Locker Room Gossip: NFL Betting

June has arrived, baseball is in full swing while the NBA and NHL will be crowning a new champion soon but what about the boys of autumn? 

The Organized Team Activities or OTA's have begun, unlike last year when the NFL lockout prohibited the boys from working out together during the offseason. This year is different and there will be no hand wringing from media members about the lack of anything to report or fans bemoaning the fact that football may take the entire year off. No, this year there are no labor disputes and the billionaires who own the teams are now in perfect harmony with the millionaires who work for them.

Let's take a look at a few interesting developments around the league and what teams may be worth watching in this upcoming season.

Kansas City Chiefs -

The Chiefs picked up a running back in the 3^rd round a few years ago who could be one of the best of all time. That's right, I'm talking about Jamaal Charles. Charles sat virtually all of the 2011 season with an ACL injury but this is a man with a 6.1 yards per carry career average. In 2010 he came within a whisker of breaking Jim Brown's single season yards per carry record. He's not only an electrifying runner but he can catch the ball as well. 

In a game dominated by the aerial assaults of Rodgers, Brees, Brady and others, it is refreshing to see a team focus on the ground game. Assuming Charles returns to form the Chiefs' rushing attack will be as menacing as a Panzer division with Peyton Hillis added to the mix.

The former Cleveland Browns fan favorite and his punishing brand of take no prisoners football will be the perfect complement to the fleet-footed Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs selected Dontari Poe as the 11^th pick overall to bolster their defensive front and slow down the enemy ground game. Their defense ranked 6^th last season against the pass and if they can shut down the run, they could be a formidable foe for their AFC West adversaries.

New England Patriots -

While their offense certainly wasn't a concern for the Super Bowl runner-ups last year, the New England Patriots immediately went to work on stretching the field for this upcoming season. Tom Brady had no speed merchant burning down the sidelines; ala Randy Moss circa 2007. Chad Ochocinco was supposed to be that guy, but he looked dazed and confused with the sophisticated offensive schemes that coach Bill Belichick is prone to running. So Brady took what he had, and he had plenty in the form of short to midrange targets, and got the job done with flares to Welker, Gronkowski, and Hernandez.  

Their lack of 3^rd down conversions was never more evident than in the Super Bowl when the Giants would lock on to the short targets and clog the middle. There were no concerns about Brady going deep because neither Deion Branch nor Ochocinco were able to gain separation. But this season Brady will have Brandon Lloyd at his disposal while three members of the 2^nd round in the 2002 draft will reunite as Jabar Gaffney (1^st pick, 2^nd round -Houston Texans), Donte' Stallworth (13^th pick, 2^nd round - New Orleans Saints) and the Patriots own Deion Branch (32^nd pick, 2^nd round -Patriots) will comprise a majority of the receiving corps. 

But while the offense was tinkered with, the defense required a major overhaul. The Patriots were woeful against the pass, as their depleted secondary was forced to convert wide receiver Julian Edelman to a slot cornerback. The Patriots look to have Ras-I Dowling back in the fold after he sustained a hip injury and have added depth to their defense via the draft with the explosive defensive end from Syracuse, Chandler Jones and the multi-faceted Dont'a Hightower from Alabama. Did a great team just get better? We will see.

San Diego Chargers -

Phillip Rivers led the Chargers 6^th ranked offense last season, but undid all those perfect spirals and touchdown passes with 20 interceptions which ranked him tied for 3^rd in the dubious category of most interceptions with 20. The offensive line has been retooled and defense was a major priority as the Bolts added first round pick Melvin Ingram to wreak havoc in enemy backfields as well as augmenting their defense through free agency with the additions of outside linebacker Jarret Johnson and defensive tackle Kendall Reyes. 

The San Diego faithful must be shaking their heads as Norv Turner gets another bite at the apple this season. The head coach has been given a talented roster only to see it fail in consecutive years. A postseason appearance is a must for the underachieving franchise and the guillotine will fall swiftly if San Diego starts to sputter this season. 

Denver Broncos -

All eyes are on Peyton Manning in the Mile High city. Manning is now working out with the team and the results have been mixed. He is throwing longer than he has during his rehab and stretching out his arm but his passes have been errant and it is clear that this 36 year old future Hall of Famer is not ready for primetime just yet. But that's why they have OTA's, to get ready for training camp and build chemistry with the men who will be counting on you as much as you are counting on them. It's too early to raise any eyebrows regarding Manning's progress but the fine folks of Denver will be hoping that Manning comes along sooner rather than later.

The New York Jets -

The pink elephant in the room is obviously the role that Tim Tebow will play as the understudy to reigning incumbent Mark Sanchez. There is little doubt that the Jets did not deal for the charismatic QB to simply hold a clipboard and be ready if Sanchez falters or gets injured. Ryan has stated he will employ Tebow when the situation dictates and will count on his legs rather than his questionable arm to make first downs and set his team up for success. 

That may not sit very well with Sanchez who was euphoric over his contract extension only to see the team trade for Tebow in what must certainly be a signal to Sanchez that the team is hoping but not convinced that he will be the leader of Rex Ryan’s eclectic menagerie.