In Week 2 of the NFL, it was difficult to find a standout performance by a former Mountaineer. Cincinnati Bengals rookie, Robert Sands, was inactive for the second week in a row. Steve Slaton of the Houston Texans was active when Derrick Ward did not make the trip to Miami due to an injury.
Arian Foster started that game for the Texans after missing Week 1 with an injured hamstring. Foster only played in the first half against Miami when the hamstring tightened up during halftime. Ben Tate filled in for Foster during the second half and gained over 100 yards on the ground. Slaton only had one carry for no gain.
Chris Neild had a performance in Week 1 that raised some eyebrows around the league, when the man that was one pick away from being Mr. Irrelevant in this year's Draft sacked New York Giants QB, Eli Manning, twice and forced a fumble. The Redskins played the Arizona Cardinals last week and allowed them to only run 48 offensive plays. Because the Cards were forced into a passing game, the Redskins played a lot of dime and nickel packages to counter. That meant that Neild's playing time in the game was reduced and he did not record a tackle.
Pat McAfee handled the kickoffs and punts for the Colts. Ryan Mundy and Corey McIntyre made no significant contributions for their teams. Owen Schmitt had a special teams tackle and made a couple key blocks for Michael Vick before Vick left the game with an injury.
Can we expect more from our former Mountaineers this week? Lets go over the schedule for Week 3 and find out.
Houston Texans @
New Orleans Saints
1:00 CBS
After re-injuring his hamstring against the Dolphins last week, Arian Foster has not practiced in preparation for the Saints game. If Foster is active, his number of carries will be limited. The Houston Chronicle would not be surprised if Foster is out again and Ben Tate gets the start. Steve Slaton would be the backup. If that is the case, then Slaton should see his most significant playing time yet this season. This could be a chance for him to play himself into a bigger role on the team.
New England Patriots @
Buffalo Bills
1:00 CBS
Corey McIntyre will get the start at FB for the Bills and also plays on special teams. If the Bills are forced into a passing game, look for McIntyre to see limited snaps.
San Francisco 49ers @
Cincinnati Bengals
1:00 FOX
Robert Sands was inactive for the first two weeks of the season. Fellow S, Taylor Mays, should return from an injury this week against his old 49ers squad. I look for Sands to remain inactive.
New York Giants @
Philadelphia Eagles
1:00 FOX
Schmitt will get the start at FB for the Eagles and play on special teams units.
Kansas City Chiefs @
San Diego Chargers
4:05 CBS
Anthony Becht will play in his second game with the Chiefs after getting signed late last week. The Chiefs starting TE, Tony Moeaki suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1. With a full week of practice to prepare for the Chargers, look for Becht to be utilized by the Chiefs in two tight end sets and running situations. One of the big reasons the Chiefs re-signed Becht after cutting him at the end of the Preseason is his blocking ability.
Pittsburgh Steelers @
Indianapolis Colts
8:20 NBC
Ryan Mundy is a backup safety for the Steelers. Pat McAfee handles the kicking and punting duties for the Colts. Of the 8 kickoffs for McAfee, 4 of them has went for touchbacks. He is currently 6th in the AFC in punting. With Peyton Manning injured, McAfee is actually the emergency QB for the Colts.
Washington Redskins @
Dallas Cowboys
8:30 ESPN Monday Night Football
Chris Neild will pitch in on the revamped Redskins defensive line. The two sacks Neild registered in Week 1 still has him in the Top 10 in that category in the NFL.
CFL
Avon Cobourne's Hamilton Tiger-Cats team has hit a rough patch and has lost it's last two games. The Ticats lost to Edmonton last week 38-23. Cobourne rushed for 28 yards and 1 touchdown. This week Cobourne and Co. play at home against Edmonton on Sunday. Our friends over at Lost Lettermen wrote a handy profile on Cobourne that gives you all of the details of his career after he left WVU.
Lance Frazier plays DB for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He has 24 tackles so far this season as his Roughriders play at home against British Colombia on Saturday.