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).

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.

Two Weeks In

It's the second week of the NFL preseason, time to take a look at how the undrafted free agents are faring in their respective training camps. Dave Kruger (Browns) has one tackle, which is one more than his drafted brother Joe (Eagles) has to the Kruger name. First round pick Star Lotulelei hasn't recorded any tackles either, although he did knock down Nick Foles, the former University of Arizona quarterback. David Rolf (Chargers) doesn't have any stats as San Diego's offense has struggled early under new coach Mike McCoy. Sam Brenner (Dolphins) and Tevita Stevens (Redskins) aren't likely to record stats as rookies on the offensive line. Stevens and Reggie Dunn (Steelers) will be on opposite sidelines in their second preseason game Monday night. In week one Dunn had one reception for 10 yards and two punt returns for 22 yards (with a long of 19). Moe Lee (Ravens) had a nice outing in week one, with two tackles, a PDef, and an INT from Tampa Bay's third string QB. He followed that up with no stats against the Falcons in week two. Atlanta cut Sean Sellwood; DeVonte Christopher, Ryan Lacy, and Reggie Topps didn't make it to the preseason.

Chip Off The New Block

Joe (#99) and Dave (#44) Kruger

Joe Kruger was a 7th round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. Utah hasn't played Oregon yet in the new PAC-12, but new Eagles head coach Chip Kelly must have seen enough of Kruger to give him a shot. Kruger was selected #212 overall, almost exactly where WalterFootball predicted. Joe left Utah before exhausting his eligibility so he would have an opportunity to join his brothers Paul and Dave at the next level.

Dave is joining Paul in Cleveland's camp after signing as an undrafted free agent. Other players receiving tryouts include: Reggie Dunn (Pittsburgh), Ryan Lacy (New Orleans), David Rolf (San Diego), Tevita Stevens and DeVonte Christopher (Washington), Sam Brenner (Miami), Sean Sellwood (Atlanta), Moe Lee (Baltimore), and Reggie Topps (Arizona).

Star Chart

Star Lotulelei topped the charts with 38 reps on the bench press at Utah's Pro Day yesterday; that would have tied him with Margus Hunt of SMU and Brandon Williams of Missouri Southern State for the most by a defensive lineman at the Combine. Star wasn't able to participate in any drills at the Combine due to an irregularity in tests on his heart. He was medically cleared to workout at Pro Day, and the big man put on a show! He displayed a 30 inch vertical and posted times of 7.66 and 4.65 seconds in the three cone drill and the shuttle. His 40 times were 5.31 and 5.36 seconds. According to Gil Brandt, Star had been advised not to run the 40 but he wanted to join his teammates. His times weren't all that impressive, but he dominated in position drills.

Reggie Dunn may turn some heads with his 40 times of 4.25 and 4.26 seconds; his speed coupled with his kick return abilities should get Dunn some offers to training camp if he isn't drafted.

 Joe Kruger also worked out in position drills, while standing on his numbers produced at the Combine.

Pro Day featured 21 Utes and 12 players from other schools in the area.