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Oregon expects to excel after offseason turmoil

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08/12/2010 -

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -When Oregon's season ended in Pasadena on New Year's Day, it appeared all but certain that the Pacific-10 champions would lead the conference again this fall. But after a tumultuous offseason, the Ducks' outlook in the league is far more tenuous.

Even though Oregon is still considered the league's strongest team in light of Southern California's downturn, the Ducks' fate this season really depends on how the team handles expectations and the loss of quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

Nobody is more aware of that than second-year coach Chip Kelly.

``Preseason rankings don't mean anything to us,'' Kelly said. ``The great thing about our game is that it's played out on the field.''

Oregon's offseason troubles started in the weeks following their Rose Bowl appearance against Ohio State. Whispers about a fraternity house theft that involved football players led to charges against Masoli. Then prolific freshman running back LaMichael James was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

Both athletes went on to plead guilty to charges connected to the allegations. Kelly suspended Masoli - projected as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate - for the upcoming season, while James was suspended for the season opener.

Masoli's fall from grace was complete weeks later when he was stopped for a traffic violation and marijuana was found in the car. Kelly kicked him off the team.

Nate Costa, the Oregon quarterback whose injury two seasons ago ultimately led to Masoli's rise, looks favored at this point to take over this fall as the Ducks try to put the disarray in the past. But he's going to be challenged by Darron Thomas and there's even a possibility that the Ducks could rotate both.

A final decision will be made the week before fall camp ends, Kelly said. Costa is more of a traditional passer while Thomas is more of a threat on the ground.

Costa is a senior and has been with the Ducks for five years. But he's had three knee surgeries - and only one start - in that span.

Kelly has said the role of the quarterback this season will be to distribute the ball to James, receiver Jeff Maehl and others, but it cannot be ignored that the quarterback has historically been key in Kelly's offenses. Masoli and Dennis Dixon before him prove the point.

In fact, when Costa went down just before the start of the 2008 season, the Ducks appeared to flail for a time without a true replacement.

But Kelly is correct that Oregon has a talented corps of returning players with the ability to boost anyone in the QB role.

``Our players understand what we expect of them,'' he said. ``We think we're going to have a pretty good team this year.''

Among the most visible is James, who rushed for 1,546 yards last season, the ninth-highest total in the nation. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon's 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl.

He will sit out the season opener against New Mexico on Sept. 4 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge stemming from the altercation with his former girlfriend. Place-kicker Rob Beard was also suspended for the opener after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge for his role in a street fight that left him seriously injured.

James will be backed up by fellow sophomore Kenjon Barner and complemented by Maehl, who had 53 catches last season. Oregon also returns all five starters on its offensive line.

Oregon's offense racked up more than 37 points and 424 yards per game during the regular season while ending USC's seven-year reign as Pac-10 champion.

The Ducks have eight returning starters on defense, including defensive linemen Kenny Rowe and Brandon Bair, along with linebackers Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger.

The Ducks were picked by the Pac-10 media to finish atop the conference, followed closely by USC. Oregon State was third.

``This is a conference that any team in it can win,'' Bair said recently at the Pac-10 media day at the Rose Bowl. ``It's not just about one or two teams. There's talent across the board.''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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NFL Football Betting : Odds on NFL Division to Win the Super Bowl

NFL Super Bowl Betting

The AFC South and the NFC East are the favorite divisions to have the next Super Bowl champ among them in the NFL betting odds. But more down to the point, these football odds are in favor of the Indianapolis Colts, by far the strongest team in the AFC South, and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East.

Most sports fans would agree that these two teams top the list to win it all before the season even begins. In the BetUS Sportsbook football futures, the Colts are +800 in the odds to win the Super Bowl, while the Cowboys are sitting at +1000 and the Super Bowl XLIV champions New Orleans Saints at +900. In the AFC South, the Colts won the division for five straight years after the 2002 realignment, before the Tennessee Titans won it in 2008. But the Colts came back strong in 2009 to win the division again en route to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East, as well as to advance far into the post season. The Cowboys won the division last season before their horrendous loss in the NFC Divisional playoff to Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. But the ‘Boys will take that loss humbly and be ready for the playoffs this time around.

The NFC South is also very strong, at +600 in the NFL futures, considering that it is home to the defending Super Bowl champions. However, some predictions have the Atlanta Falcons with possibilities of claiming the divisional title this season in place of the Saints, as no team has won back-to-back division championships since the division realignment took place. Let’s not overlook the AFC North at +500. As TO goes to Cincinnati to join Chad OchoCinco and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, this team looks to claim the division title again. And it is likely they will do so. The Bengals lost in the AFC Wild Card spot in a hard-fought battle against the New York Jets last season. Lest not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers, the XLII Super Bowl Champions… All these teams present interesting odds and matchups for the upcoming season, but the safest and surest bet seems to be with the Colts in the AFC South and the Cowboys in the NFC East. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

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

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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