May/31/07 11:38 PM Filed in:
Andre
Johnson
The relationship that could
revitalize the Texans was born in a restroom on
South Beach.
Seriously.
Andre Johnson, the Texans' star receiver, was
relaxing at the News Cafe in Miami back in March,
eating lunch with former Miami Hurricanes teammates
Reggie Wayne, Santana Moss and D.J. Williams. Matt
Schaub, whose term as the Texans' starting
quarterback still was best measured in hours, called
to introduce himself, but Johnson couldn't hear a
thing over the commotion of the lively South Beach
afternoon. So he sought decibel refuge in the only
place he could find -- a nearby bathroom.
That's improvisation at its best, and it's a skill
Johnson will put to good use when he's trying to
flash open as Schaub scrambles to avoid the pass rush
that has long been the cattle prod in the Texans'
side. The duo's methods -- and settings -- of
communication have improved since the
getting-to-know-you call in Miami, and the
Schaub-to-Johnson combo could be just what inches the
Texans toward their first playoff berth. The new
teammates have been throwing and catching two to
three times per week since April 2, and by now
they've connected on "more passes than I could even
ballpark a guess on," Schaub says.
May/31/07 11:37 PM Filed in:
Jeremy
Shockey
The Giants began their
third round of organized team activities yesterday
and surprise, surprise, surprise, tight end Jeremy
Shockey and wide receiver Plaxico Burress were no
where to be found.
"You've just got to
accept it," Eli Manning said. "I've got to do what
I've got to do. You make the best out of it. Whoever
comes to practice, I'll try to get the best out of
them."
It sounds like Manning is waiving the white flag and
I suppose the fans and organization should do the
same. While Burress and Shockey reluctantly showed up
earlier this month, it's apparent that is the most
effort they're going to give.
I'm a bit disappointed to learn about their most
recent disappearing act because I truly thought they
had turned a corner. Sadly, that's not the case at
all and they won't be getting the additional work
with their young quarterback like the team so badly
needs.
(aolsportsblog.com)
May/31/07 10:14 AM Filed in:
Kevin
Everett
May/31/07 10:13 AM Filed in:
Vinny
Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde is taking part in
the Patriots passing camp this week, and it's not
merely for kicks or to help out coach Bill
Belichick.
According to Mike Azzarelli, a close friend and
associate of the quarterback, the 43-year-old
Testaverde has not hung up his cleats, nor does he
have any plans to do so. He's looking for work. He's
looking to add a 21st season to his distinguished
resume.
``He's not retired. I doubt he'd be hanging out,''
Azzarelli said when asked about Testaverde's
appearance in Foxboro this week participating in
passing camp, which is part of the team's Organized
Team Activities.
``He's intent on playing.''
Was anything in the works in terms of a contract?
``I can't comment on that,'' said Azzarelli, who had
previously served as Testaverde's agent. Azzarelli is
no longer an agent, per se, but continues to work for
Testaverde.
May/31/07 10:10 AM Filed in:
Najeh
Davenport
May/31/07 10:10 AM Filed in:
Bubba Franks
May/30/07 10:18 AM Filed in:
Charlton
Jimmerson
(Jackson, TN) May
29th- Charlton Jimerson
hit three home runs, including a walk-off homer in the
bottom of the ninth inning as the West Tenn Diamond
Jaxx rallied to defeat the Tennessee Smokies 5-4 in
game two of a five game series from Pringles Park.
The win pulls the Diamond Jaxx to within four games
of the Smokies in the Northern Division. Tennessee
remains one game ahead of Huntsville, who lost to
Montgomery 3-0.
Jimerson homered in his
first two at-bats and delivered a two run double down
the left field line to tie the game at four in the
sixth inning. With Smokies pitcher Greg Reinhard
(0-1) on the mound and one out in the bottom of the
ninth, Jimerson hit a drive over the left field wall
for his third homer of the night. Jimerson finished
the night 4-5 with three homers and five RBI's. He
also made Kam Mickolio (3-0) the winning pitcher.
Mickolio pitched an inning of scoreless relief.
Tennessee scored all of their runs in the first two
innings. The Smokies were held to just two hits after
the second inning. Josh Kroeger hit a three run homer
to pace the Smokies offense. Casey McGehee extended
his hitting streak to fourteen consecutive games and
made three outstanding defensive plays at third base.
Game three of the five
game series takes place on Wednesday night at 7:05
CDT. Left-hander Robert Rohrbaugh (4-4 4.50) gets the
start for the Diamond Jaxx. Tennessee will counter
with right-hander Mark Holliman (6-2 2.26).
(oursportscentral.com)
May/30/07 10:10 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
The experiment never
worked at the U. of Miami, but Chicago’s super
return man, Devin Hester, looked like a natural at
receiver in recent mini-camp work. The first two days
of camp, he didn’t drop a pass. He ran solid,
crisp routes and, basically, had his teammates and
coaches raving about him.
Give head coach Lovie Smith high marks for convincing
Hester to junk cornerback for being a wide receiver.
“It was more exciting than I really thought it
would be,” Hester said. “Whenever a
player gets his hands on the ball and knows what he
can do with it, it's a lot of fun.”
After the catch, Hester routinely made players miss.
The new dimension should be great for Rex Grossman
and also alleviate the frustration that Hester, who
returned six kicks for touchdowns last season, will
face when punters and kickers kick away from during
the season. The Bears needed to find a way for Hester
to get more touches.
On kickoffs, Hester will be paired with safety
Danieal Manning, former college kickoff specialist,
in hopes they can form a 1-2 punch. He will still
wear No. 23 and be listed as a running back/receiver.
(foxsports.com)
May/30/07 10:10 AM Filed in:
Leon
Williams
Crennel revealed that
second-year linebacker Leon Williams had arthroscopic
surgery on his ankle and will be brought along slowly
(ohio.com)
May/30/07 10:09 AM Filed in:
Ryan Braun
It took nearly two
months but the final piece to the Brewers' infield
puzzle has joined the squad in the person of third
baseman Braun. A first round pick from the University
of Miami, Braun is a right-handed power hitting third
baseman with great speed. Prior to his recall, Braun,
23, was tearing up the International League, batting
.342 with 10 HR, 22 RBIs and a .701 slugging
percentage in 34 games. He picked up in the majors
right where he left off in Triple-A, collecting four
hits, one a home run, in his first eight at-bats
before going 0 for 7 his past two games. Although the
Brewers are 0-4 since he hit the scene, Braun's
Achilles heel, his fielding at the hot corner, hasn't
been a problem yet -- he's handled all 10 of his
chances cleanly. There's little reason to believe
that Braun won't be a fixture on Milwaukee's infield
-- with Rickie Weeks and MVP candidates Prince
Fielder and J.J. Hardy -- for the rest of the decade.
He's an automatic in all leagues.
(cnnsi.com)
May/29/07 07:05 PM Filed in:
Ryan Braun
Click Here to check out Ryan
Braun's 1st Homerun. You must have Windows Media
Player installed on your computer.
May/29/07 01:53 PM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
Our sources tell us
that Dolphins OT Vernon Carey is not thrilled about
making the switch from the right side to the OLT
spot, but that he's willing to do so for the good of
the team. Word is Carey feels more comfortable,
particularly with his footwork, at right tackle.
(pfw.com)
May/29/07 01:52 PM Filed in:
DJ Williams
The fact the Broncos
didn't take an inside linebacker in the draft speaks
volumes for how easily they think SLB D.J. Williams
will adapt to a switch to the middle to replace Al
Wilson. Previous middle linebackers in new defensive
coordinator Jim Bates' system have thrived in terms
of production, and Williams' skills have been
underutilized to this point in Denver, according to
our sources. Free-agent signee Warrick Holdman is
expected to have an edge for Williams' old spot on
the strong side.
(pfw.com)
May/29/07 11:11 AM Filed in:
Ryan Braun
Listen to Ryan Braun
comment about his first MLB game with the Milwaukee
Brewers.
Click Below to
listen:
052807_Braun
May/29/07 11:03 AM Filed in:
Ryan Braun
May/29/07 10:28 AM Filed in:
Pat Burrell
May/28/07 11:26 AM Filed in:
The U
As long as Rex Grossman
is under center, the Bears' offense is never going to
strike fear in the hearts of opposing defensive
coordinators. But John Clayton made an interesting
point on ESPN today: Has any team added more speed to
its offense in the off-season than the Bears?
Think about it. Chicago has moved kick returning
superstar Devin Hester to offense, where he'll play
some wide receiver and some running back, and the
Bears drafted Greg Olsen in the first round, and in
terms of straight-line speed, Olsen is probably the
second-fastest tight end in the league. (San
Francisco's Vernon Davis is a bit faster.)
Hester and Olsen (who
were teammates in college at Miami) won't make a huge
impact on the offense, but the mere threat of a few
extra big plays has to put smiles on the faces of
Bears fans. It's been a long time since anything on
offense has done that.
(aolsportsblog.com)
May/28/07 11:22 AM Filed in:
Jarrett
Payton
Walter Payton was
a great player on the field and a good person off the
field, and that has engendered a great deal of fan
support for his son, Jarrett Payton.
Jarrett has played running back for the Miami
Hurricanes and the Amsterdam Admirals and the
Tennessee Titans, but he doesn't have anywhere near
the talent of his father, and he's never been more
than a role player. He couldn't find an NFL team to
offer him a spot at its training camp this year.
But in a strange way, there's something especially
admirable about Jarrett Payton's efforts to make it
in football. Payton has signed with the Montreal
Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and he
says he's going to keep pursuing his lifelong
ambition of playing pro football. Jarrett Payton
knows he'll always be defined as his father's son in
the eyes of most fans, and he knows he's never going
to match his father's accomplishments. But he
continues to play because he loves the game, and
wherever he goes, he'll be a fan favorite.
(aolsportsblog.com)
May/28/07 11:22 AM Filed in:
Jarrett
Payton
May/28/07 11:22 AM Filed in:
Eric Winston
Eric Winston will
become the new starter at the right tackle spot,
starting his second season out of the University of
Miami.
(seahawkshuddle.com)
May/28/07 11:22 AM Filed in:
Philip
Buchanon
Look for cornerback
Phillip Buchanon to get first crack at nickel back,
if offseason workouts are any indication. Buchanon
signed a two-year, $5-million contract this
offseason, which showed he isn't just another
throwaway backup.
He will have to fend off Torrie Cox and, possibly,
others. The need for a nickel corner arose when Juran
Bolden was released last month.
(sptimes.com)
May/28/07 11:22 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
The Bears couldn't be
happier with Hester's transition from cornerback. He
is proving to be a good route runner, sure-handed,
and, after the catch, he has made defenders miss.
Chicago is satisfied it has found a new weapon.
(star-telegram.com)
May/28/07 11:21 AM Filed in:
Kellen
Winslow
This and that from a
Browns offseason practice... with the proviso that
only so much can be gleaned from a workout that was
voluntary and included no contact...
Tight end Kellen Winslow did not participate in the
practice and probably won't take part until training
camp. But if looks mean anything, he's doing fine in
his comeback. Winslow walked out to the practice
about midway through -- he was inside doing rehab --
and looked as fit as ever. He barely had a limp, wore
no brace or sleeve on his knee, and when he jogged
about 10 yards, he did so with no limitation. He
still has to prove he can come back from
microfracture surgery, but if looks mean anything,
he's on track.
(ohio.com)
May/28/07 11:19 AM Filed in:
Willis
McGahee
May/25/07 01:42 AM Filed in:
Kenard Lang
May/25/07 01:35 AM Filed in:
Jason
Michaels
May/24/07 03:23 PM Filed in:
Bubba Franks
Not long ago, Bubba
Franks was viewed as the Packers franchise tight end.
Now, Franks is fighting not only for playing time,
but a roster spot.
There are no assurances that Franks, the Packers'
first-round pick in 2000, will make Green Bay's final
53-man roster. In recent seasons, the Packers have
sought to upgrade the position and, in the team's
most recent minicamp, Green Bay had Donald Lee and
Tory Humphrey working with the first-team offense.
The Packers also tried to work in this year's
seventh-round pick, former Rutgers tight end Clark
Harris, but he dropped a couple of passes.
Franks is coming off a season in which he dropped
enough passes to jeopardize his standing this season.
He was not as reliable as a team would like its tight
end to be. It is the reason that, even before
training camp begins, Franks is on the bubble. He
needs to do a better job holding on to the football
and to fend off the competition that the Packers are
going to throw at him this summer.
(nfl.com)
May/24/07 10:01 AM Filed in:
Dan Morgan
Colorful, candid NFL agent Drew
Rosenhaus talked with the Observer's Charles
Chandler before giving a speech at a Charlotte
Touchdown Club luncheon Wednesday. In the
interview, Rosenhaus discussed controversies
involving clients Clinton Portis and Terrell Owens
and the prospects for Panthers clients Dan Morgan
(linebacker) and Justin Hartwig (center-guard):
Q. Are you concerned about Morgan
playing again despite his history of
concussions? Of course, I'm concerned. I care about
Dan, not as a client, but as a friend, as a
brother. I'm concerned because of the severity of
the situation, but I want to assure you we've been
very thorough. We've been very careful. He's
healthy, he's normal. He's got a normal baseline
right now.
What may happen in the future? We're hoping for the
best. But one thing I can promise you is we are not
going to, in any capacity, risk it. If anything
should happen, he'll retire.
Q. How does the Panthers picking the
draft's top center, Southern Cal's Ryan Kalil, in
the second round last month affect Justin Hartwig,
who was slated to be Carolina's center when he
signed a lucrative free agent deal last
year? I talked to the team about it. I think
the feeling is that Justin is one of the more
versatile linemen. Justin can play guard. He was
drafted as a tackle. He has a great deal of
versatility. He's not the kind of player that a
rookie is going to come in and beat him out. But
he's an unselfish player and he'll play any
position.
May/23/07 08:29 PM Filed in:
Michael
Irvin
As well as he played -
and he will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in
August - the former St. Thomas Aquinas, University of
Miami and Dallas Cowboys receiver talks an even
better game. Staff writer Ethan J. Skolnick caught up
with Irvin at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for his
Playmaker Charity Weekend.
Q: How are your
poker skills?
A: "I'm not a great poker player. I'm not much for
bluffing. I'm so pure and honest, it's ridiculous.
This game requires an expertise in lying: lying and
the ability to deceive and the art of deceit. Those
are things that I haven't mastered, and I don't know
if I really want to master, because it may take away
from my broadcasting career. I make my living on
telling it like it T-I-S, tis."
Q: Who is your
Hall of Fame presenter?
A: "Jerry Jones. . . .
In all my years, and I've been blessed, the reaction
I got out of Jerry when I asked him to present me was
one of the greatest things I have ever experienced.
It was honest, it was pure, he was so excited, and my
wife was so overjoyed, and there were tears shed in
the room."
Q: The odds on
you crying that day?
A: "I don't know. I'm
learning more and more what it means to be a Hall of
Famer. And I have used the Hall of Fame as a
springboard, many a time. When I got tired, and I'd
go, "Man, this is what it takes to be a Hall of
Famer." And so I knew the enormity of it all, but I
couldn't grasp it all until I got here and started
going through it. So for me to tell you that I'm
going to be in total control of my feelings.... I
don't know what the happenings will be that day."
Q: Do you endorse
UM moving to Dolphin Stadium?
A: "I love that we have
the great tradition that we had in the Orange Bowl.
Tradition means that we had great success there. But
we can¹t live on yesterday's success. We¹ve got to
enjoy it, remember it, appreciate the tradition, but
we have to move forward to tomorrow's success.
There's a business aspect to all of this."
(sun-sentinel.com)
May/23/07 05:29 PM Filed in:
Roscoe
Parrish
Standouts
Roscoe Parrish made a few nice catches, one in
particular was made against a zone coverage where he
found a soft spot and Losman delivered a strike to
him. He also beat his coverage deep as he got inside
on Thomas, but the pass was underthrown as it fell
incomplete.
(buffalobills.com)
May/23/07 10:00 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
There is already so much hype
surrounding the transition of Chicago Bears kick
returner Devin Hester into an offensive player
that I'm hoping he lives up to the expectations.
The real question, however, isn't
whether Hester can make a significant contribution
on that side of the football. It's whether he'll
still be able to produce those breathtaking
returns that made him a Pro Bowler during his
rookie season in the NFL. After all, it's hard
enough to be an electrifying return man in this
league. To do it year after year, well, that's
proven to be fairly difficult for most players.
This isn't to knock Hester, who scored an NFL-record
six return touchdowns in 2006. It's just a fact.
Returning kicks takes guts and guile, and recent
history really hasn't been very kind to players who
make their names with that specialty. In today's NFL,
anything can hamper a return man's dominance, whether
it's the loss of a couple key blockers, the departure
of a special-teams coach, or in the case of Hester,
outright fear by opponents.
"The opportunities for me probably aren't going to be
what they were last season because teams know me
now," Hester says. "It's tough for good returners
because you can go from having 30 to 40 returns one
season to 15 or 20 the next. That's a big part of why
guys don't keep putting up the same
numbers."
May/23/07 09:56 AM Filed in:
Jeremy
Shockey
May/23/07 09:56 AM Filed in:
Vinny
Testaverde
May/23/07 09:56 AM Filed in:
Rob
Chudzinski
May/23/07 09:55 AM Filed in:
Clinton
Portis
May/23/07 09:48 AM Filed in:
Edgerrin
James
Quarterback
Matt Leinart and running back Edgerrin James both
were missing from Tuesday’s voluntary workout.
Whisenhunt, who spoke to both, said Leinart will
return today. James, who returned home to Florida,
will be back for next week’s work beginning
Tuesday.
(eastvalleytribune.com)
May/23/07 09:42 AM Filed in:
James Jones
2006-07
performance: Jones got off to an awful shooting
start until a return to the leather ball changed his
stroke - or his mind-set. D'Antoni never wanted to
get away from Jones' knowledge of the system, help
defense and three-point shot (45.2 percent in 13
starts).
2007-08
outlook: Jones
is an ideal role player at a $2.9 million salary for
next season. A better ability to hit shots off the
dribble or inside the arc would be a boost. He hit
only 35.6 percent of his two-point shots this season.
(azcentral.com)
May/22/07 11:57 AM Filed in:
Willis
McGahee
May/22/07 11:01 AM Filed in:
Kevin
Everett
Kevin Everett who saw a
lot of time in the slot caught a nice pass deep down
the seam. Losman hit him with a bullet on his inside
shoulder as the play stood a good chance of going for
a touchdown in a live football setting.
(buffalobills.com)
May/22/07 09:02 AM Filed in:
Vinny
Testaverde
Veteran free agent
quarterback Vinny Testaverde was spotted yesterday at
Gillette Stadium, and while he has not signed with
the team, he apparently plans to spend the next few
weeks with the club. Testaverde, who joined the
Patriots last November, still had his locker at
Gillette Stadium as of last week. Testaverde's
presence is likely tied to the fact the Patriots are
holding Organized Team Activities over the next two
weeks. They have three quarterbacks on the roster:
Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, and rookie free agent Matt
Gutierrez.
(boston.com)
May/22/07 09:01 AM Filed in:
Pat Burrell
The Phillies raised a
record $720,056 during Monday’s Phillies
Phestival for ALS. The total was $48,000 more than
last year’s total.
Since 1984, the Phillies have raised more than $9.4
million to fight ALS, also known as Lou
Gehrig’s disease. During Monday’s event,
fans were able to meet and take photos with members
of the Phillies, get autographs and participate in
auctions.
The top two items during the live auction were the
use of Pat Burrell’s suite, which sold for
$5,400, and a Ryan Howard game-used jersey from last
year, which sold for $4,100. The top item in the
silent auction was two chairs used in the Veterans
Stadium Executive Dining Room, which sold for $3,500.
The money raised during Monday's Phillies Phestival
will be used by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of
the ALS Association.
(philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com)
May/22/07 09:00 AM Filed in:
Bernie Kosar
CLEVELAND (AP) - Former
Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar (KO-zar)
has signed on to bring a new restaurant to the city's
Flats entertainment district.
Kosar's restaurant is the first announced tenant for
a new $$230 million development project.
Randy Ruttenberg is with lead developer Fairmount
Properties. He says Kosar's management group has
agreed to open a nearly 7,000 square foot restaurant
and sports bar that will be similar to the
Kosar-branded Bernie's Steakhouse near Miami.
Kosar led the Browns during the late 1980s and early
'90s. He keeps a home in south Florida.
(wane.com)
May/21/07 11:00 PM Filed in:
Clinton
Portis
May/21/07 11:22 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
May/21/07 11:21 AM Filed in:
Bubba Franks
May/20/07 10:37 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
May/20/07 10:37 AM Filed in:
DJ Williams
May/20/07 10:36 AM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
Dolphins offensive tackle Vernon
Carey possesses the antennae for picking up the
local noise, as one would expect from someone
working in the town where he was born, raised,
went to high school (Miami Northwestern) and
college (University of Miami).
So, Carey has heard all the doubts about him since
the Dolphins traded up to take him in the 2004 NFL
Draft. That includes the latest skepticism, that
Carey is ready to make the big move across the line
from right tackle to left tackle.
Although Carey doesn't keep a Nixonesque Enemies List
of those who don't believe he can handle it, he did
call the disbelief ``very motivating.''
Carey said his wife, LaTavia, told him, ``You know
what a challenge this is for you. A lot of people
feel you can't get it done.''
Then, he said, ``People turned on me in my second
year and said I wasn't worth a first-round pick. I
changed their minds about me. Now, I need to change
their minds about left tackle.''
May/20/07 10:35 AM Filed in:
Bubba Franks
May/20/07 10:35 AM Filed in:
Reggie Wayne
May/20/07 10:33 AM Filed in:
Jerome
McDougle
One guy coming back, one guy maybe
heading out.
As the Eagles completed their first minicamp last
week, Jevon Kearse emerged from the last practice
downright giddy. He's coming back from knee surgery,
and he looks good and feels healthy -- and he's
looking forward to the future.
"I feel like it's my rookie season now," Kearse said.
As Kearse was talking, all smiles and expectation,
Jerome McDougle slung a bag over his shoulder and
walked quietly to the door. McDougle has spent four
disappointing years as an Eagle, since the team
traded up to draft him in the first round in 2003.
He's managed just 32 solo tackles and three sacks in
a career marred by injury -- including a gunshot
wound that cost him the entire 2005 season.
Today he looks good and feels healthy, but McDougle's
future is far more uncertain.
"There's a reason for everything," McDougle said.
"Maybe God has got a plan for me, and sometime in the
near future I'll know what that is."
May/19/07 10:49 AM Filed in:
Bubba Franks
Bubba Franks has been
the Packers' starting tight end since his rookie year
of 2000, but the coaching staff sent him a signal at
minicamp Friday that he'll have to win back that job
this year after his disappointing 2006 performance.
Donald Lee took the first snap of each drill with the
No. 1 offense, and Tory Humphrey appeared to work
ahead of Franks at times also. Lee, Humphrey and Zac
Alcorn all have been taking part in the Packers'
offseason workout program beginning March 19.
"They've been working all offseason; I don't have any
problems with them in there right now," Franks said.
"It's not a problem."
Franks, who caught only 25 passes and had no
touchdowns last season, said he went back to the
offseason workout program of his first six NFL
seasons after staying in Green Bay and taking part in
the Packers' offseason workout program last year.
Franks is one of about 20 players who attended the
University of Miami and return there in the spring
and summer to work out in a competitive atmosphere
with their college strength coach.
"You go back to doing something that works when
things go wrong," Franks said. "… This year,
I'm on a mission. There's nothing that's going to get
in my way."
(packersnews.com)
May/19/07 10:48 AM Filed in:
Kareem Brown
FOXBORO, Mass. - Kareem Brown did
not have to participate in the Patriots rookie
mini camp this weekend to get his first taste of
the NFL. New England's second pick in the draft
from Miami had already digested plenty from the
legion of "U" alumni now playing in the pros.
While holding court in his new Patriots locker room
over the weekend, the fourth round pick's outsized
personality was matched only by his massive physical
stature.
At 6-foot-4, 290-pounds, the defensive lineman
described his good fortune of having built-in access
to the Miami NFL pipeline thusly, "It helps a lot. I
talk to those guys all the time, and they just give
me a little bit of their experience in the NFL. It
motivates you. You see them every day and you want to
be in their shoes."
One of those alumni is the Patriots Vince Wilfork,
also a defensive lineman, and when Brown watched
Wilfork make his famous fumble recovery last year and
start rumbling toward the end zone, Brown gave his
best Forrest Gump impression while recalling his only
thought: "Run Vince Run." When asked if he would have
taken that one to the house, Brown said confidently,
"I would have, yeah."
May/19/07 10:47 AM Filed in:
Ed Reed
Former Destrehan High
School football standout Ed Reed, now an all-pro
safety with the NFL Baltimore Ravens, returned home
Friday to announce the first fund-raiser for his
charity
Reed has partnered with Valero Energy Corporation to
organize the first Ed Reed/Valero St. Charles Golf
Classic, which will be held July 2 at Belle Terre
Country Club in LaPlace.
Proceeds will go to the Ed Reed Eye of the
Hurricane Foundation, which helps needy families in
the St. Charles Parish area, as well as in
Baltimore.
May/19/07 10:47 AM Filed in:
Tamara James
Tamara James made the
12-man Washington Mystics Roster.
(washingtonpost.com)
May/18/07 11:03 AM Filed in:
Clinton
Portis
May/17/07 09:43 PM Filed in:
Brock Berlin
The Rams added another
arm to their roster Thursday when they signed former
University of Miami quarterback Brock Berlin.
He is expected to be on the field next week when
organized team activities (OTAs) resume at Rams Park.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Berlin started for the
Hurricanes for two seasons after transferring from
the University of Florida. He originally signed with
the Miami Dolphins in April 2005 as an undrafted free
agent. He played in two preseason games before he was
released.
Berlin, 25, re-signed with the Dolphins in January
2006 and was sent to NFL Europe. He completed 99 of
181 passes for 1,041 yards and seven touchdowns, with
seven interceptions, for the Hamburg (Germany) Sea
Devils.
Miami cut him again during training camp, and he was
out of football until April 25, when the Dallas
Cowboys signed him.
His stay in Dallas was brief; the Cowboys released
him May 10 after picking up another free-agent
quarterback, Matt Moore.
Berlin joins Marc
Bulger, Gus Frerotte, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Drew Tate
among Rams quarterbacks.
(stltoday.com)
May/17/07 06:11 PM Filed in:
Willis
McGahee
With all of the hoopla
-- and rightfully so -- surrounding Ravens
quarterback Steve McNair's first comments
regarding the unusual DUI charges facing him in
Tennessee, running back Willis McGahee seemed like
almost an afterthought during the team's first
minicamp today.
But McGahee's first workout open to the media went
without a hitch. In fact, McGahee, whom the Ravens
acquired from the Buffalo Bills in March for two
draft picks in last month's draft and a third-round
choice next year, looked good, catching a few passes
in the flat on seven-on-seven drills and running
smoothly.
McNair and McGahee were the highlights of today's
session. Equally noteworthy were the absences of
linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, cornerbacks
Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle, offensive tackle
Jonathan Ogden, free safety Ed Reed, defensive end
Trevor Pryce, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg, center
Mike Flynn and running back Mike Anderson -- which
didn't seem to bother coach Brian Billick.
"I'm very comfortable with the guys that we have
here. I'm excited about that," he said. "And those
that aren't here, I'm very comfortable knowing what
they're going to be able to do when they get here."
Several players who underwent surgery during the
offseason returned to the field. Return specialist
B.J. Sams (ankle), fullback Justin Green (knee),
defensive tackle Justin Bannan (toe) and running back
Musa Smith (neck) all took part in drills. Linebacker
Dan Cody, who opted to avoid surgery on his left
knee, also practiced.
(blogs.baltimoresun.com)
May/17/07 11:04 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
May/17/07 10:26 AM Filed in:
The U
May/17/07 10:24 AM Filed in:
DJ Williams
May/17/07 10:23 AM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
May/17/07 10:23 AM Filed in:
Alex Cora
The Red Sox finally lost last
night, dropping the second game of their four game
set with the Tigers . Tiger phenom Justin
Verlander silenced the Red Sox bats over 7
and 2/3 innings, and the 7-2 decision marked
the end of their 11 game winning streak.
Yes, I am aware that the Sox have played 38 games, so
far this season. I’ll even concede that they
have come out on the losing side 12 times. However,
none of the other 11 losses had come after manager
Terry Francona had scribbled 13 Cora onto his lineup
card to start the game. Up until last night the Red
Sox had been a perfect 11-0 with Cora as a starter.
In reality, that 11-0 is a misleading stat, as his
stellar .392 batting average. To be sure, this is
Cora’s best start to a season (I haven’t
done any research, but it seems likely), and the fact
that he has terrific stats has only served to call
attention to a guy who plays the game the right way
and is able to excell in a reserve role. One of the
keys to winning a championship is having a deep bench
with guys that are versatile and can produce despite
not getting regular at bats. In Alex Cora, the Red
Sox have just such a player.
May/16/07 10:41 AM Filed in:
Rob
Chudzinski
May/16/07 10:41 AM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
May/16/07 10:39 AM Filed in:
Kareem Brown
May/15/07 04:10 PM Filed in:
Kareem Brown
May/15/07 04:07 PM Filed in:
Kareem Brown
May/15/07 04:06 PM Filed in:
Jerome
McDougle
May/15/07 04:03 PM Filed in:
Devin Hester
May/15/07 04:03 PM Filed in:
Pat Burrell
May/15/07 04:02 PM Filed in:
Pat Burrell
May/14/07 06:31 PM Filed in:
Devin Hester
It was only a matter of time, I guess. After six
special teams touchdowns his rookie season, Devin
Hester -- a man without a true position -- will be
joining the offense. Hester was listed as a
cornerback at the University of Miami, but that's not
why the Bears selected him in the second round of the
2006 draft. Whatever, he's taking his skillz to the
other side of the ball:
Hester will work with the wide receivers at
minicamp, but he's also expected to line up in the
backfield at times and could be utilized like the New
Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush.
Well, Chicago could utilize him like Reggie Bush, but
I'm pretty sure that'll be where the comparisons end.
I'm envisioning more of an Antwaan Randle El-type
role. Whatever, I think it's a good idea. Hester is
obviously a scoring threat, and if nothing else,
he'll take some of the pressure of Rex Grossman.
Which reminds me, maybe Hester can line up at
quarterback for a few snaps every game too. It
couldn't hurt.
(nfl.aolsportsblog.com)
May/14/07 12:33 PM Filed in:
Edgerrin
James
Running back Edgerrin
James was back Sunday, after missing Saturday’s
minicamp opening practices because of a family
funeral.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said James looked
“sharp” and in shape, which was really
little surprise.
Whisenhunt also said the two had discussed how many
of the voluntary organized team activities James will
attend.
“I don’t know exactly,” Whisenhunt
said. “He’s probably not going to be
there for all 14, but it is my understanding he will
be there for a number of them.”
The Cards’ organized team activities begin
Wednesday, with the 14 workouts spread over four
weeks and ending June 7.
(eastvalleytribune.com)
May/14/07 11:55 AM Filed in:
Vince
Wilfork
May/14/07 11:55 AM Filed in:
Brandon
Merriweather
May/14/07 11:52 AM Filed in:
Kareem Brown
May/14/07 11:41 AM Filed in:
Vince
Wilfork
May/14/07 11:41 AM Filed in:
Brandon
Merriweather
FOXBORO — If you don't like
what you see, Brandon Meriweather suggests you
look again.
With a media image far more imposing than his scrawny
physique, the softspoken safety from Miami comes off
on first glance as an undersized prospect with
troubling character concerns. Making his New England
debut Friday at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots No. 1
draft pick said he's glad Bill Belichick took a
closer look.
"I think coach Belichick is one of those people who
is a great feeler of people," said Meriweather, in
town to participate in this weekend's rookie
minicamp. "I think just by talking to him, I could
tell that he was a smart guy that can feel out people
well. Thanks to him, I'm here."
The human eye has trouble seeing Meriweather as the
NFL first-rounder who made more tackles than any
defensive back in Hurricanes history (293). He is 5
feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds, but
Meriweather has always been undersized, enrolling at
Miami at a scale-friendly 160.
May/14/07 11:40 AM Filed in:
Brandon
Merriweather
May/14/07 11:39 AM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
May/14/07 11:34 AM Filed in:
Brandon
Merriweather
May/14/07 11:33 AM Filed in:
Brock Berlin
May/14/07 11:31 AM Filed in:
Clinton
Portis
May/14/07 11:31 AM Filed in:
Pat Burrell
May/10/07 12:39 PM Filed in:
Kareem Brown
May/10/07 12:38 PM Filed in:
Edgerrin
James
May/10/07 12:37 PM Filed in:
Jeremy
Shockey
According to a report
by Anthony Fucilli of MSG Network, Jeremy Shockey
will join Plaxico Burress and the New York Giants at
minicamp next week.
Once again, this is
something that shouldn't be huge news, but is. Like
Burress, Shockey tends to workout in Miami and avoid
all non-mandatory camps. It's been a problem for the
last few years and something that has manifested
itself on the field.
However, Burress and Shockey are making a statement
this year. It's a sign of maturity and something that
should give the Giants and their fans some hope. The
team is already starting to rally around each other
-- something that didn't happen at all last season.
The mere presence of Burress and Shockey in camp
should help Manning reach that next level. He's
primed to break out and the extra work with his two
top targets sure couldn't hurt.
(nfl.aolsportsblog.com)
May/10/07 12:36 PM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
May/10/07 12:36 PM Filed in:
Aubrey Huff
May/09/07 11:47 AM Filed in:
Tyrone Moss
Just a couple of days
ago, the Akron Beacon-Herald was suggesting that
Tyrone Moss could work his way into the Browns'
running back rotation as an undrafted free agent.,
and Moss was comparing himself to Jamal Lewis. Sure,
he ran an unimpressive 4.75 40-yard dash, but the
thought was that he was a very solid back at Miami
before some injuries, so maybe he could be an
interesting power back. He had been considered by
many draft guides as a potential late-round pick
heading into the draft.
Well apparently he
looked worse than awful in the Browns rookie
minicamp. Without a chance to ever put on some
shoulder pads, Moss was cut on Tuesday.
The Browns replaced him
Michigan running back Jerome Jackson who impressed
enough as a tryout at the minicamp to earn a
contract. Jackson rushed for a grand total of 720
yards in four seasons at Michigan, but apparently he
showed more than Moss did.
The Browns also signed large (6-foot-8, 300-pound)
offensive tackle Cliff Louis out of the tryout camp.
(aolsportsblog.com)
May/09/07 11:46 AM Filed in:
Willis
McGahee
May/09/07 11:44 AM Filed in:
Jeremy
Shockey
There's been no sign of
tight end Jeremy Shockey, who also spends his
offseason in Miami. Burress said he ran on the beach
a while back with Shockey but gets nothing but voice
mail every time he attempts to leave a message.
"Pretty much if I'm here I think he'll show up,"
Burress said.
Manning said he had spoken to Shockey.
"He's kinda waiting; his brother is expecting a baby
so he's trying to figure that out," Manning said.
"We're gonna be in touch, and hopefully we can get
him up here before camp starts."
(nypost.com)
May/09/07 11:43 AM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
WASHINGTON — While the
majority of the Washington Redskins’ regular
players were in attendance at the team’s
first organized activities of the offseason
Tuesday, two absences were noteworthy: Neither
safety Sean Taylor nor cornerback Shawn Springs
was at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va.
It is unclear whether Taylor, who works out in Miami,
plans to attend the workouts, which will be held
Tuesday through Thursday of each week leading up to
the June minicamp, with one week off. While
attendance is voluntary, the coaching staff has
encouraged players to attend, especially since Coach
Joe Gibbs agreed to veterans’ demands that they
be allowed to do their offseason conditioning away
from Redskins Park this past winter.
Taylor attended the voluntary workouts sporadically
in 2004 and not at all in 2005, then had perfect
attendance last year. Springs, meanwhile, is in
Scottsdale, Ariz., where he has been working out for
the past three months and enduring an uncertain
offseason with the Redskins. In February, the
Redskins asked him to take a $2 million pay cut and
he refused. In the interim, he has been part of trade
scenarios. Springs said he planned to attend the
voluntary workouts later in the month, but wanted to
remain focused on his Arizona training.
May/09/07 11:41 AM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
May/08/07 10:59 PM Filed in:
Anthony
Wollschlager
May/08/07 10:58 PM Filed in:
Magic Benton
Estero, FL- Florida
Firecats receiver Magic Benton became the
arenafootball2’s (af2) 1st player to score 900
points in a career in last weeks 56-51 win over the
Albany Conquest,
Benton began the game
with 898 points and quickly broke thru the plateau
scoring the 1st touchdown of the game. He went on to
snag 2 more scores and currently has 916 career
points.
Already the af2’
career leader in receptions (515), receiving yards
(6785) and receiving touchdowns (150) Magic now has
another record under his belt.
“It’s nice
to be first, it’s something that as my kids get
older they can look back and see what their daddy
did,” said Benton of the accomplishment.
“All I am trying to do is win another
championship, the other stuff is nice but at the end
of the day all I want to do is win.”
On the year Magic has already caught 48 passes (3rd
most this season) and leads the league with 654 yards
receiving. His 12 touchdown receptions rank him 4th
in the league, 2 behind the af2 leader.
(floridafirecats.com)
May/08/07 10:57 PM Filed in:
Frank Gore
May/08/07 10:56 PM Filed in:
Damione
Lewis
Very quietly, defensive
tackle Damione Lewis played through some major pain
last year. Lewis said he began experiencing shoulder
pain during an early-October game against Cleveland
but kept playing the rest of the season.
He had surgery to remove bone chips in late February
and was limited to running during the minicamp. Lewis
is working on regaining his strength but expects to
be 100 percent for the start of training camp
(charlotte.com)
May/08/07 10:55 PM Filed in:
Baraka
Atkins
The defensive end from
Miami flashed his speed, but also his rawness, as a
pass rusher. The key for him will be fulfilling his
upside.
(seattlepi.nwsource.com)
May/06/07 06:14 PM Filed in:
Warrren Sapp
May/06/07 09:51 AM Filed in:
Sean Taylor
After enduring a season of
pronounced defensive breakdowns that resulted in a
5-11 record, Redskins assistant head coach-defense
Gregg Williams said at the end of the season he
planned to watch more film than he ever had in an
attempt to pinpoint the specific problems, large
and small.
In his first public comments of the new season,
Williams mentioned a change he will make: For the
first time in his tenure with the Redskins, his
safeties will have traditional designations. Sean
Taylor will be the free safety and LSU rookie LaRon
Landry, should he win a starting role in training
camp, will be the strong safety.
"I think that Sean Taylor's skill is that he can go
so far to go and get balls, but we had to use him in
the box an awful lot last year," Williams said. "He
can do it all. He can do anything you want him to do.
I think this young man can do that, too, and I'd like
to put Sean Taylor more in the position to get the
ball in the passing game."
May/06/07 09:50 AM Filed in:
Jon Beason
Beason will wear #52
for the Carolina Panthers.
May/06/07 09:50 AM Filed in:
Tyrone Moss
May/06/07 09:49 AM Filed in:
Rashad
Butler
With Wharton out of the
lineup, Rashad Butler is lining up at left tackle for
the first team offense. He was a third-round draft
pick last year who is coming off the NFL equivalent
of a redshirt season, having not entered a game as a
rookie.
(charlotte.com)
May/06/07 09:49 AM Filed in:
Tyrone Moss
May/06/07 09:47 AM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
May/06/07 09:45 AM Filed in:
Dan Morgan
May/06/07 09:44 AM Filed in:
Kellen
Winslow
May/05/07 07:20 AM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
May/05/07 01:22 AM Filed in:
Warrren Sapp
Warren Sapp would not
go into specifics when asked about what appeared to
be a startling weight loss following Friday's first
practice.
If Sapp wanted it kept private, nobody told Lane
Kiffin, who informed the media that Sapp had lost 49
pounds, making the Raiders defensive tackle only
slightly bigger than their new quarterback.
Asked about Sapp's weight, Kiffin said, "He was 285.
He was 334 I think last year. I was not here, but I
think that's what the books say. We're very excited
about that."
It may be the lightest Sapp has been in his
professional career. Kiffin said he can't remember
Sapp being that light in Tampa Bay when his father
was defensive coordinator.
"He looks fast out there. He's flying around," Kiffin
said.
Is it possible Sapp has lost too much weight and will
have trouble holding up?
"I don't know," Kiffin said. "We'll see."
(ibabuzz.com)
May/04/07 09:56 PM Filed in:
Dan Morgan
May/04/07 09:55 PM Filed in:
Tyrone Moss
May/04/07 09:55 PM Filed in:
Greg Olsen
May/04/07 09:53 PM Filed in:
Mike Piazza
The Oakland Athletics
placed designated hitter Mike Piazza on the 15-day
disabled list because of a sprained right shoulder
and purchased the contract of outfielder/designated
hitter Jack Cust from Triple-A Sacramento.
Piazza suffered a sprained AC joint in his right
shoulder at Boston Wednesday during a sixth-inning
collision with Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell.
This is Piazza's first season in the American League,
where he is hitting .282 with one homer and eight RBI
in 103 at-bats as a designated hitter.
Over 15 major league seasons with the Los Angeles
Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets and San Diego
Padres, Piazza became the best hitting catcher in big
league history with a .309 career batting average,
419 home runs and 1,291 RBI. His 396 long balls as a
backstop is a major-league record.
Cust was acquired from San Diego on Thursday for a
player to be named or cash. He was hitting .295 with
eight homers and 19 RBIs in 24 games for Triple-A
Portland.
(theolympian.com)
May/03/07 09:27 AM Filed in:
Brandon
Merriweather
Former Miami
coach Larry Coker was interviewed today and talked
about how you and Bill Belichick spent time talking
with the players down there. Is it fair to say you
might have had any questions about character answered
in those discussions?
“We feel very comfortable
with Brandon [Meriweather], and him as a person and
as a player. We did spend -- not only myself and Bill
-- but we have a number of scouts who went through
there. Organizationally, we talked about all of his
situations. We spent quite a bit of time with him as
well personally in different environments and
different situations. We felt comfortable with
Brandon, and Larry and his staff were outstanding.
Larry is one of the people in this business that you
can certainly trust what he says. And we have a
relationship with Randy [Shannon], the new head
coach.”
(Dale & Holley Show WEEI)
May/03/07 08:50 AM Filed in:
Mike Piazza
Oakland Athletics
designated hitter Mike Piazza is expected to be out
four to six weeks with a strained right shoulder. He
suffered the injury diving into third base in an
effort to avoid being tagged out Wednesday.
With two outs in the sixth, Bobby Crosby hit a
grounder to Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell.
Piazza, who was on second, and Lowell both charged
for the bag and collided near it. Piazza was tagged
out and stayed on the ground in pain.
He thought the shoulder was separated, but the injury
was diagnosed as a strained AC joint.
(suntimes.com)
May/02/07 01:41 PM Filed in:
DJ Williams
May/02/07 01:39 PM Filed in:
Alex Cora
May/01/07 01:36 PM Filed in:
Pat Burrell
May/01/07 12:11 PM Filed in:
Greg Olsen
May/01/07 12:10 PM Filed in:
Kenard Lang
DENVER (AP) - Broncos
defensive end Kenard Lang isn't worried about
competition from the Broncos' new draft picks.
It's the fact the Denver Broncos selected two
defensive linemen from the Florida Gators that has
the former Miami Hurricanes' player chafing.
He jokes that it's almost a sin. But he says he'll
make an exception for Gators Jarvis Moss and Marcus
Thomas.
Lang and Ebenezer Ekuban are penciled in as the
starters at defensive end going into the 2007 season.
But Moss and second-round draft pick Tim Crowder of
Texas will be looking to steal their positions.
Lang says the competition will only make the team
better.
(9news.com)
May/01/07 12:07 PM Filed in:
Greg Olsen
May/01/07 12:06 PM Filed in:
Greg Olsen
Check out a video of
Greg Olsen being introduced as a Chicago Bear.
Click Here.
May/01/07 12:05 PM Filed in:
Greg Olsen
May/01/07 12:05 PM Filed in:
The U
