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08/16/2010 -
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.
<< Toulouse striker Pentecote set to miss six months
Toulouse, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ligue 1 leaders Toulouse have suffered a
major injury blow as striker Xavier Pentecote will miss the next six months
after sustaining a knee injury in Sunday's 2-1 win over Bordeaux.
"Having taken a b
<< Kerr back to No. 1 in world rankings
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cristie Kerr returned to No. 1 in this
week's edition of the world rankings.
Despite the LPGA Tour having the week off, Kerr, who moved to first with her
win at the LPGA Championship, is up one to
<< Rachel Alexandra goes through Monday work
Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel
Alexandra had her next-to-last workout for her next start at Saratoga Race
Course. Trainer Steve Asmussen is preparing the champion filly for Saratoga's
$300,00
<< Liverpool will not appeal Cole red card
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Liverpool have decided not to appeal
against the red card dished out to Joe Cole in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at
Anfield on Sunday.
Cole, who was making his league debut for the Reds, was shown
Blackhawks re-sign D Boynton >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed
defenseman Nick Boynton to a one-year contract, the team announced Monday.
Chicago acquired Boynton, 31, from Anaheim in March, and the defenseman played
in seve
Grambling State star Anthony still hospitalized >>
Grambling, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Grambling State senior defensive end
Christian Anthony remains hospitalized in stable condition after being
admitted last week for chest pains, a university spokesperson said on Monday.
Third-year football co
Team USA turns the page >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With Mike Krzyzewski at the helm of USA
Basketball, the operative word is always going to be "team."
You probably aren't going to describe the 2010 USA Men's World Championship
club with the adjective "dream"
Zenyatta and Blame top thoroughbred poll >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Champion mare Zenyatta and Whitney champ Blame
continue to lead the NTRA National Thoroughbred Poll. The top five positions
remain unchanged from last week.
Zenyatta, perfect this year in four starts, ag
The Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain.
They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities.
"They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure."
Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line.
New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest.
Not so sound on the ground
If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU.
Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com
“We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star.
Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.
Brees says bring it on
Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites.
Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship.
Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game.
"I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."
SportsBooks ready for a shootout
Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses.
“This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.”
New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts.
The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game.
“Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.”
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts US credit cards
Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.
That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.
Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.
After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.
The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).
To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.
NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV
New England Patriots 8/1
Dallas Cowboys 9/1
New York Giants 10/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1
Indianapolis Colts 12/1
San Diego Chargers 12/1
Baltimore Ravens 14/1
Tennessee Titans 16/1
Carolina Panthers 18/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
New Orleans Saints 20/1
Atlanta Falcons 25/1
Denver Broncos 25/1
Green Bay Packers 25/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1
Minnesota Vikings 25/1
New York Jets 25/1
Arizona Cardinals 30/1
Chicago BearS 30/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1
Buffalo Bills 35/1
Houston TexaNS 35/1
Miami Dolphins 35/1
Washington Redskins 35/1
Seattle SeahawkS 50/1
Cleveland Browns 55/1
Cincinnati Bengals 60/1
San Francisco 49ers 60/1
Oakland Raiders 75/1
St. Louis Rams 75/1
Detroit Lions 100/1
Kansas City Chiefs 100/1
Odds as of: 2/2/09
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
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