Former Bearcat makes leap to pros
By Hunter Tickel | Sports Editor
It's the final day of the 2011 NFL draft. Exactly 190 players have been picked six rounds in, and yet, not a single Cincinnati Bearcat has been selected.
But that changes when an incoming call containing the first three digits 215 appears on Jason Kelce's phone in his home in Cleveland.
"I was sitting there and saw [on my phone] that the Eagles were coming up with a few picks," Kelce says. "I said, ‘Well, if I'm going to get picked, it's probably going to be right here.' I stared at my phone. I saw the Philadelphia area code pop up."
After speaking with head coach Andy Reid, Kelce joins the Eagles franchise Saturday.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 282-pound NFL draftee's frame was a shell of its current self when Kelce first set foot on the Cincinnati campus.
He weighed in at 215 pounds when he was recruited by current Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio in 2006. After redshirting his first season as a walk-on, Kelce was primed to play linebacker, but that changed with the hiring of current Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.
"The coaching changes really helped me get where I am at today," Kelce says. "Kelly brought on strength coach Paul Longo. He was really the one that saw that I had the build and mentality of an offensive lineman. I made the switch and, from then on, he was building my body."
Kelce earned a scholarship in 2007 and began his journey to becoming a larger presence on the offensive line in the Big East. Initially, the Cleveland Heights, Ohio, native was not overwhelmed with the prospect of joining a BCS program without a roster spot.
"I was very confident," Kelce says. "I entered the UC program as a walk on, but in my head, I was better than everybody else was. I'm a little bit big-headed — I guess I try to be humble as much as I can."
In his first year of playing time he appeared in nine games as the offense averaged a program-best 36.3 points per game.
Kelce finished his college stint with 38 starts and was a two-time second team all-Big East selection. He led a unit that earned UC its first 1,000-yard rusher in nearly 10 years.
All of these feats helped pave the way for the highlight of his career.
"You work your whole life for one common goal: to make it to the NFL," Kelce said. "Once you are there, it all starts all over again. You are basically a freshman again. At least now I know the opportunity is there for me to make it."
Kelce already begins his transition from the collegiate level to the pros with skepticism among NFL experts. Kelce has been told that he lacks the physique to have an impact on the next level.
"I find it very hard to believe that I am undersized," Kelce says. "I have heard this from a lot of scouts. There are plenty of centers in the league that are my size or smaller that start in pro bowls."
He's right; five-time all-League center Jeff Saturday stands at 6 foot, 2 inches and 295 pounds — a similar frame to Kelce.
As the lone Bearcat selected this year, Kelce kept the school's five-year run of players drafted intact. Kelce is confident that the current players will carry on the school's success despite a 4-8 record last season.
"This program has completely transformed since I have been on campus," Kelce says. "I think it's a testament to show where the program is at now and that the UC program is here to stay."
Kelce will join former UC stars Brent Celek and Trent Cole in Philly. Celek has already reached out to the rookie, sending him his phone number through Twitter. The trio of former Queen City inhabitants will look to represent the city on the East Coast.
"It sucks that I am leaving Cincinnati, it really does," Kelce says. "I love this city and university. [But with] everything I have heard about Philadelphia — I can't help but be excited."
Friday, May 6
Monday, May 2
NFL draft bores once more
Tickel your Fancy
By Hunter Tickel | Sports Editor
The final Saturday in April has passed and, with it, the most over-publicized yearly sporting event.
The 76th NFL Draft was full of pregame hoopla and hype, but only delivered a typical tedious three days of picks.
Waiting 10 minutes between each first round selection is one of the most monotonous things I have ever done — especially in the midst of one of the most entertaining NHL and NBA playoffs in recent memory.
Four NHL first-round series went the distance to a game seven, and, in the NBA arena, No. 8 seed Memphis knocked off No. 1 San Antonio Friday.
How can calling off name after name compare to that?
The draft has become nearly as lacking in newsworthiness as National Signing Day, the first Wednesday of February when high school athletes commit to colleges.
What's next? Middle school signing day for pre-teens?
Unless you were a desperate fan of a hopeless franchise looking for the quarterback of the future — which this year's class didn't have — or you were hoping to see how well your college team was represented, you had no reason to watch.
I figured few University of Cincinnati players would be drafted, so I took the high road. Instead of wasting hours watching this overrated media event, I checked the draft boards Saturday to read up on everything I needed to know in less than 10 minutes.
If you are a Bearcats fan, former center Jason Kelce dropped to the sixth round as an undersized offensive lineman. The Philadelphia Eagles scooped him up with the 191st overall pick.
The Cincinnati Bengals nabbed former Georgia wideout A.J. Green with the No. 4 pick. Green has a lot of talent and potential, and, with Chad Ochocinco's future in limbo, Green is his likely replacement.
In the second round, Cincinnati answered the question on everyone's mind: Who will throw to Green? Former TCU star Andy Dalton was selected and will likely earn a starting role next year by default if Caron Palmer follows through with his retirement.
The top overall pick was Heisman Trophy-winner Cam Newton. He heads to Carolina needing to fine-tune his game, but will likely be thrust into a starting role.
Former Notre Dame star quarterback Jimmy Clausen, Carolina's second-round pick last year, was placed in a similar plight as he posted a 58.4 rating in 10 starts as a first-year starter in the league.
The Panthers have selected three quarterbacks in the past two drafts, including UC alumnus Tony Pike.
This year's draft provided fans with the first relevant football news since Super Bowl XLV, and, with the 2011 season still in jeopardy, it could be the only aspect of professional football happening this year.
When this season's draft began Thursday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took the podium and awkwardly smiled at the crowd as boos poured down on him from the discontent crowd.
The fans showered him with chants of, "Let them play," and "We want football."
My message to those in attendance: Shut up or don't participate in the draft. If you really want to see games, why are you partaking in an event run by the owners of the NFL while there is a work stoppage? You're just giving them more power.
The current NFL players casually asked players in this year's draft class to skip out on the festivities, but it would be unreasonable to expect these college stars to shy away from their celebrated passage to the pro ranks.
This year's draft had a little more intrigue with so little happening in the offseason, but now it's time for prodigious postseason hockey and basketball.
By Hunter Tickel | Sports Editor
The final Saturday in April has passed and, with it, the most over-publicized yearly sporting event.
The 76th NFL Draft was full of pregame hoopla and hype, but only delivered a typical tedious three days of picks.
Waiting 10 minutes between each first round selection is one of the most monotonous things I have ever done — especially in the midst of one of the most entertaining NHL and NBA playoffs in recent memory.
Four NHL first-round series went the distance to a game seven, and, in the NBA arena, No. 8 seed Memphis knocked off No. 1 San Antonio Friday.
How can calling off name after name compare to that?
The draft has become nearly as lacking in newsworthiness as National Signing Day, the first Wednesday of February when high school athletes commit to colleges.
What's next? Middle school signing day for pre-teens?
Unless you were a desperate fan of a hopeless franchise looking for the quarterback of the future — which this year's class didn't have — or you were hoping to see how well your college team was represented, you had no reason to watch.
I figured few University of Cincinnati players would be drafted, so I took the high road. Instead of wasting hours watching this overrated media event, I checked the draft boards Saturday to read up on everything I needed to know in less than 10 minutes.
If you are a Bearcats fan, former center Jason Kelce dropped to the sixth round as an undersized offensive lineman. The Philadelphia Eagles scooped him up with the 191st overall pick.
The Cincinnati Bengals nabbed former Georgia wideout A.J. Green with the No. 4 pick. Green has a lot of talent and potential, and, with Chad Ochocinco's future in limbo, Green is his likely replacement.
In the second round, Cincinnati answered the question on everyone's mind: Who will throw to Green? Former TCU star Andy Dalton was selected and will likely earn a starting role next year by default if Caron Palmer follows through with his retirement.
The top overall pick was Heisman Trophy-winner Cam Newton. He heads to Carolina needing to fine-tune his game, but will likely be thrust into a starting role.
Former Notre Dame star quarterback Jimmy Clausen, Carolina's second-round pick last year, was placed in a similar plight as he posted a 58.4 rating in 10 starts as a first-year starter in the league.
The Panthers have selected three quarterbacks in the past two drafts, including UC alumnus Tony Pike.
This year's draft provided fans with the first relevant football news since Super Bowl XLV, and, with the 2011 season still in jeopardy, it could be the only aspect of professional football happening this year.
When this season's draft began Thursday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took the podium and awkwardly smiled at the crowd as boos poured down on him from the discontent crowd.
The fans showered him with chants of, "Let them play," and "We want football."
My message to those in attendance: Shut up or don't participate in the draft. If you really want to see games, why are you partaking in an event run by the owners of the NFL while there is a work stoppage? You're just giving them more power.
The current NFL players casually asked players in this year's draft class to skip out on the festivities, but it would be unreasonable to expect these college stars to shy away from their celebrated passage to the pro ranks.
This year's draft had a little more intrigue with so little happening in the offseason, but now it's time for prodigious postseason hockey and basketball.
Thursday, April 28
My first articles for The News Record as a Sports Editor
The Bearcat Bowl provided an early glimpse to the progress the defense has made following a poor season last year.
The final spring football practice and looking ahead to the Sept. 1 season-opener against Austin Peay.
I'm picking the Celtics to claim their 18th title after losing in game seven of the Finals last year.
The final spring football practice and looking ahead to the Sept. 1 season-opener against Austin Peay.
I'm picking the Celtics to claim their 18th title after losing in game seven of the Finals last year.
Monday, April 11
Woods wired for 2011
Offseason training readies senior wideout
By Hunter Tickel | News Record
D.J. Woods jolted onto the Cincinnati football scene in stride Sept. 25, 2010, hauling in a career-best 171 yards in front of 58,253 fans at Paul Brown Stadium.
But the infamous second still fresh in Woods' mind was when he was swiped from behind at Oklahoma's nine-yard line and lost the ball after a career-long 69-yard catch. Woods ended the game with two giveaways.
"Those mistakes are going to live with me forever," The Strongsville, Ohio, native says. "I'm probably my biggest critic. I thought I had a great game, but, at the same time, I fumbled twice, and that's the only thing I remember from the game."
At the beginning of last season, Woods was prone to dropping the ball, losing five fumbles in the opening four games. But despite his early season troubles, Woods closed the season with better hands, and lost just one fumble in the final eight games.
"It all comes back to consistency," says UC head coach Butch Jones. "[Woods] is as talented of a player as we have. He's extremely intelligent [and] he plays fast. Now it's just about consistency on a day-to-day basis."
In response to Jones' request, the senior wideout has put in the time off the field to correct his ball security during the spring offseason.
"The first thing [Woods] needed to do was get bigger and stronger in the weight room," Jones said. "He has embraced that challenge. He's done a great job. I think he has had a very productive offseason."
Woods approaches his senior campaign as the top-returning receiver, having hauled in a team-best 898 yards and eight touchdowns during his junior season — accolades earning him second team all-Big East honors.
"Every year is a learning experience," Woods says. "I'm trying to get my technique down, know what I'm doing on the ball and off the ball. I feel like right now everything is coming together."
As a three-time letter winner, Woods has honed his execution in running routes is considerably from last season.
"I know how to read defenses. I know how to read defensive backs. I know what to do in certain situations," Woods says.
With the graduation of top receiver Armon Binns last season, Woods figures he'll see more of the ball but trusts in the assembly of Cincinnati's wideout core.
"Every receiver wants to get touches, but we have great receivers," Woods said. "We have a whole bunch of people who need the ball in their hands."
The Bearcats will return to Paul Brown Stadium — the site of where Woods' talents were made apparent — Saturday, Oct. 15, against Louisville and Saturday, Nov. 12, against West Virginia, and Woods is keen on playing in the spotlight of a pro setting and capacity crowd once again.
"It's a lot different because you're really playing at the next stage," Woods says. "You kind of feel like how the Cincinnati Bengals do. It's a great place to play."
By Hunter Tickel | News Record
D.J. Woods jolted onto the Cincinnati football scene in stride Sept. 25, 2010, hauling in a career-best 171 yards in front of 58,253 fans at Paul Brown Stadium.
But the infamous second still fresh in Woods' mind was when he was swiped from behind at Oklahoma's nine-yard line and lost the ball after a career-long 69-yard catch. Woods ended the game with two giveaways.
"Those mistakes are going to live with me forever," The Strongsville, Ohio, native says. "I'm probably my biggest critic. I thought I had a great game, but, at the same time, I fumbled twice, and that's the only thing I remember from the game."
At the beginning of last season, Woods was prone to dropping the ball, losing five fumbles in the opening four games. But despite his early season troubles, Woods closed the season with better hands, and lost just one fumble in the final eight games.
"It all comes back to consistency," says UC head coach Butch Jones. "[Woods] is as talented of a player as we have. He's extremely intelligent [and] he plays fast. Now it's just about consistency on a day-to-day basis."
In response to Jones' request, the senior wideout has put in the time off the field to correct his ball security during the spring offseason.
"The first thing [Woods] needed to do was get bigger and stronger in the weight room," Jones said. "He has embraced that challenge. He's done a great job. I think he has had a very productive offseason."
Woods approaches his senior campaign as the top-returning receiver, having hauled in a team-best 898 yards and eight touchdowns during his junior season — accolades earning him second team all-Big East honors.
"Every year is a learning experience," Woods says. "I'm trying to get my technique down, know what I'm doing on the ball and off the ball. I feel like right now everything is coming together."
As a three-time letter winner, Woods has honed his execution in running routes is considerably from last season.
"I know how to read defenses. I know how to read defensive backs. I know what to do in certain situations," Woods says.
With the graduation of top receiver Armon Binns last season, Woods figures he'll see more of the ball but trusts in the assembly of Cincinnati's wideout core.
"Every receiver wants to get touches, but we have great receivers," Woods said. "We have a whole bunch of people who need the ball in their hands."
The Bearcats will return to Paul Brown Stadium — the site of where Woods' talents were made apparent — Saturday, Oct. 15, against Louisville and Saturday, Nov. 12, against West Virginia, and Woods is keen on playing in the spotlight of a pro setting and capacity crowd once again.
"It's a lot different because you're really playing at the next stage," Woods says. "You kind of feel like how the Cincinnati Bengals do. It's a great place to play."
Thursday, April 7
Madness ends on ugly note
Tickel your Fancy
By Hunter Tickel | Senior Reporter
When Shelvin Mack missed his first two layups and had his 3-pointer swatted, I knew Butler was in for an ominous night.
The lack of execution and shot-making from Connecticut and Butler made for one of the most unbearable championship games in the history of college basketball.
The Bulldogs shot worse than 19 percent in a game that was an indecent climax to the five-month season and elimination of 343 other teams.
Only Harvard in 1946 had a worse performance from the floor in a tournament contest. Butler became the first team to hit just three 2-point baskets in a postseason game.
Even CBS analyst Charles Barkley, who had been ill-informed for the entirety of the Big Dance, was spot on when he compared Butler's six first-half buckets to being as ugly as the girls he dated in high school.
Butler's malaise spread quickly to UConn, which managed 19 opening-half points and actually trailed at the break. The 41 combined first-half points had the look of a scene cut from "Hoosiers" and Milan High School's championship in the '50s.
Kemba Walker, the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, missed his first five shots before finishing 5 for 19 overall. The South Bronx native showed on the biggest stage that he is a dubious shooter.
Are the Huskies really the best team the nation has to offer? A squad that went .500 in the Big East only has one future NBA player and four underclassmen starters?
Monday night was evidence of one of the most talent-starved college seasons in recent memory. Only two players from the tournament finale — Walker, a lottery to mid-round pick, and Matt Howard, a late second rounder — will be drafted.
Mack would be wise to stay in school for another year after leaving much to be desired with his shot selection and ability to run an offense.
In a watered-down year for college hoops, the two teams left standing set a record for highest combined seed total (11) in a title game. The pair had 18 losses between them, another record high.
The tournament experienced its first Final Four without a No. 1 or No. 2 seed, which portrayed the mediocrity and lack of quality players in power conference programs.
There was not one single dominant team. Ohio State was the closest to it and they folded in the Sweet 16.
The Big East may have been deep, placing a record 11 teams in March Madness, but, besides Walker, it has zero players capable of playing at the next level.
The league rose to the occasion when many power conferences were in shambles. Take Southern California, which lost in the First Four, out of the equation and the PAC 10 matched the Colonial Athletic Association with three berths.
The Bulldogs garner elite status for posting back-to-back national title game appearances. The past two years, they have more NCAA tournament wins than any other program with 10, but have failed to deliver the fatal blow.
Monday, the Bulldogs appeared unaccustomed to the national spotlight as UConn flexed its muscles with 10 blocked shots and made it look like boys against men.
Coaches can't win championships, and the Bulldogs appeared to have had no business competing for the hardware.
In a fitting display of the thin line between the haves and have-nots, Pittsburgh guard Gilbert Brown missed his second free throw with 1.4 seconds remaining that would have squashed Butler's run in the second round.
The college game needs a restructuring if it's to keep up with the ranks of the pros.
One-and-done players are depleting top-level programs and veteran minnows raiding the Final Four are becoming less infrequent with the decline in quality college basketball.
Sunday, April 3
Thursday, February 10
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