Troy 6, Auburn 3

April 29, 2008

By Drew Champlin

In Auburn, so I didn’t get a chance to go. This might be the start of a good finish to Troy’s regular season, or it might not. We’ll see.

Looks like AU coach Tom Slater wasn’t real happy after the game.

“Troy came in here with a five-something (5.34) ERA and we only muster six hits and three runs; It was not a very good night at the plate for us at all,” Auburn Head Coach Tom Slater said.

Catcher Beau Brooks hit a pair of homers. I’ll link some game stories tomorrow.

One more signee

By Drew Champlin

Marcus Pittman to the Kansas City Chiefs, per troytrojans.com

Post-spring look: DEFENSIVE LINE

April 28, 2008

By Drew Champlin

And this concludes the series

TOP GUYS: Brandon Lang (DE - Jr.), Cameron Sheffield (DE - Jr.), Dion Gales (DT - Sr.), Steve McClendon (DT - Sr.)
TOP BACKUPS: Kenny Mainor (DE - Sr.), John Mark Patrick (DE - So.), Jeremy Hawkins (DE - So.), Rashad Roussell (DT - Jr.), Maurice Coleman (DT - Sr.), Brandon Boudreaux (DE - Fr.)
TOP NEWCOMERS: Mario Addison (DE - Jr.), James Searcy (DE - Fr.), Tony Davis (DE - Fr.), Tim Lamb (DT - Fr.), Chigozie Nwankwo (DT - Fr.)

Brandon Lang is coming off knee surgery but participated in spring practice and should be 100 percent by the fall. Kenny Mainor is listed (by me) as a backup, but he’s not really one. Those two plus Cameron Sheffield give Troy talent and experience at defensive end that might be the best in the Sun Belt. I list Mainor as a backup because he was a backup coming into last fall before Lang got hurt and he’s not in as good of graces as Sheffield and Lang are, if you remember his off-field problems last fall.

“When we get to the fall with all three of them at 100 percent, we’ll see who the starters are,“ defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said.

Mario Addison had a good JUCO career and was one of Troy’s better signees. He’s got the characteristics of Mainor (on the field) and it’s conceivable he could redshirt if he’s not better than Sheffield, Lang or Mainor.

Tim Lamb has a ready-for-play body at defensive tackle, but Gales and McClendon could find themselves on NFL Draft boards if Gales reaches his monstorous potential and McClendon can stay healthy.

“If Tim Lamb’s our sixth-best defensive tackle, then we’re in good shape,“ Rowell said.

The other freshmen signees will likely redshirt and their final positions will depend on how their bodies fill out.

Monday Troy/NFL update

By Drew Champlin

11:45 a.m.

- So far, this is what I’ve got. WR Josh Allen has been invited to a tryout with the New England Patriots. If he does well, they’ll sign him to a free agent deal.

11:55 a.m.

- This article says Kenny Cattouse will get a look from the New England Patriots. I misread it at first and thought he inked a deal, but it goes in line with what Shaughnessy was telling me about them wanting to give him a workout - like the deal with Josh Allen.

Look for Marcus Pittman to go with the Steelers or Buccaneers. A couple of teams are talking with Greg Whibbs, but nothing official yet. Jacksonville has shown interest in Omar Haugabook, but nothing official yet. He’s a guy that could be playing in the CFL or Arena League right now, but wanted to try to make an NFL team first.

Check back to the blog later today for more updates that I will hopefully get.

Free agent signings update

April 27, 2008

By Drew Champlin

Just spoke with Richard Shaughnessy, who’s been talking to agents all day long.

So far, four free agent signings are final. This doesn’t guarantee Opening Day roster spots, but these are the teams the following Troy players will look to earn a spot with in camp.

WR Gary Banks has signed with the San Diego Chargers.

“The Chargers, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay were all after him,“ Shaughnessy said. “He had five minutes to make a decision and the Chargers looked like the best fit for him.“

DT Chris Bradwell and DB Elbert Mack inked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

LB Marcus Richardson inked with the Houston Texans. He had a similar situation as Banks, with a few teams vying for his services but giving him a few minutes to pick.

10 p.m. UPDATE - That’s all the free agent signings for tonight. Guys like Greg Whibbs, Marcus Pittman, Josh Allen and Kenny Cattouse are in talks with teams and might know something early Monday. Check back tomorrow for some more updates.