All the Trimmings

Reggie Dunn was indeed waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers today, as teams trimmed down to final 53 man rosters. Much like Erroll Tucker in 1986, Dunn's fate hinged on one return. For Tucker it was a broken leg in the preseason finale; for Dunn it was taking a safety.

Joe Kruger injured his shoulder in the last preseason game and wound up on injured reserve; it looks like there will be the same number of Krugers in the league this year as there were last year.

Both Tevitas were cut, Finau by the Jets and Stevens by the Redskins. Sam Brenner was released by the Dolphins and David Rolf was cut by the Chargers as none of the undrafted free agents made a team this year. Also cut were Sealver Siliga (Seattle) and Brandon Burton (Minnesota). *Burton has since been picked up by Buffalo (B to the fourth degree).*

Derrick Shelby and R.J. Stanford both stuck with Miami for another season, and David Reed made the squad in Indy.

The AFC East now has six ProUtes, the most in any division in the league, followed by the AFC West with five. The NFC South will have three (all in Carolina) and the AFC South will have two. The AFC North and NFC North will each have one, while the NFC East and NFC West will be Uteless.

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.

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.

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.

Go North, Young Man

Brandon Burton was drafted as expected, albeit later than expected. Burton (pictured here beating first-round pick Jon Baldwin to the ball) was projected to go as high as the third round, but that distinction went to Utah State's Curtis Marsh instead. Burton had to wait until the fifth round to hear his name called by the Minnesota Vikings at #139 overall.

Forty picks later another Ute was drafted by a team from the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers used the first of three sixth round picks to acquire Caleb Schlauderaff at #179 overall. Schlauderaff and Sherrod (Green Bay's first round pick) will be tasked with protecting Aaron Rodgers, one of the league's best (and most concussed) quarterbacks.

Burton will also have some company with the Vikings, as they drafted a second Burton: wide receiver Stephen Burton from West Texas A&M. Minnesota also has ProUte wide receiver Freddie Brown on the practice squad.

Sealver Siliga had been projected as a late sixth or seventh round pick but he, Matt Asiata, and Zane Taylor were not drafted. Normally players in their situation would be signed as free agents following the draft, but the lockout will block that route into the league. Other possibilities might include Arena Football or the UFL in the interim.

Pro Day 2011

Utah held its Pro Day yesterday, with 18 former players participating and 20 coaches and scouts evaluating. Gil Brandt singled out Zane Taylor for his 41 reps of 225 pounds, an improvement over his top ten showing at the NFL Combine. Taylor also improved his other numbers from the combine, capitalizing on his chance to impress the offensive line coaches of the Patriots, Jets, and Seahawks. Brandon Burton improved his 40 times, running a 4.58 and a 4.50. Burton had an individual workout with the defensive backs coach of the Browns. Brandt made mention of Caleb Schlauderaff (limited by a calf strain), Sealver Siliga, and Matt Asiata, who caught the ball well. One player not invited to the combine who Brandt brought up was Eddie Wide.

Other reports have mentioned Justin Taplin-Ross, who was having a nice workout until he hurt his leg. Two players who seem to be overlooked are Jereme Brooks and Shaky Smithson. With the adjustment to the starting position of the kickoff imposed by the league kick return specialists like Brooks and Smithson may see their stock drop.

NFL Combine 2011

Five ProUte hopefuls took part in drills at this year's NFL Combine: Matt Asiata (RB3), Brandon Burton (DB9), Caleb Schlauderaff (OL43), Sealver Siliga (DL47), and Zane Taylor (OL48). Of the five Taylor had the most notable performance, as his 33 reps on the bench press tied for 7th best. Burton did not distinguish himself in the individual drills, but he is listed in tier 8 of Gil Brandt's Hot 100 and will be the first Utah player drafted, possibly in the second round. Here is the breakdown of each player's prospects in the NFL:

Matt Asiata - potential back up/short yardage/goal line back; could go in the 7th round.
ProUte comparison: Quinton Ganther, Titans 7th round pick (246th)

Brandon Burton - "could become a great starting corner for a team with a press-heavy scheme."
ProUte comparison: Sean Smith, Dolphins 2nd round pick (61st)

Caleb Schlauderaff - may be picked on day three, may be a free agent signing.
ProUte comparison: Barry Sims, Raiders (free agent)

Sealver Siliga - "a future reserve in a 4-man front."
ProUte comparison: Kelly Talavou, Ravens (free agent)

Zane Taylor - a late round pick.
ProUte comparison: Zane Beadles is the obvious choice, although unfair to Taylor, who won't go in the second round and start as a rookie. Chris Kemoeatu, a 6th round pick (204th) by the Steelers who eventually became a starter is closer.

The University of Utah will hold its Pro Day workouts on March 29th, one month prior to the draft.