First things first: Brian Cushing will apparently kick Rey Maualuga’s butt. We’re still waiting to see whether he will top off this ass kicking with a guttural war cry defending the honor of Erin Andrews.

Now, Brian, Add About 15 Pounds & Get Pressin'

Rey Maualuga, lest you forgot, gained a couple of infamy units back in January when he got jiggy wid ESPN sideline princess Erin Andrews on his way to the locker (unbeknownst to her at the time). America swiftly admonished Maualuga, who later apologized as though he had inadvertantly triggered a third-world genocide.

But the backlash continues.

Posted as a prop bet in the 225 lbs. bench press at this year’s NFL Combine, Maualuga¹ will compare reps with Brian Cushing. Odds for this event opened with Cushing at +170 and Maualuga at -220.

Somebody must have some serious hopes for Cushing’s ability to press since his number has now moved to +140. (Maualuga’s has dropped to -180.)

And We Will Give Thee Every One of Us 1100 Shekels of Silver

The only other lines moves are some generic ones for QB 40 times and vertical jumps. (Not surprisingly the line moves indicate that the betting public favors a QB to run a 40 time faster than 4.53s and jump a vertical higher than 32½ inches. Good luck with that one, Public!)

We’re not recommending any action here. The vig is horrible and the book is play at your own risk. (Sportsbook.com in this case.)² And we have no idea if this line move was motivated by smart money, Erin Andrews,³ someone in the USC locker room, or that Maualuga is cited at 37 bench reps for a personal best while Cushing is listed at 35.⁴ With a difference of only two, maybe someone thought Cushing was a value at +170.

The Combine begins today. Media whoring begins in earnest tomorrow. Cushing and Maualuga will be evaluated on Saturday.

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6.34 Seconds of Panic

Ever since the NFL Network thought it good TV to air Rich Eisen running a 6.34-second 40 time in a pair of wingtips, well, it was only a matter of time before some sports book would start making offers on the combine.

Sportsbook.com is now posting odds on the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine, this Wednesday (18 February) in Indianapolis.

The props are on quantifiable events: the 40-yard dash, number of bench presses and height of vertical jump.  (What?!? No odds on the Cybex test?)

Think some juiced-out wannabe pro linebacker can bench 225 lbs. more than 39½ times?  Believe some prospective wide-out can break a 40 time of 4.32? If you’re willing to pay for a 15¢ line, then it’s all yours to bet. (That is, if you have a balance with Sportsbook.com — which we don’t, and can’t condone.)

These odds do seem fair — meaning there are no glaringly absurd lines, like over-under the number of times Deion will ask a prospect “how he feels”¹ — so there’s a decent chance these might get carried by other books. (The only real mismatch is the fastest 40 time between Missouri’s 5′ 10″, 234 lbs. QB Chase Daniel  [+350] vs. West Virginia’s 6′ 1″, 192 lbs. QB Pat White [-600]. Otherwise they’re evenly paired.)

Both Offensive Linemen are Expected to Complete the 40-yard Dash

The most intriguing wager on this card (and easily the most exciting foot race since the Krispy Kreme Challenge) is the fastest 40 between Alabama’s 6′ 4″ 330 lbs. Andre Smith and Oklahoma’s 6′ 5″ 335 lbs. Duke Robinson.²  Come on gentlemen, there’s light refreshments and an O₂ tank being served at the finish line!

Photo credit: NFL Draft Dog

[NFL Combine Odds Go Live — Covers]

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