September 5 was a rough day in the NFL. This past Saturday represented the deadline that professional football teams had to trim their roster down to their 53-man limit. Earlier in the preseason Gobbler Country looked in on former Hokies and their efforts in the NFL. Gobbler Country checks in on the fates of our beloved former standouts. At the time of this article’s writing NFL teams have yet to finalize practice squad rosters. As a result, it is possible that some players that did not make the 53-man rosters will find jobs on team practice squads.
Quarterback:
Tyrod Taylor: Taylor beat out Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel to earn the starting QB job with the Buffalo Bills. Based on incentives built into his contract, Tyrod has a chance to earn $3 million this year. Stay tuned to Gobbler Country for season long updates concerning this electrifying former Hokie. Best of luck Tyrod!
Logan Thomas: Arizona cut their 2014 fourth round draft pick when they trimmed down to their 53-man roster. No doubt this was a difficult decision by head coach, and VT grad, Bruce Arians. It remains to be seen if there is a place for Logan Thomas in the NFL. In high school Thomas played wide receiver and defensive back. With his size and athletic ability it is not unrealistic for Thomas to potentially find a job developing in a different position.
Michael Vick: With a season ending injury to their backup QB the Pittsburg Steelers turned to Vick for depth at the position. Vick only played in two preseason games with the Steelers, but looked every bit a starter. Michael will serve as Big Ben’s backup for the 2015 season.
Wide Receiver:
Jarrett Boykin: Boykin was cut by the Carolina Panthers when they trimmed their roster to the 75 man requirement earlier this week. It is unlikely he will find a place as an active player, but perhaps he could find a spot on a practice squad.
Corey Fuller: Fuller will begin his third season with the Detroit Lions working behind Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.
Josh Morgan: Morgan was released from a New Orleans WR corps that was near overflowing with young talent. As with Boykin, it seems unlikely that Morgan will find a place on a roster, but may find a place on a practice squad.
Eddie Royal: Royal is solidly on the Bears’ roster and will likely be a large part of their offensive plans. Chicago hopes that Royal and Cutler can recapture the magic they created in Denver during Eddie’s rookie season.
Offensive Line:
Nick Becton: Another Hokie hoping to make the New Orleans squad, Becton was cut by the Saints.
Duane Brown: The Pro-Bowler is expected to start in the Texans’ opener despite flirting with a hand injury during the preseason.
Laurence Gibson: Released by the Cowboys. The seventh round pick was a bit of a longshot to make the roster, but had a solid camp and preseason. The rookie will hopefully find a place on the practice squad.
Vinston Painter: Released by the Browns.
David Wang: Released by the Rams.
Will Montgomery: The NFL veteran center will be playing besides other Hokie alum on the Chicago squad.
Linebacker:
Chase Williams: Released by the Oakland Raiders.
Safety:
Kam Chancellor: He is still holding out, and looks to be prepared to carry the holdout into the regular season. Seattle also seems to be preparing for that likelihood by trading a fifth round pick to Kansas City for safety Kelcie McCray.
Antone Exum: Exum made a name for himself by intercepting Jameis Winston during his NFL debut. Antone will be playing for the Minnesota Vikings on Sundays.
Kyshoen Jarrett: Jarrett is one of the more exciting and successful VT rookies in the NFL and the sixth round pick made the Washington Redskins’ final roster. Best of luck Kyshoen!
Cornerback:
DeAngelo Hall: The veteran has struggled with injuries during the preseason but was able to maintain his reputation as a talker with his feud against Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins being showcased over Twitter and on HBO’s Hard Knocks. The Pro-Bowler is a Redskins stalwart and we can hope that he will help young Jarrett develop as a professional player.
Kyle Fuller: Fuller is still working on adjusting to the speed of the NFL and had some ups and downs in camp, but the 2014 overall 14th pick will be a major part of the Bears’ defense.
Jayron Hosley: He is entering a make or break season. There were significant rumblings that he might be cut this year. No doubt the plethora of injuries the Giants suffered in their secondary influenced them in keeping Hosley on the team, for the time being.
Brandon Flowers: He is expected to do great things in San Diego, and represents one of the better corner combos in the league opposite Jason Verrett.
Defensive Line:
Derrick Hopkins: Released by the Falcons.
Darryl Tapp: The former Hokie standout and NFL veteran made the Lions’ final roster.
Bottom Line:
Active:
Tyrod Taylor, Bills, QB; Michael Vick, Steelers, QB; Corey Fuller, Lions, WR; Eddie Royal, WR, Bears; Duane Brown, OL, Texans; Will Montgomery, OL, Bears, Kam Chancellor, DB, Seahawks (currently holding out); Antone Exum Jr., DB, Vikings; Kyshoen Jarrett, DB, Redskins; DeAngelo Hall, DB, Redskins; Kyle Fuller, DB, Bears; Jayron Hosley, DB, Giants; Brandon Flowers, DB, Chargers; Darryl Tapp, DL, Lions.
Gobbler Country wishes the best of luck to all former Hokies playing in the NFL or looking for a spot on practice teams!
The full tracker of NFL roster cuts can be seen here.
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