Wild West

ProUtes made all sorts of noise in the AFC West training camps this year. Alex Smith held out and got the contract extension he wanted in Kansas City. Meanwhile Sean Smith was dropped to the second unit. Tenny Palepoi made the cut in San Diego, where the 53 man roster was a little light on defensive linemen. There wasn't enough room for Joe Kruger, however; he was cut by the Eagles as well as the Chargers. Over in Oakland they kept Tony Bergstrom and Keith McGill, but undrafted free agents Jake Murphy and Karl Williams were let go.

Miami is down to two ProUtes this season, with the departures of R.J. Stanford (cut by Cincinnati) and Paul Soliai (signed with Atlanta); Sam Brenner is back on the practice squad. Sealver Siliga secured a spot in New England, but L.T. Tuipulotu did not. Trevor Reilly will be the lone representative on the New York Jets after Caleb Schlauderaff was waived and Tevita Finau was sent back to the practice squad. Buffalo placed Stevenson Sylvester on injured reserve.

Tevita Stevens is on the practice squad in Washington, and Anthony Denham is on Houston's.    

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.

Back It Up

A late hit after Steve Smith crossed the goal line led to a scuffle.

Even after Alex Smith led the 49ers to a comeback victory over the Eagles, not everyone was sold on his performance. At least one detractor predicted he would follow it up with a 3 INT game the next week. Instead Alex turned in the most proficient performance by an NFL quarterback this season, posting a rating of 127.2 and a total QBR of 98.2. Granted he only threw for 170 yards, but that was because San Francisco got out to an early lead. Alex opened the game 6-of-7 and finished 11-of-19 with 3 TDs and no turnovers. He has been a stud in back-to-back weeks and has earned back-to-back ProUte of the Week awards. Alex has earned two awards in each of the past three seasons, but this is the first time he has won it back-to-back.

Honorable mention goes to Steve Smith for his three catches, 79 yards, and a TD, and to the O-Line: Caleb Schlauderaff (first start with the Jets), Jordan Gross (162 yards rushing, 1 sack, 58% conversion on third down), and Zane Beadles (162 yards rushing, 0 sacks). Chris Kemoeatu did not play in one of the better performances by Pittsburgh's o-line (174 yards rushing, 1 sack, 58% 3rd down conversions).

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.