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.

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!

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!

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.

Sione Seals It With a Safety

Go to a happy place, like Tempe, Arizona circa 2005!

Sione Pouha tackled Jackie Battle in the end zone for a safety in the fourth quarter, sealing the Jets' victory over the Chiefs and the ProUte of the Week award in the process. Pouha also had three tackles and this sack of Tyler Palko, bringing back fond memories of the 2005 Fiesta Bowl!

The big fella beat out Eric Weddle, who had 3 tackles, a PDef, and his seventh INT of the season (putting him in a three-way tie for first in the NFL); Sean Smith, who also had a PDef and an INT to go with one tackle; and Steve Smith, who caught six balls for 125 yards.

Practice squad update: Robert Johnson was signed to the 53 man roster of the Titans after safety Anthony Smith was placed on injured reserve.

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.

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.

Rookie's Ride

There is a nice profile of Robert Johnson on Titans Online, although Kyle Meacham did make one glaring factual error. Utah's humbling of Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl was not the first BCS bowl victory by a non-BCS school. That would be Utah's dismantling of Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. At that time a non-automatic qualifier had to finish in the top 6 in the BCS rankings to earn a berth in a BCS bowl game. Another game was added and the rule was subsequently changed to a top 12 finish. Utah was the original BCS Buster and the first team to bust in twice. The Utes have one more chance to do it again this year before they join the PAC-10.

Training Camp

Training camps open this week in the NFL. Of the six ProUtes drafted this year only the first one taken, Koa Misi, has yet to sign a contract. Misi has been impressive in workouts thus far, and the Dolphins open camp on the 30th. The Baltimore Ravens got started yesterday, and David Reed has been seen catching everything thrown his way. Reed is competing with Mark Clayton for the 4th receiver spot. R.J. Stanford and the Carolina Panthers began their camp today. Stevenson Sylvester and the Steelers report on the 30th. Robert Johnson and the Tennessee Titans will get underway on the 31st. Zane Beadles just signed his contract with the Denver Broncos yesterday. Denver's training camp officially opens August 1st.

Misi to Miami

Koa Misi was the first ProUte selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, followed five picks later by Zane Beadles. Both players were taken in the second round of the new three day draft format, making this the second consecutive year Utah has had two players drafted in the second round. Misi went to Miami at #40, and the Broncos picked Beadles at #45. Misi becomes the third ProUte on Miami's defense, joining last year's second round pick Sean Smith and Paul Soliai. If only they would bring back Steve Fifita! Like Paul Kruger, Misi will transition from defensive end to outside linebacker in the NFL. Unlike Kruger, Misi will be expected to contribute immediately according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Three more Utes were drafted in the fifth round on Saturday. Robert Johnson will carry on the proud tradition of ProUtes playing for the Titans, David Reed goes to the Ravens (the team that cut free agent Bradon Godfrey last year), and Stevenson Sylvester's a Steeler!

Here's the complete list from this year's draft:

#40, Miami Dolphins, Koa Misi, de/lb
#45, Denver Broncos, Zane Beadles, ol
#148, Tennessee Titans, Robert Johnson, s
#156, Baltimore Ravens, David Reed, wr
#166, Pittsburgh Steelers, Stevenson Sylvester, lb
#223, Carolina Panthers, R.J. Stanford, cb

With Stanford's selection in the seventh round Utah set a new school record of six players drafted! By way of comparison that's the same number that traditional powerhouse Texas had drafted this year - only four schools had more.

ProDay 2010

The University of Utah held it's pro day workouts on Monday, with 16 prospects participating. Defensive end Koa Misi continues to impress scouts in all of his workouts, and is projected to be a possible second round/probable third round pick. Misi will convert to outside linebacker in the NFL like Paul Kruger did last year with the Ravens. The offensive line coaches of the Ravens, Seahawks, and Steelers came to this year's pro day to evaluate Zane Beadles, another top prospect. Wide receiver David Reed and linebacker Stevenson Sylvester are the other players who stand a good chance of hearing their names called during the new three day draft format, held on April 22-24. Twenty teams sent representatives to Salt Lake City, including a wide receiver coach and a linebacker coach from the Browns. Gil Brandt of NFL.com reports that two players who weren't invited to the combine, safety Robert Johnson and cornerback R.J. Stanford, also had stand out performances on Monday. That comes as no surprise to Utah fans who watched Johnson stand out all season!