MVP talk doesn't rattle Packers QB Rodgers

Football Betting Lines

09/08/2010 -

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - During training camp, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers noted that the team has a different kind of swagger this year. He called it ``real confidence.''

Now that Rodgers enters Sunday's regular season opener in Philadelphia as a fashionable pick to become the league's MVP and lead his team on a long playoff run this year, Rodgers said his own approach hasn't changed.

``I've always had real confidence,'' Rodgers said, holding eye contact for emphasis.

It seems like everybody else has confidence in Rodgers, too.

After spending most of the first three years of his NFL career on the bench, Rodgers faced plenty of skepticism - even from his own fans - when the Packers traded icon-turned-malcontent Brett Favre and handed Rodgers the keys to the offense.

Rodgers played well in 2008 despite sustaining a significant shoulder injury early in the season. Rodgers then led the Packers back to the playoffs last year despite taking a league-high 50 sacks.

In two seasons as a No. 1 quarterback, Rodgers has started all 32 regular-season games, throwing 58 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. In the preseason this year, he completed 77.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

With Rodgers running what is shaping up as one of the NFL's best offenses, pundits are hailing him as a potential MVP. If he leads the Packers on a long playoff run, he could barge his way into conversations about the league's elite quarterbacks.

And given what he already has shown the ability to handle, wide receiver Greg Jennings said there's no reason to doubt he'll be able to deal with high expectations.

``He handles it all great,'' Jennings said. ``No. 1, in this league, you've got to be able to handle adversity, and he's shown he can handle adverse situations. No. 2, you've got to be able to handle success, and he's shown that he can handle success. We're not worried about Aaron handling any situation.''

Rodgers' ascent has become a blueprint for new Eagles starter Kevin Kolb, who will try to outduel Rodgers on Sunday after turning to him for occasional advice in the offseason.

``He has no idea how much of a fan of him I am because of what I got to see him go through and the way he handles the adversity,'' Kolb said. ``He always took it back to football and didn't get caught up in it.''

Kolb is trying to replace Donovan McNabb, and perhaps only Rodgers can understand what that's like.

``I've talked to him and definitely shared thoughts with him, I'm impressed with the way he's handled himself,'' Rodgers said. ``He's definitely endeared himself to his team and his fan base and the coaching staff and organization by the way he's handled the whole situation, which is never the easiest situation following the guys we followed.''

Rodgers, meanwhile, will gladly take the MVP talk after spending two years fielding questions about replacing Favre or taking sacks.

``I think it's a lot easier,'' Rodgers said. ``It definitely is. But it's honestly never entered my thought process. You know, the awards and the predictions and stuff, really, I think that's preseason fodder. Just stuff to chew on while the games may not be as meaningful. But once we get into the everyday grind of the season, guys are just focused on that week.''

Still, that didn't stop a few Packers players from wearing cowboy hats to a recent season kickoff luncheon - an allusion to the Super Bowl in Dallas, and an idea that apparently can be traced back to the quarterback.

``He kind of was the leader on that thing, no question,'' veteran tackle Mark Tauscher said.

The expectations are out there, so why not have fun with them?

``This is a fun job, but it's also a grind,'' Tauscher said. ``You have to be able to have some fun and have laughs and I think Aaron does a great job of trying to keep guys loose when it's the appropriate time.''

Packers coach Mike McCarthy made a point of embracing Super Bowl expectations at the beginning of training camp. But with a tough road opener looming, he doesn't want to hear a word about how his quarterback is considered an MVP candidate.

``I would say Aaron Rodgers is handling his business in a very professional manner, just like he has in the past,'' McCarthy said. ``All of those types of awards, Super Bowl talk, frankly that is preseason talk. That is over in our mind. The only thing we are interested in is Philadelphia.''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.

Marketwstch Football Betting News

<< Rogers has high expectations for season
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - During training camp, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers noted that the team has a different kind of swagger this year. He calls it ``real confidence.''Now that Rodgers enters Sunday's season opener in Philadelphia as

<< Former Sugar Bowl executive director dies at 72
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Mickey Holmes, executive director of the Sugar Bowl during the period when coaching legends Bear Bryant, Vince Dooley and Joe Paterno won national championships there, has died. He was 72.Sugar Bowl spokesman John Sudsbury said Ho

<< Flying to a college football game? Take these tips
NEW YORK (AP) -Smell the tailgate party - it's college football season. But if you're flying in for a game, you might be headed for a headache. Cutbacks at major airlines have made flight choices more difficult this fall, especially to smaller colle

<< Portland Meadows gains recognition with bonus program
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Little known Portland Meadows will gain some rare notoriety with the advent of the new Black-Eyed Susan 2.2 program. The track's first ever running of the $80,000 Portland Meadows Oaks has been include

<< Wolverines safety Emilien to transfer
Ann Arbor, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michigan sophomore safety Vladimir Emilien has asked for his release from the university in order to transfer. The News of Ann Arbor on Wednesday reported that head coach Rich Rodriguez granted the re

Georgia WR Green given four-game suspension >>
Athens, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green was given a four-game suspension because he sold his Independence Bowl game jersey to an individual who meets the NCAA definition of an agent. The NCAA's student-athlete

Eskimos sign WR Mitchell among numerous roster moves >>
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Edmonton Eskimos on Wednesday added a former NFL wide receiver to their roster by signing Marko Mitchell. A seventh round pick of the Redskins in the 2009 NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 218- pounder record

Jyles to replace injured Bombers QB Pierce >>
Winnipeg, MB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Steven Jyles will replace injured Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce for the foreseeable future, and possibly the remainder of the season. Pierce dislocated his right elbow during Sunday's 27-23 loss at Sas

This Week in Auto Racing September 10 - 12 >>
Richmond, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Sprint Cup Series' "Chase cut-off race" at Richmond International Raceway headlines this week in motorsports. The Nationwide Series also will be at Richmond, and Formula One concludes its "European schedule"

Yanks' Posada hurt, may have concussion >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada did not play in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over Baltimore, and may have a concussion after a foul ball struck him during Tuesday's game. "He got a foul tip, somewhat,

2007 Academy Award Betting : Oscars odds

The 79th Annual Academy Awards odds , which will air February 25th, is sparking an interest throughout the nation with the announcement of its nominees. As the public chooses their favorites, sportsbooks are creating odds for one of the biggest entertainment betting nights of the year.

Whether its at a “Oscar Party” or in an on line sportsbook, entertainment gambling on award shows represent a huge increase in betting. As the public speculation mounts, MySportsbook.com, the largest and most respected sportsbook on the web, posted odds on who is going home with a “Golden Best Friend.”

“ We see a majority of our entertainment wagers come from the Academy Awards,” said MySportsbook.com spokesperson, Tim Dalton. “This is a competition that applies to everyone. These are the people that entertain us on a daily basis and you want to see them win.”

MySportsbook.com posted the following odds for Academy Awards:

Odds to win the Achievement in Directing:

Alejandro González Iñárritu "Babel": 8/1

Martin Scorsese "The Departed": 2/17

Clint Eastwood "Letters From Iwo Jima: 4/1

Stephen Frears "The Queen": 12/1

Paul Greengrass "United 93": 15/1

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

Leonardo DiCaprio in "Blood Diamond": 11/1

Ryan Gosling in "Half Nelson": 20/1

Peter O’Toole in "Venus": 16/5

Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness": 16/1

Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland": 1/11

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

Penélope Cruz in "Volver": 18/1

Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal": 15/1

Helen Mirren in "The Queen": 1/50

Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada": 10/1

Kate Winslet in "Little Children": 20/1

Best Animated Feature Film:

"Cars": 1/3

"Happy Feet": 2/1

"Monster House": 20/1

Best Foreign-Language Film of the Year:

"Water" – Canada: 22/1

"The Lives of Others" – Germany: 7/2

"After the Wedding" - Denmark: 24/1

"Days of Glory (Indigenes)" – Algeria: 23/1

"Pan's Labyrinth" - Mexico: 1/10

Odds to win the Best Live-Action Short Film:

"Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)": 6/5

"Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)": 7/2

"Helmer & Son": 5/2

"The Saviour": 6/1

"West Bank Story": 7/2

Odds to win the Best Original Screenplay:

"Babel": 7/4

"Letters From Iwo Jima": 3/1

"Little Miss Sunshine": 21/20

"Pan's Labyrinth": 11/4

"The Queen": 5/4

Best Motion Picture of the Year:

"Babel": 11/4

"The Departed": 1/2

"Letters from Iwo Jima": 15/2

"Little Miss Sunshine": 17/10

"The Queen": 20/1

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

Alan Arkin in "Little Miss Sunshine": 11/10

Jackie Earle Haley in "Little Children": 10/1

Djimon Hounsou in "Blood Diamond": 9/1

Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls": 2/5

Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed": 5/1

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Adriana Barraza in "Babel": 14/1

Cate Blanchett in "Notes on a Scandal": 11/1

Abigail Breslin in "Little Miss Sunshine": 2/1

Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls": 1/8

Rinko Kikuchi in "Babel": 11/1

Film To Win Most Oscars:

Dreamgirls: 2/3

Pans Labyrinth: 6/5

The Departed: 6/1

The Queen: 11/1

Babel: 15/1

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest: 11/1

Little Miss Sunshine: 15/1


Additional sports and entertainment odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.