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.

Sports betting players will have a busy holiday as the NFL rolls into Week 16 on Thursday, and here is a look at the best games you’ll find in your sportsbook.

49ers Rams Betting – Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Rams are favored by 2.5 points in this NFC West contest, and the 49ers can pull even with St. Louis in the tight but pathetic West, where a sub-.500 team will likely end up hosting a playoff game. The Rams have looked inexperienced over the last couple of weeks.

Bet Online NFL: 49ers +2.5

Colts Raiders Betting – Sunday, 4:05 PM ET

The Colts are favored by a field goal in Oakland, and both will be trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Raiders are improved, but we can’t take Jason Campbell over Peyton Manning, although Oakland’s defense will keep it close.

Bet Online NFL: Colts -3

Giants Packers Betting – Sunday, 4:15 PM ET

There is no line yet as the Packers await word on Aaron Rodgers, who missed last week’s game because of a concussion, but we’re going to take the Packers anyway because we think last week’s collapse is still weighing on the Giants’ minds.

Bet Online NFL: Packers

Saints Falcons Betting – Monday, 8:30 PM ET

The Falcons are favored by 2.5 points at home, where they are 6-0 this season, and Matt Ryan is 19-1 as a starter in his career. But the Saints have been on a roll, and even though they lost at Baltimore, we still think they’re the best team in the NFC South.

Bet Online NFL : Saints +2.5

I was reading about UFC 95 picks at the Bettor’s Edge blog when this news flew in to my inbox: Raiders release Ronald Curry.

Curry, who has shown flashes, at times, might be considered a free agent steal now that he’s up for grabs. Sportsbook odds don’t exactly change whether he plays or not, but I think Curry is the type of player than can be an effective No. 2 receiver for a decent team.

Playing in Oakland, with JaMarcus Russell at quarterback, obviously his numbers sagged. But keep in mind that he’s no spring chicken. Curry is going to be 30-years-old in May and isn’t exactly a sexy young prospect any more.

Sportsbook insiders seem to think that Miami would be a good fit for him, if the price is right.

Alright sportsbook bettors. It’s a quiet day in the NFL. You can expect that for about the next 200 days or so. Todd Weiner, who for all intents and purposes is an inconsequential NFL player, has retired. Yes, that’s the news of the day.

Not much else.

Actually, today is the first day you can start using your franchise tag on players.

How’s that for excitement.

Sportsbook bettors, I can’t wait for March Madness betting. Please tell me it’s soon?

Sportsbook lines are completely empty in the signing day department. Do you honestly care?

Some people talk about signing day as it if NFL Draft Jr. In some ways it is, but I think the NFL is a much safer bet because you know more about the players, and you know more about the teams that they are going to.

Right now, we have a bunch of five-star recruits, who sometime go up to college and style on some people, and then there are others who just disappear.

I guess in a roundabout way what I’m saying is that there is a higher bust percentage.

I’ll check back at the end of the signing day to see who’s classes are best-ranked, but I’m not going to be in my sportsbook betting on this stuff or monitoring it in real time.