Spaulding Roundup: Transfer News, Hickman to Canada & Inspiration From Ryan Nece

Nestor — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:24:07 -0000

We have some football related news and notes that have piled up from last few days. So let's get right to them. Looks like there is now a major obstacle to Brandon Warner to UCLA scenario. From Brian Dohn:

Warner said he spoke at length with members of the coaching staff Sunday, but he no longer feels comfortable with the program. He said the lengthy conversations with UCLA were because the staff "is still trying to get me to go there.''
Asked what the problem was with UCLA, Warner said "a whole bunch of stuff'." He added UCLA did not remain in close contact with him during a trying time this spring in which he was finishing classes and trying to resolve an outstanding tuition bill. He said his transcripts were released to schools today.
Does it look like UCLA is out of the picture?
"Probably, but I can't say definite,'' he said.
Warner said he is now looking at New Mexico State, SMU and Ohio University.
"They are all about even right now,'' Warner said.

The story sounds really odd. For some reason Warner has been working to get this transcript straightened out since March. He told Dohn back in April that he was supposed to get some kind of "loan check" that would enable him to play "bill" (presumably related to transcript) and get the administrative issue all straightened out. However, one has to wonder exactly how difficult it is to clear up an administrative hold on Warner's transcript if it was related to financial issues. Was there any othe issues involved? Just asking. Because the options he has besides UCLA - NMSU, SMU or Ohio University - don't scream of major D 1 programs. I would think given his availibility other major programs in the Pac-10 would be all over him. So something doesn't seem quiet right with this story. Wish there was more information since he seems to be leaving with a parting shot against UCLA coaches (who left a spot open for him for months) that seems unfair and out of left field.

Let's go from one strange situation to another apparently Chris Forcier was on a big media tour after his odd press release in which he annouced his decision to transfer to Furman University. He appeared on Dan Patrick's show late last week. There was nothing dramatic in that appearance and he didn't any new "facts." Again, hopefully he finds himself at home and succeeds at Furman. FWIW I do like the fact that he left saying very classy things about UCLA (even though the media tour seemed a little odd).

Moving on from transfers let's talk about some alums from the program. Justin Hickman is working to develop his professional career in Canadian football league:

Defensive end Justin Hickman, who earned first-team All-America honors in 2006 while making 12.5 sacks, is expected to play for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League. Hickman left for Canada earlier this week for pre-season camp.

Good luck to Justin. Hopefully he will eventually work his way into the NFL.

Speaking of the NFL there is a wonderful story on TBO.com (Tampa Bay Online) about former Bruin safety and Bucs linebacker getting involved with charity in Tampa Bay:

There were about 60 Tampa Bay area business and community leaders invited Tuesday night to a Ryan Nece Foundation function at Mise En Place, a Tampa restaurant. It seemed like routine stuff - cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, networking, Nece saying thanks for the support, the requisite contributions to the foundation and everyone speeding back to their normal lives.

Then Nece called for everyone's attention.

"Tonight, I want to do something a little different," said Nece, the former Bucs linebacker who played last season with the Detroit Lions.

Slowly, everyone forgot about their normal lives. Suddenly, they imagined some possibilities.

Each person was handed an envelope - with a "Power of Giving" logo.

Inside was $55.

Nece, who wore No. 55 last season with the Lions, had instructions. Use the money for someone who needs help, he said. Try to make the cash multiply. Be creative. Get others involved.

Ryan got his inspiration from a sermon in church and Kevin Spacy and Haley Joel Osmont's "Pay It Forward" (the movie):

"It's such a simple concept," Nece said. "Yet, how often do we do something like that?

"We're all so caught up in our lives. And these days, with the economy, we're all bombarded by such negativity. We're all in tough times.

"The idea is to step away from your own life, do something for others and watch it grow. Imagine how you can help someone else. I was a little nervous about it because all of these people have supported the foundation, but nobody really knew why they were invited to this. Truthfully, I can't believe the response. The juices were really flowing. People were thinking. They were lingering, not wanting to leave. It's exciting."

Nece wants everyone, once they have an idea about how to use the $55, to write a blog on his Web site (www.ryannece.com).

Before leaving Tuesday night, one man said he was going to spend his $55 on postage stamps. He would then write friends and acquaintances, imploring them to help others with a financial donation.

Ryan donated $4,000 of his own money into the project.

Yet another Bruin who has made his mark both on and off the field.

GO BRUINS.

Lions Release Six Players, Announce UFAs

Sean Yuille — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:32:15 -0000

The Lions have announced that six players were released today, including the four that were already reported. Here is the full list:

WR Mike Furrey
TE Dan Campbell
OT Jon Dunn
OG Edwin Mulitalo
CB Leigh Bodden
S Dwight Smith

Along with that announcement, the Lions also confirmed that eighteen players will become unrestricted free agents on February 27:

QB Dan Orlovsky
RB Aveion Cason
RB Rudi Johnson
FB Moran Norris
WR Keary Colbert
WR Shaun McDonald
TE John Owens
OT Damion Cook
OT George Foster
OG Stephen Peterman
OG Andy McCollum
DE Corey Smith
DT Shaun Cody
DT Langston Moore
LB Paris Lenon
LB Ryan Nece
CB Stanley Wilson
K Jason Hanson

Lions Add Two Players, Release Cannon and McHugh

Sean Yuille — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:50:28 -0000

Even though the Lions got their roster down to 53 players yesterday, it was expected that there would still be some more moves made before the roster is finalized heading into the regular season. The reason for that is because the Lions and all other NFL teams keep a close eye on who gets released as there may be players out there that can come in and make the team better. Detroit felt that there were two worth picking up as they decided to sign linebacker Ryan Nece and claim running back Marcus Thomas.

To make room on the roster for Nece and Thomas, the Lions released linebacker Anthony Cannon and tight end/fullback Sean McHugh. Basically Cannon was swapped out for Nece, who will come in without any learning curve since he has played for the Buccaneers in all six years of his career. Nece knows the Tampa-2 and Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry knows Nece as he coached him from 2001-2006.

The move to release a tight end in exchange for a running back also makes sense. When the Lions announced their cuts yesterday it was very surprising to see that only two running backs made the team. Looking back, though, it is pretty clear that they were going to pick up someone, but kept only two running backs to keep more depth at other positions for the time being. That gave the Lions more flexibility until they found an extra RB, and that extra RB is Marcus Thomas, who was cut by the Chargers yesterday. Thomas is entering his first year in the NFL as he was drafted by San Diego in the fifth-round of this year's draft.

SB Nation - Ryan Nece

Spaulding Roundup: Transfer News, Hickman to Canada & Inspiration From Ryan Nece

Lions Release Six Players, Announce UFAs

Lions Add Two Players, Release Cannon and McHugh