Priced Out of the Citi – Page 169

On Location: Q&A with Brandon Minor

The NFL Draft Bible caught up with undrafted Bears running back Brandon Minor after Monday’s practice session in Bourbonnais. Minor formerly played for the Michigan Wolverines.

RM: You’ve made a great impression on your coaches thus far. What is it that makes you stand out?

BM: “I just believe it’s my ability to learn the plays real fast. I’m a quick learner and just a hard worker. I think I really impressed them with my speed. I really don’t think they thought I was that fast, but I’ve been working really hard over the break. I can catch the ball out of the backfield and I’m really a strong runner.”

RM: Has learning the playbook been easy?

BM: “No, not with Mike Martz. It’s hard to pick up. [But] I really feel comfortable in my ability. I really feel comfortable with what they’re throwing at me.”

RM: How different is it playing in Mike

On Location: Major Wright Goes Down

Standout rookie safety Major Wright’s sensational camp took a wrong turn earlier today at Bears practice in Bourbonnais, as the former Florida Gator suffered a non-contact injury.

While backpedaling in pass coverage, Wright slipped and apparently pulled a groin muscle. The young defensive back proceeded to get up slowly and walk very gingerly to the sideline where he received assistance from one the staff trainers. Following Monday’s session, coach Lovie Smith declined to provide any details on the injury.

Prior to his setback, Wright made his presence felt on more than one occasion by using his instincts to jump routes, deflect passes and even intercepting a Caleb Hanie throw that had many teammates shouting, “Did you see that?”

Stay tuned for more updates from Bears camp.

On Location: Major Wright Goes Down

Standout rookie safety Major Wright’s sensational camp took a wrong turn earlier today at Bears practice in Bourbonnais, as the former Florida Gator suffered a non-contact injury.

Prior to his setback, Wright made his presence felt on more than one occasion by using his instincts to jump routes, deflect passes and even intercepting a Caleb Hanie throw that had many teammates shouting, “Did you see that?”

Stay tuned for more updates from Bears camp.

Pac-10 Player Watch: James Rodgers

College Football Insiders begins it’s series of Pac-10 players to watch for the 2010 college season starting with the offensive side of the ball. Checking in at the lead-off spot is this Oregon State Beaver.

James Rodgers is not a typical wide receiver. In his freshman season Rodgers had more than twice as many rushing attempts as receptions (50-19). Even stranger, with all those attempts he still averaged more yards per rushing attempt than reception (11.7 per rush to 10.9 per catch). This can be explained by Oregon State coach Mike Riley’s awareness; the coach realized he needed to get Rodgers the ball, and also recognized Rodgers was not a polished enough receiver to get it in his hands as often as he would like. Riley’s

Pac-10 Player Watch: James Rodgers

Jim Thorpe Award Pre-Season Watch List

Oklahoma City The 2010 Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list announced today includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs as the leading candidates for this year’s trophy.

The Thorpe Award is one of college football’s most sought after and prestigious awards. It is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also was an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as “The Legend,” Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is determined by analysis of the pre-season All-American teams listed in at least six pre-season college football annual magazines. Four points are awarded for first team, three points for second team, two points for third and one

Jim Thorpe Award Pre-Season Watch List

Oklahoma City The 2010 Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list announced today includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs as the leading candidates for this year’s trophy.

BCS Policy For Bowl-Ineligible Teams

The 11 conferences that manage the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) today announced that teams that are ineligible for post-season play will be removed from computer ratings for the purposes of determining the BCS Standings.

Each of the six computer rankings providers have notified the BCS group that ineligible teams will still be included in the individual computer rankings during the regular season to ensure the integrity of the data and in fairness to opponents. But, for the purpose of determining the BCS Standings, ineligible teams will be removed from each computer ranking and all others below it moved up one position.

“Basically, we will take each computer ranking, remove the ineligible teams, and move all the teams below the open position up one spot. It’s fair, it’s consistent, it’s simple, and it’s transparent,” said Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the BCS. Read more…

BCS Policy For Bowl-Ineligible Teams

Q&A: Robert Arnheim, Western Michigan

Getting to know Western Michigan’s Robert Arnheim: Arnheim is a junior wide receiver for the Western Michigan Broncos. Arnheim earned third-team All-Mid American Conference honors in 2009 as he led the Bronco receiving corps with 59 receptions and 701 yards receiving. He also had three touchdown receptions on the season and set career-highs in a game for receptions (nine) and receiving yards (112) against Central Michigan. Arnheim, a native of Orlando, Fla., also caught seven passes for 58 yards and a score in 2008.

Why did you choose Western Michigan University?

I chose Western Michigan University because it was a great opportunity to play early, and I really liked the campus and the people associated with WMU.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far as an athlete?

My greatest accomplishment was receiving All-MAC last year as a