NFL Basketball Report: Week 7 Update on Active Players Who Were College Hoopsters
The NFL Injury Report comes out in mid-week although it isn't nearly as important to genuine hoop fans as the NFL Basketball Report. The hoop headliner this week is tight end Antonio Gates, a second-team All-MAC basketball selection in 2002, combining with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to become the first QB/TE combination in NFL history with 50 touchdowns.
Another veteran tight end, Tony Gonzalez, who excelled in the 1997 NCAA playoffs with California, is having a splendid season with the Atlanta Falcons. Gonzalez led his team in pass receptions much of the campaign comparable to fellow ex-college hoopsters Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Kendall Wright (Tennessee Titans).
Regal receiver Terrell Owens (1995 NCAA playoffs with Chattanooga) didn't have a chance to test the patience of replacement officials 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 Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Barwin | OLB | Houston Texans | Cincinnati | 11 tackles (9 solo/2 assists) in fourth season but no 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 | 10 pass receptions for 124 yards (long of 23) in second campaign |
| Demar Dotson | RT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Southern Mississippi | 6-9 lineman started five of first six games in fourth season |
| London Fletcher | ILB | Washington Redskins | Saint Francis, PA/John Carroll, OH | team-high 54 tackles (29 solo/25 assists) plus one fumble recovery and one interception in 15th season |
| Antonio Gates | TE | San Diego Chargers | Kent State | 19 pass receptions for 224 yards (long of 33) and two touchdowns in 10th year |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE | Atlanta Falcons | California | team-high 43 pass receptions for 430 yards (long of 25) and four touchdowns in 16th campaign |
| Jimmy Graham | TE | New Orleans Saints | Miami, FL | third-year pro has 25 pass receptions for 252 yards (long of 24) and three touchdowns |
| Todd Heap | TE | Arizona Cardinals | Arizona State | long-time Baltimore Raven has eight receptions for 94 yards (long of 28) in 12th season |
| Vincent Jackson | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Northern Colorado | team highs of 20 receptions, 370 yards (long of 54) and four 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 | 10 tackles (eight solo/two assists) and 2.5 sacks in 11th season |
| 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 33 pass receptions (for 285 yards and two touchdowns/long of 35 yards) |