Linebacker

STATE COLLEGE - Mike Mauti and Gerald Hodges often find themselves yelling at each other, though it's not in anger. "Every time he makes a play, I'm the first one there to make sure, 'All right man, that's a good job, now it's my turn,' " Hodges said. "And we just battle, and that's just nothing but friendly competition to make each other better and help the team win. " For Penn State's pair of elite senior outside linebackers, their friendly rivalry is only helping them solidify their representation of "Linebacker U. " And that source of motivation seems to be working, as the two are semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is annually given to the nation's best linebacker.

Ridley linebacker Shane Dougherty talks about the win over Springfield.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Even by his high standards, the performance of Rutgers senior linebacker Khaseem Greene in last week's 23-15 win over Syracuse was over the top. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Greene had 14 tackles, 11/2 sacks and an interception. He also forced three fumbles and earned both the Walter Camp and Chuck Bednarik national player of the week awards. Last season, Greene was the Big East co-defensive player of the year. So, when Temple (3-2, 2-0 Big East) hosts Rutgers (6-0, 3-0)

LONG AFTER most folks had departed, a woman scurried over to Todd Jones, a senior linebacker for St. Joseph's Prep's football team, and said, excitedly, "Can I get a hug?! I'm the only one that didn't get one!" No information was released on how many people were on hand Saturday night at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High - 5,000? 6,000? 7,000? - for a Catholic AAAA war between the Prep and archrival La Salle, but Jones placed his number for family/friends in attendance at 20. His mother, Danetta Bates, was the gal who needed the hug, and due to Todd's exuberance, she was lucky she lived to tell about it. His dad, Todd Jones, and grandmother, Tamara Jones, also were in attendance and part of the on-field, postgame celebration, as was Sharief Williams, a best buddy since childhood.

Robert Griffin III took part in the Washington Redskins' full practice Friday for the first time this week and appears set to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Griffin was full-go after being limited Wednesday and Thursday while recovering from a concussion suffered in last week's 24-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie quarterback has been subject to NFL-mandated post-concussion medical tests that he must pass before he can play. "If he passes his tests and we don't see any symptoms, then it looks like he'll be ready to go," coach Mike Shanahan said.

Zach Foga calls it the "biggest game I've played so far in high school. " Aaron Salaga calls it the "regular-season championship game. " It will be a battle of unbeatens when Florence hosts Delran on Friday night, and the Flashes' senior linebacker corps is preparing for its toughest challenge of the season. "It's going to be tough," said Rich Meyers, the third member of the linebacker crew that Florence coach Joe Frappolli calls the "core" of his team's defense. Florence is 4-0. Delran is 5-0. Something has to give when the Bears' high-powered offense, led by quarterback Justin McFadden and featuring running back Mark Jukic and wide receivers Zane Campbell and Khalil Thomas, meets the Flashes' ferocious defense.

THE EAGLES have signed linebacker Jason Williams and released linebacker Adrian Moten. Williams, a 6-1, 244-pounder, is in his fourth NFL season. He will wear uniform number 57 with the Eagles. Williams played 28 games with the Panthers (2010-11) and Cowboys (2009-10). He was among the Panthers' final cuts this summer. Last season, Williams played in 14 games and led the Panthers with 15 special-teams tackles. In 2010, he played four games before suffering a knee injury. In his NFL career, he has 36 tackles, 28 special-teams tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

The search for special-teams help continued Tuesday as the Eagles released Adrian Moten a week after they signed the linebacker. In Moten's place, the Eagles signed linebacker Jason Williams, who was released by the Panthers just before the start of the season. The 6-foot-1, 244-pound Williams played 28 games with Carolina (2010-11) and Dallas (2009-10), where he recorded 36 tackles on defense and 28 on special teams. Last season, Williams led the Panthers with 15 special-teams tackles in 14 games.

IN AN ERA where football offenses often move freely up and down fields, and hard hitting is something of a rumor, Chris Cruz is a breath of fresh air. Check that. He causes guys to gasp for air. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior is a middle linebacker for Roman Catholic High and when he goes Cruzin', runners/receivers/throwers are in for a bruisin'. "Honestly, I'm not sure where [this mindset] comes from because my dad was kind of a finesse-type of player," Cruz said. He paused for a second, then raised his eyebrows as if a light had flicked on behind his forehead.