Day: June 7, 2020

* Caldwell was killed in ‘targeted’ robbery attempt, mother says * Tampa native played seven NFL seasons after starring at FloridaDonald ‘Reche’ Caldwell, a wide receiver who played seven NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Washington after a decorated career at the University of Florida, was shot and killed in what has been described as a ‘targeted’ robbery attempt on Saturday night in Tampa, his mother confirmed to TMZ. He was 41.Tampa police, who did not publicly identify the shooting victim after responding to the call late Saturday night, said the incident “does not appear to be a random actâ€�.“He was set up,â€� Caldwell’s mother, Deborah, told the Tampa Bay Times. “I’m going to follow it all the way to the end. … You get killed right here in your hometown? You made a statement here, and y’all just took it away from us?â€�Caldwell was selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft and played three seasons in San Diego before signing with New England, where he became Tom Brady’s most prolific wideout in 2006 with a team-high 760 receiving yards – only to be released after dropping two passes in a 38-34 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game that helped cost the Patriots a trip to the Super Bowl.He retired from football after a one-year stint with Washington with 152 receptions for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in 71 career games.Caldwell’s younger brother, Andre, who played eight pro seasons with Cincinnati and Denver, told ESPN The Magazine that he believed Reche was permanently wounded by his abrupt ending with the Patriots, saying: “The way the game kicked him to the curb like an unwanted stepchild hurt him mentally and haunted him.â€�A number of Caldwell’s former teammates offered tributes on social media as the news of his passing spread on Sunday.Wes Welker, who played alongside Caldwell in San Diego and New England, tweeted: “Reche’s smile and attitude were contagious! My thoughts and prayers go out to Bubba Caldwell and his family!â€�> So sad to hear this! Reche’s smile and attitude were contagious! My thoughts and prayers go out to Bubba Caldwell and his family! https://t.co/CXBUdKGFJk> > — Wes Welker (@WesWelker) June 7, 2020Added former New England teammate Benjamin Watson: ‘Always kept us laughing and light hearted. Always had the biggest smile. Always had the greatest stories. Sad to hear about the passing of my teammate Reche Caldwell. May the Lord comfort his family during this time.â€�

Liam Eichenberg’s decision to return to school wasn’t much of a decision. Notre Dame’s left tackle said at an ordinary November mid-week news conference that he planned on coming back for his fifth year instead of declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft, in which he was highly likely of being selected. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the No. 5 offensive tackle prospect in the 2021 draft.

This might surprise a lot of Derek Carr’s biggets critics.

Is it too early for a 2021 NFL mock draft? What a silly question. It’s never too early for a good mock draft.Bleacher Report published a way-too-early 2021 mock draft this week that had the Chicago Bears picking eighth overall and selecting Stanford offensive tackle Walker Little.

Allen Robinson detailed his quarantine workout routine in a recent appearance on Allex Rollins’ Youtube channel.

Former Cincinnati Bengals standout Ken Riley, who was later a head coach and athletic director at his alma mater Florida A&M, died Sunday, the university announced. Riley played 15 seasons for the Bengals as a defensive back, with 65 career interceptions for 596 yards and five touchdowns – all franchise records. Before his NFL career, Riley was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Rattlers.