40 Acres Sports

For rookie running backs, preseason success matters. Analysis of rookies including Selvin Young last year.

Andre Jones, suspended from Texas football team, will transfer to UTEP. I hope he earns the second chance he’s getting.

While Brett Favre’s future team has most of the nation enthralled this week, former Longhorn quarterback [tag]Chris Simms[/tag] may also soon have a new home. He’s currently being held hostage in Tampa Bay but the Bucs appear to finally be open to finding Chris a new team. It sounds like if the team gets the right offer he could be on the move soon.

ESPN reported yesterday that the Dallas Cowboys have been interested in Simms for a while and inquired back in May about his availability. At the time the Bucs were asking for a 4th round pick in return but as the season has approached the asking price has come down and the Cowboys’ interest has renewed. Simms would be Tony Romo’s backup in Dallas if acquired. Current backup Brad Johnson is 40 years old and reportedly struggling mightily in training camp this week.

Dallas appears to be a good temporary destination for Chris, though he’d have better long term opportunities with some other interested teams including the Chicago Bears. Romo will be Dallas’ starter for the foreseeable future but Chris could compete for a starting job right away in Chicago. No matter where he ends up he’ll be better off then he is now, so hopefully a deal gets done soon.

Boston Red Sox are interested in Taylor Teagarden. I’ll be shocked if Rangers don’t trade one of their catchers by the deadline.

Shaun Rogers looks good in Browns camp. It’s all about motivation with him and he’s talking like he’s got it.

Casey Hampton placed on PUP list for being out of shape by Steelers. He won’t be allowed to practice in this camp until he drops weight

Former Longhorn and US Army All-American [tag]Jerrell Wilkerson[/tag] will attend the University of the Incarnate Word on a football scholarship. The Division II school in Wilkerson’s hometown of San Antonio will not begin it’s first football season until 2009 but he will be practicing with the team and attending school starting this fall. He’ll be the biggest name on the team.

Wilkerson was a running back/wide receiver recruit that excited Texas fans because of his speed, shiftiness, and electric highlight videos. Fans couldn’t wait to see what the undersized back could do with a football in his hands for the Horns. He is San Antonio’s all-time leading rusher with 7,249 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns at Clark High School.

At Texas Wilkerson was redshirting during his freshman season but left school and the team abruptly just weeks before the national championship game. He left the team not over playing time but in order to take care of his responsibilities as a man. He was forced to return home to San Antonio to work to support his newborn son financially.

Jerrell had things in his life he had to get in order. Now after three years away from the field he’s getting a second chance at football and an education. I hope he enjoys the opportunity he’s getting to play football but if he uses it to get a college degree he’s going to be a better man for it. We’ll be keeping an eye out for him and rooting for him both on and off the field. Good luck.

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Royal Ivey signs three-year deal with 76ers. After his best season in the NBA gets a good contract with lots of guaranteed money.

DJ Augustin interview by FanHouse at Vegas summer league. Discusses head tattoos, Larry Brown, and the status of his knee.

Kevin Durant will play for Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008-09. Awful name. I was hoping they’d go with the Durantulas.