Giants defensive line key to another run
Football Betting Lines
02/05/2012 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - At one point in his life, Jason Pierre-Paul didn't want to
be a football player. But after a broken leg ended his basketball career in
high school, Pierre-Paul made a decision that sent him on a path to winning a
Super Bowl.
Pierre-Paul played at two junior colleges before transferring to South Florida
in 2009, where he was named a First-Team All-American.
Because he played in just 13 games for the Bulls, NFL teams were hesitant to
take Pierre-Paul until the Giants finally selected him with the 15th overall
pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.
The gamble paid off.
Just like the their Super Bowl run four years ago, the Giants got instrumental
help from their defensive line during a 2011 postseason that ended Sunday in
another title at the expense of the New England Patriots.
With fellow defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck plagued by injuries
all season long, Pierre-Paul emerged as one of the top players at the position
in just his second season in the NFL.
Using unparalleled athleticism, Pierre-Paul recorded 16 1/2 sacks to go with
86 tackles during the regular season and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
After Tuck and Umenyiora finally got healthy once the postseason rolled
around, the Giants had another fearsome threesome at the defensive end
position.
Four seasons ago, it was Michael Strahan, Umenyiora and Tuck who wreaked havoc
in the backfield during the Giants' memorable postseason run. Strahan was in
the final year of his career while Umenyiora was still in his prime. Like
Pierre-Paul this season, it was Tuck who emerged as a pass rusher that year.
During the magical ride, the Giants recorded eight sacks in the postseason,
including five during their Super Bowl XLII win against the Patriots.
Against New England, the Giants at times used all three defensive ends on the
defensive line at once, with Tuck playing the defensive tackle position.
Tom Brady, who was sacked just 26 times that season, had no answer as the
Giants' persistent pressure knocked him down again and again.
This time, it was Umenyiora, Tuck and Pierre-Paul who terrorized their
opponents in the backfield during an eerily similar postseason stretch.
The Giants notched 11 sacks during this year's postseason, with Tuck getting
two in the Super Bowl.
New York didn't have the gaudy sack numbers like it had in Super Bowl XLII,
but Brady was forced to continually elude pressure all game long.
Pierre-Paul was consistently getting his hands up to swat away passes. Tuck's
second sack came on 3rd-and-10 with 39 seconds left in the game, which forced
New England to use its final timeout. Umenyiora had a silent game, but led the
Giants with 3 1/2 sacks during the postseason.
At 23, Pierre-Paul has just scratched the surface of his potential on a path
that began with a broken leg.
<< Gronkowski's 1st catch comes on record-tying drive
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It took Rob Gronkowski nearly an entire
half to make his first catch in the Super Bowl.
The injured Patriot, who set the tight end record for receiving yards and
touchdowns during the regular sea
<< Released Underwood reacts to Patriots' loss
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former New England Patriots wide receiver
Tiquan Underwood, released a day before the Super Bowl, sent dozens of tweets
during the game Sunday but didn't have much to say immediately after it was
over.
<< Again! Giants top Patriots to win Super Bowl
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eli Manning and the New York Giants did it
again, beating the New England Patriots with another game-winning drive in the
Super Bowl.
Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a six-yard touchdown run with 57 seconds remai
<< Giants lose TEs Ballard, Beckum to injuries
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Giants lost tight ends Jake
Ballard and Travis Beckum to knee injuries in Sunday's Super Bowl against the
Patriots.
Ballard went down with a left knee injury early in the fourth quarter. Re
<< Patriots lead Giants 17-15 after 3rd quarter
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tom Brady set a Super Bowl record for
consecutive completions and threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Hernandez
that helped the Patriots take a 17-15 lead over the Giants after three
quarters.
Brady's
Gronkowski: 'Almost isn't enough' on Hail Mary pass >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It took Rob Gronkowski nearly an entire
half to make his first catch in the Super Bowl.
Later, the injured Patriots tight end was several tortured inches away from
snaring a Hail Mary pass that would
Manning wins another Super Bowl MVP >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Is Eli Manning elite? That's likely no
longer a concern for the New York Giants quarterback.
Manning won his second Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award Sunday after
leading the Giants on another
FCS Giants bask in Super Bowl triumph >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - They're Super beyond the FCS level.
A contingent of former FCS players are reveling in the New York Giants' 21-17
win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI Sunday night.
The Giants' roster inc
I'll Have Another - The Overlay of the Century >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - How many times does a gambler like a horse and wish the
odds could have been much higher than they were? It does not happen that often
but when the unforeseen takes place, it's best to take the money and ask
questio
Farrington expected to become VMI's defensive coordinator >>
Lexington, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - VMI is expected to name Jeff Farrington as
the new defensive coordinator of its football program later this month.
Farrington became Mercer University's defensive coordinator last July as it
builds a program
NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl
NFL Super Bowl Betting
The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.
Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.
The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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