NFL Draft News Feed – Page 181 – Priced Out of the Citi

WAC Statement Regarding Boise State

WAC Commissioner Karl Benson:

“While I am disappointed that Boise State has elected to leave the WAC, I am very optimistic that the WAC will continue to have success in the future and that this change in membership will allow us to build even a better WAC for the future. The WAC has been very good for Boise State and Boise State has been very good for the WAC. But it’s not the first time a school has left the WAC and each time it has happened, a school or group of schools have stepped up and performed at a level that brings the WAC national credibility. We have a very strong foundation of schools going forward and others that are showing vast improvement in their athletics’ programs, and I expect that one of these teams will do just that – step up and perform. And

On Location: Wallace Says McCluster For ROY

Since the trade of Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the New York Jets all eyes have been on second-year receiver Mike Wallace who was selected out of Ole Miss in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

During recent OTA’s Wallace was running with the first team and even took some direct snaps. A new wrinkle in the young receiver’s game which he calls “a little something, something.”

“Yeah, I got a lot of new things in my game,” Wallace added. The second-year man looks to build on an outstanding rookie season in which he led the NFL in yards per catch with 19.3. With Holmes gone and franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger serving a suspension to start the season

On Location: Justin Hartwig On Big Ben

Justin Hartwig has been a center for the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2008, serving as the first line of defense against the likes of Ray Lewis and any other opposing player looking to make mincemeat out of Ben Roethlisberger.

During the 2009 season I asked Hartwig about the closeness of the team…did they get together on special occasions like birthdays.

“Yeah, if it works with our schedule,” Hartwig answered. “Last year on my birthday (2008) we played the Bengals on a Thursday and afterwards we all went to Chicago for the weekend for my birthday.”

Hartwig added, “Usually the offensive linemen and Ben (Roethlisberger), we usually hang out quite a bit. We have to bond.”

In interviews just like this these days, Hartwig finds himself once again protecting the man he usually protects on Sundays against the NFL’s best defenders.

“We

On Location: Steelers Rookie Receivers Battle

During the Steelers OTA’s, I got to watch three of the team’s young receivers—Isaiah Williams and rookies Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown—compete in a game of “Who can catch the most tennis balls?” It sounds odd, but activities like these encourage competition and bring a team closer together.

Standing about ten yards from the ball-shooting machine, the guys have to catch a brown ball and drop it into a five-gallon bucket, one you could find at any hardware store or garage.

I was curious as to why they had to drop the balls into the bucket. Sanders explained, “It’s symbolizing you catching then tucking the ball. If you don’t drop it in the bucket, it’s like a fumble.”

The trio was all fun and games with Sanders easily the most vocal of the three. When it was all over, the first-year man out

Statements From Boise President & AD

Boise State University today has accepted the invitation to join the Mountain West Conference and become its 10th member institution, effective July 1, 2011.<br <br Boise State joins the United States Air Force Academy, Brigham Young University, Colorado State University, University of New Mexico, San Diego State University, Texas Christian University, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, University of Utah and University of Wyoming.<br <br Boise State is the second institution to join the Mountain West; TCU became a member in 2005. The Mountain West Conference began with eight members in 1998. Boise State’s previous conference affiliations included the Big Sky from 1970-1996, Big West from 1996-2001 and the Western Athletic Conference from 2001-current.<br <br Boise State President Bob Kustra<br

“The invitation to join the Mountain West Conference reflects the excellence that Boise State University has demonstrated academically and athletically. It

Statements From Boise President & AD

“The invitation to join the Mountain West Conference reflects the excellence that Boise State University has demonstrated academically and athletically. It

Mountain West Conference Adds Boise State

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mountain West Conference announced today that Boise State University has accepted an invitation to join the MWC as its 10th member institution, effective July 1, 2011.

“We are pleased and excited to welcome Boise State University to the Mountain West Conference,” said Commissioner Craig Thompson. “Since our inception just 11 short years ago, the Mountain West has experienced tremendous success, and the addition of Boise State will further enhance that strength. The MWC continues to strategize regarding potential membership scenarios and bringing Boise State into the Conference is an important part of that evolution.”

“The invitation to join the Mountain West Conference reflects the excellence that Boise State University has demonstrated academically and athletically,” said Boise State President Robert Kustra. “It will be a privilege to compete and partner with such a successful group of member

2011 NFL Draft Watch #28: Akeem Ayers

The countdown continues and our number twenty-eight prospect in college football is…

Outside Linebacker Akeem Ayers (Junior):

The Skinny: The UCLA linebacker has the bulk, length, frame and athletic ability that NFL decision makers dream of. Standing at 6’4” and 250-plus pounds with a frame that can add more weight, Ayers moves around the field with a fleetness of foot that you’d expect from a much smaller player. The first thing that stands out about his game tape is that he is an absolute turnover machine from his strong side linebacker position—he creates fumbles and interceptions at a startling rate. In 2009, more often than not those picks turned into touchdowns—he returned three of his four interceptions for scores as a sophomore. When asked to rush the passer (six

Scouting The Cornerbacks: Class of 2012

Here’s a look at the top junior cornerback prospects entering the 2010 season:

1. Patrick Peterson, LSU – The Bayou Bengal was already one of the top cover corners in the nation as a sophomore…when he was at his best, no one in college football was better. If he can be more consistent, Peterson has a very good chance to be a top-five selection in the 2011 NFL Draft should he forgo his final season in Baton Rouge. He checks in as our number five overall prospect for 2011 (top defensive back, second highest rated defender). At 6’1” and 211 pounds Peterson has the perfect build for an NFL corner which allows him to be effective against both the run and the pass. In pass coverage his size allows him to battle receivers at the line of scrimmage in bump and run coverage, in addition to

Around The Web: NFL Rookie Watch

Vikings RB Toby Gerhart is expected to compete with Albert Young for the primary backup job behind Adrian Peterson.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said RB Glen Coffee and RB Anthony Dixon will be competing for playing time behind RB Frank Gore this season, reports Phil Barber, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Dallas WR Dez Bryant (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Seahawks rookie Golden Tate was chosen by the San Francisco Giants in the 50th and final round of the Major League Baseball draft. He played center field for Notre Dame’s baseball team, and this is the second time he has been taken in the baseball draft. He was chosen in the later rounds by the Arizona Diamondbacks coming out of high school.

Coach Gary Kubiak considers seventh-rounder Dorin Dickerson a “project”