Tickets">Three days.
In case you missed it, I posted a list of news, notes and observations from Tuesday's press luncheon here yesterday afternoon. There are many lovely news morsels.
I slipped out to practice soon after posting and got to see Zach Collaros throw a few frozen ropes to Kenbrell Thompkins for touchdowns. Both KT and ZC sure looked in top shape from my angle, however, Kerry Coombs had a slightly different perspective.
Needless to say, Coombs felt free to voice his disappointment. Always entertaining viewing, as long as you are on the sidelines and not under fire.
I did talk to Coombs after practice about a few different topics, one of them being his kicker Tony Miliano, who will be kicking in his first college football game this weekend.
He said some interesting things about the kicking situation and Miliano's promotion.
"We charted every kick in the entire summer. Every time, every hash, every distance, every possible situation. Tony comes out the winner. Tony's got the job. That's really helped Tony, from a confidence standpoint. The other thing is, we have two outstanding other kickers. I won't call them backups because I don't know how things are going to go. I was on the staff when Jake Rogers started off with the yips and all of a sudden we are kicking Brandon Yingling at Oklahoma in front of all those people in a bigtime game."
Indeed, the kicking business is fickle. As big of a deal as we make out of Miliano winning the job -- and I do think he will be given some lead way -- a few bad games and there is plenty of confidence in the kickers behind him.
Quick stat insertion: Seven UC games in the past three seasons have been decided by three points or less.
Let's eat...
--- Did you know you can follow all UC news, videos, etc., on a mobile app. In the words of the Notorious BIG, if you don't know, now you know.
--- The Panthers waived QB Tony Pike yesterday. Carolina was never a good fit for TP. With the drafting of Jimmy Claussen last year and Newton this year, it was a no-brainer those two would receive every rep and opportunity.
Pike's injured right now (elbow), but hopefully he can heal up and get another chance to develop with another franchise.
--- Vidal Hazelton was released by San Diego. He never caught a pass in three preseason games.
--- In better news, LS Mike Windt looks like he kept his job as his competition was cut in San Diego. What a great story. The guy keeps his head down, does his job well and has gone from undrafted free agent to replacing a guy who spent 17 years with the Chargers.
--- Mardy Gilyard is tied for second on the Rams for preseason receptions (6 for 51). He's also been the primary punt returner and kick returner. However, he is very much on the bubble in St. Louis. Here is a post about the pros and cons of keeping Gilyard from ESPN.
He'll be the most interesting UC NFL storyline to watch on cutdown day Saturday.
--- Jason Kelce is now the starting center in Philadelphia. Guy is killing it. I thought he was one of the steals of the draft and all the teams who didn't understand he had mono and that's why he was so light at the combine are kicking themselves for not doing enough research.
Here's the story and video talking with Kelce. JK sporting a strong beard.
How about those Eagles, now with three of their starting 22 hailing from the University of Cincinnati.
--- CB Brandon Underwood is also entrenched in a tight roster battle in Green Bay. The question isn't just if he will win the battle against Anthony Levine but if the Pack will even keep four safeties. Regardless, it will be a nerve-racking Saturday for the former Bearcat.
--- WR Armon Binns is still on the Jags roster, but with only two receptions for 20 yards this preseason, he's probably hoping for a practice squad at best in Jacksonville.
--- OT Jeff Linkenbach will make the Colts roster and as one of only three tackles will see plenty of playing time, if not start.
--- Some randomness...
--- In my C. Trent Rosecrans dedication of the day, AV Club has The Hold Steady covering Huey Lewis and the News. Great Scott! Two fantastic worlds come together to create one great video.
--- If only I had more free moments, I would work my way down Time's list of the Top 100 nonfiction books of all time. Though, I am starting with Ball Four on the recommendation of the one and only Josh Katzowitz and Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson.
--- Should anybody be surprised that after streaking around a NASCAR parking lot this man intended to retreat to his car to relax with his girlfriend and pet raccoon? Probably not.
--- Pump up week continues with Archie Eversole. We Ready, Indeed.
In case you missed it, I posted a list of news, notes and observations from Tuesday's press luncheon here yesterday afternoon. There are many lovely news morsels.
I slipped out to practice soon after posting and got to see Zach Collaros throw a few frozen ropes to Kenbrell Thompkins for touchdowns. Both KT and ZC sure looked in top shape from my angle, however, Kerry Coombs had a slightly different perspective.
Needless to say, Coombs felt free to voice his disappointment. Always entertaining viewing, as long as you are on the sidelines and not under fire.
I did talk to Coombs after practice about a few different topics, one of them being his kicker Tony Miliano, who will be kicking in his first college football game this weekend.
He said some interesting things about the kicking situation and Miliano's promotion.
"We charted every kick in the entire summer. Every time, every hash, every distance, every possible situation. Tony comes out the winner. Tony's got the job. That's really helped Tony, from a confidence standpoint. The other thing is, we have two outstanding other kickers. I won't call them backups because I don't know how things are going to go. I was on the staff when Jake Rogers started off with the yips and all of a sudden we are kicking Brandon Yingling at Oklahoma in front of all those people in a bigtime game."
Indeed, the kicking business is fickle. As big of a deal as we make out of Miliano winning the job -- and I do think he will be given some lead way -- a few bad games and there is plenty of confidence in the kickers behind him.
Quick stat insertion: Seven UC games in the past three seasons have been decided by three points or less.
Let's eat...
--- Did you know you can follow all UC news, videos, etc., on a mobile app. In the words of the Notorious BIG, if you don't know, now you know.
--- The Panthers waived QB Tony Pike yesterday. Carolina was never a good fit for TP. With the drafting of Jimmy Claussen last year and Newton this year, it was a no-brainer those two would receive every rep and opportunity.
Pike's injured right now (elbow), but hopefully he can heal up and get another chance to develop with another franchise.
--- Vidal Hazelton was released by San Diego. He never caught a pass in three preseason games.
--- In better news, LS Mike Windt looks like he kept his job as his competition was cut in San Diego. What a great story. The guy keeps his head down, does his job well and has gone from undrafted free agent to replacing a guy who spent 17 years with the Chargers.
--- Mardy Gilyard is tied for second on the Rams for preseason receptions (6 for 51). He's also been the primary punt returner and kick returner. However, he is very much on the bubble in St. Louis. Here is a post about the pros and cons of keeping Gilyard from ESPN.
He'll be the most interesting UC NFL storyline to watch on cutdown day Saturday.
--- Jason Kelce is now the starting center in Philadelphia. Guy is killing it. I thought he was one of the steals of the draft and all the teams who didn't understand he had mono and that's why he was so light at the combine are kicking themselves for not doing enough research.
Here's the story and video talking with Kelce. JK sporting a strong beard.
How about those Eagles, now with three of their starting 22 hailing from the University of Cincinnati.
--- CB Brandon Underwood is also entrenched in a tight roster battle in Green Bay. The question isn't just if he will win the battle against Anthony Levine but if the Pack will even keep four safeties. Regardless, it will be a nerve-racking Saturday for the former Bearcat.
--- WR Armon Binns is still on the Jags roster, but with only two receptions for 20 yards this preseason, he's probably hoping for a practice squad at best in Jacksonville.
--- OT Jeff Linkenbach will make the Colts roster and as one of only three tackles will see plenty of playing time, if not start.
--- Some randomness...
--- In my C. Trent Rosecrans dedication of the day, AV Club has The Hold Steady covering Huey Lewis and the News. Great Scott! Two fantastic worlds come together to create one great video.
--- If only I had more free moments, I would work my way down Time's list of the Top 100 nonfiction books of all time. Though, I am starting with Ball Four on the recommendation of the one and only Josh Katzowitz and Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson.
--- Should anybody be surprised that after streaking around a NASCAR parking lot this man intended to retreat to his car to relax with his girlfriend and pet raccoon? Probably not.
--- Pump up week continues with Archie Eversole. We Ready, Indeed.