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'Electrifying' Banks impressing Redskins coachesFootball Betting Lines08/16/2010 - ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -Brandon Banks has a bloodline for speed to offset a body not meant for football. The undrafted Washington Redskins rookie is no longer just a long shot to make the team, not after his 77-yard punt return for a touchdown against Buffalo on Friday. The 5-foot-7, 151-pound receiver out of Kansas State flashed his 4.24-second speed down the right sideline before performing hometown buddy John Wall's signature dance in the end zone. Yet, Banks is barely the fastest person in his family. It wasn't until middle school that he could outrun his mother, Sharonda Banks, who reached the U.S. Olympic time trials over 200 meters in 1995. His half-sister Gabby Mayo was part of an NCAA record 400-meter relay team while setting a Texas A&M record over 60 meters. Several uncles also ran track in college. ``I was a track guy, but I loved football more than track so I chose football,'' Banks said. Banks' rise is reminiscent of Redskins predecessor James Thrash, an unknown rookie receiver whose two kickoff return touchdowns in 1997 fueled a 12-year pro career. Banks might seal a roster spot with another score versus the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. ``Look at my size - I'm a short stature guy,'' he said. ``I'm a good special teams guy. It's what I've always been in high school and college. I'm a playmaker. I call myself 'Electrifying.''' Banks went undrafted despite ranking fifth nationally in kickoff return yards at Kansas State last season, including four touchdowns to tie for most in the country. Banks was Big XII Special Teams Player of the Year. Coach Mike Shanahan has noticed Banks, whose best chance of making the team is a returner. ``That's what camp's about - giving people an opportunity to make plays,'' Shanahan said. ``I can't say that it surprised me at all with the way he has played, not necessarily as a returner but as a wide receiver. He consistently makes plays; he has great speed, cutting ability and an excellent set of hands.'' Banks used his left hand to signal a tribute to Walls, now a Washington Wizards rookie who was in the FedEx Field stands as his boyhood pal's guest. The two often played basketball at the community center in Garner, N.C. ``John Wall is one of my best friends,'' Banks said. ``I talk to him on a daily basis. I'm real cool with him.'' Notes: Shanahan rated receiver Malcolm Kelly's hamstring at 50 to 60 percent and ``Very, very slim'' to return versus Baltimore on Saturday. Shanahan hopes Kelly returns next week. ... Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth worked some with starters in nickel packages. Shanahan was noncommittal on whether Haynesworth will be promoted from second team against Baltimore. ... Shanahan canceled the afternoon workout to take the team bowling.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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How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later. While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better. For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory. 1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season. 2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped. How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number. Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules. Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically. How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games). Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition. Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards. MySportsbook features easy-to-use online betting software that’s the most reliable in the industry. If you’re looking to bet underdogs, then this Sportsbook is the place - we have the best betting lines in the business. MySportsbook is your one-stop shop for all your betting needs - sports betting, poker, casino, and horse racing . MySportsbook offers every bet type with lightning fast settlement of wagers. Take advantage of free statistical analysis - including against-the-spread and straight-up trends - in MySportsbook’s game previews section. With MySportsbook there are unlimited free deposits and payouts - and no transaction fees! To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards. |
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