plus 1, Lions OT Hilliard gets job done against NFC sack star - Detroit Free Press

Lions OT Hilliard gets job done against NFC sack star - Detroit Free Press

Posted: 13 Dec 2010 05:59 AM PST

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was halfway through his postgame news conference when he stopped himself mid-thought.

"Before I get too far, I don't think we can overlook the job that Corey Hilliard did on Clay Matthews," Schwartz said. "Clay Matthews is arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL, and Corey played outstanding. They looked for that matchup, they matched up against him most of the game, and Corey stepped in and did a great job."

Hilliard made his first career start at right tackle Sunday in place of Gosder Cherilus, who was out with a knee injury, and spearheaded one of the Lions' best efforts on the offensive line this year.

The Lions ran for a season-high 190 yards and kept quarterback Drew Stanton mostly upright in a 7-3 slugfest over the Packers.

Hilliard allowed one sack against Matthews, the NFC's leader in sacks entering the game. But the play was hardly his fault. Stanton ran backward in the pocket trying to make a play and took a 19-yard loss.

Although the Packers typically move Matthews all over the field, Hilliard said he was assigned to Green Bay's top rusher "the whole time."

"They probably were looking at me saying this is the guy's first start, let's see if we can get pressure on him and rattle him," Hilliard said. "It was just fun to be out there, the crowd was awesome. I couldn't have asked for more out of my first start."

In his fourth NFL season, Hilliard, who has played mostly on special teams this year, said he had trouble sleeping Saturday night and spent most of the time "reflecting on my ups and downs in the league in four years."

"To get your first start against a guy like that, a little nerve-wracking," Hilliard said.

BIG WILLY STYLE: Hilliard made one of the key blocks on Will Heller's game-winning 13-yard touchdown catch, combining with center Dominic Raiola to take safety Nick Collins out of the play.

Heller, who entered Sunday with two catches, said he came into the game one play before his touchdown to spell Brandon Pettigrew. Last week, the Lions called a similar tight-end screen to Pettigrew in a loss to the Bears. That pass failed, and the Lions (3-10) were forced to settle for a field goal.

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"I'm sure they weren't expecting me to run it ... of all people," Heller said. "But like I said, it was a great call, great drive."

NO EXCUSES: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion late in the first half, but coach Mike McCarthy said that was no explanation for his team's offensive struggles.

"It's no excuse, no excuse at all," McCarthy said. "We played poor on offense today. That starts with me."

The Lions held the Packers to 68 yards of offense in the first half, intercepted two passes and had four sacks despite playing through a slew of their own injuries.

Linebacker Landon Johnson suffered a neck injury on the first play of the third quarter, Brandon McDonald suffered a broken arm in the second half, and Cliff Avril didn't finish because of a rib injury.

With McDonald out, the Lions were forced to use Prince Miller, who was signed off the Ravens' practice squad this week, as their nickel cornerback.

Contact DAVE BIRKETT: 313-222-8831 or dbirkett@freepress.com. Read more in his Lions blog at freep.com/lionsblog. Follow him on Twitter @freeplions.

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Job Front: Database lists job seekers with disabilities - Sacramento Bee

Posted: 13 Dec 2010 12:01 AM PST

Employers can now find and recruit job candidates with disabilities on a new database launched by the Labor Department.

The 2011 Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities database carries more than 2,200 candidates who have earned or are working toward associate, bachelor's, graduate and law degrees.

"This database is filled with talented students motivated to prove their skills in the workplace," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy, or ODEP.

The jobless rate for people with disabilities exceeds 14 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Others are marginally employed, according to Martinez's office, which, in October – National Disability Employment Awareness Month – called disabled underemployment "historic."

The student job seekers have been interviewed by recruiters from federal agencies and are seeking temporary and full-time positions.

Federal officials can search the database by visiting www.wrp.gov and can track the status of prospective candidates, including whether they already have been hired.

Private-sector employers can access the database through ODEP's National Employer Assistance and Resource Network toll-free at (866) 327-6669 or by filing a request at www.earnworks.com.

Career Expo Tuesday

Sacramento Convention Center will be the site of Sacramento's Business and Career Expo on Tuesday.

The free event is from noon to 4 p.m. at the convention center, 1400 J St.

The expo features recruiters for private and public sector employers from fields including accounting, health care, information technology and sales.

Admissions counselors from local colleges and schools, as well as business and franchise representatives will also be on site.

Job seekers and those seeking to move into entrepreneurship can receive tips on their job search and self-employment opportunities.

An employment expert will also be available to evaluate résumés.

For more information, visit jobjournal.com or call (888) 843-5627.

LinkedIn lessons offered

Roseville networking group Active Job Seekers of America is offering LinkedIn training from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday in Roseville.

Attendees will learn how to create a LinkedIn profile and use the social media tool to network, find a new opportunity and connect with past and present colleagues.

The course, at 516 Gibson Drive, Roseville, is $30 for job seekers. Attendees are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. seminar.

For more information, e-mail Melissa Washington, executive director at melissa.washington@activejobseekers.org.

Job-hunting questions?

Ask Terri Carpenter, one of our "Ask the Experts" writers who can answer your questions online.

As a veteran career counselor at the Sacramento Employment Training Agency, Carpenter has plenty of expertise in résumé writing, job-skills training and career counseling.

To post your question or see her advice to other job seekers, go to: www.sacbee.com/ask.

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.