Vick case sends oddsmakers, bettors scrambling

As bettors and oddsmakers see it, the absence of quarterback Michael Vick is nothing but bad news for the Atlanta Falcons, who will be relegated to more of an underdog role this season.

Vick was ordered by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to stay away from training camp while the league reviews dogfighting conspiracy charges against him. The court case could keep the quarterback sidelined all season.

As a result, oddsmakers scrambled to change lines and many bettors put their money against the Falcons.

"Once we found out that Vick was not going to attend training camp and will likely miss all or part of the season, we made adjustments to the Falcons' numbers," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said.

Several books have taken futures wagers on the Falcons off the board. The Hilton removed Atlanta-related wagers for only one day, and that was last Monday after Goodell barred Vick from camp.

The Falcons' regular-season win total has dropped from 7 1/2 (Over minus-140) to 7 (Under minus-130).

"There has been a lot of talk about the over-under wins, and more money has been trickling in on the under," Kornegay said. "I don't think we'll see Vick playing for the Falcons this season."

Kornegay said bettors are backing the Chicago Bears (10) and New England Patriots (11 1/2) to go over their win totals, but the adjusted numbers on those and other popular teams are minor. The move in the Falcons' win total is more significant.

The Hilton also adjusted point spreads on four of Atlanta's regular-season games. In Week 1, the Falcons are 2 1/2-point underdogs at Minnesota after the line opened Pick.

The Falcons opened as 2 1/2-point home favorites over the New York Giants on Oct. 15, and the line is now Pick. The Falcons are 7-point home underdogs to Indianapolis on Thanksgiving, and the line was 3 1/2.

The only other Atlanta game posted is its Dec. 10 home date with New Orleans. The line opened Pick, and the Saints are now 3-point favorites.

Odds on the Falcons to win the NFC South dropped from 3-1 to 5-1. Atlanta is 25-1 to win the NFC and 60-1 to win the Super Bowl.

"Vick has had an up-and-down career," Kornegay said. "He is a terrific athlete and he makes some great plays, but he's never been an elite, winning NFL quarterback."

The Falcons went 7-9 last season and finished on a three-game losing streak. A coaching change brought in Bobby Petrino from Louisville, and he is implementing a pass-oriented offense.

Vick led NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards (1,039). But he was 20th in passer rating (75.7) while throwing for 2,474 yards and 20 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.

Joey Harrington is set to replace Vick. After four dismal seasons in Detroit, Harrington started 11 games for Miami and was 29th in the league in passer rating (68.2).

"I'd much rather have Vick than Harrington, but it's not like you've lost Tom Brady or Peyton Manning," Kornegay said.