Deacons in the NFL - Weeks 11-12
12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 1, 2010
By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com
In Weeks 11 and 12, the playoff pictures across the NFL finally began to take shape. The stronger teams, like the Falcons, Jets and Patriots have played at the high level that their records show, and other teams like Chicago and San Diego are putting together mid-season runs in hopes of establishing themselves as playoff contenders.
For former Demon Deacons, both weeks had very solid play. Tyson Clabo and Ovie Mughelli continue to do a great job of protecting Matt Ryan, Aaron Curry has become much more consistent and Calvin Pace has shown that he is fully recovered from his foot injury at the beginning of the season.
The number of former Deacons on active rosters remained at 14 in both of these weeks, as no players were added or dropped.
Here is a player-by-player look at how the Deacons fared in Weeks 11 and 12.
LB Stanley Arnoux, New Orleans Saints
The 2009 fourth-round draft pick was active for the Week 11 matchup against the Seahawks (a 34-19 win for New Orleans) but suffered an injury to his Achilles during that game. Prior to the showdown against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, the Saints placed Arnoux on injured reserve as a result of the injury, ending his season. New Orleans defeated the Cowboys, 30-27, and now stands at 8-3 on the season, trailing the Falcons by one game in the NFC South.
OT Tyson Clabo, Atlanta Falcons
The durable right tackle continued his consecutive starts streak in victories over the Rams (34-17) and Packers (20-17). In the two games combined, the offensive line gave up only two sacks, with both coming in the game against Green Bay. Regardless, with the extended amount of time in the pocket, QB Matt Ryan had stellar play in both games, posting a quarterback rating of over 100 in each. The work of Clabo and the offensive line has contributed greatly to Atlanta's 9-2 start, which ties them for the best record in the NFL.
TE Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears
Clark continues to be a healthy scratch for Chicago, and has played in just one game since Week 3, when he caught his only pass of the season. He did not participate in their victories over the Dolphins (16-0) or the Eagles (31-26) in Weeks 11 and 12. The veteran is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, and it seems that the Bears are gradually phasing him out of their offense in anticipation for that move. Chicago is riding a four-game winning streak and leads the NFC North at 8-3.
LB Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks
The second-year player has become the definition of consistency over the past four weeks, notching eight tackles once and six tackles three other times, including Weeks 11 and 12. Although both games were routs (a 34-19 loss to New Orleans and a 42-24 romp by the Chiefs), Curry played well in each. Despite not having a sack in either game, he consistently pressured the quarterback and was a run-stopping threat in the middle of the field. In Seattle's Week 13 matchup with Carolina, Curry has the potential to have a big game due to the Panthers' injury-depleted team. The Seahawks remain tied with the Rams atop the NFC West with a 5-6 record.
OG Chris DeGeare, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings fired head coach Brad Childress on Nov. 22 and named Leslie Frazier, the former defensive coordinator, as the interim head coach. So far, this seems to have affected DeGeare. In Childress's last game as coach in Week 11, Minnesota was defeated, 31-3, by the Packers and DeGeare saw no playing time. In Frazier's debut, the Vikings topped the Redskins, 17-13, and the rookie was active and saw game action. It is yet to be seen if this will develop into a trend, but the circumstances certainly seem to have worked in DeGeare's favor. As a team, the Vikings are 4-7 on the season, and are all but eliminated from this year's playoff race.
CB Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals
In Week 11's 49-31 loss to the Bills, Ghee continued his streak of consecutive games in which he recorded a tackle to six but also suffered a groin injury on the opening kickoff of the second half. As a result, he was held out of action for Cincinnati's Thanksgiving night game against the Jets, a 26-10 loss. The Bengals remain very thin in the secondary and are hoping that Ghee can recover quickly. Cincinnati (2-9) is in last place in the AFC North.
CB Eric King, Cleveland Browns
After being signed prior to Week 11, King had an instant impact for the Browns (4-7) with three tackles in their 24-20 loss to Jacksonville. Unfortunately, he was unable to continue that momentum into Week 12, as he had no tackles in a 24-23 win that went down to the wire against the Panthers.
FB Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons
Mughelli followed his usual blocking role in both of Atlanta's victories, but also caught one pass for 16 yards during Week 12 against the Packers. Between Mughelli and the rest of the Falcons' offensive line, Atlanta's blocking schemes have been some of the best in the league so far this season.
LB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
In Week 11's thrilling 30-27 victory over the Texans, Pace had three tackles en route to a solid game. However, in the Thanksgiving game against the Bengals, the linebacker matched his best game of the season stat-wise, with seven tackles and a sack to give him 3.5 on the season. He remains a key member of the star-studded Jets defense, which has helped the team to a NFL-best 9-2 record.
DT Fred Robbins, St. Louis Rams
The big defensive tackle has enjoyed a quiet yet successful season to date, with 19 tackles and three sacks. In Week 11's loss to the Falcons, he had two tackles, and in a 36-33 win against the Broncos in Week 12, he had a tackle and one sack of QB Kyle Orton. Robbins remains on track to start all 16 games for just the second time in his career. The Rams are 5-6 and tied with Seattle for the NFC West lead.
CB Alphonso Smith, Detroit Lions
After having five interceptions in seven games, Smith has none in his last three. He had three tackles during a 35-19 loss to Dallas during Week 11. The second-year cornerback has enjoyed an excellent season overall so far in his first season with the Lions. Detroit is 2-9 on the year.
OG Steve Vallos, Cleveland Browns
For the first time all season, Vallos saw in-game action in Weeks 11 and 12. He came off the bench for the Browns, who are 4-7 on the season.
LS Joe Zelenka, Atlanta Falcons
Thanks to Zelenka's consistent snapping, kicker Matt Bryant is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. Overall, he has made 24 of 27 field goals, including going 6-for-6 during Weeks 11 and 12. He has also been perfect on extra point attempts, converting all 26 opportunities so far this season.
Players on NFL Practice Squads
LB John Russell, Buffalo Bills
Players on Injured Reserve (out for the season)
LB Stanley Arnoux, New Orleans Saints
LB Jyles Tucker, San Diego Chargers
S Chip Vaughn, Indianapolis Colts
