NFL Basketball Report: Week 13 Update on Active Players Who Were College Hoopsters
November 29th, 2012 - 16:32
The NFL Injury Report is distributed in mid-week although it isn't nearly as important to genuine hoop fans as this NFL Basketball Report. The recent ex-hoopster headliner is 15-year linebacker London Fletcher, the Washington Redskins' leading tackler who secured his second interception this season last weekend.
Another ageless wonder is Tony Gonzalez, who excelled in the 1997 NCAA playoffs with California before becoming the first tight end with 100 touchdowns. He has notched at least 70 receptions in 10 consecutive seasons and holds the longest active streak with a reception in 191 consecutive contests. Aspiring to secure his first NFL playoff victory, Gonzalez leads the Atlanta Falcons in pass receptions as have fellow ex-college hoopsters Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints; runner-up after missing a game), Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Kendall Wright (Tennessee Titans). Jackson paces the NFL in yards per catch (20.4).
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 and revered quarterback Donovan McNabb (Syracuse) also exited. 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 | 30 tackles (26 solo/4 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 | second-stringer has 14 pass receptions for 152 yards (long of 23) and one TD 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 88 tackles (55 solo/33 assists) plus one fumble recovery, one sack and two interceptions in 15th season |
| Antonio Gates | TE | San Diego Chargers | Kent State | 32 pass receptions for 368 yards (long of 33) and team-high four touchdown catches in 10th year |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE | Atlanta Falcons | California | team-high 73 pass receptions for 770 yards (long of 25) and team-high seven touchdowns in 16th campaign |
| Jimmy Graham | TE | New Orleans Saints | Miami, FL | third-year pro has 59 pass receptions for 654 yards (long of 46) and team-high eight 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 47 receptions, 959 yards (long of 95) and seven 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 21 tackles (17 solo/four assists) and team-high six 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 rookie debut game last season |
| Kendall Wright | WR | Tennessee Titans | Baylor | rookie has team-high 48 pass receptions (for 438 yards and team-high four touchdowns/long of 35 yards) |