Friday, December 27, 2013
Falcons sign Canfield’s Baker
ATLANTA
The Atlanta Falcons have placed defensive tackle Corey Peters on injured reserve and signed safety Sean Baker, a 2007 Canfield High graduate, and defensive tackle Adam Replogle to the active roster.
Baker was originally signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a college free agent out of Ball State following the 2012 NFL Draft.
He was signed to the Falcons practice squad on Oct. 22. Baker set a school record with 18 interceptions while adding 320 tackles (166 solo), 39 passes defensed, 19 tackles for loss, and two sacks in four seasons at Ball State.
Baker, who helped Canfield reach the 2005 Division II state title game as a running back, quarterback and safety, played in two preseason games for the Buccaneers where he registered four total tackles and a fumble recovery.
Atlanta will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Browns release Jamaine Cook
BEREA
On Thursday, the Cleveland Browns released former Youngstown State University running back Jamaine Cook from their practice squad.
Last spring, Cook signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent. He was released in May.
During training camp, Cook was invited back by the Browns after Dion Lewis fractured his fibula during a preseason game against the Lions.
He was eventually assigned to the Browns’ practice squad.
MSU suspends Bullough
EAST LANSING, Mich.
Michigan State has suspended senior linebacker Max Bullough for violating team rules, making him ineligible to play in the Rose Bowl.
Coach Mark Dantonio said Bullough was suspended for the rest of the season. He did not say what rules Bullough violated and said there will be no further comment.
The No. 4 Spartans will play No. 5 Stanford in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday. It is Michigan State’s first appearance in the game in 26 seasons.
Bullough is a two-time team captain who had 76 tackles this season and 299 career tackles. He also was named a third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten this season.
U.S. defeats Czech Republic
MALMO, Sweden
Providence’s Jon Gillies made 23 saves to help the United States open its world junior title defense with a 5-1 victory over the Czech Republic.
Miami of Ohio’s Riley Barber, Denver’s Will Butcher, Minnesota’s Hudson Fasching, Colorado College’s Jaccob Slavin and Notre Dame’s Vince Hinostroza scored for the United States.
“It’s always good to get the cobwebs out and get a convincing win,” Barber said.
Barber and Butcher scored power-play goals in a 41-second span early in the first period.
“When you get the two power-play goals to begin the game and can play with the lead it’s much, much easier to play the game,” said coach Don Lucia of the University of Minnesota. “Our defense did a good job breaking us out and Jon Gillies was there when we needed him.”
Michal Plutnar had a third-period goal for the Czech Republic.
The U.S. will play Slovakia on Saturday, Germany on Sunday, and finish group play Tuesday against Canada.
Choo passes Rangers’ physical
ARLINGTON, TEXAS
Shin-Soo Choo passed his physical with the Texas Rangers, clearing the way for the completion of the outfielder’s $130 million, seven-year deal.
Choo will be formally introduced today.
Choo’s deal, worth about $18.6 million per season, is the third-highest this offseason. The deal was agreed upon last weekend, but was pending the completion of the physical.
Staff/wire reports