Saturday, August 31, 2013

All the Trimmings

Reggie Dunn was indeed waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers today, as teams trimmed down to final 53 man rosters. Much like Erroll Tucker in 1986, Dunn's fate hinged on one return. For Tucker it was a broken leg in the preseason finale; for Dunn it was taking a safety.

Joe Kruger injured his shoulder in the last preseason game and wound up on injured reserve; it looks like there will be the same number of Krugers in the league this year as there were last year.

Both Tevitas were cut, Finau by the Jets and Stevens by the Redskins. Sam Brenner was released by the Dolphins and David Rolf was cut by the Chargers as none of the undrafted free agents made a team this year. Also cut were Sealver Siliga (Seattle) and Brandon Burton (Minnesota). *Burton has since been picked up by Buffalo (B to the fourth degree).*

Derrick Shelby and R.J. Stanford both stuck with Miami for another season, and David Reed made the squad in Indy.

The AFC East now has six ProUtes, the most in any division in the league, followed by the AFC West with five. The NFC South will have three (all in Carolina) and the AFC South will have two. The AFC North and NFC North will each have one, while the NFC East and NFC West will be Uteless.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Dunn-dun-dun

Reggie Dunn got into the running game for the Steelers, with two carries for 19 yards. A mistake on a punt return may cost him a spot on the team, though. Dunn fielded a punt inside his own 10, then ran back into the end zone where he was tackled for a safety. Dunn may be done after making a mistake that costly. Kick return duties were handled by LaRod Stephens-Howling, a running back who figures to make the roster as a special teams specialist on a team short on healthy running backs. He had two carries for 11 yards and one reception for 5 yards.

David Reed is attempting to play a similar role for the Colts. He had one rush for -7 yards and one kick return for 20 yards against Cincinnati. He may be beaten out by Kerwynn Williams, who had 18 carries for 92 yards and 63 yards on three kick returns.

Things look a little rosier in Minnesota, where Matt Asiata carried the ball 8 times for 32 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee; teammate Brandon Burton also recovered a fumble.

Monday, August 26, 2013

AFC North Preview

Sunday was a tough day to be a ProUte in the AFC North; only two out of five moved on to the next round of cuts. Paul Kruger is assumed to be safe in Cleveland with his new contract, but he won't have his brother Dave in the huddle with him. It was the opposite case in Pittsburgh, as LB Stevenson Sylvester was released (after reportedly having a strong camp) while undrafted free agent Reggie Dunn moved on (thanks to a 43 yard kickoff return in week three). Dunn is the last UFA from Utah with a shot at making a team in the division, as Moe Lee was also waived by Baltimore.

Of the record six players drafted in 2010, only second round picks Koa Misi and Zane Beadles remain with the teams that picked them. David Reed and R.J. Stanford have since changed teams; Robert Johnson and Stevenson Sylvester will have to follow suit.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Playing like a Star

It may only be the preseason, but Star Lotulelei played like a star last night. He had 4 tackles and a sack, and he did it against Baltimore's starters. Two tackles went for losses against Ray Rice, and the sack of Joe Flacco came on a third down from Carolina's nine yard line, forcing the Ravens to settle for a field goal. Carolina's defense and special teams scored all four of the Panthers' TDs in a 34-27 defeat of the reigning Super Bowl champs.

With the trade of David Reed, none of the ProUtes from the championship squad remain in Baltimore. Only Moe Lee remains on the roster, but he didn't have anything remotely like Star's impact on the outcome.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Sealver in Seattle

Sealver Siliga was traded to Seattle for guard John Moffitt. This comes after Moffitt was initially traded to Cleveland for Brian Sanford, another defensive lineman; Cleveland nixed the trade over concerns about Moffitt's health. Denver has a dearth of healthy offensive linemen, and Moffitt may not shore up the side opposite Zane Beadles.

David Reed was traded from Baltimore to the Colts in exchange for running back Delone Carter. Reed is more of a return man than a receiver, but he had been supplanted in the Ravens return game. Reed will compete with Kerwynn Williams, a rookie out of Utah State, for return duties.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Two Weeks In

It's the second week of the NFL preseason, time to take a look at how the undrafted free agents are faring in their respective training camps. Dave Kruger (Browns) has one tackle, which is one more than his drafted brother Joe (Eagles) has to the Kruger name. First round pick Star Lotulelei hasn't recorded any tackles either, although he did knock down Nick Foles, the former University of Arizona quarterback. David Rolf (Chargers) doesn't have any stats as San Diego's offense has struggled early under new coach Mike McCoy. Sam Brenner (Dolphins) and Tevita Stevens (Redskins) aren't likely to record stats as rookies on the offensive line. Stevens and Reggie Dunn (Steelers) will be on opposite sidelines in their second preseason game Monday night. In week one Dunn had one reception for 10 yards and two punt returns for 22 yards (with a long of 19). Moe Lee (Ravens) had a nice outing in week one, with two tackles, a PDef, and an INT from Tampa Bay's third string QB. He followed that up with no stats against the Falcons in week two. Atlanta cut Sean Sellwood; DeVonte Christopher, Ryan Lacy, and Reggie Topps didn't make it to the preseason.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Say it ain't so, RoJo!

Robert Johnson was waived by the Tennessee Titans when he didn't pass a physical on Sunday. RoJo played in 12 games last season, the most of his three year career since Tennessee drafted him in the fifth round, but suffered a Lisfranc injury late in the season. He had been on the physically unable to perform list during training camp, but the Titans couldn't wait for him to recover. He was waived to make room for safety Corey Lynch, a five year veteran who last played for San Diego.

Like Johnson, Sione Pouha hasn't completely recovered from the back injury that hampered him last season which led to his release from the Jets.