Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH IN THE PROS an offensive lineman in the first round instead of Floyd, but the feedback hasn't fazed the wide- out. "My confidence level is high," Floyd said. "It's all about getting used to the speed, getting used to the game and getting used to becoming a pro." mando Allen registered a career- high 10 carries for 32 yards in a 51-20 victory at Tennessee Nov. 4. The second-year pro and Chicago's third-string back is also getting time on special teams, having re- corded three tackles and returning two short kickoffs for a total of 10 yards. • Washington Redskins reserve • Chicago Bears running back Ar- NFL NOTES Through Nov. 7 on the reserve/non-football injury list after returning from an ACL in- jury that derailed the end of his senior season at Notre Dame. He began practicing with the Dolphins in late October. The Dolphins must soon make a decision either to activate Gray or make room for him on the practice squad, per NFL rules, which stipulate that teams have three weeks to work players out that started the season on the physically unable to perform list. • Houston Texans reserve right offensive tackle Jordan Black earlier this month took time out to speak at the Virginia GOP Vic- tory Office in Ballston, which is the state's Republican campaign headquarters, to take part in of- ficially launching the Virginia Young Americans for [Mitt] Rom- ney Coalition. Black, a resident of Leesburg, used football analogies and personal anecdotes in a brief speech to fire up conservatives while the presidential election neared. • Miami Dolphins rookie run- ning back Jonas Gray, who signed a three-year free agent contract worth $1.44 million May 4, is still Brady Quinn could get another shot to start Nov. 12 against Pitts- burgh, but he has yet to be cleared after suffering a possible concus- sion versus Oakland Oct. 28. Matt Cassel is taking first-team snaps until head coach Romeo Crennel gets official word on Quinn's sta- tus. After starting the year 1-4, Crennel turned to Quinn in week tackle Ryan Harris continues to play a meaningful role behind Derek Newton for an offense that is eighth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (138.0). According to ESPN.com, Texans running back Arian Foster averaged 4.0 yards per carry before even being touched by a defender in the team's 21-9 victory over Buffalo Nov. 4. Only 16 of Foster's 111 yards came after first contact. Harris was on the field for 23 percent of the Texans' plays from scrimmage, doing his job in offensive coordinator John Benton's rotation. Protection has improved as well, with quarterback Matt Schaub being hit only three times for two sacks. • Kansas City Chiefs quarterback six against Tampa Bay. Quinn com- pleted 57.9 percent of his passes for 180 yards with no touchdowns and two picks in the 38-10 loss. He threw just four passes before be- ing knocked out in a 26-16 loss to Oakland. With Cassel back under center, the Chiefs dropped a 31-13 decision to San Diego Nov. 1. • Cincinnati rookie offensive guard Trevor Robinson got his first career start in a 31-21 loss to Den- ver Nov. 4. Ironically, he replaced fellow former Irish player Jeff Faine (hamstring) in the lineup. Faine, who had practiced all week, started the second half. • Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier sees a direct correla- tion between the team's drop-off in passing production and second- year tight end Kyle Rudolph's lack of involvement. Rudolph had 13 receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns through Minnesota's first three games this season. Over the last three contests, he caught just two balls for 17 yards, includ- ing no receptions in a 30-20 loss to Seattle. "We had some things called yesterday that we thought would get the ball to him and they didn't materialize," Frazier told Vikings. com Nov. 3. "The good thing about Kyle's game yesterday, he did a great job in blocking, which really helped set up some of those nice runs that Adrian [Peterson] had." • Minnesota rookie safety Har- rison Smith finished with seven tackles in the loss to Seattle, mark- ing the fifth time in his first nine