Cougars appear on many NFL rosters
And then there were one, two and 18.
Eastern Washington University’s and the University of Idaho’s contributions to 2006 NFL opening-day rosters were cut in half compared to a year ago. Second-year pro Michael Roos is EWU’s lone NFL player, while Idaho is down to Cheney High grad Rick DeMulling and Lewiston High grad Jake Scott.
Washington State boosted its NFL representation to 18, up one from last year, with the addition of Hamza Abdullah (Denver) and rookie Jerome Harrison (Cleveland), offsetting Philadelphia’s release of Calvin Armstrong in late August.
Five years ago, EWU had three players on opening-day rosters, Idaho six and WSU 14.
Records watch
Ex-Cougars quarterback Drew Bledsoe continues to climb NFL all-time lists. He’s fifth in career attempts and completions, seventh in passing yardage and tied for 13th with John Hadl and Peyton Manning for touchdown passes. Bledsoe has more than 40,000 career passing yards, 10th all-time.
Former WSU kicker Jason Hanson is at 1,420 career points and counting as Detroit entertains Seattle today. He’s one of 17 players to reach 1,400 points. Hanson holds numerous team records, including field-goal accuracy inside 40 yards (216 of 225, 96 percent). He also has 16 game-winning field goals.
Safety Erik Coleman has started all 32 games of his pro career with the New York Jets – the same number of starts he made at WSU.
Former WSU defensive lineman Rob Meier had a career-high six sacks last season for Jacksonville, tops among AFC defensive tackles and third in the NFL.
Former Cougars linebacker James Darling recorded his second consecutive 100-tackle season in 2005. He made 106 stops for Arizona. He’s listed as a backup at middle linebacker entering 2006.
Notes
As expected, Roos has settled in as the starting left tackle for Tennessee. He started at right tackle nearly all last season. … DeMulling is listed as a backup at left guard with Detroit. Starter Ross Verba (hamstring) is listed as probable on the injury list. … Ex-WSU defensive lineman Rien Long (Achilles tendon), who led Tennessee with 17 quarterback pressures in 2005, is on injured reserve. Ex-Eagles receiver Eric Kimble (Achilles tendon) is on Miami’s PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Former Cougars offensive lineman Nick Mihlhauser is on San Diego’s practice squad. … The Montreal Alouettes have a strong Inland Northwest influence. Ex-Cougars D.D. Acholonu and Brian Chiu and former Eagles Luke Fritz, Lamont Brightful and Dario Romero are with the CFL team. Ex-Eagles Bashir Levingston (Toronto), Ryan Phillips (B.C.), ex-Cougars Adam Braidwood (Edmonton) and Singor Mobley (Edmonton), and former Vandal J.R. Ruffin (Calgary) are also in the CFL. … Ex-Cougar Devard Darling didn’t have a catch last season, but he led Baltimore in the preseason with eight receptions.