Category Archives: NFL Football

The National Football League (NFL) is the highest level of professional American football in the United States. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing its name to the National Football League in 1922.

NFL Betting: 49ers add Brandon Jacobs to help Frank Gore in backfield

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The have signed away another key piece of the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants offense as bruising running back is headed to the NFC West champs – and the team the Giants squeaked by in the NFC title game.

The Niners have one of the league’s best runners in , but he has been injury prone in his career. Jacobs will mostly fill a role as a short-yardage/goal-line back and to give Gore the occasional breather.

The Giants released Jacobs earlier this month rather than pay him a $500,000 roster bonus to go along with the $4.4 million he was due this season. The Giants met with his representatives during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis late last month and requested he hack that number down to a much more manageable figure. Jacobs resisted. His -cap number for this upcoming season was $7 million (the $4.9 million plus a $100,000 workout bonus and a $2-million prorated portion of the signing bonus).

Jacobs, who turns 30 in July, had an up-and-down 2011 with the Giants. Playing behind Ahmad Bradshaw, Jacobs rushed for only 571 yards in 2011, his lowest total since 2006, and was booed at times by New York fans. He averaged 3.8 yards a carry this past season, the second lowest of his career since he become a regular contributor. The Giants also struggled at times in short-yardage situations, and Jacobs shouldered some of that blame.

New York had talked about bringing Jacobs back and the Baltimore Ravens also kicked the tires on him. The Giants are likely to bring someone in to protect Bradshaw in case he gets hurt. Bradshaw is a solid back when he’s on the field, but he’s had over 175 carries once in his career and has had some fumbling problems. Bradshaw is currently working his way back from yet another a stress fracture in his foot and recently needed an injection to help with the healing. Former Bengals RB Cedric Benson could be a possibility to be signed.

San Francisco last week signed former Giants receiver Mario Manningham to a two-year contract. Also to help that offense, the 49ers brought Randy Moss out of retirement. So QB Alex Smith, who recently got a new contract, should have more weapons at his disposal.

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NFL Betting: Tebow and Sanchez Combo Could Help Jets NFL Futures

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From a football standpoint, pissing off your NFL future (quarterback Mark Sanchez) to make a  free agent smash (QB Tim Tebow) in your NFL present doesn’t make much sense.
From a bettor’s standpoint however, this might not be a bad idea. The New York Jets are currently 25/1 to win the 2013 Super Bowl, and they have as good a chance as any second-tier squad to shock the NFL and take football’s biggest prize.

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The reason for the Tebow trade is simply what the coaching staff has realized about Mark Sanchez, he is not the next Tom Brady, he’s not even the next Philip Rivers. He’s a second-tier quarterback who needs a strong team on both sides of the ball to be effective. And even then it takes a little luck once the playoffs begin.
That lucky piece is Tebow. The Jets plan on playing Tebow up to “20 snaps” per game. And that is because he can do two things for Sanchez and this offense:
1. Open up the run game. Like most scrambling quarterbacks Tebow helps the running game with defenses focused on stopping his running ability. Jets coach Rex Ryan got his team to the playoffs two years straight with a tough defense and a running game that would dominate time of possession. If Tebow can help the Jets burn clock, it will help their dominant defense, which, for the Jets, has proven to translate into wins.

2. Tebow Time. Sorry, but there’s no Sanchez time for a reason. Tebow can barely throw, but he has some “higher power” on his side when it comes to those clutch moments. Having Tebow slot into the game for those moments can help confuse defenses at the very least. Perhaps even helping Sanchez pull off a little Tebow magic himself when called upon. The Jets lost some heartbreakers last year, including one contest to the Tebow led Denver Broncos, having a closer like Tebow will help cover those moneyline bets.
Although the Bovada Sportsbook doesn’t have regular season OVER/Unders, it is very possible the Jets can be a solid bet when it’s Tebow Time come the 2012-2013 season.

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Tim Tebow’s future down to two teams: Jaguars or Jets

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According to a report out of Orlando, the Denver Broncos could trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars or New York Jets as early as today according to TV station WKMG, citing a source close to Tebow.

The Jaguars were long considered a favorite to land Tebow – they are +175 on the WagerWeb.com prop on where Tebow plays in 2012. Tebow is from the Jacksonville area and still a legend in the Sunshine State after winning a Heisman at the University of Florida and becoming arguably the most popular college football player ever. Tebow led the Broncos to an 8-8 record and the AFC West title last season after taking over for Kyle Orton, but Tebow was the NFL’s lowest-rated passer.

The Broncos signed Peyton Manning on Tuesday, making Tebow expendable because he simply can’t function as a backup in the kind of offense that the Broncos will run with Manning. Tebow reportedly asked Broncos boss John Elway to make trading him to Jacksonville a priority, although obviously Elway will take the best offer for Denver. Tebow likely would start for the Jags because he would help fill seats in an often half-empty stadium. Jacksonville did draft Blaine Gabbert in the first round of last year’s draft, but he struggled. The team also signed former Dolphins second-round pick Chad Henne as a free agent this offseason.

The Jets are the intriguing other team as they already have Mark Sanchez in place. Tebow would put massive pressure on Sanchez – or New York could use Tebow as some sort of gimmick quarterback as a change of pace. Tebow could run the wildcat formation, a favorite of head coach Rex Ryan and new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. In addition, the Jets believe Tebow could have a positive effect in repairing their dysfunctional locker room.

The move also would give the Jets a huge surge of interest. Members of the Jets organization have noticed what Jeremy Lin has done with the Knicks, and Tebow in New York could be even bigger. Plus the Jets have fallen behind the Super Bowl champion Giants in terms of interest in the Big Apple.

The Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins also were interested in Tebow but the TV reports says it’s down to the Jags and Jets. Tebow was expected to be dealt for a third-round pick.

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Alex Smith will return to San Francisco 49ers

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It has been a lousy offseason for the Miami Dolphins. They didn’t get the coach they wanted in Jeff Fisher, who instead chose a St. Louis Rams team that won two games last season. And they didn’t get Peyton Manning, who didn’t even seriously consider the Fins. Miami also lost out on free agent QB Matt Flynn even though he played in Green Bay under new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin.

And the rejections have continued as 49ers quarterback , after visiting Miami, has decided to return to the 49ers even though the team was publicly courting Manning as well. Smith agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal and will be the team’s starter in 2012 after leading the Niners to the NFC title game a season ago.

There has been speculation that the bumpy road to this signing had adversely affected the previously tight relationship between coach Jim Harbaugh and Smith, who reportedly met for an hour Monday. As he left the team facility Tuesday night, Harbaugh dismissed the notion, while declining to discuss specifics of the negotiations with Smith.

“[The relationship’s] been good — strong relationship, as always,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a very strong relationship.”

After six largely disappointing seasons, Smith changed in 2011, his first season with Harbaugh. Playing on a one-year contract with a base salary of $4.9 million, he ranked ninth in the NFL in quarterback rating (90.7), set a franchise record for interception percentage (1.1) and led five fourth-quarter comebacks, which included a 36-32 win over the Saints in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Given his performance, the team’s contract offer didn’t appear to reflect his market value. Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, who ranked 22nd in the NFL in quarterback rating (79.1) last season, was signed to a six-year, $59 million contract with $24 million guaranteed in October. On Sunday, Seattle signed former Green Bay backup Flynn, who has two career starts, to a three-year, $26 million deal with $10 million guaranteed.

Colin Kaepernick, a second-round pick last year, remains No. 2. Before free agency, Harbaugh had said that Smith was “our guy.” And now? “Nothing’s changed,” Harbaugh said.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, will enter the season with Matt Moore and David Garrard, who missed last season after being cut by Jacksonville, to battle for the starting QB job.

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Saints head coach Sean Payton suspended for 2012 season

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The NFL has dropped the hammer on the for their bounty scandal as the team will not have had coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season and also loses two second-round draft picks (one this year, one next) and must pay a $500,000 fine.

New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis was also hit with an eight-game suspension and a $500,000 fine, and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, now with the Rams and who ran the bounty program, has been suspended indefinitely. Assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt was hit with a six-game suspension without pay as well.

The punishments come against a backdrop of looming litigation. A growing number of players have filed lawsuits against the NFL and various equipment makers, alleging the parties were insufficiently diligent in making player safety a priority. Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear he wants player safety to be a hallmark of his time as commissioner, pushing for rules changes that protect players on the field and levying heavy fines against players for hits ruled too savage.

The NFL revealed in early March an investigation which found more than 20 defensive players for the Saints participated in a “bounty” system from 2009 to ’11 which rewarded individuals with cash for harming opposing players. The league found that the cash pool reached $50,000 or more during the 2009 playoffs, and players were paid $1,500 for a “knockout” and $1,000 for a “cart-off” with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs. Money was provided primarily by players. The NFL said the amounts reached their height in 2009, the season the Saints won the Super Bowl.

All such payments violate league rules for non-contract bonuses. Williams administered the program, and the NFL says Payton was not a direct participant, yet was aware of the allegations and “failed to stop the bounty program.” Goodell will review Williams’ status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him.

The NFL Players Association formally requested that the league not punish the 22 to 27 players it cited in the scandal until the union had completed its independent investigation, which is underway, an NFLPA source told NFL.com’s Steve Wyche.

The Saints were considered a Super Bowl favorite on WagerWeb.com this season – in fact the Super Bowl returns to New Orleans next February. It’s not yet clear who will be the Saints’ head coach this season. And of course New Orleans is also looking at player suspensions.

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QB Controversy in New York? Broncos Trade Tim Tebow to Jets

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Tebowmania now moves from the Mile High City to the biggest media market in the world as the Denver Broncos on Wednesday traded quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets for 2012 fourth- and sixth-round draft picks. Denver will send a seventh-rounder back to New York.

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Tebow was a cultural phenomenon last season in leading the Broncos to the AFC West title and a wild-card playoff win after taking over as the starter early in the season for Kyle Orton when Denver was 1-4. Tebow led a few miraculous fourth-quarter comebacks and his jersey was easily the No. 1 seller in the NFL. However, Tebow was also the NFL’s lowest-rated passer and Denver shifted to a conservative, run-first offense to combat Tebow’s inaccuracy.

The Broncos signed Peyton Manning on Tuesday, thus leaving no room for Tebow in the new offense that will be designed for Manning. There was a rather limited market for Tebow, the former Heisman winner at Florida. But the Packers, Jaguars, Dolphins and Jets emerged as the four most-likely candidates. Jacksonville was thought to be the favorite as Tebow is from that area and is still a legend in the Sunshine State after helping lead the University of Florida to two national titles and becoming arguably the most popular college football player ever.

The Jets of course have Mark Sanchez as their starter but likely will use Tebow in change-of-pace situations like in a Wildcat package that is favored by head coach Rex Ryan and new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. Plus Ryan wants to get back to a run-heavy, ground-and-pound attack and that’s one thing Tebow can do as well as almost any quarterback in the league. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Tebow rushed for 660 yards last season. His 20-yard TD run with 58 seconds remaining sparked a 17-13 Week 11 defeat of Sanchez’s Jets in Denver last year. The Jets also believed that Tebow would be a positive influence in a locker room that had become fractured in the wake of last season’s disappointing finish.

But let the rumors of a quarterback controversy begin in New York. Tebow’s enormous popularity could turn into a distraction, especially for Sanchez. Plus Sanchez has been questioned publicly by teammates and his 55.3 completion percentage a year ago wasn’t much better than Tebow’s 46.5 percent. Two weeks ago, however, the Jets gave Sanchez a three-year, $40.5 million contract extension.

Bovada released a few NFL player props on Tebow – for example, will he start a game in the 2012 season? Yes is a -150 favorite with no at +110. His total rushing touchdowns for the season is over/under 3.5.

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Saints Futures Take Hit as Sean Payton Suspended for 2012 NFL Season

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The New Orleans Saints were one of opening Super Bowl Bovada betting favorites for the 2012 season at 10/1 – the Super Bowl also is in New Orleans next February – but now New Orleans will have to play the upcoming year without head coach Sean Payton as he was suspended for the season in the wake of the bounty scandal that rocked the NFL. That has moved the Saints’ Super Bowl odds to 12/1.

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In addition, the Saints were fined $500,000, general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for eight games and fined $500,000 himself, assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt was hit with a six-game suspension without pay and the team will lose its second-round draft pick in the 2012 and 2013 drafts (New Orleans was already without a first-round pick this year). Payton’s suspension, also without pay, is effective April 1 for one year.

The NFL revealed earlier this month the findings of a lengthy investigation into a Saints “bounty” program that gave thousands of dollars in payoffs to players for hits that knocked opponents out of games. The program, administered by then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, reached its height in 2009, the season the Saints won the Super Bowl. Williams, now the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, has been suspended indefinitely – Commissioner Roger Goodell will review his case after the 2012 season.

Up to 27 Saints players reportedly took part in the bounty program; linebacker Jonathan Vilma allegedly offered any teammate $10,000 to knock Vikings QB Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Vilma, the heart of that Saints defense, and other players certainly also will face suspensions. However, the NFL Players Association formally requested that the league not the players until the union had completed its independent investigation, which is underway.

It’s not yet clear who will now be the team’s head coach but it could well be former Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who was fired by St. Louis last year but hired by the Saints as the defensive coordinator to replace Williams. The Saints still also must sign QB Drew Brees to an extension after putting the franchise tag on Brees.

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Peyton Manning to become a Bronco…Tebow traded?

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Tebowing is over at Denver… has told his agent to begin negotiations with the Broncos, sources tell Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

In a TV appearance, Schefter said Manning “fully intends” to play in Denver, and has already discussed the parameters of a 5-year, $95 million contract with GM John Elway. If the deal goes through, Denver will try to trade .

Sources say that the negotiations will iron out language to protect the team in case Manning’s neck ailment comes back to haunt him, but Manning has already passed a physical. Both sides expect talks to be a formality, and Manning has forbidden his agent from speaking further with his other suitors, the San Francisco 49ers or Tennessee Titans.

Denver is now expected to pursue free agent Jeff Saturday, a former Colts center whom Manning brought up in discussions with all the teams who wanted to sign him.

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Washington Redskins looking to draft Baylor’s Robert Griffin III

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According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the are over Peyton Manning.

Glazer tweeted on Friday night that the Redskins have agreed to a trade with the St. Louis Rams that would put them in position to draft Heisman Trophy-winning Baylor quarterback III.

The extended text of Glazer’s tweet indicated that the Redskins were sending the No. 6 selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, two future No. 1 picks and additional selections in exchange for the Rams’ No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

While the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins and several other teams are just beginning their courtships of free agent quarterback Peyton Manning, the Skins were reportedly out of the running almost immediately.

According to Chris Russell of ESPN 980 in DC, the four-time NFL MVP has no interest in joining the Redskins despite the fact that the franchise reportedly intended to make an “aggressive effort” to sign him.

With Manning apparently unlikely to be lured to the Beltway, the Redskins have, per Glazer, gone aggressively in another direction. Just two days before Glazer tweeted about this deal, Wes Bunting of the National Football Post projected that Washington would trade up in the draft to select RG3 in the No. 2 slot. After Glazer’s tweet, NFL media and fans quickly began weighing in on all aspects of the deal.

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Packers’ Donald Driver among favorites to win Dancing with the Stars

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Athletes have fared well on the ABC show “” – can current Green Bay Packers receiver continue that trend on the new season? DWTS stars begins on March 19 — Place your Dancing With the Stars bets at WagerWeb.com.

Sports figures, particularly current and former NFL players, have fared well on the show. Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith won in 2007, a season after Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice finished second. Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward won in 2011.

Among other athletes to have made a strong transition from their field to the dance floor, short-track speedskater Apolo Ohno, IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi (beating just-retired defensive end Jason Taylor) and gymnast Shawn Johnson have all won. Former defensive end Warren Sapp also finished second in his season, as did Olympic gold medal figure skater Evan Lysacek.

Driver isn’t the only athlete in this field – tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova, arguably the greatest female player of all time, is also competing.

Driver, 37, the Packers’ all-time leading wide receiver, said on his Facebook page: “I am looking forward to being on DWTS! Thank you to all of my great supporters, this will be a fun journey for all of us!” It’s not clear if Driver will be back with Green Bay this season as the Pack are pretty well stocked at receiver.

Among those joining Driver are Jaleel White (Urkel on TV’s “Family Matters), Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie”), actor Jack Wagner, Sherri Shepherd of “The View,” Maria Menounos (TV reporter for “Extra” who paid off a Super Bowl bet by wearing a bikini on the show), musician Gavin Degraw, William Levy (who’s been connected to singer/actress/”American Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez), Glady Knight (sans the Pips), Disney’s Roshon Fegan and mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins. Most believe Levy is the one to beat.

Driver’s partner is 31-year old Australian Peta Murgatroyd, who is in her second season on the show. Her previous partner was player Ron Artest, a.k.a. Metta World Peace. They were the first couple eliminated last season.

Here are the other pairings for the show:

White will partner with Kym Johnson.

Gilbert will partner with Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

Wagner will partner with Anna Trebunskaya.

Shepherd will partner with Val Chmerkovskiy.

Knight will partner with Tristan McManus.

DeGraw will partner with Karina Smirnoff.

Menounos will partner with Derek Hough.

Fegan will partner with Chelsie Hightower.

Levy will partner with Cheryl Burke.

Jenkins will partner with Mark Ballas.

Navratilova will partner with Tony Dovolani.

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