4B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2008
GORDON (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Gordon said he never feared not finding a spot on an NFL roster, as he believed he had the skills to compete at the professional level. Shortly after the draft, Gordon said he and his agent talked with a dozen NFL teams, but the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Vikings were the three that he remembered showing the most interest. Ultimately, Gordon chose the Vikings because he felt they offered the best opportunity for his career.
Gordon said money was not a major factor in his decision, as he was more concerned about playing time. He said the Vikings were "the right fit" because he would be guaranteed a chance to compete for a job and have a chance to get on the field, which other teams never promised.
When Vikings training camp began, Gordon said he was doing well and thought he would have a spot on the 53-man roster, before he was sidelined with yet another injury, a tear of the meniscus in his left knee. The tear of his left knee cartilage would force Gordon to sit out in training camp and join the Vikings practice squad for the first half of the season.
He said while the practice squad was not something he had hoped for, it did benefit him. Gordon was able to nurse his knee back to full health while sharpening his skills.
On Nov. 7, 2006, Gordon was finally called up to the active roster.
"I got the chance to be 100 percent and learn the ins and outs of the Vikings defense and whole system," Gordon said. "I got to work
He said at that point he was feeling completely healthy and that regular Vikings cornerback, Fred Smoot, had a personal commitment that prevented him from playing in the Nov. 12 game against
goal is to crack the starting lineup constantly"
Gordon said his career in Minnesota has been good and
"The goal was to get drafted and it hurt that I wasn't."
CHARLES GORDON
Former KU football player
the Green Bay Packers.
Since 2006, Gordon has remained on the Vikings active roster. Some might think making the transition to professional football would be difficult, but Gordon said besides the speed of the game, everything else is pretty similar to other levels of football.
"It's just football to me, it comes natural," Gordon said. "It just boils down to can you execute the game plan better than the other team. I think I do it as well as anyone else and can produce for my team."
Gordon said he felt established in the Vikings organization and was happy his role had gotten bigger. However, he said he still has things he needs to work on.
"Every day, people are coming to try and take my position," Gordon said. "Just like at KU, I have to prove myself, I'm not satisfied. The
that has to do with the team's chemistry. He said he thought the team took a step in right direction with a five-game winning streak towards the end of last season against the Oakland Raiders, Super
Bowl champions New York Giants, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears. Gordon said he thought the Vikings could make a real push towards the playoffs and a Super Bowl win in the next few years. Team chemistry has also resulted in strong friendships between teammates, such as Gordon and fellow Viking Cedric Griffin.
Gordon said NFL players are just like any average Joe. He said they clown around in the locker room just like high school athletes would.
"We play the same spot and are battling for the same job," Gordon said. "But there is still a good friendship there."
While Gordon is no longer on the University football roster, he said he was there in spirit and talked with some of the team before the Orange Bowl earlier this year.
"All the people who looked up to
me when I was playing were calling me and asking for advice, so I felt like I was on the team," Gordon said. "Some of them learned skills from me and I was happy for them watching the game. It touched me that they won because no one besides the team thought they were going to win."
Gordon said he still paid attention to the football program and has been happy with how it has been improving since his departure.
"They are starting to get better recruits in and they are playing well as a team," Gordon said. "They
stepped up and are closing the gap between the competition."
He said the University's football program could be considered a top team in the nation.
The Orange Bowl win and
"At KU. I played corner, receiver, multiple positions. I learned how to play out of position and be comfortable," Gordon said. "I learned more from the game in college, like the ins and outs of corner."
"He is just a play-maker," Renrof said. "Whether it was
Adam Renfo, Lawrence junior, grew up watching KU football, from the Glen Mason era, the Terry Allen era and the present. He said Gordon will always be a highlight in KU football history.
"Some of them learned skills from me and I was happy for them watching the game."
knowledge of the game prepared him for his NFL game.
CHARLES GORDON
Former KU football player
an 11-1 season record last year has silenced some of Kansas' critics and has earned Coach Mark Mangino some praise. Gordon said Mangino's
ing a pass on offense, intercepting a pass on defense, or returning a punt return for a touchdown, he made plays. He may not be the fastest player KU has ever had or the biggest, but he was one of our
Gordon said he has been able to apply what he learned from college football in the professional level,
great play-makers."
but that Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress had a much different style than Coach Mangino.
He said Childress allowed the team to do what they wanted but let them know when improvement was needed.
"Coach Mangino is always in your face while Coach Childress is more calm and relaxed," Gordon said.
Currently, Gordon is preparing for the upcoming NFL season in Lawrence while he finishes his degree this semester. He said he stays on top of his game by training with KU strength coach Chris Dawson on a regular basis. Gordon said it felt normal to be back in Lawrence, but admitted it was hard to get back to "school form" at first.
Gordon said he does get recognized while on campus, although one student didn't believe who he was and said he was "too small to be Charles Gordon."
Those who disagree with Gordon's decision to go pro a year early aren't getting under his skin.
"I gave a lot to the program," Gordon said. "It took a lot out of me and I wanted the chance to pursue my dream."
MLB
Gordon's career NFL statistics
-Edited by Samuel Lamb
Royals aquire pitcher from Rockies
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Righthander Ramon Ramirez was acquired Wednesday by the Kansas City Royals from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named.
Manager Trey Hillman said Ramirez would be on the Royals' opening day roster as a late-inning reliever.
Games Tackles Interceptions Kick/Punt Returns Return Yards 8 14 0 1 1 16 39 1 2 48
"We're optimistic about that," Moore said. "The way I understand it, it's just a mild strain and he's just kind of day-to-day right now. When somebody has any type of strain to the lower part of their body as a pitcher, you want to be careful because the next thing you know it could lead to something else."
The Royals also traded outfielder-first baseman Justin Huber to San Diego for a player to be named, and assigned right-handers Roman Colon and Chin-hui Tsao and catcher Ken Huckaby to minor league camp.
"We like his stuff, we like his power and we like his pitch-ability in late innings," Hillman said. "It's supposed to be very electric."
"He's a guy with a power arm," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "We felt we needed to acquire somebody with some power from the right side to go along with (Leo) Nunez and some other guys we have in there. It's a good fit for us right now. We feel he's a guy who would impact our bulbnet.
Right-hander Hideo Nomo, who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005, was setback by straining his groin against San Diego on Tuesday night.
The 26-year-old Ramirez, once one of the top prospects in Colorado's system, set team rookie reliever records with a 3.46 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 61 appearances in 2006. He opened his career in the majors with 15 1-3 consecutive scoreless innings and finished his rookie year 4-3.
Nomo, a non-roster invite signed to a minor-league contract, was a bullpen candidate after going 1-0 with a 4.80 ERA in seven spring games.
Kansas City also designated left-hander Jorge De La Rosa for assignment and optioned right-hander Kyle Davies to Triple-A Omaha, clearing the way for left-hander John Bale and right-hander Brett Tomko to get the final two spots in the rotation.
De La Rosa was a candidate to fill one of the final two spots in Kansas City's rotation, but he had a spring ERA of 8.03 and allowed four runs
But Ramirez struggled with an elbow injury last season, going 2-2 with an 8.31 ERA in 22 games for Colorado. He was 4-0 with a 2.28 ERA in 25 appearances for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ramon Ramirez delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals. Ramirez acquired by the Kansas City Royals from the Rockies on Wednesday, for a player to be named.
in four innings his last outing.
Davies, who was acquired in a trade in July with Atlanta for Octavio Dotel, was 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in three exhibition games.
Huber came up through the Mets organization as a catcher, but switched to outfield and first base after being traded to Kansas City in 2004.
"For us, the way our club was shaping up, we just didn't see any opportunity for him to be on our team and he's out of options. I wish we had more time because he had a terrific spring. We think he's going to be a good hitter. It just didn't work out. We wish we could have had opportunity for him, but we don't."
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BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
This team is certainly close. Outside the locker room, the players are rarely too far away from each other, hanging out in each other's apartments at Jayhawker Towers or playing video games together. Sometimes Rodrick Stewart walks to class with a couple of his teammates. Sometimes it's four of them. And sometimes, the whole team walks together.
Stewart knows first-
hand how good it feels to have close teammates.
When his a d op ted brother was murdered a month ago, they all com-
forted him and Darnell
"Nobody goes hungry on this team or has to worry about not having enough in their pocket."
ed help.
KU's chemistry manifests itself on the basketball court nearly every
"Anytime Darrell or somebody is out to get some food," he said, "they'll be like, 'Yo D, you want something to eat?' And I'll be like, 'Yea,' and they'll get something to eat. Nobody goes hungry on this team or has to worry about not having enough in their pocket."
Jackson, whose cousin was murdered on the same day. Teammates try to help out for smaller matters, too. When Collins had surgery on his ankle in November, Stewart and a few others were in his room all day talking to him and watching TV.
DARNELL JACKSON Senior Forward
Jackson said he could always count on the other guys if he need
game. Almost no team in the country is as unselfish as the Jayhawks. Seven players have led the team in scoring for at least one game this season.
Stewart said the seniors protect that balance. They tell the
underclassmen before every game to not be distracted by anything other than getting the victory.
On Friday, Kansas will be playing in the Sweet 16 for the second straight season. The Jayhawks lost in the first round against Bradley the year before they made it to the second weekend last season. Most of this year's group has been together since that loss to Bradley, and Rush thinks that the closeness they've gained since then has helped them become more experienced successful now.
"If somebody has the hot hand," Stewart said, "it's great for them, but at the same time we have 10 guys who can go out there and do the same thing. The only thing that matters is us and the name on the front of your jersey."
"We're definitely different from my freshman year," he said. "We just know what we have to do."
Judging by the mood in the locker room now, Self doesn't have to worry about nerves anymore. The players have been through personal problems and tough games during the last two to three years. They know how to play together and act in these situations.
During Rush's freshman year, the team didn't quite know how to act. Kansas coach Bill Self said he could sense the pressure and anxiety in KU's locker room before the game against Bradley.
"It's such a loose group," Self said. "We don't have to spend time telling them to relax. It's more like guys, focus."
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Edited by Jared Duncan
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