Irish in the NFL Preseason Games

[Shark Attack]

With the preseason about to kick off, I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread to keep an eye on our recent Irish grads in the NFL

Brady Quinn:

Quinn moved the Browns in both of his first-half possessions, but ended up getting just one score. Despite two straight penalties that cost 15 yards, he drove the Browns 33 yards to the New York 36 on his first try before his short pass over the middle for wide receiver Syndric Steptoe was intercepted by inside linebacker Eric Barton.

Quinn finished the deal on the next possession, going 4-of-4 passing for 42 yards as the Browns went 65 yards in nine plays for a TD. His best pass was an 18-yarder to wide receiver Travis Wilson on a quick slant. He also scrambled 11 yards on a third-and-3 play when the protection broke down.

"Quinn did a nice job of directing the long drive," Crennel said. "I thought that was important. When he made a bad play, he had the confidence to come back."

Explained Quinn, "Picks happen. That didn't bother me. For me at least, I thought the most important thing the touchdown drive did was with the momentum it gave us."

Quinn finished the first half 7-of-8 for 79 yards, but the pick reduced his quarterback rating to 68.2.

He completed his turn by getting the Browns to a field goal in the third quarter. After going three-and-out to start the second half, with Quinn missing on his only pass attempt, he directed the club on a marathon-like 16-play, 81-yard march. He was 6-of-8 for 54 yards on the drive, again hitting Wilson, this time for 23 yards, and rookie tight end Martin Rucker for 11.

But the possession stalled at the New York 8 when Quinn threw incomplete to Rucker on third-and-4, and Jason Reda booted a 26-yard field goal to give Cleveland a 17-10 lead.

Cleveland Browns | Passing grade

[Shark Attack]

Tom Zbikowski:

Figurs set up the Ravens’ only touchdown with an electrifying 52-yard punt return in the second quarter, getting all the way to New England’s 2-yard line before being run out of bounds.

The second-year veteran caught punter Chris Hanson’s boot on the Ravens’ 46-yard line and began running left. Noticing that his blocking scheme wasn’t set up yet, he hesitated a few moments, before turning on the burners at the perfect time.

“The wall wasn’t there yet, so I had to slow up for a second to wait for the wall to get there,” Figurs said. “They laid some great blocks, and I just took off.”

Great might be an understatement. Brendon Ayanbadejo, Frank Walker and Tom Zbikowski all blew up their assignments, clearing the way for Figurs to accelerate up the sideline.

Baltimore Ravens | News | Notebook: Ravens at Patriots

[Newc]

Zibby had a couple good sticks in there as he looked more like a linebacker rather than what I have come to expect from the current crop of NFL secondary.

Ronnie Lott-esq!

[ChubbyCubbie]

The block Zibby had was classic!!! I don't like Baltiless but I hope Zibby has a great career!

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Thanks for the info shark.

[Shark Attack]

New news: Ndukwe's injured, probably out for 5 weeks News - Ndukwe: I'll keep working - Cincinnati Bengals

Laws:

Defensive tackles Trevor Laws and Dan Klecko played the entire second half and were exhausted at the end of the game. Laws flashed, especially in the passing game and on one play when he read a short dump and made the tackle. Laws is going to be a good one. He and Chris Clemons combined to record a sack.

Philadelphia Eagles