This is a trial feature tracking news about former East Carolina athletes in the National Football League, Major League Baseball and other professional leagues. Bonesville will publish this feature from time to time until we can judge the reception by readers. If it proves to be popular on a sustained basis we will make it a regular part of our content rotation at certain times of the year. The first and second editions of “The Next Level: Pirates in the Pros” attracted big shiploads of readers when they were published in recent weeks.

If you are an ex-ECU athlete pursuing a pay-for-play career, you are invited to keep us up to date on your progress by e-mailing Greg Vacek (greg.vacek@bonesville.net). Your communication to us will be kept confidential.

NFL, PGA and MLB players with ECU ties have been in the spotlight of late. Hyperlinked updates from news sources around the web follow:

Harold Varner III out-hoops Steph Curry Wednesday at the Safeway Open Pro-Am out in Napa, Calif. … ECU’s Abria Trice Signs Second Pro Contract In Luxembourg.

Vikings keep dishing out the pain.  How Vikings’ NT  Linval Joseph Destroyed the Giants Interior Run Game on Monday Night Football. … Falcons’ Justin Hardy: Not targeted in Denver.  The rookie has four receptions for 34 yards with two touchdowns this season. … It was expected that with injuries Green Bay’s Josh Hawkins would take on a larger role, but the Packers held rookie cornerback Josh Hawkins off the field entirely on defense on Sunday against the Giants, keeping him relegated exclusively to special teams.

Chris Johnson begins long road back for Cardinals and appears ready to tackle the new challenge of rehab after hernia surgery.  Cardinals faced with decision: Take Chris Johnson or Tyvon Branch. The Cardinals can activate one player per season who’s been on IR for at least six weeks.  “Knowing Chris, as fast a healer as he is, he might be sooner,” Arizona coach Bruce Arians said. … Giants’ Dwayne Harris: Suffers sprained toe during a Week 5 matchup against the Packers and was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Bears release DL C.J. Wilson for second time in two weeks. … In the most trying experience of his life, East Carolina Product Bryce Williams Fights Adversity on Path to NFL, Rams.

Athletics’ Jharel Cotton, who arrived in Oakland in the Reddick/Hill trade, nearly threw a perfect game in his second start, and then looked great in five starts for the A’s.

Jeff Hoffman is part of the Rockies youth movement.  Jeff Hoffman had an anticlimactic debut, but in his final appearance of 2016, he put together his most complete performance, giving himself some positive momentum going into the 2017 season in which he is expected to play a big role.

Shawn Armstrong pitched in 10 games for the Cleveland Indians this season and posted a 2.53 earned run average with seven strikeouts.  Armstrong is not on the Indians’ postseason roster, as the Indians sent Armstrong to Arizona.