Sports

(sports) Rangers Fire John Tortorella

May 29, 2013 By DJ Yoshi Leave a Comment

The LONE Ranger

John+Tortorella+2012+Bridgestone+NHL+Winter+Sxyg0dIRIFsl – VIA USA Today –
The New York Rangers fired coach John Tortorella on Wednesday after the team took a step back this season.

Last season, the Rangers won the Eastern Conference regular-season title and went to the conference finals.

This season, they finished sixth, even though expectations were high after they acquired Rick Nash in the offseason.

Though they upset the Washington Capitals in the first round, they were handled pretty easily by the Boston Bruins in a five-game loss in the conference semifinals.

After the series, Tortorella said: “There was never a lack of effort with the club. At the beginning of the series, I think there was a lack of awareness of how high you have to be as you go to the second round with your level of play. And as we went on, I thought we got better.”

The move is expected to be the first of several during the offseason for the Rangers. They are expected to buy out the remaining seven years of Brad Richards’ nine-year, $60 million contract.

The Nash trade actually hurt the Rangers at the beginning of the season because they dealt some heart-and-soul players such as Brandon Dubinsky. So did the loss of defenseman Marc Staal with an eye injury.

The Rangers improved after trading Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore and made the playoffs.

If the Rangers are looking for a veteran coach to replace Tortorella, a former Stanley Cup winner, Alain Vigneault and Lindy Ruff are available.

NFL Bound Knights

April 29, 2013 By DJ Yoshi Leave a Comment

Rutgers Football Sends More Players to the NFL

nfl-montage Following the 2013 NFL Draft that had a school record 7 Rutgers Football players drafted to NFL teams, the UnDrafted Free Agent Signing Started. Everyone say congrats to your new Knights in the NFL

DRAFTED
Steve Beauharnais: (235 overall) New England Patriots
Marcus Cooper: (252 overall) San Francisco 49’ers
Khaseem Greene: (117 overall) Chicago Bears
Duron Harmon: (91 overall) New England Patriots
Jawan Jamison: (228 overall) Washington Redskins
D.C. Jefferson: (219 overall) Arizona Cardinals.
Logan Ryan: (83 overall) New England Patriots

UnDrafted Free Agent Signings
Mark Harrison – Chicago Bears
RJ Dill – Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandon Jones – Patriots
Tim Wright – Oakland Raiders

(NFL News) Jerry Jones Wants Romo To Be More Like Manning

April 29, 2013 By DJ Yoshi Leave a Comment

Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Wants Romo to be Like Peyton

01-dallas-cowboys-tony-romo-jerry-jones – Via NBC Sports –
Now that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has given quarterback Tony Romo a six-year, $108 million contract, Jones wants to see Romo make his entire life revolve around football.

“Peyton Manning-type time on the job,” Jones said he wants Romo to work, via the Dallas Morning News.

Jones said he and Cowboys coach Jason Garrett would love to see Romo spend the majority of his waking hours at the team facility.

“If Tony, for instance, would be here Monday through Saturday . . . from seven in the morning to six o’clock at night all over this place then that’s better than the way it’s been,” Jones said. “We’ll have more success, and Jason believes that. It’s certainly at quarterback but he believes it at the other positions. Tony is going to have more time, more presence, not only in the offseason but when the season starts, beginning Monday, assuming we played Sundays. He’s going to have more time on the job. A part of what we agreed with was extra time on the job, beyond the norm.”

Fair or not, Romo has taken criticism at times in his career for a perception that he doesn’t always have all his focus on football: Whether it’s working on his golf game, dating celebrities or going on vacations during bye weeks, Romo has heard talk that he has too many outside distractions.

Jones recently called that criticism “ridiculous,” but Jones also says he admires the way Manning doesn’t just do what is required of an NFL quarterback, and he hopes Romo will use Manning as his role model.

“Anybody will tell you that Peyton Manning’s involvement in what they do is a bonus as opposed to what the general commitment is of top quarterbacks in the NFL,” Jones said. “That’s a bonus. Again, because I haven’t been in meetings with Peyton for a long time, but we’re committed and [Romo’s] committed to that type of in-season and off-season approach for these years under his contract.”

Romo is certainly being paid enough to work overtime.

(NFL VIDEO News) The NY Jets Release Tim Tebow

April 29, 2013 By DJ Yoshi Leave a Comment

Tebow Released

a-tebow-moment-2_t268 – Via ESPN –
One year after bringing Tim Tebow to Broadway, creating a nationwide fascination that slowly evolved into a salacious controversy, the New York Jets made the long-anticipated move Monday of releasing one of the NFL’s most popular players.

The Jets confirmed the release in a three-paragraph news release, a long way from his Super Bowl-sized news conference last March.

“We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow,” coach Rex Ryan said. “Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped. Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason. We wish him the best moving forward.”

Ryan and general manager John Idzik informed Tebow early Monday morning in a face-to-face meeting at the team’s facility, before he worked out with teammates, a source said. Tebow left the building shortly thereafter.

Tebow was dressed in his workout clothes Monday when he was called to Idzik’s office, according to league sources.

So ends one of the strangest chapters in team history — maybe in league history.

Tebow received rock-star media coverage from the moment he arrived. His introductory news conference last March drew more than 200 media members, highly unusual for a backup quarterback. The Jets were criticized for the excess.

After using a second-round pick on Geno Smith, the Jets had six quarterbacks on the roster and someone had to go. The Jets tried for months to trade Tebow, sources said. His release was earlier reported by the New York Post.

The team’s plan always was to take no more than five quarterbacks into their organized team activities. When no other team offered even a seventh-round draft pick for Tebow by the conclusion of the NFL draft on Saturday, the decision was imminent, sources said.

Tebow attended the first two weeks of the offseason program. In fact, he reported 12 pounds under his 2012 playing weight. Despite vague comments by team officials, they never had any intention of retaining him.

The Tebow trade never came close to living up to the hype, as Tebow played in only 77 offensive snaps. It became apparent late in the season that he’d be one-and-done in New York.

The final Tebow bill: It cost the Jets a fourth-round pick and $1.5 million in salary, plus another $2.5 million they had to pay the Denver Broncos to satisfy part of the trade agreement.

The ill-fated trade also contributed to the demise of general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who was fired after the 6-10 season.

“It’s just a trade that didn’t work out,” Tannenbaum told ESPNNewYork.com after the season. “Each year, we’ll make 200-plus transactions. Some worked out, some didn’t.”

The Jets will have an open competition at quarterback, but without Tebow, who became expendable when the Jets signed David Garrard and drafted Smith.

Many figured he’d wind up playing for his hometown team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the new GM, Dave Caldwell, shut down that idea at his first news conference in January.

Tebow could help his chances by agreeing to switch positions, several league executives said, but he wants to remain a quarterback.

He recently spent time at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., honing his oft-criticized mechanics with former NFL quarterback-turned-instructor Chris Weinke. He also worked out in the Tampa area with former Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde.

Known for his eternal optimism, Tebow has refused to bash his New York experience.

“I felt like it was a learning opportunity for me,” he said at the end of the season, reflecting on the year that wasn’t. “There was a lot that I’ll take from it. There’s a lot that I learned and there are lot of relationships that I’ve built, so I know that it happened for a reason.”

His brief stay was surreal at times, never lacking for drama.

Tannenbaum predicted Tebow would be a “dynamic weapon” in the Wildcat offense, but the Tebow package never became a staple in the offense. Coordinator Tony Sparano never found a way to use him, and their relationship became strained, sources said.

The low point came late in the season, when Rex Ryan benched Mark Sanchez and elevated third-stringer Greg McElroy to the starting job, infuriating Tebow. He expressed his displeasure in a meeting with Ryan and was replaced in the Wildcat, with sources telling ESPNNewYork.com that Tebow asked out.

Tebow, who led the Broncos to a playoff win only one year earlier, finished with modest numbers: Eight pass attempts, six completions, 32 rushes for 102 yards and no touchdowns.

And countless headlines in the New York tabloids.

Rutgers Sets New Record for NFL Draft Class

April 28, 2013 By DJ Yoshi Leave a Comment

Scarlet Nation Sends 7 to the Pros

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 27, 2013) – Rutgers had a school-record seven players selected in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Scarlet Knights had four players taken in the seventh round Saturday as TE D.C. Jefferson (Arizona), RB Jawan Jamison (Washington), LB Steve Beauharnais (New England) and CB Marcus Cooper (San Francisco) were picked.

Overall, Rutgers finished the 2013 NFL Draft with seven players selected including third round selections CB Logan Ryan and FS Duron Harmon to New England, LB Khaseem Greene to Chicago in the fourth round and the trio of seventh round picks.

New England drafted three RU players, the most by any NFL team in one NFL Draft.

The seven players selected in the NFL Draft for Rutgers broke the previous high of five set in 2009.

2013 Rutgers NFL Draft Class
Player Pos. Years at RU NFL Organization Round Pick
Logan Ryan CB 2009-12 New England Patriots 3 83
Duron Harmon FS 2009-12 New England Patriots 3 91
Khaseem Greene LB 2008-12 Chicago Bears 4 117
D.C. Jefferson TE 2008-12 Arizona Cardinals 7 219
Jawan Jamison RB 2010-12 Washington Redskins 7 228
Steve Beauharnais LB 2009-12 New England Patriots 7 235
Marcus Cooper CB 2008-12 San Francisco 49ers 7 252

Steve Beauharnais Bio

2012: Started all 13 games at middle linebacker … tied for third on the team with 83 tackles (32 solo) … six tackles for loss … semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which recognizes college football’s top linebacker … named defensive team MVP at Rutgers banquet … invited to play in the Senior Bowl … selected as captain by his teammates … six tackles in the 26-0 victory vs. Howard (9/8) …recorded seven tackles in the 35-26 win at Arkansas (9/22) … season-best eight tackles in the 19-3 victory over Connecticut (10/6) … seven tackles in the 23-15 win vs. Syracuse (10/13) … recorded an Owl fumble on a 4th-and-1 QB sneak attempt in the 35-10 win at Temple (10/20), also recording three tackles … six tackles, including 1.0 tackle-for-loss, in the Kent State game (10/27) … career-high 14 tackles in the 28-7 victory over Army (11/10), vaulting past a previous personal-best of nine stops … snagged first interception of the season to stifle a third quarter Bearcat drive in the 10-3 win at Cincinnati (11/17), also recording six tackles … season-best 2.0 tackles-for-loss amongst eight tackles in the Louisville game (11/29) … finished his stellar career with seven tackles in the Russell Athletic Bowl vs. Virginia Tech (12/28) … named to Preseason All-BIG EAST First and Second Teams by Phil Steele and Athlon, respectively.

2011: Second-year starting middle linebacker who has started 15 straight games entering the 2012 season … second on the team in tackles (77) … tied career-highs in sacks and tackles-for-loss in the 19-16 double overtime win at Syracuse (10/1), recording nine stops, 2.0 sacks and 2.0 tackles-for-loss (nine yards lost) … efforts on the road against the Orange included the first INT of his career to stop an SU drive with less than oneminute remaining in regulation … intercepted his second pass in two weeks and made seven tackles while serving as a team captain in the 34-10 win vs. Pitt (10/8) … matched a season and career-high with 2.0 tackles-for-loss amongst seven total tackles in the 21-20 win vs. Navy (10/15) … served as team captain again in the 20-17 OT win vs. USF (11/5), making seven tackles, including 1.0 tackle-for-loss … nine tackles, all solo, in the 27-12 win at Army in Yankee Stadium (11/12) … met season-high again at UConn (11/26) with nine stops … tied for seventh in the BIG EAST in tackles-for-loss, averaging 1.15 per game … finished 20th in the league in tackles per game with 5.8 … has played in every game over his first three seasons (38) since arriving at Rutgers.

2010: Starting middle linebacker who appeared in all 12 games … third on the team in tackles (79) … six tackles-for-loss along with 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and four fumble recoveries on the year … had at least six tackles in eight contests … career-best 10 tackles at West Virginia (12/4) and career-best 2.0 tackles-for-loss vs. Syracuse (11/12).

2009: True freshman who moved into the starting lineup for final three games at strongside linebacker … also appeared on special teams …played in all 13 games with 36 tackles and five sacks … was one of two true freshmen to appear in all 13 games … posted season-highs in tackles (7) in each of the final two games vs. West Virginia (12/5) and in the St. Petersburg Bowl against UCF (12/19) … recorded a career-best two sacks in the St. Petersburg Bowl … posted a season-high 1.5 tackles-for-loss, including his first career sack vs. USF (11/12) … blocked a first-quarter punt and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown at Army (10/23).

Prior to Rutgers: Played one season for head coach Tony Karcich at St. Joseph’s High School (Montvale) … continued a strong trend of St. Joseph’s standouts to play at Rutgers, including Patrick Kivlehan, Jason and Devin McCourty and Ron Girault … helped guide the Green Knights to an 11-1 record and the Non-Public Group III state title … The Record Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … 99 tackles, including 11.5 tackles-for-loss his senior season … rated as the No. 19 prospect in New Jersey by SuperPrep Magazine … Star-Ledger Second Team All-State honoree … selected to the MSG Tri-State All-Star team … named to the All-Bergen defensive team and the All-Non-Public defensive squad by the Star-Ledger … rated as the No. 34 strongside linebacker in the nation by Scout.com … ESPN.com ranked Beauharnais as the No. 46 inside linebacker nationally … three-year standout at Saddle Brook HS and was named All-Bergen County by The Record as a junior after totaling 78 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions and a fumble recovery … born 5/2/90 … a Labor Studies major.

TACKLES G UA A Total TFL Yds PD FF FR Blkd
2009 13 20 16 36 7.0 39 0 1 0 1
2010 12 34 45 79 6.0 24 2 1 4 0
2011 13 43 34 77 16.0 57 4 1 1 0
2012 13 32 51 83 6.0 18 2 0 1 0
TOTAL 51 129 146 275 35.0 138 8 3 6 1

SACKS G UA A Total Yds
2009 13 4 2 5.0 33
2010 12 1 1 1.5 14
2011 13 4 2 5.0 30
2012 13 0 2 1.0 5
TOTAL 51 9 7 12.5 82

INTERCEPTIONS G No. Yds TD Lg Avg/R Avg/G
2009 13 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2010 12 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2011 13 3 53 0 44 17.7 4.1
2012 13 1 18 0 18 18.0 1.4
TOTAL 51 4 71 0 44 17.8 1.4

Marcus Cooper Bio

2012: Played in all 13 games … totaled 42 tackles and three pass breakups on the season … winner of Swarm and Finish Award at RU banquet, given to the player who exemplifies the type of consistent effort and intensity in best representing the Rutgers’ mantra to swarm and finish … four stops in the 26-0 win versus Howard (9/8) … recovered a fumble at the sideline on a USF punt return to help set up an eventual RU field goal (9/13) … snagged first career interception with a leaping grab in the end zone in win over Connecticut (10/6) … also recorded four stops versus the Huskies … more than doubled his previous career-high in tackles in the Kent State game (10/27) with nine … three tackles and blocked second kick of his career, a 43-yard field goal attempt, versus Army (1/10) … five tackles and one pass breakup in the Louisville game (11/29) … recorded five tackles, including two for loss in the Russell Athletic Bowl (12/28) versus Virginia Tech.

2011: Earned major minutes in Rutgers’ rotation at CB, appearing in all 13 games … scored first career touchdown on a three-yard fumble recovery as the special teams forced an Ohio fumble on a punt return for a TD (9/24) … notched a career-high four tackles in the 19-16 double overtime victory at Syracuse (10/1) … blocked the first punt of his career and recorded two tackles at Louisville (10/21).

2010: Appeared in nine games with one start in first season as a cornerback after making the transition in spring drills … finished season with 16 tackles and two pass breakups … recorded a career-best 10 tackles (eight solo) in start at West Virginia (12/4).

2009: Saw action in six games, including first four contests of the season as a reserve wide receiver … did not record a reception … made first career start vs. FIU (9/19).

2008: Saw action in two of the first three contests against NorthCarolina (9/11) and Morgan State (9/27).

Prior to Rutgers: One of the top rated prospects in the state of Connecticut … rated the No. 97 wide receiver in the nation by Scout.com … rated the No. 8 prospect in the state of Connecticut by Rivals.com and the top WR prospect in the Nutmeg State according to Rivals.com and Scout.com … First Team All-State selection by the Hartford Courant and the Connecticut High School Coaches Association in 2007 and 2006 … New Haven Register First Team All-State pick as a senior … totaled 64 receptions for 1,071 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior for head coach Roy Roberts at Bloomfield … caught 62 passes for 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior … ranked second in Connecticut history for career receiving yards (3,014), touchdown receptions (43) and consecutive games with a touchdown reception (13) … 170 career receptions rank fourth in state history … left Bloomfield HS as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards, touchdown receptions, receptions, consecutive games with a TD and most yards receiving in a game with 287 … born 2/1/90 … an Information Technology and Informatics major.

TACKLES G UA A Total TFL Yds PD FF FR Blkd
2008 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 6 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2010 9 12 4 16 0.0 0 2 0 0 0
2011 13 15 15 30 0.0 0 1 0 1 1
2012 13 26 16 42 3.0 9 4 0 1 1
TOTAL 43 53 35 88 3.0 9 7 0 2 2

Jawan Jamison Bio

2012: Played in all 13 games (11 starts), rushing for 1,154 yards on 255 carries … scored four rushing and two receiving touchdowns … named to All-BIG EAST Second Team at running back … named offensive team MVP at RU banquet … topped the century mark on the ground for the fourth time in his career with 18 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening 24-12 win at Tulane, averaging 6.2 yards per carry … scored a 46-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter, the second-longest TD run of his career … took a screen pass from QB Gary Nova 34 yards late in the second quarter for the longest reception of his RU career … rushed for 110 yards on 10 carries in the 26-0 win over Howard (9/8) … efforts against the Bison helped him become the first Rutgers running back since Ray Rice to post three straight 100-yard games … ripped off a 64-yard rush against Howard for a new career-long run … set a school record with 41 rushing attempts in the 23-13 win at USF (9/13), notching 151 yards on the ground for his third consecutive 100-yard game to start the season and fourth-straight dating back to last season … efforts included a highlight-reel 41-yard rushing touchdown with 1:19 left to seal the game … rush total against the Bulls broke the previous record of 40 carries in a single-game by J.J. Jennings (40 rushingattempts in 1972 vs. Colgate) … notched his fourth-straight 100-yard rushing game to start the 2012 season and fifth-straight dating back to last seasonwith 118 yards on 33 rushes in the 35-26 win at Arkansas (9/22) … snagged a 10-yard wheel route score from QB Gary Nova for the first reception touchdown of his career … continued 100-yard rushing streak to fifth game of 2012 with 110 yards on 28 carries in the 19-3 victory over Connecticut (10/6) … recorded his third rushing touchdown of the season to open the scoring in the 23-15 win vs. Syracuse (10/13), totaling 64 yards on the ground … rushed for 114 yards on 19 carries for his sixth 100-yard game of the season in the 35-10 win at Temple (10/20) … set career-highs in receptions (5) and receiving yards (81) to lead RU in both rushing and receiving against the Owls, finishing with a season-high 195 all-purpose yards … accumulated 174 all-purpose yards (84 rushing, 88 receiving) in the Kent State game (10/27), rushing for one score while also leading the team with eight receptions … set new career highs with eight receptions for 88 yards against KSU … threw the first TD pass of his Rutgers career on a fake pitch-pass play to WR Brandon Coleman from 16 yards out 28-7 victory over Army (11/10) … also gained 90 rushing yards on 22 carries against the Black Knights … saw limited action in the 10-3 win at Cincinnati (11/17), gaining 37 yards on four carries … increased playing time in the Pitt game (11/24), rushing nine times for 14 yards to become the seventh player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season … output against the Panthers pushed his 2012 total to 1,004 rushing yards … regained starting role in the Louisville game (11/29), rushing for 50 yards on 15 carries and grabbing one catch for 14 yards … named to Preseason All-BIG EAST Second and Fourth Teams by Athlon and Phil Steele, respectively.

2011: First-year starter at running back who compiled 897 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground … made collegiate debut vs. North Carolina Central (9/1) … led team with career-high 97 yards rushing on 29 carries in the win over Ohio (9/24) … recorded his first career 100-yard rushing performance and touchdown with 101 yards and one score on 22 carries in the 21-20 win vs. Navy (10/15) … gained 96 yards on 19 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns vs. West Virginia (10/29) … put away the game for RU in the 27-12 win over Army (11/12) at Yankee Stadium, rushing for a career-long 56-yard touchdown with under two minutesleft in the game … became the third freshman running back in school history to rush for 200 yards in a game with his 200-yard performance on 34 carries in the 20-3 victory over Cincinnati (11/19) … named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and Rivals.com BIG EAST Player of the Week after he scored two rushing touchdowns against the Bearcats … recorded his second career 100-yard rushing game with his 131-yard performance in the 27-13 win over Iowa State (12/30) in the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium, scoring two ground touchdowns on his 27 carries.

2010: Did not see game action.

Prior to Rutgers: Three-year letterwinner and three-year starter at The Bolles School for head coach Corky Rogers … key element in the Bulldogs back-to-back Florida Class 2A state championships in 2008 and 2009 … rushed for 112 yards in the 2009 state championship victory over Tampa Catholic at the Florida Citrus Bowl … rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior … did not play in the second half in eight games with the Bulldogs in control on the scoreboard … averaged approximately 10 carries per game … rated the No. 81 running back nationally by Scout.com … listed as the No. 21 all-purpose running back in the nation by Rivals.com … Florida Times-Union Super 24 selection … ESPN.com’s No. 71 running back in the nation … born 11/23/91 … a Labor Studies major.

RUSHING G Att Yds TD Lg Avg/C Avg/G
2011 12 231 897 9 56 3.9 74.8
2012 13 255 1075 4 64 4.2 82.7
TOTAL 25 486 1972 13 64 4.1 78.9

RECEIVING G Rec Yds TD Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G
2011 12 8 62 0 22 0.7 7.8 5.2
2012 13 28 323 2 34 2.2 11.5 24.8
TOTAL 25 36 385 2 34 1.4 10.7 15.4

SCORING G TD Rush Pass Retn PAT 2PAT FG Total Avg/G
2011 12 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 54 4.5
2012 13 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 36 2.8
TOTAL 25 15 13 2 0 0 0 0 90 3.6

ALL PURPOSE G Rush Rec PR KR IR Total Avg/G
2011 12 897 62 0 0 0 959 79.9
2012 13 1075 323 0 0 0 1398 107.5
TOTAL 25 1972 385 0 0 0 2357 94.3

D.C. Jefferson Bio

2012: Started all 13 games at tight end … made 20 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown on the season … invited to play in East-West Shrine game … two receptions for 12 yards in the 26-0 win vs. Howard (9/8) … tied career-high with four catches for 38 yards in the 23-13 win at USF (9/13) … three receptions for 23 yards in the 19-3 victory vs. Connecticut (10/6) … snagged first TD catch of his season on a 10-yard toss from QB Gary Nova in the fourth quarter of the 35-10 victory at Temple (10/20) … three catches for 27 yards in the Kent State game (10/27) … two receptions in the Russell Athletic Bowl (12/28) versus Virginia Tech … named to Preseason All-BIG EAST Fourth Team by Phil Steele.

2011: Named to the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award,honoring the nation’s best tight end … appeared in all 13 games with nine starts … caught 12 passes for 118 yards … had a game of season-highs with three catches for 37 yards at Louisville (10/21), making a long reception of 18 yards.

2010: Starting tight end who appeared in all 12 games … finished year with 10 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown … set career-highs in receptions (4) and receiving yards (57) vs. Connecticut (10/8) … hauled in a career-long 53-yarder at Army (10/16) … caught a 24-yard pass from WR Mohamed Sanu for his first career touchdown at FIU (9/11).

2009: Switched from quarterback to tight end midway through preseason camp and earned starting role in second game … started 10 games, including the last five contests … made collegiate debut and first career start vs.Howard (9/12) with a 46-yard reception.

2008: Did not see game action.

Prior to Rutgers: Strong-armed quarterback who was one of the best at his position in the nation … three-year starter for coach Charlie Tate at Winter Haven High School … rated as the No. 16 quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com and ESPN.com … top-100 recruit in the state of Florida according to the Orlando Sentinel (No. 72) and Rivals.com (No. 78) … Winter Haven News Chief Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … threw for 1,627 yards and 17 touchdowns his senior season en route to All-County honors from the Lakeland Ledger … selected to play in the Offense-Defense National All-Star game in Fort Lauderdale … passed for 1,148 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior en route to News Chief All-Area Second Team honors … born 5/7/89.

RECEIVING G Rec Yds TD Lg
2009 12 5 108 0 46
2010 12 10 166 1 53
2011 13 12 118 0 18
2012 13 20 168 1 19
TOTAL 50 47 560 2 53

Coach Kyle Flood Honored by the White House For Hurricane Sandy Work

April 24, 2013 By DJ Yoshi Leave a Comment

CHOP Champion at the House House

Rutgers Football Head Coach Kyle Flood was honored by the White House this Past Thursday for his work in the Hurricane Sandy Relief.
The ceremony deemed its honorees as “Hurricane Sandy Champions of Change”.
The Category 3 Hurricane Slammed the East Coast this past October. Its top Wind Speed of 115 Miles Per Hour ravaged the Jersey Shore line and brought a total of 285 fatalities.

Amidst the devastation Coach Flood and the Rutgers Athletic Department took it upon themselves to create the Jersey Strong Initiative.
Sporting football helmets and sweatshirts with the logo (a clever map view of the state with the word STRONG going downward as the Rutgers Block R serving as the R in the word), the sporting world watched as Rutgers Football earned its share of their first ever Big East Title.
T-Shirts were pressed with the logo in Scarlet Red and all proceeds were donated to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. Rutgers has helped to raise over $87,000 for the relief from just T-Shirt Sales Alone!

Coach Flood’s involvement with helping to restore the shore goes deeper than money. Although this Saturday’s Rutgers Football Annual Spring Game will ask patrons to donate $5 towards the relief fund, the bigger focus is on the psyche of NJ Natives.
Coach Flood and his team have invited 22 children that were affected by Hurricane Sandy to play in the game.
To further the impact that the game will have on promoting positive vibes for the state, the team will wear jerseys with 90 names of towns across New Jersey that were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Each jersey will then be signed by Flood and given to each town later this spring and summer.

This Saturday’s Rutgers Football Spring Game Festivities will be held at High Point Solutions Stadium. Kickoff for the game is slated for 3:00pm, but the celebration will begin at 11:00am.
DJ Yoshi will be spinning today’s top hits while fans will have the opportunity to meet current and former Rutgers Football Greats as well as enjoy an autograph session from today’s NFL Super*Stars. The day will also consist of a Rutgers Legends Flag Football game and the 3rd Annual Eric LeGrand Believe Bowl!
For details log onto ScarletKnights.com