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.

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.

New Look Locos

The Locos are back for their second season in the UFL with new uniforms, a new starting quarterback, and a new roster with only three ProUtes. The fledgling league overhauled its image between seasons, an upgrade so drastic it apparently required a fashion show. Stay tuned for America's Next Top Football Model! I mock, but at least one of my predictions came true: last year's merchandise has become obsolete.

Some teams changed their monikers along with their uniforms. The California Redwoods are now the Sacramento Mountain Lions and the New York Sentinels became the Hartford Colonials. The league is also expanding, adding the Omaha Nighthawks this season and a team in Virginia later.

No ProUtes parlayed their play into a second stint in the NFL (a second accurate prediction), although John Madsen came close. He and Gabe Long have not returned for year two. That leaves Las Vegas with Jesse Boone, Brian Hernandez, and Lauvale Sape on the roster.

The new look did not avail the Locos as they lost to the Florida Tuskers in the season opener.

Louie Sakoda was released today by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He signed with Winnipeg after being dropped by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but an injured calf prevented him from suiting up.

Locos Win UFL Championship Game

The Las Vegas Locomotives had to go to overtime to defeat the previously-unbeaten Florida Tuskers 20-17 in the UFL Championship Game yesterday. The Tuskers had given the Locos their only two losses during the regular season, but the Locos effectively had the home field advantage as the game was played in Sam Boyd Stadium. The Locos also had a 5 to 1 advantage in ProUtes: Jesse Boone and Lauvale Sape started for the Locos, while Josh Savage (#93, pictured at right) started for the Tuskers. Gabe Long had two tackles, Brian Hernandez returned two punts for 11 yards, and John Madsen had one catch for -5 yards off the bench. Paris Warren missed the game as he was dismissed from the Tuskers for disciplinary reasons.

During the course of the six game season Madsen and Warren each caught a touchdown pass. Hernandez averaged 20.6 yards per punt return with a long of 54 yards. On the defensive side Long and Savage both had a sack. Long was the leading tackler, while Savage forced two fumbles. Did any of these ProUtes play their way into the NFL? That doesn't seem likely. Will the UFL expand next season and add a team in Utah based on the success of these ProUtes? That is a possibility. Until that happens all I can say is Go Locos!

Go Locos!

The inaugural UFL season begins tonight, with the California Redwoods taking on the Las Vegas Locomotives. Get behind the Locos, because they have no fewer than five ProUtes on the team! Center Jesse Boone (pictured at right in practice with qb J.P. Losman) and defensive lineman Gabe Long have been joined by wide receiver Brian Hernandez, tight end John Madsen, and defensive lineman Lauvale Sape. The Locos will play in UNLV's Sam Boyd Stadium, but the home school only landed one player on the practice squad in comparison. As reported in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the fledging league might want to consider Salt Lake for an exhibition game if not an expansion franchise! Even Las Vegas head coach Jim Fassel is a former coach at the University of Utah. Go Locos!

Other ProUtes playing in the UFL include defensive end Josh Savage and wide receiver Paris Warren with the Florida Tuskers. Quarterback Brian Johnson was released by the New York Sentinels.

On a side note, if there are any Savage #95 Tennessee Titans jerseys still in circulation I would be an interested buyer!