One more scheduling note, and this won't even get into the paper, since it's essentially reporting the absence of something: Florida A&M, which brought a strong crowd (and a strong band) for its game in Tampa last season, won't be playing the Bulls any sooner than 2011.
FAMU had been discussed as a regular visitor to Raymond James Stadium every few years, knowing the Rattlers would bring considerably more fans than most I-AA opponents. But after talking to FAMU athletic director Nelson Townsend this week, he said he hasn't had any conversations with USF since he took office in January. "We don't have any current plans to play in Tampa," said Townsend, whose schedule is already full for 2007 and 2008. "It's not beyond the possibility in the future. Tampa's a great market for us, and we'd love to play there again."
USF, with plans to play one I-AA game per year, already has Wofford booked for 2009 and Samford in 2010, leaving 2011 as the next option for the Rattlers' return. Townsend said he continues to be approached by third parties about playing neutral-site football games in Tampa, but hasn't found a match that works for his program.
Oh, and one more thing: an Andre Hall update. Last we'd told you, Hall was one of 13 running backs auditioning for a spot on the Buffalo Bills' practice squad. He didn't get the call, and best I can tell, none of that group earned a spot. Hall's agent, Jonathan Kline, said their plan is to wait things out, wait for an injury or ineffectiveness to open up a spot for a running back. The CFL is calling, and the Edmonton Eskimos offered Hall a spot on their roster for next season, but for now, they're sticking with their assertion that Hall's good enough to find a spot on an NFL practice squad, knowing that's the best route to making a team's active roster.
Frank Davis, by the way, made his NFL debut with the Detroit Lions on Sept. 10, working on the field-goal protection unit on special teams. That he can not only make the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, but make the 45-man active roster, is one of the better stories to come out of USF. He's listed as the top backup to right guard Damien Woody. He'll get to face former teammate J.R. Reed when Detroit plays at the Rams in two weeks.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Greg,
Are there any other programs you can think of that have as many active pros in just their first 10 years of football?
Go Bulls!!
Posted by: BA | September 21, 2006 at 06:13 PM