Other Stuff 05.15.2006... [Archive]

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 12:26 AM

Here are all of the AFC Championship games, how much the winners/losers were paid, the outcome, the location and the attendence....the winners are on top....

Championship Games

AFL (1960-1969); AFC (1970-present)
Season Date Winner (Share) Loser (Share) Score Site Attendance

1960
Jan. 1
Houston ($1,025)
LA Chargers ($718)
24-16
Houston
32,183

1961
Dec. 24
Houston ($1,792)
San Diego ($1,111)
10-3
San Diego
29,556

1962
Dec. 23
Dallas Texans ($2,206)
Houston ($1,471)
20-17*
Houston
37,981

1963
Jan. 5
San Diego ($2,498)
Boston Patriots ($1,596)
51-10
San Diego
30,127

1964
Dec. 26
Buffalo ($2,668)
San Diego ($1,738)
20-7
Buffalo
40,242

1965
Dec. 26
Buffalo ($5,189)
San Diego ($3,447)
23-0
San Diego
30,361

1966
Jan. 1
Kansas City ($5,309)
Buffalo ($3,799)
31-7
Buffalo
42,080

1967
Dec. 31
Oakland ($6,321)
Houston ($4,996)
40-7
Oakland
53,330

1968
Dec. 29
NY Jets ($7,007)
Oakland ($5,349)
27-23
New York
62,627

1969
Jan. 4
Kansas City ($7,755)
Oakland ($6,252)
17-7
Oakland
53,564

1970
Jan. 3
Baltimore ($8,500)
Oakland ($5,500)
27-17
Baltimore
54,799

1971
Jan. 2
Miami ($8,500)
Baltmore ($5,500)
21-0
Miami
76,622

1972
Dec. 31
Miami ($8,500)
Pittsburgh ($5,500)
21-17
Pittsburgh
50,845

1973
Dec. 30
Miami ($8,500)
Oakland ($5,500)
27-10
Miami
79,325

1974
Dec. 29
Pittsburgh ($8,500)
Oakland ($5,500)
24-13
Oakland
53,800

1975
Jan. 4
Pittsburgh ($8,500)
Oakland ($5,500)
16-10
Pittsburgh
50,609

1976
Dec. 28
Oakland ($8,500)
Pittsburgh ($5,500)
24-7
Oakland
53,821

1977
Jan. 1
Denver ($9,000)
Oakland ($9,000)
20-17
Denver
75,044

1978
Jan. 7
Pittsburgh ($9,000)
Houston ($9,000)
34-5
Pittsburgh
50,725

1979
Jan. 6
Pittsburgh ($9,000)
Houston ($9,000)
27-13
Pittsburgh
50,475

1980
Jan. 11
Oakland ($9,000)
San Diego ($9,000)
34-27
San Diego
54,428

1981
Jan. 10
Cincinnati ($9,000)
San Diego ($9,000)
27-7
Cincinnati
46,302

1982
Jan. 23
Miami ($18,000)
NY Jets ($18,000)
14-0
Miami
67,396

1983
Jan. 8
LA Raiders ($18,000)
Seattle ($18,000)
30-14
Los Angeles
88,734

1984
Jan. 6
Miami ($18,000)
Pittsburgh ($18,000)
45-28
Miami
76,029

1985
Jan. 12
New England ($18,000)
Miami ($18,000)
31-14
Miami
74,978

1986
Jan. 11
Denver ($18,000)
Cleveland ($18,000)
23-20*
Cleveland
79,915

1987
Jan. 17
Denver ($18,000)
Cleveland ($18,000)
38-33
Denver
75,993

1988
Jan. 8
Cincinnati ($18,000)
Buffalo ($18,000)
21-10
Cincinnati
59,747

1989
Jan. 14
Denver ($18,000)
Cleveland ($18,000)
37-21
Denver
76,046

1990
Jan. 20
Buffalo ($18,000)
LA Raiders ($18,000)
51-3
Buffalo
80,234

1991
Jan. 12
Buffalo ($18,000)
Denver ($18,000)
10-7
Buffalo
80,272

1992
Jan. 17
Buffalo ($18,000)
Miami ($18,000)
29-10
Miami
72,703

1993
Jan. 23
Buffalo ($23,500)
Kansas City ($23,500)
30-13
Buffalo
76,642

1994
Jan. 15
San Diego ($26,000)
Pittsburgh ($26,000)
17-13
Pittsburgh
61,545

1995
Jan. 14
Pittsburgh ($27,000)
Indianapolis ($27,000)
20-16
Pittsburgh
61,062

1996
Jan. 12
New England ($29,000)
Jacksonville ($29,000)
20-6
New England
60,190

1997
Jan. 11
Denver ($30,000)
Pittsburgh ($30,000)
24-21
Pittsburgh
61,382

1998
Jan. 17
Denver ($32,500)
N.Y. Jets ($32,500)
23-10
Denver
75,482

1999
Jan. 23
Tennessee ($33,000)
Jacksonville ($33,000)
33-14
Tennessee
75,206

2000
Jan. 14
Baltimore ($34,500)
Oakland ($34,500)
16-3
Baltimore
62,784

2001
Jan. 27
New England ($34,500)
Pittsburgh ($34,500)
24-17
Pittsburgh
64, 704

2002
Jan. 27
Oakland ($35,000)
Tennessee ($35,000)
41-24
Oakland
62,544

2003
Jan. 18
New England ($36,500)
Indianapolis ($36,500)
24-14
New England
68,436

2004
Jan. 23
New England ($36,500)
Pittsburgh ($36,500)
41-27
Pittsburgh
62,242

*Sudden-death overtime.

Rupert

05-15-2006, 07:51 AM

You know, the most irritating thing were 2 of the last 3 Raiders appearances, a decade apart, both losses, in which we scored a sum total of 6 points. Grrrrrrr.

The funny thing is, neither gets my blood pressure up anymore. They used to.

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 10:14 AM

Here are a couple of videos from the XFL. They have some hard hits,arguing with fans, lockroom tirades.......

Hit it here... (http://www.xflboard.com/video-gallery/xfl-athlete-media-has-not-been-kind.htm)

Hit it here... (http://www.xflboard.com/video-gallery/xfl-fan-picks-all-access-moment.htm)

Hit it here... (http://www.xflboard.com/video-gallery/bolts-win.htm)

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 10:23 AM

Here is a gallery with pictures of the players (He Hate Me)....

Hit it here.... (http://www.xflboard.com/index.shtml)

CrossBones

05-15-2006, 01:21 PM

Wondering where the Raiders fit into the gaming world? Here are the odds to win the Super Bowl (http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?id=2441187).

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 02:26 PM

Here is an online animated playbook...

Hit it here... (http://www.onlinefootballplaybook.com/)

Rupert

05-15-2006, 02:29 PM

CrossBones

05-15-2006, 02:41 PM

Who made up those odds? I wouldn't go to Vegas with those odds. Absolute CRAP. We got better odds Gruden's 3rd season 100-1, and we had a team that was in its 3rd year of transition. Now we've got a brand new coach and a team coming off 3 consecutive crap seasons. Are we better off than some of those other teams? Yeah, but the odds of us going to the Bowl are worse than 40-1.MGM Mirage Race & Sports...

I agree. Vegas is getting a little tenative since seeing the Rams go from worst to first and a few other anomalies. Like they're not making enough money as it is! :eek:

Rupert

05-15-2006, 03:21 PM

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 03:28 PM

2006 NFL National Television Schedule

(All Times Eastern)

Sep 7 8:30P NBC Miami at Pittsburgh

Sep 10 4:15P FOX Dallas at Jacksonville
8:15P NBC Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants

Sep 11 7:00P ESPN Minnesota at Washington
10:15P ESPN San Diego at Oakland

Sep 17 4:15P CBS Kansas City at Denver
8:15P NBC Washington at Dallas

Sep 18 8:30P ESPN Pittsburgh at Jacksonville

Sep 24 4:15P FOX N.Y. Giants at Seattle
8:15P NBC Denver at New England

Sep 25 8:30P ESPN Atlanta at New Orleans

Oct 1 4:15P CBS New England at Cincinnati
8:15P NBC Seattle at Chicago

Oct 2 8:30P ESPN Green Bay at Philadelphia

Oct 8 4:15P FOX Dallas at Philadelphia
8:15P NBC Pittsburgh at San Diego

Oct 9 8:30P ESPN Baltimore at Denver

Oct 15 4:15P CBS San Diego at San Francisco
8:15P NBC Oakland at Denver

Oct 16 8:30P ESPN Chicago at Arizona

Oct 22 4:15P FOX Washington at Indianapolis

Oct 23 8:30P ESPN N.Y. Giants at Dallas

Oct 29 4:15P CBS Indianapolis at Denver
8:15P NBC Dallas at Carolina

Oct 30 8:30P ESPN New England at Minnesota

Nov 5 4:15P CBS Denver at Pittsburgh
8:15P NBC Indianapolis at New England

Nov 6 8:30P ESPN Oakland at Seattle

Nov 12 4:15P FOX Dallas as Arizona
8:15P NBC TBD

Nov 13 8:30P ESPN Tampa Bay at Carolina

Nov 19 4:15P CBS San Diego at Denver
8:15P NBC TBD

Nov 20 8:30P ESPN N.Y. Giants at Jacksonville

Nov 23 12:30P CBS Miami at Detroit
4:15P FOX Tampa Bay at Dallas
8:00P NFL Denver at Kansas City

Nov 26 4:15P FOX TBD
8:15P NBC TBD

Nov 27 8:30P ESPN Green Bay at Seattle

Nov 30 8:00P NFL Baltimore at Cincinnati

Dec 3 4:15P FOX Seattle at Denver
8:15P NBC TBD

Dec 4 8:30P ESPN Carolina at Philadelphia

Dec 7 8:00P NFL Cleveland at Pittsburgh

Dec 10 4:15P CBS Denver at San Diego
8:15P NBC TBD

Dec 11 8:30P ESPN Chicago at St.Louis

Dec 14 8:00P NFL San Francisco at Seattle

Dec 16 8:00P NFL Dallas at Atlanta

Dec 17 4:15P FOX St.Louis at Oakland
8:15P NBC TBD

Dec 18 8:30P ESPN Cincinnati at Indianapolis

Dec 21 8:00P NFL Minnesota at Green Bay

Dec 23 8:00P NFL Kansas City at Oakland

Dec 24 4:15P CBS Cincinnati at Denver

Dec 25 5:00P TBD Philadelphia at Dallas
8:30P TBD N.Y. Jets at Miami

Dec 30 8:00P NFL N.Y. Giants at Washington

Dec 31 4:15P CBS TBD
4:15P FOX Arizona at San Diego
8:15P NBC TBD

CrossBones

05-15-2006, 04:26 PM

I don't remember if I read it correctly, but I think they made more money off their new entertainment ventures than they did off gambling last year in Vegas. They're turning the corner from gambling to family destination, and might never go back.I thnk you're partially right. But the gambling is the thing that lures the masses. Besides I'm sure the tables pay the rent and the electricity with a little left over for a 2500 room hotel! :eek:

Rupert

05-15-2006, 05:05 PM

Well, after a brief review, I found a study by UNLV that says only 5% of people go to Vegas for gambling, 51% just go to vacation (that must be what all the wives said), 21% go for conventions.

If I can find figures for revenues and expenses I'll tell you what I find.

CrossBones

05-15-2006, 05:25 PM

That might be what they say they are going for but the fact remains those casinos in Las Vegas are jammed packed. I mean you can't even find a 21 table to sit down at. Unless all those folks are winning, the casinos arre making a lot of money.

It would be interesting to see what they say regarding revenues. Let us know.

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 05:36 PM

Here is a video of some of our players who have worn the numbers 51, 56, and 58....

Hit it here... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=sCG7HL7zqtI&search=Raiders%20vintage)

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 05:39 PM

Here is a video of our game against the Bengals in week nine in 1972...

Tap it here... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=uUyFmopP6LM&search=Raiders%20vintage)

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 05:44 PM

Here is a video on our rookies and Andrew Walter....

Hit it here.... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=c5ZimH8_-cU)

Angry Pope

05-15-2006, 05:48 PM

Here is a video on our players who have worn #24....

Hit it here.... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=xA8kIV6LHDI)

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:00 AM

Here is a story on Chad Slaughter right before our Super Bowl....

January 26, 2003

Ex-Alcorn star Slaughter awaits day in spotlight

By Rick Cleveland
rcleveland@clarionledger.com

SAN DIEGO — Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Chad Slaughter, all 6 feet, 8 inches and 340 pounds of him, won't play in today's Super Bowl.

If he does, it will be the first time he has played in an NFL regular season or playoff game.

But don't feel sorry for Slaughter, a former Alcorn State football and basketball player. He's drawing the NFL minimum salary of $300,000, and he'll earn $63,000 more if the Raiders win. He will receive $35,000 if they lose.

That's pretty good money for yelling or being a cheerleader. Slaughter, a Dallas native, wants to earn his keep.

"I'm going to be a player in this league," says Slaughter, who was on the inactive list for all Raider games this season. "Everybody can't be on the field at one time, but my time will come."

Meanwhile, he says, "This is an awesome experience to go through. I'm having a great time here."

Raiders offensive line coach Aaron Kromer says Slaughter has the potential to become a contributing player, but also says Slaughter has much work to do.

"He's raw," Kromer says. "He's got the size and then some. He's got the long arms you need for pass blocking.

"But he's got to work on his technique. He's got to get stronger. It's up to him; every player in this league is his own corporation. If Chad puts his mind to it and works, he'll be a player."

Slaughter doubled as a football standout and a basketball substitute at Alcorn. He did log valuable minutes for Dave Whitney's 2000 Southwestern Athletic Conference basketball regular season champions.

"I knew my role," Slaughter says. "I was supposed to rebound, play defense and set picks. I was no scorer."

Undrafted, he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a late training camp cut with the Cowboys and signed with the New York Jets. He spent the 2000 season in New York and then went back to 2001 summer camp with the Jets. The Jets cut him and Dallas signed him again.

Dallas released him for a second time on their last cut of training camp. Slaughter was out of football for a month before Oakland signed him. He has been with the Raiders ever since. He says his best football is ahead of him.

"I've been a knucklehead at times in the past, but that's behind me," he said. "I'm gonna play in this league. I know I won't play Sunday, but I hope this isn't my last Super Bowl."

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:04 AM

Notice who Slaughter's football hero was....

Chad Slaughter #78

Position: T
Years Pro: 5
Draft Date: free agent
Draft Team: free agent
Born: 06/04/1978
Hometown: Dallas, TX
College: Alcorn State

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

spend time with kids, maintain a residual income and stay healthy

My craziest ambition is:

to become an actor

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

acting, cars, and my pets

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

Dallas Cowboys

My autobiography would be titled:

"Slaughter"

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

James Brown

My favorite quotation is:

"All things are possible through Jesus Christ."

The living person I most admire is:

my mother

What is your favorite food?

pasta

Growing up, my football hero was:

Erik Williams, Jackie Slater

My greatest achievement is:

purchasing my home, my children and being a father

My motto is:

"Never give up."

What is your dream car?

Bentley Phantom

What is your favorite movie?

"Life"

Few people know that:

I am afraid of heights and that I love to sing

Nickname

Big Slaw or Big Von

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

to pray and have a great warmup

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:07 AM

Here is Johnnie Morant's long profile....

Johnnie Morant, WR, Syracuse

Height: 6:04.0 Weight: 229

Overview: One of the most highly sought recruits coming out of high school, this prep All-American was slow to develop in the collegiate ranks, until he emerged as the big-play artist the Orange coaching staff envisioned, as a senior...Blessed with incredible size and speed, he added to his talents as a deep threat receiver by handling kickoff return duties in 2003...His father, Johnnie Morant, Sr., was a former Mr. Olympia and was featured in countless top muscle magazines...Finished with 88 receptions for 1535 yards (17.4 avg) and seven touchdowns, adding 524 yards on 22 kickoff returns (23.8 avg) and 35 yards with a score on six carries (5.8 avg) while appearing in 35 games...His 1535 yards rank tenth on the school's career-record list, while his 17.4-yard average rank seventh...Had a string of at least one reception in 29 consecutive games, topped only by Scott Schwedes (40, 1983-86).

Analysis: Positives...Has the prototype body well-proportioned muscle throughout; muscular, developed arms and chest; narrow waist, tight bubble, thick thighs and knotted calves...Big target with excellent agility...Does a nice job of uncovering in the short area...Shows the ability to catch the ball away from the body's frame...Will not hesitate to go over the middle for the ball...Needs to build up speed, but has that extra gear to separate working on deep routes...Shows the leg drive and power to break arm tackles...Relishes his role as a crack blocker, stalking the linebacker to neutralize the defender at the second level...Has the vertical ability to get to the ball at its high point...Able to stretch the field with his deep acceleration.

Negatives...Works hard and does everything the coaches ask, but needs to be accounted for due to his "lack of details" and poor football instincts (looks lost at times on the field and needs to get more involved in the play)...Has excellent speed, but he's a long strider who takes a false step in his initial release...Must learn to use his hands better in order to escape press coverage (got stoned off the line vs. Virginia Tech's D'Angelo Hall the last two years)...Rounds his cuts too much, but has the athletic ability to improve...Will not hesitate to go over the middle, but then he won't compete for the ball...Will make a circus catch and then drop an easy toss...Needs patient coaching, as he struggles with digesting a play book...Has missed playing time due to academic issues and also was suspended in 2002 for three games for fighting.

Agility tests: 4.46 in the 40-yard dash...405-pound bench press...500-pound squat...286-pound power clean...42.5-inch vertical jump...10'10" broad jump...4.26 20-yard shuttle...34 3/8-inch arm length...9 3/8-inch hands...Right-handed...17/26 Wonderlic score.

High school: Attended Parsippany (N.J.) Hills High, playing football for coach Phil Longo...Parade All-American and rated the best receiver in the East and third best in the nation by Prep Star... Rated the No. 3 receiver and No. 24 recruit overall by Tom Lemming...Listed as the third-best receiver in the nation by Super Prep...Selected for the Governor's Bowl All-State Classic New Jersey squad...As a senior, he caught 28 passes for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns...Also played in basketball as a power forward.

Personal: Sociology major...Son of Karen and Johnnie Morant, Sr...Father was a former Mr. Olympia and was featured on countless top muscle magazines...Born Johnnie E. Morant on 12/07/81 in Newark, New Jersey...Resides in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:15 AM

Here is a story on him prior to his draft....

04/24/04 - Posted 9:04:31 PM from the Daily Record newsroom

Sleeper or bust?

Morant’s prospects unkown as draft day arrives

By Joe Hofmann, Daily Record

Great upside or classic underachiever? Terrell Owens or J.J. Stokes, or somewhere in between? NFL player or NLAP (No Longer A Player)?

Just what label fits Parsippany Hills’ product Johnnie Morant of Syracuse, anyway?

We’re about to find out. The NFL draft will be held Saturday and Sunday. In a draft deep with wide receiver prospects, Morant is expected to go somewhere between the third and fifth rounds.

To some, he has the ability to go first round and make a ton of money. But there are too many question marks associated with his name for an NFL team to pick him in the first round. Those questions have probably cost Morant a bundle.

He left Morris County as the nation’s third-ranked receiver by both PrepStar and SuperPrep but didn’t fully develop until his senior year, when he caught 47 passes for 814 yards and five TDs. Even then, Morant’s season wasn’t good enough in the eyes of many NFL draft watchers.

He is a classic player whose glass is either half-full or half-empty, depending on whom you speak with.

ESPN Insider said that the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Morant has excellent size and speed, is big and strong, and makes acrobatic catches. He also has great body control for his size and is quick, athletic and a tough runner after the catch. Morant will drag defenders and is unafraid of going over the middle. He is also a big, physical blocker who can dominate most defensive backs when he wants to.

What GM wouldn’t want all that?

Sounds good, until you read further on.

The site said that Morant gives inconsistent effort, disappears in some games, loses focus and concentration and drops many passes.

One quote on the site says it all: “Morant might be the most frustrating prospect to evaluate this year.”

But on the other hand, Morant played his best ball — by far — as a senior. He has also been impressive in front of NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl and two combines. He is ranked the 25th best receiver in the draft by the Sporting News.

NFL Draft Showcase said of Morant, “If he turns the intensity up another notch and refines his game, he could be a steal.”

“Johnnie Morant is one of the most underrated receivers in the draft,” said NFL Draft analyst Larry Larmeu, who runs a website called On the Clock. “He is moving quickly up the boards.”

“This is another one of those kids who has enough talent to dominate at the next level, but hasn’t bothered to dominate at the college level,” said Drew Boylhart of The Huddle Report.

But the facts remain: Morant has big-time size and speed (4.4 in the 40-yard dash at a recent Pro Day for eight NFL scouts at the Carrier Dome on April 1). The Minnesota Vikings have expressed particular interest.

Morant didn’t return several messages left by the Daily Record this week.

“I hear a lot of guys want to get their hands on this freak, and I use that term lovingly,” said Gary Wichard, who is Morant’s agent. “His size and speed are off the charts. His production at Syracuse was not what it could have been, but in the NFL, you get more opportunities.”

After his senior season was completed, Morant traveled to California and worked extensively with ex-Syracuse receiving standout Rob Moore. The professional instruction seemed to have helped. Morant performed well in three different draft settings, including:

n The Senior Bowl, where he caught six passes for 59 yards against top-notch competition.

n The NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where he weighed in at 229 and ran a 4.48 in the 40. He also showed an impressive 41-inch vertical leap, the second-highest overall.

n A draft showcase held at Syracuse, where he got his 40 time down to 4.4. The son of professional bodybuilder Johnnie Morant also bench presses 405.

“He answered the bell,” Wichard said. “He worked with (Syracuse strength and conditioning coach Will) Hicks after Indianapolis and he got even better. He got his 40 down to a 4.4. Most guys who weigh 225 don’t run the way he does.”

“Johnnie is very, very physically gifted,” Hicks said. “A 4.4 on turf is fantastic. Guys will do a 4.33 on rubber, but that becomes a 4.5 on turf.”

A Minnesota Vikings assistant watched Morant work out and then put him through an hour’s worth of extra drills and came away impressed.

Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni said last summer that his biggest lament concerning Morant is that he didn’t redshirt the receiver as a freshman or sophomore. Hicks agreed wholeheartedly.

“I wish we could’ve, just to give him more maturity,” Hicks said. “He needed a better grasp of the game. A lot of kids are physically dominating in high school and don’t need to understand the game. In high school, he was the best guy out there regardless. He never had to pick up the intricacies.”

Morant had a rocky first few seasons at Syracuse but stayed out of trouble as a senior. He was twice suspended for academic reasons. In the summer of 2001, he was arrested and charged with giving a false identity to a police officer during a traffic stop. He was also suspended for three games during his junior year for punching a Syracuse lacrosse player.

Wichard said that Morant has grown as a person since those days. Morant was incident-free as a senior and is expected to graduate on time, according to Hicks.

“Who among us isn’t embarrassed by something we did in college?” Wichard asked. “Any questions about him as a person and his character have been answered this offseason. This is what they said about Terrell Owens and he was just a third-round pick.”

Wichard hopes Morant turns into another one of his clients: Colts All-Pro DE Dwight Freeney.

“Two years ago, he was supposed to be late first round, early second,” Wichard said. “He was the 11th player picked. Everybody was shocked. His lack of size was a factor, but he overcame it. I think Johnnie will surprise a lot of people. He’s had a great offseason.”

“There is no real reason why Johnnie is not being considered as a first-day pick,” Boylhart writes, “but the fact that he has decided to impress the scouts at his first pro day and not bothered to play up to his talent potential is typical of a pampered player who coaches keep on the field in the hope that something clicks and this kid starts living up to his talent. Johnnie smells money right now, and he is trying to impress the scouts with his athletic talent. All I can say is that I would be more impressed if he showed me that he could play with some heart.”

Hicks believes those days are coming on Sundays beginning in the fall.

“Johnnie has made great strides and his best football is in front of him,” he said.

“Don’t sleep on Johnnie Morant,” Wichard said. “He might just be the kind of kid who gets started a little later.”

Or the kid who will never get started. This weekend, we’ll begin to find out which direction Johnnie Morant goes.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:17 AM

Here is an interesting quote from draft time 2004....

"(The Vikings) like Johnnie," Hicks said. "They like they way he looks. They like the way it looks with Randy Moss on one side and Johnnie on the other."

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:21 AM

This is Morant's dad....

Hit it here... (http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?PHPSESSID=dcb4f032a44519f4802a6f570173b5 79&action=dlattach;topic=53527.0;attach=58947;image)

Hit it here... (http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?PHPSESSID=dcb4f032a44519f4802a6f570173b5 79&action=dlattach;topic=53527.0;attach=58952;image)

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 01:08 AM

Here is Morant's pre-game superstition/ritual...

Before the game, everything has to be perfect. If I don’t feel good, I probably won’t play good. I always eat Oatmeal before the games. It last the game, but I don’t get too full or sick.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 01:10 AM

Here is Morant after his first minicamp...

Looking forward to training camp

07/19/04

I thought mini camp was an experience. I thought it was pretty great. I am looking forward to training camp too. From what everyone tells me it’s going to be a lot different. The whole team is going to be there. The vets have been pretty helpful so far. The whole experience has been what I thought it would be. I feel like I have a good relationship here with everyone, my teammates and coaches. I love the Oakland area, it’s beautiful out here. It’s a lot different from New Jersey. You can’t beat the weather here. I think it’s good so far. I am adjusting well, but I need to get more into the season to see how it truly is. The meetings and stuff are much longer than in college, and the level of detail is much greater than college. You have to practice harder and faster. The players are just as good as you. We had a big playbook at Syracuse, and it prepared me a little for the NFL.

Rupert

05-16-2006, 07:51 AM

Morant could become a real player for us shortly. Either Moss or Porter need to step aside for this kid to blossom, but I think he will. I haven't been able to watch him practice since Rice left, but when Rice was here Morant did just about everything Jerry did, and almost as well. Quite noteworthy was the sideline toe-tap. He looked like a taller version of Rice, nearly identical.

Angel

05-16-2006, 08:20 AM

Rupert

05-16-2006, 08:56 AM

He's asking for a ticket out of town isn't he?

CrossBones

05-16-2006, 09:00 AM

He's asking for a ticket out of town isn't he?Unless Porter produces this year I think he's gone. His act has worn thin. The lack of consistency is appalling. Even though Jerry talks the talk he just doesn't walk the walk. Maybe he'll surprise us this year. One thing for sure playing for the Raiders this year is going to be different with the Big Guy on the sidelines (I hope).

Rupert

05-16-2006, 09:45 AM

Inconsistency of results is one thing. I can accept that because a game plan can focus on one player or another (by either side), and circumstances can intervene to make the whole thing a mess.

What I can't accept is inconsistency of effort, because that is entirely in the player's control.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 10:14 AM

Here is Carlos Francis profile....

Carlos Francis, WR, Texas Tech

Height: 5:09.1 Weight: 198

Overview: Playing in the team's "pass happy" offense, Carlos may not have been recognized much by most college football fans, but one look at the box score after each game and you could see how much he contributed to the success of the team...Moved into the starting lineup during his freshman year, answering the call in 38 of 49 contests he played in...Named to the Big Twelve Conference Commissioner's Academic honor Roll, he also excelled in track for the Red Raiders, competing as a sprinter on the indoor and outdoor track team, in the 100, 200 and 4x100-meter relays...Hauled in 216 passes for 3031 yards (14.0 avg) and 21 touchdowns...Only Wes Welker (259, 2000-03) had more receptions in a career for the Red Raiders...His 21 scoring grabs tied Welker's record, as both broke the previous mark of 20 touchdowns by Lloyd Hill (1990-93)...Joined Welker (3069) and Hill (3059) as the only players in school history to gain over 3000 yards receiving in a career...Added 89 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries (5.9 avg).

Analysis: Positives...Has a tapered, linear body with thick thighs, knotted calves and good overall muscle definition...Will eat up the cushion immediately in his line release, thanks to exceptional quickness and burst...Can locate the chains and does an effective job of adjusting his patterns...Will slide to the open area, get his head turned around and track the ball in on short routes...Shows courage competing for the ball in traffic...Has the speed and burst to separate after the catch...Shows no fear reaching and extending for the ball, especially in a crowd...Displays good effort and desire to gain yardage after securing the ball...Aggressive stalk blocker who does a decent job gaining position.

Negatives...Will round breaks and gather at times, as he runs adequate raw patterns...Not a natural hands catcher, but makes every effort to secure the ball...Despite his speed, he is not elusive (lacks shake, wiggle and juking moves).

Agility tests: 4.33 in the 40-yard dash...1.51 10-yard dash...4.06 20-yard shuttle...6.98 three-cone drill... 38.5-inch vertical jump...9'6" broad jump...30 7/8-inch arm length...10 1/8-inch hands... Right-handed...Wears contacts...16/26 Wonderlic score.

High school:

Personal: Exercise and Sports Science major...Son of Jimmy Francis, Melissa Francis Ahmed, and Angela Francis...Born Carlos Miguel Francis on 1/03/81 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 10:18 AM

I like Carlos Francis but here is a video of him getting hit hard by Nathan Vasher in college...

Hit it here... (http://badblocks.biz/~jcdenton/TT_Vasher-hit.mpeg)

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 10:23 AM

Here are some likes that Francis has...

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

retire

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

cooking

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

Chicago Bears

My favorite quotation is:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

The living person I most admire is:

my father

What is your favorite food?

chicken

Growing up, my football hero was:

Jerry Rice

My greatest achievement is:

making it to the NFL

What is your dream car?

Lamborghini

What is your favorite movie?

Ray

Few people know that:

I'm adopted

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

hydration

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 10:25 AM

From last offseason...

08/04/05

I've been rehabbing my knee during the off season. Doing strengthening exercises for my knees ad the muscles around them. I don't know what to expect in 2005 I just hope to make the Raiders better. Just have to watch and see.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 10:39 AM

Here is a nice, older article on Carlos....

October 19, 2002

Francis finds new challenge on golf course Click here for gameday coverage of this game!

BY DON WILLIAMS
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Dupree Scovell admits it. He's a little jealous of how quickly Carlos Francis has taken to a game they both play on the side.

When Scovell was just a little kid, his mother signed him up for golf camps every summer. All those years of lessons and he never learned to break 80.

Francis is only a little more than a year removed from you-hold-it-with-this-end, you-hit-it-with-that-end. Already, he says he's made it around the course in 79.

''I think I was with him the first time he played golf. I mean, it was just terrible,'' said Scovell, one of Francis' fellow receivers on the Texas Tech football team. ''But he wanted to get so good at it that he played it all the time. He was religious about it. He's gotten really good. I've been playing for 15 years and I still haven't shot 79. I don't know that I will either.''

The NCAA says football coaches can't work their players to death; they have to give them one day off each week. For the Red Raiders, that day is Monday * which means Francis shows up at Meadowbrook Golf Course nearly every Monday, even now as the weather turns cooler.

''I'm shooting mid-80s,'' he said recently. ''I'm getting better. I can't get enough of it. Anytime I get any free time, I try to go play.''

Tech football annals are dotted with significant players who doubled as excellent golfers. Donny Anderson and Billy Joe Tolliver, two of the program's most identifiable stars, continue to rank among the best on the celebrity pro tour. King Simmons, a defensive back from the mid-1980s, carried a 76 stroke average in high school at Killeen.

Francis would love to be as good as those guys.

''It's probably the hardest sport I've ever played in my life,'' he said, ''so it challenges me. That's why I like playing.''

Teammates and coaches say Francis' ascension on the links offers a clue into his parallel universe as a football player. Aside from Tech, no major-college programs thought Francis would amount to much as a football player either. But he attacked football with the same vigor he attacks a par-3.

Francis carved a niche for himself on special teams early in his career, and he's generally acknowledged to be the team's best-blocking receiver.

''The thing people don't see is his blocking ability,'' quarterback Kliff Kingsbury said. ''He's such a strong receiver that he gets out on the corner, and he makes a lot of those quick screens and dump passes that we have work.''

He goes into today's game with 20 catches for 206 yards and four touchdowns. A hamstring injury made Francis a non-factor in three games, but he's responded since with a three-game streak of touchdown receptions.

Francis' 51 catches last season tied for the lead among Tech wide receivers, his 703 receiving yards led the team, and he scored three touchdowns. But doing the little things right is what endears him to teammates and coaches.

''He's a pretty good leader, certainly from an effort standpoint, as far as an example,'' head coach Mike Leach said. ''I mean, there's a lot of times where if you need to give a guy an example on working hard, Carlos is someone you point to a lot. 'Look at Carlos. Everybody's tired, but look at how Carlos is going.' ''

Francis is big on patterning himself after sports greats. When he's tired, he asks himself what Jerry Rice would do. Rice is as renowned for his fanatical work habits as for his legacy as the game's greatest receiver, which is why he's still going strong having just turned 40 this week.

''The way he got better was to always visualize somebody taking his spot every day at practice, so that's what I have to do,'' Francis said. ''You just take it from the great ones. They've always pushed through. They've always found a way to better their game * make their weaknesses their strong point, and make their strongest points even better.''

Francis has found that approach pays off no matter the sport.

Scovell was skeptical when he heard Francis showed some golf skill. (''I thought he'd take 25 mulligans.'') Then he watched Francis hit a few shots and changed his mind.

Several Tech players go for the golf outings on their day off. Slade Hodges might be the closest thing to the team's Tiger. If Hodges were to pursue the sport seriously, Scovell jokes, he'd sign on as his agent and public relations man.

But one of their teammates is working hard to catch up.

''I played all summer,'' Francis said. ''It's just fun. It's a real competitive sport. It's a real mental game. That's why I like playing it, and I like being good at anything I do.'

Rupert

05-16-2006, 11:25 AM

I like the kid too. I wish him well this season. We've got too many receivers though. I'm glad we were able to keep him. If he is healthy, I prefer Francis to Whitted, whose upside is on the downslide.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:21 PM

Here is a video with highlights of our players who have worn #3 and #12....

Hit it here... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=A7ONgG01tNc)

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:25 PM

Here is a video of the Chargers in our house 2001....

Hit it here.. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=I7BwyPeb_f8)

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 12:30 PM

Here is a video of Derrick Burgess placing a hit on Tatum Bell...

Hit it here.... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=LG3HzvNe3hY)

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 03:44 PM

Swervin....

Mervyn Fernandez

Q: What was your favorite team to play against while you were playing for the Raiders?

Mervyn Fernandez: Seattle. I loved the energy in the stadium. It was like it is now in Oakland, where I’ve never played. It would be so loud and I also liked playing on the turf. It was just always an electrifying game, no matter what. The crowd would be clapping and yelling. It’s really hard to distinguish boos from the praise when it’s that loud, so it was loud and it just got me more into the game.

Q: Do you have a game that you remember the most or a play?

Mervyn Fernandez: There are a couple games that I remember specifically. One game was in New Orleans. It was probably one of my favorite games and I was out warming up with Jay Schroeder for the game. And of course Al Davis was standing on the sidelines talking to somebody. Jay was probably throwing the ball, like 50 yards down the field and I am catching the ball behind my back and doing all these tricks….and Al yells across the field: “Get serious, Mervyn.” And that was probably one of the best games I had with the Raiders. I think I had 150 yards and two or three touchdowns.

Q: You are probably one of few who prefer playing on turf don’t you think?

Mervyn Fernandez: That’s true. It definitely comes into play, but it is also a faster surface to run on. As for me being a receiver, making my cuts and knowing where I am going and having a perfect conditions, playing of turf was it.

Q: Who were some of your closest teammates and do you keep in touch with them today?

Mervyn Fernandez: I had a few guys, James Lofton and Tim Brown. Tim and I were roommates for four or five years so we spent a lot of time together. James Lofton, when he came to the Raiders, I got to know him really well. A lot of the players would go out to dinner and stuff, we thought it was good camaraderie when I played. I don’t know what it is like now, but we had good camaraderie and close teams.

Q: So speaking of Tim Brown, what do you think of his success as a receiver? Do you think some of your advice helped him become successful?

Mervyn Fernandez: Well, I hope so. He was a great talent when he came in. First of all, he had just won a Heisman so that’s something right there. Unfortunately in his second year, he blew his knee out. It took him a little while to get back, but you know we spent a lot of time together. We would go out to dinner and different things, you know, I used to try and keep his head into it cause it was pretty frustrating for him not to be able to play and you know it would be for anybody else. I had little things that I would say to him to make him laugh. I would just try to keep him involved it as we went along. I am sure he picked up a lot of different things from different people, but me and James Lofton were closer to him then anybody else out there.

Q: We were talking about Tim Brown and how you were a mentor to him. Was there anyone that you would consider a mentor to you?
Mervyn Fernandez: No. When I was in high school I was always the starter, I was always the star of the team. When I went to college I was always the starter, I was always the star of the team. When I went to Canada, I was always the starter and the star of the team. So I was always the guy that everybody else looked up to. And when I came to the Raiders, I was a starter and that lasted for a while and then a young guy by the name of Tim Brown was breathing down my neck. That’s what happened with that.

Q: Growing up in the Bay Area, did you ever hope to some day play for the Raiders?

Mervyn Fernandez: Oh absolutely. There is nothing like playing in that environment. Like I talked about earlier, in the Seattle Stadium, its just so much love in the stadium and the fans are just unbelievable. And it does make a difference. The Coliseum is much more of a football stadium, cause its closer to the field.

Q: Did you grow up as an Oakland Raider fan?

Mervyn Fernandez: Actually I just grew up as a football fan. I was probably outside playing more football than I was inside watching it. It was not really one single team that I really focused on, I just loved the game of football and I watched everybody. I mean I was from San Jose and Oakland was right there and I remember the days, you know Cliff Branch and the guys catching touchdowns and going to Super Bowls.

Q: What do you currently do now for a living and your free time?

Mervyn Fernandez: I still do promotions and I am a salesman for the Seven-Up Bottling Company. We go out and do charity games, raise the money for different foundations, for the police and the fire department. We do basketball games, football games, card shows and autograph signings. They fly us all over the place, that’s where I run into a lot of retired players. It’s nice to see a lot of the former players, we have our meetings and hang out, go our separate ways.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 03:52 PM

This is the picture that I intended to use above for Swervin...didn't work but I found another.....

Hit it here.... (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0Je5mzUVmpE664An.SjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBsNXZtZnJ jBHNlYwNwcm9mBHZ0aWQDSTk5OV83Mw--/SIG=12c3g0udj/EXP=1147906132/**http%3a//www.raiders.com/images/pics/021101_fernandez1.jpg)

CrossBones

05-16-2006, 04:36 PM

Sweet. Too bad Mervyn didn't play on one of our better teams. He was a gamer.

I remember one game played in Seattle when he destroyed the Hawks single handily. I was in heaven -- I attended the game.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 04:56 PM

His son Joe is playing for Fresno...I think he is a senior.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 11:28 PM

Here is Courtney Anderson's profile...

Courtney Anderson

Position: Tight end
College: San Jose State
Height: 6-6
Weight: 269
Hometown: Richmond, Calif.

OVERVIEW

Underrated talent whose size provided an inviting target for quarterback Scott Rislov the last two years … Began his collegiate career at Contra Costa College, where he lined up at wide receiver before moving to defensive end … Shared tight end duties as a junior for the Spartans before taking over the starting job in 2003 … In 23 games with the Spartans, he hauled in 36 passes for 477 yards (13.3 avg.) and seven touchdowns.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Tall, rangy athlete with very long, muscular arms, large hands and minimal body fat (13.5 percent) … Flashes a good initial step off the line and uses his size well to avoid the jam and negotiate under-coverage without being held up … Drives hard with his legs heading up field and will make sharp cuts coming out of his patterns … Able to leverage and move defenders to find the holes in zone coverage … Mismatch for defensive backs when going deep … Looks natural catching the ball, extending to pluck the high pass or sinking and settling in to get to the short tosses … Will not hesitate to sacrifice himself catching down the seam … Has the downfield speed potential to stretch the defense, looking athletic and quick in his gallop … Shows awareness and body control as a receiver, coming back nicely for the poorly thrown ball … Still developing his strength, but has made steady improvements as a drive blocker.

Negatives: Still developing route awareness and is sometimes late off the line because he takes bad angles … Impatient in his route running, at times, rushing the cut … Needs to improve his leg drive, as he fails to gain yardage after the catch (will generally be taken down by the initial tackle) … Needs to use his size better to gain leverage as a blocker (will dip his shoulder and duck his head, causing defenders to slip off his blocks) … Raw downfield blocker who lacks anticipation skills in locating a moving target.

AGILITY TESTS

No data.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Richmond (Calif.) High, playing football for coach Tom Chids … Also lettered in basketball and track … Played quarterback, wide receiver and outside linebacker … In 1998, he caught 50 passes for 1,005 yards and scored 12 touchdowns to earn all-state honors … All-league choice in basketball, adding All-league honors as a sprinter in track.

PERSONAL

Sociology major … Born Nov. 19, 1980, in Greenville, Texas … Resides in Richmond, Calif.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 11:31 PM

Here is an article on him from 2004...

Raiders roll lucky No. 7 in the draft

David Bush, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, October 9, 2004

When the Raiders drafted tight end Courtney Anderson in the seventh round last April they didn't know what they had.

They probably still don't.

What they do know is they have a football player talented enough to possibly make last year's tight end of the future a thing of the past.

The seventh and final round is the "Oh What the Heck Why Not'' area of the draft, making for almost whimsical choices after teams have filled their pressing needs and are willing to take a flier on potential.

Anderson, 6-6, 270 pounds from San Jose State, had been a tight end only two years, and was a starter only as a senior. Now he is a key part of the Raiders offense going into Sunday's game at Indianapolis with five catches for 77 yards and a highlight reel of shattering blocks to benefit Oakland ball carriers.

"Courtney Anderson has improved every week as a blocker,'' coach Norv Turner said. "He probably had his best game blocking (at Houston). He catches a couple balls, he's growing as a football player and as he continues to grow that's going to help our running game.''

At Richmond High and Contra Costa JC, Anderson was almost anything but a tight end. "My freshman and sophomore years (in high school) I was a quarterback,'' he said. "The o-line didn't block for me so it wasn't that much fun. I got hit a lot.''

Anderson decided that if he was going to get hit, he might as well be in a position where he could hit back. He spent his last two high school seasons as a wide receiver and outside linebacker.

At Contra Costa, Anderson was moved to defensive end. "I didn't really like it so I moved myself to tight end,'' he said. "After my sophomore year they a combine for JC players, and I put myself in with the tight ends at the combine because I knew I could run and catch and everything.''

Determined to play his new position, he enrolled at San Jose State. He did not become a full-time starter until his senior year, although he did catch 36 passes for 477 yards with the Spartans to attract some attention from the pros.

Encouraging feelers from several NFL teams had Anderson eagerly anticipating the draft. As the first day became the second and still his name wasn't called, his spirits sank along with his earnings potential.

"It was hard, seeing players get drafted who I thought I was better than, '' he said. "I was actually lining up the free agent possibilities. I was five or six picks away from not getting drafted, so I was figuring out where I might go.''

But then with the 245th choice, the Raiders chose Anderson. Talk about getting blindsided. "It was a big surprise,'' he said. "I hadn't talked to the Raiders at all since the last game of the season.''

The Raiders might have liked the tall, athletic tight end, but they had a funny way of showing it. "The first day of practice I had no reps at all, zero reps,'' said Anderson, who was beginning to think that even making the practice squad was a long shot. "But then I started to get some reps and thought I could be part of the team.''

Anderson slowly moved up the depth chart and by the exhibition season he was clearly ahead of Teyo Johnson, the Raiders' second-round choice out of Stanford in 2003. Now Anderson is probably ahead of veteran Roland Williams and just behind starter Doug Jolley. That is fine as far as it goes.

"That was my whole goal, just to make the team and let the coaches decide from there,'' he said. "We have pretty good players, so I have to understand I'm not playing as much as I would like to.''

Meanwhile Johnson has not been active for any of the first four games, although he was incorrectly listed as a reserve on the official stat sheet in Houston. He did not put on his uniform that day, and probably will not in Indianapolis.

"I am just going back and working hard,'' Johnson said. "It's not difficult during the week. You are out there with guys that you like during practice. It's harder on Sundays when your jersey is not in your locker.''

He remains optimistic. "I know when I get in there I can play,'' he said. "I made plays last year as a rookie and I know I am a lot better player now than I was last year. I had a pretty good preseason. So, I am not worried about my performance when I do get the chance. That is not even going to be a question.''

But for every Anderson success, Johnson's chances diminish. The situation could be awkward between the rookie and the young veteran, but they seem to co- exist.

"We have conversations, we aren't the best of friends but we work together,'' Anderson said. "I don't dislike him at all, and I don't think he dislikes me.''

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 11:33 PM

His thoughts on the first training camp...

Meeting the guys I grew up watching

07/07/04

Mini camp was a good experience overall, just to see the tempo of practice in the NFL and see the competitive nature of the game on that level. I met pretty much all the veterans. As far as Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Rich Gannon, I’ve pretty much loved those guys before I met them since I was always a Raiders fan. The rookie symposium last weekend was a great experience too, very helpful. They gave us a heads up on a lot of things and the whole NFL life. The whole seminar was a good experience. I am adjusting pretty well. I still have a lot of things I need to work on as far as watching film and my technique. Just learning plays and formations, I am getting it, but I need some repetitions. My number one goal is just to make the team. After that, I’d like to get a little playing time and everything else will take care of itself. I was pretty much prepped about the league, so there haven’t been any big surprises since leaving college. But I’ve had to adjust to watching film a lot more, and we practice at game speed and you can’t take a play off. As far as the city goes, Oakland has a lot of good sides and bad sides as every city. I grew up about 15 minutes from here, so I am real familiar with the area. The best part of being drafted by the Raiders is I can go see my family every day and go home and see my mother after practice.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 11:38 PM

Here is Sam Williams...

Sam Williams

Position: Outside Linebacker
College: Fresno State
Height: 6-5
Weight: 244
Hometown: Clayton, Calif.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Tall and rangy player with good straight-line speed … Shows the range to drop back in pass coverage, using his change-of-direction agility to make plays working in space … Solid tackler who will face up and wrap up ball carriers with force … Flashes good hand usage to avoid low blocks … Brings his hips and displays sudden moves coming off the edge as a pass rusher … Special teams standout who serves as the jumper on field goals and extra points … Has made improvements in the weight room, adding 45 pounds to his frame since his freshman year.

Negatives: Lacks the raw power needed to consistently defeat blockers … Allows the opponent to get into his chest too much and needs to develop better hand extension to keep the blockers off his body … Seems a step slow recognizing the play … Must do a better job of mirroring the tight ends in the short area, as he fails to redirect, allowing too much cushion while losing containment … Tends to overrun plays and fails to break down action when working in zone coverage … Needs to push himself harder in the weight room … May be too tall to sink his hips and stay low in his pads in order to be effective defending the pass.

CAREER NOTES

A talented linebacker who came into his own as a junior … Rangy, quick defender who was one of the team's best leapers, doubling as a key member on special teams as the jumper on opposing field goals and extra points … Recorded 145 tackles (93 solo) with 4 sacks for minus-19 yards and 13 stops for losses of 36 yards in 45 games.

2002 SEASON

All-Western Athletic Conference honorable mention … Played in 10 games, starting nine (first two at weakside linebacker before moving to the strong side) … Recorded 60 tackles (37 solo) with 6 stops for losses of 11 yards and 3 quarterback pressures … Intercepted a pass and deflected 6 others … Also recovered a pair of fumbles.

Wisconsin - Set up a score when he advanced a fumble recovery 6 yards … Deflected a pass and had 7 tackles (5 solo) with a pressure.
San Diego State - Made 8 tackles (4 solo) with a stop behind the line of scrimmage and a pair of pressures.
Oregon - Switched to strongside linebacker, responding with a season-high 11 tackles (8 solo).
Oregon State - Made a solo tackle, but suffered a separated right shoulder on a fumble recovery.
Rice, Colorado State and Southern Methodist - Did not play (shoulder).
Boise State - Came off the bench to post 8 tackles (7 solo) and deflect a pass.
Hawaii - Returned to the starting lineup with 4 tackles and a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Nevada - Batted away 4 passes, intercepted another for a 2-yard return and was in on 3 solo tackles.
San Jose State - Followed with 10 tackles and 2 stops for losses.
Louisiana Tech - Brought down tailback Joe Smith for a 2-yard loss and made 6 tackles.
Georgia Tech (Silicon Valley Bowl) - Did not play … Ruled ineligible by the WAC office, which cited a new rule that athletes must earn at least six credits per semester in order to remain eligible.

2001 SEASON

Played in every game, starting the final seven at weakside outside linebacker … Recorded 61 tackles (42 solo) with a pair of sacks for minus-7 yards and 4 stops for losses of 11 yards … Caused a fumble.

2000 SEASON

Played in 10 games as a reserve outside linebacker, seeing action mostly on special teams … Recorded 16 tackles (7 solo).

1999 SEASON

Played in 11 games, collecting 8 tackles (7 solo).

1998 SEASON

Redshirted as a freshman.

INJURY REPORT
Missed the 2002 Rice, Colorado State and Southern Methodist games after separating his right shoulder vs. Oregon State.

CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.71 in the 40-yard dash … 320-pound bench press … 475-pound squat … 310-pound power clean.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Clayton Valley (Clayton, Calif.) High … Recorded 138 tackles (79 solo) and 5 interceptions (two were returned for touchdowns) as a senior … Also had 10 deflected passes and a pair of blocked PATs to help lead the team to a 9-3 record (the school's best in a decade) … First-team All-Bay Valley Athletic League … Second-team all-state selection by Cal-Hi Sports and a SuperPrep All-Far West Region selection … First-team All-Bay Area by the Oakland Tribune and named to the San Francisco-Metro All-Star team by the San Francisco Examiner … Named Clayton Valley High's "Mr. Defense."

PERSONAL

Sociology major … Son of Joann and Sam Williams … Born July 28, 1980 … Resides in Clayton, Calif.

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 11:42 PM

From 2004...

Big recovery inspires Raiders

Sam Williams amazes mates by rebounding from serious injury and making big plays

By Bill Soliday,STAFF WRITER
Inside Bay Area

ALAMEDA — The list of honored recipients includes Marcus Allen, Dave Dalby, Tim Brown, Don Mosebar, Terry McDaniel and Barret Robbins — Pro Bowlers all.
All are previous Raiders who earned the Ed Block Courage Award, voted on by their teammates. This year's winner has never started a game. In fact, until a few weeks ago, he had played in only one NFL regular season game.

But Sam Williams, the 24-year-old linebacker from Clayton, so impressed his teammates with his commitment and his courage under adversity that his selection for the 2004 award was a virtual no-brainer.

Some careers take off like a rocket. Williams' career took off like a popped balloon.

The Raiders' third-round draft choice in 2003, Williams played only one game as a rookie before a knee injury knocked him out for the year. He came back this summer with high hopes, then the second week of training camp he tore the labrum in his shoulder.

It was the same injury that ended Rich Gannon's season in 2003. It is one that usually does end a season. But Williams refused to go quietly. Inside eight weeks he was back and playing.

His teammates couldn't help but take notice and be impressed.

"I don't like to talk about injuries, but when a guy comes back off an injury like that, it tells us just how hardthis guy really wants to play and help you win," defensive lineman Bobby Hamilton said. "It was amazing. That was an out-for-the-season injury. You could see how hungry he was."

"I know why I voted for him," tight end Roland Williams said. "It's very simple. He's a guy that has a lot of heart, works hard and is humble ... he's a great guy who is going to have a great career. I was talking to the trainers, and they said they had never heard of an NFL player coming back off that injury as fast as he did.

"That's just the kind of person he is."

Sam Williams came out of Fresno State with the reputation as a sort of athletic freak — quick enough to cover receivers, possessed of moves to sack the quarterback and having the strength to be projected at defensive end.

But that season never got off the ground because of complications in a knee injury (a bruise inside the joint) late midway through the 2003 season.

His rookie year had been a total washout, but when he reported to Napa in late July, the new coaching staff pegged him as a linebacker. Williams was eager to return to a familiar spot.

Then, on Aug. 14 in the exhibition opener at San Francisco, he hurt his shoulder. He knew immediately something was seriously wrong.

"All I could think of was 'Oh my gosh, not another year of this,'" Williams said.

Surgery came within a week. Some young players might have taken two surgeries in 12 months as a signal an NFL career was not meant to be, but Williams said he never let the thought enter his mind.

"The only way I could handle it was to talk to my family and pray all I could," he said. "It was out of my hands. Let the doctors do what they could do and pray for a quick rehab.

"My parents were most helpful for sure, but my teammates supported me like crazy. They told me to keep working and keep my head up because, they said, 'We need you.'"

The record recovery came to fruition on Oct. 17 when he played against Denver, wearing a harness that resembles the apparatus a sky diver uses to attach to a parachute. Though restrictive, it provides resistance so he can, as he puts it, "rehab while I play."

Uncomfortable though it is, when you've stared your occupational mortality in the eye twice in one year, it is a small price to pay.

"All I know is that right after he came back he made a big play on special teams, and that set the tone," Hamilton said. "He battled. That stuff motivates you."

Williams got to play in the regular defense against San Diego, then last week, at Carolina, he saw extensive duty, sharing time with DeLawrence Grant.

"Sam is growing," coach Norv Turner said. "He worked hard to do it. He's making plays. He'll continue to play more. What he did is phenomenal."

"I feel good," Williams said. "I am just so freaking happy to be playing. I will do anything I can to get out on that danged field, even if I have to wear this brace every day."

Cornerback Charles Woodson, who knows the mental aspect of fighting off injuries, tipped his cap to the Clayton Valley High product.

"You want to play, and here he's been sidelined for two years," Woodson said. "But he was able to overcome it. He made a great recovery, and he's making plays."

"Hopefully he will go on to have a 15-year career and will be able to look back and say he got the worst behind him early," Roland Williams said. "What he did was unheard of."this guy really wants to play and help you win," defensive lineman Bobby Hamilton said. "It was amazing. That was an out-for-the-season injury. You could see how hungry he was."

"I know why I voted for him," tight end Roland Williams said. "It's very simple. He's a guy that has a lot of heart, works hard and is humble ... he's a great guy who is going to have a great career. I was talking to the trainers, and they said they had never heard of an NFL player coming back off that injury as fast as he did.

"That's just the kind of person he is."

Sam Williams came out of Fresno State with the reputation as a sort of athletic freak — quick enough to cover receivers, possessed of moves to sack the quarterback and having the strength to be projected at defensive end.

But that season never got off the ground because of complications in a knee injury (a bruise inside the joint) late midway through the 2003 season.

His rookie year had been a total washout, but when he reported to Napa in late July, the new coaching staff pegged him as a linebacker. Williams was eager to return to a familiar spot.

Then, on Aug. 14 in the exhibition opener at San Francisco, he hurt his shoulder. He knew immediately something was seriously wrong.

"All I could think of was 'Oh my gosh, not another year of this,'" Williams said.

Surgery came within a week. Some young players might have taken two surgeries in 12 months as a signal an NFL career was not meant to be, but Williams said he never let the thought enter his mind.

"The only way I could handle it was to talk to my family and pray all I could," he said. "It was out of my hands. Let the doctors do what they could do and pray for a quick rehab.

"My parents were most helpful for sure, but my teammates supported me like crazy. They told me to keep working and keep my head up because, they said, 'We need you.'"

The record recovery came to fruition on Oct. 17 when he played against Denver, wearing a harness that resembles the apparatus a sky diver uses to attach to a parachute. Though restrictive, it provides resistance so he can, as he puts it, "rehab while I play."

Uncomfortable though it is, when you've stared your occupational mortality in the eye twice in one year, it is a small price to pay.

"All I know is that right after he came back he made a big play on special teams, and that set the tone," Hamilton said. "He battled. That stuff motivates you."

Williams got to play in the regular defense against San Diego, then last week, at Carolina, he saw extensive duty, sharing time with DeLawrence Grant.

"Sam is growing," coach Norv Turner said. "He worked hard to do it. He's making plays. He'll continue to play more. What he did is phenomenal."

"I feel good," Williams said. "I am just so freaking happy to be playing. I will do anything I can to get out on that danged field, even if I have to wear this brace every day."

Cornerback Charles Woodson, who knows the mental aspect of fighting off injuries, tipped his cap to the Clayton Valley High product.

"You want to play, and here he's been sidelined for two years," Woodson said. "But he was able to overcome it. He made a great recovery, and he's making plays."

"Hopefully he will go on to have a 15-year career and will be able to look back and say he got the worst behind him early," Roland Williams said. "What he did was unheard of."

Angry Pope

05-16-2006, 11:48 PM

Sam had a website when he was at Fresno St. This picture was there with the following statement....

This is what happens when you try to catch slant on me! (http://lennon.csufresno.edu/~sjw23/sanjose-pauley-112301-lg.jpg)

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 10:17 AM

Here is a video on Jack Tatum...

Hit it here.... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=vVZsE-oM7sA)

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 10:25 AM

Here is a video on Bill Pickel....

Here.... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=XfOpFPznuVU)

Angel

05-17-2006, 10:51 AM

He's asking for a ticket out of town isn't he?
Well....he was before last season....:p Is he still wanting out of Oakland?

Rupert

05-17-2006, 10:57 AM

Who knows? Why? Does Herm have someone he wants to get rid of? Maybe we'll take your 1st rounder next year.

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 01:19 PM

Here is an interview with Wisniewski in 1995...

SUCCESS SEEMS TO FOLLOW WISNIEWSKI

Published on September 8, 1995

1995- The Press Democrat

BYLINE: Dave Williams
Staff Writer

Success has followed Steve Wisniewski wherever he's gone, be it in high school in Texas, college at Penn State and now with the Oakland Raiders.

The starting left guard, in his seventh season with the Raiders, not only has been one of their most productive players, he's been one of their most durable. Since his rookie season in 1989, Wisniewski has missed only two games.

Wisniewski was voted to five straight Pro Bowls, signifying the respect he has among his peers. He also was a two-time All-American for the Nittany Lions. These kind of plaudits would indicate he was one of the top picks in his draft class, right? No so. Wisniewski was a second-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys, but was traded to the Raiders the day he was selected.

Wisniewski took a few minutes before lifting weights to talk with The Press Democrat about life in Los Angeles, his career and his hopes for the team's relocation to Oakland, among other things.

PD: You were drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. Being that they've gone on to win a couple of Super Bowls, do you ever stop to wonder what might have been had you not been traded?

SW: I think I might have been unhappy to tell you the truth. Playing on that artificial turf and playing under Jimmy Johnson would have been tough for me in that system. When I got drafted, I was ready to go anywhere. They could have shipped me to Siberia and I would have been happy to go. I was notified I was with the Cowboys and I put on a Cowboys hat and we're high-fiving, jumping around. And a few minutes later I got the call from the Raiders saying they traded for me. I thought it was one of my buddies clowning around. I told him to get off the phone and I hung up on him. Again I got another call back and it was Mike Shanahan, then the head coach, saying, `No, really. You're a Raider now.' So, I put on the shirt, `Real men wear black.' I really feel at home here with the Raiders and I have no regrets at all about not going with the Cowboys. My feeling is that we're going to get to the Super Bowl here. It's just a matter of time.

PD: The move and those half-empty stadiums aside, how would you sum up your experiences in Los Angeles?

SW: They've been very positive. We have some great fans here in L.A. It's been a real positive environment for us. It's never a dull moment, that's how I'd sum it up. With what's gone on with the Coliseum, with what's gone on in the environment here in L.A. -- the earthquakes, the riots- it's never a dull moment. I just have high hopes with this environment we're going into in Oakland that it can only get better.

PD: Penn State is a pretty isolated area. What kind of adjustments did you have to make when you came out to Los Angeles?

SW: When I flew out to L.A. for the first time and I saw the sea of lights, you know, as you're flying in, I didn't know where I was going. I never saw anything like it really. I live here in El Segundo which is a real small-town atmosphere. I wasn't one to get caught up in the L.A. nightlife or scenery. For me, El Segundo and this training facility was about all I knew for my first two or three years here.

PD: When you were up in Oakland last Sunday, you had to see that sign that said, ``The Wiz Zone, 76.'' How did that make you feel knowing that people who hadn't seen or known that much about you singled you out for a sign?

SW: That was amazing to me. First, I looked to see if there were any relatives I could recognize. But after I realized there were no relatives behind it, it was very exciting and inspiring to me because an offensive lineman gets very little to no credit. And to see the guys high-fiving back there and shouting for me was a big thrill. And again, I can't say enough about those fans in Oakland. Some people underestimate it, but for a team to show up at the stadium and have people cheering for you when you come off the bus and when you get onto the field for pregame, it really does something and gives you the attitude to play football.

PD: Now that it's a few days after the first game in Oakland, how long did it take for you guys to come down from it?

SW: We're still riding high, to tell you the truth. It was a big emotional lift. But now we have to realize that we're flying five hours to get to Washington to play in a real hostile environment at RFK. That's not going to help us this week. We have to realize that we have to stay focused to avoid a letdown. The time change is a big factor. We play a 1 o'clock game. Our body clock says 10 a.m. And sometimes you don't feel like hitting people that early in the morning.

PD: A lot of players are reluctant to criticize Art Shell because he is a good person,, but felt it was time for a change. Do you feel that way?

SW: I have nothing but good to say about Art Shell. He's done a lot of good things for me and I respect him tremendously. I think the environment has changed here. We've brought in a whole new wave of assistant coaches. And I think if any one thing is different that would probably be it. These assistants are helping at all different positions. And this move to Oakland is a big shot in the arm. So I think it's more of an emotional lift. You know, Art did a very good job while he was here. And I think also that the players needed to play a little better for him last year and he'd probably still be here.

PD: How much of a jolt was it to see Don Mosebar go down like he did, particularly with that type of injury (ruptured globe of the left eye)?

SW: That's a reality, a wake-up call. Something like that makes you question how bad you want to play this sport. When I saw Napoleon McCallum get hurt like that last year also, it was that sick feeling that you get and you realize football isn't worth everything ... your health, being able to see. We're just real happy that Don's come along as well as he has. His attitude's great. He's gone through four surgeries already and he's still working to get that vision back. But, you really think you're letting your teammates down if you decide to quit after seeing something like that. It's one of those things where you just have to keep going forward.

PD: What kind of influence did Joe Paterno have on you and what was it like playing for him at Penn State?

SW: I think he's one of the best coaches in the history in college football and it's not because of his Xs and Os or what he teaches you on the field. But it's more what he teaches you off the field in the way he runs his program. All-Americans and walk-ons are treated alike. Like dirt. If you're doing well in the classroom, he'll push that you're not doing well enough on the football field and vice-versa. You realize when you're done, and when you look back, that he's getting the most out of you. He gets these 17-, 18-year-old kids and teaches them about a little respect, about themselves and pride in the university. You see a lot of graduates are really good people. People can be proud of rooting for Penn State. You don't see a lot of hot-dogging or showboating or shooting their mouths off in the paper.

PD: It's a loaded question, but do you think Penn State would have beaten Nebraska had they gotten the chance to play?

SW: Without question, I think we would've beaten Nebraska. And that was my biggest fear about Penn State getting locked into the Big Ten ... that there would be no escape if they wanted to got play a better school in a bigger bowl game. When I was there and Penn State was an independent, we would always go to the best matchup. I think that cost them a national championship.

PD: What was the last book you read?

SW: Tom Clancy's ``Bed of Honor.'' I'm a big Tom Clancy fan. I kid Nolan Harrison on the plane. I ask him, `What's the difference between an offensive and defensive lineman?' He said, `What?' I said, `Offensive linemen, we read novels.' And I hold up my 900-page Tom Clancy. `Defensive linemen read comic books.' And he's holding up his stack of ``X-Man'' and all these different comic books. I like to read. In fact, on these long trips I look forward to it.

Infobox: Up close with ... Steve Wisniewski

AGE: 28

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 285

COLLEGE: Penn State

FAMILY STATUS: Wife, Jeannie. Two children aged 3 and 1, and wife is expecting another child. He won't give children's names to public.

CD OF CHOICE: Anything by Wynonna Judd.

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 02:40 PM

Danny Clark....

Nickname

D.C.

What is your favorite movie?

"Con Air"

Few people know that:

I am a music connoisseur

What is your favorite food?

Chicago-style pizza

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

Stevie Wonder

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

"Handle what you can control"

My motto is:

"Do what you can while you can"

My favorite quotation is:

"Never let anyone or anything stand between you and your dreams"

My autobiography would be titled:

"Unbelievable"

My craziest ambition is:

to jump out of an airplane

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

become an actor and TV personality

Growing up, my football hero was:

Otis Wilson and Mike Singletary

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

I put everything on left to right

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

cars

My greatest achievement is:

becoming a father

The living person I most admire is:

Dan Clark III (my dad)

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

Chicago Bears

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 02:43 PM

Here is Danny from the first training camp...

You can't get complacent

08/11/04

It's a great transition. The weather definitely is beautiful in California versus Jacksonville. The guys are coming together and we are having fun doing it. The guys are coming from New England and they won the past two out of three Championships so you know their defense definitely works. We have the personnel to execute so it is all about bringing the personnel and the scheme together. I would just like to have us hitting on all cylinders, everybody knowing where each other is going to fit and everybody just playing tenacious defense. We're just trying to set the tone for who we are going to be right now. I think that is the goal by the end of next week. You try and get better each play and each day. You can't get complacent, the competition is very high at our position. I'm trying to get better and grow with our team.

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 11:15 PM

Here is a profile for Tommy Kelly....

Tommie Kelly

Position: Defensive End/Tackle
College: Mississippi State
Height: 6-5
Weight: 302
Hometown: Jackson, Miss.

OVERVIEW

Versatile athlete with starting experience at both defensive tackle and end … Joined the Bulldogs prior to the 2001 season after playing at Hinds (Miss.) Junior College as a freshman … Relatively new to the game of football, having not played the sport until his senior year at Provine High School … Started 26 of 34 games at MSU, recording 142 tackles (78 solos) with six sacks for minus-43 yards, 27 stops for losses of 82 yards, 18 quarterback pressures, four fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles and four pass deflections.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a tall, developing frame with long arms, thick thighs and calves … Shows adequate quickness coming off the ball and a sharp swim move … Has the lateral agility to string plays wide and cover ground in pursuit … Has a strong stab move to push the pocket, showing good acceleration to pressure and close on the quarterback … A drag-down tackler who will stalk, wrap and secure when working off the edge … Shows the foot speed to chase down plays at the opposite end of the field … His lower body flexibility allows him to break sharply to the ball … Has natural strength and speed, but still needs patient coaching to unearth his superb athletic ability … Made steady strides to improve his "football smarts" as a senior, making the extra effort in the weight room and spending additional hours with his position coach refining his pass rush and run containment technique … Still learning how to use his hands to protect his legs, but additional muscle development allowed him to refine his club, rip and swim moves (gets better arm extension, as he used to "short arm" before, preferring to lean into blockers rather than push off to get separation).

Negatives: Needs to improve his work ethic (takes plays off, especially when the action is away from his area) … Plays at a high-pad level, causing him to get washed out quite a bit, especially when the lineman executes a cut block … Still developing his hand placement, as he does not protect his legs and is slow to shed and disengage (has good swim moves, but needs to use his hands better to defeat blocks) … Does not seem to show a sense of urgency in his play … While he will wrap-tackle, he prefers to arm tackle a lot, turning his shoulder at the point of attack, which lets the runner bounce off his initial hit.

AGILITY TESTS

4.81 in the 40-yard dash … 450-pound bench press … 575-pound squat … 28-inch vertical jump … 34 ?-inch arm length … 9-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Provine (Jackson, Miss.) High, playing football for coach Willie Collins … Only played one season on the gridiron, but recorded 102 tackles with 11 sacks … Two-way standout, playing both tight end and defensive end … Rated among the top nine defensive linemen in the country by Max Emfinger in his national pre-signing day Bluechips newsletter … Listed among the top 25 players in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger following his senior season … One of just two defensive linemen mentioned in that group … Picked to that newspaper's second-team, all-state squad as a defensive lineman and selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama High School All-Star Game following his senior season.

PERSONAL

Interdisciplinary Studies major … Son of Thomas Kelly … Born Thomas Terrell Kelly on Dec. 27, 1980 in Jackson, Miss.

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 11:21 PM

Here is an older article on Tommy...

Tommy Kelly: Mr. Potential Grows Up

By Gene Swindoll

Date: Aug 11, 2002

As anyone who has ever seen him play knows, Mississippi State defensive tackle Tommy Kelly probably has more pure talent than any defensive lineman who has put on the Maroon and White. With exceptional 4.8 forty speed, great quickness and strength, all on a 6-7, 305 frame, Tommy has it all.

However, up until now, it has been more potential than fact. Tommy appears now to want to be known for more than potential.
As Tommy told me, " I grew up. I'm 21. I'm a man and I have to do things like a man. If you are going to come out here and play football, then play football. Have pride in yourself. These folks didn't sign you just to BS around. You have to play up to your talent level. If you say you are that good, if people say you are good, then show them."

Simple words from a not so simple football player.

Coming into Mississippi State last fall, Tommy, now a junior, was long on football talent but short on football experience.

After having played high school basketball (the sport Tommy says he still loves the most) at Provine High School in Jackson, Tommy gave football a shot during his final year of high school thanks in part to his grandmother.

"My grandma Gertrude asked me to (play football) because I was so big," said Tommy. "I was big in basketball, about 6-7, 250, so she thought that I might as well try (playing football)."

While that was part of the reason for beginning a football career, Tommy had another reason: The NFL.

"(Basketball) is still my love, but I can't make (it to the pros) from it," said Tommy.

Grandma Gertrude saw early on what college coaches and recruiting gurus saw during Tommy's one year of playing high school football.

After recording 102 tackles and 11 sacks during his senior season, well-known recruiting guru Max Emfinger was so impressed, he listed Tommy as one of the top 9 defensive linemen in the nation. He was also selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama all-star football game. This after just one year of playing high school football.

Many coaches came a-calling, including the likes of Tennessee, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, to name a few. Tommy, after much thought, chose Ole Miss over Tennessee, primarily because he liked Ole Miss' defensive coordinator, Art Kaufman.

"The only other school that I considered out of high school was Tennessee," said Tommy. "I chose Ole Miss because I liked Coach Kaufman, the defensive coordinator."

But before he would be able to attend Ole Miss and play for Kaufman, Tommy had to go the juco route due to academics. He wound up at Hinds Community College where he played for a half a season before running into some off the field trouble that ended his HCC football career.

"I was a little wild back then," Tommy said.

Part of that wildness could be traced back to his high school days where he could get by on talent along. A strong work ethic wasn't needed in high school.

"In high school, if I didn't want to run, I didn't run," Tommy said matter of factly. "I said forget this. That was kind of my problem when I first got into junior college. I kind of rebelled."

Redshirting his next year in junior college, Tommy once again was heavily recruited by Ole Miss and Mississippi State. With Art Kaufman no longer at Ole Miss, Tommy gave Mississippi State a much harder look and ultimately chose them over Ole Miss.

"When he got fired, I didn't want to go there (to Ole Miss)," said Tommy. "I figured he was used as a scapegoat (for their defensive problems)."

After signing with Mississippi State in February, Tommy still had a lot of work to do academically. Transferring to the Mayhew branch of East Mississippi CC , Tommy buckled down academically and became eligible.

However, due to the fact that his classroom work demanded almost all of his time even deep into the summer, he got behind physically. With his lack of football experience, that was doubly tough on Tommy during his first season at State.

"I played hard a half then ran out of gas in the third and fourth quarter last year," said Tommy.

Tommy, despite the heavy class load he had the summer prior to that first season, took all the blame for his poor physical condition.

"That was nobody's problem but mine," Tommy said. "I should have taken it upon myself to work out. Even though I couldn't work out with the team, I should have been working out. There were gyms around (Starkville) that I could have gone to but I didn't do that. It hurt me. Talent can't get you by in the fourth quarter when you are tired. Nothing but heart can get you by then."

Tommy, with the encouragement of his position coach, John Hendrick, is making sure that he will be in shape and will know his D-line techniques this season.

"I worked hard this summer to get my wind right. It is a whole lot better, a whole lot better."

Tommy also commented on improving his technique. "I had to work on my technique and learn the tricks the offensive linemen use on you. That is what Coach Hendrick and I have been working on during last fall and the spring and now. Now, I'm better at reading feet, how they sit back in their stance and their handwork. I have learned the swim, the rip and picking hands (techniques). Before, I was just going to try and run pass them or bullrush them."

Always sure of his natural ability, Tommy now feels just as confident in his game skills.

"I'm not lacking anything," said Tommy with no cockiness in his tone of voice. "I know nobody can stop me but me. Coach Hendrick has run it over in my head so much, it is just natural for me. As an example, if the offensive lineman shoots his hands, I just knock them down."

The bottom line, according to Tommy, is folks are about, "to see the full package, a man who is 6-7, 305 pounds and runs the forty 4.8."

Coach Hendrick is also hopeful that State fans will see that full package after a year of learning and working out.

"When you come in and have never played in this league and are thrust right into playing, you may have some deficiencies," said Coach Hendrick. "Now, he has been through a full season and a spring. I am expecting (him) to be a better ballplayer than he was last year. I am expecting a lot from (him)."

Included in what Coach Hendrick expects of Tommy is leadership. With a fairly young and inexperienced D-line, Tommy is one of the veterans, one of the guys with significant game experience. He is expected to play more of a leadership role because of that.

"Coach Hendrick and I talked about (me being a leader) in the spring and all through the summer." said Tommy who is more of a leader by example than vocal leader. "I'm taking it upon myself to make sure Ronald Fields is getting better, Kahlil Nash is getting better and all the other D-linemen we have are getting better. I'm not the one with the best work ethic, but I'm trying to get better at it. If I can try, then I know you can try. You need the work ethic if you want to take that next step on this level. On this level, everybody has talent, everybody was an All-American in high school."

And if he plays up to his talent level, then Tommy will be receiving All-American honors before he leaves State for a probable NFL career.

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 11:26 PM

Here is a profile for Langston Walker...

Langston Walker, OT - California

Walker by the numbers

Ht: 6'8"
Wt: 344
40-yard: 5.26
20-yard: 2.99
10-yard: 1.78
20-yard shuttle: 4.95
Three-cone drill: 8.09
Vertical jump: 28.5"
Broad jump: 8'6"
Bench: 225, 21 times
Bench: 375
Squat: 575
Hang clean: 315
Arm length: 34 3/4"
Hand width: 9 1/2"

Positives: Massive player with a very long arm reach…Flashes a quick first step out of his stance…Shows explosion on the rise and impressive lateral agility for a player of his size…Works his hips properly to put the defender away in the chase route…Gets good movement heading upfield and keeps his feet flat-footed to maintain position at the point of attack.

Negatives: Very soft around the midsection and needs to dedicate himself to a better conditioning program and improve his eating habits than he has done in the past…Even with his foot speed, he appears sluggish getting to the second level…Lacks a strong finishing move and struggles to recognize stunts…Gets too high in his stance when trying to drive block, narrowing his base in the process.

REMINDS ME OF…WILLIE ANDERSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Much like Anderson, Walker possesses those sudden moves off the snap and shows tremendous foot speed for a player of his size.

CAREER NOTES: One of the biggest offensive linemen in the country, he made a quick recovery from a broken ankle suffered midway through the 2000 season…A rededication in the weight room and on the nutrition front has seen him greatly increase his strength over the past few years...Vocal leader who did not allow a quarterback sack since early in his junior campaign.

PERSONAL: American studies major ... parents are Collins and Marie Walker ... born Sept. 3, 1979 in Oakland, CA.

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 11:32 PM

Some other stuff on Langston...

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

start a minority-friendly bank

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

art, cooking, cars, internet, computers

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

Oakland Raiders

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

Nas and Sade

The living person I most admire is:

my father

What is your favorite food?

ox tails

My greatest achievement is:

getting my economics degree from UC-Berkeley

What is your dream car?

McLaren F1

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

My dad told me, "always to watch over yourself because nobody else will."

What is your favorite movie?

2001: A Space Odessey and Snatch

Few people know that:

I like art

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

writing my grandfather's name on my wrist tape and touching each goal post before the game

Angry Pope

05-17-2006, 11:42 PM

Here is an interview he had as a junior...

Langston Walker Talks About the Cal Offensive Line
Interview session with massive offensive tackle

Feb. 28, 2000

Berkeley - Each week leading up to spring football practice, California Associate Athletic Director Kevin Reneau is conducting an interview with a key member of the Cal Football program. This week, Reneau sat down with Cal's massive offensive tackle Langston Walker, a key component in the team's hope to display an improved offense in 2000.

KEVIN RENEAU: LANGSTON, TELL US ABOUT YOUR OFF-SEASON GOALS.

LANGSTON WALKER: My goals are to get a lot stronger and also work on my footwork. I'm up about 10 kilos (22 pounds) on my squat to about 575 pounds. I'm trying to get to 600 pounds, which would be great for a person my size. I'm also doing a lot of individual work in plyometrics and reaction-type drills which will help my quickness and footwork.

KR: PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT. DO YOU GET TIRED OF THOSE TYPE QUESTIONS AND WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN THE WEIGHT DEPARTMENT?

LW: The weight thing gets repetitive. I know I have to work on my weight. My ideal playing weight is probably around 320 pounds, maybe 315. I just need to push myself and try to lose around 20 pounds to get to that level. It's mainly about concentrating on what I eat, avoiding real fatty foods. I also have to avoid eating late at night. But that's difficult because I'm up late studying a lot.

KR: AT 6-8 AND AROUND 340 POUNDS, YOU'RE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PLAYES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN BIG AND DOES THAT TYPE OF SIZE RUN IN YOUR FAMILY?

LW: Yeah, we have a pretty big family. My dad is about 6-2 and my mom is 5-9. But, she has a father who is 6-5 and a brother who is 6-3. I was a bit of a late bloomer. As I entered high school, I was pretty much regular size, about 5-8 or 5-9. It seemed like every summer in high school, I'd grow about three inches. I'd come back to school and everybody would say 'What happened to you?'

KR:DO YOU LIKE BEING AS BIG AS YOU ARE?

LW: It has its advantages. There are both pros and cons. I have to buy my clothes at a Big and Tall store. And I can't always fit in every car. But, I always get shotgun.

KR: HOW WOULD YOU EVALUATE YOUR INDIVIUDAL PLAY LAST SEASON/ WHAT TYPE OF GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF?

LW: I'd probably give myself a "C+" I did some things well, but it could have been a lot better. I had about eight false starts last season and I want to elminate them this coming season. It's just a lack of concentration, because of all the things going through your mind at the line of scrimmage. I have to stay focused.

KR: WHAT ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OFFENSIVE LINE LAST YEAR?

LW: We did make a lot of mistakes. So much of the offense rests on our shoulders. If we can give a guy like Kyle Boller time, we're going to be very successful. The fact that we didn't play as well as we would have liked last year is a big motivating factor for us this off-season. The intensity in the weight room and during workouts is just phenomenal right now.

KR: NOW THAT YOU'RE MOVING INTO YOUR JUNIOR SEASON, ARE YOU ACCEPTING MORE OF A LEADERSHIP ROLE?

LW: I try to lead by example. I'm not much of a yeller. I leave the yelling to Reid Diehl. But, I try to work hard and I think that's a part of the leadership thing.

KR: YOU'VE HAD THE "LAID-BACK" TAG ON YOU SINCE YOU'VE BEEN AT CAL. IS THAT ACCURATE?

LW: I've head that a million times. That's the type of person I am - pretty quiet. I feel like the best contribution I can make is by concentrating on my own responsibilities. If I'm worrying about what somebody else is doing on the field, that's going to impact on my own performance, so I don't tend to be one who tries to tell others what to do. But, that doesn't mean I don't have intensity. When you look at the hours I'm putting in the weight room, about three hours a day, and the amount of time I spend watching film, I think it shows that I'm taking things pretty seriously.

KR: WHO DO YOU WATCH WHEN YOU'RE IN THE FILM ROOM?

LW: I study the players I'll be going against next season, looking at their strengths and weaknesses, so I can be prepared when we play them. I also study films of guys like Kyle Turley and Orlando Pace. Those are guys that Coach (Ed) White worked with and they are great NFL players.

KR: ARE YOU BETTER AT RUN BLOCKING OR PASS BLOCKING?

LW: I would say pass blocking because I have quick hands and quick feet. I also think I have good athletic ability which allows me to make up for any mistakes I make.

KR: WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE COMING SEASON?

LW: I'd like to earn some All-Pac-10 honors. I also want to help the team get in a bowl game. And a good bowl game, not some rinky-dink bowl. I think I had a good freshman season in 1998 and then a little bit of a slump last year. I want to be a dominant player this year.

KR: WILL YOU PLAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OR THE LEFT SIDE NEXT YEAR?

LW: I'm working on both sides right now and I'm not sure where I will line up. I want to play the left side, because it's more of a challenge. You're out there all by yourself and I like that type of challenge.

KR: DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THE STARTING UNIT MAY LOOK LIKE NEXT FALL?

LW: We'll three positions are pretty well set with Reid (Diehl) at center, Brandon (Ludwig) at a guard and me at a tackle. It's too early to say how the other positions will work out, but there's a lot of younger players who look strong right now, particularly Nolan Bluntzer and Mark Wilson. There's also Chris Chick and the two new JC players who are coming in the fall.

KR: WHAT KIND OF YEAR ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM THE O-LINE GROUP?

LW: I'm really impressed about how hard this group is working. We have all the parts. We just have to put it together. We may not be rated very highly, but that will be a motivating factor.

KR: WHO WERE THE TOUGHEST PLAYERS YOU FACED LAST YEAR?

LW: Both defensive ends from BYU, No. 93 (Byron Frisch) and No. 99 (Setema Gali) were good players. I think they'll be very high pro draft picks. Erik Flowers from Arizona State and Larry Triplett from Washington were both small quys with great quickness. The toughest, though, is Andre Carter. He puts it all together with speed, size, strength and how he studies the game. He's like The Freak. You think you have him and all of a sudden he's by you and you're wondering what happened.

KR: WHO ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON THE TEAM?

LW: I hang out with Brandon Ludwig and also with Harold Pearson and Daniel Nwangwu.

KR: WHAT ARE YOU MAJORING IN?

LW: I'm majoing in American Studies and have an interest in the advertising and promotional field.

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 12:06 AM

Some info on Brooks...

Aaron Brooks

Nickname

"We" ( short for weasel)

What is your favorite movie?

Next Friday

What is your favorite food?

Chicken Alfredo/Crawfish Alfredo

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

Tupac, Musiq, Jay Z

Few people know that:

My real nickname is Weasel

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

Be patient/ from "B"

My autobiography would be titled:

Bottoms Up

Growing up, my football hero was:

Randall Cunningham

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

relax by myself and try to stay out of the locker room before the game

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 12:28 AM

Starks and charity...

Starks leads NFL clinic

NFL players will take part in the Starks Charitable Foundation's annual Youth Football Clinic and Scholarship Presentations, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Overtown Youth Center/Gibson Park, 450 NW 14th St.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Participation is free to community youths age 7 through 17, who will receive one-on-one drills and training from NFL players, including Duane Starks, a Miami native and former Hurricane who is now a cornerback with the Oakland Raiders.

In addition to the clinic, the foundation's annual charitable weekend will include a Bon Voyage Celebrity Yacht Party from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday featuring Starks, Edgerrin James, Louis Oliver, Morris Chestnut and Alex Thomas.

For details on the clinic and cruise, visit www.starksfoundation.org.

The phone number for Gibson Park is 305-579-6843.

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 01:36 PM

Here is a profile for Grant Irons...

Grant Irons

Position: Defensive End
College: Notre Dame
Height: 6-6
Weight: 267
Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas

ANALYSIS

Positives: All-around battler who shows excellent acceleration and lateral agility in pursuit … Flashes that burst needed to close on the quarterback and uses his hands effectively to separate from the initial blocks … Has the short-area quickness to run down plays from the backside … Possesses the frame to add needed bulk without any loss of speed … Big effort type whose motor is constantly running … Stays low moving through trash and extends his arms properly to wrap and secure the ball carriers.

Negatives: Slow to come out of his stance, as blockers easily get their hands under his jersey … Struggles to locate the play at times and fails to make proper adjustments towards the play on the move … While he delivers a nice hand punch, he needs to use his arms with better force to defeat double blocks … Does not use his strength properly to stack and control blocks … Gets a little sloppy with his body control when tackling … Has a good straight-line charge, but struggles to disengage from the blockers when ridden wide … May still be favoring his operated shoulder (2000), as he is too inconsistent holding ground at the point of attack.

CAREER NOTES

One of four team captains, Irons returned to the gridiron in 2001 after an injury-plagued junior campaign … Started 26 of 43 games for the Irish, recording 142 tackles (79 solos) with 6.5 sacks for minus-43 yards and 10 stops for losses of 31 yards.

2001 SEASON

Appeared in 10 games, starting six contests at right defensive end … Recorded 22 tackles (7 solos) with two sacks for minus-8 yards and five stops for losses of 11 yards … Picked off a pass and deflected another … Also recovered a fumble.

Michigan State - Had a 5-yard sack and 3 tackles.

Pittsburgh - Did not play (sprained ankle).

Texas A&M - Collected 5 tackles with a stop behind the line of scrimmage.

Southern California - Had a stop behind the line of scrimmage on a third-down play.

Boston College - Followed with his first career interception.

Stanford - Posted 3 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Purdue - Added another 3 hits with a stop for a 2-yard loss.

2000 SEASON

Started the first two games at right defensive end … Recorded 4 tackles with a stop for a 2-yard loss and a pass deflection.

1999 SEASON
Played in 11 games, starting 10 contests at left defensive end … Recorded 34 tackles (21 solos) with 3.5 sacks for minus-25 yards and two stops for losses of 6 yards … Caused and recovered a fumble.

1998 SEASON

Appeared in eight games, starting the first five contests at rush outside linebacker … Made 32 tackles (23 solos) with a 10-yard sack and two stops for losses of 12 yards … Caused two fumbles and recovered another … Deflected a pass.

1997 SEASON

Played in every game, starting vs. Michigan State, Michigan and Stanford at rush outside linebacker … Recorded a career-high 50 tackles (26 solos) and deflected a pass.

AGILITY TESTS

4.96 in the 40-yard dash … 2.81 in the 20-yard dash … 1.71 in the 10-yard dash … 4.38 in the 20-yard shuttle … 7.27 in the three-cone drill … 40.5-inch vertical jump … 9'11" broad jump … Bench presses 225 pounds 19 times … 425-pound bench press … 475-pound squat … 35 1/2-inch arm length … 9 3/4-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

USA Today first-team All-America selection as a senior at The Woodlands (Texas) High … Also selected to the Reebok prep All-America team … Named national Player of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio) … Named to the Scholastic Coach All-America team of 101 players … Received national Dial Scholar-Athlete Award honors, thanks to a 3.87 grade-point average, as the top male scholar-athlete in the country … Received the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy, presented by the National Alliance of African-American Athletes, as the top male African-American high school scholar-athlete in the country … Earned four letters as an inside linebacker, recording 92 tackles, 58 of them solos, as a senior in '96, plus 12 tackles for losses, six passes broken up and two fumble recoveries despite missing two-and-a-half games with a knee injury … Led the team in tackles each of his last three seasons … Three-time All-District and All-County pick … Team captain as a senior … Three-time first-team All-District in baseball as a first baseman … Elected senior class president.

PERSONAL

Graduated in May 2001 from Mendoza College of Business, with a major in Management Information Systems … Brother of former Michigan All-America linebacker and captain Jarrett Irons, who was a senior in '96 … Another brother, Gerald, Jr., played football at Nebraska as a defensive lineman … Father Gerald, Sr., played at Maryland-Eastern Shore, then spent six years with the NFL's Oakland Raiders and four with the Cleveland Browns as a linebacker … Member of University's Student-Athlete Advisory Council … Earned a 3.0 grade-point average during 2000 spring semester and 3.733 average in 2001 spring semster … Born Grant Michael Irons on July 7, 1979 in Middleburg Heights, Ohio … Resides in The Woodlands, Texas.

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 01:44 PM

Here is an old story on Grant and dad...

Singled out:
In a family of football stars, Grant Irons has been branded the best

By SCOTT KAISER
1996 Houston Chronicle

It was May 1988 and McCullough was holding its annual "Green-White" spring intrasquad game.

The stands were full that night, not only with parents, but college coaches there to see Highlanders defensive tackle Jerry Irons, who was regarded as one of the top high school juniors in the nation. Jerry, the oldest of three boys, was the son of former NFL linebacker Gerald Irons. The middle son, Jarrett, an eighth-grader, was watching in the stands with his father and mother, Myrna.

All eyes were on the field, but it wasn't hard to notice one of the ball boys racing on and off with each play. Grant Irons was only 9 years old, but he was already bigger and faster than any of his classmates.

Near the end of the game, Gerald came out of the stands and stood by Grant. He would occasionally lean over and whisper something to Grant or rub his head as if caressing a pillow, and Grant would listen attentively or lean back against his father's waist, confident that his father, who still looked like he could play in the NFL, would not let him fall.

Gerald then turned to a friend and said, "This is going to be the best one of them all" as he again patted Grant on the back. Grant heard the compliment but feigned disinterest. He shyly turned his head away from the stranger staring at him, waiting for his chance to race back onto the field.

Eight years later, Gerald Irons has proved to be prophetic. Jerry went on to letter two years at the University of Nebraska. Jarrett is starting for a fourth straight year at linebacker for the University of Michigan and likely will be chosen in the first round of next year's NFL draft.

And Grant -- now a 6-5, 230-pound linebacker -- is one of the most sought-after players in the nation entering his senior year at The Woodlands High School. Even Jarrett says Grant is the best of the three brothers.

"Grant has athletic ability, size, versatility, mental toughness ... all the qualities that are loosely thrown around in the recruiting world," said SuperPrep magazine editor Allen Wallace, who put Grant on the cover of his latest issue. "When you throw in the bloodlines and his father's success, he's got the overall package."

Gerald, who played linebacker six years for the Oakland Raiders and four with the Cleveland Browns, said he wasn't taking a stab in the dark when he praised Grant eight years ago.

"Grant and I can identify with each other because I was the youngest of seven, and I knew that by being the youngest, you learned faster," Gerald said. "I told Grant that he had to learn to be a good listener and be very observant, and if you do that you will learn from any mistakes your brothers may make. And I knew early on that he was very inquisitive and was a good listener, as well as seeing his raw ability.

"I could tell he had the size, the foot speed, the instincts and the coordination from being around athletes all my life. All our kids started out in Dan Green's summer track program, and you can see early on who are the special athletes."

Grant doesn't remember the incident eight years ago but wasn't shocked when told of it.

"That doesn't surprise me, because I always knew he believed in me and my brothers," Grant said. "It's just a good feeling to know that your father has that confidence in you."

The youngest Irons has delivered on his father's promise since joining the varsity as a freshman for a playoff game against Marshall. The past two seasons, he has 219 tackles (97 short of Jarrett's school record), four sacks, two forced fumbles, two blocked passes and an interception.

"He just has the natural ability and uncanny sense that you don't coach,"The Woodlands coach Weldon Willig said. "By the same token, he does accept coaching, and that makes him even better. If you tell him something, you know he's going to work at it."

In addition to his physical skills (4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash, a 35-inch vertical leap, 325-pound bench press and 430-pound squat), Grant is blessed with instincts that few possess.

"He saved a touchdown against A&M Consolidated last year (in a 24-17 victory) because of something that he did that we hadn't talked about a whole bunch," defensive coordinator Paul Fleming said. "They had a back who came through the line, and (Grant) happened to see him and was able to get a fingertip on a pass near the goal line, and I'd say 99 other linebackers wouldn't have picked up what to do because the wrinkle in the play is seen so rarely."

As imposing he is on the field, you wouldn't guess that Grant was a football player if it wasn't for his size. With puppy-dog like eyes and his quiet, respectful ways, Irons acts more like a preacher's son than one whose father played in the NFL.

"You have to have different mind-sets," he said. "There's a time and place for everything, and you have to know when to turn it on. There's a time and place for me to concentrate on my academics, which is in the classroom, and then there's a time and place for me to focus on football.

"I'm just thankful and feel fortunate to be in the situation that I'm in because I know a lot of guys would love to be in my place. All I can say is it's a great feeling."

Defensive end Lonnie Madison, a teammate and close friend of Grant Irons, wasn't surprised when told of Grant's reaction to a compliment.

"He's just a great guy," said Madison, an All-Greater Houston pick who would be the toast of The Woodlands if it wasn't for Irons' presence. "You'd think he'd get a big head with all the attention he's getting, but he has no ego whatsoever."

Irons, who has a 3.8 grade-point average, also has followed his family's tradition in the classroom. His father, who is director of office leasing at The Woodlands Corp. and president of the Conroe school board, earned a master's degree in business administration while playing in the NFL.

cont'd...

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 01:45 PM

cont'd...

His mother, president of NCP Telecom, is a graduate of Tennessee State. Brother Jerry, director of admissions at Kingwood College, was the only player in his recruiting class at Nebraska to graduate in four years and is now pursuing a master's degree in business. Jarrett completed a bachelor's degree in marketing and sports management last May and is now working on his master's in facilities planning.

"Being from Indiana, it was amusing to us when all this talk about no-pass, no-play first came up," Myrna said. "Why do you need a law for that? If you don't pass, of course you don't play. That's in our home.

"Don't get me wrong, we love sports and the things like discipline that you get from sports, but it is still extracurricular. It's just like if you don't go to church on Sunday, don't ask if you can go to the movies."

Both Myrna and Gerald said the success of their children can be credited to their parents and the way they were raised.

"We're people of deep faith, but we're also people who truly believe in character and integrity,"Myrna said. "This is how we were raised, so we imitated our mothers and fathers. We never asked our children to do anything that we didn't do ourselves and we practiced what we preached. We never gave them mixed signals.

"Our kids always teased us because other kids didn't have curfews, but it wasn't because we didn't trust them. In life, you need to learn that there will always be structure and guidelines and you have to be able to handle those things."

True to the spirit in which he was raised, Irons shows the character that often is missing in today's professional athletes. Fleming said he's never heard him utter profanity, say a negative word about another team or engage in trash talk.

"That's more lasting," said Gerald Irons. "Football is great and we all love to play and be as successful as we can as long as we can, but we know that will come to an end some day, but your character is non-negotiable."

He also leads by example on the field. Like his brothers, Irons is usually the first one on the field at practice and the last to leave.

"There's so many things you can say about him," Fleming said. "He never stops hustling. He hustles on every play -- every play of practice and every game. When people have to do extra sprints for missing practice or something like that, he goes out there and runs with them. I have to send him in to keep him from losing weight. He's just unbelievable.

"He does 110 percent on every drill and he's always pumping up and complimenting everybody around him. I don't know how much he does it to keep himself into practice, but I know he spreads that spirit around."

Irons is only imitating his father, who does daily workouts to this day that are tougher than any practice.

"He retired in 1980, but if you look at him now, he looks like he could still play," Jerry said. "Usually players who have retired gain weight, but he's kept in shape through workouts that are just unreal, and you can see the same work ethic in Jarrett and Grant. They have the same mentality that he does."

Gerald Irons thought he was a hard worker when he joined the Raiders in 1970, but quickly learned otherwise.

"I'll never forget my first practice with the Raiders' veterans,"Gerald said. "We practiced about three hours in the morning, and I was so tired and sore that I made a beeline to the locker room so I could take a shower because it was like 107 degrees (in Santa Rosa, Calif.). As I was running off the field, (Oakland head coach) John Madden yelled, `Irons, where you going?'

"I said, `I'm going to the shower because you said practice is over,' and he said, `Come here.' So I came back and he said, `You're a rookie and you think you know what you're doing, don't you? Turn around and look at your teammates.' I looked on the field and Art Shell and Gene Upshaw were working on blocking techniques, Fred Biletnikoff was catching balls from Daryle Lamonica, and this was after practice.

"Madden then said, `These guys are the best in the business, and the reason they're the best is because they work harder than anyone else, and that's what you have to learn.' That helped to form my work ethic in terms of what it takes to be a great athlete, and I shared that story with my kids."

While anxious to impart his knowledge, Gerald made it a point not to push his children into sports.

"When they were growing up, Gerald wouldn't even throw a football or baseball with them because he was so afraid that they would pick up that it was something he wanted them to do," Myrna said. "I admire him for backing off on some of the things he probably would have enjoyed doing with them."

Jerry added, "Our father never, ever pushed us into playing football. In fact, he wanted me to play golf. He didn't care what we did as long as we were happy and did it to our fullest. Our parents' main concern was our academics and letting that do our talking, rather than our sports.

"When we did choose a sport, he was always there for us."

Having a father who played the same position in the NFL has proven to be a gold mine for Grant, a middle linebacker for the Highlanders.

"He taught me the importance of practice, to be patient ... there's just so many things I learned from him," Grant said. "He knows the tricks of the trade because he's been to the highest level and he sees things that others don't. He also knows the importance of hard work and he's stressed that to all of us. He's always preached that you practice like you play and you play like you practice, and I've always tried to live by that creed."

When you combine the entire package, Grant is almost like the perfectly built Frankenstein, except he received the "good" brain, not the "abnormal" one.

"He really is a good kid," Willig said. "A lot of people might think it's contrived how he runs extra or runs back to the huddle, but I really do think he's unique in the fact that he is such a talented individual who hasn't let the success affect him in any way, and I give his parents a lot of credit for that. All their sons have been taught well."

As his senior year approaches, Grant said he won't keep the bright lights of stardom or the hounding of the nation's best collegiate programs from distracting him or his team.

"I'm totally focused on my goals," Grant said. "I want us to win the state championship and to do my very best to help us accomplish that. I'm not worrying about what college I'm going to attend. I'm going to let that take care of itself after the season.

"I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can because I know I'll never go through this again in my life."

Neither will Gerald, Myrna and Jerry, who will try to balance their work schedules while trying to watch two linebackers -- one possibly the best in the collegiate ranks and the other possibly the best in high school -- who are 1,300 miles apart.

"We're tremendously, tremendously blessed," Gerald said. "We're thankful for all that's happened to us and we're very proud, obviously. It's just going to be a busy year."

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 01:49 PM

Here is a video of Grant laying a hit on Josh McCown....

Hit it here... (http://media.putfile.com/Grant-Irons-hit-on-Josh-McCown-Num58)

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 02:06 PM

Some info on Lechler....

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

do a lot more fishing

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

hunting, fishing, golf

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

Houston Oilers

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

Kenny Chesney

The living person I most admire is:

my mom and dad

What is your favorite food?

mexican

Growing up, my football hero was:

John Elway

My greatest achievement is:

breaking the longest punt record in the pro bowl and having the highest all time average in NFL history

My motto is:

Nothing wrong with dreaming big

What is your dream car?

Ford F250 King Ranch

What is your favorite movie?

Tombstone

Few people know that:

I could fish everyday

Nickname

Lec

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

none

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 02:32 PM

Some info on Barry Sims....

Nickname

Bsmooth

What is your favorite movie?

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Caddyshack,Matrix, Napoleon Dynamite

What is your favorite food?

Pizza, Cheeseburger with no onions

Few people know that:

I was out of football for two years before playing pro, because I injured my knee during practice for the Hula Bowl.

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Eminem, Ice Cube

My favorite quotation is:

There Are No Guarentees in Life, Only Opportunities

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

My dad told me to always do your best, and never quit.

My motto is:

Always keep working and be the best

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

Spend some "quality time" on the golf course.

My autobiography would be titled:

(NOW) No Opportunity Wasted

My craziest ambition is:

Join the Senior PGA Tour when I turn 50.

Growing up, my football hero was:

John Elway

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

I just try to stay relaxed and focussed.

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

Golf, Cycling, Driving

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

Broncos

The living person I most admire is:

My Dad

My greatest achievement is:

WINNING THE 2004 COMMITTMENT TO EXCELLENCE AWARD

What is your dream car?

BMW 745li or Jeep Wrangler can't decide

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 04:12 PM

Some info on Wheatley...

Nickname

Wheat, Quick 6

What is your favorite movie?

Friday

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

When I finish playing football, I would like to teach and coach track and field.

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

My hobbies and leisure activities include playing with my dogs and kids. I love the outdoors, so anything that involves the outdoors.

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

The best advice I have ever been given was: You can never take care of anyone unless business is taken care of first, my mother

My motto is:

Never be sorry, just be careful

My favorite quotation is:

You want soda, you need water. Pray for what you want and work for what you need, my high school track coach

What is your favorite food?

oatmeal

Few people know that:

Few people know that I collect stuffed animals and I am afraid of the dark.

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

DMX and Run DMC

Growing up, my football hero was:

Growing up, my football hero was Billy Sims.

My craziest ambition is:

My craziest ambition is to change some young peoples' lives who have no hope.

My autobiography would be titled:

Against All Odds

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 11:17 PM

Here is a profile for Gabriel...

Doug Gabriel

Position: Wide Receiver
College: Central Florida
Height: 6-2
Weight: 213
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Tall, lean and muscular, with good acceleration on deep routes … Can easily track the ball in flight, twisting his body to adjust to the ball at its high point … Comes off the snap with arms extended to defeat the jam and uses his strong leg drive to break arm tackles after the catch … Has excellent jumping ability and will generally win all battles with the cornerback to get to the ball … More quick than fast, but knows how to set up his moves to con the defender and shows excellent open-field elusiveness … Has the speed to consistently separate on vertical routes … Good stalker who delivers crunching crack blocks for the rushing game … Works well with the quarterback, sensing pressure to come back for the under-thrown ball … Patiently waits for blocks to develop as a kickoff returner and has the sudden moves and hip swerve to make the initial tackler miss … Effective at picking up the blitz in pass protection … Good worker in the weight room with the leg drive to drag tacklers for additional yardage.

Negatives: More of a vertical threat, as he does not run precise underneath routes (rounds his cuts and takes false steps) … Can separate from defenders with his short-area quickness, but lacks top-end speed to blow past the cornerback on his release … Has a good work ethic, but needs to stay more focused when not involved in the play (loses sight of the ball) … Must wait until he has the ball properly secured before heading up field (tendency to fumble) and must concentrate on the ball better (drops easy passes by attempting to run before having the ball tight in his hands) … Must do a better job of sinking his hips when working on crossing patterns and curls (too rigid in his stance).

CAREER NOTES

Junior college standout at Mississippi Gulf Coast College who turned down an offer to play defensive back at Florida State in order to pursue a career as a receiver … Originally signed with the University of Miami (Fla.) coming out of high school … Made an instant impact upon his arrival at Central Florida, finishing his career with 97 receptions for 1,869 yards (19.3 avg.) and 20 touchdowns, adding 52 yards and a score on 7 reverses (7.4 avg.) and 795 yards on 37 kickoff returns (21.5 avg.) … His 1,869 yards receiving rank ninth on the school's career list while his 20 scoring grabs rank fifth … His average of 19.3 yards per catch is topped only by Bernard Ford (19.3 avg, 1984-87) in UCF annals … His 795 yards on kickoff returns place him sixth on the school's all-time chart while his 2,716 all-purpose yards rank ninth.

2002 SEASON

All-America Dream Team third-team and All-Mid-American Conference first-team choice by The NFL Draft Report, adding second-team All-MAC honors from the league's coaches … Started every game, catching a team-high 75 passes for a school season-record 1,237 yards (16.5 avg.), including 11 touchdowns … His 75 grabs rank seventh on UCF's season chart while his 11 scoring catches rank sixth … His 1,237 yards broke the old Golden Knights record of 1,180 yards by Ford in 1987 … Added 52 yards and a score on 7 carries (7.4 avg.) … Returned 31 kickoffs for 632 yards (20.4 avg.) … His 632 yards rank sixth on UCF's season list … Gained 1,921 all-purpose yards (160.1 ypg), breaking the old school season record of 1,627 yards by Ford in 1987.
Penn State - Made up for fumbling the ball early in the game by snatching 11 passes for 153 yards and returning a kickoff 27 yards … His 11 grabs rank eighth on the school's single-game list.

Arizona State - Totaled 116 yards on 5 catches with an 80-yard score and returned 3 kickoffs for 66 yards, but turned the ball over on a fumble … His 80-yarder was the fourth-longest reception in school history.
Marshall - Made 3 catches for 52 yards, returned 3 kickoffs for 61 yards and gained 9 yards on a reverse.
Liberty - Snatched 6 passes for 140 yards with touchdowns of 6 and 68 yards, adding 15 yards on 2 kickoff returns.
Western Michigan - Gained 104 yards on 7 catches with a 12-yard score, ran for a 12-yard gain and returned 6 kickoffs for 122 yards … His 238 all-purpose yards rank eighth on the school's single-game list.
Toledo - Turned the ball over on a fumble as he returned 2 kickoffs for 48 yards and had 5 receptions for 48 yards.
Syracuse - Collected a school game-record 324 all-purpose yards, as he hauled in 12 passes for 206 yards, returned 5 kickoffs for 117 yards and scored on a 1-yard reverse … His 324 yards broke the previous UCF record of 311 by Ted Walton vs. Eastern Kentucky in 1984.
Buffalo - Made a pair of solo tackles on special teams and gained 53 yards on 3 catches with a 28-yard touchdown.
Kent State - Had 6 receptions for 62 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown, and returned 2 kickoffs for 78 yards.
Miami (Ohio) - Fumbled the ball on a 10-yard kickoff return, but grabbed 7 passes for 95 yards and a 22-yard touchdown, adding 24 yards on a pair of reverses.
Ohio - Closed out his career with 7 catches for 179 yards and touchdowns of 24, 35, 34 and 50 yards, adding 40 yards on 2 kickoff returns … His 4 scoring catches tied the school single-game record, first set by Ford vs. Northwest Missouri in 1987 and matched by David Rhodes vs. Liberty in 1993.

2001 SEASON

Played in 10 games, starting six contests at split end in his first year with the Golden Knights … Finished fourth on the team with 22 receptions for 632 yards (28.7 avg.) and 9 touchdowns … His 28.7-yard average topped the old school season record of 21.8 yards by Ford in 1986 (30 catches, 653 yards).

JUNIOR COLLEGE

Set school records for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for touchdowns (17) and points (104) in 2000, accounting for 1,206 all-purpose yards … Named all-region and was the South Division Offensive MVP … Selected as the Offensive MVP in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star Game and was named second-team All-American by JC Gridwire … Originally signed with Miami (Fla.) before attending Gulf Coast College.

INJURY REPORT

Suffered a right ankle sprain and fibula fracture vs. Utah State in 2001, missing the entire Akron game while seeing limited action vs. Arkansas.

CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.54 in the 40-yard dash … 35-inch vertical jump … 33-inch arm length … 9 1/8-inch hands … Right-handed.

COMBINE AGILITY TESTS

ARM HAND TEST 40 20 10 VJ BJ SHUTTLE CONE
32½ 9 7/8 12 4.54 2.7 1.62 35½ 9-8 4.16 7.05

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) High … Played football for coach Bill Gierke … Caught 31 passes for 16 touchdowns and averaged better than 25 yards per catch as a senior, earning all-state and all-conference honors … Returned 2 kicks and 2 punts for touchdown.

PERSONAL

Business major … Born Aug. 27, 1980 in Miami, Fla. … Resides in Orlando, Fla.

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 11:22 PM

From earlier this year...

On the Rise: Doug Gabriel

January 25, 2006

By Lauren Tweet

Raiders WR Doug Gabriel says, "I want to show everyone that I can be electrifying." Not only has Gabriel proven his talents and dedication to professional football, but has he also made his presence felt. In 2003, Gabriel was drafted in the fifth round by The Oakland Raiders. With a 6'2", 215-pound frame, Gabriel's game features elusive quickness and break-away speed. His work ethic and strength can only benefit the Raiders in the years to come.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Gabriel said, "I started playing football at five years old." Growing up, Gabriel's mom carted young Doug around from practice to practice. "I've played everything from football to basketball to baseball," he recalled. His well-rounded athletic experiences have certainly helped make him into the true athlete he is today.

Gabriel decided he wanted to further his football career and joined the University of Central Florida's football team. While at UCF, Gabriel perfected his talents and became a highly-touted wide receiver. "Nothing can prepare you to play professional football," Gabriel said. Although, Gabriel's college experience gave him the opportunity to develop and become a much stronger and faster player, it was also a time when Gabriel could prepare himself physically for the future. He finished his collegiate career with 97 receptions for 1,869 yards and 20 touchdowns. By 2003, Gabriel was about to find out if he was ready to play professionally.

Since being drafted in 2003, Gabriel's presence has certainly been felt. Over the last three seasons, he has 71 receptions for 1,122 yards and five touchdowns. In 2005 alone, Gabriel added 37 receptions for 554 yards and three touchdowns to his career statistics. "Each season gives me the chance to improve and become a better player," Gabriel said. Not only does Gabriel have great potential as a wide receiver, but he also has developed at the kickoff return position. Overall, he has had 86 kickoff returns for 1,850 yards and one touchdown. In 2005, he returned four kickoffs for 64 yards. He currently ranks 7th on the Raiders all-time list as a kickoff returner.

Gabriel's versatility as a player will only further his success as well as that of the Raiders organization.

According to Gabriel, the off-season won't be so much of an off-season. He is already looking ahead to the 2006 season. "I will be looking at tapes of games and keeping in shape. I want to show everyone why I am a professional football player, Gabriel explained. "I want to be electrifying. I want to be like lightning." With his devotion to the sport and willingness to improve, Gabriel is the type of player who will hold true to his word.

"I love Oakland. I love the fans." Gabriel's love for the game, as well as the team, will only garner more success in the future. Gabriel's dedication and relentless persistence for excellence is sure to help the Raiders achieve their goals. Keep your eyes on number 85, you will be sure to be electrified.

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 11:26 PM

From Gabriel...2004 training camp...

More relaxed and focused

08/06/04

I feel real good, the off-season program really helped out. I am coming to really help the team this year. My rookie campaign was basically to sit back and learn. This year I have to put it all together. I have been working on every little thing I can. I watched a lot of film. Film work is perfect. If you can't go out on the field, you go to the film room and see what you did wrong. When you go out there, you have to be perfect on everything. I am pacing myself. I'm not trying to do too much. This season I am much more relaxed and focused.

Angry Pope

05-18-2006, 11:32 PM

Some info on Andrew Walter...

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

Maybe get into politics. The idea of making a positive change in the community interests me.

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

family, friends and golf.

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

I didn't have any one team - I was an overall fan.

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

The Beatles and Paul McCartney

The living person I most admire is:

my mom and dad

What is your favorite food?

steak

Growing up, my football hero was:

Joe Montana

My greatest achievement is:

graduating from college

What is your dream car?

anything my brother can sell me (he's a car salesman)

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

Be yourself

What is your favorite movie?

The Natural

Few people know that:

I'm going to run for governor in a few years

Nickname

Drew, Scott Broadway

Angel

05-19-2006, 10:36 AM

Who knows? Why? Does Herm have someone he wants to get rid of? Maybe we'll take your 1st rounder next year.
Well...I wanted Porter before last season...but not so sure now :eek: I'm sure there's someone Herm wants to get rid of though!! (If not, he just isn't looking hard enough) ;)

Angry Pope

05-19-2006, 10:59 AM

Here is a profile for Riddle....

Ryan Riddle, DE+ILB, California

Height: 6:01.5 Weight: 251

Overview: Ryan Riddle is this year's college football Cinderella story. He did not play football for two years after graduating from high school before enrolling at El Camino College. The speedy pass rusher joined the California program in 2003 after an All-American junior college career. He started several games as a junior before having his All-American season for the Cal Bears in 2004. Riddle was an All-Bay League selection as a senior at Culver City (Cal.) High, where he led the league with 17 sacks as a junior and recorded 125 tackles in his senior year. He was named Culver City's Most Improved Player as a junior and team MVP as a senior. He earned Freshman of the Year honors in 2001 at El Camino Junior College, where Ryan had nine sacks and two blocked kicks that season. In 2002, Riddle collected 12 sacks, five blocked kicks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, an interception and two touchdowns scored. He earned third-team All-American and team MVP and a third team JC All-American when he reeled off 12 sacks, three blocked field goals, two blocked punts, three fumble recoveries, two caused fumbles, one interception and two touchdowns scored. He was named to the 2002 All-Region IV Team by the California Community College Coaches Association/JC Athletic Bureau and also tabbed first-team All-Northern Division. Riddle then transferred to California-Berkeley, where he started three of 13 games at right defensive end in 2003. He posted 29 tackles (20 solo) with 6.5 sacks, 7.5 stops for losses and a fumble recovery his junior year. That was followed by an All-American 2004 season. Ryan led the Pac-10 Conference and ranked third in the nation with a school season-record 14.5 sacks for losses of 122 yards. He led the conference and ranked sixth nationally with 19 stops behind the line of scrimmage, adding 48 tackles (38 solo) with three forced fumbles. In two seasons with the Bears, he produced 77 tackles (58 solo), 21 sacks for minus-160 yards, 26.5 stops for losses of 183 yards, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and a pair of pass deflections. His 21 sacks rank eighth on the school's career-record list.

Analysis: Positives Ryan is an undersized overachiever who could move to linebacker at the pro level. Watching him perform this year brought back memories of when current Super Bowl champion New England Patriots Tedy Bruschi (Arizona) and Tully Banta-Cain (California) used to terrorize Pac-10 quarterbacks as defensive ends. He has a quick first step off the line of scrimmage and uses his hands efficiently to get a shoulder on the blocker. He has good speed coming off the snap and has the change of direction agility to move down the line. While he has marginal size, he compensates with functional strength and above average quickness. He has good intangibles and plays with total effort. Riddle is sudden coming out of his stance and has very good instincts for finding the ball. He might lack mass, but plays with good leverage. Ryan can roll his hips to stall the offensive linemen and while he is not a two-gap player, he can squeeze the lanes. Riddle uses his hands very well and keeps his feet free. He works a blocker with his hands and keeps leverage while quickly locating the ball. He has the sudden burst to close on the ball carrier or quarterback coming off the edge and is a hard striker, showing good aggression to finish the tackle. He is very active on the corners and has the desire to flush the passer out of the pocket. He uses his quickness effectively to gain advantage and even with his lack of size does well to control blocks in one-on-one situations. His lack of bulk does get him pushed back and turned around when trying to work through trash, but he has the speed to reach the outside. In his short and long pursuit, you always see his good motor. He is a solid wrap-up tackler who has the strength to explode into a ball carrier. While he has good quickness off the edge, he still needs to develop a counter move. Because of his size, Riddle cannot always step over trash, but he will use his hands to try and keep blockers off his body. He will stay on blocks too long at times, but his upper body strength allows him to walk some blockers back into the pocket. When working near the pile, he is not always quick to locate the ball, but he shows good snap quickness coming off the edge. His down side will always be his lack of size (for a down lineman), but if a team shifts him to linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, they could find a second day draft steal.

Negatives

Agility tests: 4.66 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided). ... 4.8 in the 40-yard dash. ... 405-pound bench press. ... 550-pound squat. ... 335-pound power clean. ... 34-inch vertical jump. ... 32-inch arms. ... 9 -inch hands. ... 26/39 Wonderlic score.

High school: Attended Culver City (Calif.), where he tallied seven sacks and three blocked field goals his senior year (1998). ... Named Culver City's Most Improved Player as a junior and team MVP as a senior. ... Earned All-Bay League first-team honors as a senior when he recorded 125 tackles and was chosen second-team All-Area as a junior when he led the Bay League in sacks with 17.

Personal: Social Welfare major. ... Grandfather, John Riddle, was a fullback at Southern California...Sat out two years after high school before returning to football at El Camino College. ... Son of Sherri and Paul Riddle. ... Born 7/05/81 in Los Angeles, California...Resides in Culver City, California.

Angry Pope

05-19-2006, 11:01 AM

Here is an older article on Riddle...

Cal's Riddle an enigma wrapped up in big plays

Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, December 19, 2004

When All-American defensive end Ryan Riddle was recruited by Cal, defensive line coach Ken Delgado knew what he was getting.

"The first thing we saw was he had tremendous play-maker ability," Delgado said.

Riddle, a two-year standout at El Camino Junior College, made sure of that.

Delgado said coaches like to break down game films in evaluating recruits, perhaps taking a glance at the highlight reels most players put together.

"We'll do that to satisfy their ego a little bit," Delgado said. "Ryan was really adamant about watching his highlight tape."

So Delgado humored him.

"It went on and on, half an hour," he said. "He was blocking kicks, making interceptions, sacking the quarterback, making tackles for losses. This guy had an inherent gift as a playmaker."

Riddle has more than shown that in his senior season, which ends Dec. 30 against Texas Tech at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. He's been named a first- team All-American by the Sporting News and Sports Illustrated.com and second- team by the Associated Press. He set a Cal record with 14 1/2 sacks and was named the Bears' Most Valuable Player on defense. Yet Delgado says there's much more to Riddle.

"There's a tremendous amount of depth to Ryan as a person," he said. "Ryan Riddle can walk away from football right now and have a fulfilling life. ... He loves the game but I don't think he attaches himself to it."

It's a shame that Riddle doesn't have two lives at Cal -- the current one as a football star and a second as just a student.

Riddle takes academics seriously. He plans to graduate in social welfare with an emphasis on sociology. But he's unsatisfied. In his view there's so much to learn and so little time.

Riddle would like to make documentary films some day, pursuing his interest in human behavior.

"I'd like to do a documentary on nature versus nurture," Riddle said. "Is it just the way we're raised that allows women to be more nurturing? Is it that innate or are they taught to do that? Could the roles have been reversed? I'd love to hear some academic opinions from a lot of different viewpoints."

While the University of California might be the ideal starting point for that pursuit, Riddle has other priorities right now.

"It's really hard to get totally into school with football," Riddle said. "At the end of the day all you want to do is sleep."

Riddle likely will play in the NFL, although he's uncertain what path his career will take -- just as he was uncertain coming out of Culver City High. He sat out two years before resuming his playing career at El Camino, not knowing if he was ready to make the commitment.

"As a JC guy coming into football after two years I could not have predicated anything of this magnitude," he said. "But each time I was able to see what I was up against, I realized anything is possible. ... Once I got here and saw what this level was all about, I believed in myself. I always go into it unsure."

Delgado said Riddle had to be taught to be a fundamental, physical player. He was an eager student.

"You have to be careful not to over-coach that guy," he said. "He was always attentive. ... Once I got him going in that direction, I had to take him back. Let's not get so rigid we lose our playmaking ability."

Delgado said they've found a comfortable middle ground -- balancing Riddle's instinct and passion with the need to play within the defensive scheme.

"I'm not so much enamored with his ability to sack the quarterback, but with his ability to function in the (defensive) front and do all the dirty work," Delgado said.

Riddle gained 20 pounds in the offseason. And he improved his speed.

"That's a deadly combination," he said.

Riddle was disappointed when the Bears were knocked out of the Rose Bowl by the strange twists of the BCS. He quickly moved on to the Holiday Bowl.

"I love the stadium (Qualcomm Stadium), I love San Diego," he said. "It's a really big bowl. I'm really excited about it."

Angry Pope

05-19-2006, 11:08 AM

Some info on Adam Treu...

Nickname

Nuke

What is your favorite movie?

National Lampoon's Vacation

What is your favorite food?
Turkey and stuffing with gravy

Few people know that:

my appendix ruptured when I was 10 and I almost died

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

Metallica, Led Zeppelin and The Who

My favorite quotation is:

"Beauty fades, dumb is forever". Judge Judy

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

continue to earn a living doing something I enjoy

My craziest ambition is:

is to have my own professional fishing show

Growing up, my football hero was:

Jarvis Redwine

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

getting to the stadium at least 3 1/2 hours early

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

golf, fishing and watching The Outdoor Life network

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

Anything my dad would say to me about athletics

Angry Pope

05-19-2006, 06:18 PM

Here is another hard hits video.....

Hit it here.... (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5657980350488671396&q=nfl)

Angry Pope

05-19-2006, 11:31 PM

Here is a profile for Justin Fargas....

Justin Fargas

Position: Running Back
College: Southern California
Height: 6-1
Weight: 219
Hometown: Encino, Calif.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Well-toned athlete with thick legs and a muscular frame … Has above-average quickness and balance through the holes … Explodes through the seams and has that quick sidestep that consistently makes defenders miss … Patiently waits for blocks to develop, using his sharp change-of-direction skills to fluidly turn the corner … Runs at a good pad level, showing powerful leg drive up the middle … Does not shy away from contact running through traffic … Has a forceful stiff-arm to keep defensive backs in check … Runs low to the ground and keeps his shoulders squared … Displays good stop-and-go action and the vision to set his blocks up well … Has very quick feet, shortening his stride and showing superb spin ability … Lowers his shoulders and drives forward with power … Shows smooth pick-and-slide agility, displaying moves to freeze defenders in one-on-one situations.

Negatives: Will hit the line and stop, at times resulting in lost yardage … Hands are very suspect, thus the reason that he was never involved in the team's passing game … Also needs to be more crisp in his route-running (almost seems as if he's too reluctant to be any way involved in the passing game) … Makes passive attempts as a blocker and overextends when trying to seal off the blitz … Needs to protect the ball better when running to prevent costly fumbles.

CAREER NOTES

Lost on the depth charts at the University of Michigan, Fargas battled similar-quality talent at USC, joining Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie in giving the Trojans their best running corps in years last season … The son of former television star Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear on Starsky and Hutch), Fargas gained 1,077 yards with 8 touchdowns on 257 carries (4.2 avg.) in three years on the gridiron.

2002 SEASON

All-Pac 10 second-team selection … Recipient of the team's Courage Award … Played in 12 games, starting vs. Oregon, Stanford, Arizona State and UCLA in his only year at USC … Caught 8 passes for 101 yards (12.6 avg.) and returned 7 kickoffs for 132 yards (18.9 avg.)

Preseason - Underwent ligament and fusion surgery on his right big toe in March to repair damage caused while at Michigan.

Auburn - Did not play in the season opener … Suffered a right hamstring strain in fall drills, an injury that sidelined him vs. the Tigers.
Colorado - Was not scheduled to play, but put himself into the game without the coaches knowing and rushed once for 4 yards.
Kansas State - Added 24 yards on 6 runs.
Oregon State - Totaled 41 yards on 17 chances.
Washington State - Ran for 33 yards on 12 tries.
Washington - Scored his first touchdown as a Trojan on a 13-yard scamper.
Oregon - In his first start for USC, he carried 27 times for 139 yards and a 15-yard score, adding 25 yards on a kickoff return.
Stanford - Followed with 9 rushes for 43 yards and a 7-yard touchdown.
Arizona State - Had 26 attempts for 125 yards, including a 3-yard score, a 22-yard kickoff return and a pair of receptions for 48 yards.
UCLA - Gained 41 yards with a 1-yard touchdown on 16 chances.
Notre Dame - Earned Player of the Game honors as he carried 20 times for 123 yards, made 4 catches for 41 yards and returned a kickoff 26 yards.
Iowa (Orange Bowl) - Closed out his career with 20 attempts for 122 yards, including 4- and 50-yard touchdowns, adding 9 yards on a reception and 33 yards on 2 kickoff returns.

2001 SEASON

Sat out the year at USC under NCAA transfer rules … Worked on the scout team as a tailback … Dislocated his left little finger in practice prior to the California game.

2000 SEASON

Played in 11 games for the University of Michigan Wolverines … Moved from tailback to free safety for the final seven contests … Recorded 10 tackles (8 solos) with a forced fumble … Carried 18 times for 85 yards (4.7 avg.) and returned 7 kickoffs for 124 yards (17.7 avg.)

1999 SEASON

Granted a medical redshirt … Spent the year rehabilitating from three surgeries to repair his broken right leg. (Two titanium rods and 12 screws were implanted in his leg in the first surgery. Four months later, when the leg wasn't healing properly, doctors were forced to re-break the leg and insert two metal plates. A third surgery took place to fix tendons in his right big toe).

1998 SEASON

Played in 10 games at Michigan … Carried 77 times for 277 yards (3.6 avg.) and a touchdown … Returned 16 kickoffs for 311 yards (19.4 avg.) and had a 5-yard reception … Also made 3 solo tackles … Suffered a broken right leg in the fourth quarter vs. Wisconsin.

INJURY REPORT

Fractured his tibia and fibula in his right leg vs. Wisconsin in 1998, missing the final two games … Sat out the 1999 season; spent the year rehabilitating from three surgeries to repair his broken right leg … Underwent fusion surgery on his right big toe to clear out debris from his 1998 accident in 2002 spring drills (3/1) … Suffered a right hamstring strain in 2002 fall drills that sidelined him for the season opener vs. Auburn.

CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.35 in the 40-yard dash … 445-pound bench press … 530-pound squat … 320-pound power clean … 40-inch vertical jump … 11-foot-3 broad jump … 31¾-inch arm length … 9½-inch hands.

COMBINE AGILITY TESTS

ARM HAND TEST 40 20 10 225 VJ BJ SHUTTLE CONE
31 9¾ 29 4.4 2.54 1.47 27 11"5"

HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) High … Ran for 6,357 yards and 82 touchdowns on 668 carries (9.5 avg.), all school records, in his three-year (1995-97) career … As a senior, he was regarded as the nation's top prep running back … Named Parade All-American, USA Today All-USA first team, SuperPrep National 50, The Sporting News Top 100, The Sports Page, SuperPrep All-American, PrepStar Dream Team, PrepStar All-American, ESPN/National Recruiting Advisor All-American second team, SuperPrep All-Farwest, PrepStar Western Region Offensive MVP, PrepStar All-Western Region Super 30, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team (unanimous), Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division III Offensive MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Valley MVP, Los Angeles Daily News All-Valley MVP and All-Mission League MVP … In 1997, he rushed for 2,818 yards and 35 TDs on a school-record 313 carries (9.0 avg.) … In one game, he ran for 404 yards with 6 scores … For the second consecutive year, Notre Dame was the CIF Division III runnerup in 1997 … As a junior in 1996, he gained 2,970 yards (then the third most in California history) with 38 TDs on 281 carries (10.6 avg.) while earning USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Student Sports Junior All-American, Cal-Hi Sports All-State second team, Cal-Hi Sports Junior All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division III Offensive Co-MVP, Los Angeles Times All-Valley MVP, Los Angeles Daily News All-Valley MVP and All-Mission League MVP honors … He also caught 22 passes for 284 yards (12.9 avg.) with 4 scores in 1996 … As a 1995 sophomore fullback, he rushed for 569 yards and 9 TDs on 74 carries (7.7 avg.) … Played defensive back all three years at Notre Dame … Also ran track, winning the state 100 meters crown in 1997 (his best in the 100 was 10.47).

PERSONAL

Sociology major … Father, Antonio Fargas, is an actor who has appeared in television (including as Huggy Bear on Starsky and Hutch) and film (Shaft, Pretty Baby, The Gambler and Car Wash, among others) … Born Jan. 25, 1980 … Resides in Encino, Calif.

Angry Pope

05-19-2006, 11:33 PM

Here is some info on Justin....

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

relax.

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

rap music, writing music.

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

Oakland Raiders

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

2Pac

The living person I most admire is:

Carson Palmer (2003 #1 overall draft pick)

What is your favorite food?

ribs

Growing up, my football hero was:

Bo Jackson

My motto is:

"Go hard."

What is your dream car?

Mercedes

The best advice I have ever received (and from whom) is:

"Never give up."

What is your favorite movie?

"12 Monkeys"

Few people know that:

I also have a great mother.

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

to say a prayer.

Angry Pope

05-21-2006, 09:51 AM

Here is a profile for Chris Carr...

Chris Carr

Position: CB
Class: Jr
School: Boise St.
Conference: WAC
Ht., Wt.: 5-9, 181
40 Time: 4.64

BIO: Three year starter used at both strong safety and cornerback. Played in eight games as a senior posting 28/1/3 while also averaging 25.7 yards on 12 kick returns. Junior totals included 81/4/6 with a 26.3 yard average on 27 kick returns.

POSITIVES: Adequate defensive back who displays skill as a game breaking return specialist. Does a solid job diagnosing the action, displays good footwork in reverse and has a burst of closing speed on the pass. Comes up the field to help out in run support and wraps up tackling. Dangerous kick returner who.s also helped out on coverage units in the past.

NEGATIVES: Lacks size, speed and cover skills. Not as physical during his senior season as he had been in the past.

ANALYSIS: An efficient defensive back who rarely makes mental mistakes, Carr projects as a dime back yet will earn his wage in the NFL on special teams.

PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent

Angry Pope

05-21-2006, 09:53 AM

Some info on Chris Carr...

When I finish playing football, I would like to:

go to law school

My hobbies and leisure activities include:

cooking and reading

My favorite NFL team as a child was:

San Francisco 49ers

Who is your favorite musician or musical group?

The Roots

My favorite quotation is:

"Love your neighbor like you love yourself" -Mark 12:31

The living person I most admire is:

my mother

What is your favorite food?

BBQ

Growing up, my football hero was:

Steve Young and Jerry Rice

My greatest achievement is:

making it to the NFL

What is your favorite movie?

The Power of One

Few people know that:

I like to read

Nickname

Fast Car

My pre-game superstitions/rituals are:

none

Angry Pope

05-21-2006, 10:02 AM

An older article on Carr...

Raiders knew injured Carr would make a dent in camp

- Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, August 4, 2005

Chris Carr's injury tale his senior season at Boise State reads like so many other reasons NFL teams often overlook worthy players in the draft.

A standout cornerback/rover for the surprisingly strong 11-1 non-BCS team that had a potential undefeated season ruined by Louisville in the Liberty Bowl, Carr was well-known in the Western Athletic Conference as a big hitter and, most significant, a speedy, sure-handed return man.

But a broken collarbone sustained in the Oct. 2 game against SMU limited the three-year starter and co-captain to eight games in 2004, and NFL teams quickly dropped him down their draft boards.

So when it became clear by Round 5 of April's draft that Carr might be passed over because of uncertainty over his collegiate pedigree or his injury, the Raiders were waiting to pounce.

"Actually, they called me during the draft, they called my agent during the draft,'' said Carr, who graduated from Boise State this spring with a degree in political science and a plan to apply to law schools if the NFL didn't pan out.

Wisely, Carr had done his homework and knew the Raiders, who only days earlier had sent disgruntled cornerback and disinterested punt returner Phillip Buchanon to Houston in a trade, needed a new man to field punts.

"I think it was by like the fifth round, they called and said, 'Hey, we would draft him, but we want to sign him to a free agent for sure -- we don't have enough picks but we want to get him there for sure,' '' recalled Carr, a former All-State running back for McQueen High in Reno and Nevada Player of the Year his senior season.

As promised, Carr was the first rookie free agent the Raiders contacted and signed. So far, in a wide-open audition for punt returner and a competitive battle for jobs in the secondary, he has been everything the scouts and coaches thought he would be.

"One of my friends, a guy I worked with a long time -- Ernie Zampese who coached the Chargers, the Rams and Dallas -- he used to start every year saying, 'Hey, the more things you can do, the more chances you have of making this football team,' '' coach Norv Turner said. "And Chris is a guy who catches the ball extremely well. He's returned all his life. He was a good returner in college.

"So, he'll get opportunities to return punts and kicks and he's done a good job for us. He's a young guy and he's learning. But he's doing a good job in the secondary."

Wednesday morning, Carr saw a lot of work in the nickel as the Raiders slowed up their 11-on-11 drills to allow for more thorough instruction. He batted down a ball and showed the kind of speed and awareness on the field that would make people forget he was never drafted. In the afternoon workout, he took snaps in the base defense with the second team.

"I didn't really surprise myself. I think I surprised a lot of people. But at Boise State, we played man-to-man or Cover 5. So I never played Cover 2 until I came here. I never played Cover 3,'' he said. "So I'm used to covering people and reading routes. I just have confidence that it doesn't matter who's running the route, if you read the route you know what it is, it doesn't matter who's running it. I have extreme confidence when I'm out there playing football.''

He has to, being the prototypical "too short" cornerback. At 5-foot-9, 181 pounds, Carr looks bigger and tries to play bigger than his size indicates. His junior season, Carr made 81 stops, including six tackles for losses. He also intercepted four passes and broke up six.

As a return man, however, his perceived lack of height or weight didn't hinder his ability.

As a junior, Carr averaged 26.3 yards on 72 kick returns. During his limited senior season, he averaged 19.9 yards per punt return -- No. 2 in the nation at the time of his injury -- on 21 attempts for 418 yards and two touchdowns.

That infamous bright blue artificial turf field at Boise State was hard and fast, and should Carr make the final cut with the Raiders he'll be fielding kickoffs and punts on the slower grass and dirt infield inside the Coliseum.

He won't miss the blue field, and he's confident he'll be just as fast without it.

"It was definitely to our advantage at Boise State. But I'm looking forward to this challenge. I've never been in this position where people don't know how good I am and don't expect much from me, so I have nothing to lose. So I have extra incentive to go out there and play as hard as I can every play and show people that I can play.''

Angry Pope

05-21-2006, 10:10 AM

A quote from Carr...

"Most rookies, whether if you're drafted or not, get their start on special teams," Carr said. "You have a lot of guys who can do specific things but there are very few people who can do a lot of things. I take pride of trying to do everything well and trying to improve each aspect of my game. I f they want me to focus in one aspect that is fine, but I am always looking to improve."

Angry Pope

05-21-2006, 01:02 PM

Here is a profile for Anttaj Hawthorne...

Anttaj Hawthorne

Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Wisconsin
Height: 6-2
Weight: 310
Hometown: Hamden, Conn.

OVERVIEW

Regarded as one of the premier defensive linemen in the collegiate ranks, Hawthorne was called "the best defensive lineman I ever coached," by Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez. After being thrust into action immediately as a true freshman, Hawthorne showed steady progress throughout his college career. He started 41 consecutive games for the Badgers and was the recipient of the team's Jay Seiler Coaches Appreciation Award (given for improvement, attitude and willingness to help the program).

Hawthorne was considered the nation's premier defensive tackle coming out of Hamden (Conn.). He was a USA Today and ESPN All-American, registering 102 solo tackles with 17 sacks and seven forced fumbles as a senior. The three-time all-state choice finished his career with more than 250 tackles, 30 quarterback sacks, 38 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 14 recovered fumbles. He concluded his prep career by playing in the prestigious National All-Star Game in Dallas after the 2000 season.

He was an immediate contributor at Wisconsin, starting the final two games of the 2001 season at nose guard. Hawthorne finished that year with 16 tackles and four stops for losses. He took over left defensive tackle duties in 2002, starting the next 41 games. Hawthorne totaled 68 tackles (30 solo) with a pair of sacks, seven stops behind the line of scrimmage and 12 quarterback pressures as a sophomore.

He earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors (media) in 2003 after compiling a career-high 75 tackles (31 solo), including four sacks and five pressures. His 20 stops for loss ranked second in the conference and 18th in the nation that year. In 2004, Hawthorne recorded 42 tackles (23 solo) with six sacks, 11½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, a fumble recovery and one quarterback pressure, as he struggled a bit to stay off the ground vs. double-team coverage.

For his career, Hawthorne registered 201 tackles (nine solo) with 12 sacks for minus-51 yards, 42½ stops for losses of 115 yards, 20 quarterback pressures, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, an interception and four pass deflections in 49 games. His 42½ stops behind the line of scrimmage rank sixth on the school's career-record list, topped only by Dave Ahrens (43, 1977-80), Don Davey (49, 1987-90), Tom Burke (54, 1995-98), Mike Thompson (57, 1991-94) and Tarek Saleh (58, 1993-96).

ANALYSIS

Hawthorne has an imposing frame that could add more bulk, but while he has natural strength, he needs to improve his midsection tone. He has an explosive initial step to get advantage coming off the snap. Hawthorne is a good program player with quick hand reaction to shock and jolt and outstanding instincts working down the line. He anticipates the potential blockers' moves and reacts with strength and quickness to blocking schemes. He is the type of competitor who plays with good intensity and playing strength, but was a little inconsistent in that effort as a senior. Hawthorne also shows good instincts, awareness and ball-recognition ability.

When working in one-on-one situations, he will consistently penetrate and disrupt the plays. Hawthorne plays with very good leverage to anchor and hold ground and defeat blocks at the point of attack. He uses his hands effectively to stack and control. However, he can get isolated vs. the double team and can struggle to hold the point, as he does not always protect his body. When blockers get their hands into his chest, Hawthorne will get locked up and stall out, but he will flash ability to stack at times. He is much better to neutralize and disrupt when in isolated situations, as he has the strength to work across blocks to the ball.

Hawthorne can pull the center, recover and make plays up and down the line. He has good lateral agility and shows fluid moves when changing direction. He is very hard to block, but needs to show better hand usage to prevent guards from attacking his feet (poor knee lift to avoid). Hawthorne shows excellent field instincts, as he is quick to locate the ball and pursue the play in the short area. He has a very good feel for pressure and reacts with power-oriented moves rather than finesse against the blocker.

His outstanding leverage is evident when he stacks and sheds vs. the run. He has good lateral agility and uses his hand jolt effectively to push the blocker back, redirect and shoot the gaps. When he moves down the line, he is quick to pick up schemes and plays with urgency to prevent the ball carrier from turning the corner. He will often face multiple blockers and would be more effective shedding them if he can improve his hand usage.

Against the pass, he shows a sudden burst off the ball, but is more comfortable as a power rusher than the type who will finesse or rely upon speed to make the play. He can move down the line, but lacks the lateral quickness and speed to slip off blocks and get pressure consistently. Hawthorne spends too much time on the ground when attempting to pass rush and isn't consistent in using his hands to generate effective rip, swim or club moves, even though he has the strength. He relies more on his leverage and strength to get penetration and pressure.

Character-wise, this player is well liked by his team and seemingly everyone on campus. For all the press he has received, coach Barry Alvarez says that Hawthorne remains focused and acts like a "regular Joe." While some may look at his statistical drop-off in 2004 as cause for concern, the Badgers went to more of a containment posture with the defensive tackles than they did in previous seasons.

With the return of defensive end Erasmus James in 2004, Hawthorne's job was to basically handle the trash. He is very mature for a young player and shows a desire to improve. If a team uses him as an "under" tackle, much like Tampa Bay (Anthony McFarland) and the New York Jets (Dwayne Robertson) utilize, this athlete will be one that NFL offenses will have to always account for.

INJURY REPORT

No injuries reported.

AGILITY
5.17 in the 40-yard dash … 400-pound bench press … 550-pound squat … 335-pound power clean … 29-inch vertical jump … 32 1/8-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Hamden (Conn.) High, playing football for coach Tony Martone … Named to the USA Today and Reebok/ESPN first-team All-America squad … Was also a member of PrepStar's Dream Team and SuperPrep's first-team All-America unit … Participated in the National High School All-Star game in Dallas … Rated the ninth-best player in the country by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report (second-ranked defensive player) … All-state choice in each of his last three years … Registered 102 solo tackles, 17 sacks and seven forced fumbles as a senior … Closed out his career with more than 250 tackles, 38 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 30 quarterback sacks and 14 recovered fumbles.

PERSONAL

African-American Studies major … Son of Eileen Hawthorne … Born Nov. 15, 1981 … Resides in Hamden, Conn.

Angry Pope

05-21-2006, 01:05 PM

An article from last year on Taj...

NFL scouts doubt Hawthorne’s drive

By DAVE SOLOMON

01/29/2005

MOBILE, Ala. -- It was the day before the Green Bowl ’04 when NFL players agent Tom Condon and his people met with Anttaj Hawthorne and his people.

One conversation led to another before Hawthorne, the former Hamden High football standout and would-be first-round draft pick from the University of Wisconsin, politely excused himself from the table in order to give a motivational speech to the Hamden football team.

"You are?" responded Condon in mock horror. "I’d better get in the car and get over to Notre Dame to launch a counterattack."

Fortunately for Condon, an alumnus of Notre Dame of West Haven -- which is Hamden’s annual Thanksgiving Day rival -- his allegiance wasn’t a deal breaker. The two shades of green, now united as player and agent, had a good chuckle recalling that story this week at the Senior Bowl.

Today’s Senior Bowl (4 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium) -- which also features UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky and linebacker Alfred Fincher -- should be the climax to a productive week for Hawthorne, whose is now projected as a late first-round pick. With hundreds of scouts looking to find things wrong with players -- the nature of the business -- the only thing anyone has ever questioned about Hawthorne is his "motor," football’s buzzword for competitive drive. At least that’s what you’ll find on most scouting reports, contrary to what you’ll hear from Hawthorne’s coaches in high school and college.

I think sometimes, if one scout comes to a conclusion about a player, skewed or otherwise, every other scout automatically gravitates to that opinion in order to keep up with the competition. Also, NFL teams are so guarded with their own particular draft interests and agendas, they’ll talk down any player in hopes of throwing off other teams.

Nonetheless, the perception of Hawthorne’s "motor" is out there, and consequently, Hawthorne, a 6-foot-3, 317-pound mountain of a man, came to Mobile looking to dispel any such thoughts. He routinely dominated the line of scrimmage here, and though he had only six sacks last season, he showed a better pass rush than many scouts expected. His motor was above reproach.

"He’s had a nice week out here," said Green Bay Packers Director of College Scouting John Dorsey, the former University of Connecticut All-America linebacker. "He kind of showed flashes of being able to rush the passer this week. He didn’t show a lot of that at Wisconsin, but he’s shown active feet and a little bit of hand quickness, which it takes to do that kind of thing."

Dorsey conceded that he, too, is of the opinion that Hawthorne’s motor occasionally shuts off, but was encouraged by the way Hawthorne accounted for himself this week. "It’s something that is really hard to measure until you truly know what drives the man," Dorsey said. "And that comes from direct interaction at the combine, interviews and stuff like that. I can’t fully answer that question yet."

The part that Hawthorne could answer with his practice habits and performance leading up to today’s game was visibly accomplished. Oakland Raiders defensive assistant Chris Griswold, who has been running the North team defensive linemen through their paces this week, raved about Hawthorne’s performance, saying, "I thought he had a great week. He’s strong at the point of attack in the run game, and the one thing I was curious to see is if he could rush the passer. He showed that ability this week."

Right now, Hawthorne is projected as one of three first-round defensive tackles, including Florida State’s Travis Johnson and Southern California’s Shaun Cody. The next few weeks should determine which of the three emerge as the No. 1 defensive tackle.

"I don’t think I ever take a play off, but yeah, I’ve seen the scouting reports," Hawthorne said. "That’s why I came down here, to compete against the best players in the country and to show (the scouts and coaches), day-in, day-out, great effort in practice and drills. Come (today), I’ll be firing all over the place, just trying to get the perception erased."

For the top college seniors, the Senior Bowl and combine next month effectively represent the two most influential job interviews a player goes through prior to individual team workouts in March.

And after watching the week of practice, Condon couldn’t have been any more pleased if Hawthorne was a Green Knight ... instead of a Green Dragon.

"It’s been that kind of a week for him," said Condon, a former veteran lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs. "They’ve been unable to handle him in one-on-one, he’s been disruptive in (double) team, and he’s made play after play. Clearly, he’s stood out."

Today’s game is about putting an exclamation on his week -- and perhaps even putting a period at the end of any false notions about his motor.