Former Utes in the NFL-how are they perceived?

tah *A Big Thanks to everyone at Niners Nation, Cat Scratch Reader, Baltimore Beat Down, The Phinsider, Mile High Report, Bolts from the Blue, Gang Green Nation, Behind the Steel Curtain, and Battle Red Blog.  Your insights were invaluable.*

              I am one of “those guys”.  I don’t have a favorite NFL team.  Growing up in Utah, it’s hard to really get behind a team.

                I used to cheer for the Titans.  That is because I lived in Houston when they were the Oilers.  I miss the days of Air McNair, Eddie George, Frank Wycheck, the freak, etc.  Now they are so overrun with buffoons, that I renounced my fanship last year.

                Now, I just cheer for guys who played for the U., the University of Utah.

                I have gone around asking fans of NFL teams what they think of our guys.  Some of their responses surprised me.  Some of them were easy to guess.  All of them were thought provoking.  Here is what I found:

                Zane Beadles-OL, Denver:  Broncos fans are a little disappointed in Zane.  The general feeling is that he was drafted too high.  Most feel like he is the weak link in their offensive line and that he will eventually be a utility back up.  Here in Utah, we heard the comparisons to Jordan Gross, and that probably wasn’t fair in hindsight.  Hopefully, Zane can work hard and contribute more to the Broncos.  By the way, I loved it in 2008 and 2009 when 40% of our offensive line was named “Zane”.  “Zane” is a great name for an offensive lineman. 

                Jordan Gross-OL, Carolina:  Panther fans consider him a solid player.  They appreciate his steadiness and leadership.  Some call him a top ten LT, and that is hard to argue with.  Gross played during the Ron McBride era.  Combine that with being an offensive lineman and I am not sure he is as appreciated by Ute fans as he deserves to be, but perhaps I’m wrong.

                Chris Kemoeatu-OL, Pittsburgh:  This was one of the players that surprised me when I read the fan comments.  Many fans were frustrated with him and feel like he would be gone if the offensive line as a whole in Pittsburgh were healthier.  The consensus seemed to be that he is good to very good in the running game, but average to poor in pass protection.  He was also noted for his boneheaded play at times.  (Remember the ’03 UNLV game anyone?)  It seems that “Kemo” as they call him might be on his way out in Pittsburgh.

                Paul Kruger-LB, Baltimore: I’ll be honest; I was confused when the Ravens drafted Kruger in the 2009 draft.  I thought he was way too small to be an end in a 3-4 scheme and not quite fast enough to be an outside linebacker.  I was curious as to why the Ravens would grab a player who seemed a natural for a 4-3 scheme.  Fans seemed to be excited for his potential.  He has come on as of late and seems to have found himself after two years of sparse playing time.  His coaches have raved about his increased abilities.  We always knew he was a hard worker and it seems to be paying off.

                Brice McCain-CB, Houston:  Not a lot of response on this one, and that is because Brice is still mostly a special teams guy.  He made a key interception earlier this year.  Brice is one of those guys who came to Utah and was converted to corner and did fairly well (that one play in 2007 never happened, you hear me?  It never happened………..)

                Koa Misi-LB, Miami:  There is some variance in how Dolphin fans feel about him.  The general feeling is that he is adequate, but not a play-maker yet.  The potential is perhaps there though.  This is only his second year, so he has some time.  And linebacker is a new position for him.  Hopefully, he can figure everything out. 

                Sione Pouha-DT, New York Jets: The hometown kid.  This is the guy who grew up in the shadows of Rice-Eccles Stadium and was a fan favorite during his time here.  Remember the Fiesta Bowl year when he bleached his hair? Good times!  Anyway, Jets fans seem to like him.  He is a run stopper and space eater in their 3-4 alignment.  Some would like him to be more of a factor in the pass-rushing game (ala his good friend Haloti Ngata), but he does his job well. 

                David Reed-WR, Baltimore: Reed has been a kickoff returner in his two seasons with the Ravens.  Many fans considered him to be borderline bust.  He is noted for an occasional nice return, but fans want to see him perform more consistently.  He has been a non-factor in the pass game.  It seems to me and a lot of fans that unless he can stay healthy, he will probably be waived at some point.  Hopefully he can get healthy.  That guy was a beast at Utah.  Just watch the Sugar Bowl or the ’08 BYU game….

                Alex Smith-QB, San Fran.:  Not surprisingly, there are two schools of thought on Smith.  There are some that just want him gone and for the team to move on.  There are others who feel like he always had it, but never had the right situation (I think most Ute fans would argue for this).  No one is really happy with him overall, and no one is ready to jump on his bandwagon quite yet.  But, everyone seems to be pleased with him this season.  It seems that a majority of those who responded are happy that he is having success this year, as he is a really good guy. 

                Sean Smith-CB, Miami:  Dolphin fans are feeling what Utah fans felt during his career here.  Sean is very talented.  But he just makes mistakes out there that just make you want to pull your hair out.  I remember a time in 2008 against TCU.  Had an interception right to him, and he dropped it.  Sean is a pretty good cover guy, but he isn’t the playmaker yet that he has the potential to be.  Still, a lot of teams would love a 6’3”, 214 pound corner who can stay with the big receivers in the game today.  A bit of trivia:  Sean weighed in at 236 pounds on the day of the sugar bowl.  A 236 pound corner?  That’s gotta be a record! 

                Steve Smith-WR, Carolina:  The most glowing praise I saw was heaped upon Smith.  It seems like if he were to run for the Mayor of Charlotte, he would win in a landslide.  Fans were labeling him as the greatest Panther ever.  I love watching Steve Smith.  Even as he gets older, he is still dominating guys who are much bigger.  I am hoping he breaks the record for yards in a season this year.  My only regret is that he played during the Ronnie Mac era.  Can you IMAGINE the numbers he would have put up in Urban’s two years?  Still, one of the all-time great Utes.  Fans also pointed out that it has been nice to see him mature over the years to the point where he is now a well-respected leader.

                Paul Soliai-DL, Miami:  The one word that can be used to sum up Dolphin fans feelings of this mammoth is disappointment.  Soliai cashed in big time this year, and while dominant at times, has not had the overall impact that he did in the past.  Fans feel like he is being paid too much for what little he actually contributes.  I used to love this guy at Utah.  “Thing 1 and Thing 2” with he and Talavou were a nasty combination out there.  

                RJ Stanford-CB, Carolina:  Easily the greatest Ute ever.  Most definitely the greatest Ute alumni in the NFL right now.  RJ is on pace for his first pro bowl this year…and well deserved!  Ok, I kid.  I am amazed (as are some Panther fans) that he has stuck on a roster.  Good for him; he is making more than me.

 

                Stevenson Sylvester-LB, Pittsburgh:  This is another player whose review surprised me.  I have heard that “Sly” has made some plays on special teams, but I had no idea that he was so well respected in Pittsburgh.  A majority of the fans feel that he can start someday, though it’s obvious that right now he hasn’t mastered the position (he has been playing inside for the Steelers, whereas he was a rover at Utah).  I have come to really respect the Pittsburgh franchise because of the way that they have built their team.  They like to keep it in the family and are great at developing players.  I am glad that Sly has found a place where he fits. 

                Eric Weddle-S, San Diego:  My inquiry into Weddle caused a spirited discussion about where Weddle fits as far as top safeties in the league.  Though a consensus was not reached, it is apparent that Weddle is appreciated by Charger fans.  No one seems upset about his contract.  He has really stepped his game up this year and is quickly becoming a force.  For those of us who saw him literally play every position (I am not kidding when I say that I once saw him put his hand down as a down lineman on defense once) at Utah, we knew he would be successful.  And he is just an all-around great guy.  Glad to see that he is having success.  As a side note, I know a zoob who still feels like Eric Weddle is an injury replacement.  I asked him once “so there is some guy, who you can’t name, who has been injured for three years, who will be someday come back and take Weddle’s job away? Right…….”  Zoobs.  You gotta love ‘em.