UConn in the NFL: Week 7

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: FB Anthony Sherman, Kansas City Chiefs

2 catches for 12 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 tackle

After the Sherminator reached the end zone for the first time this year, he has earned the first-ever UConn Blog NFL player of the week. On first and 10 from the Chargers 11 yard line, Andy Reid called a designed screen to Sherman who caught it 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage, broke former teammate Kendall Reyes's tackle attempt and bulldozed his way into the end zone. Reyes read the screen beautifully, but could not take down UConn's greatest fullback OF ALL TIME. He also made serious contributions in the run game as a lead blocker for Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis in a 151 yard rushing effort against a solid Chargers defense. The Chiefs are now third in the NFL in yards per game and with Sherman leading the way, they do not appear to be slowing down.

RB Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers: DNP

Donald Brown sat out once again for the third straight week, with no signs of returning in time for Thursday night's primetime tilt with the division-leading Denver Broncos. With Ryan Matthews also still out, Branden Oliver will continue to be the lead back for the Chargers. After Brown's inability to make much of an impact this season, Grantland's Bill Barnwell flirts with the idea that Donald Brown could be traded soon, perhaps to the suddenly running back-needy Buffalo Bills.

TE Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans: No stats

Still just in a special teams role on the Texans, Griffin did not record a tackle or an offensive snap. However, we are still not ruling out Griffin getting his shot in the Texans' struggling pass game this season, as Houston tight ends have combined for zero touchdowns through 7 weeks of football.

CB Darius Butler, Indianapolis Colts: DNP

DB sat out his consecutive game after a lingering ankle injury, but this defense did not skip a beat by shutting out the Bengals, forcing 11 3-and-outs.  Butler told local radio station the Fan 1070 during his own weekly segment that he expects to return to practice this week and resume his role as the nickel corner in what is now a top-5 defense in the NFL.

CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Tennessee Titans: 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection

Blidi Wreh-Wilson was a 4 year starter at UConn and a 3^rd round pick by the Titans two years ago, but he barely played his rookie year and got off to a rough start in his second. Finally, Tennessee is seeing the shutdown corner Husky fans are used to seeing. With 18 tackles, 3 pass deflections, and 1 interception in his last two games, Wreh-Wilson seems to have found his stride in the NFL and is a becoming one of the rare bright spots on a struggling 2-5 Titans team. And for those curious, Blidi means trouble in Liberian.

LB Danny Lansanah, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bye Week

Lansanah took a well deserved week off from football this week as the Bucs were on bye.  Remember, he already has TWO interceptions for touchdowns this season!  Lansanah and Tampa Bay will take on a very shaky Minnesota Vikings team this weekend.

CB Robert McClain, Atlanta Falcons: No stats

Things are starting to go downhill for McClain as he did not show up in the box score this week in the Falcons' 29-7 loss to the Ravens.  The other week McClain lost the nickel corner job to Josh Wilson who recorded two tackles in the loss on Sunday. Hopefully he can make an impact next week against the Lions in London.

OT Will Beatty, New York Giants

According to Big Blue View, the SB nation blog for the New York Giants, Beatty played his worst game of the season. He allowed 2 QB hits and 2 QB hurries in the Giants' 31-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.  The first play I watched of the game resulted in a Beatty false start on 4th-and-inches which forced the Giants to punt the football away.  Hopefully Beatty and the Giants can regroup during their bye week.

Sio Moore, Oakland Raiders: 5 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL

Moore did not have as good of a game as last week but made his presence felt, especially in the first half, in the Raiders' 24-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.  He was kept in check in the 2nd half but was called for what seemed like a very questionable roughing the passer penalty.  The Oakland Raiders website came out with their weekly Player Profile and featured our very own Sio Moore.  The article talks about Moore's family and passion for the game and everyday life.  Everyone should read it.  The Raiders take on the Browns next week.

Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders: IR

This is all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV0lrXF6ftc

Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills: DNP (Knee)

Easley sat out his fourth game in a row to nurse his sprained MCL while his teammates had a thrilling 17-16 last second victory against the Minnesota Vikings. Easley could return this Sunday at the earliest for the Bills game against the Jets, or with a bye week looming next week they could take precaution and give him two weeks of rest before the game against Kansas City week 9.

Jordan Todman, Jacksonville Jaguars: 1 catch, 26 yards

Todman was second among Jaguars' running backs with 20 snaps as the Jaguars won their first game of the season, 24-6 over the Cleveland Browns. Todman caught a screen pass from Blake Bortles and took it 26 yards in the third quarter and also played a big role on special teams, downing a punt at the six-yard line, and recovering a Browns' muffed punt before the play was called back due to a penalty. Denard Robinson had 20 carries for 111 yards for Jacksonville, marking the first time a Jaguars running back went for over 100 yards since Todman did it to the Bills last December.

Kendall Reyes, San Diego Chargers: 3 tackles

Reyes had a quiet game in a 23-20 loss against Kansas City with his most noticeable play being his missed tackle on fellow Husky alum Anthony Sherman's touchdown. Reyes and the reeling Chargers defense have a rough matchup this week as they travel to Denver to take on the Broncos on Thursday night.

Dwayne Gratz, Jacksonville Jaguars: 2 tackles

Gratz recorded 23 snaps in his first game back since the concussion which caused him to miss last weeks loss against the Titans. One of his two tackles against Cleveland did save a touchdown. Jacksonville's starting cornerback Alan Ball is questionable with an injury to his biceps and if he cannot go, Gratz will get the start against the Dolphins.

Shamar Stephen, Minnesota Vikings: 1 tackle

Stephen was fifth among Vikings defensive linemen with 21 snaps in their loss to the Bills. Stephen has maintained his status as a rotational player, and most space-eating tackles aren't expected to be racking up stats so the fact that he sees regular playing time is encouraging for the rookie. The Vikings travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions: DNP

The 5-2 Lions snuck by the Saints by the score of 24-23 and unfortunately, DanO did not play once again. Here's a video of Orlovsky sending Colts Nation into a FRENZY!