Tag: CFL

4 things to know about new Jets G Greg Van Roten

Here are four things to know about new Jets guard Greg Van Roten.

The Jets have made the offensive line a priority this offseason and continued that trend with the addition of Greg Van Roten.

Van Roten and the Jets agreed on a three-year deal Saturday evening after talks heated up between the two sides on Friday. In all likelihood, Van Roten will take Brian Winters’ job at right guard.

While Van Roten hasn’t been an All-Pro or even a Pro Bowler, he has been rock solid in pass protection the last two years, allowing just three sacks and five quarterback hits on 1,144 passing snaps. Like all of Joe Douglas’ offensive lineman signings thus fas, Van Roten is versatile. His primary position is guard, but Van Roten can also play center and tackle if need be.

Let’s get to know more about the Jets’ latest offensive line acquisition.

Grew up a Jets fan

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Not many athletes get to play for the team they grew up rooting for, but Van Roten is an exception.

Van Roten, originally from Rockville Centre, New York, grew up a Jets fan. He was born in 1990, so he has seen plenty of the same suffering that Jets fans have dealt with in recent years.

Now Van Roten wants to be part of the solution. The last time he saw the Jets in the playoffs was in 2010, when he was still at the University of Pennsylvania. So he’s itching to help his hometown get back to the postseason in 2020.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Betting 101: How to bet on the CFL for beginners

Looking at the various sports betting options centered around the CFL, with betting advice, tips and definitions of key terms.

The CFL has long offered hardcore football fans and sports bettors a summertime alternative north of the border, well before the days of the AAF and XFL. Below, we’ll look at the best ways to bet on the CFL, along with definitions of key betting terms and a breakdown of the betting odds.

CFL betting: Ways to bet

Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list of today’s sports betting odds and lines.

  • Single-game betting: Get action on a game you’re attending or watching from home, or any other game on the weekly CFL schedule. Back an outright winner on the moneyline or against the spread, or bet on the point total. All three are almost always two-way bets with two possible outcomes.
  • Futures betting: Prior to the start of the CFL season or any point between Week 1 and the Grey Cup, bet on who will win the championship game or finish the regular season atop either the East or West Divisions. All nine teams are assigned odds based on their perceived chances of winning the Grey Cup. Odds generally range from +300 (3-to-1) to +1500 (15-to-1) before the season.
  • Props: While they aren’t offered in the same abundance as in the NFL or other major sports, CFL props exist for things ranging from team win totals to player statistics, either for the season as a whole or for individual games.
  • Live betting: The CFL is prone to some of the biggest swings in pro sports with few leads ever being declared insurmountable. Back a pre-game favorite to pull off a second-half comeback at vastly inflated odds if they go down a few scores early.

CFL betting: Key betting terms to know

  • Favorite: Any team with negative odds for an outright or against-the-spread victory. Things like season record, home-field advantage and injuries factor into these odds.
  • Underdog: Any team offering plus money to win the game or cover the spread. Odds can rise to as high as around +500 for a regular-season game, with big underdogs almost always being worthy of at least a small wager in the CFL.
  • Moneyline: The odds for either team to win a game outright (or straight up). As noted above, odds can range from around -500 to +500 with rare lopsided matchups extending those lines in either direction. The moneyline will typically include overtime, but some alternate lines will limit the wager to regulation.
  • Spread: The spread is a much better way to get action on lopsided matchups which don’t offer adequate value on the moneyline. Favorites can lay between -1.5 to -20.5 (or more) points, meaning they’d need to win by at least 2 or at least 21 points, respectively, for those bets to cash. If the underdog stays within 1 or 20 points in a loss or wins outright each scenario, the bet would cash.
  • Total or Over/Under: How many points will the two teams combine to score? Lines can also be released for each quarter or half. Similarly to the spread, lines are almost always set with a half-point, rather than a whole number, to set up a two-way bet with one winner and one loser.
  • Push: Occasionally, betting action by the public will be so evenly split the books set a spread or Over/Under at an integer number. This leaves open the possibility of the winning margin or point total landing on the exact line. All bets will then be refunded in full in that case.
  • Chalk: A term for a significant favorite with the risk of the bet not being worth the small reward. A team favored by -500 odds would be a chalk play, with a $10 bet returning a profit of just $2.
  • Parlay: Combine two bet types from the same game or two or more bets from any game on a given week’s schedule. It’s a good way to combine all the favorites at more profitable odds, but the more bets included in the parlay, the higher the risk, as all bets need to be right for the ticket to cash.

CFL betting: How do odds work?

As noted above, a -500 moneyline favorite would return a profit of just $2 on a $10 bet, while a +500 underdog would fetch a profit of $50.

In-game odds for live bets can swing rapidly depending on things such as the score of the game, how much time remains in the game, which team has the ball or a notable injury. It’s important to be following along with the game when looking to place a live bet.

Get some sports betting action by placing a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

CFL Futures Betting: Odds, picks and best bets to win the 2020 Grey Cup

Analyzing the CFL futures betting odds, with picks, tips and best bets to win the 2020 Grey Cup.

The 2020 Grey Cup futures odds are one of the last refuges for sports bettors with the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the globe and forcing the cancellation or postponement of nearly all major sporting events. Below, we turn our attention north of the border to the Canadian Football League, and look at the CFL odds and best bets to win the 2020 Grey Cup Nov. 22, in Regina, Saskatchewan.

2020 Grey Cup Betting Odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Friday at 1 p.m. ET.

TEAM 2020 GREY CUP ODDS LAST GREY CUP WIN
Hamilton Tiger-Cats +340 1999
Saskatchewan Roughriders +500 2013
Winnipeg Blue Bombers +550 2019
Calgary Stampeders +550 2018
Edmonton Eskimos +600 2015
BC Lions +650 2011
Montreal Alouettes +800 2010
Toronto Argonauts +800 2017
Ottawa Redblacks +1300 2016

The Tiger-Cats will enter the 2020 season — scheduled to kick off in early June — as the odds-on favorites to win the 2020 Grey Cup after finishing as the runner-ups to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last November in Calgary. The 2020 host Roughriders come in second at +500 odds. They finished the 2019 season atop the West Division, but they lost 20-13 on home field to the Blue Bombers in the West Final.

Only one team will enter the 2020 season with odds greater than 10-1, with that being the Redblacks following their last-place 2019 campaign. The 2016 Grey Cup champs played in three of the previous four championship games before going just 3-15 last season.

Place a legal sports bet on the 2020 Grey Cup winner at BetMGM.

2020 Grey Cup Betting Picks

Blue Bombers (+550)

The reigning champs will enter the 2020 season with just the third-best odds to win the 108th Grey Cup following their miracle 2019 season. QB Zach Collaros will remain as the starter under center, with Matt Nichols joining the Argonauts and Chris Streveler moving on to the NFL.

RB Andrew Harris, the CFL’s rushing leader in 2019, returns to lead the backfield once again.

New to sports betting? A $10 futures bet on the Blue Bombers to win the 2020 Grey Cup will return a profit of $55.

Eskimos (+600)

The Eskimos snuck into the playoffs in 2019 and made it to the East Final as the crossover team before losing to the Tiger-Cats. QB Trevor Harris ranked second in the CFL with 4,027 passing yards while throwing 16 touchdowns against six interceptions. He has plenty of Grey Cup experience with the Redblacks.

RB CJ Gable remains a free agent, but Shaquille Cooper and Alex Taylor will be able to fill the void. Harris ran for a team-high six touchdowns in 2019. The defense shared the league lead with 56 sacks last season, and they allowed a league-low 222.9 yards per game.

Redblacks (+1300)

Ottawa was the laughing stock of the CFL last season, going just 1-8 on home field, 2-7 on the road and 1-7 against the East Division. They scored a league-low 312 points and allowed a league-high 564 points in 18 games. The QB position was addressed this offseason with the addition of Nick Arbuckle. Dominique Davis will revert to a backup role.

The Ti-Cats remain the juggernauts in the East Division, but the door is fairly open behind them. The Argos added former Bombers QB Matt Nichols, but they remain thin at both running back and receiver. The Alouettes lost RB William Stanback to the NFL and will struggle to replace his contributions.

The value here can’t be ignored in a nine-team league where anything can happen.

Want some action the 2020 Grey Cup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=4160]

Why did Tre Roberson choose Bears over 9 other teams?

CB Tre Roberson chose the Bears over nine other news, and it’s easy to wonder why. Chicago isn’t exactly a popular free-agent destination.

The Bears turned to the CFL to bolster their secondary with the signing of cornerback Tre Roberson last month. Roberson was widely regarded as the top free agent in the CFL, and there was a bidding war for his services in the NFL.

Chicago appears to be high on Roberson, as they gave him the largest CFL-to-NFL compensation since the Dolphins signed Cameron Wake for $4.9 million in 2014. Roberson signed a two-year deal worth $1.235 million, with $215,000 guaranteed.

Roberson chose the Bears over nine other teams, and it’s easy to wonder why. Chicago isn’t exactly the popular free-agent destination that they were just one year ago, following a 12-4 season.

For Roberson, it came down to his comfort-level with the organization and his belief that this is a team that can win a championship.

“I just feel real comfortable there,” Roberson told Bears All Access. “When I came on my visit to the Bears, my workout just felt like I was at home. They made sure I was real comfortable in every aspect of the trip. I just feel like a great place to be is close to home. I’m from a great place to be is close to home. I’m from Indianapolis, so it’s not too far away. We’ve been to Calgary, so it’s a long way from home. So I just feel like it was the best place for me, and I feel like I can help the organization get to the next level, which is winning the Super Bowl.”

Considering the lack of depth at the cornerback position, Roberson is a good addition as the Bears will surely look at add more this offseason. You figure Roberson’s addition signals the end of Prince Amukamara’s time in Chicago (as the salary-cap struggling Bears can save $9 million).

Roberson, 27, had seven interceptions in 16 games this season with the Calgary Stampeders.

[lawrence-related id=438142,438174,438131,438168,438217]

Ex-Giant Brett Jones the focus of a new documentary

Former New York Giants center Brett Jones, who was imported from the CFL, is the focus of a brand new documentary.

A second-round pick of the Calgary Stampeders in the 2013 CFL Draft, center Brett Jones took the league by storm, immediately establishing himself as one of Canada’s most dominant offensive linemen.

In his only two CFL seasons, Jones was showered with awards and honors, winning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2013 and then the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award in 2014. He also won the Jackie Parker Trophy in 2013, while being named a CFL West All-Star and CFL All-Star in 2014.

Oh yea, Jones and the Stampeders also won the Grey Cup in 2014.

That alone is a story worth telling, but Jones wanted more out of his life and career, and turned his attention to the NFL.

Many assumed the 6-foot-2, 315-pound Jones was too small to succeed, especially at the NFL level, but he would not be deterred. And in February of 2015, Jones realized his professional dream by signing with the New York Giants.

Jones would spend three years with the Giants before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, which is where he remains today.

In total, Jones has played in 46 NFL games with 17 starts, taking snaps at both center and left guard. But in mid-March, Jones will hit free agency for the very first time and his future is a bit cloudy.

Whether or not Jones’ NFL career continues, his story will be immortalized in documentary form.

Production company “The Little Park” released the trailer for Jones’ documentary on Saturday, which is entitled, “Uncharted North: I Am Brett Jones.”

The company provided the following description:

Minnesota Viking centre Brett Jones walked a path from the cold Canadian midwest, through injuries and trades, to playing for one of the most storied franchises in the NFL.

Check out the trailer below:

A release date for the documentary has not yet been announced, and the trailer simply says, “coming soon.”

[lawrence-related id=640833,640817,640810]

Former Giants draft pick signs with Montreal Alouettes

Former New York Giants draft pick, defensive end Adrian Tracy, has signed with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes.

There are more than 20 former members of the New York Giants currently playing in the XFL, but that’s not the only league where fans could find some familiar faces.

We’re three months away from the CFL beginning their preseason and several ex-Giants have also found their way up north.

One such player is defensive end Adrian Tracy, who has called the CFL home since 2015. And after five years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he is now moving onto the Montreal Alouettes.

The Alouettes announced on Thursday that they had signed Tracy to a deal.

The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that the club has maintained their rights on defensive linemen Woody Baron, Bo Banner and Lord Hyeamang, on top of signing defensive end Adrian Tracy.

Tracy (6’3″, 245 lbs.) played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during the last five seasons, amassing 131 defensive tackles and 21 quarterback sacks in 58 games, while forcing five fumbles and intercepting two passes. In only eight games in 2019, the 31-year-old made 11 defensive tackles, three sacks and forced two fumbles.

Tracy was a sixth-round pick of the Giants in the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent four years with the team and picked up a Super Bowl ring in 2011-2012. After his time with the Giants, Tracy spent one season with the Arizona Cardinals before moving onto the CFL.

Tracy appeared in 16 NFL games (all with the Giants), recording 12 tackles (one for a loss), one forced fumble, one QB hit and one sack.

[lawrence-related id=640659,640641,640617]

CFL’s Nick Arbuckle says he’d have turned down Giants contract

CFL quarterback Nick Arbuckle worked out for the New York Giants in December and is now saying he’d have turned down any contract offer.

Back in December, the New York Giants held a very under-the-radar workout with CFL quarterback Nick Arbuckle.

The 26-year-old Arbuckle posted a record of 4-3 for the Calgary Stampeders this past season in place of injured starter Bo Levi Mitchell, completing 174 of his 238 passes for 2,103 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran 27 times for 76 yards.

As a pending free agent, Arbuckle made it clear that he’d like to earn a starting job in the CFL, but would also entertain NFL offers.

That offer never came. At least not from the Giants.

That’s A-OK in Arbuckle’s book as he recently told TSN radio 1200 in Ottawa that he’d have turned down the Giants’ offer anyway.

“Even if the Giants were to offer me a contract it’s not something that I would’ve done at that time within our current situation. Everything about this league and about this country has been so welcoming and so great for our family,” Arbuckle said.

“There was the opportunity presented to go workout for the Giants. It was still something that we had discussed and felt like we want to be in Canada, this is where we want our kid born and raised.”

Why Arbuckle took the workout when he clearly had no desire to move out of Canada is unclear, but in the end, it all worked out for him because the Giants had no interest in making an offer.

Due diligence by the Giants done, while Arbuckle remains in the CFL as he desires. A win-win.

[lawrence-related id=640154,640147,640136]

Report: Cardinals to sign CFL QB Chris Streveler to futures deal, pay him guaranteed money

The team is reportedly guaranteeing a good chunk of his 2020 salary, suggesting they will give him a long look this offseason.

The Arizona Cardinals are adding an interesting quarterback to their roster this offseason. They are going to sign Canadian Football league quarterback Chris Streveler to a futures deal for 2020, according to TSN’s Farhan Lalji.

Streveler had a workout with the Cardinals two weeks ago.

Streveler played two seasons in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who won a championship in 2019.

He is a dual-threat quarterback. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds. In two seasons, he passed for 2,698 yards, 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He also ran 204 times for 1,167 yards and 22 touchdowns.

While on the surface it would appear Streveler is simply a player they want to bring in and compete for the third quarterback job, the money they are giving him suggests they think they might have found something.

According to Lalji, the Cardinals are guaranteeing around $100,000 of his salary for 2020.

The Cardinals’ backup quarterback in 2019, Brett Hundley, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. Perhaps they see him able to compete for the backup job.

Some believe they see him as a player like New Orleans Saints do-it-all quarterback Taysom Hill, who plays special teams, catches passes, runs the ball and passes every once in a while.

As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how he is used.

Will he be a gadget player or will he legitimately have a shot at backing up Kyler Murray?

[vertical-gallery id=431415]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 256

[protected-iframe id=”5dba5baeefa8b7e9bfd11c4333d4b344-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/21947850/download.mp3″ ]

Ep. 255

[protected-iframe id=”5a077b6c80e43549964e9cb25d81401e-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/21468690/download.mp3″ ]

Vikings sign 2 to future contracts

Bralon Addison caught 95 passes for 1,236 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 218 rushing yards in the CFL.

The Vikings announced Monday that they have signed two players to future contracts.

One was defensive end Stacy Keely, who spent time on the team’s practice squad last season.

The other was wide receiver Bralon Addison.

Addison spent the last two seasons playing for the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the Canadian Football League.

Last season was a big one for Addison. He caught 95 passes for 1,236 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 218 rushing yards.

Addison spent time with the Broncos and Bears during his rookie season back in 2016 as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon.

The Vikings, who badly need receiver help, hope that Addison could be a steal.

Should the Seahawks pursue CFL cornerback Tre Roberson?

The Seattle Seahawks have added players from the CFL before, and CB Tre Roberson is a player worth exploring for Pete Carroll and company.

The Seattle Seahawks will be in the market for some help in their secondary this offseason.

While Shaquill Griffin was a Pro Bowler, the rest of the team’s cornerback group left plenty to be desired. Tre Flowers got exposed in a major way against Davante Adams and the Packers in the NFC Divisional Round, and Seattle’s backups – Akeem King and Neiko Thorpe – are both free agents who have not proven themselves as reliable DB’s when called upon.

While Ugo Amadi stepped into the nickel role nicely near the end of the year, Seattle needs to find some more depth pieces this offseason, and potentially someone to challenge Flowers for his starting role.

While free agency and the draft both promise plenty of options, Seattle could take a familiar route to finding that added depth: via the CFL.

Tre Roberson is a cornerback for the Calgary Stampeders, and after two excellent seasons with them, the former Indiana quarterback is getting all sorts of attention from NFL teams.

Roberson has reportedly already visited with nine NFL teams, with five more on the schedule. While Seattle is not one of them, it wouldn’t be surprising if Pete Carroll and company take a hard look at adding Roberson to the mix.

Seattle brought a defensive back from the CFL to the NFL once, when they signed Brandon Browner and made him one of the original members of the Legion of Boom.

Roberson may not have that kind of impact, but if he can add key depth and versatility to Seattle’s secondary, he should be given a close look by the staff.

[lawrence-related id=55114]