THOMAS WILCHER OF DETROIT CASS TECH NAMED LIONS FIRST COACH OF THE WEEK FOR 2010

September 2, 2010 @ 11:32AM

In Play Magazine

Allen Park, Mich. — The Detroit Lionshave named Thomas Wilcher of Detroit Cass Tech as the 2010 week one recipient of the High School Coach of the Week Program Presented by the Michigan Army National Guard.

Wilcher led his Technicians to a 44-42 victory over Ann Arbor Pioneer on Friday (August 27) to claim his first victory of the 2010 season. Wilcher is in his 14th season as head coach at Cass Tech where he has compiled a 79-52 record including seven state playoff appearances and three Detroit Public School League (PSL) runner-up finishes.

This is Wilcher’s 25th year coaching high school football. He is a 1988 graduate of Detroit Central, where he was an All-state player. He later went on to play college football at the University of Michigan.

This week Wilcher and Cass Tech host Detroit Central (1-0).

Lions Sign DT Ndamukong Suh To a Five-Year Deal

August 4, 2010 @ 4:24PM

 In Play Magazine

Ndamukong Suh
Defensive Tackle
Height:6-4
Weight:307
Age:23
College:Nebraska
Hometown:Portland, Ore.
Experience:R

TRANSACTIONS
•Selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE
Started 39 of 53 games during his five-year career at Nebraska, recording 215 tackles (125 solos) with 24.0 quarterback sacks for minus 187 yards, 57.0 stops for losses of 252 yards and 39 pressures. Caused three fumbles and recovered another, intercepted four passes for 79 yards in returns that included two touchdowns and also recorded 15 pass defenses. Also added a two-yard touchdown pass and blocked six kicks. His 57 tackles behind the line of scrimmage rank second in school history behind Grant Wistrom (58.5, 1994-97). Those 57 stops for loss lead all active NCAA defensive tackles and rank second overall to defensive end George Selvie of South Florida (69, 2006-09).

•Suh’s 24.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2009 rank second on the school season-record list behind Jim Skow’s 25.0 in 1985.

•His seven tackles for loss (five solo/two assisted) vs. Texas in the 2009 Big Twelve Championship Game tied the Nebraska game-record that was first set by Jim Skow vs. Missouri in 1985.

•Ranks fourth in school history with 24.0 quarterback sacks, surpassed only by Trev Alberts (29.5, 1990-93), Wistrom (26.5, 1994-97) and Skow (26.0, 1983-85).

•Suh’s 12.0 sacks in 2009 were the second-most ever by a Husker defensive tackle, topped by Skow’s 15.0 in 1985.

•His 10 pass defenses in 2009 set the school season-record for a defensive lineman and his 15 total pass break-ups are another Husker defensive lineman career-record.

•Holds the school game (two vs. Iowa State in 2009), season (three in 2009) and career (six) records for most kicks blocked by a down lineman.

•Set the school season-record for a defensive tackle with two interceptions in 2008 and the Husker down lineman record by returning both for touchdowns.


Biography

•Selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.COLLEGE: Started 39 of 53 games during his five-year career at Nebraska, recording 215 tackles (125 solos) with 24.0 quarterback sacks for minus 187 yards, 57.0 stops for losses of 252 yards and 39 pressures. Caused three fumbles and recovered another, intercepted four passes for 79 yards in returns that included two touchdowns and also recorded 15 pass defenses. Also added a two-yard touchdown pass and blocked six kicks. His 57 tackles behind the line of scrimmage rank second in school history behind Grant Wistrom (58.5, 1994-97). Those 57 stops for loss lead all active NCAA defensive tackles and rank second overall to defensive end George Selvie of South Florida (69, 2006-09).

•Suh’s 24.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2009 rank second on the school season-record list behind Jim Skow’s 25.0 in 1985.•His seven tackles for loss (five solo/two assisted) vs. Texas in the 2009 Big Twelve Championship Game tied the Nebraska game-record that was first set by Jim Skow vs. Missouri in 1985.•Ranks fourth in school history with 24.0 quarterback sacks, surpassed only by Trev Alberts (29.5, 1990-93), Wistrom (26.5, 1994-97) and Skow (26.0, 1983-85).•Suh’s 12.0 sacks in 2009 were the second-most ever by a Husker defensive tackle, topped by Skow’s 15.0 in 1985.•His 10 pass defenses in 2009 set the school season-record for a defensive lineman and his 15 total pass break-ups are another Husker defensive lineman career-record.•Holds the school game (two vs. Iowa State in 2009), season (three in 2009) and career (six) records for most kicks blocked by a down lineman.•Set the school season-record for a defensive tackle with two interceptions in 2008 and the Husker down lineman record by returning both for touchdowns.

2009
Unanimous All-American and All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection. Named the Associated Press College Player of the Year, CBSSports.com National Defensive Player of the Year, Big Twelve Conference Defensive Player of the Year/Defensive Lineman of the Year and was a finalist for the Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award. Was one of five finalists for the Heisman Trophy and the first defensive lineman to be named a finalist for that trophy since Warren Sapp in 1994. 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bill Willis Award and Guy Chamberlin Award winner. Lott Trophy finalist (one of four), earning Lott Trophy Impact Player of the Week vs. Missouri and Iowa State. Nebraska Team MVP. Member of the Big Twelve Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll and garnered Academic All-Big Twelve second-team recognition. Set numerous position, game, season and career records, as he became the first Husker defensive lineman to lead the team in tackles in consecutive seasons.

•Recorded a career-best 85 tackles (52 solos), as he also led the team with 12.0 sacks for minus 77 yards, 24.0 stops for losses of 93 yards and 26 pressures. Second on the team with 10 pass defenses, a season-record for down lineman.

•Set the Husker position record with two blocked kicks vs. Iowa State and with a total of three blocked kicks for the season. Also intercepted a pass, as his total of 11 passes defended were the most by any college down lineman for the season (no other defensive lineman ranked in the top 100 in the FBS.

•Against the run, Suh made 94 plays, holding the ball carriers to 20 yards, as he stopped runners at the line of scrimmage 20 times for no gain, in addition to his 24 tackles in the backfield, delivering 10 of those hits inside the red zone (three on goalline snaps).

•Allowed just four first downs and killed 13 scoring drives with 12 third-down tackles and one fourth-down tackle.


2008
All-American second-team selection by The NFL Draft Report. Consensus All-Big Twelve Conference first-team choice. Named the team’s co-Lifter of the Year and Defensive Most Valuable Player. Started all 13 games at nose tackle, becoming the first defensive tackle since 1973 to lead the team in tackles, as he totaled 76 hits (39 solos). Ranked eighth in the conference and led the team with 7.5 sacks for minus 67 yards and also paced the Huskers with 19.0 stops for losses totaling 85 yards.

•Nebraska’s leader with 7.0 sacks.
•Caused a fumble and deflected three passes.

•Set school records for a defensive lineman with two interceptions, returning both for touchdowns totaling 79 yards.

•Blocked two kicks.

2007
Started 11 games at nose tackle. Made all six of his stops behind the line of scrimmage in an early four-game stretch. Recorded 34 tackles (22 solos), included a 6-yard sack, four pressures, two pass deflections and a blocked kick.

2006
Played in all 14 games as a backup at nose tackle and earned a start vs. Oklahoma. Named Freshman All-Big Twelve Conference by The Sporting News. Finished the year with 19 tackles (12 solos), 3.5 sacks for minus 37 yards, eight stops for losses of 45 yards and two pressures. Also caused one fumble and intercepted a pass. Saw time on special teams as a blocker on the place-kicking unit.

2005
One of a school-record 13 true freshmen to see action in 2005. Played in the first two games and had an assisted tackle vs. Wake Forest before missing the remainder of the season with a knee injury, receiving a medical red-shirt.



HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL
Attended Grant (Portland, Ore.) High School, playing football for head coach William Griffin. The two-way star earned Parade All-American honors and was voted the 2004 Portland Interscholastic League Defensive Player of the Year and the state Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year.

•As a senior, he recorded 65 tackles, including 10.0 sacks and recovered four fumbles. Also starred on the offensive line, helping the Generals to a 9-3 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals.

•Earned first-team All-League honors on both offense and defense, and in addition to his defensive accolades was a first-team All-State pick on offense by at least one media outlet.

•First-team All-Portland Interscholastic League pick on both offense and defense as a junior and was an honorable-mention All-State pick as a junior.

•Listed as the top prospect in the state of Oregon by Rivals.com and among the top ten defensive tackle prospects in the country.

•Played in the U.S. Army All-American Game, where he lined up on the offensive line. Also played basketball and was a track standout for Grant High, earning honorable-mention All-League honors in basket-ball as a junior and senior.

•In track Suh was the district shot put champion in 2004, and won the OSAA Class 4A shot put title in 2005 with a school record throw of 61-4. Thanks to his all-around athletic accomplishments, he was a finalist for the Portland Tribune’s Athlete of the Year.

•Graduated in December, 2009 with a degree in Construction Management.

•Named to the 2009 Big Twelve Conference.

•Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll.

•Volunteered with Nebraska’s local hospital visits and also recently.

•Volunteered his time as a speaker at Pound Middle School.

•Suh’s mother, Bernadette, is from Jamaica, while his father, Michael, hails from Cameroon. In the Ngema tribe in Cameroon, Ndamukong means “House of Spears.”

•Born January 6, 1987 and resides in Portland, Oregon.

DETROIT LIONS SIGN CB DRE BLY

July 2, 2010 @ 11:46AM

In Play Magazine


The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed unrestricted free agent CB Dre Bly to a two-year deal. Additional contract terms were not disclosed. Bly returns to Detroit where he played four seasons for the Lions after originally signing as an unrestricted free agent in 2003.

The team also released CB Paul Pratt.

DETROIT LIONS 2010 YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP STOPS IN WINDSOR!

June 30, 2010 @ 8:50PM

In Play Magazine

The Detroit Lions 2010 Youth Football Camps, presented by the NFL’s “Fuel Up To Play 60” program, continues its 18-city, 20-camp summer tour by hosting a camp in Windsor.

For just $89, the two day Windsor Fundamentals Mini-Camp, July 31-August 1 (8:30am - Noon) at The Fogolar Furlan Club, will focus one day on offensive positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and offensive line) and one day focusing on defensive positions (defensive line, linebacker and defensive back).

Detroit Lions Youth Football Camps include;
· Non-contact, fundamental football instruction
· Lions Camp T-shirt
· Chalk Talk and Video Sessions
· Skills Contests & Scrimmages
· Opportunity to earn Detroit Lions Camp awards

Boys and girls, ages 6-14, are eligible to participate and will be grouped based on age and skill level. Youth camps are non-contact and designed to improve beginning, intermediate, or advanced skill levels. Fundamentals of football positions will be taught in addition to life skills such as teamwork, communication, sportsmanship and the importance of education.

Space is limited to the first 70 registered participants – Register today by calling 313-262-2248 or emailing: youthfootballcamps@detroitlions.com.  Online registration is also available through Ticketmaster. Visit Detroitlions.com/youthfootball and click on link “REGISTER NOW AT TICKETMASTER!”

Complete information on 2010 Detroit Lions Youth Football Camps along with the entire schedule is available online at www.Detroitlions.com/youthfootball

BOB KARMELOWICZ DIES AT THE AGE OF 60

May 2, 2010 @ 7:06PM

In Play Magazine

Allen Park, Mich.-Bob Karmelowicz, a 35-year coaching veteran who most recently served as the Lions defensive line coach in 2009, died Saturday, May 1 2010 following an illness. He was 60.

Karmelowicz is survived by his wife, Olga, daughters, Liz and Marissa, and son, Dave.

"On behalf of the William Clay Ford Family and the entire Detroit Lions organization, we offer our sincere sympathies to the Karmelowicz family," said Lions President Tom Lewand.

"Bob touched many lives throughout his years of coaching and positively impacted the careers of countless players at both the collegiate and professional level. While he was only with the Lions for one season, his contributions to our team last year were greatly appreciated and he will be missed by all of us."

For the past 18 seasons, Karmelowicz worked with the defensive line for five NFL teams: Detroit Lions (2009), Houston Texans (2006-08), Kansas City Chiefs (1997-05), Washington Redskins (1994-96) and Cincinnati Bengals (1992-93).

Prior to joining the Lions last year, Karmelowicz spent the past three seasons with the Houston Texans. While with the Texans, he was instrumental in the development DE Mario Williams, the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. In Williams' second season (2007), he exploded as a pass rusher when he jumped from 4.5 sacks as a rookie to 14 sacks the following year.

From 1997-2005, Karmelowicz was the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs where he worked under Lions Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Karmelowicz helped develop Pro Bowl DE Jared Allen after he was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. During Allen's first two NFL seasons (2004-05), he registered 20 sacks (nine in 2004 as a rookie and 11 in 2005) under Karmelowicz tutelage.

"I've had the privilege of coaching with and against 'Karm' for a long time and he was one tough guy," said Cunningham, who spent six seasons (1997-00 and 2004-05) coaching with Karmelowicz in Kansas City. "Though his coaching success on the field speaks for itself, I will always remember him for how much he loved kids, his compassion for helping kids and how much he cared for his grandkids. That will always be his lasting impression on me."

Prior to his nine-year tenure with the Chiefs, Karmelowicz worked three seasons as the defensive line coach with the Washington Redskins (1994-96), and his first stop in the NFL was with Cincinnati as the Bengals' defensive line coach from 1992-93.

Karmelowicz entered the pro ranks following a three-year (1989-91) coaching stint as the defensive line coach for the Miami Hurricanes. He was a member of the Hurricanes' coaching staff that led the Hurricanes to a 33-3 record over those three seasons and claimed two National Championships. As the Hurricanes' defensive line coach, he developed All-Americans DT Cortez Kennedy (third overall selection in 1990 NFL Draft) and DT Russell Maryland (first overall selection in 1991 NFL Draft).

Another of Karmelowicz notable college coaching accomplishments occurred when he coached DT Warren Sapp's transition from tight end to defensive tackle early in Sapp's college career. He also recruited and coached movie actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Johnson played defensive tackle for Karmelowicz at Miami.

Before joining the Hurricanes coaching staff, he coached on the college level at Washington State (1987-88), Illinois (1983-86), UNLV (1982), Texas-El Paso (1981), Massachusetts (1980) and his first five years as a coach at Arizona State (1975-79). He served as an offensive line coach at UTEP, Massachusetts and Arizona State, and he was both a defensive line and offensive line coach at Illinois.

Karmelowicz, a native of Plainville, Conn., was a three-year starter and consensus Little All-America nose tackle at the University of Bridgeport, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1972. He received a master's degree from Arizona State in 1977.

Visitation is at 9 a.m. and Mass is at 10 a.m. Friday, May 7 at the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn, Mich. (1055 N. Silvery Lane; Dearborn, MI 48128).

LIONS SIGN LB CALEB CAMPBELL AND SEVEN UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS

April 30, 2010 @ 10:09AM

In Play Magazine

Allen Park, Mich.- The Detroit Lions announced today that they signed LB Caleb Campbell and seven undrafted rookie free agents. Terms of their contracts were not disclosed.

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Exp College Hometown

Berry, Aaron CB 5-11 180 R Pittsburgh Harrisburg, Pa.

Callaway, Robert DT 6-5 312 R Saginaw Valley St. Mr. Morris, Mich.

Clapp, Matt FB 6-2 246 R Oklahoma Phoeniz, Arz.

Dickson, Richard TE 6-2 245 R Louisiana St. Ocean Springs, Miss.

Moore, Mike WR 6-2 210 R Georgia Coconut Creek, Fla.

Parks, Contrevious WR 5-10 190 R Stephen F. Austin Killeen, Texas

Scroggins, Sam LS 6-5 240 R West Virginia St. Florissant, Mo.

Lions introduce Suh, Best

April 25, 2010 @ 12:11AM

by Mike Niziolek

The Detroit Lions traded up with the Minnesota Vikings to select RB Jahvid Best in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

April 23, 2010 @ 9:00AM

In Play Magazine

In exchange for the Vikings' first round pick (30th overall) and fourth round pick (128th overall), Detroit gave Minnesota their 2010 second round pick (34th overall), fourth round pick (100th overall) and one of their seventh round picks (214th overall).

JAHVID BEST
Tailback/Return Specialist
University of California, Berkley Golden Bears
#4
5:10.1-199
Vallejo, California
Salesian High School

CAREER NOTES
-Best started 18-of-31 games at California, carrying the ball 364 times for 2,668 yards (7.33 ypc) and 29 touchdowns…

-Caught 62 passes for 533 yards (8.60 ypc) and six scores…Had 32 kickoff returns for 844 yards (26.38 avg)…

-Gained 4,045 all-purpose yards, an average of 130.48 yards per game…Leads all active NCAA players with a 7.33-yard rushing average…

-His 2,668 yards rushing rank seventh in school history behind Russell White (3,367, 1990-92), Marshawn Lynch (3,230, 2004-06), Justin Forsett (3,220, 2004-07), Joe Igber (3,124, 1999-02), Chuck Muncie (3,052, 1973-75), and Paul Jones (2,930, 1975, 77-79)…His 1,580 yards on the ground in 2008 rank second on Cal’s season-record chart, topped by J.J. Arrington (2,018 in 2004)…His 311 rushing yards vs. Washington in 2008 set a new school record, topping the previous mark of 283 yards by Jerry Drew vs. Oregon State in 1954…

-His 311 yards also rank fourth in Pac-10 Conference history…

-Best’s 29 touchdown runs tied Marshawn Lynch (2004-06) for third on the school’s career-record list, behind Russell White (35, 1990-92) and Chuck Muncie (32, 1973-75)…

-His fifteen touchdowns on the ground in 2008 tied the school season-record he shares with J.J. Arrington (2004) and Justin Forsett (2007)…

-His twelve touchdown runs in 2009 tied Jim Monachino (1949) for eighth on Cal’s annual record list…

-Ranks sixth in school annals with thirteen 100-yard rushing performances…His average of 8.14 yards per rushing attempt shattered the old school season-record…Best’s 4,045 all-purpose yards ranks fifth in school history behind Deltha O’Neal (4,998, 1996-99), Russell White (4,943, 1990-92), Marshawn Lynch (4,574, 2004-06), Chuck Muncie (4,194, 1973-75)…His 2,247 allpurpose yards in 2008 set a new school record…

-His career average of 26.38 yards per kickoff return topped the previous Cal all-time record of 25.3 yards per return by Isaac Curtis (1970-71).


2009 SEASON
-Honored by the College Football Performance Awards organization with the 2009 Elite Running Back Trophy…

-The award recognized Best as the top performer at the running back position based upon the 21 games in which he participated over the past two seasons…

-All-Pac-10Conference second-team selection by the league’s coaches and The NFL Draft Report…

-Named to the Watch Lists for the Doak Walker Award (top running back), Maxwell Award (player of the year), College Football Performance Awards Overall Performer of the Year and Running Back of the Year, and the Walter Camp Award (player of the year)…

-One of the top Heisman Trophy candidates entering the year according to Lindy’s, Phil Steele, National Champs.net, and Sports Network…

-Co-recipient of team’s Bear Backers Offensive MVP Award…Missed spring camp while recovering from left big toe and left elbow surgery performed in January…Started 8-of-9 games before being injured, carrying 141 times for 867 yards (6.15 ypc) and twelve touchdowns…

-His twelve scoring runs tied Jim Monachino (1949) for eighth on the school’s season-record list…Produced 36 first down runs on 141 attempts (25.53%), as he converted 3-of-11 third-down rushing attempts (27.27%)…Had 22 carries for at least ten yards (15.60%), including twelve for 20 yards or longer (8.51%)

-Produced fifteen positive runs inside the red zone, including twelve on goal line plays…

-Tackled for a loss twenty times and stopped for no gain on ten other carries…Had key rushed that set up sixteen touchdown drives…

-Caught 22 passes for 213 yards (9.68 ypc) and four touchdowns, adding 18 yards on one kickoff return…

-Seven of his 22 receptions (31.81%) produced first downs, including converting 2-of-6 third-down passes…

-Had eight receptions of at least ten yards, including three that went for 20 or more yards…

-Pulled down 22-of-33 passes thrown to him (66.67%)…

-Earned Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week honors vs. Minnesota and College Football Performance Awards Running Back of the Week honors vs. Maryland, Eastern Washington and Minnesota.


PERSONAL
General Studies major, with an emphasis towards Legal Studies…Son of Lisa and David Best…Full name is Jahvid Andre Best ...His name is a combination of Jah and the last syllable of his father's name, David…Born 1/30/89…Resides in Vallejo, California.