Overview
By becoming the ninth safety to earn All-American honors, Kenny Phillips carries on the school's tradition of producing elite defensive backs.

Burgess Owens was the first Miami safety to garner All-American recognition (1972) and it was nine years before the next one was selected in Fred Marion (1981). Bennie Blades was the school's first-time All-American safety (1986-87) and Ed Reed matched that total in 2000-01. Sean Taylor (2003) and Brandon Meriweather (2005) soon followed with their postseason honors.

The coaching staff called Phillips a player with the build of Sean Taylor and the knowledge and quickness of Ed Reed. With that combination, along with physical play that could rival that of any Hurricane linebacker, NFL scouts took notice.

Being regarded as the best safety in the game is nothing new with Phillips. While attending Carol High School he was rated the best safety in the prep ranks, earning USA Today Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior free safety. The Parade All-American and Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team selection was also a member of the USA Today All-USA High School Football team and rated the nation's best safety prospect and 12th-best player regardless of position by Rivals.com.

Phillips was ranked as the best safety and the 10th-best overall prospect by Scout.com and the top prospect in Dade County by the Miami Herald. He ranked as the best prospect in the state by the Orlando Sentinel, the second-best overall prospect in the country by the Tampa Tribune, and the 10th-best overall player by Tom Lemming. He was also a member of the Florida Times-Union Super 75 squad and played in the prestigious Army All-American Bowl.

He intercepted 16 passes during his career and, as a senior, he finished with 84 tackles, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, four defensive touchdowns and three punt returns for touchdowns. As a junior, he delivered 54 tackles and seven interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns, including a 100-yarder. As a sophomore, he made three interceptions and also competed in basketball and track. Click here to continue reading...

CORAL GABLES - They often made their way here because of it.

Aside from the coaches and national titles, nothing was a better tool for attracting top talent than the University of Miami's "Quarterback U" image.

Yet, lately, the pressure of playing under that spotlight has led to failure and the tarnishing of a once-proud tradition.

Miami hasn't had a dominant quarterback since Ken Dorsey graduated in 2003, and now have turned hopes over to three players who have never taken a college snap.

Can redshirt freshman Robert Marve or freshmen Jacory Harris and Cannon Smith return UM to the old days of Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testaverde?

The chance to prove it begins when one is named the starter for the 2008 season-opener against Charleston Southern.

"We want to show everyone what we got," said Harris, who last year led Miami Northwestern to a consensus high school national title. "We want to show the coaches that they've got three great quarterbacks out there. We want to show everyone in the nation that we are back and it's still Quarterback U." Click here to continue reading...

Reggie Wayne – WR – University of Miami 2001 Draft / 1st Round / Indianapolis Colts

Coming out of the “U” in 2001, Reggie Wayne was part of a resurgence for Miami football that would lead to an onslaught of former Hurricanes being drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Between the 2001 and 2004 NFL drafts there would be 20 Miami Hurricanes selected in the first round, which is an astonishing number for any one school. Wayne, who would finish his four years as the school’s leader in career receptions (176), would join former Canes Lamar Thomas and Michael Irvin as one of only three players to ever record more than 20 receiving touchdowns in school history.

Wayne’s rookie season with the Colts was a big transition for him as he would not make much of an impact recording only 27 receptions for 345 yards. Playing opposite of Marvin Harrison obviously wasn’t helpful in his adjustment to the NFL, but he worked hard to gain the trust of QB Peyton Manning and to date has 494 receptions for 6,984 receiving yards and 47 touchdowns for his career, which is good for second place amongst his draft class. Graduating from Miami a year before they beat Nebraska in the BCS National Championship game Wayne made up for it by being a key contributor to the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI championship team. The two time Pro Bowler caught a 53 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to help the Colts beat the Chicago Bears.

The 2001 draft was an interesting one at the wide receiver position. Six players, including Wayne, were drafted in the first round. Three players are currently out of the league and of the three still playing only Wayne is still with the team that drafted him. This draft class is headlined by bust David Terrell (Michigan, 1st, 8th overall) who had so much promise coming out of college. Terrell is joined by Rod Gardner (Clemson, 1st, 15th overall) and Freddie Mitchell (UCLA, 1st, 25th overall) as players that couldn’t live up to their draft position.
The sweet spot for the 2001 draft with respect to the receiving position is between the 30th overall selection (Wayne) and the 74th overall selection. Between these 44 selections the NFL careers of Wayne, Chad Johnson (Oregon State, 2nd, 36th overall), Chris Chambers (Wisconsin, 2nd, 52nd overall) and Steve Smith (Utah, 3rd, 74th overall) would begin. Another notable alumni from this draft class is Ocho Cinco’s college teammate, TJ Houshmandzadeh (Oregon State, 7th, 204th), who like Johnson went to the Bengals – only 168 picks later.

Judging by his on field production, Wayne is clearly the most accomplished receiver in his draft class. While he may trail Chad Johnson in certain receiving statistics, he has not been the primary receiver during his career with the Colts. Additionally, Wayne further showcased his talent by stepping in admirably into the #1 receiver role due to Harrison’s injury struggles in 2007.

(draftnuggets.com)

Check out the NFL U Video Highlights section or click here to check out Week 6's video highlights. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, we will not have every week's highlights, but we will begin added the highlights we do have. Hope you enjoy them!

A quick glance at the Patriots' depth chart at cornerback reveals just how poor the situation is. The two players penciled in as starters, Ellis Hobbs and Bills castoff Jason Webster, are undersized, injury-prone and marginal players. According to one team insider, the situation could be considerably aided by the move of Brandon Meriweather from safety to corner. An '07 first-round pick, Meriweather had a rough rookie season, appearing lost and physically unprepared to meet the demands of the NFL. In fairness to him, part of his problem was a coaching blunder of starting him out at corner, then moving him back to safety ? the position he starred at during his collegiate career at Miami (Fla.) ? thereby stunting his absorption of the playbook. But a permanent move to corner appears to be the best approach. He's exceptionally quick and has very good speed but isn't nearly the physical hitter that the Patriots covet at safety.

(profootballweekly.com)

While blog browsing, I stumbled across some photos of Washington Redskins' WR Santana Moss' wedding photos. After 12 years of dating or shacking up (that's what old folks call it) they held their dream wedding in Hollywood, FL. Click here to read the electronic wedding invite.

Click below to see pictures from the wedding:
Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3, Picture 4, Picture 5

Tavares Gooden is one of the most exciting linebacking prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft. Gooden continues the long line of outstanding Hurricane linebackers and took a few minutes to discuss his Miami career and his NFL aspirations with the War Room Report's Chris Otwell. 

Chris Otwell: What position do you think you translate best to at the NFL level?

Tavares Gooden: Any line backer spot.  Playing at Miami I played at all 3 linebacker spots, so that’s what I bring to the table. I feel like I can play all of them well so in the NFL, I'll play all the line backer spots and I feel like I am good at every one of them.

Otwell: How do you feel the combine went and were you satisfied with your performance?

Gooden: I went out there and did everything I had to do and trained for. I ran hard. You can only run as fast as you can run and jump as high as you can jump. Next to everyone else’s performance as a whole, I feel like I showed my explosiveness and my speed. 

Otwell: You were a high school track and field star, how has that helped you become a better football player? 

Gooden: I don’t know that it did, I mean it just shows how athletic I am. I’m not sure that track and field can help you be a better football player, it just shows how willing you are to compete. It shows how fast you are, how strong you are, and how much of a burst you have. I think playing other sports just shows how smart you are and shows off how versatile you really are. I think that track showed that everything I show isn’t a fluke, that I can do it on the track too, and just shows that I have what it takes to be competitive and win. 

Otwell: How did playing with Rd 1 talent such as Calais Campbell , Kenny Phillips , and Jon Beason help your development? 

Gooden: Well, it wasn’t jus those guys, I played with Jonathan Vilma, DJ Williams, Sean Taylor, Frank Gore, Kellen Winslow, Devin Hester.  It just shows you the talent level at the University of Miami and helps you out because when you got to play other players, you have seen that type of speed, even faster than what you see normally and that helps you out a lot. 

Otwell: What do you think the biggest transition is going to be going from college to the pro level?

Gooden: I mean I don’t think its going to be a hard transition for me because I have the physical tools to play at the next level.  I think I can help myself by meeting with coaches all day and learning the systems and getting to know them.

Otwell: What do you feel like your strengths are going into the NFL? 

Gooden: Well, I am physically ready for the NFL. I feel like I can go out there and play, and respond to the system. I feel like I can respond well and play middle linebacker well. I called the shots at MLB, I called the checks, I'm fast, I can run with TE’s and WR’s, even guys with 4.3 speed. I have all the tools that a MLB needs to play in the NFL and excel at that level.

Otwell: If you could tell the NFL coaches right now what kind of player they will be getting if they draft Tavares Gooden, what would you tell them?

Gooden: I mean they wouldn’t question my work ethic.  As a freshman I squatted around 400 lbs when I was red shirted.  In my senior year I ended up squatting 550 and bench pressing 355, came in running 4.6, so you can’t question my work ethic.  I am going to be bigger, faster, and stronger and I do all the things it takes to win and be a good MLB.

Otwell: If you had to compare your game to any current NFL player, who would that player be and why?

Gooden: I’m different from those other guys, you know.  There are a lot of guys that came before me but I wouldn’t compare my game to any of them. I have a different style and I can do many different things, so I don’t think it would be a comparison to any of them.  If I had to be, I would say that I am a couple players rolled into one.

(warroomreport.com)

After studying Clinton Portis on tape during the offseason, Redskins coach Jim Zorn is preparing the seven-year vet for a bigger role in the offense.

Portis, who finished sixth in the league in rushing with 1,262 yards, is spending his offseason training at the team's complex. "We think that he can be a 1,800-yard back this season," assistant head coach/running backs Stump Mitchell said. "Running behind that offensive line, he should average four-and-a-half to five yards per carry."

The Redskins are keeping their blocking schemes intact and believe that continuity will allow Portis to thrive as their feature back. Furthermore, the Redskins are contemplating expanding Portis' role as a receiver after the vet hauled in a career-high 47 passes last season.

"We know that he was productive as a receiver last season, but most of his receptions were of the 'check-down' variety," Mitchell said. "We will see how he runs routes during mini-camps and O.T.As (Organized Team Activities) and determine if we can make him a bigger part of the passing game. He is a complete player with an unbelievable set of skills and we must find a way to maximize his talent."

(cnnsi.com)

24-year old righty swinging Ryan Braun will move to LF this season after playing horrible defense at 3B last season. Braun played in 112 games at 3B last season for the Brewers and he made 26 errors while showing awful range. The Brewers are hoping that Braun will at least be an average LF in the future on defense. Braun played in 113 games for the Brewers last season and he was 146 for 451 (.324 avg, 1.004 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 34 homers and 97 RBIs. Look for Braun to continue to blast away with the bat in 2008 as the sky is the limit for him.

Gabe Gross, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Gabe Kapler will back up Braun in LF but none of them will get much playing time there except as a possible defensive replacement late in games.

(brewerslocker.com)

JUPITER, Fla. -- Brian Barton never doubted, but it's still hard for him to believe. Four years after going undrafted out of the University of Miami, Barton is in the Major Leagues.

On Wednesday morning, Barton was notified that he would be on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster. By the afternoon, even being hit in the nose by a curveball couldn't erase the smile from his face. Barton's circuitous path finally brought him to the place he was trying to get to all along.

"I think that's what I pride myself in, is not giving up and not thinking that there's only one way to get to where you need to be," he said. "Because there are so many roads that lead to one destination. The traditional road didn't happen for me, so I took another way around. And it worked out."

Barton enjoyed an outstanding career at Miami, capping his time there by being named to the College World Series all-tournament team in 2004. But no team drafted him, reportedly because of the fear he would be too difficult to sign. Barton had business opportunities outside baseball, and evidently the fear was that it would take too much money to coax him to play pro ball.

But playing pro ball was what he most wanted to do. So he played in the Cape Cod League over the summer and eventually signed with Cleveland.

"I'm not going to say I didn't still have the same dream, but it made the process a little more enduring," he said. "I felt like I had done pretty well at Miami to get an opportunity, and it didn't happen. But with that being said, I never gave up and I never settled. I took another route to get to where I needed to be."

Click here to continue reading...

1. What is the first thing you look for once you’ve caught the ball on a return? Is it something you just feel or can you actually see the holes opening for a split second?

It’s a little bit of both. It’s something that I can feel, but I also feel that I have good vision to see things before they happen.

2. What type of speed-training regiment do you follow in the offseason?

I just work on the basic techniques and the proper way of running; trying to keep your form, being more relaxed and not tensing up when you’re running, and make sure you’re lifting your legs and not straining too much on your hamstrings.

3. Who is your best friend on the Bears?

There are four that are even: Jason McKie, Mark Bradley, Tommie Harris and Garrett Wolfe.

4. How has playing professional football changed your life?

It’s given me more opportunities as far as my lifestyle and allowed me to experience things I never imagined I would experience. With wealth, I can do pretty much what I want. But you’ve got to provide a good example because you have a lot of people that look up to you now.

5. Do you see yourself playing your entire career with the Bears?
Yes, I do.

6. What do you think you need to do to become a complete receiver in the NFL?

I just need to get more repetition. The more opportunity I get, the better I feel I’ll get.

7. What type of music do you listen to while warming up before games?

A lot of hip-hop—I like Little Wayne—and a little R&B.

8. What’s your favorite thing to watch on television?

I like to watch NFL Network.

9. If you had your pick of any position on the field, which one would you choose to play?

I’d want to play a little quarterback. I think that would slow down the pass rush. They’d try to force me to throw the ball.

10. Do you get angry or frustrated when opponents try to keep the ball out of your hands with squib kicks?

A little of both, but at the same time, they’re showing that they respect me.

Click here to continue reading...

JUPITER, Fla. -- One of the best mornings of Brian Barton's life almost turned into one of the worst afternoons.

Barton, who was informed on Wednesday morning that he would be making the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, was struck in the face by a pitch in St. Louis' game against Baltimore. Fortunately for Barton, it was something of a glancing blow, striking him on the side of the nose and evidently not doing any serious damage.

"It got me pretty good, but it got me on the side, so it was a 'good' good," Barton said after the game. "I'm lucky there's no bone there. I don't know how it sounded. It didn't feel good."

Greg Aquino's pitch to Barton in the seventh inning was an offspeed offering, which also helped Barton come through the incident OK.

"It was a breaking ball," manager Tony La Russa said. "You don't [immediately] know exactly where it hits him, but it wasn't as scary as some."

Barton went immediately to the ground after he was hit, and head athletic trainer Barry Weinberg rushed out to tend to him. Weinberg helped Barton walk off the field, and Rico Washington took Barton's place in the game.

(mlb.com)

Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is one of six young major-league stars pictured on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, the magazine's baseball preview issue.

Braun shares the cover with other players chosen in the 2005 draft: Arizona's Justin Upton, Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz and Washington's Ryan Zimmerman.

The magazine predicts the Brewers will finish out of the playoffs and in third place in the NL Central with a record of 85-77, six games behind the 91-71 Chicago Cubs and two games behind the 87-75 Cincinnati Reds. It has Houston, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, in that order, in the bottom half of the division.

The magazine has the Cubs beating the Rockies in the NLCS, the Detroit Tigers beating the New York Yankees in the ALCS and the Tigers over the Cubs in the World Series.

(jsonline.com)

Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun are expected to be the first Brewers approached about long-term deals. Both team owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin have said they plan to explore multiyear contracts with the young core of players. Fielder and Braun apparently are taking priority over players like Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy and Corey Hart.

(rotoworld.com)

Another one has gotten some play this year as well, and personally I find it one of the most interesting things to watch this year. Simply put, is this Pat Burrell's last year in left field for the Phillies?

The ultimate tease, Burrell is entering the final year of his six-year, $50 million deal that went into effect for 2003. He is slated to make $14 million in 2008.

Burrell's timeline in Philadelphia has been discussed over and over again. The first overall pick of the 1998 draft had two solid years for the Phillies in 2000 and 2001, then exploded onto the scene the following season with a 37-homer, 116-RBI campaign that led to his big deal.

However, in 2003, he batted just .209 and hit 21 homers and 64 RBI. The following year wasn't much better -- .257, 24 HR, 84 RBI -- but he seemed to turn a corner in 2005. That season, he hit 32 homers and drove in 117 runs while upping his average to .281.

The damage had already been done by that point, though. Burrell was billed as a player who couldn't lead this team to postseason glory, and was undeserving of the contract he signed. He became a popular whipping boy and was largely blamed for the team's struggles.

Yet, Burrell never openly complained about it, never tried to get out of town. Still, given the Phillies inability to trade him before last season, would that have really mattered?

In his last two years, Burrell has been good. Not great and not mediocre, but good. He hasn't hit over .260 in either year, but 59 homers and 192 RBI are tough to argue against.

The problem that creates the perception of Burrell is his knack for going into streaks, both good and bad. How else could those said numbers be ignored so much.

Last year, Burrell hit just .215 before the break with 11 home runs and 37 RBI. However, as the Phillies completed an improbable run to the NL East title, "Pat the Bat" hit .295 with 19 homers and 60 RBI in 74 post All-Star games.

It was kind of the same in 2006. Burrell's second-half average was higher, but his home run and RBI total was better in the first half of the season. Still, it was a tale of two halves, and lets not forget his inability to hit with runners in scoring posting in 2006 (.222).

Logic says Burrell will not be back next year. His salary is best saved for the likes of Howard, Utley, Hamels and so on. However, let's not forget what Burrell has done for us.

He hustles to the best of his ability and as much as his nagging foot will let him. He never looks like he doesn't try or isn't hustling. And, after all, he straight-up kills the Mets, which is great.

For what it is worth, Burrell has already said he wants to stay.

"One hundred percent I want to stay," Burrell told the Phillies' official Web site in an article published on February 19. "I'd love to come back. It's really got more to do with the guys on the team. This group of guys is going to win for a long time."

If anyone is taking a vote, I vote for Burrell in left for 2009.

(daily.phanatic.com)

UM players -- including Kenny Phillips, Calais Campbell, Tavares Gooden and Kyle Wright -- will work out for the Dolphins on April 11. Though some believe Phillips will be available when Miami picks 32nd, he said Miami wasn't among 24 teams that met with him at the NFL combine. With more pressing needs (offensive line, etc.), it's doubtful that the Dolphins will take a safety that high. . . .

(miamiherald.com)

4. Andre Johnson
Houston Texans
Johnson is big (6-3, 219), physical, runs solid routes and makes plays. In terms of physical tools, he is every bit as good as the three guys in front of him. He may have been overlooked in the past because of poor quarterback play (see David Carr 2003-06) but should improve as he works more with Matt Schaub. Johnson's numbers last season (60 catches, 851 yards) would have been more impressive if he had not missed seven games with an injury.

5. Reggie Wayne
Indianapolis Colts
The only real knock on Wayne is that he has always been 1B to Marvin Harrison, who was 1A. That's no longer the case as he is Peyton Manning's top option now. Wayne has sneaky speed, which can catch a corner off guard. He has a great feel for Indianapolis' system and the ability to find holes in a defense.

33. Santana Moss
Washington Redskins
Moss is small (5-10, 200), but few players in the league can rival his deep speed. He gets pushed around too much, can wear down and has trouble staying healthy. Also, he was tied for third in the league with 10 drops last season, according to Stats LLC. However, with new coach Jim Zorn expected to throw more often than the Redskins did in the past, Moss could have a resurgence. It is clear he will never be a top red zone option or a No. 1 wideout who can consistently handle double-teams, but Moss can be a difference-maker as a complementary option. Zorn will get the ball in his hands.

51. Roscoe Parrish
Buffalo Bills
Parrish has been a versatile player for the Bills. He is a No. 3 receiver who is best in the slot and using his quickness and run-after-catch ability in space. His biggest contribution, however, may come on special teams handling punts and kickoffs.

Click here to see the rest of the list...

Rams center Brett Romberg, who sat out seven games last season because of injuries to both ankles, actually suggested installing a sand pit to the Rams' strength and conditioning staff.

Romberg attended the University of Miami and has been using a 60-yard sand pit at the Hurricanes' complex this offseason along with former college teammate Jeremy Shockey, the tight end for the New York Giants.

"After we work out, we're in the sand box," Romberg said. "We're doing jumps and sprints and explosive stuff. At Miami, I couldn't remember a high ankle sprain. So I do feel that the sand pit strengthens the ankles. Especially when you go in there with bare feet. ... It makes a difference. I highly recommend the sand pit."

(cianram.com)

Once again, there is a report stating the Saints are trying to trade for Giants TE Jeremy Shockey.

This time, it's SI's Peter King, who wrote today:

9. I think, Giant beat writers, you might sniff around this one: New Orleans is not through trying to acquire Jeremy Shockey.

When PK says, "Jump," I say, "How high?" (Even though my agent told me to wait for my pro day.)

I did some sniffing around and came up with very little. Not saying nothing's cooking, just that there aren't signs of it. All I know is what I heard recently - that the Saints' original offer was a second-round pick (No. 40 overall, if it was this year's pick they offered) and S Roman Harper, their second round pick in '06. The Giants said, "Nah."

So unless NO is reloading for another run at Shockey, nothing's cooking on that front. And believe me, if they plan on prying Shockey from the Giants, they'd better come with a seriously good offer.

(blog.nj.com)

OLB Tavares Gooden (Miami, Fla) — Want to find No. 52? Just locate the football. The subject of apparent disappointment following mid to high 4.6 40-yard times at the Combine, Gooden plays fast, and shows very good peripheral vision and awareness. He does lack the speed in pass coverage and overall take-on ability to play the strong side in the pros, but should excel as a weak-side ’backer if allowed to roam free.

(profootballweekly.com)

ARLINGTON -- Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin admits being “fascinated” by suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.

He is fascinated by his legendary tails of woe and the apparent interest by the Cowboys in acquiring Jones.

And Irvin is fascinated because of the similarities to his own controversial entanglements to his career with the Cowboys that nearly derailed his chances of making the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Although Irvin says he still fights the battle of public perception, he was able to overcome them to become a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2007.

And he believes it’s too early for people to give up on Jones _ who has been suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

“I’m not just interested in what happens, I’m interested in why it happened,” said Irvin, who will have Jones as a guest on the Michael Irvin show from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today on KESN 103.3 FM ESPN radio. “That’s what I try to figure out with myself all the time. I self-evaluate. He is a young man. We pray and hope he gets it going again.” Click here to continue reading...

PHOENIX -- If organizers of next year's World Baseball Classic ask Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun to play ball, count him in. First baseman Prince Fielder will have to think it over.

"Yeah, for sure," Braun said when asked if he'd be interested. "I remember watching it last time and thinking it looked like a great experience. It definitely piqued interest in baseball in a lot of different countries.
"I would be excited and honored to be asked to play."

Major League Baseball unveiled on Monday from Tokyo its plans for the opening round of next year's Classic, to be staged beginning March 5, 2009, in Japan, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. The U.S. is in Pool C and will play its opening-round games at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Braun would not worry about missing part of the Brewers' Spring Training camp to play in the World Baseball Classic.

"If anything, it makes you get ready a little bit sooner," the native Californian said. "I think it would be an advantage coming into the season that you've already played some meaningful games. Sometimes, for these [Spring Training] games, it's harder to have the same energy, the same focus."

Fielder, who led the National League last season with 50 home runs, was entering his rookie season in 2006 when the inaugural World Baseball Classic was staged. Would he take part in 2009?
"I don't know. That's a good question," Fielder said. "I guess I would have to decide when it gets closer. I'd have to think about it."

(mlb.com)

L-R-G CLOTHING COMPANY along with Clinton Portis and Santana Moss, is proud to bring you The 3 Kings of Washington x L-R-G Windbreaker, a tribute to Sean Taylor. Taylor, before his untimely passing made a presence not only on the field as the Redskins prototype Safety, but also off the field with community events such as the 3 kings of Washington event, where Taylor, Moss, and Portis along with celebrity guests and players host a weekend of activities to show kids that they can one day become valuable participants and leaders in life.

Tom D'Angelo spoke to Cardinals outfielder Brian Barton, a former University of Miami star who majored in aerospace engineering.

You grew up in L.A. and the Dodgers drafted you in the 38th round in 2000 out of high school. Was it difficult to turn down your hometown team?

Growing up I always wanted to be a Dodger and I was a big Dodgers fan. But at the same time I felt like I wasn't ready mentally to take that jump from high school to the pro level so I felt it was in my best interests to go to college.

You played one year at Loyola Marymount and transferred to UM. How did an L.A. kid wind up in Miami?

UM was my first choice but academically I got more money to go to Loyola. After that one year I had to follow my heart and go where I wanted to be and be comfortable and happier.

Why aerospace engineering?

This is something I was set on since I was a kid. I have a love for space. I wanted to stay in that field.

A jock majoring in aerospace engineering doesn't quite fit the stereotype. What did people say?

More so people wondered how did I balance the two. That was the difficult thing, especially at a program like Miami where you have to excel in baseball but at the same time baseball was not always promised so you want to also excel in class. I had to find a happy medium for both.

What exactly do you do?

It's a broad field ranging from working on airplane to spacecraft. I had a few internships with Boeing where I was working on communications satellites.

Ever dream of being an astronaut?

I did when I was a kid. That's what made me want to stick in the field.

Is that desire still there?

If they gave me an opportunity I would be there in a heartbeat.

You were not drafted out of UM and but you were signed by the Indians as a free agent. The story is scouts thought you were not serious about baseball. True?

That was the word but the draft is so unpredictable you just never know. While it was going on it was frustrating, but once it was over I moved on. I had to take another route. If I would have pouted I wouldn't be were I am now.
(palmbeachpost.com)

Peter King drops an intriguing nugget into his Monday Morning Quarterback column today:

I think, Giant beat writers, you might sniff around this one: New Orleans is not through trying to acquire Jeremy Shockey.

Although I would add that Saints beat writers -- not to mention, you know, King himself -- ought to be sniffing around as well, the idea that the Giants will trade Jeremy Shockey and that the Saints are the most likely destination has been around for most of the NFL off-season and is not going away.

For the Giants, it makes sense because they didn't seem to miss Shockey late in the season when he broke his leg and was replaced by rookie Kevin Boss. They did, after all, win the Super Bowl without Shockey and with Boss making some big plays down the stretch. That doesn't mean Boss is as good as Shockey, but it could mean that he will be some day, and he's certainly cheaper.

For the Saints it makes a little bit less sense, seeing as they re-signed both of last year's tight ends, Billy Miller and Eric Johnson. But Shockey provides a big-play threat that Miller and Johnson don't, and if the Saints think he'd be a good fit in their passing game, it would be tempting to trade for him.

My best guess is that Shockey will be a Giant in 2008. But just because the Giants say he's coming back doesn't mean he will.

(sports-aol.com)

James Jones says it’s no done deal that he will opt out of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers after this season. He has an opt-out for the 2008-09 season, when he is due $3.156 million.

"I’m not really sure," Jones says. "That’s a big decision. You’re talking about leaving money on the table. I was a finance major (at Miami). If I had a crystal ball, I could tell you. But so many things can happen, especially in the playoffs. You never know who shines in the playoffs."

But Jones, who ranks second in the NBA in 3-point percentage (.487) and has been a major force off Portland’s bench this season, surely would command more on the open market. Jason Kapono, the NBA 3-point accuracy leader, signed a four-year, $24-million contract with Toronto last summer.

(nbarumors.com)

A Lehigh Acres teen told prosecutors in January that the four Sean Taylor murder suspects came to her house the night they allegedly fatally shot the Washington Redskins star. Areyle Boston, 18, of 307 Homer Ave., said Eric Rivera, 17, Venjah Hunte, 20, Charles Wardlow, 18, all of Fort Myers, and Jason Mitchell, 19, of Lehigh Acres, came to her house Nov. 26, the night police believe the four drove to Miami and killed Taylor. Taylor was shot in the leg during a botched burglary and he died the next day. Her statement was released today as part of a public information records request by The News-Press.

According to Boston’s statement, the four left burglary tools at her house and her uncle took them away, saying she would get in trouble if police found them. Boston said she didn’t know the four were suspects in the murder then and she said they never contacted her after they were arrested. She said Jason Mitchell’s cousin tried to get Mitchell in contact with her, but she didn’t talk with him.

(news-press.com)

Kenny Phillips of Miami, the only safety expected to go in the first round, did not help himself with a 16 test score.

(chicagotribune.com)

As Hal McCoy and I were making our way from the field to the Reds clubhouse, we ran into Danny Graves. That Danny Graves.

Graves was wearing a No. 60 Minnesota Twins uniform. He just signed a minor league deal with the Twins three days ago.

“I was sitting home waiting,” he said. “They told me to come in. They asked me if I could pitch Sunday. I said, ‘This Sunday? Sure.’ Then today they asked if I could go two innings.”

He did.

He went 1-2-3 and threw only five pitches on the first. He gave up an infield single and two-run homer in the second.

Graves spent last year with the Long Island Ducks. He led the independent Atlantic League in saves. He was big league camp with the Colorado Rockies last year before getting released.

Since the Reds released him May 23, 2005, Graves has been with the New York Mets, the Cleveland Indians and Rockies. He’s gotten precious little big league time.

“We’ll see how this works out,” he said.

(frontier.cincinati.com)

Wideout Ethenic Sands, a quarterback at Miami Carol City High School, served as the Firecats' backup last season and did not return to the team this year.

(news-press.com)

Jason Geathers surpassed the 700 career receiving yard mark (702).

(oursportscentral.com)

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- It is not surprising that Charlton Jimerson is trying to run his way onto the Mariners.

Jimerson has been ignoring stop signs his entire life

"It's something I've proven to be able to do -- at all levels, "the 28-year-old said of his attempt to make his first major league team out of spring training, 12 months after he was unemployed and calling teams using a directory from a magazine.

His mother abandoned him for crack cocaine. His father left before that. His sister, Lanette, got a court order to raise him and his brother in and around Oakland, Calif., when she was 19.

Jimerson applied to the University of Miami on academic merit after he saw a "commercial, a real good commercial" about the school, its beach and its sun. Click here to continue reading...