4 Week NFL U Roundup

We’re almost a quarter of the way through the NFL regular season and proCanes.com will take a look at NFL U’s top performers, biggest disappointments, top plays and much more. Read below to get your 4-week NFL U recap.

Who has had the greatest impact overall? I think it has to be Reggie Wayne. Reggie is in his first season without Marvin Harrison. There were many people that doubted Reggie and whether he could shoulder the load of being the official #1 receiver and the double teams that come along with it. He has more than proved himself especially with the Colts having a rusher top 50 yards only once in their first 4 games (4 wins) and no true #2 receiver with the injury to Anthony Gonzalez. Yes Peyton Manning is the quarterback, and yes they have Dallas Clark and the up-and-coming Pierre Garcon, but Reggie Wayne’s one handed grabs and big plays have led the Colts and made it very difficult on opposing defenses. Wayne is averaging 15.3 yards per catch and is second in the league with 399 yards, only 12 yards behind the Giants’ Steve Smith with 8 fewer receptions. He is converting 80% of his receptions for 1st downs and has 21 first downs to his name. Look for Reggie to continue his fine play and go on to his 4th straight Pro Bowl.

Best plays so far?
Week 1 Bills @ Patriots: With less than 2 minutes left the Patriots had just scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 5 points. On the ensuing kickoff Leodis McKelvin returned the kick from out of his own end zone and was met at the 31-yard line by Brandon Meriweather who stood McKelvin up and stripped the ball. The Patriots recovered the fumble and scored a few plays later to take a 25-24 lead and win the game.

Week 2 Ravens @ Chargers: 4th and 2 the Chargers have the ball on the Baltimore 15 yard line with a little over 30 seconds to play with Baltimore leading by 5 points. Philip Rivers hands the ball off to Darren Sproles and low and behold Ray reads the play perfectly and drops Sproles for a 5-yard loss. Game over.

Week 2 Cardinals @ Jaguars: The Cardinals were leading 10-0 in the 2nd quarter when the Jaguars’ Josh Scobee lined up to attempt a 46-yard field goal. Scobee’s field goal was blocked by Calais Campbell and recovered by Antrel Rolle who caught the ball before it hit the ground at the 17-yard line and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals went on to win 31-17.

Biggest Surprises:
Bruce Johnson: Bruce was supposed to be Miami’s only draft pick in the ’09 draft and ended up not being drafted and being picked up by the NY Giants in free agency. He impressed the Giants from the beginning and has played in each of the first four games recording a forced fumble, an interception for a touchdown, 3 pass deflections and 8 tackles. He’s become the regular nickel corner on the outside for the Giants and has really taken advantage of his opportunities. Click here to read our exclusive interview with Bruce: http://www.procanes.com/files/category-tracking-procanes.html

Willis McGahee: Willis lost his starting job to Ray Rice in the off-season but that seems to have added fuel to his fire. He showed up in better shape than he ever had in the past to training camp and has accepted his #2 role with grace while actually outperforming Rice leading to Willis starting the last game versus the Patriots. McGahee scored 2 TDs in each of his first 3 games and has 7 TDs total along with 201 yards rushing with a 5.4 yard per carry average. If he keeps this up, look for him to start some more games for the Ravens.

Starting to Heat up:
Santana Moss: In his first two games Santana had 5 receptions for 41 yards and no TDs. In his last two games he has had 12 receptions for 252 yards and 2 TDs. Look for him to be Campbell’s go-to-guy for the rest of the season and if he keeps this up he could even squeeze into the Pro Bowl.

Comeback Player:
Jeremy Shockey: Shockey was traded to the Saints last season to add another weapon to their high powered offense. Unfortunately, Shockey battled injuries all season and didn’t even record a TD. This season he has been a consistent threat for Drew Brees in the middle of the field recording at least 4 catches in each of the first 4 games along with 2 TDs. As long as he stays healthy, he will continue to excel in the Saints offense.

Biggest disappointments so far?
Greg Olsen: With Jay Cutler in his first year under center and a host of unknowns at WR for the Bears, Olsen figured to get a lot passes thrown his way, especially at the beginning of the season, but so far he has been very quiet. He has had two 1-catch performances and has only scored two touchdowns. If the Bears receivers continue to improve look for the middle of the field to open up a little for Greg which should result in some more touches.

Clinton Portis: Clinton isn’t playing badly, but I think everyone had high expectations for him this season. He has yet to break 100 yards in a game and he has also yet to score a TD. He is averaging 3.9 yards a carry despite the Redskins offense being abysmal, but I expected him to carry more of the load and reach the end zone. He has also been battling injuries which have slowed him down, but he is supposed to be the leader of that offense.

Tavares Gooden: Many think Tavares will eventually replace Ray Lewis as the Ravens’ MLB when Ray retires and because of that, there were high expectations going into this season. He was supposed to make the Ravens forget about Bart Scott but unfortunately Tavares has only recorded 7 tackles in 3 games and did not play in the Ravens’ last game versus the Patriots because he was still feeling the effects of a concussion from the previous week. Look for him to pick it up, or he could be replaced permanently.

Phillip Buchanon: Phillip was signed in the off-season by the Lions to be one of their starting corners and to say he has been a disappointment would be an understatement. He did not play in the first game because of a very last minute scratch that seemed to irritate the coaching staff and in his last two games he hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet and has been beaten out for the starting spot by Will James.

Who Can Book A Ticket to Miami for the Pro Bowl?
Frank Gore: If Gore can make a healthy return in 2 weeks and play like he did before his injury he should be a lock.
Ray Lewis: Ray is the leader emotionally and physically of the Ravens defense, and each week makes big plays. He’s a lock.
Andre Johnson: If it weren’t for Matt Schaub and the Texans offense being so inconsistent, Andre Johnson would be getting a lot more publicity, but regardless he’s the best receiver in the league and shows it each week.
Reggie Wayne: No Marvin Harrison, no problem. We knew Reggie Wayne was unofficially the #1 receiver for the Colts the last couple of seasons, but now there is no question. He is Manning’s go-to-guy and without a doubt one of the top 3 receivers in the league.

Top 3 leading rushers:
Clinton Portis: 281 yards, 0 TDs rushing
Frank Gore: 241 yards, 3 TDs in 3 games
Willis McGahee: 201 yards, 5 TDs

Top 5 receivers: Reggie Wayne: 26 catches, 399 Yards, 3 TDs
Andre Johnson: 20 catches, 336 yards, 2 TDs
Jeremy Shockey: 18 Catches, 162 yards, 2 TDs
Santana Moss: 17 catches, 293 yards, 2 TDs
Devin Hester: 14 catches, 189 yards, 2 TDs

Top Tacklers: Ray Lewis: 35 tackles
Jon Beason: 21 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception
DJ Williams: 31 tackles and 1 sack
Rocky McIntosh: 24 tackles and 2 forced fumbles

Most TDs: Willis McGahee: 7 TDs
Reggie Wayne: 3 TDs