07/24/2008 - Denver, CO (Football Betting) - Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith announced his retirement in a Thursday press conference, marking the end of a 12-year career as one of the most consistently productive receivers in the NFL.
Smith joined Denver as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Southern University prior to the 1994 season, and went on to amass 849 career receptions, 11,389 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns in 183 games with the Broncos.
"I've been able to play for the best owner in sports, not just professional football," Smith said. "I've been able to play for the best coach in sports. I've been blessed."
Smith was placed on the reserve/retired list in February, effectively ending the career of perhaps the most accomplished pass catcher in franchise history.
"Obviously the greatest wide receiver to ever play for the Denver Broncos," said Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.
Smith underwent the second of two hip surgeries in January. The 37-year old missed the entire 2007 campaign while rehabilitating from the initial procedure last offseason, and was placed on injured reserve in early November.
"I knew this was going to happen, that's why I'm prepared," Smith said.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Smith ranks seventh in career games played with the Broncos and holds the NFL career record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches by an undrafted player.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder currently ranks 12th on the NFL's career receptions list, and his nine-year streak of catching at least 70 passes each season from 1997 through 2005 ties for the second longest in league history.
"I'm always going to be in Denver," Smith said. "I've rooted myself in this city for a reason. I never wanted to and I never got the opportunity to go anywhere else. And I appreciate that...the market for me has always been right here."
Smith spent his rookie season on the Broncos practice squad but quickly ascended the team's depth chart, becoming an integral member of two Super Bowl champions and seven Denver playoff squads. He set team records with 49 total postseason receptions, 860 receiving yards and six playoff touchdowns. In Denver's Super Bowl XXXIII win over Atlanta, Smith had 152 receiving yards -- tied for fifth-best in Super Bowl history.
"Rod's the only person that I have ever been around on a consistent basis, day in day out, that never cared about a stat," said Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. "All Rod Smith talked about was winning."
Among his many achievements with Denver, the Texarkana (AR) High School product is the Broncos' career record holder in combined yards (12,488), yards from scrimmage (11,737) and overall touchdowns (71).
"People ask me should Rod Smith be in the Hall of Fame - you're darn right he should," Shanahan said. "He put as much pride in blocking for the running backs than he did catching the football. I'm just so proud to have a guy like this that I hope is with this organization for a long time."
<< Halladay Inn! Jays leave O's feeling blue
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roy Halladay was his usual efficient self on
the hill, allowing just one run through seven innings in Toronto's 7-1 triumph
over the Baltimore Orioles in the finale of their four-game series.
Before Hallada
<< Andersen heads back to Denver
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets signed forward Chris Andersen
to an undisclosed contract Thursday.
The 6-foot-10, 228-pound versatile forward began his career with Denver in the
2001-02 campaign. After spending three seas
<< Liverpool's Leto to join Olympiakos on loan
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Liverpool's Argentinian midfielder
Sebastian Leto is set to spend next season out on loan with Greek side
Olympiakos.
The 21-year-old made four appearances for the Reds last season an
<< Romero, Vaughan share lead at Senior British Open
Ayrshire, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eduardo Romero and Bruce Vaughan opened
with rounds of three-under 68 on Thursday to share the lead after the first
round of the Senior British Open Championship.
Andy Bean, John Cook, Kirk Hanefel
Kirilenko advances, second-seeded Srebotnik upset at Slovenia Open >>
Portoroz, Slovenia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko
needed little time to advance to the quarterfinals of the $145,000 Banka Koper
Slovenia Open, but second-seeded Katarina Srebotnik wasn't so fortunate on her
home tu
Sabres sign LW Darche >>
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres signed left wing Mathieu
Darche on Thursday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Darche, 31, played in 73 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning,
posting career highs
Knicks sign free agent Roberson >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks signed free agent guard
Anthony Roberson, the club announced Thursday.
Terms of the pact were not disclosed, although the New York Post reports it is
a two-year deal with the first year
Padres reinstate Bard, recall Hampson, option Carlin and Thatcher >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres reinstated catcher
Josh Bard from the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Justin Hampson
from Triple-A Portland on Thursday.
Bard has been shelved since May 22 with a left
MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds
With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season. What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season. Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all. Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13). Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two. Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury. Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven. Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury. Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.
In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons. Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4. Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1). The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this. No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.
Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend. Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend. With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.
MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:
Atlanta Hawks 1000-1
Boston Celtics 5000-1
Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1
Chicago Bulls 20-1
Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1
Dallas Mavericks 2-1
Denver Nuggets 25-1
Detroit Pistons 6-1
Golden State Warriors 250-1
Houston Rockets 12-1
Indiana Pacers 60-1
Los Angeles Clippers 45-1
Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1
Miami Heat 9-1
Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1
Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1
New Jersey Nets 50-1
New Orleans Hornets 150-1
New York Knicks 150-1
Orlando Magic 75-1
Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1
Phoenix Suns 5-2
Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1
Sacramento Kings 250-1
San Antonio Spurs 9-1
Seattle Sonics 5000-1
Toronto Raptors 35-1
Utah Jazz 20-1
Washington Wizards 25-1
About MySportsbook.com:
MySportsbook.com is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best online Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
With all the style and sex appeal of Las Vegas, MySportsbook.com is without a doubt the coolest online sportsbook on the Internet.
At MySportsbook.com, players get to enjoy the luxury of a five star sportsbook, a racebook that's second to none, a casino with all the bells and whistles, and a swanky new poker room!
MySportsbook also has a unique games room where players can go head-to-head for cash playing such things as sports trivia and fantasy games, popular arcade games, word and memory games, and more.
Throughout MySportsbook, visitors and members are treated to informative sports news and sports betting stats Sports matchup reports and sports betting trends as well as entertaining columns written by colorful personalities.
The management at MySportsbook has been in the online gaming business since 1997. As a result of this success, management has earned a coveted spot on eGaming Review's "Power 50" list, which recognizes leaders in online gaming.
With MySportsbook.com , management's goal is to provide players with an exciting place to experience the thrill of gaming in a safe and trustworthy environment.
Thus, players at MySportsbook are assured of getting top notch customer service while having a wickedly good time.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
Sports Betting News: Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting