Minneapolis — New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas turned 27 on Sunday and celebrated with a touchdown and a 42-20 team win against the Minnesota Vikings.
“The team helped me and gave me a good gift today, which is a ‘W’” Thomas said. “That is something I wanted for my birthday.”
Read more
D.J. Smith already looks like a starting-caliber inside linebacker.
The sixth-round draft pick has started the past two games because of injuries and will remain there only until Desmond Bishop comes back from a strained calf, which could be in a week or two. But especially after Smith’s play last week against Oakland, there’s reason to think the undersized rookie has a bright future with the Green Bay Packers.
Read more
In a town already filled with tourist and campaign buses, there’s finally one that won’t cause locals to roll their eyes: Former NFL player Jerome “The Bus” Bettis is arriving in D.C. on Thursday in an effort to win over hearts and minds regarding clear air and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Achievable Control Technology MACT rule. Bettis was a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1996 to 2006, when they won the Super Bowl.
Read more
Smith wasn’t just busy making big plays for the defense, but he also had to
relay all of the defensive calls between snaps. Normally, this is A.J.
Hawk’s responsibility, but the injured Hawk was replaced by Smith.
Smith heard the calls through a speaker that was in his helmet and had to
communicate it to the rest of the defense. It sounds simple, but the process
certainly has some complications.
“It’s different if you’ve never done it, first to have a voice in your head,
then how loud it is,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s prepared. I think
he’s a good communicator and did really well in Detroit, and I think it will
be seamless.”
D.J. will get the start again this week against the Oakland Raiders as Hawk
is still out with an injury. Smith didn’t do too shabby last week in his
first start ending with 8 total tackles, which was the second most on the
team.
The Offensive Player of the Year award in the Big Ten has been renamed to the Graham-George Trophy in honor of Otto Graham (Northwestern) and APSE client Eddie George (Ohio State). Both players shined in their collegiate careers in the Big Ten Conference. The award is given annually to the best offensive player in the Big Ten Conference.
George spent four seasons with the Buckeyes highlighted in 1995 by receiving the Heisman Trophy along with the Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and was a consensus All-American.
Over his collegiate career George rushed for over 3,700 yards and 44 touchdowns. Throughout his eight year NFL career George would continue to be productive, rushing for over 10,000 yards with the Tennessee Titans and a brief stay with the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, George has returned to Ohio State University to receive his degree and have his number, 27, retired.
The winner of the inaugural Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year was Montee Ball from the University of Wisconsin. Ball currently leads the country in touchdowns with 34 and is second all time to another APSE client, Barry Sanders, who finished with 39 touchdowns in 1988, a NCAA record.
In the New Orleans Saints week 12 win over the New York Giants, running back Pierre Thomas racked up 110 total yards and added another touchdown to his season total. The 110 yards from scrimmage was the second-highest total of the season for Thomas, only behind his week 7 performance against the Colts where he totaled 125 yards from scrimmage.
In this Saints’ offense where three different running backs are used, Thomas is still getting plenty of snaps and is a central target in the passing game as well showing how versatile of a player and key component to the overall offense he is.
This upcoming week, week 13, the Saints will be put to the test against a top-of-the-line Lions’ defense that will be without defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. It is almost certain that New Orleans is looking to pound the ball with a running game, which profiles well for Thomas’ style. Look for Thomas to have another huge game and help lead the Saints to victory.
APSE clients Jerome Bettis and Willie Roaf are among 26 semifinalists that were selected to be considered for the 2012 NFL Hall of Fame.
Both Bettis and Roaf were finalists for the Class of 2011 and are hoping their second time is a charm and the selection committee will call their names the day before this season’s Super Bowl.
The list of 26 semifinalists will be reduced by mail ballot to 15 modern-era finalists. That list increases to 17 finalist nominees with the inclusion of the two recommended candidates of the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee. The results of the modern-era reduction vote to 15 finalists will be announced in early January, 2012.
Between four and seven enshrinees will be announced on Feb. 4, 2012 and will be inducted in August.
EL SEGUNDO, CA (November 4, 2011)—Congratulations to APSE clients Josh Southern and Jabril Banks who were both taken in the 2011 NBA D-League draft on Thursday evening. The Texas Legends drafted Southern, a four-year starter for Boston College, in the fifth round of the draft. Southern, a 6-foot-10 center, averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during his senior year.
PITTSBURGH, PA (October 28, 2011)—Three autographed pairs of shoes worn by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive linemen were among the prizes included in the live and silent auction that took place during The Jerome Bettis Caring for Kids Event. Read more
RUSTON, LA (October 25, 2011)—APSE client and 2012 Hall of Fame nominee Willie Roaf is Returning to his Roots this week as he heads to Ruston, Louisiana to participate in Homecoming activities for his alma matter, Louisiana Tech University. Read more
2010 All Pro Sports Entertainment. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use