Yardbarker: Jeff Saturday

NFL Week 5 Predictions - The Duke's Picks

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:54:51 -0500

17-12 against the spread thus far for the Duke's Picks in the 2008 NFL Season. The Raiders' late game implosion was certainly a big let down, but inspired play from Houston and Baltimore kept us on track. We'll take the win from Cleveland, but they still looked downright heinous on the offensive side of the ball. Without further ado, here are the week 5 Duke's Picks. Home teams are in caps, Duke's Picks are in bold. Indianapolis Colts -3 HOUSTON TEXANS - The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the Indianapolis Colts. They are expected to have RT Ryan Diem, LT Tony Ugoh, and C Jeff Saturday all healthy for Sunday's matchup with the Houston Texans. This will be the first time all season that the Colts' line will be at full strength. Peyton Manning has been under intense pressure through this team's first 3 games and Joseph Addai has had very few running lanes. All that should change this week. (continued at pcpsports.com)

Week 5 Predictions ... Fate, why hast thou sent me ye olde Patriots of New England

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:17:57 -0500

So I've learned my lesson, I'm going with who I think is the better team. Without further ado ... Seattle vs. New York Giants. I have to believe the G-men will be able to get the job done at home against the Seahawks. But they have only looked impressive when they wanted to/had to. This one is closer than it should be. Giants by 11. San Diego vs. Miami. Not going to waste any more time on this pick than I have to. Will SD score any points in the first half of this game? Are they trying to turn every second half into a two minute drill? The way this season is going, maybe learning how to play from ahead is something they don't need to learn. Chargers by 17. Indianapolis vs. Houston. I'm tempted to say this will be a close one because the Texans have played Indy tough in the last two years, losing to the Colts by three in 2007 and beating them by three in 2006. But Indy is coming off a bye week healthier than they've been in a while. Saturday is one of the best line generals in the league, and you'll see the difference this makes on Sunday. Steve Slaton gashes them for over 150 all-purpose yards because Sanders is out, but the Colts take it by 15. Atlanta vs. Green Bay. The Packers are beat up, but Matt Ryan's blindside (do I harp on this every Falcons prediction? Yes!) is going to be rushed by KGB mercilessly. I can't see Green Bay losing this game at home, no matter how badly they played last week. Packers by nine. Chicago vs. Detroit. This will be your scoring blitz game for the week. Detroit against banged up Bears cornerbacks is part of the recipe, mixed with Chicago throwing deep on whoever the Lions trot out on the field. Bears win by 6, 37-31. Kansas City vs. Carolina. The Chiefs beat the Broncos because the Broncos couldn't stop anybody. Carolina can. I don't think this one will be a blowout, though. Give it to the Panthers by five. Tennessee vs. Baltimore. Any way you look at it, Tennessee wins this game. The question is by how much. I think it'll be similar to the Titans game last week, where they stayed ahead and ran up the score off of mistakes made by the other team as they try to take the lead. Pretty solid way to play football. Titans by 17. Washington vs. Philadelphia: Are any of the gnarly Eagles fans reading this? Probably not. Well that's good now I don't have to worry about them getting all butt-hurt because I picked against them. Maybe Philly fans should back their team a little more (not mindlessly repping them to other fans, but actually supporting the players and not booing them every time they make a mistake), maybe they'd have a home field advantage. Instead, they have a 3-5 home record from last year and a crowd that jumps on anyone the second the do anything wrong. Class? Whatever. Jason Campbell throws his first pick to Samuel, Philly's defense keeps them in it. The real reason why Washington wins? They've collected six turnovers and haven't committed one themselves. Philly's +3 turnover ratio is buoyed by 9 takeaways, hiding the fact that they've coughed it up six times. Expect a highlight involving a member of the Redskins front seven recovering a fumble or picking McNabb and then rumbling the other way with it. Redskins by two. Want a score? 30-28. Tampa Bay vs. Denver. I can't tell if everyone on the Broncos is injured, or if Shanahan is pulling a snow job on us. This game is strength against strength (Denver O vs. Tampa D), weakness against weakness (the flip side). This one is too close to call, so I'm going with the home team. Broncos on a last minute field goal to put them up 1-3 points. Low scoring game early breaks into a TD-fest late in the game. Cincinnati vs. Dallas. Hmmm. A struggling win-less team either starting a nobody or an injured somebody versus a team looking to regain its dominant image after a close loss to a legitimate team. I'm going to go with Dallas by 24. Cincy puts up points too, but too little too late. 45-21 Cowboys. New England vs. San Francisco. Why must you do this to me, Fate? Just when I'm rationalizing not picking the 49ers, you give me the hardest team to read in the league, and you bring them into Candlestick (or whatever it's called now). Reasons why the Pats will win: they're defense is intelligent and J.T. is still green, nobody will be able to get to Cassel to pressure him, and Randy Moss will run relatively free. Reasons why the 49ers will win: New England's defense is old and the 49ers have problems with speed, and Frank Gore can gash a defense that is giving up almost 150 yards per game on the ground. Too bad Mike Martz won't call his number incessantly like he should. I'm still going with the 49ers, though!. Hope springs eternal, I guess. 49ers by 8, but only because I don't think they can win a close game. Buffalo vs. Arizona. This one is easy. I gotta go with the Bills, and even if I didn't, I have to go against the Cardinals. Bills by ten. Pittsburgh vs. Jacksonville. Maurice Jones-Drew, meet Pittsburgh's battered run defense. Pittsburgh's battered run defense, Mojo. Now then. Can we agree that Pittsburgh will attempt to stop you, Mojo, and for your part we can agree that you will run right by them and try not to laugh too much in the end zone. Seriously, the Steelers were getting tore up by Le'Ron McLain, the Jacksonville duo shouldn't have any problems. On the other side, did I mention Pittsburgh is completely out of running backs? Jaguars win this by 13. Minnesota vs. New Orleans. Another tough one. The Saints should have a lot of people at this game, seeing how AP is now the sudden big-ticket attraction. I'm going with the home team on this one too, just a hunch. I like the Reggie Bush matchup against Minny's linebackers. New Orleans by three.

Week 4 NFL Wrap Up:Seperate the Pretenders From the Contenders

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:40:57 -0500

With another week in the books, we find out a little more about who is a contender and who is a pretender in the NFL. The number of unbeaten teams is shrinking, and oddly enough when you look at the standing it kind of has a flashback to 1993 feel. Nonetheless, let's take a quick look around at some of the impact games from week 3 in the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles 15 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 6: The Philadelphia Eagles had no time to mourn over Monday night, and needed to figure out how to bounce back from an emotional lost last Monday against Dallas. They found the answer to all of their problems inside of Jim Johnson's defensive scheme. The Eagles remembered what made them such a dangerous team for much of the last decade and returned to basics. That meant blitz packages that would confuse any QB. The Eagles defense got to Big Ben nine times and would him injuring him late in the fourth quarter. While watching this game, it was mind boggling to try to figure out where the pressure was coming from, because it seemed like the Eagles were sending the house on every down.

However, not everything was great for Philadelphia. They did suffer a couple injuries during this defensive struggle. Most notably is Brian Westbrook who was shaken up during the second half after trying to hurdle a teammate. While X-Rays were negative, and the MRI revealed he only suffered an ankle strain. The Eagles have him listed as day to day, but for many Philly fans this is all too familiar territory. In addition Donovan McNabb was also shaken up during the game. This could potentially be big news for the Eagles. A major reason for their resurrection in the early part of this season was due to the health of McNabb and Westbrook. But if the Eagles have to depend on Kolb for heavy minutes all that talk of returning to a Super Bowl is out the window. The NFC East is far too good for the Eagles to be able to have one bad week more or less two or three.

Denver Broncos 34 vs. New Orleans Saints 32: The football God's must be smiling upon Jay Cutler and company because this makes back to back weeks the Broncos have slipped out of a game by the skin of their teeth. Last week it was the blown call that gave them an extra down when it should have been San Diego ball, this week Automatica Gramatica blows a chance at a game winning 34 yard field goal. However, even the best teams need a little luck on their side.

Denver is very hard to gage at this point of the season. They have gotten away with a couple lucky wins, but there are some things that make me smile when I see this team. The maturation of Jay Cutler could not make me happier. He is a player who I have touted since his senior year at Vanderbilt and now he has grown into his own. Cutler had another superb game completing 21/34 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. His understanding of the offense is shining through and right now he seems to be able to guide his team downfield at will.

The downside to the Denver Broncos is they have one of the worse defenses in the entire league. Their front seven is soft. They have no fight in them and all and fail to generate any sort of a pass rush. Drew Brees pass for 421 yards on Sunday and that was with out the services of Shockey. Currently the Broncos have scored 109 points and given up 84. Those are not the stats of a Super Bowl caliber team. What Denver does have going for them is the second worse division in football. The AFC West seems to be falling apart around them. The Chargers just got their first win of the season, and it will take time for them to make up for their 1-2 start.

On the other side of the field the Saints find themselves in a very difficult position. Sitting at 1-2 the Saints have lost back to back close games. More importantly the same flaw that sunk the Saints last season is back and worse than ever. New Orleans does not have a feature back. Yes, Reggie Bush totaled 148 yards and 2 TD's on Sunday but when his team needed him on the goal line in the second quarter he could not punch one in. And again in the second half on a 2-point conversion the Saints had no one to rely on to punch the ball in from two yards out. The Saints need a player who can run the ball between the tackles and get that tough yards. It bit them last week when they couldn't get a critical first down in the second half and it killed them on Sunday. Deuce is not on the injury report yet he has seen limited to no action on the season. I'm not sure what Sean Peyton is trying to pull but right now he his hurting his own team if he is just holding Deuce back simply because.

Jacksonville Jaguars 23 vs. Indianapolis Colts 21: I don't want to say it's time to push the panic button if you're the Colts, but the rocky start they have gotten off to cannot have anyone feeling comfortable with the state of this franchise. They Colts are 1-2 and both losses took place in their home stadium. At first look the biggest difference in the Colts has to be Peyton Manning. His knee was more injured than he led us to believe during the preseason. This can be seen in the way Manning is moving in the pocket when he plays. Granted Peyton was never a threat to take off running down field, but he had to be mobile to run the Colts play action oriented offense. Currently he is unable to move laterally well enough to carry out those fakes and as a result a staple in the Colts offense is taken away. Due to Peyton's lack of movement he also has a difficult time running the stretch play that the Colts have made famous over the last decade. The result is the Colts offense is becoming very one dimensional and easy to defend.

Another factor in the Colts fall from greatness is the health of their offensive line. The injury to Jeff Saturday cannot be understated. He is back on the field but he is playing hurt. Saturday is the Peyton Manning of offensive linemen. Every time Peyton makes an audible, it is Saturday who has to come up with the correct blocking scheme. However, due to his injury he is later in making his call. In addition opposing teams know he cannot move as well as he once did and they are sending pressure right up the middle and getting into Peyton's face.

The one thing the Colts can look at as a positive is the Jacksonville Jags are only 1-2 as well. This leaves the Tennessee Titians in first place in the AFC South (the Houston Oilers in first place? Told you this is a flashback year). It took the Jaguars till week 3 of the season to get their first win. Now that they figured out a formula to win ugly, look for the Jags to find their stride going forward.

Injury Report: Both LT and AP miss practice

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:56:38 -0500

Some huge news as both LT and AP, #1 and #2 picks in many drafts, missed practice. See who else you should know about and the impact they will have in this latest injury report.

NFL Punchlines: Vikings Give Gus the Keys to the Car

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:07:57 -0500

His time at Stanford prepped Trent Edwards for the NFL. (San Fran Chronicle)

It figures that the one ray of hope for the Raiders, Darren McFadden, could be sidelined this weekend with an injury. (San Fran Chronicle)

How is Jerramy Stevens still employed by the NFL? (Orlando Sentinel)

LaDainian Tomlinson is the 35th best fantasy RB after two weeks. Unreal. (Orlando Sentinel)

They are dancing in the streets in Minneapolis because Gus is in and Tarvaris is out. (Star Tribune)

Joey Porter took a verbal shot at Matt Cassel. Shocker. (Miami Herald)

The Tyler Thigpen era will continue in week 3. Is Herm trying to get fired? (KC Star)

The Jags signed Chris Naeole to fill holes in an offensive line that has been decimated by injuries. (Times-Union)

Both Dallas Clark and Jeff Saturday could be ready to go this week when Jacksonville comes to town. (Indy Star)

Yesterday we linked to an article saying that Cedric Benson would be signing with the Lions. Today it seems as though that report from yesterday was dead wrong. (Detroit Free Press)

Still no word on Devin Hester, but we do know that Bears safety Brandon McGowan will undergo season ending ankle surgery. (Chicago Trib)

The Hardest Theoretical Question I’ve Seen

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:48:18 -0500

Here is a question I brought up on Stamede Blue. If the Colts were completely healthy and not one player on the active roster (so minus Ryan Lilja and Tyjuan Hagler), what 8 players would be inactive for the game? Only 45 people dress, so that means 8 players will not be playing. Taking out special

So Much For A Healthy Season

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:26:54 -0500

The Colts never catch any breaks. Bob Sanders and Tony Ugoh are going to miss the Jacksonville game. Sanders has a high ankle sprain and will miss 4 to 6 weeks. Tony Ugoh has hurt his groin but Dungy didn't give a timetable for his return. On the bright side, Jeff Saturday and Dallas Clark might

Dallas Clark and Jeff Saturday Expected Back

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:49:04 -0500

The Colts expect to get both Jeff Saturday and Dallas Clark back from their injuries for the week 3 matchup with division foe Jacksonville. Saturday has missed the first two games with an injury to his right knee while Clark was held out of the Vikings game with an injury to his right knee."If I were guessing I would say they're going to play,'' coach Tony Dungy said this afternoon.

Colts-18, Vikings-15: Redemption for Vinny

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:29:33 -0500

I was going to do this last night, but Ike took down the power. Trees were falling everywhere in Indiana. This hurricane was huge. The Colts looked terrible in the first half. Our offensive line was down to the backups. If this team was healthy, Jamey Richard, Charlie Johnson, Steve Justice,

Pre-Game Warm-Up - Colts @ Vikings

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:09:06 -0500

The Vikings make their 2008 home debut against the Colts today at 12 CT on CBS. Both teams are 0-1 coming in, having dropped their respective season openers. The Vikings had a bad first half offensively against the Packers, mostly thanks to Tarvaris Jackson, but rallied in the second half to make

Saturday Questions

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:12:11 -0500

Injured center Jeff Saturday has been practicing all week for the Colts, but still doesn't know if he'll play today at the Metrodome. "I feel like I've done everything I can do," Saturday said. The 3-time All-Pro tore a knee ligament in a preseason game and did not appear in the opener against the

Saturday Questions

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:12:11 -0500

Madden 09 roster update #3 to be released Friday

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:45:13 -0500

The third Madden 09 roster update is set to be released today by EA Sports. This update won't feature many changes in terms of attributes, but many roster changes will be made, including the injuries to Tom Brady and Vince Young. Below is the complete list, from PastaPadre.com:

Transactions
FB Reagan Mauia – Signs with Bengals
LB Jon Corto – Added to Bills
LB Blake Costanzo – Added to Bills
DT Alvin McKinley – Released by Broncos
DT Josh Shaw – Signs with Broncos
LB Antwan Peek – Released to Free Agents (IR)
WR Paul Hubbard – Released by Browns
WR Steve Sanders – Signs with Browns
LB Shantee Orr – Signs with Browns
C Pat Ross – Signs with Cardinals
FB Andrew Pinnock – Released by Chargers
FB Mike Tolbert – Added to Chargers
RT James Marten – Released by Cowboys/Signs with Raiders
QB Brooks Bollinger – Signs with Cowboys
SS Tyrone Culver – Signs with Dolphins
CB Joey Thomas – Released by Dolphins
FB Boomer Grigsby – Released by Dolphins
FB Casey Cramer – Signs with Dolphins
FS Jamaal Fudge – Signs with Falcons
DE Brent Hawkins – Released by Jaguars
G Milford Brown – Signs with Jaguars
TE Dan Campbell – Released to Free Agents (IR)
LB Chris Chamberlain – Added to Rams
RT Willie Anderson – Signs with Ravens
RG Adrien Clarke – Released by Ravens
C Matt Lehr – Released by Saints
QB Ingle Martin – Added to Titans
QB Daunte Culpepper – Retires

Ratings Up
HB Matt Forte – Bears – 80 to 82 – Looked like the real deal week 1 vs. the Colts.
LG Josh Beekman – Bears – 74 to 76 – Got the start and at LG and was able to pave the way for Forte on the ground.
HB Andre Hall – Broncos – 75 to 77 – Looked very explosive against the hapless Raiders.
WR Eddie Royal – Broncos – 77 to 80 – Made us remember why we call him DeAngelo "Fall". Torched DeAngelo repeatedly and looked very good doing it.
LB Jamie Winborn – Broncos – 75 to 79 – Started over the oft injured Boss Bailey and made plays vs. the Raiders.
LB Matt Roth – Dolphins – 76 to 80 – Could have found his niche as a 3-4 OLB. Had 2 sacks in the opener.
WR DeSean Jackson – Eagles – 79 to 80 – Has made the most of receivers going down with injuries in Philly. Tye Hill was benched after attempting to cover him.
LB Stewart Bradley – Eagles – 79 to 80 – The new man in the middle for the Eagles, this one might stick.
HB Michael Turner – Falcons – 88 to 89 – If I had a nickel for every time someone blew up on the Lions defense…A good start none the less for the Burner Turner.
LB Parys Haralson – 49ers – 74 to 76 – Recorded 2.5 sacks getting the start for the Niners in Week 1.
HB Brandon Jacobs – Giants – 87 to 88 – My mother could average 3 yards a carry behind the Giants O-Line. But he sure is powerful.
WR Matt Jones – Jaguars – 77 to 79 – Maybe Garrard's guy after a tough offseason. Injuries to the supposed starting WR's have helped also.
QB Aaron Rodgers – Packers – 84 to 85 – Made it look simple vs. one of the top defenses in the NFL. Once the coach takes off the diapers watch out.
TE Dante Rosario – Panthers – 74 to 77 – Blew up in a big way in Week 1 vs. the Chargers. Caught the game winner in the back of the end zone as time expired.

Ratings Down
DE Jarvis Moss – Broncos – 81 to 77 – Inactive the 1st week in his second season for the Broncos.
LB Tully Banta-Cain – 49ers – 79 to 76 – Came to the Niners with high hopes, now he has been replaced at OLB.
CB DeAngelo Hall – Raiders – 93 to 91 – Yes after only one week. Reminded us why some people confuse speed with ability. He has speed, isn't much of a corner though.

Injuries
FB Jeremi Johnson – Bengals – Knee IR
LB Angelo Crowell – Bills – Knee IR
WR Joe Jurevicius – Browns – Knee (PUP)
HB Carnell Wililams – Bucs – Knee (PUP)
C Al Johnson – Cardinals – Knee IR
QB Brodie Croyle – Chiefs – Shoulder (3 weeks)
C Jeff Saturday – Colts – Knee (8 weeks)
G Ryan Lilja – Colts – Knee (PUP)
DT Trey Lewis – Falcons – Knee (8 weeks)
LT Guy Whimper – Giants – Foot IR
K Lawrence Tynes – Giants – Knee (7 weeks)
LG Vince Manuwai – Jaguars – Knee IR
RG Maurice Williams – Jaguars – Arm (12 weeks)
DT Justin Harrell – Packers – Back (PUP)
QB Tom Brady – Patriots – Knee IR
G Stephen Neal – Patriots – Shoulder/Knee (PUP)
WR Drew Bennett – Rams – Foot (8 weeks)
QB Kyle Boller – Ravens – Shoulder IR
CB Dunta Robinson – Texans – Knee (PUP)
QB Vince Young – Titans – Knee (4 weeks)

Contracts
LB DJ Williams – Broncos – 6 years
WR Plaxico Burress – Giants - 5 years
RT Eric Winston – Texans – 5 years

According to PastaPadre, the producers of the game plan to release a new roster update each week, which is a great sign for online gamers.

Injury Report

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:32:22 -0500

Artis Hicks and Maurice Hicks will both be game-time decisions according to Brad Childress. Artis hurt his elbow in the Green Bay game and was replaced (competently) by Marcus Johnson, while Maurice has been nursing a bad foot since preseason. Madieu Williams remains out with a bad neck but he did

Imagine having a disease that only a few people in the world know about, and even fewer people have. 13-Year Old Champion, Josh Rusnock -- Needs your help.

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:33:33 -0500

Dean, Here is the story I wrote about 13 year-old Josh Rusnock of Freeland, Pennsylvania for an edition of the Standard Speaker newspaper. I'm so sorry about that missed attachment. Here it is. And everything you said is fine. I will be more than happy to pass the news on to Josh's mom. Please let me know if you need anything further and I would be more than happy to assist you. Josh is such a good kid and it's become part of my mission as well to find every avenue of help for him and his family. Like I said, please let me know if there's anything more you need. Thanks So Much And Take Care- Imagine having a disease that only a few people in the world know about, and even fewer people have. By BOBBY MASO Staff Writer Imagine being at a crossroads in life, preparing for the transition from boy to young man, yet not being able to do common things like spending time with friends, playing football in the backyard or even riding a bike. That is the life 13-year-old Josh Rusnock of Freeland lives every day. On the surface, Josh looks like an average teenager. He loves most sports, and watching some of his favorite teams, the Houston Rockets of the NBA, the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles and the Boston Red Sox. He also enjoys spending time on his uncle's fishing boat where the two like to talk about, what else? fishing. But under his smile and quiet demeanor is a world hard for most to fathom. Josh's condition, a degenerative nervous system disease known as leukodystrophy, often makes it hard for him to go to the bathroom unassisted or climb the steps inside his home. His hands shake so hard sometimes that if he were holding a glass of soda, the drink probably would spill all over his lap. As hard as it is to imagine, it's even harder for Josh, his mom, Rachael, and their family to live through day after day. Rachael has taken Josh to numerous doctors. Some of them are in awe of the rare condition, while others, including a doctor from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, have traveled the world, to places like Amsterdam, where the majority of cases exist, just to learn more about leukodystrophy. Now, Rachael, along with her friends at the Tresckow Fire Co., are preparing for a benefit dart tournament, silent auction and bake sale to be held Sept. 13. They're hoping to raise enough money so that she can purchase a vehicle large enough to accommodate a power chair that Josh will receive next month, something he needs just to get around. His mother is hoping that the community can help by donating money or items that can be sold at the auction. "Right now, all this is for is to raise enough money for Josh so that I can get a van or a vehicle big enough for his chair. And what we're really looking for are food donations, like buns or pierogies, or items for the auction. Whatever anybody can give would be so appreciated, you have no idea," Rachael said. She explained that the disease has taken a lot out of Josh, whose life "used to revolve around the Freeland YMCA. Now he's forced to stay inside and can pretty much just play video games." Leukodystrophy comes in many forms and closely resembling multiple sclerosis, thus causing many victims to be misdiagnosed. The disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects the central nervous system by disrupting the growth or maintenance of the myelin, a fatty "white matter" that protects and insulates the body's nerve fibers. It's a progressive disease that usually gets worse as time goes on. There are about 70 documented cases of leukodystrophy worldwide, and as of now, there is no cure. "There are 34 different types of leukodystrophy, but Josh displays symptoms of all of them, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly which one he has," Rachael said. Josh began showing signs of the disease at age 4 but was not officially diagnosed until he was 10. All the while, Rachael has been taking Josh to doctors and specialists all over, causing the medical bills to mount and making it impossible to buy the van. "It's gotten so bad that we've actually moved in with my mother in Weatherly because she has a bathroom on the first floor, so Josh won't have to go upstairs. Sometimes, he has to crawl on his hands and knees if he has to go to the bathroom, it's been so bad lately. It's just very difficult," Rachael said. To help ease the family's financial burden, a special account has been set up at Bank of America, where anyone can make a monetary donation to the Joshua Michael Rusnock Medical Fund. Donations can be made at any Bank of America branch, and Rachael said all are appreciated. Josh's mom and other siblings, brother John, 15, and twin stepbrothers Trevor and Derek Remak, and his other relatives hope that spreading the word about leukodystrophy will help others who might be experiencing similar health issues but do not know they have the disease. "I just want to help spread the word because it's very possible that someone else might have this and not know it," Rachael said. "Like I said, it took Josh's doctors a long time to figure out what it was and I'm thinking that there might be others out there who are suffering the same way Josh is, and might be diagnosed with something else because a doctor is unfamiliar with leukodystrophy. I just don't want anyone to have to go through this." Anyone interested in donating toward the Sept. 13 benefit can contact Jennifer Coxe at 570-427-3329 or by e-mail at jen3329@verizon.net. Donations can also be made by calling the Tresckow Fire Hall at 570- 455-5701. bmaso@standradspeaker.com Bobby Maso Standard Speaker Newspaper 21 North Wyoming Street, Hazleton, Pa. 18201 570-455-3636 Ext. 3588 bmaso@standardspeaker.com Click here for more information on Leukodystrophy >>> http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/leukodystrophy/leukodystrophy.htm Events coming up for Josh; CHINESE AUCTION & BAKE SALE 9:00 am to 5:00 pm To make a donation contact Jennifer Coxe @ 570-427-3329 DART TOURNAMENT Teams are still needed Registration at 11:00 Contact Rich Contrady 570-455-5701 To benefit Joshua Rusnock Saturday, September 13th, 2008 Treskow Fire Hall 26 East Oak Street, Treskow A variety of food will be available for purchase.