CFL Eastern Division: Tiger-Cats on a roll
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09/10/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hamilton began the year meekly, but has now won four straight to finally get over .500 on the season. Two of those wins came against the Toronto Argonauts, who have slipped in the standings and are now playing closer to what many had expected of them before the start of the season. Montreal still leads the division, but a loss to the league's worst team suddenly makes the footing atop that perch all the more shaky.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
You know things are good when three of the top four players of the week are on your team.
Hamilton's Kevin Glenn (best offensive player), Markeith Knowlton (special teams), and David Stala (top Canadian), all received honors for contributing towards a 28-13 win over the Argos in Week 10.
Glenn and Stala were both great - the pivot went 27-for-33 for 313 yards while Stala had 90 receiving yards and a touchdown, but it was Knowlton who stole the show.
His blocked punt and subsequent recovery for a touchdown late in the first half proved to be the game's turning point.
The play is indicative of the way Hamilton has turned its season around. With their backs against the wall and in dire need of some kind of momentum shift, the Ti-Cats got it in a resounding win over Winnipeg in Week 7.
Knowlton's special teams performance puts an exclamation point on that turnaround, and the East division race is a whole lot more interesting because of it.
Offensive key to the next game (Montreal Alouettes): With all that momentum, this is the perfect time to face Montreal. BC preyed on Montreal's early season weakness of defending its own red zone. For Hamilton to capitalize in front of its home crowd, DeAndra Cobb's running abilities need to be present not necessarily to dominate, but enough to mix up the attack.
Defensive key to the next game: Anthony Calvillo is out for another game which is good news for the Ti-Cats. Unfortunately, backup Adrian McPherson is off the injured reserve and is expected to start in Calvillo's place. While Hamilton would have loved a chance to beat up Chris Leak like BC did last week, the plan remains the same - attack the quarterback and force mistakes. McPherson is likely to show rust and Hamilton must take advantage.
Look ahead: After Montreal, Hamilton suits up for four West division games in a row. The Ti-Cats' recent quality of play has come at the expense of Eastern opponents. This stretch will either make or break the Grey Cup hopefuls.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
No one expected Chris Leak to step in and play to the level of Anthony Calvillo in his CFL debut as starting quarterback, but a 135-yard performance to go along with two interceptions is not what Alouette fans were hoping for.
Whether the game is just a sign of inexperience or a true display of Leak's potential is a question that will receive a delayed answer, as second-stringer Adrian McPherson makes his return and will lead Montreal in Week 11.
Perhaps more discouraging than the Alouettes' offensive woes last week was the play of the defense, which allowed 38 points against the league's worst offensive team.
While BC has historically given Montreal trouble, the Als hadn't lost at home since the 2008 season.
Two losses in three games is hardly a sign of a downfall, but traveling to Ivor Wynne Stadium against the East's hottest team may not be the kind of contest the Alouettes are looking at to right the ship.
Offensive key to the next game (Hamilton Tiger-Cats): McPherson holds all the cards as he comes off the injured reserve to make the start. His performance, like Leak's last week, will be the determining factor in whether Montreal stops Hamilton's win streak or suddenly finds itself falling from first place to possibly third in the division.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Hamilton may have been their opponent in last week's loss, but the greatest threat of all for the Argos in Week 10 was themselves.
The Boatmen turned the ball over on five occasions and were sacked three times.
Cleo Lemon did throw for 334 yards - the most in his CFL career so far - but he added three interceptions to go with no touchdowns, a sign he still has work to do in learning the nuances of the Canadian game.
The loss dropped Toronto into a tie for second with Hamilton. As either one of the Als or Ti-Cats will lose this week, it's an excellent opportunity to gain ground on at least one of those teams when it travels to BC for Week 11.
Offensive key to the next game (BC Lions): The Lions are coming off their best game of the season by far. For the Argos to score some points against a decent defense, they will need to play efficient, turnover-free football and hold the advantage in possession. BC has shown all season what can happen if it doesn't find its rhythm early, so having a big first quarter is the ultimate goal.
Defensive key to the next game: The big receiving stars for the Lions (Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson) played well last season and will likely be a handful again. If the passing game is working for BC, look out, despite what the 2-7 record might tell you. Control these two receivers and Toronto is sitting pretty.
Look ahead: After a week on the west coast, the Argos can look forward to a three-game homestand. With two of those games against sub-.500 teams - Winnipeg and Edmonton - the Argos have a good opportunity at keeping their unlikely playoff hopes alive.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Not only is Winnipeg the only team dropping out of the playoff picture in the East, it may also be without its starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
The injury-prone Buck Pierce dislocated his elbow last week and though he is optimistic about returning before season's end, he will still be missing a substantial amount of games for a squad in need of more consistency.
Winning knew what it was getting into when it acquired Pierce. In his last 27 starts, Pierce has left the game with injury 10 different times. This year, he has started just five of nine.
The shuffle at quarterback is a big reason why the Bombers are suddenly three games back of both Hamilton and Toronto.
With Pierce out for another game and the 6-3 Saskatchewan Roughriders looming this week, Winnipeg will need Steve Jyles to have the biggest game of his career and try to start a Hamilton-like turnaround on its season.
Offensive key to the next game (Saskatchewan Roughriders): Jyles is the key, but more specifically, it's about making the most of his receivers. Jyles loves to run the ball, and though he has shown some ability in that regard, the Bombers' best results have come when they move the ball around in the air. Against Saskatchewan and its formidable defensive line, this becomes even more important.
Defensive key to the next game: The Bombers came close to beating Saskatchewan last week, and the reason was their shutdown of the Riders' running game. Only 58 yards rushing for Saskatchewan in the game, and 43 of them were from quarterback Darian Durant. Limit running back Wes Cates' ability to attack on the ground and the game will be up for grabs once again.
Look ahead: Every game is a must-win for Winnipeg now if it hopes to see the postseason. Challenging for an Eastern playoff spot should remain the goal, but with both BC and Edmonton sharing similar records, a Western crossover is a very real possibility.
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<< Bucks sign second-round pick Gallon
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(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Right-hander Dave Bush can push Milwaukee's win streak to
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initial test of a three-game set between National League Central Division foes
at Miller Park.
<< CFL Western Division: BC bursts out of major slump
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wally Buono's Lions team put together a
vintage BC performance when they trounced the Alouettes in Montreal by a 38-17
count in Week 10. The beat-down came out of nowhere, as the Lions entered the
game on a se
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If a return home isn't enough to fix the Cincinnati Reds, then perhaps a visit from the woeful Pittsburgh Pirates will do the trick. Tonight, the Reds will try to stop a five-game losing streak when they begin a three-game se
AL Central-leading Twins visit Indians >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins take a growing lead atop the American
League Central's Division into a six-game road trip that begins with tonight's
matchup with the Cleveland Indians from Progressive Field.
The red-hot Twins just con
Rays continue road trip in Toronto >>
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reaching the postseason, they haven't played like a playoff participant over
most of the team's current road trip. The American League Wild Card leaders
will attempt to
Astros southpaw Happ takes hill vs. LA >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - J.A. Happ can add to Los Angeles' misery this evening when
the Astros continue their four-game set against the free-falling Dodgers at
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Weaver aims for a win over Mariners at the Big A >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's been over a month since Angels starter Jered Weaver
recorded a victory, but a meeting with the Mariners could change that in a
hurry.
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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."
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.
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Sportsbook betting odds favor Europe in Ryder Cup
September 19, – Despite holding a decided edge in the all-time series, with 24 wins, 2 ties and 10 losses, Team USA is the underdog again heading into the Ryder Cup in Kidare, Ireland this weekend, according to MySportsbook.com. The Europeans have captured four of the past five editions, including their largest victory ever, an 18 ½ to 9 ½ thumping in Michigan in 2004. Current Ryder Cup betting odds favor the Europeans to continue their winning ways; they are a 4-5 bet to take the title, compared to 6-5 for the Americans.
Despite being knocked out in the first round of World Match play by Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods is predicted to lead the US charge and be their highest point scorer for the week, with odds listed at 9-4 that he outpoints all other American players, including Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to name a few. Team USA has four relatively unknown players on the roster but all four are 2007 tournament winners and have posted some of season’s best performances, each earning over $1.5 million on the PGA TOUR. They include Zach Johnson, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Brett Wetterich.
The experienced European squad includes the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, who’s emotions will be tested after the passing of his wife to a battle with cancer. Donald and Garcia are in particularly good form and each is a 5-1 bet to lead the European squad in the points race. Donald has proven he can go head to head with Woods at a major event after a run for the $1.2 million purse at the PGA Championship. Garcia’s Ryder Cup credentials prove he’s ready for battle too.
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Ryder Cup Odds| Europe Tie USA |
4-5 10-1 6-5 |
Ryder Cup Top US point scorer
| Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Phil Mickelson Chris DiMarco David Toms Stewart Cink Chad Campbell Scott Verplank Zach Johnson Vaughan Taylor JJ Henry Brett Wetterich |
9-4 4-1 5-1 7-1 8-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 25-1 30-1 30-1 50-1 |
Ryder Cup Top European scorer
| Sergio Garcia Luke Donald Padraig Harrington Colin Montgomerie Darren Clarke David Howell Lee Westwood Paul Casey Henrik Stenson Jose Maria Olazabal Paul McGinley Robert Karlsson |
5-1 5-1 6-1 13-2 8-1 9-1 9-1 11-1 12-1 12-1 20-1 25-1 |
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