Eagles bench McNabb; starter for next game undecided

Football Betting Lines

11/24/2008 - Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Donovan McNabb found himself in an unfamiliar position coming out of the locker room trailing 10-7 against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Eagles' franchise quarterback of 10 seasons was benched in favor of Kevin Kolb, who the club selected with its second-round pick in the 2007 draft.

The Eagles went on to lose the game, 36-7, but what's more is that McNabb may not start under center on Thursday against Arizona. Head coach Andy Reid gave no indication as to whether McNabb or Kolb would start against the Cardinals.

"There's no time for a competition right now," Reid said. "We don't have a lot of time here, so it's got to be done by tomorrow."

McNabb was less than stellar in Sunday's game against the Ravens, as he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble while hitting a mere 8-of-18 throws for 59 yards.

It follows up a poor performance in Philadelphia's 13-13 tie with the Bengals in Week 11: McNabb completed 28-of-58 throws with one TD and three interceptions, and admitted after the game that he didn't know ties occurred in the NFL.

Reid decided to make the switch after the intermission, though he let another coach inform McNabb of his status in the second half.

"At halftime, I heard about the move from our quarterbacks coach, Pat Shurmur," McNabb said. "My first reaction was 'Wow.' Then, I knew I had to go along with it, and I tried to get our guys to rally behind Kevin Kolb."

The gutsy move failed to pay dividends as Kolb completed 10-of-23 passes for 73 yards and two interceptions -- one of which Ed Reed returned an NFL-record 108 yards for a touchdown.

"It was something I thought needed to be done at the time," Reid said of the switch.

The loss places the Eagles in last in the competitive NFC East with a 5-5-1 record.

The Eagles have not made the postseason with McNabb, who turns 32 on Tuesday, under center since a Super Bowl appearance in 2004 -- a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots. Jeff Garcia filled in for an injured McNabb in 2006 and finished the regular season with five consecutive wins to bring Philadelphia to the playoffs.

The Eagles finished last season 8-8.

"Sometimes with a player, you can step back an inch and maybe you can go forward a mile," Reid said after the game. "So I was able to step back and again, I haven't made any decisions. I was able to step back and look at it from another perspective. It's important that he plays the way I know he can play and that the guys around him do the same thing."

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

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