NFL Pro Football Futures Betting - The Lions Claw-Less
BetUS Sportsbook
has already posted its sports gambling
odds to win the Super Bowl, in addition
to both the AFC and NFC and each of the
league's eight divisions. . One of those
divisions is the NFC North, and the longshot
team there is the Detroit Lions, who have
tried a number of different combinations
through the years without making much of
a dent since the departure of coach Bobby
Ross. Can they complete a turnaround behind
Rod Marinelli? We'll discuss that today.
First, here's a look at the online wagering NFL odds to win the NFC North title as well as the NFC championship, as posted at BetUS internet sportsbook:
BetUS NFL Futures Odds
To Win NFC North
Minnesota Vikings
+140
Green Bay Packers +190
Chicago Bears +300
DETROIT LIONS +600
To win the NFC Championship
Dallas Cowboys
+300
Green Bay Packers +1000
New York Giants +700
New Orleans Saints +800
Philadelphia Eagles +800
Seattle Seahawks +1000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1400
Washington Redskins +1600
Minnesota Vikings +850
Arizona Cardinals +1800
Listen
Now!
Football Betting Sports Radio
Carolina Panthers
+2000
DETROIT LIONS +3000
Chicago Bears +1700
San Francisco 49ers +3000
St. Louis Rams +3000
Atlanta Falcons +8000
Detroit is not
necessarily a hard luck team; it is simply
a losing organization. Matt Millen has
not produced a winning pattern since he
was named the head of football operations,
and for Rod Marinelli, the former Tampa
Bay assistant, it is hard to get the benefit
of the doubt because of many of the poor
decisions that have been made in recent
years. Still, Marinelli brought the team
from 3-13 to 7-9 in his two seasons at
the helm, and is hoping that getting a
little more hard-nosed might be the missing
ingredient to put this team into the playoff
picture.
Check
out our all new Football Betting Forums
@ CappersPicks.com
Mike Martz and his offensive scheme were
shown the door, and he was replaced by offensive
line coach Jim Colletto, who brings a more
conservative approach that is preferred by
Marinelli. The Lions will want to run the
ball to establish an offense; the problem
is that they are not deep at the running
back position, after releasing Kevin Jones,
who was their top back from last season,
and will proceed with Tatum Bell, who may
or may not still be effective, and a rookie
who will most likely taking most of the carries.
That rookie is Kevin Smith, who ran for over
2000 yards at Central Florida last season,
and who lasted until the third round, where
Detroit scooped him up. A first-round draft
choice was used on Boston College offensive
tackle Gordon Cherilus, who is expected to
start immediately on the right hand side
of the line and clear the way for the running
game.
Detroit would seem to be fine at the wide
receiver spot. They ought to be, after spending
so many first-rounders on the position. Calvin
Johnson, who was the prize newcomer out of
Georgia Tech last year, had an injury-plagued
rookie season, but few who have seen him
doubt that he will one day be one of the
NFL's best. Roy Williams (836 yards last
season) already is a premier receiver, and
slot man Mike Furrey led the NFC in receptions
in 2006. Throw in Shaun McDonald, who was
a valuable contributor (79 catches), and
this is a dangerous quartet.
Jon Kitna is pulling the trigger, and that
has its positives and negatives. Kitna, the
11-year veteran, pleases some fantasy team
owners but has not done much to produce victories
for Detroit. And he makes mistakes, throwing
42 interceptions the last two seasons. There
is a question as to how far the Lions can
go with him, so talk of Drew Stanton, the
second-round pick out of Michigan State in
'07, getting an opportunity to take the reins
isn't so idle.
Defensively,
Detroit has plenty of work to do. Shaun
Rogers, the best player on that unit, was
dealt off, apparently because he was a "character:" problem.
Well, the Lion defense may wind up being
big on character, but it is short on talent,
ranking dead last in the NFL in points
against in 2007. Brian Kelly, a regular
with the Buccaneers, comes in to lend some
help to the secondary, and there is new
blood at the safety position (Kalvin Pearson
and Dwight Smith). Obviously a team that
allowed 30 points or more on seven different
occasions will have to show marked progress
if the Lions are to contend.
Last year Detroit
went 6-2 in the first half of the season,
then things deteriorated, the way they
often do in the Motor City. If Kitna starts
making costly mistakes again, it will be
interesting what transpires. Perhaps Marinelli
will look upon Stanton as the guy who finishes
the transition - the proverbial "quarterback
of the future." And if THAT happens,
you'll be looking at some bumps along the
way. I don't see Detroit's progress continuing
in 2008; rather, I see a step backward.
JAY'S PREDICTION FOR 2008:
Detroit Lions -- 5-11, 4th place, NFC North
(+600 to win division, +3000 to win NFC, +6500 to win Super Bowl in the BetUS NFL futures betting odds)
Check out all the NFL Futures Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook.!
The 2008 NFL
betting season is coming, and if you like
to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible
place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook
has NFL odds up on a ton of games, totals
and propositions, and you will also find
NFL future lines up for the Super Bowl as
well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide
you right through to Super Bowl XLII and
beyond!
Powered
By: Betus.com
Internet NFL Gambling |
Cappers Picks is an online sports service
and handicapping tips website, not affiliated with any Online Scamdicappers. 
