Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/140903
irish in the nfl 4 By The Numbers Interceptions returned for touchdowns by rookie safeties drafted in the first round since 2002 heading into the 2012 season. Minnesota's Harrison Smith turned two of his three picks into scores in his inaugural campaign. His 12 passes defensed last year were the most by a rookie selected in the first round in that same span, topping Reggie Nelson's 11 for Jacksonville in 2007. Arizona rookie wide receiver Michael Floyd tied for seventh with Indianapolis' Dwayne Allen among first-year wideouts with 45 receptions in 2012. In the season finale — by far his best game of the year, Floyd also became just the 10th player since 1960 to record at least eight receptions against the San Francisco 49ers while averaging 20-plus yards per catch according to ProFootballReference.com. Combined sacks over the last two years by New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who, partly because of injuries, has seen his production drop significantly since 2010 (11.5 sacks). In the 2008 offseason, Tuck picked up boxing to work on his hand-eye coordination. This offseason he enlisted the services of self-help guru Tony Robbins. On The Move Anthony Fasano Joins Chiefs 7 9 29 Months since Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen has seen a snap in the NFL. The wunderkind from California left Notre Dame after the 2009 season with a year of eligibility remaining and started 10 games for the Panthers as a rookie in 2010. When the organization drafted Auburn's Cam Newton first overall in 2011, it signaled the quick end to ClauFormer Irish QB Jimmy Clau- sen's tenure as the leader of the sen's only action last year offense. Clausen is entering the final year of a four-year, $4.2 milwas in preseason play. photo by larry blankenshiP lion contract with the Panthers. 36 The number of consecutive games quarterback Brady Quinn watched from the sideline before stepping in for two passing attempts in Kansas City's 9-6 loss to Baltimore Oct. 7 last season. Quinn started the following week in a 38-10 loss at Tampa Bay, which was his first start since Dec. 20, 2009. Top Irish Matchups Dec. 22, 1 p.m. • Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals A lot might be on the line when the Vikings travel to Cincinnati. Tight end Tyler Eifert should be entrenched as a rookie starter for the Bengals, and fellow former Notre Dame captain Harrison Smith, a second-year safety for the Vikings, will undoubtedly like to reach out and reconnect. Fighting Irish fans might see second-year center Trevor Robinson starting at center for the Bengals as well. Sept. 8, 1 p.m. • Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals Speaking of Eifert and the Bengals, they open the 2013 season at home against the Chicago Bears. Newly acquired safety Tom Zbikowski looks to snag a starting job in his hometown of Chicago and will certainly keep an eye on Eifert in his NFL debut. Sept. 9, 10:15 p.m. • Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers Texans offensive tackle Ryan Harris, as well as possibly rookie running back Cierre Wood (if the undrafted player makes the roster), will kick off 2013 at San Diego, facing off against presumed starter Manti Te'o at inside linebacker in the second half of a Monday Night Football doubleheader. Many people other than those with Fighting Irish ties will be curious to see how Te'o performs in his first professional outing after a remarkable senior year at Notre Dame and the controversy that followed. Fasano, a tight end, signed with Kansas City during the offseason after catching a careerhigh 41 passes in 2012. photo courtesy miami dolphins After five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, tight end Anthony Fasano signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs March 19, the first night of NFL free agency. "I'm excited for my next chapter in KC on a franchise with so much tradition and working with Coach [Andy] Reid and my teammates to bring a ring to KC!" Fasano said in his Twitter post. The 28-year-old veteran joins Reid and recently acquired quarterback Alex Smith in an effort to regroup after a 2-14 season in 2012. Tony Moeaki, a third-year veteran, is expected to return to action when training camp begins after a knee injury last summer and will be Fasano's main competition at tight end. Fasano set a career high in receptions in 2012 with 41. He registered 16 starts for just the second time in his career (the other was in 2008). He has compiled 205 catches for 2,373 yards and 24 touchdowns in 108 games over seven seasons. Derek Landri Lands In Tampa Bay Defensive tackle Derek Landri seems to have found a good spot in Tampa Bay after spending the last two seasons in Philadelphia, where he started seven of 16 games in 2012. Landri signed a reported two-year, $3.25 million deal with the Buccaneers March 30. He started 16 games for Carolina in 2010, but has served primarily as a rotational player over the course of his six-year career. Landri will be comfortable on the interior in the 4-3 scheme for Tampa Bay, which boasted the top rushing defense (82.5 yards per game allowed in 2012) in the NFL. Brady Quinn To Compete For Backup Role In Seattle On April 9, quarterback Brady Quinn joined his fourth different team since entering the NFL in 2007 as Cleveland's No. 22 overall pick in the first round. He'll battle Tarvaris Jackson to back up Seattle's Russell Wilson after Matt Flynn was traded to Oakland. Quinn was in Kansas City last season where he appeared in 10 games, starting eight for the Chiefs. Tom Zbikowski Returns To The Windy City Safety Tom Zbikowski is back at home in the Chicago area after signing a one-year free-agent deal with the Bears March 23. The five-year veteran, who hails from nearby Arlington Heights, was cut by the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason after one campaign with the team. He has appeared in 64 career games with 25 starts, recording 89 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes broken up and two sacks. He also has registered 59 special teams tackles, and averaged 6.3 yards on 16 punt returns and 21.4 yards on 20 kickoff returns. On The Rise • Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals — After just eight catches for 91 yards through his first seven games as a rookie, Floyd broke through in the season's second half with averages of 4.1 catches and 52.3 receiving yards per game. That was with three different quarterbacks calling the shots for a shaky Cardinals outfit that had much higher expectations than their dismal 5-11 record and fourth-place finish in the NFC West Division. • Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings — The 2012 season already did a lot to show Rudolph he belongs in the NFL, but his performance in the Pro Bowl was a major boost of confidence according to the Vikings coaching staff. It's possible to see the kind of jump in year three similar to Seattle wideout Golden Tate's. Rudolph doubled his regular-season production in nearly every category from his rookie season to 2012, going from eight to 16 starts, 26 to 53 receptions, 249 to 493 total receiving yards and three to nine touchdowns. • Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings — With a year in the system and overflowing boldness, the Tennessee native is capable of surpassing his rookie output of 104 tackles, which tied for the 36th-best mark in the NFL. 138 ✦ Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview 136-139.Irish In The NFL.indd 138 6/25/13 2:47 PM