Football – Page 74 – North Platte Post Archive

Gregory Earns Spot on Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Posted on July 10, 2014

The preseason honors continue to roll in for Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory. The junior standout was named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Thursday.

The 6-6, 240-pound Gregory is among the nation’s top returning defenders. Gregory led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks last season, including nine in conference games. He also led the Huskers with 19 tackles for loss and was third on the team with 66 total tackles.

Gregory earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for his efforts in 2013, and is considered a strong candidate for first-team All-America honors this fall. In addition to being named to the Nagurski Watch List on Thursday, Gregory was earlier named to the watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott Trophy.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented by the Football Writers Association of America and is given to the nation’s top defensive player. Five finalists for the award will be named on Nov. 20, and the winner will be announced at a banquet in Charlotte on Dec. 8. Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh won the award in 2009.

Gregory is one of 10 Big Ten defenders on the watch list, including fellow defensive ends Joey Bosa (Ohio State), Shilique Calhoun (Michigan State) and Frank Clark (Michigan).

Additional watch lists will be announced through Friday, July 18.

Mark Pelini Named to Rimington Watch List

Posted on July 8, 2014

Nebraska senior Mark Pelini is one of 66 centers who have been named to the official watch list for the 2014 Rimington Trophy announced Tuesday morning.

The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top center. The award is named in honor of Dave Rimington who twice won the Outland Trophy and captured the Lombardi Award during his All-America career at Nebraska.

Pelini has been a valuable member of the Husker offensive line each of the past two seasons. A year ago, he saw extensive time at center and his role increased in the second half of the year when injuries hit the offensive front.

The 6-0, 290-pound Pelini helped Nebraska feature one of the nation’s top running attacks in 2013. Behind the play of the offensive line, I-back Ameer Abdullah racked up 1,690 rushing yards, the most by a Nebraska player since 1997.

Pelini will also be counted on for leadership on the offensive line in 2014. The Huskers graduated five seniors from its 2013 offensive line, leaving Pelini as one of the most experienced members of the position group.

Pelini is one of 10 Big Ten centers on the watch list. The winner of the 2014 Rimington Trophy will be honored at a banquet in Lincoln on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015.

Lawyers: Judge Approves NFL Concussion Settlement

Posted on July 7, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a deal that would compensate former NFL players for concussion-related claims.

Attorneys Sol Weiss and Christopher Seeger said in a statement that Monday’s decision represents “an extraordinary settlement” for the plaintiffs.

The NFL last month agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages after U.S. District Judge Anita Brody questioned whether there would be enough money to pay all claims.

The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and cover retirees who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neurological problems.

More than 4,500 former players have filed suit, some accusing the league of fraud for its handling of concussions.

NCAA Suggests Contact Limits for Football Practice

Posted on July 7, 2014

The NCAA is suggesting that football teams hold no more than two contact practices per week during the season in guidelines that grew out of a safety and concussion summit early this year.

Practice limits were among several recommendations released Monday by the NCAA, which called them guidelines that could change “in real time” rather than rules passed through legislation.

The practice guidelines also recommend four contact practices per week during the preseason and no more than eight of the 15 sessions during spring football.

The NCAA is also suggesting that schools have independent doctors to evaluate injuries and a “return to learn” process for integrating athletes back into their academic work after they have been diagnosed with a concussion.

The Safety in College Football Summit was in Atlanta in January.

Abdullah, Bell, Gregory Named to Watch Lists

Posted on July 7, 2014

Husker seniors Ameer Abdullah and Kenny Bell and junior Randy Gregory were each named to watch lists announced on Monday morning.

One of the nation’s top returning rushers, Abdullah was named to watch lists for both the 78th annual Maxwell Award and the Paul Hornung Award. Bell was also named to the Hornung Award Watch List, while Gregory was listed on the watch list for the 20th annual Chuck Bednarik Award.

The Maxwell Award has been given to America’s College Player of the Year since 1937 and is presented by the Maxell Football Club. The club also presents the Bednarik Award, given annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year, since 1995. The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in college football.

Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards last season, the most by a Nebraska player since 1997, and this fall he could become the first Husker to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He is also the nation’s active career leader in all-purpose yards and is on track to become Nebraska’s all-time leader in that category.

Like Abdullah, Bell is a dual threat for the Huskers, excelling as a receiver and kickoff return specialist. Bell enters his senior season poised to become the school’s all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yardage. He is also one of the nation’s top returning kickoff returners after averaging 26.5 yards per return last season, including a 99-yard touchdown.

Gregory became one of the Big Ten’s top defenders last season and has earned preseason All-America accolades in 2014. In his first year with the Huskers, Gregory led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Nine of Gregory’s sacks came in Big Ten Conference play, including a season-high three sacks at Michigan.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced Nov. 3, while the three finalists for each award will be unveiled on Nov. 24. The winners will be announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards show on Dec. 11.

Monday’s announcements were first of several watch lists which will be unveiled over the next two weeks. The National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates. Following is the complete 2014 preseason watch list calendar:

Mon., July 7: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award

Tue., July 8: Mackey Award / Rimington Trophy

Wed., July 9: Lou Groza Award / Ray Guy Award

Thurs., July 10: Bronko Nagurski Trophy / Outland Trophy

Fri., July 11: Jim Thorpe Award

Mon., July 14: Butkus Award / Rotary Lombardi Award

Tue., July 15: Biletnikoff Award

Wed., July 16: Davey O’Brien Award

Thurs., July 17: Doak Walker Award

Fri., July 18: Walter Camp Award

Ex-NFL Players: Concussion Settlement ‘Lousy Deal’

Posted on July 3, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Seven retired NFL players are objecting to a proposed settlement of concussion claims, calling it a “lousy deal” for ex-players whose symptoms don’t qualify them for compensation.

The players’ lawyers filed a motion in federal court in Philadelphia on Wednesday urging a judge to reject the settlement between the NFL and up to 20,000 retired players.

The NFL last month agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages from thousands of claims. A judge must approve.

The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and cover retirees who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neurological problems.

The former players who object say the deal excludes players with symptoms of a degenerative brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy or suffering from milder brain injuries. They say it also excludes veterans of the defunct NFL Europe.

Football 202 to Take Place During Fall Practice

Posted on June 24, 2014

The Nebraska football program will once again give Husker fans an opportunity to get a glimpse inside the program, as it presents Football 202 during fall practice. Football 202 will take place on Saturday, Aug. 16, and provides fans with the chance to get a preview of the 2014 season just two weeks before the season opener.

The one-day session will include breakdowns from members of the Husker coaching staff, an opportunity to interact with current and former Huskers and tours of Nebraska’s world-class facilities. Participants at Football 202 will also get an inside look at the 2014 Huskers during a practice.

The morning sessions include breakdowns from Nebraska coaching staff members on “Winning Offense”, “Winning Defense” and “Winning Special Teams”. The morning will also feature a question and answer session with current Husker players.

Eric Crouch, the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, will be the featured speaker during the lunch hour of Football 202. Lunch will be served in the East Stadium Club, part of the newest addition to Memorial Stadium that was completed before the 2013 season.

The afternoon portion of the program will begin with a recruiting seminar, including members of the Husker staff as well as Sean Callahan of HuskerOnline.com. That session will be followed by a locker room tour and the Huskers’ practice. The day will include with a tour of the Huskers’ football facilities prior to an evening social with members of the staff in the East Stadium.

The cost of $274 also includes coffee and rolls in the morning, lunch and food at the evening social, in addition to a Husker polo. Registration and a preliminary schedule for the event is available at www.bigredfootballschool.com under the Football 202 tab. Check-in on the day of the event begins at 8 a.m. just inside Gate 20 in East Stadium.

What is a Slur? Redskins Case Forces Us to Decide

Posted on June 22, 2014

Something is happening just beneath the fight over the name of a certain Washington, D.C., pro football team: America is working through the process of determining what is — or is not — racially offensive.

What is a slur, and who gets to decide? How many people must be offended to tip the scales? Why should some be forced to sacrifice their traditions out of respect for others?

We are a long way from consensus on these questions, judging by the response to a federal ruling that the “Redskins” team name is disparaging and its trademarks should be canceled.

The team is appealing the decision, and even if it loses its trademark, it can still use the name. But this latest development highlights the limitations of how America wrestles with certain racial statements, and our struggle to balance free speech and social good.

Denver Broncos Win 2014 Pete Rozelle Award

Posted on June 20, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The Denver Broncos public relations staff has won the 2014 Pete Rozelle Award from the Professional Football Writers of America.

The annual award is named for the NFL commissioner from 1960-89 who began his distinguished career in sports PR roles as a student at Compton (Calif.) Junior College and the University of San Francisco. He broke into the NFL as the PR director of the Los Angeles Rams in 1952.

The Broncos’ PR department is led by executive director Patrick Smyth and includes managers Erich Schubert and Rebecca Villanueva. Jim Saccomano recently retired as vice president of corporate communications after 36 years with the club.

This is the second Rozelle Award for the Broncos, who also won the inaugural honor in 1990.

Julius Thomas Keeps Eye on Jimmy Graham Situation

Posted on June 20, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — It’s the $5 million question that’s rumbling through NFL front offices and locker rooms alike: Is All-Pro Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints a tight end or a really big wide receiver?

It matters to men like Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas of the Denver Broncos, who’s up for a big pay raise and could be facing a franchise tag himself after the upcoming season.

The Saints gave Graham the franchise tag for about $7 million as a tight end, the position he’s been listed at for his entire four-year career — and which he himself lists on his Twitter account.

Graham contends that because he more often is split out away from the tackle, he is really a wide receiver.

Thomas is understandably interested in the outcome.