Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons in the NFL - Week 2
9/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 19, 2012
By Eric Roberts, WakeForestSports.com
Josh Bush - Jets
Bush made his second career NFL appearance for the New York Jets on Sunday as they played the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bush fulfilled a key role again this week as he accounted for a solo tackle and another assisted tackle. Bush had his first tackle at the end of the first quarter on a 3rd and short, as he and UNC alumni Quinton Coples stopped the run for a one-yard loss forcing the Steelers to kick a field goal. The Jets look for Bush to continue his success next week as they battle for an AFC East division victory against their rival the Miami Dolphins.
Tyson Clabo - Falcons
Clabo took center stage on Monday night as the Atlanta Falcons played host to the Denver Broncos. In a much-anticipated game, the Falcons defense took advantage of a rusty quarterback in Peyton Manning and intercepted him three times in just the first quarter. The Falcons capitalized on two of the three turnovers putting them up 10-0 at halftime. Clabo played a crucial role in the success of the offense throughout the game as the Falcons claimed victory 27-21. The Falcons are looking to go 3-0 with a victory next week for the first time since 2004, the year they made it to the NFC Conference Championship.
Chris Givens - Rams
The St. Louis Rams awaited the arrival of the highly anticipated rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III as they took on the Washington Redskins. Griffin continued to impress as he rushed for two touchdowns and threw a bullet to open receiver Miami alumni Leonard Hankerson for a 68-yard touchdown. The Redskins could not keep up with the impressive performance of the Rams, however, as they scored in the fourth quarter to seal the victory 31-28. Sam Bradford looked to Givens twice on first and 10's as a deep threat but was unable to connect for a catch both times. Givens is awaiting his first career reception as Bradford looks to catch any secondary sleeping and throw to him as a deep threat. The Rams travel on Sunday to take on a Chicago Bears team who recently fell to the Green Bay Packers.
Joe Looney - 49ers
The Detroit Lions were motivated to end their drought and beat the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco for the first time since 1975. The 49ers, however, had different plans for their opponent. In what may now be known as the "handshake game," quarterback Alex Smith made a statement as to why the 49ers may be the team to beat as he drove his offense 67 yards down the field in only four plays on the first drive to go up 7-0. The 49ers won the game 27-19 to add to their undefeated record. Looney, who has not seen any action yet, still sits second on the depth chart at the left guard position. The 49ers will look to continue their perfect record as they take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Calvin Pace - Jets
The New York Jets looked confident traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in a Week 3 AFC Conference tilt. The Jets, however, were unable to match their dominant offensive Week 1 performance in which they put up 48 points. Pace tried to slow down the attack of the Steelers' passing game by contributing with four tackles, two of which were solo. All four of Pace's tackles were on important first down plays as the Steelers looked to start driving down the field. The Jets struggled to come back from a first half deficit and fell to the Steelers 27-10 for their first loss of the season. The Jets travel to Miami next week to take on the Dolphins for their second AFC East divisional matchup.
Cyhl Quarles - Patriots
The New England Patriots are constantly making roster moves and last week they added safety Quarles to their practice squad. Quarles is a former Deacon who played in 50 career games, totaling 239 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Quarles was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens but was released before the regular season started. The Patriots hope that Quarles will one day be a key member for the defensive secondary and have a profound impact in the league. The Patriots will play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in a tough AFC Conference matchup.
Steve Vallos - Eagles
Vallos was signed again by the Eagles on Tuesday after being released by them earlier in their final roster cutdown. Vallos spent all training camp and preseason with the Eagles before being released. The Eagles will look to utilize Vallos' size and strength on the offensive line at either the center or guard position. The signing of Vallos adds a veteran to the roster as he enters his sixth season in the league. Vallos is currently second on the depth chart at both guard positions and the center position. The Eagles look to get back on the winning track as they take on the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.
Kyle Wilber - Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys dropped a surprising game against the Seattle Seahawks after an impressive performance in Week 1 against the New York Giants. The Seahawks proved why their defense is ranked sixth in the league in total yards per game as Tony Romo and the Cowboys' offense were only able to put up seven total points. The Cowboys running game struggled as they managed only 49 rushing yards all game. The Cowboys have now started off the past four seasons with a 1-1 record after dropping their game 27-7 against the Seahawks. Wilber has yet to see action, but is awaiting his chance to play this season as he sits third at the strong linebacker position. The Cowboys host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday as they look to continue their four-game winning streak against the Buccaneers since 2006.
Injured
Brandon Ghee - Bengals (Injured Reserve)
Aaron Curry - Raiders (PUP List)
Practice Squad
Chris DeGeare - Titans
Cyhl Quarles - Patriots
