Priced Out of the Citi – Page 186

WAC Puts Expansion Talks on Hold

DENVER – WAC commissioner Karl Benson announced today that the WAC will delay any expansion of its membership until July 1, 2012 at the earliest. This means that for the 2011-12 season, the WAC will operate as an eight-team league that consists of Fresno State, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.

“The WAC and its eight member schools remain well positioned for the future,” said Benson. “Over the past few weeks, the WAC’s Board of Directors and athletics directors have explored several membership options. We believe it is in the best interest of the WAC to operate as an eight-team league for the 2011-12 season. We will now take several months to ‘drill down’ on the various membership options before making any decisions that would impact the 2012-13 season.”

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WAC Puts Expansion Talks on Hold

2011 NFL Draft Watch #37: Christian Ponder

The countdown continues and our number thirty-seven prospect in college football is…

Quarterback Christian Ponder, Florida State (Senior):

The Skinny: While Ponder may never be able to drop to one knee and throw the ball 60 yards down the field like some prospects have, the FSU signal caller has the type of game instincts and leadership skills that very few quarterbacks bring to the table. In every sense of the word he is a quarterback. His teammates follow his lead, he’s a player that makes those around him better with his words and by example, and he has an infectious love of the game that cannot be taught. Whether it’s in the huddle, along the sideline, in the weight room, or organizing team activities in the off-season, there

Q&A: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

The NFL Draft Bible catches up with running back Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens at Ray Rice Day in New York.

You had 332 touches last season. Are you still feeling the wear and tear? Is that something you relish?

That’s something that is down. I was used to getting over 400 touches at Rutgers. But the carriers are different. I’m not just running in between the tackles, I’m catching the ball and everything. But obviously my body feels great going into next year.

What was the biggest difference, not just in numbers, between the rookie Ray Rice and the more experienced version?

Confidence. During my first year in the league I was just grasping it and still

ASU-NFF On-Campus Salute for Pat Tillman

DALLAS, June 28, 2010 – Arizona State University and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that they will jointly honor the late Pat Tillman with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute Nov. 13, 2010 as the Sun Devils host Stanford in Tempe.

“It will be an honor for Arizona State University to share this on-campus recognition of Pat Tillman with our community and his family and friends.” says Lisa Love, Vice President for University Athletics at ASU. “Pat, an American hero, is a significant part of our history and we are thrilled to recognize him and his family once again.”

On May 27, the NFF announced that Tillman, an All-American linebacker at ASU from 1994-97, will be inducted into the

ASU-NFF On-Campus Salute for Pat Tillman

On May 27, the NFF announced that Tillman, an All-American linebacker at ASU from 1994-97, will be inducted into the

2011 NFL Draft Watch #36: Mark Herzlich

The countdown continues and our number thirty-six prospect in college football is…

Outside Linebacker Mark Herzlich, Boston College (Senior):

The Skinny: Shortly after declaring that he would return for his senior season and pass up NFL riches—the linebacker was projected as potential first-round pick by many in the scouting community—he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. While his road to recovery was the most inspiring story of the 2009 college football season and his return to the gridiron this year will be the feel-good story of the year, NFL decision makers are going to need to see Herzlich prove that he is back to being one of the highest-graded draft prospects. If anyone in college football looks like they were born to fight

Horn Makes One Final Call…

Late last week word spread through the NFL grapevine that a 12-year veteran receiver was announcing his retirement. Joe Horn came from obscurity to have some impressive seasons with the New Orleans Saints, but he is likely to be remembered for…something else.

After attending high school in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Horn was all set to attend the University of South Carolina, but poor SAT scores prevented that from happening. Instead, he attended Itawamba Community College for the 1991 and 1992 seasons and drew virtually zero attention with his performance on the football field. He returned to North Carolina without a pro football offer until May of 1995, when the CFL’s Shreveport Pirates drafted him. Within months he was dealt to the CFL’s Memphis Mad Dogs, which is where he made his pro debut.

Horn must have made an impression while in Memphis because the Kansas City

Horn Makes One Final Call…

Horn must have made an impression while in Memphis because the Kansas City

Jason Fox Battling for Starting Job in Motown

Reports out of Detroit indicate that the Lions have declared their right tackle position “wide open.”

Mancini’s Take: It looks as though the Lions have had it with Gosder Cherilus at right tackle. The heavy-footed third-year lineman continues to make mental errors and his pass protection has been unacceptable. Coach Jim Schwartz has no obligation to turn the Boston College product around since he wasn’t in the Motor City when Detroit reached for him with the 17^th pick in the first round in 2008 (thank you, Matt Millen). Schwartz may opt to go with the 34-year-old Jon Jansen on the right side or rookie Jason Fox. While Jansen is as technically sound as they come, he’s also proven to be very injury prone in recent years. Fox, on the other hand, is just as big as Jansen, but is much more mobile than the grizzled veteran. The ex-Hurricane, in fact, can