Photo Showcase: Nighthawks Minicamp
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Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor reportedly has no interest in playing for the Canadian Football League.
But if Pryor wants to continue his career in the United Football League, Commissioner Michael Huyghue on Thursday said he would eagerly take in Pryor.
“Sure, there's no question (Pryor would be welcomed in the UFL),” said Huyghue, who was in Omaha Thursday as the Nighthawks opened their four-day mini-camp at Bellevue West. “And the CFL having his rights doesn't have any impact on that. It's just a decision for the player to make for himself. If he gets a chance in the NFL, that's terrific. But whether it's Terrelle Pryor or another person in his similar situation, I think we can be the right kind of league for those players.”
Pryor had been suspended for the first five games of the coming season, along with four other Buckeyes, for allegedly exchanging memorabilia for cash and tattoos at a Columbus, Ohio, tattoo shop. The scandal led to the resignation of coach Jim Tressel on May 30, and Pryor let it be known on Tuesday that he would forgo his senior season.
In the days since Pryor left the Buckeyes, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced that they had acquired the negotiating rights to Pryor and wanted him to play in the CFL.
On Thursday, Pryor's attorney, Larry James, told the Associated Press that the quarterback isn't interested in playing north of the border and had rejected the Roughriders' offer. According to James, Pryor will seek to be eligible for the NFL supplemental draft, which could be held in July.
But with so much still up in the air, Huyghue said the UFL will keep the door open to Pryor joining the league. If it gets to the point where Pryor does come to the UFL, Huyghue said, the league then would determine which of the five franchises would get Pryor's services.
“Right now,” Huyghue said, “we'll just wait and see if he expresses interest in us.”
Clarett away during camp
Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, a holdover from the Nighthawks' 2010 roster, is not participating in Omaha's mini-camp this week.
When asked about Clarett on Thursday, coach and team president Joe Moglia said his absence was due to a personal issue, not a reflection of his status with the franchise.
“He's not done; he still wants to play,” Moglia said of Clarett. “He's got a couple of things, actually, going on from a personal perspective in his life that he's got to address. And I'm comfortable with that. He's got to take care of his family and some of the things he has going on, but everything is good as far as Maurice goes.”
Omaha will open with Sunday game
With the NFL lookout still looming, the UFL has scheduled five games on Sundays, including three for the Nighthawks. The 2011 schedule for the pro football league was announced Thursday.
The Nighthawks take part in the first Sunday game in UFL history when they head to Sacramento on Aug. 14. They also host two Sunday games, with Virginia on Aug. 21 and Sacramento on Sept. 18.
The Nighthawks will host Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 30, and Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 15. The team's other four games will be played on the road.
“I feel real good about the schedule,” Moglia said. “For all of us to have a couple bye weeks is going to help us a little bit. We have to take each of them one at a time anyway. We know the teams and coaches we're going to play against, and I'm ready to get started.”
The Nighthawks will play four home games, all at TD Ameritrade Park, the new downtown baseball stadium.
The schedule:
AUGUST: 14, at Sacramento; 21, Virginia (at TD Ameritrade Park); 27, at Las Vegas. SEPTEMBER: 2, at Virginia. 10, Bye. 18, Sacramento (at TD Ameritrade Park); 23, at Hartford. 30, Las Vegas (at TD Ameritrade Park). OCTOBER: 8, Bye. 15, Hartford (at TD Ameritrade Park).
Six Huskers at mini-camp
Including Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Eric Crouch, there were six former Nebraska players on the Nighthawks' mini-camp roster released Thursday.
The others were offensive tackles Mike Smith and D.J. Jones, defensive back Anthony West, wide receiver Joe Broekemeier and defensive end Jay Moore, who returns after playing with Omaha during its debut season in 2010.
Jeff Souder, the former University of Nebraska at Omaha linebacker, also is on the mini-camp roster. So is offensive tackle Joe Toledo, who grew up in Ralston before moving to California when he was in high school.
Fan fest set for Saturday
The Nighthawks' second fan fest, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Bellevue West High School.
All Omaha players and coaches will be available for 30 minutes after practice to sign autographs and meet with fans. Practice runs from about 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fans also are invited to watch practice and see a performance by the Nighthawks cheerleaders. Food will be available for purchase from the Bellevue West concession stands, and new Nighthawks merchandise will be sold on site. The event will include bounce houses and other activities for children.
The American Red Cross' Heartland Chapter will be present to collect donations for disaster relief in the Midwest.
— Chad Purcell
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