Vikings place Smoot on IR following car accident

Football Betting Lines

12/27/2006 - Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, five days after being involved in a single-car accident in his home state of Mississippi.

Vikings head coach Brad Childress made the announcement on Wednesday at his news conference.

"It was a car accident, details are sketchy," Childress said. "I talked to his agent (Bus Cook), but he'd broken his jaw in five places, so obviously I can't speak to him. We've texted a couple of times, but it's unfortunate."

"I don't know [other details]," Childress continued. "I'm really in the dark and Bus is still trying to grab details for us since he is down there closest to it and the closest he gets is Hattiesburg, so he traveled over there and I just talked to him before I came out to practice here this afternoon."

Smoot has been released from the hospital, according to Childress.

Smoot's interception return accounted for Minnesota's only score against Green Bay last Thursday during the team's 9-7 loss to the Packers, officially eliminating the Vikings from playoff contention.

The veteran playmaker ends the 2006 campaign with 63 tackles and one interception for Minnesota.

Rookie cornerback Cedric Griffin, who replaced Smoot in the starting lineup last month, was also placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.

Hitboz Football Betting News

<< Buffalo extends Lindell
Orchard Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Buffalo placekicker Rian Lindell signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Bills though the 2011 season. Since joining the Bills before the 2003 campaign, Lindell has connected on 83 percen

<< Braham set to call it quits
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cincinnati Bengals center Rich Braham is apparently ready to call it a career. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis made the announcement at his Wednesday news conference. Braham suffered a knee injur

<< Angels' Rivera has surgery for broken leg
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Juan Rivera underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a broken left leg. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Michael Abrahams inserted a rod into Rivera's left tibia and screws

<< Jackson, Kampman and Gould earn NFC's weekly awards
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson, Green Bay Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman and Chicago kicker Robbie Gould have been selected as the NFC's top players for Week 16 of the season. Jackson ear

<< Stars' Morrow out indefinitely
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow will be out of action indefinitely following successful surgery Tuesday night to repair severed tendons in his right wrist, general manager Doug Armstrong said on Wednesd

Eagles' Sheppard and Lewis questionable for Falcons game >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard and strong safety Michael Lewis are both listed as questionable for Philadelphia's game against Atlanta this Sunday. Sheppard, who recorded three tackles and a ke

Colts' Freeney listed as questionable >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is listed as questionable for Sunday's regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins with a shoulder injury. Freeney, the Colts' career sack leade

Giants' Seubert doubtful; Shockey questionable for Saturday >>
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Guard Rich Seubert is doubtful and tight end Jeremy Shockey questionable for the Giants' Week 17 game at division-rival Washington on Saturday night. Seubert is nursing a shin problem,

Bucs ink QB Simms >>
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms signed a multi-year contract with the team on Wednesday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Simms, who has missed the majority of the season

Jaguars' S Grant listed as doubtful >>
Jacksonville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jacksonville Jaguars safety Deon Grant is listed as doubtful on the team's injury report for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Grant, who left last Sunday's 24-21 loss to the New Engl

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard