2010 FBS Positional Analysis: Linebackers
NCAA Football Betting Lines
07/30/2010 -
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - They are free to roam the middle of the
field, looking to lay the lumber on the ball-carriers and receivers that dare
to enter their domain. The job of the linebacker is to be instinctual, to be in
the right place at the right time and deliver punishing hits.
Here are the top linebackers in the FBS heading into the 2010 season.
INSIDE LBS:
GREG JONES, MICHIGAN STATE
While this Spartan looks a little small for a linebacker (6-1, 228), there is
no denying that he plays much bigger and is regarded among the best in the
country. Jones has earned All-American honors in each of his first three
seasons at MSU, including being named a consensus first-team member in 2009.
The 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year finished third in the nation in
tackles (154), with 13.5 TFLs and nine sacks. The ultimate defensive playmaker
Jones heads into his senior season ranked eighth on the school's all-time
tackles list (359). The Spartans may not be lifting the Big Ten trophy at the
end of the season, but that won't stop the accolades from raining down on
Jones.
QUAN STURDIVANT, NORTH CAROLINA
On one of the best defenses in the entire country, Sturdivant stands out as
the leader. Perhaps the most NFL-ready LB heading into the 2010 campaign, this
Tar Heel has the ability to do it all. The 6-2, 230-pound senior can make
plays all over the field and is rarely caught out of position. He earned
First-Team All-ACC honors in 2009, finishing with 79 total tackles and 12
TFLs. UNC's offense definitely plays second-fiddle to the defense, which is
chock-full of All-American talent throughout. The Tar Heels aren't ready to
win the ACC, but opponents will definitely know they are in a fight week-in and
week-out.
CHRIS GALIPPO, USC
Following in a long line of stellar LBs at USC, Galippo had a strong sophomore
season in 2009, earning some All-American honors, while being a semifinalist
for the Butkus Award. The 6-2, 250-pound middle linebacker finished last year
with 70 total tackles, eight TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced
fumbles. The Trojans are under new management and will begin serving a
postseason ban this year, but that shouldn't prevent Galippo from once again
putting up big numbers, as the team's defensive leader.
MIKE MOHAMED, CALIFORNIA
Mohamed is a veteran LB who has played in all 39 games for the Golden Bears
over the last three seasons. The 6-3, 245-pounder came into his own last year,
becoming a full-time starter, earning All-Pac-10 First-Team honors, leading
the conference with 112 total tackles, with 8.5 TFLs, two sacks and three
INTs. On quite a few preseason All-American lists, expect big things from
Mohamed in 2010. The Golden Bears are always in the mix when talking about the
Pac-10 title, and this senior LB will do everything in his power to keep that
going.
ALEX WUJCIAK, MARYLAND
A throwback type of LB, this Maryland Terrapin just keeps getting better.
Regarded as one of the top playmakers at his position in the entire country,
the 6-3, 245-pound Wujciak followed up Second-Team All-ACC honors in 2008,
with First-Team honors in 2009. As a junior last season, he ranked second in
the ACC with a team-high 131 tackles (eighth nationally), with 8.5 TFLs and
two interceptions. The Terps are not in a position to return to the top of the
ACC standings, but expect to hear Wujciak's name mentioned often regardless of
where Maryland finishes up.
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Kelvin Sheppard (LSU), Casey Matthews (Oregon), Josh
Bynes (Auburn), Tank Carder (TCU), Mario Harvey (Marshall).
OUTSIDE LBS:
MARK HERZLICH, BOSTON COLLEGE
The legend of Herzlich will follow him forever, as the standout LB, who was
the ACC Player of the Year, an All-American and a finalist for the Butkus
Award in 2008, missed the entire 2009 season while battling and beating a rare
form of bone cancer. In 2008, he amassed 110 total tackles and led all LBs
nationally with six interceptions, two of which he returned for TDs. While
Herzlich is expected to play this season, it remains to be seen if he can
return to form. At less than 100-percent, he will still be a driving force on
the BC defense. If he makes it all the way back, he will stockpile most of the
defensive awards by season's end.
TRAVIS LEWIS, OKLAHOMA
After breaking Brian Bosworth's school record for tackles by a freshman in
2008 (144 stops), the 6-2, 232-pound Lewis once again picked up All-Big 12
First-Team honors with 109 total tackles as a sophomore in 2009. As instinctual
as they come at the linebacker position, the third-year Sooner might not remain
in school after the 2009 campaign, as he has everything needed to excel at the
next level. The Sooners took it on the chin in 2009, but expect Lewis to be one
of the main reasons the team returns to form among the Big 12 elite in 2010.
BRUCE CARTER, NORTH CAROLINA
Another extremely gifted Tar Heel, the 6-3, 235-pound Carter has a complete
skill set. With above-average strength, speed and athleticism, this senior
will surely be mentioned among the best OLBs in the country. Carter has
started 33 career games, including all 13 as a junior in 2009, where he racked
up 65 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks and an interception returned for a TD, en
route to All-ACC Second-Team honors. If he stays healthy, it will be difficult
to keep him off the First Team this season.
VON MILLER, TEXAS A&M
The first Aggie to be tabbed a First-Team All-American since cornerback Jason
Webster in 1999, the 6-3, 240-pound Miller led the nation in sacks (17), while
amassing 21 TFLs. Miller is regarded as a hybrid player, who can also line up
along the defensive front with his hand on the ground. He projects to be a big-
time pass rushing threat in a 3-4 system in the NFL. The Aggies aren't exactly
stacked with All-American talent throughout the roster, but Miller is as good
as it gets at his position.
ROSS HOMAN, OHIO STATE
The linebacker position at Ohio State has become a launching pad for many a
talented player of late, and this year may be no different. Compared favorably
to 2007 Butkus Award winner James Laurinaitis, the 6-0, 227-pound Homan may
just carve out an award-winning career in Columbus as well. As a junior in
2009, Homan was a Second-Team All-Big Ten member, racking up a team-high 108
total tackles. With above-average speed and playmaking ability, the sky
is the limit for this Buckeye, as he should be a driving force in Ohio State's
run toward a Big Ten title and perhaps much more.
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Akeem Ayers (UCLA), Michael Morgan (USC), Chris
Walker (Tennessee), Wayne Daniels (TCU), Lawrence Wilson (UConn).
<< Division leaders square off in Cincinnati
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of National League divisional front-runners get
together for a potential playoff preview tonight when the Central-leading
Cincinnati Reds host the East-leading Atlanta Braves in the first of three at
Great American Ba
<< Twins return home to face Mariners
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fresh off a wildly successful road trip, the surging
Minnesota Twins return to Target Field this evening to play the first of three
consecutive matchups with the Seattle Mariners.
The Twins are back home after going 6-1 on
<< Royals continue set with Orioles in Kansas City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles hope a flurry of changes can help
lead to more results like the team produced on Thursday.
The revamped club will set its sights on a second straight victory over the
Kansas City Royals, who'll be out
<< With trade rumors swirling, ChiSox start set with Oakland
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox have been an awfully tough team to
beat over the past two months, and the current American League Central leaders
have been virtually invincible at U.S. Cellular Field during that time period.
Chicago
<< Giants send Lincecum to the hill versus Dodgers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Lincecum goes after win No. 11 this evening when the
San Francisco Giants open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers
at AT&T Park.
Lincecum has not received a decision in either of his last two outing
Flames ink White >>
Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Calgary Flames signed defenseman Ian White
to a one-year contract on Friday.
White was part of the blockbuster deal at last season's trade deadline that
saw blueliner Dion Phaneuf heading from Calgar
Oswalt to make debut as red-hot Phils head to Washington >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the second straight season, the Philadelphia Phillies
have acquired one of the top available pitchers prior to the non-waiver trade
deadline. The timing couldn't be better, as the club has used a season-high
winning strea
Astros to unveil Happ in opener with Brewers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nobody expects new Houston Astros starter J.A. Happ to
replace the traded Roy Oswalt, yet that is what the young left-hander must do
tonight.
One day after getting dealt to the Astros in a deal that sent Oswalt to the
Phi
Cards hope for boost from Carpenter in battle with Bucs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis' bats have failed the Cardinals on more than one
occasion over the club's current funk. With Chris Carpenter set to take the
hill tonight versus Pittsburgh, those struggles might be forgiven tonight.
Carpenter wi
Angels try to gain some ground on Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After struggling badly during one of their most
challenging stretches of the season, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim now
find themselves faced with what could be a make-or-break three-game series
with the Texas Rangers that
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.
(This is an update of a sportsbook for the May 4th issue of ESPN The Magazine).
The Kentucky Derby's post-position draw happened on Wednesday. And, as is always the case, shortly afterwards, a buzz raced around Churchill Downs. It was a low rumble at first, nothing that the squares in the mint julep crowd pick up right away. But by the time the sun set over the twin spires, the chatter was impossible to ignore. Everyone -- sharps, trainers, owners -- was talking about one thing: the wise guy horse, the pre-draw long shot us mopes didn't have on our radar until it was too late.
"You think you're hearing the scoop," says handicapper Lane Gold. "Then you get to the window, the odds are short, and you missed it."
Recognizing a wise-guy horse early is as hard as picking a Derby bonnet. That's because handicappers don't like hype (see ya, I Want Revenge). They want Thoroughbreds who look good losing prep races like the Santa Anita Derby. They eye horses who ate up the field after starting wide or made an easy transition from synthetic tracks to dirt. They look for ponies who showed muscle gain race to race and those who ran hard after several weeks' rest.
"A wise guy," says John Avello, a bookmaker at Wynn Las Vegas, "looks for a horse who can improve."
When I first wrote Horse Betting for The Mag, which I turned in a three weeks before Wednesday's draw, I predicted these three horses had wise guy potential:
CHOCOLATE CANDY (15-1 in mid-April, currently 20-1 according to Avello): His second-place finish at Santa Anita, following a seven-week layoff, proved two things: He can run after resting, and -- by losing a high-profile prep race -- he wouldn't be overhyped.
DESERT PARTY (15-1; 15-1): He was upset in the UAE Derby by a horse he had beaten twice. The public remembers his loss, but the wise guys his wins.
PIONEEROF THE NILE (8-1; 4-1): The big favorite at Santa Anita struggled to win, so he initially got less hype than Quality Road and I Want Revenge.
You may have noticed that the odds on Pioneerof the Nile have been cut in half, from 8-1 to 4-1. Which means the wise guys took a shine to him long before the post-position draw. But, to be honest, this is one of those years with four elite horses getting everyone's attention, squares and sharps alike.
"You're not gonna get a lot of chatter about a horse that isn't in that group, which includes Pioneer, I Want Revenge, Dunkirk and Friesan Fire," Avello told me Wednesday. "We don't have a group of horses behind those top four who look like real legit contenders."
Come Derby week, the final two elements in picking a wise guy horse are how he's working out and what gate he's coming out of.
(By the way, picking a Preakness favorite is a whole different bale of hay, partially based on how horses finish in the Derby. You can see my analysis of who has the best shot at Pimlico on Insider Sunday morning.)
Well, early in the week I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile and Friesan Fire were working out better than anyone. Some thought Friesan Fire, currently 6-1, might have run too fast, burning a five-furlong run in :57 4/5. "When you are running that fast you have the sense that it took something out of him," says Gold. "The Derby is longer than any horse has run, and if they need that extra surge you worry they won't have it because they burned it in the workout."
But, Gold points out, Friesan Fire's trainer is Larry Jones, Two years ago his horse Hard Spun did a five-eighths workout in :57 3/5 and then went on to finish second, behind Street Sense, in the Derby. "Every trainer has different methods," says Gold. "And clearly he knows what he's doing."
Now, as for starting position, Gold says to remember this: Churchill Downs traditionally has 14 starting gates. For the Derby, it brings out auxiliary gates and between the original 14th gate and the new 15th gate, there is a little more space than there is between gates 1-14. "That 15 position will give you a precious second or two to sort out what's happening to your inside," says Gold. "Sixteen is also okay because you can follow the horse in front of you."
Dunkirk, one of the race favorites, is coming out of gate 15. In 16 is Baffert's Pioneerof the Nile. I Want Revenge drew 13, where Smarty Jones won from in 2004, and Friesan Fire picked the sixth position. "He doesn't have a lot of speed to the inside of him," says Gold. "So he will get a clear shot to be near the front."
All the jibber-jabber means this: Pioneerof the Nile has leapfrogged from 8-1 to being the second favorite, along with Dunkirk, behind I Want Revenge. Meanwhile, Friesan Fire, with a good trainer, a strong week of training and a decent post position, is still at 6-1. "By Saturday, it's possible he could go from fourth to the favorite," says Gold.
In other words, meet Friesan Fire, your 2009 wise guy horse.
"Now," says Avello, "it's time for action."
To visit this horse betting site go to MySportsbook.com for all your horse racing betting needs.
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Bonds nearly hits HR 751, SF wins
4 and drove in
a pair of runs, and Barry Bonds nearly hit homer No. 751 as San Francisco beat
1, in the middle contest of three at AT&T Park.
6) allowed five hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings, fanning
eight and walking three.
game slide.
Bonds, who came within five homers of Hank Aaron's record on Friday, went
1 with three walks, an RBI double and scored twice. The double ...
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