Panthers sign F Higgins

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07/02/2010 - Sunrise, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Panthers signed free agent left winger Chris Higgins to a one-year contract on Friday.

Higgins split last season with the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames after a five-year stint with the Montreal Canadiens. The 27-year-old tallied just eight goals with nine assists in 67 games during the 2009-10 campaign.

"Chris is a big and hard-working forward who possesses a scoring touch," said Panthers general manager Dale Tallon. "He is a three-time 20-goal scorer on the NHL level, who can be relied on to play in all game situations."

The 14th overall pick in the 2002 draft scored 22 or more goals his first three full seasons in the league and has compiled 92 throughout 349 career games to go with 76 assists.

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<< North Dakota State getting Wisconsin transfer
Fargo, ND (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Wisconsin defensive end Tyler Westphal announced he will transfer to North Dakota State, where he will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Westphal told the Forum of Fargo

<< Another uneven round for Woods
Newtown Square, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods posted an up-and-down score of even-par 70 on Friday and is in jeopardy of missing the second-round cut at the AT&T National. Woods carded four birdies and four bogeys on the day, and

<< Nadal will meet Berdych in Wimbledon final
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former champion Rafael Nadal straight- setted British hopeful Andy Murray, while Czech Tomas Berdych upended third- seeded Serbian star Novak Djokovic in Friday's semifinals at The Championships, Wimbledo

<< Dida, Milan part ways
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - AC Milan have parted company with Brazilian goalkeeper Dida, who had spent the last decade with the Rossoneri. He won the Scudetto and two Champions League titles during his time at the San Siro and is sad

<< Blues seal Benayoun signing
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chelsea has announced the signing of Israel international midfielder Yossi Benayoun from Premier League rivals Liverpool for an undisclosed fee. The 30-year-old joins the Blues on a three-year contract

Toronto's Marcum lands on DL >>
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays placed starter Shaun Marcum on the 15-day disabled list Friday with inflammation in his throwing elbow. Marcum is scheduled to miss only one start with the All-Star break on t

Blackhawks ink D Scott >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks signed free agent defenseman John Scott to a two-year contract on Friday. Scott is a two-year veteran and over 71 games in the NHL, all with Minnesota, he has one goal and two ass

Coyotes re-sign D Lepisto >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed defenseman Sami Lepisto to a one-year contract on Friday. Lepisto, 25, played in a career-high 66 games last season with Phoenix and recorded a goal and 10 assists. Over

Source: Bucks sign G Salmons for $40M >>
MILWAUKEE (AP) -A person familiar with the negotiations says the Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed free agent guard John Salmons to a five-year, $40 million deal.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because teams ca

Canizares leads Kaymer in Paris >>
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Spain's Alejandro Canizares fired his second straight five-under 66 on Friday to take a one-shot lead over defending champion Martin Kaymer at the Open de France. Canizares birdied his last three h

Football Betting Lines

The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.

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Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.

Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.

A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.

Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.

Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.

And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.

2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win

Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1

Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1

Donald Brown (IND) 5/1

Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1

Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1

Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1

Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1

Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1

Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1

Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1

Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1

Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1

Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1

Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1

Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1

Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1

Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1

LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1

Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1

Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1

Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1

Jason Smith (STL) 40/1

Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1

Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1

Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1

Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2

Pat White (MIA) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 9/1

Betting Line

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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