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NFL Betting: The Old vs. The New
There is a changing of the
guard in the NFL goin’ on right about now.
We have superstars, who have thrilled us for many
years with great moments, playing in what they
and we all know are their final games. And then
we have the new breed of player who we all look
forward to watching them blossom over the next
ten years; physical specimens of previously unseen
athleticism, speed, strength and talent. The NFL
has always been and will forever remain one big
recycling machine of great players, great plays,
great moments and great memories. Since the inception
of the league in 1920, we have seen, read and
heard about great men being born, only to place
their names in the history of this great game
prior to their leaving. And once they leave, the
memories of their exploits remain for the future
player to take a hold of, so that they can be
motivated to create some memories of their own
once they complete the same journey taken.
As the old leave and new
come in, we have seen some changes within the
actual game of the NFL over the years. In the
past, there used to be emphasis on individuality.
Some teams on offense would use just one receiver,
one running back, one fullback and one quarterback
in their preparation plans of attack against an
upcoming team. In today’s NFL, the fullback
position has become an almost phased-out entity.Teams
now employ multiple receiver sets, and distribute
the football to all receivers involved. Many teams
in today’s NFL will incorporate the rotation
of two or more running backs, depending on the
defensive system that is placed before them. On
defense, players that would normally play all
three or four downs are now substituted with high
frequency, depending on the offensive set, down
and distance that is situated. In other words,
individuality has been replaced by specialization
in today’s NFL, and the new breed of player
in our present world is reflective of this new
philosophy: they are players that have talents
in more than one area of the game.
NFL ODDS AND LINES
NFL fans, please do the following
two things. Firstly, over this NFL 2006 season
and the next, please pay attention and cherish
the play of the following list of players that
represent the ‘Old’… present
players who have thrilled us over many years and
are in their final playing days.
We pay tribute to these players,
and look forward to seeing their exhibitions one
last time.
Secondly, following this
list of six players, I ask that you enjoy the
talents of the ‘New’… a list
of six players that represent the future of the
NFL: dynamic, explosive, versatile and exciting
all rolled into a single package of football player.
Please look forward to having a decade of great
memories placed within your minds.
The Old
6.
Junior Seau, LB New England Patriots, 17th Season
This player recently ‘graduated’ after
a Hall-of-Fame career with the San Diego Chargers
and the Miami Dolphins that included 12 Pro-Bowls.
I’m glad he has ‘returned to school’
for at least one more season.
5.
Warren Sapp, DT Oakland Raiders, 12th season
Sapp has been to seven Pro Bowls and has been
one of the most popular players in the NFL of
his era, as much for his mouth as for his play.
4.
John Carney, K New Orleans Saints, 19th season
Kickers never get no love, but they will here
with Carney. He is unofficially in his 20th season,
after entering the league in 1987 as a strike
replacement. Still the man for the Saints after
that entrance and all this time deserves mention.
3.
John Lynch, DB Denver Broncos, 14th season
Another extremely popular player, Lynch is still
laying out devastating hits on his opponents.
2.
Isaac Bruce, WR St, Louis Rams, 13th season
The only player on this list to play for one team,
this man has seven 1000-yard seasons and just
missed out on two more. An unbelievable player.
1.
Brett Favre, QB Green Bay Packers, 16th season
Not much needs to be said about him. The Hall
of Fame is waiting for him.
The New
6.
Vince Young, QB Tennessee Titans, Rookie
Since Micheal Vick, NFL teams are salivating over
quarterbacks who can pass and run.
5.
Vernon Davis, TE San Francisco 49ers, Rookie
This dude, at 6’3”, 253 pounds, ran
a 4.38 second 40-yard dash. No one has seen such
a speed and size combination.
4.
Laurence Maroney, RB New England Patriots, Rookie
This cat has all of New England excited about
his future due to his explosive running ability.
3.
Shawne Merriman, LB San Diego Chargers, 2nd season
This 272-pound monster of a linebacker was the
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he promises
to get better.
2.
Matt Leinhart, QB Arizona Cardinals, Rookie
This player looks every bit like the second coming
of Joe Namath (or Montana).
1.
Reggie Bush, RB New Orleans Saints, Rookie
Dynamic, explosive, versatile and exciting are
this cat’s middle names.
Anthony Oxley is a freelance
columnist for BetUS. To email Anthony Oxley, send
your comments to faceoff@betus.com
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