Saturday, August 21, 2010

Derrick Roberson Picks Off Palko

Aregatta client Derrick Roberson recorded an interception tonight against backup Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Tyler Palko. He also recorded 1 solo tackle in the contest. Roberson is fighting for a spot on the two deep in his second season in Tampa Bay.

McMackin Helps Shock Win ArenaBowl

Offensive lineman Rob McMackin helped lead the Spokane Shock to their first ever ArenaBowl win on Friday. The Shock finished the regular season with the best record in the league at 16-3 and worked their way to the championship game against the Tampa Bay Storm. In a close battle, the Shock emerged victorious with a 69-57 win in front of over 11,000 spectators at Spokane Tribe Field.

McMackin is a graduate of Towson and has been a player in arena football since 2006. In his first two seasons of professional indoor football, he played for both the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers and the Tri-Cities Fever of the af2. In 2008, McMackin moved to the AFL where he played for the Chicago Rush and was a member of the LA Avengers practice squad.

McMackin initially attended Iona before transferring to Towson after his freshman season. As a freshman at Iona, he was named to the all-conference team.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Koetter Praises Miller

Jaguars offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, lauded tight end Zach Miller after the team's pre-season game against Philadelphia this weekend. Says Koetter, "Every time Zach has been healthy, he’s flashed as a playmaker. His issue is that out of the last 43 practices, how many times has he practiced? When Zach is healthy, he’s a playmaker." Meanwhile, Gene Frenette, blogger for the The Florida Times-Union, comments on Miller's athleticism and agility, which he says will create numerous mismatches for opposing teams. Miller had one reception for 18 yards in Friday's game and will be an integral part of the Jaguars offense this season.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

McCain Adds Weight in the Off-Season

Houston Chronicle beat writer, Jordan Godwin, published a column today on the off-season transformation undertaken by Brice McCain this past spring. McCain added weight to his frame without sacrificing his best asset: speed. He has also improved on the mental aspect of his game and now looks as confident as ever in coverage. McCain is currently slated to be the nickelback for the Texans when the season commences in September. He is still fighting for a starting spot.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

McCain's Athleticism on Display

Alan Burge, Texans beat writer, comments on the athleticism of second year cornerback, Brice McCain, in today's entry on examiner.com. Says Burge, "One thing I've noticed about Brice McCain during drills is that he has a really good vertical leap. That's part of his game, being able to get up and fight for balls against taller receivers. At 5-9 McCain is looking up to virtually every receiver in the league but remember Steve Jackson of the Oilers? He was basically the same height as McCain and he turned out to be a pretty good corner." McCain is battling for a starting cornerback position for the Texans.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Foster continues to see time at fullback

Stampede Blue, the official Colts blog of SB Nation, reports that Eric Foster saw the majority of snaps at fullback for the Colts at today's training camp session. Thought Foster primarily plays on the defensive line, his impressive athleticism has allowed him to line up at fullback for the Colts in the past, a trend that is likely to continue this season.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Foster Impressing at Training Camp

We're only a few days into training camp, but Eric Foster is already turning heads in Indiana. Beat writer Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star reports that Foster tore up the offensive backfield during drills on Tuesday. Says Chappell, "During 11-on-11 work Tuesday morning, he (Foster) was an absolute pest to the offense. On one play, [he] scooted in from the right side, flushed Manning out of the pocket and forced him to throw the ball away. On the next play, a short screen to the left to tight end Dallas Clark, Foster converged on Clark behind the line of scrimmage and blew up the play." Foster will be a fixture on the Colts defensive line this season at both tackle and end.

Miller's option capabilities creating buzz

Zach Miller has operated out of the wildcat at certain points during the Jaguars training camp this summer, and at least one blogger is hoping that the team makes the move a permanent one. ESPN blogger, Paul Kuharsky, says he'd like to see Miller run some option plays during live games: "I hope offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter runs some option with tight end Zach Miller taking snaps. It’d create excitement and a wrinkle for a team that can be limited on offense and wouldn’t suffer for taking some snaps from Garrard."

Perkins Thanks Eric Foster

Eric Foster paid a visit to a local Perkins, and the restaurant was glad he stopped by. Phillip Wilson of IndyStar.com reports, "Perkins was tickled about one of the Colts paying a visit. The restaurant's sign read: "Thanks for stopping in, Eric Foster," a tribute to the Colts' defensive lineman."

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Zach Miller back from injury

Zach Miller was activated from the PUP list on Sunday and started working out later that day. On Monday, he lined up at quarterback in the wildcat and displayed no ill-effects from his foot injury. Miller figures to see significant time at tight end for the Jaguars this season.

Mitchell dominates in Nutcracker drill

Khalif Mitchell had an impressive showing in the Nutcracker drill at 49ers training camp, reports various team beat writers. Matt Barrows of the Sacarmento Bee states that "both Ricky Jean Francois (no hyphen) and Khalif Mitchell vanquished their opponents pretty handily. RJF beat Cody Wallace and Tony Wragge while Mitchell, who has been playing both defensive end and nose tackle, beat Alex Boone once, had a draw with Anthony Davis and then beat Davis." Mitchell is expected to fight for a backup spot along the defensive line.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Eric Foster vying for PT

The Colts released do-it-all defensive lineman Raheem Brock this past March, and one of the players looking to benefit from his departure is Aregatta client, Eric Foster. Foster is among a short-list of candidates with the versatility to play each position along the defensive line, and his impressive athleticism also gives him the opportunity to line up at linebacker is specific situations. Replacing Brock is one of the Colts' top 5 unresolved issues entering training camp.