Ravens center Matt Birk named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
Football Betting Lines
02/04/2012 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk was honored as the 2011 NFL Man of the Year on Saturday. The award recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.
"I am honored and truly humbled to be named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year," said Birk. "This award is not about the recipient, but rather a celebration of the decades-long tradition of NFL players using their unique platform to touch lives and make a positive and lasting impact in the communities in which they work and live. Walter Payton left a legacy that went beyond the playing field. He continues to be an inspiration and example of what a complete NFL player should aspire to become. I am grateful to have played for two organizations, the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens, which encourage and support their players' community efforts. I have always considered it a privilege to play in the NFL and serve the communities that support our game."
Birk, who just finished his in 14th NFL season, has started 96 consecutive games, the NFL's second-longest active streak among centers. This past season, he blocked for Ravens running back Ray Rice, who scored a franchise-record 15 total touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 1,364 yards. Rice also led the league with 2,068 yards from scrimmage.
A Harvard graduate, Birk's "Ready, Set, Read!" program as part of his H.I.K.E. Foundation (hope, inspiration, knowledge and education), has reached close to 100,000 children in the Baltimore area. The goal is to motivate students to read at home though an incentive-based system.
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Denver linebacker Von Miller and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton were named the defensive and offensive Rookies of the Year, respectively, for the 2011 season. The voting, as conducted by the Associated
<< Packers QB Rodgers voted NFL MVP
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was
named the NFL's Most Valuable Player Saturday, as voted by the Associated
Press.
Rodgers won the award in a landslide as he received 48 of the 50 possib
<< Baltimore LB Suggs honored as top defensive player
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore outside linebacker Terrell Suggs
was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Saturday, as voted by the
Associated Press.
Suggs had 14 sacks among his 70 tackles to help lead the Rav
<< 49ers' Jim Harbaugh wins coaching honor
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has
won the NFL Coach of the Year, in voting conducted by the Associated Press.
Harbaugh, who wrapped up his first season as a head coach with a 13-3 regular
season
<< I'll Have Another surprises to win Robert B. Lewis Stakes
Arcadia, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - I'll Have Another, the longest shot in the
field, pulled an upset in Saturday's $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa
Anita Park. The 1 1/16-mile stakes is a stepping stone to the $750,000 Santa
Anita D
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Saturday, as voted by the Associated Press. Stafford, who threw for a career-high 5,038 yards and 41 touchdow
Pistons rookie Knight breaks nose >>
Auburn Hills, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Pistons rookie guard Brandon
Knight left Saturday night's contest with the New Orleans Hornets after
breaking his nose.
Knight appeared to suffer the injury after catching an elbow
Patriots release WR Underwood >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Patriots released wide
receiver Tiquan Underwood on Saturday, while elevating defensive end Alex
Silvestro from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster.
The moves came on
Magic's Richardson ejected vs. Pacers >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Orlando Magic forward Quentin Richardson
was ejected from Saturday's game at Indiana following an altercation in the
third quarter.
Richardson came face-to-face with, and then shoved Pacers forw
Monaco and Berlocq advance to the VTR Open final >>
Vina del Mar, Chile (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Juan Monaco and Carlos Berlocq were
both semifinal winners on Saturday at the VTR Open tennis event.
Top-seeded Argentine Monaco had little trouble in a 6-1, 6-4 win over
Frenchman Jeremy C
Elite 8 NCAA Tournament Betting at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
In what should be an outstanding Saturday of March Madness betting action, the top four teams in the South and West Regions square off in what should be extremely close match-ups. Three of the four teams are coming off extremely close games on Thursday evening, only UCLA won semi comfortably over Pitt 64-55.
Ohio State is coming off their second game in a row where in all reality they should have lost. Of course that doesn’t matter now since the name of the game is “survive and advance” but as the tournament continues, they can’t afford to keep getting down to their opponents early. Kansas also avoided a scare by holding off a scrappy Southern Illinois squad. In the third thrilling game of the evening Memphis pulled off the minor upset (+3.5) despite being the higher seed to Texas A&M.
Although the spreads are fairly small for Saturday’s games, MySportsbook.com continue to bet against the underdogs. Despite OSU’s two scares, 86% of the “betting public” feels the Buckeyes (-1.5) have what it takes to make the Final Four. In fact, so much of the early money is on OSU that the line has already moved from -1 to -1.5. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas and their high-powered offense are 2 point favorites as they take on UCLA and their effective defense. About 63% of the early money thus far is once again backing the favorites. If those percentages stay that high, don’t be surprised if this line moves as well. If you like Kansas (-2) you might want to jump on it early.
Memphis vs. Ohio State
Both squads were involved in thrillers on Thursday evening and should come out fired up. OSU can ill afford to get behind early like they did versus their previous two opponents (Xavier, Tennessee). Greg Oden needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Buckeyes are a completely different team when he is on the court. Memphis definitely has the athleticism and length to match-up with OSU. Of Memphis’ five leading minute earners, the shortest of the bunch is 6’5”. Each team has a very effective defense; Memphis surrenders 62.3 PPG whereas the Buckeyes give up only 61 PPG. With those type of numbers, it isn’t surprising that Memphis covered the UNDER almost 69% of the time this season. As a favorite, OSU has covered the UNDER almost 66% of the time over the last three seasons. The major concern for Memphis which is magnifies this time of the year is their brutal foul shooting (62%). This season, OSU is 17-11 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in all tournament games. Memphis has been an extremely reliable cover in tournament play in recent years with a 23-8 ATS record over the last three seasons.
UCLA vs. Kansas
In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, UCLA will play in a role which they are very unfamiliar with that of the underdog. Only twice this season have they been getting points from the handicappers and both times they covered. Over the last three seasons UCLA is a reliable 23-7 ATS in this unfamiliar role. UCLA has not fared well against Big 12 opponents recently going 1-7 ATS since 1997. Giving up only 59.6 PPG, UCLA will definitely look to do what they do best: keep this game as low scoring as possible. Their defense has been especially tough during the tournament. UCLA opponents have been able to muster up only 48.7 PPG while shooting a combined 34.5% from the field. UCLA definitely has a challenge at hand with a Kansas team that is capable of putting points on the board in bunches. As a team, they average 79 PPG and shoot an impressive 49.6% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. During the tournament Kansas has been “lights out” from the field having shot 56.2%.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards
MySportsbook features easy-to-use online betting software that’s the most reliable in the industry. If you’re looking to bet underdogs, then this Sportsbook is the place - we have the best betting lines in the business. MySportsbook is your one-stop shop for all your betting needs - sports betting, poker, casino, and horse racing . MySportsbook offers every bet type with lightning fast settlement of wagers. Take advantage of free statistical analysis - including against-the-spread and straight-up trends - in MySportsbook’s game previews section. With MySportsbook there are unlimited free deposits and payouts - and no transaction fees!
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.