Alex Smith Wins For Losing

Alex Smith's second half performance against the Texans wasn't quite enough to win the game, but it did win him the starting job in San Francisco. And it won him the ProUte of Week 7 award! In one half Smith was 15-22 for 206 yards and 3 TDs. He also rushed twice for 16 yards and threw one interception. Smith is getting a rare second chance with the team that drafted him #1 overall after restructuring his contract (and his shoulder). Now if the 49ers would restructure their offensive line (tackle Tony Pashos was put on injured reserve with a broken shoulder blade) and give Smith time to throw more touchdowns to tight end Vernon Davis or find rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree downfield, he might be able to make the most of this second chance. The 49ers have a tough match up with the undefeated Colts this weekend. Smith beat out two other Smiths, Sean and Steve, and Eric Weddle for week 7 honors.

D-Line Responds

The battle of the trenches has moved into the blogosphere; two weeks after an O-lineman won the ProUte of Week award D-linemen Jonathan Fanene and Sione Pouha responded. Whether or not they were motivated by news of the award cannot be ascertained. What is official is that Fanene logged four tackles and a sack, while Pouha racked up nine tackles (one for a loss) in week six. Nothing beats a sack, but Pouha wins the award on sheer workload. As you can tell from his facial expression, the big fella is still not satisified. Stay hungry, Sione! Don't let the ProUte of Week Six award keep you content!

Off Week with Weddle Off

One might think that with Eric Weddle and the San Diego Chargers having a bye in week 5 it would open the door for a new ProUte to step forward and win the award. That was not the case however, as no other ProUte did much to distinguish himself.

An esteemed follower of the blog suggested that coaches be included and recognition given to Mike McCoy, a former Ute quarterback who is currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are 5-0 and qb Kyle Orton was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after beating the Patriots. Credit McCoy for developing a quarterback who was considered a downgrade when the Broncos traded Jay Cutler for him. It will be interesting to see how McCoy develops as a coach now that he works with Josh McDaniels, who was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Bill Belichick.

McCoy had his own brief pro career in the 90s, playing for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.

Sakoda to Saskatchewan

Louie Sakoda has been called up by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. The team drafted but did not sign Sakoda over the summer. Now a neck injury to their regular punter has prompted the Roughriders to add Sakoda to their practice squad. This could be the opening he needs, so King Louie is putting school, coaching, and his clothing line on hold to chase his dream across the border the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Got to Hand it to the O-Line

It's not often that offensive linemen get singled out for anything besides a holding penalty, so I'm stoked about Chris Kemoeatu winning the ProUte of Week 4 award! Kemoeatu's blocking paved the way for the Steelers to rack up 177 yards rushing and 320 yards passing against the Chargers. Even more impressive was the 40:20 time of possession! That points to domination at the line of scrimmage, so hats off to Kemoeatu. He beat Eric Weddle (on and off the field), Sean Smith, and Paul Kruger, who recorded his first career tackle.

Go Locos!

The inaugural UFL season begins tonight, with the California Redwoods taking on the Las Vegas Locomotives. Get behind the Locos, because they have no fewer than five ProUtes on the team! Center Jesse Boone (pictured at right in practice with qb J.P. Losman) and defensive lineman Gabe Long have been joined by wide receiver Brian Hernandez, tight end John Madsen, and defensive lineman Lauvale Sape. The Locos will play in UNLV's Sam Boyd Stadium, but the home school only landed one player on the practice squad in comparison. As reported in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the fledging league might want to consider Salt Lake for an exhibition game if not an expansion franchise! Even Las Vegas head coach Jim Fassel is a former coach at the University of Utah. Go Locos!

Other ProUtes playing in the UFL include defensive end Josh Savage and wide receiver Paris Warren with the Florida Tuskers. Quarterback Brian Johnson was released by the New York Sentinels.

On a side note, if there are any Savage #95 Tennessee Titans jerseys still in circulation I would be an interested buyer!