11/05/2008 - Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The powerful Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, were among Wednesday's round-robin winners at the season-ending $4.55 million Sony Ericsson Championships.
A third-seeded former world No. 1 Serena saw her first action of the week and moved to 1-0 in the four-player Maroon Group with a 6-4, 6-1 pasting of second-seeded French Open and Olympic runner-up Dinara Safina, who is a disappointing 0-2 already this week and has all but been eliminated from semifinal contention this weekend.
In another Maroon Group bout, a seventh-seeded former top-ranked Venus snuck past fifth-seeded Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Day 2 on the hardcourts at Khalifa Tennis Complex. Venus is now 2-0 and appears well on her way to the semis, while Dementieva fell to 0-1.
On Thursday, a marquee round-robin affair will come when the nine-time major champion Serena battles the seven-time major titlist Venus in a rematch of the Wimbledon final, which was won by Venus. Serena was this year's U.S. Open champ.
Serena is 9-8 all-time against her older sister, including a 2-1 record this year. Oddly enough, the two have never met at the season-ending Championships.
The 27-year-old Serena is the only former Championships titlist (2001) in this year's field. She was also the runner-up in 2002 and 2004.
In some White Group action on Wednesday, eighth-seeded Olympic bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva outlasted fourth-seeded Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4. A 2-0 Zvonareva is on a path to the semis here, while the 0-2 former No. 1 Ivanovic will, in all likelihood, not make it into the weekend.
An ailing Ivanovic has been battling a virus this week and required some medical attention during the second set on Wednesday.
Ivanovic was this year's French Open champion and Australian Open runner-up and whipped Zvonareva in a final in Linz, Austria just 10 days ago.
In some other round-robin action on Thursday, top-seeded U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic (1-0) will face sixth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova (0-1) and Safina will be opposed by her fellow Russian Dementieva, who topped Safina in the gold medal match in Beijing back in August. Jankovic has already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking.
Round-robin tennis is the order of the day here through Friday, with the top-two players from each group advancing to Saturday's semifinals and the semifinal victors moving into Sunday's lucrative finale.
The winner of this week's event will collect at least $1.34 million.
<< Broncos TE Scheffler, RB Young questionable for Thursday
Englewood, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler and
running back Selvin Young are both questionable for Thursday's contest
against the Cleveland Browns.
Scheffler has 16 receptions for 259 yards and a p
<< Federer in Masters Cup group with Murray, Roddick
Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The groups were revealed Wednesday for next
week's season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, where Roger Federer is
the two-time defending champion.
The U.S. Open champ Federer will play in the
<< Pistons meet Raptors in Toronto; Iverson unlikely to play
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The new-look Detroit Pistons visit the undefeated Toronto
Raptors at Air Canada Centre tonight.
The Pistons acquired future Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson on Monday
from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for popular point
<< Texans release Kalu
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Texans announced Wednesday
that they have released defensive end N.D. Kalu and signed quarterback Craig
Nall.
The 33-year-old Kalu has played in two games for the Texans this season, an
Prince will not return to Kansas State for 2009 >>
Manhattan, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kansas State head football coach Ron Prince
will not return for the 2009 season, the school announced Wednesday.
The Wildcats are 4-5 this season and have lost three consecutive contests.
Kansas State
Raiders release CB Hall >>
Alameda, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Raiders released cornerback
DeAngelo Hall on Wednesday, just eight games into a seven-year contract worth
up to $70 million.
Hall has collected $8 million of that money and would be owed $1
Giggs saves draw for United; Juve advances >>
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Giggs scored in the 84th minute to
help Manchester United salvage a 1-1 draw against Celtic on Wednesday, while
Alessandro Del Piero bagged two goals as Juventus clinched a spot in the
knockou
Blue Jays' Burnett, host of Yankees file for free agency >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett
topped a list of nine players, including four Yankees, filing for free agency
Wednesday.
Burnett opted out of the final two years of a five-year, $55 million d
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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