03/31/05
- [NFL Europe] Eric Crouch's NFL Europe Diary
- [MLB] Sears comes up big for minor league club
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Bet on Shields returning for Vermeil's last season
- [MLB] Ken Harvey: Royals just 'sending a message'
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Warfield's lawyer and agent say suspension may be avoided
- [Kansas City Chiefs] No snap decision on Shields' future
- [MLB] From Jeffrey Flanagan of the KC Star: Did Calvin Pickering win a roster spot with the Royals, or did Ken Harvey somehow get robbed of his?
It's not as if Pickering did anything during spring training to justify beating out Harvey.
And if you're Harvey, you have to be wondering what you did to enrage Royals management. Harvey, after all, hit .287 last year, which tied for the team lead. He made the All-Star team. And in actuality, he was the team's co-player of the year, along with David DeJesus (Harvey received three votes as did DeJesus, Matt Stairs and Joe Randa, though the club gave the award outright to DeJesus).
Yet Harvey is the one being sent off to Omaha. Even Pickering thought the club was joking when they told him he had beat out Harvey.
Ah, but it's early. Don't be shocked if you see both Harvey and Aaron Guiel back up with the big-league team by May 1.
- [Kansas City Chiefs] AFL to KC: Neil Smith would be part-owner
03/30/05
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Shields stays mum on future plans
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Warfield may still face suspension
03/29/05
- [NFL Draft] NFL.com Senior Analyst pegs two Huskers in the first round
- [NFL Draft] Washington Post Mock also includes 2 First-Round Huskers
- [NFL Europe] Eric Crouch: Destined for Greatness?
- [MLB] Royals Release Roster, Harvey Not On It
- [MLB] "Eric H." of Bloomington, Illinois inquired to an MLB.com reporter: "I am an old friend and teammate of Adam Shabala. Just trying to find out his odds of making the Opening day roster."
The response: "Alas, Shabala must wait his turn at Triple-A this season. He remains a good prospect after batting .314 at Triple-A Fresno last season. The Giants love his speed and defense, but Shabala admits he's being held back by the numbers game. He's encouraged that teammates Jason Ellison and Tony Torcato have apparently graduated to the Giants' roster and says another year at Fresno can only help his cause."
03/28/05
- [NIFL] The Lincoln Capitols opened the 2005 season with a stellar first quarter but would come up short in a 48-30 loss.
The Capitols ended the half with a Sandro DeAngelis 17 yard field goal to take a 27-24 half time lead into the locker room.
The Capitols managed only a DeAngelis 30 yard field goal to score in the second half of play. (OurSportsCentral.com)
Though currently with the Capitols, DeAngelis had signed with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders on March 9th.
- [NFL Draft] Fabian Washington has private visits with Jacksonville and Kansas City coming up the next few weeks... with the NY Jets and New Orleans also showing a lot of interest. (NLScouting.com)
03/27/05
- [Etc] Chat Room: Rulon Gardner, Wrestler
- [Carolina Panthers] Minter, Rucker will kickoff venture with Ultimate Draft Party in Charlotte
- [NFL Draft] Scout.com NFL Draft Blog: Richie Incognito
- [Seattle Mariners] The Mariners optioned OF Jamal Strong to Tacoma of the PCL.
03/25/05
- [Free Agency] The Bears are playing wait-and-see in their search for a veteran linebacker to play on the strong side, with Warrick Holdman, Jay Foreman and Anthony Simmons in the mix. (Chicago Sun-Times)
- [NFL Europe] Eric Crouch's NFL Europe Diary
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Harvey remains upbeat
03/24/05
- [Etc] In a speech to students in Wood River on Wednesday, Nebraska Representative and former Husker coach Tom Osborne noted that Scott Frost may be "looking at the possibility of playing quarterback in Canada." (TheIndependent.com)
03/22/05
- [NFL Draft] DenverBroncos.com assessment of Barrett Ruud: No player in Nebraska's storied history ever had more tackles than Barrett Ruud, an All-America selection last fall who amassed 432 career tackles, including 143 last fall as the Cornhuskers' middle linebacker. All impressive numbers. All relatively meaningless now.
"I've got to improve everything," Ruud said.
Former Detroit Lions linebacker Jimmy Williams was Ruud's position coach for part of his time with the Cornhuskers. Williams not only shared vignettes about NFL life, but imparted techniques that helped Ruud flourish in his final two seasons at Nebraska.
"My junior year was very key because they taught me a new way to take steps, to read," Ruud said. "They showed me how to loosen my hips up a little bit and work on my drops. They helped me tremendously."
But there's more work for Ruud to do, as he learned at the Senior Bowl in January.
"I got a lot of confidence from it because I played pretty well there ... but you realize how much technique plays a part in it as the guys you play against improve," Ruud said. "It's the technical aspects that I got the most out of."
- [AFL] The AFL's Arizona Rattlers placed wide receiver-linebacker Wilson Thomas on recallable waivers.
- [Etc] Hochstein Emphasizes Importance Of Faith In Education
03/21/05
- [New England Patriots] The Patriots could chose to bring in a veteran during the free agent period or wait until after April's NFL Draft when many veterans are released after June 1. Free agents like Jay Foreman, Kendrell Bell or Brandon Moore could be on the Patriots radar, while Nebraska's Barrett Ruud and Georgia's Odell Thurman could all be available at No. 32 overall in a draft that isn't considered to be linebacker-heavy. (Patriots.com)
- [Atlanta Falcons] ESPN's Len Pasquarelli noted that "second-year pro Demorrio Williams, mostly used as a "nickel" linebacker in 2004, is projected as the strongside starter" in 2005. Second-year pro Demorrio Williams, mostly used as a "nickel" linebacker in 2004, is projected as the strongside starter.
- [MLB] Rule 5 brings a Stern prospect
- [Etc] Study allowed a late conversion for Newcombe
03/20/05
- [Chicago Bears] Free safety Mike Brown considered himself at 90 percent in his comeback from a torn right Achilles tendon and said he's running at full speed. (Chicago Sun Times)
- [Etc] Sunday Q&A: Gardner sees pros taking hold
03/19/05
- [AFL] For weeks there was little coming from defensive tackle-turned-linebacker/fullback Steve Warren in the AFL, then last week the 300-pounder scored two rushing touchdowns for the San Jose SaberCats. This week he added two more points when he sacked Grand Rapids QB Michael Bishop for a safety.
- [MLB] Rule 5 outfielder Stern could stick with Sox
03/18/05
- [NBDL] The first 1,000 fans through the doors when the Roanoke Dazzle hosts Fayetteville on Saturday will receive a free Mikki Moore bobblehead doll. A former Dazzle star and 2003 NBDL defensive player of the year, Moore now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
- [NFL Europe] Eric Crouch Diary 3/18
- [NFL Draft] Fabian Debuts on Kiper's "Big Board"
03/17/05
- [Free Agent] Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch remains a free agent, but his employment status isn't foremost on his mind.
His wife, Lindsey, is expecting the couple's first child in the next few days.
"That gets kind of the priority," Vanden Bosch joked.
Cardinals officials have expressed interest in re-signing Vanden Bosch, a second-round pick in 2001, but he doesn't expect that to happen.
"It seems like they are pretty much loaded at end," he said. "More than money, I'm looking for a place where I have a chance to get on the field."
The Cardinals signed free-agent defensive end Chike Okeafor from Seattle and re-signed Peppi Zellner to be a backup. Vanden Bosch figures there might be better opportunities elsewhere.
Knee injuries caused Vanden Bosch to miss almost two full seasons in his four years with the Cardinals. He played in all 16 games last season with one start. (The Arizona Republic)
- [MLB] Stern expected to miss four weeks
- [San Diego Chargers] The Chargers have re-signed LB Carlos Polk to a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed. (KFFL)
03/16/05
- [Free Agency] The Tacoma News Tribune reports that "Jay Foreman is another player the Seahawks might consider at linebacker". While the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Vikings have no interest "at this time" in the recently released Minnesota native, and son of former Viking great Chuck Foreman.
03/15/05
- [NIFL] QB Glissman battling for Capitols' top spot (JR Edwards & DeAngelis in Cap's camp)
03/14/05
- [NFL Draft] Barrett Ruud has received additional attention from Baltimore, Kansas City, New Orleans, Oakland and Tampa Bay during both the NFL Combine and his recent Pro Day. It should be noted that both Oakland and Tampa Bay were the coaching staffs at the Senior Bowl, which allowed them greater access to a guy like Ruud, who participated in the game. (NewOrleansProFootball.com)
- [NFL Draft] A number of draft prospects have been linked to the Rams, among them Nebraska OL Richie Incognito has been surfacing to a lesser extent. (KFFL)
- [Houston Texans] Foreman Released: Gets his wish, but still 'hurt'
03/13/05
- [MLB] Rookie Johnson battling for chance
- [Detroit Lions] Raiola wants to be in Detroit for long haul
- [AFL] Steve Warren: "It felt good"
03/12/05
- [AFL] Former Nebraska defensive tackle Steve Warren rushed for a pair of touchdowns on his only two carries of the game for the San Jose SaberCats. In all, Warren ran twice for a total of 9 yards in a 52-26 win over the Philadelphia Soul. (OurSportsCentral.com)
- [AFL] Video - @ 1:16
- [NBA] Hawks are skipping to their Lue
03/10/05
- [MLB] Harvey to prove himself again
- [CFL] Miles’s face-lift for old home and new club
- [NFL Europe] Eric Crouch's NFL Europe Diary, March 10
- [Free Agency] Foreman wants to seek other teams before market dries up
- [Pro Day] The Ravens' director of college scouting George Kokinis checked out the Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Neb., where defensive backs Fabian Washington and Daniel(sic) Bullocks were on display.
The Ravens also have interest in Nebraska linebacker Barrett Ruud. (BaltimoreRavens.com)
- [Pro Day] "Close to 25 teams were represented at Nebraska. Chiefs player guru Lynn Stiles was there, along with 14 different defensive backs coaches including the Cowboys' Todd Bowles. Nebraska has several good DBs entering the draft, so this was definitely a secondary hot spot. The workouts were held indoors on FieldTurf.
- [Pro Day] A couple of "eye openers" at Nebraska's Pro Day
- [NFL Draft] In his latest mock draft, the guru of draft gurus Mel Kiper has two Huskers being selected in the first round.
Kiper has Fabian Washington going 18th overall to the Vikings, commening that: "Washington was the talk of the combine after running the 40 in 4.28 seconds, and his speed and athleticism are just what the Vikings need in a secondary that struggled against top wideouts and quarterbacks last season."
With the last pick of the first round (32nd), Kiper has the Super Bowl Champion Patriots taking LB Barrett Ruud. Kiper noted, "his speed and athletic ability made him Nebraska's all-time leading tackler and Ruud would help the Patriots get younger at a key position, a big key with the health of Teddy Bruschi in question."
- [Pro Day] Huskers work out for NFL scouts
- [NFL Draft] Mock drafts predict Washington's NFL draft number
- [Etc] Tomich Speaks at Indiana High School Luncheon
03/09/05
- [CFL] Calgary Stampeders sign DeAngelis
- [NFL Draft] Arizona State will conduct their Pro Day on April 6th. Former Nebraska junior offensive lineman Richie Incognito will also be attending this workout if he is 100% recovered from the knee injury he suffered at the Combine. (NewOrleansProFootball.com)
- [Arizona Cardinals] The Cardinals would like to re-sign cornerback Renaldo Hill and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who are unrestricted free agents. (The Arizona Republic)
- [MLB] A's Johnson bides his time
- [CFL] Montreal Alouettes' General Manager Jim Popp announced the signings of three new offensive players who have subsequently been invited to the team's training camp. Among them was offensive tackle Dave Volk (6'5'', 300 lbs). Volk had signed with the Chicago Bears in 2002, before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys. He started 10 games in 2004 with the NFL Europe Amsterdam Admirals, being named to the All-NFL-Europe team. Earlier this year he was released by the George Force of the Arena Football League. He is 25. (OurSportsCentral.com)
- [NFL Europe] In a scrimmage between the Rhein Fire and Amsterdam Admirals, Rhein running backs Joe Smith (Tennessee Titans) and Dahrran Diedrick (Washington Redskins) had identical figures of 5 carries for 30 yards, while Frenchman Laurent Marceline gaining 32 yards on 4 attempts.
03/08/05
- [Arizona Cardinals] Golliday heading to Arizona
03/07/05
- [Coaches] Tony Samuel named defensive ends coach at Purdue
- [Etc] Olympic champion Gardner inspires others
03/06/05
- [NFL Draft] From SteelCitySports.com: Nebraska center Richie Incognito ran the top 40 (4.91) of any lineman, and also put up 29 reps, but injured his knee in a pass-protection drill. He's not on the Steelers's radar screen anyway because of a history of team suspensions.
- [AFL] Fullback/linebacker David White, who has been on injured reserve, saw his first action of the season and scored on a one-yard touchdown run against the Grand Rapids Rampage. White and the Storm won the game 70-50. (OurSportsCentral.com)
- [NFL Europe] Running back Dahrran Diedrick has impressed Rhein's coaching staff in camp. Diedrick began an 18-play scrimmage by barreling through the middle of the line for a seven-yard rush.
- K Chace Long was officially assigned to the Cologne Centurions.
- [NFL Europe] Eric Crouch's NFL Europe diary
- Canadian Diedrick in Hamburg (German)
- [NFL Europe] Diedrick said his goal is to be the best running back in NFL Europe and to prove himself to NFL scouts. Head coach Pete Kuharchek noted that Dahrran is exactly the type of running back they need in an offense that values "strong run play".
- [MLB] 2000 Northwest League Most Valuable Player Jamal Strong is having a good early camp for the Mariners. Subbing for Ichiro in right field Thursday, he walked twice, stole a base and scored a run. He also made a pair of fine running catches. (HeraldNet)
- [MLB] He's Strong, but can he stay healthy?
- [MLB] Intangible: Erstad criticized for stats but revered for leadership
03/05/05
- [Houston Texans] Texans ready to part with Foreman
- [MLB] On the Bubble: Dan Johnson, 1B/DH
03/03/05
- [NFL Draft] Mel Kiper unvield his first post-combine Big Board of the top 25 NFL prospects. The board features one newcomer this week, Nebraska junior cornerback Fabian Washington, a terrific all-around athlete who ran one of the fastest 40s ever recorded at the Combine. (ESPN)
- [NIFL] The Lincoln Capitols, a member of the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) and partner with the NFL for better officiating, are proud to announce the signing of quarterback Garth Glissman. The 6’5”, 215 pound native of Waverly, Nebraska played college football for the University of Nebraska.
"I am honored by the opportunity to play for the Lincoln Capitols. It was a dream come true to play for the University of Nebraska. Now that I’m graduating, I’m excited about continuing my football career in my hometown." stated Garth. When Glissman is not working out or studying for the big test, you can find him helping out youth in the Lincoln area and working for Senator Chuck Hagel.
"I’m glad to have a player of Garth’s caliber to help lead the team." stated Head Coach Pat Schaben. (LincolnCapitols.com)
- [AFL] The Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League re-signed fullback-linebacker David White and activated him from the injured-reserve.
- [Houston Texans] KRIV-TV in Houston reports the Texans are letting LB Jay Foreman seek a trade following the team's signing of LB Marlon Greenwood. (KFFL)
- [Philadelphia Eagles] Buckhalter’s back, but is there more?
- [NFL Draft] Nebraska CB/return man Fabian Washington did 19 reps of 225 pounds and ran between 4.28 and 4.35 in the 40, as some watches had him as fast as 4.25. (NewOrleansProFootball.com)
- Safety Josh Bullocks ran between 4.55 and 4.59 in the 40, but showed very good balls skills during his workout, and made some of the best adjustments to the ball throughout his workout session. (NewOrleansProFootball.com)
- [NFL Draft] LB Barrett Ruud ran between 4.60 and 4.65 in the 40, while weighing 241 pounds. Played primarily at inside linebacker in college, but participated in drills for both inside and outside linebacker at the Combine. (NewOrleansProFootball.com)
- LB Ira Cooper, who was not invited to the combine, has been posting some solid workout numbers, while training for his Pro Day... 6024, 240 pounds... 4.43 in the 40... 22 reps of 225 pounds... 36" vertical... in his one start, as a senior, he earned Defensive Player of the Game honors with 12 tackles and one interception against Western Illinois... noted, as one of the teams top special teams performers, as well. Pro Day will be March 8th. (NewOrleansProFootball.com)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Chiefs' Eric Warfield sentenced on DUI charge
- [MLB] Stern's in a good place
03/02/05
- [Oakland Raiders] The Oakland Raiders have released DT John Parrella.
- [NBA] NBA suspends Hawks' Lue
- [CFL] Miles heads west to join Lions
- [Oakland Raiders] The Raiders are giving defensive tackle John Parrella another day to contemplate a $1.5 million reduction to his $3 million salary for 2005. If he declines, the Raiders are expected to waive the 12-year veteran. (San Francisco Chronicle)
- [NFL Combine] In his Combine summary in an online chat on ESPN, Scouts, Inc.'s Todd McShay noted, "we saw Nebraska DC Fabian Washington challenge Deion Sanders' 40-time with a 4.25. Needless to say, Washington's stock is on the rise in a big way."
- Washington shows stunning speed
- [NFL Combine] Washington buzz of NFL combine
03/01/05
- [NFL Combine] Bearcat Insider spoke with Cincy Bearcat Daven Holly to get the scoop on his performance at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. He observed that, "I know Fabian Washington of Nebraska ran a 4.29."
Gil Brandt of NFL.com noted that Fabian Washington ran a 4.31 and that Josh Bullocks was one of several players to run under 4.50 in the 40. (Gil Brandt, NFL.com)
- [Philadelphia Eagles] Running back Correll Buckhalter, who missed two of the last three seasons with knee injuries, probably will return to the Eagles. (AP)
- [San Diego Chargers] The Chargers released veteran defensive tackle Jason Fisk yesterday. Among those who are expected to battle for Fisk's playing time is Ryon Bingham, a seventh-round draft choice last year who missed the entire season because of injury. (Union Tribune)
- [MLB] Johnson not counting himself out of A's job