The Pick Is In

The pick for ProUte of Week 13 is in, and it's Eric Weddle. He caught his first interception of the season, which he returned 21 yards. He recovered a fumble, which he returned 27 yards. He had six tackles, an assist, and a pass defensed. That's a Weddle performance worthy of the ProUte of the Week Award.

Alex Smith played well against the Broncos, but not well enough to win the game or the week 13 award. He completed 26-42 passes for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns with one interception. He also ran 4 times for 46 yards.

Sean Smith had 5 tackles and a PDef in the loss; Koa Misi had 3 tackles and a sack in a win over the Jets.

Sealver Siliga was signed from the practice squad and played for New England, registering one tackle and one assist. David Reed was waived mid-week by Indianapolis.

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.

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.

Migration

Kruger also drew interest from the Colts.

The Browns left Cleveland to become the Baltimore Ravens, but one prominent Raven is reversing the migration course: Paul Kruger has agreed to a five year, $40 million contract offer from the Browns. Kruger led the Ravens in sacks this season, but after Ray Lewis retired Baltimore made inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe their priority for re-signing. That backfired on them, as Ellerbe has agreed to a bigger offer from the Dolphins. Baltimore lost three key players, with one of them going to a division rival. It remains to be seen if they will keep safety Ed Reed, but reportedly they will be retaining receiver/special teams player David Reed.

Sean Smith may find himself in another uniform this year - Miami has made some high profile deals, but the corner has not been among them. He may have to wait a bit for the market to settle, considering the Jets are looking to trade Darrelle Revis and the Eagles have released Nnamdi Asomugha. Brice McCain will also have to bide his time to find a taker for his services.

This is the year that the Utes who were drafted after the 2009 Sugar Bowl become free agents, but the Utes who were drafted following the Fiesta Bowl in 2005 are also changing teams. The trade sending Alex Smith to Kansas City was made official today, and the Jets may be parting ways with Sione Pouha.

Super Kruger

Paul Kruger has had some big games in the Super Dome: first the Sugar Bowl victory in 2009 that launched his pro career, and now a Super Bowl victory that will assure him a big contract in free agency. Kruger had 3 tackles (one for a loss) and 2 sacks on the NFL's biggest stage. Both of his sacks came in the red zone and helped limit the 49ers to field goals. He won't get a deal as large as QB Joe Flacco's, but he earned a big pay increase after leading Baltimore in sacks. He had 9 in the regular season and half that amount in the playoffs.

Kruger's two sacks of Kaepernick were not enough to bring Alex Smith into the game, unfortunately. In 2005, Alex and the Utes rolled over Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl as Flacco watched from the sideline. In 2013 the positions were reversed, with Alex relegated to San Francisco's sideline. He will likely be traded this off-season after what had been the best year of his career.

Ma'ake Kemoeatu was out of the league for a year but came back at the right time and with the right team. He had one tackle in the Super Bowl, becoming the second Kemoeatu brother to get a ring. Maybe next year Chris will return to the NFL as well.

David Reed caught a touchdown pass in the Sugar Bowl but wasn't as involved in the Super Bowl. He played on special teams, as he has since he was activated in November. He won't get his kick returning duties back after the performance Jacoby Jones has had in that role and may be looking for another team that could use his services.

Congratulations to Paul Kruger, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, and David Reed on being Super Bowl champs!

Dogpile

Paul Kruger and Zane Beadles fought for a fumbled football and Kruger came away with it. The Ravens upset the Broncos in the longest and coldest playoff game in quite some time, 38-35 in double overtime. Kruger had three tackles and two quarterback hits to go with his fumble recovery. He has been a bear in the playoffs: he had two and a half sacks and a strip of Andrew Luck in last week's win. Kurt Kragthorpe wrote a nice piece about Kruger emerging at the right time - both the playoffs as well as impending free agency - for the Salt Lake Tribune.

Kruger's compadre Ma'ake Kemoeatu also had three tackles against Denver; receiver David Reed has no catches thus far in the playoffs.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

Jarhead

FUMMMBLE!

This week's ProUte Sione Pouha used his head to jar the ball loose from Fred Jackson (watch the replay), and a teammate covered it up. Pouha had seven tackles as the Jets held the league's leading rusher under 100 yards rushing and won the division match up.

Pouha's considerable effort edged out the consistent play of Alex Smith, the combined returns of David Reed, and the collected fumble and half-sack of Paul Kruger.

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.

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.

In Hot Water

David Reed has resolved his possession of marijuana case, according to the National Football Post. Rather than having a trial yesterday Reed entered a plea other than guilty or not guilty and the case was closed last week. The Ravens have not disciplined him, and it is unlikely that the NFL will level any punishment.

I have been unable to find an update on Quinton Ganther's DUI case, which was to be continued on Sept. 1st, 2010. Legal trouble did not prevent him from signing with the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 8th; he finished out the season and remains on the active roster.

Play of the Year

David Reed's kickoff return for 103 yards and a TD has been voted ProUtes Play of the Year! Honorable Mention goes to fellow rookie Koa Misi for his recovery of a Brett Favre fumble in the end zone for a TD.

Stop, Drop, and Roll

David Reed was on fire Monday night. Three Texans tried to stop him, but they dropped and he rolled into the end zone. Reed set a new Ravens record with his 103 yard return to start the second half, and his 233 total return yards is the second highest single-game total in team history. Reed was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance, and he can add ProUte of the Week as well. Reed leads the league averaging nearly 30 yards per return.

It took a tremendous effort to overcome the triumphant return of Alex Smith (17-27, 255 yards, 3 TDs), the dominating interior presence of Sione Pouha (10 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery), and the tight coverage of Sean Smith (5 tackles, 4 PDef).

Return With Honor

Utah has had its share of phenomenal kick returners, from Steve Smith to Shaky Smithson. David Reed doesn't share the same initials but he's working his way into that game-changing role. The kick return game has been pivotal this season in the NFL, and Reed is capitalizing on his opportunities. Against the Panthers he returned 3 kicks for 135 yards, with a long of 84 yards. He didn't score six (and was sick later), but he did win ProUte of the Week honors!

Reed edged out teammate Paul Kruger, who recorded his first sack, perennial favorite Eric Weddle (3 tackles, PDef), and Sean Smith (4 tackles) for the award.

Behind the Line

Quarterback Kyle Orton may be the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, but he knows who to thank: his offensive line. Here he is slapping the helmet of #68 Zane Beadles, our ProUte of the Week. Behind the blocking of Beadles and Co. the Broncos amassed 452 net yards, 299 passing and 153 rushing. They didn't allow a sack for the first time this season, and with that protection Orton (4 TDs, no INTs) posted a 131.5 passer rating. The Broncos finally established a ground game with the first 100+ yard performance of the season for a Denver running back. Tim Tebow also got in on the action with a TD pass and a TD run. Even Brady Quinn could have had a good day behind that commanding O-line!

Beadles wins the award for the second time in his rookie season, stonewalling David Reed (3 kick returns for 64 yards), Sean Smith (6 tackles), and Paul Soliai (3 tackles, 1 PDef). Smith and Soliai (along with Koa Misi) will be back in action tonight, as Miami hosts the Bears. Denver will face off with San Diego on Monday night.

Pickin' 'Em Up and Puttin' 'Em Down

Eric Weddle picked up another ProUte of the Week award in week 9. Weddle wraps up these awards like he wraps up ball carriers (8 tackles). He deflects all challengers like he defends passes (2 PDef). This week's poll had five other candidates, but none of them could get by Weddle to reach paydirt. It would take Sione Pouha (4 tackles, PDef) and Sean Smith combined (5 tackles, PDef) to surpass Weddle's numbers. Koa Misi had 6 tackles while Paul Soliai registered 3 tackles and a sack - that might win the award during Weddle's bye week, but not this week. There was a surprise contender on the offensive (and special teams) side: David Reed saw his first action this season. He rushed once for 15 yards and returned two kicks for 44 yards. That's an average of 19.66 yards per play, not bad for a rookie. But no ProUte makes more plays on the field than Eric Weddle.