Jaguars' Taylor out for Week 16

Football Betting Lines

12/23/2006 - Jacksonville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor is expected to miss Week 16's game against the New England Patriots because of a hamstring injury.

Taylor started the week listed as questionable and was then downgraded to out on Friday.

Taylor leads the 8-6 Jags in rushing with 1,120 yards and has five touchdowns on the season.

Cowboycasion Football Betting News

<< Preds' Nichol gets nine-game suspension
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nashville Predators forward Scott Nichol has been suspended for nine games, without pay, for his blind-side punch to the head of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jaroslav Spacek during Thursday night's 7-2 setback

<< 49ers' Bryant suspended four games
Santa Clara, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Antonio Bryant has been suspended four games for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy. Bryant was arrested last month for suspicion of drunk driving, among ot

<< Air Force tabs Calhoun to replace DeBerry
Colorado Springs, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Air Force Academy hired Troy Calhoun as its new head football coach a little more than a week after Fisher DeBerry retired. Calhoun, who is finishing his first season as the Houston Texans offen

<< Feyenoord looking to continue push up Dutch ladder
Rotterdam, Holland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Feyenoord are traditionally looked at as one of the big three in Holland, along with PSV and Ajax. This season, Erwin Koeman's club have endured plenty of ups and downs on their way to a fifth-p

<< Nuggets' Camby sidelined with broken finger
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets will be without center Marcus Camby, who suffered a broken right finger during a game against the Washington Wizards. Camby will miss Denver's game with the Sacramento Kings on

Jets Need Win in Miami to Aid Playoff Hopes >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Prior to the start of the 2006 NFL season, it was easy to look at a Christmas night matchup between the Jets and Dolphins in Miami and expect one team to be looking to advance its playoff position, while the other played the

Panthers' Delhomme doubtful >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was downgraded to doubtful on Friday's injury report due to the same injured thumb that has forced him to miss the past two games. Chris Weinke is likely to ag

Cadillac downgraded to doubtful >>
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tampa Bay running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams was downgraded to doubtful on Friday because of a foot injury, making it unlikely the Buccaneers starting back will play Sunday at Cleveland. Williams h

Saints' Horn downgraded to doubtful >>
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Horn, who has been battling a groin injury since Week 9, has been

Boston signs RHP Hernandez to minor league deal >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox signed pitcher Runelvys Hernandez to a minor league contract Friday. Hernandez will join Triple-A Pawtucket of the International League, but he was also invited to Boston's major leag

Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa 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

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.