Former FAMU Rattlers Sylvester signs with Atlanta Falcons

Marianna, FL - Former Marianna Bulldogs football star Philip Sylvester has signed a contract with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, and will participate in the team’s training camp in hopes of making the final 53-man roster.

Sylvester, who spent the last four seasons playing for the FAMU Rattlers, wasn’t selected in the April NFL Draft, but was offered a free agent contract by the Falcons on Monday, and then left for Atlanta on Tuesday.

Efforts to contact Sylvester were unsuccessful, but the speedy running back’s former high school coach Don Dowling said he couldn’t be happier to see the mild-mannered former Bulldog get his shot.

“It’s a big deal. Someone mentioned to me that he was my first former player to sign an NFL contract, which I thought was pretty cool,” said Dowling, now the head coach at Sneads. “He’s one of those kids who deserve it. He has worked hard his entire career, and he’s a great kid. Back at Marianna, you wouldn’t have even known he was some big-time running back in the hallways. He’s just a regular kid.

READ MORE

Former S.C. State Bulldogs to get their rightful recognition

CHARLIE BROWN PLAYED in a couple of Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins and has a pair of rings to show for it. He also had a 1,000-yard receiving season in the NFL during his six-year career.

Still, the one-time South Carolina State standout carries a couple of beefs with him. He believes his beloved Bulldogs were slighted in 1980 when they were not invited to play in the Division I-AA playoffs, and two of his fingers have never been fitted for the pair of national black college championships S.C. State won while he was there.

Brown can never rectify the 1980 NCAA ruling, but he will right the latter wrong Friday night when members of the 1976 and 1980 coaching staffs and players will be presented with national championship rings.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Wide receiver Eric Weems fights for position

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA -- Wide receiver Eric Weems made the Falcons' roster last season and played in all 16 games. He also won the punt- and kickoff-return jobs. With Harry Douglas returning from knee surgery and the drafting of rookie Kerry Meier, Weems, who signed in 2007 as an undrafted free agent from Bethune-Cookman, knows he's in another battle to make the roster.

"My mindset is to always compete," Weems said. "No job out here is safe. I'm going to go out here and fight hard every day." Weems averaged 25.3 yards on 48 kickoff returns, which was ninth in the NFL for players with 30 or more returns. Tampa Bay's Clifton Smith was tops in the league with a 29.1 average. Weems averaged 10 yards on 27 punt returns, which was 10th in the league for returners with 25 or more returns. Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson led the league with a 15.2 average.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.