Defensively, there’s a lot to improve on from last fall, but plenty to be optimistic about as well. Senior cornerback Anthony Robey leads a secondary that loses a number of starters from a secondary that was one of the least productive in the nation in 2013.
The good news? Reinforcements arrived this offseason in the form of seven additions on Signing Day, including junior college transfer Alex Wells, who should see early time at safety. All Temple football games to be aired on 97.5 The Fanatic. See Temple’s schedule for dates and times.

The Giants wanted to use this preseason to work out the kinks in their new offensive system and get it running smoothly for the regular-season opener three weeks from tomorrow in Detroit. But the unit has sputtered. The Giants are 3-0, but in 11 possessions in which all or most of their offensive starters played, they have punted eight times and lost a fumble. The offense had just one sustained drive, an 80-yarder on the second possession vs. Buffalo that ended with Andre Williams’ 3-yard touchdown run. The only other first-team touchdown was Rashad Jennings’ 73-yard run last week against Pittsburgh.

Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham was a solid but unspectacular performer during his first four years as a Giant. Against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, Mannnigham caught a spectacular 38-yard pass from Eli Manning with four minutes left in the fourth quarter that kept a drive alive and helped Big Blue win its second title in four years.

The Eagles picked up running back Darren Sproles in offseason for many reasons. The former New Orleans Saint is fast, shifty and smart. Sproles, who broke a lot Eagles hearts at the end of their playoff game with his 39-yard kickoff return, setting up kicker Shayne Graham’s winning boot, believes his role will be the same now that he is in Eagles green.

Gym Source Villanova owner Brian Lange talks about his passion for chocolate pudding as a youth and his new affection for chocolate protein pudding, Power Pak Pudding produced by Maximum Human Performance (MHP) and available at GNC stores, bodybuilding.com other fine outlets where supplements are sold including mhpstrong.com

Josh Brown and Brandon McManus will be among the first subjects in the NFL’s semi-grand summer extra point experiment.

The league is pushing back the line of scrimmage for PATs to the 15-yard line, beginning Sunday in the Hall of Fame Game and continuing through the second week of the preseason. The ball is normally snapped from the two-yard line, which will remain the starting point for two-point conversions.

Footballstories announces its preseason 2014 Top 20 high school football team from Southeastern PA and South Jersey and Top 10 Teams from Delaware. Look for updates weekly during the season.

Following their Super Bowl XLVII victory, the Baltimore Ravens turned in a disappointing 8-8 record in 2013 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Second-year offensive tackle Justin Pugh said the Giants linemen are cognizant of maintaining the franchise’s traditionally strong play up front in the wake of Chris Snee’s retirement last week.
“We definitely have to step up,” Pugh said. “I think just from the way we played last year, it is obvious that we have to step up and play well, protect the quarterback. Obviously, there’s that tradition that’s been there with those guys and them not being here…”

The Back-to-Back American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul (9-9) will attempt to make their third consecutive trip to the ArenaBowl when they kick off the 2014 Playoffs this Saturday, August 2 at the Quicken Loans Arena against the Cleveland Gladiators (17-1) at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.