NFL Shop

Is it just me, or has the NFL Shop.com catalog gone completely metrosexual? Are we really supposed to associate a bunch of prissy pretty boys with snot-bubbling hits on the gridiron? Or is this just an all-out blitz on the girlfriend demographic? Maybe it's not the catalog I want, or maybe I'm not the customer that the NFL Shop.com wants.

Roster cuts drop on Tuesday. I'll have more to say on the NFL then.

Steve Smith's shoulder

First Ma'ake Kemoeatu's Achilles tendon, now Steve Smith's shoulder. Keep an eye on Jordan Gross, because at this rate he's the next former Ute/current Panther on the injury watch list. All-Pro WR Steve Smith injured his shoulder in a padless practice collision. ESPN.com reports that Smith, who was expected to miss the entire preseason, has already returned to practice. There's no tougher receiver in the game today than Steve Smith!

Utes in the UFL

Three former Utes have signed on with the new United Football League. C Jesse Boone and NT Gabe Long will play for the Las Vegas Locomotives and QB Brian Johnson will play for the as yet unnamed New York franchise. The California Redwoods and Florida Tuskers round out the four team league, which kicks off its inaugural season on October 8th. All four teams will wear the same uniform design, but each will sport its own horrendous color scheme. Buy your team gear now; it's guaranteed to be limited edition!

The Deepest Cut

Last week was a tough one for former Utes. On the first day of training camp defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu of the Carolina Panthers tore his Achilles tendon (an injury with which this blogger is all too familiar). Kemoeatu will have surgery and hopes to return for the last month of the season. Wide receiver Bradon Godfrey was cut by the Atlanta Falcons, and Chris Shelton was sent back down to the Tacoma Rainiers.