Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays watched their own rookie, Brett Lawrie, make a huge impact on the team, but he hasn’t had half of the coverage that Carolina’s Cam Newton has received due to being a Heisman winner and the No.1 pick in the draft. Newton will lead his Panthers out on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, who got in the face of another rookie pivot last week.

Saints Panthers Odds - Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

The Saints (3-1) had three sacks and bothered Jacksonville’s Blaine Gabbert all day in a 23-10 win over the Jaguars on the road, while Drew Brees was 31-of-44 for 351 yards, a touchdown and two picks. It wasn’t his best game, but the New Orleans defense came through for their leader and if that unit can continue to improve, the Saints will rise among price per head sports fans.

The Panthers (1-3) came up just short in a 34-29 loss in Chicago, although Newton was 27-of-46 for 374 yards, a touchdown, a pick and two scores on the ground. Carolina has now going 0-3 when Newton has thrown for at least 300 yards, and they won when he passed for 158 yards.

New Orleans are favored by six points in Carolina, where they are 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five trips, with all five games going under the posted total, and this game has shootout written all over it. Look for the Panthers to try and run the ball more to keep Brees on the sideline, and that should allow them to keep the Saints from covering in your online sports book.

Later this week, NHL betting online sites will be taking wagers on which of the league’s top free agents will be signed for the most money. Each year, the NHL free agency period helps the 30 teams discover whether or not they stand a chance at making the playoffs for the upcoming season. With a few big name betting free agents already off the market, here is a look at remaining stars.

Brad Richards C – If there was ever a need for a top line center in today’s NHL; Brad Richards would define the center teams are looking for. At 31 years of age, Richards is scoring at a point a game pace, as he quarterbacks the power play and takes key face offs. Richards has had a history with concussions; however that shouldn’t intimidate teams from taking a run at him. Expect Brad Richards to receive an increase from his current $7.8 million deal. With teams such as Philadelphia, New York Rangers, Toronto, and even Florida and Tampa Bay in the mix, Richards could earn close to $10 million over the next eight years.

Christian Ehrhoff D – After quarterbacking the Vancouver Canucks power play and defense corps for the last couple of years, Ehrhoff will be seen as a hot commodity for many NHL teams heading into next season. Ehrhoff has both, an absolute cannon from the point and good vision on the ice, making him a deadly number one defenseman in the NHL. With rumors that the Canucks can only keep one of he and partner Kevin Bieksa, Ehrhoff may be sought after by close to 10 teams.

Brooks Laich C/W – The versatile second center for the Washington Capitals will have many suitors this off season. While he has yet to break out and score at a point per game pace, Laich offers intangibles, like the versatility to play all over the ice, along with excellent penalty kill skills. Look for up to 15 teams to try and acquire the speedy star’s services.

NFL betting enthusiasts are hoping that the 2011 – 12 campaigns will finally be the year that the NFC West becomes an intriguing division. Annually, the NFC West has become synonymous with the carpet elite teams wipe their shoes on. However also annually, the winner of the NFC West goes on a run in the playoffs and comes up just short in winning the Super Bowl. Here is an online betting preview of one of the most infuriating divisions in all of sports.

Made up of the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams, the NFC West is one of the youngest divisions in all of sports. Last season, the St. Louis Rams literally came within a head to head victory against the Seattle Seahawks of qualifying for the playoffs. Seattle, which has become one of the worst teams in the NFL, shocked everyone twice last year. First, they defeated the Rams in week 17 to qualify for the playoffs, with an unimpressive eight and eight record. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, the Seahawks then went into the first round of the playoffs and decimated defending Super Bowl Champions the New Orleans Saints.

Although the Seahawks would eventually lose in the second round to the Chicago Bears, they provided their fans and the league with a glimmer of optimism, by the impressive end of the season. This year, the defending NFC West Champions go into what remains of the offseason in hopes of a running back and a quarterback. Last year Matt Hasselbeck showed the Seahawks he still has some energy in the tank. However, if the Seahawks expect to contend, they need to upgrade at quarterback.

The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers were once again mediocre in 2010 – 11. Comparable to the Seahawks, the Cardinals and 49ers each need a veteran quarterback to help lead the charge while each clubs youth movement gets brought along.

PayPerHead.com, an online sportsbook service provider for local agents, today unveiled a new campaign featuring Vince Curatola, Johnny Sack of The Sopranos fame.

The campaign leads with Vince asking “Five bucks per head, that’s what I wanna pay…” and the website, featuring video and voice overs by Vince, walks you through the product, the process and the competition.

“Five bucks a head is really an industry first given our level of service,” a spokesman from PayPerHead.com explained. “And we very carefully and in great detail delineate on the website exactly what you get and at what price level at PayPerHead versus the other serious players, such as ABC Per Head.”

You get a great deal of sports betting services, including not only the traditional online sportsbook but an optional casino, live poker, in game live betting, mobile betting, tools for managing players and their funds, layoff and scalp accounts, even a “sharp check.” “We have the sharpest lines out there and one of the most experienced stages anywhere offshore,” the spokesman said, “so if we start seeing sharp action from one of your players, we can give you a heads up. What you want to do with him is up to you.”

The choice of Vince Curatola was an interesting one. “We always liked Vince’s character on The Sopranos, as John “Johnny Sack” Sacramoni,” the PayPerHead spokesman said. “He had a certain style, classy, but not over the top; there’s a calmness and authority about him that we really admire.  He brings that serious business demeanor to PayPerHead.com, the first sportsbook-service to EVER feature any kind of celebrity in its marketing.”

With post-up books like BetUS, Sportsbook.com and SportsInteraction stopping taking US players, Bodog and others struggling with “Ecom” processing problems, the street scene is heating up and players are posting daily in forums looking for a “local out.” Most players want the huge selection of markets, including live in-game betting, and the convenience of anytime betting online or via a mobile device, but more and more, we hear players say “they want to bet online but want to settle in cash on Monday.”

Many in the industry think this is the future of online sports betting – and it very well could be. And with firms like PayPerHead.com investing in marketing in an unprecedented way (celebs, who’d have thunk it?!) and in product (they also offer live poker, casino and in-game betting), expect to see this sector grow significantly this season.

For more information, see PayPerHead.com.

During the regular season, NFL betting sites put out an injury report for fans both gambling and playing fantasy sports to refer to in order to set the best possible roster. With two weeks remaining in the regular football betting season for 2010-11, week 16 is shaping up to be the most lethal as a result of key injuries around the league. Here are several injuries that have huge implications for week 16.

Aaron Rodgers QB Green Bay Packers – After being forced out of the Packers game in week 14 against the Detroit Lions due to a concussion, Rodgers was cleared to return to practice on Wednesday December 22. With the Packers literally hanging on for dear life and needing to win their final two games of the season against tough foes the New York Giants and Chicago Bears, Rodgers return to the lineup was a much needed boost.

Mark Sanchez QB New York Jets – At 10 wins and four losses on the season, the Jets are putting together one of the more impressive seasons in the last decade of New York football. With that said, the Jets may be without sophomore starting quarterback Mark Sanchez due to a shoulder injury for his throwing arm. Sanchez although having an injured shoulder, was able to guide his Jets to a narrow win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend. If Sanchez can’t go this week, fans can all but guarantee that the Jets Wild Card hopes may be dashed.

Joseph Addai RB Indianapolis Colts – Before the start of this season, to even have speculated that the Colts would be struggling for a playoff spot would have been an absurd reaction. Now in week 16 with several injured players likely done for the season, running back Joseph Addai who has missed part of the season due to a neck injury will be a welcome addition. The Colts are playing for their playoff lives and the run game has sorely missed Addai over the last couple of weeks.

Online Sports Betting offers sports fans an exhilarating and secure means to make money and have some fun. Here are a few basic concepts you need to understand before you start making sports wagers online.

Sports Betting 101 - Opening an Account

Now that you have made the decision to wager on sports, like when you play video poker online, you need to create an online sportsbook account. The Internet is littered with sportsbooks looking for new customers. Many, if not all, offer sign-up bonuses and incentives for fresh registrants. Just find a popular online sportsbook, take advantage of their sign-up bonus and you’ll be good to go.

Sports Betting 101 - Depositing Money

It is relatively easy to deposit funds into your online sportsbook account. The most common payment method is the credit card. However, some credit card companies prevent funds from being dispersed in sports book accounts. Other methods include bank wires, Western Union and e-checks.

Sports Betting 101 - Straight Bets

A straight bet is the most frequent type of bet in sports wagering. The potential bettor puts their money on either the favorite or the underdog. In straight bets, you risk $11 to make $10. In basketball and football, the straight bet takes into account a point spread. For example, the Arizona Cardinals are hosting the Seattle Seahawks. You bet on the Cardinals, who were favored by two points. Arizona must defeat Seattle by at least three points in order for you to win the bet.

Sports Betting 101 - Money Line Bets

A money line bet does not factor in the point spread. You bet on either the favorite or the underdog to win. The odds are higher that the favorite will win, so you must risk more money, same as placing your bets in a casino slots online. In contrast, betting on the underdog to win will yield a higher payout because their odds of the underdog winning were lower.

Sports Betting 101 - Betting on the Totals or Over/Under

Betting on the total score of a game between two teams is known as a total or over/under bet. For example, it is predicted that the total points scored in a college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and Duke Blue Devils will be 144. If you bet on the under, the two teams would have to combine for 143 points or less for you to win the wager.

Sports Betting 101 - Parlay Bets

The parlay provides potential bettors with an opportunity to earn a huge payout without having to risk a great amount. It involves at least two games and as many as 12. The more games are involved, the lower the odds will be, and higher the payout will be. In the event that one of the games in a parlay is a tie, the payout decreases. If you lose any game in a parlay, you do not win anything.

Bucs get one-year tender for the Cadillac

Sports betting experts will react differently to various NFL transactions during the sleepy months of Spring. One of the events that might generate at least a little buzz is Tampa Bay’s signing of running back Cadillac Williams to a one-year tender. This happened on Wednesday, May 12. Williams is a rugged and insistent runner. He’s not a breakaway back or a home-run threat, but he runs with tenacity and toughness every time he gets the ball. Yes, it’s true that the Buccaneers are in dire need of a steady and reliable passing game, but the thought of keeping Cadillac around in the backfield is a generally pleasant one for the flagging NFC South franchise. The Auburn product gives Tampa Bay at least one problem for opposing defenses to solve.

Bills sign running back Mendenhall

Another running back firmed up his place on an NFL roster on May 12. Former Pittsburgh Steeler Walter Mendenhall signed with the Buffalo Bills last Wednesday. He walks into a situation where point production has been hard to come by. The Bills sputtered on offense in 2009, particularly in the fourth quarters of games and even against some of the other bad teams in the National Football League. It’s the hope of the new coaching staff, led by freshly-minted head coach Chan Gailey, that Mendenhall - given a change of scenery and a chance to start fresh - will be able to make a positive impact for this AFC East outfit. With the ball-hawking New York Jets lingering in the Bills’ division, it will be important for Buffalo to establish the ground game. There’s no way any AFC East team will want to challenge the Jets’ secondary on a regular basis.

Saints sign wide receiver Billings

NFL betting gurus won’t be drastically altering their Super Bowl odds based on this move, but for what it’s worth, the New Orleans Saints are trying to give even more targets to superstar quarterback Drew Brees. On May 12, the world champions of professional football signed receiver Montez Billings. The Auburn grad impressed coach Sean Payton in tryouts… enough, at any rate, to earn a shot as an undrafted free agent. Billings had academic issues during his senior year at Auburn, which led to a rocky an uneven season plus an expectedly rough time with NFL Draft evaluators. Perhaps, however, this pass catcher will find a way onto an NFL roster. If he can make it in New Orleans, Billings will have a very good situation on his hands. He’ll also have some accurate Drew Brees passes on his hands as well.

It may seem like a day where most people are focused in on horse racing in the sportsbook as the Preakness - otherwise known as the second jewel of the North American Triple Crown but consider this your update from NFLBet, your NFL betting guide (an occasionally college football betting guide).

This week - of all weeks - Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder decided to come out and voice his disappointment for last year’s prized free agent signing, Albert Haynesworth. No kidding. As a matter of fact, who in Washington isn’t disappointed with Haynesworth?

Let’s face it: he’s done as a Redskin. They don’t want to trade him at this point because (a) Snyder has already paid him so much year for just one year of services and (b) because his value is at its absolute lowest point. New head coach Mike Shanahan is a dictator and you don’t mess with this guy. You can rest assured that he is not going to soften his stance for Haynesworth and he’s going to expect he shows up for offseason workouts. If he doesn’t, he’s not going to force a trade this way. Given his track record and the sports betting odds, Shanahan will not be bullied and they will force Haynesworth to sit out on the sidelines until he is either ready to grow up or until the Redskins get fair value.

The Redskins are turning things around but this is one mess from last year that they’ll have to clean up.

NFL betting players are wondering if anyone is going to take a flier on Terrell Owens, the 36-year-old receiver with nine seasons of 1,000 yards or more, but he’s been known to cause some trouble in locker rooms.  Despite all this, not to mention a poor quarterbacking situation, Owens still caught 55 balls for 829 yards and five touchdowns last year in Buffalo, so there should be a team willing to take a risk.  Here’s a trio that could end up rolling the dice.

Jacksonville

David Garrard needs targets if he is going to improve, because no team with Mike Sims-Walker as their No.1 receiver is going to go to the playoffs.  At least Owens could keep him from getting double-teamed.  In addition, the Jaguars are having major problems selling tickets, and Owens would probably help with that.

Chicago

Owens would have had the most yards on the Bears, whose No.1 receiver is Devin Hester.  He’s improving as a receiver, but he’s not a top receiver in the NFL.  Jay Cutler has experience with troubled receivers, having played with Brandon Marshall in Denver, and he’s the best quarterback on this list, by far.

Oakland

It’s amazing that this hasn’t even been considered yet.  Owens would probably fit in well with the Raiders’ “outlaw” image, and Raider Nation would embrace him.  The problem is, for Owens anyway, the quarterbacking situation.  The Raiders did pick up Jason Campbell from Washington, but Oakland pivots have been terrible lately (ahem JaMarcus Russell), which bogs the entire offense down.  Even if Owens didn’t boost the team’s online betting odds, it may excite Raider Nation, which is a start.

In looking at the 75th Edition of the NFL Draft, like the Preakness betting stakes, the top pick appears clear to most fans of sports betting. Sam Bradford, former quarterback for the University of Oklahoma, will most likely be snapped up first by the Rams as their number one pick on Thursday. While nearly everyone sees Bradford as a lock, the rest of the picks are a little less clear.

At number two, the Detroit Lions will not be able to pass up the opportunity to snag Ndamukong Suh, former defensive tackle for Nebraska. Considered by many to be the best athlete in the entire Draft, Suh could start immediately for the Lions, and would be a welcome addition to the team.

At number three, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will snap up Gerald McCoy, former defensive tackle for the University of Oklahoma. After the Lions take Suh, Tampa Bay will take McCoy - considered just slightly behind Suh in talent.

After the Buccaneers pick, the waters get considerably more murky. Many are positing that the Redskins will pick up Russel Okung, former offensive tackle at Oklahoma State. Fans of online sports betting know that following the Redskins’ acquisition of Donovan McNabb, the team needs an offensive tackle to replace Chris Samuels, who recently retired. While some are predicting the team to go with quarterback Jimmy Clausen, expect common sense to prevail and the team to pick Okung.

Rounding out the top five picks, expect the Kansas City Chiefs to pick Eric Berry. Berry is an intriguing prospect. While he ended his college career as a safety with the Tennessee Volunteers, Berry was considered one of the most dominant defensive backs in NCAA history.

The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday evening.