Division II Virginia school cuts sports program

Saint Paul's College produced one NFL player--
DB Greg Toler of the Arizona Cardinals.  Greg was
selected in the 2009 NFL draft, 31st  pick
4th round, 131st overall.  Toler is from
 Temple Hills (Prince George's County),
Maryland, Northwestern High School.

Lawrenceville, VA -- The grass on the practice field stood knee-high. A hawk that had been perched on the bleachers took flight and plunged in near the 30-yard line.

Nearby, Kevin Grisby waded through the weeds on his last day as St. Paul's College football coach.

Like most coaches and athletes at St. Paul's, Grisby prided himself on doing more with less. He fielded a team with just 7-1/2 scholarships that played home games at a high school stadium. He'd done without an adequate weight room and an air-conditioned office. He'd recruited players to a tiny rural school with a declining enrollment, many of whom came sight unseen based on his promises to their coaches and parents that he'd take care of them.

"If guys actually come to visit," he said, "it's tough to sell the school."

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Ex-Bethune Cookman Wildcats star has shot to stay in NFL‎

Former Bethune-Cookman standout Stevie Baggs is doing everything he can to land a job in the NFL. He doesn't know if he'll get one of the four available roster spots at outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, but he's certainly made an impression with his coaches and teammates.

"He came in here and made a quick splash with the players and coaches just because of his personality," Arizona linebackers coach Matt Raich said. "You can see they've taken to him. I'm anxious to see him in a few more games and to get him some reps."

Starting strong safety Adrian Wilson kids him while he does a phone interview, and veteran All-Pros Joey Porter and Darnell Dockett have taken a liking to the Canadian Football League sacks leader from 2009. Baggs is hard not to like.

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Former SU's Williams still preaching excellence

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When he wanted to better himself as a cornerback, Aeneas Williams sought out the best and relentlessly pursued them. Chased after them as if the knowledge they carried were the ball.

He flew to Houston at his own expense to meet with Pro Football Hall of Famer Kenny Houston. He tracked down former Oakland Raider Marcus Haynes through his post-football employer, Callaway Golf, just to get a few words from the nine-time Pro Bowler over the telephone. Each summer for years he would train with former San Diego Chargers cornerback Gill Byrd, lessons soaked in sweat and stamped into his consciousness.

“He’d say, ‘Aeneas, what is your mindset on how to play the cornerback position?’” Williams recalled Byrd asking him. “I said, ‘Man, I can’t get beat.’ He said...

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