Forsberg returns to Avalanche

-Courtesy of the Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has come to terms with unrestricted free agent Peter Forsberg on a new contract through the 2007-2008 season.

“We’re proud to announce to our fans that Peter Forsberg has decided to come back and play with our franchise where he’s enjoyed so much success early in his career,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. “His addition should complement our roster and will bring our team to an even higher competitive level.”

“Over the last several months, I have worked extremely hard in order for this to be possible. I am looking forward to putting this jersey on again,” said Forsberg. “I have so many great memories of my playing days in Denver. I’m excited about helping my new teammates and former teammates in the coming weeks, and hopefully I am able to do that in the very near future.”

Forsberg, 34, was selected sixth overall in the 1991 Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers before being dealt to the Quebec Nordiques on June 30, 1992. He made his NHL debut with the Nordiques during the 1994-95 season, where he tallied 50 points (15g/35a) in 47 games during the shortened season, earning him the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. During his next nine seasons in Colorado, he would go on to win two Stanley Cups (1996, 2001); capture the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP (2003); and appear in seven All-Star games. During his MVP season, he led the NHL in scoring with 106 points (29g/77a) in 75 games. He was named a First-Team NHL All-Star three times (1998, 1999, 2003) while with Colorado.

Forsberg currently stands fourth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 741 points (216g/525a) in 580 career games. He stands first on the organization’s all-time post-season assist list (97); second in playoff goals (57) and points (154); and second in post-season game-winning goals (12). He owns regular season franchise records for most points in a period (5) and shares the record for most assists in a game (5). His post-season club records include most points in a game (5); most goals in a period (3); most game-winning goals in a series (3 done twice).

Over his tenure with the Avalanche, the club posted a 119-14-19-6 (.832) regular season record in games that Forsberg scored a goal

Lidge has surgery

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday to repair a torn meniscus.

Lidge is expected to be sidelined for three to six weeks, and remains optimistic that he'll be ready for Opening Day, according to the team's Web site.

The 31-year-old reliever caught a spike on the mound Saturday while throwing batting practice at spring training, injuring the right knee he had surgically repaired earlier this offseason.

Lidge was acquired from Houston this past November after going 5-3 with 19 saves and a 3.36 earned run average in 66 games with the Astros last season.

Local players win academic honor

-Courtesy of CAA

RICHMOND, Va. (Feb. 25, 2008) -- Delaware senior offensive lineman Mike Byrne and Villanova tight end Matt Sherry earned a share of the 2007 CAA Football Student-Athlete of the Year award.

Byrne, who maintains a 3.49 grade point average as a double-major in Psychology and Criminal Justice, helped lead the Blue Hens to an 11-4 overall record and a berth in the 2007 NCAA Division I National Championship game. The Lititz, Pa., native started all 15 games for Delaware and was part of an offense which featured CAA Football Co-Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Joe Flacco. Byrne logged First Team All-CAA Football honors in 2007 and was named to four All-American squads including the Walter Camp Foundation, College Sporting News, The Sports Network and Associated Press.

The Delaware co-captain played in 41 games during his four-year career helping the Hens to a 31-19 mark including two berths in the NCAA Division I Championships. Byrne is a four-time Commissioner's Honor Roll member and has been a part of ESPN The Magazine District 2 Academic All-America squads twice.

Sherry, who earned a finance degree from Villanova in May 2007, currently maintains a 3.84 grade point average while working towards a Masters of Business Administration at Villanova. The Rumford, R.I., native was the league's First Team All-Conference tight end after logging a team-best 37 receptions for 461 yards and five touchdowns. The senior co-captain, who
helped the Wildcats to a 7-4 overall mark and league record of 5-3, logged a career game in Villanova's 63-24 win over William and Mary. Sherry, who earned All-America status from The Sports Network, set career highs with seven catches for 105 yards and tied a career-best with two touchdowns against the Tribe, Oct. 6.

During his career Sherry has played in 39 games and logged 89 receptions for 1,059 yards and nine touchdowns. The graduate student was also a member of the 2007 Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association National Academic All-Star squad.

Prospects on the rise and decline at combine

-Courtesy of Frank Coyle - www.draftinsiders.com

Prospects on the Rise

TE Dustin Keller – Purdue
Athletic smaller tight end had a huge workout and most impressive showing on Day 1. He ran 4.53 and 4.54 times and had an exceptional 38” vertical leap with a solid 26 reps @ 225 lbs. He displayed sure hands and the ability to adjust to the ball. He was on our Top 100 value board prior to the Combine and could move up further at the close of this critical event.

TE Brad Cottam – Tennessee
Huge prospect missed most of the ’07 season but he continues to impress in the postseason. He came in at 6’7” and 271 lbs., ran a fine 4.68 time and did 24 reps in the lifting.

OT Jake Long – Michigan
The top offensive linemen in this year’s class solidified a top 5-10 selection. He came in at 6’7” and 313 lbs. and did a combine best thus far 37 reps @ 225 lbs. He ran a 5.17 and 5,27 times and solidified a top 5-10 selection.

OT Chris Williams – Vanderbilt
Just like the first day of the Senior Bowl, this guy stood out on Day 1 in Indy. He is a massive tackle who checked in at 6’6” and 315 lbs. He ran very good 5.07 and 5.18 times and looked nimble in the agility drills, though he did only 21 reps.

OL Jeremy Zuttah – Rutgers
College right tackle ran an impressive 4.99 forty time with a fine 10 yard split time. He was 2nd among OL with 35 reps in the lifting and looked mobile in the agility drills to help his draft status.

Prospects on the Decline

TE John Carlson – Notre Dame
Athletic tight end missed Senior Bowl with an illness. In the spring drills, he ran a disappointing 4.96 and 4.89 times at just under 6’5” and 251 lbs. He did only 20 reps but caught the ball well in the receiving drills

TE Jermichael Finley - Texas
Young junior tight end checked in at 6’4” and 243 lbs. He ran a disappointing 4.82 time and only 20 reps that makes his Texas pro day critical to his final grade. He looked good in the vertical leap and receiving drills and has intriguing upside but must run better for an early draft grade.

OT Jeff Otah – Pittsburgh
Massive left tackle is not the type of linemen to shine in athletic drills. He ran a poor 5.56 time at 332 lbs with 27 reps in the lifting. His agility drills were only adequate and leaves questions about his readiness to play early as a pro. He may have cost himself a 1st round grade.

OT Barry Richardson - Clemson
Huge tackle checked in over 6’6” and 325 lbs. He ran a poor 5.47 time and did only reps. He is a waist bender who continues to fall in the charts.

OT Pedro Sosa - Rutgers
Athletic smallish tackle ran a disappointing 5.5 forty time and did only 19 reps in the lifting which hurts his draft grade significantly.

Phils' Lidge to have surgery

Reliever Brad Lidge will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the Phillies announced Sunday. Team Physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti will perform the surgery.

The surgery – a partial medial menisectomy – is an intra-articular surgical procedure of the knee by which all or part of the damaged meniscus is removed. The recovery time for this procedure is expected to be 3-to-6 weeks and Lidge could begin a rehabilitation program one week following the surgery.

Lidge, 31, was acquired by the Phillies last November in a trade with Houston. With the Astros last season, he went 5-3 with a 3.36 ERA and 19 saves in 66 games.

FSU's Fagg injured at combine

Florida State wide receiver De'Cody Fagg suffered a left leg injury during Sunday morning's quarterback-wide receiver drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Fagg was taken from the RCA Dome field on a stretcher.

Injury concerns plague LSU's Dorsey

-Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, published by The Sports Xchange.

By Howard Balzer

Senior Writer
NFLDraftScout.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- An NFL team doctor told NFLDraftScout.com that
there are serious concerns over the lingering effects of a
2006 stress fracture in the right tibia of Louisiana State's
highly-rated defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.

Dorsey, generally considered a top five prospect in the NFL Draft,
underwent a physical Saturday at the Scouting Combine, and was
subsequently sent to the hospital for additional tests.

"I haven't spoken to anybody about how the tests came out,"
Dorsey said  Sunday at a Combine press conference. He
admitted that he was put through a grueling battery of tests.

"I got to the hospital around nine o'clock and left around
6:30," he said. "I had MRI's, I had CAT scans, I had
everything. I mean there were stingers from high school
they wanted to check out."

However, Dorsey contends he is ready to play in the NFL
and has no concerns about his past injuries, although
he does understand why teams are curious.

"When you are one of the top players people are looking
for the negatives," he said. "They are looking for
anything. But I played four years. I played every game
since I've been with LSU. Who doesn't get hurt during
the year?"

Dorsey was measured at 6-1 1/4, 297 pounds, and elected
not to work out, explaining he stopped preparing for the
Combine because of the death of his grandmother.

However, there are still issues with the tibia that has raised
red flags among NFL teams. The team doctor told NFLDraftScout.com
the stress fracture is in an area of the tibia that is
difficult to heal.

Dorsey played most of the 2006 season at LSU with the injury,
and took painkillers before every game. He wore a bone
stimulator for up to 18 hours per day until he was cleared
to practice in the spring of 2007.

"I wore the stimulator through the spring and summer and
I think it did some good," Dorsey told NFLDraftscout.com.

Although Dorsey has been the target of some infamous chop
and double-team blocks, he explained the injury to his
leg happened in the weight room. "I bumped up against a
 weight or something ... and it calcified."

Before that, Dorsey considered entering the 2007 NFL Draft,
but told ESPN college football reporter Joe Schad, "I have
a few injuries that I believe would have hindered me in
the draft. I have a leg injury that I really want to get
healed up, so I'm coming back so we have a chance to win
the SEC and maybe even a national championship."

LSU did win the national championship, while Dorsey played
the season with several injuries. He was limited in
preseason drills because of a sore hamstring, then
suffered a sprained right knee against Auburn on Oct. 20,
and missed most of the second half of that game.

He played the following game against Alabama wearing
a large brace on his knee, and briefly left the game when
he re-injured the knee. Dorsey missed most of the
Tigers' Nov. 17 game against Mississippi because of a
sore lower back.

The combination of injuries limited his participation
in practice for the final six games of the season.

Dorsey had four of his seven sacks prior to the Auburn game,
and one of his final three was against Louisiana Tech.

Casamayor & Katsidis to meet in world title bout

-Courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 22, 2008) – In an intriguing clash of styles that will have boxing pundits declaring this bout an early candidate for 2008 Fight of The Year, master boxer Joel Casamayor will put his Ring Magazine Lightweight World Championship on the line against a fighter many are calling the next Arturo Gatti, unbeaten Australian and WBO Interim Lightweight World Champion Michael Katsidis. The 12 round championship contest, for the WBO Interim and Ring Magazine Lightweight World championships, will take place on Saturday, March 22 at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and will be televised live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET / PT.

“This is a great matchup between two of the best lightweights in the world and given the styles of both fighters, I'm expecting a classic battle,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The winner of this bout will not only emerge as the top 135-pounder in the world, but will also make a case for himself as one of the premier fighters in the game, pound for pound.”

“A fight of this magnitude is perfect for a casino resort dedicated to delivering BIG TIME excitement to our guests," said Sean Sullivan, general manager of the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. "With our recently expanded casino floor, and our ongoing commitment to being the premier casino resort in the region, Morongo has shown it is the place for sports and entertainment excitement in Southern California and we are pleased to partner with Golden Boy Promotions and HBO to present this world-championship boxing event."

One of the greatest fighters ever to come out of Cuba, Guantanamo’s Joel Casamayor (35-3-1, 21 KO’s) is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame when he finishes his storied career. But at 36, “El Cepillo” has plenty of fight left in him, a fact he is sure to let Michael Katsidis know on March 22. Owner of over 360 amateur wins and a 1992 Olympic Gold medal, Casamayor defected to the United States after the 1996 Olympics and began a pro journey that has seen him win world titles in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions while scoring victories over the likes of Diego Corrales (twice), Nate Campbell, and Robert Garcia. Casamayor’s three losses were all hotly disputed by fans and the media, so it is conceivable that he could be undefeated today, and he is in the minds of many fans, all of whom will be glued to their television sets to see him take on one of his stiffest challenges in Katsidis.

“I've been on top for a long time and I'm not about to leave anytime soon,” said Casamayor. “Katsidis is a good fighter and he will be on top of this division someday, but this is still my time and I'm not about to lose to him on March 22.”

The pride of Toowoomba, Australia, Michael Katsidis (23-0, 20 KO’s) is boxing’s latest action hero. A stellar amateur of Greek descent who represented Australia in the 2000 Olympics, Katsidis’ aggressive style was even better suited for the pro game, and he quickly made an impression by winning the Queensland State Lightweight Title in his first professional bout, which was scheduled for ten rounds. In his very next fight, Katsidis added the Australian Title to his trophy case and has since earned the IBF Pan Pacific and WBO Asia Pacific Championships. In February of 2007, Katsidis won a five round, Fight of the Year candidate war over Graham Earl to win the WBO Interim World Championship. Bursting onto the American boxing scene in impressive fashion, he defended his title five months later with a hotly contested decision win over Czar Amonsot, in another Fight of The Year candidate. On March 22, he plans on taking down the legendary Casamayor and beginning his own world-class legacy.

“It's an honor to fight a great champion like Casamayor and I'm looking forward to testing my skills against him,” said Katsidis. “I plan on putting on another exciting fight for the fans and I believe my pressure, power and youth will carry me to victory on March 22.”

La Salle's Harris is A-10 Player of the Week

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Darnell Harris - La Salle

Senior, Guard, 6-1, 165 lbs.

Baltimore, Md./St. Francis HS

Harris averaged 23.5 points and shot 13-of-25 from three point range in leading La Salle to wins over Saint Joseph’s (90-89) on Feb. 18 and Dayton (81-78, OT) on Feb. 21...scored 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and added four assists versus the Hawks...tied his career high with eight three-pointers against Dayton...did not commit a turnover in 73 minutes of action.

Lidge injures knee

The Associated Press is reporting that Phillies closer Brad Lidge caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice Saturday and hurt the same knee he had surgery on in October.

Combine 40-yard Times -- Nothing is Official

Courtesy of Frank Cooney
The Sports Xchange

INDIANAPOLIS -- When 40-yard times are announced the next few days from the NFL Combine, there are a few things that should be kept in perspective.

First, there is no single "official" 40 time at the Combine.

That said, Bo Jackson has the best verifiable time at a Combine with his 4.12-second clocking at the New Orleans Superdome in 1986.

The best 40 time at an Indianapolis Combine was turned in by Eastern Kentucky wide receiver Rondel Melendez with a 4.24 in 1999, the first year electronic timing was implemented at the event.

There are numerous stories that Deion Sanders ran faster than 4.2 seconds at another Superdome Combine in 1989. However, reports from that week indicate he was timed at 4.28 seconds by one of the so-called "official" stopwatches.

But it is important to keep the term "official" in context because there is no such thing as a single "official" time at the NFL Combine.

Here is what happens to get the 40 times at the Combine:

--Those who participate in the 40 actually run twice, and on each run they are timed by two hand-held stopwatches and one electronic timer (that is actually initiated by hand on the player's first movement).

--Combine data put together for NFL teams by National Scouting includes all six of those times for each player, but no single official time.

Team scouts and coaches have various approaches for getting the 40 time they use from those six timings. Some use averages. Some throw out slowest and fastest and then average the rest. Some ignore the whole thing and use a time taken by their own scout.

So it is that Jackson's time of 4.12 at the Superdome is the best ever, verified by numerous reports that week in 1986, including a front-page story in the USA Today Sports section.

And Melendez, with his 4.24 clocking in 1999, is at the top of the Indy Combine list. As it turned out, his NFL career didn't last much longer than his clocking after he was drafted in the seventh round by the Atlanta Falcons.

Champ Bailey turned in a 4.28 that same year, the same time set by Sanders in 1989 in New Orleans. They obviously went on to far more
productive careers than Melendez, whose highlight was a 67-yard punt return as a rookie before being cut by several teams, including one in NFL Europe.

He was out of the league by 2002.

So the process and an accurate look at history should be kept in mind as the 40-yard times are announced for this year's draft prospects. The 40 time is good to know and makes for great conversation, but it doesn't make a Melendez into a Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders.

So, beware any 40-yard time that is labeled as "official" from the Combine.

Following are the best 40 times and results in other events recorded by NFLDraftScout.com since 1999.

40-Yard Dash Times
4.24 - Rondel Melendez, (WR), Eastern Kentucky - 1999
4.28 - Jerome Mathis, (WR), Hampton - 2005
4.28 - *Champ Bailey, (CB), Georgia - 1999
4.29 - Stanford Routt, (CB), Houston - 2005
4.29 - Jay Hinton, (RB), Morgan State - 1999
4.29 - *Fabian Washington, (CB), Nebraska - 2005
4.30 - Yamon Figurs (WR), Kansas State - 2007
4.30 - Darrent Williams, (CB), Oklahoma State - 2005
4.31 - *Johnathan Joseph, (CB), South Carolina - 2006
4.31 - Aaron Lockett, (WR), Kansas State - 2002
4.31 - Santana Moss, (WR), Miami - 2001
4.32 - *Troy Williamson, (WR), South Carolina - 2005
4.32 - *Chad Jackson, (WR), Florida - 2006
4.32 - Jason Hill (WR), Washington State - 2007
4.32 - Tim Jennings, (CB), Georgia - 2006
4.32 - Chris McKenzie, (CB), Arizona State - 2005
4.32 - Tim Carter, (WR), Auburn - 2002
4.32 - Kevin Garrett, (CB), Southern Methodist - 2003
4.32 - Antwan Harris, (CB), Virginia - 2000
4.33 - Carlos Francis, (WR), Texas Tech - 2004
4.33 - Karsten Bailey, (WR), Auburn - 1999
4.33 - Chris Chambers, (WR), Wisconsin - 2001
4.34 - *Ahmad Carroll, (CB), Arkansas - 2004
4.34 - Domonique Foxworth, (CB), Maryland - 2005
4.34 - Tyrone Calico, (WR), Middle Tennessee State - 2003

225-Pound Bench Reps
51 - Justin Ernest, (DT), Eastern Kentucky - 1999
45 - Mike Kudla, (DE), Ohio State - 2006
45 - Leif Larsen, (DT), Texas-El Paso - 2000
44 - Brodrick Bunkley, (DT), Florida State - 2006
43 - Scott Young, (OG), BYU - 2005
42 - Tank Tyler (DT), North Carolina State - 2007
42 - Isaac Sopoaga, (DT), Hawaii - 2004
41 - Terna Nande, (OLB), Miami (OHIO) - 2006
41 - *Igor Olshansky, (DT), Oregon - 2004
40 - Zach Piller, (OT), Florida - 1999
40 - Justin Blalock (OG), Texas - 2007
40 - Manny Ramirez (OG), Texas Tech - 2007
38 - Tony Pashos, (OT), Illinois - 2003
38 - Craig Page, (C), Georgia Tech - 1999
38 - Jeff Smith, (C), Wyoming - 1999
37 - *Wayne Hunter, (OT), Hawaii - 2003
37 - *Haloti Ngata, (DT), Oregon - 2006
37 - Roberto Garza, (C), Texas AM-Kingsville - 2001
37 - Victor Leyva, (OG), Arizona State - 2001
37 - Moran Norris, (FB), Kansas - 2001
36 - Gabe Watson, (DT), Michigan - 2006
36 - *Vince Wilfork, (DT), Miami - 2004
36 - Liam Ezekiel, (ILB), Northeastern - 2005
36 - Scott Peters, (C), Arizona State - 2002
36 - Makoa Freitas, (OG), Arizona - 2003

Highest Vertical Jump
46 - Gerald Sensabaugh, (FS), North Carolina - 2005
45 1/2 - Derek Wake, (OLB), Penn State - 2005
45 - Chris McKenzie, (CB), Arizona State - 2005
45 - Chris Chambers, (WR), Wisconsin - 2001
43 1/2 - Dustin Fox, (FS), Ohio State - 2005
43 1/2 - Jay Hinton, (RB), Morgan State - 1999
43 1/2 - Kevin Kasper, (WR), Iowa - 2001
43 1/2 - Jerry Azumah, (RB), New Hampshire - 1999
43 - Scott Starks, (CB), Wisconsin - 2005
43 - Cedric James, (WR), TCU - 2001
42 1/2 - Jonathan Carter, (WR), Troy - 2001
42 1/2 - Nate Burleson, (WR), Nevada - 2003
42 1/2 - Brock Williams, (CB), Notre Dame - 2001
42 - Kerry Rhodes, (FS), Louisville - 2005
42 - Ellis Hobbs, (CB), Iowa State - 2005
42 - *William Green, (RB), Boston College - 2002
42 - *Vernon Davis, (TE), Maryland - 2006
42 - Mark Anderson, (DE), Alabama - 2006
42 - Boss Bailey, (OLB), Georgia - 2003
42 - Scott Fujita, (OLB), California - 2002
42 - Raonall Smith, (OLB), Washington State - 2002
42 - Rashad Holman, (CB), Louisville - 2001
42 - Santana Moss, (WR), Miami - 2001
42 - Pierson Prioleau, (FS), Virginia Tech - 1999
41 1/2 - Reuben Houston, (CB), Georgia Tech - 2006

Fastest 10-Yard Times
1.43 - Aundrae Allison (WR), East Carolina - 2007
1.43 - Eric Weddle (SS), Utah - 2007
1.43 - Marcus McCauley (CB), Fresno State - 2007
1.45 - Leon Hall (CB), Michigan - 2007
1.46 - Colin Branch, (FS), Stanford - 2003
1.46 - Kenny Scott (CB), Georgia Tech - 2007
1.46 - Josh Wilson (CB), Maryland - 2007
1.46 - Brandon McDonald (CB), Memphis - 2007
1.46 - *Reggie Nelson (FS), Florida - 2007
1.46 - Lorenzo Booker (RB), Florida State - 2007
1.46 - *Fabian Washington, (CB), Nebraska - 2005
1.46 - Tarell Brown (CB), Texas - 2007
1.46 - Laurent Robinson (WR), Illinois State - 2007
1.46 - Steve Smith (WR), Southern Cal - 2007
1.46 - Anthony Arline (CB), Baylor - 2007
1.47 - *Sidney Rice (WR), South Carolina - 2007
1.47 - LaRon Landry (FS), LSU - 2007
1.47 - Jay Hinton, (RB), Morgan State - 1999
1.47 - Rondel Melendez, (WR), Eastern Kentucky - 1999
1.47 - Justin Fargas, (RB), Southern Cal - 2003
1.47 - Yamon Figurs (WR), Kansas State - 2007
1.47 - DeShawn Wynn (RB), Florida - 2007
1.48 - Tim Jennings, (CB), Georgia - 2006
1.48 - Sinorice Moss, (WR), Miami - 2006
1.48 - Domonique Foxworth, (CB), Maryland - 2005
1.48 - Antwan Harris, (CB), Virginia - 2000
1.48 - *Champ Bailey, (CB), Georgia - 1999

Fastest Shuttle Times
3.73 - Kevin Kasper, (WR), Iowa - 2001
3.76 - Deion Branch, (WR), Louisville - 2002
3.78 - Dunta Robinson, (CB), South Carolina - 2004
3.79 - *Champ Bailey, (CB), Georgia - 1999
3.82 - Dante' Hall, (RB), Texas A&M - 2000
3.83 - Jason Allen, (FS), Tennessee - 2006
3.83 - Kevin Bentley, (OLB), NorthWestern - 2002
3.83 - Terence Newman, (CB), Kansas State - 2003
3.84 - Justin Beriault, (FS), Ball State - 2005
3.84 - Carlos Rogers, (CB), Auburn - 2005
3.84 - Troy Walters, (WR), Stanford - 2000
3.85 - Rashad Holman, (CB), Louisville - 2001
3.86 - Creig Spann, (WR), Arizona State - 1999
3.86 - Matt Graham, (SS), Indiana State - 1999
3.86 - Kevin Brooks, (CB), South Carolina - 1999
3.86 - Jay Hinton, (RB), Morgan State - 1999
3.86 - Kevin Johnson, (WR), Syracuse - 1999
3.86 - Jason Hebert, (FS), Rice - 2002
3.86 - Jerry Azumah, (RB), New Hampshire - 1999
3.86 - Chris Watson, (CB), Eastern Illinois - 1999
3.87 - Randy Fasani, (QB), Stanford - 2002
3.87 - Coy Wire, (SS), Stanford - 2002
3.88 - Ryan Tolhurst, (WR), Richmond - 2002
3.88 - Kevin Curtis, (FS), Texas Tech - 2002
3.88 - Kendrick Starling, (WR), San Jose State - 2004

Quickest 3 Cone Drill Times
6.45 - Sedrick Curry, (CB), Texas A&M - 2000
6.48 - Rogers Beckett, (FS), Marshall - 2000
6.49 - Carlos Rogers, (CB), Auburn - 2005
6.50 - Leon Hall (CB), Michigan - 2007
6.51 - Jon McGraw, (SS), Kansas State - 2002
6.54 - *Anthony Gonzalez (WR), Ohio State - 2007
6.56 - Ben Taylor, (ILB), Virginia Tech - 2002
6.56 - Kevin Kasper, (WR), Iowa - 2001
6.60 - Trent Gamble, (FS), Wyoming - 2000
6.60 - Marcus Griffin (SS), Texas - 2007
6.61 - Courtney Roby, (WR), Indiana - 2005
6.61 - Troy Walters, (WR), Stanford - 2000
6.61 - Marcus McCauley (CB), Fresno State - 2007
6.62 - Coy Wire, (SS), Stanford - 2002
6.62 - Dante' Hall, (RB), Texas A&M - 2000
6.62 - Johnnie Lee Higgins (WR), Texas-El Paso - 2007
6.63 - Ketric Sanford, (RB), Houston - 2000
6.63 - Matt Farmer, (WR), Air Force - 2000
6.63 - *Ben Kelly, (CB), Colorado - 2000
6.64 - Keith Brown, (RB), UCLA - 2000
6.64 - Stanford Routt, (CB), Houston - 2005
6.64 - Tye Hill, (CB), Clemson - 2006
6.64 - Demarcus Faggins, (CB), Kansas State - 2002
6.65 - Ryan Tolhurst, (WR), Richmond - 2002
6.65 - Omare Lowe, (CB), Washington - 2002
6.65 - Herb Haygood, (WR), Michigan State - 2002

No Freak for Philly

The NFL Network is reporting thet the Philadelphia Eagles will be releasing defensive end Jevon Kearse.

According to Adam Schefter, Kearse was offered a pay cut but a deal to keep him at a reduced salary could not be reached. The former All-Pro was due to earn a base salary of $6.46 million in 2008.

Sons of Ben ready to welcome soccer to Philly

By Steven Lienert
The Phanatic Magazine

Major League Soccer has no idea what it has gotten itself into.

At last year's MLS Cup final between Houston and New England at Pizza Hut Park in Washington DC, emotions ran high between fans of the Dynamo and Revolution. But there was a group of fans that were causing particular problems for New Englanders, who were being constantly reminded of their prior failures in Cup finals.

Those fans wore light blue and yellow and called themselves the Sons of Ben.

Philadelphia soccer fans.

Somewhere across the pond, soccer hooligans are worried that they're about to lose their good name.

On February 28th, when the MLS announces that Philadelphia has been awarded a team that will play in Chester, there'll be a bunch of SoB's partying the news conference away.

The 700 level is reborn.

“We are so frickin' fired up,” Bryan James, President of the Sons of Ben, said. “We hope to have at least 100 guys there on Thursday. If you come, wear light blue.”

That day will end almost a two year process of getting an expansion team here in Philadelphia.

It all began on message boards when in 2006 – about the time it seemed like the Kansas City Wizards were going to be sold. When word got out that soccer might be coming, fans came out of the woodwork only to be disappointed in the end.

However, from that emerged an already galvanized group of fans. All they needed was a team to support.

“We were able to sustain the momentum through the creation of a supporters' club,” James said. “If you are new to soccer, supporters' clubs are basically the 700 level plus songs plus flags and put right next to the pitch, usually behind a goal so they can spend one whole half ruining the opponent's keeper.”

There was a reason the 700 level wasn't near the field, and these fans may just prove why.

Getting back to last year's MLS Cup final, in which the SoBs didn't have a rooting interest because, well, they didn't have a team yet, the Sons of Ben made their presence felt in true Philadelphia style.

“We ended up taking about 90 guys down in two buses,” James said. “We wore the colors of the Philadelphia flag and ended up having our seats surrounded by New England fans. For those not familiar with the league, the Revs have lost every final they have been in. They started throwing stuff st us when we reminded them of that.”

In case there's any doubt, you can check out the craziness on YouTube.

“We were the fourth largest group of fans there that day, behind the two teams playing and the home standing DC United.”

In September, 2006, Ethan Gomberg christened the supporters' club the Sons of Ben, James worked with artist Andrew Dillon on the logo before Dave Flagler and Dan Gorman helped cap off the design.

The result was the Liberty Bell-cracked skull of Ben Franklin, complete with glasses and hair, with lightning bolts on either side and key over his head (for the electricity thing) on top of a blue and gold kite (blue and gold are the colors on the city's flag). Behind Franklin's skull is a crossed oar and sickle. All in all, pretty cool. But it probably won't stay.

Still, on the site, more than 2,500 fans have signed up for the SoBs season ticket drive, meaning soccer is here to stay.

“It's the 89th minute and we have a one-goal lead,” James said.

On their Web site it says 'We got the fans. We got the City. All we need is a team.'

Their wait seems to be coming to an end.

Eagles' Patterson arrested

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson was arrested last Saturday and charged with marijuana possession in Evesham, New Jersey, according to the Camden Courier Post.

The newspaper reported police found a vehicle on the side of the road with damage caused by a minor motor vehicle accident. They then smelled burning marijuana and found Patterson and the marijuana inside. Patterson admitted the marijuana was his.

Also inside the car was Patterson's 28-year-old brother, Tyrone, who had several outstanding warrants and resisted arrest.

Patterson, a former number one draft pick, was placed under arrest, taken into custody and charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and released pending a court appearance.

His brother was charged with resisting arrest, posted bail and was released pending a court appearance.

Flyers pick up Thoresen off waivers

By Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

The Philadelphia Flyers picked up young forward Patrick Thoresen off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers on Friday.

Thoresen has split this season between Edmonton and its American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 17 games for the Oilers, the 24- year-old collected only two goals and one assist.

In 85 NHL games over the last two seasons, both with the Oilers, Thoresen has posted six goals and 19 points.

To make room on the roster, the Flyers have returned forward Claude Giroux to his junior team, Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Giroux went scoreless in two games with Philadelphia during his brief call-up.

Four added to Phils Wall of Fame ballot

Four new Alumni are included in the 15-person Phillies Wall of Fame online ballot for 2008.

Manager Jim Fregosi, reliever Gene Garber and outfielders Doug Glanville and Greg Gross are appearing on the ballot for the first time.

For the third consecutive year, fans will again have a voice in which former Phillies player, manager or coach is selected to the team’s Wall of Fame in 2008.

Voting begins today at Phillies.com and ends at 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 21.

Fans can select their top three choices. A first-place vote is worth five points, second place three points and third place one point. The top five fan consensus choices as determined by total points will serve as the final official ballot for a special Wall of Fame Selection Committee that will choose this year’s inductee.

The 15 Phillies Alumni who appear on the online ballot are:

Pitchers: Larry Christenson, Gene Garber, Jim Konstanty*, Rick Wise
Catcher: Darren Daulton
Infielders: John Kruk, Fred Luderus*, Juan Samuel
Outfielders: Lenny Dykstra, Doug Glanville, Greg Gross, Von Hayes
Managers: Jim Fregosi, Gene Mauch*
Coach: Mike Ryan
*Deceased

Eagles sign free agent WR Childress

The Philadelphia Eagles signed wide receiver Bam Childress to a two-year contract Friday.

Childress (5-10, 185) was originally signed as an undrafted rookie by the New England Patriots in 2005. He went on to spend a majority of his first two NFL seasons on the Patriots practice squad, a unit he was a member of for the entire 2007 season. Childress has recorded five receptions for 39 yards in three career games.

The Warrensville, OH, native, was signed to the active roster for the final week of his rookie campaign, and caught three passes for 32 yards. Childress also appeared in that game as a reserve cornerback and logged five tackles against the Miami Dolphins. In 2006, he appeared in the season opener, but was released and re-signed to the practice squad later that week. Childress was again re-signed to the active roster in week 16, and played that week, only to be inactive for the regular season finale and the team’s two postseason contests.

Childress played collegiately at Ohio State from 2001-04, recording 33 receptions for 392 yards and nine kickoff returns for 159 yards. He is also a cousin of Denver cornerback Champ Bailey and Detroit linebacker Boss Bailey.

Sharks victory helps send Flyers into Atlantic Division basement

by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

Milan Michalek and Douglas Murray's third-period tallies were the difference, as San Jose sent Philadelphia to its ninth consecutive loss, 3-1, at the Wachovia Center.

Jonathan Cheechoo also scored and Joe Thornton registered a pair of assists for the Sharks, who put the brakes on a five-game losing streak.

Evgeni Nabokov made 26 stops to record his 32nd win of the season.

Mike Knuble picked up his 22nd goal of the year for the Flyers, who last suffered a similar stretch of futility during a 10-game skid from December 2-27, 2006.

Coupled with the Islanders' 1-0 win over Tampa Bay, the Flyers have slipped into last place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind New York (67-66).

Martin Biron was solid in defeat with 37 saves.

This latest setback comes on the heels of the announcement prior to the game that forward Simon Gagne has decided to sit out the remainder of the schedule due to his recovery from multiple concussions.

Gagne has not played since absorbing a hit during a February 10 game in Pittsburgh, and after consulting with concussion expert Dr. James Kelly in Colorado on Wednesday, he decided that he should not return to the ice. The 27-year-old forward had only picked up seven goals and 18 points in 25 games this season, interrupted three times due to injury.

San Jose took the lead for good 3:35 into the third, as Michalek charged into the offensive zone, crossed from right to left, and dribbled a shot past Biron.

It was 3-1 for the visitors only 42 seconds later. Murray picked up an errant pass at the left point along the boards and fired toward the net. The puck caromed off Danny Briere in front, nicked the right post and rippled the net before Biron could adjust.

Any Flyer comeback hopes were squashed when Knuble was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking with 3:28 left in the contest. The Sharks completed the game with a two-man advantage but Biron kept San Jose from inflicting further damage.

Cheechoo put the Sharks on the board with a little more than four minutes to play in the first, burying a wrister off a dish from Thornton.

After killing off a penalty late in the second period, the Flyers tied the game with less than six seconds remaining as Knuble finished off a 3-on-1 by slamming home a feed by Mike Richards. Stefan Ruzicka began the rush in transition, dished over to Richards in the right circle, who then fired across to Knuble for a blazing one-timer.

Holmgren, Gagne react to concussion situation

by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren and forward Simon Gagne addressed the concerns around Gagne's health in a press conference on Thursday.

Gagne was advised on Wednesday to sit out the remainder of the season and any potential playoff rounds, a little more than a week after suffering his third concussion of the year.

"They don't believe it was three different concussions, but that every time I was hit in the head, it came back from the first time," said Gagne about his consultation with concussion expert Dr. James Kelly and his staff in Colorado.

Gagne originally expressed hope that he'd return to the lineup at some point, despite suffering his third concussion in five months in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 10.

"The best course of action is to take this time to basically relax, Gagne said. "I'm done. I don't think I will be back this year. I don't feel myself now, I get dizzy, off-balance."

The 27-year-old Gagne, who didn't play the final two periods against the Pens, missed 26 games earlier this season with dizziness after taking a hit from Florida's Jay Bouwmeester on October 24.

The 22nd overall selection in the 1998 draft, Gagne has seven goals and 11 assists in 25 games this season. But the story has now taken a dramatic shift, as he becomes the latest member of the Flyers to deal with the fallout of multiple concussions.

Former superstar Eric Lindros, who retired last fall, was among the most notable. Flyers captain Keith Primeau also saw his career come to an abrupt halt in 2006 because of post-concussion syndrome, and Jeremy Roenick suffered a number of concussions with the Flyers, but has been able to resume his career, now skating for the San Jose Sharks.

"I don't think we want to go down that road," Holmgren said when questioned about the team's handling of the situation in light of past experience with Lindros and others. "Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We did what we did."

Gagne has collected 208 goals and 202 assists in 527 career games, all with Philadelphia.

"The effects of the concussions that he's had have left him in a position of vulnerability, and we feel it's best right now that he recover," admitted Holmgren. "Because of the unknowns of concussions, we're just going to be very careful. We think he is a fantastic player, an elite one for our franchise."

Soul waives six players

The Philadelphia Soul trimmed their roster to 31 players Thursday, waiving six players.

The club released wide receivers Scottie Vines and J.J. Outlaw; defensive back Reggie Lewis; linebackers Raheem Orr and Larry Kendrick; and defensive lineman Ryan LaCasse.

Outlaw was a local standout at Villanova, while LaCasse received a Super Bowl ring with the Indianapolis Colts and Lewis was on the Florida Gators national championship team two years ago.