With the NFL season heading toward it's end, and only one Cougar left playing as of today, I figured I would give you all an end of the year update on how the numerous Coug alums did in the NFL this year
THE STARS:
• Marcus Trufant, Seattle
Marcus continues to be the brightest ex-Coug star in the league. 85 tackles, 7 INT’s and 2 TD’s including the absolutely beautiful 78 yard pick six in the Playoff win over Washington.
• Jason David, New Orleans
Jason’s first year as a Saint was a good one. Granted, everyone ganged up on him after He GOT burned like a joint against his former team, the Colts, but Jason finished the year with 51 tackles, 3 picks and 2 forced fumbles.
• Jason Hanson, Detroit
The N-F-L’s oldest Coug spent his 16th year still being one the top Kickers in the league. Jason kicked 82 percent this year with a longest of 53.
• Rian Lindell, Buffalo
Another great year, his 8th, for the Vancouver, WA native. 88 percent from the field with a long of 52.
THE CONTRIBUTORS
• Hamza Abdullah, Denver
3rd year in the league, Played in 11 games, Recorded 48 Tackles and Two Forced Fumbles, Still is yet to get an INT in the League.
• Karl Paymah, Denver
Denver’s other coug was contributor for the Brocs as well. With 22 tackles and two INT’s.
• Erik Coleman, NY Jets
Erik had a dissapopinting 4th year with an absolutely piss-poor Jets team. His 51 tackles were less than half of last years total. And he’s still on my shit list for naming his JUCO instead of Wazzu during intros on Monday Night Football a couple years back.
• Rob Meier, Jacksonville
Good 8th year for the big Canuck! 27 tackles and 4 sacks. One of those sacks came in the big Playoff win over Pittsburgh.
• Lamont Thompson, Jacksonville
The former Titan started the year with the Dolphins. Lucky for him he was a mid-season trade to the Jags, where he was a quiet contributor.
• Cory Withrow, San Diego
Cory had a decent year playing in 14 games and staring 4, and he’s the only Cougar playing in a Conference championship game as the Chargers upset the Colts today.
THE UP AND COMERS
• Troy Bienemann, Arizona
Big Troy had a decent year, playing in all 16 games for the Cards and picking up his first NFL Touchdown week 15 vs the Saints.
• Devard Darling, Baltimore
Devard’s 4th year was his most productive yet, playing in all 16 games and snagging the First 3 TD’s of his career. He also had 326 receiving yards on the year. Perhaps a new coach in Baltimore could mean more PT for Devard.
• Tyron Brackenridge, Kansas City
Tyron was a contributor on a KC defense that struggled at times, picking up 25 tackles and a forced fumble in 13 games.
THE SILENT PARTNERS
• Jerome Harrison, Cleveland
I still think Jerome can be a great back in this league, but he spent his second year much like his first, riding the pine as the third stringer in Cleveland. Jerome is still without his first NFL TD.
• Eric Frampton, Minnesota
Eric had a quiet rookie year splitting time with Detroit and Minnesota and grabbing 14 tackles on the year.
• Jason Hill, San Francisco VERY quiet rookie year for Jason, played in 5 games and only caught one ball.
THOSE WATCHING AT HOME
• Steve Gleason, New Orleans
The man who’s blocked punt last year single-handedly sparked the Saints big resurgence sat all of this year with a knee injury. Turns out he was better off at home since the Saints were god awful this year.
• Raonall Smith, St. Louis
Raonall only got to play in 4 games for the Rams before a Knee injury put him out.
• Kyle Basler, Cleveland
Kyle didn’t play this year being left on NON-Injury Reserve by the Browns
THE PRACTICE SQUAD
• Cody Boyd, Washington
• Mkristo Bruce, Oakland
• Steve Dildine, San Francisco