Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 53

DETROIT FREE PRESS WWW.FREEP.COM FOOTBALL 4D THURSDAY, NOV. 3. 2005 GETTING PERSONAL Rogers back, mum about drug details MSU's Eric Smith Heightweight: 6-feet-l, 202 pounds. Yearposition: Senior strong safety. High school: Groveport-Madi-son High School, Groveport, Ohio.

What he has done: Smith, one of MSU's four captains, recorded 11 tackles against Indiana, bringing his career total to 298. With two more tackles, he'll be the 15th player in school history with 300. Lions WR must fight for play time By NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA WEE PRESS SPORTS WRITER First car he drove: A 1989 Chevrolet Corsica. Smith'; nranHmnthpr aave it to him when he LON HORWEDELAssoclated Press turned 16.

"I had it for about a year, but stuff Anthony Sherrell eludes Buffalo's Richard Sanders for some of his 151 yards during a 37-34 EMU victory last season. started going wrong with it, so I got anotner car." Dream car: "I don't even know. Just some EMU back pines thing that runs." to get off bench It's up to Sherrell coach says Hardest thing to learn at MSU: Japanese literature. "I took an Integrated Arts and Humanities class and it was all Japanese literature. It was written in English but translated from Japanese.

The professor was trying to teach us Japanese words, and it was confusing." Favorite athlete: Denver Broncos safety John By PERRY A. FARRELL FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER Lynch, for being one of the best players at his position one Smith happens to share. Favorite music: "I listen to about everything Anthony Sherrell is just what a spread offense it doesn matter to me. needs. He's a shifty, 5-foot-10, 194-pound back who can fly.

He makes defenders miss simply by running past them, and he catches passes out of the backfield as well. Smith's diamond stud earrings sparkle from miles away. How long has he had the piercings? "I got one pierced when I was in fourth grade and the other one when I was here." What did his mom think about the first pierc Eastern Michigan needs Sherrell, a senior, as the Eagles try to end a three-game losing streak Saturday at Ford Field against Western Michigan. However, Sherrell and second-year coach Jeff Genyk haven been on the same page this season and, at times, they ing? Oh, my mom took my friend and me to get them!" Smith is a pretty soft-spoken guy, despite the tough persona he shows on the field. Does he ever have his wild moments? "Not really.

What you see is what you get." haven't been reading the same book. As a result, Sherrell, from Roseville and Orchard Lake St. Mary's, has been on the bench most of the Eagles-Broncos Matchup: Eastern Michigan 3-5, 2-3 Mid-American Conference; Western Michigan 5-3, 3-2. When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Ford Field. TV: Comcast Local. Line: Western by 3xh. season, and injury isnt the reason. Complicating matters, Sherrell arrived late for a team bus on its way to Toledo for an Oct.

8 game, which prompted Genyk to keep Sherrell out of the game. Eastern lost, 30-3, the beginning of the three-game slide. "The last three games have been tough because at times we've been MSU at Purdue Matchup: Michigan State 5-3, 2-3 Big Ten; Purdue 2-6, 0-5. When: Noon Saturday. Where: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.

TV: ESPN Plus (Channel 7 in Detroit). Line: Michigan State by U-M'S NEXT GAME After a bye week, Michigan's next game is at noon Nov. 12 at home against Indiana. DUANE BURLESONAssociated Press Charles Rogers returned to practice Wednesday after serving a four-game suspension for substance abuse. Asked what he had done, he said: "That's not even an issue right now.

The issue is, I'm back out here." He drilled on the sideline with a couple of coaches, catching bricks right hand, left hand, both hands. He rotated in with the first offense. He put a red cover on his helmet and ran with the scout team. "It's like a new life, man," Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers said Wednesday, back at practice after a four-game suspension for substance abuse. "It's like I've got another opportunity.

So what are you going to do with your opportunity? How are you going to be remembered?" A lot of people are eager to see how Rogers answers those questions. He went from Saginaw High star to Michigan State star, to second pick of the 2003 NFL draft, to disappointment. A broken collarbone wiped out most of his rookie year. Another broken collarbone wiped out virtually all of his second season. Then came the suspension, which meant he had tested positive for illegal drugs three times.

Career stats: nine games, 27 catches, 320 yards, three touchdowns. "I think he has a lot of doubters in his home state of Michigan," wide receiver Roy Williams said. "I think he has a lot of doubters in this Detroit Lions fan base. And so I think he wants to go out and prove not only to himself but to the fans that he can still play and he's not a first-round bust." Rogers, 24, issued a statement when he was suspended and didn't speak publicly until Wednesday. Asked what he had done and if he had a problem, Rogers said: "Well, that's not even an issue right now.

The issue is, I'm back out here. I'm playing. Like I said in my statement, I took it on the chin like a man. I take all responsibility. You just man up to the situation.

That's what I did." Players who test positive for illegal drugs four times are suspended for a season, according to the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Asked what he had done to make sure it didn't happen again, Rogers pointed to his four weeks away from football and said: "You don't know a good thing until it's gone. I love this game, and I still want to play this game," Rogers' drug issues have cost him and his team significantly. He has made millions of dollars. But he has surrendered thousands in fines and lost wages, and he has hurt his chances at millions in incentives tied to playing time.

Rogers complained publicly about his role right before he was suspended. Then, during his absence, Williams missed close," Sherrell said. "Our team has been developing at wide receiver "wide open" Wednesday, and Rogers didn't well. Our offense has gotten better. We've been drop make a good first impression, ping passes and missing some assignments.

We just need to come together as one right now and win our next three games." On his first route an important indicator, considering Ma U-M's Jake Long Heightweight: 6-7, 338 pounds. Yearposition: Sophomore right tackle. High school: Lapeer East. Genyk said whether Sherrell starts against the riucci said Monday that Rogers "should be raring to go" he Broncos is up to Sherrell. didn't sprint.

"If he can do the right thing between Sunday and "I think he's going to have to Friday," Genyk said, "I would say yes but that hasn't been the case so far. We're in the midst of build prove to everybody obviously that he's been maintaining his getting back out on ing a program based on doing the right thing on and off the field." Major: General Studies. What he has done: Long was an All-Big Ten lineman last year but suffered a severe left ankle injury in preseason practice, missing the first seven games. He returned against Iowa and played well the field and not having any ma Of course, Sherrell hopes to play. i I I 1 A "My mom and my family is going to be there," he jor setbacks," quarterback Jeff said.

"She's just been praying for me. This is all hap Garcia said. I think it going to be important for him to show that he had or maintained the pening for a reason. My mom keeps telling me that God has a plan for me. She called me and said you have to be hungry for this game.

That lets me know she's work ethic." into it." Sherrell has talent, as his statistics before this sea Right guard Damien Woody said: "He doesn't have to do anything out of the ordinary. son indicate. Next: Minnesota Matchup: Lions 3-4; Vikings 2-5. When: 1 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Metrodome, Minneapolis. TV: Fox (Channel 2 in Detroit). Line: Lions by 1 three games with a strained quadriceps and wide receiver Kevin Johnson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. "I feel like I missed out on my opportunity a few times," Rogers said. "But I think the opportunity's still there for me.

All I can do is go out there and bust my ass and do what's expected of me and show why I should be one of the two wide receivers out there. I know what I've got to do. It's more on me than anybody. I'm going in the right direction." Rogers attended meetings and worked out at team headquarters in Allen Park during his suspension. Coach Steve Mariucci said the Lions put him through a structured program.

"He's been doing everything we've asked him to do, I will tell you that," Mariucci said. "He missed being here, and he is anxious to be back, and he's trying to get it behind him." But what Rogers does from now on will matter most. Mariucci declared the competition In 2003 he was first-team All-Mid-American Con Just do your job. Be professional. Be where you're supposed to be.

Be accountable. That's all you can ask. And when it's time ference after rushing for 1,531 yards, catching a team-high 44 passes and scoring 13 touchdowns while post ing eight straight 100-yard plus rushing games, in cluding 230 against Ball State. to make a play, make some' thing happen." Last year, Genyk's first at EMU, Sherrell was All-MAC after rushing for 854 yards and Williams said Rogers' re demption will hinge on how well scoring 12 touchdowns with three 100-yard games. he plays.

"I've been here four or five years, and if I were a head coach I would love to bring in new players," Sher "It don't matter what he did off the football field," Williams said. "You gain respect on the football field. I believe if he rell said. "But if a guy has experience, they should put those guys out there. I'm not putting the coaches down for starting a freshman over me.

I'm not ques against Northwestern. Coming up: Long will be a key to the run game in Michigan's final two games against Indiana (Nov. 12) and Ohio State (Nov. 19). Biggest challenge: Rehab on injured ankle three times a day and six weeks on crutches.

"I had a lot of doors opened for me." 1 Coach Lloyd Carr says: "At some point, he will be considered with the very, very best offensive linemen that have ever played here. Anybody that is going to start a football team, Jake Long would be a great place to start it." Current car: Dodge Ram pickup. Learned to drive on: 1990 Suburban. "Probably when I was around 13. We live back in a little cul-de-sac, and I'd drive around in circles and on our block.

When we'd go up north camping, we'd go on the back roads." Off-season activity: Camping. "Every year we go with my family and my best friend, Jake Weingartz." Favorite music: Country. "Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney." Closest teammates: Centerroommate Adam Kraus and kicker Garrett Rivas. Best advice from a coach: "Don't let anything get you down, from my o-line coach in high school, and coach (Andy) Moeller has said that, too." Favorite Halloween costume: Sumo wrestler, sixth grade. "I didn't wear the diaper." Most embarrassing football moment: "Last year, in the San Diego State game the first game I was starting -1 tripped when we were touching the banner.

I came down and tripped over someone's leg. They were all laughing pretty hard." plays up to his capabilities, all that will be washed away, and tioning their authority at all, but look at my creden tials. I've been an All-MAC player. I was doing it all. "Any running back would be frustrated." all they 11 talk about is touchdowns and great catches." This season? Sherrell has played in five games and started one, against Miami.

In that game, he rushed Contact NICHOLAS J. COTSONI for 107 yards on 12 carries. With 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash and a KA at 313-222-8831 or cotsonikafreepress.com. healthy dose of confidence, Sherrell hopes his story will have a happy ending in the NFL. Batch for Big Ben possible "I can make it happen because I think I have the ability," he said.

"I can do whatever scouts or an NFL team needs me to do. If it's special teams, if it's a scout player, I can do that. All I need to go ahead and do now is have a couple of good games, maybe 150- or 170- NFL ROUNDUP (yard) games. That will show the scouts or whoever FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES that I still have it." '05? Each opponent and its top corner-back was listed below, followed bV checkoff boxes for a "yes" or a "no" decision. (The Lions' Dre' Bly was on the list for Dec.

18.) Lewis' replacement list challenged the Pro Bowl receiver to study, block and lead in Sunday's game at Baltimore. "His list Contact PERRY A. FARRELL at 313-222-2555 or farrellfreepress.com. was good. My list is important," Lewis Harbaugh arrested on DUI charge said with a smile and serious tone.

NEW ENGLAND: Linebacker Tedy Bruschi, returning to the lineup eight months after a stroke, is the AFC's 1 defensive player of the week. Bruschi had 10 tackles Sunday in the Patriots' 21-16 win over Buffalo. PHILADELPHIA: Pro Bowl receiver COLLEGE ROUNDUP FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES ARIZONA: Kurt Warner will replace Josh McCown as starting QB Sunday against Seattle. Coach Dennis Green declined to say why he was making the switch. "That's coach talk," he said.

Warner started the first three games, but suffered a strained groin at Seattle on Sept. 25. McCown started the past four games, including the team's only two victories. McCown threw for 385 and 394 yard's in his first two starts, but struggled the past two. CLEVELAND: Former Lions running back Reuben Droughns apologized for his drunken driving arrest, calling it a lapse of judgment.

"It should have never happened," he said. "It was one of those situations that was, I guess, a bad judgment call." Coach Romeo Crennel said the organization would allow the case to go through the court system before deciding on any discipline, and Droughns' playing time against Tennessee on Sunday would not be affected. Droughns is the only option at tailback for the Browns (2-5). Lee Suggs (broken thumb) is out and William Green (ankle) is doubtful. CINCINNATI: Chad Johnson's checklist has been replaced by one from coach Marvin Lewis.

Johnson had posted a laminated list in his locker with a headline asking: Who covered No. 85 in Terrell Owens (sprained right ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at PITTSBURGH Ben Roethlisberger sat out Wednesday's practice with a right knee injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Green Bay. If Roethlisberger doesn't play, former Lion Charlie Batch will make his first NFL start since 2001. But Big Ben said he feels better than he did three weeks ago after a sustaining a left knee injury during a Monday night game. "It's just a little sore thing, but we'll get better," he said.

He also declined comment Wednesday about the results of an MRI examination Tuesday morning. Coach Bill Cowher said Tuesday that the initial diagnosis was a strain, -v Washington. Donovan McNabb (sports eryone else around team," Harbaugh said Wednesday. "My No. 1 concern is the players.

I'm trying to set a good example for them. There's a consequence for making poor decisions and now that applies to me." Harbaugh said he told the team about his arrest. "I'm going to work every day from this day on to turn it into a positive," he said. "That's not the script I would write to make a positive statement, but that's what I'll work to do." Harbaugh is in his second season as coach of the non- scholarship, Division I-AA Toreros. USD is 8-1 and won the Pioneer Football League North Division last Saturday.

Harbaugh will be on the sideline for Saturday night's home game against Chapman. SOUTHERN CAL Freshman linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor battery following an off-campus altercation, police said. Maualuga, 18, was arrested about 4 a.m. Tuesday after allegedly punching a man at a party near campus three hours earlier, said Kevin Maiberg-er, a Los Angeles police spokesman. Maualuga left the scene but later turned himself in to police.

Maualuga was released a short time later after posting $20,000 bail. hernia) added a bruised rib to his growing injury report. Neither player practiced Wednesday, but coach Andy Reid said he's "optimistic about the chance of those guys playing." WASHINGTON: The defensive line had ENCINITAS, Calif. University of San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh was arrested early Sunday on a charge of drunken driving after being stopped for running a stop sign. Harbaugh, a former quarterback at Michigan and in the NFL, was released after 7'A hours at the Vista Detention Facility.

He is to appear in court in December. "I'm upset at myself about it, and more embarrassed for ev to borrow offensive linemen Just to get tnrougn practice, starters Phillip Daniels, Joe Salave'a and Cornelius Griffin did not practice because of injuries. Daniels is probable, Salave'a and Griffin questionable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia..