Hat's Off

Congratulations to Jordan Gross, who was selected as a starter for the Pro Bowl! That is quite an accomplishment given the major injury that ended his season a year ago and the difficult season the Panthers' offense has endured. It's a testament to the respect he's earned in the league. Gross hasn't been in contention for the ProUte of the Week award as a result of his team's play, but he's the only ProUte to be selected for the Pro Bowl. This marks the second time Gross has been selected (2008).

All Out

Eric Weddle left it all out on the field on Sunday, making 11 solo and 5 assisted tackles. He managed one PDef, but it wasn't enough as Carson Palmer threw 4 TD passes and the Bengals (4-11) knocked the Chargers (8-7) out of playoff contention.

After the game Weddle said "Our season is done. It's probably the worst feeling you can have." Another ProUte of the Week award won't change that, but Weddle deserves it for battling to the end. Hopefully San Diego's management will reward him with the new contract he has earned instead of dumping more money into a conditional player like Vincent Jackson.

Stand Out

The performances were outstanding across the board in week 14; naturally there weren't enough stand out performances in week 15 to warrant a poll or a ProUte of the Week award.

The success of the Atlanta Falcons (12-2, best record in the NFC) has brought up comparisons to the '98 team that finished the season 14-2 and made it to the Super Bowl. That team featured ProUte RB Jamal Anderson (1,846 yards on 410 carries), much like the current squad is built around Michael Turner (1,256 yards on 300 carries through 14 games). The two teams share a lot of similarities (there's even a Jamaal Anderson on the roster), but Mark Bradley, a blogger for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, states that the 2010 team is better overall. I'd say that's a bit premature, considering the season isn't over. Regardless of the outcome, Anderson had a stand out season in '98 with 16 TDs and the most rushing yards in franchise history. Who could forget the "Dirty Bird?"

Stop, Drop, and Roll

David Reed was on fire Monday night. Three Texans tried to stop him, but they dropped and he rolled into the end zone. Reed set a new Ravens record with his 103 yard return to start the second half, and his 233 total return yards is the second highest single-game total in team history. Reed was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance, and he can add ProUte of the Week as well. Reed leads the league averaging nearly 30 yards per return.

It took a tremendous effort to overcome the triumphant return of Alex Smith (17-27, 255 yards, 3 TDs), the dominating interior presence of Sione Pouha (10 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery), and the tight coverage of Sean Smith (5 tackles, 4 PDef).

Play of the Day

Andrew Bogut had the Play of the Day in the NBA, tipping in an inbounds pass for the game winner against the Pacers. Bogut was only 5-for-14 from the field, but his touch was golden on this perfect pass from Luc Mbah a Moute. He shot a respectable 7-for-10 from the line en route to 17 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked 5 shots.

4x4x4

Week 13 in the NFL was a tough one. Six ProUtes played tough defense in tough losses. Naming the ProUte of the Week is a tough call as a result. Do we recognize Sione Pouha's individual effort leading the Jets with 8 tackles in a 45-3 loss to the Patriots? Or do we go with the overall team effort Miami got from Koa Misi, Sean Smith, and Paul Soliai (4 tackles apiece) in a 13-10 loss to Cleveland?

Eight tackles is a rare feat for an interior lineman like Pouha, but the Patriots broke the century mark in rushing yards and had two rushing TDs. The Dolphins held Peyton Hillis and the Browns to 52 yards rushing and no scores on the ground. If not for Chad Henne's 3 INTs and a blocked FG in the first quarter Miami could have come away with a win. Mark Sanchez also threw 3 INTs for New York, but that was forcing the ball downfield under duress.

Pouha tallied as many tackles as Misi and Soliai combined, but throw in Smith's tackles and the 4x4x4 gets the job done. This marks the second time this season Miami's trio has shared the award. Eric Weddle (6 tackles) and Ma'ake Kemoeatu (5 tackles) were also in the running.

Be Like Dwight

Andrew Bogut was back in the line up Saturday after missing the last five games with back spasms. Dwight Howard (ill with a stomach virus) was missing from the Magic, which left Bogut free to do his best impersonation of Howard. He posted 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the mismatch. Bogut was 13-of-20 from the field and a Dwight-like 5-of-16 from the line, including eight straight misses in the fourth quarter when Orlando played Hack-a-Buck. Milwaukee held on to beat the depleted Magic (down four sick players), 96-85.

Bogut is averaging 13.1 points and 11.5 rebounds in the 13 games he's played this season. He scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in an 88-78 loss to Miami tonight.

Andre Miller was suspended for "making excessive and unnecessary contact" with Blake Griffin in Portland's 100-91 win over the Clippers on Sunday. I didn't see the play (it isn't in the highlights), but Griffin's a pretty physical player. Are you sure he can't take a bump from an aging point guard? Or has he already reached the superstar status for calls? More likely it was a referee reaction to the flagrant foul, ejection, and two game suspension of L.A.'s Brian Cook. Miller will miss Tuesday's game against Steve Nash and the Suns.

BLOCK THAT KICK!

Brandon Burton's block of Mitch Payne's field goal attempt to seal Utah's 17-16 victory over BYU wasn't the only resounding blocked kick on Saturday; the Las Vegas Locomotives also got a blocked FG to preserve their 23-20 win in the second UFL Championship Game! The Locos defeated the Tuskers for their second consecutive title. Las Vegas has a dynasty! Congratulations to former Utah head coach Jim Fassel and ProUtes Jesse Boone, Brian Hernandez, and Lauvale Sape on winning back-to-back championships!

For an amusing wrap up of the UFL season, see DJ Gallo's Page 2 column on ESPN.com.