Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons in the NFL
9/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2010
By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com
Leading up to the season, several former Demon Deacons have been either beginning their careers or continuing them in the NFL. From rookies like Chris DeGeare to seasoned veterans like Desmond Clark, they each had to compete for a roster spot before the final cuts down to 53 men.
While some of them did not survive those final cuts, it does not, by any means, mean that their careers are over. They could be re-signed to a practice squad where they will be able to practice with the team but not play, or they could even be signed to an active roster and possibly see action on gameday.
Overall, Wake Forest is very well-represented in the NFL, with 14 former Demon Deacons making an active roster or practice squad. Another four Deacons made it down to the final cut before losing out on a spot.
Here is a player-by-player look at how the Deacons fared after the final roster cuts:
LB Stanley Arnoux, New Orleans Saints
Arnoux missed several practices for the Saints with a lingering ankle injury after missing his entire first season while on injured reserve. Because of injuries to the Saints' linebacker corps, Arnoux was included on the final 53-man roster and should still find himself in a backup role for the season.
OT Tyson Clabo, Atlanta Falcons
Clabo once again enters the 2010-11 season as the starter at right tackle on the Falcons' offensive line. He has started every game in each of the two previous seasons and looks to continue that momentum into this season.
TE Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears
Clark recently spoke out against the proposed "enhancement" of the NFL schedule to 18 regular season games instead of the 16 that are now in place. "If I had to vote, I would vote to keep it the way it is right now. The longer you're out there playing, the more your body breaks down and the more susceptible you are to injuries," the 12-year veteran said. He enters this season in a competition with Greg Olsen for the starting tight end position in Chicago.
LB Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks
Curry, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 draft, is continuing to adjust to the outside linebacker position after playing middle linebacker in college. "We're trying to elevate that aspect [pass rushing] of his game to help us because we need his speed on the edge and we'd love to see him coming off the edge with force and speed that will help us create some problems," head coach Pete Carroll said. Curry was a lock to make Seattle's 53-man roster for 2010.
OG Chris DeGeare, Minnesota Vikings
After being drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2010 draft, DeGeare enjoyed the first start of his NFL career in his third preseason game, taking over at right guard for Anthony Herrera. This is a very promising start for the young lineman, who the Vikings hope will become a mainstay along their offensive line for years to come. DeGeare made the team after the final cuts, and there are rumors floating around that he may already be a lock to start at right guard this season.
CB Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals
In the Bengals' third preseason game, 2010 third-round pick Ghee suffered a strong helmet-to-helmet collision with Bills running back Chad Simpson. He was unresponsive for nearly six minutes before being carted off the field and diagnosed with a concussion. However, he was medically cleared to travel home with the team following the game. Ghee made the team and should be used as the fourth or fifth cornerback during the season.
CB Eric King, Detroit Lions
Playing as the No. 2 cornerback during the preseason due to injuries, King had an up-and-down experience. While he had a few good defensive plays, he was not consistent in stopping the passing games he has faced. This inconsistency ultimately cost him his roster spot, but he could catch on with another team.
WR Kenneth Moore, Carolina Panthers
Moore was in a wide open battle to replace the retired Muhsin Muhammad as the Panthers' No. 2 wideout throughout the preseason. He also saw work returning punts, but lost his return duties after a costly fumble in the team's third preseason game. Surprisingly, Moore was cut by the Panthers despite their thin depth at wide receiver, and like Eric King, he now has to find work, most likely on a practice squad.
FB Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons
Entering his ninth season in the league, Mughelli remains entrenched as the Falcons' starting fullback. He has been and likely will continue to be used primarily as a blocker, so while his stats may not appear to be great, he will be a very important part of the team's offense.
LB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
As a key member of the most talked-about defense in the league, Pace appeared to be in line for another great season. However, after breaking his foot in the Jets' third preseason game, he may miss the beginning of the season due to surgery. As a result, his numbers may not be as impressive as last season, but it is safe to count on at least five sacks from Pace.
DT Fred Robbins, St. Louis Rams
Robbins enjoyed a great preseason, notching two sacks in only three games, with one coming against the formidable line of the Patriots. As the full-time starter for the Rams after six seasons with the Giants, Robbins is looking to enjoy a resurgent season in his 11th year in the league.
DT Boo Robinson, Philadelphia Eagles
Robinson was signed by the Eagles to a three-year contract as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 draft. Despite the big contract and decent preseason, Robinson became a victim of the final cuts and is not a member of the final roster. While he was impressive in the preseason, the Eagles' defensive line was already so deep that keeping him would have been a luxury, not a necessity.
LB John Russell, Buffalo Bills
Russell saw very limited playing time in the preseason for the Chiefs. As an undrafted free agent, he was a longshot to make the roster because of the Chiefs' depth at linebacker, and he became one of the final cuts made by the team at the end of the preseason. He caught a break, though, as he was signed to Buffalo's practice squad just a few days after being released by Kansas City.
CB Alphonso Smith, Detroit Lions
Smith had an open competition with rookie Syd'Quan Thompson for one of the final cornerback slots on the roster with the Broncos, but Wake's 2009 second-rounder was outplayed by the seventh-round choice from this year's draft. As a result, Smith was dealt to the Lions for former seventh-round choice Dan Gronkowski, a tight end. He should see some playing time in Detroit this season, but it is too early to tell whether or not he will start.
LB Jyles Tucker, San Diego Chargers
As one of the backups to Shawne Merriman for the Chargers, Tucker did not see much playing time in the preseason but was a lock for the final roster. He has shown promise previously when starting for the injured Merriman and could very well do so again if given the opportunity.
OG Steve Vallos, Cleveland Browns
Vallos is quietly entering his fourth season in the league after playing in all 32 games with eight starts over the past two seasons. Despite his versatility and ability to play multiple positions along the o-line, he was cut by the Seahawks at the end of the preseason. Vallos was quickly picked up on waivers by the Browns, and he will likely be used as a backup at center or guard on the offensive line.
S Chip Vaughn, New Orleans Saints
In one of the most surprising moves of the final cuts across the league, Vaughn was cut by the Saints despite his great performance in the preseason. His special teams play was greatly improved, and he was continuing to get better at the safety position. Vaughn was later signed off waivers to the Eagles' practice squad, so he will likely spend this season learning from the more experienced players ahead of him.
LS Joe Zelenka, Atlanta Falcons
Zelenka, as a long snapper, only sees the field during punts and field goal attempts, but was a lock to make the Falcons roster. With 12 years of experience, he should bring added stability to the specialty units.
