01/31/05

  • Green Bay Packers] RB Ahman Green is slated to participate in the inaugural Pro Bowl Skills Challenge, which will air on ESPN from 6-8 p.m. EST on February 12th. (Packers.com, KFFL)

    01/30/05

  • New England Patriots] Hochstein a piece of the Patriots' puzzle

    01/28/05

  • [AFL-Arizona] Arizona Rattlers WR Wilson Thomas hauled in a highlight-type one-handed touchdown catch in his rookie debut against the Grand Rapids Rampage. The Rattlers won the game 58-38 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. (East Valley Tribune)
  • [AFL-Nashville] AFL rookie Dan Alexander scored two touchdowns in a 47-38 upset of the home-team Columbus Destroyers.
      Alexander ran for 25 yards on 6 carries and a touchdown, and his 1 pass reception in the game was good enough for a 24-yard score. Alexander also played linebacker in the game and had 1 assisted tackle.
      Though he has NFL experience, Alexander is still characterized as a "rookie" in the AFL.
  • [San Diego Chargers] The Chargers re-signed strength and conditioning coach Dave Redding to a multi-year contract (KFFL). The Nebraska grad began his coaching career in 1976 at his alma mater as a graduate assistant for the Cornhuskers under Head Coach Tom Osborne.

    01/27/05

  • Coaches] Contrary to a published report in California, the Lions said running backs coach Tom Rathman was not denied permission to talk to the 49ers about a possible coaching position. (MLive.com)
  • Senior Bowl] Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden, who will be coaching the South squad in the Senior Bowl, spent some time scouting the opposition Wednesday and came away impressed with the North team.
      He mentioned by name Iowa defensive linemen Jonathan Babineaux and Matt Roth, Nebraska linebacker Barrett Ruud, Stanford tight end Alex Smith, UCLA receiver Craig Bragg and Oklahoma receiver Mark Clayton.
      Another possible reason to watch- North quarterback Kyle Orton of Purdue, wears No. 18 in honor of Brook Berringer.
      Of Note- Barrett Ruud's father, Tom, played in the 1975 Senior Bowl.

    01/27/05

  • [Etc] Danimal goes 9-to-5 after first-and-10

    01/26/05

  • [Denver Broncos] C Josh Sewell signed a future contract with the Denver Broncos. Sewell was on the Broncos' practice squad in 2004 after they drafted him in 6th round.
  • [Washington Redskins] RB Dahrran Diedrick will join his former Husker teammate Eric Crouch in NFL Europe this year. Diedrick was signed to the Redskins practice squad in late October of 2004 after having been with the Packers and Chargers since graduating in 2002.
  • [UIF] Veland Returns as Beef Defensive Coordinator
  • [Kansas City Cheifs] Crouch Hopes to Impact Chiefs Secondary

    01/25/05

  • [Atlanta Falcons] The Falcons have a few important players facing unrestricted free agency in March, but strong-side linebacker Matt Stewart seems to be one the most obvious candidates to leave. With Demorrio Williams no longer a rookie and now ready to become a starter, the team doesn't have to look far to replace Stewart. (Falcons.Scout.com)
  • [Charity] Jerry, Grant & A Circle of Friends (Wistrom, Tomich)
  • [AFL-Tampa Bay] Fullback/linebacker David White was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in preseason. Unlike the NFL, injured reserve in the AFL only means they will have to sit out at least two weeks. (St. Petersburgh Times)
  • [AFL-San Jose] The SaberCats added former Green Bay Packers lineman Steve Warren as a possible replacement for Sam Hernandez, the AFL's all-time sack leader. Hernandez was set to retire and didn't report to training camp, but he appears to be having second thoughts. As of Monday, coach Darren Arbet said he was unsure of Hernandez's plans. (Contra Costa Times)
  • [Kansas City Chiefs] Eric Crouch's agent said that the NFL Europe-bound safety said he's "noticed a change in (Crouch's) attitude about things." And added that "He has no more desire to play quarterback."
    [Kansas City Chiefs] Crouch: QB position is out of his system

    Conference Championships: Stats and Stories

    01/23/05

  • [AFL-Georgia] The Georgia Force waived OL/DL Dave Volk as several AFL teams trimmed their rosters. It is not known whether or not Volk, who has been with the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, will pursue a contract in the NFL.
  • [Senior Bowl] The Senior Bowl website finally released the rosters on Sunday, and as expected LB Barrett Ruud will be the only Husker participating in the game. Kickoff is set for 3:00 CST and will be nationally-televised on ESPN2, Ruud will wear #38 for the North squad.
  • [Kansas City Chiefs] Crouch accepts Chiefs' offer

    01/22/05

  • [Detroit Lions] Aside from being elected as an alternate to the Pro Bowl, Lions' FB Cory Schlesinger has also been chosen for USA Today's "All-Joe Team" and Darryl Johnston's "All-Lunch Pale Crew". (DetroitLions.com)
  • [St. Louis Rams] Tom Nütten and Chris Dishman, who took the lion’s share of the starts next to Pace, could land in new places or retire also. Both battled injuries all season and might not be physically able to return. Dishman tore his ACL while trying to return from an MCL injury and missed most of the year after starting five games. (StLouisRams.com)
  • [Oakland Raiders] DT John Parrella is due $3 million next season at age 35. He is among several Raiders likely headed for the chopping block. (InsideBayArea.com, Oakland Tribune)
  • [San Francisco 49ers] All in all it has been a busy first week for 49ers new head coach Mike Nolan, who hopes to have his coaching staff completed by the end of next week. One of the possibilities included one of the 49ers all-time great players and coaches, Tom Rathman.
      "I have talked with Tom, but Tom has got a contract and I don’t think anything will be further on that horizon. They won’t release, I don’t think so," Nolan said. "I don’t know that first hand. When they gave him a contract, and there are certain contracts where you say ‘oh, I can challenge that’ and there’s other ones you go ‘they must really like that guy.’" (SF49ers.com)

    01/21/05

  • [Denver Broncos] The contracts for Denver Broncos guard Josh Sewell and quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt expired this week. However, both players are going through the formalities of negotiations and are expected to re-sign in the coming weeks. Because each player just completed his rookie season - they spent the season on the practice squad - the Broncos hold exclusive negotiating rights. Sewell, a sixth-round pick in April, was signed to the Broncos' eight- player practice squad Sept. 5 and spent the season there. (Rocky Mountain News)
  • [NFL Draft] The NFL has announced University of Nebraska C Richie Incognito and S Josh Bullocks have been granted special eligibility for the 2005 NFL Draft. Both met the league's three-year eligibility rule and submitted written applications.

    01/20/05

  • [MLB] OF Adam Stern looks to stick with Sox

    01/19/05

  • San Francisco 49ers] The 49ers signed Mike Nolan as the franchise' 15th head coach and an unamed 49ers assistant said he's heard that former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman might be a candidate to become offensive coordinator. Rathman played for the 49ers from 1986-93, coached 49ers running backs from 1996-2002 and has spent the past two seasons doing the same on Mariucci's Lions staff.
      Rathman is also a candidate for the same job in Detroit, but is not considered to be a front runner there. (Contra Costa Times)

    01/18/05

  • [Charity] NFL Charities, has announced that a quartet of Chiefs player’s foundations would be receiving grants to continue their philanthropic ways. TE Tony Gonzalez (Tony Gonzalez Foundation), QB Trent Green (Trent Green Family Foundation), FB Tony Richardson (Rich in Spirit Foundation), and G Will Shields (Will to Succeed Foundation), amassed a total of $70,000 for their respective organizations. In all, NFL Charities allotted over $1 million to the foundations of current and former players. The League awarded 44 current players foundation grants, with no other club garnering more than the Chiefs four recipients. (KCChiefs.com)
  • [Etc] Therese Alshammar won the women's 50 freestyle at the short course swimming World Cup in her home-country of Sweden on Tuesday.
      Alshammar, who holds the world record, won in Stockholm for the fifth year in a row.
      "I've had great practices all throughout the winter," Alshammar said. "I'm the defending champion here, so I'm very pleased." (AP)
  • [Etc] Sports Illustrated's Peter King answered questions from his email bag, and Dan Eaton of Blair, Nebraska wrote in: "Amen to your Hall of Fame comments. How come Mick Tinglehoff can't even get a sniff of the Hall of Fame? His career longevity speaks volumes, along with his individual honors. He was easily on the same level as Jim Otto and Jim Ringo of his generation. Also, how does Will Shields stack up for future Hall of Fame consideration?"
      King's reply: I hope we can ratchet up some support for Mick. He does deserve it. Regarding Shields, he has a chance. He's helped by the fact that the Chiefs' line has been consistently dominant. He's hurt, as are Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby, by the fact that there's not one single lineman identified as the reason for the Chiefs' greatness, and he's hurt by the fact they haven't won many big games.
  • [Arizona Cardinals] The Cardinals have signed TE Aaron Golliday. Golliday had been on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. (KFFL)

    01/17/05

  • [Carolina Panthers] State representatives in Missouri are given special licence plates denoting the district they represent. Rep. Martin Rucker, D-St. Joseph is eligible for gold-and-black plates that say "R-29," marking him as the state representative of District 29. But Mr. Rucker’s familiar black truck currently carries the proud personalized plates "NFL-DAD." Mr. Rucker, of course, is father to Mike Rucker, defensive end for the Carolina Panthers.
      "I will probably put the R-29 plates on my car," he said. "I’m not going to give up my NFL-DAD."
      State rep tags entitle him to a number of perks and privileges and generally let people around Jefferson City and elsewhere know who he is. But Mr. Rucker’s not worried.
      "It’s kind of got an identity already," he said. "I’ve had a few people come to me and say, ‘Hey, is that your truck with the NFL-DAD?’
      "I think people are going to know who the NFL-DAD is, too, before it’s over with, so we’ll be OK." (St. Joseph News-Press)

    Divisional Playoffs: Stats and Stories

    01/14/05

  • [Charity] Grant Wistrom (and Will Shields) to receive JB Award for Community Service
  • [Detroit Lions] Coach Steve Mariucci has interviewed three Lions assistants -- running backs coach Tom Rathman, line coach Pat Morris and quarterbacks coach Greg Olson -- but apparently is not close to naming an offensive coordinator.
      "They have all expressed an interest if I want to go in that direction," Mariucci said Thursday. "They would be ready, willing and able to do that."
      Although Mariucci thinks highly of all three, he appears more likely to keep them as position coaches and hire a coordinator from outside the organization.
      "I wouldn't want to take any one of those three away from their duties now," he said. "They're very good at what they do.
      The new coordinator will replace Sherm Lewis, who retired.
  • [All-Star Games] The Villages Gridiron Classic and East-West Shrine Classic will both be played on January 15th. According to their latest rosters, neither game will feature a Husker player. So kick back, relax, and enjoy that other all-star game.
    Later this month, Mike Erickson will play in the Las Vegas All-American Classic (January 22) and Barrett Ruud will suit up for the 2005 Senior Bowl (January 29).

    01/12/05

  • [Detroit Lions] Dominic Raiola is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season, but he is expected to be resigned by the Lions. From LionsFans.com, "O-line coach Pat Morris puts him in situations he handles best -- pulling, blocking on the move. Will be re-signed."
  • [UIF] Omaha P Chace Long signs 'future' contract with 49ers
  • [Houston Texans] PK Kris Brown was voted the team's Byron "Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award nominee by teammates and will be eligible to win the award at the 2005 NFL Players Gridiron Gala, hosted by the NFL Players Association April 7. The Byron "Whizzer" White Award is presented annually to the player who serves his team, community and country. White, who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court, was a noted scholar, athlete, patriot, humanitarian and public servant. (HoustonTexans.com, KFFL)

    01/10/05

  • [Houston Texans] Kris Brown NFLPA nominee
  • [Green Bay Packers] Green's 90-Yard TD Run vs. Dallas Nominated For Play Of The Year
  • [New England Patriots] The Providence Journal asked several Patriots players one question-- "Who was the last person you got an autograph from? If you were to wear one jersey of any athlete from any sport, active or retired, who would it be?"
      Offensive lineman Russ Hochstein didn't like the second part of the question: "I grew up in Nebraska, so it was probably when I was 12 from a Nebraska player. I can't remember who it was. Obviously, I don't have the autograph. Any jersey, any sport? Do I have to answer this one? I'm not going to answer that one. That's incriminating. Because if you answer the wrong way, somebody will be all over you. That's a tough irrelevant question."
      Patriots safety Dexter Reid said, "I'd wear a Roger Craig, San Francisco 49ers jersey. I was a running back coming up."
  • [Green Bay Packers] Extension or not, Green says he’ll play

    Wildcard Playoffs: Stats and Stories

    01/09/05

  • [MLB] Red Sox first-baseman Doug Mientkiewicz still has the baseball that clinched Boson's first championship in 86 years, but the Red Sox want it back.
      Mientkiewicz's plight amused Darin Erstad, who caught the last out of the 2002 World Series for Anaheim. That ball secured the only title in Angels history, but as soon as he reached the mound from center field, Erstad tried to unload it.
      He offered it to closer Troy Percival, following his routine after games Percival saved. Percival told Erstad to keep it. Erstad, who does not keep much memorabilia, did not know what to do with it and does not display it at home.
      "It's in a box," Erstad said Friday, and he did not mean a safe-deposit box. "If the Angels asked for it, I'd give it to them in a heartbeat." (New York Times)

    01/08/05

  • [Kansas City Chiefs] Guard Will Shields was named as a starter for the Pro Bowl.
  • [Atlanta Falcons] Cornerback Jason Webster and linebacker Demorrio Williams laid two of the hardest hits in practice Friday. Donatell liked the intensity of the two-hour workout.
      "(Head coach) Jim (Mora) put 'em in pads for the second straight day to send a message that we're serious about filling our gaps and rushing the passer, doing the fundamental things that are harder to do in sweats," defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. "That's what we were looking for today."
  • [Kansas City Chiefs] Will Shields Finalist for Wooden Cup
  • [Seattle Seahawks] A moment with ... Grant Wistrom, Seahawks defensive end

    01/07/05

  • [Seattle Seahawks] Wistrom aching to play against Rams
  • [Kansas City Chiefs] Shields named 2nd Team All=Pro

    01/06/05

  • [All-Star Games] Two Huskers will play in post-season showcase games. Mike Erickson will play in the Las Vegas All-American Classic on January 22nd, while Barrett Ruud will play in the Senior Bowl on January 29th. (Omaha World Herald)
  • [Kansas City Chiefs] From Dick Vermeil's press conference--
    Q. "You said last night that you’ve heard suggestions that Will Shields might be contemplating retirement. How concerned about this are you?"
    Vermeil. "Right now not real concerned because I haven’t talked to Will about it. But I think you get to Will’s age this time of year you think about retirement. I would be surprised if he retired and I wouldn’t be surprised if he retired. He’s had a tremendous career. I’m sure he’s disappointed he hasn’t gone to the Super Bowl yet." (KCChiefs.com)
  • [Kansas City Chiefs] Chiefs player Warfield pleads no contest to DUI charge
  • [Injury Report] Seattle DE Grant Wistrom (knee) is Doubtful for the Seahawks playoff matchup against the Rams, his former team.
      Mike Holmgren said, "time helps us with Grant. We're listing him as doubtful, and I think that's fair. He wants to desperately play the game. There's a chance he could play. There is a chance." (Seattle Times)
  • [Minnesota Vikings] The Vikings' secondary will have a new look Sunday. Cornerback Antoine Winfield will return to the starting lineup for the first time in five weeks, and coach Mike Tice said Ralph Brown "possibly" could start at nickel back ahead of Terrance Shaw. (Pioneer Press)
  • [Etc] Fonoti Makes the 'All-Joe' Team (Schlesinger mentioned)
  • ...and the All-Vic Team

    01/05/05

  • [Coaches] Gdowski signs on with Solich at Ohio
  • [Seattle Seahawks] K Josh Brown missed practice with an excused absence.
  • [Etc] American Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner surprised many people as he made an impressive debut against the much more experienced Hidehiko Yoshida. Despite this being his first mixed martial arts fight, Gardner was very aggressive and controlled the fight. Perhaps even more surprising was that he chose to keep the fight on their feet. There, Gardner consistently overpowered Yoshida, dropping him several times en route to a unanimous decision victory. (BoxingInsider.com)
  • [Houston Texans] PK Kris Brown (hip) could undergo minor offseason surgery to repair a pulled muscle. (HoustonTexans.com)

    01/04/05

  • [Minnesota Vikings] Cornerback Ralph Brown, who has missed the past three games with a fractured eye socket, was cleared to play. (Pioneer Press)
  • [Senior Bowl] Ruud will showcase talent in Senior Bowl
  • [San Diego Chargers] King's All-Pro list includes Fonoti (SI).
  • [NFL Draft] Personal concerns drive Washington to test NFL

    01/03/05

  • [Detroit Lions] Offensive linemen Dominic Raiola and Stockar McDougle, who will become unrestricted free agents if they are not signed by March, are likely next in president Matt Millen's pecking order.
      "I made it known that I want to be here," Raiola said. "I don't want to become an unrestricted free agent. I want to get a contract done before then."
  • [Carolina Panthers] Decisions ahead on Muhammad, Minter
  • [Seattle Seahawks] Wistrom's return? Defensive end Grant Wistrom, who spent his first six NFL seasons in St. Louis, said he hopes to play Saturday against his former team.
      "We'll run around a little bit on it this week and see how it feels, but I should be able to play," said Wistrom, who is out with a left knee injury and has missed seven games this season, including the second matchup with the Rams. (The Oregonian)
  • [Cincinatti Bengals] Rookie punter Kyle Larson finished the season with a 42.2-yard average, the best by a Cincinnati punter since Lee Johnson averaged 44.7 yards in 1998. (CincyPost.com)
  • [NFL Draft] Fabian bids Nebraska farewell for the NFL

    WEEK 17: Stats and Stories

    01/02/05

  • [Carolina Panthers] Mike Minter and Jeff Mitchell are very solid players and heading into the last season of their contracts. They also have huge cap numbers: Minter's is $6 million, Mitchell's is $5.5 million. The logical solution for both is an extension that would knock down the 2005 cap figure. (Charlotte Observer)
  • [Atlanta Falcons] As of week 16 LBs Artie Ulmer and Demorrio Williams are tied for the team lead with 11 special teams tackles. (FalconsInsider.com)

    01/01/05

  • [Arizona Cardinals] The inactive status of Calvin Pace the past two games has turned into a benefit for veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who has gotten more and more playing time.
      "Kyle has worked his tail off," head coah Dennis Green said. "He was coming off an entire year of being off (because of a knee injury). He wasn’t as rusty the last two, three weeks as he was early in the season. People that know Kyle know he’ll play football every single day 365 days a year and I think that’s a great quality to have."
      Vanden Bosch, who will be a free agent after the season, admits he has needed time to come back fully from his second major knee surgery in three years. He also said he thinks he’ll be better next year than he is right now.
      "I am grateful for every chance I get to get on the field," Vanden Bosch said. "It’s been a long three years." (East Valley Tribune)
  • [Arizona Cardinals] Around 5 p.m. tomorrow, another dismal Cardinals season will end, and several players will take off the team's uniform for the final time.
      A second-round pick in 2001, Vanden Bosch has missed most of two seasons with knee injuries. He returned this year as a part-time player, but he has played a bigger role in recent weeks.
      "I really, really haven't thought about it," he said. "I really like my teammates here. I have a good relationship with everybody and the coaching staff has been good to me, too." (AP)