By John McMullen
Philadelphia, PA - It's not quite "Supermarket Sweep," but NFL teams are certainly tweaking their shopping lists this week.
When the clock strikes midnight on Friday, clubs will be permitted to start contract negotiations with the agents of players who will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the current league year, which culminates at 4 p.m. ET on March 12.
Following is a look at the top 50 unrestricted free agents available. No franchise tags and no restricted guys here, these are players who can sign on the dotted line next week and never look back.
You won't see big names like Charles Woodson, Ed Reed or Osi Umenyiora on the list because age is a big factor -- perhaps the biggest -- in weighing how NFL teams value potential targets.
Other veterans like John Abraham, Dwight Freeney and Richard Seymour made the cut because their games translate a little better toward situational football, upping their values in a one- or two-year window.
So here it is -- The NFL's Top 50 NFL Free Agents:
1. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh - True home run threats rarely hit the open
market. Wallace, a 2011 Pro Bowl selection, is coming off a down year and is
regarded as a bit of an underachiever in Western Pennsylvania. That said,
he'll only be 27 when the 2013 season opens and he still has blazing 4.33-
second speed in the 40-yard dash.
2. Andre Smith, RT, Cincinnati - Smith's work ethic has always been questioned
and his weight is a constant concern, but the former sixth overall pick in
2009 developed into one of the best two or three right tackles in football
last season.
3. Jake Long, LT, Miami - When the Dolphins tagged defensive tackle Randy
Starks, it meant that Long, a former No. 1 overall pick, would hit the market.
Once regarded as one of the premier players at one of the game's most
important positions, injury concerns and another potential huge outlay has
Miami contemplating life after Long. While he's probably not as good as he
once was, Long is hardly ready for the clearance aisle. He's still a top-10
left tackle and that means something.
4. Michael Bennett, DE, Tampa Bay -- Bennett looks like the best all-around
defensive end out there. He has the requisite motor, plays the run hard and
can get after the quarterback. Bennett may never be elite, but he had nine
sacks in 2012 and he's just 27.
5. Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit - Avril is only 26 and is the best pure pass
rusher available, amassing 39 1/2 sacks over the past five seasons. He's not
as well-rounded as you would like and he's actually a perfect fit for the
Lions' wide-9 scheme, but a massive price tag has seemingly scared Detroit
away.
6. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay - Jennings has proven to be an elite receiver,
but injuries and age (he'll be 30 in September) knock him down a bit. The
Western Michigan product is certainly the best route runner available and the
rare receiver these days who can move from the outside to the slot and back
again all while being a difference maker.
7. Dannell Ellerbe, ILB, Baltimore - Super Bowl rings tend to up the price tag
on players, but in Ellerbe's case, it's deserved. For all the talk surrounding
Ray Lewis during the Ravens' championship run, it was Ellerbe who was the
team's best linebacker, and at 26, he's about to enter his prime years.
8 Dashon Goldson, S, San Francisco - The NFC champion 49ers decided to let
Goldson hear from other suitors and while Jim Harbaugh almost certainly wants
his Pro Bowl safety back in the Bay Area, Goldson should command a huge
payday, cause for concern for a player whose greatest attribute is run
support, not coverage.
9. Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee - Cook is more of a glorified slot receiver and
not really an in-line option, but, boy, can he cause a Jimmy Graham-like
matchup headache.
10. Sebastian Vollmer, RT, New England - A balky back pushes Vollmer down a
bit, but he's a very good right tackle, just a notch below elite. Vollmer
mirrors well in pass protection and is solid if unspectacular while run
blocking.
11. Sean Smith, CB, Miami - The best man-coverage corner available. Smith has
consistency issues and seems to be more highly regarded outside South Florida.
12. Aqib Talib, CB, New England - As fare as pure ability goes, Talib is
certainly in the elite category, but his off-the-field issues have been well-
documented and will certainly affect his value.
13. Connor Barwin, OLB, Houston - A real effort guy coming off a down season,
but he's just one year removed from 11 1/2 sacks.
14. Paul Kruger, OLB, Baltimore - Kruger is a one-trick pony, but it's an
impressive trick, a very good edge pass-rusher. That said, he's a situational
type and only a fit for teams that use a 3-4 defensive alignment.
15. Louis Delmas, S, Detroit - Delmas would certainly be in the top 10 if he
could stay healthy, but you are talking about a guy who has started only 18 of
36 games over the past two seasons.
16. Reggie Bush, RB, Miami - Running backs certainly aren't valued these days,
but Bush's versatility will find him a home rather quickly.
17. Keenan Lewis, CB, Pittsburgh - Lewis had a bit of a breakout season
with the Steelers, turning out to be their best cover corner. At just 26, he
is poised to become a long-term starter.
18. Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis - One of the best pure slot receivers in the
NFL, but does he take a beating at times.
19. Martellus Bennett, TE, N.Y. Giants - Bennett turned the corner during his
first year with the Giants and is one of the better all-around players at a
position which is quickly becoming very specialized. He'll be just 26 when
September rolls around, but his time as an underachiever in Dallas may
make others leery of cutting a big check.
20. Phil Loadholt, RT, Minnesota - Perhaps the best run-blocking right tackle
in football, the massive Loadholt would be a star if he could clean up the
pre-snap penalties and figure out a way to slow down elite speed rushers.
21. Andy Levitre, G, Buffalo - Levitre is the best pure offensive guard
available, generally a lighter paying position. He's not all that athletic,
but is strong and nasty, two desirous traits in an O-lineman.
22. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Philadelphia - Rodgers-Cromartie has Pro
Bowl-caliber ability, but is hitting the street because of the effort he
showed during the Eagles' disappointing 2012 season. Someone will fall in love
with DRC's skill-set, but the key is getting in to translate on the field.
23. William Moore, S, Atlanta - Moore has the range to be a better coverage
safety, but it doesn't always show up on Sundays.
24. Glover Quin, S, Houston - A former cornerback, Quin lined up all over the
field for Wade Phillips, but the Texans didn't bite with the franchise tag.
That tells you something.
25. Brandon Myers, TE, Oakland - If you are looking for a pure receiving
tight end, you could do worse than the 27-year-old Myers, who can get down
the seam with consistency.
26. Louis Vasquez, G, San Diego - Was the best player on a bad line. In other
words, he might be like a 20-point scorer on the Charlotte Bobcats.
27. Kenny Phillips, S, N.Y. Giants - Much like Delmas in that he can't stay
healthy, but when on the field, he has been able to produce.
28. Brad Jones, ILB-OLB, Green Bay - Jones won't knock your socks off, but
he's a versatile guy who can fit just about any scheme and play at an above-
average level.
29. Phillip Wheeler, OLB, Oakland - A speedy linebacker coming off his best
season, Wheeler needs help up front to excel. If opposing offensive linemen
get to the second level, he's gets caught in the wash far too easily.
30. Alan Branch, DT, Seattle - Branch is one-dimensional, a two-down, run-
anchor, but a darn good one.
31. Dustin Keller, TE, NY Jets - Keller has limited blocking skills, but can
get separation and catch the football.
32. Matt Shaughnessy, DE, Oakland - A young, talented guy who never lived up
to expectations in Oakland. Somebody will blame the lack of production of the
dysfunctional Raiders franchise and give Shaughnessy a fresh start.
33. Gosder Cherilus, RT, Detroit - Cherilus has been a solid starter in a low-
profile situation.
34. Jerome Felton, FB, Minnesota - Few teams use pure fullbacks for
significant snaps, but for those who do, Felton is the best lead-isolation guy
in the business.
35. Cary Williams, CB, Baltimore - Williams might be the guy who gets the
biggest Super Bowl bump. He is coming off a nice season after being pressed
into action, but he strikes many as a nickel corner moving forward.
36. Brandon Moore, G, N.Y. Jets - Moore has been an above average guard for
the Jets over the past few seasons. He's never going to remind you of Randall
McDaniel or Larry Allen, but you can certainly win with him.
37. Richard Seymour, DT, Oakland - Yeah, Seymour is 33, but he still has the
versatility to play inside or outside and could be rejuvenated by getting
out of Oak-town.
38. Brian Hartline, WR, Miami - The Dolphins complain about not having a legit
outside the numbers threat and probably undervalue Hartline, a solid
complimentary piece.
39. Desmond Bryant, DT, Oakland - An arrest for criminal mischief won't help,
but Bryant is only 27, has nice size and is a smart guy.
40. Erin Henderson, LB, Minnesota - The knock on Henderson is in coverage, but
the Vikings' antiquated Cover-2 scheme often asks too much of nickel
linebackers. In the run game, Henderson is as instinctive as they come.
41. Jermon Bushrod, LT, New Orleans - Consistency is a problem for Bushrod,
and at the end of the day, he's just an average left tackle.
42. Sam Baker, LT, Atlanta - Baker is not as athletic as you would like, but
he's a scrapper who will fight to the whistle.
43. John Abraham, DE, Atlanta - Yeah, he's getting up there, but Abraham has
19 1/2 sacks the past two seasons. It's probably time to start limiting his
reps, but he can still bring significant heat off the edge, especially against
lesser competition.
44. Wes Welker, WR, New England - Big drops and the fact that Welker will turn
32 over the summer hurts his stock. It's also very unlikely he leaves Foxboro.
45. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis - Needs to get back to a 4-3 situation in
which he can be a contributor as a situational pass rusher. Freeney is
probably best-suited for 20 to 30 snaps a game at this point.
46. Derek Cox, CB, Jacksonville - Another injury-plagued player with the
talent to succeed if he stays on the field.
47. William Hayes, DE, St. Louis Rams - A versatile lineman with some juice on
the pass rush.
48. Pat Sims, DT, Cincinnati - This is what free agency is for: A 26-year-old
backup who now has a chance to secure a starting job.
49. Ricky Jean-Francois, DT, San Francisco - Solid backup with the NFC champs,
but not sure he has the athleticism to stand out as a starter.
50. Victor Butler, OLB, Dallas - Time to sink or swim for the 26-year-old who
has been stuck behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Union extend partnership with Harrisburg City Islanders
Hershey, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union and the Harrisburg City Islanders have expanded their partnership, allowing Union players to stay, practice and play games along their USL counterparts for an extended period of time, possibly the entire length of the USL campaign.
“Having meaningful competitions at levels below MLS is absolutely critical to the development of aspiring players in North America," said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. "This partnership sets the stage toward building robust and successful levels below MLS to not only develop players but also, referees and soccer executives.”
Similar to Major League Baseball’s farm system, the Union can send First Team players down to Harrisburg for development, to gain extra playing time or to regain fitness following an injury. The player would still be a member of the Union’s roster and the club would hold all rights to the player, as well as be responsible for the players’ salaries.
“This is a great opportunity to create a system to develop better players and organizations at all levels,” states Eric Pettis, CEO Harrisburg City Islanders. “Our partnership is a tremendous example of seeing a bigger vision of what the total development of soccer can be. Creating a system to strengthen the sport much like baseball is imperative to the continued growth in this country. The City Islanders are extremely proud to be a partner with the Philadelphia Union at the inception of this agreement between the MLS and USL PRO.”
Per an announcement made on January 23 by Major League Soccer and USL PRO, MLS teams now have the opportunity to formally partner with USL PRO clubs to further player development. The Union are one of four MLS teams to pilot this new program, with Sporting Kansas City linking up with Orlando City, D.C. United pairing with the Richmond Kickers and the New England Revolution partnering with the Rochester Rhinos. The Union will no longer field a Reserve League team, instead incorporating reserve players into the City Islanders to help the team compete for a USL championship.
MLS sides without formal USL PRO affiliates will send their Reserve teams to participate in interleague competition with USL PRO squads. Matches between these MLS Reserve teams and USL PRO sides will count in both the official USL PRO and MLS Reserve League standings.
The agreement extends beyond just the players, as both the technical and front office staffs will exchange tips and best practices throughout the year. The clubs will also still hold their annual friendly match in Harrisburg. The date of the 2013 match-up will be announced at a later date.
Officially signed in March of 2010, the original partnership provided the Union with an option to loan players to Harrisburg for increased playing time, as well as scout up and coming talent, such as Union starting right back Sheanon Williams, who suited up for the City Islanders in 2010.
The City Islanders and the Union’s PDL affiliate, Reading United, are the second to last stop in the Union’s “Path to PPL Park” development model, which takes players from youth soccer to the professional ranks with a variety of steps designed to help players reach their full potential.
“Having meaningful competitions at levels below MLS is absolutely critical to the development of aspiring players in North America," said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. "This partnership sets the stage toward building robust and successful levels below MLS to not only develop players but also, referees and soccer executives.”
Similar to Major League Baseball’s farm system, the Union can send First Team players down to Harrisburg for development, to gain extra playing time or to regain fitness following an injury. The player would still be a member of the Union’s roster and the club would hold all rights to the player, as well as be responsible for the players’ salaries.
“This is a great opportunity to create a system to develop better players and organizations at all levels,” states Eric Pettis, CEO Harrisburg City Islanders. “Our partnership is a tremendous example of seeing a bigger vision of what the total development of soccer can be. Creating a system to strengthen the sport much like baseball is imperative to the continued growth in this country. The City Islanders are extremely proud to be a partner with the Philadelphia Union at the inception of this agreement between the MLS and USL PRO.”
Per an announcement made on January 23 by Major League Soccer and USL PRO, MLS teams now have the opportunity to formally partner with USL PRO clubs to further player development. The Union are one of four MLS teams to pilot this new program, with Sporting Kansas City linking up with Orlando City, D.C. United pairing with the Richmond Kickers and the New England Revolution partnering with the Rochester Rhinos. The Union will no longer field a Reserve League team, instead incorporating reserve players into the City Islanders to help the team compete for a USL championship.
MLS sides without formal USL PRO affiliates will send their Reserve teams to participate in interleague competition with USL PRO squads. Matches between these MLS Reserve teams and USL PRO sides will count in both the official USL PRO and MLS Reserve League standings.
The agreement extends beyond just the players, as both the technical and front office staffs will exchange tips and best practices throughout the year. The clubs will also still hold their annual friendly match in Harrisburg. The date of the 2013 match-up will be announced at a later date.
Officially signed in March of 2010, the original partnership provided the Union with an option to loan players to Harrisburg for increased playing time, as well as scout up and coming talent, such as Union starting right back Sheanon Williams, who suited up for the City Islanders in 2010.
The City Islanders and the Union’s PDL affiliate, Reading United, are the second to last stop in the Union’s “Path to PPL Park” development model, which takes players from youth soccer to the professional ranks with a variety of steps designed to help players reach their full potential.
Grossmann has groin injury, needs further evaluation
As usual, the Flyers tried to soft-pedal news about defenseman Nicklas Grossmann, telling us during the Rangers' 4-2 win last night that he left after the completion of the first period with a lower-body injury.
That was followed up by a tweet from Howard Eskin later in the evening which revealed it was in fact a groin issue, something picked up only after the game by CSN Philly's Tim Panaccio.
Further sources have picked up on the news, and it is expected that Grossmann will see an unnamed doctor and have an MRI today to see what, if any, damage had occurred.
That was followed up by a tweet from Howard Eskin later in the evening which revealed it was in fact a groin issue, something picked up only after the game by CSN Philly's Tim Panaccio.
Further sources have picked up on the news, and it is expected that Grossmann will see an unnamed doctor and have an MRI today to see what, if any, damage had occurred.
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Flyers can't break MSG skid, lose to Rangers
New York, NY -- Game one of this four-game gauntlet could have gone much better.
Despite a first-period lead thanks to power-play scores from Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek, Rick Nash registered the go-ahead and insurance tallies in the third period, as the New York Rangers shook off the absence of a key player to overcome the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden.
Ryan Callahan added two early scores for the Rangers, who did not have the services of center Brad Richards after he was injured Sunday night on an illegal hit by Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta. Nonetheless, New York won its sixth straight home game against Philadelphia dating back more than two years.
"We found a way. It was a ground-it-out type of game the first couple periods. Nash steps up again in the third period, makes a couple big plays, and we found a way to win," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella.
Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves as the Blueshirts have taken three straight overall. With his 24th win over Philly, the Swedish goaler is two shy of the franchise record for most wins against their bitter rivals. John Vanbiesbrouck wound up on the positive side of the ledger 26 times from 1984-93.
The win did come at a cost, as defenseman Marc Staal had to be taken off the ice in the third period after bearing the brunt of a Kimmo Timonen shot which indirectly caromed off his face.
"That was scary. He was in a lot of pain. It was tough to focus after that," said Lundqvist.
Ilya Bryzgalov stopped just 16 pucks in defeat for the Flyers, who slipped below .500 (11-12-1) after seeing a two-game win streak snapped.
The Orange and Black face an even stiffer test on Thursday, hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“All of our games are big but the next game is going to be the biggest game of the season,” said Philly captain Claude Giroux. “We need to find a way to motivate ourselves whoever the other team is and we have to find a way to play our best and keep getting better as a team.”
Following a scoreless but spirited middle 20 minutes, Nash put the hosts ahead with less than three minutes played, sliding the puck between the arm and body of Bryzgalov from an odd-man rush.
Nash then doubled the New York edge at 11:42, cutting from left to right and sliding a backhander home.
"That's my job, that's what I am trying to do," Nash said of his role as timely goal scorer. "It's fun for me to play in front of a sold out building in a hockey city that truly loves the Rangers. I think it’s fun for our whole team to perform in front of these fans."
That score was set up by the second of two blundered changes, this one from the Flyers' defensive pair failing to properly switch assignments.
It didn't affect the offensive thrust, as Lundqvist was peppered in the last minutes of the contest. He was forced to make a quick save on Danny Briere in front with under two minutes left, and Bryzgalov was pulled for an extra skater seconds later.
In a mystifying sequence which encapsulates the club's bad luck in this building, the visitors had their nemesis without a stick, yet missed several quality chances in the waning moments while buzzing around the Rangers' crease.
“It’s not like we were under siege,” Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette said. “I think we shot ourselves in the foot too many times. There weren’t a lot of chances both ways, but we made more mistakes than they did and that’s why they won the game.”
New York received the game's first power play and registered the first goal at the 90-second mark as Derek Stepan fed Callahan and the Rangers' captain roofed a shot from the right side.
Philadelphia gained the second advantage and evened the score as Simmonds stood atop the crease for a redirection of a Giroux feed at 7:18. Voracek followed up his own rebound on another Flyers power play and it was 2-1 with 2:03 left in the period.
Callahan then moved around a sliding Luke Schenn on the left side, cut in and scored on the forehand with 41 seconds left.
“Giving up the goal in the last minute can’t happen,” Simmonds said. “We didn’t play as well as we could have [after that] and it obviously cost us the game.”
Notes: New York hasn't lost to Philadelphia at home since Feb. 20, 2011, and has taken 10 of the last 13 home matchups since March of 2009 against their long-time rivals...Nash, who has scored in a season-high three straight games, notched his first multi-goal effort with the Rangers...Callahan's two scores proved to be his first multi-score performance since a hat trick against the Flyers in a 5-2 road win on Feb. 11, 2012...Giroux did not record a shot on goal...The Flyers lost defenseman Nicklas Grossmann to a lower-body injury following the first period...Prior to the game, the Flyers recalled forward Eric Wellwood from Adirondack of the AHL and the Rangers recalled forward Micheal Haley from Connecticut.
Despite a first-period lead thanks to power-play scores from Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek, Rick Nash registered the go-ahead and insurance tallies in the third period, as the New York Rangers shook off the absence of a key player to overcome the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden.
Ryan Callahan added two early scores for the Rangers, who did not have the services of center Brad Richards after he was injured Sunday night on an illegal hit by Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta. Nonetheless, New York won its sixth straight home game against Philadelphia dating back more than two years.
"We found a way. It was a ground-it-out type of game the first couple periods. Nash steps up again in the third period, makes a couple big plays, and we found a way to win," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella.
Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves as the Blueshirts have taken three straight overall. With his 24th win over Philly, the Swedish goaler is two shy of the franchise record for most wins against their bitter rivals. John Vanbiesbrouck wound up on the positive side of the ledger 26 times from 1984-93.
The win did come at a cost, as defenseman Marc Staal had to be taken off the ice in the third period after bearing the brunt of a Kimmo Timonen shot which indirectly caromed off his face.
"That was scary. He was in a lot of pain. It was tough to focus after that," said Lundqvist.
Ilya Bryzgalov stopped just 16 pucks in defeat for the Flyers, who slipped below .500 (11-12-1) after seeing a two-game win streak snapped.
The Orange and Black face an even stiffer test on Thursday, hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“All of our games are big but the next game is going to be the biggest game of the season,” said Philly captain Claude Giroux. “We need to find a way to motivate ourselves whoever the other team is and we have to find a way to play our best and keep getting better as a team.”
Following a scoreless but spirited middle 20 minutes, Nash put the hosts ahead with less than three minutes played, sliding the puck between the arm and body of Bryzgalov from an odd-man rush.
Nash then doubled the New York edge at 11:42, cutting from left to right and sliding a backhander home.
"That's my job, that's what I am trying to do," Nash said of his role as timely goal scorer. "It's fun for me to play in front of a sold out building in a hockey city that truly loves the Rangers. I think it’s fun for our whole team to perform in front of these fans."
That score was set up by the second of two blundered changes, this one from the Flyers' defensive pair failing to properly switch assignments.
It didn't affect the offensive thrust, as Lundqvist was peppered in the last minutes of the contest. He was forced to make a quick save on Danny Briere in front with under two minutes left, and Bryzgalov was pulled for an extra skater seconds later.
In a mystifying sequence which encapsulates the club's bad luck in this building, the visitors had their nemesis without a stick, yet missed several quality chances in the waning moments while buzzing around the Rangers' crease.
“It’s not like we were under siege,” Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette said. “I think we shot ourselves in the foot too many times. There weren’t a lot of chances both ways, but we made more mistakes than they did and that’s why they won the game.”
New York received the game's first power play and registered the first goal at the 90-second mark as Derek Stepan fed Callahan and the Rangers' captain roofed a shot from the right side.
Philadelphia gained the second advantage and evened the score as Simmonds stood atop the crease for a redirection of a Giroux feed at 7:18. Voracek followed up his own rebound on another Flyers power play and it was 2-1 with 2:03 left in the period.
Callahan then moved around a sliding Luke Schenn on the left side, cut in and scored on the forehand with 41 seconds left.
“Giving up the goal in the last minute can’t happen,” Simmonds said. “We didn’t play as well as we could have [after that] and it obviously cost us the game.”
Notes: New York hasn't lost to Philadelphia at home since Feb. 20, 2011, and has taken 10 of the last 13 home matchups since March of 2009 against their long-time rivals...Nash, who has scored in a season-high three straight games, notched his first multi-goal effort with the Rangers...Callahan's two scores proved to be his first multi-score performance since a hat trick against the Flyers in a 5-2 road win on Feb. 11, 2012...Giroux did not record a shot on goal...The Flyers lost defenseman Nicklas Grossmann to a lower-body injury following the first period...Prior to the game, the Flyers recalled forward Eric Wellwood from Adirondack of the AHL and the Rangers recalled forward Micheal Haley from Connecticut.
Eagles sign QB G.J. Kinne
PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles have signed quarterback G.J. Kinne to a two-year contract.
Kinne, who was coached by Eagles offensive quality control coach Press Taylor and played alongside Eagles WR Damaris Johnson while at Tulsa, completed his three-year college career ranked second in school history in passing yards (9,472), total offense (10,831 yards) and passing touchdowns (81).
As a senior, Kinne (6-foot-2, 234) garnered second-team All-Conference USA honors after throwing for 3,090 yards and 28 touchdowns while also rushing for 405 yards and three touchdowns. A three-time Conference USA All-Academic selection, Kinne was named the conference’s offensive player of the year as a junior in 2011. He transferred to Tulsa in 2008 after spending his freshman season at the University of Texas.
Originally a rookie free agent signing of the New York Jets in 2012, Kinne was waived by the team in June and held brief stints with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL and the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League before signing with Philadelphia.
Kinne, who was coached by Eagles offensive quality control coach Press Taylor and played alongside Eagles WR Damaris Johnson while at Tulsa, completed his three-year college career ranked second in school history in passing yards (9,472), total offense (10,831 yards) and passing touchdowns (81).
As a senior, Kinne (6-foot-2, 234) garnered second-team All-Conference USA honors after throwing for 3,090 yards and 28 touchdowns while also rushing for 405 yards and three touchdowns. A three-time Conference USA All-Academic selection, Kinne was named the conference’s offensive player of the year as a junior in 2011. He transferred to Tulsa in 2008 after spending his freshman season at the University of Texas.
Originally a rookie free agent signing of the New York Jets in 2012, Kinne was waived by the team in June and held brief stints with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL and the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League before signing with Philadelphia.
2013 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot Released
DALLAS, March 5, 2013 – The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today the names of 77 players and five coaches who comprise the 2013 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
"Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. "There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport."
The ballot was mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 14-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers and members of the media.
"It’s an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 4.92 million people have played college football," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,500 individuals who are even eligible to be on the ballot, so being in today’s group of 77 names means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are proud to announce their names today.”
The FBS Hall of Fame Class will be announced live in New York City during a noon press conference on May 7 from the NASDAQ OMX Market Site and inducted at the 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner December 10, 2013 at the landmark Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City.
To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In both cases, the candidate’s post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.
Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school’s geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee may make recommendations to Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago.
Of the 4.92 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on November 6, 1869, only 918 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than .0002 percent of those who have played the game during the past 144 years. From the coaching ranks, 200 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.
Today’s ballot, which was mailed to NFF members, also contains the 92 players and 27 coaches for the divisional ranks who are up for Hall of Fame consideration this year. The divisional class will be announced May 16 via a national press release from Dallas, Texas.
The 2013 Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class will be inducted and enshrined simultaneously this summer in Atlanta, Ga., at the NFF Annual Enshrinement Festival. They will be joined during the festival by the 2012 Football Bowl Subdivision Hall of Fame Class, which was inducted this past December in New York City.
If you would like to become a member and receive a voting sheet for this year’s ballot, please contact NFF Director of Membership Ron Dilatush at rdilatush@footballfoundation.com.
Ballots without valid membership numbers will be invalidated.
- A list of candidates and capsule bios are provided on the following pages. -
2013 PLAYER CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS
Trev Alberts, Nebraska-Linebacker-Named unanimous First Team All-America, BIG-8 Defensive Player of the Year and Academic All-America in 1993…Recipient of the 1993 Butkus Award and two-time First Team All-Conference pick…NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1993.
Erick Anderson, Michigan-Linebacker-1991 Butkus Award winner who led Wolverines to four bowl games and top 10 finishes all four seasons of career… 1991 Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year and only player in UM history to lead team in tackles all four seasons.
Bob Berry, Oregon-Quarterback-Guided the Ducks to three consecutive winning seasons… First Oregon quarterback to surpass 1,000 yards in two different seasons…16 TD passes in 1963 and 39 career touchdowns passes were school records for 20 years.
Eric Bieniemy, Colorado-Running Back-Played in two national championships, leading Buffs to 1990 national title…Unanimous First Team All-America and finished third in 1990 Heisman voting… Two-time All-Big Eight pick, still holding eight CU records.
Tony Boselli, Southern California-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America in 1992 and 1994 (consensus-1994)… 1994 Outland Trophy finalist…Named top offensive lineman in Pac-10 (1994)… 1994 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-America pick (1985-86)…Set school record for tackles in a game (22) and named Butkus Award winner in 1985 and ’86…Led Sooners to three consecutive Orange Bowls and ’85 national championship.
Jerome Brown, Miami (Fla.)-Defensive Tackle-1986 Unanimous First Team All-American and finalist for both the Outland and Lombardi trophies as senior…Helped Canes to four consecutive New Year’s Day bowl games…Ranks 10th in school history with 21 career sacks.
Ted Brown, North Carolina State-Tailback-1978 consensus First Team All-America, helping NC State to three bowl berths… Only four-year First Team All-ACC pick in league history… Led team in rushing four-straight years and still holds five school records.
Bob Breunig, Arizona State-Linebacker-Named 1974 First Team All-America selection…Led ASU to 1972 WAC title and to consecutive Fiesta Bowl wins in 1972 and ’73… Three-time All-WAC pick who ranks third all-time in career solo tackles (206) and fifth in career tackles (353) at ASU.
Tedy Bruschi, Arizona-Defensive End-Two-time First Team All-America (consensus-‘94, unanimous-’95)…Tied the NCAA career record with 52 sacks…1995 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection…Led Arizona to three bowls.
Brandon Burlsworth, Arkansas-Offensive Guard-1998 First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC selection…Helped Arkansas to two postseason berths and to SEC Western Division titles in 1995 and ’98…Former walk-on who later started 34 consecutive games.
Larry Burton, Purdue-Split End-Named Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1974 and a First Team All-Big Ten selection…Led the team in receiving in both 1973 and 1974… Named team captain and team MVP in 1974.
Dave Butz, Purdue-Defensive Tackle-1972 consensus First Team All-America… Finalist for the Lombardi Award in 1972 and named First Team All-Conference…Named Defensive MVP of the Senior Bowl.
Mark Carrier, Southern California-Safety-Two-time First Team All-America (1988-89) – unanimous in 1989… 1989 Jim Thorpe Award winner… Two-time First Team All-Conference selection… Led the Pac-10 in interceptions in 1989 with seven.
Marco Coleman, Georgia Tech-Linebacker-1991 First Team All-America pick…Two-time First Team All-ACC, leading Jackets to the national championship and an 11-0-1 record in 1990…28 career sacks ranks 12th all-time in ACC history.
Tom Cousineau, Ohio State-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-American and three-time All-Big Ten performer… Recorded 572 career tackles, ranking second all-time in OSU history… Held nine school records at career’s end, still holding six.
Bob Crable, Notre Dame-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-America in 1980 and 1981… Set ND records for most career tackles (521), most tackles in a season (187), most tackles in a game (26)… Played in 1981 Hula Bowl.
Eric Crouch, Nebraska-Quarterback-2001 Heisman, Walter Camp, and Davey O’Brien Award winner who led Huskers to 2001 national title game…Holds NCAA record for career rushing TDs by a quarterback (59)…Led team to 42-9 record and four bowl berths.
Randall Cunningham, Nevada-Las Vegas-Punter-Named First Team All-America as a punter in 1983 and Second Team All-America as a punter and Honorable Mention as a quarterback in 1984…Led UNLV to their first-ever Bowl game…Broke 18 UNLV records.
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin-Running Back-All-time leading rusher in FBS history who won the 1999 Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp, Maxwell and Doak Walker awards…Three-time First Team All-American…First player in college history to rush for more than 7,000 yards in career.
Eric Dickerson, SMU-Running Back-Named unanimous First Team All-America and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1982...Twice named SWC Player of the Year, he holds 14 SMU records including career rushing yards (4,450).
John Didion, Oregon State-Center-Two-time All-American, earning unanimous First Team honors in 1968… Member of Oregon State team known as the “Giant Killers”… 1968 First Team All-Pac-8 selection who helped team finish in the AP Top 20 all three years of career.
D.J. Dozier, Penn State-Running Back- Named 1986 consensus First Team All-America and led PSU to perfect 12-0 season and national championship (1986)… Finished eighth in 1986 Heisman voting… First PSU back to lead the team in rushing for four consecutive seasons.
Jumbo Elliott, Michigan-Offensive Tackle- Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-’87)… Two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and member of 1986 Big Ten Co-Champions…Paved the way for Jamie Morris, who had three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.
Tony Franklin, Texas A&M-Plackekicker-Two-time First Team All-America (1976-consensus, ’78)…Led A&M to four bowl appearances…Set seven NCAA records, including most 50 yards-plus field goals made (15) and most points scored by a kicker in a career (291).
Tommie Frazier, Nebraska-Quarterback-1995 consensus First Team All-America and Johnny Unitas award winner… 1995 Heisman trophy runner-up and Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year… Led Huskers to back-to-back perfect national championship seasons in 1994 and ’95.
William Fuller, North Carolina-Defensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1983… Holds school record with 57 career TFL and broke Lawrence Taylor’s season record with 22 TFL in 1981…Three-time First Team All-ACC pick.
Kirk Gibson, Michigan State-Wide Receiver-Named First Team All-America, led Big Ten in receiving in league play and helped the Spartans to a Big Ten Co-Championship and a No.12 national ranking in 1978…Played MLB for 17 seasons.
Charlie Gogolak, Princeton-Placekicker-1965 First Team All-American…Set seven NCAA records and led Princeton to an 8-1 season (1965)… Two-time First Team All-Ivy…Holds four school records… Revolutionized the kicking game utilizing the soccer-style technique.
Jerry Gray, Texas-Defensive Back- Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-’83, unanimous-’84)… Two-time SWC Player of the Year… Member of 1983 SWC championship team and four bowl teams…297 career tackles, 16 career interceptions, 20 pass breakups.
Al Harris, Arizona State-Defensive End-Named unanimous First Team All-America and Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy finalist in 1978…Named First Team All-Conference, he set an ASU record with 19 sacks in 1978.
Leotis Harris, Arkansas-Offensive Guard-1977 consensus First Team All-America who led Razorbacks to wins in the 1976 Cotton Bowl and ’78 Orange Bowl… First-ever African-American All-American player at Arkansas…Led Arkansas to 1975 SWC Co-Championship.
Randy Hughes, Oklahoma-Defensive Back-Member of 1974 national championship team and three Big Eight championship teams… Tied school record for pass breakups in a season (12) and finished fourth on OU’s career interceptions list (14)…1974 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame-Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-American earning consensus honors in 1989 and unanimous laurels in 1990…Walter Camp Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1990…Led ND to national championship at the Fiesta Bowl and two Orange Bowls.
Dick Jauron, Yale-Running Back-Named First Team All-America in 1972…A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, he received the Asa S. Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League’s Player of the Year…Graduated as Yale’s career rushing leader with 2,947 yards.
Ernie Jennings, Air Force-Wide Receiver-1970 consensus First Team All-American, finishing eighth in 1970 Heisman Trophy voting…Led Air Force to 1971 Sugar Bowl berth… Holds every single-season and career receiving record at Air Force.
Greg Lewis, Washington-Running Back-1990 First Team All-America and Doak Walker award winner… Named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 1990, leading Huskies to 1990 conference title… Finished seventh in 1990 Heisman voting and recorded 15, 100-yard games.
Jess Lewis, Oregon State-Defensive Tackle-Named First Team All-America in 1967…Played in the College All-Star Game, East-West Shrine Game and Coaches All-America Bowl in 1970…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection (1967, 1969).
Robert Lytle, Michigan-Running Back-Named consensus All-America in 1976…Finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting… Named Big Ten MVP in 1976 and led UM to two conference championships.
Bobby Majors, Tennessee-Defensive Back-1971 unanimous First Team All-America… Led Vols to wins in 1971 Sugar Bowl and 1972 Liberty Bowl… Holds school records for punt returns in a career (117 for 1163 yards, 4 TDs) and season (42 for 457 yards, 2 TDs).
Buddy McClinton, Auburn-Defensive Back-Three-time All-American who earned consensus First Team honors in 1969… Auburn’s all-time leader in interceptions (18) and holds record for interceptions in a season (9 in 1969)… Set SEC career interception record (18).
Duncan McColl, Stanford-Defensive End-1976 First Team All-America…Two-time First Team All-Pac-8…Holds Stanford records for most QB sacks in season (17) and most TFL in season (26)…1976 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Cade McNown, UCLA-Quarterback-1998 Consensus First Team All-American and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient…1998 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year who led UCLA to consecutive Pac-10 titles in 1997 (shared) and 1998…Holds numerous school records.
Paul Naumoff, Tennessee-Linebacker-Named First Team All-America and All-Conference in 1966…Named team MVP in 1966…Played in the College All-Star Game and Senior Bowl in 1967.
Darrin Nelson, Stanford-1981 First Team All-American who was the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 1,000 yards and catch more than 50 passes in one season…Finished career as NCAA’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage (6,885)… Four-time All-Pac-10 pick.
Ken Norton, Jr., UCLA-Linebacker-1987 First Team All-America, leading Bruins to four consecutive bowl wins… Member of the 1985 conference championship team… Led team in tackles in 1986 (106) and in 1987 (125) and ranks sixth in school history with 339 career tackles.
Tom Nowatzke, Indiana-Fullback-Named First Team All-America in 1964…A two-time All-Conference selection (1963-64), he led the Big Ten in rushing in 1963…Played in the East/West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl and Coaches All-American Game.
Philip Olsen, Utah State-Defensive End-1969 consensus First Team All-America…1969 team captain and Utah State Athlete of the Year…Selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl…Brother of College Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.
Jim Otis, Ohio State-Fullback-Named consensus First Team All-America in 1969…Member of the 1968 National Championship team…Named First Team All-Big Ten conference in 1969 and led the Buckeyes to two conference titles…Led the team in rushing three times.
Orlando Pace, Ohio State-Offensive Tackle-Two-time unanimous First Team All-American and first player in history to win Lombardi Trophy twice…1996 Outland Trophy winner who led Buckeyes to share of 1996 Big Ten title… Did not allow a sack during his last two seasons.
Paul Palmer, Temple-Running Back-1986 unanimous First Team All-America…Led the nation in rushing yards (1,866), rushing yards per game (169.6) and all-purpose yards (2,633) in 1986… Set 23 school records and was named ECAC Player of the Year in 1986.
Anthony Poindexter, Virginia-Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-America, earning consensus honors in 1998… Three-time All-ACC pick and 1998 ACC Defensive Player of the Year…Holds five school records and finished career with 342 tackles and 12 interceptions.
Antwaan Randle El, Indiana-Quarterback-2001 First Team Consensus All-American…First player in FBS history to pass for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in career…Rushed for more yards than any QB in FBS history upon conclusion of career.
Ron Rivera, California-Linebacker-1983 consensus First Team All-America…Lombardi Award finalist in 1983 and named East-West Shrine Game Most Valuable Player…Selected as Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1983…Led team in tackles from 1981-83.
Willie Roaf, Louisiana Tech-Offensive Lineman-1992 consensus First Team All-America and finalist for Outland Trophy… Led team to 1990 Independence Bowl berth and two-time All-South Independent selection.
Mike Ruth, Boston College-Nose Guard-1985 consensus First Team All-America and Outland Trophy winner…Three-time All-East and All-ECAC selection…Member of three bowl teams and recorded 344 career tackles, including 29 sacks.
Lucius Sanford, Georgia Tech-Linebacker-Named First Team All-America in 1977…A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, he led Georgia Tech in tackles in 1975 (121) and 1976 (117)…Named to the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and the school’s All-Time Team in 1991.
Sterling Sharpe, South Carolina-Wide Receiver-1987 First Team All-America…Two-time First Team All-Conference…Set nearly every school receiving record by career’s end, including career receptions (169), single-season receiving yards (1,106) and career receiving yards (2,497).
Rod Shoate, Oklahoma-Linebacker-1973 consensus and 1974 unanimous First Team All-America…Finished seventh in the 1974 Heisman Trophy voting and twice named Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year…Ranks third in school history with 420 career tackles.
Percy Snow, Michigan State-Linebacker-1989 unanimous First Team All-America and 1989 Butkus Award winner… Led MSU to 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win… Ranks second all-time in career tackles (473).
Bob Stein, Minnesota-Defensive End-1967 First Team All-American… Two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection who led Gophers to co-share of the 1967 Big Ten title…1969 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Art Still, Kentucky-Defensive End-1977 Unanimous First Team All-American… Two-time First Team All-SEC performer who led Cats to 1976 SEC Championship…1977 SEC Defensive Player of the Year who set school record for 22 TFL in 1977 (still standing).
Matt Stinchcomb, Georgia-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America selection (consensus-’98)…Two-time First Team All-SEC and 1998 recipient of Jacobs Blocking Trophy…1998 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy recipient and NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Aaron Taylor, Notre Dame-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in ‘92 and unanimous in ’93… 1993 Lombardi Award winner and named College Interior Lineman of the Year by Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio)…Led Irish to four bowl games.
Vinny Testaverde, Miami (Fla.)-Quarterback-Winner of 1986 Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell Award, and Davey O’Brien…Led Canes to three bowl berths, including 1987 Fiesta Bowl to determine national championship… Finished career with 6,058 passing yards and 48 TD passes.
Derrick Thomas, Alabama-Linebacker-1988 unanimous First Team All-America and Butkus award winner… Led Tide to four consecutive bowl berths, earning 1988 SEC Defensive Player of the Year… Set SEC record for sacks in a season (27) and finished career with 74 TFL.
Zach Thomas, Texas Tech-Linebacker-Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1995…Two-time Consensus SWC Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 94) who led Red Raiders to 1994 SWC title…Ranks fifth all-time at Tech with 390 career tackles.
Andre Tippett, Iowa-Defensive End-1981 Consensus First Team All-American who led Hawkeyes to 1982 Rose Bowl berth…Two-time First Team All-Big Ten performer, leading Iowa to 1981 Big Ten championship…Holds Iowa record for TFL yardage (153 yards/20 TFL).
LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU-Tailback-2000 Unanimous First Team All-American and 2000 Doak Walker Award winner…1999 WAC Offensive Player of the Year who led TCU to consecutive co-shares of WAC title… Holds 15 school records and is TCU’s all-time leading rusher.
Don Trull, Baylor-Quarterback-Named consensus First Team All-America and led the nation with 22 touchdowns in 1963…Named First Team All-Conference, he set a school record with 174 completions in 1963…Twice named First Team Academic All-America.
Jackie Walker, Tennessee-Linebacker-1970 and ’71 First Team All-American…Set NCAA record for career interceptions returned for TD by a linebacker (5)… Two-time First Team All-SEC selection who helped Vols to 1969 SEC Championship.
Wesley Walls, Mississippi-Tight End-1988 First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC selection…Played as a two-way player his senior season (DE-TE)…Tallied 36 receptions for 426 yards and three touchdowns in one season at tight end…1988 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Lorenzo White, Michigan State-Running Back-Two-time First Team All-America, earning unanimous (’85) and consensus (’87) honors…Led State to 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win…Led nation in rushing (1985), first MSU player to lead team in rushing four-straight seasons.
Clarence Williams, Washington State-Running Back-Named First Team All-America and All-Conference in 1964…Twice led the Cougars in rushing, scoring and kickoff returns…Played in the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine and All-West Coast All-Star Games in 1964.
Steve Wisniewski, Penn State-Offensive Guard-1988 First Team All-America…Member of 1986 12-0 national championship team…Helped Blair Thomas rush for 1,414 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1987 and D.J. Dozier attain First Team All-America honors in 1986.
Scott Woerner, Georgia-Defensive Back-Named First Team All-America, All-Conference and team Most Valuable Back in 1980…Twice named Georgia’s Outstanding Special Teams Player of the Year (1977, 1980)…Led team to the 1980 National Championship.
Danny Wuerffel, Florida-Quarterback-1996 winner of NFF Campbell Trophy, Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell, and consecutive Davey O’Brien awards… Two-time SEC Player of the Year who led Gators to 1996 National Championship and four SEC championships.
Consensus All-America: Listed as a First Team All-America by at least half of the recognized publications.
Unanimous All-America: Listed as a First Team All-America by all recognized publications.
2013 COACH CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS
Jim Carlen-West Virginia (1966-69), Texas Tech (1970-74), South Carolina (1975-1981)-Led teams to eight bowl games and 13 winning seasons in 16 years as head coach…1973 National Coach of the Year…Three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year… Coached Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers at South Carolina.
Wayne Hardin-Navy (1959-64), Temple (1970-82)-Led Navy to a No. 2 ranking in 1963 and Temple to a No. 17 ranking in 1979…Ranks third in wins (38) all-time at Navy and beat Army in five of six seasons…Temple’s all-time leader in wins (80), he led them to their only 10-win season and the Garden State Bowl in 1979.
Bill McCartney-Colorado (1982-94)-Led Buffs to 1990 National Championship and three Big Eight Conference titles…Three-time Big Eight Coach of the Year and 1989 National Coach of the Year…Helped CU to nine bowl games in 13 seasons…Coached 18 First Team All-America players, including Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam.
Billy Jack Murphy-Memphis (1958-71)-All-time winningest coach in Memphis history…Had 11 winning seasons and retired as the 15th winningest coach in the nation…Member of the Memphis Hall of Fame and Mississippi State Hall of Fame.
Darryl Rogers-Cal State-Hayward (1965), Fresno State (1966-72), San Jose State (1973-75), Michigan State (1976-79), Arizona State (1980-84)-Took Fresno State to two bowl games. Achieved an unprecedented national ranking at San Jose State…Was Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1977 and National Coach of the Year by Sporting News in 1978…Won the Big Ten title in 1978.
"Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. "There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport."
The ballot was mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 14-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers and members of the media.
"It’s an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 4.92 million people have played college football," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,500 individuals who are even eligible to be on the ballot, so being in today’s group of 77 names means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are proud to announce their names today.”
The FBS Hall of Fame Class will be announced live in New York City during a noon press conference on May 7 from the NASDAQ OMX Market Site and inducted at the 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner December 10, 2013 at the landmark Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City.
To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In both cases, the candidate’s post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.
Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school’s geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee may make recommendations to Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago.
Of the 4.92 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on November 6, 1869, only 918 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than .0002 percent of those who have played the game during the past 144 years. From the coaching ranks, 200 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.
Today’s ballot, which was mailed to NFF members, also contains the 92 players and 27 coaches for the divisional ranks who are up for Hall of Fame consideration this year. The divisional class will be announced May 16 via a national press release from Dallas, Texas.
The 2013 Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class will be inducted and enshrined simultaneously this summer in Atlanta, Ga., at the NFF Annual Enshrinement Festival. They will be joined during the festival by the 2012 Football Bowl Subdivision Hall of Fame Class, which was inducted this past December in New York City.
If you would like to become a member and receive a voting sheet for this year’s ballot, please contact NFF Director of Membership Ron Dilatush at rdilatush@footballfoundation.com.
Ballots without valid membership numbers will be invalidated.
- A list of candidates and capsule bios are provided on the following pages. -
2013 PLAYER CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS
Trev Alberts, Nebraska-Linebacker-Named unanimous First Team All-America, BIG-8 Defensive Player of the Year and Academic All-America in 1993…Recipient of the 1993 Butkus Award and two-time First Team All-Conference pick…NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1993.
Erick Anderson, Michigan-Linebacker-1991 Butkus Award winner who led Wolverines to four bowl games and top 10 finishes all four seasons of career… 1991 Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year and only player in UM history to lead team in tackles all four seasons.
Bob Berry, Oregon-Quarterback-Guided the Ducks to three consecutive winning seasons… First Oregon quarterback to surpass 1,000 yards in two different seasons…16 TD passes in 1963 and 39 career touchdowns passes were school records for 20 years.
Eric Bieniemy, Colorado-Running Back-Played in two national championships, leading Buffs to 1990 national title…Unanimous First Team All-America and finished third in 1990 Heisman voting… Two-time All-Big Eight pick, still holding eight CU records.
Tony Boselli, Southern California-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America in 1992 and 1994 (consensus-1994)… 1994 Outland Trophy finalist…Named top offensive lineman in Pac-10 (1994)… 1994 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-America pick (1985-86)…Set school record for tackles in a game (22) and named Butkus Award winner in 1985 and ’86…Led Sooners to three consecutive Orange Bowls and ’85 national championship.
Jerome Brown, Miami (Fla.)-Defensive Tackle-1986 Unanimous First Team All-American and finalist for both the Outland and Lombardi trophies as senior…Helped Canes to four consecutive New Year’s Day bowl games…Ranks 10th in school history with 21 career sacks.
Ted Brown, North Carolina State-Tailback-1978 consensus First Team All-America, helping NC State to three bowl berths… Only four-year First Team All-ACC pick in league history… Led team in rushing four-straight years and still holds five school records.
Bob Breunig, Arizona State-Linebacker-Named 1974 First Team All-America selection…Led ASU to 1972 WAC title and to consecutive Fiesta Bowl wins in 1972 and ’73… Three-time All-WAC pick who ranks third all-time in career solo tackles (206) and fifth in career tackles (353) at ASU.
Tedy Bruschi, Arizona-Defensive End-Two-time First Team All-America (consensus-‘94, unanimous-’95)…Tied the NCAA career record with 52 sacks…1995 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection…Led Arizona to three bowls.
Brandon Burlsworth, Arkansas-Offensive Guard-1998 First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC selection…Helped Arkansas to two postseason berths and to SEC Western Division titles in 1995 and ’98…Former walk-on who later started 34 consecutive games.
Larry Burton, Purdue-Split End-Named Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1974 and a First Team All-Big Ten selection…Led the team in receiving in both 1973 and 1974… Named team captain and team MVP in 1974.
Dave Butz, Purdue-Defensive Tackle-1972 consensus First Team All-America… Finalist for the Lombardi Award in 1972 and named First Team All-Conference…Named Defensive MVP of the Senior Bowl.
Mark Carrier, Southern California-Safety-Two-time First Team All-America (1988-89) – unanimous in 1989… 1989 Jim Thorpe Award winner… Two-time First Team All-Conference selection… Led the Pac-10 in interceptions in 1989 with seven.
Marco Coleman, Georgia Tech-Linebacker-1991 First Team All-America pick…Two-time First Team All-ACC, leading Jackets to the national championship and an 11-0-1 record in 1990…28 career sacks ranks 12th all-time in ACC history.
Tom Cousineau, Ohio State-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-American and three-time All-Big Ten performer… Recorded 572 career tackles, ranking second all-time in OSU history… Held nine school records at career’s end, still holding six.
Bob Crable, Notre Dame-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-America in 1980 and 1981… Set ND records for most career tackles (521), most tackles in a season (187), most tackles in a game (26)… Played in 1981 Hula Bowl.
Eric Crouch, Nebraska-Quarterback-2001 Heisman, Walter Camp, and Davey O’Brien Award winner who led Huskers to 2001 national title game…Holds NCAA record for career rushing TDs by a quarterback (59)…Led team to 42-9 record and four bowl berths.
Randall Cunningham, Nevada-Las Vegas-Punter-Named First Team All-America as a punter in 1983 and Second Team All-America as a punter and Honorable Mention as a quarterback in 1984…Led UNLV to their first-ever Bowl game…Broke 18 UNLV records.
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin-Running Back-All-time leading rusher in FBS history who won the 1999 Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp, Maxwell and Doak Walker awards…Three-time First Team All-American…First player in college history to rush for more than 7,000 yards in career.
Eric Dickerson, SMU-Running Back-Named unanimous First Team All-America and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1982...Twice named SWC Player of the Year, he holds 14 SMU records including career rushing yards (4,450).
John Didion, Oregon State-Center-Two-time All-American, earning unanimous First Team honors in 1968… Member of Oregon State team known as the “Giant Killers”… 1968 First Team All-Pac-8 selection who helped team finish in the AP Top 20 all three years of career.
D.J. Dozier, Penn State-Running Back- Named 1986 consensus First Team All-America and led PSU to perfect 12-0 season and national championship (1986)… Finished eighth in 1986 Heisman voting… First PSU back to lead the team in rushing for four consecutive seasons.
Jumbo Elliott, Michigan-Offensive Tackle- Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-’87)… Two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and member of 1986 Big Ten Co-Champions…Paved the way for Jamie Morris, who had three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.
Tony Franklin, Texas A&M-Plackekicker-Two-time First Team All-America (1976-consensus, ’78)…Led A&M to four bowl appearances…Set seven NCAA records, including most 50 yards-plus field goals made (15) and most points scored by a kicker in a career (291).
Tommie Frazier, Nebraska-Quarterback-1995 consensus First Team All-America and Johnny Unitas award winner… 1995 Heisman trophy runner-up and Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year… Led Huskers to back-to-back perfect national championship seasons in 1994 and ’95.
William Fuller, North Carolina-Defensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1983… Holds school record with 57 career TFL and broke Lawrence Taylor’s season record with 22 TFL in 1981…Three-time First Team All-ACC pick.
Kirk Gibson, Michigan State-Wide Receiver-Named First Team All-America, led Big Ten in receiving in league play and helped the Spartans to a Big Ten Co-Championship and a No.12 national ranking in 1978…Played MLB for 17 seasons.
Charlie Gogolak, Princeton-Placekicker-1965 First Team All-American…Set seven NCAA records and led Princeton to an 8-1 season (1965)… Two-time First Team All-Ivy…Holds four school records… Revolutionized the kicking game utilizing the soccer-style technique.
Jerry Gray, Texas-Defensive Back- Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-’83, unanimous-’84)… Two-time SWC Player of the Year… Member of 1983 SWC championship team and four bowl teams…297 career tackles, 16 career interceptions, 20 pass breakups.
Al Harris, Arizona State-Defensive End-Named unanimous First Team All-America and Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy finalist in 1978…Named First Team All-Conference, he set an ASU record with 19 sacks in 1978.
Leotis Harris, Arkansas-Offensive Guard-1977 consensus First Team All-America who led Razorbacks to wins in the 1976 Cotton Bowl and ’78 Orange Bowl… First-ever African-American All-American player at Arkansas…Led Arkansas to 1975 SWC Co-Championship.
Randy Hughes, Oklahoma-Defensive Back-Member of 1974 national championship team and three Big Eight championship teams… Tied school record for pass breakups in a season (12) and finished fourth on OU’s career interceptions list (14)…1974 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame-Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-American earning consensus honors in 1989 and unanimous laurels in 1990…Walter Camp Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1990…Led ND to national championship at the Fiesta Bowl and two Orange Bowls.
Dick Jauron, Yale-Running Back-Named First Team All-America in 1972…A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, he received the Asa S. Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League’s Player of the Year…Graduated as Yale’s career rushing leader with 2,947 yards.
Ernie Jennings, Air Force-Wide Receiver-1970 consensus First Team All-American, finishing eighth in 1970 Heisman Trophy voting…Led Air Force to 1971 Sugar Bowl berth… Holds every single-season and career receiving record at Air Force.
Greg Lewis, Washington-Running Back-1990 First Team All-America and Doak Walker award winner… Named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 1990, leading Huskies to 1990 conference title… Finished seventh in 1990 Heisman voting and recorded 15, 100-yard games.
Jess Lewis, Oregon State-Defensive Tackle-Named First Team All-America in 1967…Played in the College All-Star Game, East-West Shrine Game and Coaches All-America Bowl in 1970…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection (1967, 1969).
Robert Lytle, Michigan-Running Back-Named consensus All-America in 1976…Finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting… Named Big Ten MVP in 1976 and led UM to two conference championships.
Bobby Majors, Tennessee-Defensive Back-1971 unanimous First Team All-America… Led Vols to wins in 1971 Sugar Bowl and 1972 Liberty Bowl… Holds school records for punt returns in a career (117 for 1163 yards, 4 TDs) and season (42 for 457 yards, 2 TDs).
Buddy McClinton, Auburn-Defensive Back-Three-time All-American who earned consensus First Team honors in 1969… Auburn’s all-time leader in interceptions (18) and holds record for interceptions in a season (9 in 1969)… Set SEC career interception record (18).
Duncan McColl, Stanford-Defensive End-1976 First Team All-America…Two-time First Team All-Pac-8…Holds Stanford records for most QB sacks in season (17) and most TFL in season (26)…1976 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Cade McNown, UCLA-Quarterback-1998 Consensus First Team All-American and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient…1998 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year who led UCLA to consecutive Pac-10 titles in 1997 (shared) and 1998…Holds numerous school records.
Paul Naumoff, Tennessee-Linebacker-Named First Team All-America and All-Conference in 1966…Named team MVP in 1966…Played in the College All-Star Game and Senior Bowl in 1967.
Darrin Nelson, Stanford-1981 First Team All-American who was the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 1,000 yards and catch more than 50 passes in one season…Finished career as NCAA’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage (6,885)… Four-time All-Pac-10 pick.
Ken Norton, Jr., UCLA-Linebacker-1987 First Team All-America, leading Bruins to four consecutive bowl wins… Member of the 1985 conference championship team… Led team in tackles in 1986 (106) and in 1987 (125) and ranks sixth in school history with 339 career tackles.
Tom Nowatzke, Indiana-Fullback-Named First Team All-America in 1964…A two-time All-Conference selection (1963-64), he led the Big Ten in rushing in 1963…Played in the East/West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl and Coaches All-American Game.
Philip Olsen, Utah State-Defensive End-1969 consensus First Team All-America…1969 team captain and Utah State Athlete of the Year…Selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl…Brother of College Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.
Jim Otis, Ohio State-Fullback-Named consensus First Team All-America in 1969…Member of the 1968 National Championship team…Named First Team All-Big Ten conference in 1969 and led the Buckeyes to two conference titles…Led the team in rushing three times.
Orlando Pace, Ohio State-Offensive Tackle-Two-time unanimous First Team All-American and first player in history to win Lombardi Trophy twice…1996 Outland Trophy winner who led Buckeyes to share of 1996 Big Ten title… Did not allow a sack during his last two seasons.
Paul Palmer, Temple-Running Back-1986 unanimous First Team All-America…Led the nation in rushing yards (1,866), rushing yards per game (169.6) and all-purpose yards (2,633) in 1986… Set 23 school records and was named ECAC Player of the Year in 1986.
Anthony Poindexter, Virginia-Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-America, earning consensus honors in 1998… Three-time All-ACC pick and 1998 ACC Defensive Player of the Year…Holds five school records and finished career with 342 tackles and 12 interceptions.
Antwaan Randle El, Indiana-Quarterback-2001 First Team Consensus All-American…First player in FBS history to pass for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in career…Rushed for more yards than any QB in FBS history upon conclusion of career.
Ron Rivera, California-Linebacker-1983 consensus First Team All-America…Lombardi Award finalist in 1983 and named East-West Shrine Game Most Valuable Player…Selected as Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1983…Led team in tackles from 1981-83.
Willie Roaf, Louisiana Tech-Offensive Lineman-1992 consensus First Team All-America and finalist for Outland Trophy… Led team to 1990 Independence Bowl berth and two-time All-South Independent selection.
Mike Ruth, Boston College-Nose Guard-1985 consensus First Team All-America and Outland Trophy winner…Three-time All-East and All-ECAC selection…Member of three bowl teams and recorded 344 career tackles, including 29 sacks.
Lucius Sanford, Georgia Tech-Linebacker-Named First Team All-America in 1977…A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, he led Georgia Tech in tackles in 1975 (121) and 1976 (117)…Named to the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and the school’s All-Time Team in 1991.
Sterling Sharpe, South Carolina-Wide Receiver-1987 First Team All-America…Two-time First Team All-Conference…Set nearly every school receiving record by career’s end, including career receptions (169), single-season receiving yards (1,106) and career receiving yards (2,497).
Rod Shoate, Oklahoma-Linebacker-1973 consensus and 1974 unanimous First Team All-America…Finished seventh in the 1974 Heisman Trophy voting and twice named Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year…Ranks third in school history with 420 career tackles.
Percy Snow, Michigan State-Linebacker-1989 unanimous First Team All-America and 1989 Butkus Award winner… Led MSU to 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win… Ranks second all-time in career tackles (473).
Bob Stein, Minnesota-Defensive End-1967 First Team All-American… Two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection who led Gophers to co-share of the 1967 Big Ten title…1969 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Art Still, Kentucky-Defensive End-1977 Unanimous First Team All-American… Two-time First Team All-SEC performer who led Cats to 1976 SEC Championship…1977 SEC Defensive Player of the Year who set school record for 22 TFL in 1977 (still standing).
Matt Stinchcomb, Georgia-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America selection (consensus-’98)…Two-time First Team All-SEC and 1998 recipient of Jacobs Blocking Trophy…1998 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy recipient and NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Aaron Taylor, Notre Dame-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in ‘92 and unanimous in ’93… 1993 Lombardi Award winner and named College Interior Lineman of the Year by Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio)…Led Irish to four bowl games.
Vinny Testaverde, Miami (Fla.)-Quarterback-Winner of 1986 Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell Award, and Davey O’Brien…Led Canes to three bowl berths, including 1987 Fiesta Bowl to determine national championship… Finished career with 6,058 passing yards and 48 TD passes.
Derrick Thomas, Alabama-Linebacker-1988 unanimous First Team All-America and Butkus award winner… Led Tide to four consecutive bowl berths, earning 1988 SEC Defensive Player of the Year… Set SEC record for sacks in a season (27) and finished career with 74 TFL.
Zach Thomas, Texas Tech-Linebacker-Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1995…Two-time Consensus SWC Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 94) who led Red Raiders to 1994 SWC title…Ranks fifth all-time at Tech with 390 career tackles.
Andre Tippett, Iowa-Defensive End-1981 Consensus First Team All-American who led Hawkeyes to 1982 Rose Bowl berth…Two-time First Team All-Big Ten performer, leading Iowa to 1981 Big Ten championship…Holds Iowa record for TFL yardage (153 yards/20 TFL).
LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU-Tailback-2000 Unanimous First Team All-American and 2000 Doak Walker Award winner…1999 WAC Offensive Player of the Year who led TCU to consecutive co-shares of WAC title… Holds 15 school records and is TCU’s all-time leading rusher.
Don Trull, Baylor-Quarterback-Named consensus First Team All-America and led the nation with 22 touchdowns in 1963…Named First Team All-Conference, he set a school record with 174 completions in 1963…Twice named First Team Academic All-America.
Jackie Walker, Tennessee-Linebacker-1970 and ’71 First Team All-American…Set NCAA record for career interceptions returned for TD by a linebacker (5)… Two-time First Team All-SEC selection who helped Vols to 1969 SEC Championship.
Wesley Walls, Mississippi-Tight End-1988 First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC selection…Played as a two-way player his senior season (DE-TE)…Tallied 36 receptions for 426 yards and three touchdowns in one season at tight end…1988 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Lorenzo White, Michigan State-Running Back-Two-time First Team All-America, earning unanimous (’85) and consensus (’87) honors…Led State to 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win…Led nation in rushing (1985), first MSU player to lead team in rushing four-straight seasons.
Clarence Williams, Washington State-Running Back-Named First Team All-America and All-Conference in 1964…Twice led the Cougars in rushing, scoring and kickoff returns…Played in the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine and All-West Coast All-Star Games in 1964.
Steve Wisniewski, Penn State-Offensive Guard-1988 First Team All-America…Member of 1986 12-0 national championship team…Helped Blair Thomas rush for 1,414 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1987 and D.J. Dozier attain First Team All-America honors in 1986.
Scott Woerner, Georgia-Defensive Back-Named First Team All-America, All-Conference and team Most Valuable Back in 1980…Twice named Georgia’s Outstanding Special Teams Player of the Year (1977, 1980)…Led team to the 1980 National Championship.
Danny Wuerffel, Florida-Quarterback-1996 winner of NFF Campbell Trophy, Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell, and consecutive Davey O’Brien awards… Two-time SEC Player of the Year who led Gators to 1996 National Championship and four SEC championships.
Consensus All-America: Listed as a First Team All-America by at least half of the recognized publications.
Unanimous All-America: Listed as a First Team All-America by all recognized publications.
2013 COACH CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS
Jim Carlen-West Virginia (1966-69), Texas Tech (1970-74), South Carolina (1975-1981)-Led teams to eight bowl games and 13 winning seasons in 16 years as head coach…1973 National Coach of the Year…Three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year… Coached Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers at South Carolina.
Wayne Hardin-Navy (1959-64), Temple (1970-82)-Led Navy to a No. 2 ranking in 1963 and Temple to a No. 17 ranking in 1979…Ranks third in wins (38) all-time at Navy and beat Army in five of six seasons…Temple’s all-time leader in wins (80), he led them to their only 10-win season and the Garden State Bowl in 1979.
Bill McCartney-Colorado (1982-94)-Led Buffs to 1990 National Championship and three Big Eight Conference titles…Three-time Big Eight Coach of the Year and 1989 National Coach of the Year…Helped CU to nine bowl games in 13 seasons…Coached 18 First Team All-America players, including Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam.
Billy Jack Murphy-Memphis (1958-71)-All-time winningest coach in Memphis history…Had 11 winning seasons and retired as the 15th winningest coach in the nation…Member of the Memphis Hall of Fame and Mississippi State Hall of Fame.
Darryl Rogers-Cal State-Hayward (1965), Fresno State (1966-72), San Jose State (1973-75), Michigan State (1976-79), Arizona State (1980-84)-Took Fresno State to two bowl games. Achieved an unprecedented national ranking at San Jose State…Was Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1977 and National Coach of the Year by Sporting News in 1978…Won the Big Ten title in 1978.
Tag you're it
By John McMullen
Philadelphia, PA - Monday's deadline to use the franchise or transition tags on impending veteran NFL free agents resulted in four additions to a list which already included Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd, Cincinnati defensive end Michael Johnson, Denver left tackle Ryan Clady and Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee.
Miami decided to go all in on defensive tackle Randy Starks, while the Chicago
Bears locked in fellow interior presence Henry Melton. The Dallas Cowboys
limited Anthony Spencer's options for a second straight year, and Kansas City
made the most noise of the day, re-signing possible franchise targets Dwayne
Bowe and Dustin Colquitt, before placing the tag on offensive lineman Branden
Albert.
Under the franchise designation, players will earn the average of the top-five
players at his position in 2013 or 120 percent of his salary from 2012,
whichever is greater. They can all still work out long-term deals, however.
The transition tag, which guarantees the average of the top-10 players at any
position, wasn't used by anyone this time around.
As usual, though, the more interesting aspect of the deadline ended up being
who didn't get tagged, repercussions that gave a little insight in to what
certain teams are thinking as free agency gets set to begin on March 12.
When Miami tagged Starks, it meant that cornerback Sean Smith and left tackle
Jake Long, a former No. 1 overall pick, will likely hit the open market.
Smith seems to be far more highly regarded outside the Miami organization and
it's almost a fait accompli he'll be filing a change of address form by mid-
March. Long, meanwhile, was once regarded as one of the premier players at one
of the game's most important positions, but injury concerns and another
potential huge outlay have the Dolphins contemplating life after Long.
After breaking the bank to re-sign quarterback Joe Flacco, the Super Bowl
champion Baltimore Ravens gave fellow 3-4 defensive teams around the league
reason to lick their chops by passing on the ability to tag pass rushing
outside linebacker Paul Kruger, as well as inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbee,
two big keys in their championship run. Both players are just 27 and the kind
of ascending talent teams will throw big money at in free agency.
The NFC champion San Francisco 49ers decided to let Dashon Goldson hear from
other suitors and while Jim Harbaugh almost certainly wants his Pro Bowl
safety back in the Bay Area, Goldson should command a huge payday, cause for
concern for a player whose greatest attribute is run support, not coverage.
The same mentality evidently infiltrated Atlanta, Houston and North Jersey
where the he Falcons decided to take their chances with the thumping William
Moore, and the Texans let Glover Quin measure his worth. The Giants,
meanwhile, voted against locking up Kenny Phillips.
Clearly, there is a dearth of coverage safeties around the NFL but giving up on
difference makers because they aren't as well-rounded as clubs might like is
probably not the prudent decision moving forward.
The tagging rules actually helped Dallas keep Spencer but hindered Minnesota's
efforts to hang onto right tackle Phil Loadholt as well as Pro bowl fullback
Jerome Felton.
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Spencer for the second straight year,
guaranteeing him the going rate for an elite outside linebacker even though
new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who is switching the 'Boys from a 3-4
to a 4-3 defensive alignment, has the pass-rushing threat penciled in at
defensive end, a higher-paying position.
The Vikings, meanwhile, couldn't tag important pieces like Loadholt and Felton
because the NFL doesn't differentiate between left and right tackles or
fullbacks and running backs. Guaranteeing Clady-like money for a right tackle
like Loadholt is just not financially viable, and giving running back money to
a lead-isolation option at fullback, even the NFL's best like Felton, is a
non-starter.
The New England Patriots didn't use the franchise tag on any of their
potential free agents, but rumors persist they are close to a deal with slot
receiver Wes Welker. Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and cornerback Aqib
Talib, however, remain very attractive options for outsiders.
Detroit, which has the No. 5 overall pick in April's NFL draft, decided
against franchising Cliff Avril for a second straight year, something that
would have cost the franchise $12.726 million. Letting Avril walk in the
coming days could signal the Lions are high on at least one of the pass-
rushing options available in the draft, perhaps Georgia star Jarvis Jones or
Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner.
Other players franchised in 2012 who were not tagged again were Atlanta
cornerback Brent Grimes, Cincinnati kicker Mike Nugent, Cleveland kicker Phil
Dawson and Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis. Grimes, Nugent and Davis,
finished the 2012 season on the sidelines, so injuries were a concern.
In Kansas City, the new brain trust of Andy Reid and general manager John
Dorsey was the big winner, locking up one of the best punters in the game --
Colquitt -- before bringing back a top-tier receiving threat -- Bowe -- for new
quarterback Alex Smith.
Those signings also enabled the Chiefs to tag Albert and explore their options
on draft day. Kansas City, which currently has the No. 1 overall pick, could
select Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel and slide Albert inside or snare the
best available defender to pair with solid pass rushers like Tamba Hali and
Justin Houston.
Philadelphia, PA - Monday's deadline to use the franchise or transition tags on impending veteran NFL free agents resulted in four additions to a list which already included Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd, Cincinnati defensive end Michael Johnson, Denver left tackle Ryan Clady and Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee.
Miami decided to go all in on defensive tackle Randy Starks, while the Chicago
Bears locked in fellow interior presence Henry Melton. The Dallas Cowboys
limited Anthony Spencer's options for a second straight year, and Kansas City
made the most noise of the day, re-signing possible franchise targets Dwayne
Bowe and Dustin Colquitt, before placing the tag on offensive lineman Branden
Albert.
Under the franchise designation, players will earn the average of the top-five
players at his position in 2013 or 120 percent of his salary from 2012,
whichever is greater. They can all still work out long-term deals, however.
The transition tag, which guarantees the average of the top-10 players at any
position, wasn't used by anyone this time around.
As usual, though, the more interesting aspect of the deadline ended up being
who didn't get tagged, repercussions that gave a little insight in to what
certain teams are thinking as free agency gets set to begin on March 12.
When Miami tagged Starks, it meant that cornerback Sean Smith and left tackle
Jake Long, a former No. 1 overall pick, will likely hit the open market.
Smith seems to be far more highly regarded outside the Miami organization and
it's almost a fait accompli he'll be filing a change of address form by mid-
March. Long, meanwhile, was once regarded as one of the premier players at one
of the game's most important positions, but injury concerns and another
potential huge outlay have the Dolphins contemplating life after Long.
After breaking the bank to re-sign quarterback Joe Flacco, the Super Bowl
champion Baltimore Ravens gave fellow 3-4 defensive teams around the league
reason to lick their chops by passing on the ability to tag pass rushing
outside linebacker Paul Kruger, as well as inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbee,
two big keys in their championship run. Both players are just 27 and the kind
of ascending talent teams will throw big money at in free agency.
The NFC champion San Francisco 49ers decided to let Dashon Goldson hear from
other suitors and while Jim Harbaugh almost certainly wants his Pro Bowl
safety back in the Bay Area, Goldson should command a huge payday, cause for
concern for a player whose greatest attribute is run support, not coverage.
The same mentality evidently infiltrated Atlanta, Houston and North Jersey
where the he Falcons decided to take their chances with the thumping William
Moore, and the Texans let Glover Quin measure his worth. The Giants,
meanwhile, voted against locking up Kenny Phillips.
Clearly, there is a dearth of coverage safeties around the NFL but giving up on
difference makers because they aren't as well-rounded as clubs might like is
probably not the prudent decision moving forward.
The tagging rules actually helped Dallas keep Spencer but hindered Minnesota's
efforts to hang onto right tackle Phil Loadholt as well as Pro bowl fullback
Jerome Felton.
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Spencer for the second straight year,
guaranteeing him the going rate for an elite outside linebacker even though
new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who is switching the 'Boys from a 3-4
to a 4-3 defensive alignment, has the pass-rushing threat penciled in at
defensive end, a higher-paying position.
The Vikings, meanwhile, couldn't tag important pieces like Loadholt and Felton
because the NFL doesn't differentiate between left and right tackles or
fullbacks and running backs. Guaranteeing Clady-like money for a right tackle
like Loadholt is just not financially viable, and giving running back money to
a lead-isolation option at fullback, even the NFL's best like Felton, is a
non-starter.
The New England Patriots didn't use the franchise tag on any of their
potential free agents, but rumors persist they are close to a deal with slot
receiver Wes Welker. Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and cornerback Aqib
Talib, however, remain very attractive options for outsiders.
Detroit, which has the No. 5 overall pick in April's NFL draft, decided
against franchising Cliff Avril for a second straight year, something that
would have cost the franchise $12.726 million. Letting Avril walk in the
coming days could signal the Lions are high on at least one of the pass-
rushing options available in the draft, perhaps Georgia star Jarvis Jones or
Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner.
Other players franchised in 2012 who were not tagged again were Atlanta
cornerback Brent Grimes, Cincinnati kicker Mike Nugent, Cleveland kicker Phil
Dawson and Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis. Grimes, Nugent and Davis,
finished the 2012 season on the sidelines, so injuries were a concern.
In Kansas City, the new brain trust of Andy Reid and general manager John
Dorsey was the big winner, locking up one of the best punters in the game --
Colquitt -- before bringing back a top-tier receiving threat -- Bowe -- for new
quarterback Alex Smith.
Those signings also enabled the Chiefs to tag Albert and explore their options
on draft day. Kansas City, which currently has the No. 1 overall pick, could
select Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel and slide Albert inside or snare the
best available defender to pair with solid pass rushers like Tamba Hali and
Justin Houston.
World Series of Fighting announces undercard for Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – World Series of Fighting announced its Mixed Martial Arts undercard for the NBC Sports Network special
headlined by the heavyweight showdown between Andrei “The
Pitbull” Arlovski (19-9) and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson
(15-3).
Local product Kris McCray (8-4) of Toms River, N.J. will be in a middleweight (185 pounds) scrap against battle-tested Danillo “Indio” Villefort (13-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla., and Waylon Lowe (13-4) of Philadelphia, Pa. will square off with Cameron Dollar (11-4) of Colorado Springs, Colo. in a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt, from Ovation Hall at Revel in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, March 23.
No strangers to Atlantic City, having fought there nine times (combined) professionally, Ozzy Dugulubgov (3-1) of Hackensack, N.J. will go up against undefeated prospect Chris Wade (5-0) of Long Island, N.Y. in a catchweight (160 pounds) bout.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and welterweight (170 pounds) upstart Igor Gracie (5-3) of Rio de Janeiro will face Rich Patishnock (4-1) of Whippany, N.J.
The six-bout preliminary card will be topped by a featherweight collision between streaking Duke Roufus protégé Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn (12-2) of Milwaukee, Wisc., and undefeated submission specialist Alexandre”Pulga” Pimentel (12-0) of Rio de Janeiro.
In the bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event, red-hot 29-year-old star Tyson Nam (12-4) of Portland, Ore., will face off with two-time national Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Marlon Moraes (9-4) of Jupiter, Fla., via Nova Friburgo, Brazil.
“We are excited to bring the World Series of Fighting brand of MMA to Atlantic City, where some of the greatest fights in history have taken place,” said World Series of Fighting President and six-time world kickboxing champion and two-time Hall of Famer, Ray Sefo. “Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson and Marlon Moraes are all coming off superb performances on our inaugural fight card, and Tyson Nam has been on fire of late, so we felt that it was essential to showcase these stars at the top of our first card on the East Coast.”
Also slated for action on the five-bout TV card are welterweight sensation Josh Burkman (24-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah, who will collide with former UFC star Aaron “A-Train” Simpson (12-4) of Phoenix, Ariz., and former PRIDE Fighting Championships superstar and WEC champion Paulo Filho (23-4) of Rio de Janeiro, who will face off with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Branch (11-3) of Brooklyn, N.Y., in a middleweight bout.
Explosive finisher J.Z. Cavalcante (16-6) of Deerfield Beach, Fla., via Brazil, will take on unbeaten, emerging star Justin Gaethje (7-0) of Greeley, Colo., at lightweight (155 pounds).
Coming off his second consecutive victory, a unanimous decision over Mike “300” Hayes Dec. 16, Arlovski, a 33-year-old, 6-foot-4-inch, former UFC heavyweight champion, shined in the main event of the inaugural World Series of Fighting card Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, crumbling fellow power puncher Devin Cole with a barrage of blows in the first round (2:37).
Likewise, the 28-year-old, 6-foot-2-inch Johnson dominated D.J. “Da Protégé” Linderman in the first-ever World Series of Fighting co-main event, scoring a first-round (3:58) KO of Linderman with a punch. The victory was Johnson’s fourth straight.
Nam made waves Aug. 25 when he pulled off a stunning upset on reigning Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas, scoring a first-round (1:36) KO (punch) in a non-title bout in Brazil. Nam will put a four-fight win streak on the line in his World Series of Fighting debut.
The 24-year-old Moraes shocked the world on the first World Series of Fighting card, beating former WEC champion Miguel Torres to the punch repeatedly for the majority of three rounds en route to being being awarded a split decision victory. The win was Moraes’ third straight.
Local product Kris McCray (8-4) of Toms River, N.J. will be in a middleweight (185 pounds) scrap against battle-tested Danillo “Indio” Villefort (13-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla., and Waylon Lowe (13-4) of Philadelphia, Pa. will square off with Cameron Dollar (11-4) of Colorado Springs, Colo. in a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt, from Ovation Hall at Revel in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, March 23.
No strangers to Atlantic City, having fought there nine times (combined) professionally, Ozzy Dugulubgov (3-1) of Hackensack, N.J. will go up against undefeated prospect Chris Wade (5-0) of Long Island, N.Y. in a catchweight (160 pounds) bout.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and welterweight (170 pounds) upstart Igor Gracie (5-3) of Rio de Janeiro will face Rich Patishnock (4-1) of Whippany, N.J.
The six-bout preliminary card will be topped by a featherweight collision between streaking Duke Roufus protégé Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn (12-2) of Milwaukee, Wisc., and undefeated submission specialist Alexandre”Pulga” Pimentel (12-0) of Rio de Janeiro.
In the bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event, red-hot 29-year-old star Tyson Nam (12-4) of Portland, Ore., will face off with two-time national Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Marlon Moraes (9-4) of Jupiter, Fla., via Nova Friburgo, Brazil.
“We are excited to bring the World Series of Fighting brand of MMA to Atlantic City, where some of the greatest fights in history have taken place,” said World Series of Fighting President and six-time world kickboxing champion and two-time Hall of Famer, Ray Sefo. “Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson and Marlon Moraes are all coming off superb performances on our inaugural fight card, and Tyson Nam has been on fire of late, so we felt that it was essential to showcase these stars at the top of our first card on the East Coast.”
Also slated for action on the five-bout TV card are welterweight sensation Josh Burkman (24-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah, who will collide with former UFC star Aaron “A-Train” Simpson (12-4) of Phoenix, Ariz., and former PRIDE Fighting Championships superstar and WEC champion Paulo Filho (23-4) of Rio de Janeiro, who will face off with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Branch (11-3) of Brooklyn, N.Y., in a middleweight bout.
Explosive finisher J.Z. Cavalcante (16-6) of Deerfield Beach, Fla., via Brazil, will take on unbeaten, emerging star Justin Gaethje (7-0) of Greeley, Colo., at lightweight (155 pounds).
Coming off his second consecutive victory, a unanimous decision over Mike “300” Hayes Dec. 16, Arlovski, a 33-year-old, 6-foot-4-inch, former UFC heavyweight champion, shined in the main event of the inaugural World Series of Fighting card Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, crumbling fellow power puncher Devin Cole with a barrage of blows in the first round (2:37).
Likewise, the 28-year-old, 6-foot-2-inch Johnson dominated D.J. “Da Protégé” Linderman in the first-ever World Series of Fighting co-main event, scoring a first-round (3:58) KO of Linderman with a punch. The victory was Johnson’s fourth straight.
Nam made waves Aug. 25 when he pulled off a stunning upset on reigning Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas, scoring a first-round (1:36) KO (punch) in a non-title bout in Brazil. Nam will put a four-fight win streak on the line in his World Series of Fighting debut.
The 24-year-old Moraes shocked the world on the first World Series of Fighting card, beating former WEC champion Miguel Torres to the punch repeatedly for the majority of three rounds en route to being being awarded a split decision victory. The win was Moraes’ third straight.
Union sign trialist Matt Kassel
Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union have signed trialist Matt Kassel.
Kassel, a defender/midfielder, is a product of the New York Red Bulls youth academy and spent the entire 2013 preseason with Philadelphia.
In 2011, he signed with New York Red Bulls, becoming the club’s third-ever Home Grown player to join the senior roster. The 23-year-old spent last year with the USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds, scoring six goals in 18 games.
The Bridgewater, N.J. native spent three years at the University of Maryland, being selected as First-Team All-ACC as a junior (2010) and to the All-ACC Freshman team in 2008 when the Terrapins won the NCAA National Championship. While in college, Kassel made 68 appearances, scoring 11 goals and assisting 24 times.
Kassel, a defender/midfielder, is a product of the New York Red Bulls youth academy and spent the entire 2013 preseason with Philadelphia.
In 2011, he signed with New York Red Bulls, becoming the club’s third-ever Home Grown player to join the senior roster. The 23-year-old spent last year with the USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds, scoring six goals in 18 games.
The Bridgewater, N.J. native spent three years at the University of Maryland, being selected as First-Team All-ACC as a junior (2010) and to the All-ACC Freshman team in 2008 when the Terrapins won the NCAA National Championship. While in college, Kassel made 68 appearances, scoring 11 goals and assisting 24 times.
Sixers to play two NBA Global Games
NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association announced today that eight NBA teams will take part in a comprehensive global games schedule that will include a total of eight games in six countries this October. The games will include the first-ever NBA preseason games to be held in Brazil and the Philippines, and in the cities of Bilbao, Spain and Manchester, England.
“Providing fans with an authentic NBA experience is an important part of our efforts to grow the game globally,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “This fall, nearly a third of our teams will embark on a global tour that will celebrate the game of basketball, give our international fans a chance to connect with NBA teams and players, and leave a lasting impact in each of the communities we visit.”
The Sixers will play in Bilbao, Spain against Uxue Bilbao Basket on October 6 and in Manchester, England against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 8.
“Providing fans with an authentic NBA experience is an important part of our efforts to grow the game globally,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “This fall, nearly a third of our teams will embark on a global tour that will celebrate the game of basketball, give our international fans a chance to connect with NBA teams and players, and leave a lasting impact in each of the communities we visit.”
The Sixers will play in Bilbao, Spain against Uxue Bilbao Basket on October 6 and in Manchester, England against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 8.
Monday, March 04, 2013
Phantoms goaltending situation temporarily resolved
Cal Heeter drew the short straw and was sent down to the Trenton Titans of the ECHL on Monday, easing the strain on the Phantoms' crowded crease. That's according to a Philadelphia Flyers insider.
For the second time this season, Adirondack carried three netminders, after Michael Leighton cleared waivers Friday and was assigned to the AHL. Head coach Terry Murray carried Leighton -- who started and lost on Sunday in Glens Falls -- along with Scott Munroe and Heeter this past weekend.
Trenton had goaltending issues of its own, with Scott Wedgewood having taken the starting job away from Niko Hovinen by the turn of the new year, and then the Titans not having a credible long-term backup after Hovinen's release from the organization several weeks ago.
Now Wedgewood will be spelled by Heeter, who is coming down having played some bona-fide minutes this season in the AHL, going 8-13-2 with a 2.96 GAA in 24 appearances.
Also heading to New Jersey's capital is Shane Harper, who totaled four points in three games in an earlier stint with Trenton this season. The 24-year-old winger had four goals and eight points in 42 games with the Phantoms.
For the second time this season, Adirondack carried three netminders, after Michael Leighton cleared waivers Friday and was assigned to the AHL. Head coach Terry Murray carried Leighton -- who started and lost on Sunday in Glens Falls -- along with Scott Munroe and Heeter this past weekend.
Trenton had goaltending issues of its own, with Scott Wedgewood having taken the starting job away from Niko Hovinen by the turn of the new year, and then the Titans not having a credible long-term backup after Hovinen's release from the organization several weeks ago.
Now Wedgewood will be spelled by Heeter, who is coming down having played some bona-fide minutes this season in the AHL, going 8-13-2 with a 2.96 GAA in 24 appearances.
Also heading to New Jersey's capital is Shane Harper, who totaled four points in three games in an earlier stint with Trenton this season. The 24-year-old winger had four goals and eight points in 42 games with the Phantoms.
NHL announces draft lottery, draft times for 2013
Courtesy of NHL.com
NEW YORK -- The 2013 NHL Draft Lottery, to be held this year on Monday, April 29, will be the first in NHL history where all 14 clubs not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or the clubs that have acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff clubs, will have a chance at winning the right to the first overall selection. Under the previous lottery system, only the five teams with the fewest points in the standings had the opportunity to win the first overall selection as rules dictated no team could move up more than four spots.
The NHL Draft Lottery is a weighted system to determine the order of selection for the first 14 picks of the 2013 NHL Draft. Teams finishing with the fewest points during the regular season possess the greatest chance of winning the right to the first pick in the NHL Draft. Fourteen balls, numbered 1 to 14, are placed in a lottery machine. The machine expels four balls, forming a series of numbers. The four-digit series resulting from the expulsion of the balls is matched against a probability chart that divides the possible combinations among the 14 participating clubs.
While the top pick can now go to any of the 14 non-playoff clubs, or the team owning the rights to the first pick of a non-playoff club, the odds of winning the lottery are unchanged from previous years. The teams in the drawing are ranked in inverse order of their regular season point totals, with team one being the club with the fewest points, and team 14 being the club with the most points among those outside of the playoffs.
The likelihood of each team gaining the right to the first pick is as follows:
Team 1 25.0%
Team 2 18.8%
Team 3 14.2%
Team 4 10.7%
Team 5 8.1%
Team 6 6.2%
Team 7 4.7%
Team 8 3.6%
Team 9 2.7%
Team 10 2.1%
Team 11 1.5%
Team 12 1.1%
Team 13 0.8%
Team 14 0.5%
No club will move down more than one position as a result of the Draft Lottery. The remaining first round drafting positions are determined by the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
2013 NHL Draft
The 2013 NHL Draft will be held Sunday, June 30th, with all seven rounds being conducted on the same day for the first time since 2006. As previously announced, the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center will host the event, the first NHL Draft ever held in the New York City metropolitan area.
The draft gets underway at 3 p.m. ET as James Duthie hosts live coverage in Canada on TSN direct from the draft floor along with TSN's panel of experts. RDS will present exclusive French-language coverage throughout Canada. In the U.S., NBC Sports Network presents live coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET, while NHL Network in the U.S. continues live late-round coverage starting at 8 p.m. ET.
NHL club executives, scouts and coaches will gather on the NHL Draft floor while more than 10,000 fans and 500 print, television and radio media are expected in attendance to witness the selection of the NHL’s next generation of superstars.
Recent overall No. 1 picks include Alex Ovechkin (Washington, 2004), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh, 2005), Erik Johnson (St. Louis, 2006), Patrick Kane (Chicago, 2007), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay, 2008), John Tavares (NY Islanders, 2009), Taylor Hall (Edmonton, 2010), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton, 2011) and Nail Yakupov (Edmonton, 2012).
For more historical information and past draft selections, visit www.nhl.com/draft. Ticket distribution plans and other details pertaining to the 2013 NHL Draft will be announced at a later date.
The Philadelphia Flyers will host the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
NEW YORK -- The 2013 NHL Draft Lottery, to be held this year on Monday, April 29, will be the first in NHL history where all 14 clubs not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or the clubs that have acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff clubs, will have a chance at winning the right to the first overall selection. Under the previous lottery system, only the five teams with the fewest points in the standings had the opportunity to win the first overall selection as rules dictated no team could move up more than four spots.
The NHL Draft Lottery is a weighted system to determine the order of selection for the first 14 picks of the 2013 NHL Draft. Teams finishing with the fewest points during the regular season possess the greatest chance of winning the right to the first pick in the NHL Draft. Fourteen balls, numbered 1 to 14, are placed in a lottery machine. The machine expels four balls, forming a series of numbers. The four-digit series resulting from the expulsion of the balls is matched against a probability chart that divides the possible combinations among the 14 participating clubs.
While the top pick can now go to any of the 14 non-playoff clubs, or the team owning the rights to the first pick of a non-playoff club, the odds of winning the lottery are unchanged from previous years. The teams in the drawing are ranked in inverse order of their regular season point totals, with team one being the club with the fewest points, and team 14 being the club with the most points among those outside of the playoffs.
The likelihood of each team gaining the right to the first pick is as follows:
Team 1 25.0%
Team 2 18.8%
Team 3 14.2%
Team 4 10.7%
Team 5 8.1%
Team 6 6.2%
Team 7 4.7%
Team 8 3.6%
Team 9 2.7%
Team 10 2.1%
Team 11 1.5%
Team 12 1.1%
Team 13 0.8%
Team 14 0.5%
No club will move down more than one position as a result of the Draft Lottery. The remaining first round drafting positions are determined by the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
2013 NHL Draft
The 2013 NHL Draft will be held Sunday, June 30th, with all seven rounds being conducted on the same day for the first time since 2006. As previously announced, the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center will host the event, the first NHL Draft ever held in the New York City metropolitan area.
The draft gets underway at 3 p.m. ET as James Duthie hosts live coverage in Canada on TSN direct from the draft floor along with TSN's panel of experts. RDS will present exclusive French-language coverage throughout Canada. In the U.S., NBC Sports Network presents live coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET, while NHL Network in the U.S. continues live late-round coverage starting at 8 p.m. ET.
NHL club executives, scouts and coaches will gather on the NHL Draft floor while more than 10,000 fans and 500 print, television and radio media are expected in attendance to witness the selection of the NHL’s next generation of superstars.
Recent overall No. 1 picks include Alex Ovechkin (Washington, 2004), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh, 2005), Erik Johnson (St. Louis, 2006), Patrick Kane (Chicago, 2007), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay, 2008), John Tavares (NY Islanders, 2009), Taylor Hall (Edmonton, 2010), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton, 2011) and Nail Yakupov (Edmonton, 2012).
For more historical information and past draft selections, visit www.nhl.com/draft. Ticket distribution plans and other details pertaining to the 2013 NHL Draft will be announced at a later date.
The Philadelphia Flyers will host the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
| Results of Previous Draft Drawings | |||
| Year | Selected | Effect on Draft order | Player selected |
| 1995 | Los Angeles | Moved from 7th to 3rd | D Aki Berg |
| 1996 | Ottawa | Retained 1st selection | D Chris Phillips |
| 1997 | Boston | Retained 1st selection | C Joe Thornton |
| 1998 | Tampa Bay | Moved from 3rd to 1st via trades | C Vincent Lecavalier |
| 1999 | Chicago | Moved from 8th to 4th | RW Pavel Brendl * |
| 2000 | NY Islanders | Moved from 5th to 1st | G Rick DiPietro |
| 2001 | Atlanta | Moved from 3rd to 1st | LW Ilya Kovalchuk |
| 2002 | Florida | Moved from 3rd to 1st | LW Rick Nash ** |
| 2003 | Florida | Moved from 4th to 1st | G Marc-Andre Fleury *** |
| 2004 | Washington | Moved from 3rd to 1st | LW Alex Ovechkin |
| 2005 | Pittsburgh | N/A | C Sidney Crosby |
| 2006 | St. Louis | Retained 1st selection | D Erik Johnson |
| 2007 | Chicago | Moved from 5th to 1st | RW Patrick Kane |
| 2008 | Tampa Bay | Retained 1st selection | C Steven Stamkos |
| 2009 | NY Islanders | Retained 1st selection | C John Tavares |
| 2010 | Edmonton | Retained 1st selection | LW Taylor Hall |
| 2011 | New Jersey | Moved from 8th to 4th | D Adam Larsson |
| 2012 | Edmonton | Moved from 2nd to 1st | RW Nail Yakupov |
| * NY Rangers obtained Chicago's pick in a trade (via Vancouver and Tampa Bay). The Rangers selected RW Pavel Brendl fourth overall. | |||
| ** Columbus obtained Florida's pick in a trade. The Blue Jackets selected LW Rick Nash first overall. | |||
| *** Pittsburgh obtained Florida's pick in a trade. The Penguins selected G Marc-Andre Fleury first overall. (Ed. note -- the closest the Flyers have come to winning the draft lottery was 2007, when they finished last in the NHL with 54 points, but ended up second to Chicago and selected James van Riemsdyk). | |||
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Harry Z gets 4-game suspension
Brendan Shanahan has spoken.
Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczyk was given a four-game suspension by the NHL's discipline Czar on Sunday for his actions in the early part of Saturday's 2-1 win over Ottawa.
Here's the video explanation for the punishment.
The product of Brown University crossed the ice inside his own zone and launched himself into Senators defenseman Mike Lundin near the midway point of the first period, drawing a charging major on the play along with a game misconduct for his effort.
It's a disappointing bit of news during an otherwise great day for the franchise, which is hosting its annual Flyers Wives Fight for Lives Carnival at Wells Fargo Center.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Zolnierczyk will forfeit $12,972.96. The money is automatically placed in the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Harry Z will be out for a significant chunk of key games while serving his ban, Tuesday at the Rangers, Thursday home against the Penguins, next Saturday at Boston and next Sunday home against Buffalo. He won't be eligible to return until March 13 at New Jersey.
Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczyk was given a four-game suspension by the NHL's discipline Czar on Sunday for his actions in the early part of Saturday's 2-1 win over Ottawa.
Here's the video explanation for the punishment.
The product of Brown University crossed the ice inside his own zone and launched himself into Senators defenseman Mike Lundin near the midway point of the first period, drawing a charging major on the play along with a game misconduct for his effort.
It's a disappointing bit of news during an otherwise great day for the franchise, which is hosting its annual Flyers Wives Fight for Lives Carnival at Wells Fargo Center.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Zolnierczyk will forfeit $12,972.96. The money is automatically placed in the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Harry Z will be out for a significant chunk of key games while serving his ban, Tuesday at the Rangers, Thursday home against the Penguins, next Saturday at Boston and next Sunday home against Buffalo. He won't be eligible to return until March 13 at New Jersey.
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Bryzgalov sets milestone as Flyers slip by Senators
Philadelphia, PA -- Ilya Bryzgalov posted 33 saves to record his 200th career victory, and Wayne Simmonds netted the deciding goal in the second period to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
In typical stoic fashion, the Russian netminder said he felt "great" about reaching that mark. He improved to 44-25-8 in the regular season since his acquisition from Phoenix two Summers ago.
Simmonds was more effusive in his praise: “I think he has been playing well all season. So, he stole a couple for us already this year, and tonight was another one. He got his confidence back. You can tell when a goalie has his confidence nothing really fazes him. He’s calm in the crease. He’s observing pucks and he’s playing really well.”
Jakub Voracek tallied the initial goal for the Flyers, who have won two straight and three of four to reach .500 (11-11-1) for the first time this season.
"It's huge for us to get back to .500," said Voracek. "It's a good step and I think we are in the playoff spot now and we just have to keep winning."
Philadelphia had dropped its previous six games this season when attempting to break even, but this accomplishment will be severely tested in the upcoming week with games at New York, home against Pittsburgh and at Boston.
Marc Methot scored the lone goal of the game for the Senators, who have dropped their past two following a five-game winning streak. Ben Bishop stopped 39 shots in defeat.
Just past the midway mark of the first period, things took an interesting turn for the hosts, as forward Harry Zolnierczyk leveled Mike Lundin in the Flyers zone and was handed a charging major on the play along with a game misconduct.
Philadelphia, though, was able to survive the extended power play thanks in part to a too many men on the ice call to Ottawa during the midst of the advantage. Nonetheless, Zolniercyk faces a hearing with NHL Director of Player Safety, Brendan Shanahan, on Sunday for his actions.
The Flyers finally got through at the 7:24 mark of the second period for a 1-0 lead. Luke Schenn chipped the puck out of his zone and into the Ottawa end where Voracek picked it up along the right wing. Voracek then flew around a defender before snapping it in for his ninth of the season.
It was a 2-0 game four minutes later as Simmonds took a pass at the right circle and charged to the front before slipping a backhand between the pads of Bishop.
Ottawa, though, got one back with 5:49 to play in the middle stanza as Methot's slap shot from the left point beat Bryzgalov cleanly for his first goal of the season.
A cross-checking major to Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson in the third period along with a high-sticking call to Erik Condra gave the Flyers an extended 5-on-3, but they were unable to convert and provide some badly-needed insurance.
“Well it’s a bad play by him. Phillips is in a vulnerable position, right by the boards and he hits him from the side, behind kind of, and I didn’t really know if Chris was injured at the time or not, but I did not like that hit at all," said the 17-year veteran.
The franchise icon was responding to Philly's Zac Rinaldo leveling what he thought was a questionable hit on Chris Phillips that precipitated his own infraction.
"It was a chippy game, no question," said Alfredsson. "I think we took exception to some of their hits and felt like the referees didn't call everything that maybe they should have. We stuck up for each other and obviously my five minutes kind of hurt us in our chance to get back."
A penalty to Kimmo Timonen saw the Senators skate 6-on-4 after pulling Bishop for an extra attacker, but the Flyers blocked several shots in front of Bryzgalov and a couple of clears helped the team kill the rest of the clock.
Notes: The Flyers improved to 23-13-2 at home against the Senators since 1992, and have won eight of the last 11 meetings in Philadelphia...Voracek and Simmonds remained tied once again for the team lead in scores with nine apiece...Ottawa plays a road game on Sunday against the Islanders...Lundin, from the University of Maine, didn't return to play after the hit...Ottawa's power play was 3-for-38 over its previous 11 games coming in and went 0-for-5 on Saturday ... Philadelphia was also 0-for-5 on the power play but has killed off 61 of its last 66 short-handed situations in the last 16 games...These two teams split four games last season.
Nielsen ruins Le Toux's return at Sporting K.C. roars back to top Union
 |
| Sporting K.C. goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen |
jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com
CHESTER, Pa (The Phanatic Magazine) - The face of the franchise was back in Chester on Saturday but Jimmy Nielsen wasn't in the mood for any storybook endings.
The Sporting K.C. goalkeeper was brilliant, keeping his club in the match before veteran striker Graham Zusi scored a goal and added an assist as Kansas City roared back to earn a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union in the 2013 MLS opener for both clubs.
Sebastien Le Toux, the Union's all-time leading scorer, returned after a year in exile and put Philadelphia ahead 1-0 in the 17th minute, sending the PPL Park crowd of 18,160 into a frenzy.
Midfielder Keon Daniel found Le Toux on the right side of the box with a brilliant crossing pass and the Frenchman beat Nielsen on the short side.
The Union continued to dominate for most of the first half, tilting the frigid pitch at PPL and playing most of the frame in Sporting K.C.'s end. After Le Toux's marker, though, Nielsen took over.
In the 23rd minute a pinching Sheanon Williams outraced the K.C. defense and fed Le Toux, who had another nice look but slipped it wide as Nielsen did a nice job cutting down the angle.
Speedy Union defender Ray Gaddis was taken down in the 27th minute resulting in a nice bending free kick by Michael Farfan but Nielsen was up to the task again, swatting it away.
Two minutes later it was Amobi Okugo's turn with a good look inside the box but Nielsen stymied the Union attack again.
The missed opportunities would come back to haunt Philadelphia in the 42nd minute when Michael Lahoud and Williams got crossed up on the right side, a miscue that resulted in Union netminder Zac MacMath stopping a point blank shot by Benny Feilhaber. The rebound, however, found Zusi, who deposited it in
the open net to even things at one apiece.
“Everything we thought we could take advantage of worked and it didn’t just work for a couple minutes it worked for almost the first half,” said Union manager John Hackworth. “If we executed on the chances that we had, we walk into halftime up two, maybe three goals and unfortunately that didn’t happen. Then it’s a matter of us managing the game, reading critical moments and execution and on the flip side that’s what Sporting KC did tonight.”
Kansas City took the lead in the 66th minute when Oriol Rosell headed a perfect Zusi set piece off a free kick past MacMath.
Jack McInerney, the Union's leading scorer in 2012 with eight goals, came on as a substitution in the 70th minute for Gabriel Farfan and had a pair of opportunities to even things but Nielsen was up to the task.
Claudio Bieler finally sealed things for Sporting K.C. in the 83rd minute easily beating an out of position MacMath for the 3-1 advantage.
Nielsen faced 11 shots in the first half and 17 overall, including five on goal while MacMath saw just seven shots and three of the four on the mark found the net.
“I’m looking at stats here and we have attempts on goal 17 [in favor of the Union] and they have seven,” Hackworth said. “We pushed the game the right way we did what we wanted to do, it’s just that at the end of the day we just didn’t execute.”
UNION Dues:
*The Union's other substitutions were Roger Torres for Lahoud in the 80th minute and Conor Casey for Daniel in the 84th.
*Le Toux was brought back in a trade from Red Bull New York and netted 25 markers 20 assists for the Union during the franchise's first two seasons.
“I can’t think of any way to feel good about anything that just happened,” said Hackworth. “I am glad [Sebastien Le Toux] is here I am glad he scored a goal in his first game back, but this is a team sport and from our perspective it’s unacceptable to play at PPL Park and lose the way we did.”
*Overall, Sporting now holds a 4-1-3 lead in the all-time series between the clubs.
Sporting Kansas City 3, Philadelphia Union 1
Saturday, March 2; 4:00 p.m.
PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
SCORING SUMMARY
PHI: Le Toux (Daniel), 17’
SKC: Zusi (unassisted), 41
SKC: Rosell (Zusi), 66'
SKC: Bieler (Myers), 83'
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
SKC: Collin (caution), 25'
SKC: Convey (caution), 56'
PHI: Gaddis (caution), 89'
UNION STARTING 11
MacMath, Williams, Okugo, Parke, Gaddis, Carroll, Lahoud (Torres, 80’), G. Farfan, (McInerney, 20’), M. Farfan, Daniel (Casey, 84’), Le Toux
SPORTING KANSAS CITY STARTING 11
Nielsen, Collin, Myers (Mechack, 89’), Besler, Sinovic, Rosell, Nagamura, Feilhaber (Peterson, 82’), Convey (Sapong, 63’), Zusi, Bieler
Time: 1:52.
Referee: Mark Geiger, Adam Wienckowski, Gregory Barkley, Ted Unkel
Union complete opening day roster by signing three
By John McMullen
jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com
CHESTER, Pa (The Phanatic Magazine) - The Philadelphia Union filled out their opening day roster by signing SuperDraft selection Don Anding, along with Supplemental pick Leo Fernandes and returning goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
The trio has been training with the club since the start of preseason.
Anding, a native of Amity Harbor, N.Y., was drafted as a forward out of Northeastern University. A 2012 College Player of the Year semifinalist and an NSCAA third team All-American, Anding was also named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in his junior season (2011) and was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2009.
Fernandes, a 21-year-old midfielder from Stony Brook University, was selected 62nd overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft. A three-time America East midfielder of the year, he was also selected as the 2009 America East Rookie of the Year. Fernandes, a Reading United product, is the first player from Stony Brook to be drafted by MLS.
Konopka, a 27-year-old goalkeeper from Toms River, N.J., spent last year with the Union after being signed prior to the start of the 2012 season. He earned six saves in his first start of the year on May 26 at Toronto FC and earned a shutout three days later in a 3-0 win against Rochester Rhinos, the club’s first-ever US Open Cup victory. A Kansas City Wizards Supplemental pick in 2007, the former Providence College keeper has also spent time with New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew.
jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com
CHESTER, Pa (The Phanatic Magazine) - The Philadelphia Union filled out their opening day roster by signing SuperDraft selection Don Anding, along with Supplemental pick Leo Fernandes and returning goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
The trio has been training with the club since the start of preseason.
Anding, a native of Amity Harbor, N.Y., was drafted as a forward out of Northeastern University. A 2012 College Player of the Year semifinalist and an NSCAA third team All-American, Anding was also named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in his junior season (2011) and was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2009.
Fernandes, a 21-year-old midfielder from Stony Brook University, was selected 62nd overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft. A three-time America East midfielder of the year, he was also selected as the 2009 America East Rookie of the Year. Fernandes, a Reading United product, is the first player from Stony Brook to be drafted by MLS.
Konopka, a 27-year-old goalkeeper from Toms River, N.J., spent last year with the Union after being signed prior to the start of the 2012 season. He earned six saves in his first start of the year on May 26 at Toronto FC and earned a shutout three days later in a 3-0 win against Rochester Rhinos, the club’s first-ever US Open Cup victory. A Kansas City Wizards Supplemental pick in 2007, the former Providence College keeper has also spent time with New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Sestito snagged by Vancouver, Leighton back to AHL
As happened in late February of 2009, when Ossi Vaananen and Glen Metropolit were placed on waivers as a precursor for making room under the salary cap for Claude Giroux, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren placed forward Tom Sestito and goaltender Michael Leighton on waivers Thursday.
The expectation then and now, was that both would clear and be assigned to the minors. But a funny thing happened on the way to the 24-hour deadline -- Metropolit was taken by Montreal and Vaananen by Vancouver -- and the Flyers lost critical depth despite keeping the emerging star Giroux.
On Friday, the Canucks struck once more, taking Sestito off the Flyers' hands along with his $605,000 salary and restricted free agent status. Thus ends the two-year tenure of the 25-year-old from upstate New York, who totaled three points in 21 games with the big club.
Sestito's job was pretty much taken over by both Zac Rinaldo and Tye McGinn, but hey, we'll always have his landmark two-goal night on February 5 against Tampa Bay to remember him by.
As for Leighton, the string was pulled on him again, and he heads back to Glens Falls having been usurped for the backup position by Brian Boucher plus a broken finger which seems to have taken place and is healing in near total silence.
Phantoms broadcaster Bob Rotruck reported that head coach Terry Murray said on Friday that he will carry three goaltenders at least through the weekend as his team plays in Springfield tonight and Bridgeport tomorrow before going home to face Albany on Sunday. No decision will be made yet on whom he will decide to send down to Trenton if necessary to clear roster space.
Leighton was 28-26-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average and two shutouts in spending all of last season with Adirondack.
The expectation then and now, was that both would clear and be assigned to the minors. But a funny thing happened on the way to the 24-hour deadline -- Metropolit was taken by Montreal and Vaananen by Vancouver -- and the Flyers lost critical depth despite keeping the emerging star Giroux.
On Friday, the Canucks struck once more, taking Sestito off the Flyers' hands along with his $605,000 salary and restricted free agent status. Thus ends the two-year tenure of the 25-year-old from upstate New York, who totaled three points in 21 games with the big club.
Sestito's job was pretty much taken over by both Zac Rinaldo and Tye McGinn, but hey, we'll always have his landmark two-goal night on February 5 against Tampa Bay to remember him by.
As for Leighton, the string was pulled on him again, and he heads back to Glens Falls having been usurped for the backup position by Brian Boucher plus a broken finger which seems to have taken place and is healing in near total silence.
Phantoms broadcaster Bob Rotruck reported that head coach Terry Murray said on Friday that he will carry three goaltenders at least through the weekend as his team plays in Springfield tonight and Bridgeport tomorrow before going home to face Albany on Sunday. No decision will be made yet on whom he will decide to send down to Trenton if necessary to clear roster space.
Leighton was 28-26-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average and two shutouts in spending all of last season with Adirondack.
Soul brings Brackins back
PHILADELPHIA - Veteran wide receiver Larry Brackins was brought back by the
Philadelphia Soul Friday and added to the team's training camp roster.
Brackins, who is entering his sixth AFL season, joins the Soul for his third consecutive season and fifth overall.
A member of the 2008 ArenaBowl Champion team and former NFL fifth round pick, Brackins holds the franchise records for most touchdowns in a career (75) and most total points in a career (450). He is second in career receptions (224), and third in career receiving yardage (2,839).
Philadelphia Soul Friday and added to the team's training camp roster.
Brackins, who is entering his sixth AFL season, joins the Soul for his third consecutive season and fifth overall.
A member of the 2008 ArenaBowl Champion team and former NFL fifth round pick, Brackins holds the franchise records for most touchdowns in a career (75) and most total points in a career (450). He is second in career receptions (224), and third in career receiving yardage (2,839).
Union send Hoffman to LA
CHESTER, Pa (The Phanatic Magazine) - The Philadelphia Union have traded second-year forward Chandler Hoffman to the Los Angeles Galaxy for a conditional draft pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
Hoffman. the 13th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft out of UCLA, is a promising player but dispensable since he wasn't expected to get much playing time in 2013.
"Chandler and I had an honest conversation about where he stood and we decided that this trade gives him an opportunity that he would not have had within our team this season,” said Union Team Manager John Hackworth. “Our organization thinks very highly of Chandler, both on and off the field, and we wish him the best of luck as he continues to develop in his career.”
The Union, who scored just 37 goals in 34 matches last season, re-acquired star striker Sebastian Le Toux in the offseason along with veteran Conor Casey, a pair which will join the ascending Jack McInerney up front.
Le Toux is Philadelphia's all-time leading scorer, netting 25 markers and adding 20 assists for the Union during the franchise's first two seasons. Philly also added some much-needed size in front of goal by selecting Casey, the former Colorado Rapids star, in the second stage of the MLS re-entry draft. Casey was let go by Colorado after the 2012 season but is the Rapids all-time leading goal-scorer with 50, and helped lead Colorado to the 2010 MLS Cup.
The 20-year-old McInerney, meanwhile, led the Union with eight goals in 2012, including a franchise-record four-game goal-scoring streak. A pair of high-energy diminutive options, the popular Roger Torres and Antoine Hoppenot are also in reserve and were above Hoffman on the depth chart.
"It has been truly an honor and blessing to wear the Blue and Gold and I want to say a huge thank you to the @PhilaUnion and @SonsofBen for all the love and support I have received since day 1 of joining the team," Hoffman Tweeted after learning about the trade.
"I wish all the fans and the organization nothing but the best."
In his lone season in Chester Hoffman appeared in seven games, starting in two, and scored the game winning goal against the Bundesliga’s Schalke 04 in a friendly. He also netted four goals in a Reserve League match against D.C. United, setting a Union record for most individual goals scored in a Reserve League contest.
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