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.

Free the Agents!

With the NFL lockout coming to a conclusion teams can sign undrafted free agents, including six players from the University of Utah. According to Lya Wodraska's blog (see link in my blog list), Matt Asiata, Sealver Siliga, Shaky Smithson, Justin Taplin-Ross, Zane Taylor, and Eddie Wide will all get tryouts with NFL teams. The off-season has been shortened and the rules for practices have changed, meaning these players will find limited opportunities to impress new coaches. The roster limit for training camp has been increased, however, so they won't run into mandatory releases quite as quickly.

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.