While most people are focusing on UFC 97 betting, the NFL betting fans are keeping an eye on the upcoming NFL Draft.

The draft is less than two weeks away but Andre Smith, a guy who was once considered as the safest tackle pick in the draft, just fired his agent. NFL betting fans might recall that Smith disappeared at the NFL combine, then when NFL teams did get their hands on him for interviews, they said he had a horrendous attitude.

Smith, who was one of the key reasons for Alabama’s turnaround, has put on display one of the worst attitudes since the end of the season. Even so, he’s not falling too far. NFL betting fans expect him to go to – where else – the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 5.

Quick Poll for NFL betting fans? Should the Cleveland Browns draft a quarterback? Sportsbook odds makers now know there are two former New England Patriots coaches who might be looking for a New England Patriots-type quarterback. NFL betting fans know that that would be a guy like Mark Sanchez.

The two teams NFL betting fans should pay attention to are the Cleveland Browns, who have the fifth pick in the NFL draft and the Denver Broncos, who have both the 12th and 18th picks in the NFL draft, which gives them the ammo to move into the top five.

Who will the AFC Northbet Cleveland Browns draft with their first-round pick?
Brian Orakpo, Texas
Mark Sanchez, USC
Matt Stafford, Georgia,
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

NFL betting fans are aware that the Cincinnati Bengals recently put Chad Johnson up on the trade block. The question is, where does he land?

Sportsbook odds:

NEW YORK GIANTS +250
NEW YORK JETS +350
DALLAS COWBOYS +500
MINNESOTA VIKINGS +500
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS +700
FIELD +450

NFL betting fans should take a good look at ‘field’ if the Eagles are in fact interested in Johnson. He might be the guy that puts them over the top, kind of the way Terrell Owens did. Right now, the sportsbook odds have the NFC East being the toughest division but the Eagles might climb to the top of that heap if they can get Ocho Cinco.

Check out our friend’s at the bettor’s edge!

Poll for NFL betting fans: Who should the Kansas City Chiefs Draft with their first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft?

The NFL betting odds favor Aaron Curry as the selection. Here are some options:

Aaron Curry, LB – Wake Forest
Jason Smith, T – Baylor
Eugene Monroe, T – Virginia
Michael Crabtree, WR – Texas Tech
Brian Orakpo, DE – Texas

Sportsbook odds indicate there is a good chance that someone from the Big 12 is taken but my hunch is that it will be Aaron Curry. Curry is rated as the best player in the draft on many draft boards, so I’d be surprised if he didn’t go there.

Those who bet sports also know that the Chiefs have a need at that position.

Keep an eye on our friends at the Bettor’s Edge as we get closer to the NFL draft.

The final four odds as well as March Madness betting are coming to a close and while one sport is about to go quiet, the NFL season is about to heat up.

NFL betting fans have their eye squarely on the NFL Draft, which will be upcoming on April 25th, but a little wild card has been thrown into the mix as the New York Giants have released Plaxico Burress. If you are an NFL betting fan, do you want your team to pick up Burress?

Some likely candidates to add him would be the Oakland Raiders, for obvious reasons, and the Chicago Bears and New York Jets. My money is on the Bears. That would make a big splash for them.

One thing to consider is that the league might suspend Burress for the 2009 season, which would mean that nobody adds him.

Either way, betting fans should keep an eye on Burress as his release has changed the landscape of the draft.

Most people have been focusing on the final four odds and may not have noticed this, but Jay Cutler is officially on the trade block. NFL betting fans, start drooling.

The Denver Broncos officially announced that they are going to part ways with their stud, which begs the question: where is he going to land?

The Chicago Bears are an option, so are the Detroit Lions and some NFL betting fans want to see him in the purple and gold of the Minnesota Vikings.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers could sure use him, but do they have the pieces to send back the other way.

Sportsbook odds still favor him starting for the Broncos next year and we can’t rule out that possibility. Remember, he is under contract.

My prediction is that the Broncos end up with Brady Quinn as their starting quarterback. How does that sound? Back to March Madness basketball odds I go.

Take your head out of the final four odds for a second March Madness betting fans. Remember Donte Stallwaorth’s recent car troubles? Now think back even further – remember Maurice Clarett?

Well, apparently Clarett has some advice for Stallworth, which will make some NFL betting fans laugh (Courtesty of CFT):

“I haven’t been interested in sports seriously since 2003 but I am familiar with who Donte is,” Clarett wrote. “I wasn’t aware of the situation when I received the question but became educated on it as the week passed. I believe that the situation is unfortunate for both parties.

“I think there is a lot to be learned and I hope and wish the best for everyone involved. I know what it is like to lose a loved one in a car accident and I know the stress that comes with your life being in limbo and prison potentially being in your future. Both situations are very uncomfortable.”

Interesting stuff.

NFL betting fans probably don’t care about either players anymore. Right now, hoops betting is more important but I figured I’d pass along this funny note.

The final four odds are posted but if you are one of the few that isn’t focused on March Madness basketball betting right now, then let me ask you this: should the Detroit Lions trade the 1st pick overall in the 2009 NFL Draft?

Sportsbook odds indicate that the Lions will keep it, but the bottom line is that there are so many holes to fill on that team that moving back for an extra couple of picks makes a lot of sense.

There is also a lot of pressure associated with drafting first overall, and there would be less if the Lions moved back. NFL betting fans won’t get as mad if they screw up the 10th pick in the draft opposed to the first pick in the draft.

What do you think NFL betting fans?

NFL betting fantas are wondering about the Oakland Raiders. Yes, they are a bad team right now but are they on the way up?

They won two games in a month for the first time in a while last December and they finished up on a high note. It’s unlikely that sportsbook odds will list them with more than 4.5 or 5 wins for their regular season win total, but they might be on the way up.

How good is JaMarcus Russell? Do NFL betting fans think he’s getting better? If so, then the Raiders might be on to something. Sportsbook betting fans know that they also have Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas, and potentially might get Michael Crabtree as well.

As whole, that might appear to have the look of a foundation. But in reality, Russell might be trash, McFadden has proven too much yet and Crabtree is a question mark.

Russell needs to arrive in better shape this year and perform, or he’ll be subject ot the criticism of many blogs, like Dirty Harry’s Backyard.

Even if you are busy with March Madness odds, take a look at these NFL betting odds for who will be the first pick overall in the 2009 NFL Draft:

Betonline.com sportsbook: WHO WILL BE THE 2009 NFL FIRST DRAFT PICK
MATTHEW STAFFORD -250
JASON SMITH +180
EUGENE MONROE +800
MICHAEL CRABTREE +800
OTHER +250

There is a good chance that Stafford is the first pick, but NFL betting fans should be aware that the latest rumor has the Lions negotiating with USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. There is also an outside shot that the Lions select standout linebacker Aaron Curry.

Other at +250 is excellent value because if the Lions don’t pick Stafford, they will take Sanchez, and you are getting him as a big underdog.

For March Madness basketball odds, check out MarchMadness.org.