Preseason finale a chance for Packers' backup QBs
Football Betting Lines
09/01/2010 -
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Aaron Rodgers knows from experience that it isn't easy to live life as an understudy in the NFL.
Now that Rodgers finally has broken free from Brett Favre's shadow to become an elite starting quarterback, he sees a little bit of his former self in Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn: a guy willing to do what it takes to prepare as if he's the starter every week, knowing that he might never play.
``I was telling a friend this summer, I couldn't think of a better backup, because it's tough to be a backup,'' Rodgers said. ``You have to have the right personality, the right attitude and find ways to be a leader but also be very supportive. He's one of my best friends on this team, and he's improved and done a great job.''
If everything goes according to plan for the Packers, Thursday night's preseason finale in Kansas City will be the last time anybody sees Flynn at quarterback for a while.
Still, Flynn must be ready to step in if called upon, so he and the rest of the Packers' No. 2 offense see the game as a significant chance to sharpen their skills.
``It's definitely a big week and a week that I think all of the 'twos' look forward to,'' Flynn said. ``We're going to get more reps than we have all camp and any of the games, so it's something to look forward to. We're going to have a lot of fun and hopefully go out there and execute and put up some points.''
Meanwhile, No. 3 quarterback Graham Harrell has shown steady improvement during training camp and could use Thursday's game to solidify his spot on the team - even if it's just on the practice squad.
Harrell was a record-setting quarterback at Texas Tech, but couldn't get an extended, serious look in the NFL until now.
``I've always thought I was able to play at this level, and I just thought sooner or later I'll get a shot to do it,'' Harrell said. ``The more success I have here and the more comfortable I get in this offense and on this team, the more confidence I get and the more drive or reassurance I have that yeah, I can play on this level. I am good enough, and quarterbacks from spread systems can succeed in the NFL, and it's been a very positive experience so far, and I hope to continue to improve and do whatever it is that they ask me to do.''
In Harrell's case, that could be a stint on the practice squad.
The Packers only kept two quarterbacks, Flynn and Rodgers, on their roster last season.
Given Rodgers' durability and a logjam at other positions, including fullback and tight end, it stands to reason that the team will keep only two quarterbacks again.
``If they put me on the 53-man roster, obviously I'd be really happy about that,'' Harrell said. ``If they kept me on the practice squad, that's still a great opportunity to learn and continue to improve my game and learn a prostyle offense and get more comfortable in that.''
Flynn said he didn't have a sense of which way the team was leaning, but he has been impressed by Harrell.
``He's picked it up very fast and the guy can play football,'' Flynn said. ``He's been good, he's a fun guy to hang out with and be around having him in the locker room. He's done a really good job.''
Already known for his poise, Flynn spent the offseason working on his footwork and arm strength. But he said his biggest strides came in his overall knowledge of the offense.
``I think that really has the most to do with it, just being more comfortable with the offense, knowing what plays to check to against certain defenses and getting everyone in the right play,'' Flynn said. ``I feel like in the games and in practice too, we've done a real good job of it.''
It showed in last week's preseason romp over Indianapolis, as Flynn threw two touchdown passes. And after getting an extended look during Thursday's game, Flynn will once again become a backup.
He'll run the scout team, just like Rodgers did, and Rodgers will be counting on him for help in the film room.
``The toughest thing is trying to find a way to still be relevant on a team where you're not having any playing time,'' Rodgers said. ``But I think Matt's going to do a great job of that.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Group C: China vs. Russia, 9 a.m. (Ankara)
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Group D: Leban
Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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