Curry completes circle

Sometimes it’s interesting and ironic how things turn out. Michael Vick wasn’t the only acclaimed high school superstar to come out of the Norfolk, Va., area. One year ahead of him was a guy named Ronald Curry, who isn’t nearly as well-known now. Considering the present circumstances, that’s a good thing.

Curry rates as one of the greatest high school athletes to ever come out of Virginia and Vick, who is from Newport News, was almost in awe of him. He led his high school football team to three consecutive state championships. His 1996 team went 14-0 and outscored opponents 768-83, including a 51-0 rout over a previously unbeaten team in the title game.

Full Story: Curry completes circle, overtakes Vick once again in football world - [The Dispatch]

Walt Harris Back in Action

All-Pro cornerback Walt Harris resumed practicing with the 49ers for the first time in 10 days Tuesday and expects to be able to play Saturday night in the team’s exhibition game at Chicago.

Harris, 33, missed the team’s first two exhibitions after straining his left calf during training-camp workouts Aug. 10.

“Just being able to get out there and get a feel for everything again was good,” Harris said. “It’s gotten better every day and I’m looking forward to playing Saturday as much as possible.”

Full Story: All-Pro cornerback Harris back in action - [Mercury News]

Related:
Harris and Clements: Together at last - [RealFootball365]
Pro Bowl CB Walt Harris returns to Niners’ lineup with new energy - [San Francisco Chronicle]

Tomlin reminds Steelers of role-model status

The Steelers’ players got another reminder Monday their exalted status hardly makes them above the law when Michael Vick’s lawyer announced the Atlanta Falcons quarterback will plead guilty to federal dog-fighting charges.

“We are role models and to whom a lot is given a lot is expected,” said Tomlin, who knows Vick and grew up in roughly the same area in Virginia as Vick. “I acknowledge that it is a responsibility with being who we are and what we do.”

Full Story: Tomlin reminds Steelers of role-model status - [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]

Second Chance for Hill

Quadtrine Hill is hoping to make his second stint with the Bears much longer than his first. The backup fullback, who was claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots Aug. 8, is back after spending three days on the Chicago roster last summer.

Fullback Quadtrine Hill hopes to earn a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster. (Photo by Rodney Burkes)
With Obafemi Ayanbadejo suspended for the first four games of the regular season, Hill is trying to show coaches that he is a capable backup behind starter Jason McKie.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Hill said. “I’ve got a lot to prove. They want to see things from me. I think if I just learn my playbook, get in there and give 100 percent, I’ll do just fine.”

Full Story: Hill hopes to make most of second chance - [ChicagoBears.com]

Tomlin Brings Change of Pace

A year ago, Willie Parker came into training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers here at Saint Vincent College trying to make the team’s fervent fan base forget that Jerome Bettis was no longer rumbling out of the backfield.

Though Parker had led the Steelers in rushing during their Super Bowl championship run in 2005, even scoring a 75-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on the NFL’s biggest stage, Parker knew that many wondered if he could measure up to one of the most beloved players in the team’s history.

Full Story: Tomlin brings change of pace to Steelers - [Baltimore Sun]

Related: For Pittsburgh’s Tomlin, it’s all about the details - [USA Today]

Corey Ivy: A Pit Bull

Corey Ivy’s helmet is a fierce weapon. He’s as heavy-handed as a boxer. And he relentlessly bullies receivers brave enough to cross his path.

The Baltimore Ravens’ diminutive nickel back doesn’t cut an imposing figure out of his football equipment. Compact in build and casually dressed, he usually flashes an easy smile highlighted by a gold-capped front tooth.

Yet, teammates and coaches describe Ivy as a fearsome hitter whose sheer ferocity and thirst for contact belies his lack of ideal size.

“Corey’s one of the most aggressive players we have on this team by a mile,” linebacker and special-teams ace Gary Stills said. “He’s aggressive verbally and physically. He knows how to make things happen.

Full Story: C. IVY…A PIT BULL - [Ravens 24×7]

Stills also gets his kicks playing on defense

Gary Stills has carved a reputation in his first eight years in the NFL as one of its most ferocious special teams players. In his first season in Baltimore last year, Stills set a franchise record with 44 tackles, second most in league history.

Many seem to forget that Stills, who made the Pro Bowl in 2003 for specials teams, can also play linebacker and defensive end.

“Fortunately for me, I’ve never programmed myself to just be a special teams player. I like to play defense,” Stills said after practice yesterday at McDaniel College in Westminster. “I always wanted to evolve into that premier defensive player. I didn’t have that chance to do so.”

Full Story: Stills also gets his kicks playing on defense - [Baltimore Sun]

Jenkins shows value of never giving up

In fall 2003, Cullen Jenkins was out of football and working for a landscaping company in Ypsilanti, Mich. The Green Bay Packers cut him in training camp that year, and no other team bothered to offer him a tryout.

It got to the point when Jenkins started thinking about a future without football.

“I had a lot of doubts on whether or not I was good enough or whether or not teams would think I was good enough to play,” Jenkins recalled. “(I) still had that hope, where you’re hoping you would make it. But you start to think about, ‘What happens if I don’t? What am I going to do?’”

Full Story: Jenkins shows value of never giving up - [PackersNews.com]

Tubby Brings Sexy Back to Seahawks

Before anything else, a word about the nickname: Tubby.It’s a derivation of Marcus Tubbs’ surname, not a reference to his level of fitness.

Still, the fact he is leaner, fitter, stronger and more motivated than ever only adds to the Seattle Seahawks’ anticipation of Tubbs’ return to action.

A defensive tackle taken in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft, Tubbs missed most of last season with a knee injury that required microfracture surgery. After a long winter and spring of rehabbing, Tuesday was his first practice in full gear with the team.

Although he’s still seeing limited duty, Tubbs is making it obvious that nobody is happier about his presence at practice than he is.

As soon as he stepped on the field Wednesday, he started bouncing and dancing and tussling with teammates. At one point before workouts began, he jokingly acted as if he was about to tackle coach Ray Rhodes.

Full Story: http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/seahawks/story/134181.html - [The News Tribune]

Related: Marcus Tubbs: The Return - [Scout.com]

Curry: Toys for Tots Sponsor

Each time the Raiders and 49ers take the ball into the end zone during the upcoming season Bay Area kids win! Thanks to the WaMu Touchdowns for Tots program, which returns again for the 2007 season, two Bay Area schools will be rooting hard for a lot of scoring because it means a lot of money to support students and teachers.

Each time the 49ers and Raiders score a touchdown during the regular season, WaMu will donate $500 to the respective elementary school beneficiary for each of the teams. Glen Park Elementary School in San Francisco is recipient of WaMu’s donation for 49ers touchdowns, while Emerson Elementary School in Oakland will receive the money for each Raiders TD.

WaMu is also pleased to welcome two new player-spokesmen for this year’s Touchdown for Tots program: Vernon Davis, tight end, for the San Francisco 49ers; and Ronald Curry, wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders.

Full Story: WaMu Teams up with 49ers and Raiders to Score Touchdowns for Tots - [Business Wire]

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