NFL Playoffs Hit Close to Home for the Rams

Jan. 16, 2006

Colorado State University's football season may have ended nearly a month ago, but there will be plenty of ties to the Rams' program in this weekend's AFC and NFC Championship games as the NFL playoffs continue.

Fourteen individuals with ties to CSU's program will be involved for the four remaining teams playing for a berth in the Super Bowl Feb. 6 in Detroit, including:

Three players, two assistant coaches, and three staff members for the Denver Broncos, who face the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday in the AFC title game. Cecil Sapp, a backup running back for Denver, recovered a critical New England fumble that led to a field goal in the Broncos' win over the two-time defending NFL champion Patriots. Sapp is in his third year with the Broncos after a stellar career at CSU. He is seventh on the Rams' career rushing list with 2,482 yards and was a first-team all-league pick in 2000 and '02. Sapp gained 160 yards on 36 carries in CSU's 22-17 win over Louisville in the 2000 Liberty Bowl and earned game MVP honors. Bradlee Van Pelt is Denver's backup quarterback behind starter Jake Plummer. Van Pelt was as two-time Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year, and remains CSU's career leader in total offense, 8,443 yards. He threw for 6,169 yards in three seasons, fourth most in school history. Van Pelt is in his second year with Denver. Former all-star offensive tackle Erik Pears is in his first season with Denver, and is on the team's practice squad. Pears was a two-time All-MWC pick in 2003 and '04.

Rick Dennison is in his 11th year on the Broncos' coaching staff and fifth as the offensive line coach. Dennison was a three-time starter and letterwinner as a tight end at CSU from 1977-79, and earned second team Academic All-American honors as a senior. Dennison was inducted into CSU's Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Following his collegiate career, he played in the NFL from 1982-90 with the Broncos when the team made three Super Bowl appearances. Dennison joined the Denver coaching staff, first as a special teams coach and now as the offensive line coach.

Denver's offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak, is in his 12th season on the team's staff. His son, Klint, was one of just three true freshman players who saw action for Colorado State in 2005. The younger Kubiak was a reserve defensive back and played on special teams, appearing in 10 of the team's 12 games including the Poinsettia Bowl.

Scott Distefano is in his 24th season on the team's scouting staff. A former backup quarterback at CSU from 1976-80, Distefano was a graduate assistant for the Rams' program in 1981, then joined Denver's scouting department.

Jason Schell, a CSU graduate, is a former member of the Rams' equipment office staff and now is a member of the same staff for the Broncos. Troy Smith, the turf manager for the team, is also a CSU graduate.

The Broncos' AFC championship game opponent, has plenty of Rams' influence, too.

Both of the Steelers' starting outside linebackers played at Colorado State. Joey Porter, in his seventh year with the Steelers, starts on the right side, opposite former CSU teammate Clark Haggans. Porter is a three-time All-Pro selection who is heading to another Pro Bowl in Honolulu when the 2005 season concludes. Porter made 11 quarterback sacks in 2005 and ranks among the Steelers' leaders in tackles. He played at Colorado State from 1995-98, earning all-conference honors as a junior and senior. He remains fourth on the school's list for career sacks, 22, despite playing only two seasons as a defensive end. Porter set the school's single-season record with 15 quarterback sacks in 1998. He and Haggans anchored a defense that helped CSU to a 11-2 record in 1997, win over Missouri in the Holiday Bowl, and top 15 end-of-season national ranking. That team set the school record for most victories in a season and highest final ranking.

Haggans, meanwhile, is in his sixth year in the NFL after having formerly played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Haggans had nine sacks in 2005 and like Porter, is among the Steelers' tackle leaders.

Also like Porter, Haggans was a defensive end at Colorado State, and still holds the school's career record with 34 quarterback sacks, including 11 each in 1997 and '98.

Former Rams' all-star defensive back Ray Jackson is in his first season on coach Bill Cowher's staff. Jackson, who played at CSU from 1992-95, is an assistant special teams coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Steelers, and also assists with player development. Jackson played in the NFL from 1995-2001, first with the Buffalo Bills (1995-98) and then the Cleveland Browns (1998-2001). Jackson is the school's all-time leader in pass interceptions with 18. Jackson was an all-conference performer in 1995 for the Rams and earned the College Football Association's "Good Works" award as a senior for his community involvement.

When Seattle and Carolina meet to decide the NFC title, three individuals who were formerly in the CSU program will be at the game. Seattle safety John Howell is in his fifth year in the NFL and first with the Seahawks. Howell was a four-time letterwinner from 1997-2000 and three-year starter as a safety for the Rams. Following his Rams' career he was drafted by Tampa Bay and spent four seasons with the Bucs, including 2002 when the team defeated Oakland to win the Super Bowl.

A pair of Carolina assistant coaches formerly worked at CSU. Dave Magazu is in his third season on the Panthers' staff and coaches the team's tight ends. He was an assistant coach at Colorado State from 1992-94. Carolina's defensive coordinator is Mike Trgovac, who was on the Rams' coaching staff from 1990-91 as a defensive line coach.

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