Jayhawks In The NFL: Training Camp Update

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Former Kansas football players Josh Williams and Tim Biere signed free agent contracts this week bringing the total number of Jayhawks in NFL training camps to 13. Williams, a defensive lineman, joined the Chicago Bears, while Biere, a tight end, signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

The following is a brief update on how those 13 Jayhawks are doing in their various NFL training camps:

Tim Biere, TE, Atlanta Falcons: Biere signed a free agent contract with the Falcons over the weekend and quickly joined the team in training camp. Biere has been assigned jersey No. 48 and will look to find a spot on the roster serving as the back up to legendary tight end Tony Gonzalez. Biere was on the Kansas City Chiefs roster during training camp in 2012, but was released by the organization as they made their final roster cuts.

Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Washington Redskins: Briscoe is in a battle at wide receiver as the Redskins have a solid group of players in the mix at that position. According to Redskins.com, Briscoe got Wednesday’s 7-on-7 session started with a bang for the offense, hauling in a touchdown pass from Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III early in the drill.

Greg Brown, CB, San Diego Chargers: Brown, who will wear No. 43 for the Chargers, is looking to solidify a roster spot in the San Diego defensive backfield. He is one of nine cornerbacks in camp with the Chargers. Chargers.com breaks down the San Diego defensive backs in a profile here.

Anthony Collins, OL, Cincinnati Bengals: Collins, who has 18 starts under his belt with the Bengals, was listed as the backup left tackle on the team’s recently released depth chart. Collins and his fellow KU alum, Tanner Hawkinson, could receive some TV time as the Bengals will be the featured team on this year’s NFL’s Hard Knocks shown on HBO.

Chris Harris, CB, Denver Broncos: Harris is stepping up as a leader of the Broncos defense according to a BleacherReport.com article covering the organization’s training camp. Harris, who is entering his third NFL season, continues to see his stock rise each week.

Tanner Hawkinson, OL, Cincinnati Bengals: Hawkinson, who will get to keep his No. 72 from his KU playing days, is penciled in as the second string left guard on the Bengals newly released depth chart. Hawkinson played both tackle positions during his Kansas career, but could see playing time at any of the five offensive line positions with the Bengals as its been noted they drafted him based on his versatility.

Steven Johnson, LB, Denver Broncos: Johnson played primarily on special teams for the Broncos in 2012. He is looking to see increased playing time at the linebacker position and was credited with being one of the “biggest hitters” in camp as noted by DenverBroncos.com.

Bradley McDougald, S, Kansas City Chiefs: McDougald has had a good start at Chiefs training camp. According to a practice report for Thursday, Aug. 1 by the Kansas City Star. McDougald collected his first interception of training camp by picking off former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel.

Toben Opurum, FB, Kansas City Chiefs: Opurum is looking to find his niche on a roster just down the road from Lawrence in Kansas City with the Chiefs. Opurum began his collegiate career as a running back before being moved to defensive end/linebacker. He is suiting up as a fullback for the Chiefs after signing a contract with the club following a strong performance at their rookie mini-camp. Opurum was featured on KCChiefs.com. as one of three rookies on the squad with local ties.

Mike Rivera, LB, New England Patriots: Rivera, who trained at KU’s Anderson Family Football Complex during the offseason, earned one start with the Patriots in 2012. He is considered a versatile linebacker and a strong special teams player entering the 2013 season according to his profile of the New England linebackers by Patsfans.com.

Darrell Stuckey, S, San Diego Chargers: Stuckey, who is the Chargers’ “special teams ace”, has had a productive camp so far as he has been making plays all over the field according to an update in the San Diego Union Times. He is looked to expand his role on the defense in addition to starring for the Chargers on special teams.

Aqib Talib, S, New England Patriots: Talib signed a one-year contract with the Patriots in March and is set to have an excellent year in 2013. According to Musketfire.com, Talib has been a training camp standout. According to a recent article in the Boston Herald (http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/08/aqib_talib_showing_d_the_way), Talib has shown great leadership since joining the Patriots midway through the 2012 season—even earning one of 10 coveting front row parking spots at the team’s facility.

Josh Williams, DE, Chicago Bears: Williams attended the Bears rookie mini-camp in May. He was signed by the Bears on July 31 to a three-year free agent contract. He has been assigned No. 72 and is getting quickly acclimated at the Bears’ training camp which is held in Bourbonnais, Ill.

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