Direct Snap

Once again Weddle took a direct snap and successfully executed a fake punt. Last time it didn't surprise Utah fans, but this time it shouldn't have surprised anybody. Don't the Raiders watch game film? If they watch the film from week 17 they will see Weddle making eight tackles and getting behind his blockers for a 6 yard gain and a first down. We're going to direct snap the ProUte of the Week Award to Weddle; we trust he knows what to do with it.

Lining up across from Weddle and the Chargers defense was Tony Bergstrom, making his first start for the Raiders. San Diego beat Oakland, 24-21.

Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Paul Kruger both sacked former TCU quarterback Andy Dalton; Kemoeatu also had 4 tackles, while Kruger had one tackle and one pass deflection. David Reed also caught 3 passes for 44 yards, but Cincinnati got past Baltimore, 23-17. Both teams are headed to the playoffs, so there wasn't much at stake in this meeting.

Get Away With One

On this highlight clip the announcer says Steve Smith got away with one, but as far as we're concerned he got away with another ProUte of the Week Award! Smith caught four passes for 45 yards and a TD, his fourth of the season. Carolina beat Oakland 17-6, their fourth victory in five games; they face New Orleans in the season finale for both teams.

Sean Smith had two tackles and forced a fumble in Miami's 24-10 win over Buffalo, but the Dolphins were knocked out of the playoffs by Cincinnati. Miami closes out the year at New England.

Eric Weddle recorded 7 tackles against the Jets. He also got a few licks in on Greg McElroy, although he didn't get one of the 11 sacks San Diego racked up on the quarterback making his first start. San Diego will host Oakland on Sunday.

Ten Pin

Eric Weddle made ten takedowns, but Steve Smith got by him for a diving touchdown. That made the score 31-0 in favor of Carolina; the Panthers would go on to win 31-7. Carolina and San Diego both stand at 5-9 for the season, which will not extend into the playoffs for these two teams. Smith had 6 catches for 57 yards and a rush for 15 more. He takes home the ProUte of the Week Award for Week 15.

Zane Beadles and got the better of Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Paul Kruger as Denver defeated Baltimore, 34-17. David Reed caught two passes for 22 yards in his first action for the Ravens this season.

Good as Gold

Andre Miller was golden for the Nuggets on Friday night against the Grizzlies. He scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, going 4-for-4 on free throws in the final 10 seconds. Miller was 6-of-10 from the field and 6-for-6 from the line; he also had 4 assists and 2 rebounds. The crafty vet made a sick pump fake on the right block that sent two Memphis defenders flying by and opened the lane for an easy two. Denver defeated Memphis, 99-94.

Ma'ake the Play

This could end up being our Play of the Year: Ma'ake Kemoeatu forces the fumble and Paul Kruger recovers it! It may not have been a big return on the play, but that is some excellent teamwork by the ProUtes! Kemoeatu had 2 tackles and a PDef to go with his FF, while Kruger had 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks in addition to the FR. Kruger is the ProUte of the Week, but big Ma'ake made the big play!

Eric Weddle had 5 tackles, 2 PDef, and converted a fake punt. On 4th-and-2 from their own 28 the Chargers put the ball in Weddle's hands with a direct snap. He ran around the end for a 4 yard gain and a first down. No surprise to Utah fans who recall Weddle's success running the Wildcat in college, but it must have caught Washington off guard!

Steve Smith caught 7 passes for 109 yards as Carolina beat division-leading Atlanta, 30-20. The Associated Press reported:

It was all Carolina in the first half, beginning with the coin toss.

The Panthers hadn’t won a coin flip all year until Sunday, causing team captain Jordan Gross to exalt at midfield by thrusting both arms into the air. Including overtime, the Panthers were 0-13 on coin flips.

“I’ve never seen people cheering so loud for a coin toss,” Gross said with a laugh.
 

Haul It In

Steve Smith hauled in this touchdown pass, and with it the ProUte of the Week Award. Smith caught 5 passes for 120 yards, including a 23 yard TD and a 53 yard Hail Mary on the last play of the game. An emotional Kansas City team stopped the Panthers short, but Smith has never let his lack of size stop him from coming down with the ball.

Koa Misi had 5 tackles and sacked Tom Brady, as did his teammate Paul Soliai (2 tackles). Paul Kruger also got another sack, although his penalty for roughing the passer after the two minute warning helped the Steelers move into field goal range. David Reed was activated from the physically unable to perform list for the first time this season, but did not play.

The Wedd Head

Eric Weddle became the latest ProUte to suffer a concussion on Sunday. He was coming up to make a tackle on Ravens RB Ray Rice when he got blocked in the back by WR Anquan Boldin. The cheap shot propelled him head first into Rice, and Weddle sustained a concussion on the play. For all of the league's talk about protecting receivers from headhunting defenders, where is the penalty/suspension/fine for Boldin on this dirty play? Weddle left the game, Rice converted a 4th-and-29, and the game went to overtime, where Baltimore prevailed. Before he was knocked out of the game Weddle had 7 tackles, 2 PDefs, and a near interception that would have iced it for the Chargers. Instead the Wedd Head is on ice. Another ProUte of the Week Award won't ease his symptoms, but he deserves it.

Paul Kruger got after Philip Rivers using his quick hands, sacking the quarterback once. Kruger now has 5.5 sacks, matching his total from last season. He also had four tackles. Koa Misi made 7 tackles against the Seahawks, but it was teammate Paul Soliai who got to the quarterback for half a sack.

Alex Smith was cleared to play following his concussion, but Coach Harbaugh went with Colin Kaepernick instead. He looked good leading the Niners to a win in the Superdome, so Smith, the 5th highest rated passer in the league, finds himself embroiled in a quarterback controversy.

Picked Clean

Marcus Gilchrist made the leaping deflection, Eric Weddle made the interception, and Peyton Manning made a weak attempt at keeping him out of the end zone. Weddle took it back 23 yards for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Manning's attempt was halfhearted but heady, as he stayed in the game and threw three touchdown passes to his own teammates. San Diego was able to sack him for a safety in the second half, as the Chargers defense put 9 points on the board before the offense got in gear. Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes but he also threw two interceptions and lost one of his three fumbles. Weddle might have to step into the backfield to protect his own quarterback, as Rivers was sacked 4 times (3 by Von Miller). As it is Weddle had 6 tackles, a PDef, and the pick six. San Diego wasn't good enough for the win or the division lead, but Weddle was certainly good enough to capture the ProUte of the Week Award, his first of the season.

Paul Kruger followed up his award-winning performance with another solid outing against the Steelers. He had two tackles, a sack, a PDef, and forced a fumble. Koa Misi had 4 tackles and a sack, while Sean Smith had 6 tackles and forced a fumble.

Big Bird

Give me that ball, dang you!

Paul Kruger showed off his wingspan and his reaction time, batting down a Carson Palmer pass and catching it for an interception. Kruger also sacked Palmer twice (credit for one is due to Mike Brisiel for stepping on Palmer's foot on fourth-and-one - good thing it wasn't Tony Bergstrom!) and had six tackles as the Ravens walloped the Raiders, 55-20. Kruger wrapped his big mitts around the ProUte of the Week as a result.

Alex Smith was knocked out of the game with a concussion after taking a hard hit to the back of the neck. He stayed in the game and completed 5 passes including a TD while experiencing blurred vision. When his vision didn't clear up he stayed on the sideline. He was 7-8 for 72 yards and the TD when he left. The game ended in a 24-24 tie with St. Louis, as both kickers missed field goal attempts in overtime.

Sione Pouha suited up in Seattle a day after the Utes were defeated there by the Huskies. His Jets were also defeated, but Pouha had 6 tackles, a season-high, as he has been limited by back problems. 

Not So Fast

Andre Miller may not be so fast these days, but watch him go up high to deny Derrick Favors the dunk! Miller tells the 6'10" Favors "Not so fast, youngster!"

Andrew Bogut has put the brakes on his comeback from an ankle injury. He had been limited to 18 minutes per game, with back-to-back games off, but he is out of action once more while he tries to build up the strength he needs to play effectively.

Take Back the Capital

Steve Smith, Jordan Gross, and the Carolina Panthers traveled to the nation's capital in week 9 and came away triumphant. The Washington Redskins billed it as a Homecoming game, with past greats invited and past horrid uniforms unveiled. Some of the Panthers took exception to a professional football game being called Homecoming, so they went out and played like professionals.

As always, it starts in the trenches, where Gross and the offensive line held their ground. They did not allow a sack and the Panthers rushed for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. Carolina converted on nearly half of their third downs (5-11) and put up 330 total yards on offense. Cam Newton had better protection than Robert Griffin III, and that was crucial. It allowed him to find Steve Smith, who found the end zone for the first time this season. Smith had 3 catches for 41 yards and a score. He also laid out a defender with a nice downfield block on Armanti Edward's 82 yard catch-and-run. Smith put the player down like he put down the trade rumors earlier in the week - he's playing his whole career in Carolina. It was a much-needed team victory, so Gross and Smith are the ProUtes of the Week.

Spread it Around

Alex Smith completed 18 of 19 passes to 9 different targets, an all-around demonstrative performance on Monday Night Football. Even when Arizona tipped a pass it still ended up in the hands of the intended receiver. The only pass to fall incomplete was dropped by a wide open receiver, but otherwise Smith's teammates made great runs after the catch and great blocks downfield to extend plays. Smith had 232 passing yards, an average of 12 yards per attempt, and 3 TDs, including one juke-and-jive 47 yards up the sideline by Randy Moss. Arizona has a solid defense and, although they sacked Smith four times, they never got him off his game. No turnovers, no looking over his shoulder. He's still the clear starter for a San Francisco team that is the clear division leader after beating Arizona, 24-3. Alex Smith is our ProUte of the Week for Week 8.

Steve Smith had the play of the day - if not the whole season - on this pass he tipped and caught. He also had a nice leaping reception for 47 yards, one of his 7 catches for 118 yards. Eric Weddle was all over the soggy field in Cleveland, making 6 tackles (one for loss), a PDef, and a forced fumble. In addition he fielded five punts, returning one 20 yards. Paul Soliai was a force for the Jets to reckon with, as he had 4 tackles (one for loss) and recovered a Mark Sanchez fumble with one arm while fending off a blocker with the other. As for the blockers, Zane Beadles and the Broncos came up big with 530 total yards (225 rushing) and no sacks allowed. Beadles made the trap block to get McGahee into the end zone for the game's first score.

Slow Start

The Carolina offense is off to a slow start this season. It's 24th in the league at 335.5 yards per game, and 29th in the league with 106 points. Cam Newton is 26th in passing yards, just behind Alex Smith, incidentally. He's tied for 28th in passing touchdowns with three Matts: Cassel, Hasselbeck, and Stafford (two of whom haven't played all 7 games). His passer rating of 79.3 ranks 23rd behind rookie Russell Wilson. He does lead the team in rushing yards with 273 (good for 31st most in the league). With an overloaded backfield paying premiums to DeAngelo Williams (47th) and Jonathan Stewart (41st) that's not a positive sign.

It's been a sophomore slump for Newton (which really began halfway through his rookie season), and his behavior has been sophomoric. Steve Smith has called him out for sulking on the sideline, a call for leadership to which Coach Ron Rivera took exception. After Week 7's 19-14 loss to Dallas, Newton said something had to change. That change came the following day with the termination of general manager Marty Hurney. How that helps Stewart, Williams, and Mike Tolbert run the ball more effectively, or Cam Newton pass the ball more efficiently, I don't know. More importantly, what does it mean for Steve Smith?

Smith had 7 receptions for 83 yards in Week 7, but he was held scoreless again. For the season Smith has 28 catches for 471 yards (16.8 yards per reception) but no TDs. Law of averages would tip in favor of him getting into the end zone soon, although it may not happen against Chicago's defense this week.

In a week when many ProUtes had a bye, Steve Smith's performance stood out as the best, yet wasn't an award-winning performance for a player of his caliber. The same can be said of Alex Smith, who was 14-23 for 140 yards, a TD and an INT. He played a tough defense and his team won against a division opponent, but his play wasn't up to the standard of the other weeks he's won the award. As such there was not a ProUte of Week 7. One player who warrants a mention for something that does not appear on the stat sheet: Matt Asiata covered up the onside kick at the end of Minnesota's 21-14 victory over Arizona. Not a game-winning play, but a play he had to make. 

Same Old Locos

While his brother Matt Asiata is breaking in with the Minnesota Vikings, Shawn Asiata is trying to make an impact with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL. Utah fans know full well the type of bone-jarring impact the big fullback can make as a lead blocker, and how well he catches the ball out of the backfield. So far he has one reception for 11 yards for Sacramento (0-3). Another new player in the UFL is Clint Mower, a long snapper for the Virginia Destroyers (1-2). So far the season has belonged to veterans Jesse Boone and Lauvale Sape of the Las Vegas Locos (4-0).

Team Effort

Eric Weddle couldn't keep Eric Decker out of the end zone on this play, but he did have 6 tackles (one for loss) and a PDef against the Broncos. He also fielded a punt, which, like most of the kick returners in this game, he muffed. He recovered his drop, unlike Denver's Bolden or Holliday. The game was a tale of two halves, as Denver turned it over repeatedly in the first half and San Diego returned the favor in the second half.

Zane Beadles was on the winning side, as Denver came back from a 24-0 halftime deficit to win the game, 35-24. Denver didn't dominate by piling up the yards, but Beadles and the line were flawless in pass protection, allowing no sacks of Peyton Manning despite having to abandon the run (57 yards) to come back. Pass protection was ultimately the difference in the game, as Rivers was sacked four times, threw four interceptions, and lost two fumbles. Both quarterbacks threw pick sixes, but Manning was the more efficient quarterback because he had better protection in the pocket. Weddle did more individually in this game, but Beadles did more to help his team win. For that reason Zane Beadles is the ProUte of the Week.

Honorable Mention: Ma'ake Kemoeatu had five tackles for Baltimore's depleted defense in a narrow defeat of Dallas, and Sean Smith had 5 tackles and a PDef in a close victory over the Rams.

Use the Force

Forced fumbles were all over the field in Week 5, especially in Cincinnati. Sean Smith forced one to go with his PDef and 8 tackles, and Koa Misi forced this fumble on one of his 5 tackles. It was quite a day for the Miami defense, as 5 ProUtes recorded tackles! Derrick Shelby got his first, R.J. Stanford had one, and Paul Soliai had 3 plus half a sack in Miami's 17-13 victory.

Eric Weddle forced a fumble and sacked Drew Brees on his record-setting day; Weddle also had 7 tackles in the contest.

Robert Johnson hauled in his first interception on this red zone tip drill, but the Vikings controlled the game to the point that Matt Asiata got his first two carries for 8 yards.

Brice McCain also had an interception in the end zone, and he returned it 86 yards to the opposite red zone. That's what you call flipping the field! McCain had 2 tackles, half a sack, and a PDef as Houston remained undefeated.

Paul Kruger had 5 tackles, 3 for a loss in a close game against the Chiefs.

So many candidates for ProUte of the Week, but one ran away with it: Alex Smith. In a 45-3 rout of Buffalo, Smith threw for a season-high 303 yards and 3 TDs. He added 49 yards rushing on 3 carries as San Francisco became the first NFL team ever to top 300 yards passing and 300 yards rushing in the same game. Talk about bringing balance to the force! The 49ers aren't just a dominant defense any more. The 621 total yards was a franchise-record, and it belongs to Alex Smith and Jim Harbaugh, not Joe Montana and Bill Walsh. Alex had a perfect passer rating in the first half, and he leads the league with a rating of 108.7. He's also leading the way with three ProUte of the Week Awards in the first five weeks of the season!

Picked Apart

Sean Smith's two picks set him apart from the field for ProUte of Week 4. Smith asked to cover Larry Fitzgerald, and he did so about as well as anyone in the game. He had 6 tackles, 4 PDefs, and 2 INTs, including a sweet snag in the end zone. Fitzgerald had 64 yards and a TD on 8 receptions, and that was with Arizona abandoning the running game. Kevin Kolb completed 29 passes for 324 yards and 3 TDs, but only a portion of those passes went to his favorite target. Smith did get beat on the tying touchdown pass to Andre Roberts, but he can't be expected to win every snap.

Koa Misi also had a go at the Cardinals, getting to Kolb for 1.5 sacks, making 5 tackles, and forcing a fumble. He could have won the award two weeks running if not for Smith stepping up.

Eric Weddle had an interception to go with his 5 tackles, and Paul Kruger had a sack, 2 tackles, and 2 PDefs. Let's not forget about the o-line, where Zane Beadles and the Broncos overcame an injury to the starting center to produce 503 total yards without allowing a sack. Beadles even had his number called on this fake field goal, although the play wasn't executed exactly as it was drawn up.

Misi Me?

Koa Misi re-introduced himself to Tim Tebow on Sunday. When they met in the Senior Bowl Misi forced Tebow to fumble. They met again when Tebow was in Denver, and now that he's in New York they will meet up twice a year.

Misi made 8 tackles against the Jets and is our ProUte of Week 3. It was all defense in the third week, with Misi's 8 topping Weddle's 5, Kruger's 3, and Pouha's 3.

Alex Smith and the 49ers faltered at Minnesota, as his streak of consecutive passes without an interception came to an end (it wasn't Brandon Burton who picked it off). Smith also lost a fumble.

Steve Smith caught four balls for 86 yards, then went after his quarterback for sulking after throwing multiple interceptions.

Heavy Weight Bout

Not even an open cut on the bridge of his nose could rattle Alex Smith as he drove his team down the field for the game-clinching touchdown. Smith got cut when he scrambled down field ("just like he did in college" according to one commentator) for a gain that was nullified by a holding penalty. Smith took a forearm to the face at the end of his slide, but no flag was thrown for targeting his head. He was cut on the play, but he wasn't flustered. With blood running down his nose Alex lined up and methodically moved his team into scoring position. He hit Vernon Davis with another touchdown pass, and that was game. Alex Smith knows how to roll with the punches, so taking the ProUte of the Week Award away from him isn't going to be easy!

There were some heavy weights who gave it a shot: Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Paul Soliai, and Sione Pouha all recorded a PDef this week. Sean Smith had two, but he's a cornerback. These three are defensive tackles, and they all notched a PDef in the same week! Pouha had the best overall performance in his return to action, with two tackles, a sack, and the PDef.

Steve Smith needed only 3 receptions to get 104 yards, with his longest being good for 66 yards.

Eric Weddle wasn't the only ProUte safety wearing #32 in San Diego on Sunday. Robert Johnson got the start again for Tennessee. He struggled to cover the tight end in the end zone, but he did record three tackles for a loss (four total). Weddle had three tackles and an interception of Jake Locker's errant pass.

#1 in Week One

Alex Smith outplayed Aaron Rodgers in Week One, earning our first ProUte of the Week Award in 2012. In terms of career Rodgers has gotten the better of Smith, but the former #1 overall pick won this round. In a potential playoff preview, San Francisco traveled to Green Bay. Playing at Lambeau didn't faze Smith, who went 20/26 for 211 yards and 2 TDs. Rodgers had more completions and yards, but it took him a lot more attempts to get there. Playing from behind, the Packers QB threw 44 times, completing 30, for 303 yards and 2 TDs. He also threw a costly pick in the rally effort. Granted, Smith has the better defense on his side, but there is another stat worth noting: average yards per pass play. Alex was good for 6.4, while Aaron hit 5.9. The ProUte also broke a former Cougar's franchise record for most consecutive passes without an interception. Still think he's just a game manager? Then ask Aaron Rodgers why he's wearing an Alex Smith jersey!

Koa Misi posted 11 tackles to lead Miami, Eric Weddle had 7, and Steve Smith caught 7 passes for 106 yards. Robert Johnson got his first start for Tennessee and finished with 5 tackles. Peyton Manning won his first start in Denver, but he had plenty of help. Demaryius Thomas did most of the work on this 71 yard TD, but look who's out there clearing the way: big Zane Beadles!

Aye Aye, Captain

Carolina has a cornerback named Captain Munnerlyn, but he isn't one of the team's captains. That distinction goes to Steve Smith and Jordan Gross on offense, Jon Beason and Thomas Davis on defense, and Jordan Senn for special teams. Cam Newton may get all the attention, but ProUtes Smith and Gross get the respect!

Alex Smith is a captain once again with the 49ers, along with Frank Gore, Justin Smith, and Patrick Willis. Previously Alex Smith was appointed captain by the coaching staff, but this year he was elected by his teammates, a marked difference.

Eric Weddle will repeat as defensive captain of the Chargers, along with Takeo Spikes. Philip Rivers, Nick Hardwick, and Antonio Gates are the offensive captains, with Darrell Stuckey taking over on special teams.

Three and Out

Rosters were trimmed to 53 players today, and there were a few ProUtes who did not make the cut.

AFC - James Aiono and Zane Taylor (Colts), Conroy Black (Raiders), Sealver Siliga (Broncos).

NFC - Shaky Smithson (Packers), R.J. Stanford (Panthers).

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP list): David Reed (Ravens).

Brett Ratliff had a rough outing in Tampa Bay's final preseason tune up, a 30-3 loss to Washington. Ratliff completed 14 of 30 passes for 164 yards, threw three interceptions, and was sacked five times. He was one of the last players to be cut by the team.

On a positive note, Matt Asiata beat out two other running backs for a spot on Minnesota's roster. He is now listed as the third-string tailback, and his ability to play fullback and special teams set him apart from the others. Asiata joins Brandon Burton as a member of the Vikings.

Rookie of the Year

C.J. Cron was named Rookie of the Year of the California League after leading the league in RBI. He celebrated the award by having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Cron's 123 RBI tied the franchise mark, and he was the first Sixer first baseman selected to the All-Star Team since 2005. Cron is considered the #2 prospect in the Angels organization.

Score One for Asiata

The Vikings lost to the Chargers 12-10, with Matt Asiata scoring the only touchdown of the game on a short pass. He might have had another, but he fumbled on the two yard line. Minnesota's running backs fumbled three times (one forced by hard-hitting Eric Weddle), so Asiata wasn't alone in that. He led the team with 9 carries for 48 yards, with a long of 18. At this rate he may make the final roster as a fill-in until Peterson is all the way back.

Three players have been released as teams trimmed rosters to 75: Justin Taplin-Ross by the Cowboys and Brian Hernandez by the Eagles. As I mentioned in a previous post, the NFC East is not known for its ProUte pedigree.A bigger surprise was seeing Jonathan Fanene has been cut by New England. He was released under the new "failure to disclose physical condition" designation, one of two NFL players to be so designated, according to ESPN.com.

Two Deep: NFC

R.J. Stanford's interception was mentioned in the AFC post; he is listed as Carolina's second-string right cornerback. Staying in the NFC South: Journeyman Brett Ratliff is currently listed as Tampa Bay's third string quarterback, behind Josh Freeman and Dan Orlovsky. Through two preseason games he is 8-of-13 for 62 yards. In week two's 30-7 loss to Tennessee Orlovsky was 1-of-5 for 6 yards and one INT, so there is a possibility Ratliff could pass him on the depth chart.

The NFC East has some strong traditions, but drafting players from Utah is not one of them. Currently there are two in the division: Justin Taplin-Ross is a third-string strong safety for Dallas, while Brian Hernandez has resurfaced on Philadelphia's roster after being released by the Redskins during training camp. He is buried on the depth chart at wide receiver, but he is on the roster for now. The Eagles already waived defensive tackle Tevita Finau (who was previously dropped by the Cardinals).

Aside from Alex Smith, there are no other ProUtes in the NFC West. Could that change with Utah's membership in the PAC-12, or will the territorial rivalry prevent teams from Arizona, California (it didn't bother Oakland), and Washington from picking ProUtes?

In the NFC North: Matt Asiata carried 7 times for 43 yards (with a long of 22) as Minnesota spread the ball around during Adrian Peterson's rehab. He is listed as the third-string fullback, which probably doesn't earn a spot on the 53 man roster. Brandon Burton is not listed on the depth chart at all, although he is still on the roster and recorded 4 tackles in the first preseason game. Shaky Smithson is tied for fourth on the depth chart as a wide receiver and kick returner for Green Bay. He is tied with Diondre Borel from Utah State, incidentally. In week one each player fielded a punt, with Borel returning his a yard and Smithson having no gain. Both players fumbled, with Shaky covering his up. Borel also returned two kickoffs for 58 yards and had 3 catches for 13 yards. Neither player saw the field in week two's 35-10 loss to Cleveland.

Two Deep: AFC

S. Smith battles S. Smith for the ball

Yeah, it smacks of desperation to write about the second week of the NFL preseason, but when have we seen seven ProUtes play in the same game? Miami has four on defense, while Carolina has two on offense and one on D. That meant we got to see Steve Smith go against Sean Smith (when he wasn't tussling with Vontae Davis). Miami's Smith appears to come away with the interception in this photo, but he was flagged for PI on the play. R.J. Stanford's INT in the end zone with :04 left stood, and put an end to the game.

The real standout in the game wasn't Smith, Smith,  or Stanford; it was Derrick Shelby, an undrafted rookie defensive end. Prior to this game the local media was already positing that Shelby would make the Dolphins 53 man roster. After his 4 tackle (2 for a loss), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble performance there's little doubt! Shelby is listed as second string on the depth chart, meaning Miami should field four ProUte defenders this season.

The AFC East has only one team without a ProUte on the roster: the Buffalo Bills. Jonathan Fanene is now a second-string defensive end for the New England Patriots, while Caleb Schlauderaff is a second-string center for the New York Jets.

The AFC South likewise has one team unrepresented: the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Jordan Babineaux sitting out, Robert Johnson got the start at strong safety for the Titans but did not record any stats against Tampa Bay. He is listed as the second-string free safety behind Michael Griffin, but it seems he is second-string for both safety positions. Brice McCain is second-string at right cornerback for the Houston Texans. In Indy, Zane Taylor is a third-string center.

In the AFC North: Stevenson Sylvester is listed as the second-string inside linebacker for the Steelers; he had three tackles in the first preseason game. Paul Kruger is slated to be the starter at Sam linebacker for the injury-prone Ravens. Kruger had 4 tackles and a PDef in last night's 27-12 loss to Detroit. Ma'ake Kemoeatu is the back up nose tackle in Baltimore, and had 2 tackles. David Reed is listed as a third-string wide receiver in Baltimore, but has not made any plays this preseason.

Over in the AFC West: Tony Bergstrom is listed as the second-string left guard for the Raiders, while Conroy Black is fourth-string at left cornerback. Sealver Siliga is a third-string nose tackle with the Broncos. John Cullen was released by the Chargers earlier this month.

Tommy's Records

Tommy Grady broke all kinds of AFL records this season, including passing yards (5,970), passing touchdowns (142), pass completions (507), and pass attempts (743). The previous record for TDs was 117, a mark that Grady shattered in the 15th game of the season. He led the Utah Blaze into the playoffs, where they went on the road to knock off #1 seed San Antonio, 35-34. In the conference championship the Blaze had a 9 point lead with 9 seconds remaining but succumbed to the Arizona Rattlers, 75-69. Grady led the league in 9 offensive categories en route to his record breaking performance, for which he was voted the Top AFL Player by the fans. He was recently invited to workout for the San Diego Chargers.

Grady was named league MVP and Offensive Player of the Year as well!

Artful Dodger

Stephen Fife made his major league debut with the LA Dodgers last night, pitching six innings. Fife only allowed one run, but the Phillies got two more in the 8th to defeat the Dodgers, 3-2. Fife got his first start and his first strikeout, but he will have to wait for his first W. Although he performed well in spot duty, he will likely be sent back to Albuquerque. Watch highlights here.

Olympians

Michael C. Lewis wrote a nice piece on Utah's 2012 Olympians: Kim Smith, Shona Thorburn, and Michelle Plouffe. The two former Utes and one current Ute are members of Canada's basketball team, which qualified for the 2012 London Games. Read the article in today's Salt Lake Tribune.

Changing of the Guard

This off-season has seen some veteran point guards change teams, with Steve Nash getting traded from the Suns to the Lakers and Jason Kidd leaving the Mavericks to join the Knicks. The Jazz traded their most recent point guard to the Hawks and brought back previous point man Mo Williams. But one wily veteran who has played for multiple teams is staying put: Andre Miller re-signed with the Denver Nuggets. Miller has made Denver his home since his first stint with the team, so he was willing to stay and the team welcomed him back. Miller led the team with 6.7 assists per game while playing with the second unit, and Coach Karl considers his leadership a tremendous asset to a young Nuggets team. Miller is 36 and played in all 66 games last season, despite separating his shoulder; in 13 seasons he has only missed 4 games due to injury. Denver has enough confidence in his durability to sign him to a multi-year contract on the first day of free agency.

It's not the off-season for the WNBA, where Leilani Mitchell starts at point guard for the New York Liberty (6-11). Mitchell is averaging 8.3 points and 3.3 assists in 29.5 minutes per game (second-highest on the team). Off the court Mitchell has been matched up with star point guard Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.

Save Leader

Tyler Wagner, a closer who set the single-season record with 17 saves, was drafted in the fourth round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Parker Morin, whose 69 hits tied for a team-high, was picked 10 rounds later by the Kansas City Royals. New Ute Caleb Frare was also selected by the New York Yankees in the 11th round. James Brooks was drafted the following day, going to the Washington Nationals in the 20th round.

For more details see the article by Tony Jones in the Salt Lake Tribune.
For more on the development of 2011 first round pick C.J. Cron, see George Alfano's piece in the Deseret News.

Siliga Steps In

Sealver Siliga has stepped into an opening with Denver's defense, Brian McIntyre writes on NFL.com. Starter Ty Warren is skipping the OTAs and rookie Derek Wolfe hasn't finished the school year yet, so Siliga is getting extra reps in practice.

PAC-12 All-NFL Team

Four ProUtes made the first team of the PAC-12 Alumni All-NFL Team: Jordan Gross, Zane Beadles, Steve Smith, and Eric Weddle. Alex Smith got a second team nod from Pacific Takes, the website that created the team (also covered by ESPN's PAC-12 blog).

Remember Me?

Sione and Keite Pouha have donated $50,000 to the Invest in Excellence campaign, and the alumni locker room in the new football facility will be named for Pouha in gratitude. Memorial Day weekend is a fine time for an announcement like this! New OC Brian Johnson and his fiancée Ashley Chapman also donated $50,000 to the campaign earlier this month.

In free agent news, a Kemoeatu has re-signed with his former team. Remember Ma'ake? Apparently the Ravens do, as they have signed the defensive lineman who didn't play in 2011. Too bad he won't be able to line up against his brother Chris in the annual Ravens-Steelers grudge matches; Chris has not signed with another team since being released by the Steelers. Zane Taylor has signed with the Colts after being released by the Eagles.

Hunger Strike

After attending my first Utah baseball game - a thrilling 11 inning 4-3 victory over Oregon State - I realized it's time to post an update on players in the minors.

Stephen Fife was back in Salt Lake this weekend for a series with the Bees. He started for the Albuquerque Isotopes yesterday, giving up 2 earned runs in 7 innings. Fife is on the 40 man roster and could be called up by the LA Dodgers.

C.J. Cron hasn't made it up to the Bees yet - he's no longer with the Owls, either. He's slugging his way up with the Inland Empire 66ers of the Class A Advanced California League.

Brian Budrow played in that league last season, but was released by the Visalia Rawhide.

Ryan Khoury has gone the free agent route and is now plying his trade with the Wichita Wingnuts of the AAIPB (not affiliated with MLB).

Jordan Whatcott is pitching for the Reading Phillies, a team I got to see play some time ago.

Rick Anton played for the Ogden Raptors and the Great Lakes Loons last season; he isn't on any affiliate roster this spring, although he is still listed as active.

Jay Brossman has retired from the Angels organization due to injuries and is now a student coach for the University of Utah team I watched play this past weekend.

24 for 24

#24 led the Nuggets with 24 points last night, extending their first round series to game six. Miller shot 8-11 from the field, 2-2 from behind the arc, and 6-6 from the foul line in a highly efficient performance. #24 also scored 43 points for the Lakers, but took 32 shots to get there. In addition to making two clutch free throws at the end of the game Miller had 8 assists, including the requisite lob to Javale McGee. Still as precise as it was when he was throwing it to Keith Van Horn in the Huntsman Center!

Friday Night Lights

Tony Bergstrom was the final pick on Friday night, the second day of the NFL Draft. He was also the first pick of the Oakland Raiders, as they traded away their first three picks in 2012. They received a compensatory pick at #95, which they used to draft the tackle out of Utah. Bergstrom will attempt to become the next Barry Sims, a ProUte who played nine seasons in Oakland.

Also joining Bergstrom in Oakland will be Conroy Black, who will try to don the silver and black as an undrafted free agent. Other ProUtes going the undrafted route are John Cullen with the Jets, Derrick Shelby and Shawn Asiata with the Dolphins, and Tevita Finau with the Cardinals.

Leading the Way

Eric Weddle is leading by example in the university's fund-raising efforts: the honorary co-chair has pledged $250,000 to the Invest in Excellence campaign. Weddle made the announcement while visiting Salt Lake for the annual Red-White game over the weekend. Read Dirk Facer's column in the Deseret News for more details.

Another great former Ute is back in Utah today: Keith Van Horn will be inducted into the Crimson Club Hall of Fame. Van Horn didn't meet with the same success in the NBA as his college running mate Andre Miller, but he was a phenomenal player in college. According to Kurt Kragthorpe's article in the Salt Lake Tribune, Van Horn has his priorities straight.

Steve Smith's Extension

Steve Smith has signed a three-year extension with the Carolina Panthers, pledging to finish where he started. It's a reversal from last off-season, when Smith's home was up for sale and a trade was possible. The difference a year can make, particularly with a new coach and a rookie phenom playing quarterback! Smith will be 33 when the season starts, but the indomitable wide out will finish his career on his own terms.

All-Time Andre

Chalk up another 12 assists for Andre Miller, who cracked the Top Ten All-Time! Miller now has 7,398 assists in his career, passing Maurice Cheeks (in 66 fewer games played) for tenth. He's got another 589 assists to catch up to Rod Strickland at ninth; at his current average of 6.4 apg that will take another full-length season plus. Two other active players are in the top ten: Jason Kidd at #2 and Steve Nash at #6. The closest active player behind Miller is Baron Davis at #29. View the full ranking at NBA.com.

Cold Shoulder

After a secretive flirtation with Peyton Manning went nowhere, the 49ers turned back to their steady, re-signing Alex Smith. It's a three year commitment (less than Manning got from Denver) at $8 million per year (far less than Manning got). When Smith found out the Niners were two-timing him in negotiations he went to Miami for a little side action of his own, but in the end he got back together with the only NFL team he's ever known.

Andre Miller has been an iron journeyman in his NBA career, but a shoulder injury has sidelined him for the time being. Miller was hurt when a Dallas defender came down hard on his shoulder in Monday's game. Miller did not return to the game, and is expected to miss at least tonight's game with the Pistons.

UPDATE:

With the left hand

Andre did not miss the game against Detroit, although he did miss both shot attempts, as he was hampered by the sore shoulder. He still contributed 7 assists (including this lob to JaVale McGee) and 6 rebounds in Denver's 116-115 victory. On Friday night he shot the ball better, going 4-8 from the floor, 1-2 on threes, and 5-5 on free throws. Miller scored 14 points, passed for 6 assists (with another fancy feed to McGee), and grabbed 2 rebounds in Denver's 102-121 loss to Utah.

Coach Karl had this to say about his point guard:
"He’s the best. I don’t think there’s any question that, mentally, we would not be where we are without Andre Miller. His leadership, his veteran-ism. To do what he does on the basketball court ... he has [so] much impact on games." (Salt Lake Tribune)

AFC Beast

After drawing some interest from the Denver Broncos, Paul Soliai opted to stay in Miami. According to ESPN.com he signed a two-year deal worth $12 million, half of it guaranteed. Apparently he still fits into the team's plans as they transition to a 4-3 defense.

Jonathan Fanene will join Soliai and Pouha in the AFC East, as he agreed to an offer from the New England Patriots. Now if the Bills could lure Sealver Siliga away from Denver's practice squad each team in the division would have a Polynesian ProUte on its defensive line. It would be the AFC Beast!

Buck Stops Here

Milwaukee has lost patience with oft-injured center Andrew Bogut, trading away the former #1 pick to Golden State in exchange for guard Monta Ellis. The deal also enabled the Bucks to unload the unhappy Stephen Jackson on his former team in a two-for-three deal; Milwaukee will receive forward Ekpe Udoh and center Kwame Brown, another former #1 pick, in exchange. These two teams will face each other on Friday, but Bogut will not be in the line up for the Warriors any time soon, as he is still recovering from a broken ankle.

This move reunites both of Utah's #1 picks in the Bay Area, assuming Alex Smith re-signs with the 49ers. They didn't play in the PAC-12 as Utes, but there is a distinct West Coast feel to this development!

Down the Line

The Jets have locked up Sione Pouha for another 3 years, adding stability to their defensive front. The Steelers have cut Chris Kemoeatu from their unstable offensive line in an attempt to clear more cap space. The Dolphins used their franchise tag on Paul Soliai a year ago, but the two sides never reached a long term agreement. This year Miami is transitioning from a 3-4 look to a 4-3 front, which reduces the importance of a massive run stopper. Will he capitalize on his Pro Bowl appearance and take his girth to another team that will appreciate a man of his stature, or will he stay with Koa Misi and Sean Smith in South Beach? Alex Smith is likely to stay in San Francisco, signing a new deal that will keep him (not Peyton Manning) as the starting quarterback for the 49ers. The Panthers tendered R.J. Stanford, an exclusive rights free agent.

Combine Notes

Cullen is put through his paces.

Bergstrom had a decent showing at the combine, as he tied for 3rd on the bench press (32 reps), tied for 9th in vertical jump (29.5"), and tied for 13th in the 40 yard dash (5.27 sec). He graded out at 51.2, barely ahead of Cullen (pictured), who got a mark of 51.0. Cullen finished 5th in the 20 yard shuffle (4.59 sec) and 7th in the 3 cone drill (7.58 sec).

Shelby graded out slightly higher than his counterparts at 53.7. He was 3rd in vertical jump (35.5"), tied for 9th in the 3 cone drill (7.09 sec), and tied for 11th in broad jump (9'8"), but his lackluster time in the 40 yard dash (4.96 sec) has Tony Pauline of SI.com putting him in the slider category.

The best combine performance by an athlete with Utah ties was put up by Utah State running back Robert Turbin. He tied for 1st on the bench press (28 reps), took 4th in broad jump (10'2"), tied for 8th in vertical jump (36"), finished 9th in the 40 yard dash (4.5 sec), and tied for 14th in the 20 yard shuttle (4.31 sec) for an overall grade of 74.5. Fellow Aggie Bobby Wagner, a linebacker who figures to be the first player from a Utah school selected in the draft, was unable to participate, as he was hospitalized with pneumonia.

Under Way

Tony Bergstrom, first team All-PAC-12 O-line

The NFL Combine gets under way today, and three former Utes have been invited to participate: Tony Bergstrom, John Cullen, and Derrick Shelby. All three linemen were all- conference selections in the PAC-12 this season. Bergstrom has been rated the 10th best offensive tackle in the 2012 class, and is being projected as a 4th round pick. He's also included in the top ranks of guards by Eric Edholm of ProFootballWeekly.com. Cullen, a second team All-PAC-12 selection, is not listed in the few seven round mock drafts currently available. Their prospects resemble those of last year's participants, Schlauderaff (drafted and traded) and Taylor (undrafted free agent practice squad member).

Shelby is likewise unlisted in full seven round mocks, which is odd considering he was named the national defensive player of the week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation for his play against Pitt. He has been mentioned as a sleeper to watch by Matt Rybaltowski, the Titans correspondent for CBSSports.com. I'd love to see him end up in Tennessee!

Perhaps the biggest name of the bunch is the one that isn't on the list - that's because Star Lotulelei is returning to Utah for his senior season. Lotulelei was also named first team All-PAC-12, and he won the Morris Trophy following a stellar campaign as a junior. The Morris Trophy is voted on by the opposing linemen in the conference, making it true recognition of a player's impact on the field. For comparison, USC's Matt Kalil won the Morris Trophy for offensive linemen, and he is currently projected to be the third overall pick in the draft this April. Lotulelei likely wouldn't be picked that high, but after another outstanding season at Utah he could really make a name for himself!

Little Playmakers

Weddle vs. Smith in the 2012 Pro Bowl

Steve Smith dubbed himself "Little Playmaker, University of Utah" in the video introductions for NFL games this season, and the nickname fit. Especially in yesterday's Pro Bowl, where Smith was the leading receiver for the NFC, catching 5 passes for 118 yards and a TD. His teammate Cam Newton didn't fare as well in his first appearance, throwing 3 interceptions - two of them into the hands of Eric Weddle, another little playmaker. Weddle, who was tied for the league lead in interceptions this year, returned the first one 63 yards and pitched the second pick over to Derrick Johnson, who took it 60 yards for an AFC TD. There weren't many opportunities for Paul Soliai to make any notable plays, as the defensive line is stymied by the rules of the game, but his teammate Brandon Marshall strutted his stuff, catching 6 passes for 174 yards and a record 4 TDs on his way to the Pro Bowl MVP.

Bad Luck Buck

Bogut leaving the court in the first quarter.

Andrew Bogut suffered another injury Wednesday, fracturing his left ankle when he landed on another player's foot. Bogut had three points, four rebounds, and three blocks in the first quarter of his 400th career game; it was an attempt to block a 4th shot that brought the big man down. Bogut plays hard around the rim - he just doesn't stick the landings. He is out indefinitely, and may miss the rest of the compressed season. Hopefully the baller is back on his feet soon.

Team Leader

Smith's terrific season ends.

Alex Smith led the 49ers, even in defeat. Rather than pinning the overtime loss on Kyle Williams for his fumble on a punt return, Smith kept the blame squarely on his own shoulder pads. "It's not on him. I look at the one for 13 on third downs. I know he's going to feel bad, but he's still part of our team. We didn't lose the game there. We lost it across the board offensively. We just couldn't get it done." That was the type of leadership I expected from the full-fledged QB of the Niners. It wasn't Alex's best game: 12-26, 196 yards, 2 TDs and a 97.6 rating. Smith spent most of the game scrambling, and he did gain 42 yards on 6 carries. In the end the offense could not sustain a drive when it needed to, with plays like Vernon Davis catching an 11 yard pass on 3rd-and-12. San Francisco needs to discover a receiver like Victor Cruz who can exploit the gaps when Davis is double-covered.

Paul Kruger led the Ravens in sacks with one. Out of context that may not seem too impressive, but consider the situation. The Patriots had a first down at Baltimore's 11 yard line in the first quarter when Kruger came charging around the left end to sack Brady for a 5 yard loss. The Ravens held the Pats to a field goal as a result, keeping the game within reach. The missed field goal at the end decided it, but the defense held New England to 23 points, and it started in the first quarter. Kruger had two tackles in the effort.

A Super Bowl rematch of New England and New York features no ProUte players, as Christian Cox has been on IR since the first game of the preseason.

It's Miller (Over) Time

Andre on the spot.

Andre Miller led one of his former teams (Denver) into the arena of one of his other former teams (Philadelphia) last night, coming off the bench and coming away with the win in overtime. It was Philly's first home loss of the season, and it was apparent that Miller felt comfortable playing in his former venue. He shot 12-20 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and 1-2 at the stripe for a season-high 28 points. Miller also had 10 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. Andre made the plays when it mattered most, hitting a driving jump shot with 7.9 seconds left in regulation to put Denver up one; after a 76ers free throw tied the score, he missed a 3 at the buzzer (his only missed 3 of the night). In overtime, Miller once again hit the Nuggets' final bucket to put them ahead 106-104, and then made the steal to seal it. Denver got two more free throws for a 108-104 victory, thanks to 'Dre!

Alex Advances

Alex leads his team to a playoff win.

Alex Smith looked every bit the ProUte of the Year against New Orleans on Saturday! Alex was 24-42 for 299 yards and 3 TDs, including the game-winner to Vernon Davis. Smith led two game- winning drives, capping the first with a 28 TD run with 2:11 to play. After Drew Brees connected with Jimmy Graham for a 66 yard TD to retake the lead, Alex did it again. With only 1:37 on the clock, Smith drove the 49ers 85 yards (61 in the hands of Davis) for the win. When everyone expected Alex to manage the game, setting up the league's leading kicker David Akers for a tying field goal, Coach Harbaugh dialed up a play called "Vernon Post" which the team executed perfectly.

Clearly this was a team victory, and the defense played its' part, starting with the hit safety Donte Whitner laid on Pierre Thomas at the two yard line, forcing a fumble and denying the Saints an opportunity to score early. The defense and special teams came up with four turnovers in the first half, yet San Francisco only led 17-14 at the break. Defensive end Justin Smith made one of the most physical plays of the year, driving Pro Bowl tackle Jermon Bushrod back and reaching over him to drag Brees down. Brees continued his record-breaking ways, completing 40 of 63 passes for 462 yards and 4 TDs, but he also threw two interceptions, ending his own record streak of none in the past five years of post-season play. In the first post-season appearance of his career, Alex Smith did not throw an interception. He did fumble twice while being sacked, losing one of the two. Alex's passer rating for the game was 103.2, better than Brees's 93.5, and he now has a signature play to call his own, thirty years after "The Catch." Home field advantage was definitely a factor in this game; the weather in San Fran was fine (it won't be this weekend for the NFC Championship Game), but the Saints are a different team away from their dome. Credit Smith's steady hand all season long for earning that advantage, and for using it to advance as a player and as a team.

In the other playoff match ups, Brice McCain (no stats) and the Texans couldn't overcome the rookie mistakes of their quarterback, falling to the Ravens and Paul Kruger (no stats). Tim Tebow was no match for Tom Brady, as the Patriots overwhelmed the Broncos. Zane Beadles had his name mentioned for a personal foul on a rushing TD early on, and OC Mike McCoy's name has been mentioned as a candidate for the head coach position in Miami.

He's Back, and This Time it's Personal

Buck to the bucket.

Actually it was personal reasons that caused Andrew Bogut to miss four games, but he's back from Aussie land. In his return he scored 14 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists to help the Bucks beat the Spurs, 106-103.

Andre Miller stepped in to the starter role when Ty Lawson wasn't able to go against the Nets and had one of his better games this season. Miller put up a dozen points and a dozen assists against Deron Williams (16 and 13, respectively), as Denver outscored New Jersey, 123-115. The Nuggets are 7-4, good for 5th place in the West, whereas the Bucks are 3-6 (with Bogut missing nearly half of those games), landing them in 11th place in the East.

ProUte of 2011

Following our third year of awarding the ProUte of the Week, we had three standout candidates for the first ProUte of the Year Award:

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: 3,150 yards passing, 17 TDs, 5 INTs, 90.7 rating.
Smith is having easily the best season of his hit-or-miss career in San Francisco. The 49ers are 13-3 and secured the second seed in the NFC playoffs. That's huge, as it means the game against the Saints will be in the Bay Area, not the Bayou. Smith's numbers don't jump out of the screen, except for his career-low 5 interceptions. With Smith managing the offense for new coach Jim Harbaugh, the 2011 49ers tied the 2010 Patriots for the fewest turnovers (10) in a season since 1941. Smith is no stranger to criticism, but labeling him a "game manager" is not a slam. He won't break 5,000 yards in a season like Tom Brady, but he can limit the interceptions in the face of taking more sacks (44) than any other quarterback in the league. The 49ers wouldn't be in this situation without their defense or their running game, but it was Smith, a free agent, who kept the team together during the lockout. He led the team workouts in lieu of the new coaching staff, and it shows in San Fran's success this season.
 
Eric Weddle, FS, Chargers: 88 tackles, 12 PDefs, 7 INTs.
After the lockout was lifted, Weddle signed a new contract making him the highest-paid safety in the league. The one thing he was asked to add to his arsenal at the time was more interceptions. Weddle earned his new salary, pulling in 7 takeaways to tie for the lead in the NFL. The other two players with 7 interceptions were both cornerbacks; that indicates that Weddle can stuff the run with the best of them and cover the pass with the best of them. His skill set is finally gaining recognition with fans, as he was voted to his first Pro Bowl, and with the league, as he was named to the All Pro team on Friday. Weddle was the only All-ProUte in 2011. He is the highest paid because he is one of the best.

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: 79 receptions, 1,394 yards, 7 TDs.
Which came first, the emergence of Cam Newton, or the re-emergence of Steve Smith? Smith was the primary receiver once again in Carolina, and he played like it. His drive to catch the ball is undeniable, regardless of coverage. He doesn't have the physical gifts of a Calvin Johnson or a 5,000+ yard passer with multiple options like Wes Welker, the two guys ahead of him on the All Pro list. What he has is the desire to go get the ball, and he turned in one of the best seasons of his career. Smith was voted to the Pro Bowl as a reserve, his fifth selection (and first since 2008). Smith is a viable candidate for Comeback Player of the Year as well as ProUte of the Year.

It's a difficult choice, which is exactly what we want to see from these professional players. Is a QB with the fewest INTs in the league more deserving than a safety with the most INTs in the league? Is one Smith's best season ever better than another Smith's great season in a great career? Should it go to the only player to be named All Pro or the player who won more ProUte of the Week Awards?

Alex Smith plunges in for a rushing TD and greatness.

Ultimately the honor goes to the former #1 pick, Alex Smith. As his coach continues to point out, Smith's composure under fire (sometimes from his own team's fan base) has been incredible. After losing another head coach and going into the lockout as a free agent, with the 49ers drafting a quarterback in the second round, Smith could have split, but he didn't. He got a copy of Coach Harbaugh's playbook, studied it quickly, gave it back, and ran the team's off-season preparations. His comeback victory at Philadelphia was a showcase of his ability and his character. In his seventh season in the league he worked with his seventh offensive coordinator, and the system finally fits his style of play. Smith now has more TDs than INTs for his career, and he has the 49ers back in the post-season for the first time in nearly a decade. Alex Smith had an amazing 2011, and he's still playing into 2012. For that impressive performance Alex Smith is our ProUte of the Year.

68 Wildcard Pickup

Three ProUtes who wear #68 were in action during Wildcard Weekend: Chris Kemoeatu, Jonathan Fanene, and Zane Beadles. But they weren't the only ProUtes in the first round of the playoffs: Brice McCain, Stevenson Sylvester, and Denver OC Mike McCoy were also battling to get their respective teams to the next round. McCain didn't record any stats, but he played slot coverage for the Texans in their 31-10 dismantling of the Bengals; Fanene registered 6 tackles for Cincinnati, although he couldn't quite complete the one seen here. McCain and the Texans move on to face Paul Kruger and the Ravens (David Reed is on injured reserve) in the second round.

The Broncos prevailed in an overtime thriller against the Steelers, as McCoy's offense racked up 447 yards on the vaunted Steelers D, which was held without a sack by Beadles and the boys. Pittsburgh's o-line couldn't say the same thing, as Roethlisberger's limited mobility opened the door for five sacks. Sly didn't record any stats for the injury-depleted Steelers. Denver moves on to face New England next. Beadles will be the only 68 to advance, while Alex Smith will see his first playoff action when the Saints march into San Francisco.

ProUte of the Week Wrap Up

We have just completed our third year of awarding the ProUte of the Week. Here is a recap of each week's winners in 2011:

Week 1: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. Honorable mention: Alex Smith, Jonathan Fanene.
Week 2: David Reed, KR, Ravens. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Sean Smith, Steve Smith.
Week 3: Jonathan Fanene, DE, Bengals. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Sean Smith.
Week 4: Alex Smith, QB, 49ers. HM: Eric Weddle, Sione Pouha, Steve Smith.
Week 5: Alex Smith, QB, 49ers. HM: Caleb Schlauderaff, Jordan Gross, Steve Smith, Zane Beadles.
Week 6: Koa Misi, LB, Dolphins. HM: Paul Soliai, Sean Smith.
Week 7: Brice McCain, DB, Texans. HM: Eric Weddle, Sean Smith, Steve Smith.
Week 8: Eric Weddle, FS, Chargers. HM: Alex Smith, Paul Kruger, Steve Smith.
Week 9: Sione Pouha, DT, Jets. HM: Alex Smith, David Reed, Paul Kruger.
Week 10: Zane Beadles, OG, Broncos. HM: Alex Smith, Brice McCain, Eric Weddle.
Week 11: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Sione Pouha.
Week 12: Sean Smith, DB, Dolphins. HM: Eric Weddle.
Week 13: Stevenson Sylvester, LB, Steelers. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle.
Week 14: Sione Pouha, DT, Jets. HM: Eric Weddle, Sean Smith, Steve Smith.
Week 15: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Jonathan Fanene.
Week 16: Jordan Gross, OT, Panthers. HM: Brice McCain, Eric Weddle, Jonathan Fanene. 
Week 17: R.J. Stanford, DB, Panthers. HM: Alex Smith, Brice McCain, Steve Smith.

Most awards this season: Steve Smith, 3.
Most Honorable Mentions this season: Eric Weddle, 11.

Carolina Closes It Out

R.J. trying to slow down the record-setting Saints offense.

Carolina closed out the season with its third ProUte of the Week Award recipient - in Week 17 it was R.J. Stanford's turn to make a big play. The Saints led 14-7 when Drew Brees threw this red zone interception to Stanford, who took it back 53 yards in the other direction. This turnover offset a fumble by Steve Smith, but the Panthers ultimately succumbed to the Saints, 45-17. Stanford had two tackles and a PDef in addition to the INT. Smith also had a decent game (minus the fumble), with 6 receptions for 86 yards and a TD. With that performance Smith broke the franchise-record for receptions, previously held by Muhsin Muhammad.

Alex Smith had another nice day, completing 21 of 31 passes for 219 yards and a TD; he also ran for a TD as the 49ers wrapped up the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Brice McCain had another nice outing against the Titans, accumulating 2 tackles and 3 PDefs. Tennessee edged Houston by a point, but the Texans had already clinched the #3 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Practice squad notes: Brett Ratliff finished the season on Tampa Bay's practice squad.