NFL veteran Brandon Tate hosts clinic for local youthHoping to sign on for his 10th season in the NFL, Brandon Tate wants to give back to the community he grew up in more than ever. Donning white T-shirts with the acronym “TATE: Training Athletes to Excel” on the back, the Cummings High School graduate and numerous former Cummings and Alamance County athletes led a football clinic for local youth Saturday. (Burlington Times News)
Carolina Panthers' Safety Da'Norris Searcy Among NFL Offseason StandoutsPanthers' free safety Da'Norris Searcy was available after losing his starting job in Tennessee last season, and he flew under the radar among Carolina's offseason signings. But Searcy is slimmer and more fluid after a diet that, in his words, includes fewer Coronas. He has emerged as the front-runner to start at a position the Panthers didn't address in the draft. (ESPN.com)
Arizona Cardinals' running back T.J. Logan ready for redemption seasonAlmost a year since his wrist injury, T.J. Logan has loved being back on the field with his peers. “It’s been great,” Logan said. “Just trying to get my wind back, because I haven’t been out there running too many plays. Just trying to go off my brace and just use tape.” Despite sporting a brace, Logan says he’s “definitely” healthy and wearing the brace as a safety measure. (AZ Central)
Jon Gruden: “Ryan Switzer has really caught my eye”There's no question, the Oakland Raiders see Ryan Switzer as their punt returner. But it’s becoming apparent their plans for him are much bigger. “Ryan Switzer has really caught my eye,” coach Jon Gruden said following minicamp. “Switzer has come in here and not only been a punt returner, kick returner, he’s been a force as a slot receiver. He’s really done well.” (Silver and Black Pride)
Zach Brown Returns For Redskins Minicamp, Healthier And Feeling At HomeRedskins linebacker Zach Brown knows the NFL season can take a toll on him. That’s why he rearranged his priorities over the last few months, spending time with his four daughters and missing some of the team’s OTAs. The missed voluntary practices will be a footnote on the year, but Brown’s time with his kids will stay with him, and them, throughout the year. (Washington Redskins)
Receiver/returner Ryan Switzer hoping to carve out role with RaidersRyan Switzer was headed for the mall in April when he got the call saying he’d been traded from the Cowboys to the Raiders. In Oakland, Switzer can appreciate the receiving options around him. On one flank, there’s Amari Cooper, on the other Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant. For Switzer, who’s trying to make the roster as a slot receiver, those outside targets are a benefit. (San Francisco Gate)
Chase Rice Explains Winding Road to Country MusicChase Rice initially planned on playing in the NFL after college at the University of North Carolina, then worked for NASCAR, and also was the runner-up on Survivor in 2010. So perhaps the person most surprised that he has a successful country music career is Rice. Rice took a winding road to get to where he is in country music, but he wouldn't have it any other way. (PopCulture.com)
Robert Quinn ‘a bear’ for opposing offensesRobert Quinn put up an incredible 19-sack season in 2013 and followed with 10.5 the year after. Over the next three seasons, he missed 16 games and managed just 17.5 sacks. Now that he’s healthy again and playing a more comfortable role as a conventional defensive end, Quinn has been wowing coaches and teammates during offseason practices. (Palm Beach Post)
Ranking the ACC's College Football Coaches for 201810. Larry Fedora, North Carolina: Fedora heads into 2018 looking to get UNC back on track. After winning the Coastal Division and recording 11 victories in 2015, the Tar Heels are just 11-14 over the last two seasons. Also, the three-win season of 2017 represented the program's fewest victories since 2006. Fedora is 43-34 since taking over in Chapel Hill in 2012. (Athlon Sports)
Zach Brown flashes his speed as Redskins begin mandatory minicampZach Brown was missed the last three weeks at Redskins Park. The 2017 team-leading tackler attended just one day of organized team activities as he moved to a new house in Virginia and dealt with personal issues. Those workouts were voluntary, and the inside linebacker was back for mandatory minicamp Tuesday and received warm welcomes from teammates and coaches. (Washington Post)
Mitch Trubisky thrilled to give back to Mentor football program, communityMentor coach Steve Trivisonno declared June 12 “passing day” at the Mitchell Trubisky Mentor Youth Football Camp. That means tips from Trubisky, the Mentor graduate who’s now the second-year starting quarterback for the Bears, on his specialty had to wait a day. During Day 1 of the camp on June 11, there was a quick display by Trubisky on the art of punting. (News-Herald)
Eagles WR coach Gunter Brewer and Mack Hollins have a good history, and maybe a good future togetherGunter Brewer coached Randy Moss at Marshall and Dez Bryant at Oklahoma State, but even he would acknowledge that it doesn’t take much to start greatness gushing from a talent well so deep. Sometimes a football coach shows just how good he is by helping a player who was thought to be marginal become something more. Take, for instance Mack Hollins. (Philly News)
A comprehensive history of UNC football’s horrific non-conference scheduling luckIf there were a Wiki for North Carolina non-conference football scheduling this millennium, it would be a fascinating and depressing read. 2001 is an excellent cut-off date because it is the beginning of one of the stupidest streaks in sports: UNC has not won a P5 opener against a non-conference team since 2000. The Heels will travel to a Cal team on the rise to open 2018. (Tar Heel Blog)
Julius Peppers explains why he opted to keep playingWhy did Julius Peppers decide to come back for a 17th season? It’s simple, really. “I just want to keep playing. I still love the game. I didn’t feel like I was done with it.” The future Hall of Fame defensive end clarified that there are two sides to this equation. Obviously, the Panthers were interested in re-signing Peppers after his homecoming resulted in an 11-sack season. (Carolina Panthers)
Mitch Trubisky football camp will be crowded, starting June 11 at MentorThe first Mitchell Trubisky Mentor Football Youth Camp begins June 11 at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium. The camp was known for more than a decade as the Mentor Football Youth Camp, but that changed with Trubisky’s involvement. With his named attached to it, the camp’s size has nearly doubled. “Mitch loves making kids happy,” said Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno. (The News-Herald)
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| Coastal Division | ACC | Overall |
|---|
| (13) Miami | 7-2 | 10-3 | | (24) Virginia Tech | 5-3 | 9-4 | | Georgia Tech | 4-4 | 5-6 | | Pittsburgh | 3-5 | 5-7 | | Virginia | 3-5 | 6-7 | | Duke | 3-5 | 7-6 | | North Carolina | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| Atlantic Division | ACC | Overall |
|---|
| (4) Clemson | 8-1 | 12-2 | | (23) NC State | 6-2 | 9-4 | | Wake Forest | 4-4 | 8-5 | | Boston College | 4-4 | 7-6 | | Louisville | 4-4 | 8-5 | | Florida State | 3-5 | 7-6 | | Syracuse | 2-6 | 4-8 |
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