Cats in the NFL

UPDATE: 9/7/11- Trevard Lindley was released by the Philadelphia Eagles today.  This might be a blessing in disguise for Trevard as the Eagles are loaded at his position.  Mike Hartline was in fact signed to the Colts' practice squad yesterday.

This weekend NFL teams were required to get down to their 53 man roster limits in preparation for the coming season. Not coincidentally, most teams have formed their eight man practice squads, which is a nice booby prize for NFL hopefuls as it means being paid roughly $5000 a week during the season.  Looking at who made practice squads and who didn't is a cruel lesson about being about being in the right place at the right time, and that a productive college career doesn't necessarily equate to NFL success.

Randall Cobb- Green Bay Packers- Made team.  Cobb is still questionable for Thursday's opener, but he is expected to contribute for the Packers this year.

Derrick Locke- Philadelphia Eagles- Cut.  Locke was let go in the first round of cuts.  He is unlikely to catch on.

Chris Matthews- Cleveland Browns- Cut.  Matthews was let go this weekend despite making some noise in camp. The Browns have not rounded out their practice squad and Matthews may still have a chance to make that or be claimed off of waivers.

DeQuin Evans- Cincinnati Bengals- Cut, signed to practice squad.  This is a great development for Evans, who impressed in camp despite having an incredibly disappointing senior year at UK.

Ricky Lumpkin- St. Louis Cardinals- Cut, signed to practice squad.  Had you asked me to pick the Cat free agent least likely to hook on with an NFL team, I would have picked Lumpkin.  Great opportunity for someone who is by all accounts a great guy.

Mike Hartline- Indianapolis Colts.  Hartline was cut over a week ago in the initial round.  His brother, Dolphins WR Brian Hartline, tweeted yesterday that Mike had signed to the Colts' practice squad.  There is no official word from Indy on this as of yet. 

A look at a few non-rookies after the jump.     

 

Micah Johnson- Micah was last year's feel good story as he made the Miami Dolphins' 53 man roster after initially being released by the Giants before camp began.  He played only one week before being relegated to the practice squad.  Johnson was released mid-season and picked up on the Chiefs' practice squad.  He was cut this weekend and somewhat surprisingly was not signed to the practice squad.  Micah has enough film on him by now that he should be able to latch on elsewhere.

Trevard Lindley- I worried about Trevard this year as the Eagles signed two All Pro level corners in the off season.  He has made Philadelphia's 53 man roster, the Eagles cutting veteran CB Joselio Hanson instead.

Jeremy Jarmon- Surprisingly, Jarmon was let go by the Broncos this weekend after they traded for him in the offseason.  I am not sure what his future holds at this point.

Braxton Kelley- Cut by the Broncos, not signed to practice squad.

Alfonso Smith- Alfonso has apparently made the Arizona Cardinals 53 man roster as a backup running back.  He is considered a very good special teams player and may have found a niche in the NFL.