The 2012 Chick-fil-A kickoff game has been officially announced: The Tennessee Volunteers will square off with the North Carolina State Wolfpack to kick off the 2012 season in the Georgia Dome. This announcement continues the recent trend of great games to start the college football season. Last year Clemson faced Alabama, and this year Virginia Tech will meet Alabama on Sept. 5. Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said, “We are excited to be a part of what should be a great environment to kick off the 2012 season. Atlanta is a great sports town and the Georgia Dome has been great for college football.” So far, no games have been announced for the 2010 or 2011 seasons, but there are rumors that either Georgia or Georgia Tech will perhaps be involved.
SCHEDULING CAMP…
Also today, the Atlanta Falcons released their 2009 training camp schedule. Most of the practices will be closed, but there is plenty of opportunity for the public to check out this year’s squad. The Dirty Birds will be holding their second straight training camp scrimmage at Brookwood High School, followed by a mock game at the Georgia Dome. The squad will gave 28 practices before their first preseason game versus Detroit on Aug. 15.
FOSTER MAY LAND WITH RAMS…
In other Bird-related news, ex-Falcon offensive tackle Renardo Foster, who was released by the team on Tuesday, appears to have landed in St. Louis. The Rams placed a waiver claim for Foster today, according to his agent Brian Ayrault. Denver, Buffalo and Carolina have also reportedly shown interest.
The waiver period ends on Friday for Foster. Waiver claims are awarded to the team with the worst record. The only team who could beat the Rams’ (2-14) claim for Foster would be the Detroit Lions, who were 0-16 in 2008.
If the Lions don’t make a claim, the Rams will assume the last year of the two-year contract Foster signed in 2007.
GOODBYE CHAMP, GOODBYE DENVER…
In other news surrounding the NFL, the Broncos decided on Thursday to release former Georgia Bulldog linebacker Boss Bailey. Boss, the brother and former teammate of Denver’s Champ Bailey, played in just six games for the Broncos before a left knee injury ended his season last year in an Oct. 20 game at New England.
Jack Reale, Bailey’s agent, said his client will assess his next move once his knee is fully healed.
BACK ON DL…
It appears the loss of former Braves pitcher Mike Hampton wasn’t such a big one after all. The 36-year-old pitcher was placed the 15-day disabled list again on Thursday, this time for a left groin strain.
It’s the 12th time Hampton has been on the DL in his 15-year career.
In his 12 2009 starts for the Houston Astos, the left-handed, former ace is just 4-5 with a 4.70 ERA.
SO LONG TWO-A-DAYS…
The National Association of Athletic Trainers released a report calling for high school football teams to eliminate their infamous two-a-day practices from the first week of August drills. The report points to the trends on the collegiate level, where two-a-days are often limited, and also to a 15-year-old who died after collapsing last August. His coach was charged with reckless homicide in the death.
Since 1995, at least 39 football players have died from heat-related causes.
Loading ...
