Gross Out

Jordan Gross announced his retirement from the NFL today.  He goes out on top - of the NFC South. Gross also went to his third Pro Bowl as an alternate. After finishing his current contract, the 33-year-old Gross decided it was the right time to hang it up. A starter ever since his was drafted eighth overall in 2003, he finishes his career with 167 starts, a franchise record.

Gross concludes his pro career at the same time that five Utes attempted to begin theirs at the NFL Combine. Trevor Reilly figures to be the first Utah player taken in the draft this May, but, having undergone a post-season knee surgery, wasn't able to run at the Combine. He did 26 reps on the bench press, which was sixth among linebackers (and five more than Jadeveon Clowney, by comparison). Tenny Palepoi's 31 reps placed him 15th among all participants. Anthony Denham went to the combine as a tight end, a position change for the receiver (like John Madsen). Jake Murphy was second among the tight ends in the 20-yard shuttle, with a time of 4.27 seconds. Murphy did the 3-cone drill in 7.18 seconds, the fourth-best time at his position. He also did more reps on the bench (24) than Clowney (21). His broken wrist must have healed up nicely!

The player who has impressed the most has been corner Keith McGill. He was second in the broad jump (10' 9") and tied for third in the vertical jump (39"). McGill ran the 40 in 4.51 seconds. His biggest measurements are simply his physique: 6' 3", 211 lbs., with 33 and 1/4 inch arms. Following the success of Seattle's defensive backs in winning the Super Bowl, McGill's draft stock has risen. He helped it in the Senior Bowl, where he had an interception. None of these players will be picked #8 like Jordan Gross, but they should aspire to make a team and play 11 years like he has.

First Action

Andre Miller saw his first action in 2014 after being traded to Washington. He played 16 minutes and scored five points in a victory over New Orleans. Miller provides veteran depth and leadership behind young starters John Wall and Bradley Beal. Washington wasn't getting enough production from Eric Maynor, who was sent to Philadelphia along with two second round picks. The Wizards also parted ways with Jan Vesely, the #6 pick in the 2011 draft, sending the forward to Denver.

The move reunites Miller with three former teammates: Al Harrington, Nene (out six weeks with an injury), and Martell Webster. He shouldn't have much friction with his new coach, since Randy Wittman was his coach in Cleveland his first two seasons. Miller could end his career with the same coach he started with.

Andrew Bogut saw his first action in 20 days, as he returned from a shoulder injury. He played 29 minutes and scored 4 points in a victory over Detroit today. Golden State is currently in sixth place in the West; Washington is fifth in the East. If Andre and Andrew meet in the playoffs this year it won't be in the first round!

2013 Postseason

Alex Smith passed for 378 yards and 4 touchdowns, both franchise records, as Kansas City lost at Indianapolis, 45-44. The Colts came back from a 28-point deficit to win, making Smith the only QB to throw 4 TDs and no INTs but lose in the playoffs. He did lose a fumble on a Robert Mathis strip-sack. Playing without an injured Jamaal Charles, Smith was second on the team in rushing with 57 yards on 8 carries. Sean Smith had a tackle, three assists, and a PDef. Kansas City's defense had three interceptions and a fumble recovery, yet Indy won despite the 4-1 turnover margin. Another fumble bounced right to Andrew Luck, who plunged in for a touchdown in the 4th quarter.

The other AFC West team playing on wild card weekend fared better, as the Chargers beat the Bengals, 27-10. Eric Weddle had three tackles, three assists, and a PDef in the road victory. Philip Rivers only threw for 128 yards and one touchdown, but he played error-free ball, unlike Andy Dalton. Dalton tallied 334 yards passing, 1 TD, and 2 INTs (plus a lost fumble). Cincinnati could not overcome a 4-0 margin in turnovers.

In the second round, New England played host to Indianapolis. To prepare for the speed of Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton, the Patriots signed Reggie Dunn to their practice squad. Hilton had more than 100 yards receiving in the game, but he only caught four passes and did not score. Luck threw 4 more interceptions, and this time there was no comeback. New England bludgeoned Indy, with LeGarrette Blount amassing 166 yards and 4 TDs rushing. Stevan Ridley also scored twice, and New England won easily, 43-22. Sealver Siliga contributed one tackle and two assists on defense.

San Diego got another crack at Denver, but this time Mike McCoy didn't outfox John Fox, his former employer. The Broncos built a 17-0 lead before an injury in the defensive backfield opened things up for Rivers. He completed two TDs of 16 yards apiece to rookie Keenan Allen in the 4th quarter, but a Knowshown Moreno TD run kept the final margin at seven. Denver 24, San Diego 17. No six-seed upsetting the one-seed this postseason. Zane Beadles and the Broncos advanced, while Eric Weddle (3 tackles and 2 assists) and the hard-pressing Chargers did not.

That left only two ProUtes playing opposite one another in the AFC Championship: Siliga and Beadles. Other outlets will tell you about Brady and Manning, but this one is all about the big boys in the trenches. Denver's offense totaled more than 500 yards and didn't surrender a sack. The Broncos only punted once. Siliga had five tackles, but this game was all Denver.

The only NFC playoff game to feature any ProUtes was a disappointment, as San Francisco knocked out Carolina, 23-10. Steve Smith scored on a 31-yard pass in the second quarter to give the Panthers a 7-6 lead, but, after adding a field goal, Carolina didn't score in the second half. Smith also caught a 28-yard pass in the first quarter, as he totaled 74 yards on 4 catches. Star Lotulelei made 3 tackles and 3 assists, but Jordan Gross and the O-line allowed two sacks.

Gross is at the end of his contract, and has said that may have been his final game in a Panthers uniform. If he continues to play it will be in Carolina, but he will consider retirement. He will get at least one more game in a Pro Bowl uniform, as he was named a replacement for 49er Joe Staley. Alex Smith, who is also at the end of his contract, was tabbed to replace Tom Brady. So there will be more ProUtes in the Pro Bowl (3) than the Super Bowl (1).

DNP

One wouldn't think there are many firsts left in Andre Miller's extended career, but he got one against Philadelphia last week: his first did not play - coach's decision. Miller didn't take it sitting down, confronting his coach on the sideline. As a result he was suspended two games for conduct detrimental to the team. The suspension was later rescinded, but Miller remained away from the team on personal leave. He was allowed to return to the team on Monday, but missed practice that day and a game the next day. Miller was well regarded by former coach George Karl, but saw his minutes reduced for three games before being dropped from the rotation entirely by new coach Brian Shaw. It would not appear that Miller will finish his career in Denver after all. There is some speculation that he could be traded to Golden State, where he would reunite with Andre Iguodala. He would also be on the same team as Andrew Bogut, which would be ideal for Utah fans!

Full Cupboard

The cupboard is full of candidates for ProUte of Week 17, which is even more impressive with all three Smith boys being rested! Sealver Siliga was a brute, racking up 5 tackles, 4 assists, a sack, and a forced fumble! That's bigger than Star Lotulelei's tackle, assist, and sack. Brice McCain had 5 tackles, 2 PDefs, and an interception. Eric Weddle had 9 tackles, 5 assists, and ran for a first down on a fake punt. Matt Asiata had a breakout game, rushing for 115 yards on 14 carries, an average of 8.2 ypc, with a long of 39 yards (and a fumble lost). Zane Beadles was a key member of the highest-scoring offense in NFL history.

How to choose one award-winning performance, then? Context. Siliga's play is remarkable for a practice squad journeyman, but New England didn't have much to lose against Buffalo. The Patriots are the second seed in the AFC regardless. The Panthers are the second seed in the NFC, and Star's sack was one of a team-record 9 against Atlanta. Houston had nothing left to play for, but they went down fighting, as McCain's game against Tennessee can attest. He has a knack for picking off Titans' passes! Asiata played well in a win, but Minnesota's coach was fired anyway. Beadles had a big year, but was it a big week for him?

And then there's Weddle, who bulled his team's way into the playoffs. When Mike McCoy decided to fake a punt from his own 28 in overtime, he put the ball in Weddle's hands. Can that really be considered a gamble? Weddle got it done, and San Diego got the help they needed to land a wildcard spot after defeating Kansas City's backups. Weddle got the victory, so Weddle gets the trophy.

Mr. Incredible

Weddle (or is it younger Dwalin?) exults on the battlefield.

Sealver Siliga continued to tear it up against Baltimore, bringing down Joe Flacco for a sack to go along with a tackle and three assists. That would have been enough for the ProUte of the Week, if not for this. That was Eric Weddle, the Pro Bowl-bound free safety, making an incredible interception. Watch it again. That's all effort by Eric, and that's why Siliga didn't get his first award. Weddle added two tackles, two assists, and a PDef on the afternoon.

Steve Smith caught a 44-yard pass, but had to leave the game with what was diagnosed as a PCL sprain. He would play in the season finale if his coach would allow it, but Carolina has clinched a playoff berth, so they will sideline Smith against Atlanta.

Third String

It's tough not to give the ProUte of Week 15 to Alex Smith when he completes 17 of 20 passes for 287 yards and 5 touchdowns - really tough. That performance really belonged to Jamaal Charles, who scored on passes of 49, 39, 16, and 71 yards, however. Alex threw another touchdown to Sean McGrath, and, aside from losing a fumble, was nearly perfect with a rating of 158.3. He would walk away with the award if not for the sudden emergence of a third-string running back.

Due to injuries to Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart, Matt Asiata got the start for Minnesota. He carried the ball 30 times for 51 yards, an average of just 1.7 yards per carry. His longest run of the day was 10 yards. Those numbers aren't exactly Quinton Ganther-like, but Asiata did punch the ball into the end zone again and again and again. He had two one-yard TDs and one from five yards out, as the Vikings demoralized the Eagles. Asiata added three receptions for 15 yards, giving him 66 yards on 33 touches to go with his 3 touchdowns. Matt Asiata busted through for his first ProUte of the Week Award!

Sealver Siliga and Sam Brenner started opposite one another, with Siliga recording a sack and two tackles for the Patriots.