11/19/2008 - Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran right-handed reliever Chris Schroder, who spent the previous three seasons with Washington, signed a major league contract Wednesday with the Oakland Athletics.
During his career, a span of 62 games, the 30-year-old has compiled a 2-5 record with a 4.46 ERA. He had just four relief appearances last season at the major league level, but also went 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 43 appearances with Columbus, Washington's Triple-A affiliate.
The A's also selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Ryan Webb to their 40-man roster. He's a starter in the A's minor league system and went 9-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 25 games, 22 starts, for Double-A Midland in 2008.
<< Report: Mussina to hang up spikes after first 20-win season
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Yankees right-hander Mike Mussina is
reportedly retiring after 18 seasons in the major leagues.
According to a report on foxsports.com, Mussina has decided to call it a
career and will official
<< Report: Edge wants out of the desert
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Despite the fact the Cardinals are sitting atop
the NFC West and inching closer to their first division crown since 1975,
running back Edgerrin James is unhappy over losing his starting job and
reporte
<< Cowboys' Adam Jones reinstated
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said
cornerback Adam Jones has been reinstated from his suspension by NFL
commissioner Roger Goodell, but the player must miss two more games before
coming
<< Regier rejoins Blues
Hartford, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues recalled forward Steve
Regier from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, it
was announced on Wednesday.
Regier, 24, made his Blues debut on Nov. 16 vs. Montrea
Morgan, Michigan State defeat IPFW >>
Fort Wayne, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Raymar Morgan scored 22 points and hauled in
seven rebounds to lead fifth-ranked Michigan State past IPFW, 70-59.
Kalin Lucas added 17 points and doled out three assists for the Spartans
(2-0), who be
No. 23 'Nova holds off Niagara >>
Villanova, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scottie Reynolds scored 19 points, including
a 9-of-10 foul shooting performance, as 23rd-ranked Villanova held off
Niagara, 77-62, in a Philly Hoop Group Classic matchup.
Corey Fisher added 15 poi
Trio leads Demon Deacons to rout of UNCW >>
Winston-Salem, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The triumvirate of Jeff Teague, James
Johnson and Chas McFarland combined for 75 points in No. 20 Wake Forest's
120-88 victory over UNC-Wilmington in an in-state mismatch.
Teague posted a caree
Late three-pointers lift Hawks over Wizards >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams drained three-
pointers in the final minute, carrying the shorthanded Atlanta Hawks to a
91-87 win over the Washington Wizards.
Williams, who hit the go-ahead shot with 2
The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
LaDainian Tomlinson Favorite to be 2007 NFL MVP
With the first NFL preseason game less than two weeks away, it is time to start thinking about football once again at MySportsbook.com. Reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is currently the 5-1 co-favorite to win the award again alongside Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone after his all out assault on the record books last season. For those suffering from amnesia or were under a rock last football season, all L.T. did last season was set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (31) and total points scored (186) to go along with his 1815 rushing yards and 508 receiving yards. At 6-1, Tom Brady is next in line which isn’t surprising considering all of the firepower the Pats added over the off-season. With the addition of Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker; it would be quite difficult for Brady’s numbers not to improve from last years 3529 yards and 24 touchdowns. There appears to be some decent value in Drew Bees at 10-1 considering he probably would have won the award last year if it wasn’t for L.T.’s record breaking season.
There is no reason to think the Saints will come back to earth this season and playing in a weak NFC, they should have as good a shot as any to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. At 15-1, Donovan McNabb could also be worth a look. Remember, many felt he was the MVP of the first half of the season before going down with a season ending injury. Reportedly, he is in great shape and well ahead of schedule to return to form. Also, he could have some added motivation to put up big numbers this season with the Eagles using their first pick in the draft on McNabb’s future successor Kevin Kolb.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to check out the complete odds for NFL MVP as well as all of the new football related futures. With the popularity of NFL futures, these betting lines will be sure to change as the money comes in; get the early sports lines now.
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