Historically, Ohio State receivers, defensive backs and linebackers fare well in the NFL. In modern times, Buckeye offensive linemen might be the strongest position group at the next level.
Alex Boone has played almost every position on the line since he got to San Francisco, Jack Mewhort had a strong rookie year, Corey Linsley and Nick Mangold are two of the best centers in the league, and Andrew Norwell paces a strong Panthers o-line. Considering how poorly the Buccaneers are playing up front and the injury to tackle Donovan Smith's knee, Reid Fragel has a chance to stick in Tampa Bay.
The Bucs promoted Fragel to the active roster this week after he spent all offseason and training camp with the team. He started Tampa's final three preseason games and initially made their 53-man roster before being waived to clear room for several free-agent pickups.
In other roster-movement news featuring Buckeyes: the Raiders released Chimdi Chekwa from their injured reserve list after reaching an injury settlement with him. Oakland placed Chekwa on IR at the end of camp with an "undisclosed injury." He's now a free agent.
bennett's workload Increases
Although he only recorded one tackle through the first four games, Michael Bennett continues to see more time on Jacksonville's defensive line.
Bennett played 18 snaps in week two and his workload nearly doubled to 33 snaps in week three. We'll wait to see the participation report against the Colts, but he continues to earn the Jaguars staff's trust as Tyson Alualu's backup.
"[Bennett’s] doing a good job,’’ head coach Gus Bradley said, via the Florida Times Union. “I think what we’re hoping for him is that he can add a little bit of a rush for us.’’
Pryor Auditions for Seattle
Terrelle Pryor is still on a quest to be a wide receiver in the NFL. Last week, one of his former teams showed interest in signing him.
Seattle brought Pryor in for a workout, Monday, joining the Jets and Patriots as teams to scout his abilities at wideout. It comes over a year after the Seahawks traded a seventh-round draft pick for the former quarterback and released him prior to the start of the 2014 season.
It does not sound like Seattle will make room for Pryor on the 53-man roster:
Carroll said Seahawks worked out Terrelle Pryor. Says he's raw as a receiver and pretty much left it there. Sounds like just kicking tires.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) October 1, 2015
PLay of the Week
Ted Ginn Jr. continues to quiet those who doubted the Carolina receiving corps – including myself.
Had he never left the Panthers after the 2013 season, I wouldn't have doubted his ability to mesh with Cam Newton. Look how much better he plays with the former Heisman winner:
Ted Ginn now has 15 career receiving TDs. He has 8 receiving TDs with the Panthers. Just 20 of his 124 games have come in Carolina.
— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) October 4, 2015
Until Sunday, Ginn also never recorded multiple touchdown receptions in a game. That changed after this grab – exploding upfield out of his crossing pattern:
Can Newton with his second touchdown to Ted Ginn Jr. #CARvsTB pic.twitter.com/EFUtxtF0UU
— NFL 2K Football (@NFL2kFootball) October 4, 2015
How They Fared in Week Four
| Player | Team | Position | Stats/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Steelers | OL | On PUP list (out until Week 7, at the earliest) |
| Will Allen | Pittsburgh Steelers | S | 7 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 piggyback ride in Thursday's loss to Ravens |
| Michael Bennett | Jacksonville Jaguars | DT | Did not record a tackle in loss to Colts |
| Alex Boone | San Francisco 49ers | OL | Described 49ers offense as "god awful" in loss to Packers |
| Philly Brown | Carolina Panthers | WR/KR/PR | 1 reception, 3 yards in win over Bucs |
| Kurt Coleman | Carolina Panthers | S | 4 tackles, 1 interception in win over Bucs |
| Nate Ebner | New England Patriots | DB/ST | Patriots on bye |
| Reid Fragel | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | OL | "Eager to make his mark" as he debuts for Tampa |
| Ted Ginn Jr. | Carolina Panthers | WR | A 6-yard TD catch in addition to his 12-yard TD grab in win over Bucs |
| Johnathan Hankins | New York Giants | DT | 4 tackles in win over Bills |
| Brian Hartline | Cleveland Browns | WR | 1 reception, 7 yards before leaving loss against Chargers due to rib, hip injuries |
| A.J. Hawk | Cincinnati Bengals | LB | 1 tackle in win over Chiefs |
| Cameron Heyward | Pittsburgh Steelers | DE | 7 tackles, 2 QB hits in loss to Ravens |
| Carlos Hyde | San Francisco 49ers | RB | 8 carries, 20 yards in loss to Packers |
| Malcolm Jenkins | Philadelphia Eagles | S | Team-leading 9 tackles in loss to Redskins |
| James Laurinaitis | St. Louis Rams | LB | 5 tackles, 3 QB hits in win over Cardinals |
| Corey Linsley | Green Bay Packers | C | Notes defensive domination in win over 49ers |
| Nick Mangold | New York Jets | C | Jets rush for 207 yards and 2 TDs, beat Dolphins in London |
| Jake McQuaide | St. Louis Rams | LS | Rams kick 1 field goal, punt 7 times in win over Cardinals |
| Jack Mewhort | Indianapolis Colts | OL | Led by two of the oldest players in the NFL, Colts beat Jags in OT |
| Andrew Norwell | Carolina Panthers | OL | Panthers unimpressive offensively, still beat Bucs by 2 TDs |
| Mike Nugent | Cincinnati Bengals | K | Missed a 44-yard field goal and recorded a tackle in win over Chiefs |
| Bradley Roby | Denver Broncos | CB | 5 tackles, 1 pass defended in another strong performance |
| Ryan Shazier | Pittsburgh Steelers | LB | Inactive for game vs Ravens due to injuries, but expected to return next week |
| John Simon | Houston Texans | LB | 5 tackles in blowout loss to Falcons, fined for roughing penalty from week 3 |
| Devin Smith | New York Jets | WR | 2 receptions, 14 yards in win over Dolphins |
| Jake Stoneburner | Miami Dolphins | TE | 2 receptions, 16 yards, 1 TD catch in loss to Jets |
| Donte Whitner | Cleveland Browns | S | 7 tackles, defense wasn't any better in loss to Chargers |
