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Dolphins camp quieter in Williams' absenceFootball Betting Lines08/22/2006 - DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -In the wake of the Miami Dolphins' latest exhibition game, the most interesting issue surrounding the team concerned confusion over whether third-string lineman Kevin Vickerson's injury was to his hand or hamstring. Ricky, we miss ya. The Dolphins' leading headline generator since 2002, Ricky Williams is serving a one-year NFL suspension and recovering after breaking his arm last month while playing in the Canadian Football League. At Dolphins' camp, it's like the circus left town. ``There's not all the hoopla,'' tight end Randy McMichael said. ``You can play football and not worry about a lot of media distraction. But we miss Ricky. Everybody enjoyed having Ricky around. We can't wait for him to get back.'' Williams sat out the 2004 season before returning last year, and it's possible he'll mount another comeback next year at age 30. Coach Nick Saban has said he wants Williams back. Even without the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and 2002 NFL rushing champion, there's plenty of interest in the Dolphins. Thanks to a six-game winning streak to end last season and the acquisition of quarterback Daunte Culpepper, Miami is widely touted as a team on the rise poised to challenge New England's supremacy in the AFC East. But despite elevated expectations, the preseason has been much more sedate than the past two years, when Williams was a constant topic of conversation and speculation. By contrast, Vickerson's injury - to a finger, as it turned out - barely drew notice. ``Hopefully we'll start having a good positive vibe around here,'' defensive end Jason Taylor said. ``People are expecting a lot of things. We're expecting to win a lot of games. We have a new quarterback, and that's drawing a lot of attention. So the good positive energy around here is great for everybody. I don't think we'll miss Ricky.'' They won't miss constant questions about Ricky, at least. His 2004 retirement, 2005 comeback, drug tests, financial issues, vacation destinations, unkempt beard, reading habits and Mighty Mouse tattoo ... teammates were asked about it all. The Dolphins received 20 inquiries in a single week last year from national media outlets planning stories on Williams. Mike Wallace of ``60 Minutes'' did a profile - and then a follow-up. ``It was crazy,'' said linebacker Channing Crowder, a rookie in 2005. ``Even going home to Gainesville, instead of me being asked, `How do you like the NFL?' It was, `How's Ricky Williams? What's he doing?' ``It's different this year. I don't miss the questions.'' The Dolphins might miss the running back, however. Despite sitting out the first four games last year, Williams rushed for 743 yards as a backup to rookie Ronnie Brown and hit his stride at the end of the season, with 280 yards in the final two games. Saban was unable to acquire a replacement during the offseason, meaning Brown will be counted on for a workhorse role despite doubts about his durability. He carried 207 times for 907 yards last year and lodged no complaints about splitting carries with Williams. ``We developed a good relationship,'' Brown said. ``We became fond of one another. He was cool. We'll welcome him whenever he gets back.'' Suspended in April by the NFL after violating the league's drug policy for the fourth time, Williams signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Argonauts. He broke his left forearm in a game last month and underwent surgery but is expected to return before the CFL season ends. ``Guys still talk about Ricky,'' defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday said. ``I mean, Ricky's still a part of our team. Seeing him get that busted-up arm, of course everybody wanted to know. I heard a number of guys asking the trainer, 'Have you talked to Ricky? How's he doing?' ... ``Guys are still informed and in the know about Ricky, because after that's all over, he's going to come back, and he's going to help us.'' Headline writers are standing by. 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.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTINGNCAA Football BettingMany fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.) "To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good." Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida. Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October. USC Trojans - 10.5 wins A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention. Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2 "There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach." Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1 The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1 If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J. Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines . |
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