Blue and Gold Illustrated

IRISH IN THE PROS about some day much later. He's a friend, he's been an important person for me in my baseball career. So it's a little different in that sense." When Counsell leads the Brewers in 2016, it's unclear whether Murphy will be in an opposite dugout, back to the minor leagues or at his former player's side. Regardless, Counsell will carry with him Murphy's formative lessons from more than 20 years ago. NFL NOTES • Former Irish wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (2011‑13) was cut by the Minnesota Vikings in late August after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent last spring. Two days later, the New England Patriots signed Daniels to their squad. • Kyle Brindza (2011‑14) impressed with his kicking and punting abilities so much during the preseason that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded tight end Tim Wright (six touchdowns in 2014) to the Detroit Lions just to acquire him. With an unsettled kicking situation late in camp, Tampa Bay added Brindza after the rookie made all three of his field goal attempts during the first three preseason games (one of 49 yards and another at 51) as well as three punts with an average distance of 50.7 yards. • Chicago Bears backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2007‑09) suffered a concussion in the team's third preseason game. Clausen, who was hit by Cincinnati Bengals line‑ backer P.J. Dawson while attempting to slide, was pronounced concussion‑free by the Bears following the contest. Clausen, however, experienced delayed symptoms, which the team announced the next day. After replacing starter Jay Cutler with an impres‑ sive Week 16 performance in 2014, Clausen missed the season's final game after suffering a concussion then as well. • Jacksonville Jaguars star tight end Julius Thomas will miss the first three regular‑season games after undergoing wrist surgery, opening up some opportu‑ nities for the rest of the team's tight ends, including rookie Ben Koyack (2011‑14). Koyack caught four passes for 17 yards in the Jag‑ uars' first three preseason games and, as a seventh‑ round pick, was on the bubble to make Jacksonville's final roster. • Defensive lineman Kapron Lewis‑Moore (2008‑12) was projected to make the Baltimore Ravens' roster as a backup defensive tackle. He missed each of his first two NFL seasons while rehabbing injuries, the first of which he originally suffered in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game loss to Alabama. ✦ George Atkinson (2011‑13) RB Oakland Raiders Robert Blanton (2008‑11) DB Minnesota Vikings Kyle Brindza (2011‑14) K/P Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sergio Brown (2006‑09) S Jacksonville Jaguars David Bruton (2005‑08) S Denver Broncos Braxston Cave (2008‑12) C Detroit Lions Jimmy Clausen (2007‑09) QB Chicago Bears DaVaris Daniels (2011‑13) WR New England Patriots IRISH IN THE NFL Through Aug. 23 Name (Years At Notre Dame) Pos. Current Team

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