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NFL training camps feature Blue Hens 9:58 a.m., July 26, 2005--National Football League training camps are opening this week, and a number of former University of Delaware players are hoping to make or maintain positions on professional rosters. Two former Fightin’ Blue Hens will be in camp with the Tennessee Titans, who will begin preseason workouts July 29 in Nashville. The Titans have signed defensive end Shawn Johnson, a stalwart of UD’s 2003 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team and a sixth round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in 2004. Johnson was one of the last players cut by the Raiders last year, and spent part of the season on Tennessee’s practice squad. UD defensive lineman Joe Minucci also will be in camp with the Titans. Minucci had an outstanding season with the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League, being named to the league’s All-Rookie team, before being signed by the Titans. Prior to camp, the Titans waived defensive back and kick returner Sidney Haugabrook, a co-captain for the 2004 UD teams that won a second consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference championship and reached the quarterfinal round of the NCAA playoffs. Haugabrook, who had a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Game played in San Francisco, had signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent. Defensive back Mike Adams, a captain on the Hens’ national championship team, will be back in camp with the San Francisco 49ers beginning July 28 in Santa Clara, Calif. Adams was signed by San Francisco as an undrafted free agent and made the roster late in the season, even intercepting a pass in a game against the Miami Dolphins. Quarterback Andy Hall, who directed the offense during UD’s national championship season, will again be in camp with the Philadelphia Eagles when they begin preseason drills at Lehigh University. Hall, a sixth round draft choice in 2004, spent last season on Philadelphia’s practice squad and was assigned to the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe but suffered an injury early in the season. Two Hens are trying to make the New York Jets. Second-year offensive lineman Jason Nerys, an All-American offensive lineman on the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team, bounced on and off the Jets’ practice squad last season after being signed as an undrafted free agent. Rookie linebacker Mondoe Davis, a favorite of the fans at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium, signed with the team this year as an undrafted free agent. Former UD wide receiver Jamin Elliott has been signed by the Washington Redskins, who will open camp Aug. 1. Elliott entered the league as a sixth round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 2002 and spent the spring playing for the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe. Keith Burnell, former UD running back, will be in camp with the Baltimore Ravens beginning Aug. 1. Burnell, who rushed for 956 yards and nine touchdowns for the Hens in 2002, was signed by Baltimore after spending time on the practice squad of the New York Jets. The Oakland Raiders camp will open July 28 in Napa Valley, Calif., and for the first time in many years are expected to be without veteran quarterback Rich Gannon. The Hen standout had an outstanding career for the Raiders before suffering a neck injury last year. He took the team to the Super Bowl and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2002-03. Article by Neil Thomas To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
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