Hands Down

I'm going to dispense with the poll this week and declare Eric Weddle the hands down ProUte of Week 3. Weddle recorded 7 tackles and a pass deflection to go with his INT return of 31 yards for a TD against Miami. That gives Weddle one more touchdown than Smith, who is in danger of becoming "the other Steve Smith" at this point. In last night's loss Smith had 4 catches for 38 yards and one fumble. Not what I would call stepping up his game. And with the Panthers having a bye in week four Weddle has the inside track on winning back-to-back ProUte awards. Who knows - maybe with the debacle that is the Cleveland Browns offense qb Brett Ratliff will get his chance!

Steve Smith Makes Things Interesting

After taking a shot at qb Jake Delhomme ("I love you as a person") in week one, wr Steve Smith hauled in 8 receptions for 131 yards in week two. Those aren't jaw-dropping numbers for an All-Pro wideout, but that kind of production with an inconsistent quarterback is still impressive. Smith is known for his competitive streak, and the competition for ProUte of the Week just got a bit more interesting. Smith edged out Eric Weddle and Sione Pouha for Week 2 honors. He could not be reached for comment, as he is preparing to play the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Eric Weddle had an INT return for a TD in Week 3, so we'll have to see how Smith ups the ante tonight!

Phil Glover

With Utah playing Louisville at home this weekend I have been recalling the game the two teams played in 1998. It was the inaugural game for Rice-Eccles Stadium and I was there in the brand new stands. Utah had a terrific game that night, beating Louisville 45-22. Future NFL players on that Utah squad included rb Mike Anderson, cb Andre Dyson, de John Frank, lb Phil Glover, dt Ma'ake Kemoeatu, and wr Clifford Russell. It was a talented team and Dyson had two interceptions in the game, but the player who really stood out to me was Phil Glover. A Butkus Award candidate, Glover had incredible range as a linebacker. He was all over the field, using his 4.48 40 speed and team-best 38 inch vertical leap to harass the Louisville offense. He made a definite impression on me as a college player, but what has he done professionally?

Glover was drafted by the Tennessee Titans, a team with a strong track record of drafting Utah players (they also drafted Andre Dyson). A seventh round pick, Glover was a member of the Titans team that came up just short of tying St. Louis in the Super Bowl when fellow ProUte Kevin Dyson was tackled at the one yard line. Following that season Glover was assigned to the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe; he then went on to have a notable career in Arena Football, winning individual accolades and team honors along the way. In this picture Glover (#31) and Brian Johnson hoist the trophy after winning Arena Bowl XXI in 2007. Glover was named Ironman of the Game.

This week ProUtes salutes Phil Glover, a dominant linebacker from Las Vegas, and looks forward to watching Stevenson Sylvester, another linebacker with great range from Las Vegas, get his shot at having a memorable game against Louisville!

Week One goes to Weddle

Eric Weddle is the ProUte of Week One of the NFL. The starting free safety for the San Diego Chargers recorded 6 tackles and a pass deflection in Monday night's defeat of the Oakland Raiders. Weddle is rated second on ESPN Fantasy Football magazine's list of most productive safeties in the league, so expect him to contend for this honor week in, week out! Runners up: Jonathan Fanene (Cincinnati), Sean Smith (Miami), and Steve Smith (Carolina).

King Louie

In last night's season opening 13-10 loss the Tennessee Titans missed a field goal and shanked a punt. That kind of thing hasn't happened at the University of Utah over the past few years - not with "King" Louie Sakoda proving to be one of the team's most valuable players. A consensus all-American place kicker and punter, Sakoda could have helped the Titans last night. He could help any number of pro teams this season, yet he went undrafted. Sakoda was the most accurate kicker at the NFL combine, but his kick offs (the one duty he did not handle at Utah) were not impressive. After the draft he worked out for the Chargers, Bears, and Bills, but he hasn't been signed as a free agent, either. Instead Utah's career leading scorer is back on campus, working with the team as a graduate assistant and studying entrepreneurship. The kicker/punter plans to open a sports bar/men's clothing store, proving once again that King Louie can do it all!

Conflicted

I've got to say I'm a bit conflicted over tonight's season opener. I'd like to see a good showing by offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, but I've got the Titans defense on my fantasy team. Last year the Titans sacked Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger five times, and I wouldn't mind seeing a repeat performance tonight. As long as it comes off the outside edge and not up the middle it will be a win-win!

The Sound of One Hand Picking

All this talk about Pro Utes getting cut has been a bit of a downer. Let's start the season off on a positive note, shall we? Utah fans are already familiar with Sean Smith's acrobatic one-handed interceptions, but this one is pretty sweet. Get used to plays like this, Dolphins fans!

Final Cuts

Running back Quinton Ganther posted 10 rushes for 18 yards and 3 receptions for 49 yards during the preseason before he injured his right calf in the final preseason game. Tough luck, poor timing, and a crowded backfield resulted in his being waived-injured by the Tennessee Titans. Also casualties of the final 53-man roster cut were wide receiver Freddie Brown (Bengals) and defensive end Martail Burnett (Vikings).

Two Birds with One Stone

Another bird team has waived wide receiver Bradon Godfrey. First the Falcons, then the Ravens. Are the Eagles next? Michael Vick could use a receiver like Godfrey to catch passes in practice. The Ravens signed Godfrey on August 15th, then waived him on August 31st to get the roster down to the mandated 75 players as of September 1st. Final cuts are this weekend, when teams have to get down to 53 players. No other Pro Utes were casualties of the 75 man roster, although tight end John Madsen and wide receivers Brent Casteel and Paris Warren were waived earlier.

I've never liked the Ravens, but they do have two Pro Utes on their formidable defense: rookie linebacker/defensive end Paul Kruger and back up defensive lineman Kelly Talavou, so I grudgingly give them credit for that.

Utah opens the 2009 season against Utah State tonight! Go Utes!