Even 2011 Belmont betting players will be paying attention to the ongoing NFL lockout saga currently going on, but the ones that may stand to be hurt most by the lockout are rookie quarterbacks. It’s the toughest position in the NFL to grasp, not just on the field, but off as well, and they’re going to have a lot of work on their hands when the season gets underway.

Of course, the biggest worries surround the quarterbacks who were taken in the two rounds, as they’re the ones most likely to get playing time right away. A lot of pivots, such as the No.1 pick, Cam Newton and No.10 Blaine Gabbert, spent their college careers playing in a spread, so they would love to have some time to get used to their new centers, not to mention their new receivers. Then you have players like Jake Locker, Christian Ponder and Andy Dalton, all of whom have a chance to start this season, but they’re going to be behind the eight-ball if the lockout continues.

All of the players are going to be affected by this lockout, but the learning curve for a rookie pivot is so steep in the NFL that it’s hard to imagine any of them playing very well whenever the new season starts. Don’t expect much out of these rookies when we resume action, because even though some are working out with their new teammates anyway, they still can’t have any contact with coaches, which is a huge part of the process. It’ll be interesting to see who ends up being the favorite for Rookie of the Year in your sports betting book.

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.

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.

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.

Even online March Madness betting players have been keeping an eye on the lockout situation in the NFL, but there have been a couple of players who have made news for off-field problems. Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib came into the NFL with “character issues”, and he could be in major trouble after his latest escapade.

Talib turned himself into police after an altercation with his sister’s boyfriend ended in a gun being fired and allegedly more, and now he is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Talib was suspended for the first game of last season for beating up a taxi driver, so he could be in line for discipline by commissioner Roger Goodell when the lockout is resolved.

This could be a huge loss for the Buccaneers as Talib is emerging as one of the best cover corners in the NFL, racking up six interceptions, and he is a physical guy who won’t be pushed around by receivers, making him the perfect cornerback in Tampa Bay’s scheme. The Bucs can expect Talib to be disciplined by the league when football resumes, even if he isn’t convicted of a crime as Goodell has made his name on cleaning up the league, and that is going to hurt the Bucs coming off a great season. Many were expecting Tampa Bay to be a dangerous underdog in the league, and this will put a lot of pressure on their pass defense, which hurts their odds at your best online sportsbook.

March Madness betting is the only thing that can take attention away from the NFL lockout right now, but there are headlines around the league that actually deal with, you know, the game of football. News has emerged that Randy Moss may be looking to go back to New England, but a lot of things would have to happen in order for the receiver to return to the Patriots.

Moss made news last year when he complained about his role in the Patriots’ offense, and New England answered him by trading Moss to Minnesota, who then moved him to Tennessee. Moss’ finals numbers for 2010 were 393 yards and five touchdowns on 28 catches, but his best time came in New England, where he had nine catches for 139 yards and three scores. Moss didn’t really build a rapport with Brett Favre in Minnesota, and he was a non-factor in Tennessee, where he spent most of his time on the bench. Moss took for granted that he was being coached by a Hall of Famer in Bill Belichick and getting thrown to by a future Hall of Famer in Tom Brady.

But what about the Patriots? They really missed Moss’ ability to stretch the field when it came to the playoffs, and say what you want about Moss, he still demands a double team. That would open things up for Wes Welker and their great and young tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Moss and the Patriots were made for each other, and if they can put the past behind them, watch New England’s Super Bowl odds improve when you’re betting online.

While March Madness betting has taken over your sportsbook, the NFL is always looming, whether there is the possibility of a lockout or not. The draft will take place in late April, even if the players and owners haven’t come to an agreement, and it’s completely possible that Carolina will take a Heisman winner with the top overall pick for only the third time since 1987.

The combine didn’t tell us anything new about Cam Newton. He’s an extraordinary athlete who needs to work on his accuracy, but he has the capacity to improve and may have the most potential of anyone in the draft. Newton looked more comfortable throwing at his pro day at Auburn, but he still has some way to go. That shouldn’t stop the Panthers from taking him with the first pick in New York City. Let’s face it, the Panthers need everything, so why not start at quarterback? Newton may already be better than any pivot on the Panthers’ roster, including last year’s second-round pick Jimmy Clausen, and his intangibles is what makes him a better option than Clausen.

Newton exudes a leadership quality that not many young players have, and that was proven as he dragged an Auburn squad that would be average without him to the national championship game. His ability to scramble and make plays with his legs is another thing that sets him apart from the current Carolina quarterbacks, and Newton is known in the Carolina area, which is technically ACC territory, but the SEC is never far away. When it comes to NFL props, picking Cam Newton to go first in the NFL draft wouldn’t be a bad bet at all.

Even MLB betting players had to catch the NFL Combine last week as teams evaluated the talent for the 2011 draft with a series of workouts and tests to see if they were up to the rigors of the league. Patrick Petersen of LSU went into the combine as the No.1 corner available, and he probably still is, but he now faces serious competition from Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara.

Peterson did nothing to hurt his draft stock, running a 4.34 in the 40-yard-dash, along with a 38-inch vertical jump, a 10-6 broad jump and he was fourth in the three-cone drill. Peterson has excellent hips, which allows him to turn and run, and he has an excellent change of direction.

Amukamara isn’t far behind, though, as he ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard-dash, also posted a 38-inch vertical and a 10-8 in the broad jump. He isn’t as explosive as Peterson, but Amukamara may be more technically sound, and can play in zone as well as man coverage. Amukamara is also stronger than Peterson, which will help as he jams receivers at the line of scrimmage.

All in all, Peterson is likely still the No.1 corner, and he has an added bonus as he was one of the best return specialists in the country, so whichever team picks him will be getting a weapon for their special teams. However, Amukamara is also a top-10 talent and could end up starting right away. He wouldn’t be a major detriment for a team’s sports betting odds.

MLB betting players know all about longevity, and when you have a good player, you should usually do whatever it takes to keep them (yes, we’re talking about St. Louis and Albert Pujols). In Denver, it looked like they would lose their All-Pro cornerback, but the Broncos wisely locked him up as he does to opposing receivers.

The Broncos agreed on a four-year deal with 10-time Pro Bowler Champ Bailey, who is still one of the top cover corners in the league at 32 years old (he’ll be 33 in June). Bailey had 45 tackles and two picks for the Broncos, and many teams still respect him so much that they don’t throw to his side. The Broncos pulled an extension off the table last season, and then it was reported that Bailey was selling his house in Denver, where he is looked at highly in the community as well as his exploits on the field. But the two sides agreed to a deal which will see Bailey receive almost $11 million a year.

This is a good deal on both sides, as Bailey admitted the looming lockout was a major reason in his signing, and he didn’t know what the salary situation would be like. It’s even better for the Broncos, who have a shutdown corner that they can turn into a run stopper, as Green Bay has done with Charles Woodson. But in an AFC West that is improving through the air, keeping Champ Bailey is great for Denver’s sports betting odds.

You would have received a sports betting bonus if you would have predicted a few of the coaches that were either fired or left their job during this turbulent NFL offseason, including the longest tenured coach in the league. Here is a look at the new coaches in the NFL, with the previous coach in parentheses.

Carolina – Ron Rivera (John Fox)

Cleveland – Pat Shurmur (Eric Mangini)

Dallas – Jason Garrett (Wade Phillips)

Denver – John Fox (Josh McDaniels/Eric Studesville)

Minnesota – Lesley Frazier (Brad Childress)

Oakland – Hue Jackson (Tom Cable)

San Francisco – Jim Harbaugh (Mike Singletary)

Tennessee – Mike Munchak (Jeff Fisher)

Fisher is the biggest surprise, leaving Tennessee after 17 seasons, although Munchak was a longtime assistant and has spent his entire career (both playing and coaching) in Tennessee. Frazier and Garrett were named the full-time coaches after taking over for their fired predecessors during the season. Fox found a new job quickly, taking over in Denver, while Harbaugh left a successful program at Stanford in the NCAA to join his brother John, who just received an extension in Baltimore. Jackson was promoted from the offensive-coordinator position in Oakland despite the progression of the team under Cable, although we don’t think Cable got along with owner Al Davis (but has anyone, really?). Shurmur left the OC position in St. Louis to take over in Cleveland.

The longest tenured coach in the league is now Andy Reid, who has been in Philadelphia since 1999, while New England’s Bill Belichick has been with the Patriots since 2000, and we’re willing to bet these guys can leave on their own accord.