Tracking the Pro Career of ANTWAIN SPANN

[NewsCopy]

The Patriots' secondary, such a mess a year ago, is far from complete. While another veteran may be added to the mix in the coming weeks, a host of young players are hoping to find a spot on the roster. Antwain Spann is one such underdog. The second-year safety is showing his wares in NFL Europe, where he has three interceptions in eight games for the Rhein Fire. Spann, an undrafted free agent a year ago, joined the Patriots' practice squad at the end of the regular season after being cut by the Giants late in training camp. ''I feel like I was real close to making the squad, I just needed to focus on a couple of areas," Spann said by telephone after a recent practice. ''I've been working on eye location, and it's getting better and better." After playing cornerback at Louisiana-Lafayette, Spann has moved to free safety, where he sees the field from a different perspective. With good speed and size (6 feet, 185 pounds), Spann has been solid in Europe and hopes to be a surprise in training camp. ''It's like every guy that wants to play in this league," Spann said. ''I'll do whatever I can to show I belong and can help the team win games. ''The competition will be intense. I know I'll have to bring it, because everybody else will. I plan to be ready." With two games remaining, the Fire (5-3) are mathematically alive for the World Bowl (May 27). Spann and the other seven Patriots playing in Europe should be back for the team's full-squad minicamp June 13-14. The source of the story

[NewsCopy]

SAN DIEGO — For Antwain Spann, yesterday's game between the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers meant more than a chance for a berth in the AFC championship game. It meant an opportunity for the San Diego native to impress friends and family — an opportunity that came in the third quarter. San Diego held a 14-7 lead when the Patriots' Todd Sauerbrun punted to the Chargers' Eric Parker with 5:32 left. But Parker fumbled the ball under pressure from Spann, and the Patriots' David Thomas recovered it 11 seconds later at San Diego's 31-yard line. "I was just running down the field, and I had seen that he dropped it," Spann said of Parker. "I went in head first, I just threw my head at him." After Thomas' recovery, Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 34-yard field goal that narrowed the Patriots' deficit to 14-13 with 2:11 left in the third quarter. Gostkowski's field goal was one of three he made during the Patriots' 24-21 victory. "That was huge, that was really huge, for the team and for me," Spann said of Thomas' fumble recovery. "This is my first time being back since 2000." The play reminded Spann of a game-winning touchdown he scored for El Camino High School against Carlsbad High in 1999 for the championship of the California Interscholastic Federation's top division in the San Diego Section. "It killed Carlsbad back in the day," the 23-year-old Spann said. Spann joined the Patriots' special-teams corps despite being released twice within 16 days in November. The Patriots resigned him from the practice squad on Dec. 9. Though he grew up in suburban San Diego, his favorite team was the Buffalo Bills. The rest of the story Joseph D'Hippolito Standard-Times

[Turbine]

To bad Brandon Stokley is hurt or UL would be guaranteed a Ragin' Cajun in the Superbowl.

Geaux Antwain

[Damon]

To bad Brandon Stokley is hurt or UL would be guaranteed a Ragin' Cajun in the Superbowl.

Geaux Antwain

The Chargers absolutely CHOKED that game away.

[CajunCherokee]

To bad Brandon Stokley is hurt or UL would be guaranteed a Ragin' Cajun in the Superbowl.

Geaux Antwain

Sorry, but what former Cajun plays for the Saints?

[Clutch0364]

Sorry, but what former Cajun plays for the Saints?

Spann with the pats and stokley with the colts would make at least 1 cajun in the bowl

[NewsCopy]

FOXBOROUGH -- Maybe last week will be Antwain Spann's one shining moment for this season. Perhaps it will be one of the highlights of another Super Bowl run for the Patriots. You all know Spann, right? Cornerback signed as a free agent last January, did a stint in NFL Europe, and was on and off the practice squad most of the season, including twice during a 16-day stretch in November? Then activated most recently Dec. 9? OK, maybe he doesn't come to mind instantly when thinking of the Patriots' secondary. But in the NFL playoffs, big plays sometimes are made by people who are not yet, and may never be, big players. Take last Sunday's 24-21 Patriots victory over the Chargers in the divisional round. Lots of turning points, including a fumble by San Diego's Eric Parker, who was attempting to field a Todd Sauerbrun punt in the third quarter. When Parker fumbled with the Chargers leading, 14-10, Spann, covering the kick, crunched Parker, preventing him from gaining possession. The Patriots recovered, Stephen Gostkowski ended that possession with his second of three field goals, a 34-yarder, and the Patriots took another step in the rally that put them in tomorrow's AFC Championship game against the Colts in Indianapolis. For the 23-year-old, who grew up 20 minutes from San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, it was indeed a highlight, one he was still appreciating this week. "A lot of teams aren't playing," said Spann. "Just to be part of this is great." The rest of the story Mark Blaudschun Globe

[J-Town Cajun]

This idiot writer Blaudshun stated Louisiana-Lafayette was a Div. I-AA. I am sending him an email pointing out his mistake. UL and the Sun-Belt must do a better job of promoting our schools. We see this way too often and it is embarrassing.

[CajunCherokee]

This idiot writer Blaudshun stated University of Louisiana was a Div. I-AA. I am sending him an email pointing out his mistake. UL and the Sun-Belt must do a better job of promoting our schools. We see this way too often and it is embarrassing.

I just sent him an e-mail.

[Pirogue]

I just sent him an e-mail.

He's prolly confused with the kid they had last year from Nicholls...