Giants WR Brandon Collins Suspended by the NFL

Playing professional football is a dream that thousands of amateur players share. Some of them do whatever it takes to make to the NFL; they sacrifice their social life and their time with their families and friends. They spend hours training and doing their best on the field. Other players simply mess things up before they even start their careers. That’s exactly what happened to New York Giants free-agent wide receiver Brandon Collins, who according to an announcement released by the NFL this Monday, was suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season due to violations to the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Now, you don't need to be a hardcore NFL fan or a sportsbook betting expert to know that kind of thins usually means your career is hanging by a thread, even more if you're nothing but a rookie.

Weeks ago, the 24-year old wide receiver had a long shot to make the Giants team, but after this new episode, he may have no shot at all once he comes back from his forced “vacation”. His four-game suspension effectively ends on Sept. 30, the day after the Giants play the Kansas City Chiefs.  The suspension is nothing but another blemish on Collins’ resume. Having missed the 2009 season at the University of Texas due to academic ineligibility; Collins was dismissed from the Texas Longhorns team in 2010 after an arrest for aggravated robbery.

Collins was then transferred to Southeastern Louisiana and spent part of last season on the Giants’ practice squad.  The wide receiver was undrafted and played no official games in the National Football League, but spent most of the year on the Giants' practice squad and was eligible to take part in all offseason and preseason practices and games. However, the four-game suspension could mean the end of his career, at least with the Giants.

Collins is allowed to take part in all offseason practices and preseason games, but as we all know, there’s no room for trouble makers in the NFL, and at this point, is highly unlikely that the Giants keep him with the team when the regular season starts.

NFL Announces New Stadium Bag Policy

The winds of change are hitting the NFL, but unlike several other times, players, coaches or team staff will be affected in any way. Instead, fans will have to comply to a new policy that affects every person attending games this coming season.

As announced this Friday by NFL officials, starting with the 2013 preseason, the league will implement a new measure that limits the size and type of bags permitted at the football stadiums.  According to the National Football League, limiting the size of bags provides a safer environment and speeds up fan entry into stadiums.

The NFL Committee on Stadium Security reviewed and recommended the implementation of this rule back in May. The proposal was then discussed with all teams at the league meeting and will be put in practice at all stadiums starting with preseason games.

With the exception of some medical items, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches will be allowed into the stadiums. Clear plastic freezer bags with a maximum capacity of one-gallon will be permitted, same as small clear plastic bags approximately the size of someone's hand, with or without a handle or strap. Only one bag will be allowed per person. Items such as binoculars, point-and-shoot cameras, and smartphones will also be permitted.
NFL football fans and attendees won’t be allowed to carry purses larger than a clutch bag; computer bags, coolers; briefcases; backpacks & fanny packs; cushions and camera bags or any items larger than the permissible size.

The safety measure is widely used at other sports and entertainment venues. Some of them, including the University of Michigan, Penn State University and Michigan State University do not allow fans to carry any bags, while the TD Garden in Boston only permits clutch bags.

“Our fans deserve to be in a safe and secure environment. Public safety is our top priority. This will make the job of checking items much more efficient and effective. We will be able to deliver a better and quicker experience at the gates and also provide a safer environment. We appreciate our fans’ cooperation.” said Jeffrey Miller, NFL vice president and chief security officer.

The new NFL stadium bag policy will be in effect for all preseason games and open practices.

NFL and Players Association Analyze Changes for Next Year’s Draft

The NFL and NFL Players Association are discussing the possibility of rescheduling next year’s Draft and move up the start of the league year to before the annual scouting combine held in Indianapolis.

NFL.com informed this week that executives and the representatives from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) are currently analyzing and discussing a plan to move the 2014 NFL Draft from April to May. Only hours later, several sites informed that the NFL and the NFLPA are also working on an agreement to change the start of the league year and free agency up to the middle of February.

The NFL can reschedule the draft and annual scouting combine without the approval of the Players Association, but changes to the start of the league year must be revised and approved by both parts. The NFL initially proposed starting the league year in April but the union rejected the plan.
Moving the draft to May is likely to happen starting next year. The measure is expected to be in place for at least the next three years.  The possible start date for the 2014 draft is May 15th.

The official start of the league year and free agency period is also expected to suffer some changes and get reschedule to begin before the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. According to the NFLPA, they would like to give free agents a chance to find new teams sooner. This year's scouting combine took place from Feb. 20-26. The 2013 league year began on March 12th.

While the NFL hasn’t discussed the motives that prompted the changes, rumors point the league has several reasons to do so. Less than a week ago, NFL.com informed that a scheduling conflict with Radio City Music Hall (the location of the draft) would make next year as a good time to test the change. On the other hand, the NFL is looking to expand its postseason calendar and get some exposure during the post season. The longer the league can stretch events such as the free agency period and the draft, the more they will stay in the spotlight in the months following the Super Bowl.

The change may be insignificant for bettors and football fans; after all, it does not alter the season or the betting action. But for more teams, which are inactive during that time of the year, getting some extra exposure is nothing but beneficial. Now, the change may impact Draft prospects, as they will get some more free time before the end of the NCAA season and the Draft, which means dealing with more time under the media scrutiny and perhaps more pressure and criticism.


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Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks voted by fans as Top Super Bowl XLVIII contenders

Every offseason, NFL fans and bettors come with the same exact question: Who’s going to win next Super Bowl? Now, football bettors know how hard is to predict an accurate outcome, but that doesn’t seem to stop thousands of sportsbook betting fans from trying.

Just a few days ago, the NFL ended its popular "Predict the Season" contest hosted every year, and after three long of voting, fans came with two early Super Bowl favorites: Denver and Seattle. According to the numbers released by the NFL, voters picked the Broncos over the New England Patriots in the AFC title game and the Seahawks over the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC championship. Broncos got a total of 44,362 votes; however, the team was surpassed by the Seahawks by approximately 7.000 votes (51,803 votes).

Despite how useless the fan opinion could be, the truth is that their prediction isn’t that far from what oddsmakers are predicting for the next season.  Just days after the 2013 NFL Draft came to an end, the odds to win the 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII had the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos as the Top two title contenders for next NFL championship. 

Same as San Francisco and the always favorite New England Patriots, the Seahawks and Broncos are catching the attention of fans and oddsmakers. Both teams show listed among the Top 5 Teams to Win Super Bowl XLVIII according to oddsmakers. The Broncos and Patriots are tied in third place to win the title at +600. The Seattle Seahawks, who opened at 12-to-1 to win the Super Bowl, show listed at +800. But according to oddsmakers, the 49ers are the top contender this season. Future NFL odds are led by the 49ers, listed at +500 to win Super Bowl XLVIII.

The 2013 NFL Season is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, September 5th with a special game pitting the current NFL champs, the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos in a rematch of a 2012 Divisional Round playoff game. Conference rivals, Seahawks and Niners are programmed to meet twice this season, with the first game set to take place on September 15^th at CenturyLink Field (Week 2) and Game 2 set for December 8^th at Candlestick Park (Week 14).

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Lebron James wins 4th MVP Award

Well, the announcement of the 2012-13 NBA Most Valuable Player went exactly as predicted. As many sportsbook betting and basketball predicted since months ago, the annual prize went to Miami Heat LeBron James, who remains the best basketball player in the National Basketball League.

James received a total of 120 first-place votes from a panel of 121 voters consisting of sportswriters and sports journalists and other NBA experts in North America as well as an NBA.com MVP fan vote.  The only vote that wasn’t casted to James went to Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. Oklahoma City's  Thunder forward Kevin Durant finished second to James in MVP voting for the second straight year, with Anthony third, Chris Paul fourth and Los Angeles Lakers Super Star Kobe Bryant fifth in votes.

The award places James as the youngest player in NBA history to win four MVPs, and the fifth player in league history to win four MVPs. At only 28-years old, James is joining an elite club of players with multiple MVP awards, including NBA Legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five), Bill Russell (five) and Wilt Chamberlain (four).

This is also the fourth consecutive season in where fans were allowed to cast their votes and rank their top five choices. The fan vote counted as one vote and was compiled with the 120 media votes to select the overall winner. Players were awarded 10 points for each first-place vote, seven points for each second-place vote, five for each third-place vote, three for each fourth-place vote and one for each fifth-place vote received.

2012-13 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award Results

LeBron James, Miami, Total Points 1,207
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, Total Points 765
Carmelo Anthony, New York, Total Points 475
Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers, Total Points 289
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers, Total Points 184
Tony Parker, San Antonio , Total Points 86
Tim Duncan, San Antonio, Total Points 65
James Harden, Houston, 33
Russell Westbrook, OKC, 9
Dwyane Wade, Miami, 5
Stephen Curry, Golden State, 3
Kevin Garnett, Boston, Total Points 1
David Lee, Golden State , Total Points  1
Ty Lawson, Denver , Total Points 1
Marc Gasol, Memphis , Total Points 1
Joakim Noah, Chicago¸ Total Points 1

Besides the 2012-13 NBA MVP, James won five Kia NBA Player of the Month award in 2012-13 (October-November, December, January, February, and March), becoming the first player in NBA history to receive the award during five straight months during a single season. He was also named Player of the Week five times (Nov. 11, Nov. 18, Dec. 23, Feb. 10, and March 24).

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2013 NHL Playoffs: Check the First Round Matchups and Game Schedule!

The NHL playoffs are here, and starting on this Tuesday, April 30th, the top 16 squads in the league will meet in the post season to crown the new hockey champion. So it’s time to check the schedule and matches programmed for this year’s post season.

Let’s begin with the games scheduled for this Tuesday, April 30th.  First, the defending NHL champion, the Los Angeles Kings will take on the fourth-seeded St. Louis Blues at 8 p.m. (ET).  The same night, the Chicago Blackhawks open the playoffs against the Minnesota Wild.  Tuesday’s playoff schedule closes with a high voltage match pitting the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks, winners of the Pacific Division title.

The 2013 NHL playoffs continue on Wednesday, May 1st when the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Islanders at 7:30 p.m. The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals will meet in the postseason for the third straight year. The Capitals captured the first two playoff series, but the Rangers defeated the Caps in a seven-game marathon in the Conference Semifinals last season. This season's playoff matchup kicks off Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Vancouver Canucks, winners of the Northwest Division for the fifth time in six seasons, face the San Jose Sharks starting at 10:30. The final two matches in the Eastern Conference features the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators.  Then the fourth-seeded Boston Bruins welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first post season series between the two squads since 1974, when the Bruins swept the Leafs in four games in a quarterfinal matchup. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:00 pm ET.

So let’s get ready to bet on hockey! While we prepare for some playoff action, here’s the complete schedule for the first round of the 2013 NHL courtesy of Sports Betting Online. Enjoy.

Eastern Conference
Pittsburgh Penguins vs.  New York Islanders
Season series: Penguins: 4-1-0. Islanders: 1-4-0.
Schedule:
Wed. May 1 at Pittsburgh (7:30 p.m. ET)
Fri. May 3 at Pittsburgh (7 p.m. ET)
Sun. May 5 at New York (noon ET)
Tues. May 7 at New York (7 p.m. ET)
*Thurs. May 9 at Pittsburgh (7 p.m. ET)
*Sat. May 11 at New York (TBD)
*Sun. May 12 at Pittsburgh (TBD)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators
Season series: Canadiens: 2-1-1. Senators: 2-1-1.
Schedule:
Thurs. May 2 at Montreal (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
Fri. May 3 at Montreal (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
Sun. May 5 at Ottawa (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
Tues. May 7 at Ottawa (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
*Thurs. May 9 at Montreal (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
*Sat. May 11 at Ottawa (CBC, TBD)
*Sun. May 12 at Montreal (CBC, TBD)

Washington Capitals vs. No. 6: New York Rangers
Season series: Capitals: 1-2-0. Rangers: 2-0-1.
Schedule:
Thurs. May 2 at Washington (7:30 p.m. ET)
Sat. May 4 at Washington (12:30 p.m. ET)
Mon. May 6 at New York (7:30 p.m. ET)
Wed. May 8 at New York (7:30 p.m. ET)
*Fri. May 10 at Washington (7:30 p.m. ET)
*Sun. May 12 at New York (TBD)
*Mon. May 13 at Washington (TBD)

Boston Bruins vs. No. 5: Toronto Maple Leafs
Season series: Bruins: 3-1-0. Maple Leafs: 1-1-2.
Schedule:
Wed. May 1 at Boston (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
Sat. May 4 at Boston (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
Mon. May 6 at Toronto (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
Wed. May 8 at Toronto (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
*Fri. May 10 at Boston (CBC, 7 p.m. ET)
*Sun. May 12 at Toronto (CBC, TBD)
*Mon. May 13 at Boston (CBC, TBD)

Western Conference
Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild
Season series: Blackhawks: 2-0-1. Wild: 1-2-0.
Schedule:
Tues. April 30 at Chicago (CBC, 8 p.m. ET)
Fri. May 3 at Chicago (CBC, 9: 30 p.m. ET)
Sun. May 5 at Minnesota (CBC, 3 p.m. ET)
Tues. May 7 at Minnesota (CBC, 9:30 p.m. ET)
*Thurs. May 9 at Chicago (CBC, TBD)
*Sat. May 11 at Minnesota (CBC, TBD)
*Sun. May 12 at Chicago (CBC, TBD)

Anaheim Ducks vs.  Detroit Red Wings
Season series: Ducks: 1-2-0. Red Wings: 2-1-0.
Schedule:
Tues. April 30 at Anaheim (10:30 p.m. ET)
Thurs. May 2 at Anaheim (10 p.m. ET)
Sat. May 4 at Detroit (7:30 p.m. ET)
Mon. May 6 at Detroit (8 p.m. ET)
*Wed. May 8 at Anaheim (10 p.m. ET)
*Fri. May 10 at Detroit (TBD)
*Sun. May 12 at Anaheim (TBD)

Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks
Season series: Canucks: 0-3-0. Sharks: 3-0-0.
Schedule:
Wed. May 1 at Vancouver (10:30 p.m. ET)
Fri. May 3 at Vancouver (10 p.m. ET)
Sun. May 5 at San Jose (10 p.m. ET)
Tues. May 7 at San Jose (10 p.m. ET)
*Thurs. May 9 at Vancouver (10 p.m. ET)
*Sat. May 11 at San Jose (TBD)
*Mon. May 13 at Vancouver (TBD)

St. Louis Blues vs. No. 5: Los Angeles Kings
Season series: Kings 3-0-0. Blues 0-3-0.
Schedule:
Tues. April 30 at St. Louis (CBC, 8 p.m. ET)
Thurs. May 2 at St. Louis (CBC, 9:30 p.m. ET)
Sat. May 4 at Los Angeles (CBC, 10 p.m. ET)
Mon. May 6 at Los Angeles (CBC, 10 p.m. ET)
*Wed. May 8 at St. Louis (CBC, TBD)
*Fri. May 10 at Los Angeles (CBC, TBD)
*Mon. May 13 at St. Louis (CBC, TBD)

Monday Night NBA Playoff Betting: Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets

Date/Time: Mon, Apr 22 / 08:05:00 PM ET, Barklay Center, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Series: Nets lead 1-0

The Nets were one of the eight teams that all won their opening home games in the first round of the NBA playoffs after routing a completely overmatched Bulls squad 89-106 on Saturday night.

Now the Nets will look to take a commanding lead in the series when they welcome Chicago for the second game in the series and with the impressive game that Deron Williams and the Nets are playing, there is no reason to believe they can’t do it. Brooklyn was truly balanced in game one and when they play that brand of basketball there are very few teams that can actually beat them.

On the other hand, the Bulls have definitely overachieved this season thanks to a long list of sensible injuries; including their leader and team super star Derrick Rose, who has been sidelined since May, 2012. But despite the injury-plagued season, the Bulls still have what it takes to compete in this series, but they just need to figure out a way to get their offense going and score more points to avoid returning home with an 0-2 deficit.

 If The Bulls want to have a chance at the Barclay's Center, they are going to need an improvement both defensively and offensively. The team also requires a great game out of Loul Deng on both sides of the ball and will need Kirk Hinrich to score a lot more then the two he did in game one.

Game Odds:
Chicago Bulls: +5-110, ML +185              

Brooklyn Nets: -5-110, ML -215

Game Total: 183, o/u -110

For More Odds on NBA, Visit Sports Betting Online.

An interesting fact to see this Monday night is Brooklyn’s capability to maintain the balance, patience and execution shown during Game 1. The game was the first major sports playoff game held in the city since the 1956 World Series and the atmosphere was simply unmatched.

“Everybody was excited for this game. I think it has been a long time coming for this franchise, this organization with the move and everything. We expected to be here, so we came out playing like we wanted to be here.” said point guard Deron Williams, who scored 22 points. Center Brook Lopez added 21 points and shooting guard Joe Johnson scored 16.

Three of the four regular-season meetings between the two teams were decided by four or less points, a fact that made Brooklyn’s easy victory more confounding for Chicago. There is simply just no way sportsbook betting fans can trust the Bulls right now, especially on outside the United Center. With Noah banged up, no Derrick Rose, and an offense that leaves a lot to be desired, this is a highly complicated situation for them. The Nets are growing in confidence and ended the regular season playing some of their best basketball all season long. Considering all that, bettors can be confident the Nets will take control early and never look back in game 2.