Maple Leafs ink Armstrong

Hockey Betting Lines

07/01/2010 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Maple Leafs signed free agent forward Colby Armstrong to a three-year contract on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Armstrong, who had been with Atlanta since coming over from Pittsburgh before the trade deadline in 2007-08, reportedly signed with Toronto for $3 million a year.

Armstrong had a career year for the Thrashers in 2008-09, posting 22 goals and 18 assists, but his production dipped to 15 goals and 29 points in 79 games with Atlanta last season.

In five NHL seasons, Armstrong, who Pittsburgh selected with the 21st overall choice in the 2001 NHL Draft, has compiled 78 goals and 100 assists in 360 career games.

Boxig Hockey Betting News

<< Missouri State completes coaching staff
Springfield, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Missouri State has completed head football coach Terry Allen's 2010 staff by naming Gerald Davis and Wayne Chambers as assistant coaches. Davis was a running back for four seasons at Missouri State, includi

<< Spain's Martinez injured in training
Potchefstroom, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Spain midfielder Javier Martinez left practice Thursday after injuring his ankle and could miss Saturday's FIFA World Cup quarterfinal against Paraguay. Spain released a statement

<< Earthquakes release Sanchez, Weber
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Earthquakes announced Thursday that midfielder Ramon Sanchez and goalkeeper Andrew Weber were released on Wednesday. Sanchez appeared in 13 matches since signing with the 'Quakes in 20

<< D.C. United signs Argentine forward Hernandez
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United signed Argentine forward Pablo Hernandez on Thursday. Hernandez, 23, joins United on loan from Club Defensor Sporting of the Uruguay first division and will be available to play upon receipt of

<< Habs bring in Auld for one year
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Canadiens brought in goaltender Alex Auld on a one-year deal Thursday. Terms of the pact were not disclosed, but the Montreal Gazette reported it is worth $1 million. Auld, who split last

Rangers' acquire Molina from Giants >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers have acquired catcher Bengie Molina and cash from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitchers Chris Ray and Michael Main. Molina will join the Rangers on Friday when they open a

Rangers acquire Molina from Giants >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers have acquired catcher Bengie Molina and cash from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitchers Chris Ray and Michael Main. Molina will join the Rangers on Friday when they open a

Sabres ink Leopold to three-year deal >>
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres filled one vacancy on defense Thursday, signing free-agent Jordan Leopold to a three-year deal. Leopold split last season between Florida and Pittsburgh, racking up 11 goals and 26 po

Whitney signs with Coyotes >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes added scoring depth Thursday, signing veteran winger Ray Whitney to a two-year deal. The 38-year-old Whitney, who recorded 21 goals and 58 points in 80 games for Carolina last year

Thrashers get Ladd from Blackhawks >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Thrashers acquired forward Andrew Ladd from the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday in exchange for defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a second-round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. Ladd had spent the las

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard

MySportsbook.com: New College Football Clock Rules Examined

Coaches and bettors alike are desperate to make sense of the new time-keeping rules on the NCAA gridiron. One of the big stories to come out of the Ohio State-Texas clash last weekend was Texas coach Mack Brown's criticism of the NCAA's new clock rules that are intended to shorten the duration of college football games, therefore affecting college football betting.

"They scored with six minutes left and the game was over before we had a chance to do anything," Brown told ESPN.com. "I really hope whoever made these changes will go back and look them over."

Sure, it might be sour grapes; the Buckeyes thoroughly trounced the defending national champion Longhorns 24-7. However, Brown isn't alone in giving the changes their due thought. Bettors are also wondering about them, albeit for a completely different reason. Most experts agree that the changes will result in games being shortened by anywhere from 10 to 20 plays. The obvious consequence is lower scores, with more time rolling off the clock during changes of possession. (The Ohio State-Texas game flew well under the total of 52.)

According to research at the online sportsbook MySportsbook.com, more than 18 plays a game disappeared last weekend into thin air. That's a 10-percent reduction. In 2005, a typical game had 168.58 plays. For 2007 already, it's down to 150.26.

As a result, teams combined to gain an average of about 100 fewer yards a game last weekend versus the 2005 openers. Scoring was also down by about 4.5 points (attention Las Vegas sports lines).

Of course, oddsmakers were able to adjust to the changes before the season started. Proof of that came as the over went a balanced 8-9 at My Sportsbook on Saturday.

Other angles to consider:A shorter game should theoretically result in shorter lines. Whereas Team A might have been a 14-point favorite in a 168-play game (last year), if there are 10 percent less snaps in 2007, the line should also be reduced by 10 percent (to 13 or 12.5). Of course, this is an over-simplification of the matter, but something to keep in mind.
Less possessions means a better chance the game will be decided by three or seven points. For example, what might have been a 20-10 final score in 2005 may end at

17-10 in 2007. Granted, a 24-17 game last year might end at 21-17 these days, but the former - a three- or seven-point advantage being preserved as opposed to created - is the most likely scenario.

*UPDATE* - Sept. 25, 2007

New Clock Rules Boon for online bookmakers

By adjusting the time-keeping rules to shorten the duration of college football games, the NCAA hoped to make its product more enjoyable for the fans. While the NCAA's success in this regard is still up for debate, bookmakers couldn't be happier with the results.

"We are seeing a massive jump in college football betting," noted the MySportsbook.com management team. "With all the early Saturday games (12 a.m. ET) ending before the second wave begins (3:30 p.m. ET) - something that didn't always happen before the changes - bettors are now able to re-invest their winnings from the morning session in the afternoon games."

While not all bettors will choose to roll over their winnings, it doesn't take much for an impact to be seen on the bottom line. "Not all of the millions of dollars in morning payouts get re-bet. In fact, it's probably only 10 to 20 percent," noted the sportsbook management team. "Still, the increased football betting lines window will create a ton of growth for us over the course of the season."

About MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker
Since opening in 1997, MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker has been a leader in Internet wagering, providing single account access for sports and casino play. This sportsbook has a revolutionary payment method, Direct Bank Transfer, gives players a faster and more secure transaction option for both deposits and withdrawals. This Internet Sportsbook takes pride in offering an aggressive VIP rewards program, along with seasonal reduced juice specials and high parlay payout odds. MySportsbook.com has set new standards in the sports betting industry, from their fantastic customer service, industry leading bonuses, extensive selection of wager types and props, to the fastest payouts anywhere... MySportsbook.com is America's Sportsbook! Open an account today at MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker, or call toll-free 1-866-238-6648

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Master Card needs.