Former Lions assistant coach John Fontes, brother of former Lions head coach Wayne Fontes, was introduced as Team Michigan's head coach during a news conference at Ford Field on November 26, 2007. John Fontes has 27 years of coaching experience, including four seasons (1992-96) as an assistant with the Lions.

John Fontes Interviews with WDFN, February 2008.

In the 1970s, Joe DeLamielleure and his Buffalo Bills offensive line mates were dubbed the “Electric Company,” because they “turned the Juice loose.” The “Juice” of course was Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson. An All-America and three-time All-Big Ten performer at Michigan State, “Joe D” as he was known, was selected in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.

At first, when he failed his physical, it seemed he would never play pro football. Fortunately, further tests showed his irregular heartbeat was not serious, and Joe went on to win All-Rookie honors. It was the beginning of a string of career honors that few guards had or have since exceeded.

He went on to become the most honored lineman of the Bills respected front wall. Eight times during his career he was selected first- or second-team All-Pro; seven times he was named first- or second-team All-AFC, and six times he was named to the Pro Bowl. Since 1970, only two Hall of Fame guards, John Hannah with 10 and Gene Upshaw with seven, were named All-Pro more often. In 1975, the NFL Players Association named him Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Extremely durable and dependable, Joe played in 185 consecutive games during his 13 playing seasons with the Bills and the Cleveland Browns. A starter from the first game of his rookie season, DeLamielleure played and started in every game for eight seasons in Buffalo before being traded to Cleveland in 1980.? During five years in Cleveland he played in every game and had only three non-starts.

Primarily due to the success of the Bills running attack led by Simpson, DeLamielleure was best known for his run blocking. Behind the swift pulling guard, O.J. became the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. But Joe was more than just a run blocker, he was also an effective pass blocker and rarely allowed his opponent to disrupt Buffalo’s or Cleveland’s pass plays. DeLamielleure, who was named to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team, finished his career in 1985 with a final season back where it had begun, in Buffalo.

Joe DeLamielleure Interview with The Fan (December 2007)

Joe DeLamielleure Interview: WKABZ-FM (October 2007)

Joe DeLamielleure Radio Interview: WCCP 104.9 FM - The Drive (July 2007)

 

In his final year as one of the best option quarterbacks in college football history, Eric Crouch won three major national awards, including the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year award and the Davey O?Brien quarterback award. Crouch led Nebraska to the Bowl Championship Series national title game in the Rose Bowl against Miami. Against the Hurricanes, the All-American capped his career with 114 yards rushing on 22 carries to lead all rushers, while adding 62 yards on five completions through the air. Crouch played the bowl game with his degree in hand after graduating in December 2001.

He went on to be drafted as a wide receiver in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams with the 95th overall pick. Crouch led Nebraska on the field as one of five team captains, the first quarterback to earn the honor in a decade. He also shared the Guy Chamberlin Trophy with Tracey Wistrom for play, contributions and dedication to the Nebraska football team.

Crouch ended his NU career by holding 32 school records. He was one of three quarterbacks in NCAA history to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards in a career, while becoming just the 13th quarterback in NCAA history to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in the same season in 2001.

The consumate leader, Crouch was one of five team captains as a senior, the first quarterback to earn that honor in a decade. He was drafted as a wide receiver in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams with the 95th overall pick.

Eric Crouch Interviews with The Fan (December 2007)
Crouch Interview Part 1
Crouch Interview Part 2
Crouch Interview Part 3
Eric Crouch Interview: Segment from "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" with Kevin Kugler and Mike'l Severe
Eric Crouch Interview from the Adam Taxin Show
Eric Crouch interview with Billy Ray Smith
Eric Crouch interviews with WHBQ Radio - Middays with Greg and Eli on 11/14/07
Eric Crouch interview with Harry Mayes on 12/5/07

 

Travis McGriff Interview with GatorEnvy.com

Todd DeLamielleure Interview with Fox Sports Radio

Coverage of AAFL Tryouts & Scrimmage at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando AM – WDBO (July 2007)

Broadcast of the AAFL Scrimmage in Orlando
July 3, 2007

Myles Brand Podcast Interview
Double A Zone Mondays With Myles (July 2007)

Cedric Dempsey Radio Interview
Michael Cooper Sports Talk - wsRadio.com (June 2007)