Detroit QB Stafford named Comeback Player of the Year
Football Betting Lines
02/04/2012 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Saturday, as voted by the Associated Press.
Stafford, who threw for a career-high 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 2011, led the Lions to a 10-6 record and their first playoff berth since 1999. Detroit lost to New Orleans in the wild card round.
Stafford obtained 21 votes to outdistance Cleveland linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, San Francisco QB Alex Smith, Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith, along with Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil, New England defensive end Andre Carter and New York Giants QB Eli Manning.
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk was honored as the 2011 NFL Man of the Year on Saturday. The award recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. "I am
<< Miller, Newton garner rookie awards
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Denver linebacker Von Miller and Carolina
quarterback Cam Newton were named the defensive and offensive Rookies of the
Year, respectively, for the 2011 season.
The voting, as conducted by the Associated
<< Packers QB Rodgers voted NFL MVP
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was
named the NFL's Most Valuable Player Saturday, as voted by the Associated
Press.
Rodgers won the award in a landslide as he received 48 of the 50 possib
<< Baltimore LB Suggs honored as top defensive player
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore outside linebacker Terrell Suggs
was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Saturday, as voted by the
Associated Press.
Suggs had 14 sacks among his 70 tackles to help lead the Rav
<< 49ers' Jim Harbaugh wins coaching honor
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has
won the NFL Coach of the Year, in voting conducted by the Associated Press.
Harbaugh, who wrapped up his first season as a head coach with a 13-3 regular
season
Auburn Hills, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Pistons rookie guard Brandon Knight left Saturday night's contest with the New Orleans Hornets after breaking his nose. Knight appeared to suffer the injury after catching an elbow
Patriots release WR Underwood >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Patriots released wide
receiver Tiquan Underwood on Saturday, while elevating defensive end Alex
Silvestro from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster.
The moves came on
Magic's Richardson ejected vs. Pacers >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Orlando Magic forward Quentin Richardson
was ejected from Saturday's game at Indiana following an altercation in the
third quarter.
Richardson came face-to-face with, and then shoved Pacers forw
Monaco and Berlocq advance to the VTR Open final >>
Vina del Mar, Chile (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Juan Monaco and Carlos Berlocq were
both semifinal winners on Saturday at the VTR Open tennis event.
Top-seeded Argentine Monaco had little trouble in a 6-1, 6-4 win over
Frenchman Jeremy C
Dolson helps UConn dominate Rutgers >>
Storrs, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Stefanie Dolson had 16 points to lift No. 3
Connecticut to a 66-34 win over 13th-ranked Rutgers on Saturday.
Tiffany Hayes scored 14 points with seven assists for the Huskies (21-2, 9-1
Big East), who won
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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