Petrino fiasco underscores game’s lack of loyalty

After considerable self-debate last summer about my ability or lack thereof to write this weekly column, the decision and commitment was made to give it my best shot from early September until the confetti flies at the Super Bowl.

This is my 15th rendition of previewing key games on the NFL schedule in relation to the wagering lines. Out of nowhere, I've been rethinking the pledge I made to the Review-Journal. A strange thought came to me: Might folks in Arkansas fancy information from a betting perspective, based solely on the Razorbacks?

I have a great inside contact. Las Vegas Sports Consultants oddsmaker Mike Seba was born and raised in Hot Springs, Ark., and is a staunch supporter of the Arkansas program. In addition, he has been a great contributor to this weekly space. I was going to seek out the Fayetteville Free Weekly or the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A slight problem would be having to fish or cut bait with the R-J.

Then, something strange happened, as I realized I had given my word to complete the entire NFL season. I'd be no better than former Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino. That would be guilt by association.

Petrino's gutless abandonment of his team and coaching staff in Atlanta is accepted behavior in this day and age. Would you send your kid to play for this escape artist? I'm a Penn State fan, and I say send your teenager to play for Joe Paterno. He'll be 81 years old Wednesday. Realistically, there's a better chance he'll be in the same place longer than Petrino.

I'm mad that clowns like Petrino are rewarded and revered. How do you think the Falcons are feeling today? If their collective hearts aren't the size of a grape, you could envision this team coming at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers like a cornered rat. Atlanta's season has been a travesty, starting with the Matt Schaub trade, Michael Vick's sordid situation and now Petrino's midnight parachute jump into Hog heaven.

The Falcons are getting 131/2 points in most circles for today's game. One way of looking at the nightmarish situation in Atlanta is professional pride, spite and anger could give this team a one-week adrenaline rush. LVSC odds director Tony Sinisi isn't buying it.

"The tank has to be empty," Sinisi said. "How can you expect maximum effort from these guys? Everyone there wants this season to end. Petrino took matters into his own hands."

Playing devil's advocate, Seba does not agree with my diatribe or blame Petrino one bit, citing the unceremonious firings of Ty Willingham at Notre Dame and Marty Schottenheimer at San Diego, and claiming the jury still might be out on all angles of the situation. Fair enough.

Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Steelers had better not be taking a playoff invitation for granted. They face a tough test today as 31/2-point home favorites against Jacksonville.

Vegas Insider handicapper Marc Lawrence notes the last 30 teams who have faced the New England Patriots and gone off as favorites the following week are 8-22 against the spread.

One of the biggest games of the day comes in Cleveland, with the Browns and Buffalo Bills needing a win in the AFC wild-card race. Inclement weather is in the forecast.

Buffalo is a different team with Trent Edwards running the offense. The rookie quarterback has shown poise in posting a 5-1 record as a starter, with Buffalo covering the number in all of those games. The Bills are 8-4-1 against the spread for the season.

The Browns have been involved in many hair-raising finishes, with eight of their 13 games being decided by six points or fewer. Cleveland is a 51/2-point favorite.

A footnote: Buffalo offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild was named the coach at Colorado State last week. With a huge game looming for the Bills, he has decided to stay put and honor his commitment through the remainder of the season, before moving on to his new post.

Loyalty is a novel concept.

Brian Blessing, project manager for Las Vegas Sports Consultants, can be reached at bblessing@lvsc.com. Hear the LVSC oddsmakers on Sportsbook Radio, weekdays at 4 p.m. on KENO-AM (1460).