SB Nation - Curtis Brinkley

Your September 26th Just Got A Little More Glamorous

Sean Keeley — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:54:34 -0000

Curtis Brinkley is having a birthday party, you guys. But you already knew that since you got your invitation in the mail already.

Questions:

1. A Glamorous Revelry? Yowza. I expect top hats and canes.

2. Are Ant-Man Darky Shonda Malika Lil Curt Kyle Bub seven individual people or just one severely overly-nicknamed person?

3. "The President" Presents!?!? That's bottle service I can believe in.

Enjoy the good times, Boonah. It's been a heady couple months. If anyone deserves a little Abbotsford Edition Moet, it's you.

San Diego Chargers place Curtis Brinkley on non-football injury list

John (obviousman) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:07:40 -0000

Kestahn Moore via www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

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via ProFootballTalk:

Rookie running back Curtis Brinkley, an undrafted free agent who signed with the Chargers earlier this year, was shot multiple times in Philadelphia earlier this month.

Though his injuries were not life-threatening, he won't be playing football this year.

The Chargers have placed him on the non-football injury/illness list, ending his 2009 season before it could begin.

Under league rules, the Chargers are not required to pay Brinkley's salary of $310,000. That's precisely what happened in 2006, when linebacker Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer.

To replace Brinkley on the roster, the Chargers signed running back Kestahn Moore, another undrafted rookie. He spent some time with the Broncos in the offseason, before being released.

Don't underestimate Moore. He was a team captain at Florida and was known to be a very good blocker on special teams and out of the backfield. I think he's got a real chance to make the practice squad. The scouting report on him is after the jump.

Height: 5-10 Weight: 207 40 Time: 4.51

A rookie running back from the University of Florida who joined the Broncos as a college free agent on April 27, 2009... Played 53 career games (21 starts) at Florida, totaling 235 carries for 1,281 yards (5.5 avg.) with 13 touchdowns along with 38 receptions for 231 yards (6.1 avg.) with three scores... Helped the Gators to BCS National Championship wins during the 2006 and '08 seasons... Had four games will multiple rushing scores for his career... Named a team captain and saw time in all 14 games (5 starts) for Florida during its national championship season as a senior in 2008, rushing 29 times for 142 yards (4.9 avg.) with four touchdowns... Also was the Gators' lead blocker on punt and kickoff returns as a senior... Registered a career-high 578 yards on 104 carries (5.6 avg.) with six scores in 13 games (8 starts) during the 2007 season, a year in which he received Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll accolades... Attended Mansfield Summit High School in Arlington, Texas, where he averaged 9.5 yards per carry (132-1,256) and had 12 rushing scores as a senior... Majored in sport management at Florida... Kestahn Moore was born on April 13, 1987.

Report from High School

In 11 games as a senior Moore rushed the ball 132 times for 1,256 yards (9.46 yards per attempt) and 12 touchdowns. He carries a 3.4 GPA and 830 SAT. Moore bench presses 265, squats 430 and has a 33-inch vertical jump.

Scouting Report: Moore is a very impressive tailback. Has great size/speed and can flat out run the ball, catch passes out of the backfield as well as block. He's a top-20 player in the state of Texas and will challenge for top tailback honors -- he's that good.

Moore: "I can see the field good. I've got good vision and I can catch and run. I've got good speed and I can break tackles. I want to improve my strength and be more of a power runner. I also want to be more explosive."

Chargers Place Curtis Brinkley On Waivers (Updated)

Sean Keeley — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:33:02 -0000

Guess it was inevitable and certainly a business-first decision, but it's still a bummer to see that Curtis Brinkley is officially off the San Diego Chargers roster after the shooting that left him with multiple gunshot wounds that required surgery and will take 6-8 weeks to heal.

Brinkley was originally due in San Diego for the start of training camp today but since he's still a ways from being ready, the team moved on without him. The official explanation for the transaction is "failed physical/gunshot wounds," which is...pretty much right on target. Just how many times has an NFL team had to break that one out?

Brinkley is still listed as part of the roster on the Chargers' site and no transaction had been noted. Once he clears waivers, and assuming no other team will take a chance on him, he'll be a free agent with a chance to prove himself all over again.

Brinkley remains upbeat on Twitter and Facebook, checking in every so often to let the folks know he's on the mend and working his way back to full strength. Swing by either and let him know you're rooting for him.

Update: The Chargers have noted the transaction on their site and according to them Curtis is actually on the “Reserve – Non-football Injury” list.

“Unfortunately, Curtis is not ready to help us in camp at this point,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “We’re going to monitor this situation and see what unfolds in the future regarding Curtis.”

The good news then is that he is in fact still a member of the Charger organization. Not sure if the original announcement about him being placed on waivers was a mistake or a change was made behind the scenes. San Diego has signed former Florida running back Kestahn Moore Friday to take Brinkley’s spot on the active roster.

H/T: Anthony

Tuesday Morning Syracuse Links

Sean Keeley — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:00:07 -0000

Curtis Brinkley has been released from the hospital. He'll need 6-8 weeks to heal. Still no arrests.
Jonny Flynn posts a 12 point, 14 rebound, 6 turnover performance in his second summer league game. Paul Harris has 7 points and 3 boards.
Michael Rothstein recounts the top ten things he's seen while working at the Journal-Gazette. #1 is sitting in the press box for SU-UConn and 6 OTs.
Jonny Flynn is saying all the right things about Ricky Rubio.
SU verbal commit Jonny Miller took part in a big 7 on 7 tournament this past weekend.
Bob Casullo returns to his roots with Syracuse football.

Jonny talks Summer League:

Monday Morning Syracuse Links

Sean Keeley — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:47:50 -0000

I don't trust you all to find out what's going on in Cuse-land on your own. I'm like your mom, consider this me cleaning dirt off your face with my saliva.
Long Island's Rob Welsh of St. Anthony's High School has verbally-committed to SU. He's likely going to be a DE but could also play OL.
Summer League play is underway. Flynn and Harris have good showings. Mookie has...a showing.
The Philadelphia Inquirer took a look at Dion Waiters, who's wearing Cuse shorts in his photo.
The Gophers look ahead to the Orange and the first football game of the season.
Curtis Brinkley in "good" condition following surgery.
Who are some of Syracuse football's best fresh faces?

Curtis Brinkley Shot, In Stable Condition (Updated)

Sean Keeley — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:01:50 -0000

More photos » by Anonymous - AP

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Horrible news this morning. Former SU running back and current San Diego Charger Curtis Brinkley was shot outside of Philadelphia early this morning. Not that any shooting isn't horrific, but the circumstances on this one stand out:

Cheltenham Township police said Brinkley, 23, was stopped in his car at the intersection of Spring Avenue and Ashbourne Road just after midnight when a gunman walked up and started blasting with a handgun.

Brinkley, who lives in Philadelphia and reportedly went to Cheltenham to pickup his sister, sped away to escape. The gunman fled in a waiting car. Police found Brinkley wounded in his car nearby.

The AP is now reporting that Brinkley is in stable condition and speaking on the phone with his family so...whew.

A hospital spokesman says 23-year-old Curtis Brinkley is in stable condition in the intensive care unit at Albert Einstein Medical Center. An uncle, Gregory Brinkley, tells WPVI-TV that he was able to talk with relatives on the phone. Police say the shooting occurred late Thursday July 9, 2009, as Brinkley was driving in Cheltenham in Montgomery County, just north of Philadelphia.

Obviously his health is most important but you can't help but think of the timing of all this. Brinkley is about to begin fighting for a roster spot on the Chargers. No small feat in general for a rookie, let alone for a team with as many decent RBs as San Diego.

Brinkley recently became a fixture among the Cuse Twitterati and his most recent post from a few days ago, though in honor of Michael Jackson, is now more than a little foreboding:

Thinks life's to short for regrets! Go hard or go home!!!

More news as it comes out.

Update: SU has issued a statement: "head coach Doug Marrone and the Orange football family extend their thoughts and prayers" to Brinkley and his family.

Update 2: If you're wondering why Brinkley was in Philly, he mentions on Twitter that he is there to "work out...for the month."

Update 3: According to ABC6 in Philadelphia, "His family says he was shot in the shoulder and the leg and is awaiting surgery. His relatives say they are glad his injuries are not life-threatening, but are concerned they may impact his NFL prospects."

Also, speculation about the shooter has started though it's JUST speculation. "Brinkley's uncle, George Brinkley, says his nephew was on his way to pick up his sister, and may have been shot by the sister's boyfriend, who she had argued with."

Update 4: MyFoxPhilly.com adds a description of the shooter and a contact # for anyone with info:

Investigation revealed that Brinkley was stopped in his vehicle near the intersection of Spring Avenue and Ashbourne Road when a gunman approached and fired a handgun multiple times. Brinkley fled the scene to a place of safety, where police said they responded and transported him to the hospital.

Witnesses described the shooter as a light-complexion black male of medium height and build, last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. Police said he fled to a waiting vehicle that had been parked on an adjacent street, leaving the scene immediately after the shooting.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call Cheltenham Township Police at 215-885-1600.

San Diego Chargers RB Curtis Brinkley Shot

John (obviousman) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:19:01 -0000

via blog.syracuse.com

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From Philly.com:

Curtis Brinkley, a former record-setting West Catholic High School football star who was recently signed by the San Diego Chargers, is in a Philadelphia hospital this morning after being shot in a neighboring suburb.

His condition has not been released, but 6ABC quotes relatives as saying the wounds were not life threatening.

Cheltenham Township police said Brinkley, 23, was stopped in his car at the intersection of Spring Avenue and Ashbourne Road just after midnight when a gunman walked up and started blasting with a handgun.

Brinkley, who lives in Philadelphia, sped away to escape and the gunman fled in a waiting car. Police found Brinkley wounded in his car nearby.

I hope he's okay, both for the sake of his health and his football career. You hate to see a kid, with a chance to make an NFL team and fulfill his dreams, have it taken away from him because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Our best wishes go out to Curtis and his family.

Irony, Thy Name Is Boonah

Sean Keeley — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:47:03 -0000

Former Syracuse running back Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley signed with the San Diego Chargers this spring and is preparing for his first NFL camp in hopes to make the team. It's not going to be easy but Boonah is working hard and preparing for the fight. And just in case the Chargers start making cuts based on how many Twitter friends you have, he's doing everything he can to have more followers than Darren Sproles.

thanks my 11 followers for joining me on twitter-now go tell all your facebook friends so we can turn 11 to 11,000. Go Hard or Go Home!

working hard so #44 can be a permanent part of the 2009-2010 San Diego Charger team!

That's right, Curtis is wearing #44 for the Chargers. Is it ironic, sad or a little of both that in order to proudly wear the iconic #44, the best Syracuse running back of the 2000's has to actually leave SU and play elsewhere?

Just sayin'.

Believe It Or Not, Syracuse Still Has Enough Players To Form Depth Chart

Sean Keeley — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:55:36 -0000

It's only fitting that since the Syracuse football roster is in such flux these days that a brand,spanking new depth chart be released as to give us some semblance of order.

Problem is, by the time you read this 57 more players will have left the SU football team. Still, in the spirit of the announcement, let's take a look:

Delone Carter, always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Despite the fact that Curtis Brinkley is gone, he's still #2 on the depth chart. This time he's behind Antwon "I Swear To God The Notre Dame Game Wasn't a Fluke" Bailey though you can expect to see both of them getting substantial time. Don't forget about Averin Collier either, he should be seeing some decent PT as well. Daniel Collier is the FB.

Greg Paulus is your third-string quarterback. For now. Team Nassib sighs in relief.

Marcus Sales, welcome to the starting line-up. Sales will line up across the field from Mike Williams while Donte Davis sits pretty in the slot. Backing them up are Da'Mon Merkerson, Daniel Bailey and Van Chew. Missing from both of those lines? Lavar Lobdell! Last year was a disappointment for Lavar and he's got an uphill climb from the third position behind Marcus and Da'Mon.

Mike Owen is your go-to Tight End while Nick Provo will see some action in two-TE sets. Poor Andrew Robinson, he's buried all the way down there in the sixth spot.

Your starting OL for the moment...Center (and team smartypants) Jim McKenzie, LT Nick Speller, LG Ryan Bartholomew, RG Adam Rosner and RT Tucker Baumbach. The Orange have a serious depth issue at guard where Justin Pugh is the only backup on the roster.

Defensively, some good news, at least on paper. Arthur Jones and Jared Kimmel join Andrew Lewis and Chandler Jones on the front line. Looks like hopes are still high the two will recover in full from their injuries. Nice to see The Jones Brothers together at last...Jones Brothers...Jonas Brothers...uh-oh...just got an idea for later...

Linebacker is a spot of concern for the Orange given the many lost roster spots so former RB Doug Hogue, Derrell Smith and recent transfer Derek Hines will have the eye of Sauron fixed firmly upon them. If they falter, Dan Vaughn, Mike Stenclik & E.J. Carter are waiting in the wings.

Your first-string corners will be The Scott & Scott Connection. Kevyn and Nico will hold down the wings while freshman Shamarko Thomas and John Mark Henderson back them up. In the safety slots you've got Max Suter and converted-corner Mike Holmes. Our boy Philip Thomas is currently third-string for strong safety.

Your kicker is freshman Shane Raupers, not like you had a choice in the matter, your punter is Rob Long and Dalton Phillips is your long snapper.

Of the players who were starters last season, only two are not rated as such at the moment (Cam Dantley & Lavar Lobdell...assuming you don't count Andrew Robinson). Of course, much of this is bound to change over the next couple months but, it's all starting to take shape. Check out the full depth chart here.

Chargers Assign Numbers to Undrafted Free Agents

John (obviousman) — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:00:13 -0000

via cache.daylife.com

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The Chargers have assigned numbers to the eighteen undrafted players they signed following the 2009 NFL Draft. All but three of them are being forced to change their number either due to NFL rules or because their college number is already taken by somebody on the Chargers team.

#64 - Sam Allen (Wore #58 at Grand Valley State)
#46 - Darry Beckwith (Wore #48 at LSU)
#44 - Curtis Brinkley (Wore #22 at Syracuse)
#8 - Greg Carr (Wore #89 at Florida State)
#9 - Jeremy Childs
#58 - Anthony Felder (Wore #15 at Cal)
#71 - Dan Gay
#53 - James Holt (Wore #12 at Kansas)
#77 - Rashaad Jackson (Wore #91 at Clemson)
#13 - Charly Martin (Wore #17 at Texas A&M)
#60 - Ryan McDonald
#72 - Ben Muth (Wore #76 at Stanford)
#38 - Wopamo Osaisai (Wore #6 at Stanford)
#40 - Williams Rentmeester (Wore #34 at Wisconsin)
#3 - Rodgeriqus Smith (Wore #80 at Auburn)
#47 - Kory Sperry (Wore #80 at CSU)
#30 - C.J. Spillman (Wore #4 at Marshall)
#49 - Jerimiah Wurzbacher (Wore #80 at North Dakota State)

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