NFL betting lines enthusiasts are praying that the NFL and its players union get their acts together and figure out an agreement to make the 2011 regular season a reality. Heading into the 2011 sports betting offseason, many football handicappers were expecting a lot of change in the NFC East. What was once known as the toughest division in all of football, pretty much crumbled last season, as only the Philadelphia Eagles qualified for the playoffs. Here is a preview of the NFC East.

The 2010 season was a great one for the Philadelphia Eagles, as under second string quarterback Michael Vick; the team was able to dominate the entire NFL. Last year, the Eagles were expected to rebuild, after moving out several veterans, while letting a few younger players take the helm. When original Eagles starter Kevin Kolb fell to injury, the Michael Vick show, which had disappeared for a few years (went to prison) returned to help guide the Eagles to an 11 and five record. What was perhaps most impressive about Vick’s re-emergence in 2010, was that he put up just as impressive numbers throwing the ball as he did rushing. With hopes of adding pieces to the defensive secondary, Philadelphia should once again be the NFC East Champion.

On the other hand, 2010 was supposed to be the Dallas Cowboys year to win the Super Bowl. Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones put up a ton of money to build a new stadium and host the 2011 Super Bowl. However, Dallas jumped out to an awful start, and would finish the season six and 10 missing the playoffs. It wasn’t all bad for America’s team in 2010, as the Cowboys finished on a three game winning streak, and put up the best offensive numbers in the second half of the season.

Those who bet on MLB baseball should be happy to have the spotlight to themselves, but the NFL is always on the horizon, especially when reports come out stating that the two sides are getting closer to a deal that would end the lockout. Whenever the season begins, here are three players that will garner a lot of attention.

Cam Newton, Carolina

The first overall pick in the draft will have a franchise on his shoulders as the Panthers look to rebuilt, and he’ll end up with as much scrunity, if not more, than Denver’s Tim Tebow, who was a late pick in the first round in 2010. Newton didn’t play in your typical pro offense at Auburn, but his intangibles are off the charts, so it’ll be interesting to see how he progresses.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati

Palmer wants to be traded out of Cincinnati, but owner Mike Brown says that he won’t give in. Palmer has threatened to retire, and the Bengals drafted Andy Dalton out of TCU in the second round. The Bengals have to trade Palmer so they can at least get something for him, and this is just a battle of who can be more stubborn.

Plaxico Burress

Burress was released from prison after 21 months, but the big receiver is going to find a new team as the New York Giants probably won’t have him back, even though his teammates are more than willing to welcome him back into the fold. Michael Vick has bounced back from his prison term to star in Philadelphia, so you never know: Burress could end up boosting some team’s odds in your online sportsbook.

There are few jobs in professional sports with shorter shelf lives than that of an NFL running back. If you don’t agree with that, let me submit this little piece of evidence – Shaun Alexander might have topped this list only five years ago. Or Larry Johnson. Or Edgerrin James.

It’s a position constantly in flux, and in 2011 a couple new faces (Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles) joined recent staples Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson in the best-in-the-league conversation.
Here’s a look at the best ball-carriers in football today.

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

No, he didn’t sniff 2,000 yards again, much less the 2,500 he said he was shooting for, but Johnson was still the most dangerous back in football in 2010, despite being the first, second, and third priority for opposing defensive co-ordinators. His speed is no secret, but he’s far from a one-dimensional sprinter. He has the power to break away from initial contact and the vision to find seams in the middle of the line. He has the hands and size to split out wide in the passing game. And unlike the next guy on this list, he doesn’t fumble much and has stayed fairly healthy.

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Physically, Adrian Peterson is the absolute total package. He’s big (6-2, 220), fast, and incredibly powerful, able to trample linebackers and run past safeties. On top of all those physical gifts, he runs harder and with more anger than anybody in the game. That aggression has put a slight damper on his career, as his determined efforts to gain extra yards have often resulted in fumbles, and he’s taken a ton of hard hits already in his career. With the (hopefully final) retirement of Brett Favre, Peterson should be the focal point of the Vikings offence once again in 2011, and while they might find themselves back near the bottom of the NFL standings, “All Day” will be right there amongst the top rushers in the league.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Don’t call him small.

The Jags’ 5-foot-7 wrecking ball is a deceptively powerful runner, with legs like tree trunks. With his naturally low pad level, he can power through tackles and has the speed and bounce to get outside and go the distance. When he was drafted, he was expected to be a versatile, change-of-pace third-down back who could also return kicks. Five years later, he’s one of the best all-around offensive players in football.

4. Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Only two years ago, Steve Slaton was the up-and-coming star running back for the Texans. But after literally fumbling away the opportunity in 2009, he opened the door for a new back to feature in Houston’s version of Alex Gibbs’ zone-blocking run game. Former Tennessee Volunteers star Arian Foster got the opportunity in Week 1 and ran – get it? – with it. He put up over 200 yards against the Colts, and never let up for the rest of the season, finishing with the most rushing yards (1,616) and scores (16) in the NFL. He’s a big back with decent speed, but his greatest asset is his vision and cutback ability, which makes him a great fit for the Texans scheme. He’s only a one-season wonder at this point, but if he can repeat his performance from 2010, he could quickly climb these rankings.

5. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs

Charles broke out as a sophomore in 2009, topping going over 1,100 yards for a miserable Chiefs team, but truly emerged as a star in 2010, with nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage and a ridiculous 6.4 yards-per-carry average, unheard of for a full-time back. Having veteran Thomas Jones as a back-up certainly helped, and together the backs led the Chiefs to their first AFC West title since 2003. Charles has incredible speed – unsurprising given that he’s sprinted at international track meets – but has developed into a well-rounded back with good vision and quickness. If Jones can continue to produce as his back-up, Charles should be able to stay healthy and looks poised to be a star for years to come.

Over the last couple of weeks, Belmont betting enthusiasts also handicapping the NFL have grown in excitement, as the NFL and its players union work out a new collective bargaining agreement. Since early last week, the NFL and PA have met in a sports betting private setting in hopes of no longer needing federal courts to decide their disputes. With roughly two months until preseason begins, here is a look at some trades that need to happen when the lockout ends.

Kevin Kolb to Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals drafted Andy Dalton from TCU with their second round pick in the 2011 draft, and many experts believe he is the most ready rookie quarterback to step in. However, the Bengals have historically rushed their pivots causing the team to miss out on the playoffs. Having said that, acquiring Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles, allows Dalton to learn the tricks of the trade for a few seasons and keep the Bengals competitive with Kolb at the helm.

Carson Palmer to Buffalo Bills – On the other hand, the Bengals are in need of a trade partner for disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer. While Bengals owner Mike Brown has made it abundantly clear, that Palmer will leave Cincinnati when Brown is good and ready, making a deal with the Bills helps both sides considerably. With the emergence of CJ Sproles during the middle of last season, the Bills found themselves with too many top tier running backs. On the contrary, the Bills desperately need a good quarterback, which at 31 Palmer still is. Meaning to say, a potential Carson Palmer for Fred Jackson deal could work out perfectly for both of these struggling franchises.

Donovan McNabb to Cleveland Browns – With talk of Colt McCoy taking over as the starting quarterback in Cleveland, we couldn’t help but think that the Browns similar to interstate rivals the Bengals desperately need a veteran quarterback. Enter McNabb, who desperately wants out of the Washington Redskins, after he and Head Coach Mike Shanahan had a falling out. It’s no betonline scam, with talk that Plaxico Burress may sign with Cleveland, a McNabb and Burress tandem would be one of the scariest in the entire NFL.

The depressing, drawn-out saga of the NFL labour conflict has only got uglier. Two weeks ago the business-friendly Eight Circuit Court of Appeals essentially overruled a decision to lift the owner’s lockout, once again threatening the start of the 2011 season.

It was yet another step backwards in a dispute that has been fought more in the courts than at the bargaining table. There has been more legal manoeuvring than negotiating, and the exhausting process has only increased the bad blood between the two parties.

The head of The-Organization-Formerly-Known-As-The-NFLPA, DeMaurice Smith, has only further poisoned the well with continuous grandstanding in the media. He’s referred to the dispute like it’s a WWE-style feud. He says the players will never “lay down,” they have to “counterpunch,” the owners are creating “chaos”… He’s likely trying to get the public on the side of the players, but all he’s managed to do is drive a wedge deeper and deeper between the two sides.

At this point, it’s pretty hard to imagine a collegial atmosphere if real negotiations ever resume. NFL news will likely be dominated by continuing legal disputes, angry statements from players and owners, and aggravatingly slow progress. What the conversation should be about is what to do about escalating rookie salaries, how to protect players from long-term brain damage, and whether to extend the regular season. (Answer to the last question: no.)

Having lost their first lawsuit against the owners, the players now turn their attention to a class-action antitrust suit commonly known as “Brady vs. NFL.” Several well-recognized players came together to file the case accusing the owners of imposing an unlawful lockout. To file under antitrust law, however, the players had to decertify the NFL Players Association, because as unionized workers they had to operate under labour legislation, not antitrust. The owners are countering Brady’s suit by calling the decertification a “sham” for the purpose of manipulating labour law.

Ultimately, with the start of the 2011 preseason supposedly only two months away, the clock is ticking while the light at the end of the tunnel is only getting dimmer. Even if a new CBA can somehow be ratified in the coming weeks, there still needs to be sufficient time for a free agency period, which would have to include signing rookie contracts, and a training camp lengthy enough to get teams – and players – in shape for a full season. The regular season was supposed to kickoff on the same weekend as the 10th anniversary of September 11th, but it’s really starting to look like any planned pre-game memorial services are going to have to be put on hold because a bunch of ego-fueled millionaires can’t seem to get along.

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.

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.

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.

When offensive players, particularly running backs and quarterbacks, enter the NFL as rookies, the sudden jump in the complexity and speed of defenses tends to make their adjustment from the college to pro level incredibly daunting. QBs face complicated coverage schemes and quick linebackers and safeties taking away inside passing lanes; skill position players suddenly can no longer just run around the guy covering them.

Defensive players, on the other hand, can often step in and make significant contributions from Day 1, getting by on their athleticism while learning the NFL game. Some, like the Detroit Lions’ phenom defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, immediately become some of the best at their respective positions.

There may not be an immediate All-Pro defender in the 2011 draft pool, but it is still stacked – and deep – on that side of the ball. (Eleven of the top 15 prospects on Scouts, Inc.’s board are on defence.)

Here’s a few that should have big impacts preventing football scores at the pro level early in the career.

Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

An unusually fast player for his size and position, Dareus is considered by many draft experts to be the best player in the class. His limited starting experience raises a few eyebrows, especially given the conditioning required to make it through a full 16-game NFL season, but there is little doubt that Dareus will be wreaking havoc on NFL offensive lines very soon.

Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Effective edge rushers are vital in today’s pass-happy league, and Miller appears to be the best in this draft. He has elite speed off the edge and has the flexibility to get around big offensive tackles. He might need some time to become effective in complex zone defenses and in obvious run situations, but a team looking for a pass-rush specialist, particularly a team that runs a 3-4 defence, would do well to pick up Miller.

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

Peterson is a remarkable athlete, and, at almost 6-foot-1 and 220 lbs., atypically big for a quick defensive back. His strength and quickness make him a terror in man-to-man coverage, and he adds even more value as a return man on special teams. (He returned two kicks for scores in 2010.) He might not have the recognition skills for zone coverage that the next prospect possesses, but he has the look of a total shutdown cornerback in the pros, which is an invaluable and rare commodity.

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Amukamara isn’t quite the big-play prospect that Peterson is, but his route recognition and awareness is off the charts. He didn’t put up impressive INT numbers in college, but that owes more to the fact that offensive coordinators and QBs rarely even bothered testing him. A hard-worker with good speed and size, Amukamara shouldn’t come off the board more than two or three spots later than Peterson.

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

A bit of a boom-or-bust prospect, Fairley’s draft stock has gradually sunk since he was named MVP of the 2011 BCS National Championship game. He has incredible pass-rush skills for a guy who plays in the middle of the line, and spends a ton of time in opponents’ backfields.

However, scouts are concerned that Fairley might not have the work ethic to make it in the NFL, given that he would show up late for meetings and initially didn’t qualify academically to play at Auburn. But if Fairley can keep his head on straight and works hard, he could have a Warren Sapp-like impact on the D-line.

Even those who are online betting on Kentucky Derby odds will have one eye on the NFL draft, and the quarterbacks, as usual, are getting a lot of attention. We expect Auburn’s Cam Newton and Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert to be the first two quarterbacks to go in the draft in New York City, but the biggest questions seem to be surrounding Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett, who may be the most physically gifted when it comes to throwing the ball, but he may be doomed to the second round because of the “character issues” that seem to pop up at every draft.

Mallett has told NFL execs that he has had problems with drugs in the past, although Arkansas says he’s been clean during his time there. Mallett just seems to be more aloof than anything, but he ruined any small chance that he had at being the top overall pick in the draft as he cancelled a meeting with Carolina, the team with the No.1 selection. He reportedly had dinner with the team on one night, and then skipped out on meetings the next day by claiming he was sick, but he was also out late the next night in Charlotte, which definitely raises some red flags.

Carolina was probably going to pick Newton anyway, but they were doing their due diligence on Mallett, who has all the physical talents in the world, but he may not be ready to be the leader of a football team that has down in the dumps as of late. Mallett has first-round talent, but with this latest indiscretion, we would wager on him dropping to the second round at our favorite betting website.