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Tuesday, October 3,1995 Former G ROBBIE MEEK Asst. Sports Editor Over the years, hundreds of Gamecock football players have run out of the locker room onto the field at Williams once otadium to tne roar or thousands of excited Gamecock fans. A fewer number of Carolina players have produced thrills that propelled them into professional football. Carolina has not always had the numbers of pro players that other schools have; however, the talent level has always been near the top, with such players as George Rogers and Sterling Sharpe becoming stars in the professional ranks. Rogers, the 1980 NFL Rookie of the Year, also led the league in rushing that season. Sharpe, until last season, held the single season reception record in the NFL. Six Gamecock stars from last season's Carquest Bowl team signed free agent contracts during the off season. Brandon Bennett, Toby Cates, Vincent Dinkins, Stacey Evans, Chris Rumph, and Tony Watkins all spent the summer with NFL teams before being released a couple of weeks before the season began. This was a senior class with a lot of talent. Don't be surprised if you hear of one or two of them making an impact with an NFL or Canadian League team a year or two down the road. The Gamecock program has always been represented well in the NFL and this year's pro season will be no different. Carolina had 9 veterans on NFL rosters and one NFL head coach going into this season. Former Gamecock wide receiver CARPI * A V C (V CHECKING PI NIGHTW; amecocks Robert Brooks has begun his first season as the po-to man in Green Rav. Af ter the injury to Sterling Sharpe last season, Brooks became one of the biggest elements in the Packer offensive attack. Brooks also replaced Sharpe in the Gamecock lineup in 1988 after Sharpe's graduation. Brooks led the Gamecocks in receiving from 1989-1991. Matthew Campbell is a member of the first-season Carolina Panthers. Campbell was a long shot to make the team, but did as a back-up tight end. He was a four year letterman at USC (1990-93). Ernest Dixon is expected to see playing time at linebacker this season in New Orleans. Dixon is in his second season with the Saints. He was the first and only Gamecock to be a team captain two years in a row (1992-93). Gerald Dixon is in his forth year with the Cleveland Browns. The Brown's coaching staff feels that Dixon could be a key back-up at linebacker this season with Cleveland. He tied with two other former Gamecocks as the sack leader in 1991 with four sacks. Cardinal Ernest Dye begins his second year in the NFL. The former first round draft pick begins his first QOQCAn oa a fiilLtima of laft fonlr. OVCUJVI1 U0 U 1UU OliU 1^1 Ut IVxlL IXAV^IY le for Phoenix. Dye was a Gamecock letterman in 1991 and '92. Brad Edwards begins his eighth season in the pros this season with the Atlanta Falcons. Edwards is expected to play as a back-up safety. Edwards has spent time with Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins. While with jnaBoou Feder Homecom Welcome.. W oat Ao. to ao ERSONAL LOANS SAVINGS VECH CERTIFICATES OF DE HOMECOMING 1995 ; bring Cai pr%, v^|^h|E^- EwHHm jp naroiu ur??n the Redskins, Edwards won a Super Bowl ring as a starter in the Washington secondary. Edwards returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Clemson during his Gamecock playing days. Former Gamecock standout Harold Green begins his sixth season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Green, a former Pro Bowler, had a couple of good seasons during the early part of his career. A conflict with coach David Shuler, EGIATE al Credit Union ing me PRIVATE TELLER POSIT ATM olina spir however, has limited his playing time the last couple of seasons. If given the chance, Green still has the potential to be a good NFL runningback. Green ranks second, behind George Rogers : and Brandon Bennett, on the all-time USC rushing list with 3,005 career yards. Former Gamecock offensive lineman Corey Louchiey is in his second season with the Buffalo Bills. Louchiey ir*Tc ~v\/ w^= ESI / %> 1111$ Serving Lunck < Unique Speciali Traditional Ita A Viriety of F Large Selecti I Scoring t hat trie) 5 it to WFL Jk :. W^Mkm I lfegg!Sjfe will be a contributor as a reserve lineman. He was a Gamecock letterman in 1992-93. Corey Miller (1988-90) will be i starter at outside linebacker for the Nev. York Giants again this season. Millei replaced Lawrence Taylor after the future Hall of Famer retired two seasons lf'11 . l . J it . ? r\rtn n\ i ago. miner iea me iyey Lramecoct PROS page C & Dinner Daily ty Pasta Dishes lian Favorites resk Seafood on of Wines 736*7364 U/% iiw mrm Gamecock Sport im