Opening week in Arena Football

Football Betting Lines

03/01/2007 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The AFL on ESPN era kicks off this Sunday, March 4, with two marquee matchups at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

ArenaBowl XX Champion Chicago Rush begin its first title defense after an improbable season-ending, six-game winning streak by traveling to Kansas City to face the Brigade on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (ET) on ABC. The Rush were led by ArenaBowl XX MVP QB MATT D'ORAZIO (3,546 YDS, 63 TDS, and five INTS) and the emergence of late season acquisition WR BOBBY SIPPIO (1,320 YDS, 35 TDS). The Brigade counters with former Rush QB RAYMOND PHILYAW. Philyaw led the Rush to back-to-back conference championship appearances in 2004-05, and holds the franchise records in three single-season categories (passing yards- 3,669, attempts- 480, and completions- 324) and two game categories (passing yards- 406, and touchdowns- 8).

The Dallas Desperados look to pick up where they left off in the regular season as they face the New York Dragons on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (ET) on ABC. The Desperados ended their regular season with a League-best 13-3 record, and an 82-38 victory over the Dragons at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Desperados are led by the 2006 AFLWA Player of the Year CLINT DOLEZEL (4,623 YDS, 105 TDS, 11 INTS), and WR/DB WILL PETTIS (1,256 YDS, 26 TDS). Veteran AFL QB LEON MURRAY will make his first start for the Dragons in place of the injured AARON GARCIA. Over his four year career, Murray has thrown for 9,094 yards and 156 touchdowns with both the Georgia Force (2003-04) and Nashville Kats (2005-06).

The Drive to ArenaBowl XXI New Orleans begins on Thursday, March 1, as the Nashville Kats host the Columbus Destroyers at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Eighteen of the Leagues 19 teams will see action as the Philadelphia Soul get an extra week to prepare for the season with a bye.

The New Orleans VooDoo return to action after missing the 2006 campaign due to Hurricane Katrina on Saturday, March 3, when they travel to Utah to take on the Blaze. The VooDoo are led by quarterback ANDY KELLY (3,258 YDS, 51 TDS, 17 INTS), who played for both the Blaze and Kansas City Brigade last season. Blaze WR SIAHA BURLEY (136 REC, 1,934 YDS, 44 TDS) returns after leading the League in receiving yards in 2006.

This week's games include: Columbus at Nashville on Thursday; Orlando at Tampa Bay on Friday; Georgia at Arizona (FSN Sports South, FSN Arizona), and New Orleans at Utah on Saturday; Dallas at New York (ESPN on ABC- regional), Chicago at Kansas City (ESPN on ABC- regional), Grand Rapids at Colorado, Las Vegas at Austin (Prime Ticket, FSN Southwest), and San Jose at Los Angeles on Sunday.

Sportbettingcenter Football Betting News

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.