17 Cardinals Dot NFL Rosters

July 30, 2004

Louisville, Ky. - National Football League training camps open this week, and the University of Louisville is well represented. U of L is continuing a strong trend in the NFL as 17 Cardinals dot NFL rosters.

Although no Cards were drafted in the 2004 draft, five former players from last year's squad inked free agent deals. Ronnie Ghent, Jason Hilliard, Dan Koons, Josh Minkins, and Richard Owens all signed in the spring.

Ghent, a former tight end, will start training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Ghent a four-year starter at Louisville was the first player in conference history to earn first-team All-Conference USA honors all four years. Ghent caught at least one pass in each of his final 37 college games.

Hilliard signed with Green Bay as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2004. Hillard a former tackle lettered four seasons at Louisville, seeing action in 52 career games with three starts. Despite serving as a backup last year, NFL scouts were impressed with Hilliard's size and gave the giant tackle a look.

Koons is set to open training camp with the Buffalo Bills this weekend after a stellar career with the Cardinals. Koons, who ended his career with 33 consecutive starts, will get a shot a center for the Bills.

Considered one of the top long snappers in the country last season, Owens has a great chance of sticking with the Minnesota Vikings. Owens plans to play tight end and H-Back for the Vikings. Owens had 12 receptions for 121 yards and three touchdowns last season. Owens, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings on May 3, 2004 will get a chance to prove himself this week as training camp gets underway at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota.

Minkins, former cornerback for U of L singed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bears last spring. Minkins played four seasons at U of L and was widely considered one of the top corners in C-USA. Minkins started 37 games in his Cardinal career including every game during his junior and senior seasons.

Twelve other former Cardinals will start training camp again as they continue their NFL careers. Ted Washington and Ray Buchanan are the two veterans of the group, beginning their 14th and 13th seasons, respectively, with the Oakland Raiders. Both signed free agent deals this spring and are ready to turnaround the Raiders.

Sam Madison begins his ninth training camp with the Miami Dolphins. A four-time Pro Bowler, Madison started 16 games at cornerback, posting 55 tackles (50 solo), three interceptions for 82 yards in returns and one touchdown.

University of Louisville Cardinals in the NFL

Akers, David    K   Philadelphia Eagles     6 yearsBranch, Deion     WR  New England Patriots    2 yearsBrown, Michael   LB  Tampa Bay Buccaneers    1 yearBuchanan, Ray     CB  Oakland Raiders     12 yearsBurns, Curry   FS  Houston Texans      1 yearFloyd, Anthony   DB  Indianapolis Colts      2 yearsGhent, Ronnie     TE  Philadelphia Eagles RookieHillard, Jason  T   Green Bay Packers       RookieJohnson, Chris   CB  Green Bay Packers       2 yearsKoons, Dan   OL  Buffalo Bills       RookieMadison, Sam    CB  Miami Dolphins      8 yearsMinkins, Josh CB  Chicago Bears       RookieOwens, Richard   TE  Minnesota Vikings       RookiePowell, Carl    DL  Cincinnati Bengals      6 yearsRagone, Dave   QB  Houston Texans      2 yearsWashington, Ted DT  Oakland Raiders     13 yearsWhite, Dewayne   DE  Tampa Bay Buccaneers    2 years

University of Louisville Athletics

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