The question that's been plaguing me ever since the Brewers started their off-season trades and moves is why the prevailing attitude seems to be that it's "Now Or Never" for this team.
As far as I could tell, this NON attitude was nowhere to be found last season. The season was a complete and utter surprise. Braun was a bit of a miracle, Prince was a boon and really 1 win was a success and anything above and beyond we were just grateful to have.
Even at the end of last season, when we were all frustrated with Yost, disappointed with the way the team played and desperately hoping we could eek out a playoff appearance, all the buzz was tempered by this prevailing opinion that the team had far out-performed expectations and therefore we shouldn't look at the September slump as the team failing, but instead that was the Brewers being the Brewers and we should just be grateful for whatever days were spent in first place. We were constantly reminded how young the team was and that this was still a team being built.
Somewhere between Tony Gwynn Jr's double against the Padres and Spring Training, that mentality seems to have completely shifted.
We brought in some players that, while being clearly good players, are a bit of a risk. We signed both Gagne and Cameron to one year deals.
In the off-season, whenever discussing trades or moves or the upcoming season, GM Doug Melvin consistently made it seem as though it is the fans that are pushing this NON strategy. He has said that we won't settle and that we want results and he has used the excuse multiple times to explain this NON philosophy.
But that's not the vibe that I've gotten from the entire Brewer fan community. This is an extremely young and talented team and I can't imagine that anyone, especially management, would be happy if the team wasn't improving year after year. But this is a Brewers team that hadn't finished above .500 in my lifetime. So we took that step last year, but does that mean this year we should be talking World Series? I'm not saying baby steps, but it seems like an awfully big hop.
Is there a time frame on this team? Absolutely! There is probably a 3-5 year window in which this team has to perform. I do understand that our current crop of guys isn't under contract from that long and in terms of this specific cadre of talent, we're talking this year or next. But I worry about the plan that says we HAVE to win this year or else.
I understand that we have talent and that the talent isn't assured to be here in the coming years, but I feel like this is a young team with a very volatile and unpredictable pitching staff. It's an awful lot of pressure to put on a team who's average age is below 30. It's so much build-up. What happens if we don't meet it? Isn't that a lot to put on the heads of the young players?
Ug, dealing with this team is like being in a bad relationship. I'm seriously afraid to commit too much to this team because I'm fairly certain it's going to end in some serious disappointment, heartbreak and crushing defeat.
And I'm making excuses for them.
I am just seriously worried that by putting all our eggs in this year's basket, we're setting ourselves up for some serious disappointment and I'm thinking ahead to how that will effect the psyche of this team in 2009.
Hell, we've all seen the ridiculous crash and burn that is Derrick Turnbow when the game gets in his head. If he can collapse that easy by the mere pressure of inherited runners, what's going to happen to a team that has the potential to be labeled biggest letdown of the 2008 season.
Plus, I just have a problem with this ONE year business. This team has been built for years through drafts and the farm system. It took more than one year to get to this point. Did we really put all that scouting, coaching and effort into them to get one great season out of them?
Brewer fans are sick of the one and done that's happened every 25 years or so around here. We don't want just one division or conference or league championship. There has been so much thought and time put into developing Rickie and Ryan and Corey and Prince and Tony and Bill and all these young guys into the spectacular team we have now. We built a team for the long run and now we've completely switched courses and are fielding a team for one brief blaze of glory.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it. But I plan on being a Brewer fan for years to come, championship or no. I wish this team was planning on being the team this city deserves for years to come.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Baseball starts today FOR REAL!!
None of this workout, intra-squad, pitchers and catcher report crap. We have real live games today people!!
If you put out the $14.95, you can get gameday audio all year long, starting with this game. Check it out here
That means about It is 36 days, 2 hours, 10 minutes and 6 seconds until Opening Day!
If you put out the $14.95, you can get gameday audio all year long, starting with this game. Check it out here
That means about It is 36 days, 2 hours, 10 minutes and 6 seconds until Opening Day!
Monday, February 25, 2008
ESPN's preview of the Brewers
New faces, position changes for Brewers this spring
By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com
PHOENIX -- The Milwaukee Brewers might not be "America's team" just yet, but they're a huge hit at local synagogues. That's a given for a club with two players, Ryan Braun and Gabe Kapler, who go by the nickname "Hebrew Hammer."
Hey, if Wikipedia confirms it, it must be true.
The Brewers signed Eric Gagne to a one-year, $10 million contract to be their closer this season.
The Brewers were on their way to becoming a national story last year when they were done in by inferior defense, underperforming veterans and a failure to win on the road. Their 83 victories were the franchise's highest total since 1992, but after leading the National League Central by 8½ games on June 23, they were left with a nagging sense that they'd blown a major opportunity. To the Cubs, no less.
There's plenty of optimism in Milwaukee's camp this spring, but a lot of elements have to mesh. Closer Francisco Cordero left to sign a $46 million contract with Cincinnati, and general manager Doug Melvin rebuilt the bullpen. The Brewers signed Mike Cameron to play center field, which means Bill Hall will shift from center to third base and Braun, in turn, will move from third base to left field.
The starting rotation, a potential team strength, also suffered a minor setback in the first week of spring training when Yovani Gallardo underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
So questions abound for manager Ned Yost. Here are five that could determine whether the young Brewers will be serious contenders or will fall into the "not quite" category again in 2008.
1. How many starters will be enough?
Like their Midwest neighbors, the Cubs, the Brewers need to sort through an abundance of pitching options in Arizona. When the Brewers arrived in camp, Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan and Gallardo were locks for the Opening Day rotation, and David Bush, coming off two straight 12-win seasons, was pretty darned close.
Gallardo isn't expected to return until mid-March, but the Brewers still think he might be ready to slot into the back end of the rotation in April.
So where does that leave Chris Capuano, Carlos Villanueva, Claudio Vargas and Manny Parra? It appears likely that Parra will begin the season with Triple-A Nashville. Villanueva, who pitched so impressively in 2007, could win a starting spot, move to the bullpen or begin the season in the minors.
Capuano or Vargas might be trade bait if they pitch well this spring. Curt Schilling and Kelvim Escobar already have gone down with injuries, and there's no telling which other clubs might give Melvin a call if their rotations spring leaks in the next few weeks.
In keeping with tradition, the Brewers are cautiously optimistic about Sheets. From 2002 through 2004, Sheets averaged 225 innings per season. The past three years, he has averaged 135. Can he finally stay healthy? He hears that question almost as often as Mark Prior and Rich Harden do.
On a positive note, pitching coach Mike Maddux said that Sheets "found" his mechanics last year before suffering a pulled hamstring in mid-September.
"He looks very motivated," Maddux said.
2. What will life be like after Cordero?
Now that Cordero has departed for Cincinnati, Eric Gagne will try to fill the void. Will he be the Gagne who converted 16 of 17 save opportunities in Texas, or the guy who was nearly run out of Boston during the stretch drive?
Various explanations have been offered for Gagne's free fall with the Red Sox. Did he try too hard to impress in Boston and overthrow as a result? Could his problems be traced to an inability to adjust to a set-up role? That was agent Scott Boras' explanation, although it sounded kind of lame.
More likely, Gagne simply hit a wall after a series of health problems. Gagne underwent two elbow operations and a back surgery in a span of 13 months in 2005 and 2006, and last year was essentially a rehab season.
"When you run out of gas, you run out of gas," Maddux said.
Melvin has been criticized for extravagance in giving Gagne $10 million, but he preferred that option to a two-year, $16 million deal. And the PR got worse when Gagne's name appeared in the Mitchell report for alleged use of performance enhancers. For what it's worth, the Brewers scouted Gagne extensively and talked to management in Texas and Boston before signing him, and they insist they're comfortable with the decision.
"The character references we got were phenomenal in both places," Maddux said.
The Brewers blew a major-league-high 16 leads of three or more runs last season, and they've stocked up on veteran middle guys in an effort to avoid a repeat. They signed David Riske to a three-year deal and picked up Salomon Torres and frequently maligned Guillermo Mota on one-year contracts.
Set-up man Derrick Turnbow ultimately will play a huge role this season. Turnbow tied for third in the National League in "holds" last season behind Brandon Lyon and Heath Bell, and some of his underlying numbers were stunning. He averaged 11.12 strikeouts per nine innings, and the league hit .183 against him.
"The hitters are not real comfortable on him, and when he's ahead in the count, he has the ability to put you away real quick," Maddux said.
When Turnbow comes in missing the strike zone, though, he has the ability to make the Milwaukee dugout squirm. A lot.
3. How's Braun faring in his transition to the outfield?
Quite well, thank you. Braun was so anxious to hit the ground running that he spent the winter at Pepperdine University chasing down fly balls off the bat of his agent, Nez Balelo. Since his arrival in Arizona, he has come out early each morning to work on the finer points of outfield play with coaches Ed Sedar and Reid Nichols.
"I feel surprisingly comfortable," Braun said. "I think I'm already better in left field than I was at third base."
Braun won the NL Rookie of the Year award despite committing 26 errors in 112 games at third base. A few years ago, when the Brewers came in expecting to lose 90 games, management might have stuck with him at third and allowed him to take his lumps. But expectations are higher now, and the Brewers no longer have that luxury.
Braun appears to have the speed, arm and athleticism to make the transition to the outfield. Sedar's early lessons have focused primarily on footwork -- about being ready to go in "eight different directions," rather than side to side, as in the infield.
Braun is learning to run more on the balls of his feet or with a slight bend in his knee so his head doesn't bob so much. And although Braun's arm is strong, Sedar is stressing the importance of leaving the machismo at home and exercising prudence when he throws.
"The secondary runner always causes the problems," Sedar said. "Even on a perfect throw, you have a very minute chance of throwing a runner out at the plate. We're trying to instill in him that we'd rather have him be strong-minded than strong-armed."
Braun isn't the only Brewer moving to the outfield this spring. Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee's first-round pick out of the University of Florida in 2007, is shifting to left field from first base. At least he'll have the luxury of doing it for Class A Brevard County or Double-A Huntsville, though.
"We've got to get away from moving guys at the big league level," Melvin said.
4. What's up in center field?
Cameron paid a price after testing positive twice for banned stimulants. At one point, it appeared likely that he'd sign an Eric Byrnes-like deal for three years and at least $10 million annually. In the end, Cameron landed in the Brewers' laps for one year at $7 million. And now he'll have to sit out the first 25 games of the regular season.
Cameron will play in the Cactus League and join the Brewers for two spring training games with Kansas City at Miller Park on the final weekend before the season opener. Then he'll return to Arizona for extended spring training before joining Triple-A Nashville for a five-game tune-up.
"I don't know how it's going to be," Cameron said. "I'll just take it as being like I'm hurt, I guess. But I won't be hurt, physically."
The suspension put a dent in Cameron's reputation as a solid-gold citizen, but the Brewers expect him to be a positive influence on a young roster. When Cameron played for Cincinnati in 1999, he remembers Barry Larkin and Greg Vaughn setting the tone in the clubhouse. Now, Cameron and Jason Kendall will fill the role of calming influences in Milwaukee.
While Cameron is serving his suspension, Tony Gwynn Jr., Gabe Gross and Kapler will divvy up the at-bats in center field. If the Brewers get off to a fast start or Gwynn goes on an early tear, Yost might have a decision to make. But the job ultimately belongs to Cameron for his defense alone. The presence of a three-time Gold Glove Award winner in center can only make life easier for Braun in his transition to left.
5. Is this Rickie Weeks' breakout year?
If B.J. Upton could break through in Tampa after years of position changes and organizational misuse, it might be time for Weeks to live up to his billing as the second overall pick in the 2003 draft.
After three years of wrist and thumb injuries, Weeks finally showed what he can do when able to grip a bat without pain. He posted a .442 on-base percentage after Aug. 10 last season, and ranked fourth in the major leagues in walks behind Jack Cust, Carlos Pena and Adam Dunn in that span.
Weeks will never be a defensive dynamo at second base. But he still has that Baby Sheff waggle and enough natural ability to make an All-Star team with his offense. That's why Melvin turned down a Weeks-for-Chad Cordero trade offer from Washington while the Brewers were still looking for a closer.
"With his strength and his bat speed, you just don't see any weaknesses for a pitcher to go after," Braun said. "He's fun to watch."
Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN.com. His book "License To Deal" was published by Rodale. Click here to order a copy. Jerry can be reached via e-mail.
By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com
PHOENIX -- The Milwaukee Brewers might not be "America's team" just yet, but they're a huge hit at local synagogues. That's a given for a club with two players, Ryan Braun and Gabe Kapler, who go by the nickname "Hebrew Hammer."
Hey, if Wikipedia confirms it, it must be true.
The Brewers signed Eric Gagne to a one-year, $10 million contract to be their closer this season.
The Brewers were on their way to becoming a national story last year when they were done in by inferior defense, underperforming veterans and a failure to win on the road. Their 83 victories were the franchise's highest total since 1992, but after leading the National League Central by 8½ games on June 23, they were left with a nagging sense that they'd blown a major opportunity. To the Cubs, no less.
There's plenty of optimism in Milwaukee's camp this spring, but a lot of elements have to mesh. Closer Francisco Cordero left to sign a $46 million contract with Cincinnati, and general manager Doug Melvin rebuilt the bullpen. The Brewers signed Mike Cameron to play center field, which means Bill Hall will shift from center to third base and Braun, in turn, will move from third base to left field.
The starting rotation, a potential team strength, also suffered a minor setback in the first week of spring training when Yovani Gallardo underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
So questions abound for manager Ned Yost. Here are five that could determine whether the young Brewers will be serious contenders or will fall into the "not quite" category again in 2008.
1. How many starters will be enough?
Like their Midwest neighbors, the Cubs, the Brewers need to sort through an abundance of pitching options in Arizona. When the Brewers arrived in camp, Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan and Gallardo were locks for the Opening Day rotation, and David Bush, coming off two straight 12-win seasons, was pretty darned close.
Gallardo isn't expected to return until mid-March, but the Brewers still think he might be ready to slot into the back end of the rotation in April.
So where does that leave Chris Capuano, Carlos Villanueva, Claudio Vargas and Manny Parra? It appears likely that Parra will begin the season with Triple-A Nashville. Villanueva, who pitched so impressively in 2007, could win a starting spot, move to the bullpen or begin the season in the minors.
Capuano or Vargas might be trade bait if they pitch well this spring. Curt Schilling and Kelvim Escobar already have gone down with injuries, and there's no telling which other clubs might give Melvin a call if their rotations spring leaks in the next few weeks.
In keeping with tradition, the Brewers are cautiously optimistic about Sheets. From 2002 through 2004, Sheets averaged 225 innings per season. The past three years, he has averaged 135. Can he finally stay healthy? He hears that question almost as often as Mark Prior and Rich Harden do.
On a positive note, pitching coach Mike Maddux said that Sheets "found" his mechanics last year before suffering a pulled hamstring in mid-September.
"He looks very motivated," Maddux said.
2. What will life be like after Cordero?
Now that Cordero has departed for Cincinnati, Eric Gagne will try to fill the void. Will he be the Gagne who converted 16 of 17 save opportunities in Texas, or the guy who was nearly run out of Boston during the stretch drive?
Various explanations have been offered for Gagne's free fall with the Red Sox. Did he try too hard to impress in Boston and overthrow as a result? Could his problems be traced to an inability to adjust to a set-up role? That was agent Scott Boras' explanation, although it sounded kind of lame.
More likely, Gagne simply hit a wall after a series of health problems. Gagne underwent two elbow operations and a back surgery in a span of 13 months in 2005 and 2006, and last year was essentially a rehab season.
"When you run out of gas, you run out of gas," Maddux said.
Melvin has been criticized for extravagance in giving Gagne $10 million, but he preferred that option to a two-year, $16 million deal. And the PR got worse when Gagne's name appeared in the Mitchell report for alleged use of performance enhancers. For what it's worth, the Brewers scouted Gagne extensively and talked to management in Texas and Boston before signing him, and they insist they're comfortable with the decision.
"The character references we got were phenomenal in both places," Maddux said.
The Brewers blew a major-league-high 16 leads of three or more runs last season, and they've stocked up on veteran middle guys in an effort to avoid a repeat. They signed David Riske to a three-year deal and picked up Salomon Torres and frequently maligned Guillermo Mota on one-year contracts.
Set-up man Derrick Turnbow ultimately will play a huge role this season. Turnbow tied for third in the National League in "holds" last season behind Brandon Lyon and Heath Bell, and some of his underlying numbers were stunning. He averaged 11.12 strikeouts per nine innings, and the league hit .183 against him.
"The hitters are not real comfortable on him, and when he's ahead in the count, he has the ability to put you away real quick," Maddux said.
When Turnbow comes in missing the strike zone, though, he has the ability to make the Milwaukee dugout squirm. A lot.
3. How's Braun faring in his transition to the outfield?
Quite well, thank you. Braun was so anxious to hit the ground running that he spent the winter at Pepperdine University chasing down fly balls off the bat of his agent, Nez Balelo. Since his arrival in Arizona, he has come out early each morning to work on the finer points of outfield play with coaches Ed Sedar and Reid Nichols.
"I feel surprisingly comfortable," Braun said. "I think I'm already better in left field than I was at third base."
Braun won the NL Rookie of the Year award despite committing 26 errors in 112 games at third base. A few years ago, when the Brewers came in expecting to lose 90 games, management might have stuck with him at third and allowed him to take his lumps. But expectations are higher now, and the Brewers no longer have that luxury.
Braun appears to have the speed, arm and athleticism to make the transition to the outfield. Sedar's early lessons have focused primarily on footwork -- about being ready to go in "eight different directions," rather than side to side, as in the infield.
Braun is learning to run more on the balls of his feet or with a slight bend in his knee so his head doesn't bob so much. And although Braun's arm is strong, Sedar is stressing the importance of leaving the machismo at home and exercising prudence when he throws.
"The secondary runner always causes the problems," Sedar said. "Even on a perfect throw, you have a very minute chance of throwing a runner out at the plate. We're trying to instill in him that we'd rather have him be strong-minded than strong-armed."
Braun isn't the only Brewer moving to the outfield this spring. Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee's first-round pick out of the University of Florida in 2007, is shifting to left field from first base. At least he'll have the luxury of doing it for Class A Brevard County or Double-A Huntsville, though.
"We've got to get away from moving guys at the big league level," Melvin said.
4. What's up in center field?
Cameron paid a price after testing positive twice for banned stimulants. At one point, it appeared likely that he'd sign an Eric Byrnes-like deal for three years and at least $10 million annually. In the end, Cameron landed in the Brewers' laps for one year at $7 million. And now he'll have to sit out the first 25 games of the regular season.
Cameron will play in the Cactus League and join the Brewers for two spring training games with Kansas City at Miller Park on the final weekend before the season opener. Then he'll return to Arizona for extended spring training before joining Triple-A Nashville for a five-game tune-up.
"I don't know how it's going to be," Cameron said. "I'll just take it as being like I'm hurt, I guess. But I won't be hurt, physically."
The suspension put a dent in Cameron's reputation as a solid-gold citizen, but the Brewers expect him to be a positive influence on a young roster. When Cameron played for Cincinnati in 1999, he remembers Barry Larkin and Greg Vaughn setting the tone in the clubhouse. Now, Cameron and Jason Kendall will fill the role of calming influences in Milwaukee.
While Cameron is serving his suspension, Tony Gwynn Jr., Gabe Gross and Kapler will divvy up the at-bats in center field. If the Brewers get off to a fast start or Gwynn goes on an early tear, Yost might have a decision to make. But the job ultimately belongs to Cameron for his defense alone. The presence of a three-time Gold Glove Award winner in center can only make life easier for Braun in his transition to left.
5. Is this Rickie Weeks' breakout year?
If B.J. Upton could break through in Tampa after years of position changes and organizational misuse, it might be time for Weeks to live up to his billing as the second overall pick in the 2003 draft.
After three years of wrist and thumb injuries, Weeks finally showed what he can do when able to grip a bat without pain. He posted a .442 on-base percentage after Aug. 10 last season, and ranked fourth in the major leagues in walks behind Jack Cust, Carlos Pena and Adam Dunn in that span.
Weeks will never be a defensive dynamo at second base. But he still has that Baby Sheff waggle and enough natural ability to make an All-Star team with his offense. That's why Melvin turned down a Weeks-for-Chad Cordero trade offer from Washington while the Brewers were still looking for a closer.
"With his strength and his bat speed, you just don't see any weaknesses for a pitcher to go after," Braun said. "He's fun to watch."
Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN.com. His book "License To Deal" was published by Rodale. Click here to order a copy. Jerry can be reached via e-mail.
A couple of links
This story is from the New York Times and covers my "favorite" former Brewer Matt Wise and his proclivity for being a putz. The best line?
“I should know better than to get into a fight with salad tongs,” said Wise, who says he is not a klutz so much as he is unlucky. “You always lose those.”
Matt. You're a klutz. Deal with it. Embrace it. You have at least 3 highly publicized idiotic injuries (and how many more you made sure didn't get out?) - aside from the salad tongs, you literally walked into the overhang of the dugout and gave yourself a concussion and you injured your arm on a "slippery" railing.
Take it from the self-proclaimed Queen on Midwestern Klutz's - the first step to rectifying the issue is admitting there's a problem.
(Random aside - but with Junkins and Matt Wise and Johnny Estrada gone - who am I going to hate this year? Is it possible that I might be able to have a season in which I don't loathe at least one member of the team?)
________________
This is Deadspin's Brewers preview written by a Brewer fan who edits New York magazine's culture blog Vulture.
Written from the perspective of a totally clueless Ned Yost, it includes these gems:
The fact is, it's mostly our fans' fault that we couldn't pull the division out. Our team is young, and the fans put a lot of pressure on the players to do things they're just not capable of doing. For instance, the fans really get on Derrick Turnbow over simple things like ever throwing strikes. As I've said before, I wish everyone would just leave the kid alone.
...
If it isn't our fans' fault, it's definitely Bill Hall's fault. All I asked that kid to do was switch from the infield to center field, then benched him twice when he was hitting poorly. Then platooned him. Then benched him for a month. You know what I always say: team MVP in 2006? I don't give two fucks. What have you done for me lately, besides switching positions and playing hurt?
...
The whole thing isn't that long and any good Brewer fan will get a chuckle out of it.
Plus, if you want to feel really bad about being a Brewer fan - read the comments. Worth the time for the laugh and also that lovable loser feeling you'll be left with at the end.
_____________
A Fire Ned Yost website was probably inevitable : so here it is.
“I should know better than to get into a fight with salad tongs,” said Wise, who says he is not a klutz so much as he is unlucky. “You always lose those.”
Matt. You're a klutz. Deal with it. Embrace it. You have at least 3 highly publicized idiotic injuries (and how many more you made sure didn't get out?) - aside from the salad tongs, you literally walked into the overhang of the dugout and gave yourself a concussion and you injured your arm on a "slippery" railing.
Take it from the self-proclaimed Queen on Midwestern Klutz's - the first step to rectifying the issue is admitting there's a problem.
(Random aside - but with Junkins and Matt Wise and Johnny Estrada gone - who am I going to hate this year? Is it possible that I might be able to have a season in which I don't loathe at least one member of the team?)
________________
This is Deadspin's Brewers preview written by a Brewer fan who edits New York magazine's culture blog Vulture.
Written from the perspective of a totally clueless Ned Yost, it includes these gems:
The fact is, it's mostly our fans' fault that we couldn't pull the division out. Our team is young, and the fans put a lot of pressure on the players to do things they're just not capable of doing. For instance, the fans really get on Derrick Turnbow over simple things like ever throwing strikes. As I've said before, I wish everyone would just leave the kid alone.
...
If it isn't our fans' fault, it's definitely Bill Hall's fault. All I asked that kid to do was switch from the infield to center field, then benched him twice when he was hitting poorly. Then platooned him. Then benched him for a month. You know what I always say: team MVP in 2006? I don't give two fucks. What have you done for me lately, besides switching positions and playing hurt?
...
The whole thing isn't that long and any good Brewer fan will get a chuckle out of it.
Plus, if you want to feel really bad about being a Brewer fan - read the comments. Worth the time for the laugh and also that lovable loser feeling you'll be left with at the end.
_____________
A Fire Ned Yost website was probably inevitable : so here it is.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
When you're still a rookie, it's best not to give the rest of the guys a built in reason to make fun of you...
from SI.com...
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- Houston Astros right fielder Hunter Pence crashed through a sliding glass door in the bathroom of his spring training home, leaving him with multiple cuts that will sideline him for a week.
Pence spent the night in an emergency room after the Monday night accident. He arrived at camp Tuesday with a gash on his right index finger and a brace on his left knee.
"It's pretty silly that this kind of a freak accident happened," Pence said.
Pence said he was in a hot tub at the home where he's staying and got out to use the bathroom. He had left the door open, but didn't noticed that a friend had just closed it. He hit it with his shoulder, leg and head and it shattered.
"I just didn't see the door and jumped through it," he said. "I have small cuts everywhere."
The 24-year-old outfielder said the injuries weren't as bad as they looked.
"I didn't really think I'd go through a glass door," he said. "I was actually lucky, because none of the glass got stuck in any of my wounds."
Pence hit .322 with 69 RBIs and 30 doubles as a rookie in 2007. He finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting, behind Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowitzki.
The Astros held their first full-squad workout Tuesday, but Pence couldn't even straighten his finger or his left leg.
Pence's teammates have already start ribbing him.
"Watch out," catcher Brad Ausmus said to Pence, "there's a glass door over there."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- Houston Astros right fielder Hunter Pence crashed through a sliding glass door in the bathroom of his spring training home, leaving him with multiple cuts that will sideline him for a week.
Pence spent the night in an emergency room after the Monday night accident. He arrived at camp Tuesday with a gash on his right index finger and a brace on his left knee.
"It's pretty silly that this kind of a freak accident happened," Pence said.
Pence said he was in a hot tub at the home where he's staying and got out to use the bathroom. He had left the door open, but didn't noticed that a friend had just closed it. He hit it with his shoulder, leg and head and it shattered.
"I just didn't see the door and jumped through it," he said. "I have small cuts everywhere."
The 24-year-old outfielder said the injuries weren't as bad as they looked.
"I didn't really think I'd go through a glass door," he said. "I was actually lucky, because none of the glass got stuck in any of my wounds."
Pence hit .322 with 69 RBIs and 30 doubles as a rookie in 2007. He finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting, behind Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowitzki.
The Astros held their first full-squad workout Tuesday, but Pence couldn't even straighten his finger or his left leg.
Pence's teammates have already start ribbing him.
"Watch out," catcher Brad Ausmus said to Pence, "there's a glass door over there."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
UW Men's Bball beat Illinois, move into tie for first place
Thank you Indiana, for handing Purdue a loss. With Wisconsin winning their third straight game against Illinois last night, the Badgers and the Boilermakers sit atop the conference standings at 12-2.
This spectacular picture is from UWBadgers.com
Full story of the game here.
The standings look like this:
Big Ten Conference
TEAM CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
Wisconsin 12-2 22-4
Purdue 12-2 21-6
Indiana 11-2 22-4
Michigan State 9-4 21-5
Ohio State 8-5 17-9
Minnesota 5-7 15-9
Iowa 5-9 12-15
Penn State 4-9 12-13
Michigan 4-9 8-17
Illinois 3-11 11-16
Northwestern 0-13 7-17
Spring Training notes
A picture gallery here - check out Prince's beginning dreads.
Article about how Prince and Braun need to learn patience at the plate
Should the Brewers head back to the AL by switching places with the Royals? Article here.
We avoided arbitration with Hardy and he says he's glad
By now you know Gallardo tore knee cartilage. The plus side is that the way our schedule works out, we won't need our #5 starter for about the first month, which gives Yovani more time to heal and not need to be on the DL.
Most Valuable Network Brewers blog lists the Top Ten things needed for the Brewers to make the playoffs. Part 1. Part 2.
Article about how Prince and Braun need to learn patience at the plate
Should the Brewers head back to the AL by switching places with the Royals? Article here.
We avoided arbitration with Hardy and he says he's glad
By now you know Gallardo tore knee cartilage. The plus side is that the way our schedule works out, we won't need our #5 starter for about the first month, which gives Yovani more time to heal and not need to be on the DL.
Most Valuable Network Brewers blog lists the Top Ten things needed for the Brewers to make the playoffs. Part 1. Part 2.
Prince Fielder: Vegetarian?
As odd as that sentence sounds (say it over and over again, it doesn't get any less strange) - according to this morning's Journal-Sentinel, Prince Fielder has indeed gone off the meat.
Apparently his wife is to blame, as she gave him a book detailing life in a meat slaughterhouse. Prince was so disgusted that he said he couldn't imagine eating meat again.
The whole story is here.
While this seems a little strange, it could be a boon in disguise. Prince is a big dude at a young age and anything to help him be healthy is a positive.
But don't worry, his wife says that if his power slumps at all, she'll make him a big steak.
Apparently his wife is to blame, as she gave him a book detailing life in a meat slaughterhouse. Prince was so disgusted that he said he couldn't imagine eating meat again.
The whole story is here.
While this seems a little strange, it could be a boon in disguise. Prince is a big dude at a young age and anything to help him be healthy is a positive.
But don't worry, his wife says that if his power slumps at all, she'll make him a big steak.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thanks for nothing...
ESPN.com's Page 2 preseason power rankings have the Brewers at 29th.... out of 30!
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=neel/080219
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=neel/080219
Monday, February 18, 2008
An actually enjoyable Marquette game...
I have to say I was more than a little wary heading to the Bradley Center Friday night for the Marquette/Pitt game. My level of patience with the Golden Eagles had slowly been running out and I was afraid we'd be subject to yet another disappointing appearance.
Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. After that last horrific loss at Notre Dame, it looks like a little bit of that hop is back in the step of the Golden Eagles with a win at Seton Hall and now the worst Big East regular season road loss for Pitt in the Jamie Dixon era (& Pitt's first Big-East road loss by more than eight points under Dixon)
Pitt is now a bit notorious for being unable to win at the Bradley Center. Since Marquette joined the Big East in 2005, the Panthers haven't beaten Marquette there in three tries.
"I said before the game to my teammates, 'This is the toughest place to play,'" Young said. "Three years in a row now … I just can't get a win here."
While Dominic James was just 2-for-11 from the field, he also had 12 assists - that's as many as the whole Pitt team combined. He also had five rebounds and didn't commit a turnover. This is the leader that we've been waiting to see!
I can't tell you how impressive and fun Ousmane Barro was to watch. He was 4-for-4 in his first half field goals as he consistently got in behind the Pitt D for easy layups under the hoop. He finished the game with 14 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. He also held Pitt's big guy, DeJuan Blair to just six points and five rebounds. He was by far the guy you couldn't take your eyes of all game.
From the JSOnline.com recap:
"Barro opened the game on fire, throwing down three dunks and hitting all four of his shots in the opening 7:55 as MU took a 15-11 lead. Defensively he was up to the challenge as well, swatting a pair of Panthers shots as he helped set the early tone against the physical Blair."
The game Friday night was the only college basketball game on national TV and the Golden Eagles picked a great time to come out of their slump and show a national stage that they deserve the notice.
The game was also a tribute to the 2003 Final Four team. All fans received a weird plaster replica of the ring (who knew there was a Final Four ring?) and a few team members, including Travis Diener, Steve Novak and Scott Merritt were in attendance. Cracked Sidewalks has the whole halftime video here.
Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. After that last horrific loss at Notre Dame, it looks like a little bit of that hop is back in the step of the Golden Eagles with a win at Seton Hall and now the worst Big East regular season road loss for Pitt in the Jamie Dixon era (& Pitt's first Big-East road loss by more than eight points under Dixon)
Pitt is now a bit notorious for being unable to win at the Bradley Center. Since Marquette joined the Big East in 2005, the Panthers haven't beaten Marquette there in three tries.
"I said before the game to my teammates, 'This is the toughest place to play,'" Young said. "Three years in a row now … I just can't get a win here."
While Dominic James was just 2-for-11 from the field, he also had 12 assists - that's as many as the whole Pitt team combined. He also had five rebounds and didn't commit a turnover. This is the leader that we've been waiting to see!
I can't tell you how impressive and fun Ousmane Barro was to watch. He was 4-for-4 in his first half field goals as he consistently got in behind the Pitt D for easy layups under the hoop. He finished the game with 14 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. He also held Pitt's big guy, DeJuan Blair to just six points and five rebounds. He was by far the guy you couldn't take your eyes of all game.
From the JSOnline.com recap:
"Barro opened the game on fire, throwing down three dunks and hitting all four of his shots in the opening 7:55 as MU took a 15-11 lead. Defensively he was up to the challenge as well, swatting a pair of Panthers shots as he helped set the early tone against the physical Blair."
The game Friday night was the only college basketball game on national TV and the Golden Eagles picked a great time to come out of their slump and show a national stage that they deserve the notice.
The game was also a tribute to the 2003 Final Four team. All fans received a weird plaster replica of the ring (who knew there was a Final Four ring?) and a few team members, including Travis Diener, Steve Novak and Scott Merritt were in attendance. Cracked Sidewalks has the whole halftime video here.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
Here's hoping you get some champagne, chocolate and diamonds ...
For the ladies:
For the men:
For the ladies:
For the men:
Monday, February 11, 2008
Scandalous!
The Rutgers women's basketball team must just be wondering who they pissed off in a previous life.
They played Tennessee tonight in a rematch of last year's national championship. I checked in on the game early on and Rutgers was down enough for me to think the game was over. I decided to check back in with about 4 minutes left and Rutgers had the lead. I was on the phone, so I had the game on mute while I talked. The Lady Vols hit two 3s in a row and Rutgers answered with a 2 so they had a 1 point lead with about 7 seconds left.
Tennessee took the ball down the court and put up 3 shots, none of which fell. It seems like time will expire when there's a whistle. The ref calls a foul in the scrum of a rebound. It looks like the Lady Vols will go to the line with .2 seconds left on the clock. Ouch!
But wait, they show the replay and it's clear that the clock freezes at .2 seconds. Multiple replays and slow-motions later, it's impossible not to note that the clock pauses for a few beats at .2 before running out. Of course, the foul is called during this pause.
The refs head to the replay, see that there are .2 seconds left when the whistle blows and award the free throws.
I don't know the rules of basketball at all, but it seems to me that there should have been something the refs could do there. They have replay. They see the same thing those of us watching saw and I don't see how they can't see that time should have expired.
So the girl hits her 2 free throws to put UT up by one. Rutgers heaves a pass, which is tipped and goes right out of bounds. The clock never starts, but the ref blows the whistle and says the game is over.
HOLY SHIT, DID RUTGERS GET THE SHAFT
You're telling me the ref has the ability to decide that those .2 seconds would have ticked off had the clock been properly started, but he doesn't have the ability to count and see that .2 was stuck on the clock for longer than it should have been? How contradictory is that?
This happened about 5 minutes ago, so no footage yet, but hopefully some will be YouTube'd shortly
They played Tennessee tonight in a rematch of last year's national championship. I checked in on the game early on and Rutgers was down enough for me to think the game was over. I decided to check back in with about 4 minutes left and Rutgers had the lead. I was on the phone, so I had the game on mute while I talked. The Lady Vols hit two 3s in a row and Rutgers answered with a 2 so they had a 1 point lead with about 7 seconds left.
Tennessee took the ball down the court and put up 3 shots, none of which fell. It seems like time will expire when there's a whistle. The ref calls a foul in the scrum of a rebound. It looks like the Lady Vols will go to the line with .2 seconds left on the clock. Ouch!
But wait, they show the replay and it's clear that the clock freezes at .2 seconds. Multiple replays and slow-motions later, it's impossible not to note that the clock pauses for a few beats at .2 before running out. Of course, the foul is called during this pause.
The refs head to the replay, see that there are .2 seconds left when the whistle blows and award the free throws.
I don't know the rules of basketball at all, but it seems to me that there should have been something the refs could do there. They have replay. They see the same thing those of us watching saw and I don't see how they can't see that time should have expired.
So the girl hits her 2 free throws to put UT up by one. Rutgers heaves a pass, which is tipped and goes right out of bounds. The clock never starts, but the ref blows the whistle and says the game is over.
HOLY SHIT, DID RUTGERS GET THE SHAFT
You're telling me the ref has the ability to decide that those .2 seconds would have ticked off had the clock been properly started, but he doesn't have the ability to count and see that .2 was stuck on the clock for longer than it should have been? How contradictory is that?
This happened about 5 minutes ago, so no footage yet, but hopefully some will be YouTube'd shortly
Awful weekend for Wisconsin and Marquette Basketball
I'm very nearly on the edge of just full-on forgetting about Marquette for the season. I have tickets to Friday night's game against Pitt and I think that may be my do-or-die moment.
This team could not be more frustrating to watch. They show flashes of brilliance, which makes the all-the-more-frequent flashes of disaster that much more hard to take.
The only spark of life Marquette showed Saturday against a Notre Dame team they absolutely dismantled earlier in the season was in the final two minutes and it was too little too late. A 13-2 run near the end of the game was certainly impressive. The Golden Eagles were down double-digits for most of the game and just missed a last-second 3 to tie the game and send it into overtime, but a final 2:00 push isn't how you win games.
The plan, apparently, was for Dominic James to make quick layups and then foul the poor-free-throw shooting Irish. But, as was noted in the SI.com roundup of the game, ''At Notre Dame, we're halfway smart, so we can add up and trading two for two is all right,'' Irish forward Luke Zeller said."
The past two weeks it has looked like MU can't buy a basket. Shots are going in and out, layups are missing. Free throws are bricked. Clearly, some of this is on the team, but I'm beginning to think that they're just plain unlucky, as well. For my very uneducated basketball mind, it seems impossible that some of these shots somehow don't find the bottom of the net.
MU needs to find a way to get out of this slump. James had his first double-digit scoring game in almost a month, so maybe that's the impetus this team needs.
__________________________________________
I must of remarked at least 4 different times Saturday night that the Wisconsin basketball team was playing just like Marquette. Ill-advised threes, no penetration, missed layups and plays that take just a few seconds off the clock and score no points. As both teams played on Saturday, I felt like I was having a serious deja vu moment watching Wisconsin be flat and try to make a last ditch, final 2:00 run to try and be in the game.
This team could not be more frustrating to watch. They show flashes of brilliance, which makes the all-the-more-frequent flashes of disaster that much more hard to take.
The only spark of life Marquette showed Saturday against a Notre Dame team they absolutely dismantled earlier in the season was in the final two minutes and it was too little too late. A 13-2 run near the end of the game was certainly impressive. The Golden Eagles were down double-digits for most of the game and just missed a last-second 3 to tie the game and send it into overtime, but a final 2:00 push isn't how you win games.
The plan, apparently, was for Dominic James to make quick layups and then foul the poor-free-throw shooting Irish. But, as was noted in the SI.com roundup of the game, ''At Notre Dame, we're halfway smart, so we can add up and trading two for two is all right,'' Irish forward Luke Zeller said."
The past two weeks it has looked like MU can't buy a basket. Shots are going in and out, layups are missing. Free throws are bricked. Clearly, some of this is on the team, but I'm beginning to think that they're just plain unlucky, as well. For my very uneducated basketball mind, it seems impossible that some of these shots somehow don't find the bottom of the net.
MU needs to find a way to get out of this slump. James had his first double-digit scoring game in almost a month, so maybe that's the impetus this team needs.
__________________________________________
I must of remarked at least 4 different times Saturday night that the Wisconsin basketball team was playing just like Marquette. Ill-advised threes, no penetration, missed layups and plays that take just a few seconds off the clock and score no points. As both teams played on Saturday, I felt like I was having a serious deja vu moment watching Wisconsin be flat and try to make a last ditch, final 2:00 run to try and be in the game.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Condescension, thy name is Eric Karabell
This is a fantasy baseball preview of the Brewers on ESPN.com. It couldn't be more obnoxious, contradictory or just-plain wrong. The biggest glaring error is the line that states Prince Fielder had 40 HRs last year. You'd think ESPN's fact-checkers would be able to look something so simple up, but apparently clubs like the Brewers don't rate high enough for that. Corey Hart isn't even mentioned in the article.
The second paragraph reads: "The precipitous decline the Brewers suffered, winning only nine games in August and then fighting just to stay above .500 the rest of the way as the Cubs breezed by them, set the stage for the offseason plan, which now appears to be focused at winning this season."
The Cubs won the division with just 2 days left in the season. That's breezing by us?
Instead of going on, I urge you to read it yourself and see if you're not as angry as I was when I was done reading.
The second paragraph reads: "The precipitous decline the Brewers suffered, winning only nine games in August and then fighting just to stay above .500 the rest of the way as the Cubs breezed by them, set the stage for the offseason plan, which now appears to be focused at winning this season."
The Cubs won the division with just 2 days left in the season. That's breezing by us?
Instead of going on, I urge you to read it yourself and see if you're not as angry as I was when I was done reading.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Wisconsin new signing class
2008 Signing Day Student Athletes
Jake Current OL 6-4 280 Troy, Ohio (Troy)
High School:
Ranked as 39th-best overall player and fourth-ranked offensive lineman in Ohio by Ohio High Magazine … ranked 25th nationally by Scout.com as offensive guard and No. 29 player in Ohio … No. 59 offensive lineman nationally and No. 43 player overall in Ohio by Rivals.com … ranked in the top-100 in Midwest by SuperPrep … first-team Ohio News all-Ohio, first-team all-Ohio Division I, first-team SW Ohio all-District, first-team Dayton Daily News all-area, first-team all-conference as a senior … first-team all-conference, honorable mention SW Ohio all-district, DI honorable-mention all-area by Dayton Daily News as a junior … first-team all-conference, honorable mention SW Ohio all-district, DI honorable-mention all-area by Dayton Daily News as a sophomore … four-year letterwinner in football and three-time letterwinner in track … four-year academic letterwinner … National Honor Society member … head coach was Steve Nolan
Christopher Garner OL/DL 6-5 315 Augusta, Wis. (Augusta)
High School:
First-team all-conference defensive lineman and second-team all-conference offensive lineman as a junior and senior … honorable mention all-conference defensive lineman as a sophomore … four-year letterwinner in football … three-time letterwinner in basketball and two-time letterwinner in track and baseball … team captain as a senior … head coach was Mike Bestul
Peter Konz OL/DL 6-6 300 Neenah, Wis. (Neenah)
High School:
Rated as the 30th-best offensive lineman in the nation and the No. 3 player in Wisconsin by Rivals.com … Scout.com ranked him as the second-best player in the state and the No. 38 offensive lineman in the nation … first-team all-state offensive and defensive lineman, first-team all-region offense and defense and first-team all-conference offense and defense as a senior … first-team all-state offense, first-team all-region, first-team all-conference, honorable mention all-conference defense and team’s most valuable lineman as a junior … first-team all-conference and team’s most improved lineman as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … played both ways and totaled 34 tackles and ten QB sacks in his career … three-year letterwinner in football … two-time letterwinner in basketball and track and field … academic letter … head coach was Steve Nientzel
Joe Schafer OL 6-5 285 St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 4 player in Minnesota and the No. 37 offensive lineman in the nation by Rivals.com … Rated as the No. 5 player in the state and 54th-best offensive lineman nationally by Scout.com … First-team all-state (AP, Pioneer Press, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Preps) … first-team all-metro, first-team all-conference and conference offensive lineman of the year as a senior … first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior … honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … three-year letterwinner in football and track and field … two-time letterwinner in basketball … National Honor Society and High Honor Role all four years … head coach was Mike Scanlan
Kevin Zeitler OL 6-4 285 Waukesha, Wis. (Wisconsin Lutheran)
High School:
Ranked as the third-best player in Wisconsin and No. 39 offensive lineman in the nation by Rivals.com … fourth-best player in the state and 22nd-best offensive lineman in the nation by Scout.com … first-team all-state (WFCA, AP) … first-team all-conference, conference lineman of the year, first-team all region and first-team all-area as a senior … first-team all-state (Wisconsinpreps.com), honorable mention all-state(WFCA) … first-team all-conference, first-team all region and second-team all-area as a junior … three-year letterwinner in football … two-time letterwinner in wrestling … one letter in track and field … National Honor Society member … head coach was Kirk DeNoyer
Jake Byrne TE 6-5 250 Rogers, Ark. (Rogers)
High School:
No. 10-ranked player in Arkansas and 44th-best tight end in nation by Scout.com … ranked as 11th-best player in Arkansas and No. 40 tight end nationally by Rivals.com … ranked among nation’s top 125 players by SuperPrep … named to Northwest Arkansas “Super Team” and earned first-team all-state, first-team all-area and offensive player of the year honors as a senior … first-team all-conference and All-American (Max Emfinger) as a junior … player of the year as a sophomore … defensive player of the year as a freshman … team captain as a senior … three-time letterwinner in football … also lettered in basketball … head coach was Ronnie Peacock
Zach Davison TE/DE 6-4 235 Waukee, Iowa (Waukee)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 3 player in Iowa and 53rd-best defensive end in the nation by Scout.com … ranked as the No. 6 player in the state by Rivals.com … Elite all-state team, first-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a senior … third-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … three-time letterwinner in football … career totals of 130 tackles, 18.5 QB sacks and 11 TFLs … three-time academic all-conference selection … four-year letterwinner in track and field … also lettered in basketball … head coach was Scott Carlson
Dex Jones FB 6-1 220 Bolingbrook, Ill. (Montini Catholic)
High School:
Ranked as the 22nd-best player in Illinois by both Scout.com and Rivals.com … No. 32 strong side linebacker in the nation by Scout.com and No. 50 by Rivals.com … first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a senior and junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … 60 tackles, including six for a loss and six QB sacks as a senior … also rushed for 889 yards and seven touchdowns on 77 carries … team captain as a junior and senior … three-year letterwinner in football, four-time letterwinner in basketball and also lettered three times in track and field ... first-team all-conference in basketball as sophomore, junior and senior … head coach was Chris Andriano
Erik Smith RB 5-11 192 Chicago, Ill. (Bolingbrook)
High School:
17th-best player in Illinois and the No. 72 running back in the nation by Scout.com … first-team all-state (Rivals.com and Edgytim.com) … first-team all-area, first-team all-conference, conference MVP and two-time Chicago Tribune Player of the Week as a senior … honorable mention all-area as a junior … career totals of 3,100 yards rushing, 470 yards receiving and 32 touchdowns … team captain as a senior … totaled 1,400 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns as a senior … head coach was John Ivlow
Curt Phillips QB 6-3 215 Kingsport, Tenn. (Sullivan South)
High School:
PrepStar All-American, Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and PrepStar 135 Dream Team … rated as No. 10 player in Tennessee and 42nd-best QB in the nation by Scout.com … ranked as the 109th-best player in the nation by PrepStar and was first-team all-state, Tennessee Dream Team, first-team all-conference and conference MVP as a senior … first-team all-state, first-team all-East Tennessee, first-team all-conference and conference MVP as a junior … first-team all-state, first-team all-conference and conference MVP as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … Tennessee U.S. Army All-Academic Team … career totals include 5,418 passing yards, 3,788 rushing yards and 115 career TDs (64 rushing, 51 passing) … senior year totals included 2,263 passing yards, 1,885 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns … four-time letterwinner in football … also lettered in basketball and track and field … head coach was Stacy Carter
Brad Nortman Specialist 6-3 215 Brookfield, Wis. (Brookfield Central)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 4 kicker in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 8 by Scout.com … rated as the fourth-best player in the state by Scout.com … first-team all-state(WFCA, AP), first-team all-suburban, first-team all-area, first-team all-county and first-team all conference punter as a senior … first-team all-suburban, first-team all-county and first-team all-conference linebacker as a senior … conference defensive co-perimeter player of the year and honorable mention all-conference tight end as a senior … honorable mention all-state, first-team all-area, first-team all-suburban, second-team all-county and first-team all-conference punter as a junior … honorable mention all-area, all-state tournament team, high honorable mention all-suburban and first-team all-county linebacker as a junior … second-team all conference punter as a sophomore … totaled 56 tackles and two interceptions as a senior … 24 punts with a 39 yard average, including 13 inside the 20-yard line … team captain as a senior … National Honor Society member … National Society of High School Scholars … Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Milwaukee Brewers Student Achiever Award … head coach was Doug Lange
Eriks Briedis DL 6-5 265 Miami, Fla. (County Day)
High School:
Rated as the No. 67 defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com and the 91st-best DT by Scout.com … second-team all-state, first-team all-Miami Dade and Spartan team award winner as a senior … honorable mention all-Miami Dade as a junior … did not compete as a sophomore due to injury … team captain as junior and senior … team MVP as a senior … in eight games as a senior he had 89 tackles and five QB sacks … three-time letterwinner in football … three-time letterwinner in baseball … DAANS Award … Director’s List … two-year member of the National Spanish Honor Society … head coach was B.J. Teltsher
Brendan Kelly DE 6-6 230 Eden Prairie, Minn. (Academy of Holy Angels)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 33 defensive end in the nation and 5th-best player in Minnesota by Rivals.com … ranked as the 72nd-best defensive end in the nation and No. 7 player in the state of Minnesota by Scout.com … first-team all-state, first-team all-conference and first-team all-metro as a senior … defensive lineman of the year … 104 tackles, including 21 TFLs and 15 QB sacks as a senior for a career total of 212 tackles, and 23 QB sacks … three-time letterwinner in football … team captain as a senior … also lettered in basketball, lacrosse and weight lifting … head coach was Mike Smalley
Anthony Mains DE 6-6 225 Naples, Fla. (Golden Gate)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 16 defensive end in the nation and 84th-best player in Florida by Rivals.com … No. 66 defensive end and 99th-best player in Florida by Scout.com … Naples Daily News Player of the Year as a senior … second-team all-Florida Phenom, class 3A player of the year, team defensive player of the year, first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a senior … first-team all-area, first-team all-conference and team defensive player of the year as a junior … three-time letterwinner in football … 101 tackles, including 25 TFLs and ten QB sacks as a senior … career totals of 169 tackles, including 42 TFLs and 19 QB sacks … also lettered in basketball and track and field … Academic Excellence Award as a sophomore, junior and senior … Student of the Year as a junior (4.2 gpa) … head coach was Dave Tanner
Dan Moore DL 6-2 280 O'Fallon, Ill. (O'Fallon Township/Joliet Junior College)
Junior College:
Ranked as the 94th-best junior college player (Rivals.com) in the nation … second-team all-conference and second-team all area as a senior … team won the 2007 Graphic Printing Bowl … 40 tackles, including 11 TFLs and eight QB sacks as a sophomore
High School:
Honorable mention all-state and first-team all-conference linebacker, as well as St. Louis Post-Dispatch Defensive Player of the Year, as a senior … second-team all-conference running back as a senior … honorable mention all-state, first-team all-metro and first-team all conference as a junior linebacker … 102 tackles, one QB sack and one interception as a senior … team captain as a junior and senior … head coach was Todd Moeller
Tyler Westphal DL 6-6 240 Menasha, Wis. (Menasha)
High School:
No. 7 defensive end in the nation and the top-ranked player in Wisconsin by Rivals.com … No. 1 player in the state and tenth-best defensive end nationally by Scout.com … ESPN-U All-American … first-team all-state, first-team all-region, first-team all-conference defensive end and tight end as a senior … first-team all-conference as a junior … honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore … 76 tackles and nine QB sacks as a senior for career totals of 222 tackles and 28 QB sacks … head coach was Brad Westphal (Tyler’s father)
Leonard Hubbard LB 6-1 230 Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
High School:
Ranked as the 19th-best middle linebacker in the nation and the 19th-best player in Illinois by Scout.com … ranked as the No. 28 linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com and Scouts Inc., and also rated as the 14th-best player in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com … second-team all-state by the Illinois Coaches Association and the Chicago Tribune … first-team all-state (Champaign News Gazette) and first-team all-conference as a senior … second-team all-state, first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a junior … career totals of 357 tackles and seven sacks as well as 756 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns … also lettered in basketball and baseball … four-time team captain… head coach was Ken Loenard
Mike Taylor LB 6-2 205 Ashwaubenon, Wis. (Ashwaubenon)
High School:
No. 5 player in Wisconsin and 39th-best weak-side linebacker in the nation by Scout.com … No. 6 player in the state by Rivals.com … first-team all-state, first-team all-area and first-team all-conference linebacker as a senior … second-team all-conference punter as a senior … first-team all-state, all-area Player of the Year and first-team all-conference linebacker as a junior … first-team-all-conference punter and kicker as a junior … second-team all-area kicker and punter, first-team all-conference linebacker and honorable mention all-area linebacker as a sophomore … as a senior he had 103 tackles, including four TFLs, two QB sacks, and four interceptions … four-year letterwinner in football … team MVP as junior and senior … four-time letterwinner in wrestling , placing third at state as a sophomore … Honor Roll all four years… head coach was Ken Golomski
Kevin Claxton DB 6-2 195 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Boyd Anderson)
High school:
Rated as the 50th-best defensive back in Florida by Rivals.com … honorable mention all-county as a senior … recorded 72 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior … team captain as a junior and senior … three-time letterwinner in football … four-year letterwinner in track and a two-time letterwinner in basketball … head coach was Mark James
Marcus Cromartie DB 6-1 175 Mansfield, Texas (Timberview)
High School:
Ranked as the 43rd-best defensive back in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 57 by Scout.com … Top 100 players in Texas and PrepTicket all-state team … Texashsfootball.com honorable mention all-state team … first-team all-district and all-area team as a senior … second-team all-district as a junior … changed schools after Hurricane Katrina as a sophomore and didn’t play … freshman of the year on varsity squad in New Orleans … 56 tackles, two interceptions and 15 passes defended as a senior for a career total of 116 tackles and five interceptions … team captain as a senior … also lettered in track and field … two years as captain of track team … school record in the 200 meter dash (21.77) … head coach was Terry Cron
Antonio Fenelus DB 5-10 175 Boca Raton, Fla. (Boca Raton)
High School:
Ranked in the nation’s top-150 cornerbacks y Scout.com … first-team all-state, first-team all-county and first-team all-conference as a senior … first-team all-state and first-team all-county as a junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … seven interceptions and 159 tackles along with 803 rushing yards and ten touchdowns in his career … also lettered in basketball and track and field … head coach was Eddie Giersbrook
Shelton Johnson DB 6-0 175 Carrollton, Texas (Hebron)
High School:
Ranked in the top-125 safeties in the nation by Scout.com … All-area top-100 players and first-team all-district as a senior … second-team all-district as a junior … team won class 4A division II state title as a sophomore … also lettered in track … National Society of High School Scholars member … head coach was Brian Brazil
Devin Smith DB 5-11 185 Coppell, Texas (Coppell)
High School:
First-team all-state, first-team all-area and first-team all-district as a senior … second-team all-state, second-team all-area and first-team all-district as a junior … second-team all-area and district sophomore defensive player of the year as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … career totals of 17 interceptions, 155 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries … 40 tackles and five interceptions as a senior … team MVP as a senior … Academic All-District … also lettered in basketball and track ... head coach was Bob Shipley
T.J. Williams WR/DB 6-0 180 Kenosha, Wis. (Bradford)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 7 player in Wisconsin and in the top-125 wide receivers in the nation by Rivals.com … No. 6 player in Wisconsin by Scout.com … Alan Ameche Award nominee, second-team all-state, first-team all-county and first-team all-conference as a senior … honorable mention all-conference as a junior … three-time letterwinner in football … career totals of 52 receptions, 821 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns … team captain as a senior … four-year letterwinner in track and field … finished third in the 400-meter dash at the state track meet as a junior … National Honor Society member … head coach was Jed Kennedy
Jordan Bergmann OL 6-6 280 Slinger, Wis. (Kettle Moraine Lutheran)
High School:
First-team all-conference, first-team all-area and honorable mention all-region as a senior … first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a junior … two-year letterwinner in football … team captain as a senior … two-time letterwinner in basketball and also lettered in track and field … National Honor Society member … high honor roll all four years … head coach was Mark Otte
Robert Burge OL/DL 6-7 305 Holmen, Wis. (Holmen)
High School:
First-team all-region and first-team all-conference as a senior … second-team all-conference as a junior … rookie of the year as a sophomore … in nine games as a senior he totaled 28 tackles, including nine TFLs … team captain as a senior … National Honor Society member … High Honor Role all four years … head coach was Steve King
Chris Cromwell OL 6-3 305 Milwaukee, Wis. (St. John's Northwestern Military Academy)
High School:
First-team all-conference and all-county team as a senior … second-team all conference as a junior and sophomore … all-county team as a sophomore … started every game in four years … team captain as a senior … four-year letterwinner in football and two-time letterwinner in basketball … Dean’s List with Honors … Smythe Scholar … head coach was Gary Richert
Bradie Ewing RB/FB 6-1 212 Richland Center, Wis. (Richland Center)
High School:
Rated No. 16 player in Wisconsin by Rivals and Wisconsin Preps … Wisconsin State Journal All-Area Player of the Year … first-team all-state (WFCA), second-team all state (AP), first-team all area, conference MVP and first-team all-conference running back as a senior … played in the 2008 WFCA South All-Star game … first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … team captain as a sophomore, junior and senior … carrer totals of 3,911 yards rushing on 509 carries with 41 touchdowns … senior year totals of 2,116 yards on 258 carries and 24 touchdowns … three-time letterwinner in football … four-year letterwinner in basketball … three-time letterwinner in track and field … honorable mention all-state in basketball as a sophomore, junior, and senior … National Honor Society member …. Class president … head coach was Ed Levy
Ricky Wagner TE 6-7 262 West Allis, Wis. (Nathan Hale)
High School:
Rated the ninth-best player and the No. 1 tight end in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Sports Network) … second-team all-conference and high honorable mention (Community Newspaper) as a junior … career totals of 39 receptions, 900 yards and six touchdowns … also lettered in basketball … high school scholar-athlete … head coach was Scott Otto
Jake Current OL 6-4 280 Troy, Ohio (Troy)
High School:
Ranked as 39th-best overall player and fourth-ranked offensive lineman in Ohio by Ohio High Magazine … ranked 25th nationally by Scout.com as offensive guard and No. 29 player in Ohio … No. 59 offensive lineman nationally and No. 43 player overall in Ohio by Rivals.com … ranked in the top-100 in Midwest by SuperPrep … first-team Ohio News all-Ohio, first-team all-Ohio Division I, first-team SW Ohio all-District, first-team Dayton Daily News all-area, first-team all-conference as a senior … first-team all-conference, honorable mention SW Ohio all-district, DI honorable-mention all-area by Dayton Daily News as a junior … first-team all-conference, honorable mention SW Ohio all-district, DI honorable-mention all-area by Dayton Daily News as a sophomore … four-year letterwinner in football and three-time letterwinner in track … four-year academic letterwinner … National Honor Society member … head coach was Steve Nolan
Christopher Garner OL/DL 6-5 315 Augusta, Wis. (Augusta)
High School:
First-team all-conference defensive lineman and second-team all-conference offensive lineman as a junior and senior … honorable mention all-conference defensive lineman as a sophomore … four-year letterwinner in football … three-time letterwinner in basketball and two-time letterwinner in track and baseball … team captain as a senior … head coach was Mike Bestul
Peter Konz OL/DL 6-6 300 Neenah, Wis. (Neenah)
High School:
Rated as the 30th-best offensive lineman in the nation and the No. 3 player in Wisconsin by Rivals.com … Scout.com ranked him as the second-best player in the state and the No. 38 offensive lineman in the nation … first-team all-state offensive and defensive lineman, first-team all-region offense and defense and first-team all-conference offense and defense as a senior … first-team all-state offense, first-team all-region, first-team all-conference, honorable mention all-conference defense and team’s most valuable lineman as a junior … first-team all-conference and team’s most improved lineman as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … played both ways and totaled 34 tackles and ten QB sacks in his career … three-year letterwinner in football … two-time letterwinner in basketball and track and field … academic letter … head coach was Steve Nientzel
Joe Schafer OL 6-5 285 St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 4 player in Minnesota and the No. 37 offensive lineman in the nation by Rivals.com … Rated as the No. 5 player in the state and 54th-best offensive lineman nationally by Scout.com … First-team all-state (AP, Pioneer Press, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Preps) … first-team all-metro, first-team all-conference and conference offensive lineman of the year as a senior … first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior … honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … three-year letterwinner in football and track and field … two-time letterwinner in basketball … National Honor Society and High Honor Role all four years … head coach was Mike Scanlan
Kevin Zeitler OL 6-4 285 Waukesha, Wis. (Wisconsin Lutheran)
High School:
Ranked as the third-best player in Wisconsin and No. 39 offensive lineman in the nation by Rivals.com … fourth-best player in the state and 22nd-best offensive lineman in the nation by Scout.com … first-team all-state (WFCA, AP) … first-team all-conference, conference lineman of the year, first-team all region and first-team all-area as a senior … first-team all-state (Wisconsinpreps.com), honorable mention all-state(WFCA) … first-team all-conference, first-team all region and second-team all-area as a junior … three-year letterwinner in football … two-time letterwinner in wrestling … one letter in track and field … National Honor Society member … head coach was Kirk DeNoyer
Jake Byrne TE 6-5 250 Rogers, Ark. (Rogers)
High School:
No. 10-ranked player in Arkansas and 44th-best tight end in nation by Scout.com … ranked as 11th-best player in Arkansas and No. 40 tight end nationally by Rivals.com … ranked among nation’s top 125 players by SuperPrep … named to Northwest Arkansas “Super Team” and earned first-team all-state, first-team all-area and offensive player of the year honors as a senior … first-team all-conference and All-American (Max Emfinger) as a junior … player of the year as a sophomore … defensive player of the year as a freshman … team captain as a senior … three-time letterwinner in football … also lettered in basketball … head coach was Ronnie Peacock
Zach Davison TE/DE 6-4 235 Waukee, Iowa (Waukee)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 3 player in Iowa and 53rd-best defensive end in the nation by Scout.com … ranked as the No. 6 player in the state by Rivals.com … Elite all-state team, first-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a senior … third-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … three-time letterwinner in football … career totals of 130 tackles, 18.5 QB sacks and 11 TFLs … three-time academic all-conference selection … four-year letterwinner in track and field … also lettered in basketball … head coach was Scott Carlson
Dex Jones FB 6-1 220 Bolingbrook, Ill. (Montini Catholic)
High School:
Ranked as the 22nd-best player in Illinois by both Scout.com and Rivals.com … No. 32 strong side linebacker in the nation by Scout.com and No. 50 by Rivals.com … first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a senior and junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … 60 tackles, including six for a loss and six QB sacks as a senior … also rushed for 889 yards and seven touchdowns on 77 carries … team captain as a junior and senior … three-year letterwinner in football, four-time letterwinner in basketball and also lettered three times in track and field ... first-team all-conference in basketball as sophomore, junior and senior … head coach was Chris Andriano
Erik Smith RB 5-11 192 Chicago, Ill. (Bolingbrook)
High School:
17th-best player in Illinois and the No. 72 running back in the nation by Scout.com … first-team all-state (Rivals.com and Edgytim.com) … first-team all-area, first-team all-conference, conference MVP and two-time Chicago Tribune Player of the Week as a senior … honorable mention all-area as a junior … career totals of 3,100 yards rushing, 470 yards receiving and 32 touchdowns … team captain as a senior … totaled 1,400 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns as a senior … head coach was John Ivlow
Curt Phillips QB 6-3 215 Kingsport, Tenn. (Sullivan South)
High School:
PrepStar All-American, Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and PrepStar 135 Dream Team … rated as No. 10 player in Tennessee and 42nd-best QB in the nation by Scout.com … ranked as the 109th-best player in the nation by PrepStar and was first-team all-state, Tennessee Dream Team, first-team all-conference and conference MVP as a senior … first-team all-state, first-team all-East Tennessee, first-team all-conference and conference MVP as a junior … first-team all-state, first-team all-conference and conference MVP as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … Tennessee U.S. Army All-Academic Team … career totals include 5,418 passing yards, 3,788 rushing yards and 115 career TDs (64 rushing, 51 passing) … senior year totals included 2,263 passing yards, 1,885 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns … four-time letterwinner in football … also lettered in basketball and track and field … head coach was Stacy Carter
Brad Nortman Specialist 6-3 215 Brookfield, Wis. (Brookfield Central)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 4 kicker in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 8 by Scout.com … rated as the fourth-best player in the state by Scout.com … first-team all-state(WFCA, AP), first-team all-suburban, first-team all-area, first-team all-county and first-team all conference punter as a senior … first-team all-suburban, first-team all-county and first-team all-conference linebacker as a senior … conference defensive co-perimeter player of the year and honorable mention all-conference tight end as a senior … honorable mention all-state, first-team all-area, first-team all-suburban, second-team all-county and first-team all-conference punter as a junior … honorable mention all-area, all-state tournament team, high honorable mention all-suburban and first-team all-county linebacker as a junior … second-team all conference punter as a sophomore … totaled 56 tackles and two interceptions as a senior … 24 punts with a 39 yard average, including 13 inside the 20-yard line … team captain as a senior … National Honor Society member … National Society of High School Scholars … Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Milwaukee Brewers Student Achiever Award … head coach was Doug Lange
Eriks Briedis DL 6-5 265 Miami, Fla. (County Day)
High School:
Rated as the No. 67 defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com and the 91st-best DT by Scout.com … second-team all-state, first-team all-Miami Dade and Spartan team award winner as a senior … honorable mention all-Miami Dade as a junior … did not compete as a sophomore due to injury … team captain as junior and senior … team MVP as a senior … in eight games as a senior he had 89 tackles and five QB sacks … three-time letterwinner in football … three-time letterwinner in baseball … DAANS Award … Director’s List … two-year member of the National Spanish Honor Society … head coach was B.J. Teltsher
Brendan Kelly DE 6-6 230 Eden Prairie, Minn. (Academy of Holy Angels)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 33 defensive end in the nation and 5th-best player in Minnesota by Rivals.com … ranked as the 72nd-best defensive end in the nation and No. 7 player in the state of Minnesota by Scout.com … first-team all-state, first-team all-conference and first-team all-metro as a senior … defensive lineman of the year … 104 tackles, including 21 TFLs and 15 QB sacks as a senior for a career total of 212 tackles, and 23 QB sacks … three-time letterwinner in football … team captain as a senior … also lettered in basketball, lacrosse and weight lifting … head coach was Mike Smalley
Anthony Mains DE 6-6 225 Naples, Fla. (Golden Gate)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 16 defensive end in the nation and 84th-best player in Florida by Rivals.com … No. 66 defensive end and 99th-best player in Florida by Scout.com … Naples Daily News Player of the Year as a senior … second-team all-Florida Phenom, class 3A player of the year, team defensive player of the year, first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a senior … first-team all-area, first-team all-conference and team defensive player of the year as a junior … three-time letterwinner in football … 101 tackles, including 25 TFLs and ten QB sacks as a senior … career totals of 169 tackles, including 42 TFLs and 19 QB sacks … also lettered in basketball and track and field … Academic Excellence Award as a sophomore, junior and senior … Student of the Year as a junior (4.2 gpa) … head coach was Dave Tanner
Dan Moore DL 6-2 280 O'Fallon, Ill. (O'Fallon Township/Joliet Junior College)
Junior College:
Ranked as the 94th-best junior college player (Rivals.com) in the nation … second-team all-conference and second-team all area as a senior … team won the 2007 Graphic Printing Bowl … 40 tackles, including 11 TFLs and eight QB sacks as a sophomore
High School:
Honorable mention all-state and first-team all-conference linebacker, as well as St. Louis Post-Dispatch Defensive Player of the Year, as a senior … second-team all-conference running back as a senior … honorable mention all-state, first-team all-metro and first-team all conference as a junior linebacker … 102 tackles, one QB sack and one interception as a senior … team captain as a junior and senior … head coach was Todd Moeller
Tyler Westphal DL 6-6 240 Menasha, Wis. (Menasha)
High School:
No. 7 defensive end in the nation and the top-ranked player in Wisconsin by Rivals.com … No. 1 player in the state and tenth-best defensive end nationally by Scout.com … ESPN-U All-American … first-team all-state, first-team all-region, first-team all-conference defensive end and tight end as a senior … first-team all-conference as a junior … honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore … 76 tackles and nine QB sacks as a senior for career totals of 222 tackles and 28 QB sacks … head coach was Brad Westphal (Tyler’s father)
Leonard Hubbard LB 6-1 230 Springfield, Ill. (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
High School:
Ranked as the 19th-best middle linebacker in the nation and the 19th-best player in Illinois by Scout.com … ranked as the No. 28 linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com and Scouts Inc., and also rated as the 14th-best player in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com … second-team all-state by the Illinois Coaches Association and the Chicago Tribune … first-team all-state (Champaign News Gazette) and first-team all-conference as a senior … second-team all-state, first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a junior … career totals of 357 tackles and seven sacks as well as 756 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns … also lettered in basketball and baseball … four-time team captain… head coach was Ken Loenard
Mike Taylor LB 6-2 205 Ashwaubenon, Wis. (Ashwaubenon)
High School:
No. 5 player in Wisconsin and 39th-best weak-side linebacker in the nation by Scout.com … No. 6 player in the state by Rivals.com … first-team all-state, first-team all-area and first-team all-conference linebacker as a senior … second-team all-conference punter as a senior … first-team all-state, all-area Player of the Year and first-team all-conference linebacker as a junior … first-team-all-conference punter and kicker as a junior … second-team all-area kicker and punter, first-team all-conference linebacker and honorable mention all-area linebacker as a sophomore … as a senior he had 103 tackles, including four TFLs, two QB sacks, and four interceptions … four-year letterwinner in football … team MVP as junior and senior … four-time letterwinner in wrestling , placing third at state as a sophomore … Honor Roll all four years… head coach was Ken Golomski
Kevin Claxton DB 6-2 195 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Boyd Anderson)
High school:
Rated as the 50th-best defensive back in Florida by Rivals.com … honorable mention all-county as a senior … recorded 72 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior … team captain as a junior and senior … three-time letterwinner in football … four-year letterwinner in track and a two-time letterwinner in basketball … head coach was Mark James
Marcus Cromartie DB 6-1 175 Mansfield, Texas (Timberview)
High School:
Ranked as the 43rd-best defensive back in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 57 by Scout.com … Top 100 players in Texas and PrepTicket all-state team … Texashsfootball.com honorable mention all-state team … first-team all-district and all-area team as a senior … second-team all-district as a junior … changed schools after Hurricane Katrina as a sophomore and didn’t play … freshman of the year on varsity squad in New Orleans … 56 tackles, two interceptions and 15 passes defended as a senior for a career total of 116 tackles and five interceptions … team captain as a senior … also lettered in track and field … two years as captain of track team … school record in the 200 meter dash (21.77) … head coach was Terry Cron
Antonio Fenelus DB 5-10 175 Boca Raton, Fla. (Boca Raton)
High School:
Ranked in the nation’s top-150 cornerbacks y Scout.com … first-team all-state, first-team all-county and first-team all-conference as a senior … first-team all-state and first-team all-county as a junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … seven interceptions and 159 tackles along with 803 rushing yards and ten touchdowns in his career … also lettered in basketball and track and field … head coach was Eddie Giersbrook
Shelton Johnson DB 6-0 175 Carrollton, Texas (Hebron)
High School:
Ranked in the top-125 safeties in the nation by Scout.com … All-area top-100 players and first-team all-district as a senior … second-team all-district as a junior … team won class 4A division II state title as a sophomore … also lettered in track … National Society of High School Scholars member … head coach was Brian Brazil
Devin Smith DB 5-11 185 Coppell, Texas (Coppell)
High School:
First-team all-state, first-team all-area and first-team all-district as a senior … second-team all-state, second-team all-area and first-team all-district as a junior … second-team all-area and district sophomore defensive player of the year as a sophomore … team captain as a senior … career totals of 17 interceptions, 155 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries … 40 tackles and five interceptions as a senior … team MVP as a senior … Academic All-District … also lettered in basketball and track ... head coach was Bob Shipley
T.J. Williams WR/DB 6-0 180 Kenosha, Wis. (Bradford)
High School:
Ranked as the No. 7 player in Wisconsin and in the top-125 wide receivers in the nation by Rivals.com … No. 6 player in Wisconsin by Scout.com … Alan Ameche Award nominee, second-team all-state, first-team all-county and first-team all-conference as a senior … honorable mention all-conference as a junior … three-time letterwinner in football … career totals of 52 receptions, 821 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns … team captain as a senior … four-year letterwinner in track and field … finished third in the 400-meter dash at the state track meet as a junior … National Honor Society member … head coach was Jed Kennedy
Jordan Bergmann OL 6-6 280 Slinger, Wis. (Kettle Moraine Lutheran)
High School:
First-team all-conference, first-team all-area and honorable mention all-region as a senior … first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a junior … two-year letterwinner in football … team captain as a senior … two-time letterwinner in basketball and also lettered in track and field … National Honor Society member … high honor roll all four years … head coach was Mark Otte
Robert Burge OL/DL 6-7 305 Holmen, Wis. (Holmen)
High School:
First-team all-region and first-team all-conference as a senior … second-team all-conference as a junior … rookie of the year as a sophomore … in nine games as a senior he totaled 28 tackles, including nine TFLs … team captain as a senior … National Honor Society member … High Honor Role all four years … head coach was Steve King
Chris Cromwell OL 6-3 305 Milwaukee, Wis. (St. John's Northwestern Military Academy)
High School:
First-team all-conference and all-county team as a senior … second-team all conference as a junior and sophomore … all-county team as a sophomore … started every game in four years … team captain as a senior … four-year letterwinner in football and two-time letterwinner in basketball … Dean’s List with Honors … Smythe Scholar … head coach was Gary Richert
Bradie Ewing RB/FB 6-1 212 Richland Center, Wis. (Richland Center)
High School:
Rated No. 16 player in Wisconsin by Rivals and Wisconsin Preps … Wisconsin State Journal All-Area Player of the Year … first-team all-state (WFCA), second-team all state (AP), first-team all area, conference MVP and first-team all-conference running back as a senior … played in the 2008 WFCA South All-Star game … first-team all-conference and first-team all-area as a junior … first-team all-conference as a sophomore … team captain as a sophomore, junior and senior … carrer totals of 3,911 yards rushing on 509 carries with 41 touchdowns … senior year totals of 2,116 yards on 258 carries and 24 touchdowns … three-time letterwinner in football … four-year letterwinner in basketball … three-time letterwinner in track and field … honorable mention all-state in basketball as a sophomore, junior, and senior … National Honor Society member …. Class president … head coach was Ed Levy
Ricky Wagner TE 6-7 262 West Allis, Wis. (Nathan Hale)
High School:
Rated the ninth-best player and the No. 1 tight end in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Sports Network) … second-team all-conference and high honorable mention (Community Newspaper) as a junior … career totals of 39 receptions, 900 yards and six touchdowns … also lettered in basketball … high school scholar-athlete … head coach was Scott Otto
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Congratulations
To Todd and Nico, longtime CuteSports friends, over at RollBamaRoll as #1 wide receiver (and #2 overall) recruit Julio Jones just committed to Alabama.
National Signing Day
Today's national signing day is actually kind of a big deal because a large number of top recruits have yet to commit. Normally at this time, national signing day is a bit of a formality, as the biggest players have usually already said where they are going.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is expected to hold a press conference at 3:30 CST to announce Wisconsin's 2008 recruiting class. All information on that can be found on UWBadgers.com.
In the meantime, some of the big commitments that have already been announced include:
ESPN 150 OLB Keanon Cooper (Dallas/Skyline) switched his commitment from Texas Tech to Minnesota. Two of his high school teammates have committed to Minnesota and thoughts are that they swayed him.
No. 7 guard prospect Josh Jenkins (Vienna, W. Va./Parkersburg) had de-committed when Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia, but signed with them after apparently looking around and not finding anything better.
Virginia Tech has a whopping 26 signatures so far, including No. 4 RB Ryan Williams (Manassas, Va./Jackson-Manassas) E Dwight Tucker (Oviedo, Fla.) and ILB Allen Stephens (South Boston, Va./Halifax County).
Previously uncommitted Under Armour All-American wide receiver Martin Bayless Jr. (Fresno, Texas/Hightower) chose Northwestern over other, more prominent BCS schools like Ohio State and Cal.
Florida has received 17 letters of intent including the country's top two safeties, Will Hill (West Orange, N.J./St. Peter's) and Dee Finley (Auburn, Ala.).
ESPN 150 QB E.J. Manuel (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) signed with Florida State.
No. 1 running back Jermie Calhoun (Van, Texas) committed to Oklahoma.
Former Michigan commit ESPN 150 RB/LB Christian Wilson (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) signed with North Carolina over Boston College.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is expected to hold a press conference at 3:30 CST to announce Wisconsin's 2008 recruiting class. All information on that can be found on UWBadgers.com.
In the meantime, some of the big commitments that have already been announced include:
ESPN 150 OLB Keanon Cooper (Dallas/Skyline) switched his commitment from Texas Tech to Minnesota. Two of his high school teammates have committed to Minnesota and thoughts are that they swayed him.
Illinois : ESPN 150 CB Patrick Nixon's (Jacksonville, Fla./Middleburg)
ESPN analyst Billy Tucker said: "This kid's best days are ahead of him. He's a leaner corner with the build to put on 20 pounds and offer scheme versatility at safety or corner."
The Georgia Bulldogs had 16 guys before today started including DT DeAngelo Tyson (Statesboro, Ga.) and RB Richard Samuel (Cartersville, Ga./Cass)No. 7 guard prospect Josh Jenkins (Vienna, W. Va./Parkersburg) had de-committed when Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia, but signed with them after apparently looking around and not finding anything better.
Virginia Tech has a whopping 26 signatures so far, including No. 4 RB Ryan Williams (Manassas, Va./Jackson-Manassas) E Dwight Tucker (Oviedo, Fla.) and ILB Allen Stephens (South Boston, Va./Halifax County).
Twenty-two signees in for Mississippi State including No. 9 DT Templeton Hardy (Como, Miss./North Panola).
Previously uncommitted Under Armour All-American wide receiver Martin Bayless Jr. (Fresno, Texas/Hightower) chose Northwestern over other, more prominent BCS schools like Ohio State and Cal.
Florida has received 17 letters of intent including the country's top two safeties, Will Hill (West Orange, N.J./St. Peter's) and Dee Finley (Auburn, Ala.).
ESPN 150 QB E.J. Manuel (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) signed with Florida State.
No. 1 running back Jermie Calhoun (Van, Texas) committed to Oklahoma.
Former Michigan commit ESPN 150 RB/LB Christian Wilson (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) signed with North Carolina over Boston College.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
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