The NFL is the most popular sport in America for a reason. It doesn’t have the pageantry of college football, or the polls. What it does have is the old adage “Any given Sunday” and it held true to form week six.
By Allen DeLaney
On a weekend when college football launched its second consecutive week of multiple top 5 upsets, the League one upped the action on Sunday as five games were decided in either the waning seconds or as time expired. Two of the teams playing the best through five weeks, the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, lost to two of the teams playing the worst, the Cleveland Browns and the St Louis Rams, respectively. Two Gators returned to action after not being on active rosters last week. On to the Stats!
Big weeks
The best jobs by former Florida alumni this week
Channing Crowder MLB Miami: Was all over the field totaling 9 solo and 4 assisted tackles and breaking up 2 passes in 29-28 loss to Houston. The Texans scored with :02 remaining on the clock to stun the ‘Phins who had taken the lead inside 2:00 remaining.
Earnest Graham RB Tampa Bay: Due to mounting injuries in the Buc’s backfield, Graham spent a large part of the game at fullback but still managed 5 carries for 11 yards and a touchdown, and 2 receptions for 47 yards in the Buc’s 27-3 win over Carolina. Even though Graham has temporarily been moved to FB, Tampa coach Jon Gruden implied the team would look to sign another FB on Monday at his weekly press conference to allow Graham to rejoin the HB ranks. As usual a touchdown is a free pass into the big boys section.
Marquand Manuel S Denver: 8 solo, 2 assisted tackles in a 24-17 loss to Jacksonville. Manuel led the Broncos in tackles, something you never want your safeties to do, which of course is part of the reason Denver lost.
Bobby McCray DE New Orleans: Had his biggest day since signing with the Saints in the offseason. McCray had 2 sacks and a forced fumble in the Big Easy’s 34-3 win over Oakland.
Doing their jobs
These Gators may not have shined on Sunday, but they got their minutes.
Alex Brown DE Chicago: had 3 tackles. After taking the lead with only :11 remaining in the 4th quarter, the Bears defense gave up a big pass play to set up an Atlanta field goal as time expired in their 22-20 loss.
Cooper Carlisle G Oakland: starting Offensive linemen for the Raiders in their 34-3 loss to New Orleans.
Kevin Carter DE Tampa Bay: 2 solo and 2 assisted tackles in the 27-3 win over Carolina
Andra Davis LB Cleveland: After a rough 1-3 start, Cleveland played their best game of the year in beating the 4-0 defending Super Bowl champion Giants 35-14 on Monday night. Davis totaled 1 solo and 3 assisted tackles
Jabar Gaffney WR New England: The lack of Tom Brady is beginning to be apparent as the Pats were blown out for the second time in three weeks. Gaffney had only 1 catch for 4 yards in 30-10 loss to San Diego.
Derrick Harvey DE Jacksonville: had 2 tackles in the victory over Denver.
Ike Hilliard WR Tampa Bay: The back and forth QB situation in Tampa may be hurting Ike’s production. He had 1 catch for 6 yards and 1 carry for no gain in the win over Carolina.
Darrell Jackson WR Denver: Got a spot start due to injury, and had 3 catches 18 yards in the Broncos loss to Jacksonville.
Ray McDonald DE San Francisco: after a few solid games managed only one solo tackle in the 49er’s 40-26 loss to Philadelphia.
Marcus Thomas DT Denver: The defensive line didn’t get it done for Denver as the Jags totaled 155 yards rushing and were able to pick up two first downs on the ground to kill the game late. Thomas totaled 1 solo and 4 assisted tackles.
Mike Peterson MLB Jacksonville: had 5 solo tackles in the win over Denver.
Fred Taylor RB Jacksonville: Took a hard hit early in the game and fumbled on the play. Taylor went to the sideline and eventually the locker room for a spell to be checked for a concussion. However he returned late in the 4th for one carry so hopefully Freddie’s health is fine. For the game only 3 carries for 10 yards, and 1 catch for 10 yards, and the lost fumble.
Lito Sheppard CB Philadelphia: Only had 1 tackle in the Eagles win over San Francisco.
Brandon Siler LB San Diego: had 3 solo tackles in the Chargers blowout win over New England.
Gerard Warren DT Oakland: “Big Money” had 3 solo tackles in the Raiders blowout loss to New Orleans.
Hey they’re back
!
Special section for these two this week as they returned to the playing field.
Keiwan Ratliff CB/PR Indianapolis: After being signed on October 8th as a free agent, had 3 punt returns for 12 yards in the Colts 31-3 win over their former residence Baltimore.
DeShawn Wynn RB Green Bay: After getting several starts last year, Wynn had been relegated to the practice squad so far this season. He was signed to the active roster this week and had 1 catch 7 yards. Ryan Grant has established himself as the Packers starting RB, but with a few injuries in the mix Wynn has a chance to possibly steal some carries in the upcoming weeks.
Did not play or no stats
These gators have no evidence of action on Sunday; as usual I keep my eyes peeled for them on special teams.
Rex Grossman QB Chicago
Todd Johnson DB St. Louis
Jarvis Moss DE Denver
Bye Week
Dallas Baker WR Pittsburgh
Max Starks OL Pittsburgh
Reynaldo Hill CB Tennessee
Jevon Kearse DE Tennessee
Inactive
These players were made inactive by their teams this week
Andre Caldwell WR/KR Cincinnati
Ian Scott DT San Diego
Ben Troupe TE Oakland
Jeremy Mincey DE Jacksonville: Mincey had been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) at the beginning of the year. This means Mincey could not have played for Jacksonville prior to week six. The Jags have three weeks to decide to activate Mincey, or place him on injured reserve (IR) meaning his season is over.
Reggie Nelson FS Jacksonville: the Eraser continues to be sidelined by injury but could return in the next few weeks.
Practice Squad
These Gators are still drawing checks from the league
Tavares Washington OL Kansas City
Steven Harris DT Denver
Drew Miller OL Jacksonville