Marshall on the NFL Bubble

Two Marshall alumni are on the "bubble" for there respected NFL teams. Bubble players include San Diego safety C.J Spillman and Atlanta Falcons tight end Jason Rader. Below I have posted an update on each of these former Marshall football stars:

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune had this to say about Spillman's chances of making the Chargers 53 man roster "Safeties Kevin Ellison, Steve Gregory, Clinton Hart, Paul Oliver, Eric Weddle. Ellison has earned the spot, and he was a draft pick. C.J. Spillman is on the PS.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/chargers/2009/sep/03/final-53/?chargers

After cutting Ben Hartsock Atlanta is left with Jason Rader and Keith Zinger battling for the third tight end spot. Coach Mike Smith had this to say about the situation " “I think that the other two guys that are still on our roster are viable options,” Smith said. “It’s going to be very important for both of those guys ... to perform well in the game this week.” http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-release-three-players-128749.html
In the Falcons final pre-season game Thursday night Rader caught two passes for 9 yards while Zinger caught two passes for 19 yards.

Opponent Watch

Caught a few articles from enemy lines, feel free to read.

From the Daily Egyptian, Eye on the enemy: Marshall not looking past Salukis

http://www.siude.com/sports/eye-on-the-enemy-marshall-not-looking-past-salukis-1.1863728

From the Daily Egyptian, Linebackers Bond on, off, Field

http://www.siude.com/sports/linebackers-bond-on-off-field-1.1852123

From the Register-Herald, Coach excited to play Marshall

http://www.register-herald.com/sports/local_story_245234826.html?keyword=secondarystory

From TheSouthern.com, Point Taken: Dougherty still a reliable weapon for Saluki offense

http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2009/09/02/sports/29346626.txt

From TheSouthern.com, White returns to practice field for SIU

http://www.thesouthern.com/salukimania/

Kickoff Night Marshall Connections

As you already know the college football season kicks off tonight. Although Marshall is not playing until Saturday the Herd does have a few connections with today’s games. Herd opponent Bowling Green welcomes Troy to Doyt Perry Stadium for an out of conference tilt. It will be Dave Clawson first game as Bowling Green’s head coach. In 2008 Clawson was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee but he brings head coaching experience from previous stints at Fordham and Richmond.

Also in the Mid-American Conference Stan Parrish and the Ball State Cardinals host North Texas. Parrish coached Marshall to our first winning season (1984) since the plane crash . This will be Parrish’s second game as head coach after Brady Hoke left for San Diego State before Ball State’s GMAC bowl appearance against Tulsa.

Byron Leftwich’s Offensive Coordinator Fired

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired Byron Leftwich’s offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski. The good news for Leftwich is they promoted his quarterback coach Greg Olson. I don’t see this move having any effect on Lefwich’s job status but you have to feel bad for Jagodzinski. Jagodzinski was fired as head coach at Boston College because he interviewed with the New York Jets for there head coaching position. He was lucky enough to land on his feet in Tampa but is now unemployed. Would not be surprised if Jagodzinski is leading a college football program by next season, in two years with BC he had a record of 20 – 8.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmR68nhCGlK4lTw4KuIjEHg5nYcB?slug=ap-bucs-jagodzinski&prov=ap&type=lgns

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.

The surprise move Thursday comes on the eve of the Bucs’ preseason finale against the Houston Texans and 10 days before the regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Jagodzinski was hired in January, three weeks after being dismissed by Boston College for pursuing an NFL head coaching job.

Jagodzinski led Boston College to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in each of his two seasons. He was fired after being told he would be let go if he interviewed for the New York Jets’ coaching vacancy. He interviewed despite the ultimatum and was fired the next day. The Jets job eventually went to Rex Ryan.

Going Green

Looks like Marshall is going green this season. No I am not talking about low emissions football I am talking about green helmets. Reaction over at Herdnation.com, Herdhaven.com, and Herdfans.com seems to be pretty mixed. There are also rumors floating around about a uniform or helmet logo change. Looks like Saturday could be pretty interesting from a style point.

Personally I am neutral on the green helmets. I really liked them for the Houston game last year, it was a nice surprise on national T.V. I am curious to see how they look with our white uniforms.

*Feel free to leave your thoughts on Marshall’s helmet situation in the comments section below*

Today's Marshall Sports News 9/3

From the Charleston Gazette, 2009-10 Marshall men's basketball schedule

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200909021118

From the Charleston Gazette, MU sets up satellite TV deal with alum groups

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200909021148

From the Charleston Gazette, Herd's basketball travel schedule will still be cumbersome

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200909021147

From the Charleston Gazette, Ground game still SIU's bread and butter

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200909021125

From the Charleston Gazette, Salukis coach has his 'David' moment

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200909021145

From the Charleston Daily Mail, Herd picks green helmets

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MUSports/200909020980

From the Charleston Daily Mail, Herd offensive line coming together

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MUSports/200909021003

From the Charleston Daily Mail, MU volleyball team sweeps Golden Eagles

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/OtherMarshallSports/200909030037

From the Charleston Daily Mail, Former Herd WR signs with UFL team

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MarshallAlumni/200909030039

From the Herald Dispatch, Landon: Take note, Marshall offense should roll

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x265522985/Take-note-Marshall-offense-should-roll

From the Herald Dispatch, Hanshew: Marshall wide receivers an unknown commodity

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x265522993/Marshall-wide-receivers-an-unknown-commodity

From the Herald Dispatch, Marshall women's soccer team pitching a shutout season so far

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x265522995/Marshall-womens-soccer-team-pitching-a-shutout-season-so-far

From the Herald Dispatch, Marshall sweeps U. of Charleston

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x265522997/Marshall-sweeps-U-of-Charleston

From the Herald Dispatch, Thundering Herd Notebook

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x265523005/No-Headline

From the Herald Dispatch, Daunting schedule faces young Marshall team

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x265522989/Daunting-schedule-faces-young-Marshall-team

From the Herald Dispatch, Coach: Defensive line impresses

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x265522991/Fello-Group-impressive

Afternoon Update

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed guard Darnell Stapleton on the IR, ending his season before it started. Stapleton’s loss seems to be former Marshall offensive lineman Doug Legursky’s gain. Although Legursky has only an outside shot at starting Stapleton’s injury almost assures him a spot on Pittsburg’s 53 man roster. Read all about it from Beaver County Times writer Mike

Bires:http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1424/2009/august/31/legursky-gets-leg-up-on-o-line-job.html

Preview:

“I have been pleased with what Doug Legursky has done,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “He has taken advantage of an opportunity. He has shown position flexibility and played some center and guard.”