In Week 5 NFL action, former Mountaineer Ryan Mundy made the highlight reels on the strength of a successful trick play. Pat McAfee almost made a field goal on a kickoff. Steve Slaton and Chris Neild had byes with their respective teams while Owen Schmitt and Corey McIntyre made no significant contributions to their teams.
In the week leading up to Week 6 games, the New York Jets re-signed Ellis Lankster after having two DBs suffer injuries in last week's game against the New England Patriots. Marcus Washington (head) and Isiah Trufant (hamstring) are not likely to play in the coming weeks leading to Ellis' return to the team. He was cut at the end of the Preseason after a good camp with the Jets. He returned an interception for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the last game of the Preseason, but that was not enough to ensure a roster spot on the team.
News came from the Cincinnati Bengals this week that they plan to activate Adam Don't-Call-Me-Pacman Jones from the PUP list when he is eligible to return at the end of October. He says he is fully 100%, and is eager to return to action. He suffered a neck injury against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6 of last season that has taken at least two surgeries to repair.
The Carolina Panthers announced that Brandon Hogan will begin practicing with the team next week. Hogan is currently on the PUP list and, like Jones, is eligible to return in a Week 8 game against Chris Neild and the Washington Redskins. Hogan tore his ACL last December and was unable to pass a physical when training camps began. He has been able to run for several months, but experienced some pain and swelling in his knee when he would try to make cuts. The Panthers secondary, particularly at corner, is in need of help. Their starters at corner are Charles Godfrey and Captain Munnerlyn. Godfrey is okay, but opposing quarterbacks regularly target the receivers that Munnerlyn covers. The Panthers also need help in the return game as well.
This week, at least four, and potentially six, former Mountaineers will play each other as I will explain below. Here is the rundown of this week's game involving former Mountaineers:
Sunday, Oct. 16
Philadelphia Eagles at
Washington Redskins
1:00 p.m. FOX
Two former Mountaineers could lock horns in this game. Eagles fullback Owen Schmitt and Redskins defensive tackle Chris Neild will face each other for the first time in the NFL. Schmitt plays on about 30% of the Eagles offensive plays and is in there usually as the lead blocker for Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy. Chris Neild has seen the number of snaps that he plays in a game progressively get larger. He has made a large impression on head coach Mike Shanahan with his work ethic. Neild hasn't faced a quarterback like Mike Vick in the NFL, but says the defense's task is simple, "It's just a matter of containing him."
The "Dream Team" that the Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to have been this season with the high-profile free-agent acquisitions they made when the Lockout ended. The Eagles have a 1-4 record so far this season. The team is in dissaray and held a players only meeting to hash out the problems. Some blame coach Andy Reid. Mike Vick says that the blame should be on him. Vick has been banged up, and has not performed at the same level as he did last season. He threw four interceptions in a loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. Owen Schmitt told reporters this week the current mindset of the team and what needs to happen going forward for the Eagles:
"Everybody is freaking," Schmitt said. "Obviously we're in a bad spot. But it's not the end of the world. We'll get ourselves right. We've just got to hang onto the ball. Play a solid game of football, limit the turnovers and we should be good."
Indianapolis Colts at
Cincinnati Bengals
1:00 p.m. CBS
Robert Sands could be inactive again for the Bengals. He has yet to be activated for a game during the regular season. Pat McAfee is the leading tackler among kickers in the NFL. Last week, he hit the crossbar of the goal post on a kickoff.
Buffalo Bills @
N.Y. Giants
1:00 CBS
Corey McIntyre will travel across the state of New York to take on the Giants. McIntyre is the starting fullback for the Bills and is mainly used as a blocker when he is in the game. He also plays on special teams. Last week, Selvish Capers was added to the Giants practice squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars @
Pittsburgh Steelers
1:00 CBS
Last week, Ryan Mundy had a 33-yard reception on a fake punt against the Tennessee Titans (in the video below). He also recorded 4 tackles. What will he do this week against the Jaguars?
Monday, Oct. 17
Miami Dolphins @
N.Y. Jets
8:30 ESPN
Steve Slaton will play in his second game with the Dolphins after having a bye week last week. The Dolphins and head coach Tony Sparano wanted to use the bye week to figure out how Slaton will fit into their offense. Rookie RB Daniel Thomas should be at full health and Reggie Bush will likely be his backup. Where Slaton might see the majority of his playing time is at kick returner. For the Jets, they re-signed Ellis Lankster last week after having two DBs go out with injuries against the Patriots. He will provide immediate depth in the Jets secondary and will play on special teams.
Note
The B.C. Lions signed Jock Sanders to their practice squad this week. Sanders played in the Preseason with the Tampa Bay Bucs. He joins other former Mountaineers Avon Cobourne and Lance Frazier in the CFL.