Throw the Flag

In addition to attending the University of Utah, Steve Smith and I have something else in common: we have both broken our left arms twice. I broke mine in elementary school one year apart, and Smith broke his twice in one year playing football. He got credit for scoring a touchdown after breaking it against the Giants (see post on 12/28/09), but he's taking criticism for breaking it a second time playing flag football. It's not the smartest move he's made in his well-documented career, but the only person who has a legitimate complaint about him playing flag football is the guy who had to cover him! His contract does not grant the Carolina Panthers total ownership of his body, and they have wisely decided not to penalize him for what amounts to a freak accident, according to this release from the Associated Press. The break is not in the same spot, and Smith won't miss any part of the regular season, just the preseason.

Chris Shelton has been out of action since May 30th and remains on the 7 day Disabled list with a hamstring injury. Former Utah pitcher Jordan Whatcott signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this week and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League. According to John Coon of the Deseret News there are now seven former Utes in the minor leagues: Jay Brossman, Brian Budrow, Stephen Fife, Ryan Khoury, Shelton, Jesse Shriner, and Whatcott. Brossman was last seen on the 7 day DL with the Arkansas Travelers, Fife pitches for the Portland Sea Dogs, and Shriner plays catcher for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

Olevao Back with the Blaze

The Utah Blaze announced that they have re-signed Kautai Olevao, a LB/FB who played for the Blaze from 2006-2008. Olevao delivered the greatest hit I have witnessed in Utah's rivalry with BYU when he leveled fleet-footed RB Ronney Jenkins, who coughed up the ball and a lung. Check it out:

Make Room for Ma'ake

Ma'ake Kemoeatu has a lot on his plate, even for a 345 lb. self-described "big fat guy." He's trying to come back from an Achilles tendon injury that kept him off the field last season, and he's doing it with a new team that's transitioning to a 3-4 front. According to this article on redskins.com Kemoeatu could be the first nose tackle in the proud history of the Hogs. Albert Haynesworth doesn't want the job, so make room for Ma'ake!