NFL rookie mini-camps underway

Buccaneers third-round draft pick Myron Lewis speaks to Tampa media after the first day of drills (Credit: Cliff McBride, Tampa Tribune)

by Barca Blog

Several former Commodores are getting their first taste of the NFL with the start of the league's three-day rookie camp on Friday. A couple of notes:

Roll Call: The list of 'Dores participating in the mandatory rookie camp...

Draft Picks: CB Myron Lewis (Tampa) and OL Thomas Welch (New England)

Free Agent Signees: C Bradley Vierling (Pittsburgh), DE/OLB Broderick Stewart (NY Jets) and S Ryan Hamilton (New Orleans)

Tryouts: LB Patrick Benoist (Tampa) and DE Steven Stone (Kansas City)

Numbers Game: The following Commodores have been issued jersey numbers, which are subject to change: Lewis -- 23; Welch -- 74; Hamilton -- 37; Vierling -- 69; and Stewart -- 48.

Quotable No. 1: "I saw him over there. But the key is that you can't get off your routine, because we're going to be playing in this stadium and there are going to be thousands of people watching. I was just trying to listen to Coach Scarnecchia and do what he was asking me to do." --- Welch on the presence of Patriots coach Bill Belichick at camp (Source: ESPNboston.com)

Quotable No. 2: "It was a great experience, flying around with all the guys out here and making some plays. I'm a guy that came from Vanderbilt, so I'm a smart guy. I graduated in 3 1/2 years. I'm just a humble guy that stays to himself." --- Lewis on his first day (Source: Tampa Tribune)

Chavous adds expertise to draft coverage

by Leathers (Photo by NFL.com)

If NFL Network’s draft coverage tops that of rival ESPN, they can thank former Commodore standout Corey Chavous for the success. For two full days, Chavous demonstrated an array of in-depth knowledge on the NFL Network. Even as the proceedings were coming to a close, Chavous was pinpointing strengths and weaknesses of every seventh round pick. He even talked about a handful of promising guys that went undrafted.

Even during his pro career, Chavous was a connoisseur of the NFL Draft, specializing in his own player analysis. For the last year, Chavous has been traveling to college campuses, getting a upclose look at hundreds of prospects for his own draft-oriented website, www.draftnasty.com.

The effort sure paid off last weekend.

Langford signs with Kansas City

by Barca Blog

Rookie safety Reshard Langford signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday after spending the season on the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad.

The Chiefs (3-11) have promoted Langford, who will wear number 48, to their 53-man roster for final two games of the regular season. No word yet on if he will be active for KC's game at Cincinnati on Sunday (12 p.m CT).

Check out these clips of "Scud" during his Commodore career:

Goff could start Sunday

by Barca Blog

Jonathan Goff may get his first NFL start for the New York Giants Sunday against Dallas.

The former Commodore has been getting reps with the first team at middle linebacker in practice this week after Antonio Pierce was placed on the injured reserve list.

“I’ve been working hard all season," Goff told the media on Wednesday. "I’ve been following along, studying just as much as the other guys. I’m ready for whenever an opportunity may come along. I’d be ready to accept it.”

Buggs to get first NFL start

by Barca Blog - Buffalo middle linebacker Marcus Buggs will get his first career start against Tampa Bay this Sunday.

The second-year pro will replace Paul Posluszny, who will be out six weeks after suffering a broken arm in the Bills' 25-24 loss at New England Monday.

"I'm ready for the opportunity," Buggs told the Buffalo News. "I'm totally confident in myself that I'll be able to handle it."

Buggs becomes the second former Commodore to move into a starting role this week. Hunter Hillenmeyer, a seven-year veteran with 56 career starts, will get the call at middle linebacker for Chicago after Brian Urlacher had season-ending wrist surgery.

"My job is not to go try to be Brian Urlacher," Hillenmeyer said to the Chicago Tribune, referring to the six-time Pro Bowler and defensive captain. "My job is to go play the best that I can. It's not my burden. It's the whole defense's burden when you lose a guy like him."

With Buggs and Hillenmeyer moving up the depth chart, the list of former Commodores currently starting in the NFL increases to five with four starting for the Bears (Jay Cutler, Chris Williams, Earl Bennett and Hillenmeyer).

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

NFL Week 1 Recap

by Barca Blog - Check out how these former Commodores performed in Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season:

Chicago Bears: Lost to Green Bay, 21-15
QB Jay Cutler - 17-36 passing, 277 yds, TD, 4 Int
LB Hunter Hillenmeyer - 2 tackles
OL Chris Williams - Started at right tackle
WR Earl Bennett - 7 rec, 66 yds (long of 21)
DB D.J. Moore - Inactive

Tennessee Titans: Lost to Pittsburgh, 13-10
DT Jovan Haye - 4 tackles

Buffalo Bills: Lost to New England, 25-24
LB Marcus Buggs - 1 tackle

Washington Redskins: Lost to NY Giants, 23-17
TE Todd Yoder - Played but no stats recorded

New York Giants: Defeated Washington, 23-17
LB Jonathan Goff - Played but no stats recorded

NFL roster follow-up

by Barca Blog - A quick update to yesterday's blog on NFL roster moves.

Vanderbilt football media contact Larry Leathers confirmed that former Commodore safety Reshard Langford (Philadelphia) and wide receiver Sean Walker (St. Louis) both have signed on to play for their team's practice squad.

Last year, linebacker Marcus Buggs took advantage of the same opportunity as a rookie in Buffalo. After starting the season with the practice squad, Buggs was promoted to 53-man roster in October. He just earned a spot on the Bills' 2009 roster with an impressive showing in preseason camp.

NFL final roster moves

by Barca Blog - Each NFL team was required to meet the league’s 53-man roster limit on Saturday. I complied a list below of how former Commodores fared on cutdown day. Note: Some of the players waived may remain on the practice squad.

Made the Roster
D.J. Moore - Chicago
Jay Cutler - Chicago
Hunter Hillenmeyer - Chicago
Chris Williams - Chicago
Earl Bennett - Chicago
Jovan Haye - Tennessee
Marcus Buggs - Buffalo
Todd Yoder - Washington
Jonathan Goff - New York Giants

Cuts
Sean Walker - St. Louis
Reshard Langford - Philadelphia
Curtis Gatewood - Philadelphia
Justin Geisinger - Carolina
Matt Stewart - Dallas
Jamie Winborn - Atlanta

Gatewood signs with Eagles

By Barca Blog - Linebacker Curtis Gatewood signed with Philadelphia Tuesday, joining former Commodore teammate Reshard Langford at the Eagles' preseason camp.

Gatewood played in six games for the Kansas City Chiefs as a rookie last season, registering four tackles on special teams.

With less than two weeks until final cuts, both Gatewood and Langford will be battling to make the squad. NFL rosters will be trimmed from 80 to 75 on September 1 with the last cutdown to 53 on September 5.

Former 'Dores look to make NFL Playoffs

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season.

The final games of the NFL regular season are this weekend and the stakes are high for several Commodores trying to reach the playoffs. So, if you're sitting around the living room, pull out some leftovers and turn on the tube to watch these two crucial matchups.

Chicago (9-6) at Houston (7-8) - Sunday, Noon CT on Fox
Chicago: Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer, Wide Receiver Earl Bennett, Offensive Tackle Chris Williams
The red-hot Chicago Bears are coming off their second-straight overtime win with a 20-17 victory over Green Bay last week. The Bears needed some help to get to this point, but can still clinch the NFC North with a win and Minnesota loss or tie, or a tie and Minnesota loss. The Bears clinch a wild-card spot with a win and Dallas loss or tie, and Tampa Bay loss or tie, or tie and Dallas loss and Tampa Bay loss.

Oakland (4-11) at Tampa Bay (9-6) - Sunday, Noon CT on CBS
Tampa Bay: Defensive Tackle Jovan Haye
Tampa Bay comes into the game with three straight losses and needs some assistance to earn their second consecutive postseason berth. The Buccaneers can clinch a wild-card spot with a win and Dallas loss or tie, or a tie and Dallas loss and Minnesota loss or tie, or a tie and Dallas loss and Chicago loss or tie, or a tie and Dallas tie and Minnesota tie and Chicago win or tie, or a tie and Dallas tie and Chicago tie and Minnesota win or tie.

Denver (8-7) at San Diego (7-8) - Sunday, 7:15 p.m. CT on NBC
Denver: Quarterback Jay Cutler, Linebacker Jamie Winborn
The Denver Broncos have a nationally-televised showdown with AFC West rival San Diego with a playoff bid on the line. You don't have to turn on ESPN to know there is no love lost between these two teams. The Broncos have dropped their last two games but can clinch the AFC West title with a win or tie against San Diego.