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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Overlooked find teams

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

New York Jets first-round pick Mark Sanchez threw out the ceremonial first pitch at yesterday's Florida Marlins-New York Mets game.

JOHN DUNN | Associated Press

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Chase Daniel

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Quarterbacks Graham Harrell and Chase Daniel, and running back Ian Johnson, all passed over in this past weekend's NFL Draft, found teams yesterday.

  • Harrell, formerly of Texas Tech, has agreed to attend the Cleveland Browns' rookie minicamp this weekend.

    The record-setting passer does not have a contract with the team.

    "Yes, he will participate in the minicamp," agent Chad Speck said in an e-mail. The Browns would not confirm inviting Harrell to the minicamp, which runs from Friday through Sunday.

    Harrell threw an NCAA-record 134 touchdown passes. More impressive was his completion percentage — above 70 in two 5,000-yard seasons.

    Cleveland already has Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson and Brett Ratliff on the roster at quarterback.

  • Daniel, a former Missouri standout, agreed to terms with the Washington Redskins.

    Daniel is expected to join the Redskins for minicamp this weekend. He will likely enter training camp in July battling former University of Hawai'i star Colt Brennan for the third-string job behind starter Jason Campbell and backup Todd Collins.

    Daniel had 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and finished fourth in the Heisman balloting as a junior in 2007. This year, he had 39 touchdowns and 18 interceptions and was hindered by a sprained ligament on his right thumb late in the season.

  • Johnson, a former Boise State star, signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He will participate in the team's rookie minicamp starting Friday at Winter Park.

    Johnson rushed for 4,183 yards and a Western Athletic Conference-record 58 touchdowns in his career.

    He said the fact that the Vikings have Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor did not discourage him.

    "The Vikings couldn't justify taking a running back (in the draft) with what they have already," Johnson said. "But it's a place I can definitely fit in if I come through free agency. I'm going to be the hardest-working guy out there. I'm going to learn this offense as fast as I can so I will be an asset for this team. I will be the best pickup the Vikings made this year."

    Johnson perhaps is most well known for scoring the winning two-point conversion on a Statue of Liberty play in overtime to give Boise State a 43-42 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, and proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend after the game.

    OBITUARY

    FORMER CHIEFS COACH GANSZ DIES AT AGE 70

    Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Frank Gansz, who spent much of his NFL and collegiate career working with special teams, died yesterday at a Dallas hospital.

    SMU spokesman Brad Sutton said Gansz developed complications after undergoing knee replacement surgery last week and died yesterday afternoon. Gansz had been special teams coach for the Mustangs last year.

    "In his over 30 years in football, Frank was a tremendous coach, a beloved teacher and an outstanding person," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "He will be missed."

    SMU head coach June Jones, a former University of Hawai'i head coach, said he was saddened by Gansz's death.

    "Frank has been a second father to me for the past 30 years and he has touched the lives of many, both at SMU and throughout the National Football League," Jones said in a statement.

    Gansz, who was 70, coached for 38 years, 24 in the NFL. He was head coach of the Chiefs from 1987-88. He also was an assistant for the Chiefs twice before taking over the head coaching job. Other stops included special teams coordinator for Jacksonville, Atlanta, St. Louis and Detroit, as well as stints at Philadelphia, Cincinnati and San Francisco.

    Gansz also was on the coaching staffs at the Air Force Academy, UCLA, Oklahoma State, Army, Navy and Colgate.

    ELSEWHERE

    Recovery road: Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry has been upgraded to fair condition in a South Carolina hospital. The 46-year-old Perry has been hospitalized for two weeks to deal with complications from Guillain-Barre (gee-LAN' bah-RAY') Syndrome, a chronic inflammation disorder of the peripheral nerves. He had previously been listed in serious condition.

    Chargers: Linebacker Shaun Phillips was cited for misdemeanor battery for allegedly striking a security guard in the face at a San Diego hotel early Sunday morning. It is Phillips' second run-in with the law in three seasons. San Diego Police spokeswoman Monica Munoz said Phillips was not arrested. Phillips led the Chargers with 7 1/2 sacks last season.

    Dolphins: Quarterback John Beck has been released by Miami two years after he was taken in the second round of the NFL draft. The move wasn't a surprise after Miami acquired West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the second round of the draft Saturday. Beck did not play last year under new coach Tony Sparano.

    Bengals: Running back Chris Perry was released by Cincinnati, which also was prepared to cut ties with offensive tackle Levi Jones, another former first-round pick. Both have been hampered by injuries.