Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons in the NFL - Week 7
10/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 26, 2011
By Currie McFayden, WakeForestSports.com
Week 7 of the NFL season featured one of the most lopsided scores in recent memory as the Saints triumphed 62-7 over the Colts, a rash of major injuries involving players such as RB Tim Hightower and WR Santana Moss and the Green Bay Packers remaining the lone unbeaten team in the league with a 34-27 win over their archrivals, the Minnesota Vikings.
Several former Deacons posted solid stat lines from their games this week, but fullback Ovie Mughelli suffered a serious knee injury and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The number of previous Wake Forest players in the league remained steady in Week 7 with eight players on the 53-man gameday rosters and two more on NFL practice squads.
Because five players will be on a bye week with their teams during Week 8, the weekly Deacons in the NFL column will not be published next week. It will return in two weeks following the conclusion of all contests during Week 9.
Here is a player-by-player look at how the Deacons fared in Week 7.
OT Tyson Clabo, Atlanta Falcons
The 2011 Pro Bowler continued to pace the Falcons' offensive line this past Sunday as the line turned in a strong performance for the third consecutive week in a 23-16 win on the road over a very talented Detroit team. They allowed just three sacks to the fierce Lions defense, including one to second-year phenom Ndamukong Suh. In addition, Clabo helped the line provide huge gaps for RB Michael Turner to run through, allowing him to eclipse the 100-yard mark for the second week in a row. Thanks to that excellent run blocking, Turner is averaging 4.83 yards per carry (54 carries for 261 yards) with two touchdowns in his last two games. Atlanta (4-3) is currently tied for second place in the NFC South and will enjoy a bye during Week 8 before heading to Lucas Oil Stadium to face the reeling Indianapolis Colts (0-7) in the following week.
LB Aaron Curry, Oakland Raiders
While the Raiders' offense was nowhere to be found in Week 7's 28-0 division loss to Kansas City, the defense picked off two passes by QB Matt Cassel and held the Chiefs to just 300 total yards of offense. Curry, in his second full week with Oakland, recorded four tackles to bring his season total to 29 after seven games. With a bye next week, he will have a chance to become even more familiar with the playbook and defensive schemes that the team runs, something that he has been learning on the fly since being acquired on Oct. 12 and immediately pressed into a starting role. Oakland (4-3) is in second place in the AFC West and will return to action in Week 9 as it hosts the Denver Broncos (2-4) led by QB Tim Tebow.
FB Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons
The ninth-year Wake Forest product had been enjoying the best start to a season of his career until Sunday's win over the Lions. Mughelli grabbed one pass for four yards in the contest, but took a blow to his knee with a helmet in the fourth quarter and had to be assisted off the field. The fullback was seen on crutches following the game, and the Falcons confirmed the fears of a season-ending injury by placing him on injured reserve Tuesday afternoon. He finishes the shortened season with two rushing attempts for one yard as well as four catches for 25 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Losing Mughelli represents a major blow for Atlanta's rushing attack, as the two-time All-Pro selection often acted as the lead blocker coming out of the backfield.
LB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
A week removed from one of his best games in a Jets uniform, Pace tallied two tackles in New York's 27-21 victory over San Diego. Coach Rex Ryan's powerful defense held the Chargers to just 268 total yards, less than they have been averaging in passing yards per game (273.2) alone. The ninth-year linebacker remains fourth on the team in tackles for the season with 33, trailing only Eric Smith, David Harris and Bart Scott. His three sacks are also tied for the team lead with former first-round pick Aaron Maybin. The Jets (4-3) will have a bye during Week 8 before returning for a crucial two-week stretch against their AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots.
DT Fred Robbins, St. Louis Rams
The 322-pound Robbins racked up two tackles during St. Louis's 34-7 loss against the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon, bringing his season total to eight. He also broke up his first pass of the season after totaling seven in that category during the 2010 season. Although he has yet to record a sack this year, he has drawn enough attention from opposing offensive lines to open pass rushing opportunities for his fellow defensive linemen. Both Gary Gibson and James Hall notched quarterback takedowns against Dallas. Robbins and the Rams (0-6) are still seeking that elusive first win of the season, a feat which will not be easy to accomplish as the New Orleans Saints (5-2) come to town after pinning 62 points on the Colts.
CB Alphonso Smith, Detroit Lions
The Lions, after going undefeated through their first five games, are suddenly facing trouble after dropping two in a row with the loss to Atlanta. Smith, one of Detroit's starting corners from a year ago, continues to be used primarily in nickel package duties. He recorded one tackle against the Falcons to give him three for the season since returning from a broken foot in Week 4. Detroit (5-2) remains in second place in the NFC North and faces a perfect chance to return to its winning ways as it travels to Denver to take on the Broncos (2-4) in Week 8 before heading into a bye week the following weekend.
OT Steve Vallos, Cleveland Browns
Vallos was inactive for Cleveland's 6-3 win over the Seahawks, his former team. He has seen in-game action only once this season, during Week 6's trip to Oakland, but continues to provide solid depth if called upon by the team. Cleveland (3-3) will face a very tough schedule over the next two weeks as they go on the road to San Francisco (5-1) this coming weekend and continue their road trip to Houston (4-3) in Week 9.
LS Joe Zelenka, Atlanta Falcons
The 35-year-old long snapper remains an asset for the special teams unit of the Falcons as the anchor for the kicking game. Kicker Matt Bryant, who converted field goals of 23, 40 and 47 yards in Sunday's victory, is now just one of five remaining kickers in the league who have yet to miss in 2011. He is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals and has hit all 17 of his extra point attempts. That streak should continue in two weeks inside the confines of the dome in Indianapolis. In 34 career indoor games, he has made 83.3 percent (45-of-54) of his field goal attempts.
Deacons on NFL Practice Squads
OG Chris DeGeare, Minnesota Vikings
CB Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals
Deacons on Injured Reserve (out for the season)
FB Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons
