Post by lionsroar on Apr 5, 2008 6:34:27 GMT -5
Lions' Shoemake just loving the game
Defensive tackle missed his shot with the Browns
BY LUKE BRIETZKE --
Elbert Shoemake II knows his chances of getting another shot at the NFL are slim.
That's all right by him.
He has had his chance. While an injury derailed that opportunity, he's at peace with his current situation as the Columbus Lions star defensive tackle.
"I do have dreams, but being realistic about it, the chances are very slim," Shoemake said. "I'm really happy to play the arena game. In arena, you're doing it for love -- not for money."
Last summer, the Cleveland Browns extended a training camp invitation to Shoemake.
Before starting training camp, he learned that he had a hairline fracture to his femur and a bone bruise to the same leg.
Still, Shoemake was determined to give his NFL dreams a shot. He practiced through the pain for three days before accepting the injury wouldn't allow him to continue.
"It was real bad, man," Shoemake said. "I got to the point where I just couldn't go any more."
With football out of the picture last year, Shoemake started working in Indiana at a youth opportunity center. There, he tried to "get them steered back onto the right path."
Shoemake enjoyed working with children and plans to do so again once he gets better established in Columbus. As he tried to steer youngsters back on course, he did the same with his football career.
Shoemake, a Moss Point, Miss. native, wanted to return to the South and tried out for the Georgia Force, of the Arena Football League.
Lions coach Jason Gibson has a strong relationship with several members of the Force coaching staff and he was surprised to see Shoemake get cut on the final day of tryouts.
"They basically let him go because he was hurt," Gibson said. "They wanted to keep him as their fourth swing guy because of his versatility. To be honest, we just got lucky (in getting him)."
Shoemake has made an immediate impact for the Lions. Gibson said he's been the defense's most disruptive pass rusher.
Last week, Shoemake even reached the end zone. In the first quarter, Shoemake sacked Baltimore quarterback Dixie Wooten. As Shoemake hit Wooten, he jarred the ball loose, then scooped the bounce and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.
"It was kind of a funny feeling because I was almost in shock," Shoemake said. "I didn't expect the ball to pop up like it did. It was kind of a good feeling when I figured out what went on."
Shoemake is currently tied for the team-lead with 3.5 sacks. He'll look to build on that number on the road Saturday when the Lions face the Carolina Speed.
Notes : For the second consecutive week, Maurice Mullins is expected to start today in place of starting quarterback Joey Conrad. Mullins accounted for six touchdowns last week and has played very well as Conrad's replacement. Conrad separated his shoulder two weeks ago and will travel with the team this week as the backup quarterback. He could play if needed. Lions general manager Jeff Gonos said the decision to start Mullins again this week was partly because the team wants Conrad to sit until he's at full strength and partly because Mullins has played so well... . The Lions brought in two newcomers this week -- defensive back Turmarian Moreland and linebacker David Thomas. Gibson is excited about both players and expects both to be able to compete for playing time. Moreland played in college for Hawaii and Thomas played for Toledo. Neither player will travel this week, but both could be on the roster as early as next week... . Gonos said that with Cedric Ware returning this week, there's an unlikely battle for the 20th roster spot. Defensive lineman Atron Jackson and defensive back Mike Radan are battling over the final spot. While Jackson would provide much-needed depth along the defensive line, Radan's versatility makes him a valuable commodity. He is thought of as the team's fourth-best wide receiver -- a fast, playmaker type who can catch the ball but remains unpolished because of his inexperience at the position. He's also considered the fifth defensive back behind Keon Newson, Damian Daniels, Ware and Eddie Ravenell. Radan also serves as an emergency quarterback. He played some quarterback while he attended Missouri State... . Hunter Smith will again handle kicking duties this week since Wes Wilson is unable to make the trip to Carolina... . After Saturday, the Lions return for back-to-back home games, starting April 12.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/289276.html
Defensive tackle missed his shot with the Browns
BY LUKE BRIETZKE --
Elbert Shoemake II knows his chances of getting another shot at the NFL are slim.
That's all right by him.
He has had his chance. While an injury derailed that opportunity, he's at peace with his current situation as the Columbus Lions star defensive tackle.
"I do have dreams, but being realistic about it, the chances are very slim," Shoemake said. "I'm really happy to play the arena game. In arena, you're doing it for love -- not for money."
Last summer, the Cleveland Browns extended a training camp invitation to Shoemake.
Before starting training camp, he learned that he had a hairline fracture to his femur and a bone bruise to the same leg.
Still, Shoemake was determined to give his NFL dreams a shot. He practiced through the pain for three days before accepting the injury wouldn't allow him to continue.
"It was real bad, man," Shoemake said. "I got to the point where I just couldn't go any more."
With football out of the picture last year, Shoemake started working in Indiana at a youth opportunity center. There, he tried to "get them steered back onto the right path."
Shoemake enjoyed working with children and plans to do so again once he gets better established in Columbus. As he tried to steer youngsters back on course, he did the same with his football career.
Shoemake, a Moss Point, Miss. native, wanted to return to the South and tried out for the Georgia Force, of the Arena Football League.
Lions coach Jason Gibson has a strong relationship with several members of the Force coaching staff and he was surprised to see Shoemake get cut on the final day of tryouts.
"They basically let him go because he was hurt," Gibson said. "They wanted to keep him as their fourth swing guy because of his versatility. To be honest, we just got lucky (in getting him)."
Shoemake has made an immediate impact for the Lions. Gibson said he's been the defense's most disruptive pass rusher.
Last week, Shoemake even reached the end zone. In the first quarter, Shoemake sacked Baltimore quarterback Dixie Wooten. As Shoemake hit Wooten, he jarred the ball loose, then scooped the bounce and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.
"It was kind of a funny feeling because I was almost in shock," Shoemake said. "I didn't expect the ball to pop up like it did. It was kind of a good feeling when I figured out what went on."
Shoemake is currently tied for the team-lead with 3.5 sacks. He'll look to build on that number on the road Saturday when the Lions face the Carolina Speed.
Notes : For the second consecutive week, Maurice Mullins is expected to start today in place of starting quarterback Joey Conrad. Mullins accounted for six touchdowns last week and has played very well as Conrad's replacement. Conrad separated his shoulder two weeks ago and will travel with the team this week as the backup quarterback. He could play if needed. Lions general manager Jeff Gonos said the decision to start Mullins again this week was partly because the team wants Conrad to sit until he's at full strength and partly because Mullins has played so well... . The Lions brought in two newcomers this week -- defensive back Turmarian Moreland and linebacker David Thomas. Gibson is excited about both players and expects both to be able to compete for playing time. Moreland played in college for Hawaii and Thomas played for Toledo. Neither player will travel this week, but both could be on the roster as early as next week... . Gonos said that with Cedric Ware returning this week, there's an unlikely battle for the 20th roster spot. Defensive lineman Atron Jackson and defensive back Mike Radan are battling over the final spot. While Jackson would provide much-needed depth along the defensive line, Radan's versatility makes him a valuable commodity. He is thought of as the team's fourth-best wide receiver -- a fast, playmaker type who can catch the ball but remains unpolished because of his inexperience at the position. He's also considered the fifth defensive back behind Keon Newson, Damian Daniels, Ware and Eddie Ravenell. Radan also serves as an emergency quarterback. He played some quarterback while he attended Missouri State... . Hunter Smith will again handle kicking duties this week since Wes Wilson is unable to make the trip to Carolina... . After Saturday, the Lions return for back-to-back home games, starting April 12.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/289276.html
