There are still three games left in the NFL playoffs, with the Colts firmly established as Team Rutgers among the remaining four finalists. I do want to go back and briefly recap how every Scarlet Knight alum did this season though. Interestingly enough, there's now at least one Scarlet Knight in every division in the league. This list doesn't include CB Joey Porter, who Cleveland released off its practice squad several weeks back.
NFC East:
Giants - C Shaun O'Hara was voted to the Pro Bowl again. He had another starting season, although he's starting to slow down a little.
NFC North:
Bears - TE Kevin Brock and LB Kevin Malast spent time on Chicago's practice squad, and are currently signed to futures contracts for 2010. Malast has a chance to make the roster in 2010, while Brock remains more of a project to see if he can ever tap into all of his athletic ability.
NFC South:
Bucs - Jeremy Zuttah started for the entire season at left guard, and struggled at times. He'll have to contend with a returning Aaron Sears for the starting job next year, and could potentially still move to center, right guard, or right tackle. Tampa also signed CB Derrick Roberson later in the season to their active roster.
NFC West:
Seahawks - QB Mike Teel was a favorite of the old coaching staff as a developmental project. With Matt Hasselbeck's career winding down, there was some fan curiosity to see Teel in action, although he reportedly still needed more time.
Most overrated player: This one only refers to fans' perceptions, but third-string quarterback Mike Teel really wasn't ready to play this season and it seriously wouldn't have been pretty if he'd been asked to fill in at season's end.
In most cities, the back-up QB is the most popular player as impatient fans cry out for change at that position when any team struggles. In this case, Seahawks fans have seen enough of Seneca Wallace and thus moved on to the No. 3 guy.
Yeah, Hasselbeck himself was once a sixth-round draft pick like Teel. But Hasselbeck spent his first year at Green Bay on the practice squad and didn't start a game until his fourth season in the league. And even then he nearly got booed out of Seattle his first couple years.
Teel's time might come. But don't blame Mora for not playing him this season. No NFL coach would have made that move.
It's anyone's guess at this point what the new coaching staff does, although it wouldn't be much of a surprise if they cleaned house on general principle.
Rams - DT Gary Gibson is a favorite of Steve Spagnuolo, and was a pleasant surprise as a starter in 2009 before going on injured reserve. They also signed DE Ryan Neill to long snap.
AFC East:
Dolphins - CB Nathan Jones played for the Fins in multi-DB sets. Bill Parcells is always going to keep a set contingent of players from New Jersey around.
Jets - In what's quickly becoming a theme, undrafted free agent LB Jamaal Westerman was another favorite of Rex Ryan and is now a valued reserve.
AFC North:
Bengals - RB Brian Leonard bounced back from his shoulder injury to be one of the best third down backs in the entire league. It's still hard to imagine why St. Louis gave him up for nothing, but that's why they're the worst team in the NFL. They signed TE Clark Harris to long snap, and he was a big improvement over their previous snapper.
Ravens - RB Ray Rice earned a bid to the Pro Bowl, becoming one of the best tailbacks in the entire NFL. L.J. Smith battled through injuries as a reserve to Todd Heap.
Steelers - C/G Darnell Stapleton was in the mix for a starting job (which he took over in 2008 at right guard) in training camp before landing on injured reserve.
AFC South:
Colts - DT Eric Foster continues to defy his skeptics. He comes in at tackle to be a pass rusher on third downs, and also has seen time at end and fullback. LB Gary Brackett had another brilliant season, and has a chance to finally cash in as a free agent after the season. LB Brandon Renkart is on their practice squad.
Jaguars - WR Tiquan Underwood, G Cameron Stephenson, and S Courtney Greene all saw limited action.
Titans - WR Kenny Britt had a productive season as Tennessee's first round pick, and will be counted on for even more in 2010. CB Jason McCourty was pressed into action earlier than expected because of injuries, and struggled early before settling down to an extent.
AFC West:
Denver - DT J'Vonne Parker spent the entire season on injured reserve.