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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
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.
After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.
Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.
Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.
So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.
In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.
For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.
The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.
The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.
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