The Roving Ram - Rounds the Horn
By Rams Nation's Brandon “Blankman” Cavanaugh
- Welcome, Ramlings!
So, the NFL draft has come and gone and what a wild weekend it was. Saint Louis
picked up Penn State DT Jimmy Kennedy, Hawaii LB Piso Tinoisamoa, Utah State’s
Kevin Curtis, Arizona State WR Shaun McDonald, Nebraska’s DeJuan Groce
and Scott Shanle, Eastern Washington’s own Dan Curley, Notre Dame’s
Shane Walton, SMU’s Kevin Garrett, California’s Scott Tercero and
Western New Mexico’s Richard Angulo. Welcome to the fold, gentlemen!
- Dilfer’s Son passes on.
On a sad note, today, we report that Trent Dilfer’s five year old son
has passed away after a battle with heart disease. "Trevin was a very brave
young boy and we are comforted in knowing that as a child of God he has returned
to his maker," the Dilfer family said in a statement they issued. "We
grieve, but not as those without hope." We here at Gridiron Gateway send
out our best to the Dilfers and wish them peace through these difficult times.
- Eagles’ Dawkins Gets Seven More Years
Philadelphia’s three-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins knows what he
likes and that’s the City of Brotherly Love. Dawkins signed on a seven
year extension with the team on Monday. Brian had 131 tackles with the Eagles
last season along with seven forced fumbles, three of those recovered and two
picks. "I just know that both sides wanted to get this done," Dawkins
said. "I know I really wanted to get it done and from conversations, especially
now, you can really tell that we wanted to get it done because we were able
to iron this thing out."
- Bucs Like Simms, Trim Matthews and Zolman
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw something in Chris Simms that apparently they
don’t see in Shane Matthews or Greg Zolman. Must’ve been the ability
to throw interceptions to the Oklahoma Sooner defense [rim shot]. The team released
Matthews and Zolman just a couple of days after drafting the loins of Phil Simms.
Matthews, a 10 year veteran of the NFL, signed on with Tampa Bay in March after
being a part-time starter for the Washington Redskins. Zolman spent a week with
the Green Bay Packers on the practice squad before signing with the Bucs in
late January.
- Lucas Released by Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins released quarterback Ray Lucas on Monday, a move that was
expected after Lucas struggled with his fill-in role for Jay Fiedler last season.
Fiedler was 5-1 as a starter, Lucas was 2-4. "We still feel that Ray can
be productive in this league, but we believe this move is in everyone's best
interest," Head Coach Dave Wannstedt said. "This gives him time to
try to start working as soon as possible with whatever team he winds up with."
- Redskins Sign Brad Banks; Titans Ink WSU’s Gesser
Let the free agent parade commence! Former Iowa Hawkeye Brad Banks, the Heisman
Trophy Runner-up, was one of 12 free agents inked by the Washington Redskins
on Monday. Banks had 25 TDs in the air, five on the ground and threw only 4
picks while accumulating a 166.0 QB rating. "He's obviously a player you
move around a bit," Steve Spurrier said. "We thought Brad would give
us a change of pace." Also, Former Washington State Cougar signal caller
Jason Gesser signed on with the Tennessee Titans. QBs Steve McNair and Billy
Volek had been the only other two quarterbacks on the roster prior to the signing
after Neil O’Donnell was released for salary cap reasons.
That’s the finest from the fish wraps for today, ladies and gentlemen
of the Rams Nation! Check back tomorrow for the hottest topics here at Gridiron
Gateway!
Questions, comments and replica DeJuan Groce and Scott Shanle jerseys can be
sent to ===Brandon
a.k.a. Blankman #71===