Mankins mess a situation that bears watching

Football Betting Lines

07/22/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NFL's training camp season is once again approaching. Time for grueling two-a-days, the emergence of fantasy sleepers, and Brett Favre's annual yo-yo act with the inevitable familiar ending.

And of course, no summer in the National Football League would be complete without the time-honored tradition of contract squabbling between players and teams, usually resulting in contentious holdouts that pose a dangerous threat to the on- and off-field harmony the preseason programs are designed to achieve.

There's a particularly nasty situation brewing in New England, where the Patriots and All-Pro guard Logan Mankins are embroiled in a dispute that has shown no early signs of reaching a quick accord. Both parties have drawn lines in the sand, with the notoriously rigid Pats slashing Mankins' still-unsigned restricted free agent tender by over 50 percent, and the sixth-year pro sitting out last month's mandatory mini-camp in protest of the lack of progress on a long-term deal.

Mankins, one of more than 200 players who missed out on a chance for unrestricted free agency in the spring due to the league and its Players Association's failure to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining plan, reportedly turned down a multi-year offer believed to average between $6.5 and $7 million per season from the Patriots a few months back. That's a nice chunk of change, especially at a position that rarely commands top dollars, but would still be dwarfed by the eye-opening seven-year, $56.7 million pact Jahri Evans -- a player with a similar experience level and credentials as Mankins -- received from the Super Bowl champion Saints in May.

New England countered by reducing Mankins' tender from $3.268 million (the highest amount a restricted free agent could receive this season) to $1.54 million (the minimum 10 percent raise over his 2009 salary), further heightening tensions between the two sides and showing the organization is going to take a hard-line stance on the matter.

That unyielding approach should come as no surprise, however. The Patriots were involved in a comparable situation with Deion Branch, then the team's No. 1 wide receiver, back in 2006, and also refused to budge as the equally-as- stubborn former Super Bowl MVP held out the entire preseason. New England eventually traded Branch to Seattle for a first-round draft choice, then replaced him by stealing a disgruntled Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders the following April. We all know how that move worked out.

The Patriots aren't averse to shipping off cornerstone players for monetary reasons either, as last year's startling trade of five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour to the Raiders will attest. And with Tom Brady's contract set to expire at the end of the season, owner Bob Kraft could be less willing to pony up the big bucks to keep Mankins alongside his franchise icon in the coming years.

New England was able to avoid a potential summer standoff with nose tackle Vince Wilfork by signing the premier run-stopper to a lucrative five-year contract back in March, which would seem to work in Mankins' favor at first glance. But with Brady likely to command a deal in the neighborhood of $20 million per season and the Patriots having morphed into a more pass-oriented team in recent years, having an elite run-blocker like Mankins on board could be viewed as more of a luxury than a necessity. And with the speedy emergence of 2009 rookie Sebastian Vollmer into a starting-caliber tackle, the club may be able to slide deposed starter Nick Kaczur into the left guard spot without a precipitous drop-off.

Mankins and his camp still seem to be steadfast in their demands despite the obvious risks, and appear more than willing to hold their ground as well.

"I'll tell you one thing, I'm old-school, he's old-school," agent Frank Bauer told the Boston Herald last week. "We're two highly principled guys. If everyone's making two bucks, I'll make two bucks. If everyone is making $8 million, I'm making $8 million."

At just 28 years old and unequivocally among the top three or four players at his position at the very least, Mankins stands a good chance of the big payday he's seeking. Just don't be surprised if it's with a team other than the Patriots.

Wwwsportinglife Football Betting News

<< Pirates C Doumit lands on DL with concussion
Pittsburgh, PA (Sport Network) - The Pirates placed catcher Ryan Doumit on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, one day after he exited a game early feeling light-headed and nauseated following a first inning collision at home plate. After

<< Roenick, Hatcher brothers head 2010 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class
Colorado Springs, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeremy Roenick headlines a list of five members that make up the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2010. The class, which also includes Derian Hatcher, Kevin Hatcher, Art Berglund an

<< Brewers activate Gallardo for Thursday start
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Brewers have activated right-hander Yovani Gallardo from the 15-day disabled list to make Thursday's start versus Pittsburgh. Gallardo suffered a strained left rib cage muscle against the Cardi

<< Canada's squad armed and ready
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As Canada prepares to host the 2010 IBAF World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay, Ont., beginning Friday, here's a closer look at its final 20-player roster. It all starts behind the plate. Can

<< Public gets chance to see Rachel Alexandra on Friday
Oceanport, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Thoroughbred racing fans should be able to get an up-close look Friday afternoon at 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra at Monmouth Park. The four-year-old filly will be in the track's paddock

Verlander, Tigers shut down Blue Jays >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Justin Verlander threw eight effective innings and Miguel Cabrera went 3-for-4 with two RBI, as the Detroit Tigers beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-2, in the opener of a four-game series. Verlander (12-5) allo

Paulino lifts Marlins to series win over Rockies >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ronny Paulino knocked in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Marlins a 3-2 win to finish out a four- game series with the Rockies. Emilio Bonifacio tripled to deep center over the

Flyers bring back Powe for another year >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers signed forward Darroll Powe to a one-year contract Thursday. Powe, 25, scored nine goals and assisted on six more in 63 regular season games for the Eastern Conference ch

Pacers sign Stephenson >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Indiana Pacers announced the signing of second-round draft choice Lance Stephenson to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, exact terms of the contract were not disclosed. Stephenson was the 40

Langer among the leaders at Senior British >>
Carnoustie, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bernhard Langer posted a four-under 67 on Thursday to share the first-round lead with Jay Don Blake and Carl Mason at the Senior Open Championship. Bruce Vaughan, the 2008 winner, Mark Wiebe and Da

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

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 online football betting 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.

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

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 online football betting 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.