Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/601719
IRISH IN THE PROS 434 yards through eight contests. With Gronkowski — the boisterous and superbly talented Patriots tight end — in the same conference, Eifert might not receive all the accolades and attention he deserves, but that's fine with him. "When you have an injury like I had where you have to watch from the sideline the entire year except for one quarter, it really puts things in perspective and you appreciate where you are at," he said. NFL NOTES For games played Nov. 5‑9 • The Miami Dolphins released running back Jonas Gray (2008‑11) following the team's 33‑17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but then signed him to their practice squad. Gray rushed for 122 yards and added 72 yards through the air for the Dolphins in six games played. • The New York Giants released defensive lineman Louis Nix (2010‑13) after he appeared in four games without recording any statistics. • The San Diego Chargers placed center Chris Watt (2009‑13) on injured reserve after the former Irish guard was plagued by a shoulder injury most of the season. Fellow Golden Domer Trevor Robinson (2008‑11) is starting in Watt's place for the Chargers. • Pro Football Focus, a website that evaluates NFL games for the league, named former Irish player Har‑ rison Smith a midseason All‑Pro first‑team safety and honored tight end Tyler Eifert and guard Zack Martin with second‑team accolades. • Minnesota Vikings safety Robert Blanton (2008‑11) played but did not record any statistics in a 21‑18 overtime win over the St. Louis Rams. • Jacksonville Jaguars safety Sergio Brown (2006‑09) registered three tackles in a 28‑23 loss to the New York Jets. • Denver Broncos safety David Bruton (2005‑08) notched one tackle in a 27‑24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. • Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Fasano (2002‑05) caught three passes for 33 yards, including the game‑winning touchdown, in a 34‑28 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. • Tennessee Titans defensive back Cody Riggs (2014) accumulated five tackles and two forced fumbles in the 34‑28 overtime win over the Saints. • Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (2008‑10) caught a pair of passes for 30 yards in a 21‑18 win over the Rams. • San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o (2009‑12) was inactive for the third straight game due to a foot injury. • Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (2011‑13) recorded three tackles in a 38‑35 win over the Oakland Raiders. • San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ian Wil‑ liams (2007‑10) registered one tackle in a 17‑16 win over the Atlanta Falcons. NBA NOTES Through Nov. 12 • New York Knicks guard Jerian Grant (2010‑15) was averaging 6.8 points, 4.0 assists and 2.6 re‑ bounds per game through the first eight contests of his professional career. • Fellow rookie Pat Connaughton (2011‑15) of the Portland Trail Blazers was averaging 2.5 points and 3.0 minutes per contest while seeing action in two games. MLB NOTES Through Nov. 12 • Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija has hit the free agent market following one season with the Chicago White Sox. The former Irish pitcher and wide receiver compiled a 4.96 ERA and 11‑13 record in 32 starts in 2015, but the advanced metrics were more favorable for the 30 year old. "Samardzija has always been a huge underper‑ former considering the stuff he has," an American League scout told ESPN.com. "It drives me crazy. There is some ceiling with the stuff, but I don't have much confidence he gets significantly better." ✦