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.

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.

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.

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.

Weddle Hits Paydirt

San Diego wasted no time or expense in re-signing safety Eric Weddle to a 5 year, $40 million contract. The deal includes $19 million guaranteed and a $13 million signing bonus, making Weddle the highest-paid player at his position. See Jason La Canfora's report on NFL.com for more details.

San Francisco also re-signed quarterback Alex Smith for another season as they develop draft pick Colin Kaepernick to take over the signal calling duties. Smith stands to make around $5 million this year.

Tennessee signed veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to lead the team and groom draft pick Jake Locker for the future. The move makes sense after the team announced it will part ways with Vince Young and Kerry Collins retired. The Titans couldn't go into the season with a rookie and a second-year player (Rusty Smith) at quarterback, but they also signed Brett Ratliff to a futures contract before the lockout began. Rat and Simms appear to be the odd men out with Hasselbeck coming in from Seattle.

Homecomings

Brett Ratliff is back with the Browns as a back up to rookie Colt McCoy. Ratliff bounced around the practice squads of the Jaguars and the Patriots after he was released by the Browns. Cleveland brought him back as insurance after injuries to starter Jake Delhomme and second-stringer Seneca Wallace thrust third-stringer McCoy into action against the Steelers.

Receiver Brent Casteel, another player released by Cleveland, is back in Utah as a new member of the Blaze (AFL). The Blaze also signed former Utes quarterback Tommy Grady and lineman Garrett Smith.

Practice Squad

Freddie Brown, Brett Ratliff and R.J. Stanford were relegated to the practice squad as NFL teams cut down to their final 53 man rosters this weekend. Brown was waived by the Bengals during the summer, then brought into the Vikings' camp to fill in for injured players. Ratliff was waived by the Browns later than expected, then signed by the Jaguars. Stanford showed some promising plays for the Panthers, but was the odd man out of the crowd. Kelly Talavou (Ravens) joined Martail Burnett (49ers) on IR and is done for the season.

David Reed secured a spot on the Ravens' roster with his sure hands and kick returning ability. Baltimore waived Demetrius Williams prior to the deadline, then traded Mark Clayton to St. Louis when they signed free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Reed is now listed as a third-string receiver behind Derrick Mason and Donte Stallworth, as well as the second-string kick returner (Stallworth is out with an injury, but Houshmandzadeh has yet to be added to the depth chart).

Quinton Ganther's DUI stop did not stop him from making the Seahawks as a first-string fullback and fourth-string running back. Robert Johnson made Tennessee's team, beating out fellow rookie (and Rhodes scholar) Myron Rolle, and Stevenson Sylvester earned one of many linebacker spots with Pittsburgh.

Plenty to Prove

Enough talk about how far quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy fell in the draft. Let's talk about something that really matters: what it means to Brett Ratliff. The third-string Browns qb is the only holdover from the purge that sent Brady Quinn and his hair to the Shadow of Tebow in Denver and Derek Anderson to Arizona, where he will compete with another pretty boy, Matt Leinart. The Rat abides. But will he play? In his career as an undrafted free agent he hasn't taken a snap in the regular season, but he had a nice preseason for the Jets, prompting Coach Mangini to bring him over to Cleveland in the trade for Braylon Edwards. Clearly this is a guy the coach wants in his locker room, but not necessarily on the field. Cleveland brought in Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace presumably as the #1 and #2 qbs, then drafted Colt McCoy. Free agent Graham Harrell has been getting some reps in camp as well. According to The Chronicle-Telegram Ratliff could remain with the team as the fourth-string quarterback. So he goes from last man standing to last on the list? Here's hoping McCoy continues to fall.

Another player who seems to have fallen out of favor is Paul Soliai in Miami. As high as the Dolphins are on Koa Misi (see Peter King's recent Monday Morning Quarterback), Soliai's name hasn't even come up as Miami looks to revamp their defense. Jason Ferguson has been suspended for 8 games, apparently opening a double-wide door for Soliai to step in as a starter for at least half the season, but the only names coming out of camp are Randy Starks and rookie Jared Odrick. The Palm Beach Post spoke with Soliai's new agent, who said Paul is ready to prove he can play. Let's see if the ProUte of Week 8 can play at that level every week!

Hands Down

I'm going to dispense with the poll this week and declare Eric Weddle the hands down ProUte of Week 3. Weddle recorded 7 tackles and a pass deflection to go with his INT return of 31 yards for a TD against Miami. That gives Weddle one more touchdown than Smith, who is in danger of becoming "the other Steve Smith" at this point. In last night's loss Smith had 4 catches for 38 yards and one fumble. Not what I would call stepping up his game. And with the Panthers having a bye in week four Weddle has the inside track on winning back-to-back ProUte awards. Who knows - maybe with the debacle that is the Cleveland Browns offense qb Brett Ratliff will get his chance!

Free Agents

Bradon Godfrey, a sure-handed receiver from Layton High and the University of Utah, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. Godfrey worked out for the Buffalo Bills and the Falcons following the draft. The Falcons called him back Tuesday morning, and he was in the ATL that night. Read more about it on Lya Wodraska's Utes blog for the Salt Lake Tribune.

Brent Casteel, a big play receiver for the Utes, signed a free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns, potentially making him the third Ute member of Cleveland's offense, along with quarterback Brett Ratliff and tight end John Madsen.