How Do You Like Your Odds?

My friend Jimmy Shapiro from ZuckerSportsBooking sent over these odds on this years Miami Dolphins.  While I am not a betting man, I think it is still interesting what some people will put a line on.  These numbers, or odds, are courtesy of Bodoglife.com.

Speaking of Odds, the Miami Dolphins enter the week 3 point underdogs to the NY Jets.

Team Odds

Odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl XLIII

Miami Dolphins              125/1

Odds to win the 2008 AFC Championship

Miami Dolphins              60/1

Odds to win the AFC East Division

Miami Dolphins              30/1

Win Totals

Miami Dolphins Regular Season wins

Over   5.5          Even

Under 5.5          -130

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//–> Miami Dolphins Regular season Home wins

Over   3             Even

Under 3             -130

Miami Dolphins Regular Season Away wins

Over   2.5          -105

Under 2.5          -125

Continue reading for Player performance odds

Player Performance Odds

Chad Pennington Passing Yards

Over/Under        2800

Chad Pennington Passing Touchdowns

Over/Under        15.5

How many starts will Chad Henne make this year?

Over/Under        1

Ronnie Brown Rushing Yards

Over/Under        900

Ronnie Brown Touchdowns

Over/Under        5

Ricky Williams Rushing Yards

Over/Under        750

Ricky Williams Touchdowns

Over/Under        5

<!-- D(["mb","\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eTed\nGinn Jr. Receiving Yards\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eOver/Under        840\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eTed\nGinn Jr. Receiving Touchdowns\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eOver/Under        4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eWho\nwill have more receiving yards?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eErnest\nWilford    +120\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eDerek\nHagan      -150\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eJoey\nPorter Sacks\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eOver/Under        6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eThanks\nfor taking the time to read these...If you have any questions regarding them,\nplease feel free to contact me.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eRegards,\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eJimmy\nShapiro\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eSports\nPublicist\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003eFiver\nMedia\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e425-292-0425\n(o)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10.0pt\"\u003e206-852-4605\n(c)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\n",0] );

//–>

Ted Ginn Jr. Receiving Yards

Over/Under        840

Ted Ginn Jr. Receiving Touchdowns

Over/Under        4

Who will have more receiving yards?

Ernest Wilford    +120

Derek Hagan      -150

Joey Porter Sacks

Over/Under        6

2008 Roster Set

They’ve seen what they can do both in games at during practices and now the Browns coaching staff has cut the teams roster to the final 53, and some change (there are a few guys on the IR, and PUP lists).  Anyways here is your 2008 Cleveland Browns, IMO not too many surprises here and I have to agree with pretty much all of the decisions.

QB (3)

Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey

RB/FB (5)

Jamel Lewis, Jason Wright, Jerome Harrison, Lawrence Vickers, Charles Ali 

WR (5)

Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, Joshua Cribbs, Paul Hubbard, Syndric Steptoe

TE (4)

Kellen Winslow, Steve Heiden, Darnell Dinkins, Martin Rucker

O-LINE (9)

Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Ryan Tucker, Isaac Sowells, Kevin Shaffer, Seth McKinney, Rex Hadnot, Hank Fraley, Nate Bennett  

D-LINE (6)

Louis Leonard, Robaire Smith, Shaun Smith, Corey Williams, Shaun Rogers, Ahtyba Rubin 

LB (9)

Beau Bell, Kamerion Wimbley, Leon Williams, Andra Davis, D’Qwell Jackson, Willie McGinest, Antwan Peek, Alex Hall, Kris Griffin 

S/CB (9)

Sean Jones, Brodney Pool, Mike Adams, Nick Sorensen, Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald, Travis Daniels, Terry Cousin, Gerard Lawson

ST (3)

Phil Dawson, Dave Zastudil, Ryan Pontbriand

PUP (1)

Joe Jurevicius

IR (3)

Daven Holly, Lennie Friedman, Kevin Kasper

Non-Football (1)

Eric Young

Meet Your 2008 Arizona Cardinals Offense

Seven days until game one.  Today is the last non-NFL Sunday and day one of most teams preparing for game one of the upcoming season.  The NFL season kicks off in four days in New York.

So, time to meet your 2008 Arizona Cardinals.

Quarterbacks: Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre - It was nice to see the Cardinals carry three quarterbacks this season.  If there was one knock on the the roster last season it was the Cardinals were left to scramble when both Leinart and Warner were hurt.  That left Tim Rattay as the only available option.  Tim Hasselbeck was brought in, but really didn’t see any action.  Warner has been tabbed as the starter, for now.  I wouldn’t be surprised to Leinart quickly though if Warner struggles.

Running Backs:  Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, J.J.Arrington - Edge didn’t play much, but we pretty much know what to expect from the Cardinals leading rusher.  Tim Hightower was, as I predicted, a pleasant surprise.  The rookie back out of Richmond was impressive when given the chance to run.  J.J. Arrington also had his best stretch of games preseason and regular season since joining the redbirds three years ago.

Wide Receivers:  Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, Sean Morey, Jehreme Urban. It’s a deep crew.  Breaston and Urban had good preseasons.  The big question mark remains Boldin,  He doesn’t want to be here, but is going to continue to play until the Cards trade him, which most likely will not happen until the off-season at the earliest.

Fullbacks:  Tim Castille, Terrelle Smith.  Castille is the better receiver and Smith is the better blocker. Take your choice.

Tight Ends: Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick, Jereme Tuman.  Pope here is the man.  Patrick provides good relief and is a ok fill-in when Pope can’t go.

Offensive Line: Deuce Lutui, Reggie Wells, Al Johnson, Lyle Sendlein, Elliot Vallejo, Gabe Watson, Brandon Keith, Mike Gandy, Levi Brown.  Keith and Vallejo are the young ones here, everyone else has some experience on them.  Lutui is now in his third season as is Leinart and it’s time to put up or shut up.  Al Johnson should only miss the first game as it stands right now and will be counted on as the man under center.  Until he returns, Sendlein will take over the center position.

Outlook for 2008:  Arizona scored 404 points last season.  That was a 90 point improvement over the 2006 campaign.  I can’t sit here and tell you to expect another 90 point improvement, however they may have to reach 450 points at least if they expect to contend for a wild card spot or the division.  A lot will depend on the consistency of the quarterback position.

Go Cards!

Scott Allen

AZScott

Colts Aren’t Finished Making Roster Moves, Sign Two Players

This is something that I don’t like.  I follow this team from OTAs to preseason, and then they throw me off by signing these guys who were waived from the final roster cuts.  However, Polian did get two players today.

The Colts have taken former Lions linebacker Buster Davis (not the wide receiver for the Chargers) and former Packers defensive tackle Daniel Muir.

Buster Davis is a name I recognize.  He confused me greatly during the 2007 draft process.  I mean, what are the odds for two players to be named Buster Davis?  Buster?  That was frustrating when I start to think all the draft sites have gone crazy and counted a player twice.

Davis is a Tampa-2 linebacker.  That’s his style.  He is very small (5-9) and has good football speed.  He fell in the draft to the third round because of a bad 40 time (4.69) and was picked up by the Cardinals in the third round.  Apparently, the Cardinals were not impressed, and he didn’t even make the roster.  Davis was picked up by the Lions and spent last year on the practice squad.  Going into the draft, he was projected to go as high as the early 2nd round.  We got a 2nd round talent after the final roster cut.  He is a small yet quick linebacker.  With his signing, I see Jordan Senn getting cut then signed to the practice squad.

Daniel Muir is a complete unknown to me.  I know absolutely nothing about him.  I didn’t even recognize the name.  He was a UDFA last season and played in three games last year, getting four tackles.  Really, I cannot analyze this pickup.  I know nothing about him.  I don’t see a defensive tackle getting cut here though.  I think that Melvin Bullitt or Jamie Silva will lose their job.  Hopefully it is Bullitt and not Silva.  Bullitt has no potential.  Silva could be a good leader in the future.

I like the Davis pickup, but I am not too happy about picking up an unknown like Muir, who reportedly was good in training camp, and having to cut someone who has been with the team all summer.  However,

IN POLIAN WE TRUST

The Dream Ends In Pittsburgh

Saturday was a sad day in Steel Town.  The beauty of football is that every Fall you’re entitled to dream about what future glories might lie ahead for your favorite team.  Of course, those of us in Pittsburgh are entitled to dream a little longer and a little harder than say the unfortunate souls living in Cleveland.  But we all dream, at least until the harsh cold hand of reality smacks us upside the head.

Reality was the word of the day around the ‘Burgh on Saturday as the dream of pigskin glory ended for a great number of people, both fans and players alike.

—-  The Pittsburgh Steelers made their final roster cuts of the preseason.  The most notable of the newly unemployed was WR Willie Reid.  A third round draft choice in 2006, Reid never became the electrifying punt returner he was tabbed as coming out of college.  With the addition of Limas Sweed, it came down to Reid vs. Dallas Baker for the 4th WR slot which Baker evidently won due to his size (6′3) moreso than his ability.  In fact, neither Baker nor Sweed looked particularly capable in the final preseason game (Sweed had 2 really bad drops) so this move is both risky and surprising.

Also on the cut list were DE Ryan McBean, who played some last year but was only notable because his last name is eerily similar to our stupid mascot’s.  It was a bad day for Ryans as S Ryan Mundy, a local Woodland Hills product, was waived due to being injured early on in camp and never showing much of anything.  He might be signed to the practice squad otherwise I’d look for him on Jon Bon Jovi’s Arena Football team next year.  And in the epic Battle of the Punters, the guy with the dorky sounding name got beat out by the guy with the fruity sounding one.   So prepare yourself Steeler Nation, for this year the mighty Mitch Berger will be booting the ball when Big Ben and the offense sputters.

Finally, QB Charlie Batch’s dream of another year backing up Ben Roethlisberger ended when he was placed on IR, thus ending his season.   Newly svelte Byron Leftwich will be our #2 man this season with exciting rookie Dennis Dixon in the #3 slot.  This works out well for Pittsburgh as if Leftwich shows anything this year, he’ll move along for a potential starting job next year leaving the returning Batch to battle the rapidly improving (and quite impressive) Dixon for the backup job.

—-  The Pitt Panthers also began their college football season yesterday.  And, true to form, whenever head coach Dave Wannestedt is handed a good thing, he finds a way to mess it up.  After 25 years of misery, the University of Pittsburgh had high hopes this year might be something special.  They were ranked anywhere from 19th to 25th in various preseason polls and were coming off a monumental upset of #2 WVU in the Backyard Brawl last season.

So of course first game of the season they go out and lay an egg.  And not a little egg.  I’m talking ostrich egg here.  Wannastache and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh evidently need a bit of a refresher course in Football 101.   See, when your big name Heisman touted running back is your primary weapon, other teams will do what is known as “stacking the box” against you to prevent him from beating them.   That is when you do something else, some call it “the passing game,” in order to loosen up said defense and allow said running back to eventually find some room.

Much like many Pitt students, the coaches must’ve been to hungover to attend class that day because they clearly did not learn this lesson.  Bowling Green brought 7 and 8 men to the line and basically dared them to throw the ball.  So what did Pitt do?   Ran Lesean McCoy off tackle to the right.  Then they ran him off tackle to the left.  Then, for good measure, ran him right up the gut.  Punt, rinse, repeat and there’s your game.

It also didn’t help that Shady McCoy fumbled the ball on a crucial first half drive and the Pitt offense turned the ball over 4 times, while the Pitt defense played in a semi-prevent looking thing against BG’s spread offense, allowing the recievers 7-8 yard cushions on almost every play.   And perhaps worst of all, Wannastache and his trademark Nad-Free playcalling led to them punting from BG’s 35 yard line, letting time run down and kicking a FG when they could’ve ran at least 2 more plays, and repeatedly throwing short screens and dumps to the flat instead of actually, you know, winging the ball downfield a bit.

I mentioned last year that I don’t watch much college football and when Pitt is your home team, you can understand why.   I actually attended this game live and in person, along with about 45,000 other suckers fans who were equally pissed and horrified at the disaster unfolding before them.  And I’m not just referring to the game break “entertainment.”   Whatever happened to just having cheerleaders?  Now we have cheerleaders, drill team, majorettes, some spirit squad looking goofs with flags, and worst of all a dance team, who seem to be just cheerleaders who were not thin and attractive enough to be real cheerleaders.  I mean, I’m all for letting chunky girls take part in school activities but if they’re not even going to perform in a uniform that says “Pitt” on it or reflects the school colors, what’s the point?

Then again, what was the point of anything that happened Saturday?  What did we expect from Pitt?  Big East title?  National championship?  Yep, they got us.  They know nobody loves football as much as Western PA so they promised us a chance of glory on Saturdays when we should’ve known it’s just the same ‘ol Pitt.  Shame on us.

New Feature: Express Yourself

We’ve added a new feature for our readers here at Cat Crave.  Anytime you comment here on the site, you can attach an avatar.

Log on to the Gravatar website, and sign up using the email address you used to sign up here at Cat Crave and upload the image you want to use as your avatar.  It’ll take about ten minutes but when you’re done, anytime you post a comment here or any Fan Sided website (or any site using the Gravatar feature) the avatar will appear.

Our thanks to Zach for putting this together for us!

List of Bears Draft Busts Grows

A while ago I wrote a post on the top 10 draft busts by the Chicago Bears in the past 20 years.  That list may need to be amended as the Bears cut several draft picks to make the 53-man roster.

Most notably, 2007 second round draft pick Dan Bazuin and 2007 third round pick Michael Okwo.  Bazuin was touted as a solid defensive end to compete with Mark Anderson.  At that time the Bears had ideas of putting more speed and youth and defensive end and part ways with Alex Brown.  Brown is extremely solid against the run but is not known for his passing rushing skills.  After the Bears started Anderson last year and saw how poorly he struggled against the run the Bears opted to sign Brown for a few more years.

Bazuin never got into a game for the Bears and struggled with injuries.  Even when healthy this preseason he looked slow off the ball and didn’t appear to fit the mold of quick, suffocating ends the Bears need.

Okwo was picked one pick after running back Garrett Wolfe but never managed to get into any game action.  The Bears have shown a commitment to their current linebackers with Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs signed long-term and Hunter Hillenmeyer consistently playing solid.  However, the Bears had a need for a talented young linebacker to step up in the event any of the big three have an injury.  Okwo was overshadowed by the solid play of Nick Roach, a young linebacker signed to the practice squad last year who looked fantastic in training camp and preseason.

That leaves the Bears out two high draft picks from just last year.  Add that to the fact that the Bears have lost first round draft pick, tackle Chris Williams for most of the season and the fact that of five seventh round picks this year, the Bears have only kept one on the 53-man roster, drafting continues to be a thorn in the side of the Bears organization.

The biggest question mark was at the wide receiver position where the Bears had a ton of competition and no clear front runners.  The Bears settled on Devin Hester, Marty Booker, Rashied Davis, Earl Bennett, Mark Bradley, and Brandon Lloyd.  Fans have to be disappointed that Mike Hass once again failed to make the final roster after showing an uncanny ability to make great catches.  However, coaches are still reluctant to use him because of his slow speed off the ball.  The biggest surprise has to be Mark Bradley, who was a good as gone a couple weeks ago.  What a difference a couple preseason games can make.  After making some great connections with Rex Grossman he appears to be ready to embrace the expectations put on him as a big play receiver.  The Bears sorely needed a big play receiver to compliment Devin Hester on the field.  Booker, Davis, and Lloyd all play well in the slot receiver position but are limited in their big play speed.

The ability of rookie Earl Bennett remains undetermined.  He has not been regarded as a great receiver but has shown good hands and looked awesome in a punt return for a touchdown in the preseason.  He remains the biggest gamble on the roster as a possible big talent.

However, for those still looking for fantasy wide receivers, I think the biggest impact could be made by Rashied Davis.  Since Kyle Orton took over the starting job Davis has been his go-to-guy early and the two appear to have a good chemistry on the football field.

Cleveland Is a 4 Point Underdog Against Dallas

The odds are in and the Cleveland Browns are a four point underdog to beat the Dallas Cowboys in Cleveland. The game begins Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

I will be in San Fransisco for a week starting Tuesday, which will make it more difficult for me to see the game, but hopefully it airs nationally and I can pick it up at some bar.

The game is the most intriguing of the first-week match ups in my opinion. Cleveland was a surprising team last year, chiefly because of the spectacular play of quarterback Derek Anderson.

The Vegas oddsmakers also expect a high-scoring affair, predicting the over/under at 49, the highest total for the NFL’s first week. I’d start as many Cowboys and Browns as you can this coming week..

It’s one week away, and early, but I am going to make an early prediction: Cowboys 34 Browns 28

Stray Arrows: Get Some Jackson Action?

The Patriots have cut former early second-round pick Chad Jackson, who they coveted so much they traded up to get him. I know a lot of people like some of the Chiefs‘ young receivers, but Jackson has more potential than any WR on our roster not named Dwayne Bowe. I really believe that. Other than going after a quarterback, I haven’t been ga-ga over any recently released free agent. I am ga-ga over Jackson and his 4.3 speed. From ESPN:

Injuries ravaged Jackson’s two seasons. As a rookie, he was dogged by a hamstring injury and later a knee problem. He played in just two games last year because of the knee injury and didn’t have a catch. His rookie numbers were all he posted: 13 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

There was so much buzz surrounding Jackson when he came out of Florida after his junior year as a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist.

But some scouts consider Jackson a workout wonder who doesn’t play as fast as he clocks. He never meshed with Tom Brady and then got lost amid a stacked receiving corps.

But Jackson is only 23 and now can be picked up by a needy team willing to take a chance.

He never meshed with Tom Brady because he was buried beneath Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte’ Stallworth and even Jabar Gaffney, in that order. Gee, he must be a complete bust if he can’t beat those guys out. My other point is that the Pats have a ton of talent,  so it was inevitable that they would have to cut someone with potential. To me, this is a no-brainer, especially with Will Franklin out. At only 23 years of age, Jackson is a perfect Herm Edwards guy.

Addicts, what do you think about Chad Jackson?

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