Login  /  Register  | 3 premium articles left before you must register.
TheDay.com <h1>A mixed bag for ex-Huskies in NFL</h1> Southeastern Connecticut News, Sports, Weather and Video The Day newspaper

A mixed bag for ex-Huskies in NFL

By Chuck Banning

Publication: TheDay.com

Published 09/06/2010 12:00 AM
Updated 09/06/2010 11:18 AM

After arriving back from Michigan on Sunday, finally got a chance this morning to sort out the weekend of NFL transactions in relation to former UConn players, and the news was mixed. Three ex-Huskies have secured starting jobs but four others are now looking for jobs.
Here’s a breakdown (in alphabetical order):

Deon Anderson (Cowboys) — will start at fullback.

Will Beatty (Giants) — listed No. 2 at left tackle behind Dave Diehl.

Cody Brown (Cardinals) — Former No. 2 pick (as a linebacker) was among the final cuts.

Donald Brown (Colts) — listed No. 2 at running back behind Joseph Addai.

Tyvon Branch (Raiders) — will start at strong safety.

Darius Butler (Patriots) — will start left cornerback (Rutgers rookie Devin McCourty will start on the right side).

Marcus Easley (Bills) — wide receiver is on injured reserve and will miss the season after suffering pre-season knee injury.

Tyler Lorenzen (Saints) — former quarterback turned tight end was among the final cuts.

Robert McClain (Panthers) — listed No. 2 at left cornerback behind Chris Gamble. Great story here. Undersized McClain was drafted in the seventh round, but earned a roster spot.

Dan Orlovsky (Texas) — listed No. 2 at quarterback behind Matt Schaub, but that could be in jeopardy because the Texans reportedly signed Matt Leinart this morning and it’s only a matter of time before he moves up to No. 2.

Larry Taylor (Jets) — wide receiver/return specialist was among the final cuts, but was signed to the eight-man practice squad on Sunday.

Donald Thomas (Dolphins) — was among the final cut victims. Thomas started at guard for Miami as a rookie in 2008, but never regained that form after suffering a season-ending foot injury last season.

Julius Williams (Jaguars) — was cut midway through the preseason after making the team as a free agent defensive end in 2009.

****

One more note: Former New London great David Reed, a fifth-round draft pick out of Utah by the Baltimore Ravens, made the team as the No. 4 receiver and a kickoff returner. Reed cemented his roster sport by watching three passes for 65 yards and returning a kickoff 53 yards in the final preseason game last Thursday against St. Louis.

Reader Comments

HIDE COMMENTS

DAY BLOGROLL

News

Town Blogs | Notes from our town reporters

Day Photo Staff | On Assignment

David Collins | Today, in The Day

Karen Florin | On The Docket

Rufus Giuseppe | The Dog Dishes

JC Reindl | The Capitol Conveyor

Opinion

Paul Choiniere | Ruminations

Arts & Entertainment

Day staff | Taste Buds (Dining)

Kristina Dorsey | Reel Life

Michelle Gallerani | Motherhood

Julianne Hanckel | Glitterati

Rick Koster | Aging Rock Dude

Jennifer McDermott | The Sipping Room

Marisa Nadolny | Fear No Recipe

Sports

Steve Fagin | The Great Outdoors

Vickie Fulkerson | High School Sports

Nick Giuliano | Fenway Frankly

Gavin Keefe | UConn Men's Hoops

Jim O'Neill | Golf

Grace

Faye Trafford | In Other Words