09/27/02
[Oakland Raiders] Oakland Raiders DB Eric Johnson has been fined $5,000 for a violation of the NFL's uniform code. Johnson did not have his socks "high enough" for the team's Septemeber 15 game. (KFFL,The Mercury News)
WEEK 3: Stats, Stories, and Pictures
09/24/02: Sporting News
[Arizona Cardinals] Arizona DE Kyle Vanden Bosch plays hard and is an accomplished run defender. But he came to the NFL with limited pass-rushing moves, and he's not a speed rusher like most right ends. His development was delayed by a knee injury last season. Vanden Bosch should be a fixture at right end for years, and his commitment to the game rubs off on other players. But he must produce eight to 10 sacks a season to be truly effective.
[Detriot Lions] Lions' Second-year center Dominic Raiola is starting because of his potential but hasn't shown rapid improvement. He does a decent job on run blocking but has difficulty in pass protection. Raiola has short arms and doesn't square up well, allowing defensive tackles a lane to the quarterback. He also has to eliminate his mental mistakes.
[Green Bay Packers] Ahman Green is expected back this week and should be close to full strength. But the coaches are keeping back-up Najeh Davenport ready just in case.
[Houston Texans] Houston Right inside linebacker Jamie Sharper and left inside linebacker Jay Foreman have helped the team improve its run defense since the first game when the Cowboys ran for 155 yards. In the two games since, the defense, with major contributions from Sharper and Foreman, has held Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Colts running back Edgerrin James to 3.3 yards per carry by swarming to the ball.
[Oakland Raiders] Eric Johnson is in his third season and is learning his third position. This time, it is linebacker, after one-year trials at safety and cornerback. Finally, Johnson is starting to feel comfortable again because he played linebacker in college. However, he is deemed slight for a linebacker in the pros so he is working on adding some bulk and finding ways to compensate for his lack of size. He is extremely fast, a hard hitter and instinctive in terms of making plays. He just needs more seasoning in Oakland's scheme before he plays more on defense. He remains one of the team's top special teams players because of his penchant for making tackles, forcing turnovers and disrupting opponents' strategies.
[St. Louis Rams] St. Louis DE Grant Wistrom has improved as a run defender, using leverage and tenacity to play bigger than his 265 pounds. Only his lack of eye-catching sack totals has kept him from reaching the Pro Bowl. But it's not as if he isn't getting to the quarterback -- he had 11 sacks in 2000 and nine last season. Under the tutelage of line coach Bill Kollar and summer coaching intern Kevin Greene, Wistrom has worked on “forcing the edge” -- coming hard at the quarterback from the outside with a minimum of fakes and stutter-steps. Wistrom remains one of the best “motor” players in the league. Few players can match his pure effort on a play-by-play basis.
09/17: Week 2
[Green Bay Packers] It is not certain whether Green Bay Packers RB Ahman Green (quad/knee) will be able to play in this weekend’s game. He was unable to participate in the team’s workout Monday and could be sidelined all week. “Ahman’s a little bit banged up; his knee is sore,” said Packers running backs coach Sylvester Croom. “We’ll definitely still try to see what he can do, but the other guys have to be ready to go.” (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
[New Orleans Saints] Saints backup CB Keyuo Craver suffered a torn right MCL Sunday, but the injury won't require surgery. Coach Jim Haslett expects Craver to miss a "couple of weeks." (Times Picayune)
[Arizona Cardinals] Cardinals DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (ankle) was hobbling around Monday and he is questionable for this week. (Arizona Republic)
WEEK 2: Stats, Stories, and Pictures
09/15/02
[New Orleans Saints] CB Keyuo Craver (knee) has a slight tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Craver is scheduled to undergo an MRI Monday. "The X-rays came back negative, and they don't know the extent of the injury yet," Craver said. "They said it's a lot better than they first anticipated. We'll see after the MRI." (Times Picayune)
Saints CB Keyou Craver injured his knee in the second half against the Packers. Before he was injured, Craver had one tipped pass that lead to an interception and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
[Green Bay Packers] Packers RB Ahman Green (knee) was injured late in Sunday's game. No word yet on his status.
[Arizona Cardinals] Cardinals DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (left ankle) was injured during Sunday's game, but he was able to return. (ESPN.com, AzCardinals.com)
09/10/02: Sporting News
[Houston Texans] Left tackle Zach Wiegert struggled in the opener. Wiegert, who spent his first seven seasons at guard or right tackle, was guilty of two holding penalties and a false start. Wiegert also let speedy end Chad Bratzke get to Brunell for the Colts' only sack. Wiegert would prefer to go back to guard, but coach Tom Coughlin isn't comfortable yet with starting second-round pick Mike Pearson at left tackle. In its current alignment, the line will continue to have problems.
WEEK 1: Stats, Stories, and Pictures
09/09/02
[Arizona Cardinals] Cardinals FB Joel Makovicka (hamstring) will miss 5-to-7 days with a hamstring injury. (Associated Press)
[Green Bay Packers] Packers RB Ahman Green (cramps) was forced to leave the game in the third quarter but was later able to return. (ESPN)
ESPN reports Chicago Bears S Mike Brown (heat exhaustion) had to leave the game a few times on Sunday due to heat exhaustion.
[San Diego Chargers] G Toniu Fonoti (shoulder) suffered an injury to his right shoulder. The extent of the injury isn’t currently known. (AP)
09/06/02 - Carolina Panthers] Rucker in no rush to leave Carolina
09/05/02: Sporting News
[Detriot Lions] Center Dominic Raiola is starting not because he outplayed veteran Eric Beverly, but because his potential is greater. Raiola, a second-round pick last season, has the ideal stocky body for a center, with a mean streak to boot. He has struggled in the past with his pass protection, but he is improving. He'll have to get better, with consistency, if he's going to be an all-around performer.
[Green Bay Packers] The Falcons don't have much bulk up front, and Ahman Green could have a big day. He is running with more power, if that is possible, and looking to take on tacklers. Smaller defensive linemen and linebackers are going to have problems bringing him down. The coaches plan on establishing the run early, and they want Green to have a 100-yard day. Depending how often a safety is brought up, Green should get the ball a lot.
[San Diego Chargers] Much is expected of rookie right guard Toniu Fonoti, a second-round pick out of Nebraska. The Chargers' running game was horrible in short-yardage situations last year, failing to convert on half of its 26 third-and-1 rushes, and the powerful 6-4, 349 Fonoti should help improve that percentage. Fonoti has shown he can be a force when he is sure about whom to block. But he becomes tentative when he is uncertain, and that's a concern against a team such as Cincinnati that presents so many different looks in its zone-blitz scheme.
[St. Louis Rams] In a surprise, Rams WR Eric Crouch was not listed on the injury report for Denver and began practicing this week. He is missed so much time learning a new position, it's doubtful he will have much of an impact early in the season.
[Carolina Panthers] By signing Mike Rucker to a five-year contract extension, the Panthers should be set at defensive end for a long time. The hope is that Rucker and first-round draft pick Julius Peppers can give the team the strong pass rush it never has had from the line.
[Arizona Cardinals] One injury turned a strength into a question mark for Arizona. Right tackle Anthony Clement is out for half the season with a torn triceps tendon. His loss forced the team to make two moves, shifting guard Leonard Davis to tackle and moving Chris Dishman into the starting lineup. The injury also robbed the team of depth.
[Tennessee Titans] End Kyle Vanden Bosch has successfully returned from reconstructive knee surgery and should give the Cardinals a boost. But the D-Line still needs an infusion of talent.
09/04/02
09/04/02 - Green Bay Packers] Packers waive CB Erwin Swiney from the practice squad.
09/03/02
[Buffalo Bills] Bills' TE Sheldon Jackson was cut by Buffalo to make room for new roster additions. Don't be surprised if Sheldon is resigned by a new team somewhere in the vicinity of California..
09/02/02
Some of the recently cut NFL Huskers were resigned to their teams' practice squads: Eagles DL Jeremy Slechta, Packers CB Erwin Swiney, Chiefs S Clint Finley, and Chargers P Bill Lafleur.
09/01/02
Several NFL Huskers were victims of NFL cut-downs- so far: San Diego Chargers P Bill Lafleur, Chicago Bears DL Jason Wiltz (injury settlement), OT Dave Volk, Packers DL Jared Tomich, CB Erwin Swiney, Buccaneers TE Tracey Wistrom, LB Tony Ortiz, Eagles DT Jeremy Slechta, and, Chiefs S Clint Finley.
08/29/02
[Arizona Cardinals] Cardinals FB Joel Makovicka (stinger) is questionable for the team's Thursday pre-season finale. (KFFL, Arizona Republic)
08/28/02
[St. Louis Rams] The Rams put in a waiver claim on fullback/running back Dan Alexander of the Tennessee Titans. Alexander attended Wentzville High, about 20 minutes from Rams Park. But Jacksonville also put in a claim and was awarded Alexander because the Jaguars had a worse record last season than St. Louis. (Post-Dispatch)
Rams DE Grant Wistrom left Wednesday's practice with a stiff back, but Martz indicated that sending him to the trainer's room for treatment was more precautionary than anything else. (The Post Dispatch)
08/26/02
[Tennessee Titans] Titans S Joe Walker has become the first NFL Husker cut-down casualty. Walker played well as an undrafted rookie in 2001 but it wasn't enough to keep him on the roster in 2002.
08/21/02
[CFL] Swaggering Phillips riles 'Riders
Phillips breaks his silence
[Oakland Raiders] Raiders.com: Email John Parrella
08/20/02
[CFL] Agent decides to dump Phillips
08/19/02
[Green Bay Packers] The injury suffered by Green Bay Packers RB Ahman Green (groin) is not believed to be serious. He left the preseason game with the injury, but said he just tweaked it. (KFFL,PackersNews.com)
08/16/02: Sporting News
[San Diego Chargers] To capitalize on Carlos Polk's physical play, the Chargers moved him from middle linebacker to the strong side. The move should be a great fit for Polk, but it's slow going now because he's learning a new position. It's the first time he has played a position other than middle linebacker.
[St. Louis Rams] Rams WR Eric Crouch played well in the preseason opener against Tennessee, with two catches for 30 yards, before suffering a thigh bruise late in the game. The injury caused him to miss a week and a preseason game and robbed him of valuable time to learn his new position, where he still must master route-running and the offense.
Crouch's kickoff returns weren't impressive, with four returns for 49 yards, a measly 12.3 average. He let a catchable kickoff bounce in front of him -- a no-no at any level.
08/15/02
[Green Bay Packers] Packers have placed S Scott Frost (shoulder) on injured reserve. (PackersNews.com)
[Arizona Cardinals] Cardinals DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (knee) will start at right end in this weekend’s preseason game. (The Arizona Republic)
08/11/02
[Carolina Panthers] Minter: It's going to be fun
Preseason Week 1 Recap
[Bears vs Broncos] In the competition for a defensive tackle roster spot behind Keith Traylor, Ted Washington and Alfonso Boone, veteran Christian Peter took advantage of a chance to start while Washington was being rested. Peter stopped Denver speed back Clinton Portis for no gain and knocked down a Steve Beuerlein pass.
[Green Bay Packers] Swiney heads list of no-name hopefuls
08/09/02
[Oakland Raiders] Raiders DT John Parrella on LB Bill Romonowski: "I tell him I'm lifting more than he is or taking some supplement he's not taking. I'm not reallly, but I tell him just to see the look on his face." (The Denver Post)
[Green Bay Packers] Packers S Scott Frost (shoulder) and CB Tyrone Williams (groin) are not expected to play vs the Eagles.
[Philadelphia Eagles] CBS' "Ten uncut diamonds who might become gems"-- Jeremy Slechta, DT, Eagles: The Eagles need someone to step up at this spot now that Hollis Thomas might be gone for the year with a foot injury. Slechta, from Nebraska, is built more like an end than a tackle at 6-6, 285, but he has shown some flashes early in camp. He won't start, but if Thomas can't bounce back from surgery, there is a chance Slechta could see some action as a backup. Odds to make the team: Improving.
[St. Louis Rams] Crouch is a fascinating story. The Heisman Trophy-winning Nebraska quarterback is practically starting from scratch as a wideout. He's got explosive speed and a powerful running style, but Martz is SO particular about how routes are run. (St. Louis Dispatch)
Even if he makes some plays early on in the preseason, odds are Martz will find plenty that he doesn't like about Crouch's transition. The kid still has lots to do, despite flashing his skills in camp.
[Chicago Bears] Bears S Mike Brown will not play in Saturday's exhibition game against the Denver Broncos. (KFFL,The Daily Herald)
08/07/02
[St. Louis Rams] Crouch catching on quickly at new position
08/06/02
[Arizona Cardinals] Arizona FB Joel Makovicka (ribs and back) aggravated his injury during practice Thursday morning, and missed the afternoon workout as a result. (The Arizona Republic)
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (knee) will not play in the team’s preseason opener this weekend. He should be ready to go next weekend against Green Bay. (The Arizona Republic)
Arizona DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who blew out a knee in the third game of his rookie season, participated in his first live full-team action at Monday morning's practice.
"It feels so good," Vanden Bosch said. "I'm not a good patient. It killed me to stand and watch. This was the first time I've been able to just go out there and not think about it. I can't tell you how great that is."
According to coach Dave McGinnis, who isn't certain Vanden Bosch will play in the preseason opener Saturday at San Diego, "We had to put a rope on him because he wanted to do more."
[St. Louis Rams] Rams' WR Eric Crouch has been making steady progress, and is expected to get the ball frequently as the preseason games begin.
[New Orleans Saints] The Saints' starting cornerback position left open by Dale Carter's suspension is now a three-man battle. Veterans Michael Hawthorne and Ken Irvin were thought to be the front runners, but rookie Keyuo Craver has joined the fray with a strong opening week. Fourth-round pick Keyuo Craver ended a strong week with a pair of interceptions in drills Monday. He might sneak up and become a starter at corner.
[Oakland Raiders] Eric "Crazy" Johnson is in his third year and already has his third position. A college linebacker at Nebraska, he broke into the NFL as a safety, was moved to cornerback last year and broke his leg. This year he is back at his old college spot — as a 220-pound linebacker. He has put on seven pounds and is expected to play some nickel as an extra pass defender and potential blitzer. He is such an accomplished special teams player that no matter what his regular position, he figures to make the team. (USA Today)
08/05/02
[St. Louis Rams] Rams WR Ricky Proehl on Eric Crouch: "He’s improved tremendously. I think during mini-camp and the first couple of days here in camp, he was struggling. But he’s making the transition. I think it’s going to take some time. He works hard and he’s got some great attributes. If he can keep working on his game and learn how to get in and out of cuts, he’s going to be a good player." (StLouisRams.com)
[New Orleans Saints] BlackandGold.net Exclusive Interview with Keyou Craver
[Green Bay Packers] Green among NFL'S best backs?
[Chicago Bears] Chicago Bears S Mike Brown (hand) practiced Monday for the first time since breaking his hand last Tuesday. Brown wore a soft cast on the hand and participated only in non-contact drills. (KFFL,ChicagoBears.com)
Preseason Week 1
[Texans vs Giants] Kris Brown nailed a 22-yard field goal, the points are the first ever in Houston Texans history.
08/02/02: Sporting News
[Carolina Panthers] Mike Minter is the only member of the Carolina secondary who is a long-time starter, and he must help cover for inexperienced teammates. Though Minter (5-11) might be a bit undersized, he has compensated with intelligence and hustle. It's rare when he gets beat. Minter also has been a major force on the run defense the last few years. He still will be a part of the run defense, but the team hopes he won't continue to be among the leaders in tackles. With a new emphasis on stopping the run, the team wants most of its tackles to be made by the front seven.
[San Diego Chargers] Chargers DT John Parrella is the player the team is counting on to offset the loss of Darrell Russell and Grady Jackson in the middle of its defensive line. He's every bit as strong as Russell and Jackson. Parrella also is a superior run defender and is capable of preventing blockers from getting at the middle linebacker. He's the kind of player the team needs on a defense that struggled against the run last season.
[Tampa Bay Buccaneers] Buc's TE Tracey Wistrom, a seventh-round pick, must beat out Todd Yoder to make the team, which might not be difficult.
In college Wistrom was an effective blocker and a sure-handed pass catcher and playmaker. Yoder hasn't shown that he's that versatile. Also in Wistrom's favor is his ability to snap for punts and field goals.
08/01/02
[Chicago Bears] Bears S Mike Brown (broken finger) may be forced to miss the team's first two pre-season games. He was sporting a plastic, hand-to-elbow-length removable cast on the sideline at Wednesday's afternoon practice, but as noted earlier he'll be back on Monday participating in drills. (KFFL,Daily Herald)
[New Orleans Saints] Keyuo Craver sees opportunity arrive early with Saints
[Buffalo Bills] Where are they now: Ron McDole
[Chicago Bears] Opportunity knocks for Peter