Chargers vs. Seahawks Rookie Report: Preseason Week 1

The most important aspect of the NFL preseason isn’t seeing how prepared the stars are. Instead, it’s all about finding the young players who are ready to assert themselves as NFL-caliber players.

The first game of the season for the San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks provided coaches and fans with a look at some of the young talent that both clubs have on their roster this season. Some of the young NFL hopefuls stepped up and made big plays, whereas others struggled to be productive under Qualcomm’s bright lights.

First, let’s take a look at a few of the Chargers’ rookies who made people take notice during their first appearance under the NFL spotlight. The player that really impressed me for the Chargers was undrafted rookie linebacker Darryl Gamble. An undrafted outside linebacker, Gamble stepped up in a Keep Reading…

Now that the NFL Lockout has finally come to an end, we can get to one of the most intriguing parts of what should be a rather crazy “off-season” in the NFL. Here’s a list of the destinations for some of the top undrafted rookie free agents.

As of Tuesday, teams were allowed to sign these undrafted rookie free agents.

Arizona Cardinals Davieun Curry-Chapman, WR, Northern Arizona Sean Jeffcoat, WR, Elon Duke Lemmens, DE, Florida Ricky Lumpkin, DT, Kentucky Eric Mensik, OT, Oklahoma Kris O’Dowd, C, USC Andrew Rich, S, BYU Jason Speredon, G, BYU Jake Vermiglio, OT, NC State D.J. Young, OL, Michigan State

Atlanta Falcons Doug Beaumont, WR, Louisville Kirk Belgrave, CB, Kent State Adam Froman, QB, Louisville Matt Hansen, LB, URI Tom McCarthy, LS, Yale Rob McGill, OT, Louisiana Tech Matt Murphy, OT, UNLV Andrew Schulz, LS, Iowa Philip Sylvester, RB, Florida A&M LaMarcus Keep Reading…

Before you get all worried like I did when I first saw this story run across my computer screen, let me reassure you that he is okay.

Early this morning in Huntsville, Alabama, former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and his girlfriend were heading southbound on Leeman Ferry Road in a 2008 Infiniti when they collided with an 18-wheeler. Luckily, the accident was nowhere near as bad as it could have been.

Although the Infiniti’s air bags deployed and the car’s front end was thrashed, neither Ingram nor his girlfriend was injured. The truck driver also avoided injury.

According to police, alcohol or drugs were not involved in the accident. After the accident occurred, Ingram was apparently picked up by friends and driven away before his wrecked car was towed.

Ingram and former Alabama teammate Julio Jones were in town for a Thursday meet and greet Keep Reading…

If you haven’t heard of Arizona State junior linebacker Vontaze Burfict yet, do some homework. This guy will be a force to be reckoned with when he finally enters the NFL ranks.

Coming out of high school, he was the No. 1 ranked middle linebacker in the nation. He is the highest ranked high school player to ever sign a letter of intent to play football for ASU.

The first thing that grabs you by the throat about Burfict is how ferocious of a competitor he is. Whenever he’s on the field, you can tell where he is simply by the smoke billowing out of his ears and nostrils. The monster inside of him wreaks havoc in ways most players can only dream of when he plays under control. When a ball-carrier finds himself face to face with Burfict, the end result is something similar to a train Keep Reading…

I would assume that just about every University of Arizona football fan is thanking their lucky stars right about now.

The Wildcats were given some of the greatest news that they could have asked for today when head coach Bob Stoops announced that star wide receiver Juron Criner is on campus and will most likely be a full participant in summer camp as well as the regular season.

It was reported in late June that Criner might miss camp due to a serious medical condition that could put his entire 2011 season in jeopardy. However, as it turns out, the situation was family-related and shouldn’t hinder Criner’s ability to perform on the football field.

“We anticipate having Juron,” Stoops said. “He had some family issues that were concerning over the summer, and those are personal. We anticipate him being the same player – or a better Keep Reading…