0-fer and out: Winless Lions fire Marinelli
Football Betting Lines
12/29/2008 - Allen Park, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli weathered his way through a season that produced the first winless campaign since 1976, and his anticipated fate was realized when the club fired him as part of an organizational overhaul on Monday.
The 0-16 mark was the final judgment on Marinelli's three-year tenure, which produced just a 10-38 record.
The 10-year defensive assistant in Tampa Bay was the fourth head coach in former general manager Matt Millen's eight-year tenure as the lead voice in Detroit's front office.
Marinelli will now join Millen on the unemployment line.
The Lions (0-16) became the first team since the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who went 0-14 in their expansion season, and the first team since the league went to a 16-game format to finish a full campaign without a win.
The Lions now join the 1962 New York Mets (40-112), the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers (9-73) and the 1974-75 Washington Capitals (8-67-5) as having the worst season in their respective sports. However, the Mets and Capitals were both expansion teams when they set the mark.
Detroit owner and chairman William Clay Ford also announced the promotion of Tom Lewand to team president and the promotion of Martin Mayhew to general manager. Additionally, assistant director of pro personnel Dave Boller was not retained.
Assistant coaches Joe Barry (defensive coordinator), Mike Barry (assistant offensive line) and Jimmy Lake (secondary) were not retained. Joe Cullen's (defensive line) contract will not be renewed, while Jim Colletto was re- assigned to offensive line coach.
Florham Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Jets fired head coach Eric Mangini on Monday during a hastily-called early-morning press conference. The process to replace Mangini will take more time, according to executive vice
<< Jackets aim to solve Kings in LA
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets ended a lengthy scoring drought
last time they were on the ice. They will try to end a similar stretch tonight
versus the Los Angeles Kings, as the two teams meet at the Staples Center.
The Blue J
<< Preds try to rebound in Colorado
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Goaltending hadn't been Nashville's main concern over its
recent losing stretch, but that changed last time out. The Predators will try
to rebound tonight in a road test against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi
Center.
<< Flames host Wild in Northwest showdown
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first-place Calgary Flames resume a five-game homestand
tonight, as they receive a visit from the Minnesota Wild for a Northwest
Division showdown at Pengrowth Saddledome.
Tonight's matchup will feature the best and wo
<< Aiming for first three-game win streak, Stars host Sharks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Stars will get another chance at their first
three-game winning streak of the season when they host the mighty San Jose
Sharks for tonight's Pacific Division clash at American Airlines Center.
In addition to win
Birmingham, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A couple of teams playing at their highest level duel in the 2008 Papajohns.com Bowl, as the NC State Wolfpack meet the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Birmingham. After a 2-6 start to the season, including a fou
Missouri takes on Northwestern in Alamo Bowl >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Missouri Tigers of the Big 12
Conference and the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big Ten are set to collide in
this year's Alamo Bowl. This game will be played in San Antonio at the
Alamodome, a 65,000-seat v
NBA Northwest: Thunder Girls looking hot; team not so much >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There is no doubt most members of an NBA dance team are
smoking hot and Oklahoma City should be proud of its Thunder Girls.
The actual team, however, is not even worthy of the renowned walk of shame
following a wild night
Washington's Ovechkin leads NHL's Three Stars >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin,
Atlanta Thrashers center Bryan Little and Los Angeles Kings goaltender
Jonathan Quick have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending
Decembe
Gerrard arrested on assault charge >>
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - England and Liverpool midfielder Steven
Gerrard has been arrested following an alleged assault in Southport in the
early hours of Monday morning.
Gerrard was one of six people arrested following an
MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
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.
Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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