OXFORD, Ohio--Miami University cornerback Jerrid Gaines (Springfield, Ohio/South) has signed a free-agent contract with the National Football League's Cleveland Browns.
Gaines, who redshirted the 2005 season, was a four-year letterwinner for the RedHawks, playing 51 games during his Miami career. He was a part of four MAC East Division titles (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007). He also was a part of the 2003 MAC Championship, seeing action in all 14 games during his freshman campaign, and played in both the 2003 GMAC Bowl and 2004 Independence Bowl.
Gaines is following his father's footsteps to the NFL. Wentford Gaines played with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears organizations.
Since the 2003 season, 18 Miamians including Gaines have been drafted or have signed free-agent contracts to play in the NFL. The last three Super Bowl Champions also have had a RedHawk on their roster, as former Miami quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger (2001-03) and Josh Betts (2002-05) won World Championships with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2006) and Indianapolis Colts (2007), respectively, and offensive lineman Todd Londot (2002-05) this past year with the New York Giants.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ryan Diem Named Outstanding Young Alumnus at NIU
DeKalb, Ill. - Ryan Diem, a four-year letterwinner for the Northern Illinois Huskies from 1997-2000 who has gone on to a Super Bowl winning career as a starting tackle in the National Football League, has been honored with Northern Illinois University's Outstanding Young Alumni Award for 2008.
Diem, a native of Carol Stream, Ill., accepted the award at the Northern Illinois Alumni Association Awards Dinner on April 24 at the Barsema Alumni Center in DeKalb.
"I was absolutely surprised and very honored to receive this award," Diem said. "I was excited to be in the presence of all of the award winners at the dinner on Thursday. I really appreciated the chance to play football and the education that I received at NIU."
Diem played for recently retired Huskie head coach Joe Novak from 1997-2000 and was elected a team captain in each of his final two seasons while garnering a spot on the academic honor roll every semester of his NIU career. Diem started 35 consecutive games for NIU and did not allow a sack in either his junior or senior season. He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering and engineering technology from Northern Illinois, and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
He has spent the last seven seasons as a starting offensive lineman for Indianapolis and was a member of the Colts squad that won Super Bowl XLI.
Diem's contributions off the field keyed his selection as the Outstanding Young Alumnus. The award is given annually to an individual who has exhibited outstanding accomplishments within 10 years of earning an undergraduate degree from NIU.
In Indianapolis, Diem is an active participant in the Colts' Community Tuesdays program which sends players out into the community each Tuesday during the season. He also sponsors an annual reading contest at Calhoun Grade School in Chicago and is involved with etiquette programs which help children learn appropriate behaviors.
Along with his wife, Julie, Diem is actively involved with the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF); for the last three years, they have hosted "Ryan Diem's Allie and Friends Golf Classic," raising over $300,000 for cancer research.
Last year, the Diems showed their appreciation to NIU and to the contributions that Novak, the university and the football program made to his success with a generous gift to name the Offensive Staff Meeting Room in the new Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center.
"I feel very fortunate to be able to give back," Diem said. "I look at it as a gift and it is something that is important to me and to my family."
A dedicated and connected alumnus who learned of the Outstanding Alumnus Honor while on campus to attend the memorial service in honor of the victims of the Feb. 14 tragedy, Diem was also on hand to help honor Novak, his former coach, at a dinner in Novak's honor last Saturday night (April 26).
Diem, a native of Carol Stream, Ill., accepted the award at the Northern Illinois Alumni Association Awards Dinner on April 24 at the Barsema Alumni Center in DeKalb.
"I was absolutely surprised and very honored to receive this award," Diem said. "I was excited to be in the presence of all of the award winners at the dinner on Thursday. I really appreciated the chance to play football and the education that I received at NIU."
Diem played for recently retired Huskie head coach Joe Novak from 1997-2000 and was elected a team captain in each of his final two seasons while garnering a spot on the academic honor roll every semester of his NIU career. Diem started 35 consecutive games for NIU and did not allow a sack in either his junior or senior season. He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering and engineering technology from Northern Illinois, and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
He has spent the last seven seasons as a starting offensive lineman for Indianapolis and was a member of the Colts squad that won Super Bowl XLI.
Diem's contributions off the field keyed his selection as the Outstanding Young Alumnus. The award is given annually to an individual who has exhibited outstanding accomplishments within 10 years of earning an undergraduate degree from NIU.
In Indianapolis, Diem is an active participant in the Colts' Community Tuesdays program which sends players out into the community each Tuesday during the season. He also sponsors an annual reading contest at Calhoun Grade School in Chicago and is involved with etiquette programs which help children learn appropriate behaviors.
Along with his wife, Julie, Diem is actively involved with the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF); for the last three years, they have hosted "Ryan Diem's Allie and Friends Golf Classic," raising over $300,000 for cancer research.
Last year, the Diems showed their appreciation to NIU and to the contributions that Novak, the university and the football program made to his success with a generous gift to name the Offensive Staff Meeting Room in the new Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center.
"I feel very fortunate to be able to give back," Diem said. "I look at it as a gift and it is something that is important to me and to my family."
A dedicated and connected alumnus who learned of the Outstanding Alumnus Honor while on campus to attend the memorial service in honor of the victims of the Feb. 14 tragedy, Diem was also on hand to help honor Novak, his former coach, at a dinner in Novak's honor last Saturday night (April 26).
Ohio's Landon Cohen Drafted by Detroit Lions
ATHENS, Ohio-Ohio defensive tackle Landon Cohen (Spartanburg, S.C.) was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 216th pick in the seventh round of this weekend's NFL Draft.
Cohen was the eighth of nine Mid-American Conference players selected during the two-day event and the first Bobcat taken since punter Dave Zastudil's name was called in the fourth round (112th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in 2002. The last time the Lions drafted a Bobcat was 1961 when fullback Bob Brooks was taken in the ninth round (122nd overall).
Cohen, the 27th Ohio player drafted in the program's history, amassed 144 career tackles with 39.5 tackles for loss, which tied him for fourth in school history with linebacker Matt Muncy. Cohen and running back Kalvin McRae (Decatur, Ga.) also started a team-high 37 consecutive games over the course of their sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
As a senior, the 6'3, 274 pound lineman tallied 59 stops with a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also claimed second-team All-MAC honors for the second straight year.
The Ohio football squad will begin its 2008 campaign Aug. 30 at Wyoming.
Cohen was the eighth of nine Mid-American Conference players selected during the two-day event and the first Bobcat taken since punter Dave Zastudil's name was called in the fourth round (112th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in 2002. The last time the Lions drafted a Bobcat was 1961 when fullback Bob Brooks was taken in the ninth round (122nd overall).
Cohen, the 27th Ohio player drafted in the program's history, amassed 144 career tackles with 39.5 tackles for loss, which tied him for fourth in school history with linebacker Matt Muncy. Cohen and running back Kalvin McRae (Decatur, Ga.) also started a team-high 37 consecutive games over the course of their sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
As a senior, the 6'3, 274 pound lineman tallied 59 stops with a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also claimed second-team All-MAC honors for the second straight year.
The Ohio football squad will begin its 2008 campaign Aug. 30 at Wyoming.
Temple Athletics to Host Partnership Field Day on Wednesday
PHILADELPHIA - Temple Athletics will host its annual "Partnership Field Day" with four local elementary schools on Wednesday, April 30 on Chodoff Field at the Edberg-Olson Hall Football Complex.
More than 150 student-athletes from 24 of Temple's varsity teams are expected to host over 400 sixth through eighth grade students from the Dunbar, Meade, Duckrey and Ferguson elementary schools. The elementary school students will compete in a variety of events and relays on the field with current Temple student-athletes from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Field Day offers sports clinics in football, track, soccer, rowing, and field hockey in an attempt to expose these students to organized sports that they would typically not get the opportunity to learn or play. In addition, student-athletes from other teams will be volunteering in other activities such as basketball toss, jump rope, and tug-a-war.
Prior to the event Temple student-athletes visited each of the participating schools to help promote literacy, positive behavior and the value of sportsmanship.
Field Day is one of many community outreach projects conducted by the Department of Athletics via its "Owl Outreach" program.
Owl Outreach is a community service program conducted by the Department of Athletics to raise the consciousness and awareness in young people throughout the Philadelphia area on aspects of leadership, positive character development and community service.
More than 150 student-athletes from 24 of Temple's varsity teams are expected to host over 400 sixth through eighth grade students from the Dunbar, Meade, Duckrey and Ferguson elementary schools. The elementary school students will compete in a variety of events and relays on the field with current Temple student-athletes from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Field Day offers sports clinics in football, track, soccer, rowing, and field hockey in an attempt to expose these students to organized sports that they would typically not get the opportunity to learn or play. In addition, student-athletes from other teams will be volunteering in other activities such as basketball toss, jump rope, and tug-a-war.
Prior to the event Temple student-athletes visited each of the participating schools to help promote literacy, positive behavior and the value of sportsmanship.
Field Day is one of many community outreach projects conducted by the Department of Athletics via its "Owl Outreach" program.
Owl Outreach is a community service program conducted by the Department of Athletics to raise the consciousness and awareness in young people throughout the Philadelphia area on aspects of leadership, positive character development and community service.
John Greco Selected in Third Round of NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams; Jalen Parmele taken in Sixth Round by Miami
Toledo, OH - Former Rockets John Greco and Jalen Parmele were both selected in the NFL Draft in the second day of the draft on Sunday. Immediately at the conclusion of the draft, former Rocket punter Brett Kern was signed to a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos.
It is the first time that two Rockets were taken in the NFL Draft since Darren Anderson and Vince Marrow were picked in the fourth and 11th rounds, respectively, in the 1992 draft.
Greco, an offensive lineman was selected as the second pick of the third round by the St. Louis Rams. He was the 65th pick overall, the highest Rocket draft pick since Dan Williams was taken as the 11th overall pick of the 1993 Draft by the Denver Broncos. Parmele was taken by the Miami Dolphins as the 10th pick of the sixth round, the 176th overall selection.
Greco, who watched the draft from his home in Youngstown, OH, was a three-time, first-team All-MAC selection as the Rockets' left tackle. As a senior, he was named third-team All-America by Phil Steele Magazine and by Rivals.com, and was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19.
"I was a little surprised to be picked so early but my agent told me to be ready early on Sunday," said Greco. "I was extremely excited to be picked by St. Louis. I think it's a good situation for me. I am excited to be playing for the Rams." Greco will report to Rams' mini-camp on May 8.
Greco started 49 consecutive games in his career, which accounts for every UT game over past four seasons, including 36 straight at left tackle. As a sophomore, he took over the left tackle spot vacated by Nick Kaczur, now the starting right tackle for the New England Patriots..
Greco was the undisputed leader of an offensive line that allowed just 16 sacks, tied for 21st best in the nation and third in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo’s offense also ranked No. 2 in scoring (32.9), No. 1 in total offense (448.4) and No. 1 in rushing (209.2) in the MAC.
Parmele, from Midland, MI, is the first UT running back taken in the draft since Chester Taylor was picked in the sixth round by Baltimore in 2002. He was named first-team All-MAC in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Parmele finished third in balloting for MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He was ninth in the nation and second in the MAC in rushing with 1,511 yards and added 14 rushing TDs. His 1,511 yards rushing in 2007 was the fourth-highest mark in UT history. He finished his career in fourth place on UT’s career rushing list with 3,119 yards. Taylor is the Rockets' all-time leader with 4,849 yards. He caught the eye of many NFL scouts when he rushed for a game-high 46 yards in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12.
Parmele is the first UT running back taken in the draft since Chester Taylor was picked in the sixth round by Baltimore in 2002. He was named first-team All-MAC in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Parmele finished third in balloting for MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He was ninth in nation and second in MAC in rushing with 1,511 yards and added 14 rushing TDs. His 1,511 yards rushing in 2007 was the fourth-highest mark in UT history. He finished his career in fourth place on UT’s career rushing list with 3,119 yards. Taylor is the Rockets' all-time leader with 4,849 yards. He caught the eye of many NFL scouts when he rushed for a game-high 46 yards in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12.
Kern, the first punter in UT history to be drafted, finished the season ranked second in the nation in punting average (46.1). His punting average in 2007 ranks as the best in UT history, shattering the previous record of 43.5 by Brandon Hannum in 2003. Kern was one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, given annually to the nation's top punter. Kern was named third-team All-America by both the Associated Press and Rivals.com. He also was voted the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and earned second-team All-MAC honors. Kern impressed scouts with strong showings in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12 and the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19.
An excellent student, Kern earned second-team Academic All-District by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) with a 3.38 grade point average in geography. He was a finalist for the Draddy Award given to the student-athlete with the best mix of academic and athletic achievement.
Recent Rockets Taken in NFL Draft
2008 John Greco, OL, St. Louis 3rd (65th); Jalen Parmele, RB, Miami 6th (176)
2006 Bruce Gradkowski, QB Tampa Bay 6th (194th)
2005 Nick Kaczur, OL New England 3rd (100th)
2003 Carl Ford, WR Green Bay 7th (256th)
2002 Chester Taylor, RB Baltimore 6th (207th)
It is the first time that two Rockets were taken in the NFL Draft since Darren Anderson and Vince Marrow were picked in the fourth and 11th rounds, respectively, in the 1992 draft.
Greco, an offensive lineman was selected as the second pick of the third round by the St. Louis Rams. He was the 65th pick overall, the highest Rocket draft pick since Dan Williams was taken as the 11th overall pick of the 1993 Draft by the Denver Broncos. Parmele was taken by the Miami Dolphins as the 10th pick of the sixth round, the 176th overall selection.
Greco, who watched the draft from his home in Youngstown, OH, was a three-time, first-team All-MAC selection as the Rockets' left tackle. As a senior, he was named third-team All-America by Phil Steele Magazine and by Rivals.com, and was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19.
"I was a little surprised to be picked so early but my agent told me to be ready early on Sunday," said Greco. "I was extremely excited to be picked by St. Louis. I think it's a good situation for me. I am excited to be playing for the Rams." Greco will report to Rams' mini-camp on May 8.
Greco started 49 consecutive games in his career, which accounts for every UT game over past four seasons, including 36 straight at left tackle. As a sophomore, he took over the left tackle spot vacated by Nick Kaczur, now the starting right tackle for the New England Patriots..
Greco was the undisputed leader of an offensive line that allowed just 16 sacks, tied for 21st best in the nation and third in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo’s offense also ranked No. 2 in scoring (32.9), No. 1 in total offense (448.4) and No. 1 in rushing (209.2) in the MAC.
Parmele, from Midland, MI, is the first UT running back taken in the draft since Chester Taylor was picked in the sixth round by Baltimore in 2002. He was named first-team All-MAC in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Parmele finished third in balloting for MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He was ninth in the nation and second in the MAC in rushing with 1,511 yards and added 14 rushing TDs. His 1,511 yards rushing in 2007 was the fourth-highest mark in UT history. He finished his career in fourth place on UT’s career rushing list with 3,119 yards. Taylor is the Rockets' all-time leader with 4,849 yards. He caught the eye of many NFL scouts when he rushed for a game-high 46 yards in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12.
Parmele is the first UT running back taken in the draft since Chester Taylor was picked in the sixth round by Baltimore in 2002. He was named first-team All-MAC in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Parmele finished third in balloting for MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He was ninth in nation and second in MAC in rushing with 1,511 yards and added 14 rushing TDs. His 1,511 yards rushing in 2007 was the fourth-highest mark in UT history. He finished his career in fourth place on UT’s career rushing list with 3,119 yards. Taylor is the Rockets' all-time leader with 4,849 yards. He caught the eye of many NFL scouts when he rushed for a game-high 46 yards in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12.
Kern, the first punter in UT history to be drafted, finished the season ranked second in the nation in punting average (46.1). His punting average in 2007 ranks as the best in UT history, shattering the previous record of 43.5 by Brandon Hannum in 2003. Kern was one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, given annually to the nation's top punter. Kern was named third-team All-America by both the Associated Press and Rivals.com. He also was voted the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and earned second-team All-MAC honors. Kern impressed scouts with strong showings in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12 and the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19.
An excellent student, Kern earned second-team Academic All-District by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) with a 3.38 grade point average in geography. He was a finalist for the Draddy Award given to the student-athlete with the best mix of academic and athletic achievement.
Recent Rockets Taken in NFL Draft
2008 John Greco, OL, St. Louis 3rd (65th); Jalen Parmele, RB, Miami 6th (176)
2006 Bruce Gradkowski, QB Tampa Bay 6th (194th)
2005 Nick Kaczur, OL New England 3rd (100th)
2003 Carl Ford, WR Green Bay 7th (256th)
2002 Chester Taylor, RB Baltimore 6th (207th)
James Blair to Sign Free Agent Contract with Cincinnati Bengals
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Offensive tackle James Blair did not hear his name during the 2008 NFL Draft but he will sign his name to a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Blair becomes the second Bronco offensive lineman in as many seasons to sign a free agent contract with an NFL franchise after former teammate Dominic Moran did so with the New York Jets after the 2006 campaign.
In 2007, Blair led the team in plays, not only setting a new single-season personal best with his 1,043 plays but almost matching his output from the past two seasons combined (1,381). Blair started every game of this senior season, marking the first time in his career he had started every game of a campaign. He finished his career with 27 starts in 44 games played and he was in one 2,424 plays throughout his career. Blair earned First Team All-Mid-American Conference honors following his senior campaign and participated in both the 2008 Hula All-Star Game and the Texas vs. the Nation Challenge.
The Detroit native was the only member of the WMU football team to be invited to the 2008 NFL Combine held in Indianapolis in March. During his time there, the league scouts graded Blair on agility, body size and talent. Some of the analysis stated that Blair was a tough player who commands attention with his strong effort and anchor. He can extend his arms and set his legs so even the strongest of defensive tackles cannot bull their way into the backfield. He drive blocks well, getting his hands into the defender's body quickly and moving him down the line or backwards. Blair has quick set and adequate lateral movement in pass protection to play inside. He is effective getting into the thigh pads of defender when cut blocking. (Information gathered from www.nfl.com)
Cincinnati made 10 selections during the draft but only one on the offensive line, Anthony Collins who is also an offensive tackle for the University of Kansas. The Bengals currently have three tackles listed on their active roster as well as a pair of tackle/guards. Blair could be used at either position.
Blair will travel to Cincinnati this coming week for the Bengals' mini-camp scheduled for May 2-4.
Blair becomes the second Bronco offensive lineman in as many seasons to sign a free agent contract with an NFL franchise after former teammate Dominic Moran did so with the New York Jets after the 2006 campaign.
In 2007, Blair led the team in plays, not only setting a new single-season personal best with his 1,043 plays but almost matching his output from the past two seasons combined (1,381). Blair started every game of this senior season, marking the first time in his career he had started every game of a campaign. He finished his career with 27 starts in 44 games played and he was in one 2,424 plays throughout his career. Blair earned First Team All-Mid-American Conference honors following his senior campaign and participated in both the 2008 Hula All-Star Game and the Texas vs. the Nation Challenge.
The Detroit native was the only member of the WMU football team to be invited to the 2008 NFL Combine held in Indianapolis in March. During his time there, the league scouts graded Blair on agility, body size and talent. Some of the analysis stated that Blair was a tough player who commands attention with his strong effort and anchor. He can extend his arms and set his legs so even the strongest of defensive tackles cannot bull their way into the backfield. He drive blocks well, getting his hands into the defender's body quickly and moving him down the line or backwards. Blair has quick set and adequate lateral movement in pass protection to play inside. He is effective getting into the thigh pads of defender when cut blocking. (Information gathered from www.nfl.com)
Cincinnati made 10 selections during the draft but only one on the offensive line, Anthony Collins who is also an offensive tackle for the University of Kansas. The Bengals currently have three tackles listed on their active roster as well as a pair of tackle/guards. Blair could be used at either position.
Blair will travel to Cincinnati this coming week for the Bengals' mini-camp scheduled for May 2-4.
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