Calhoun Among Badgers Surviving Cuts » Brats & Beer

September 4, 2006
posted under: Badgers in the NFL, Brian Calhoun, Jim Leonhard, Owen Daniels, Ron Dayne

Rookie running back Brian Calhoun, late of the UW football team, was among several former Badgers making the grade this weekend as NFL teams made their final roster reductions. After a slow start this preseason, Calhoun had his biggest game yet in Detroit’s finale against Buffalo, rushing for 58 yards on 15 carries and catching four passes for 26 yards. He also returned two kicks for 26 and 16 yards.

Owen Daniels and Brandon Williams also secured roster spots with outstanding preseason performances. Tight end Daniels had two catches for 41 yards in Houston’s closing game and is listed alongside veteran Mark Bruener on the Texans first string offense. Williams had one catch for 14 yards for San Francisco and returned a punt for 26 yards; he’s currently listed as the #3 wide receiver for the 49ers.

Jonathan Orr didn’t see any action in the Titans closing game in Green Bay, but he appears to have made the cut as well and is listed as the #4 wideout. Tight end Jason Pociask, on the other hand, will have to sit out this season after suffering a shoulder injury in practice with the Jets.

Among the rookie players getting released were linemen Jason Palermo (Minnesota), Donovan Raiola (St. Louis), Ben Johnson (San Diego), and Jonathan Clinkscale (Tampa Bay).

Running back Ron Dayne headed up the list of former UW veterans not surviving the final round of cuts. Denver parted ways with the Heisman Trophy winner after one season, but headlines today suggest the NCAA rushing leader might find employment soon with the Texans, who need lots of help in the running game.

Veteran tight end Mark Anelli caught four passes for 24 yards with Tampa Bay this past weekend but was still released by the Bucs, while second-year defensive end Jonathan Welsh was released by the Colts. The Bills released both Jim Leonhard and Jason Jefferson.

Among Iowa State alumnus, linebacker Tim Dobbins was the only rookie to make the cut and is currently listed third on the Chargers depth chart, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a lot of playing time this season. Kicker Tony Yelk, meanwhile, was released by the Falcons after struggling through an injury the past few weeks, but he was quickly signed to their practice squad. Linebacker Tyson Smith was released by the Giants.

Sage Rosenfels closed out his preseason with a solid effort, completing six of nine passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. While David Carr is solid as the starter for the Texans, he does get knocked around quite a bit, so we might see some of Sage this season. For the Seahawks, Seneca Wallace completed eight of 13 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in the finale against Oakland. He might see some playing time in mop up duty, but Mike Holmgren does like to surprise opponents by putting Wallace in as a wide receiver, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for him as well.