Cowboys make Austin one of NFL's highest paid receivers
Football Betting Lines
09/09/2010 - Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Cowboys signed wide receiver Miles Austin to a six-year contract extension on Thursday.
Though financial details of the agreement were not released, a report on the team's website stated the deal is worth $54 million.
Austin, who was scheduled to make $3.168 million under a one-year tender during the upcoming season, set career highs with 81 receptions for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2009 on his way to being chosen for the Pro Bowl.
In Week 5 last season, he set a team record with 250 yards on 10 catches with two touchdowns in a 26-20 win over Kansas City in overtime.
He has appeared in 53 games and has 99 catches for 1,674 yards and 14 scores. Also, he has returned 89 kicks for an average of 24.1 yards.
The Cowboys open the 2010 regular season against Washington on Sunday night.
"This is great for me, but the most important thing is to get ready for the Redskins," Austin said. "That's still the No. 1 goal for me and this team. We want to win as many games as possible."
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday placed pitcher Scott Mathieson on the 15-day disabled list with a latissimus dorsi strain. The 26-year-old pitched in two games for the Phils this season, with
<< Browns bring back OL Yates
Berea, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns signed offensive lineman
Billy Yates on Thursday.
Yates, who was released on Tuesday, played in seven games last year for the
Browns after starting seven games at right guard for the P
<< Panthers' Otah to miss at least season opener
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carolina Panthers starting right tackle
Jeff Otah will miss at least the club's season-opener on Sunday, since his
recovery from off-season knee surgery is taking longer than expected.
Head coach
<< Quarterback Alex Smith now a 49ers captain
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - It's not as if Alex Smith needed the captain tag in front of his name. As quarterback, he's long been considered the leader of San Francisco's offense anyway.He spent the offseason showing everybody why. Smith changed his
<< Rockies uncertain over status of P Cook
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Colorado Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook's status is
uncertain after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his lower right leg on
Wednesday.
Colorado manager Jim Tracy stated on Thursday that it is not known i
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Nelson stole home in the eighth inning to help the Colorado Rockies completed a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 6-5 comeback win. Jason Giambi hit a two-run home run while Troy Tulowitz
Angels to keep Double-A team in Arkansas >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim announced
they will maintain their Double-A affiliation with the Arkansas Travelers
through the 2012 season.
The Travelers have served as the Angels' Texas League team
Blue Jays claim P Buchholz >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays claimed pitcher Taylor
Buchholz off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.
Buchholz was designated for assignment on Tuesday after going 1-0 with a 4.50
earned run average over
Blackhawks sign Potulny >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday signed
center Ryan Potulny to a one-year contract.
Potulny had a career year for the Oilers last season, recording 15 goals and
17 assists over 64 regular-season games
Former Oilers captain Smith charged >>
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - Former Edmonton Oilers captain Jason Smith faces charges of domestic assault and confinement.The Calgary Police Service confirmed Thursday that Smith was arrested after police were called to his southwest Calgary home Aug. 10
NFL Football Betting
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
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.
Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game
How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.
The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).
Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.
The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).
Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.