12/31/05
- [Etc] Editorial - Saluting Merlene Ottey
- [Carolina Panthers] Panthers look for win in Dome (Minter)
- [New Orleans Saints] Top two picks look promising, others iffy (Josh Bullocks)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Win and In: If the Chiefs don't get to the postseason, Sunday's game could bring the curtain down on Dick Vermeil's illustrious coaching career. He insists he won't make a decision until afterward, but most observers felt he would probably step down. More than likely, it will also be the final symbolic lap around Arrowhead Stadium for Will Shields, the 11-time Pro Bowler, the finest right guard ever to play for Kansas City. (AP)
12/30/05
- [Houston Texans] Texans kicker Kris Brown was a freshman on the 1995 Nebraska team led by quarterback Tommie Frazier that won the Cornhuskers' second consecutive title.
"We were so dominant from start to finish," Brown said. "We trailed only 13 minutes, 20 seconds — less than a quarter — for the entire season. No one came close to beating us.
"We didn't run a conventional offense, which was one reason we were so hard to stop. But we had the players to pull it off, too. When Ahman Green's your backup running back, that tells you something. If we played USC, I think we'd win by, say, 38-24." (Houston Chronicle)
- [Baltmore Ravens] Under the Radar: Benard Thomas started the pre-season as a Jacksonville Jaguar. After being released from there he was immediately signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Since then, there hasn't been any news on transactions involving Thomas- until today. Thomas was signed from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad to the 53-man roster.
According to their website, Thomas has been a member of the Ravens practice squad since early October, shortly after his release from the Falcons.
- [Carolina Panthers] Rucker goes from questionable to probable
- [New England Patriots] In Tom Brady's locker was a Nebraska hat, which made ex-Cornhusker Russ Hochstein beam. The hat was no doubt a gift from Hochstein whose 'Huskers beat Brady's Michigan Wolverines Wednesday night in a college bowl game. (Projo.com, Boston Herald)
- [New Orleans Saints] Saints free safety Josh Bullocks, the team's second-round draft choice from Nebraska, was on the sidelines Wednesday for the Cornhuskers' 32-28 victory over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. (Sports Illustrated)
12/29/05
- [Houston Texans] Promoted FS Jammal Lord from the practice squad.
- [Etc] Merlene Ottey honoured in Independence Park
12/28/05
- [Oakland Raiders] Washington hits the rookie wall
- [Oakland Raiders] At first it was believed rookie cornerback Fabian Washington did not start at Denver because of a sore knee. Then, after the game, coach Norv Turner said it was because he was sick, which was interpreted widely as the flu. It wasn't.
"Trainers told me it was tracheo-bronchitis," Washington said Tuesday. "It's not completely gone, but it's to the point where I can operate normally."
He said he started feeling ill a week ago and did not practice to any extent last week. He expects to play in the finale. (InsideBayArea.com)
12/27/05
- [New York Giants] Giants sign Foreman to injury-depleted LB corps
- [Coaches] Downing Named Head Football Coach at Northern Colorado
- [New York Giants] The Giants have signed LB Jay Foreman.
- [Oakland Raiders] Fabian Washington did not start against Denver, but coach Norv Turner said it was not because of the knee injury he was struggling to overcome. "He was sick," Turner said. "He played quite a bit in the game, but he wasn't feeling good at all, right before kickoff." (InsideBayArea.com)
- [Tennessee Titans] Vanden Bosch on USA Today's "All Joe" team
- [New York Giants] The Giants have reportedly thought about bringing back linebacker T.J. Hollowell, who was on their practice squad last year and part of this year. Hollowell is currently on the Bears' practice squad, but could be signed to any team's active roster.
12/26/05
- [Chicago Bears] S Mike Brown (calf) is not likely to play Week 17. (Chicago Sun-Times, KFFL)
- [Chicago Bears] Bears play it safe by not playing Brown
12/25/05
- Plenty of comebacks worthy of notice (Mike Brown, Vanden Bosch)
- WEEK 16: Stats and Stories
12/24/05
- [Pro Bowl] From Pat Yasinskas of the Charlotte Observer-- The biggest slight in the AFC Pro Bowl selections was Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who has 12.5 sacks. It's hard to argue with the selection of Dwight Freeney, Derrick Burgess and Jason Taylor, but whoever ends up coaching the AFC would do the game's credibility a favor by choosing Vanden Bosch as a "need" player.
- Bill Lewis, Pheonix center 1990-92 on the Cardinals soon-to-be former home, Sun Devil Stadium: "It was empty. I can remember the first game I played there. I remember walking into the stadium and looking around and thinking we get more people for the spring game at Nebraska than we do for a regular season game here." (EastValleyTribune.com)
12/23/05
- [Minnesota Vikings] On defense, it appears that Brian Williams will continue to start at right corner and Fred Smoot will remain in the nickel back role... Veteran Ralph Brown appears to have held off a challenge from rookie Dovonte Edwards for the dime spot. (VikingUpdate.com)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Battle special for sure (Kyle Larson)
- [Detroit Lions] Long-time Lions Hanson, Schlesinger deal with losing
12/22/05
- [Chicago Bears] Bears, Colts Lead Pro Bowl Nominations
- [Chicago Bears] Mike Brown confident he'll play Sunday
- [Chicago Bears] Pro Bowl safety Brown driven by Super goal
12/22/05
- [Coaches] Tony Samuel Named Southeast Missouri Football Head Coach
12/21/05
- [Tennessee Titans] Len Pasquarelli: Far from the right thing (Vanden Bosch)
- [Tennessee Titans] NFL Junkyard Dogs (Vanden Bosch)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] KCChiefs.com Q&A with Brian Waters, Tony Gonzalez, and Will Shields
- [Carolina Panthers] From the Associated Press: Julius Peppers was the only player from Carolina's vaunted defense named to the first team, a bitter disappointment to a unit ranked third overall in the NFL. Although cornerback Ken Lucas was a third alternate, defensive end Mike Rucker wasn't even on the list despite posting better numbers this season than Peppers.
"For Ken Lucas to be third alternate is a slap in the face, for sure - I think he is one of the best corners in the NFC," said safety Mike Minter, also chosen as a third alternate.
Rucker, who is tied with Peppers with a team-high 7 1/2 sacks this season, was left off completely. He also has 54 tackles, 29 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles and four pass deflections.
Rucker said helping the Panthers (10-4) get into the playoffs means more to him than making the Pro Bowl.
"We have so much to play for and that is just one aspect of the game," Rucker said. "This is a team game and sometimes you get individual awards, but I'm not disappointed at all. I am really just happy to be in the playoff run."
- [Tennessee Titans] Vanden Bosch, Bulluck Nixed for Pro Bowl
- [Pro Bowl] S Mike Minter was chosen as a third alternate for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. (AP)
- [Pro Bowl] Where's Vanden Bosch and Super Demorrio?!
Just days ago (12/18) the Jackson Sun reported that Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (12.5 sacks 60 tackles) was "second in the AFC among defensive ends in Pro Bowl voting". He is also tied for second in the entire NFL with 12.5 sacks. Yet his name was missing among the three defensive ends on the AFC roster announced today. He was however, named as an alternate.
Of note, the AFC DEs: Derrick Burgess, Oakland (14 sacks, 50 tackles), Dwight Freeney, Ind (10 sacks, 33 tackles), Jason Taylor, Miami (11 sacks, 69 tackles).
- [Pro Bowl] Demorrio Williams was also reported to be the leading vote-getter among outside linebackers, yet his name missing from the NFC roster...
- [Pro Bowl] This year's Pro Bowl will be a first for Bears' SS Mike Brown who was named to the NFC roster.
- [Pro Bowl] Chiefs OG Will Shields will attend yet another Pro Bowl for the AFC.
- [MLB] The Royals did not tender first baseman Ken Harvey a contract Tuesday, making him a free agent less than two years after he was the team’s lone All-Star. Baird said the team has an interest in re-signing Harvey to a minor-league deal. (KC Star)
- [Pro Bowl] (prior to Pro Bowl announcements) Safety Mike Brown and cornerback Nathan Vasher finished second in voting. Both are expected to receive strong consideration from players and coaches for one of three spots at their respective positions.
12/20/05
- [Carolina Panthers] According to Knight Ridder news service, Mike Rucker, but not Mike Minter, is among "several Panthers worthy of Pro Bowl consideration".
"Mike Rucker: Another defensive end who also has been to the Pro Bowl in the past, Rucker is tied with Peppers in sacks. He's been a consistent run defender, but it's unlikely the Panthers will get both defensive ends selected."
- [San Diego Chargers] The Chargers signed DB Jerrell Pippens. Pippens is in his second NFL season. He originally signed with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2004. He began the season on the practice squad and then played in seven games after being elevated to the active roster. He signed with the Chicago Bears late last season and played primarily on special teams in Weeks 15-16. (SDBoltReport.com)
- [New York Giants] LB Jay Foreman was among the "notable" linebackers that worked out for the Giants on Monday. Others included Jessie Armstead, Derrick Rodgers, and Roman Phifer. Of the group, Phifer was signed.
- "On Jan. 26, 2006, at 9 p.m. ET, ESPN will unveil The Ultimate Super Bowl 40-Man Roster in advance of Super Bowl XL." Among the candidates at the Running Back position is 49ers great Roger Craig. Voting is here.
Former Viking Mick Tingelhoff is also a candidate at Center
Side-note: Don't count on Tom Rathman making the "roster", apparently the Fullback position is not included...
- [MLB] The Mariners failed to offer contracts to CF Jamal Strong and RHP Cha Seung Baek P Ryan Franklin, making them free agents.
Strong also was suspended last season for violating baseball's steroid policy. He went 5-for-20 with two RBIs for Seattle last season. (AP)
- [New England Patriots] From Bob George of BosSports.net: The only thing missing from the Patriot whitewash of Tampa Bay was that Warren Sapp plays for the Raiders right now. Yes, his team also lost to the Patriots this year, but it would have been sweeter if Russ Hochstein had the chance to kick the tar out of him as a Buccaneer. (PatsFans.com)
- [Etc] Ottey's statue to be unveiled next week
12/19/05
- Panthers 27-Saints 10] Panthers safety Mike Minter had been waiting for an interception all season, and his first came at an opportune time, ending a second-quarter Saints' push into the red zone. He picked the pass off at the Carolina 1 and returned it 47 yards.
"Young quarterbacks just don't know, so they're going to try it," Minter said. "It was something we'd seen all week long. They came out in that set and we knew they were going to run a double post. I kind of baited (quarterback Todd Bouman) into it.
"(Donte') Stallworth was the outside guy and (Joe) Horn came on the inside. When they did it and I saw him look, I said, `All right, I've got the opportunity.' I was thinking, `I gotta get this one.' It's been a long time since I got my hand on a ball." Minter's last interception was Dec. 21, 2003, in a 20-14 win against Detroit.
- [Buffalo Bills] Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay, who played at Nebraska from 1999 to 2002 when Turner Gill was the quarterbacks coach, said the new University at Buffalo coach will be successful.
"He's going to be a great coach," Kelsay said. "He's been around a lot of winning teams, playing and coaching. He's a man of high integrity and high moral values. He's a family man who cares about his players and his fellow coaches. He's going to expect a lot out of his kids and coaching staff." (Buffalo News)
- [Detroit Lions] Raiola: 'Same old story'
- [Chicago Bears] Sick bay to Green Bay for Brown?
12/18/05
- [Tennessee Titans] Kyle Vanden Bosch remains second in the AFC among defensive ends in Pro Bowl voting, trailing only Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney. (Jackson Sun)
- [Seattle Seahawks] Wistrom playing under radar
- WEEK 15: Stats and Stories
12/17/05
- [Broncos 28-Buffalo 17] New University at Buffalo head football coach Turner Gill and Athletics Director Warde Manuel the game on Saturday. (Buffalo News)
- [Coaches] From The Buffalo News: UB presented us with fodder for additional hot-stove lunch discussions by hiring Turner Gill as its new head football coach. The Bulls have had good luck with guys named "Turner." It was just one basketball season ago that point guard Turner Battle was the Mid-American Conference's Player of the Year. This Turner will be watched closely to measure his recruiting success. He's getting a late start but the MAC had four of its products starting at quarterback in the NFL this season. The wish is that Gill finds a quarterback as skilled as he himself was when he led the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Warfield: Back problems back
- [Kansas City Chief] s CB Eric Warfield injured his shoulder during the team's Week 15 game. Head coach Dick Vermeil said he does not know the severity of the injury. (KFFL.com)
- [Coaches] Gill's message: Dare to believe
- [Chicago Bears] Mike Brown Headed in the Right Direction
- [Coaches] Gill Sure to Find Challenge at Buffalo
12/16/05
- [Tennessee Titans] Vanden Bosch makes up for lost time
12/15/05
- [Coaches] Turner Gill Gets Buffalo Job
- [NBA] Lue thriving in reserve role
- [Etc] NFL translates to No Fullbacks Left (Rathman, Schlesinger)
- Vanden Bosch & Wistrom:
*Credit a Cornhusker
*Sack master
*Rank, and file
*Seahawks Notebook: Home in the Heartland
*Wistrom's ex-Husker teammate Vanden Bosch shines for Titans
- [Oakland Raiders] Former Raider Russell dies in auto accident (Treu)
12/14/05
- [Green Bay Packers] Green Bay Packers worked out former Husker walk-on and CFL punter Chuck Tack but he was not signed. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,KFFL)
- [Coaches] Turner Gill Finalist to Get Buffalo Job
- [MLB] A's Johnson impresses on winter tour stop
- [San Diego Chargers] The Chargers signed defensive tackle Ryon Bingham from the practice squad. (Scouting Bureau)
- [Chicago Bears] The Bears have signed the 5'11" 190 lbs
defensive back Willie Amos to the practice squad. Amos participated in the Bears' post-draft camp earlier this year. (ChicagoBears.com)
- [NBA] Harrington, Lue lead Hawks past Cavs
- [San Diego Chargers] Jill Cohen of The Desert Sun: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation received $25,000. Given the small number of paid entries, this donation to a worthy charity was totally underwritten by Alamo Poker. Despite their other problems, Alamo is certainly to be commended for this. Another of the highlights of the two-day event was the number and caliber of celebrities who participated. I had a ball mingling and playing poker with them.
...at my table was San Diego Chargers linebacker Carlos Polk, a high-spirited, fun-to-have-at-the-table player. The torn Achilles tendon that has sidelined him this season didn't stop Carlos from knocking me out of the tournament, and finishing in third place overall. I was comforted with a pro-football-sized hug after he took all of my chips. (TheDesertSun.com)
12/13/05
- [Oakland Raiders] In a post-game "report card" from InsideBayArea.com, the only position that received anything higher than a D in a loss to the Jets was the passing defense, which was given an "A". Part of the reason was Fabian Washington: "Remember when we were branding Fabian Washington a flop? Yeah, well, flop this ... he is a budding star, folks, and once he gets totally at ease and makes an interception, watch out."
- [Coaches] UB gives Packers' Gill a second interview
- [Tennessee Titans] Vanden Bosch's work ethic inspires team
- [Tennessee Titans] Vanden Bosch: Sack Time (fourth item)
- WEEK 14: Stats and Stories
- Week 14 from Huskers.com
12/11/05
- [Pro Bowl] Mike Cobb of The Ledger picks his starting lineup for the Pro Bowl, and includes Five Huskers: Link
- [Carolina Panthers] Carolina defenders long to record a hit worthy of ESPN’s ‘Jacked Up’ segment (Minter, Rucker)
- [Carolina Panthers] Carolina DE Rucker inactive against Bucs
12/10/05
- [Carolina Panthers] Minter Sets The Tone For Carolina
- [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] Rookies Don't Want To Be Another Brick In The Wall (Ruud)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Chiefs’ Warfield has been solid since his return
12/09/05
- [Chicago Bears] Brown's status for Sunday's game in question
- [MLB] Dan Johnson chats with fans online
12/07/05
- [Green Bay Packers] Green mending marriage, rehabbing his knee
- [Coaches] Buffalo U. talks to Gill
- [Tennessee Titans] Sack list undergoes rewrite (Vanden Bosch)
12/05/05
- [Carolina Panthers] Michael Vick wore the famous No. 7 and brought the big arm and the quick feet. So he looked the part. But on Sunday, he was all dressed up with no place to throw...
- [Carolina Panthers] On one occasion, Michael Vick was so flustered by the rush of end Mike Rucker and safety Mike Minter that, to avoid a sack, he threw to tight end Eric Beverly. Vick flung that pass. Powerful arm. But Beverly was about five feet away. No way was Beverly going to catch the ball, but at least he didn't let it knock him down. (TheState.com)
- [Tennessee Titans] Titans say slide vs Colts started with nulified Vanden Bosch sack
- WEEK 13: Stats and Stories
12/02/05
- [Dallas Cowboys] On injured linebacker Scott Shanle, Bill Parcells said, "He seems to be doing pretty well," but he was a little less definitive about his status for Sunday, saying, "We'll know more about that Saturday." (DallasCowboys.com)
- [Minnesota Vikings] Vikings Place Fonoti on Injured Reserve
12/01/05
- [Carolina Panthers] Minter tired of seeing The Birds
- [Minnesota Vikings] Guard Toniu Fonoti rode an exercise bike during practice, trying to improve his conditioning. He has a badly strained groin and might have to be placed on injured reserve, thus ending his season. (AP)
- [Chicago Bears] Bears sign LB TJ Hollowell to the practice squad