Could Pierre Thomas be cut by Saints

While New Orleans Saints management prepares itself for the Jimmy Graham situation, free agency and the draft, there are other personnel matters on the table, including the team's considerable depth at the running position. With Darren Sproles expected to remain a big part of the Saints' backfield and younger backs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson ready to take on an increased role, would the team release its leader rusher in 2013, Pierre Thomas, this offseason?

With Thomas preparing to enter the final year of his contract, it's at least a possibility for the team. According to The Times Picayune's Larry Holder, the Saints reached out to Thomas' agent Tuesday to discuss the 29-year-old back's future with the Saints. The agent did not reveal the specifics of that phone call.

Thomas will count $2.9 million against the salary cap in 2014, and the Saints would save all of it should he be released. That said, the conversation also could be about an extension that could soften the financial blow to the Saints in 2014.

Thomas rushed 147 times for 549 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in 2013. His 77 receptions were tops among running backs in the NFL, and he added three more touchdowns through the air.

Though it's definitely a possibility, it would be a fairly surprising move to see Thomas out in New Orleans. ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett thinks Thomas' job with the team is safe for now:

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NCAA basketball odds: No. 23 SMU at Rutgers

SMU will play its first game as a ranked team since 1984-85 on Thursday night when the surging Mustangs of coach Larry Brown visit Rutgers. SMU is a 7-point WagerWeb favorite.

 

Rutgers enters off a 79-69 win at South Florida on Saturday. Kadeem Jack scored a career-high 31 points. Myles Mack added 15 points and Wally Judge had 10 to help Rutgers (10-14, 4-7 American Athletic Conference) win for the first time in eight road games. Judge blocked two shots and had eight rebounds for the Scarlet Knights, who outrebounded the Bulls 37-30. Jack hit all 13 of his free-throw attempts and was 9 of 14 from the field. Rutgers made 21 of 26 free throws for 80.8 percent.

 

SMU had a very impressive 76-55 win against No. 7 Cincinnati on Saturday. Nick Russell had 15 points to go with a couple of big steals as SMU ended the Bearcats’ 15-game winning streak. It was the Mustangs’ third win over a Top 25 team in seven games since moving back into renovated Moody Coliseum on campus five weeks ago. Before their recent surge, the Mustangs (19-5, 8-3 American Athletic Conference) hadn’t defeated a ranked opponent anywhere since December 2003. They hadn’t had multiple wins against Top 25 teams in the same season since 1984-85, the last time SMU appeared in the poll. They reached as high as No. 2 that season.

 

SMU is second in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (1st American), holding opponents to 36.7 percent from the field. The Mustang defense is also holding opponents to 61.0 points per game, good for 17th in the NCAA (2nd American). SMU has held 24 of its last 33 (18 of 24 this year) opponents under 40% shooting. On the glass, the Mustangs have outrebounded 20 of 24 opponents this season.

 

On offense, the Mustangs are leading the conference in field goal percentage, shooting at a 49.6-percent clip in 2013-14 (7th NCAA). The Mustangs are also shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, good for third in the conference. SMU is second in the league in assists per game at 15.5 (32nd NCAA), and is averaging 72.8 points per game. Additionally, the Mustangs have outscored 23 of 24 opponents in the paint by an average of 35.8-20.4.

 

On Jan. 21, SMU beat visiting Rutgers 70-56. Markus Kennedy scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead SMU. The Scarlet Knights missed 15 of their first 16 shots and went more than nine minutes without a field goal during the first half. Rutgers finished shooting 32.7 percent from the field.

 

WagerWeb trends: Mustangs are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Mustangs are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. American Athletic Conference. Mustangs are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS win. Mustangs are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win. Scarlet Knights are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games. Scarlet Knights are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Scarlet Knights are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.

NBA basketball odds: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers

The first half of the NBA season comes to a close on Thursday night in the TNT nightcap when the Oklahoma City Thunder look to hand the Los Angeles Lakers their franchise-record seventh straight home loss. OKC is a 12-point favorite to do so on WagerWeb.

 

Oklahoma City has won 14 of its past 16 games to take control of the Western Conference’s top seed. It won 98-95 at Portland on Tuesday. Kevin Durant had 36 points and 10 rebounds as the Thunder evened the series against the Blazers 2-2 in their final regular-season meeting this year. Jeremy Lamb had 19 points, including a key 3-pointer with 1:38 left for the Western Conference-leading Thunder.

 

Durant and Serge Ibaka entered the game as the highest-scoring duo in the NBA over LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard but Durant didn’t even need Ibaka to outscore the Blazers duo by himself Tuesday. The two Blazers combined for 28 points. In the last 16 games, Ibaka is averaging 17.9 points on 61.1% shooting to go along with 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. Ibaka has scored 20+ points in six of his last 11 outings. Already this season, Ibaka has recorded 19 double-doubles (posted 15 double-doubles from all of last season).

 

The Lakers lost their second straight game Tuesday, 96-79 to Utah. Chris Kaman had 25 points and 14 boards for the Lakers, who have dropped nine of 11 overall and 21 of 26 since Dec. 21. The loss to Utah put Los Angeles in 14th place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the Jazz and a game ahead of last-place Sacramento.

 

The Lakers’ top six scorers — Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Jordan Farmar, Nick Young, Jodie Meeks and Xavier Henry — are still on the shelf with injuries. Steve Nash played only 17 minutes and had to exit early for the second straight game because of nerve-root irritation in his left leg. Steve Blake and Kendall Marshall — L.A.’s backcourt to start the second half once Nash went out — combined to shoot 5-for-24. Nash is doubtful to play in this one.

 

L.A. trotted out its 26th starting lineup this season against a team that had won only 17 of its first 50 games, and then proceeded to blow a 15-point lead en route to its 34th defeat of the season. It also was the Lakers’ sixth straight loss at home, which ties a franchise record.

 

This is the second meeting of the season between the Lakers and Thunder. On Dec. 13 at home, the Thunder rolled 122-97. Durant had 31 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while currently injured Russell Westbrook added 19 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Kobe had 13 assists but just four points and seven turnovers. The Thunder finished with a season-high 34 assists and outrebounded the Lakers 59-41.

 

The Lakers are 15-8 in their last 23 regular season games against Oklahoma City. At home, the Lakers have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Thunder. L.A. is 17-11 all-time against Oklahoma City at Staples Center.

 

WagerWeb trends: Thunder are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference. Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Thunder are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games. Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. Favorite is 5-2-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.

Duke/UNC Betting Analysis

The Tobacco Road Rivalry will be renewed tonight as the 8th-ranked Duke Blue Devils (19-5, 8-3 ACC) take the short trip to Chapel Hill to face off against the unranked North Carolina Tar Heels (16-7, 6-4 ACC). While Duke is currently listed as a 2-seed in Joe Lunardi’s most recent bracketology, North Carolina still has work to do and is currently listed as an 8-seed.

 

According to our College Basketball betting trends, the Blue Devils, led by their freshman superstar Jabari Parker, opened as 3-point favorites at CRIS. However, despite receiving 61% of spread bets the line has dropped to Duke -2 across the sports betting marketplace. This reverse line movement is an excellent sharp money indicator and suggests that wise guys and betting syndicates have been pounding the host Tar Heels.

 

The line graph below, which is included in all of our odds memberships, shows the line movement at CRIS since this game opened Tuesday afternoon.

 

Although North Carolina has won five straight games, they have struggled recently at home against Duke. The Tar Heels have lost four of their past five home games against the Devils and have failed to cover the spread in six of their past seven. The chart below, which is available on our matchups page, displays the head-to-head details from the last ten North Carolina vs. Duke meetings.

Anderson Varejao to return to Lineup for Kings?

We wrote last week that any injury to Anderson Varejao, no matter how small, shouldn't be taken lightly. Since then, the 31-year-old center has sat out three games in a row with a knee contusion.

When can we expect the Cavaliers' big man back out on the court? Here's the latest.

Varejao is officially a game-time decision for Monday's matchup against Dallas, but after a week off the chances of him playing are probably a little better each day.

Varejao tells The Plain Dealer that the toughest aspect is playing through the pain of the knee injury, and playing with a knee brace that he'll wear once he returns.

If Varejao misses the game against the Mavericks, the Cavs next game is at home on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rangers Beat down Devils At Yankee Stadium

In what might prove to be a meteorological preview of next weekend’s Super Bowl, the New York Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils 7-3 in an outdoor contest at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 50,105 fans braved the 25-degree temperature and unexpected flurries to witness the latest installment of the NHL Stadium Series. With the forecast officially on the radar, the super bowl 2014 betting odds are starting to tighten.

 

After the sun and its blinding glare delayed the puck from dropping at noon as originally scheduled, the Devils got out of the gate with a convincing 3-1 lead in the first. Elias bested Lundqvist to open the scoring at the 5:36 mark off a Ryane Clowe pass direct from the blue line. Moore evened the score three and a half minutes later courtesy of a loose puck rebound. The Devils quickly regained their lead when Elias scored again on an early power play goal before Zajac got in on the action with 3:53 remaining.

 

The Rangers answered with six consecutive goals, including one more in the first, four in the second frame, and one in the third following Martin Brodeur’s exit to start the period. The net-minder, who was replaced by Cory Schneider, gave up six goals on twenty-one shots as his team failed to score again in a loss that snapped a two game winning streak.

 

Sports fans won’t have to pay tribute to the super bowl 2014 betting odds if they have outdoor action on their mind. The Rangers and Islanders have a date this Wednesday in the Bronx

College Football News - Tomlin/Harbaugh Next Coaches at Texas

Tomlin certainly has the necessary experience, with a Super Bowl win and two AFC titles. He's spent most of his coaching career in the NFL but did stints at VMI, Memphis, and Arkansas State from 1995-1998. One would think he'd be behind as a recruiter but Texas has some of the strongest pull on its own and he'd likely surround himself with capable recruiting men. On Tomlin's end, we only see him doing this if it comes with a significant pay increase and he has an increased desire for flexibility and control. The Rooney family by most standards are great (maybe the best), consistent owners but we can imagine Tomlin would be afforded nigh-maximum control in a powerful place at Texas. He doesn't seem to be unhappy in Pittsburgh and his job isn't in danger but it's interesting to see his name floated.

Harbaugh led University of San Diego to two league championships in three years, laid the groundwork for Stanford's tremendous recent success, and went to a Super Bowl with the 49ers last year. One would think Texas would salivate at the chance of landing a coach who's turned ships around quickly and with force. Harbaugh has to be in the same boat as Tomlin, though. His job's not in danger and he seems happy. Unlike the Steelers, also, the Niners have current and realistic playoff and Super Bowl hopes. It's not inconceivable he considers the opportunity for total control but the odds are highly against it.

The Steelers and 49ers jobs are some of the most highly coveted jobs themselves. It would be pretty shocking if either coach left at this point. The other matter here is that the NFL season is not complete and Harbaugh's could go well into January. The Texas job isn't one that needs to be filled right away for recruiting purposes--kids will come to UT. But sooner is probably better. www.freesportspicksdaily.com