Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog NFL Report
9/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 15, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Head coach Pat Hill and his pro style offense has helped many Bulldogs reach their dreams of playing in the National Football League. Heading into the 2011 season, Fresno State has 23 former players on NFL rosters. Here is a look at how the `Dogs did in the first week of the season.
Seyi Ajirotutu, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers
Seyi Ajirotutu is entering his second year in the league and first with the Carolina Panthers. In the 2011 opener, the Panthers lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 28-21. During his first season, Ajirotutu played for the San Diego Chargers recording 13 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns. He is third on the depth chart for the Panthers, who play the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers in week two.
Bernard Berrian, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings
Bernard Berrian begins his eighth season in the NFL and fourth with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings opened the 2011 season with a loss to the San Diego Chargers, 24-17. Last year, Berrian played in 14 games and had 28 receptions. He amassed 252 yards for the season and averaged nine yards a reception. Berrian is currently one of two starting wide receivers for the Vikings and they host Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Tom Brandstater, Quarterback, St. Louis Rams
Tom Brandstater is in his first season with the St. Louis Rams, as a member of its practice squad. Brandstater was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. St. Louis lost to Philadelphia in week one and plays at the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in week two.
David Carr, Quarterback, New York Giants
No. 1 overall draft pick David Carr starts his 10th year as a professional football player and third year with the New York Giants. The Giants opened the season with a 28-14 lost to the Washington Redskins. Over his career, Carr has appeared in 92 games and thrown for 65 touchdowns. He has completed 1,351 passes of 2,264 attempts in the past 10 seasons. Last year, he completed five of 13 passes for 67 yards. Carr is currently second on the depth chart and the backup for Eli Manning. The Giants host Saint Louis on Monday Night Football.
Chris Carter, Linebacker, Pittsburg Steelers
Chris Carter is the latest Bulldog to get drafted. He was a fifth-round pick by the Pittsburg Steelers. The 2010 WAC Defensive Player of the Year is second on the depth chart and currently injured with a bad hamstring. The Steelers started the 2011 season with a 35-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and they host the Seattle Seahawks in week two.
Tyler Clutts, Full Back, Chicago Bears
Tyler Clutts is in his first season of the NFL and with the Chicago Bears. The former defensive end moved to full back and found a home with the Bears. Chicago opened the season with a 30-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons and play at New Orleans on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT.
Tyrone Culver, Cornerback, Miami Dolphins
Tyrone Culver enters his sixth season in the pros and fourth year with the Miami Dolphins. Miami lost its season opener over the New England Patriots, 38-24. Culver is second on the depth chart and played in the first game of the season. Last year, he played in 15 games and totaled 23 tackles. Culver has a total of 101 career tackles in the NFL. Miami plays Houston this weekend.
Jamel Hamler, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Jamel Hamler is in his first NFL season and is on the injured reserve list with the Denver Broncos. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos in the offseason. Hamler led Fresno State in receiving in 2010, catching 54 passes for 812 yards and six touchdowns.
Andrew Jackson, Guard, Atlanta Falcons
Former Academic All-American and All-WAC lineman Andrew Jackson is on the practice squad for the Atlanta Falcons after getting drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft. The Falcons lost their first game of the season to the Chicago Bears, 30-12. Atlanta plays Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football.
Ben Jacobs, Linebacker, Cleveland Browns
Standout linebacker Ben Jacobs earned a spot on the Cleveland Browns Practice squad for the 2011 season. He enters his first season with the Browns after signing a rookie free agent. Cleveland opened the season with a 27-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland plays at Indianapolis in week two.
A.J. Jefferson, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals
All-American A.J. Jefferson begins his second season with the Arizona Cardinals, who opened the season with a 28-21 win over the Carolina Panthers. Jefferson started the first game of the season recording four tackles. In his career, he has played in three games and recorded five tackles. Arizona plays at Washington on Sunday.
Logan Mankins, Guard, New England Patriots
First round draft pick Logan Mankins enters his seventh season with the New England Patriots. The Patriots started the 2011 season off with a win over Miami, 38-24. The offensive lineman has started 90 games in his career as a guard. He was selected as the starting guard in the 2007, 2008 and 2010 Pro Bowls. In week one, Mankins protected quarterback Tom Brady, who threw for a Monday Night Football record 517 yards and four touchdowns. New England hosts San Diego in week two.
Richard Marshall, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals
Richard Marshall begins his first year with the Arizona Cardinals and sixth year in the league. He is second on the depth chart as the Cardinals opened the season with a win over the Carolina Panthers, 28-21. He recorded three tackles and one sack in the first game of the 2011 season. Over his career, Marshall has recorded 426 tackles, six sacks and caught 14 interceptions. The Cardinals play at Washington on Sunday.
Ryan Mathews, Running Back, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews is last first round draft pick from Fresno State. He was the 12th overall pick by the San Diego Chargers in 2009 and he enters his second season. The Chargers won their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, 24-17. This season he has carried the ball 12 times for 45 yards, averaging 3.8 yards a carry. Last season, Mathews had 158 carries for 678 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. He averaged 4.3 yards a carry with his longest being 21 yards. San Diego plays at New England at 1:15 p.m. PT Sunday.
Garrett McIntyre, Linebacker, New York Jets
Garrett McIntyre enters his first season with the New York Jets, who won its first game of the season over the Dallas Cowboys, 27-24. McIntyre played in his first professional game in the season opener and is second on the depth chart. The Jets host Jacksonville in week two.
Marlon Moore, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
Marlon Moore begins his second year with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins lost their season opener over the New England Patriots, 38-24. Last season, Moore made nine receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He is third on the depth chart to start the 2011 season. Miami plays host to Houston this weekend.
Bear Pascoe, Tight End, New York Giants
Bear Pascoe is in his third year in the NFL and with the New York Giants. The Giants lost their first game of the season to the Washington Redskins, 28-14. Last season, Pascoe made nine receptions for 72 yards and played in 15 games. In his career, he 10 receptions for 81 yards. New York hosts St. Louis on Monday Night Football in week two.
James Sanders, Safety, Atlanta Falcons
James Sanders is in his seventh season in the NFL and first with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons lost their first game of the season to the Chicago Bears, 30-12. In his career, Sanders has recorded over 300 tackles and one sack. He also has eight interceptions for 172 yards. Atlanta plays the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night.
Jason Shirley, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals
Jason Shirley begins his third season in the NFL. He earned a spot on the Cincinnati Bengals practice Squad. The Bengals started the season with a 27-17 win over the Cleveland Browns and play at Denver in week two.
Stephen Spach, Tight End, St. Louis Rams
Stephen Spach enters his sixth season in the NFL and first with the St. Louis Rams. The Rams opened the season with a 31-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year with the Cardinals, Spach had seven receptions for 40 yards.
Billy Volek, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers
Billy Volek begins his 13th year in the NFL and fifth with the San Diego Chargers as the backup quarterback. The Chargers opened the season with a win over the Minnesota Vikings, 24-17. He has played in 37 games in his career and thrown for over 3, 500 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Derrick Ward, Running Back, Houston Texans
Derrick Ward enters his eighth season in the league and second with the Houston Texans. He started the first game of the season, which the Texans won 34-17 over the Indianapolis Colts. Ward had 39 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. In his career, he has rushed for over 2,500 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Ryan Wendell, Center, New England Patriots
Center Ryan Wendell is in his fourth year with the New England Patriots, who opened the season with a 28-14 win over the Miami Dolphins. Wendell has played in 17 games and started two.
Chastin West, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
Wide receiver Chastin West begins his second year on the Green Bay Packers practice squad. He was a part of the team that won the 2011 Super Bowl. The Packers won their first game of the season over the New Orleans Saints, 42-34.
