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Given the distractions of the replacement ref chaos, you might not have noticed how well some of our Aggie alumni have been performing in the NFL this season. Well those of us here at Good Bull Hunting never forget our heroes. So every week we'll be providing a brief recap of how they performed on the NFL gridiron the previous week. Since this is the initial recap, I'll provide a brief breakdown of how the Aggies have performed in the first three weeks along with a list of all Aggies currently on NFL rosters. Checkout their 2012 statistics after the jump.
Von Miller – Starting Linebacker, Broncos
Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh: 4 solo tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits
Week 2 vs. Atlanta: 3 solo tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 2 QB hits
Week 3 vs. Houston: 3 assisted tackles
YTD: 10 tackles, 7 solo, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 5 QB hits
Von continues to be the man. Chopping D's and bringing it Gangham style. The Broncos have played arguably the leagues most difficult schedule and 2 most potent offenses, yet #58 continues to shine at an All-Pro level while repping the Aggies whenever he gets a chance. Gig Em, Von.
Ryan Tannehill – starting QB, Dolphins
Week 1 vs. Houston: 20/36 for 219 yards 0 TD 3 INT
Week 2 vs. Oakland: 18/30 for 200 yards 1 TD, 3 carries 14 yds 1 TD
Week 3 vs. Jets: 16/36 for 196 yards 0 TD 1 INT, 3 carries for 3 yards
YTD: 54/102, 52.9% completion percentage, 1 TD 4 INT, 31.9 QBR, 58.2 Rating
Lots of people are expecting Ryan Tannehill to fail. However, he has aquitted himself quite well, keeping his team in games with his legs and his savvy. He could have easily been 2-0 in his last two games and has flashed the talent and composure that led to the Dolphins placing their faith in him.
Martellus Bennett – Starting Tight End, Giants
Week 1 vs. Dallas: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay: 10 targets, 5 receptions 72 yards, 1 TD
Week 3 vs. Carolina: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
YTD: 23 targets, 15 receptions, 185 yards, 3 TD
So far this season has been a revelation for The Black Unicorn, Marty B. All that incredible talent is finally being utilized with Marty taking advantage of finally getting some targets and being a primary TE.
Shane Lechler – Starting Punter, Raiders
Week 1 vs. San Diego: 2 punts for 114 yards, 57.0 average, long of 62
Week 2 vs. Miami: 9 punts for 422 yards, 46.9 average, long of 60, 1 punt inside the 20 yard line
Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh: 3 punts for 155 yards, 51.7 average, long of 60, 1 punt inside the 20 yard line
YTD: 14 punts for 691 yards, 49.4 average, net average of 39.0
Shane continues to do his thing as the best punter in the NFL, even in spite of the Raiders special teams disaster that was Week 1.
Jorvorskie Lane – Shutdown Fullback, Miami
Week 1 vs. Houston: 1 reception for 24 yards
Week 2 vs. Oakland: 4 carries for 12 yards
Week 3 vs. Jets: 2 carries for 4 yards, 1st NFL TOUCHDOWN, 1 reception for 1 yard
YTD: 6 carries for 16 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions for 25 yards
The J-Train rolled into Miami at the weight the Aggies always dreamed he would be and won a spot on the team as the starting fullback. He scored his first NFL Touchdown last week against the Jets, a feat that nobody would have predicted a year ago. Keep it up Jorvorskie, you are an inspiration to all of us who crave redemption.
Michael Goodson – backup RB, Raiders
Week 1 vs. San Diego – 2 carries for 13 yards
Week 2 vs. Miami - 1 carry for -6 yds, 3 rec 83 yds 1 TD (64) 2 KO ret 20 yds
Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh – 1 attempt 1 yard, 1 KO ret for 51 yards
YTD: 4 carries for 8 yards, 3 receptions for 83 yards and 1 TD, 3 KO returns for 71 yards
Goodson has carved out a nice role as the Raiders backup running back and kickoff returner. He continues to show the talent that made him a 5 star recruit by providing big plays in his limited opportunities. Given how fragile Darren McFadden is, he is a good fantasy handcuff if you have room on your bench.
Michael Bennett – starting defensive end, Bucs
Week 1 vs. Carolina: 2 tackles, 1 sack
Week 2 vs. Giants: 1 assisted tackle
Week 3 vs. Dallas: 4 tackles, 3 solo, 2 sacks
YTD: 7 tackles, 5 solo, 3 sacks
Michael Bennett continues to thrive in the underdog role. An overlooked recruit coming out of high school, he put together a stellar career for the Aggies before being overlooked by the NFL as well. Well now he's coming into his own as a starting defensive end for the Bucs. You won't hear it on ESPN, but he has as many sacks as Von does.
Red Bryant – Starting Defensive End, Seahawks
Week 1 vs. Arizona: 1 solo tackle, 2 assisted tackles, 1 pass deflection
Week 2 vs. Dallas: 2 tackles
Week 3 vs. Green Bay: 2 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle
YTD: 8 tackles, 5 solo, 1 pass deflection
Red Bryant's career has made a career out of being overlooked as well. When he arrived on campus, it was widely assumed it was as part of a package deal for 5 star offensive lineman, Jorrie Adams. Red went on to join the pantheon of A&M defensive lineman greats before being drafted by Seattle as a 4th round pick in 2008. Even though Seattle thought Red was undersized for a defensive tackle, they saw the potential in Red's heart and tenacity and have developed him into a well respected run stuffing defensive end on one of the NFL's best defenses.
Rocky Bernard – starting defensive tackle, Giants
Week 1 vs. Dallas: 2 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 sack
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay: 3 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle
Week 3 vs. Carolina: 1 solo tackle, 1 assisted tackle
YTD: 9 tackles, 6 solo, 1 sack
I'll admit that I have a soft spot for Rocky. In addition to a great football name, he played for my Aggie heroes, the 1998 Big 12 Championship team. Like Red Bryant, Rocky has toiled in relative obscurity for years as a solid, if not heralded, NFL defensive lineman. Now he's come into his own as a starter on one of the best defensive lines in the NFL.
Ron Edwards – starting nose tackle, Panthers
Week 1 vs. Carolina: 1 tackle
Week 2 vs. New Orleans: 1 tackle
Week 3 vs. Giants: 1 tackle
YTD: 3 tackles, all solo
Ron Edwards was the Nose Tackle for R.C. Slocum's great 3-4 defenses of the late nineties. Teaming up with Rocky Bernard and Ron Flemons to wreak havoc. He's also put together a nice NFL career.
Other Aggies in the NFL
Geoff Hangartner – starter RG Panthers
Kevin Matthews – back up center for Titans
Cody Wallace – backup center for Bucs
Cyrus Gray – Backup RB for Chiefs
Don Muhlbach – DS for Lions
Ty Warren – Injured Reserve, torn triceps, Denver
Jaime McCoy – Practice Squad, Pittsburgh
Jeff Fuller – Practice Squad, Miami
Ben Bass – Practice Squad, Dallas
Luke Patterson – Practice Squad, Kansas City