40 Acres Sports

Summer update: Rashad Bobino. Rashad recently graduated and is eager to get back to work.

Topps held a photo shoot recently to get shots of all the NFL rookies in their new uniforms. Former Longhorn running back [tag]Jamaal Charles[/tag] was one of the players on hand. It’s the first time I’ve seen Jamaal in a Kansas City Chiefs jersey.

They’ve posted a ton of interviews from the event on YouTube, many of which are disappointingly uninteresting. This age group just didn’t collect cards like mine did, plus football cards were never as popular as baseball.

Watch the interview with JC below:

Jamaal still isn’t exactly the world’s best public speaker but he’s gotten much more comfortable in interviews than when he first came to Texas.

Those can’t be regular sized shoulder pads by the way. He looks tiny.

Daniel Gibson has surgery on left ankle to remove bone spurs and loose cartilage. He should be ready for training camp.

DKR North end zone update: June 11. Updated photos of the north end zone stadium renovation.

AJ Abrams works out for the Sacramento Kings. He has until Monday to pull his name out of the draft.

Summer update on Chris Ogbonnaya from MB-TF. Even just on 3rd downs Chris will make a big impact this season.

Former Longhorn quarterback [tag]Chris Simms[/tag] is finally speaking up about what is happening to him in Tampa Bay. In an interview with the St. Petersburg Times Chris spoke bluntly about his differences with head coach Jon Gruden and believes he won’t be with the team in 2008.

Check out an excerpt from the interview below:

Chris Simms says his relationship with Jon Gruden is beyond repair and has been told he will not be with the team in 2008.

But with no trade on the horizon, the Bucs’ forgotten quarterback wants to be released immediately, bringing an end to his career in Tampa Bay that seemed inevitable after missing nearly two seasons following surgery to remove his spleen.

“I feel like I’m being held hostage,” Simms said. “I hate that all this has happened. I love Tampa. My family loves it here. But I’ve been quiet long enough. I feel like it’s time to let everybody know why I’m not out there.”

It’s definitely not a money issue for Chris, he just wants to be given a chance to play. He feels the Bucs mishandled his injury situation and despite trade opportunities have held onto him without any intention of playing him. Simms is still in the prime of his career and the season before his spleen injury had a lot of people around the league excited about his potential, hopefully he gets a chance to show what he’s capable of somewhere.

Andy Katz says DJ Augustin looks likely for lottery. DJ had a great workout Saturday.

Name: Tray Allen #56
Position: Offensive Tackle
Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX (South GP)
HS Rating:

Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 320 lbs
Class: Sophomore

Background

Tray Allen was the premier recruit in the 2007 class. A dominant offensive lineman in the mold of Justin Blalock and probably the most upside of any lineman signed in the last several years by the Longhorns. Lined up at offensive tackle as a true freshman but might be more suited to play inside and that’s where his NFL future likely lies. He has the chance to be great in pass protection and a dominant run blocker for the Horns.

Played in 9 games on the line and special teams as a true freshman.

Thoughts later, here’s the story from ESPN.com:

After his boating DUI charge, [tag]Cedric Benson[/tag] remained a starting running back in the eyes of coach Lovie Smith and the Chicago Bears.

His weekend DUI charge while in a car in Austin, Texas, has led to his release, however. The Bears placed Benson on waivers Monday, two years before the end of his contract and three years into a disappointing career with the team.

“Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement. “As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions. When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team. Those who fail to understand the importance of ‘team’ will not play for the Chicago Bears.”

Benson wasn’t present at the Bears organized practice Monday. The Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site that Benson showed up and was sent home by Smith.

Reporters waited for a statement from Angelo as he walked off the field on Monday, but he said the team might have a statement later in the day.

The statement turned out to be an action. Benson’s name appeared on the NFL’s waiver wire Monday afternoon, ending the three-year relationship.

Though the 5-foot-10, 220-pound runner claimed his innocence on both DUI charges, the team apparently lost faith in him. Because he’s only been in the league for three seasons, Benson does not have his contract automatically terminated. He can be claimed by any other interested team on waivers.

Before his release, Benson made one last ditch effort to repair the situation, issuing an apology on Monday afternoon.

“I apologize for making the poor decision to drink and drive during the early morning of Saturday, June 7th,” he said in a statement. “Given the incident last month, it was a particularly bad decision. I have no excuse for this lack of judgment.

“Though I strongly believe that I am not guilty of any crime, I realize that the public and the Bears organization hold me to higher standard. Though my local attorneys will continue to work hard to prove my innocence, I confess to using poor judgment. Please accept my deepest apology.”

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