01/30/07
- [Chicago Bears] Mike Brown must watch
- [Chicago Bears] Brown anguished over missing big game
- [Seattle Seahawks] Vinatieri to Josh Brown: 'Enjoy it'
01/28/07
- [Atlanta Falcons] NFLer Demorrio Williams Joins Racing Fraternity
- [Senior Bowl] Jay Moore attracts attention of NFL scouts
- 2007 Senior Bowl Updates
- [Carolina Panthers] Minter: New steroid policy sends a strong message
- [MLB] Erstad a tough, smart pro
- [MLB] Ready to contribute- Erstad foresees a title for the Sox--and Bears
01/25/07
- [AFL] The Austin Wranglers of the AFL sign DE Benard Thomas
- [MLB] Healthy Erstad could provide spark
01/24/07
- [Senior Bowl] Huskers.com: Jay Moore Senior Bowl Journal Updated
- [Senior Bowl] Bloom & Lammey Day 3 Podcast - 19a | Subscribe to the Audible!
- [Philadelphia Eagles] Scott Bomboy, Managing Editor at NBC10.com in Philadelphia, listed Correll Buckhalter as a free agent the Eagles would like to have back in 2007. He predicts, "Buck will get a contract offer from the Eagles and his injury history will scare away other teams".
- [MLB] Erstad Signs One-Year Deal With White Sox
- [New Orleans Saints] The Saints' most sought-after free agent may be linebacker Scott Shanle, who put together a solid season on the weak side and is a player the team would like to have back. (MonstersAndCritics.com)
- [Seattle Seahawks] Seahawks' Brown raises bar for kickers
01/23/07
- [Senior Bowl] Bloom & Lammey Day 2 Podcast - 18a | Subscribe to the Audible!
01/22/07
- [Senior Bowl] Bloom & Lammey Day 1 Podcast - 17a
- [Shrine Game] Sigmund Bloom of FootballGuys.com with the final report on the Shrine Game--
Ola Dagundro – Ola was constantly double teamed. While he did not make any impact plays, he did the bread and butter DT job of controlling the line of scrimmage. Like Harris, Ola will make an interesting late pick or priority UDFA.
Zac Taylor – Poor Zac was under fire for a lot of the night [3 sacks], but he did show that good zip on his short and intermediate stuff and decisiveness as a QB. He also showed off his ability to move the pocket. Taylor is solid early 2nd day pick for a WCO team.
Matt Herian – Showed good routes and wall-off blocking, but just doesn’t seem to have the physical makeup it’ll take to get drafted.
Conference Championships: Stats, Stories & Pictures
01/21/07
- Q&A with Matt Lindland
- [Cincinnati Bengals] The thing to keep an eye on are the restricted offers to punter Kyle Larson and offensive lineman Stacy Andrews.
Teams have three options on tendering their RFAs: A first-round designation at $1.8 million, a second-round designation at $1.3 million, and a $850,000 designation in which the compensation would correspond to what round the player was drafted in if the Bengals didn’t match.
But if they lost Larson, the team's best punter since Lee Johnson, they wouldn’t get any compensation since they signed him as a college free agent. Andrews would net only a fourth-round pick, which might make him attractive to another team. (Bengals.com)
- [NBA] Moore never far from family, snakes
01/19/07
- [NBA] Unlikely Pairing, on and Off Court, Helps Energize Nets (M.Moore)
- [NBA] Mikkie Moore a smart stock option at ProTrade
- [New Orleans Saints] Cowboys' castoffs lead way (Scott Shanle)
- [NFL Draft] NFLDraftScout.com reports Nebraska will have its Pro Day on March 7 at noon.
- [Shrine Game] Sigmund Bloom (FootballGuys.com) Shrine practice evaluations for FootballsFuture.com--
Zac Taylor, Nebraska – Zac was the best QB of the three days, with good accuracy and zip on short passes, good mobility, and a fierce snap count that drew many offsides (and a few false starts). The questions about his deep arm were not quite addressed, but he showed that he’s a decisive, confident QB with good mobility and consistent accuracy.
Matt Herian, Nebraska – Herian ran good routes and his college teammate Zac Taylor hooked up with him a few times downfield, but he clearly hasn’t gotten back his speed after a terrible leg injury. He also got lit up by Desmond Bishop at the end of Tuesday’s practice.
- FootballGuys.com Shrine Game podcast updates: 12a | Taylor interview; Transcriptions
- NFLDraftScout.com evaluations from Tuesdays' practice-- Zac Taylor had some nice throws. He throws a very catchable ball and has developed a great deal as a passer over the past few years in the West Coast Offense under Bill Callahan. The concern with Taylor is that his passes lack great zip and allowed pass defenders to break on the ball successfully.
Nebraska's Matt Herian is continuing his quest to regain his once prominant draft status after a terrible leg injury robbed him of the past two seasons. Herian doesn't appear to have the same athleticism he once had and he struggled some today with a few untimely drops. Herian did have one big play late in the scrimmage when he snuck behind the safety and hauled in a long pass along the sideline.
01/18/07
- The Carroll school district received 28 applications for its vacant head varsity football coaching position. Carroll is seeking to replace former head coach Todd Dodge, who resigned to become head coach at the University of North Texas.
Among the applicants is Dallas Jesuit assistant coach Tyrone Hughes, a former Pro Bowler for the New Orleans Saints in 1993. (Star-Telegram)
- [MLB] Royals have a potential star in Gordon
- [MLB] A's no longer trying to sign Erstad
- Shrine practice Day 4 blog from Lance Zierlein-- Number 4 on Lance's West Players to Watch is Matt Herian, Nebraska TE. "I really expected Herian to be more productive in the passing game at Nebraska and thought that he had the opportunity to be a poor man's Owen Daniels. I think he may actually 'fit' better at the next level than at Nebraska."
- Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom of FootballGuys.com have provided podcast reports from Shrine practices. 8b | 11a; Transcriptions
- [Seattle Seahawks] PK Josh Brown has won the 2006 Golden Toe award from Pro Football Weekly. Brown kicked four game-winning field goals in the last minute of games this season. (Tacoma News Tribune, KFFL)
- [Atlanta Falcons] Demorrio Williams is a restricted free agent, but the Falcons aren't going to let him get away, especially with the way new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer likes to turn his athletic players loose. (AJC.com)
- [MLB] Gordon takes aim at Royals' roster spot
01/17/07
- [Shrine Game] Practice report-- Although it was only one-on-one passing drills, Nebraska tight end Matt Herian should feel good about his showing on Wednesday. Herian made four consecutive catches, including long receptions in which he beat LSU's Jesse Daniels and Michigan's Willis Barringer. Herian, who had 12 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns this season, was an All-Big 12 selection in 2003 but missed part of the 2004 season and all of 2005 season recovering from a fractured left leg. (Rivals.com)
- A very different impression of Herian from Lance Zierlein (Houston Chron) at Wednesday's practice-- "Nebraska TE Matt Herrian looks painfully slow and he's clearly not back from the devastating knee injury from 2004 that cost him all of last season. In the passing game, he just won't have the ability to get much separation on the next level."
- Also from Zierlein, "...Another of my favorite players at this game is Nebraska DT Ola Dagunduro. He's not the biggest guy, but he's quick off the ball and gets his hands on the O-lineman very quickly. I think he'll be drafted on the second day and make a team that is looking for an up-the-field DT."
- [Chicago Bears] Sun-Times Responds to SI: Mike Brown hardly an underachiever
- [Atlanta Falcons] Houston's George Teague Jr., along with George Polk, represented Dover Downs horsemen in the Monticello Raceway's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Pace Friday. This marked the first time that Teague and Polk have been able to compete in the race.
Teague recently added another famous name to his stable. Teague, who already lists former heavyweight champ George Foreman and former New York Jets pass catcher Wayne Chrebet, has added Atlanta Falcons linebacker Demorrio Williams to the list. Williams is listed as co-owner of Firiel Hanover. (newszap.com
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Shields-nominated Teacher Gets NFL Honor
01/16/07
- [All Star Games] Six Huskers Set to Play in Post-Season All-Star Games
- [All Star Games] Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker plans to attend Wednesday's (Shrine Game) workout in Houston. Carriker will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 27 in Mobile, Ala. (Houston Chronicle)
- [Shrine Game] Texas Tech's Joel Filani made a good move to get open on a post, but dropped the pass from Nebraska's Zac Taylor.
- An NFL scout at the Shrine practices said that Nebraska cornerback Zackary Bowman, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, would still have been a first round choice had he entered the draft. Bowman chose to return to Nebraska for the 2007 season.
- With the West team practicing in full pads, TCU safety Marvin White seemed to deliver the afternoon's hardest hit when he drilled Boise State's Jerard Rabb after a catch. However, Cal's Desmond Bishop delivered an even harder jolt later in the day on Nebraska tight end Matt Herian. (Rivals.com)
- Check out the 2007 photo page for pictures from the Shrine Game.
- [Buffalo News] The Bills are expected to try to re-sign starting defensive end Chris Kelsay, whose contract expires this offseason.
01/15/07
- [All Star Games] Shrine Bowl Practice Report from Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle--
-Ola Dagunduro was very quick off the ball and caused problems for linemen throughout the one on one drills.
-Zac Taylor showed a better than expected arm but tends to windup a little before his release. Taylor excelled with his accuracy and looked sharp with his slant passes. Overall, I think he had a solid showing.
- [New Orleans Saints] A couple questions in 'Mick's Mail' about former Cowboy Scott Shanle
- [NBA] Mikki Moore stays hot on Monday
- [NFL Draft] Jackson to leave NU for NFL
- [NFL Draft] Brandon Jackson to Enter NFL Draft
Divisional Playoffs: Stats, Stories & Pictures
01/14/07
- [NFL Draft] Jackson announcement nears
- [MLB] Stern named Clapp winner
- [MLB] Baltimore Orioles traded RHP Rodrigo Lopez to Colorado for RHP Jim Miller and RHP Jason Burch.
01/13/07
- [All Star Games] Barry Cryer is the only Husker listed on the roster for today's IntaJuice North South All Star Classic on ESPN2 (12pm ET).
- Sunday's Hula Bowl contest will not include any Nebraska players.
- Next week's East-West Shrine Game (January 20th, ESPN2, 6pm ET) will feature QB Zac Taylor, TE Matt Herian, and DT Ola Dagunduro.
Taylor will be the third Husker QB to participate in the Shrine Game since 1996 when Tommie Frazier won MVP honors. Scott Frost played QB and Safety in 1998.
- The NFL-sponsored Senior Bowl will feature DEs Jay Moore and Adam Carriker as well as LB Stewart Bradley.
Nebraska has had at least one participant in the Senior Bowl every year since 1993. The last time a Husker played in the Senior Bowl and then went undrafted the following April was DT Terry Conneally in 1995.
01/12/07
- [Washington Redskins] The Washington Redskins signed DB Jerrell Pippens to a future contract.
- [MLB] A's make play for free agent Erstad
- [All Star Games] The Press-Register (Mobile) is reporting Nebraska outside linebacker Stewart Bradley has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.
DraftDaddy.com Comment: We reported yesterday that a Nebraska newspaper [Lincoln Journal Star] wrote Bradley -- a former high school quarterback and kick returner -- was heading to the East-West Shrine game, which surprised us because we always considered the underrated Cornhusker Senior Bowl material. He's 6' 4", 250 pounds and moves real well for his size. Bradley looks and plays a lot like veteran N.F.L. linebacker Peter Sirmon (Tennessee). (Draft Daddy.com)
01/11/07
- [AFL] The Colorado Crush signed DB Jammal Lord. Meanwhile, Demoine Adams officially agreed to terms with the Nashville Kats.
- Where Are They Now? What are former Husker football players doing these days? (Dec.21)--
- [NFL Draft] Four Nebraska players have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Linebacker Stewart Bradley, quarterback Zac Taylor and defensive ends Adam Carriker and Jay Moore will take part in physical testing and various other forms of evaluation Feb. 21-27 in Indianapolis.
In 2005, a total of 255 players were selected in the NFL Draft. Only 34 of them (13 percent) were not invited to the combine.
It’s highly improbable that the list of invitees would change at this point, said Gil Brandt, draft guru for NFL.com.
- [NFL Draft] Signs point toward Jackson entering draft
- [Baltimore Ravens] Koch: Rookie season 'just so surreal'
01/10/07
- [NFL Draft] Brandon Jackson may go to NFL
- [New Orleans Saints] The Saints again released Trevor Johnson to make room on the roster for additional signings.
01/08/07
- [MLB] The A's have interest in signing former Angels outfielder/first baseman Darin Erstad, according to published reports in The Denver Post and Los Angeles Times. Erstad, limited to 40 games last season, underwent ankle surgery in October.
Erstad told the Times six teams expressed interest in signing him as either a left fielder, center fielder or utility player. The A's, Orioles, Rockies and Mariners were believed to be among the teams.
The Post reported the Rockies' pursuit of Erstad is over because he will sign elsewhere, possibly with the A's, who are seeking a backup outfielder. (InsideBayArea.com)
- [MLB] Alex Gordon To Appear On KC Royals Caravan Stop in Omaha
- [Buffalo Bills] Bills 'Best Neutralizer'- Chris Kelsay. While London Fletcher led the team in tackles for loss with nine, Kelsay had the highest percentage of tackles for loss this season. Almost 16 percent of Kelsay's 38 solo tackles took place behind the line of scrimmage. Honorable mention to Keith Ellison as almost 12 percent of his tackles went for loss this season. (Chris Brown, Lead Journalist for BuffaloBills.com)
- [MLB] Erstad in the mix for Mariners?
- K Josh Brown and OG Will Shields each finished 4th in the AP All Pro voting at their respective positions.
- [Green Bay Packers] Will Green Stay in Green Bay?
- [Carolina Panthers] Steve Reed of the Freedom News Service gave his 'Top 10 questions facing Carolina in 2007'. "Will Mike Minter and Mike Rucker be back next season?" was #7.
Reed answered, "I have a feeling that somehow both players will return, although that may take some creative salary cap work.
"These are two players who have been extremely loyal to the team through the years and certainly the Panthers would like to see them finish out their careers here. In the end, I wouldn’t be surprised to see both back in 2007 although maybe not as starters.
Wildcard: Stats, Stories & Pictures
01/07/07
- [MLB] Erstad appears to have options, though Angels may not be one of them
- [Carolina Panthers] Any veterans who could be salary-cap casualties? There are several possibilities. The Panthers could just release LB Dan Morgan if they believe he won't be a big factor. Defensive end Mike Rucker, cornerback Ken Lucas, defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Kris Jenkins and safety Mike Minter all have considerable cap figures. (Charlotte Observer)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Colts end Chiefs' season- again (Shields)
- [MLB] The Rockies believe outfielder Darin Erstad will sign elsewhere, possibly with the Oakland A's, ending their pursuit.
...the Devil Rays were interested and Anaheim remains an option for the 32-year-old. It remains uncertain just how much Erstad's ankle will allow him to play this season. (Rotoworld.com)
- [NBA] Atlanta Point guard Tyronn Lue was inactive Saturday but insists his days of wearing suits during games are coming to an end. "I'll be 35 by the time you play another game," someone yelled to Lue as he walked through the locker room before the game. "Do you turn 35 before Wednesday?" Lue shot back. "Because that's the only way you'll be 35 before I play again." Lue has missed nine straight games with a strained groin, but plans to be back for Wednesday's home game against New Orleans. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
01/06/07
- [Kansas City Chiefs] After the Chiefs playoff loss to the Colts, guard Will Shields was as cryptic as ever about his return for a 15th season. "You know me," Shields said. "I'm not talking about it today, I'm not worried about it today." (McClatchy Newspapers)
- Farmer wins coaching debut with Dragones
01/05/07
- [Carolina Panthers] Panthers' Rucker is not ready to leave
- [Baltimore Ravens] Ravens fans 'Ask A Coach' (Ross, Koch)
- [Cinncinatti Bengals] Punter Kyle Larson had the third best punting season in club history and the club finished sixth in gross punting average and fifth net average. (Bengals.com)
- [San Diego Chargers] Linebacker Carlos Polk was voted by his teammates as their recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. The award is akin to a “most inspirational” award. Each team's winner is presented with the award at a banquet in March. Polk missed all of last season and most of 2004 with injuries. He is one of the Chargers' top special teams players. (Chargers.com)
01/03/07
- [Denver Broncos] The Broncos signed several players, including linebacker T.J. Hollowell.
- [Basketball] Tony Farmer joins Tijuana Dragones
- USA Today's 'All-Joe team rewards NFL grunts whose work lets the gridiron stars shine'.
This year's team includes three NFL Huskers: Seattle K Josh Brown, Buffalo DE Chris Kelsay, and New Orleans OLB Scott Shanle.
01/01/07
- [Carolina Panthers] Minter doesn't foresee overhaul