Is the offseason over yet? I’m already ready to get the sports gambling season started off with a nice little futures bet. I’m looking at the odds for Super Bowl XLV right now and seeing if there’s any dark horses with some decent odds. My Philadelphia Eagles are getting friendly +1800 odds to win the Super Bowl. It looks like the bookmakers don’t have much faith in them. Although I honestly don’t expect them to win the Super Bowl, I think they’re certainly capable of making a nice push with Kolb — I’m expecting them to grab the Wild Card at a minimum. I’m a big Kolb advocate. I think he shows a lot of promise and will be just as good as Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan, but I am being completely bias here since I am not a fan of McNabb and glad that he’s gone.

Let’s be serious for a second though, the front runners to come out of the AFC, I would have to say, are the Jets with their ridiculous defense that will give up less than 10 PPG. Add Santonio Holmes, LaDanian Tomlinson, and QB who is no longer a rookie, and I think you’re looking at the Jets as next year’s champs.

Believe it or not, but they’re getting +1200 odds. That looks like a good score to me. In the NFC, I think it will come down to the Saints and Cowboys (I hate to say it as an Eagles fan, but let’s be honest here). The Saints have +900 odds and the Cowboys have +1000 odds. The Colts are favored to win it all at +800 odds. You also have to look at the Chargers in the mix with +900 odds.

As far as an early prediction is concerned, I think you’ll be seeing the Colts and Jets again in the AFC Championship with the Saints and Cowboys in the NFC Championship.  This Dallas sports writer says count on the Cowboys and Jets in Super Bowl XLV next season and I have to agree.

I cannot wait until camps start. I’ll see you soon!

I recently received an e-mail asking me to spread the word about some viral marketing videos featuring Joe Montana.  I appreciate it when others reach out, so yes, I’m pleased to spread a little viral marketing campaign.  Not only are the videos cool because it features somebody getting nailed in the head with the football, but it’s JOE MONTANA!

Apparently the videos are for Sketchers, but the video doesn’t even feature the Sketchers logo, so this has me thinking, are these videos just an intro to something bigger? Quite intriguing. Feel free to comment.

The sports book makers are liking the Denver Broncos less and less these days. First the Broncos give up a franchise QB in Jay Cutler for a good-but-not-franchise QB in Kyle Orton. That seemed to work out well until the second half of the season where the Broncos looked totally lost. Now the sports betting community has to watch WR Brandon Marshall shipped to Miami for a second round draft pick in the 2010 draft and a second round pick in the 2011 draft.

In order to get the trade done the Dolphins had to agree to give Marshall the richest WR contract in the history of the league. Marshall gets a 4 year deal that totals $47.5 million with $24 million being guaranteed. That is more than Arizona superstar Larry Fitzgerald.

Was it the right move? The Broncos actually did pretty well. They got rid of a locker room cancer and troubled kid in Marshall for the chance to draft his replacement this year and next year. The Dolphins get another target for QB Chad Henne to throw to, and added in with Miami’s already potent ground attack this could make the Dolphins a problem for teams in the AFC East.

There was another big trade in the NFL during the off-season that will have long term effects on two divisional rivals. The Philadelphia Eagles traded QB Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins for a second round pick in the 2010 draft, and a third or fourth round pick in the 2011 draft.

This trade by the Eagles is almost a disrespecting of McNabb. The Eagles thought so little of McNabb’s talents that they had no problem trading him to a division rival. McNabb has a lot to prove in the coming season, and he knows it. The Redskins are loading up for the 2010 season by signing RB Willie Parker and a curious signing with QB Rex Grossman.

The trade rumor mill has been going full steam in anticipation of the upcoming NFL draft. It looks like the St. Louis Rams are keeping the first pick overall and will use it on QB Sam Bradford, but no one has confirmed that yet.

One interesting trade rumor involves the Washington Redskins, again, and their prize free agent catch from last year Albert Haynesworth. There were rumors that Haynesworth was initially offered in the McNabb trade but the Eagles did not want him. Now there are rumors that the Redskins may try to trade Haynesworth to the Tennessee Titans, his former team, on draft day for another second round pick.

Another rumor has the Buffalo Bills trading problem RB Marshawn Lynch on draft day for a second or even third round pick. With the emergence of RB Fred Jackson, the Bills may feel that they can draft the second part of their RB one-two punch and get rid of the public relations problems that Lynch could represent.

Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington from Philadelphia for a second and fourth-round pick, and some thought that new coach Mike Shanahan would pick a quarterback to replace Jason Campbell, who to be fair, has been battered behind an awful offensive line. Now, the Redskins can take a lineman, likely Russell Okung from Oklahoma State. They also have some trade bait in Campbell, and there are a number of teams looking for a quarterback, like St. Louis. Many think the Rams will select Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford with the first overall pick in New York on April 22^nd, but his rival from Texas, Colt McCoy, also had a great pro day, and then there’s also Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, considered by many to be the most pro-ready of the three. Sports betting odds figure it’s going to be a close race to see who will be picked first of the trio, or at least Bradford and Clausen.

So, what happens? St. Louis says that the release of Marc Bulger wasn’t a sign that they were going to draft a quarterback, but who are they going to turn the offense over to, Kyle Boller? A.J. Feeley? They would almost be better served to try and work out a trade for Campbell, who is an experienced quarterback, and they could go for their other needs, which is pretty much everything outside of running back with Steven Jackson. If they put a rookie quarterback behind that line, like Matt Stafford in Detroit, you could be leading a pivot into a dangerous situation, and we know how banged up Stafford was at the end of the year. They could trade Campbell to another team and get a pick from them (probably not a first-rounder, but a third at worst), but the lure of Okung may be too strong. The Redskins could also go for Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry as they’ve been disappointed by LaRon Landry, who too often goes for the big hit and is left out of position. There are also rumors of the Redskins making a play for Brandon Marshall, the talented yet trouble receiver who plays in Denver, and the Broncos have been looking to move him for a while now.  NFL players have been aware of Marshall’s problems since the Jay Cutler trade, which is why you shouldn’t be surprised by this, especially when you remember that Shanahan drafted Marshall in 2006 in Denver. If the Redskins can pull this off, their sportsbook odds will definitely improve over last year.

National Football League executives are focused on the upcoming league draft beginning on April 22^nd. It is fully documented how one poor selection in the top round has the potential to setback a franchise for years, and this year, the most pressure will be on the St. Louis Rams, who own the first overall pick after finishing the 2009-10 season with the worst record in football.

The Rams have a variety of areas where they could use an upgrade on both sides of the ball, which makes the decision at the top that much more difficult. NFL observers have called for the selection of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford to become the face of the franchise in St. Louis with the top selection, however Bradford missed all of last season with injuries, and his narrow frame and short stature could limit him in his transition to the league. The Rams may be much better off selecting a sure thing with the number one pick, which either of the top defensive tackles available in the draft are just that. Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh is a massive hard-working interior lineman that can collapse the pocket, and never quits, while Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy has Pro Bowl-caliber and may be a better all-around defensive tackle than Suh for team’s looking for someone who can get after the quarterback.

The Detroit Lions own the second pick in the draft, and with a franchise quarterback already in place in Matt Stafford, head coach Jim Schwartz, a former defensive line coach with the Tennessee Titans, could select whichever of the defensive tackles are available to shore up their defensive interior. Should the Lions decide to make a move to help protect Stafford, Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung is the top offensive line prospect available.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have a new franchise quarterback in Josh Johnson, and could decide to draft Okung should he slip past the Rams and Lions. Oklahoma’s Trent Williams and Iowa’s Brian Bulaga are also available at the position, although Williams has gained a reputation for his poor conditioning, and Bulaga’s short arms may make him better suited to play guard. Both Suh and McCoy fit Tampa Bay’s under scheme in the 4-3, and could go south if they are still available.

Washington Redskins’ head coach Mike Shanahan is an offensive genius, and has already said he will give incumbent quarterback Jason Campbell a chance to prove his self. With the team switching to the 3-4 under new coordinator Jim Haslett, the Redskins may opt to go defense with the fourth overall pick.

Rounding out the top-five will be the Kansas City Chiefs, who like the Rams have a lot of areas where they could use significant help. The Chiefs struggled mightily in their transition to the “3-4” a season ago, and with Romeo Crennel now on board, will likely look to continue the transition by adding a playmaker to their defense.

With 2010′s NFL Draft just one month away, the league feels like a schoolyard as rumors and gossip begin to grow. With the Donovan McNabb lottery already in full swing, it appears that news of other deals in the NFC East are getting fans and sportsbook odds makers talking.

Reports indicate that Dallas Cowboys’ running back Marion Barber could be dealt after suffering a myriad injuries over the past few seasons – especially given the fact that the team lacks depth in other areas, and coach Jerry Jones has publicly stated he prefers Felix Jones in the starting spot over Barber. It remains to be seen whether or not Dallas is actually interested in dealing Barber, and it is important to note that it would take significant interest from another franchise in order to generate the kind of offer Dallas would be looking for.

Oklahoma’s QB Sam Bradford is widely considered the number one pick in the draft by online sports book cappers and other expert prognosticators. With nine of the last 12 overall top picks being quarterbacks, Bradford’s elevation over Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska’s formidable defensive tackle and another frontrunner for the number one spot – was not surprising for many fans.

With the St. Louis Rams tipped to choose first, may pundits are predicting head coach Steve Spagnuolo will go against his tendencies to think defense first, and jump at the chance to pick up a franchise quarterback in Bradford. While many individuals have questioned Bradford’s durability, don’t expect such concerns to dissuade Spagnuolo from jumping on the opportunity to snag the future star.

In terms of other picks, CJ Spiller, a leader in mock drafts and expected to be the first running back selected, while Tim Tebow – despite an incredible college career with Florida, isn’t expected to go until the second round. This comes off the tip that many are questioning his ability to transfer his skills to the pro level.

Jimmy Clausen, former star for Notre Dame is being tipped as a target for the Redskins at number 4, however, some experts think that Washington may focus on an offensive tackle, still, the majority of pundits expect Clausen to be Washington’s pick when the time comes.

Overall, offensive linemen are considered more and more desirable in the Draft in recent years, and odds makers are expecting several to be chosen in the first round. Conversely, wide receivers are considered less en vogue, and experts are predicting no more than two are picked in the first round.

This time of year is filled with sports betting excitement. While everyone is watching their March madness picks there is also the anticipation of the NFL draft that starts April 22. The super casino odds on who the number one overall pick will be seem to be pointing more towards Sam Bradford going to the St. Louis Rams, but nothing is set as of now.

College basketball odds and NFL draft odds are similar in that there is no sure thing when the clock starts ticking. The only thing that has become readily apparent in the weeks since the combine in Indianapolis and the various pro days at each school is that Tim Tebow’s stock is tumbling. The former Heisman Trophy winner is now considered by many experts to be a high second round pick and his chances of being an NFL starter in his rookie year are all but gone.

The drama surrounding Pittsburgh Steeler QB and two-time Super Champion Ben Roethlisberger continues to grow. Georgia law enforcement officials have decided to not ask for a sample of Big Ben’s DNA in association with the on-going investigation into the sexual assault allegations by a 20-year-old female.

Roethlisberger has not yet been interviewed by the police in connection with the investigation, but there is a growing feeling that there may be charges pressed this time and that the QB may face punishment from the law and from the NFL. The league is waiting to see what the law does, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that he will speak to Roethlisberger personally very soon.

The owners voted in a new rule change by a vote of 28 to 4 that will change the way overtime is played in the playoffs. According to the new rule, if the team with the first possession in a playoff overtime scores a touchdown then the game is over. If that team successfully kicks a field goal, then the other team gets one offensive possession to try and tie or win the game. If the second team ties the game with their own field goal, then the game goes back to sudden death and any scoring wins.

The rule change does not affect regular season games as they are still one period of sudden death where one team can win with any score or the game can end in a tie. It was pointed out to the owners that this sort of overtime structure puts a great deal of pressure on coaches to play aggressively with their first offensive possession, and owners were comfortable with that.

It is unclear as to whether or not the rules will be re-visited prior to the start of the season, or if there will be any changes to regular season overtime.

As a quick update to Philadelphia Eagles fans; yes your team still has three starting quarterbacks, no you do not know who your starting quarterback will be and no you do not know what will happen to the other two just yet. The Eagles are either holding out for better offers, or they will use one or two of their QBs as trade bait to move up in the draft.

Pick 1 – St. Louis Cardinals – Sam Bradford – QB – Oklahoma

The St. Louis Rams have given up on QB Marc Bulger and had no faith in Kyle Boller to begin with. Boller was brought in to be the back-up to the eventual starter. It looks like that starter will be Sam Bradford.

This would not be a bad pick if it were not for Bradford’s injury history. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen is more durable and better equipped to play behind that horrible offensive line in St. Louis. But the Rams need to also put fans in the seats, and Bradford is the guy to do that.

Pick 2 – Detroit Lions – Russell Okung – OT – Oklahoma State

If the Detroit Lions do not do something to fix their offensive line then they will wind up getting QB Matt Stafford killed before the end of the 2010 season. Okung is fast, strong and smart. He is a natural on the offensive line, and he is just what the Lions need to protect Stafford’s blind side.

Pick 3 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy – DT – Oklahoma

The Buccaneers lost more games last season because they could not put the other team away than any other reason. They could not put pressure on the opposing QB, they could not stop the run and they could not prevent other teams from throwing the ball up the middle. McCoy is a big and fast DT that can get to the QB and clog up the middle in time for the linebackers to get there and shut the run down. McCoy will start and make an impact for the Buccaneers.

Pick 4 – Washington Redskins – Jimmy Clausen – QB – Notre Dame

This is not fair to Jason Campbell. When an offensive line is so bad that running back Clinton Portis spends more time healing than playing, than it can hardly be the fault of the QB. What the Redskins really need is an offensive lineman, but their problems on the O-line are so deep that one pick is not going to change things on the line. So the Redskins will look to a new QB and it will be Clausen.

Pick 5 – Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Williams – OT – Oklahoma

The sports betting world was not surprised when QB Matt Cassel was signed by the Chiefs. The only concern was how Cassel would perform behind that awful Kansas City offensive line. In retrospect, the sportsbook reviews on Cassel’s performance were very favorable. However Cassel could not prevent the Chiefs from going 4-12, which was still an improvement over the 2-14 record from 2008. The Chiefs will build around Cassel, and the first building blocks are the men that will protect the QB. Williams is one of the highest rated offensive linemen in the draft. He will fit the Chiefs’ plans nicely.

Pick 6 – Seattle Seahawks –Ndamukong Suh – DT – Nebraska

The Seahawks need a run-stopper and QB rusher on the inside.

Pick 7 – Cleveland Browns – Evan Royster – RB – Penn State

The Browns need speed at the running back position to make up for another chaotic year at the QB spot. Royster has the power and the moves to help the Browns improve.

Pick 8 – Oakland Raiders – Bruce Campbell – OT – Maryland

It does not matter what the Raiders do at QB if there is no offensive line to block. The running game and the passing game for the Raiders has fallen on hard times due to the play of the line and QB Jamarcus Russell. This is the Raiders final attempt to make something of their first round QB pick and finally get some value for their money.

Pick 9 – Buffalo Bills – Patrick Robinson – CB – Florida State

The Bills had a lot of problems last season but none was more glaring than the secondary. Game after game the Bills would allow the long ball to beat them, and many people started to wonder about the defensive line getting pressure on the opposing QB. The Bills are thin at CB and they need to start addressing that.

Pick 10 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Joe Haden – CB – Florida

No matter what the fans of the Jaguars think, the team is not in the market for a QB. The Jaguars need to shore up their defense, and Haden is a solid start to piecing a good secondary together.

The sportsbook betting world and the online betting community have not made the Cleveland Browns their primary concern for quite a while. The sportsbook reviews on the Browns usually amounted to an NFL doormat that had a potential marquee QB in Brady Quinn, but never amounted to much. With the March madness betting in full swing, the Browns are starting to make some moves that may help them be more competitive in the 2010 season.

In 2009 the Browns jumped back and for the between QBs Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. When that idea led to a 5-11 record, the Browns brought in Mike Holmgren and began to re-evaluate their situation.

Derek Anderson wound up signing with the Arizona Cardinals to compete for the starting QB job left behind by the retired Kurt Warner. Brady Quinn was shipped off to Denver to make a further mess of the QB situation with the Broncos. The first player Holgren brought in was Seattle QB Seneca Wallace. While few were prepared to give the starting job to Wallace, there was a feeling in Cleveland that he could compete for the job.

The next move the Browns made was to bring in Jake Delhomme to compete with Wallace for the starting position. Now the Browns have two QBs with NFL experience that want the starting job. As soon as the Browns address their offensive line, then they can begin to build an offense.

Tim Tebow heard the rumors swirling around about him. He heard that his throwing motion was too deliberate and he heard that his accuracy was suspect. He worked on both and scouts say that Tebow really impressed them at his recent pro day workout. Tebow has tightened up his motion, worked on getting the snap from under center and has improved his accuracy. The NFL scouts were so impressed that Tebow has been invited to be at the NFL draft in April, which is an honor usually reserved for recognized first round draft picks.

Whether Tebow really raised his value up to the first round of the draft remains to be seen, but what scouts do know now is that Tebow can be successfully coached.

The NFL owners meet next week and one of the issues on their agenda is overtime in the playoffs. For years some owners and scores of people from the media have been dismayed by the current NFL overtime system. It seems that whomever wins the toss would win the game. Now the owners are considering a system similar to the college system where each team gets at least one offensive possession in overtime. The problem is that they are only considering it for the playoffs. Overtime had a resurgence in 2009 but it was still a rare thing to see. Considering how important every game in the regular season can be to making the playoffs, what is good for the playoffs should be good for the regular season as well.

LaDanian Tomlinson has been signed by the Jets to replace Thomas Jones, who went to Kansas City, and help to mentor second year player Shonn Greene. It is doubtful that Tomlinson will be able to produce like Jones did, so now the Jets running game is in the hands of Greene.

There were more than a few sportsbook questions heading in to the NFL’s first uncapped free agent signing period since 1993. One week later, a lot of those questions now have answered, with several teams making big additions to their teams, and several teams deciding to stand pat.

The biggest online betting winner so far is the Chicago Bears, naturally, after they signed the biggest free agent prize in defensive end Julius Peppers, and the perfect complement to Matt Forte at running back in Chester Taylor. A five-time Pro Bowl rushing end, and two-time All-Pro, Peppers adds the speed presence off the edge that fits perfectly in the Cover-2 defensive scheme in Chicago. In tandem with the return to health of linebacker Brian Urlacher, the Bears’ coaching staff is hoping their defense can return to the form that led them to an NFC Championship in 2007. Taylor, who complemented Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson for the rival Minnesota Vikings brings experience, durability, and a receiving option out of the back field.

Another team that has been very busy in the offseason is the New York Jets. After falling to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game, the Jets raided the roster of one of the few teams that have enjoyed success against the Colts in recent years, the San Diego Chargers. After trading for former Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the Jets signed free agent running back LaDanian Tomlinson to a two-year deal to fill the void created by the release of Thomas Jones. Despite having the top ranked rushing attack, the Jets chose to release Jones and go with the 2006 NFL MVP as a complement to sophomore running back Shonn Greene. Tomlinson ranks eighth on the all-time career, rushing list with 12, 490 yards, and his 138-career touchdowns rank second. However, the former TCU-star ran for 730 yards on just 3.3 yards per carry, both career lows.

Cleveland was also busy making high profile changes. General Manager Mike Holmgren traded former first round pick Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos for a pair of draft picks. The move came on the same day it was reported that the Browns had signed free agent quarterback Jake Delhomme to a book per head two-year deal. Delhomme is expected to compete with former-Seahawk Seneca Wallace for the starting job. The Browns also released Derek Anderson, who split time with Quinn during the 2009 season.

A former defensive standout returned to his former team. After playing one season with the Detroit Lions, linebacker Larry Foote inked a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that he played for from 2004-08.

Safety Roy Williams agreed to a one-year deal that will keep him with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former Dallas Cowboy started at strong safety for the first three games, but suffered a forearm injury that limited him to just one more game going forward. NFL free agents will continue to search for a home, even entering the March Madness bracket period.