February 26, 2008

FOOTBALL: Cason and Scandrick impress at NFL Combine Tryouts

Two defensive backs with local connections looked good at the final day of the NFL Combine Tryouts held on the RCA Dome turf in Indianapolis. Antoine Cason (LAHS '04), the Jim Thorpe Award winner from the University of Arizona, surprised scouts (who had questioned his speed), running his 40s in the high 4.4-second range. He performed well in all elements of the practice session, displaying polished footwork and cornerback mechanics.

Another former Griffin, Orlando Scandrick ('05), a junior at Boise State this past season, clocked the second fastest time in the 40 with a 4.32, much faster than scouts had anticipated.

Combine results at NFL.com

February 21, 2008

FOOTBALL: Cason projected as high second round NFL draft pick, wait, make that late first round... or is that third round?

 A mock NFL draft on The Bleacher Report fan site has ex-Griffin Antoine Cason going as the 28th pick of the first round, to the Dallas Cowboys. If you have too much time on your hands, it's an interesting take by someone with even more time on their hands. But USA Today comes up with a similar scenario.

And here's a nice couple paragraphs on a 49ers fan website on Cason and his family background and his efforts to raise money for the American Cancer Society (his grandfather died of leukemia).

• The Bleacher report
• 2008 NFL Mock Draft - 3 Rounds - The Football Expert - Dayton,OH,USA
  Green Bay Packers – Antoine Cason, CB/S, Arizona The Packers need depth behind Al Harris and Charles Woodson, both getting up there in years. ...
• Cason praises Pac-10 in his new blog ( Tucson, Az., Citizen - .
• Combine Dish: Spotlight on defensive players ( SportingNews.com)
• Bucs' offseason shopping converges in Indy ( St. Petersburg Times)
  Many players in the draft have caught the Bucs' eye, including Arizona's Antoine Cason, the Jim Thorpe Award winner...
• Speed kills ... (Dallas Morning News)
  A guy Cowboys Blog is backing big-time, Arizona CB Antoine Cason, has been dogged with question about his speed. He'll get a chance to answer them on ...
• Top 100 prospects for the NFL draft - USA Today
  
  
  
  

February 20, 2008

FOOTBALL: Ex-Griffin Mike Patterson arrested, charged with marijuana possession

In one of those days when it might have been better to go with Plan B, former Griffin football star Mike Patterson -- a starting defensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles -- was arrested in a Philadelphia suburb last week and charged with posession of a small amount of marijuana.

Patterson and his older brother, Tyrone, were arrested on Feb. 16 when Evesham (N.J.) police said they found a vehicle on the side of the road with damage caused by a minor motor vehicle accident around 6 a.m. Police said they smelled burning marijuana coming from inside and found Patterson and the marijuana inside. They said Patterson admitted it was his.

Patterson was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and released pending a court appearance, police said. His older brother, Tyrone, who by some reports had "several outstanding warrants," was charged with resisting arrest, posted bail and was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Mike Patterson may face disciplinary action from the league, in accordance with the stricter conduct policies instated last year.

On the better side of the news, here is a video interview with Patterson where he talks about football.

• ESPN news release

February 12, 2008

ALUMNI FOOTBALL: Cason receives Thorpe award

Former Griffin Antoine Cason (LAHS '04) was officially presented the Jim Thorpe award for the best defensive back in college football at a ceremony in Oklahoma City Tuesday night.

Cason, an all-american at the University of Arizona the past few years, got a nice write-up in the International Herald-Tribune.

• Thorpe honoree Cason conquers difficult odds (The Oklahoman)
• Cason to accept Thorpe award tonight (Arizona Daily Star)

January 15, 2008

Ex-Griffin Cason wins Thorpe award, a consensus all-American

Ex-Griffin Antoine Cason (LAHS ’04), who scored big-time in the annual college football post-season honors races – he made All-Pac 10, was a consensus All-America and won the Jim Thorpe award as the nation’s top defensive back -- has relocated to Florida to prepare for the NFL combine down there in February. The All-American defensive back knows a good showing – especially in the 40-yard dash could make the difference between being a first or lower round draft choice and millions of dollars in contract. Cason was invited to play in the Senior Bowl on January 26 but passed.

All things Cason:
Cason invited to play in Senior Bowl
Experts project him going to Detroit as the 14th pick in the first round.

• Six Cats hope all-star snaps hike interest
  Arizona Daily Star - Antoine Cason has been invited to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26. "I think we have some strong candidates, some guys who have a chance to improve ...
  Cardinals Look to Keep Their Own
  By CardinalInsider.com staff — Will the Cardinals draft an Arizona favorite son? "Arizona's Antoine Cason would be an intriguing player there..."
• 2008 NFL Mock Draft
  The Football Expert - Dayton,OH,USA — 14) Detroit – CB Antoine Cason (Arizona): There is a run on corners and it shouldn’t be surprising with these teams at the bottom of the pass defense ...
• Cason Named AP All-American
  University of Arizona News (press release) - Tucson,AZ,USA
  By University Communications Arizona senior Antoine Cason, the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award winner, added another accolade to his college career Tuesday with his ...
  See all stories on this topic
• Antoine Cason wins Thorpe Award
  GoAZcats.com (subscription) - Tucson,AZ,USA
  Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason has won the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award, given to college football's best defensive back. In front of Arizona head coach Mike ...
• UA's Cason, ASU's Weber win national awards
  KOLD-TV - Tucson, AZ,USA — (AP) The University of Arizona's Antoine Cason has won the Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back this season ...

Mike Patterson overlooked for Pro Bowl despite standout season

One of those most often mentioned as being overlooked for the Super Bowl was current Philadelphia Eagle and ex-Griffin Mike Patterson (LAHS '01) . Patterson, an Eagle defensive tackle ranked third on the team in tackles (107) and sacks (four), numbers far higher than some players who were selected. And while he should have gotten the invite to Hawaii, nobody said life is fair. Anyway, for the football obsessed, we present The Patterson files:

• An autopsy of the Philadelphia Eagles season and preview of the 2008 season.
  ...
• Eagles Season Hangover: McNabb is right!
  ... He and Mike Patterson, who got jobbed out of a trip to Hawaii, may form the next great tackle tandem in the NFL.
• Team must re-draw the lines next season
  phillyBurbs.com - The Eagles are set at tackle with Mike Patterson...
• Several Birds Have Shown Potential
  Comcast SportsNet - Philadelphia,PA,USA — Defensive tackle Mike Patterson (107 tackles) and defensive end Trent Cole (101) are the first Eagles defensive linemen to reach 100 tackles in the same season.
• At least someone agrees!
  By JP Wolf(Philadelphia Eagles Superfans) — Defensive tackle: Mike Patterson, Philadelphia. Chicago's Tommie Harris was named a Pro Bowl backup despite having just 32 tackles. Patterson was more productive (62 tackles) and a better pass rusher than Harris, who hasn't...
• A Lesson in Patterson
  By IgglesBlogMan — Today's Daily News profile on defensive tackle Mike Patterson should -- but probably won't -- serve as a cautionary tale for the folks who comprise the baby-with-the-bathwater contingent. This time a year ago, Patterson would not have ...
• Buy a Mike Patterson 2005 rookie card…
• Mike Patterson profiled by Patriot Insider

Chris Kluwe finishes eighth in NFL in punting

Former Griffin Chris Kluwe finished eighth in the NFL in punting this season, averaging 44.7 yards, with a net average was 16th. He also was second in the league with 32 punts inside the opponent's 20 yard line and only nine touchbacks. He also set a team record for the most punts of 50 or more yards in a season with 23. With such impressive numbers, his opinion is now newsworthy, especially when he opined that he was not surpisingly opposed to an expected NFL rules change that would penalize a punter for kicking out of bounds: "I think it's a dumb rule, because the thing is, is that if you try and kick it out of bounds, it's hard enough to do as it is," he said. "You run the risk of hitting it short or of kicking it down the middle to the [return] guy and causing a problem with the coverage."

Chris Kluwe page at Scout.com

November 29, 2007

NFL: Kluwe has adapted to new coaches game plan

Mineapolis Star-Tribune - Viking Insider: - While offensive linemen have learned to zone block, Chris Kluwe (LAHS '00) has transformed from a kick-it-as-far-as-you-can guy to a directional punter who coordinates coverage with the returner's fielding position. Kluwe struggled at times last season, but through 10 games in 2007, he leads the NFL with 24 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Kluwe still is utilizing his strong leg, having tied a team record with 22 punts of 50 or more yards in a full season. (--complete article--)

COLLEGE: UCLA notes... Linebacker John Hale (LAHS '05), who has been out because of a hamstring strain, has returned to practice. ... (OC Register, Nov. 29,2007)

September 27

ALUMNI FOOTBALL: Cason wows national TV audience; Childs breaks Boise receiving mark

Arizona fans storm field after win over Oregon

Former Griffin Antoine Cason (LAHS '04) came up big in front of a national audience when he returned an interception and a punt for a touchdown as Arizona beat then No. 2 Oregon 34-24 on Nov. 15 and ignited a massive post-game celebration in Tucson (shown right). For his efforts Cason was named National defensive player of the week.
Cason has also been named one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe award - which goes to the nation's top defensive back. The winner will be announced on ESPN on December 6.

• Arizona Wildcat Online interview with Cason - Nov. 21, 2007

Former Los Al receiver Jeremy Childs (LAHS '05) has broken the Boise State single season receiving record. Childs set the new mark late in the first quarter of Boise's 39-27 loss to No. 10 Hawaii last Friday night, catching a 19-yard pass to convert third-and-9.

One reason Hawaii quarterback was able to pick apart the Boise defense in the second half was the loss of both Bronco starting cornerbacks, including former Griffin Orlando Scandrick who injured his thumb.

•  Boise State's Childs making his assault on the record books look easy -- Idaho Statesman 11/1/07

Former Griffin Cortes Rice (LAHS '05) and his brother Rafael Rice support each other at Illinois State. Daily Vidette, IL - Oct 31, 2007

September 28, 2007

Childs scores TD, catches 4 to helps Boise State over Southern Miss., improve record to 3-1

Ex-Griffin Jeremy Childs (LAHS ’05) has become the go-to receiver for Boise State. Childs (shown right) caught four passes for 51 yards, including a 14-yard TD pass in Boise’s 38-16 win over Southern Mississippi on T
hursday night. He also caught a TD pass in last week’s win over Wyoming and is now leading the Broncos with 22 catches in 3 games, for a 13.5 yard per catch average.

Going back to last week's college action...

When former Griffin Antoine Cason (LAHS '04/Long Beach) and former Long Beach Poly wide receiver DeSean Jackson squared off in the CIF championship game in 2004, Jackson’s Poly squad came away on top- with a __-__ win.
Even though both are now among the most highly touted college players in the country, things haven’t changed much. Jackson and his Cal team downed Cason’s Arizona squad 45-27. When they were matched up, Cason limited Jackson to three catches for 39 yards and collected an interception along the way.

Former Griffin Brooks Rossman (LAHS ’03) made two 24-yard field goals and converted six of seven PATs as Kansas State trounced Missouri State 61-10.

DJ Dykes (LAHS ’03/Rossmoor) – now apparently officially going by Daniel Dykes – is making his presence known as the starting strong safety for the Colorado Buffalos who shutout Miami of Ohio 42-0 last week.

Ken Borg (LAHS ’07/Seal Beach) had an assisted tackle in Fresno State’s 52-21 loss to No. 19 Oregon.

It was a tough weekend for former Griffin Jimmy Barnes (LAHS ‘05) who threw two critical interceptions which led to touchdowns as Weber State fell 21-5 against the Division IAA (or as it’s now called “subdivision”) powerhouse Montana State in a 21-5 Bobcats. Barnes was 1-for-5 in two short stints for Weber, which is now 0-3 and in the middle of a quarterback controversy.

Former Griffin Joshua Jones (LAHS ’04), now a junior running back for the South Dakota School of Mines, scored a touchdown on a 4-yard run as the Mines downed Trinity Bible 29-0. Jones carried 14 times for 74 yards. [Jones, also announced his engagement to former Los Al softball standout Natalie Mickelson. see article.]