Wildcats in the NFL final statistics

I’m back from Mexico and just in time for the bowl game. Before Thursday’s breakdown of the matchup, I’ve put together a compilation of some statistics to update everyone on a couple of former Wildcats playing on Sundays now.

Jacob Tamme – TE – Colts
Final stats: 67 catches / 631 yards / 4 touchdowns
Tamme took over at tight end when the colts were forced to put starter Dallas Clark on injured reserve and never looked back. He finished the season as the sixth rated tight end in the league in receptions despite only playing in the final 10 regular season games.

Stevie Johnson – WR – Bills
Final stats: 82 catches / 1, 073 yards / 10 touchdowns
Johnson had what can only be described as a break-out year and as a former seventh round pick, I wonder why he hasn’t garnered more attention. He finished the season as the 10th rated receiver in receptions, tied for 7th in touchdowns and 12th in receiving yards in the NFL. He was easily one of the most underrated players in the entire league this season.

John Conner – FB – Jets
Final stats: 8 rushes / 44 yards / 1 touchdown
Conner blew up during the HBO Hard Knocks series where Coach Rex Ryan constantly praised his play. He doesn’t generate the statistics that some of the other players do, but it has more to do with his position than his talent.

Garry Williams – RT – Panthers
Final stats: 16 games played / 11 starts
An injury to Jeff Otah allowed Williams to step into the starting job at right tackle and he made the most of his opportunity. He was part of an offense that rushed for 1,846 yards this year but also gave up 50 sacks. Maybe the best statistic to account for Williams’ play this year is the teams rush power rating when running to the right side. The Panthers converted a whopping 75% of 3rd or 4th downs with less than two yards when they ran to Williams’ side.

Trevard Lindley – CB – Eagles
Final stats: 21 total tackles (20 solo) / 1 interception / 1 fumble recovery
While he isn’t technically a starter, Lindley’s role as the team’s nickel back put him on the field more than some players listed as starters. His 20 solo tackles are impressive for a defensive back in general, but especially for a corner. With Ellis Hobbs on Injured reserve, Lindley’s playing time is sure to increase as the Eagles head to the playoffs.

Corey Peters – DT – Falcons
Final stats: 33 total tackles (25 solo) / 1 sack
Peters has quietly had a very solid rookie season. He managed to get a starting spot on a very good defense and helped his team lock up the top seed in the NFC. He actually rated as the 5th place rookie defensive lineman in the league in tackles, which is pretty impressive when you consider that he wasn’t drafted until the third round.

Myron Pryor – DT – Patriots
Final stats: 12 tackles (6 solo) / 0.5 sacks
Regardless of how you feel about the Patriots, you have to love Pryor. He’s listed as a defensive tackle on the team’s roster, but is listed as a defensive end on the depth chart. In reality, he’s a utility lineman that allows his coaches to move him back and forth amongst several positions and give the defense the ability to lineup in just about every look.

Wesley Woodyard – LB – Broncos
Final stats: 37 tackles (33 solo) / 1 sack
Injuries allowed Woodyard to break into the starting lineup at inside linebacker at the end of the season. His ability to rack up 37 tackles in limited duty is impressive, but it’s almost shocking when you consider that Woodyard was an undrafted free agent that was supposed to be too small to play linebacker in the NFL. He has also been the Broncos’ special teams captain.

Jeremy Jarmon – DE – Redskins
Final stats: 5 tackles / 0.5 sacks
Jarmon played sparingly on defense this season as the team’s third string defensive end, but he was able to contribute some on special teams as well. With veterans Vonnie Holliday and Phillip Daniels getting up there in age, Jarmon’s opportunity to climb up the depth chart could come as soon as this offseason.

Tim Masthay – P – Packers
Final stats: 71 punts / 3,114 yards / 43.9 average per punt
It’s easy to forget about Masthay. He’s playing a non-glamour position and is way up in the frozen tundra of Green Bay. Despite all of that, he is having a very good year and has been the Packers’ starting punter for the entire season. Of all his punting statistics for the year, perhaps the best is the 25 punts he dropped inside of the opponent’s 20-yard line.

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