Vikings, tackle Williams reportedly near new deal

Football Betting Lines

12/23/2006 - St. Paul, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Williams will likely have a brand new contract sitting under the Christmas tree, as the Minnesota Vikings and the Pro Bowl defensive tackle are reportedly nearing a seven-year contract extension.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the space-eater's new deal will likely make him the league's highest-paid defensive tackle with guaranteed money in excess of $13 million.

The newspaper reported that the contract could be announced Saturday.

The 26-year-old Williams burst onto the NFL scene after a successful collegiate career at Oklahoma State. The ninth overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft, Williams totaled 22 sacks and two interceptions during his first two seasons.

However, success has brought double teams on the inside, and Williams has molded into a prominent run stopper on the best rushing defense in the NFL.

Williams has five sacks this season after suffering through an injury-plagued 2005 campaign. The defensive tackle will line up on the interior as a starter for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

Wwwrio Football Betting News

<< Brooks agrees to extension at Kentucky
Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - University of Kentucky head football coach Rich Brooks has agreed to a contract extension. Brooks is in his fourth season with Kentucky, which is headed to the Music City Bowl against Clemson on Decemb

<< Inter ties history
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With a 2-1 win over Atalanta on Saturday, Serie A's first-place Internazionale equaled the all-time league record for consecutive wins, with its 11th, in front of the home fans at the Stadio Giusepp

<< Krstic's season ends with torn ACL
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Jersey's fear became a medical reality Saturday, when further evaluation revealed that forward/center Nenad Krstic had in fact suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during Friday's loss to

<< Rested Avs entertain improved Blackhawks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche return to action tonight for the first time since the Denver area was rocked by a recent snowstorm, as the well-rested club hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. Colorado's sche

<< Red Wings shoot for sweep of Wild
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings aim for a sweep of their home-and- home series with the Minnesota Wild when the clubs meet again this evening at the XCel Energy Center. The Red Wings took the opener of this set with Frid

United gets back on track with big second half >>
Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester United assured itself the top spot in the Premiership at the half-way point of the season with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday. After suffering a stunning 1-0 lo

I wouldn't have picked Cannavaro, but I understand >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Italian Fabio Cannavaro became the first defender to ever capture the FIFA World Player of the Year award recently. The honor is usually reserved for a dynamic striker who has made a habit of hitting

Redskins placed Washington on IR >>
Ashburn, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marcus Washington's 2006 season officially came to a close Saturday, as the Washington Redskins placed the linebacker on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered in last Sunday's victory over New Orleans

Memphis buries Middle Tennessee State >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Doneal Mack scored 18 points to lead five players in double figures, as 18th-ranked Memphis rolled to an easy 86-46 victory over Middle Tennessee at FedEx Forum. Jeremy Hunt added 16 points and Ch

McCarthy shipped from White Sox to Rangers in multi-player trade >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Texas and the Chicago White Sox swapped promising hurlers in a five-player trade completed Saturday, with standout name Brandon McCarthy heading to the Rangers. Texas also acquired 18-year-old outf

Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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