Former Players Updated (again)

UPDATE: Jasper is no longer in Winnipeg. “The Bombers have only four players left on their practice roster after linebacker Jasper Johnson decided to go home earlier this week…”

• Jasper Johnson is now on the Winnipeg practice squad. I think I read somewhere that practice squad players get paid $500/wk.
• Jimmy at MusicCityMiracles.com had lunch with Jacob Ford for a Q&A session. He now has named Jacob “the Official Favorite Player of MCM.”
• Christina Lecuyer faltered down the stretch, shot one over on the tournament and finished third in the Texas Women’s Open.

  Tied with Lecuyer, [tournament winner Katy Jarochowicz] took a one-shot lead on the par-3 17th, hitting 15 feet short of the hole. She made a two-putt par and then Lecuyer three-putted from about 30 feet.
  On the final hole, Jarochowicz hit safely on, about 20 feet away. Lecuyer landed about 30 feet behind the pin and then missed her birdie putt from the fringe. Jarochowicz sealed the win with a 4-footer for par.

• Marquez Branson and Jeb Putzier, considered the fourth and fifth tight ends in a group of talented TEs, were cut by the Broncos. Marquez though was signed to the practice squad – sounds similar to the Landon Trusty in Denver story. The Broncos official Web site doesn’t list any of this in their transactions.
• And Aaron Fairooz and the former Bear receivers have continued their terrific showing as a part of the Arkansas Twisters. Fairooz, who totalled 9 catches, “led the Twisters with five TD catches and 124 yards. His 38-yard catch late in the fourth quarter set up the [game-winning] field goal attempt for Taylor.”
• Eric Ware had 258 kick return yards, returning two for touchdowns, and Cam Kinard had five catches for 30 yards.
• Aaron has played just two games, but his 147 yards per game would be 3rd in all of AF2; his 11.5 receptions per game ranks 2nd; his 5 TD receptions per game would be first by a large margin over everyone but teammate Rod Harper, who is apparently hurt(?) as he hasn’t played in the last four games. That’s what opened the door for Kinard and Fairooz to take over as the leading receivers in three of those four games.
• PLAYERS OF THE GAME RUSSELL ATHLETIC — Aaron Fairooz, ARK
  JLS IRONMAN — Eric Ware, ARK
  AARON’S DEFENSIVE — Dahnel Singfield, RGV
  BIG GAME CATCH OF THE GAME — Aaron Fairooz, late 4th qtr
  NIFTY HIT OF THE GAME — Jerry Turner on Nick Hill, 8:55, 3rd
• Tristan Jackson‘s first regular season game is Thursday night. His Eskimos are playing Winnipeg. Too bad Jasper didn’t quite make the playing roster.

Jasper Update

Despite the four comments about Jasper that are after the jump and leading the Blue Bombers in tackles in the preseason, he didn’t make the final cut.

But, he has accepted a position on the practice squad.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Blue Bombers cornerback James Johnson set the stage with a first-quarter interception of a Kevin Glenn pass, setting up Winnipeg’s first TD. Honourable mention to Winnipeg cornerback Willie Byrd, who made a leaping pick in the third quarter, defensive end Chase Ortiz, who put pressure on Hamilton quarterbacks all night, and linebacker Jasper Johnson.

LINEBACKERS: We don’t know where he fits in this bunch or if there’s room, but the newcomer who made the biggest overall impression was Jasper Johnson, the former Central Arkansas star. He flew all over the field while taking turns in the spot reserved for Siddeeq Shabazz and kept popping up on the kick coverage. Another fresh face who makes a coach’s job difficult at cut-down day.

‘BACKER UP: Jonathan Hefney and Jasper Johnson are a pair of rookies who are pushing the veteran linebackers.

“We’ve got some really good competition at the linebacker spots right now,” Kelly said. “Some of those young kids have really come in and played even beyond expectations. And, of course, some of these veteran players came in here and are playing as well as we’ve seen them play.

“They’re all tough decisions, but these are good problems to have.”

Making their case: Jasper Johnson — the rookie got the start at weak-side linebacker in place of the injured Siddeeq Shabazz. Not only was he part of preventing Hamilton from scoring in the first half, but he led the Bombers with five tackles also had a solid special teams tackle.