Wesley Woodyard leads the charge of former Cats in the NFL in Week 1
By Staff
On Sunday, we took a look at the former UK football Cats that have found their way to a NFL roster this year. While the perception of Kentucky is a basketball school, Rich Brooks has done a great job of sending the nine players listed to NFL rosters. Another two players were late cuts from camp (Ventrell Jenkins – Bengals, Johnny Williams – Jaguars) and could see a NFL roster or practice squad if injuries mount. With Trevard Lindley and Micah Johnson (among others) poised to join this club next year, I will doing a weekly Wednesday re-cap of how the former Cats fared:
Jacob Tamme (Colts): Tamme only had one reception for five yards, but it may have been injury news to another player on his team that was most significant to Tamme. Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez was injured during the Colts game against the Jaguars which could very well mean more reps for Tamme. If the Colts decide to use more tight-end sets, Tamme could figure into the mix with current tight-end Dallas Clark playing more in the slot. It will be anywhere from 2-6 weeks for Gonzalez, so Tamme may be re-worked into the offense.
Keenan Burton (Rams): Burton, much like Tamme didn’t see a lot of action in terms of receptions. The ball was thrown to him several times but Burton struggled to take advantage of those opportunities. With only one catch for five yards, the Rams may have to look elsewhere for any production from their #3 receiver on the depth chart. If Burton wants time, he’ll have to play more consistently and be aggressive with any chances he gets.
Myron Pryor (Patriots): Unfortunately for the big guy, he was listed as inactive for week 1. Even with the praise head coach Bill Belichick has given Pryor in the past, it looks as if Pryor will struggle to get time on the field. The former sixth round draft choice is rated as the #2 left defensive end on the Patriots depth chart, but it will remain to be seen whether Belichick lives up to his billing on Pyror.
Stevie Johnson (Bills): Having to play behind four wide receivers already, Johnson saw very little action on Monday against the Patriots. With Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish occupying the four main wide out positions, Johnson is going to see very little time on the field. If one of the aforementioned names is to go down with injury, step in Steve Johnson. Otherwise, could be a long year for Johnson as he continues to learn and progress in the NFL.
Wesley Woodyard (Broncos): Woodyard, because of his position within the Broncos organization was the most successful former UK player in the first week. With Woodyard playing both on defense and special teams, his name was mentioned throughout Sunday’s Broncos vs. Bengals game. He just so happened to be in the right place at the right time, when a Carson Palmer ball intended for Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson was deflected, landing in the arms of Woodyard. The first interception of his career highlights later events in the game, when wide receiver Brandon Stokley caught a deflected ball and ran it for an 87-yard touchdown.
Woodyard, also with three tackles, has to be elated as he is seeing ample time at the linebacker position and could very well establish himself as a more permanent player in the near future.
Jeremy Jarmon (Redskins): Jarmon didn’t see any action on Sunday when the Redskins took on the Giants. This will most likely be the case throughout much of the season, as Jarmon is still learning the in and outs of life in the NFL. I’d assume more reps will come through the special team’s game rather than on defense, but things could change at the push of a button. Currently third on the depth chart at left defensive end, Jarmon will probably need a couple of injuries to take place before getting any more time.
Andre Woodson (Redskins): Practice squad
Braxton Kelley (Broncos): Practice squad
Andrew Hardison is a recent UK alum and a contributor to Wildcat Blue Blog.
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