The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 24

Page 8C Friday, August 5, 2005 FOOTBALL 2005 PRO HALLOFFAME NFL pioneer Friedman headed to Mall posthumously on its level in the nation. "And we accomplished as 'Bennie's Boys' a lot of good things for the university, and I think it made our group that much stronger," McKenna said. "Not just get-togethers for fun's sake, but we helped the university and future athletes at the school." More than 20 of "Benny 's Boys" will be in Canton this weekend to honor one of football's pioneers. "There was no question he was one of the dominant football players of the era of the late 1920s and early '30s," McKenna said. "We recognized this and, fortunately, the members of the Hall of Fame committee were kind enough 1o look.

at the material we put together. Every time I read it, I am proud of what my teammates have done. It has come to fruition." BY BARRY WILNER Associated Press No less an authority than Red Grange called Benny Friedman one of the NFL's greatest players. On Sunday in Canton, Ohio, 72 years after his retirement and 23 after he died of a self-inflicted gun wound, Friedman will join Grange and many of those other greats in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It took some aggressive campaigning by Friedman's former players at Brandeis University to finally convince the voters to admit the former quarterback Grange dubbed "the best I ever played against." Friedman and Fritz Pollard, another pioneer of the NFL's early days, were nominated by the veterans committee, then voted in by the 39-member panel that chooses new Hall of Famers.

Dan Marino and Steve Young are the other inductees. "For a variety of reasons we can speculate on, he didn't make it into the Hall of Fame," said Bill McKenna, a receiver when Friedman coached at Brandeis and a former CFL player. "But unquestionably those who remained in football and knew of him and who knew football, they were all confident he would get in the Hall. "A group of us, mainly the players of Brandeis, maybe 40 or 50 players who played under him, recognized that and made a series of objectives, put together presentations and brochures, and hopefully they would come true and get Benny Friedman into the Hall." At 5-foot-8 or so and just 1 70 pounds, Friedman hardly was the prototype quarterback. But he became a star at Michigan his field goal in 1925 lifted the Wolver ines past Grange and Illinois and then moved into the pros.

With no draft, he was able to choose his team, and Friedman signed with the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1 927. A year later, the franchise moved to Detroit and became the Wolverines. It seemed Friedman had come full circle. While starring for that team, his popularity was noticed by New York. Giants owner Tim Mara, who needed a headliner to stop the flow of red ink he was enduring.

He acquired Friedman, and fans began showing up at Giants games, with Mara turning a profit during Friedman's first season on the roster. Nearly three-quarters of a century later, Mara's son Wellington returned the favor, endorsing Friedman for the Canton shrine. In all, Friedman played for four teams from 1927-34, and was considered the best player on each of them. Famed columnist Paul Gallico once wrote in the New York Daily News: "When a Friedman pass reaches the receiver, it has gone its route. The ball is practically dead.

The receiver has only to reach up and take hold of it like picking a grapefruit off a tree." Of course, the ball more resembled a watermelon in those days. After he quit as a player, Friedman coached City College of New York after being personally asked by Mayor Fiorel-lo LaGuardla to take the job. He spent six seasons there, then joined the Navy during World War II. Following the war, Friedman went to Brandeis as athletic director and football coach. He turned the program at that elite New England school into one of the best COLLEGE NFL NOTEBOOK Manning, Vick to highlight Japan's American Bowl Gamecocks report; program gets gift from former player 1 JACKSONVILLE On a day when the current Jacksonville State football team reported for preseason drills, former JSU player Loring White bestowed a gift on the university that is expected to give the Gamecocks an edge in recruiting future players to the program.

White's $250,000 gift, split between the university technology department and football program, includes lap- top computers for the coaching staff that will enable them to offer recruits real-time virtual "I'm going to try to get some electronics," said Vick. "I'm a big gadget guy so I'd like to get something I can take back to the States and brag about." Two-time MVP Manning said he was already impressed with the Japanese fans. "I get a lot of fan mail and I can tell you the Japanese fans are very knowledgeable about the NFL," said Manning, who broke Dan Marino's single-season record for touchdown passes with 49 last year. "I'm looking forward to walking around and seeing some of this great city." The NFL's series of international games began in 1986, in response to growing interest in American football around the world. Since then, 39 games have been played in 1 2 cities outside the United States.

The Colts have never played in Japan, while the Falcons made the trip in 2000 when they beat the Dallas Cowboys 20-9. Of the 13 winners in Japan, none have won a Super Bowl. BY JIM ARMSTRONG Associated Press TOKYO Peyton Manning and Michael Vick will share the spotlight when they take the field Saturday at the American Bowl in Japan. But until then, both plan on soaking up the atmosphere in the world's biggest city. Manning and Vick, two of the NFL's marquee quarterbacks, took part in practice Thursday in preparation for Saturday's NFL preseason opener between the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons at Tokyo Dome, the 13th American Bowl to be played in Japan.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be here," said Vick, who led the Falcons to an II -5 record and the NFCchampionshipgame last season. While the teams Will be on a tight schedule, both players said they hope they can experience some of the Japanese culture while in Tokyo. over, is a staff sergeant MP in the U.S. Army Reserves and likely will be helping Vain the Iraqi police. She has been ordered to report to post Sept.

5. She is uncertain when she'll be attached to a unit overseas. "Beth is one I would trust in a tough situation," Crowe said. "She's all about doing what's right and telling you straight up. She isn't a yes person, but she is a team player." With her reporting date only four days after the Gamecocks' season-opener with Furman, Gallagher isn't sure she'll make the game.

"I'm really debating whether I'll come," she said. "I want to, terribly, but I don't know how ready I'll be (to leave)." Crowe felt Gallagher's position was so vital to the start-up of his program, he traded a coaching position to get it. University president Bill Meehan called Gallagher the other day to assure her job will be waiting when she returns. AIMuskewitz AUBURN AUBURN Auburn added a 25th newcomer Thursday when 2005 Tennessee signee Ulysses Alexander, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver, transferred. Tennessee signed more players than the NCAA limit of 25, and UT coaches asked Alexander to wait until December i Todd Van EmstAssociatad Prass Auburn's freshman Robert Dunn is one of two receivers to join the team late.

to enroll full-time. That way, his scholarship would count toward Tennessee's 2006 class. Alexander sought and received his schol arship release, and the Falcons Michael Vick gives his autograph to a young Japanese fan after a workout Friday at backs had in Auburn's first preseason practice in shoulder pads. "Our quarterbacks looked a little rusty yesterday, but they're catching up pretty quick," Tuberville said. "We had a good day throwing the ball, Brandon especially." TROTTING OUT: Freshman tight end Tommy Trott stood out in skeleton passing drills, and Tuberville lauded Dunn.

I'His quickness is something that we've been lacking in some areas," Tuberville said. "I think he's going to ha ve an opportunity to play pretty quick. "I watched Tommy Trott and (tight end) Gabe McKenzie, and both of those guys are catching the ball a lot better. Their head is spinning a little right now just what they have to learn." TEZ RETURNS: Nose tackle Tez Doolittle practiced Thursday after missing the first two days of practice with a dislocated kneecap. "Tez is back and going full speed," Tuberville said.

"He's got a little bit of a limp, but he dislocated a kneecap back a month ago. He looks good for his first day, ran around well." Doolittle lists as No. 3 on the depth chart behind Tommy Jackson and Josh Thompson. NEXT UP: The Tigers practice today at 4:30 p.m. on the intramural fields and will go again in helmets and shoulder pads.

"The guys have been excited about getting pads and getting a little contact," Tuberville said. "We'll have a little bit of contact tomorrow. In full pads, we'll start a lot more contact Saturday morning." Fan Day is set for Saturday, 3-5 p.m., at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. Joe Medley ALABAMA TUSCALOOSA A temporarily downsized Bryant-Denny Stadium has helped Alabama sell out every football game for the first time in five seasons, including unsold tickets returned by opponents. tours of the Gamecocks' facilities without the prospect ever leaving his living rooms.

The system also has future implications for campus security. In this age of increasing energy costs and budgetary limitations, the system has the potential to be a cutting-edge recruiting tool with the Gamecocks right at the forefront. "Technology underwrites competition in a lot of ventures," JSU head coach Jack Crowe said Thursday. "In football, we live in a technology environment, too, whether it be game analysis or game planning; it's also in recruiting. "I think what he's brought to us is going to be much used, and I'm not sure we won't be one of the first in the country to have this.

This really has an ability to separate us from other people." White, the CEOOwner of CBE a Montgomery-based office systems company, was a wide receiver for the Gamecocks in the mid-'70s. The main lobby in the refurbished field house will be named the Loring White Hall of Honor. MIXED MESSAGE: The 0VC coaches and publicists voted the Gamecocks to win a third straight conference title, but their decision doesn't quite jive if one believes defense wins championships. Even though JSU received 15 of 18 possible first-place votes in the preseason poll, the Gamecocks had no players -on the preseason AII-0VC defense. Crowe expects that to change when the "real" AII-0VC team is announced at the end of the season.

He believes the Gamecocks "have a chance to be the best defense we've ever been," and while not getting into the business of promoting potential all-conference picks, cited defensive end Greg Green and converted defensive back Craig Agee among those he expects to be there. DIFFERENT SENSE: The day players report typically marks the start of football season for Crowe. He had the same feeling he's had every reporting day, but when he looked out over the Gamecocks' new artificial turf Thursday, football wasn't the first thing that came to mind. "I'm a little nostalgic," Crowe said. "The sounds and smells go along with what you see and think during football season.

Whenever I walked out onto the field, on a freshly cut bermuda field, and it had that moisture, you breathed in and you said, 'Yes, it's football "This morning I walked out there and if you hadn't been out there taking a deep breath, you'd think you're in the pits at NASCAR. Because all you can smell is rubber. Maybe it's a sign of the future." EMPTY STALLS: The Gamecocks' dressing room has stalls for 56 players, exactly the number who can'dress out for an 0VC game. If you don't think there won't be some battles for positions in this preseason camp, consider only 31 of the stalls have player nameplates above them. "I think I know some things about some of those guys and I think it's gonna happen real quick," Crowe said.

CALL TO DUTY: The football program will miss a big part of its family this year now that Beth Gallagher has received orders to join her unit for a 12-month tour in Iraq. Gallagher, the program's administrative assistant since the day Crowe took Tokyo Katsumi Kasahara Associated Press Dome. Reid says Owens isn't faking injury Southeastern Conference office approved his transfer to Auburn. Alexander is academically eligible to play immediately and will have the NCAA-standard five years to play four. He will begin practicing with Auburn today.

Alexander reportedly had more than 40 catches and eight touchdowns as a senior tight end for Northwestern High School in Miami. He also played defen- sive end and was an honorable-mention All-Dade County pick. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds and has a 31 -inch vertical leap, Auburnsports.com reported Thursday. "He's just a guy that's got a lot of height and speed," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said, "He played defense quite a bit in high school, moved over to offense." Alexander told the Rivals Web site that he also considered Miami, Florida, Iowa and Kansas State out of high school. "I've got a lot of friends in Miami that are real, real high on him off the field and on the field," Tuberville said.

"It's going to be a good addition. We're very fortunate to pick this one up. "That will finish off our 85 ships). He should get here some time tonight and have a physical tonight. He's got to go two days in shorts, so there will be a little learning curve for him." Alexander becomes the second wide receiver to join Auburn's 2005 class late, joining Robert Dunn.

Auburn signed 20 players in February. Center Mike Harness and linebacker Rex Sharpe were academically ineligible, with Harness going to prep school and Sharpe to junior college. Dunn and Alexander brought Auburn back up to 20 scholarship signees, and the Tigers welcomed five invited walk-ons. HITTING THE CAN: Quarterback heir apparent Brandon Cox starred in quarterback drills during Thursday's practice, most notably the garbage-can drill. Quarterbacks take turns throwing deep down field with the goal to land the ball in a black, plastic garbage can.

Cox hit from about 40 yards. It was typical of the day the quarter- The only way we II have any tickets later on is, it an opponent returns some "ticket manaoer i Rhoda Vaughn said. "I have not been in communication with the Universi By The Associated Phess Disgruntled All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens isn't faking a groin injury, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid says. Owens left the morning practice after injuring his left groin Thursday and did not return for the team's afternoon workout in Bethlehem, Pa. "It's a legitimate injury," Reid said.

"This guy would never do that. He's not that type of guy. He would never go in that direction." Owens is still hoping the Eagles will redo his contract. He's beginning the second season of a seven-year deal worth just under $49miIlion. Reid said groin problems are a chronic condition for Owens.

"I'm being cautious with it," Reid said. "I don't want ft to get worse. It's a constant battle." During the morning practice, Owens walked to the medical tent before being carted oft the field. Reid said he's day-to-day. Last season, Owens had 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and a franchise-record 14 touchdowns before severely injuring his ankle late in the season.

He missed the final two regular-season games and the first two playoff games before returning for the Super Bowl, in which he had nine receptions for 122 yards. Ravens Jamal Lewis' return to the Ravens has hit a snag over technicalities regarding his probation on a federal drug conspiracy charge. The former All-Pro running back was released Tuesday from an Atlanta halfway house. He was expected to report to the Ravens on Thursday, but his attorney, Jerome Froelich, said Lewis has to meet with his probation officer in Atlanta. "I'm going to have to bite my tongue on this one," Baltimore coach Brian Billick said at camp in Westminster.

Md. "We'll continue to deal with the process that he has to deal with. It seems to be ever-changing at times." ty of Arkansas yet, but everybody else has indicated that they have sent everything back." It's the first time since 2000 that Alabama has had a sellout for season tickets, said Tommy Ford, director of the university's donor program Tide Pride. Bryant-Denny will seat some 81,000 fans this season. That's about 2,800 fewer than usual because of construction on the north end of the stadium.

Associated Press AA.