Report: Raiders hire Dennis Allen as coach
Football Betting Lines
01/24/2012 - Alameda, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Raiders have reportedly landed on Dennis Allen as their new head coach.
Allen, who spent this season as defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, has reached an agreement to coach the Raiders, FoxSports.com reported Tuesday night.
The Raiders need a replacement for Hue Jackson, who was fired two weeks ago after just one season as head coach.
Allen was named defensive coordinator of the Broncos on January 24, 2011. He had been with the New Orleans Saints the previous five seasons, serving as assistant defensive line coach from 2006-07 and as the secondary coach from 2008-10.
The Broncos had the NFL's 20th-ranked defense during the regular season and won the AFC West division at 8-8. They beat Pittsburgh in the wild card round but lost to New England in the divisional round of the playoffs.
New Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie fired Jackson soon after he was hired.
Melbourne, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated Italian Sara Errani in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Australian Open. Kvitova took down Errani 6-4, 6-4 in just under two hours to secu
<< Morgan lifts Michigan over Purdue
West Lafayette, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jordan Morgan's dunk with 1:22 remaining
in regulation proved to be the game-winner as No. 20 Michigan edged Purdue,
66-64.
Lewis Jackson's heave just inside the mid-court line at the buzzer was off t
<< Report: Love, T-Wolves agree on 4-year deal
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - All-Star forward Kevin Love will beat a Wednesday night
deadline by signing a four-year, $62 million contract with the Minnesota
Timberwolves, according to a report.
He is expected to sign the deal Wednesday
<< Grizzlies exercise contract option for Pondexter
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Memphis Grizzlies exercised the third-year
contract option on swingman Quincy Pondexter Tuesday, keeping him on the team
through the 2012-13 season.
Pondexter has appeared in 16 games for Memphis thi
<< Nets' Damion James has season-ending surgery
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Jersey Nets forward Damion James
underwent successful right foot surgery on Tuesday. He will miss the remainder
of the season.
The procedure, which was performed by Dr. David Porter at Indiana
Uniondale, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Clarke MacArthur scored two goals, including the game-winner 2:06 into overtime, as the Toronto Maple Leafs skated past the New York Islanders, 4-3, to sweep a home-and-home series. Mikhail Grabovski gained
Knicks top Bobcats >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carmelo Anthony's recent offensive struggles
hit an all-time low Tuesday, but Tyson Chandler had 20 points and 17 rebounds
to help New York snap its six-game losing streak with a 111-78 rout of the
Charlot
Gerbe lifts Sabres over Devils in SO >>
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nathan Gerbe's goal in the fourth round of the
shootout gave the Buffalo Sabres a rare road win in a 2-1 decision over the
New Jersey Devils.
After Jason Pominville's goal in the third round forced the game
Anderson lifts Magic over Indiana >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A night after being held scoreless in a
historic loss, Orlando's Ryan Anderson poured in a game-high 24 points in
Tuesday's 102-83 win over the Pacers.
Anderson went 0-for-8 in Monday's setback a
Perreault stars as Caps top Bruins >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mathieu Perreault notched his first career
hat trick, pacing Washington in a 5-3 victory over Boston at Verizon Center.
Cody Eakin and Dennis Wideman also scored for the Capitals, who head to the
All-St
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."
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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