Tag: no_yh

Titans’ Super Bowl odds unchanged after 2021 NFL draft

The Colts are still favored to win the AFC South, also.

The Tennessee Titans might have done well during the 2021 NFL draft, but Las Vegas doesn’t think it was enough to improve their Super Bowl LVI odds at all.

According to BetMGM, the Titans remained steady with odds of +4000, which is where they prior to the draft. Those odds are worse than where Tennessee stood following Super Bowl LVI (+2500).

The odds to win the AFC South remain unchanged, also, as the Indianapolis Colts (+100) are still favored, with the Titans right behind them (+110). The Jacksonville Jaguars (+1200) and Houston Texans (+2000) bring up the rear.

The teams with the same or better odds than the Titans to win Super Bowl LVI are as follows:

Kansas City Chiefs: +450

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +700

Baltimore Ravens: +1200

Buffalo Bills: +1200

Los Angeles Rams: +1200

San Francisco 49ers: +1400

Cleveland Browns: +1600

Green Bay Packers: +1800

Denver Broncos: +2000

Indianapolis Colts: +2000

Dallas Cowboys: +2500

Arizona Cardinals: +3000

Los Angeles Chargers: +3000

Miami Dolphins: +3000

New England Patriots: +3000

Seattle Seahawks: +3000

New Orleans Saints: +3500

Chicago Bears: +4000

Tennessee Titans: +4000

There is still time for the Titans to improve their odds ahead of the 2021 NFL season, as the team is expected to make more signings — and quite possibly trades — in the days and weeks ahead to address remaining issues, like at wide receiver and kicker.

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

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Broncos to bring in ex-Titans RT Dennis Kelly for a visit

This is the second team Kelly has visited with since being released by the Titans.

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Former Tennessee Titans right tackle Dennis Kelly is scheduled to visit the Denver Broncos next week, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

This is the second visit we know of involving Kelly since he was released by the Titans earlier this offseason. The first came with the Baltimore Ravens, but the team opted to sign tackle Alejandro Villanueva instead.

The Broncos recently became in need of a right tackle after their starter, Ja’Wuan James, suffered a torn Achilles while working away from the facility. He will likely miss the 2021 campaign.

Kelly was an effective starter for the Titans at right tackle last season. He posted a respectable 65.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade and didn’t allow a single sack while playing and starting in all 16 games (1,049 snaps).

During his years in the NFL, Kelly has worn many hats. He has seen time at both right and left tackle, guard, and has even caught two touchdown passes, one of which came in the 2019 playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Colts’ Kwity Paye has 3rd-highest odds to win DROY

Kwity Paye has strong odds to be the DROY.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye is expected to make a big impact on the defensive line quickly into his rookie season, and he’s already in the conversation for the 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Releasing their odds following the 2021 NFL draft, Paye is tied for the third-highest odds to win the award, according to BetMGM. Only Micah Parsons (+400) and Jaelan Phillips (+650) have higher odds.

(Courtesy of BetMGM)

Paye is expected to compete for the starting role at strong-side defensive end. Given that the Colts typically run over fronts (three-technique to the tight end side), Paye should be seeing plenty of 1v1 situations lining up next to All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

Paye will have his competition for the starting role, though. He will be competing with Tyquan Lewis and Al-Quadin Muhammad, both of which are free agents in 2022. So they will be hungry to prove they deserve a role along the defensive line.

But Paye has a skillset that not many possess on the edge for the Colts. He’s built like Justin Houston but has the elite movement skills of Ben Banogu. It was the perfect selection at No. 21 overall.

Given how aggressive the Colts are when it comes to their pass-rush lanes in their one-gap front, Paye should be let loose plenty, giving him more opportunities to impact the quarterback than he got at Michigan.

Paye is a good bet to become the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s likely to have a prominent role on the edge and if he can develop his pass-rush plan quickly, the league will need to be put on notice.

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

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Titans projected to get comp pick in 2022 after deadline passes

The Titans are slated to receive an extra pick for the second straight year.

With the deadline for free-agent signings counting against the compensatory pick formula having passed on May 3, the Tennessee Titans are being projected to receive one comp pick in 2022.

According to Over the Cap, the Titans are slated to get a fourth-round compensatory pick as a result of tight end Jonnu Smith signing a four-year, $50 million deal with the New England Patriots in free agency.

If this holds, the Titans will get an extra pick for a second straight year after receiving a third-round selection resulting from Jack Conklin signing with the Cleveland Browns. The pick was used on cornerback Elijah Molden.

It’s very possible we’ll start to see more action from the Titans in free agency now that the deadline has passed.

General manager Jon Robinson recently hinted that the team is working on contract restructures to free up more money. Tennessee still has needs to address at wide receiver and kicker, among a few other positions.

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76ers at Rockets: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks

Houston (+13) enters Wednesday’s game coming off back-to-back losses by 25 points or more, and they may not have Christian Wood, either.

The Philadelphia 76ers have the top record in the Eastern Conference. The Rockets own the NBA’s worst record. In Wednesday’s apparent mismatch, Daryl Morey’s new team visits Houston’s Toyota Center, where he was previously the general manager for 13 seasons.

Led by All-Star center and MVP candidate Joel Embiid, the Sixers enter on a five-game winning streak and with a one-game lead in the race for home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs. The Rockets, on the other hand, lost back-to-back games over the weekend in blowouts.

As usual in an injury plagued 2020-21 season, the Rockets will be quite short-handed. For Wednesday’s game, John Wall (right hamstring), Sterling Brown (left knee), Dante Exum (right calf), Eric Gordon (right groin), David Nwaba (right wrist), and DJ Wilson (health and safety protocols) are all listed as out. Meanwhile, Danuel House Jr. (right ankle) is doubtful, and DJ Augustin (left ankle) is questionable.

While starting center Christian Wood was not listed on the injury report as of Tuesday afternoon, he indicated after Sunday’s loss that his status was in doubt due to lingering right quad and ankle injuries. Head coach Stephen Silas said following Tuesday’s practice that Wood’s status for the matchup with Philadelphia would be decided on gameday.

The lines, courtesy of BetMGM

  • Point spread: 76ers -13
  • Money line: 76ers -900 / Rockets +575
  • Over-under: 223.5
  • Player scoring props: Joel Embiid 26.5, Tobias Harris 17.5, Ben Simmons 11.5, Seth Curry 11.5, Danny Green 9.5; Houston TBD

Place your legal, online sports bets in VA, CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV at BetMGM.

The Sixers are likely to have their usual starters of Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Danny Green, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid. Houston will counter with Kevin Porter Jr., Avery Bradley, Jae’Sean Tate, and potentially Wood — or perhaps rookie KJ Martin, if Wood is held out.

Advice and prediction

Houston is coming off back-to-back losses, each by more than 25 points, and those were with Wood in the lineup. The Sixers have much more to play for. It would be a surprise if this one is competitive.

Prediction: 76ers 119, Rockets 102

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

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

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Odds for Titans’ rookies to win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year

Farley has among the best odds of all defensive rookies to win the award in 2021.

Tennessee Titans cornerback, Caleb Farley, who was the team’s first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is among the leaders with the best odds to win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for this coming season.

According to BetMGM, Farley’s odds sit at +1200, the sixth-best odds to take home the award. The five other players ahead of Farley are as follows:

LB Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys: +500

LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns: +800

EDGE Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts: +1000

EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins: +1000

CB Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos: +1100

Other Titans rookies who made the list but were much further down include defensive back Elijah Molden and linebacker Monty Rice, both of whom come in with odds of +10000.

Not included in the list were edge rusher Rashad Weaver and safety Brady Breeze.

The Titans were fortunate to land a talent like Farley, who was considered a top-10 talent at worst by many experts but ended up sliding because of concerns over past back issues, including two surgeries to the area.

If he can remain healthy, Farley has a chance to become an elite shutdown corner for years to come with his incredibly impressive skill set, so it’s understandable why he’s so high on this list of odds.

Farley has reassured Titans fans time and time again that he will be fine physically, and he has also put to bed doubts about his being ready for training camp this offseason.

“I rebuke that in the name of Jesus,” Farley said. “I’m expecting to be ready.”

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

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New Tennessee Titans S Brady Breeze: How he fits

Brady Breeze is an intriguing sixth-round pick who could become more than a special teams ace.

The Tennessee Titans added a safety and special teams ace in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft when they selected Oregon product Brady Breeze at No. 215 overall, their last pick of the three-day event.

With the Titans having a solid group of safeties already, Breeze will have a tough time not only making the roster, but earning snaps on defense in 2021. However, he still has a better chance to stick than most sixth-round picks.

That’s because of Breeze’s prowess on special teams, an area he excelled at during his days at Oregon. That was likely the biggest reason the Titans ultimately drafted the 2020 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP.

But when you watch 6-foot, 196-pound safety on tape, you see an intriguing player who is workman-like and gives maximum effort, while playing aggressively and hitting hard.

Those are the kinds of traits that teams love and ones that could help Breeze develop into solid in-the-box safety down the line. For now, he’ll have to make his hay through special teams.

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Titans, Rashad Weaver release statements on assault charge; more details emerge

More details have emerged about the alleged incident involving Rashad Weaver that led to an assault charge.

More details of the alleged incident involving Tennessee Titans draft pick Rashad Weaver have emerged since news broke that he has been charged with one count of simple assault.

According to a report from Pittsburgh police that was obtained by Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky, the alleged victim, Demetria Navjelis, claims Weaver grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, leading to Navjelis hitting her head.

Here are the details:

“On April 20, the victim filed an assault report at Zone 3 station, stating that the male from the bar walked up to her on S 17th Street, grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, where she ultimately hit her head. The incident was already under investigation by the police.”

In a follow-up with police, Navjelis stated that she went to the hospital three days after the alleged assault because she was throwing up and was later diagnosed with a concussion.

Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s John McGonigal, who cites the criminal complaint against the Pittsburgh product, one witness at the scene claimed Weaver punched Navjelis, while another said he did not.

The complaint also states that Weaver “stated to other officers on scene that he had no problem hitting a female if they needed it” before leaving the bar where he and Navjelis had an argument before the alleged assault.

Officers on the scene did not observe any injuries consistent with a punch to the head, but did see small abrasions on Navjelis’ knee and arm that are consistent with a fall.

Weaver has since denied the allegation against him through a statement from his attorney.

“The allegations against my client, Rashad Weaver, are completely false and reckless. Mr. Weaver takes these charges very seriously, and we look forward to clearing his good name. Without question and without hesitation, we deny Rashad punched anyone, especially a woman. We intend to conduct a full investigation of these charges, and intend to pursue all legal remedies,” the statement read.

The criminal complaint containing the one count of simple assault against Weaver was filed on April 30, just one day before he was drafted by the Titans in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

In a separate statement, the Titans claim they only found out about the alleged incident on Monday.

“We were made aware of this news this morning. We obviously take this seriously and are in the process of gathering details and working with the league.”

Kuharsky reports that he spoke to scouts from two teams to see if they were aware of the situation involving Weaver before he was drafted. One said yes, one said no.

UFC on ESPN 24: Make your predictions for Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson (Updated)

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 24 event in Las Vegas.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 24 event in Las Vegas.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC on ESPN 24 main card staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ESPN 24 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the fights below.

Fight Week: Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders ready to rumble

FIGHT WEEK canelo alvarez and billy joe saunders are set to unify three of the four major 168-pound titles saturday at the dallas cowboys’ home stadium. *** MAGOMED KURBANOV (21-0, 13 KOs) VS. LIAM SMITH (29-2-1, 16 KOs) When : Friday, May 7 Where : …

FIGHT WEEK

canelo alvarez and billy joe saunders are set to unify three of the four major 168-pound titles saturday at the dallas cowboys’ home stadium.

***

MAGOMED KURBANOV (21-0, 13 KOs)
VS. LIAM SMITH (29-2-1, 16 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNN0ln8hFVQ

  • When: Friday, May 7
  • Where: Ekaterinburg, Russia
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior middleweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Even
  • Also on the card: Eduard Skavynskyi vs. TBA, welterweights; Evgenii Liashkov vs. Mukhammad Shekhov, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Kurbanov UD
  • Background: Kurbanov faces his toughest test against the veteran Smith. The 25-year-old prospect from Russia is a capable boxer-puncher who has been fighting in scheduled 10-rounders most of his career. He last fought this past November, when he stopped journeyman Dmitry Mikhaylenko in two rounds. His unanimous-decision victory over Diego Chavez in November 2019 might’ve been the most significant of his career. Kurbanov will be fighting Smith in his hometown of Ekaterinburg. Smith, a former 154-pound titleholder, had fought at 160 in his past two fights but is moving back down to pursue another title shot. The 32-year-old Liverpudlian is 3-0 since he lost a wide decision to then-junior middleweight titleholder Jaime Munguia, including a one-sided decision over Roberto Garcia in December 2019. That was his most-recent fight, meaning he will have been out of the ring for 17 months.

***

CANELO ALVAREZ (55-1-2, 37 KOs) VS.
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS (30-0, 14 KOs)

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  • When: Saturday, May 8
  • Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Super middleweight
  • At stake: Alvarez’s WBA and WBC, and Saunders WBO titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Alvarez No. 2
  • Odds: Alvarez 6-1 favorite (BetMGM)
  • Also on the card: Elwin Soto vs. Katsunari Takayama, junior flyweights (for Soto’s WBO title); Kieron Conway vs. Souleymane Cissokho, junior middleweights; Frank Sanchez vs. Nagy Aguilera, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Alvarez KO 10
  • Background: Alvarez has said he wants to unify all four major 168-pound titles after winning two of them by easily outpointing Callum Smith this past December. A victory over the underdog Saunders would give him three pieces and set up a showdown for the undisputed championship against IBF titleholder Caleb Plant in September. The 30-year-old Mexican star last fought on Feb. 27, when he stopped overmatched mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in three rounds. Thus, he will have been out of the ring for only 2½ months. Alvarez is 13-0-1 since he lost a wide decision to Floyd Mayweather in 2013, a period in which he has climbed to top of some pound-for-pound lists. Alvarez is 6-0 against British fighters. Saunders, 31, is a polished boxer with limited power who has won major titles in two divisions. He won his super middleweight belt by easily outpointing Shefat Isufi in May 2019 and has successfully defended twice. He stopped Marcelo Coceres in 11 rounds to win what had been a close fight in November 2019 and nearly shut out veteran Martin Murray this past December. Saunders has some notable victories – Chris Eubank Jr., Andy Lee, Willie Monroe Jr., David Lemieux and Murray – but he has never tangled with anyone near Alvarez’s ability.

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***

Also fighting this weekend: Junior lightweight Gadwin Rosa (11-1, 9 KOs) of Puerto Rico faces fellow prospect George Acosta of the Los Angeles in a scheduled 10-round bout in Kissimmee, Fla. on Telemundo.