posted June 30, 2008 at 14:19 in NFL Articles

BetUS Sportsbook bettors who love to bet on NFL know there's nothing that can be more disruptive for an NFL team than when a key player is holding out during the pre-season, with his status unknown of the regular season. Rookies have often thrown a curveball at management, when they are not able to come to a meeting of the minds with the front office in signing that first contract. Last year, LSU's JaMarcus Russell, the first pick in the draft, didn't play at all in the pre-season and that certainly retarded his development as a first-year player, in point of fact almost setting him, and the Raiders, back a full season. Brady Quinn may have put the Cleveland Browns in the same situation last year, as he held out of camp, if not for the rapid and rather unexpected emergence of Derek Anderson. Phillip Rivers, the top draft choice of the Chargers several years ago, almost put his career in jeopardy by not signing a deal, then when he finally did he had to sit by and watch as Drew Brees took the team over and went to the Pro Bowl.

When veterans hold out, it's more difficult to replace them. And we're seeing a batch of them who are at that Pro Bowl level who may or may not be a part of their team's journey this season. Will they hold out during this year's training camp, which is approaching? BetUS has posted NFL odds on this group. And we take a quick look at where they are right now.

Will they be a holdout or a "sit-out"?

Titans DT Albert Haynesworth 3/1

Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs 2/1

Lions WR Roy Williams 10/1

Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin 5/1

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey 1/1

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor 2/1

Eagles CB Lito Sheppard 10/1

Rams RB Steven Jackson 15/1

Bears LB Brian Urlacher 15/1

Bucs QB Jeff Garcia 7/1

Let's go one by one:

Titans DT Albert Haynesworth (3/1 in BetUS odds) -- He did not get involved in the OTA's (Organized Team Activities) earlier in the month, and he is the "franchise" player as designated by the cap people. Haynesworth is a case of a player who really doesn't want to be anywhere but Nashville. I've been here since '99 almost going on 10 years. So I can't really imagine myself in anything other than Titans blue." My guess is that he'll get together with management on a long-term deal, and before July 15.

Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs (2/1 in BetUS odds) -- Suggs wants to be paid a similar salary to that of Dwight Freeney of Indianapolis. The problem is that he's not really at Freeney's level. So, although I think a deal will ultimately be made, I can see Suggs missing part of camp until that is done.

Lions WR Roy Williams (10/1 in BetUS odds) -- Williams is apparently unhappy with his contract. But he told the Detroit News a couple of weeks ago, "I'm sitting fine. ... I've always cooperated with the Lions -- done my part trying to help this team win. I'll continue to do that." Williams is not coming with a lot of leverage because he did not blow anyone's doors off last season. My guess is that he will be there on Day One.

Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin (5/1 in BetUS odds) -- Boldin has three years left on his contract, but he and agent Drew Rosenhaus are still applying some urgency to this matter. I'm not sure there is a big problem here, except that Boldin wants money comparable with Larry Fitzgerald, who was elevated to $40 million over four years in the off-season. Even though I think they'll eventually agree to continue negotiating while Boldin participates in camp drills, I wouldn't be surprised if Boldin used the opportunity to miss a little bit of time in the heat.

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey (1/1 in BetUS odds) -- This may be the toughest place to come to a real "meeting of the minds," because Shockey understands the Giants have been trying to shop him, which is disconcerting, and the defending Super Bowl champs, who got there without Shockey, know that they can use others in his place, including last year's rookie surprise, Kevin Boss. There are wounds that may not heal, including Shockey's anger that the team did not let him on the sidelines during the Super Bowl. That was one of the things that led to an altercation with general manager Jerry Reese in mini-camp. I think this is a done deal.

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (2/1 in BetUS odds) -- Taylor does not really fit into the Dolphins' script for the future, and he hardly wants to stick around for another season of losing, which is what he is in for. Taylor does not necessarily want to retire, but he doesn't want to be in Miami either, so I would expect a trade, even though Bill Parcells, who runs what Miami does off the field, has already blown an opportunity to get maximum value for him. Until he's traded, I would not expect Taylor to suit up and participate in training camp drills.

Eagles CB Lito Sheppard (10/1 in BetUS odds) -- Sheppard feels he'll have less playing time with the signing of Asante Samuel. He is unhappy, and could sit out until Philadelphia deals him.

Rams RB Steven Jackson (15/1 in BetUS odds) -- My guess is that Jackson feels a lot better after his colonic, and with this being his contract year, and still (I think) shopping around for a new agent (reportedly being dropped by the last one), I'm not sure he wants to rock the boat too much with the Rams looking to make a real move in the division.

Bears LB Brian Urlacher (15/1 in BetUS odds) -- The Bears have just made Tommy Harris the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, and now Urlacher wants his situation dealt with. I also understand if he's frustrated about this team's reluctance to significantly upgrade the offense. If Chicago addresses Devin Hester's deal first, we could see Urlacher sit out some time. He's definitely considering it.

Bucs QB Jeff Garcia (7/1 in BetUS odds) -- Garcia is vastly underpaid, relative to what he can do. I mean, Josh McCown makes more money. But Garcia is also 38 years old. Chris Simms already wants out of Tampa Bay, and Garcia is talking about retiring if he doesn't get a new deal. The Bucs have room under their cap. Does Jon Gruden really want to go back to the drawing board, with a playoff aspirant, using stiffs at the QB situation? I don;t think so. Does Garcia really want to retire? I don't think so.

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(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)