Deacons in the NFL - Week 9
11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2010
By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com
At the midway point of the NFL season for most teams, Week 9 did nothing to clear up many of the question marks around the league. Even without playing, the Rams are now tied with the Seahawks atop the NFC West with a playoff berth at stake. Cleveland steamrolled a Patriots team that many thought was the best in the NFL. The Raiders won their third game in a row and are now co-leaders of the AFC West with Kansas City.
For former Demon Deacons, Week 9 may have been the best week of the season to date. Alphonso Smith's rise to stardom continued with another great game against the Jets, all three Falcons players had great games and Brandon Ghee is making a case to be a starter as a rookie in Cincinnati.
The number of former Deacons on active rosters remained steady at 14 this week, as no players were signed or released.
Here is a player-by-player look at how the Deacons fared in Week 9.
LB Stanley Arnoux, New Orleans Saints
After going without a tackle the previous week for the Saints (6-3), Arnoux picked up one tackle on special teams coverage in their 34-3 win over the Panthers. The second-year player now has one tackle in four of his last five games after only having a single professional tackle prior to the streak (in Week 2). He is quickly becoming a reliable piece of New Orleans' coverage team and should continue to see plenty of playing time as a result.
OT Tyson Clabo, Atlanta Falcons
As expected, Clabo made his 51st consecutive start dating back to the 2007 season in the Falcons' 27-21 win over the Buccaneers to secure the lead in the NFC South. The offensive line made a case that they could be one of the best in the NFL, as Clabo and company opened holes for RB Michael Turner (107 yards and 2 TDs) and kept QB Matt Ryan on his feet all day, not surrendering a single sack. Through nine weeks, the Falcons hold a 6-2 record, tied for the best in the NFC.
TE Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears
In what is becoming a familiar scenario, Clark was inactive yet again for the Bears (5-3) in their 22-19 win over the Bills in Toronto. He has now been active for only one game since Week 3 and appears to be a victim of Mike Martz's offensive scheme as many pundits predicted at the beginning of the season. The veteran will be a free agent at the end of this season.
LB Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks
Despite the final score in Sunday's 41-7 thrashing by the Giants, Curry might have had his best game of the season. He tallied six tackles and a forced fumble, his first of the season. While his current numbers put him on track to have slightly fewer tackles than in his rookie season, there is no question that the former Deacon has improved this season. The only portion of his game that still needs to be refined is his explosive ability, just as Coach Pete Carroll said at the beginning of the season. The Seahawks (4-4) are now tied with the Rams for first place in the NFC West.
OG Chris DeGeare, Minnesota Vikings
The rookie continues to be shelved following an ankle injury a few weeks ago. Minnesota (3-5) may also be saving him for the future, when he is expected to become a big part of the offensive plan. Despite all of the recent controversy with the Vikings, they managed to pull out a 23-20 win in overtime against the Cardinals on Sunday. Not only did the win potentially save Coach Brad Childress's job, it also allowed the entire organization to settle down a bit and adjust to the changes that have affected them in recent weeks.
CB Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals
With yet another tackle in Monday night's 27-21 loss to the Steelers, Ghee has quietly notched four consecutive games with at least one tackle. Since breaking into the special teams lineup in Week 5, the rookie has seen increased playing time each week. While he still has not been given any time in the secondary during games, an injury to just one of Cincinnati's starting corners would instantly push him into the starting lineup. After this week's loss, the Bengals fell to 2-6 and seem unlikely to make a push for the playoffs.
FB Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons
Mughelli had another fantastic day in Atlanta's blocking efforts, clearing the way for Michael Turner to rumble over the Buccaneers' defense. The fullback has played in all eight games so far this season and should continue to be a fixture in the Falcons' blocking schemes for the rest of the season. He will face a major test in the first Thursday night game of the season in Week 10, when the Falcons face off with the Ravens.
LB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
The Jets (6-2) came away from what could have potentially been a debacle in Detroit with a 23-20 overtime victory. Pace had another solid game against the Lions' offense, finishing with six tackles. He did not, however, get credited with the start for the game. In just four games this season, the seven-year veteran has 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks--impressive numbers following his recovery from a broken bone in his foot during the preseason.
DT Fred Robbins, St. Louis Rams
The Rams (4-4) were on their bye week during Week 9, and will return to action on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Candlestick Park to take on San Francisco in an NFC West showdown.
CB Alphonso Smith, Detroit Lions
In what is becoming a trend for the former Bronco, Smith had yet another interception in the Lions' 23-20 loss to the Jets. Statistically, it was also his best game of the season, with six tackles to go along with the pick. The breakout star of Detroit's defense now has interceptions in five of his last six games and is tied for the second-most in the league behind leader DeAngelo Hall. While he will not likely receive much consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year award, the second-year player has certainly been playing at that level. Despite his efforts, the Lions are now 2-6 on the season.
OG Steve Vallos, Cleveland Browns
Vallos was not active in Cleveland's stunning 34-14 upset of the Patriots and does not seem to be in line for any extended amount of playing time in the near future.
S Chip Vaughn, Indianapolis Colts
In his second game with the Colts (5-3), Vaughn did not have any tackles. The safety figures to see playing time on special teams for now despite being signed to bolster Indy's depth at the safety position. The Colts were defeated by the Eagles, 26-24, in Michael Vick's return from injury on Sunday afternoon.
LS Joe Zelenka, Atlanta Falcons
Once again, Zelenka had a solid game keeping the special teams snaps under control. Kicker Matt Bryant went a perfect 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, with a long from 41 yards. He also hit all three of his extra point attempts.
SB/WR Chris Davis, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
Davis was not active for the Blue Bombers this week during their 35-32 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Joey Elliott remained Winnipeg's starting QB despite a below average game (13-of-29 for 241 yards with 2 TDs and 2 interceptions).
Players on Professional Practice Squads:
LB John Russell, Buffalo Bills (NFL)
WR D.J. Boldin, Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
Players Still Looking for Work:
OL Steve Justice (last with the Carolina Panthers)
CB Eric King (last with the Detroit Lions)
WR Kenneth Moore (last with the Indianapolis Colts)
DT Boo Robinson (last with the Cleveland Browns)
Players on Injured Reserve (out for the season)
LB Jyles Tucker, San Diego Chargers
