Boiman getting crash course in Lions defense

Football Betting Lines

09/01/2010 -

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - Rocky Boiman isn't going to get a chance to ease his way into the Detroit Lions' defense.

It's going to be more like cramming for final exams in his days at Notre Dame.

The veteran linebacker signed with the Detroit Lions earlier in the week and is scheduled to play in Thursday's final preseason game against Buffalo.

``We didn't bring him in here to stand around,'' Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Tuesday. ``He's here to play. We expect him to be out there against the Bills.''

Learning an NFL scheme in three days sounds like an overwhelming task, especially for a middle linebacker who will be responsible for defensive calls, but Boiman has an advantage.

The 30-year-old started his career with the Titans, with Schwartz as his defensive coordinator and Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham as his position coach. Then he later played for the Chiefs when Cunningham was the defensive coordinator.

``He knows the scheme and he knows the terminology,'' Schwartz said. ``That will help him a lot.''

Boiman's history with Schwartz and Cunningham is the reason he was called to Detroit this week. The Lions were already struggling with inexperience at linebacker before injuries to DeAndre Levy, expected to start in the middle, and Jordon Dizon, his main backup.

``We worked Rocky out before training camp, and he did a nice job, so we knew he was in shape,'' Schwartz said. ``We kept him in mind in case we ended up in this kind of situation, where we found ourselves short-handed late in camp. He was a guy that we knew we could fit into the system fairly quickly.''

That doesn't mean Boiman is having an easy week.

``Learning this is going to take every waking minute I have before the game,'' he said. ``And there's still going to be stuff I don't know.''

Boiman won a Super Bowl ring with Indianapolis in 2006, but has bounced around the league in the past two seasons.

``I've been in Cincinnati, my hometown, just trying to stay in shape and waiting for someone to call,'' he said. ``I knew I had a really good workout with the Lions before camp started, and I have a comfort level with coach Schwartz and coach Cunningham, so this was a good place for me to land.''

Boiman also brings versatility, which will help him after Levy returns from a groin injury.

``He's a guy that we can use in the middle or on the outside, plus he can play special teams,'' Schwartz said. ``That's what you need from that part of the roster.''

Boiman said he doesn't have a preference, since he's never had a chance to settle at one linebacker spot.

``My whole career, I've been bouncing around from one position to another, so that's what I'm used to doing,'' he said.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.

Jinfeist Football Betting News

<< Moreno returns to Broncos practice
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - The Denver Broncos' injured backfield is beginning to get healthy.Knowshon Moreno was back at practice Tuesday, one month after the starting running back hurt his right hamstring on the opening live drill of training camp.Mor

<< Preseason finale a chance for Packers' backup QBs
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Aaron Rodgers knows from experience that it isn't easy to live life as an understudy in the NFL.Now that Rodgers finally has broken free from Brett Favre's shadow to become an elite starting quarterback, he sees a little bit o

<< Leafs sign Hanson
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday signed restricted free agent forward Christian Hanson to a one-year contract. In 32 games for Toronto last season, Hanson recorded two goals and seven assists.

<< Howard, Schneider power Phils past Dodgers
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Howard and Brian Schneider each hit a three-run home run as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-4, in the second of three games. Carlos Ruiz added a two-run single f

<< Red Sox release Hermida from minor league assignment
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox released outfielder Jeremy Hermida from his minor league assignment after it became apparent he would not be recalled to the major league club when rosters expand on September 1. Hermida h

Long-time Stamps physician Murphy passes away >>
Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Calgary Stampeders physician Dr. Vince Murphy has passed away at the age of 87, the team announced Tuesday. Dr. Murphy was associated with the Stampeders since 1957. A release from the team said Murphy pass

Tickets go on sale for NBA games in London >>
LONDON (AP) -Tickets have gone on sale for the first regular-season NBA games in Europe.The New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors will play a pair of games at the O2 Arena in London on March 4-5. The NBA is planning a week of activities across Britain

2010 World Basketball Championship update - September 1st >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Group C: China vs. Russia, 9 a.m. (Ankara) Group A: Serbia vs. Australia, 9:30 a.m. (Kayseri) Group B: Croatia vs. Tunisia, 9:30 a.m. (Istanbul) Group C: Ivory Coast vs. Greece, 11:30 a.m. (Ankara) Group D: Leban

Five-a-Side: Liberty coach Danny Rocco >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Danny Rocco has yet to picket outside NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, but if the third Sunday in November goes like the last three years, don't doubt that he and the rest of the Liberty football team will

Cardinals aim to stop skid, avoid sweep against Astros >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals are playing themselves out of postseason contention, but at least they'll be able to conclude a horrendous road trip today in the finale of a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid

NFL ODDSTop Football Betting Free Agents to Change Teams

NFL Betting

It’s time to see how the biggest NFL free agent signings will perform for their news teams. Some will work out and could be the difference that makes a difference in the win column.

We look at the best off-season signings and if they should influence your NFL betting this season. Julius Peppers – Peppers was the biggest prize available on the 2010 NFL free agent market and the Chicago Bears opened the bank to bring his talents to the south side.

Peppers is explosive, he can get around blockers and cause quarterbacks to lose their minds. We all remember the classic Peppers game last year against the Vikings where he hounded Brett Favre into his worst game of the season. Peppers joining the Bears could be the reason Favre retired for good Tuesday morning. In addition to Peppers, the Bears added Chester Taylor to back up Matt Forte, Forte didn’t have the same intensity in 2009 compared to 2008 and bringing in Taylor will challenge Forte to bring it every game or he’ll risk losing carries to Taylor.

Betting on the Bears is a good option this season because of Julius Peppers and to a lesser extent Taylor. Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens – The Cincinnati Bengals signed two former number one wide receivers to line up with Chad Ocho Cinco. Antonio Bryant had a huge season in 2008 catching 83 passes for over 1200 yards but regressed last season. Playing for the Tampa Bay Bucs last season was a large part of the regression, everyone was bad in TB last season.

Bryant should have a bounce back season if he can win the number two spot from Terrell Owens. If Bryant wins the number 2 WR spot, it will open up a completely new set of problems for the Bengals. If Owens is forced to the bench in favor of Bryant, his attitude will create trouble for Carson Palmer and head coach Marv Lewis. If Owens is the number two receiver, it means Bryant can’t live up to his past numbers and the Bengals are still limited in the passing game. NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. 2010 football betting lines for this can be found at this top online sportsbook. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense.

NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense. They signed away the Arizona Cardinals top linebacker Karlos Danby. In the past two seasons, Danby has totaled 228 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. The Dolphins are the forgotten team of the AFC East with the second longest odds to win the division but with the addition of Karlos Danby and a trade for WR Brandon Marshall makes the Miami Dolphins legitimate contenders in the AFC East and in the NFL’s Eastern Conference.

The Dolphins will make NFL wagering fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

NFL Wagering

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.