Cooper Is Firmly at the Controls for Howard Bison

Video Games Help LB Develop Plan of Attack

Before he would entrust his defense to Endor Cooper, Howard coordinator Andre Creamer wanted to make certain the senior middle linebacker fully understood all of its nuances. The two men spent countless hours going over the playbook, watching film together and discussing defensive strategies. But it wasn't until they sat down in front of a television and played football video games that Creamer became convinced that Cooper grasped every aspect.

By manipulating the outcome of the game, Creamer was able to throw every scenario he could think of at Cooper. Trailing 21-17 with four minutes to go: What's the plan? The opponent just went to a hurry-up offense: How do you react? Each time, Creamer allowed Cooper to work through the situation, to make mistakes and to learn from them.

Howard University Bison 2008 Team Photo.

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Howard University 'Show-Time' Marching Band

Former UK QB Pulley debuts at FAMU practice

Curtis Pulley wants to make a transformation in his personal and football lives. FAMU football coach Joe Taylor is giving him a chance to at least try. Pulley was expected to be a contender for the starting quarterback position at the University of Kentucky, but he was dismissed from the team on Aug. 5 for run-ins with the law. He began his career as a Rattler on Wednesday and took his first snaps Thursday afternoon.

"This is a big second chance for me," Pulley said after alternating snaps with starter Eddie Battle. "It's a fresh start." Pulley didn't practice in pads and will not do so until early next week. FAMU opens the season on Aug. 30 against Alabama State. The wheels to bring Pulley to FAMU started spinning about two weeks ago, Taylor said. Pulley's uncle, Lonnie Pulley, already has a connection to FAMU through athletic director Bill Hayes, who coached Lonnie Pulley at Winston-Salem State.

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FCS (1-AA) Football: A major road to the NFL

When Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was taken as the 16th pick of the NFL draft on Saturday, it was a fitting culmination of a journey that began on what might have looked like a bumpy, unpaved road to nowhere. Rodgers-Cromartie wasn't on the college radar when he was graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School in 2004. He decided to play for Tennessee State University, a Division I-AA program in Nashville.

Not a bad choice. Division I-AA may not be the big time, but it has a long history of pumping star players into the NFL. Many of the cornerbacks that signed with Division I-A schools that year will be watching Rodgers-Cromartie play football on Sunday this fall.

Doesn't matter where you play your college ball. As the list of Division I-AA alumni in the NFL proves, talent is a difficult secret to keep.

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Long escapes serious injury during S.C. State scrimmage

Photo: Quarterback Malcolm Long #7.

It was a time for collective gasps and crossed fingers Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Rising sophomore quarterback Malcolm Long was writhing in pain on the ground after his legs buckled under him while running upfield during the team's scrimmage. Given all the anticipation the former South Carolina "Mr. Football" has built up since his arrival on campus, the sight of Long favoring his leg with any injury would top the list of nightmare scenarios for anyone affiliated with S.C. State football.

To the partial relief of Bulldog head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough, it was a pulled hamstring and nothing more serious.

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Grambling State makes recruiting moves in Florida

Grambling is pursuing linebacker Ellis St. John (5-11, 195) — a teammate at Robinson (Tampa, Fla.) High with quarterback Justin Le, who is considering Grambling, as well. St. John had 98 tackles last season, including four sacks, according to MaxPreps. Cornerbacks Nick Greene (5-7, 150) and Justin Williams (5-11, 171), both from Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) High, are also interested in Grambling. Greene, named honorable-mention All-Hillsborough County, is also interested Florida A&M, while Williams is also considering Colorado State.

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Jackson State receive commitment from Hinds CC 3 star player

The Jackson State football program is still pulling in verbal commitments despite losing a recruiting weekend to coach in the American Heritage Bowl on Saturday. Hinds Community College wide receiver Carlos Everett is one of the latest. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Webster, Florida native is rated a three-star junior college prospect with a 4.56 40-meter dash by Rivals.com.

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Copeland, Clarion Ledger, has indicated that Everett was being recruited by Florida State, but wasn't offered a scholarship.