Friday, September 30, 2011

Samoan Tiger

Jonathan Fanene's two sacks of fellow ProUte Alex Smith earned him the ProUte of Week 3. Fanene, who missed nearly all of last season with an injury, has returned with a vengeance. His 3 tackles puts him up to 12 on the season, and this fumble recovery helped him edge out Eric Weddle, who had 3 tackles, a PDef, and an INT that sealed the Chargers' win over the Chiefs. Other players considered for the award were Alex Smith (20-30, 201 yards) and Sean Smith (6 tackles, PDef).

Friday, September 23, 2011

Bend Like a Reed in the Wind

Five contenders emerged for ProUte of Week 2, but David Reed separated himself from the pack on this 77 yard kick return. Reed rolled up 123 total yards on 3 returns, making him one of the Ravens' most effective weapons on a day when the offense struggled to move the ball against Tennessee. Reed would later leave the game with a shoulder injury which has kept him out of practices this week. After missing week one for a suspension, Reed may miss week three with an injury. In week two he made kicker Rob Bironas miss!

Also in the running were the Smith brothers: Alex, Sean, and Steve, as well as Eric Weddle. Alex Smith completed 16 of 24 passes for 179 yds, 2 TDs, and an INT. He also rushed 3 times for 21 yds, but was sacked 6 times. Sean Smith had six tackles and two pass deflections while covering premier wideout Andre Johnson. Steve Smith had another big day, catching six balls for 156 yards, but he did have a fumble forced and recovered by Charles Woodson (who also intercepted Cam Newton twice, as one Heisman winner victimized another). Eric Weddle led the Chargers with 12 tackles, but he struggled in coverage against New England's big target tight ends.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

In Good Hands

Steve Smith's hands are good as new after a finger injury in Aug.

It appears rookie quarterback Cam Newton is in good hands with veteran receiver Steve Smith. Newton had a big debut with 422 yards passing and 178 of those went to Smith, who had 8 receptions and scored two touchdowns. Steve Smith is the ProUte of the Week for the season opener. Smith also garnered the quote of the week from Bill Barnwell, who writes for Grantland.com: "We would say that he hit Steve Smith for two touchdowns, but nobody's ever hit Steve Smith and lived to tell the tale."

Honorable mention goes to Alex Smith, who was 15-20 passing for 124 yards and rushed 7 times for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Jonathan Fanene, who had 6 tackles in his return from last year's season-ending injury. 

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Letters from Training Camp

Baltimore - David Reed suspended for the first game; Kelly Talavou released.
Buffalo - Quinton Ganther released.
Dallas - Justin Taplin-Ross released.
Green Bay - Caleb Schlauderaff traded to the Jets; Shaky Smithson placed on injured reserve.
Minnesota - Matt Asiata and Freddie Brown released; Brandon Burton made the cut.
New England - Christian Cox waived, placed on injured reserve.
New York Jets - Zane Taylor released; acquired Caleb Schlauderaff for an undisclosed conditional draft pick.
San Francisco - Sealver Siliga released; Barry Sims not re-signed; Alex Smith named starting quarterback.
St. Louis - Eddie Wide waived, placed on injured reserve.
Tennessee - Robert Johnson and Brett Ratliff released.