NFL PROPS: Handicapping the Offseason
By Jason Brough Bodog Nation Contributing Writer

While 12 NFL teams prepare for the journey to capture the Super Bowl, it's easy to forget that fans of the 20 squads that didn't qualify for the postseason have nothing but bitterness and envy to look forward to over the coming weeks.

If that sounds like you - and if you live in Denver, it certainly is - you should know there's still a way to wager on your team, and that's by betting on what it will do in the coming non-playing months.

The following is a sample of the many offseason proposition wagers being offered in the Bodog Sportsbook along with some corresponding analysis:

What will the Denver Broncos do with Jake Plummer for the 2007-08 Regular Season?

Keep him: +140
Cut him: +120
Trade him: +160
The Houston Chronicle's John McCain wrote in his blog that he thinks Plummer, who was replaced partway through the season by Jay Cutler, will end up with the Texans after the Broncos cut him.

Houston is coached by Gary Kubiak, Denver's former offensive coordinator. Kubiak knows what Plummer can and can't do, and if the Texans do indeed part ways with David Carr, they'll need someone to fill the position while searching for a long-term solution.

And that provides a nice segue into another prop bet...

Will David Carr be the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans in Week 1 of the 2007-08 regular season?

Yes: -170
No: +130
Apparently, Bodog oddsmakers disagree with McCain, who believes Carr will be traded.

No one can disagree, however, that Carr was a big disappointment in Houston. In what was supposed to be his breakthrough year, the Fresno State product actually regressed. His numbers in 2006? A modest 2,767 yards passing and just 11 TDs to go with 12 interceptions. Of all the NFL quarterbacks who played 16 games, only Atlanta's Michael Vick threw for less yards (2,474). Of course, Vick had over 1,000 yards rushing. Carr did not.

Speaking of Vick, there are some who wonder whether he's even the best quarterback on the Falcons' roster...

Will Matt Schaub play for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2007-08 regular

season? Yes: EVEN
No: -140
Schaub is a restricted free agent and got a chance to showcase his wares in Week 17 against the Eagles. He played well connecting on 15 of 21 pass attempts for 175 yards, a TD and a pick.

Atlanta's Matt Schaub will surely be courted by other teams in the offseason. (AI Wire photo)Last offseason, teams including the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings approached Atlanta about a trade for the 25-year-old. The Falcons, however, weren't interested in a deal.

Of note, if any team were to sign Schaub, they would likely have to give the Falcons a first-round pick as compensation. The Falcons also could match any offer he receives.

While Atlanta hopes not to lose one of the best backups in the league, another team is considering the return of one of the best screwups...

Will Ricky Williams be playing for the Miami Dolphins at the start of the 2007-08 regular season?

Yes: -105
No: -135
If you believe Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner wants to play for the Dolphins in 2007.

Williams spent the past year in Toronto with the CFL's Argonauts, a move he made after the NFL suspended him for a year after a failed drug test.

Steinberg has stated his client will apply for re-admission in April. He added that Williams has passed each of his tests in compliance with the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

Ricky Williams wants to come back to Miami, but will the Dolphins let him? (AI Wire photo)Granted, it's not solely Williams' decision where he plays. Will coach Nick Saban's replacement even want the distraction?

Don't forget that current Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown put up some great numbers in 2006, rushing for 1,008 yards in just 13 games.

It's all shaping up to be quite a year of decisions in Miami...

Who will be hired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins?

Jim Bates: 5/1
Jim Caldwell: 11/2
Cam Cameron: 7/1
Dom Capers: 9/2
Pete Carroll: 9/1
Kirk Ferentz: 7/1
Ron Rivera: 8/1
Mike Sherman: 8/1
Ken Whisenhunt: 17/2
Bill Cowher: 7/1
Field (Any Other Coach): 3/1
The Dolphins are by no means close to finalizing a short list, but a few obvious names have already popped up.

The favorite according to oddsmakers is Dom Capers, the team's defensive coordinator. Capers already has head coaching experience with the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers and is one of the hardest working coaches in the business. The Dolphins ranked fourth in the NFL in total defense, testament to his knowledge in that area. However, it's his abilities as an effective offensive play-caller that will come into question.

Also in the running is Jim Bates, who replaced Dave Wannstedt in 2004 and went 3-4 as Miami's interim head coach. Bates was passed over in favor of Saban but remains a favorite of owner Wayne Huizenga.

Bill Cowher is retired. For how long is the big question. (AI Wire photo)Oh, and by the way, that name at the end of the list is no joke. Bill Cowher is a possibility. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reminded readers that "the Dolphins' offensive and defensive coordinators worked the same jobs under Cowher with the Steelers - Mike Mularkey on offense and Dom Capers on defense."

Does Huizenga have what it takes to lure Cowher out of retirement? Or, does the owner have other plans?

Will Wayne Huizenga sell the Miami Dolphins before Dec. 31, 2007?

Yes: -110
No: -130
The rumored sale of the team that Huizenga's owned since 1994 has been steadfastly denied by the man himself.

"Absolutely, positively, no way," Huizenga told the Miami Herald. "We are not selling, and there is no waffling on that. How's that for a definitive answer?"

So how did all this start?

It was on Dec. 13 that blog site ProFootballTalk.com, which labels itself "the best pro football scoop on the internet", reported that Florida Panthers minority owner and advertising executive Jordan Zimmerman along with Papa John's CEO John Shnatter were set to buy the team.

Adding fuel to the fire, Zimmerman Advertising, one of the largest advertising agencies in the United States, boasts both Papa John's Pizza and the Miami Dolphins as its clients.

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