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02/21/2012 - Hamilton, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's a quote that can come back and bite you.
"The (Hamilton) Tiger-Cats are on the threshold of being the type of team to win the Grey Cup."
Those words came from Hamilton general manager Bob O'Billovich at a news conference Tuesday to unveil the biggest free-agent signing in the CFL offseason. The Tiger-Cats, who made it to the Eastern Final in Winnipeg last season, went halfway around the world to get the player they wanted.
Last Friday, they announced the signing of slotback Andy Fantuz to a four-year deal worth a reported $180,000-plus per year.
Fantuz established himself as one of the league's top receivers during his six seasons (2006-11) with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 77 regular-season games, he has 289 receptions for 4,311 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Fantuz, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Chatham, Ontario, was on vacation in Tanzania when new coach George Cortez made the initial call at the start of the free agency window.
Fantuz admitted it was a tough decision to leave Saskatchewan.
"You never know if the grass is greener on the other side or not," he said. "Having something that was very stable made it tough to leave. But, I've always wanted to come back home and play here in Southwestern Ontario."
He also seemed surprised that some Riders fans, and some members of the media, wondered why he'd leave the continent during the start of the free agent process.
"It was just an opportunity where I could get away for a few weeks," he explained. "The timing didn't have to do with the free agent deadline. I wanted to maximize my trip there. When you're going halfway across the world, it happened to be at the same time. I spoke with my agent about it, and he said it's OK, it's not a big deal, and we'll be able to get it done. We'll have a phone, we'll have e-mail. I was next to my phone the entire time."
The 2010 season was Fantuz's most productive. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian that season, after catching 87 passes for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns.
In 2011, Fantuz played in four games with the Riders after attending training camp with the NFL's Chicago Bears.
Fantuz helped the Roughriders reach three Grey Cup finals in the first five years of his career and was named Most Valuable Canadian in Saskatchewan's 2007 championship win over Winnipeg, catching four passes for 70 yards and one touchdown.
The 28-year-old was selected by the Riders with the third overall pick in the 2006 CFL Canadian Draft after a record-setting CIS career at Western. He was the recipient of the Hec Crighton award as the top player in CIS football in 2005.
He said he can't wait for the season to start.
"I definitely feel this team has a shot at the Grey Cup. I know Saskatchewan is rebuilding, and I'd love to meet them in the Grey Cup to be honest with you." he said with a laugh. "But, this team has a lot of good pieces, and they've been strong for a few years, but just couldn't get over the hump."
On Jan. 3, the Tabbies picked up quarterback Henry Burris from Calgary in a trade, sending quarterback Kevin Glenn, offensive lineman Mark DeWit and a conditional draft pick.
Burris and Cortez have worked together previously, most recently between 2007-2009 when Cortez served as offensive coordinator and associate head coach of the Calgary Stampeders.
The Stampeders offense had a banner year under Cortez in 2008, with Burris earning the West Division Most Outstanding Player award after throwing for 5,094 yards and 39 touchdowns. Burris also was named the Grey Cup MVP after totaling 443 yards of offence in Calgary's championship win over the Montreal Alouettes.
One day later, the Tiger-Cats announced the signing of three more free agents, non-import linebacker Kevin Eiben, import defensive end Greg Peach and non- import offensive lineman Tim O'Neill.
Eiben, a 6-1, 216-pounder, joins the Tiger-Cats after 11 seasons with the Toronto Argonauts. He's been an East Division All-Star four times and a CFL All-Star three times, and was named the East Division's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2004.
Peach, a 6-3, 255-pound native of Vancouver, Wash., had 94 defensive stops and 13 quarterback sacks in the previous three seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos. The Eastern Washington graduate and 2008 Buck Buchanan Award winner, played in 12 games with the Eskimos last season, making 21 defensive tackles and three sacks in 12 regular-season games before adding six tackles and two sacks in two playoff games.
O'Neill, a 6-3, 305-pound native of Victoria, British Columbia, spent the last four years with the Calgary Stampeders, suiting up in 68 games as a guard and center. Last season, he dressed in all 18 regular-season games, starting 15 at center.
A 2005 third-round selection of the Edmonton Eskimos, O'Neill captured a Grey Cup championship with the Stampeders in 2008.
With a new coaching staff, and new players added to the lineup, the feeling around the CFL is the Tiger-Cats may have done more than any other team to bolster their lineup in the offseason.
The question now is ... will it be good enough?
SCHEDULE NOTES
The CFL has released its 2012 schedule. In an ironic twist, the Tiger-Cats open up the regular season, on Friday, June 29, when they host Fantuz's former team, Saskatchewan at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Because Ivor Wynne Stadium is being torn down and renovated at the end of the 2012 season, don't be surprised if the Labour Day Classic between the Argos and Tiger-Cats is played at the Rogers Center in Toronto in 2013.
Ted Michaels is a news and sportscaster on AM 900 CHML in Hamilton, Ontario.
Comments? Criticism? Applause? ted@900chml.com.
<< CSKA stuns Real Madrid with late equalizer
Moscow, Russia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Madrid was left stunned in Moscow as
CSKA Moscow struck with a late equalizer to come away from the Luzhniki
Stadium with a 1-1 draw in Champions League play on Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo th
<< Top Shelf: 'Overrated' Canucks on cruise control
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As if losing Game 7 of last year's Stanley
Cup Finals on home ice wasn't enough to motivate the Vancouver Canucks, the
rest of the NHL has given the team another incentive to reach the top of
the mountain.
<< Blue Jackets place Boll on IR; activate Nikitin
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed forward
Jared Boll on injured reserve because of a foot injury.
Boll was hurt during a February 9 game against Dallas and has already missed
four games. He is listed as
<< Datsyuk out two weeks following minor knee surgery
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk
underwent minor arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday morning and will miss at
least two weeks.
General manager Ken Holland said on the team's Twitter account
Kehl extends contract with Dortmund >>
Dortmund, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Borussia Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl
signed a one-year contract extension Tuesday with an option for a second year.
The 32-year-old Kehl's contract was set to expire after this season, but has
now
Above the 49: No big names expected to move north on deadline day >>
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NHL trade deadline on Feb. 27 promises to
be one of the most compelling deadline days in years, but not so much if you
happen to be a fan of one of the seven teams north of the border.
Among the big names
Georgia State to study potential move to FBS >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Georgia State is moving from independent status
to CAA Football membership this season.
The university may have an even bigger move in the future.
Georgia State announced Tuesday it has commissioned Collegiat
Cesena names Beretta new coach >>
Cesena, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cesena named Mario Beretta its third coach of
the season Tuesday, one day after Daniele Arrigoni was fired.
Cesena is last in Serie A and seven points from safety after Sunday's 3-1 loss
to AC Milan, which c
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?
Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite. Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight. With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites. As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).
Midwest
#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler
The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April. Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT. After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games. Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season. As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers. Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS). Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field. With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.
#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV
As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year. If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season. As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well. This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons. Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late. There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games. It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.
East
#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown
“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season. Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU. They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games. With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field. Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense. Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc. The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range. Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.
#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC
The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country. Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times. Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter. UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen. UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS. An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games. This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS. USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types. An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough. USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS. They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12. When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.
With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action. Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at this sportsbook “Betting Trends”. By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.
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