Can't Catch Him

We will forgo the poll this week and give the ProUte of the Week Award to Eric Weddle, who ran away with one of Peyton Manning's 4 INTs. Weddle returned it 41 yards for a pick six in the 3rd quarter of the Chargers' 36-14 win over the Colts (linebacker Kevin Burnett also had a pick six in the 1st quarter).

Weddle told ESPN that the lack of credit given to San Diego's top ranked defense was "a slap in the face." He played a major part in his team's response, with 4 tackles and 2 pass deflections to go with his INT return for a TD. Here at ProUtes we give credit where credit is due: this is Weddle's third award of the season.

Return With Honor

Utah has had its share of phenomenal kick returners, from Steve Smith to Shaky Smithson. David Reed doesn't share the same initials but he's working his way into that game-changing role. The kick return game has been pivotal this season in the NFL, and Reed is capitalizing on his opportunities. Against the Panthers he returned 3 kicks for 135 yards, with a long of 84 yards. He didn't score six (and was sick later), but he did win ProUte of the Week honors!

Reed edged out teammate Paul Kruger, who recorded his first sack, perennial favorite Eric Weddle (3 tackles, PDef), and Sean Smith (4 tackles) for the award.

Behind the Line

Quarterback Kyle Orton may be the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, but he knows who to thank: his offensive line. Here he is slapping the helmet of #68 Zane Beadles, our ProUte of the Week. Behind the blocking of Beadles and Co. the Broncos amassed 452 net yards, 299 passing and 153 rushing. They didn't allow a sack for the first time this season, and with that protection Orton (4 TDs, no INTs) posted a 131.5 passer rating. The Broncos finally established a ground game with the first 100+ yard performance of the season for a Denver running back. Tim Tebow also got in on the action with a TD pass and a TD run. Even Brady Quinn could have had a good day behind that commanding O-line!

Beadles wins the award for the second time in his rookie season, stonewalling David Reed (3 kick returns for 64 yards), Sean Smith (6 tackles), and Paul Soliai (3 tackles, 1 PDef). Smith and Soliai (along with Koa Misi) will be back in action tonight, as Miami hosts the Bears. Denver will face off with San Diego on Monday night.

Pickin' 'Em Up and Puttin' 'Em Down

Eric Weddle picked up another ProUte of the Week award in week 9. Weddle wraps up these awards like he wraps up ball carriers (8 tackles). He deflects all challengers like he defends passes (2 PDef). This week's poll had five other candidates, but none of them could get by Weddle to reach paydirt. It would take Sione Pouha (4 tackles, PDef) and Sean Smith combined (5 tackles, PDef) to surpass Weddle's numbers. Koa Misi had 6 tackles while Paul Soliai registered 3 tackles and a sack - that might win the award during Weddle's bye week, but not this week. There was a surprise contender on the offensive (and special teams) side: David Reed saw his first action this season. He rushed once for 15 yards and returned two kicks for 44 yards. That's an average of 19.66 yards per play, not bad for a rookie. But no ProUte makes more plays on the field than Eric Weddle.

Week of the DB

It was the Week of the DB in the NFL, as Brice McCain racked up another 5 tackles against Indy, Sean Smith had a tackle, defended two passes, and snagged the first interception of his career, and Eric Weddle had 11 tackles and defended a pass. Even the offensive players turned DB, as Quinton Ganther and Chris Kemoeatu each had a tackle after an interception. You voted and Sean Smith takes the award for his takeaway (see the video here)! Now he and Koa Misi each have one of their own to go with the one they shared.

Steve Smith did all he could to help his team, even returning a punt 8 yards to go with 9 receptions for 85 yards. Maybe he can play a little DB as well (Carolina throws enough interceptions Smith could have plenty of tackles)!