#Jahri Evans

[ihkostwrttemberg]

Eli Manning, Adam Vinatieri und Antonio Gates gehören zu den 15 Finalisten der Neuzeit für den Pro Football Hall of Fame-Jahrgang 2025

Eli Manning, Steve Smith Sr., Adam Vinatieri, Antonio Gates und Torry Holt gehören zu den 15 Finalisten des Wettbewerbs. Spielerkategorie der Neuzeit für die Pro Football Hall of Fame-Klasse von 2025. Von den 15 Namen waren neun Spieler (Gates, Holt, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Fred Taylor, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson) Finalisten für die Klasse 2024. Manning,…

[nosdk]

Jahri Evans blandt 15 til årets Hall Of Fame klasse

New Orleans Saints Jahri Evans er blandt de femten spillere, som skal kan blive valgt til dette års Hall of Fame klasse. Jahri Evans Cornerback Eric Allen, som spillede for Saints fra 1995 til 1997 er også blandt årets finalister. De udvalgte annonceres den 6. februar 2025, når NFL Honors bliver sendt fra Saenger Theatre i New Orleans. Herunder kan alle finalisterne ses. Eric Allen,…

[the-football-chick]

Week 9 Final - Both the Ravens and Packers are 5-5 on the season, but the Packers are definitely trending down, having lost 4 of their last 5 games after star QB Aaron Rodgers went down with a collarbone injury. The last time the Pack were shutout at home: 2006. Even though the Ravens won big, it’s clear they still have some struggles on offense.

via IG:packers

[skaiapentertainment]

Blast From The Past Development Listing

?= On the fence

↑= On the fence about moving them up

↓= On the fence about moving them down

Quarterbacks

SF Alex Smith, 22 yrs, Star 

ARI Kurt Warner, 35 yrs, Superstar

SEA Matt Hasselbeck, 31 yrs, Star

LAC Philip Rivers, 25 yrs, Superstar

CIN Carson Palmer, 27 yrs, Star

BAL Steve McNair, 33 yrs, Star

PIT Ben Roethlisberger, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Brick Wall)

GB Brett Favre, 37 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Bazooka)

GB Aaron Rodgers, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Gambler)

NYG Eli Manning, 25 yrs, Star

PHI Donovan McNabb, 30 yrs, Superstar

DAL Drew Bledsoe, 34 yrs, Star

DAL Tony Romo, 26 yrs, Star

NE Tom Brady, 29 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Pro Reads)

NO Drew Brees, 27 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Fearless)

ATL Michael Vick, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (First One Free)

TEN Vince Young, 23 yrs, Star ? ↓

IND Peyton Manning, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Pro Reads)

Runningbacks 

SF Frank Gore, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Wrecking Ball)

ARI Edgerrin James, 28 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

LAR Steven Jackson, 23 yrs, Superstar

LAR Marshall Faulk, 32 yrs, Star

SEA Shaun Alexander, 29 yrs, Superstar

KC Larry Johnson, 27 yrs, Star

LAC Michael Turner, 24 yrs, Star

LAC Darren Sproles, 23 yrs, Star

LAC LaDanian Tomlinson, 27 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (First One Free)

BAL Jamal Lewis, 27 yrs, Superstar

GB Ahmad Green, 29 yrs, Star

NYG Tiki Barber, 31 yrs, Superstar

PHI Brian Westbrook, 27 yrs, Star

WAS Clinton Portis, 25 yrs, Star

NYJ Curtis Martin, 33 yrs, Star

NE Corey Dillon, 32 yrs, Star

BUF Willis McGahee, 25 yrs, Star

CAR DeAngelo Williams, 23 yrs, Star

ATL Warrick Dunn, 31 yrs, Star

JAX Fred Taylor, 30 yrs, Star

JAX Maurice Jones-Drew, 21 yrs, Superstar

Fullbacks

SEA Mack Strong, 35 yrs, Star

LAC Lorenzo Neal, 36 yrs, Superstar

TB Mike Alstott, 33 yrs, Star

Wide Receivers

ARI Larry Fitzgerald, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

ARI Anquan Boldin, 26 yrs, Superstar

LAR Torry Holt, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Rac ‘Em Up)

LAR Isaac Bruce, 34 yrs, Superstar

DEN Rod Smith, 36 yrs, Star

DEN Brandon Marshall, 22 yrs, Superstar

OAK Randy Moss, 29 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Double Me)

LAC Vincent Jackson, 23 yrs, Star

CIN Chad Johnson, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Rac ‘Em Up)

BAL Derrick Mason, 32 yrs, Star

PIT Hines Ward, 30 yrs, Superstar ? ↑

GB Donald Driver, 31 yrs, Star

GB Greg Jennings, 23 yrs, Star

NYG Plaxico Burress, 29 yrs, Star

WAS Santana Moss, 27 yrs, Star

DAL Terrell Owens, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Double Me)

MIA Wes Welker, 25 yrs, Superstar

NE Deion Branch, 27 yrs, Star

TB Joey Galloway, 35 yrs, Star

NO Joe Horn, 34 yrs, Star

ATL Roddy White, 25 yrs, Superstar

HOU Andre Johnson, 25 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Double Me)

IND Marvin Harrison, 34 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Rac ‘Em Up)

IND Reggie Wayne, 28 yrs, Superstar

Tight Ends

SF Vernon Davis, 22 yrs, Star ? ↑

SF Delaine Walker, 22 yrs, Star

KC Tony Gonzalez, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

LAC Antonio Gates, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

BAL Todd Heap, 26 yrs, Star

PIT Heath Miller, 24 yrs, Star

NYG Jeremy Shockey, 26 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

WAS Chris Cooley, 24 yrs, Star

DAL Jason Witten, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Max Security)

ATL Alge Crumpler, 29 yrs, Star

HOU Owen Daniels, 24 yrs, Star

IND Dallas Clark, 27 yrs, Star

Tackles

ARI Leonard Davis, 28 yrs, Star

LAR Orlando Pace, 31 yrs, Superstar

SEA Walter Jones, 32 yrs, Superstar

KC Willie Roaf, 36 yrs, Superstar

CIN Andrew Whitworth, 25 yrs, Superstar

CIN Willie Anderson, 31 yrs, Superstar

BAL Jonathan Ogden, 32 yrs, Superstar

GB Chad Clifton, 30 yrs, Star

PHI Tra Thomas, 32 yrs, Star

WAS Chris Samuels, 29 yrs, Superstar

DAL Flozell Adams, 29 yrs, Superstar

NYJ D’Brickshaw Ferguson, 23 yrs, Star

NE Matt Light, 28 yrs, Superstar

BUF Jason Peters, 24 yrs, Superstar

NO Jammal Brown, 25 yrs, Star

CAR Jordan Gross, 26 yrs, Star

TEN Michael Roos, 24 yrs, Star

IND Tarik Glenn, 30 yrs, Star

Guards

SF Larry Allen, 35 yrs, Superstar

LAR Richie Incognito, 23 yrs, Star

KC Will Shields, 35 yrs, Superstar

KC Brian Waters, 29 yrs, Superstar

LAC Kris Dielman, 25 yrs, Star

PIT Alan Faneca, 30 yrs, Superstar

DET Damien Woody, 29 yrs, Star

CHI Ruben Brown, 34 yrs, Star

MIN Steve Hutchinson, 29 yrs, Superstar

NYG Chris Snee, 24 yrs, Star

PHI Shawn Andrews, 24 yrs, Star

DAL Marco Rivera, 34 yrs, Star

NE Logan Mankins, 24 yrs, Superstar

TB Davin Joseph, 23 yrs, Star

NO Jahri Evans, 23 yrs, Superstar

CAR Evan Mathis, 25 yrs, Star

Centers

SF Jeremy Newberry, 30 yrs, Star

DEN Chris Myers, 25 yrs, Star

DEN Tom Nalen, 35 yrs, Star

CLE LeCharles Bentley, 27 yrs, Star

PIT Jeff Hartings, 34 yrs, Star

CHI Olin Kreutz, 29 yrs, Superstar

MIN Matt Birk, 30 yrs, Star 

NYG Shaun O’hara, 29 yrs, Star

DAL Andre Gurode, 28 yrs, Star

NYJ Nick Mangold, 22 yrs, Superstar

NE Dan Koppen, 27 yrs, Star

TEN Kevin Mawae, 35 yrs, Superstar

IND Jeff Saturday, 31 yrs, Superstar

Edge

SF Bryant Young, 34 yrs, Star

ARI Bertrand Berry, 31 yrs, Star

LAR Leonard Little, 32 yrs, Star

SEA Julian Peterson, 28 yrs, Superstar

KC Jared Allen, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

KC Tamba Hali, 23 yrs, Superstar

DEN Elvis Dumervil, 22 yrs, Superstar

OAK Derrick Burgess, 28 yrs, Star

LAC Shaun Phillips, 25 yrs, Star

BAL Terrell Suggs, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

BAL Adalius Thomas, 29 yrs, Star

CLE Willie McGinest, 35 yrs, Star

PIT James Harrison, 28 yrs, Superstar

PIT Joey Porter, 29 yrs, Superstar

GB Aaron Kampman, 27 yrs, Star

GB Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilia, 29 yrs, Star

NYG Michael Strahan, 35 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Fearmonger)

NYG Justin Tuck, 23 yrs, Star

NYG Osi Umenyiora, 25 yrs, Superstar

PHI Jeveon Kearse, 30 yrs, Star

PHI Trent Cole, 24 yrs, Star

DAL DeMarcus Ware, 24 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

NYJ Shaun Ellis, 29 yrs, Star

MIA Jason Taylor, 32 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

MIA Kevin Carter, 33 yrs, Star

BUF Aaron Schobel, 29 yrs, Star

TB Simeon Rice, 32 yrs, Superstar

NO Will Smith, 25 yrs, Star

CAR Julius Peppers, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

ATL John Abraham, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

ATL Patrick Kerney, 30 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

TEN Kyle Vanden Bosch, 28 yrs, Star

HOU Jason Babin, 26 yrs, Star

HOU Mario Williams, 21 yrs, Superstar

IND Dwight Freeney, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Unstoppable Force)

IND Robert Mathis, 25 yrs, Superstar ? ↑

Defensive Tackles

ARI Darnell Dockett, 25 yrs, Star

LAR La’Roi Glover, 32 yrs, Superstar

OAK Warren Sapp, 34 yrs, Superstar

LAC Jamal Williams, 30 yrs, Superstar

CIN Justin Smith, 27 yrs, Superstar

CIN Sam Adams, 33 yrs, Star

BAL Haloti Ngata, 22 yrs, Superstar

CLE Ted Washington, 38 yrs, Star

PIT Casey Hampton, 29 yrs, Star

DET Shaun Rogers, 26 yrs, Star

CHI Tommie Harris, 23 yrs, Star

MIN Pat Williams, 34 yrs, Star

MIN Kevin Williams, 26 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

NE Richard Seymour, 27 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

NE Vince Wilfork, 25 yrs, Superstar

BUF Kyle Williams, 23 yrs, Superstar

CAR Kris Jenkins, 27 yrs, Superstar

ATL Roderick Coleman, 30 yrs, Star

TEN Albert Haynesworth, 25 yrs, Star

TEN Randy Starks, 23 yrs, Star

JAX John Henderson, 27 yrs, Star

JAX Marcus Stroud, 28 yrs, Star

Linebackers

ARI Karlos Dansby, 25 yrs, Star

LAR Dexter Coakley, 34 yrs, Star ? ↓

SEA Lofa Tatupu, 24 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

KC Derrick Johnson, 24 yrs, Superstar

DEN Al Wilson, 29 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

BAL Bart Scott, 26 yrs, Star

BAL Ray Lewis, 31 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

CLE D’Qwell Jackson, 23 yrs, Star

PIT James Farrior, 31 yrs Star

CHI Brian Urlacher, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

CHI Lance Briggs, 26 yrs, Superstar

MIN Chad Greenway, 23 yrs, Star

NYG Lavar Arrington, 28 yrs, Star

PHI Jeremiah Trotter, 29 yrs, Superstar ? ↓

NYJ Jonathan Vilma, 24 yrs, Star

MIA Zack Thomas, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

NE Mike Vrabel, 31 yrs, Star

NE Tedy Bruschi, 33 yrs, Star

BUF Takeo Spikes, 30 yrs, Star

BUF London Fletcher, 31 yrs, Superstar

TB Derrick Brooks, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Run Stuffer)

CAR Thomas Davis, 23 yrs, Superstar

ATL Keith Brooking, 31 yrs, Star

HOU DeMeco Ryans, 22 yrs, Star

Corners

ARI Antrell Rolle, 24 yrs, Star

KC Patrick Surtain, 30 yrs, Star

DEN Champ Bailey, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Shutdown)

OAK Nnamdi Asomugha, 25 yrs, Superstar

LAC Antonio Cromartie, 22 yrs, Superstar

CIN Deltha O’Neal, 29 yrs, Star

CIN Johnathan Joseph, 22 yrs, Star

BAL Chris McAlister, 29 yrs, Superstar

BAL Samari Rolle, 30 yrs, Star

PIT Ike Taylor, 26 yrs, Star

DET Dre’ Bly, 29 yrs, Star

CHI Charles Tillman, 25 yrs, Star

MIN Antoine Winfield, 29 yrs, Star

GB Charles Woodson, 30 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Zone Hawk)

GB Al Harris, 32 yrs, Star

NYG Sam Madison, 32 yrs, Superstar

PHI Lito Shepard, 25 yrs, Star

DAL Terrence Newman, 28 yrs, Star

NE Asante Samuel, 25 yrs, Superstar

BUF Nate Clements, 27 yrs, Star

TB Ronde Barber, 31 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Shutdown)

ATL DeAngelo Hall, 23 yrs, Star

TEN Adam Jones, 23 yrs, Star

JAX Rashean Mathis, 26 yrs, Star

Safeties 

SF Mike Adams, 25 yrs, Star 

ARI Adrian Wilson, 27 yrs, Superstar

DEN John Lynch, 35 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement) ? ↓

BAL Ed Reed, 28 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Zone Hawk)

PIT Troy Polamalu, 25 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

MIN Darren Sharper, 31 yrs, Superstar

GB Nick Collins, 23 yrs, Star

PHI Brian Dawkins, 33 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

WAS Sean Taylor, 23 yrs, Superstar X-Factor (Reinforcement)

DAL Roy Williams, 26 yrs, Superstar

NE Rodney Harrison, 34 yrs, Star ? ↑

BUF Donte Whitner, 21 yrs, Star

NO Roman Harper, 24 yrs, Star

ATL Lawyer Milloy, 32 yrs, Star

IND Bob Sanders, 25 yrs, Superstar

Kickers

ARI Neil Rackers, 30 yrs, Star

OAK Sebastian Janikowski, 28 yrs, Star

LAC Nate Kaeding, 24 yrs, Star

BAL Matt Stover, 38 yrs, Star

CLE Phil Dawson, 31 yrs, Star

CHI Robbie Gould, 24 yrs, Star

PHI David Akers, 32 yrs, Superstar

DAL Mike Vanderjakt, 36 yrs, Star

NE Stephen Gostkowski, 22 yrs, Star

TB Matt Bryant, 31 yrs, Star

Punters

SF Andy Lee, 24 yrs, Superstar

KC Dustin Colquitt, 24 yrs, Star

OAK Shane Lechler, 30 yrs, Superstar

DAL Mat McBriar, 27 yrs, Star

BUF Brian Mooreman, 30 yrs, Superstar

[nflfanpointii]

Reggie Bush, Marques Colston headline stellar Saints Hall of Fame Class of 2019

Marques Colston and Reggie Bush traveled divergent paths to the New Orleans Saints, arriving in the 2006 NFL Draft with vastly different pedigrees and expectations.

The Heisman Trophy winner out of traditional West Coast superpower Southern Cal, Bush was one of the most celebrated and decorated players in college football history and the Saints gleefully selected him with the second overall pick in that year’s NFL Draft.

Colston, meanwhile, was a complete unknown out of Hofstra, a tiny FCS school with such a meager football profile it disbanded the program in 2009. When the Saints called Colston’s name with the fourth-to-last pick in the 255-player draft, even hard-core fans were wondering “Who Dat?”

Despite their disparate paths, Bush and Colston each enjoyed spectacularly successful careers in New Orleans and left the Saints as Super Bowl champions and beloved heroes.

And 13 years after they arrived as bookend members of the famed 2006 draft class, the pair of offensive playmakers will enter the Saints Hall of Fame together this fall as members of the Hall’s Class of 2019.

“I’m just truly humbled to be on this stage and to be a part of this Hall of Fame with so many other great players,” Colston said before an overflow crowd at the Saints training facility that included, among others, Saints owner Gayle Benson and assistant coaches Pete Carmichael and Curtis Johnson. “When you come into the league as a seventh-round pick something like this isn’t really on your radar.”

Former Gov. Kathleen Blanco joined the star-studded class as the recipient of the Joe Gemelli Fleur de Lis Award for her off-field contributions to the club, spearheading the post-Katrina renovation of the Superdome.

The induction ceremony for the Class of 2019 will take place during the weekend of Oct. 25-27, when the Saints play host to the Arizona Cardinals at the Superdome.

“This is extraordinary,” said Blanco, who is battling ocular melanoma, a rare form of incurable eye cancer. “I’m very proud to feel like I’m a family member of the Saints now.”

Colston and Bush were the bookend selections of Coach Sean Payton’s first draft class and formed the core of the club’s eventual Super Bowl championship team in 2009. The eight-man class featured six players that would enjoy 10-plus-year careers in the NFL: Bush; Colston; Roman Harper; Jahri Evans; Rob Ninkovich; and Zach Strief.

“That draft class became so necessary to achieve what we wanted to achieve,” Payton said. “They were the pillars essentially to what we were going to build.”

In 10 seasons with the Saints, Colston set club records for career receptions (711), yards (9,759) and touchdowns (72). His 28 100-yard receiving games are tied for first in club history. All 72 of his touchdowns came on passes from Drew Brees, making the duo the sixth-most prolific combination in scoring pass plays in NFL history.

“He had excellent hands,” Payton said of Colston. “The consistency. The professionalism. You knew exactly what you were going to get from him every day.”

Bush, meanwhile, was one of the most dynamic big-play threats in franchise history. During his five seasons with the Saints from 2006 to 2010, he recorded 4,982 all-purpose yards and scored 33 touchdowns. He rushed for 2,090 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 294 passes for 2,142 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also returned five punts for touchdowns, including an 83-yarder to seal a 45-14 win against Arizona in the 2009 NFC divisional playoffs.

“That Super Bowl season was just an amazing run and an amazing time for the city,” Bush said. “New Orleans is home away from home for me. I couldn’t be happier to go into the Saints Hall of Fame with Colston.”

Blanco, 78, served as the state’s first and only female governor from 2004 to 2008. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, she lobbied the state legislature to approve funding for repairs to the stadium and helped fast-track the construction process, allowing the team to return to its home stadium for the 2006 season. The lobby of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was named in her honor during a Jan. 13 ceremony before the Saints’ NFC divisional playoff game against Philadelphia.

In 2011, Blanco was diagnosed with eye cancer that recently spread to her liver. She received hospice care in her Lafayette home in April but has felt well enough in recent weeks to start traveling again.

“This is a highlight of my life, the last thing that I would ever have imagined,” Blanco said. “This is quite a memory marker for us, for me and my family. I do have a lot of challenges ahead of me, but I’m going to plan to be here in October.”

[eagles]

Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas among Hall of Fame semifinalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the list of 28 semifinalists who will continue to be considered for election to the Hall next year. The group includes five candidates who are in their first year of eligibility.  Cornerback Darrelle Revis, tackle Joe Thomas, defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker James Harrison, and guard Jahri Evans [more] from Philadelphia Eagles – ProFootballTalk https://ift.tt/0hn5bjZ via IFTTT

[thenfl]

New Orleans Saints: Saints legend Jahri Evans is working as a coaching intern for the Saints during ...

rawchili.com

[nosdk]

Jahri Evans bliver søndag introduceret i Ring of Honor

Den tidligere New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans bliver optaget i klubbens “Ring of Honor” søndag den 17. november under en ceremoni i pausen af holdets kamp mod Cleveland Browns. Saints ejer Gayle Benson og et væsentligt antal af Evans’ tidligere holdkammerater, der deltager i holdets årlige “Legends Weekend”, vil være til stede ved optagelsen. “Det er fantastisk at blive udvalgt til at være…

[bloomsburgu]

Keeping Husky Athletes Fit

By Tom McGuire, director of media relations and content strategy

‘When you start a job, make sure you do something to leave the place better than you found it’ were guiding words for Joe Hazzard during his 31-year career at Bloomsburg University. The exercise science faculty member, who retires this August, fondly recalls the advice from his mentor, Steve Heckler of Shippensburg University, gave to him as a graduate student.

Hazzard was the youngest head trainer in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference when he was hired at BU in 1989 at the age 26. Since then, Hazzard not only set high standards for himself, but later on, for the students he taught in the classroom as a member of the exercise science department and with the Institute for Concussion Research and Services he helped to establish and guide.

“Bloomsburg University gave me a chance to make a difference in concussion assessment and to show how to safely participate in sport at a time when sports participation was being looked upon negatively by many individuals,” says Hazzard. “The Institute for Concussion Research was part of the largest national concussion research project ever under taken. It put BU on the map along with 29 other schools. It was a real privilege for me to be part of it.”

A native of Shippensburg, Hazzard, who participated in athletics as a high school student, graduated from Salem University in West Virginia. As a young student teacher, an assignment to oversee a kindergarten gym class provided a key career lesson. “I quickly realized that I did not enjoy teaching young children and there had to be a better way to make a living,” says Hazzard.

After earning a master’s degree at Shippensburg and a year working in north Jersey, Hazzard joined the Huskies as an athletic trainer.

“It was great working with our student-athletes. They were always fun to be around and it was a pleasure to see them be successful on and off the field,” Hazzard says. “Plus, I got to work with some outstanding coaches like Jan Hutchinson and Danny Hale. Both of them are just great people and to be part of the success they enjoyed cannot be measured.”

Former Huskies quarterback Eric Miller ‘01, a four-year starter and a standout on the team that went to the NCAA title game in 2000, says Hazzard always had the best interest of the athletes in mind.

“Joe was a straight shooter and didn’t sugar coat anything,” Miller says. “If he said you had to sit out because of an injury, you sat out, no questions asked.  There was no trying to convince him otherwise.”

“He really had incredible camaraderie with all of the players, said Miller. “He always had a smile on his face and he was one of our biggest fans as well, very supportive.”

One of Hazzard’s most impactful days as a trainer came in 2000 when his quick work to stabilize former BU football player Juney Barnett ’02 M’03 who had taken a big hit in game, probably saved Barnett’s life.

“Every time I see Juney his greeting is the same every single time. He hugs me and says, ‘thank you for saving my life’! What's not cool about that when you’re are just doing your job like any other day.”

While Hazzard was enjoying his work as an athletic trainer, he had a bigger goal in mind. “It took me 10 years, but I was able to earn my Ph.D. from Temple University,” says Hazzard. And just like he did from the training room, Hazzard impacted students in a positive way in the classroom.

“Dr. Hazzard was my adviser when I was a student,” said former NFL great Jahri Evans ‘08 at his 2018 BU Athletic Hall of Fame induction. “My first year was a struggle with lots of science classes, labs and all the football. But he helped me navigate the process and I can’t thank him enough for all his guidance.

“I’ve had the pleasure of going back to many Bloomsburg football games over the last 20 years and reconnecting with Joe at the games, and it was fun to catch up with him and reminisce about the experiences we shared.”

For Hazzard, the next phase of his life is yet to be decided, but make no mistake, he will follow the advice given to him long ago, just like he did at Bloomsburg for more than three decades.

“I want to feel I am leaving BU better than I found it and that is gratifying.”

[fyeahgopackgo]

2017 Packers roster

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley

RB: Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, Devante Mays

FB: Aaron Ripkowski

WR: Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis

TE: Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Richard Rodgers

OL: Corey Linsley, Don Barclay, Justin McCray, Lucas Patrick, Lane Taylor, Jahri Evans, David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Spriggs, Kyle Murphy

DL: Mike Daniels, Dean Lowry, Ricky Jean Francois, Montravius Adams, Kenny Clark, Christian Ringo

LB: Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas, Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell

CB: Davon House, Kevin King, Quinten Rollins, Damarious Randall, Josh Hawkins, LaDarius Gunter, Lenzy Pipkins

S: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, Kentrell Brice, Josh Jones, Marwin Evans

K: Mason Crosby

P: Justin Vogel

LS: Brett Goode

Reserve/PUP: OLB Vince Biegel, Demetri Goodson

Reserve/Injured: FB Joe Kerridge, LB David Talley

Reserve/Suspended: WR Geronimo Allison

[nflfanpointii]

The NFL’s offensive line problem has bypassed New Orleans

A range of issues from the 2011 CBA to college football trends has made a big problem for most teams, but not the Saints.

It’s no secret that the NFL has an offensive line problem. Points scored are declining and sacks are going up. Star quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Marcus Mariota, and Carson Wentz are seeing their seasons cut short with ugly injuries. The evolution of offensive line play - not just in-season, but the year-round training these athletes go through to prepare for it - fascinates me, so here’s my attempt at getting to the roots of this problem and examining how the New Orleans Saints have managed to defy them.

The 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

I’m sure we all remember the 2011 offseason fondly. Drew Brees signed a new contract extension after prolonged negotiations with Mickey Loomis over the franchise tag, owners locked out their players from team facilities, and Bountygate wasn’t even a thought in our minds. Rodger Goodell was an uninspiring annoyance, not yet an out-of-his-depth villain.

Anyway, that summer revolved around the NFL Players Association’s agreement to a new CBA. A big victory for player safety was reduced practice time and intensity, limiting in-season work to 14 padded sessions and whittling time before training camp down to a few weekends of padless minicamps. The Los Angeles Rams conducted a study that found it takes players about three years to log as much practice time as they experienced in a single year under the old CBA.

That’s effected no position group greater than offensive line. Every other position can get work in without much contact - quarterbacks and receivers can rehearse timing on route combinations, defensive linemen can run through bag and hoop drills, linebackers and defensive backs can run themselves ragged, etc. But offensive linemen require more hands-on time than any other group from coaches to refine and develop their technique. With limited hours to meet with their coaches, more and more players are investing time and money to privately hone their craft.

Extracurricular Training

One popular facility is the invite-only L.Bentley O-line Performance Center in Chandler, Arizona. Founded in 2008 by former Ohio State Buckeyes All-American and Saints Pro Bowlcenter LeCharles Bentley, the facility emphasizes skills that specifically help linemen. Per the facility’s website, Bentley pursued an education in sports medicine after his pro career and “holds certifications in strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, FMS, Fascial Stretch Therapy and Olympic weightlifting.” Saints Pro Bowler guard Larry Warford is one of his top clients.

It’s not just about different weight lifting exercises. Bentley’s innovation extends to equipment on the field: his facility offers redesigned drive sleds that more-closely mimic the movement of run-blocking and a unique kick board to strengthen balance in a kick-slide for pass-protection, among other teaching tools. They even preach the importance of nutrition with suggestions for film room snacks - raw fruits high in antioxidants like cherries and blueberries are high on Bentley’s list. Gone are the days of linemen eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s every night to round out their 7,000 calories for the day.

Private consultants like Duke Manyweather are also flourishing. Manyweather previously worked with Bentley as his Director of Player Personnel before spinning off independently, with Saints left tackle Terron Armstead signing up as his latest client. It seems like more and more fresh faces are getting into the field every day, and that shouldn’t stop any time soon considering whether the NFL position coaches are up to the task; Tom Cable’s attempts at getting Russell Wilson killed turned into a job with Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders.

Changing College Prospects

There’s been much ink spilled on how unprepared offensive line prospects are coming out of college. There’s some merit to this, but not to the extent it’s often reported. Sure, the pace of play and run-pass balance have shifted dramatically - college linemen are asked to contact opponents less-frequently than ever, demanding a different body type. New-age linemen are leaner and taller than in the past, asked to reach and pull rather than square up and lean into an opponent.

That’s a problem for position coaches who haven’t been asked to teach before. They’re used to ready-made products, so-called “safe picks” early in the draft who can plug into a lineup and play immediately. Instead, they’re getting guys who haven’t been trained to emphasize success through contact and who are entering league underweight (see Saints like Armstead and Cameron Tom) or carrying too much bad weight (Andrus Peat).

However, talent is there to be found. The Senior Bowl looked far and wide to get the best prospects into Mobile, Alabama back in February to audition for NFL teams. Top schools like Michigan, Iowa, Clemson, and Oregon sent as many prospects as Maine, Appalachian State, West Georgia, Humboldt State, North Carolina A&T, and Idaho State. A guy from Wagner got drafted in the sixth round.

So what’s next? And how are the Saints getting around it?

In summary: NFL offensive lines are increasingly populated by young players who aren’t finished growing into their bodies. They’re still learning how to best take care of themselves and perform at the highest level. With slimmed-down practice time, they’re increasingly looking to private training to get through the offseason - and picking up newer, often smarter techniques along the way. As the pro game continues to evolve and pick up from the collegiate level, look for those trends to continue. Someday soon the NFL will be almost as fast-paced and pass-driven as any Pac-12 or Big Ten contest.

As for the Saints, much credit can be given into the long-term investments made along the offensive line. Position coach Dan Roushar has worked the unit since 2016, initially starting with running backs and tight ends in 2013. Before that he coached Le’Veon Bell and the Michigan State Spartans offensive line for six years, having moved up from smaller programs since 1984. His wealth of experience at different levels of football clearly played a part in the Saints fielding the NFL’s best offensive line in 2018 as they dealt with injuries at every position.

On the personnel side, a bedrock laid by Zach Strief, Jahri Evans, and Max Unger turned into fertile ground for newcomers like Armstead, Peat, and Ryan Ramczyk. It’s not quite the bludgeoning front once commanded by Evans and Carl Nicks, but the Saints offense still often goes as far as the line takes them.

2019 brings new challenges. Jermon Bushrod returns after underwhelming tours with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Underrated Senio Kelemete left for a starting gig for the Houston Texans. Rick Leonard is a rookie out of Florida State that puzzles many analysts, though it looks like the Saints see him as an undeveloped athlete with great size and explosion scores they can build from scratch. Another rookie, Will Clapp out of LSU, will be competing with second-year Southern Mississippi product Cameron Tom for the second-string center job. The Saints have deflected many of the troubles plaguing lines around the league before. We’ll see soon if they can do it again.

[junker-town]

You can make a dang good NFL all-star team from non-FBS alums

Some NFL legends have taken the path from unheralded recruit to small-school prospect to big-league stardom.

Being a five-star recruit won’t guarantee you a spot in the NFL, but it certainly makes it a little easier to get there. Playing for a powerhouse Power 5 program can turn you into a household name and inundate scouts with plenty of opportunities to study your game. A blue-chip pedigree can also help teams overlook a lackluster college career in hopes of banking on the unknown quantity of untapped potential.

But NFL rosters don’t solely consist of can’t-miss high school stars. Some of the league’s best players were under-appreciated teenagers who never earned the adoration of scouts or collegiate assistant coaches. There are several standouts who played their college ball in front of small or disinterested crowds before overcoming the odds and earning a spot in the pros. In fact, you could probably put together a pretty good all-star team filled with them.

Let’s do that. Let’s say you had to make a team of all the best NFL players who were enrolled from non-FBS colleges from 1978 onward — the year the NCAA split Division I into I-A and I-AA distinctions that would later become the FBS and FCS, respectively. How would it look? How many Hall of Famers would you find?

It turns out, a whole bunch. I padded out the depth chart with a handful of backups for the especially solid positions — settling with 22 players wasn’t an option thanks to the level of talent the NCAA’s lower levels have pumped into the league.

Here’s that slightly unbalanced but totally stacked roster of non-FBS programs.

QB: Kurt Warner, Northern Iowa Phil Simms, Morehead State

Warner’s Hall of Fame career was built on his ability to revive both the Rams and Cardinals en route to Super Bowl appearances at each stop. That journey began in Cedar Falls, Iowa, as a single-year starter for Northern Iowa, weaved through various low-level feeder leagues like the NFL Europe and Arena Football League, and eventually landed in St. Louis as a lottery ticket backup. This crooked path to greatness put him ahead of a host of other celebrated names among the least-lauded high school passers.

Simms gets tabbed for backup duty after a pair of NFL championships in a Giants career that seems downright quaint when stacked up against the high-powered offenses of the 2010s. Only seven times had passers ever thrown for 4,000+ yards in a season when he pulled off that feat (along with Neil Lomax and Dan Marino) in 1984. As of 2019, it’s been done 175 times.

Check out the list of also-rans:

Ken Anderson, Augustana

Steve McNair, Alcorn State

Tony Romo, Eastern Illinois

Rich Gannon, Delaware

Joe Flacco, Delaware (after starting at Pittsburgh)

Ron Jaworski, Youngstown State

Ken O’Brien, Cal-Davis

And that doesn’t even count 2019 starters like Jimmy Garoppolo or Carson Wentz. Good QBs can come from anywhere.

WR: Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State Terrell Owens, Tennessee-Chattanooga Andre Reed, Kutztown

Rice is the greatest NFL player to come out of the now-FCS, then I-AA after the 1978 split. One of the few receivers even in his orbit statistically is Owens, who managed to be a longtime game-changer both on and off the field. Reed, the third Hall of Famer in the bunch, was a force in the early 90s and part of the Bills’ fearsome offensive Cerberus alongside Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas.

There are even a couple of stellar backups available. Jackson State’s Jimmy Smith had nine seasons in which he had more than 1,000 receiving yards, but he was largely underrated as he toiled away for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Alcorn State’s Donald Driver rose up from the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft to account for more than 10,000 receiving yards for the Packers.

RB: Terrell Davis, Long Beach State (kinda) Brian Westbrook, Villanova David Johnson, Northern Iowa

Tailback is one of the thinner positions culled from these ranks, but if we cheat a little we can still find a Hall of Fame veteran. Davis started his college career at Long Beach State, then wound up at Georgia after the school discontinued its football program. Otherwise, you’re looking at the ultra-versatile Westbrook to hold down the top spot on the depth chart.

Behind him is a useful receiving threat who can also churn out yardage on the ground, though Johnson’s spot on the team is dependent on proving he’s more than just a one-season wonder after failing to follow up on his breakout 2016 in Arizona.

FB: Larry Centers, Stephen F. Austin

Centers, who played from 1990 to 2003, was ahead of his time as a pass-catching dynamo out of the backfield who could also pick up blitzes in a pinch. If he came to the NFL two decades later, he’d be a perennial Pro Bowler. Instead, he only went three times, which is still pretty good.

TE: Shannon Sharpe, Savannah State Ben Coates, Livingstone

Two of the top pass catchers of the 90s each make the team, just in case we end up throwing a lot of 22-formation sets into the mix.

Sharpe, who spends his days in retirement waking up early to battle a purposefully contrarian Vandy grad, was the decade’s most dominant tight end — an athletic specimen who stretched defenses and chipped blockers despite suboptimal size. Coates was often the best thing about a woeful Patriots’ offense, serving as Drew Bledsoe’s No. 1 target in a pass-happy offense.

OL: Nate Newton, G/T, Florida A&M Matt Birk, C, Harvard Tom Newberry, G/C, UW-La Crosse Jahri Evans, T, Bloomsburg Larry Allen, G, Sonoma State Adam Timmerman, G, South Dakota State Tunch Ilkin, G/C/T, Indiana State

Protecting Warner and clearing a path for Westbrook is a heady brew of Hall of Famers and sturdy pros who range from the FCS to Division III. The headliner is Allen, who made six All-Pro teams while anchoring the Cowboys’ offensive line for 12 seasons and was athletic enough at 325 pounds to stop pick-sixes in progress. Behind him are a combination of players who can hold down multiple positions at an all-star level.

DE: Howie Long, Villanova Richard Dent, Tennessee State Michael Strahan, Texas Southern Jared Allen, Idaho State

There’s an embarrassment of riches when it comes to smaller-school pass rushers. I went four deep and still had to exclude Mark Gastineau (attended East Central University after Arizona State) and Lyle Alzado, whose alma mater — Yankton College — no longer exists.

Instead, you’ve got three Hall of Famers and Allen, who will likely join them once he’s eligible. Between them they’ve got 499 career sacks and the chops to completely terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

DT: John Randle, Texas A&M-Kingsville Clyde Simmons, Western Carolina Pat Williams, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

That pass-rushing punch only gets stronger with Randle leading things on the inside; the undersized tackle had nine seasons with 10+ sacks in his Hall of Fame career. He’s bolstered by an out-of-position Simmons, who moved inside late in his career but is best known for a 19-sack breakout season as an Eagles defensive end back in 1992.

If it’s thickness you crave, you can throw Williams into the lineup; the 317-pounder was a blocker-absorbing vacuum up front in 14 years as a pro.

LB: Karl Mecklenburg, Augustana Sam Mills, Montclair State London Fletcher, John Carroll Greg Lloyd, Fort Valley State

MORE BEEF. This lineup provides two run-stopping tackling machines in the middle and some extra power at the edge in Mecklenburg and Lloyd. The outside guys combined for more than 120 sacks, while Mills and Fletcher have nearly 3,300 career tackles between them.

And if you don’t like those guys, you could always sub in Bart Scott, Jessie Tuggle, Charles Haley, Mike Merriweather, Bryan Cox, or Jeremiah Trotter.

CB: Everson Walls, Grambling State Albert Lewis, Grambling State Aeneas Williams, Southern Darrell Green, Texas A&M-Kingsville

Cornerback is stocked with players who were very good for very long, including a pair of Eddie Robinson-coached bookends in Walls and Lewis, who have eight Pro Bowl selections together. They’re stuck in a rotational role behind Williams and Green, however — two Hall of Famers who played for a combined 34 seasons.

S: Eugene Robinson, Colgate Tyrone Braxton, North Dakota State Rodney Harrison, Western Illinois

There’s a lot of range and some big hits from our center fielders in this lineup. Robinson gave the league 16 solid years. Braxton was a versatile defensive back who could line up at either corner or safety and played a major role as Denver crashed through to glory in the late 90s. Harrison brought the lumber over a borderline Hall of Fame career with the Chargers and Patriots.

K: Adam Vinatieri, South Dakota State

Still going at age 46. Few kickers are surefire Hall of Famers, but Vinatieri’s one of them. He’s kicked 582 field goals so far in his career — most in league history and 141 more than the next closest active kicker. His 56 postseason field goals are the most the NFL’s ever seen by a double-digit margin.

P: Sean Landeta, Towson

A pretty good punter! Landeta stuck in the NFL for 21 seasons and was a three-time first team All-Pro. Like Simms, he won two Super Bowl rings with the Giants.

What if we had to make a starting 22 based on only active players? I’ve got some ideas there, too.

QB: Carson Wentz, North Dakota State

RB: David Johnson, Northern Iowa Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T

FB: Kyle Juszczyk, Harvard

WR: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington Adam Thielen, Minnesota State Tyrell Williams, Western Oregon

TE: Delanie Walker, Central Missouri State Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

OL: Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff J.C. Tretter, Cornell Julie’n Davenport, Bucknell Ryan Jensen, Colorado State-Pueblo Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGill (Canada) and, for depth, free agents Jermon Bushrod from Towson and Brandon Fusco from Slippery Rock

DE: Akiem Hicks, Regina (playing a bit out of position) Matt Judon, Grand Valley State Derek Rivers, Youngstown State

DT: Damon Harrison, William Penn Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern

LB: Darius Leonard, South Carolina State Patrick Onwuasor, Portland State Samson Ebukam, Eastern Washington Todd Davis, Sacramento State

CB: Malcolm Butler, West Alabama Trumaine Johnson, Montana Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina Robert Alford, SE Louisiana

S: Jeff Heath, Saginaw Valley State Antoine Bethea, Howard

K: Adam Vinatieri, South Dakota State

P: Jordan Berry, Eastern Kentucky

You can find elite players from the NCAA’s smaller schools at every position in the league. Most of them can even be picked up on Day 3 of the NFL Draft or later. If you’re looking for underdogs just waiting for the opportunity to make good on Sundays, you can start looking toward the gridiron’s non-FBS programs on Saturdays first.

[thenfl]

New Orleans Saints: Reggie Bush, Jahri Evans, and Craig Heyward highlight former New Orleans Saints ...

rawchili.com

[nosdk]

Jahri Evans blandt finalisterne til Hall Of Fame

Tidligere New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans er blandt de sidste 15 spillere til årets Hall Of Fame udvælgelse. Evans er dermed fortsat med i kampen om en guldjakke. Evans har nu muligheden for at slutte sig til Morten Andersen, Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson og Willie Roaf, når hall of fame klassen annonceres den 8. februar til NFL Honors showet. Her kan ses samtlige finalister. Eric Allen , DB…

[gbp4-blog]

Jahri Evans NFL Movers

[nflfanpointii]

Saints tie team record with seven Pro Bowlers after Larry Warford added to game

The New Orleans Saints tied a team record when the Philadelphia Eagles reached Super Bowl LII on Sunday night.

Philadelphia's Super Bowl berth meant that guard Brandon Brooks will not be available to play in next week's Pro Bowl in Orlando.

And that cleared a path for New Orleans right guard Larry Warford to become the seventh Saint chosen for this Pro Bowl, allowing the 2017 team to tie the 2009 team for the most Pro Bowlers in franchise history. Warford's agency, Schwartz & Feinsod, announced the news.  

For Warford, who signed a four-year, $34 million deal with the Saints on the first day of free agency, the Pro Bowl berth is the first of his career and a sign of the return New Orleans has already gotten on its investment.

Warford was handed a tough task last offseason, asked to take over for Jahri Evans, one of the best offensive lineman in Saints history.

Brought in after four seasons in Detroit, Warford proved to be one of the missing pieces for a Saints offensive line that paved the way for a rushing offense that finished second in the NFL in yards per carry at 4.66 and gave up just 20 sacks, second-fewest in the league.

Warford's inclusion also rectifies the biggest Pro Bowl beef that came out of a locker room that saw quarterback Drew Brees, running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, wide receiver Michael Thomas, defensive end Cameron Jordan and cornerback Marshon Lattimore selected to the initial rosters.

Brees, Ingram and other Saints openly lobbied for one of the offensive linemen to join the Pro Bowl roster, and now that Warford has been added, New Orleans has seven Saints headed to Orlando to play for an NFC team that will be coached by Sean Payton and the rest of the Saints assistants.

NFLFanpoint: Can’t say it matters at all, though it is a recognition of the fine season we had.