Sunday, September 01, 2013

Spadola makes Jets 53-man roster; Boyko cut by Raiders

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER


It was a mixed bag for Lehigh products trying to make NFL teams.
Wide receiver Ryan Spadola made the New York Jets' 53-man roster, while linebacker Billy Boyko from Northampton was one of the last players cut by Oakland.
Both were undrafted free agents.
Spadola was the Jets' leading receiver in the preseason with 13 catches for 216 yards, including one grab for 70 yards against the Giants, and one touchdown.
Here's a great story on Spadola from Darryl Slater of the Newark Star-Ledger that revealed some things that I never knew about Spadola, even after covering him at Lehigh.
I knew he lost his father while in high school. But I did not know how, nor did I know what his father had done for a living. Ryan seemed uncomfortable talking about it, understandably so, during his Lehigh career. But all is revealed here by Slater.
As for Boyko, I hope he gets another shot. Billy is an outstanding, hard-working young man who gives everything his best shot. Few probably thought he'd last this long in Oakland.
He was injured during the Raiders' training camp and that couldn't have helped his cause.
But he shouldn't feel bad because there were two well-known players the Raiders also let go on Saturday.
Among those getting cut were former Eagles linebacker Omar Gaither and cornerback Joselio Hanson, yet another former Eagle.

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