Knights In The NFL

Knights in the NFL // Training Camp Update 2!

Football is Back! The preseason in in full swing and games are finally underway. Who helped their stock? Who didn't? It's all here in the second edition

By Griffin Whitmer Aug 17, 2015, 7:00am EDT

Knights on the Move

In the past week, no Scarlet Knights have been signed, traded, or cut. That is likely to change, however, as training camp continues.

Trending Up

Khaseem Greene

Greene made the play of the day in the Bucs first preseason game, stripping the ball through the endzone to save a touchdown. Greene also led the team in tackles that night. It was an all around strong performance which Greene needed to have and he delivered.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash">#Bucs</a> OLB <a href="https://twitter.com/Khas_Greene20">@Khas_Greene20</a> was a fumble-forcing machine at Rutgers with 15 in college! Hat tip to Greg Schiano.</p>— PewterReport.com (@PewterReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/PewterReport/status/632741504776302592">August 16, 2015</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TAKEAWAY ALERT! Great play by Khaseem Greene & the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash">#Bucs</a> defense to strip the ball and recover it in the end zone. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash">#Bucs</a> take over.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBvsMIN?src=hash">#TBvsMIN</a></p>— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBBuccaneers/status/632741025593847808">August 16, 2015</a></blockquote>

Jonathan Freeny

No Rutgers player had a better first game than Jonathan Freeny of the New England Patriots. Almost none of the Pats defensive starters played for various reasons and Freeny made the most of it. He led the team in tackles with 9, which is a lot especially for the preseason. Freeny also made his presence felt in the backfield, notching 2 TFLs. He has proven to be a top backup on the loaded New England LB group.

MIchael Burton

Who can forget the crazy NFL Draft "experts" who said Burton lacked ability as a blocker? They might want to reconsider their professions as it turns out Burton CAN block. Burton was out with the first team and has clearly established himself as a legitimate fullback.

Trending Down

Tyler Kroft

There are high expectations for Kroft, who is backing up Tyler Eifert for the Bengals. Friday night was a rough night for the rookie, who didn't get many chances. He was put in as a blocker for many plays and is clearly much improved but he only had one pass thrown his way. That pass went right through his hands and he finished his first career game with a drop as his only statistic. There is obviously plenty of time and he will certainly get his chances but currently he needs to showcase more of his receiving ability as well as continue his strong improvement in blocking.

Quron Pratt

Pratt is a fringe player on the Eagles and is pegged as a practice squad player. However, Chip Kelly loaded up on receivers this offseason and Pratt has not done anything to separate himself. He was only targeted once against the Colts and he was double covered and had no shot to catch the pass thrown over his head. If Pratt does not want to get cut, he will need to show out on special teams and make much more of an impact in the passing game.

RJ Dill

Dill has struggled a lot with the Cowboys and most likely doesn't stick around much longer. Hey, at least Cowboys fans are being classy and supportive!

Preseason Snapshots

Brandon Coleman doing Brandon Coleman things

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How bout this shot of <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints">@Saints</a> WR Brandon Coleman today at practice. Photo by Richard Crank. <a href="http://t.co/D37mWAeFC4">pic.twitter.com/D37mWAeFC4</a></p>— Sean Kelley (@SeanKelleyLive) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanKelleyLive/status/632711062467575808">August 16, 2015</a></blockquote>

Marcus Cooper got into it with new Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Small scuffle at camp after Marcus Cooper takes Jeremy Maclin to the ground while breaking up a pass during 11 on 11 <a href="http://t.co/vXe3rcjvfO">pic.twitter.com/vXe3rcjvfO</a></p>— KQ2Sports (@KQ2SPORTS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KQ2SPORTS/status/630398965310193665">August 9, 2015</a></blockquote>

Long Snappers getting some love #longsnappersarepeopletoo

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/andrewdepaola">@andrewdepaola</a> thanks for the pic and auto! Best long snapper on the league! <a href="http://t.co/ya9FTyi8o9">pic.twitter.com/ya9FTyi8o9</a></p>— Daniel Satter (@danray130) <a href="https://twitter.com/danray130/status/631592359105593344">August 12, 2015</a></blockquote>

Kaleb Johnson in his rookie debut

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to see Kaleb Johnson <a href="https://twitter.com/KalebJ72">@KalebJ72</a> make his 1st NFL appearance last night <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLKnights?src=hash">#NFLKnights</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens">@Ravens</a> Phil Hoffman photo) <a href="http://t.co/TxR6q6M8BE">pic.twitter.com/TxR6q6M8BE</a></p>— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RFootball/status/632214825452634112">August 14, 2015</a></blockquote>

The best twins in the NFL celebrated a birthday this pasty week

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy Birthday <a href="https://twitter.com/McCourtyTwins">@McCourtyTwins</a>!
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLKnights?src=hash">#NFLKnights</a> 
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BattleReadyForLife?src=hash">#BattleReadyForLife</a> 
CHOP! <a href="http://t.co/Yfh9o9izcm">pic.twitter.com/Yfh9o9izcm</a></p>— Kyle Flood (@KyleFloodRU) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleFloodRU/status/631970523031969793">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

Top Plays

Let's start off with a Not Top Play from two of #DBU's finest

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Janis just ran right by the CB. <a href="https://t.co/q5l0nXN0bI">https://t.co/q5l0nXN0bI</a></p>— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) <a href="https://twitter.com/zachkruse2/status/631990559540953088">August 14, 2015</a></blockquote>

Good guy Clark Harris!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clark Harris playing catch with a young fan in the bleachers. Dad takes the ball and talks about the glory ... <a href="https://t.co/5g2rPDbyG4">https://t.co/5g2rPDbyG4</a></p>— Brennen Warner (@BrennenWarner) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrennenWarner/status/629801310691454976">August 7, 2015</a></blockquote>

Tyler Kroft has clearly been working on his blocking

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kroft (81) helps drive the DT into the end zone and then peels off to keep the S away from the play. <a href="https://t.co/uAcY5NGM1Y">https://t.co/uAcY5NGM1Y</a></p>— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/632527787094638592">August 15, 2015</a></blockquote>

Andrew Turzilli made a great play but it was called back for pass interference. ok.

Finally, SANUUUUUUUUU scores the first of many Knights in the NFL TDs this season

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Easy TD to Mohamed Sanu, taking a 7-0 lead. <a href="https://t.co/D9ZiDLOZ64">https://t.co/D9ZiDLOZ64</a></p>— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) <a href="https://twitter.com/Josh_Kirkendall/status/632337430180442112">August 14, 2015</a></blockquote>

If I missed anything or you find something worth sharing, share it on twitter or email me: griffinwhitmer@gmail,com