Football – Page 4 – North Platte Post Archive

Broncos Acquire Center Gradkowski from Ravens

Posted on April 1, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos continued addressing their needs along the offensive line by acquiring fourth-year center Gino Gradkowski from the Baltimore Ravens for 2016 draft considerations.

Gradkowski started every game in Baltimore in 2013 but only saw action in eight games last year after the Ravens obtained Jeremy Zuttah from the Buccaneers.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder appeared in every game during Baltimore’s Super Bowl run his rookie season. Overall, he played in 40 regular season games and six playoff games with the Ravens, who selected him in the fourth round out of Delaware in the 2012 draft.

Huskers Return from Spring Break

Posted on March 30, 2015

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team completed its ninth practice of the 2015 spring football season on Monday afternoon. The Huskers practices for just over two hours outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields in helmets and shorts.

Nebraska Head Coach Mike Riley met with media members following the conclusion of Monday’s practice, as Riley mentioned that in his 14 seasons as a collegiate football head coach, this was the first spring practice season where the team took a week off for spring break.

“This is the first time I have been involved in breaking up spring practice with a week (off), so I wondered what all that would be like,” Riley said. “I thought for the most part it was pretty good, not perfect, but I don’t know if it would be perfect anyways.”

Riley added that having the time off was a good thing for some of the players who were dealing with some bumps and bruises before break.

“I liked the fact that we probably had four, maybe five guys that would have not practiced on practice No. 9, if we would have had it right after the last practice we had (before spring break).”

Despite getting back to the grind of a regular routine, Riley said there was plenty of enthusiasm on the practice fields on Monday.

“I thought the enthusiasm for practice today was really good. Kind of my favorite thing. The football was off and on a little bit today—the execution on plays, in general that part was not as sharp,” he said.

Even the quarterbacks have been practicing well, despite transitioning from a spread offense to more of a pro-style offense.

“There was some good execution, some crisp throws, I am not sure as crisp today as we were on that last practice Friday (before Spring Break),” Riley said. “AJ got a lot of turns and I thought he made some nice plays, I thought Zack Darlington made some nice plays—I was impressed with him. The rest of the guys all had their moments too.”

Nebraska returns to the practice field on Wednesday for its 10th workout of the spring. Check back at Huskers.com for updates.

Demaryius Thomas Says He’ll Skip Offseason Workouts

Posted on March 30, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Demaryius Thomas says he’ll skip the Denver Broncos’ offseason workouts until the sides agree on a long-term contract.

The star receiver also said he’ll bypass Peyton Manning’s annual passing camp next week at Duke, where the five-time MVP QB works on his timing with his wide receivers.

Speaking by phone Monday from an XBox “Call of Duty” event in Los Angeles to benefit military veterans, Thomas said if a long-term deal isn’t reached, he’d sign the Broncos’ $12.823 million franchise tender by the July 15 deadline.

Because he’s played three years with Manning, Thomas said missing offseason workouts won’t complicate his adjustment to the Broncos’ new offense under coach Gary Kubiak.

Former Vandy Coach to Replace Manning on Playoff Committee

Posted on March 27, 2015

Archie Manning is leaving the College Football Playoff selection committee and will be replaced by former Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson.

In a statement Friday, Manning says other commitments and time demands made it too difficult for him to serve on the committee. Manning was one of the original 13 members of the committee picked by the FBS conference commissioners who run the playoff.

The former Mississippi quarterback took a leave of absence during last season to deal with undisclosed health issues. CFP executive director Bill Hancock had said earlier this year Manning was expected to return for the 2015 season.

Johnson played at Clemson and was a head coach at Furman (1994-2001) and Vanderbilt (2002-2010). He says he is happy to “serve the game” as a member of the committee.

Arrowhead, Kauffman Stadiums’ Food Service Fires Manager

Posted on March 27, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A food safety manager at Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums in Kansas City says he was fired after complaining about dirty conditions.

Jon Costa shared with ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” a letter that he said came from his former employer, Aramark. The March 17 letter said Costa was being fired “for cause” for several reasons, including that he violated the company’s media policy by taking his concerns public.

ESPN says Costa’s complaints prompted a Nov. 3 inspection that found violations at 20 out of 26 food stands. The stadiums later passed a follow-up inspection.

Aramark said in a written statement that it considers personnel matters confidential. It added that food safety is “a top priority.” Costa’s attorney, Ryan McClelland, didn’t immediately return phone or email messages from The Associated Press.

Ex-Husker DE Randy Gregory to NFL Media: I Failed Drug Tests

Posted on March 26, 2015

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Defensive end Randy Gregory says he’s tested positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine last month and that he failed two drug tests at Nebraska last year.

Gregory disclosed his marijuana use in an interview with NFL Media on Wednesday.

Gregory went into February’s scouting combine projected to be among the top 10 picks in the draft. He declared for the draft after his junior season at Nebraska, where he recorded 17 1/2 sacks in two seasons.

He said he tested positive for marijuana at Nebraska in January 2014 and April 2014. Gregory said he hadn’t smoked marijuana since December and that he understands the failed drug tests could hurt his draft position.

Eddie Rhodman Jr., one of Gregory’s handlers, said on Thursday that Gregory would not comment further.

NFL Changes 3 Compensatory Draft Picks

Posted on March 25, 2015

PHOENIX (AP) — The NFL changed three compensatory picks for this year’s draft on Wednesday.

Downgraded was Denver’s sixth-rounder (208th overall) to a seventh-round selection (250th overall).

Carolina, meanwhile, had a sixth-rounder (213th) moved up to the fifth round (174th).

Pittsburgh’s seventh-round selection (252) is now a sixth-rounder (212).

The draft is April 30-May 2 in Chicago.

Change to Extra Points Likely in NFL

Posted on March 25, 2015

PHOENIX (AP) — Spicing up the NFL’s dullest play, the extra point, appears to be coming for the 2015 season.

While team owners didn’t vote on any extra-point proposals Wednesday, there was so much discussion and interest in potential changes that the issue will be a main focal point for the next set of league meetings in May. In the meantime, co-chairman Rich McKay said his competition committee would “develop alternatives and be ready for a potential vote” in two months in San Francisco.

Among the possibilities are moving the line of scrimmage back for PAT kicks; placing the ball on the 1½-yard line for a 2-point conversion; eliminating the PAT kicks entirely, requiring teams to run a play from scrimmage; and allowing the defense to score, as in college football, if the ball is turned over on a 2-point try.

Owners Still with Plenty of Work to do at Meetings

Posted on March 25, 2015

PHOENIX (AP) — NFL owners head into their final day of a busy set of meetings with plenty more work to do.

After a flurry of votes and news, several more items on this week’s agenda remain.

A change in overtime that would require both sides to have a possession even if the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown is on the table.

So is moving the extra point kick back to the 15-yard line, and a scenario that gives teams that successfully convert a 2-point conversion the chance to immediately add another point from midfield with a “bonus field goal.”

Indianapolis came up with the latter which, if approved, would make a nine-point deficit a one-possession game.

The Colts also have proposed allowing host teams to open a retractable roof at halftime, weather permitting, to enhance fan experience.

NFL Unveils Plans to Mark League’s 50th Super Bowl

Posted on March 24, 2015

PHOENIX (AP) — The Super Bowl turns 50 this year and the NFL is planning a golden yearlong celebration.

The league unveiled plans that include sending a gold-colored football to the high school of every player or head coach who played in the big game. The football will have the player’s name and the name of the high school.

The league also will have the number 50 on the 50-yard line in gold and teams will host Super Bowl reunions.

In addition to the Super Bowl trophy, which is still silver, there are big, Tiffany-crafted numbers 5-0 that will go to the Super Bowl winner. The numbers are cast in bronze, plated in 18-karat gold and weigh nearly 33 pounds.

There will be 19 games between past Super Bowl opponents during the preseason and regular season.