NFL Update – Sunday

Good news: Larry Hart picked up four tackles in Jacksonville’s Saturday night preseason game against Buffalo.

Bad news: Larry apparently left the game with an injury.

Good news: Markel Carter picked up his first NFL tackle Saturday. From Seacoastonline.com

Patriots rookie defensive end/linebacker Markell Carter knew the transition to the NFL would be difficult. With the locked-out offseason, the sixth-round pick from Central Arkansas has battled more than expected.

…

Heading into last night’s preseason game against the Lions, Carter had no statistics. He has been trying to acclimate himself to the Patriots, seeking veterans who can teach him…

Bad News: Jacob Ford only had one tackle before leaving Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury. The Tennesean reports

Ford said he would undergo an MRI, but did not think the injury was serious.

Bad news: A week after catching two passes, Marquez Branson had no catches for the Falcons Saturday.

Football in the news

You probably remember reading essentially this same story from a different newspaper a few weeks back. Here’s another “parity” / “anybody can beat anybody” article on one level, but Chris Singleton of the houmatoday.com also gives us a rundown of all the SLC teams:
Coaches: Southland should be competitive as ever

And DMc has apparently been stockpiling stories waiting for game week. Boom. Here’s three:

1. Analyzing the UCA Bears
2. Greater knowledge helps Newsome switch from learner to leader
   

   CAUSES FOR CONCERNThe kicking game is unproven. The Bears face a brutal September slate of road games at Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston State and Arkansas State, then return home to play two-time defending conference champion Stephen F. Austin.

3. Bears try to earn their stripes on stripes
   

   “It’s hot,” he said. “It’s amazing the difference when you walk out on the field from grass. A lot of heat hits you. It’s a big change from playing on grass. But it’s nice. It’s even nice to watch on film.“I think it adds to the team chemistry. This is our field and we’re the first team to play on it. It’s like going out there with a clean slate.”

Henderson Week

It’s here again. Football season. We kick it off again on a Thursday. Again against a D2 opponent. Again that opponent being HSU (2006 and 08).

Everyone has likely read by now that the Reddies are in a new conference and picked to win it even without Nick Hardesty. But Nathan Nail had five starts in 2009 for HSU and is the guy again in 2011.

For more on the Reddies this year check out their own write-up.

Depth Chart Guesses

After seeing Saturday’s scrimmage – and knowing that Conque has already said that depth chart changes will likely be made because of it – here’s my guess on a depth chart.

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

From the way Conque has talked, Duvall is expected to start. I’m just not sure where since he didn’t play in Saturday’s scrimmage. Also, I don’t know whose spot Jestin is taking, so I guess on the safety rotation more so than others.

Scrimmage #2 Recap

Stories following Saturday’s scrimmage:
DEFENSE SOUND IN SECOND UCA SCRIMMAGE – ucasports
Defense takes control in Bears’ second scrimmage – LCD

INJURIES:

• Hinton was limping around on the sideline after his injury. His leg wasn’t in any kind of brace or anything, so that seemed promising.
• Lasker’s injury seemed to be more serious. I thought he was staying down because he got slammed on his head, but – as reported in the link above – the trainers looked at his knee on the bench for a long time.
• Don’t know what happened to Wilcox, but he had ice on his right eye.
• There was also another defensive player that had to be taken inside. By the time I saw him he was halfway around the field with his jersey off when the golf cart was picking him up. He was walking on his own at that point though.
• Not dressed out: Clay Murphy, Brennan Rushing, Oliver Wells, Whit Whitfield, Jestin Love, Larry Duvall, Markeith Gaines, and Jerrell McKnight.

TSN picks Bears first in SLC

The Sports Network has released their Southland Conference preview, and they’ve put the Bears atop the list.

OUTLOOK:The Bears had the best record in the Southland in 2008, but weren’t eligible for the league title since they were in the midst of a transition from Division II. This year could be the year the Bears claim their first official Southland championship, behind the senior leadership of quarterback Nathan Dick. The former transfer from Arkansas is the top returning passer in the conference and has a slew of options as the Bears return seven of their top eight receivers. On defense, the Bears have a good mix of seniors and lower classmen who could stabilize the program for the long haul. Also, don’t forget the purple and gray turf, which has added some national interest to the program.

The story includes the brief outlooks for all eight teams.

The Sports Network’s predicted order of finish:

1. Central Arkansas
2. McNeese State
3. Stephen F. Austin
4. Sam Houston State
5. Northwestern State
6. Nichols State
7. Lamar
8. Southeastern Louisiana