05/30/04
- [NFL Europe] Amsterdam Admirals LG Dave Volk and WR Wilson Thomas both started in the matchup against the Cologne Centurions. Thomas had one reception for seven yards. Centurions CB Erwin Swiney, also a starter, led his defense with six tackles (four solo) and three passes defended. (NFLEurope.com)
- [NFL Europe] Scottish Claymores TE Aaron Golliday (another starter), had two receptions for eleven yards in a loss to the Berlin Thunder. (NFLEurope.com)
- [CFL] In a CFL exhibition game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto TE Johnny Mitchell caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from former KSU QB Micheal Bishop at 2:34 of the fourth quarter to put the Argos ahead 18-10. Earlier in the game, a wide-open Mitchell dropped a sure touchdown pass from Bishop. The Argos won the game 33-10. (Canada.com)
05/29/04
- [CFL] Lineback Factory in Winnipeg (Ortiz)
- [Carolina Panthers] What a difference a few months can make. During the Carolina Panthers' Super Bowl run, defensive end Mike Rucker was one of the most famous faces in Charlotte.
At the track Friday, Rucker's striking figure and trendy sunglasses turned heads, but almost no one could identify him.
"Who was that?" one couple asked a trailing reporter. They thought he might be a rock star. (Charlotte Observer)
05/28/04
- [Atlanta Falcons] When the Falcons release CB Tyrone Williams, his 2004 salary cap charge will drop from about $2.3 million to about $600,000. Williams will then count about $1.8 million against Atlanta's cap for 2005. If Williams were cut before June 2, he would count $2.4 million against this year's cap and $0 next season. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, KFFL)
- [New York Jets] The Jets have signed 7th-round draft pick DE Trevor Johnson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. (KFFL)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] CB Eric Warfield visited a doctor in Los Angeles on Thursday with hope of getting clearance to return to the field after undergoing back surgery in the offseason, according to head coach Dick Vermeil. (KCChiefs.com, KFFL)
05/27/04
- [Oakland Raiders] In a bid to strengthen the Alouettes' defensive secondary, Barron Miles will be moved to safety. Miles, a CFL All-Star as a defensive back, said the position change would "present new challenges," and added that "you just make the best of it. You're still playing ball, the game you love." (Montreal Gazette)
- [Winnipeg Blue Bombers] Tony Ortiz continues to garner high praise as a top performer in Blue Bombers training camp and the Winnipeg Sun has called him "the hot new name in town".
On Thursday head coach Dave Ritchie observed that "the guy who's coming outta nowhere is Ortiz. He is coming along like gangbusters."
- [CFL] CFL Huskers should make for interesting news this season with Miles' position change and "rookies" Tony Ortiz and Johnny Mitchell likely to make an impact with their respective teams.
- Belted by Neil Smith
- 05/26/04 - Oakland Raiders] John Parrella had his salary reduced from $3.1 million to $1.85 million as part of the restructure that helped bring QB Kerry Collins aboard. (Alameda Times Star)
05/25/04
- The Olympics page is taking shape as Rulon Gardner and Brad Vering both qualified for the US' Greco-Roman Wrestling team. Gardner will likely retire following the Athens Games. Justin Ruiz came up just short losing a heart-breaker to Sydney Bronze medalist Garrett Lowney.
- [Buffalo Bills] Kelsay Enters Second Year with Confidence
05/24/04
- Wistrom calls on NU friends to raise money for his charity
- [Houston Texans] Jamal Lord is Trading spaces
- [NFL Europe] In his first year with NFL Europe Wilson Thomas (Packers) has already been with three teams. Originally allocated to Frankfurt, he was then re-assigned to Rhein who traded him to the Amsterdam Admirals earlier this month. Though he has played in just three games with the Admirals but has an impact in the last two. Last week, as a reserve, Thomas had two receptions for 33 yards (16.5 avg) and a touchdown. He got his start at receiver this week against the struggling Scottish Claymores and though he made no catches, he did block a punt. (Admirals.nl)
NFL Europe Week 8: Claymores TE Aaron Gollidy (Chiefs) had one reception for 12 yards; Wilson's teammate Dave Volk (Cowboys) has started every game so far for the Admirals (8); Cologne Centurions' DB Erwin Swiney (Packers) was second on the team in tackles with 6 and had 3 passes defended. (NFLEurope.com)
- [CFL] Canadian Football League Training Camp kicked off this weekend. In Winnipeg, Blue Bomber LB Tony Ortiz was listed among nine players who "looked good at practice".
- [CFL] Johnnie(y) Mitchell may have given up on a dream of playing in the NFL again but the TE hasn't given up on football. Mitchell, a first-round draft pick, was added to Torontos training camp roster.
"We are extremely excited to have a talent like Johnny Mitchell join the Toronto Argonauts organization," said Toronto Argonauts Director of Player Personnel Greg Mohns. "He is an outstanding player on the field and an outstanding person off the field. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our roster." (TSN.ca)
05/22/04
- [CFL] Argonauts sign former NFLer Mitchell
- [CFL] Boatmen anchor Johnnie Mitchell
- [Green Bay Packers] Ahman Green: Pet Judge
05/20/04
- [Kansas City Chiefs] The Chiefs, searching for training-camp competition for incumbents Morten Andersen and Jason Baker, had several kickers and punters at Arrowhead Stadium for workouts this week. Among the punters with NFL experience was former 49er Bill Lafleur. (KC Star)
- [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] With the release of LS Ryan Benjamin, John Garrison has a clearer shot at a spot on the Buccaneers' roster.
Tampa Bay has several candidates to assume Benjamin’s snapping duties. John Garrison, listed solely as a deep-snapper on the roster, was signed on January 14 after four years in that role at Nebraska and a training camp look with the Tennessee Titans last year. North Carolina guard Jeb Terry, the Bucs’ fifth-round pick in the 2004 draft, possesses long-snapping skills. And returning tight end Dave Moore, the man who held that very job for the Buccaneers for a good chunk of the ‘90s, could reassume his old role.(Buccaneers.com)
05/19/04
- [Kansas City Chiefs] CB Eric Warfield did not participate in the team's first offseason practice on because he is still rehabbing from offseason back surgery. (KFFL)
- [San Diego Chargers] OG Toniu Fonoti has been excused from the team's voluntary workouts this week for personal reasons. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
- 05/17/04 - NFL Europe] Centurions Cornerback Erwin Swiney led Cologne on defense with six tackles and dove to intercept a pass from Amsterdam quarterback Gibran Hamdan late in the third quarter. (Packers.com)
- 05/15/04 - In a five-part article the News Times Broward-Palm Beach follows Johnny Mitchell in his quest to return the NFL and ends with his decision on his future.
- 05/14/04 - CFL] Eskimos sign Demoine Adams
05/13/04
- "It's just not that easy," says Steve Warren of trying to stay in the NFL. "Just to make it, period, is hard enough. To make it and then be able to stick is 10 times harder."
Warren, out of football since being released by the Packers last August, is close to letting go of the dream. He's just a few weeks from receiving his sociology degree at Nebraska. And if the phone doesn't ring with one last call for an NFL tryout this summer, he says he's done.
- Vili Waldrop: "I need money, and I need to get into football shape because I have a tryout with the Buffalo Bills on June 7."
- [IFL] Vili Waldrop joins Lincoln Capitols
- 05/12/04 - Green Bay Packers] Nothing ventured, nothing gained for Crouch
05/1/04
- [New England Patriots] From Pat Kirwan, NFL.com Senior Analyst- Among the offensive linemen that should be in the mix as starters and consequently need a report developed on them as soon as possible is Russ Hochstein in New England. He filled in nicely last year when Damien Woody got hurt and now with Woody gone to Detroit, it appears Hochstein's time has come. The Patriots could have taken an offensive guard with a high draft pick but passed, so it looks like Hochstein gets the call. (NFL.com)
- [Dallas Cowboys] OT Dave Volk, who has spent the last two years on the Cowboys' practice squad, has started every game at left guard for the Amsterdam Admirals this season. (DallasCowboys.com)
05/10/04
- [Cincinnati Bengals] This weekend wasn't the first time Kyle Larson had met Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons. The former Nebraska punter was on the North team coached by the Bengals at the Senior Bowl in January. That experience was a positive factor in the Bengals being able to sign Larson as a free agent event though there was heavy competition for him with several other teams.
"It's an opportunity," said Larson. "I was very fortunate enough to have worked with these coaches at the Senior Bowl. I knew the background on them and thought this would be a good fit."
- [MLB The Angels placed outfielder Darin Erstad on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right hamstring. The injury occurred when Erstad was trying to score from second base in the third inning of a 7-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday night. Erstad finished 0-for-2 and had his 14-game hitting streak snapped.
Last season Erstad experienced tendinitis in his lower right hamstring and was limited to 67 games -- the fewest since he joined the Angels in 1996. He had two separate stints on the disabled list and batted a career low .252. In 30 games this season, Erstad is batting .264 with 20 RBI. (Sports Network)
- 05/09/04 - Detroit Lions] Schlesinger fills many roles for Lions
05/08/04
- [San Diego Chargers] Head coach Marty Schottenheimer was miffed about G Toniu Fonoti's condition, saying that, "frankly, he's a lot heavier than he needs to be." (NC Times)
- [Houston Texans] While switching to a new position, Jammal Lord will get to remain a quarterback of sorts. The Texans spent the first day of rookie minicamp Friday working Lord, the former option-oriented quarterback at Nebraska, at free safety.
"That guy has to be the quarterback of our defense," coach Dom Capers said. "He's not reluctant to make calls."
The Texans are set with veteran Marcus Coleman moving from cornerback to free safety, but Capers called Lord "an interesting guy to follow" heading into training camp. Capers likes the sixth-round pick's combination of size, strength and speed, assets that could translate into playing time on special teams. Lord, who hasn't played defense since high school, must also get used to something else. Instead of taking hits, he'll now be delivering them.
"Most guys would rather deliver them than take them," Capers said. (Houston Chronicle)
05/07/04
- [MLB] Erstad takes mom's words to heart
- While learning the intricacies of a new position will be a challenge for Jammal Lord, he seems to be right at home in the role that will be expected of him at the free safety post.
"In the meetings, you can tell he’s been a quarterback," Capers observed. "He has a pretty good feel and a good presence and he’s a good communicator. We’re working him at free safety and that guy has to be the quarterback of our defense. He’s not reluctant to make calls.
"I thought he got off to a good start." (HoustonTexans.com)
- [Dallas Cowboys] Atlanta Falcons CB Tyrone Williams is expected to be cut after June 1 and could be an option for the Dallas Cowboys who want to replace departed CB Mario Edwards. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, KFFL)
Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com also lists Tyrone Williams as a possibility for the Cowboys.
- [New York Giants] The New York Giants have announced the team has signed undrafted rookie free agent LB T.J. Hollowell, he will participating in the team's May minicamp.
05/06/04
- [Buffalo Bills] Tom Donahoe went through the draft without adding a defensive end to bolster their front four. The Bills would like to see more production come from the left end spot that Ryan Denney occupies.
The club has been pleased with the work of Chris Kelsay this spring, who should compete for a lot of snaps at the left end spot. Kelsay was physically over-matched as a rookie last season, but has been working hard to add more bulk since the season ended. Kelsay's quickness and relentless motor intrigues the organization enough that they feel he'll get to the quarterback on effort. (Brian DeLucia, Fox Sports)
- [MLB] Royals' Harvey making it big
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Chiefs' Shields mixes with kids at Boys Town event
- Shields says he doesn't know how much longer he'll play
- [Oakland Raiders] Parrella return would be a big bonus
- [NFL Europe] In Week 4 Cologne Centurions' CB Erwin Swiney posted a season-high 4 tackles and had 1 pass defensed. His totals for this season so far- 9 tackles (8 solo), 2 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery (Packers.com)
05/04/04
- Pat Tillman's former Cardinals teammate Joe Nedney at a Memorial held in San Jose: "One day, a bunch of us are at Aaron Graham's house," Nedney said. "We're having a barbecue, drinking beer and sitting by the pool. We start to wonder where Pat is, and at that very moment, his shoes hit the pavement. Then his shirt. Then his shorts.
"We look up and Pat's standing on the roof of a two-story house in his boxer shorts. Of course, he jumps into the pool, and we all look over at Marie (his wife). She gives us a look that says, 'I have no control over him when he makes up his mind to do something.'" (The Arizona Republic)
- [New York Jets] From Bryan McGovern, The Sports Network's NFL Editor- New York's best undrafted free agent is Josh Davis (RB/RS, Nebraska). Davis, who isn't much of a halfback prospect, was one of the premier return men in the draft.
- [Atlanta Falcons] Eric Johnson, a special teams player who signed last month as a free agent from Oakland, is currently listed behind Draft, but Demorrio Williams, a fourth-round draft pick from Nebraska, will have a chance to beat him out. (Morris News Service)
05/03/04
- [Philadelphia Eagles] A photograph showing Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter leaping for a touchdown against the Dolphins last year was among the pictoral selections for Photo of the Year honors in the Hall of Fame Photo Contest. The picture was taken by photographer Drew Hallowell and is entitled "Got Air?"
- A Anap to Reach Hall of Fame (Buckhalter)
- [Carolina Panthers] Safety Mike Minter (1997), is the Carolina Panthers all-time leader in tackles, interception return yardage and special teams tackles.
Defensive end Mike Rucker, who led the team in sacks in 2003 with 12.5 and needs six sacks to surpass Kevin Greene to be the team's all-time leader. (Panthers.com)
- [Green Bay Packers] Sunday practice report from JS Online- "The triumvirate of Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport and Tony Fisher will be hard to crack but the Packers are high on practice-squad graduate Dahrran Diedrick of Nebraska." Also, "former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Eric Crouch didn't offer much promise at safety..."
05/01/04
- [Oakland Raiders] Defensive tackle John Parrella practiced for the first time since sustaining a groin injury in Oakland's fifth game last season. He worked with the second team, behind recently acquired tackles Warren Sapp and Ted Washington.
- [Carolina Panthers] Mike Minter (foot) and Mike Rucker (knee) were held out of practices Friday due to injuries. (SC Times)
- [Atlanta Falcons] LB Demorrio Williams demonstrated impressive in pass rush drills, doing text book swim moves on a row of tackling dummies to reach the quarterback incredibly quickly.
- [Atlanta Falcons] Falcons Mini camp: Featuring #39 Pat Ricketts (very beggining), #51 Demorrio Williams and #55 Eric Johnson during LB drills about 7:00 minutes in.
"Squeeze him, squeeze him, squeeze him off the field, Pat! That’s an excellent job 3-9. Excellent job," Mora said to rookie corner Pat Ricketts after Ricketts broke up a pass in man coverage work by forcing his receiver to run out of bounds on a fade route. (AtlantaFalcons.com)
- [Carolina Panthers] Minter: We'll be solid
04/30/04
- [Philadelphia Eagles] After not receiving any offers from other teams, restricted free agent Correll Buckhalter has re-signed with the Eagles. The deal is for one-year, in 2005 Buckhalter will be an unrestricted free agent.
- Eagles re-sign Buckhalter
- 04/29/04 - Green Bay Packers] Crouch is giving the NFL another shot, this time at safety for the Packers
- 04/28/04 - Cincinnati Bengals] Rookie free-agent Larson has shot to start
04/27/04
- [San Diego Chargers] From DetroitLions.com: "We are going to be very young on offense," head coach Steve Mariucci said. "The two oldest guys will be Cory Schlesinger and Matt Joyce. Every one else will be 26 or younger." (KFFL, SDBoltReport.com)
- The seventh round is the time to take a flyer on a guy who has not performed up to expectations or was used in a different capacity than he should have been. Ryon Bingham is that guy. Seen as a John Parrella type, Bingham was asked by his coaches to play the run, and not much else. A stay at home type nose tackle that can eat up defenders in the seventh is a steal. Admittedly, he has a long way to go before labeling him such. Grade: B- (SDBoltReport.com)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Recently signed rookie P Kyle Larson will compete with veteran P Kyle Richardson for the starting job this season.
"It's a position where we felt we needed some competition, so we're going to let the two Kyles go at it," special teams coach Darrin Simmons said. Larson averaged nearly two punts inside the 20 per game during his collegiate career. (KFFL)
- ...and from Mark Curnutte of the Cincy Enquirer: "the most likely rookie starter is one who wasn't drafted at all, free agent punter Kyle Larson from Nebraska. Larson, signed Tuesday, could seriously push veteran Kyle Richardson. And the punting battle immediately becomes one of the most intense of training camp. Larson also can hold for kicks."
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Larson heads Bengals college free agents
- [NFL Draft] Several Huskers picked up in post-NFL draft
04/26/04
- [San Diego Chargers] Having already drafted Ryon Bingham and signed undrafted free agent Jerrell Pippens, the Chargers re-signed restricted free agent LB Carlos Polk to a one-year, $628,000 deal. (ESPN)
- [NFL Draft] Pat Ricketts, Atlanta Falcons; Josh Davis, NY Jets; Patrick Kabongo, Detroit Lions; Jerrell Pippens, San Diego Chargers; Kyle Larson, Cincinnati Bengals.
- [Denver Broncos] Josh Sewell Conference Call from DenverBroncos.com.
- [San Diego Chargers] Looking for a nose tackle to play in their new 3-4 alignment, the Chargers pegged Nebraska's Ryon Bingham with the first of their three seventh-round picks.
Much like former Charger and Nebraska standout John Parrella, Bingham is a monster in the weight room. In addition to being a two-year starter, he was a four-time finalist in the Cornhuskers' strongest player competition. (North County Times)
- [Houston Texans] Houston plans to convert Jammal Lord, an athletic option QB for the Cornhuskers, to safety.
"It's a projection going into the sixth round, and these are things you take a shot at," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said of shifting Lord from signal-caller to the secondary.
Lord (6-foot-2, 222 pounds) said he's fine with the switch from offense to defense.
"I just want to get in somewhere and play," he said. "I want to show people that I can play football." (San Antonio Express-News)
- One of the more interesting picks was Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord.
The Houston Texans took Lord in the sixth round, the 175th selection overall. Lord won't be tried at quarterback, however. The Texans plan to give Lord a shot at free safety.
"We really like him athletically. It is a projection going into the sixth round, and these are the things you take a shot at," Houston general manager Charley Casserly said. "He's a really good athlete, and seemed like a natural in the workouts." (KC Star)
- A total of 23 players from the Big 12 were chosen in the draft, the lowest total since the league began play in 1996. The league had 35 players selected in 1997, 2002 and 2003.
Nebraska led the way this year with five players drafted, and Texas had four. Nine conference schools had players selected. The ones that didn't were Missouri, Iowa State and Baylor. (KC Star)
- [Houston Texans] Texans giving Lord a shot - at safety
- [Atlanta Falcons] East Texan Demorrio Williams Taken in NFL Draft
04/25/04
- [Minnesota Vikings] The Vikings will work out former NFL player Johnny Mitchell on Thursday. Former Viking Cris Carter recommended Mitchell. (Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- [Houston Texans] Jammal Lord will learn to be a safety in Houston.
"I really debated whether to announce him as a quarterback or a safety," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said jokingly. "Yes, it's a projection, but it's the kind of thing you take a shot at in the sixth round and maybe we'll hit a home run."
Lord, who had mixed results as an option quarterback, has worked out at other positions this offseason. He sounded grudgingly resigned Sunday to life as a non-quarterback when asked if he'd prefer to keep calling signals.
"It doesn't matter now, does it?" Lord said. (Denton RC)
- [Atlanta Falcons] Demorrio Williams likely will compete with Eric Johnson, who signed last month as a free agent from Oakland, for playing time at weakside linebacker with Chris Draft. (AP)
- [NFL Draft] No Huskers were drafted in the first 100 picks (Williams was pick no. 101), the longest draft drought since 1970. However, the Huskers weren't as silent on the second day when five players were selected by NFL teams- the most total since 2001. The biggest un-drafted surpise was P Kyle Larson who will likely be signed as a free agent. Other notables for undrafted free agency include TJ Hollowell, Dan Vili Waldrop, Josh Davis, and Patrick Kabongo.
- Day 2 Picks: Demorrio Williams, 4th round/101 overall, Atlanta Falcons; Jammal Lord, 6/175, Houston Texans; Josh Sewell, 6/190, Denver Broncos; Ryon Bingham, 7/204, San Diego Chargers; Trevor Johnson, 7/234, NY Jets.
- Nebraska was blanked on Day 1 of the NFL Draft but made its first appearence just 5 picks into the fourth round. Demorrio Williams (round 4, 101 overall) will join one time Nebraska LB Eric Johnson (FA 2004) with the Atlanta Falcons. Nebraska players haven't had much luck in Atlanta in the last decade (Bruce Pickens, Michael Booker, Mike Croel, Tyrone Williams), hopefully Williams and Johnson can find success with their new team.
- [San Diego Chargers] Bingham fits Parrella mold
- 04/25/04 - There's a new 'Batman' in Green Bay (Ahman Green)
- [New England Patriots] Hochstein still 'floating in the clouds'
- [NFL Draft] Huskers suffer longest draft drought in 34 years
04/24/04
- [NIFL] He wasn't drafted but offensive lineman Chris Loos will be joining the pro ranks on NFL draft day. Loos, who was granted a 6th-year by the NCAA but was not offered a scholarship for 2004, has been signed by the Lincoln Capitols of the NIFL. (...more...)
- There are plenty of the players who were coddled on their way through some of college football's most elite programs.
But at least two players — LSU defensive tackle Chad Lavalais and Nebraska linebacker Demorrio Williams — certainly paid their dues before they got there.
For his part Williams was lightly recruited having played as a 160-pound tackling machine at Beckville (Texas) High School, a small, rural school in East Texas. Williams took a year off from football after graduating in 1998.
He had worked as a ranch hand for much of his adolescence and spent 1999 working as a pipe fitter in the oil fields near his hometown.
"Now, that was work," Williams said. "Those guys were serious, trying to provide for their families. You better be ready to work."
Williams, who was the fastest linebacker who ran at the scouting combine with a 4.50 40-yard dash, then played two years at Kilgore (Texas) — he had 263 tackles combined in two years there — before Nebraska came calling.
Williams, who will be 24 in July, has tried to show NFL scouts he's more than an undersized ballhawk. After playing much of the year at just over 200 pounds, he weighed 212 at the Senior Bowl and had pushed himself to almost 230 pounds for his pre-draft workouts. (The Tennessean)
- [NFL Draft] The Giants plan to take a running back who can serve as a return man, most likely on the second day of the draft. Fitting that description are Jason Wright (Northwestern), Josh Davis (Nebraska) and David Mikell (Boise State). (NY Post)
04/23/04
- [NFL Draft] Williams awaiting call from NFL
- Pat Tillman, the former NFL safety who turned down a $3.6 million contract to join the elite US Army Rangers, was killed in action in Afghanistan.
Tillman was a LB for the Arizona State Sun Devils team that upset the Cornhuskers in 1996, he was also Kyle Vanden Bosch's teammate during Kyle's rookie year in 1998.
"I heard this morning when I was lifting and I think everybody is shocked," offered Vanden Bosch. "Nobody could believe it and everyone was trying to make sure whether or not it was true and right now I don’t think anyone knows what to think."
- 04/22/04 - Carolina Panthers] The Panthers have restructured defensive end Mike Rucker's contract to clear salary-cap room, league sources told the Observer.Rucker, whose contract runs through 2007, lowered his 2004 cap figure by over $2 million. He had been scheduled to have a $4.8 million cap figure, and that number was lowered to $2.6 million. Rucker will make the same amount of money, but his scheduled $3.4 million in 2004 base salary will now be only $600,000 after the team converted the difference into a signing bonus. The move was made to clear room for free agents. (Pat Yasinskas, Charlotte Observer)
04/21/04
- [San Francisco 49ers] The 49ers are expected to draft a punter on the second day of the draft to take "Bill Lafleur's old job" (SF Press Democrat). It is possible then that the 49ers replace a Husker with a Husker and draft Kyle Larson.
- [NFL Draft] Tom James of the Indianapolis Tribune-Star says DEs Antawan Odom of Alabama, Florida State's Darnell Dockett, Hampton's Issac Hilton, Nebraska's Trevor Johnson, Stanford's Amon Gordon and Georgia's Robert Geathers "could be in the mix as well" for the Colts.
The article also contends that "the Colts may use the 29th pick in the first round to go after an outside linebacker." However, "other names to keep track of include Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman, Georgia Tech's Daryl Smith and Keyon Fox, Nebraska's DeMorrio Williams, Central Missouri's Roderick Green, Oregon State's Richard Seiglan and Colorado's Sean Tufts." (Tribune-Star)
- [NFL Draft] Like the Colts, the St. Louis Rams could be looking for a LB in Round 1. "Failing that, the Rams should be able to find a linebacker candidate in the third or fourth round, if necessary. Nebraska's Demorrio Williams, Auburn's Dontarrious Thomas, or even Purdue middle linebacker Niko Koutouvides will have good value in the middle rounds. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
04/20/04
- [Kansas City Chiefs] The KC Star examined the Best and Worst of 15 years of Chiefs' drafts with Carl Peterson. The best of the best pick came in the 3rd round in 1993 when the Chiefs picked an offensive guard named Will Shields. "The Chiefs' selection of Shields in the third round qualifies as theft. All he's done is go to nine Pro Bowl games." Honorable mention was LB Derrick Thomas who was Peterson's first choice with the Chiefs in 1989, the fourth player selected that year.
- [NFL Draft] Weeks after adding profiles for every other school (even a few you've probably never heard of) NFL.com/CBS Sportsline finally added profiles for the Huskers players. Finally
Football Weekly Assessments
- [Arizona Cardinals] After blowing out both his knees in separate seasons, there are serious questions as to whether DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who sat out last season, is ever going to be able to regain his previous high-motor form. Despite these concerns, we hear Vanden Bosch is the best bet to win the Cardinals’ starting DLE job opposite newcomer Bertrand Berry — at least for the short term. His primary challenger for the job is Fred Wakefield, whom new head coach Dennis Green recently referred to as a “keeper.” Green appears to have a soft spot for hard workers, and that’s certainly the case with Wakefield, who goes all-out all the time and was making some pretty eye-catching “effort” plays late last season. But if Vanden Bosch is healthy, he appears to be the No. 1 choice. (FootballWeekly.com)
- [Seattle Seahawks] Although there’s no denying the fact the Seahawks greatly overpaid for UFA DE Grant Wistrom, whose $14 million signing bonus was much more than he ever could have imagined, the majority opinion is that it was money well-spent, considering the total package Wistrom offers both on and off the field. (FootballWeekly.com)
04/19/04
- [Seattle Seahawks] Seattle PI takes "a look back at some of the players the Seahawks have drafted in Mike Holmgren's first five seasons as coach." A Husker is one of two late-round finds-- "Josh Brown seventh round (222nd pick overall), 2003. If they can find a way to coax more depth from his kickoffs, the Seahawks might have found a kicker for years to come in the kid from Nebraska. Last season, he set a rookie club record for points scored (114), which also ranked fourth in the conference." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
- [Jacksonville Jaguars] Vic Ketchman, for Jaguars.com: Three punters could be drafted. That list is headed by Kyle Larson, 6-0, 204, of Nebraska. A three-year man, Larson averaged 45.1 yards per punt on 66 punts last year, with a long of 80 yards. He “killed” 22 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Larson offers great hang time, gets the ball up quickly and is good at handling poor snaps, but he's a marginal directional punter and had five punts blocked in the last three years.
04/18/04
- [Dallas Cowboys] DallasCowboys.com analyzed their linebackers for next season. Early on, a roster spot is anything but guaranteed for Scott Shanle, but he's not necessarily a long-shot. "Claimed off waivers last December from St. Louis but never played in a game. Expect him to get plenty of action in preseason to prove himself."
- [Philadelphia Eagles] RB Correll Buckhalter, a restricted free agent, did not draw any interest on the free agent market. Now that the NFL's deadline for restricted free agents to sign an offer sheet has passed, the Eagles have regained exclusive bargaining rights with Buckhalter. He's due $627,869 from the team for the 2004 season through his tender offer. If he's not signed to a long-term deal before the season end, he'll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2005. (PhillyBurbs.com, KFFL)
- [NBA] Mikki Moore and Jarron Collins were helpful down the stretch, and could still return if the Jazz have roster spots to fill (next season). (Salt Lake Tribune)
04/17/04
- [NFL Draft] Since the Bengals have extra picks, a punter in the sixth or seventh round (Nebraska's Kyle Larson or Ohio State and Roger Bacon's B.J. Sander) wouldn't be out of the question. (CincyPost.com)
- 04/16/04 - NFL Draft] Jammal Lord had private visits with Green Bay, NY Jets and Tampa Bay and is reportedly receiving attention from Cleveland, Kansas City, Miami and St. Louis.
- 04/15/04 - By December of 2003 most draft "experts" had Demorrio Williams going no higher than the 5th round, predictions were that he had no chance of being drafted on Day 1. Since then Williams has shot up the draft boards, impressing scouts at the Senior Bowl in January and at the NFL Combine. Now, with the draft just two weeks away, many of those same "experts" have Super Demorrio going as high as the late-2nd round. Most people would call this a "Rise" in stock but according to Len Pasquarelli of ESPN, its a "decline". His specific comments are even more amusing: "Outside 'backer Demorrio Williams is small (6-feet-0¾, 232 pounds), not very strong, and runs around too many plays. His numbers are good enough but, when you watch him on tape, he isn't in every frame and might have benefited from being surrounded by so many good players. He doesn't take on blocks very well and it appears he could slide out of the first day."
- 04/13/04 - ...Meanwhile, from Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com senior editor: Demorrio Williams, 6-0, 232, is the best pure pass-rusher of the LB group. He was used as an in-the-box player at Nebraska, but though he wasn't used in pass-coverage much, he has the athletic ability to develop pass-coverage skills in the NFL. He's a mid-second-rounder who will offer distinct value at that spot. Williams runs a 4.55 and plays to that and faster. (Jaguars.com)
- 04/12/04 - MLB] Troy Brohawn threw two perfect innings of relief on Easter Sunday, striking out two. Brohawn pitched in 12 games for the Dodgers last season. (Las Vegas Sun)
- 04/11/04 - Un-Retired OL Brenden Stai met with San Francisco in late March. The 49ers are still looking for offensive line help. (SF49ers.com)
04/11/04: NFL Europe, Week 2
- [Amsterdam vs Berlin] Dave Volk started the game at left guard for the Admirals.
- [Frankfurt vs Cologne] Cologne CB Erwin Swiney started the game and had 1 tackle.
- [Rhein vs Scotland] Scottish TE Aaron Golliday started the game and had 3 receptions for 14 yards in the Claymores loss to the Fire. Newly acquired WR Wilson Thomas did not have any receptions for the Rhein Fire.
- 04/10/04 - NFL Draft] Demorrio Williams has scheduled a private workout with Baltimore and Philadelphia between now and the draft. (MySportsDaily.com)
- [NFL Draft] NFL.com ("powered by CBS Sportsline") has the NFL Draft covered... well, almost. The profile page appears to be missing a certain Big XII school. Not coincidentally, CBS seems to have the same glitch. However, in their defense, they do have football powerhouses such as Bloomsburg, Delaware, and Evangel covered!
04/09/04
- [Oakland Raiders] Treu, Raiders Attend Muscle Dinner
- [NBA] Mikki Moore doesn't get to dunk on many 7-foot-6 people, like he did Thursday with a resounding slam over Shawn Bradley. But it's not something entirely new to him, either. Bradley was the victim last time, too. And so was the Maverick center's response.
"Shawn and I have a little bit of a history, you could say, of bumping into each other," Moore said.
Bradley retaliated for Moore's dunk Thursday with an elbow to the stomach as he ran past, an action that referee Gary Zielinski spotted. He quickly whistled a technical on Bradley.
Same thing happened earlier in his career, Moore said.
"I caught him with a good [dunk] when I was in Detroit," Moore said, "and he reacted the same way. He threw an elbow after I dunked."
In fact, Moore said, "on the next play, [Jerry] Stackhouse went down and tried to dunk on him, and Bradley head butted him. That's how he plays." (The Salt Lake Tribune)
- 04/08/04 - Houston Texans] The Houston Texans have re-signed exclusive rights free agent DT Jeremy Slechta. Slechta was initially signed by Houston last December. (HoustonTexans.com)
- [NFL Europe] WR Wilson Thomas (who has been on injured reserve) has been re-assigned from the Frankfurt Galaxy to the Rhein Fire.
- [NFL Europe] Week 1- Dave Volk started at offensive tackle for the Amsterdam Admirals; TE Aaron Golliday had 1 reception for 5 yards in the Claymores loss to Berlin; Cologne Centurions DB Erwin Swiney had 2 tackles and a fumble recovery.
- [NFL Draft] According to SanDiegoChannel.com the Chargers could be looking at drafting Trevor Johnson as a defensive end on Day 2.
- 04/06/04 - Philadelphia Eagles] Buckhalter's Development A Key For Offense
04/05/04
- [Seattle Seahawks] Wistrom sports new jersey number for 'Hawks
- [NBA] Mikki Moore scored 12 points on 6-of-7 field-goal shooting and two blocks to go with his seven rebounds; the Jazz pulled a half-game ahead of 10th-place Portland and back into a virtual tie with idle Denver for the NBA's eighth and final Western Conference playoff position. (Desert News)
- 04/02/04 - Free Agency] The Patriots could still make a play on restricted free agent running back Correll Buckhalter of the Eagles, but they’d need to sign him to a offer sheet and hope Philadelphia doesn’t match the offer, otherwise the Eagles retain his rights. (The Herald News)
04/01/04
- [Green Bay Packers] Eric Crouch, who was in camp as a quarterback for three days before retiring last summer, is back as a defensive back.
"We'll play him at safety and try him at punts (returns)," Sherman said. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. He is athletic. He was confused: Was he a quarterback? Was he not a quarterback? Now he's a safety." (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
- [] Crouch Determined To Stick Around