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UConn in the NFL: Week 4

Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman was a bright spot in a 41-14 blowout over the Patriots

Dilip Vishwanat

Anthony Sherman, Kansas City Chiefs


Sherman did not record a rushing attempt or a reception but was extremely effective in the Chiefs' 41-14 blowout over the New England Patriots. He only played 25 of 68 snaps as Kansas City went with a lot of three Tight End sets but his name was called a lot as he was constantly picking up blocks for Knile Davis and Jamaal Charles who combined for over 200 yards on the ground. Sherman helped spring multiple long runs and picked up a big block on Jerod Mayo for one of Charles' touchdowns. The former UConn fullback is a consummate team player, "I just want to go out there and do what I can to help the team to win the game. Any role I can have to help that, I'll do." Sherman and the Chiefs travel to San Francisco next week.


Will Beatty, New York Giants: 1 tackle


Beatty recorded a tackle for the third straight game which is remarkable for an offensive lineman. The offensive line helped in the Giants blowout win over Washington 45-14, a game where Eli was only sacked one time, and the Giants combined for over 154 rushing yards and 2 TDs. Beatty continues to play almost every snap as he played 74 of the 81 offensive snaps and was eventually removed in the blowout. Next week, he takes on former teammate Osi Umenyiora and the Atlanta Falcons. Beatty learned a lot from Umenyiora while he was a Giant but he's ready for Osi saying, "I want to say, 'The student has become the teacher.'"


Danny Lansanah, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 tackles (3 solo), 1 Pass Deflection


Lansanah continues to impress the Buccaneers on the field as he earned the start at SLB (Sam/Strong Side Linebacker) last week in their 27-24 shocking victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lansanah showed the coaches enough to keep his starting job next week as the Bucs take on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

For what it's worth, Danny Lansanah is now first on the Bucs depth chart at SLB, ahead of J. Casillas. Lansanah started at SLB last week

- Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO)
September 30, 2014


Sio Moore, Oakland Raiders: DNP

Moore's ankle continues to bother him as he was unable to play in the Raiders' 38-14 loss to the Miami Dolphins in London.  He has a much needed bye week coming up to try and get back to 100%.

Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders: DNP

Branch was placed on injured reserve this past week and is likely done for the season as he needs surgery on his foot.  He has only played 19 of 48 games since he signed his extension with the Raiders.

Robert McClain, Atlanta Falcons: 3 tackles (3 solo)

McClain and the Falcons defense had trouble stopping Rookie Quarterback Teddy Bridewater who threw for over 300 yards and ran for a TD in the Vikings 41-28 victory.  McClain and the Falcons take on the New York Giants next week with Eli Manning starting to find his stride.  It could be another long day for the Falcons' secondary if Eli continues his strong play.

CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Tennessee Titans: 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection

Blidi Wreh-Wilson got completely picked on by Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts passing game in their 41-17 loss on Sunday. With the task of lining up against receivers like TY Hilton, Reggie Wayne, and Hakeem Nicks, Wreh-Wilson was doomed from the start. In a second half drive for the Colts, Andrew Luck found Reggie Wayne blanketed by Blidi, but by the time Luck had put the football 28 yards square on Wayne's back shoulder, Wreh-Wilson was too late to recognize the pass and the Colts broke the game open with that play as Reggie Wayne fell into the end zone. The second year corner and first year starter has had a tough start to the season and ESPN Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky says it is time for him to sit. Hopefully head coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn't agree and he can turn it around against the Browns' talent-depleted receiving core next week.

CB Darius Butler, Indianapolis Colts: 3 tackles, 1 QB hit

Butler, like his opponent and former Husky Blidi Wreh-Wilson, had a tough match-up against a talented group of Titans' receivers in Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter, and Nate Washington all lining up in the slot. The nickel corner, however, had a very good overall day, playing a major role in holding Titans' quarterbacks to just 176 yards passing on 28 attempts. He and the Colts take on the red-hot passing game of the Ravens next Sunday.

RB Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers: 10 carries for 19 yards, 4 catches for 35 yards

The fill-in starting running back for the San Diego Chargers struggled against a weak Jaguars defense. Brown has run for just 81 yards on 41 carries in the past two weeks, and it doesn't look like it will get any easier going up against the Jets top-ranked rush defense next week. We have seen what Donald can do when he is clicking, so there is definitely still hope that he can break out before Ryan Matthews returns from his ankle injury in 2-3 weeks. Donald's effectiveness in the passing game with both catching the ball and pass blocking has been a bright spot, which proves he is an upgrade over rookie Branden Oliver.

TE Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans: No statistics

Through the first four games of the season, Griffin has strictly been a special teamer for the Texans, and barring an injury to starting tight end Garrett Graham, he seems like he will remain in this role. At 6'6 and 254 pounds and in only his second year in the league, Griffin has the tools to make an impact as he grows a bit more comfortable on an NFL team.


Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills: DNP

Easley is still rehabbing his sprained MCL. He will be out another 3-7 weeks.

Jordan Todman, Jacksonville Jaguars: 1 rush, 4 yards; 2 catches, 20 yards, 6 kick returns, 174 yards (29.0 average)

Although Todman has lost carries to Denard Robinson, he is still getting a few of offensive touches a game, and is doing great work as a kick returner for the 0-4 Jaguars. His 174 kick return yards on Sunday in a 33-14 loss to the Chargers were the second highest mark in team history. He is averaging a solid 26.6 yards per return.

Kendall Reyes, San Diego Chargers: 1 tackle

Reyes played 35 snaps (53%) in the 3-1 Chargers 33-14 win over Jacksonville which was the second highest snap-count for a San Diego defensive linemen behind Corey Liuget's 38. His one tackle came when he stopped Toby Gerhart on 4th and 1 for a turnover on downs. He also turned 25 on September 26th.

Dwayne Gratz, Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 tackles

It's been a rough year for Dwayne Gratz and the Jaguars secondary. Gratz was having a tough game against a great Charger's passing attack and then went down with a concussion. He has been ruled out for this week's game against Pittsburgh.

Shamar Stephen, Minnesota Vikings: 1 tackle

After playing a whopping 36 snaps last week, Stephen played just 12 this week, but did record a tackle in the Vikings huge 41-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons to put them at 2-2. He has been a mainstay in Minnesota's defensive tackle rotation and you can watch him in action Thursday night against the Packers in Green Bay.

Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions: DNP

Dan O did not play once again in the 3-1 Lions 24-17 victory over the Jets and until he does, I'm gonna start posting a weekly Dan Orlovsky video clip from the YouTube annals. Here is Mike Ditka calling Orlovsky something he shouldn't on Sports Center.

Orlovsky also caught the UConn-Temple game this weekend, and was not pleased with what he saw




HOW DARE YOU ANGER ORLOVKSY!!