Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Five Players With S.D. Ties Do Not Survive NFL’s Final Cutdowns
From P&D and AP Reports
The NFL’s final cutdown day proved a tough weekend for NFL players with South Dakota ties, as several found themselves out of a job as teams set their regular season rosters.
Two former University of South Dakota players, two former South Dakota State players and an Aberdeen native were among the players sent packing by NFL teams over the weekend.
Former Coyotes Matt Chatham and A.J. Schable were among the cuts by the New York Jets.
Chatham, a nine-year veteran, was a special-teams standout in his previous two seasons with New York, and was familiar with coach Eric Mangini from their years in New England from 2000-05. He might be best-known for tackling a streaker in the Patriots’ Super Bowl victory over Carolina in 2004.
“It’s difficult,” said Jets head coach Eric Mangini. “Matt and Hank (Poteat) are both guys that I’ve had a long relationship with, both here and in New England. I’ve known them a long time. It was hard.”
Schable, a converted defensive lineman, was brought into camp to compete for a tight end position. He had spent two years with the Arizona Cardinals, first as a defensive lineman then as a tight end.
Aberdeen native Taylor Mehlhaff, a sixth round pick out of Wisconsin, was beat out for the kicker’s job by veteran incumbent Martin Gramatica.
Mehlhaff demonstrated a strong leg at times but his kickoffs were inconsistent. He also missed a field goal in the Saints final preseason game Thursday night. The Saints ultimately decided to stick with nine-year veteran kicker Martin Gramatica, who has yet to miss a field goal since joining the Saints as a free agent in the middle of last season.
Former South Dakota State guard Mitch Erickson, who had been cut by the Denver Broncos, was signed to the practice squad. Another former Jackrabbit, tight end Chris Wagner, was one of the final cuts made by the Oakland Raiders.
The NFL’s final cutdown day proved a tough weekend for NFL players with South Dakota ties, as several found themselves out of a job as teams set their regular season rosters.
Two former University of South Dakota players, two former South Dakota State players and an Aberdeen native were among the players sent packing by NFL teams over the weekend.
Former Coyotes Matt Chatham and A.J. Schable were among the cuts by the New York Jets.
Chatham, a nine-year veteran, was a special-teams standout in his previous two seasons with New York, and was familiar with coach Eric Mangini from their years in New England from 2000-05. He might be best-known for tackling a streaker in the Patriots’ Super Bowl victory over Carolina in 2004.
“It’s difficult,” said Jets head coach Eric Mangini. “Matt and Hank (Poteat) are both guys that I’ve had a long relationship with, both here and in New England. I’ve known them a long time. It was hard.”
Schable, a converted defensive lineman, was brought into camp to compete for a tight end position. He had spent two years with the Arizona Cardinals, first as a defensive lineman then as a tight end.
Aberdeen native Taylor Mehlhaff, a sixth round pick out of Wisconsin, was beat out for the kicker’s job by veteran incumbent Martin Gramatica.
Mehlhaff demonstrated a strong leg at times but his kickoffs were inconsistent. He also missed a field goal in the Saints final preseason game Thursday night. The Saints ultimately decided to stick with nine-year veteran kicker Martin Gramatica, who has yet to miss a field goal since joining the Saints as a free agent in the middle of last season.
Former South Dakota State guard Mitch Erickson, who had been cut by the Denver Broncos, was signed to the practice squad. Another former Jackrabbit, tight end Chris Wagner, was one of the final cuts made by the Oakland Raiders.
 |
 |
|
| Milbank Clips Tanagers 3-0 | Coyote Defense Dominates In Season Opening 52-0 Victory |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
Not registered yet?
