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07/14/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - They handle all the heavy lifting, do all the dirty work in the trenches and keep the skill position players in the headlines, often times sacrificing their own stardom in the process. It takes a certain mindset to play up front on the offensive line and the following list is the best of the bunch heading into the 2010 campaign.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
GABE CARIMI, WISCONSIN
This 6-foot-7, 315-pound Badger may be the top NFL-ready lineman in the college ranks. He possesses plenty of size and potential, and has earned some All-American accolades in all three of his seasons with the Badgers. Carimi holds down the left tackle spot on the Big Ten's top offensive team. Wisconsin has its sights set on a conference crown this year and Carimi is just one of the extremely talented players who could end up delivering just that to the Badger faithful in 2010.
ANTHONY CASTONZO, BOSTON COLLEGE
The Eagles just know how to cultivate talent up front and this year will be no different, headlined by the play of this 6-7, 295-pound senior. Castonzo became the first freshman (2007) to start on the BC offensive line in 10 years and has improved ever since, having started all 41 games of his career, including the last two seasons at left tackle. He is proficient in both running and passing situations and always seems be in the right place. BC may not be ready to claim the ACC title this year, but it won't be because Castonzo fails to dominate.
MATT REYNOLDS, BYU
A mountain of a man at the left tackle position and heads into his junior year in Provo with his sights set on First-Team All-American honors. The 6-6, 330- pounder made an immediate impact as a freshman, starting all 13 games at left tackle before being named a Freshman All-American. Once again, he anchored the BYU offensive line as a sophomore in 2009, starting all 13 games while earning All-Mountain West Conference First-Team honors. BYU once again has a shot at the MWC crown in 2010 and Reynolds is the type of player who could give the Cougars the edge when all is said and done.
JARVIS JONES, OKLAHOMA
He will take over as the focal point of the Sooners' offensive line this year and will be charged with protecting talented sophomore QB Landry Jones. The 6-7, 305-pounder is compared favorably to some of Oklahoma's recent standouts and may evolve into one of its most dominating players. Head coach Bob Stoops always seems to raise the level of play up front in Norman and there is no reason to believe that will change in 2010, especially if Jones lives up to his potential. After a down year in 2009, expect OU to again be in the hunt for the Big 12 title.
LEE ZIEMBA, AUBURN
A model of consistency at Auburn since he arrived on campus, he has started every game since his freshman season (All-American honors in 2007), a string of 38 consecutive games entering 2010. The 6-8, 319-pound Tiger was a Second- Team All-SEC selection in 2009, recording 67 knockdown blocks. Ziemba has seen and done it all at Auburn, and although the Tigers will probably again fall short of an SEC crown, Ziemba should receive plenty of postseason accolades when all is said and done.
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ONE: Nate Solder, Colorado, Joseph Barksdale (LSU), Marcus Cannon (TCU), Nate Potter (Boise State), Jason Pinkston (Pittsburgh).
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
RODNEY HUDSON, FLORIDA STATE
Regarded as the top interior lineman in the game and for good reason. Hudson is the anchor for an offensive line that brings back all five starters to Tallahassee in 2010. Hudson could become the first linemen in ACC history to garner all-conference honors in four consecutive seasons. In a season of change at FSU (no Bobby Bowden), expect the offensive line to provide a safety blanket for QB Christian Ponder, as he looks to lead the Seminoles back to ACC glory.
MIKE POUNCEY, FLORIDA
Twin brother of first-round NFL draft pick Maurkice Pouncey, this senior Gator may just join his brother next year as a first-round selection. The 6-4, 310- pounder earned Second-Team All-American honors in 2009, while being named an All-SEC First-Team member. An extremely durable player, Pouncey has started 29 consecutive games. He has the ability to move to the middle and handle the center duties if need be. It is the post-Tebow era at UF and although the team may take a step back from the last few seasons, this is still a program chock-full of blue-chippers. Pouncey is certainly one of them.
JUSTIN BOREN, OHIO STATE
Considered a traitor in some parts of Big Ten country, as he transferred from Michigan to Ohio State, sitting out the 2008 season as a result. The Wolverines' loss has been the Buckeyes' gain, however, as Boren has evolved into one of the better interior linemen in the game. The 6-3, 320-pounder is a "road grader" who plays with a great deal of nastiness. The Buckeyes will remain among the Big Ten elite in 2010, especially if Boren and company can dominate up front.
JOHN MOFFITT, WISCONSIN
Moffitt started six games as a freshman in 2007 and has never looked back, starting 23 games over the last two seasons, including 10 in 2009. Two of those starts came at center. A First-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2009, the 6-5, 323-pounder is poised for a big 2010 and could garner All- American status in the process. Moffitt knows his role within the Wisconsin offense, which has a chance to exceed last year's Big Ten-leading numbers. The Badgers could play for a national title this year, and stellar play up front could be the key.
ORLANDO FRANKLIN, MIAMI-FLORIDA
He was only an All-ACC Honorable Mention selection in 2009, but Franklin could be ready to emerge as one of the ACC's better interior lineman in 2010. He started 11 games at left guard as a junior, moving to left tackle for the season finale. At 6-7, 318 pounds, Franklin certainly has the size to be a factor anywhere on the offensive line. He has plenty of experience, having played in all 12 games as a freshman in 2007. Franklin has steadily improved each year and if the Hurricanes are to make a move in the ACC, his play along the offensive line will definitely be a factor.
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Stephen Good (Oklahoma), Stephen Schilling (Michigan), Andrew Jackson (Fresno State), Zach Hurt (Connecticut), John Bender (Nevada).
CENTERS
STEFAN WISNIEWSKI, PENN STATE
Possesses one of the top pedigrees in the college game, as his father played four seasons in the NFL and uncle Steve was an eight-time Pro-Bowler for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Stefan has followed in his family's footsteps, carving out his own niche in Happy Valley and is regarded as the top center in the country entering his senior season, garnering All-American accolades each of the last two seasons. The 6-3, 297-pounder moved to the middle prior to his junior year and flourished in his new role. The Nittany Lions will again have a strong running game in 2010 and with Wisniewski spearheading the attack, PSU will make things very interesting in the Big Ten.
KRISTOFER ODOWD, USC
O'Dowd came into the 2009 as the top center in the country, but a dislocated knee cap prior to the season opener derailed his season. He did see action in eight games, was hampered by injuries the entire year and never really got going. A First-Team All-Pac-10 selection in 2008, the 6-5, 300-pounder is poised to regain his form in 2010. The Trojans will not participate in the postseason, but that shouldn't stop O'Dowd from proving to the NFL that he is one of the very best at his position.
MICHAEL BREWSTER, OHIO STATE
Burst on the scene in Columbus as a freshman in 2008 due to an injury suffered by the incumbent starter, earning Freshman All-American honors with 10 starts. The 6-5, 293-pounder continued the maturation process in 2009. The Buckeyes are going to once again vie for the Big Ten title and it all starts up front for OSU. A talented offensive line will be anchored by Brewster, who certainly has a bright future if he continues the course.
BEN JONES, GEORGIA
Another pivot who made an immediate impact, Jones (6-3, 300) started 10 games at the center position as a freshman in 2008, garnering all-conference honors. Jones stepped up his play as a sophomore in 2009 and was tabbed an All-SEC Second-Team member, starting all 13 games for the Bulldogs. A gritty and determined player, Jones is now a veteran presence up front for Georgia, which would like nothing better than to be mentioned among the SEC elite once again.
COLIN BAXTER, ARIZONA
A Second-Team All-Pac-10 selection in 2009, Baxter (6-4, 295) has started 37 games in Tucson, earning all-conference honorable mention honors in 2008 and Freshman All-American honors in 2007. He will anchor Arizona's offensive line in 2010, and although the Wildcats are probably not a top conference contender, expect Baxter to do his part in making Arizona a competitive team week-in and week-out.
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Dan Wegner (Notre Dame), Ryan McMahon (Florida State), Zane Taylor (Utah), Ben Bojicic (Bowling Green), Jake Kirkpatrick (TCU).
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Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.
The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.
Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.
NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.
"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.
The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.
But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.
The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.
Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.
The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.
The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.
The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.
Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.
Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."
Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.
"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."
Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.
It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.
"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."
Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.
"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."
At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.
According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.
Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.
Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.
When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.
He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.
Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.
Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.
Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.
Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.
While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.
"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.
Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.
Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
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