D-3 Players in the Pros

[Purple Heys]

What's going on with Michael Allan at KC?

He's there, but he just doesn't seem be as there as last year.

Anybody know how's it look for him?

I'm pulling for him.

[Mugsy]

Another update on Andy Studebaker from the Eagles website:

LONGSHOT LOOKING GOOD

Andy Studebaker is a very interesting rookie. He's making the transition from Wheaton College to the NFL and from defensive end to linebacker. So far, so good. Studebaker has shown that he definitely has the athletic ability to play pro football. He's also making plays. He has five tackles, a forced fumble and a batted pass.

Before we get too excited, we have to understand that Studebaker is playing against third stringers. In 2006, Tank Daniels was the small-school linebacker who looked good in the preseason. Last year, Akeem Jordan had that role. Only Jordan made the initial 53-man roster and that was for a brief time before the Eagles claimed Pago Togafau off waivers. Jordan last year was ahead of where Studebaker is this year, based on what I've seen. In the 2007 preseason finale, Jordan played a great game.  He flew all over the field and made a lot of tackles. We'll see if Studebaker has a game like that in him.

The Eagles will have to consider putting Studebaker on the roster. They can't count on him making it through waivers and getting to the practice squad.  Studebaker has better size than either Daniels or Jordan. He is a natural pass rusher. Teams running the 3-4 defense could easily be interested in claiming Studebaker. Right now Rocky Boiman is slated to be the backup strongside linebacker. He better not relax with the way that Studebaker is playing right now. The kid from Wheaton College might just make the team.

[Toby Taff]

UMHB's Jerrel Freeman survived the cuts from Titan's camp this morning and is now showing as 3rd on the depth chart at his position.

[golden_dome]

Mississippi College's Jake Allen is still in camp with the Green Bay Packers. He's currently third on the depth chart and is battling three other rookie receivers for the 6th WR spot. He will get pleny of opportunity tonight when the Packers play their final preseason game.

[golden_dome]

Mississippi College's Jake Allen caught two passes for 33 yards tonight for Green Bay including a 22 yard touchdown with no time remaining to pull the Packers within two points. The two point conversion was not successful and the Tennesse Titans won 23-21.

[retagent]

Against the Jets, Andy Studebaker again got significant playing time. Was on any number of Special Teams, and always seemed to be around the ball when in on defense. Probably got credit for a tackle or
1 1/2.

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity (TX) ex Jerheme Urban is battling hard for the #3 WR slot in Phoenix, with four catches for 94 yards in the first half against Denver.  In the process he's actually making Matt Leinhart (10-14, 177 yds in first half) look good, no small feat.   

[gordonmann]

With final cuts looming, here are some D3 alums on NFL rosters.

Fred Jackson (Coe): 2nd on Buffalo Bills depth chart at RB
Nate Jackson (Menlo): 2nd on Denver Broncos depth chart at TE
Michael Allan (Whitworth): 4th on Kansas City Chiefs depth chart at TE
Pierre Garcon (Mount Union): 4th on Indianapolis Colts depth chart at one of two WR positions
Ryan Hoag (Gustavus Adolphus): WR on Jacksonville Jaguars - no depth chart posted
Matt Turk (UW-Whitewater): 1st on Houston Texans depth chart at P and H
Jerrell Freeman (Mary-Hardin Baylor): 3rd on Tennessee Titans depth chart at RLB
Jerheme Urban (Trinity - Texas): 2nd on Phoenix Cardinals depth chart at one of two WR positions
Todd Lowber (Ramapo): WR on Dallas Cowboys - not listed on depth chart
Andy Studebaker (Wheaton): 3rd on Philadelphia Eagles depth chart at SLB
Derek Stanley (UW-Whitewater): 3rd (with two other guys) on St. Louis Rams depth chart at WR2

Lowber is particularly interesting.  He went to Ramapo, which doesn't have a football program.  I don't have HBO but a bunch of blogs say the "Hard Knocks" documentary of Cowboys training camp has focused on his long shot to make the team.  He survived one round of cuts earlier this week.

I'm sure I missed a couple since I have to step away, but feel free to add them or updates.

[Toby Taff]

Freeman was released

[K-Mack]

The Redskins released Byron Westbrook (Salisbury) and Horace Gant (St. Olaf) today, and the Eagles released Studebaker.

If they clear waivers, Westbrook and Studebaker are very likely to resurface; Studebaker will make the practice squad if someone doesn't snap him up, Westbrook I'm not sure he's practice-squad eligible, I think he is, but the Redskins really like him.

Like all teams, there were some tough decisions to make, and not all of them were about who's the best football player; salary, draft status, preseason injuries, projected Game 1 rosters and protecting other guys more likely to get snapped up all factor in.

[reality check]

Jerheme Urban kept his roster spot and the Cardinals released rookie Lance Long instead (who also had a very good game last night).   Jason Trusnik is still listed on the Jets PUP list (foot) but the Jets roster has not been cut down officially yet.

I'm happy for Urban since he's in my backyard and really has a shot to contribute as a third WR by committee with Steve Breaston and Early Doucet.

[BoBo]

Mississippi College's Jake Allen caught two passes for 33 yards tonight for Green Bay including a 22 yard touchdown with no time remaining to pull the Packers within two points. The two point conversion was not successful and the Tennesse Titans won 23-21.

He was among 19 players released by the Packers today.

[Ron Boerger]

I'm happy for Urban since he's in my backyard and really has a shot to contribute as a third WR by committee with Steve Breaston and Early Doucet.

Weisenhut said Breaston and Urban would split the #3 role for now.  Urban was basically off the chart at the beginning of camp so this is still pretty good news.

The Dallas media was hoping that Urban would be cut so the Cowboys could pick him up - they have had injury problems at WR.  Ha ha, maybe they shouldn't have cut him in the first place. 

[golden_dome]

Former Mississippi College wide receiver Jake Allen was signed to Green Bay's practice squad today. Allen was one of eight practice squad signings for the Packers.

[reality check]

Andy Studebaker was released in the final roster cut but was signed to the Eagles practice squad today so he will indeed be with the Eagles afterall.  I hope he can follow the same path the Jason Trusnik did in converting from rush end to outside backer at the pro level and maybe getting his shot somewhere in the middle of the season through special teams play as happened to JT last year.

Now Trusnik needs to get that foot back in order so he can be activated from the PUP list.