's game Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, who were without linebacker Takeo Spikes for the third straight game.Leber sprained his left knee in a 19-16
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds
Will he or won't he? Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.
Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.
"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."
Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.
Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.
But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.
Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback. It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.
Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Baltimore Ravens 15-1
Buffalo Bills 50-1
Carolina Panthers 18-1
Chicago Bears 10-1
Cincinnati Bengals 15-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Dallas Cowboys 15-1
Denver Broncos 15-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
Green Bay Packers 50-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Indianapolis Colts 6-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 30-1
Miami Dolphins 40-1
Minnesota Vikings 75-1
New England Patriots 10-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 20-1
New York Jets 30-1
Oakland Raiders 100-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1
Saint Louis Rams 60-1
San Diego Chargers 6-1
San Francisco 49ers 75-1
Seattle Seahawks 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1
Tennessee Titans 40-1
Washington Redskins 50-1
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook credit cards needs.
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.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting