Atlanta Journal Constitution Article

Lofton in middle

Former Georgia linebacker Tony Taylor opened training camp at middle linebacker with the first team. But Curtis Lofton was with the first team on Tuesday.

He's hoping to land the starting position.

"They took me pretty high," said Lofton, a second-round pick. "Everybody has expectations and I have expectations for myself."

With the Lofton and Taylor in the middle, the Falcons moved Keith Brooking back to weakside linebacker.

"Brook, Boley and the other guys have really taken me under their wings and have helped me out if I need anything," Lofton said.

North County Times Article

This training camp is different in a big way for starting right tackle Jeromey Clary, in that he doesn't have to worry about the possibility of being cut by the Chargers.

Last summer, Clary kept checking the roster and couldn't let out a sigh of relief until the final cutdown, when he was retained and Cory Lekkerkerker was released.

"Last year, I was playing the numbers game," Clary said Monday. " 'Are they going to keep me or are they going to keep Lek? Am I going to make the team or I'm not going to make the team?' ... This year, I get to use these preseason games to tune me up and get me ready for the season instead of using those preseason games to make the squad.

Charleston Gazette Article

This is the day Joe Alexander has worked toward, almost single-mindedly, virtually his entire life. So when his name is called tonight at Madison Square Garden, don't expect him to do something silly.

Like walk up to the podium wearing Bob Huggins' awful gold suit.

"No, that's not going to happen,'' Alexander said. "But it's not that he hasn't joked about it and tried to get me to do it. I just tell him it won't fit me.''

It's a pretty good bet that Huggins won't be wearing the suit either, although he plans to be there with Alexander for the NBA's annual draft, which will be televised on ESPN beginning at 7 p.m.

Of course, attire isn't nearly the most intriguing question surrounding Alexander in tonight's draft. It's all about where the erstwhile West Virginia forward will go.

The smart money is on the No. 8 pick, the one held by the Milwaukee Bucks. That's where the overwhelming majority of mock drafts have the 6-foot-8 forward slotted.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review Article

"Ron Everhart has done an outstanding job in elevating our men's basketball program," added Amodio. "He has accomplished a great deal in two short years. Ron has shown tremendous leadership, an unparalleled work ethic and a commitment to making Duquesne a winner. We are extremely pleased to have him leading our program for many years to come."

"Duquesne is a very special place," said Everhart. "It really is an honor to receive an extension. I am fortunate to be part of a program that has such a strong commitment to basketball excellence. The support we receive from Dr. Dougherty and Greg Amodio has given us the opportunity to compete at the highest level of the Atlantic 10. I'm excited to be part of that process.

"Personally, being part of a faith-based institution and being close to home means a lot to me and my family."

Bulls.com


Bulls.com: Beasley is quick to admit he’s “still a kid” when fielding questions about his character. What’s your assessment of him?
Martin: “I wish my kids will grow up to have his character and I’ve got three of them. He’s phenomenal and he’s a treat to be around. He makes coaching an easy profession. He cares about winning and nothing else. He wants to be the best, so he works at it, but he doesn’t go around thinking he’s the best. He’s receptive to coaching. You could go back and speak to any one he’s ever been a student of, coached by, or played with, and you won’t find one person who will give you a negative comment about Michael Beasley. I was a schoolteacher for many years, and the stuff that he’s done, it was nothing more than a young teenager looking for attention. He’s never placed harm on anybody and he never will place harm on anybody. It’s not in his personality and it’s not who he is. He doesn’t steal, he’s not into drugs and he’s not a gangbanger. He’s a simple kid who enjoys being a kid. He never missed a practice. He’d roll an ankle, but he’d refuse to come out of a drill. He’s an unbelievable person.”

"He’s got an unbelievable personality," Martin said of Beasley. "Waves of people of all ages just flocked to him while he was at K-State." (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Bulls.com: Beasley led K-State to its first NCAA appearance since 1996. What kind of impact would you say he’s had on your program?
Martin: “The part that went unseen about our team is that we had no senior leadership. Our best returning player tore up his knee last summer, so he never even got to practice with us. Our two starting guards were seniors, and not to take anything away from them because they were great for us and helped us, but they averaged 4.5 assists per game combined on a team that had Mike Beasley, who averaged 26.2 points per game and shot 55 percent, and Bill Walker, who averaged 17 points and shot 49 percent. There were a lot of challenges that were presented to him, but he never complained or treated any teammate like they were inferior. On the contrary, he made sure he went out of his way to make teammates, managers and everyone involved know that they were in it together. What he did on the court speaks for itself. The Bulls have a tough decision to make. Everyone wants to talk about what Derrick Rose did against Kansas, but how about what Mike did when we played against Kansas in Kansas in front of 17,000 fans? [Beasley recorded 39 points (13-23 FG, 13-16 FT, 4-7 3-pt. FG) and 11 rebounds in an 88-74 loss.] And he only played seven minutes in that first half after getting called for two fouls two minutes into the game. As a player, he’s just scratching the surface on how good he can be.”

Bulls.com: What impressed you most about Beasley during his one season at K-State?
Martin: “His overall approach—he cares so much about winning, and he cares about being the best, and in that order. We played at Baylor and he was incredible; he set our scoring record with 44 points and set a handful of other records too. But in our locker room after that game, he couldn’t have been more upset because we lost. He loves to win; he practices to win and he plays to win. He wants to be the best. He doesn’t act as if he’s got the answers; on the contrary, when you work with him, he wants to learn the answers.”

Bulls.com: What challenges do you feel he’ll face as he prepares for playing at the NBA level?
Martin: “My one and only concern with him is that he goes to an organization that is right for him. He’s a good kid and he’s a simple kid, but he needs to be somewhere with a sound structure and support system in place. If that happens, he can trust, and when he trusts, he’s just phenomenal.”

Bulls.com: Is there a certain element of his game that will allow him to excel as a pro?
Martin: “His ability to rebound. I’ve been around guys like Jason Maxiell and Udonis Haslem. Haslem averaged about six and a half rebounds a game in high school and right at seven as a senior in college. I used to tell him all the time, ‘You don’t rebound the ball. If you want to play in the league, you’ve got to have something that you do extremely well.’ Mike averaged nearly 13 rebounds a game and that’s been pretty consistent no matter where he’s played—whether in high school, AAU, internationally, or college. I think guys that know how to rebound will do it regardless of what level they are playing. And he’s a great shooter. I feel bad that we couldn’t do more things with him on the perimeter because we needed him to play closer to the basket. That’s what helped us the most. He loves playing on the post, though, and he punishes people down there. That’s something else—people don’t understand how strong he is. When he left campus not long ago, he was benching 185 pounds between 25 and 30 times. He loves the weightroom. Our strength coach is a maniac, he’s been with us for awhile, and he loves Mike Beasley. And he doesn’t like too many guys in that respect.”

Madison Courier Article

Brett Dietz threw a Tampa Bay Storm franchise record 10 touchdown passes, but his three turnovers proved more costly in the Storm's 73-70 loss at San Jose Saturday.

The loss ends Tampa Bay's playoff hopes with one game to play. At 7-8, the Storm are mathematically eliminated from leaping the four teams ahead of them.

"We had a chance but gave it right back to them," Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum told the St. Petersburg Times. "We had our opportunities and didn't take advantage of them. This (loss) is terribly disappointing."

Dietz, a 2004 Hanover College graduate, threw for over 300 yards and led the Storm to an early 14-7 lead.

Tampa Bay recovered an onside kick in the first quarter but Dietz was picked off in the end zone on the first play.

The SaberCats recovered and tied the game, swinging the momentum back in San Jose's favor.

After tying the score, San Jose recovered a Dietz fumble in the end zone to go ahead 21-14. A Dietz interception in the fourth quarter was the final nail, leading the Cats to a 66-49 lead.

Dietz rallied the team, but fell short in the three-point loss.

Cincinnati.com Article

The Zach Strief Dream Big Foundation is hosting its Second Annual Benefit Dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at O'Bannon Creek Country Club.

Strief, a Milford graduate, was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft and has spent two seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Only 150 spaces are available for the benefit dinner. Last year, the event sold out.

"I hope to continue to help out locally in my home town of Milford this year and also to start working even more to help out in the New Orleans area I have grown to love by way of recreational and mentoring programs," Strief said in a press release.


For More Information on The Dream Big Foundation Visit -  www.zsdbfoundation.com

Most Valuable Network Article

Chase Blackburn -The linebacker showcased his versatility, playing all three linebacker spots during camp.  He showed his knowledge of the defense, by making some defensive adjustments and notching a few interceptions.  He is a valuable reserve who can help on special teams, and I once thought he may be in danger of being cut, but that looks like less of an option now.

Herald Online Article

Carolina Panthers running back Nick Goings stopped worrying about his head months ago.

What has him excited is how well his legs feel.

The veteran backup/special teamer said Wednesday he's past worrying about the concussions that ended his 2007 season early, instead focusing on better filling the niche he's created for himself.

"Honestly, I've never felt better in my life," Goings said. "After all the stuff that's happened to me, I just took some time to heal and I'm coming after it hard -- harder than I ever have before.

"I'm not taking any moment of it for granted, just enjoying every part of it."

That kind of attitude has defined Goings since he's been a Panther, after making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He's long been a favorite of the coaching staff for his unselfishness and versatility, and he was voted captain last year. The only problem was his season ended after four games when he suffered the third major concussion of his career.

TwinCities.Com Article

Antoine Winfield joked that he had a new role this offseason when free agency came around: general manager.

He called and gave Vikings coach Brad Childress his opinion about players available on the market.

"I was the makeshift GM," Winfield said, grinning. "I'd call him, 'Hey, so-and-so is out there. I know we got the money. We can grab him.' It was all in fun. We were trying to get the best players we can in here to try to win a championship."

Actually, Winfield said he had some fairly serious talks with Childress about free agents. And after a three-day minicamp ended Sunday, Winfield liked what he saw from the new class.

"I give it an A-plus," Winfield said. "At every position they brought in some players that are

going to help us this year — safety, wide receiver, D-end. We're expecting big things this year."

Childress described the back-and-forth with his veteran cornerback regarding free agents as "amusing."

"I get free advice all the time," Childress said, "with the emphasis on free, from lots of different pundits and fans and players. You sort through it, and you have fun with it."

Winfield didn't wind up having as much success in free agency as he would have liked. His pitches involved other players — "we'll leave them out of the discussion" — so he can't brag too much. But he enjoyed the communication with Childress.

"There were some players out there, and I thought they would be a great addition to our team,