Tag Archives: omaha nighthawks

NFL, ufl

Davis, Chris (WR)

Card: Playoff Contenders 2007
Acquired: 3/6/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

During his time with the Florida Seminoles, Chris Davis recorded 137 receptions for 1842 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his senior season in 2006 Chris played in the Senior Bowl and finished among the elite receivers and returners in FSU history.

A dynamic weapon with the versatility to play wide receiver and return kicks, Chris Davis uses his 5-foot-10 frame to his advantage, running precise routes and making quick cuts. His elusiveness makes him dangerous after the catch and in the open field as a returner. In pre-draft workouts, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, bench pressed 291 pounds and recorded a 36-inch vertical jump. The Titans selected him with their second of two fourth-round picks (128th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft. Through his first two NFL seasons, he appeared in 17 games and totaled seven receptions for 69 yards, 33 punt returns for 299 yards (9.1 avg.) and six kickoff returns for 156 yards (26.0 avg.).

In 2010, Chris signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and also saw time on the roster of the Giants as well. Eventually Chris signed with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL later that year, but was released. In 2011 he signed with the Omaha Nighthawks where he currently remains on their roster.

NFL, ufl

Bing, Darnell

Card: Topps Total 2006
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2010

A physical specimen, Bing declared early and entered the draft and was picked by the Raiders in the 4th round of the 2006 draft. Rex Ryan was confident he could find a place for Bing, but Darnell proved to be a difficult tweener to place because  as an in-line safety  he lacked the hip fluidity to play deep routes. Ryan however felt that they could utilize the athlete at outside linebacker and he was transitioned into the position.  After injuring his neck in 2006, he’d lose his season to injured reserve. Bing would be moved back to his native safety position for 2007 but be cut by the Raiders. He’d be picked up off of waivers by the 49ers and ended the season on the practice squad. In 2008 Bing would be signed by the Jets and subsequently released. The Lions would sign Bing, who once again thought that Darnell was a linebacker, where he’d would make 5 tackles on the active roster of the Lions. He’d be cut during the 2009 season. Signed by the Texans in 2009, he spent the next season on the practice squad. An injury during training camp would end his 2010, and in early 2011 he was cut again and is currently a free agent. A physically chiseled athlete, the knock on Darnell is that he looked like Tarzan but hits like Jane. Perhaps a year or two in the UFL will help him refine his skills but at this time his current plans are not known.

-UPDATE- 4/26/11 What a call. The UFL announced their ‘protected player list’- (which amounts to a supplemental draft of veterans from the NFL who were cut from squads that the teams want) and Bing was among the names selected by the Omaha Nighthawks today.

NFL, ufl

Moats, Ryan

Card: Playoff Prestige 2005
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2009
See Also: Ryan Moats (2)

I bleed Houston football colors, whether it is the Oilers or Texans, so when I go to an art school it’s desperate times to find other fellow football fans, little less Texans. Teacher assisting Digital Design at school during the fall of last year, it came as quite a surprise to not only find 2 fans in the class, but one of them was related to a player on the Texans. When he asked me if I knew who his brother was, I immediately rambled off nearly his whole draft card. Over the next few months I pulled the student through the class and in appreciation for what I did, he had his brother send me an autographed ball and some equipment. My friendship with the student would grow, and he and I would watch all the Texans games on TV. His brother in appreciation for being such a big fan got about 60 cards for me signed. He told me it was no big deal, (because all the players harassed each other when I didn’t have their card), and he’d do it again but I’d have to provide him with every player’s card. Later we’d even sit down and watch the playoffs where the player painstakingly answered all my NFL questions.

Ryan Moats was originally drafted by Philadelphia Eagles in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft.  In his 5 years since, Moats has been a reliable RB presence, but has always found himself in a numbers game, playing for the Eagles, Cardinals, Texans and Vikings. In his best pro game to date, (2009) Moats came off the bench against Buffalo and had 126 yards on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns. Moats was signed by the Vikings in 2010 where he was reunited with former coach Brad Childress from Philadelphia in Minnesota. Unfortunately caught in a numbers game he’d be released by the Vikings during final cuts.