Oct. 11, 2010
Bye weeks for NFL players are precious – a rare weekend off from football during the marathon known as the NFL season. So when former Yellow Jackets use their weekend off to return to Bobby Dodd Stadium to watch their former team, perhaps it says something positive about the Georgia Tech football program.
Jonathan Dwyer and Keyaron Fox of the Pittsburgh Steelers were on the sidelines for Georgia Tech’s 33-21 win over Virginia on Saturday. So were Gary Guyton of the New England Patriots. A few people saw Derrick Morgan of the Tennessee Titans. Dwyer was even credited by Tech’s Anthony Allen, who rushed for 195 yards, for inspiring him.
For the Yellow Jackets in the NFL who didn’t have a bye week, there were no truly exceptional performances, but several big team victories. Andrew Economos, for example, was the long snapper in Tampa Bay’s last-second field goal win. Gerris Wilkinson and the Giants beat the Texans. And Tech graduate Ken Whisenhunt, coach of the Arizona Cardinals, beat the world champion Saints on Sunday.
Here’s a look at how all 25 former Jackets did this week:
Keith Brooking, LB, Dallas Cowboys (1-3)
Had a season-high two pass break-ups as disappointing Cowboys lost to Tennessee.
Morgan Burnett, S, Green Bay Packers (3-2)
Burnett, who started the first four games of the season, is out for the season with a torn ACL.
James Butler, S, St. Louis Rams (2-3)
Recorded two tackles and a pass break-up in lopsided loss to Detroit.
Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys (1-3)
Play limited to special teams in a loss to the Titans.
Mike Cox, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
The Chiefs finally fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Sunday with a loss to Indianapolis.
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
The Steelers were off last week and Dwyer watched Tech’s win over Virginia from the sideline.
Andrew Economos, LS, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Economos executed perfect snap on game-winning field goal.
Keyaron Fox, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
Was at Bobby Dodd Stadium Saturday as the Steelers had a bye week.
Gary Guyton, LB, New Englad Patriots (3-1)
Guyton and the Patriots had a bye week and play the Ravens this week.
Anthony Hargrove, DL, New Orleans Saints (3-2)
Had a sack and a forced fumble, but Saints loss to the Cardinals.
Will Heller, TE, Detroit Lions (1-4)
Helped Detroit win by its largest margin in 15 years, 44-6.
Cord Howard, OL, Buffalo Bills (0-4)
Saw playing time in 36-26 loss to Jacksonville.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions (1-4)
Recorded four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown in Lions’ romp.
Michael Johnson, LB, Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
T.O., Ocho and MJ fell to the Bucs last Sunday on a last-second field goal.
Dawan Landry, S, Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
Recorded four tackles in a 31-17 win over Demaryius Thomas and the Broncos.
Derrick Morgan, DE, Tennessee Titans (3-2)
The rookie first-round draft pick is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Chris Reis, S, New Orleans Saints (3-2)
On injured reserve following shoulder surgery.
Darryl Richard, DT, New England Patriots (3-1)
On injured reserve this season
Daryl Smith, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)
Registered four tackles in 36-26 win over Chan Gailey and the winless Bills.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos (2-3)
Caught two passes for 12 yards and was shaken up on a kickoff return in Broncos loss.
Vance Walker, DT, Atlanta Falcons (4-1)
Had one tackle in local team’s 20-10 win at Cleveland.
Philip Wheeler, LB, Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
Started and had four tackles in win over previously unbeaten Kansas City.
Ken Whisenhunt, Head Coach, Arizona Cardinals (3-2) Whisenhunt’s up-and-down Cardinals downed the Super Bowl champion Saints, 30-20
Gerris Wilkinson, LB, New York Giants (3-2)
Had one tackle in 34-10 pasting of the Texans.
Jahi Word-Daniels, DB, Detroit Lions (1-4)
On the injured reserve list after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason.
Mansfield Wrotto, OL, Buffalo Bills (0-5)
After being released by Seattle, Wrotto is back with Chan Gailey and the Buffalo Bills.
