BRYAN COX

Western Illinois 2008 Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

FOOTBALL, 1987-1990

Cox wore purple and gold from 1987 to 1990 and was a member of the 1988 Gateway Conference Champions.  He still remains the all-time leader in interceptions for touchdowns with three and career blocked kicks with 10.  His nine forced fumbles are good for second most in a career with 323 tackles, eight interceptions, 29 tackles for loss, and three sacks.  In 1990, as a senior, Cox finished his career as an All American after leading the team in tackles and interceptions.  Cox was also selected as the Gateway Football Conferenc's Defensive Player of the Decade that year.

Cox is currently in his second season as an assistant defensive line coach with The New York Jets, following a 12-year playing career in the NFL.  The native of East St. Louis played in 165 regular-season career games, making 144 starts while with The Miami Dolphins (1991-1995), The Chicago Bears (1996-1997, The New York Jets (1998-2000), The New England Patriots (2001), and The New Orleans Saints (2002).  He won a Super Bowl ring with the Partriots in 2001, following their victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.  During his career, Cox amassed 645 tackles, 51.5 sacks, 37 passes defended, and four interceptions while playing a varity of defensive positions.  He was named to three Pro Bowls; and in 1992, he was maned to the All-NFL First Team by Sports Illustrated after leading the Dolphins with 127 tackles.

With all of the sucess on the field, Cox has always found time to give back to Western as well as to the community he grew up in.  He has been a major donor to the Leatherneck Football Program, including a lead gift for the new locker room/weight room complex.  Cox also hosts charity golf tournaments and softball games, with the proceeds going to The Boys and Girls Club of East St. Louis.

Western Illinois University 2008 Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

Bryan has always been a premier member of  Sports Planning's Hall of Fame!

Congratulations,  We are very proud!  Your Sports Planning family.

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Ryan Tucker said playing an exhibition game is a reachable goal after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in the hip.  Ryan had a "freak" injury during non-contact drills in May.  Asked if he would be ready for the September 7th opener against Dallas.  "I'm going to say yes, hopefully it's sooner.  I'm trying like crazy to get back out there.  I'm not going to rush it, not going to get out there where I have another setback.  I'll be back there eventually."

While recovering, Ryan helped  manage one of his son's Little League baseball teams.  "I stunk at it.  But I enjoyed it.  My kid loved it.  It was fun."

Associated Press

Watch out for undrafted rookie cornerback Condrew Allen.  He almost had an interception while covering Johnny Quinn early in Practice, then made back-to-back plays in 11-on-11, first jarring loose a slant to Chris Francies, then tipping away a deep ball for Greg Jennings.

scout.com

Justin McCareins, the team's fourth-round pick in 2001, returned to the team this offseason after spending the past four seasons with the Jets.  Though the signing received little fanfare, team officials have been pleased with McCareins play during workouts

"He has been impressive, and has done well with his opportunities.  He shows the ability to get down the field and make plays."  Justin will add a vertical element to their passing game.

McCareins' potential return to prominence is not unexpected when you consider his most productive season as a pro came under the guidance of another former Titan returning to Nashville--Offensive coordinator Heimerdinger.  During his final season with Heimerdinger in 2003, Justin set career-highs for yards (813) and touchdowns (7).  He now has the inside track on the starting spot opposite Justin Gage and is being counted on to emerge as the big play threat the offense lacked last season.  "Heimerdinger knows McCareins' potential"  said a Titans' official.  "His current role in the offense plays to his strenghts, and he should have plenty of opportunity to make plays."

SI.com

Count Justin McCareins among those who has come to appreciate the hard-line tutelage that Mike Heimerdinger inflicted upon him early in his career.

"I learned how to be a pro under coach Heimerdinger, and that stays with you," said McCareins, who played for Heimerdinger for three years with the Titans and one year with the New York Jets.  "In terms of him raising his voice at me as a young player, I think that just shows he saw something in me, and you have to learn not to take that stuff personally, and to learn and take to coaching."

McCareins, 29, came back to the Titans on a one-year deal to try and resurrect a career that had sagged to just 42 catches total that past two years in New York.  So far, the reunion of player and coash has worked out, as McCareins is running first team at receiver along with Justin Gage.

"He's done a great job.  He's probably the most relaxed I've seen him," Heimerdinger said.  "He's catching the ball well.  I think he gives that group a toughness, a competitiveness.  He knows what's expected of him.  He's very relaxed right now and doing some really good things."

And as the only receiver to have worked with Heimerdinger, McCareins is now an on-field teacher for some of the other receivers on the roster.

By Terry McCormick/Nashville City Paper

KIPER ON BARNIDGE...

KIPER COMPARED FIFTH-ROUNDER GARY BARNIDGE, A TIGHT END FROM LOUISVILLE, TO FORMER DALLAS COWBOY'S TE JAY NOVACEK.

ARTICLE FROM INSIDE THE PANTHERS APRIL 29, 2008

The Panthers have selected tight end Gary Barnidge from Louisville in the fifth round (141st overall) of the NFL Draft. Barnidge played in 47 games with 29 starts and produced 98 receptions for 1,491 yards and 17 touchdowns. As a senior in 2007, he earned first-team All-Big East Conference honors after recording 53 catches for 655 yards and seven touchdowns.

University of Louisville TE Gary Barnidge signs with Sports Planning.  In 2007, as a senior, Gary started all 12 games at TE and had 53 receptions for 655 yards, a long of 81 yards, and 7 touchdowns.  He was the second leading receiver on the team.  Gary was a unanimous FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG EAST selection.  He was named 1 of 8 finalists for the John Mackey Award, and a Honorable Mention All-American selection.

Gary's career statistics include:  48 games played, 33 games started, 108 receptions for a total of 1,491 yards and 17 touchdowns.

University of Wisconsin WR Luke Swan signs with Sports Planning.  In 2007, as a senior, Luke was selected team captain.  He started 6 games at receiver and had 25 receptions for 451 yards, a long of 43 yards, and 2 touchdowns.  Despite playing half of the season, after a hamstring injury, Luke was the team's second leading receiver and continued to be a motivating factor for the remainder of the season. 

Luke's career statistics include:  28 games played, 16 games started, 60 receptions for a total of 1,046 yards and 7 scored touchdowns.

Richard Angulo was signed off of the Cleveland Brown's practice squad to active roster for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 6'7" 260 lb. is a favorite of offensive assistant Mike Tice from their days together in Minnesota.  Angulo will be active the rest of the season starting this Sunday, December 2nd against the Indianapolis Colts.

"...With six catches for 65 yards, WR Kevin Walter became the fifth Texan to record 600+ receiving yards in a season.  Walter now has 52 catches for 641 yards.  Both are team highs.

Walter caught his second receiving touchdown of the season, a 17-yard reception in the first quarter.

Walter has four career touchdowns...."

khou.com

Prescott Burgess(LB) University of Michigan was selected in the 6th round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens

CHRIS BAKER'S 4 CATCHES FOR 40 YARDS AND A TOUCHDOWN GIVE HIM 22 RECEPTIONS, A NEW CAREER HIGH.

HIS TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION IS HIS THIRD FOR THE SEASON.

JETS' McCareins' outstanding effort on special teams earns Mangini's praise and Player of the Week Award.

QB Charlie Frye said: "Tuck's big.  He's one of my favorite people in the building.  He's always been there, been reliable.  I think Tuck's one of the best right tackels in the game.  So that's just more comfort for me in the pocket."

Justin tells students from Generation Jets Academy, "With hard work, you can achieve your goals."