Football – Page 78 – North Platte Post Archive

Chiefs Sign First-Round Pick Dee Ford

Posted on May 24, 2014May 25, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs signed first-round pick Dee Ford on Saturday, putting the final player from this year’s draft class under contract as the team began a three-day rookie minicamp.

Ford played defensive end at Auburn but the Chiefs view him as a pass-rushing outside linebacker, one who can complement Pro Bowl selections Tamba Hali and Justin Houston this season and potentially replace one of them next season.

He was the No. 23 overall pick in this year’s draft.

While the Chiefs did not disclose terms of his contract, the current salary structure leaves little room for surprise. All deals for draft choices are four years, and Ford will receive about $8 million total. The Chiefs also hold a fifth year option because he was a first-round pick.

Broncos Exec Sentenced in DUI Case

Posted on May 23, 2014May 25, 2014

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP) — A Broncos executive accused of crashing into two cars while driving drunk has been sentenced to seven months in jail after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and careless driving resulting in injury.

Director of player personnel Matt Russell was charged after a vehicle ran into the back of a police car in Summit County over the 4th of July holiday.

County Court Judge Edward Casias on Friday sentenced Russell to jail time and approved Russell for work release and participation in a court-ordered treatment plan as part of his sentence. Russell was also ordered to perform 120 hours of community service.

Russell was suspended indefinitely from the team and was told to get treatment, rehabilitation and counseling after the accidents.

Broncos’ Ward Appears in Court on Misdemeanor

Posted on May 23, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Broncos safety T.J. Ward has appeared in court on misdemeanor charges that allege he threw a glass mug at a bartender at a Denver strip club.

Bond was set at $1,900 for the 27-year-old Ward. His next court appearance is June 23.

Ward is charged with misdemeanor assault and disturbing the peace. Court documents say Ward tossed the mug at the bartender on May 10 after he was told he couldn’t bring a drink into the club.

Police had issued an arrest warrant for Ward on Thursday.

Ward is coming off a Pro Bowl season in Cleveland and this spring signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal with Denver.

Police Issue Warrant for Broncos Safety T.J. Ward

Posted on May 22, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Police have issued an arrest warrant for Broncos safety T.J. Ward on an assault charge stemming from a fight at a Denver strip club on May 9.

The Broncos issued a statement saying, “We have been aware of this issue and will continue to review all of the facts.”

Court records show the disturbance happened at PT’s All Nude. Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson did not know details of the incident but described it as “some type of disturbance at a nightclub.” He said Ward will be charged with a misdemeanor count of assault.

Ward is coming off a Pro Bowl season in Cleveland and this spring signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal with Denver, where he’ll play strong safety.

Broncos Backfield Wide Open Behind Montee Ball

Posted on May 22, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning has thrown 100 touchdown passes in his two seasons in Denver. Although the five-time MVP has another group of tantalizing targets with the additions of Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer, the Broncos want more balance in 2014.

With 1,000-yard rusher Knowshon Moreno going to Miami, second-year pro Montee Ball takes over as the Broncos’ starting running back.

After that, it’s anybody’s guess.

C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman could move up the pecking order or they might be unseated by one or more of the college free agents who signed with Denver after the Broncos chose not to draft a running back.

5 College Players Waiting for Hall of Fame to Call, Including Crouch

Posted on May 22, 2014May 22, 2014

To be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame, players must have been named to one of five All-America teams recognized by the NCAA and be 10 years removed from playing in college. They must also be nominated by their school. National Football Foundation members are given a ballot with dozens of eligible players each year and then the NFF’s honors court picks the inductees from the top vote-getters.

Now that Alabama star Derrick Thomas is in the Hall of Fame, here are five of the best players who were on this year’s ballot still waiting to get into the Hall:

Eric Dickerson, RB, SMU (1979-82) — One of the greatest running backs to ever play, but being a part of an SMU program that was given the death penalty by the NCAA for paying players is a big stumbling block.

Brian Bosworth, LB, Oklahoma (1984-86) — The Boz was a two-time All-American who played for some of coach Barry Switzer’s best Sooner teams. He was also a vocal and flamboyant critic of the NCAA and was suspended for what would have been the final game of his college career for a failed steroid test.

Ricky Williams, RB, Texas (1995-98) — The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner now takes Thomas’ place as the Hall of Fame’s most obvious omission. He left Texas as major college football’s career rushing leader with 6,592 yards.

Eric Crouch, QB, Nebraska (1997-2001) — The 2001 Heisman Trophy winner left Nebraska as the school’s career leader in total offense.

Jerome Brown, DT, Miami (1983-86) — A dominating defensive tackle on some of the Hurricanes’ greatest teams. He was killed in a car crash in 1992 at the age of 27.

Fresno St. WR Following in Welker’s Footsteps, Signs with Denver

Posted on May 21, 2014May 21, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Isaiah Burse patterned his game after Wes Welker’s. After going undrafted, he’s even followed his idol’s path into the NFL.

The Fresno State speedster signed with Denver moments after the draft ended.

An undrafted free agent has made the Broncos’ 53-man roster for 10 consecutive seasons and Burse aims to extend that streak this summer as a wide receiver and returner, where there’s a big void following free agent Trindon Holiday’s departure to the New York Giants.

At 5-foot-10 and 187 pounds, Burse is built just like Welker (5-9, 185), who also started out as a return man after going undrafted out of Texas Tech before building a name for himself as the league’s premiere slot receiver.

Suh at Practice, Talks Contract, 2010 Draft

Posted on May 21, 2014

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Ndamukong Suh is practicing with the Detroit Lions again, and he says his approach to this offseason isn’t much different from any other year.

Suh skipped the team’s voluntary minicamp last month, but he was at practice Wednesday, part of organized team activities. He says this is the same time he arrived last year, and that he tries to stay consistent with his offseason program and preparation.

Suh is entering the last year of his contract, and when asked why he would want to stay in Detroit long term, Suh said it was actually his choice to play for the Lions when they drafted him in 2010 with the second overall pick. Suh said he had an opportunity to go elsewhere, but he did not elaborate.

Longshot Linebacker Playing in His 5th Pro League

Posted on May 21, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Chase Vaughn called in sick last week, telling his bosses at National Jewish Health where he answered phone calls from people wanting to stop smoking or lose weight that he had the stomach flu.

He was actually interviewing for another job.

And when he was hired for that new gig this week, he had to go back to the hospital and ‘fess up.

Vaughn is a 25-year-old long-shot linebacker who was added to the Denver Broncos’ 90-man offseason roster this week after an impressive tryout at the team’s rookie minicamp last weekend.

Minneapolis Awarded 2018 Super Bowl

Posted on May 20, 2014

ATLANTA (AP) — Minneapolis has been awarded the 2018 Super Bowl by NFL owners.

The owners rewarded the Vikings for arranging to build a new stadium on the site of the old Metrodome by choosing Minneapolis over New Orleans and Indianapolis.

The big game will be staged in the Twin Cities for the second time. It was there in 1992, when Washington beat Buffalo.

Minneapolis’ new $1 billion stadium is scheduled to open in 2016.

New Orleans has staged the Super Bowl 10 times, tied with South Florida for the most, but its bid might have been damaged by the blackout that interrupted the 2013 title game. Indianapolis had it in 2012.

Next year’s game is in Glendale, Arizona, followed by Santa Clara, California, for the 50th Super Bowl, then Houston.