Cleveland Browns 2007 Draft Preview

Football Betting Lines

04/02/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Like the Dolphins, the Browns are a team with a draft status that will be impacted by what it chooses to do at the quarterback position in the coming weeks. Conventional wisdom suggests that Cleveland will add a veteran QB such as Trent Green prior to the draft, given the fact that head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage can't afford to wait around for a rookie QB to find his footing. If a veteran QB is acquired, the Browns would be foolish not to select Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson with the third overall selection. At least one ready-to-play offensive lineman will also be a major need on a team that allowed 53 sacks last year. Defensively, the Browns will be without cornerback Daylon McCutcheon (released) and safety Brian Russell (free agent, Seahawks) next season, and will target secondary help. The pass rush also needs some help after generating just 28 sacks a year ago.

2006 Record: 4-12

First Pick: No. 3

Number of Selections: 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2006 - Kamerion Wimbley (OLB, Florida State); 2005 - Braylon Edwards (WR, Michigan); 2004 - Kellen Winslow (TE, Miami (FL)); 2003 - Jeff Faine (C, Notre Dame); 2002 - William Green (RB, Boston College); 2001 - Gerard Warren (DT, Florida); 2000 - Courtney Brown (DE, Penn State); 1999 - Tim Couch (QB, Kentucky); 1995 - Craig Powell (LB, Ohio State); 1994 - Antonio Langham (CB, Alabama), Derrick Alexander (WR, Michigan); 1993 - Steve Everitt (C, Michigan); 1992 - Tommy Vardell (FB, Stanford); 1991 - Eric Turner (S, UCLA); 1990 - none.

Jazzports Football Betting News

<< San Diego Chargers 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chargers could end up with as many as six first-day picks, as the team would add a first- and third-rounder if another club signs away restricted free agent running back Michael Turner. The possibility of six more ready-t

<< Jacksonville Jaguars 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Jaguars were done in last season largely due to injury problems on defense, so enhancing their base of talent on that side of the football will likely be the franchise's top draft-day goal. High-priced defensive end Reggi

<< Oakland Raiders 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Draftniks everywhere are sitting on pins and needles waiting to see what the Raiders will do with the No. 1 pick. Conventional wisdom says that offensively-challenged will select strong-armed LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell,

<< Cincinnati Bengals 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cincinnati had its problems defensively last season, then lost reliable players like linebacker Brian Simmons (released) and safety Kevin Kaesviharn (free agent to Saints) in the offseason. The Bengals need to get younger and

<< Kansas City Chiefs 2007 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Though defensive-minded head coach Herm Edwards would probably rather shore up his area of expertise, there is no disputing that Kansas City has more significant needs on offense. The Chiefs have long lacked a first-rate No.

Denver Broncos 2007 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Broncos are likely to be in the market for linebacker help, since middle man Al Wilson is being shopped in a trade and is set to be released if he is not dealt. After releasing the disappointing Courtney Brown, some assis

Buffalo Bills 2007 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first day of the 2007 Draft will be extremely important for a Bills team that cut ties with the likes of running back Willis McGahee, linebackers Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher-Baker, and cornerback Nate Clements during

Indianapolis Colts 2007 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colts lost five somewhat recognizable players in running back Dominic Rhodes, wide receiver Brandon Stokley, linebacker Cato June, defensive tackle Montae Reagor and cornerback Nick Harper, but June is really the only pla

Renteria's homers help Braves rally past Phillies >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Edgar Renteria's two-run homer in the 10th inning lifted Atlanta over Philadelphia, 5-3, in the 2007 season opener for both clubs at Citizens Bank Park. Renteria, who finished 2-for-5 with three runs

Jays tame Tigers in 10 >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lyle Overbay doubled and sparked a 10th-inning two-run rally with a single for the Toronto Blue Jays, who downed the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, in the first of a three-game set at Comerica Park. With the score de

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.