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.