Former NAU wide receiver Daiveun Curry-Chapman was among the latest roster cuts from the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.
After completing his Lumberjack career last fall, Curry-Chapman went unseleceted in the 2011 NFL Draft and was picked up a rookie free agent by the Cardinals shortly after the lockout ended.
He stayed with the Cardinals for the entirety of training camp in Flagstaff but never saw signifcant action during the first three preseason games and didn't catch a single pass in his limited time on the field.
Curry-Chapman played in 41 games with 19 starts for the Jacks. He recorded 107 receptions for 1,066 yards and 13 touchdowns during his career. In 2010 he was named to the All-Big Sky Conference second team selection after leading the league in receptions per game with 6.3 and ranked sixth in receiving yards per game at 67.1. He led the team in receptions (69), receiving yards (738) and receiving touchdowns (6).
Safety Matt Estrada, the other NAU player to sign a rookie free agent deal this summer, remains with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the time being.
Also Monday, the Cardinals let go linebackers Curtis Gatewood and Duke Lemmens, fullback Charles Ali, and tackles Eric Mensik and Jason Speredon. The Cardinals placed corner Greg Toler (knee) and running back Ryan Williams (knee) on injured reserve.
Arizona also waived safety Tommy Irvin and receiver Max Komar. The Cardinals are now at the 80-player roster limit, which all teams are required to reach by this afternoon.
NAU VOLLEYBALL
NAU junior setter Kelli Dallmann earned the initial Big Sky Volleyball Player of the Week honor for the 2011 season, the conference announced Monday. The Peoria native averaged 11.00 assists and 2.92 digs per set and posted two double-doubles in three weekend matches in Orem, Utah. She was named MVP of the Wolverine Invitational, as NAU went 3-0 and won the tournament championship.
"We had a really good week," Dallmann said in a release. "It was nice to hear that I got the award to recognize our success. It was a lot of fun this weekend and a great way to start the year."
The award was the first such weekly honor for Dallmann, who was an All-Big Sky second team selection in 2010. She totaled 132 assists for the weekend, with a high of 53 assists in NAU's 3-1 win over Utah Valley to clinch the championship. Dallmann also contributed 10 blocks, seven kills, and four service aces for the tournament as the Lumberjacks defeated CSU Bakersfield, Illinois State and Utah Valley.
NAU is the only undefeated team in the Big Sky after the season-opening weekend.
