Post by lingzi on Sept 7, 2012 7:52:23 GMT 1
HOUSTON -- Overlooked again, Case Keenum will start his NFL career close to where he proved his skeptics wrong in college. Fred Jackson Womens Jersey . The record-setting Houston quarterback said Monday that he will sign as an undrafted free agent with the Texans, the team he was hoping would give him his shot. "Its really unbelievable," Keenum said Monday on the Houston campus. "Im extremely excited for so many reasons." Keenum was disappointed that he wasnt drafted. But when the Texans called on Saturday night, he immediately related it to his transition from high school to college. Houston was the only school that offered him a scholarship after a stellar career at Wylie High School in Abilene. Keenum rewarded Houstons faith by becoming the Football Bowl Subdivisions career leader in yards passing (19,217) and touchdown passes (155), and hes the only FBS quarterback to throw for more than 5,000 yards in three different seasons. "Thats just kind of part of my identity," Keenum said. "Coming out of high school, I had one scholarship offer. I said that before the draft that all I need is one chance, and I got my one chance here, with a great organization and great coaches." The Texans were down to third-string quarterback T.J. Yates by the end of last season. They still finished 10-6, won their division and earned their first playoff berth. Matt Leinart, last years backup until he broke his collarbone, is expected to sign with Oakland. Matt Schaub said recently that hes almost fully recovered from a broken right foot, and Yates will be the backup in 2012. Schaub called Keenum on Saturday night to welcome him into the mix. Keenum also felt comfortable with coach Gary Kubiak and the staff after a recent 30-minute workout at Reliant Stadium. "I clicked really well over there," Keenum said. "It just felt right. Im really excited its happening this way." Keenum tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the third game of the 2010 season. Houston appealed for a medical redshirt and Keenum was granted one more season to take aim at the NCAAs career passing records. He not only shattered the marks, he also guided Houston to unprecedented heights in 2011. The Cougars won their first 12 games and broke into the top 10 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. Houston was headed for its first BCS berth -- and the first for Conference USA -- until losing at home to Southern Miss in the league championship game on Dec. 3. Donning a Texans T-shirt and matching baseball cap, Keenum says the last few days have been a whirlwind. "It still hasnt hit," Keenum said. "I havent even signed my contract yet. This is all brand new to me." The hard part begins soon. The 6-foot Keenum knows he has plenty of areas to improve, starting with his mechanics. He needs to learn how to "play taller," releasing the ball with more loft than he was required to do in college. "There are so many little things, like patting the ball when Im about to throw," Keenum said. "There are a lot of little things that you dont think about." Hes also starting from scratch with the Texans complex offence, a different scheme than the pass-heavy offence the Cougars employed. Houston led the nation in passing offence (450 yards per game) and pass attempts (682). The Texans finished second in the league in rushing (153 yards per game) in 2011. "I dont know much about their offence at all right now," he said. "Once I get into it, and figure that out, Ill probably have a better idea. Ive got a lot to learn. Ive got a long way to go." And if he needs added incentive, Keenum only has to look across the locker room. Arian Foster went undrafted in 2009 and signed with Houston as a free agent. Hes blossomed into one of the leagues top running backs, making the last two Pro Bowls. Foster has said that hes used the draft snub as motivation. Keenum, meanwhile, is just happy the Texans are taking a chance on him. "I try not to dwell on that right now," Keenum said. "Im not looking backward, Im looking forward. I know that Im going to be a part of a great organization and one that wanted me, and I wanted to go there. Im not going to look at that right now." Kyle Arrington Youth Jersey . - Maybe the Atlanta Hawks should adopt the Golden State Warriors fast-paced style. Mewelde Moore Jersey . Hossa was near the boards at centre ice and had just turned and passed the puck when Torres left his skates and delivered a late shot with his shoulder that knocked Hossa to the ice. Hossa was down for about five minutes as medical personnel rushed immediately to his side, and then was taken off of the ice. D Qwell Jackson Jerseys . The ATP confirmed the fine for unsportsmanlike conduct on Monday and said the Argentine player also was stripped of his 36,500 pounds ($57,350) in prize money. London police, meanwhile, said they were investigating a complaint of assault filed against Nalbandian, who was defaulted from Sundays match against Marin Cilic in the grasscourt Wimbledon warmup event. Brett Keisel Elite Jersey . A well-rested Federer beat American Mardy Fish 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Sunday, winning his second straight Cincinnati Masters championship and fourth overall. Blaine Gabbert Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to a four-year contract with second-round draft pick Alshon Jeffery.SUNRISE, Fla. _ Mark Recchi was happy to end his month-long scoring drought. And the fact it all but eliminated the division rival Florida Panthers from playoff contention made it even better. Recchis goal with 6:13 left in the third period helped the Atlanta Thrashers snap their five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over Florida on Thursday night. "You go through stretches like that unfortunately, said the 40-year-old Recchi, who hadnt scored since Feb. 23. "I used to be a little bit more consistent, but Im not quite the sniper I used to be. I still feel good out there and can still make plays." The loss damaged the Panthers playoff hopes. Florida has 81 points with four games remaining. Boston, which beat Toronto on Thursday, and Philadelphia are tied for the last two playoff spots with 88 points. Nathan Horton and Radek Dvorak scored for Florida, which lost its second in a row after going 8-0-1 in its previous nine games. Before losing to Atlanta, the Panthers lost at Tampa Bay. The Thrashers and Lightning have the two worst records in the Eastern Conference. "Its sad, especially this game at home," Panthers coach Jacques Martin said. "Tonight, in front of your fans, you get back, you still have an opportunity." What made the loss even more difficult to handle for Martin was a third-period scrum in front of the Atlanta net when the score was tied 1-1. Martin said the puck crossed the red line, but no goal was allowed and the play wasnt reviewed. "The monitor officials were sleeping," Martin said. "The monitor officials, thats their job to look at everything close to the net." Martin, along with his players, also pointed to Floridas inability to capitalize on the power play. Florida was 0-for-7, including a 5-on-3 for one minute early in the third period. "Maybe we have to keep things a little bit simpler," Florida captain Olli Jokinen said. "Sometimes the puck goes in, sometimes not, and tonight it definitely didnt go our way. But weve still got to keep working and generate chances." Atlanta, which was 0-for-4 on the power play, got two goals by Bobby Holik, including an empty-netter in the final minute that made it 3-1. Dvorak then scored with 1.9 seconds left. The Thrashers, who won for only the third time in their past 18 games, already have been eliminated from playoff contention. "If youre out of it, at least you go out there aand play with pride," Recchi said. Elvis Dumervil Womens Jersey. "They had to run the board, we knew that. Its a good feeling. I only know a couple guys over there. I feel bad for them but not for the team." The victory snapped Atlantas 10-game road losing streak. It was the Thrashers first road win in regulation since a 2-0 shutout of Washington on Feb. 2. "Was that the past season or was it the current season?" Holik asked jokingly. Because of the power plays, Florida outshot Atlanta 45-28. Atlantas Kari Lehtonen stopped 43 shots. Tomas Vokoun made 25 saves for Florida. Recchis game-winning goal came after Bryan Little poked the puck away from defenceman Karlis Skrastins deep in the Florida zone. Little grabbed the loose puck behind the net and centred a pass to Recchi, who one-timed it in from the front of the crease. "It was a good forecheck," Recchi said. "He stuck with it, then he made a great backhand pass." The teams were tied at 1 going into the third period before Horton missed a great opportunity to give Florida the lead. After taking a cross-ice pass from Jokinen on a power play, Horton missed a wide-open net when his wrist shot grazed off the near post. "I tried to get it at the net as quickly as I could, I didnt look to see where the net was," Horton said. "Obviously, its tough and Id like to have that back." Atlantas Eric Perrin had a breakaway later in the third period, but his backhand from a sharp angle went wide across the net. Horton didnt miss when he had a breakaway at 9:46 of the second period. His backhand off a deke beat Lehtonen to tie the game. Holik gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead with 7.2 seconds left in the first period when he put in the rebound off Ilya Kovalchuks turnaround slap shot. Florida dominated that period, taking advantage of four power plays to fire off 13 consecutive shots at one point. "You look at where we are, this basically took us out of (any) chance," Vokoun said. "Its tough, no question about that. Against a team like that, playing at home, to lose a game in the position that we were, its tough." Notes: Atlanta C Erik Christensen missed his fourth consecutive game because of a knee injury. . Florida leads the season series 4-3, with the last meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Atlanta. The Thrashers have won the season series the past three years. . This was Atlantas first game since last Friday. ' ' '