Gilbert shows Texas has its QB of the future
NCAA Football Betting Lines
01/08/2010 -
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -A few inches taller than Colt McCoy and with a bit more zip on his passes, Garrett Gilbert was all set to take over as quarterback at Texas in 2010.
September 2010, that is.
Gilbert was forced into action on the Longhorns' first series of the BCS championship game and handled himself as well as can be expected from an 18-year-old novice, showing why he was such a highly touted recruited and why Texas may not suffer much despite having to replace the winningest quarterback in major college history.
Gilbert had two turnovers by halftime and committed turnovers on his final three series, but in between he found a groove, throwing the first two touchdown passes of his career and nailing a 2-point conversion pass. He had Texas within a field goal in the final minutes of what turned out to be a 37-21 loss to Alabama on Thursday night.
``It's a tough experience, it's a humbling experience,'' said Gilbert, the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert. ``It's something you're not going to forget. Guys told me they were proud of me. Throughout the game, Colt was telling me to stay calm. There wasn't much time to think about it. I got thrown in and knew I was going to be counted on by my teammates.''
Gilbert played in nine of 13 games coming in, mostly in mop-up duty. To better illustrate how his freshman year went, consider the games he didn't play were against Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas A&M.
But when McCoy was hurt on the Longhorns' fifth snap, in went Gilbert for the first meaningful snaps of his career - in the national championship game against No. 1 Alabama and its ferocious defense, in front of 94,906 at the Rose Bowl.
``Here's a guy standing there on the sidelines cold as can be and, all of a sudden, in the national championship game, it's like, 'OK, son, you've got it.' I can't even imagine,'' coach Mack Brown said. ``It's a credit to him, the kids around him and (offensive coordinator Greg) Davis for putting him in a position where he came back and actually had a chance to win.''
Gilbert finished 15 of 40 for 186 yards with four interceptions and a fumble. Most importantly, he had a chance to play on college football's biggest stage and he showed that he belonged, a feeling that only help when he takes over for good this spring.
``He came into the game and gave us a chance to win,'' McCoy said.
Gilbert replaced McCoy, who replaced Vince Young, on the field where Young had his greatest moments - and with Young watching from the sideline. If Gilbert lives up to expectations, this night could be remembered as an amazing changing of the guard.
And, get this: both of Gilbert's touchdown passes went to sixth-year senior Jordan Shipley, McCoy's roommate and best friend, who started at Texas during Young's sophomore season. That certainly ties together these back-to-back-to-back QB eras.
``We think he has a chance to be a really special player,'' Brown said.
McCoy was pretty darn special, too.
Only about 180 pounds when he replaced Young, the kid from tiny Tuscola, Texas, was considered too frail to absorb the pounding of big-time college football. All he did was start 53 straight games, winning an NCAA-record 45 of them. He also set all sorts of school records and finished in the top 10 on various NCAA lists.
McCoy struggled to find words when he was interviewed on the field after his final college game, the emotions overwhelming him. But at least he can take solace in knowing that Gilbert seems ready to pick up where he left off.
``I've taught him everything I know,'' McCoy said. ``I'm extremely impressed - the guy is going to have an outstanding career.''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.
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -Hold off on the houndstooth hat. Put the genius label on another coach.But pay Nick Saban his $200,000 bonus so he can buy a whole truckload of his favorite Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies.Alabama is, after all, the new BCS n
<< Ingram in elite class
Pasadena, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Not only did Alabama running back Mark Ingram
accomplish a rare feat Thursday night in helping the Crimson Tide to their
first national title since 1992, the sophomore did it playing with a foot
injury.
<< Alabama unanimous atop final AP poll
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alabama, by virtue of its 37-21 win over Texas
Thursday night in the BCS national championship game, was a unanimous pick for
the No. 1 spot in the final Associated Press college football poll.
The Crimson Ti
<< Henin, Clijsters to meet in Brisbane final
Brisbane, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1s Justine Henin and
Kim Clijsters won their respective semifinal matches to set up an-all Belgian
comeback final at the season-opening Brisbane International tennis event.
The wild
<< Howard makes 51 saves as Detroit edges Kings
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jimmy Howard was sensational between the
pipes, stopping a career-best 51-of-52 shots, and Darren Helm scored the game-
winner with 17.3 seconds left in the third period to give the Detroit Red
Wings
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -The running game wears teams down. The defense changes games.Yes, Alabama, this season's version of the Crimson Tide could have been your dad's Crimson Tide, too.Or Bear Bryant's.The Alabama 'D' knocked Texas quarterback Colt
Huskies head to Tempe to take on Sun Devils >>
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 24th-ranked Washington Huskies will attempt
to score a Pac-10 Conference road win over an Arizona State team in search of
its first league victory.
Washington is 10-3 overall and carries a 1-1 conference reco
Magic hope to get back on track vs. embattled Wizards >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Orlando Magic could probably care less about the strife
the Southeast Division-rival Washington Wizards are going through right now
because they have problems of their own.
Orlando will try to snap a season-high three-
Red-hot Raptors visit struggling Sixers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The chances of the Toronto Raptors remaining in the win
column are promising since they're scheduled to visit the lowly Philadelphia
76ers tonight at the Wachovia Center.
Toronto is coming off back-to-back wins and owns a
Celtics, Hawks square off in Dixie >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Smith is averaging a modest 15.0 points per game this
season but has been ripping the nylon lately at home for the Atlanta Hawks,
who hope their young star can lead them past the Boston Celtics tonight from
Philips Arena
FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
Football Betting Lines
The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.
Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.
Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.
A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.
Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.
Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.
And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.
2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win
Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1
Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1
Donald Brown (IND) 5/1
Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1
Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1
Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1
Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1
Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1
Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1
Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1
Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1
Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1
Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1
Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1
Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1
Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1
Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1
LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1
Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2
Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1
Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1
Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1
Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1
Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1
Jason Smith (STL) 40/1
Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1
Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1
Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1
Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2
Pat White (MIA) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 9/1
To visit this sports betting site go to BettingExpress.com for all your football betting lines needs.
For sports betting with credit cards site go to BettingExpress.com as well.