NFL Basketball Report: Week 10 Update on Active Players Who Were College Hoopsters
November 8th, 2012 - 6:53
The NFL Injury Report comes out in mid-week although it isn't nearly as important to genuine hoop fans as this NFL Basketball Report. The ex-hoopster headliner recently was veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez, the ageless wonder for undefeated Atlanta as he aspires to secure his first playoff victory.
Gonzalez, who excelled in the 1997 NCAA playoffs with California, is the first tight end with 100 touchdowns. He has led the Falcons in pass receptions much of the campaign comparable to fellow ex-college hoopsters Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Kendall Wright (Tennessee Titans). Jackson paces the NFL in yards per catch (22.9).
Regal receiver Terrell Owens (1995 NCAA playoffs with Chattanooga) didn't have a chance to test the patience of replacement officials early this season because he is no longer on an NFL roster. But the league still boasts the following versatile players who previously were college hoopsters:
| Player | Pos. | NFL Team | College(s) | Summary of 2012 NFL Regular Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Barwin | OLB | Houston Texans | Cincinnati | 20 tackles (17 solo/3 assists) in fourth season but only two sacks (after 11 1/2 last year) |
| Demetress Bell | LOT | Philadelphia Eagles | Northwestern State | newcomer after signing 5-year deal in off-season following 30 starts with Buffalo Bills the previous three seasons |
| Jordan Cameron | TE | Cleveland Browns | Brigham Young/Southern California | 12 pass receptions for 140 yards (long of 23) in second campaign |
| Demar Dotson | RT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Southern Mississippi | 6-9 lineman is a starter in fourth season |
| London Fletcher | ILB | Washington Redskins | Saint Francis, PA/John Carroll, OH | team-high 73 tackles (43 solo/30 assists) plus one fumble recovery, one sack and one interception in 15th season |
| Antonio Gates | TE | San Diego Chargers | Kent State | 24 pass receptions for 281 yards (long of 33) and three touchdowns in 10th year |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE | Atlanta Falcons | California | team-high 50 pass receptions for 495 yards (long of 25) and four touchdowns in 16th campaign |
| Jimmy Graham | TE | New Orleans Saints | Miami, FL | third-year pro has 38 pass receptions for 387 yards (long of 24) and five touchdowns |
| Todd Heap | TE | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona State | long-time Baltimore Raven has eight receptions for 94 yards (long of 28) in 12th season amid questions about why he hasn't returned from a knee injury |
| Vincent Jackson | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Northern Colorado | team highs of 31 receptions, 710 yards (long of 95) and six touchdowns in eighth campaign |
| Evan Moore | TE | Seattle Seahawks | Stanford | first season in NW for third-stringer after three years with the Cleveland Browns, including four touchdowns in 2011 |
| Julius Peppers | RDE | Chicago Bears | North Carolina | six-time Pro Bowler has 14 tackles (10 solo/four assists) and team-high 5 sacks in 11th season (ranks fourth among active players with 105.5 sacks) |
| Julius Thomas | TE | Denver Broncos | Portland State | second-year backup hopes to get a start similar to last season |
| Kendall Wright | WR | Tennessee Titans | Baylor | rookie has team-high 42 pass receptions (for 381 yards and three touchdowns/long of 35 yards) |