Even online Belmont betting players will be watching the NFL lockout situation as the football season is being threatened, but teams are also waiting to start making moves to improve their team on the free-agent market, and the biggest fish out there may be cornerback Nmandi Asomugha, who likely won’t be resigned by Oakland.Here are the top three places where he should land.

Philadelphia – The Eagles need someone opposite Asante Samuel, who would have a chance to reach double figures in interceptions with Asomugha on the other side. Philadelphia also needs some secondary help in the NFC East, which features such quarterbacks as New York’s Eli Manning and Dallas’ Tony Romo.

Houston – The Texans aren’t going to come out of the AFC South until they figure out a way to slow down Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning, and they have a decent pass rush; it’s just that their secondary is atrocious. The Texas were dead last in the NFL against the pass, and they should be the first or second in line to make an offer to Asomugha when the lockout ends.

Washington – The Redskins are also in the NFC East, but they’re the only team in the league without a decent quarterback as they’ll probably get rid of Donovan McNabb. That means they may need Asomugha more than anyone else in the division because they don’t figure to score a lot of points, so improving their defense is the best way to boost their odds at your favorite betting website.

The interminable mess that is the NFL’s labour dispute only got worse for fans last week when it was revealed that the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a ruling extending the lockout imposed by the owners.

At this point, the conflict has become more of a legal battle than the balanced negotiation it should have been. Instead of making trade-offs to come to a mutually satisfying agreement, both parties have taken to the courts in the hopes of gaining bargaining power.

DeMaurice Smith, the head of what was the NFL Players Association – no longer an actual union since the players voted to decertify it – has taken to grandstanding for the public like he’s engaged in a WWE-style feud. He talks of “counterpunching”, not “laying down” amidst the “chaos” the league is allegedly creating.

His rhetoric is only further poisoning the already-toxic relationship between the two sides, so even if they ever do get back to the bargaining table, it’s hard to imagine a respectful atmosphere of cooperation emerging. Expect NFL news to still be dominated by stories about lawsuits and finger-pointing instead of what to do about escalating rookie salaries and whether to extend the regular season.

The next major step is the antitrust suit being filed by a number of players against the league, colloquially known as “Brady vs. NFL”, with initial hearings set for early next month. The players want the lockout lifted on the grounds that it is unlawful, while the league is countering that the decertification of the union is a sham. (By no longer operating as a labour organization, the players can operate under antitrust legislation.)

The light at the end of the tunnel seems to be moving further and further away, with the scheduled start of the preseason only two months away. Even if a deal can be struck, the league still needs to have a free agency period, sign rookie contracts, and hold training camps. Week one of the 2011 NFL season was suppose to encompass the 10^th anniversary of September 11^th, but it’s now entirely possible that greed and ego are going to get in the way of what would be a major cultural moment for the United States.

Oh, and if Ray Lewis is to be believed, a football-less fall will apparently turn the country into some kind of anarchic, crime-riddled wasteland, because people won’t have anything better to do. So that’s not good either.

Those wagering on Preakness Stakes betting odds will have many choices this weekend, but at least there are a couple of frontrunners. At the quarterback position in Washington, the Redskins have no idea who is in pole position to be their starter under center whenever the season kicks off after the lockout. Both John Beck and Rex Grossman say they will start, while Donovan McNabb is his usual quiet self, and it’s going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

The McNabb situation is obviously the thing that coach Mike Shanahan (and son Kyle, the offensive coordinator) has to figure out when the lockout ends, and the smart money is on McNabb not being in the nation’s capital when Week 1 starts. The Shanahans and McNabb had a contentious 2010 season, which ended with Grossman getting the nod over McNabb, and the two sides clearly can’t be on the same team anymore. But then what? The Redskins didn’t draft a quarterback, and there isn’t much out there in terms of free agents, outside of McNabb’s old Philadelphia teammate Kevin Kolb, and it looks more like he’ll end up in Arizona.

Of course, this is all speculation and it’s tough to make a prediction until the lockout is sorted. But the Redskins can’t be competitive in the NFC East, where the other three teams are loaded at quarterback. McNabb is their best option, and the Shanahans seem desperate to run him out of town. It doesn’t look good for Washington’s online sports betting odds.

Even 2011 Preakness Stakes betting can’t take attention away from the NFL, and there are things to talk about even without the lockout. Of course, no moves can be made until the situation is sorted out, but it’s always fun to think of what will happen when the time comes, and one of the most intriguing situations will surround free-agent cornerback Nmandi Asomugha, who likely won’t stay in Oakland.

Asomugha is definitely in the top three when it comes to cover corners in the NFL, alongside the Jets’ Darrelle Revis and Denver’s Champ Bailey, and you could argue that Asomugha is the best of the three. Asomugha had eight picks in 2006, but only three in the last four seasons because teams simply don’t challenge him anymore. It seems as though he is through with the Raiders, and Dallas and Philadelphia are the odds-on favorite to make a run at Asomugha, who is Louisiana-born but went to college at California. The Eagles desperately need a corner opposite Asante Samuel, who was tied for second in the NFL with seven picks last year, while the Cowboys, while the Cowboys were 26^th in the league against the pass.

When you look at the quarterbacks in the NFC East, Tony Romo (Dallas), Michael Vick (Philadelphia) and Eli Manning (New York Giants; we’re waiting to see what Washington tries to pull off), being a good pass-defending team is essential, and the team that picks up Osamugha will definitely boost their online sports betting odds.

As a group, the top four picks of the 2010 NFL Draft put together a pretty impressive rookie campaign.

Sam Bradford looked like a future Pro Bowler at quarterback for the Rams, tossing 18 football scores.Ndamakong Suh was simply one of the best defensive players in football, being named to the All-Pro team and terrorizing backfields all season for the Lions. Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy wasn’t in Suh’s league, but improved all season-long before sitting out the last three games with a bicep. Redskins rookie left tackle had to face the league’s best pass-rushers all year long and experienced some growing pains, but flashed definite potential to become a rock protecting the quarterback’s blindside.

The top four from last month’s draft might not have an immediate All-Pro like Suh among them, but at least three of the four look poised to have definite impacts in their first year in the pros.

1^st Overall: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Newton is without a doubt the biggest question mark amongst the top draftees of 2011, despite accounting for 51 scores in his Heisman-winning season at Auburn.

He’s a big, athletic signal-caller with a good arm, but there are serious concerns about his accuracy and football intelligence. He played in a simplified offence in his one year as a starter, so his ability to translate his game to the pro level is in doubt.

With former second-round pick Jimmy Clausen on the roster, Newton probably won’t start immediately, but look for the Panthers to struggle out of the gate and turn to Newton sooner rather than later. Thanks to the ‘Cats strong running game, he won’t have to everything, which could mask some of his flaws.

Expect some flashes of brilliance in between plenty of turnovers and looks of frustration from Carolina teammates, coaches, and fans.

2^nd Overall: Von Miller, OLB, Denver Broncos

Miller is an elite pass-rusher off of the edge with great speed and flexibility to turn the corner against big tackles. He’s a nice fit in the Broncos’ new 3-4 alignment, which should free him up to attack quarterbacks from a stand-up position on first and second down, while lining up on the end of the defensive line in nickel formations.

With Elvis Dumervil, a similarly-undersized speed rusher on the other end of the Broncos’ D, Miller should have plenty of opportunities against single blockers, and should rack up plenty of sacks and hurries while making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

3^rd Overall: Marcell Dareus, DT, Buffalo Bills

Dareus’s size and versatility should help improve the Bills’ worst-ranked rush defence, as he’ll likely line up as a defensive end in their base 3-4 set, next to powerful nose tackle Kyle Williams. While 3-4 ends are typically expected to just eat up space and blockers, Dareus should also bring a bit of a pass rush as a bonus.

Because of the type of defence the Bills play, he won’t have the highlights and numbers of a guy like Miller, but will immediately make everyone around him better.

4^th Overall: A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Green plays the wideout position like a veteran, running crisp, fluid routes and exhibiting remarkable body control. He’s not the fastest straight-line runner at the position, but more than makes up for it with his size, big hands, and explosive leaping ability.

Unlike many rookie receivers, who enter the league too raw to separate from pro-level defensive backs, Green is polished enough to be a star in his first season. Presuming the Bengals quarterback situation isn’t a total mess – and it might be – he could approach 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.

PayPerHead.com, an online sportsbook service provider for local agents, today unveiled a new campaign featuring Vince Curatola, Johnny Sack of The Sopranos fame.

The campaign leads with Vince asking “Five bucks a head, that’s what I wanna pay…” and the website, featuring video and voice overs by Vince, walks you through the product, the process and the competition.

“Five bucks a head is really an industry first given our level of service,” a spokesman from PayPerHead.com explained. “And we very carefully and in great detail delineate on the website exactly what you get and at what price level at PayPerHead versus the other serious players, such as PPH International.”

As a sportsbook agent, what you get is a lot, including not only the traditional online sportsbook but an optional casino, live poker, in game live betting, mobile betting, tools for managing players and their funds, layoff and scalp accounts, even a “sharp check.” “We have the sharpest lines out there and one of the most experienced stages anywhere offshore,” the spokesman said, “so if we start seeing sharp action from one of your players, we can give you a heads up. What you want to do with him is up to you.”

The choice of Vince Curatola has intrigued many. “We always liked Vince’s character on The Sopranos, as John “Johnny Sack” Sacramoni,” the PayPerHead spokesman said. “He had a certain style, always classy, but never over the top; there’s a calmness and authority about him that we really admire.  He brings that serious business demeanor to PayPerHead.com, the first sportsbook-service to EVER feature any kind of celebrity in its marketing.”

With post-up books like BetUS, Sportsbook.com and SportsInteraction stopping taking US players, Bodog and others struggling with “Ecom” processing problems, the street scene is heating up and players are posting daily in forums looking for a “local out.” Players want the biggest choice of markets, including live in-game betting, and the convenience of anytime betting online or via their mobile device, but more and more say “they want to bet online but prefer to settle in cash on Monday.”

Is this the future of online sports betting? It very well could be. And with firms like PayPerHead.com investing in marketing in an unprecedented way (celebs, who’d have thunk it?!) and in product (they also offer live poker, casino and in-game betting), expect to see this sector grow significantly this season.

For more information, see PayPerHead.com.

Those who bet Kentucky Derby online should be in for a wild race on Saturday, but it may not be half as wild as the race for win the starting quarterback job for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, who had the No.1 pick in the draft and took Heisman winner Cam Newton out of Auburn. As soon as the pick was announcing, many started to speculate on the future of Jimmy Clausen, who the Panthers took in the second round last season, and it hasn’t worked out. Unlike Saturday’s Derby, this looks like it’s going to be a rout.

Clausen finished last season with a 52.5% completion rate, throwing three touchdowns and nine picks, but reports have surfaced that the team, specifically receiver Steve Smith, never warmed up to the former Notre Dame star. The Panthers are banking on much bigger things from Newton, who led the Tigers to last year’s BCS title, but his signature game was the “Iron Bowl” against Auburn’s biggest rival, Alabama. On the road in Tuscaloose, Newton rallied the troops when the Tigers were down 24-0 and with everything (the “Iron Bowl” is bigger than any championship in Alabama) on the line, powered Auburn to a 27-24 win. Newton is a leader of men, and it doesn’t appear that Clausen has that same intangible about his game.

Of course, the two have to go to training camp to battle for the spot, which can’t happen until the lockout is resolved. But if this were a prop, we would say it’s a smart wager on Cam Newton starting the next season as the Carolina starter when you’re betting online.