UCF in the NFL Weekly Roundup

Each week, UCFinsider.com posts a collection of articles related to former UCF football players in the NFL. Click on a player’s name or view it all at once after the jump!

Atari Bigby
Daunte Culpepper
Travis Fisher
Cornell Green
Alex Haynes
Asante Samuel
Kevin Smith
Mike Walker

Atari Bigby

Big, fast, smart safety draws focus
Packer Report
Mitchell is big enough to mix it up in the box, which could make him an intriguing prospect for Green Bay, with Atari Bigby set to become an unrestricted free agent following this season. Plus, he can play special teams; Burrow said Ohio State’s

NFL Draft Glossary - 165 Terms
Bleeding Green Nation, PA
A big-play S in Green Bay, Atari Bigby has a whiff for every huge hit he lays down. Technique used against a defender playing off the blocker's shoulder. The blocker steps forward and turns into the defender, hooking him and walling him off rather than

Packers bringing in another DB
ColtPower.com
Pro Bowler Nick Collins and Atari Bigby return as the starters, but both are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents following the 2009 season and there was a major drop-off in the secondary during Bigby’s on-again, off-again absence in 2008.

Packers bringing in another DB
Packer Report
Pro Bowler Nick Collins and Atari Bigby return as the starters, but both are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents following the 2009 season and there was a major drop-off in the secondary during Bigby’s on-again, off-again absence in 2008.

Mike Vandermause column: DE is most urgent need
Green Bay Press Gazette, WI
Safety ? The cupboard appears well stocked with Pro Bowler Nick Collins, sidekick Atari Bigby and capable backups Aaron Rouse and newly signed Anthony Smith. Quarterback ? Backups Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm didn’t show much last season,

Daunte Culpepper

Lions president talks No. 1 pick — sort of
Detroit Free Press, United States
QUARTERBACKS: Daunte Culpepper reportedly has lost a lot of weight — but he isn't exactly in peak shape right now. "It's April 13th," Lewand said. "I'm not sure anybody's ready for the season on April 13th. But I think we've been very pleased with the

Four Wild Draft Rumors
SportingNews.com
The Lions current starter at quarterback is Daunte Culpepper, who is reunited with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. The last season they were together was in 2004 when Culpepper threw for 4700 yards and 39 touchdowns. Culpepper came into to the

Detroit Lions Need to Draft a QB at No. 1
Bleacher Report, CA
Daunte Culpepper, who is merely a stopgap solution, isn't likely to lead Detroit to the promised land. A higher-percentage move for the Lions would be to choose an offensive or defensive lineman, or perhaps a linebacker, with their first pick.

NFL Draft: Mock Draft v1 - Picks 1-5
Mirror.co.uk, UK
I have my own feelings and thoughts on draft day, but here is my top 5 picks of the 2009 NFL draft. Detroit will play safe with this pick. With Daunte Culpepper attending mini camps lighter than he has been in a number of years.

Looking Back With Sarcasm: The 1999 NFL Draft (pt.2)
Examiner.com
1:30pm: In spite of having the best record in the NFL last year, the Minnesota Vikings are able to select the player they had top-rated in this year's draft, QB Daunte Culpepper of Central Florida. Everyone begins to hate Minnesota.

After top three qbs in NFL draft, quality suffers
The Detroit News, MI
Lions depth chart: A rejuvenated Daunte Culpepper is the presumptive starter in the final year of his contract. Drew Stanton (Michigan State), a 2007 second-round pick, and Drew Henson (Michigan) are backups, but if it's not Stafford at No.

Acquiring Leftwich fills Bucs' need for a 4th quarterback
The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com, OH
Freeman, a raw project whose size and big arm have reminded some of Daunte Culpepper, was scheduled to visit with the Bucs this week. With their quarterback position now stocked, look for the Bucs to turn their draft-day attention toward the defensive

National columnist: Lions must draft Matthew Stafford
Detroit Free Press, United States
‘Besides, do the Lions really want to make Daunte Culpepper the face of the franchise? How are the Lions going to sell the idea to their disgusted fans that a new era has arrived if they take Baylor tackle Jason Smith or Wake Forest linebacker Aaron

Lions needs: You name it, 0-16 outfit could use it
CBSSports.com
QB: Daunte Culpepper is the starter here, which is why the Lions should be in the market for another quarterback. Culpepper is no more than a way station to the next young quarterback, and maybe he arrives this month. Lions fans can only hope.

Does Chamber have a jinx similar to Sports Illustrated’
Youngstown Vindicator, OH
Among the victims: Anna Kournikova, Nomar Garciaparra, Oregon State, Daunte Culpepper, Todd Marinovich. The list goes on, and is well documented online. The SI cover picture for the jinx edition is a black cat. NFL quarterback Kurt Warner was supposed

UW's new offensive coordinator has the tough job of turning Jake
Seattle Times, United States
Daunte Culpepper. And Doug… By Jerry Brewer In the vast history of NCAA football, only three quarterbacks have thrown for at least 10000 yards and run for 1000. Nussmeier, the man now charged with transforming Jake Locker from an athletic wonder to a

Harvin could add more gun powder to Vikes? offense
DL-Online, MN
Consistency has been Jackson’s downfall and ever since Carolina cornerback Chris Gamble shredded Daunte Culpepper’s knee, the Vikes have lacked in the quarterbacking department. Neither Rosenfels nor Jackson are the long term answers.

Our first Mock Draft
Kansas City Star, MO
He can play behind Daunte Culpepper for a year just as Culpepper sat out his rookie season as an understudy at Minnsota. The Rams need to replace Orlando Pace at left tackle. They're going to try to move Alex Barron from the right side,

Lions' Johnson & Johnson offer mismatches for DBs
Trading Markets (press release), CA
Johnson raved about playing opposite Calvin Johnson with Daunte Culpepper at quarterback, saying, "We have a lot of weapons on offense. I think the sky is the limit." Calvin Johnson commands attention from defenses, so the Lions' No.

2009 NFL Draft Needs - Detroit Lions
The Football Expert, OH
Daunte Culpepper is the expected starter because of his history with new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Let’s add up his last 16 games played spanning three seasons with Miami, Oakland and Detroit. The grand total is 3046 yards passing with 11

Detroit Lions: What Do We Know, What Should We Expect’
Bleacher Report, CA
QB: Daunte Culpepper is a stopgap at best. Maybe he rebounds this year and gives you two or three decent seasons. Maybe he never gets it back. Either way, a QB to build around is needed. Additionally the Lions have several spots that are more of a

Outlining the Lions Needs and Best Ways to Fix Them
Pride of Detroit, MI
Now however, reports have been saying Daunte Culpepper is in great shape. According to Detroit Lions center, Dominic Raoila, Culpepper is determined to make an impact this year, (courtesy of MLive.com) "He looks like a new man, brand new,'' said center

Lions' Foster sang Calvin Johnson's praises to Stafford
Detroit Free Press, United States
‘He’sa game-breaker, kind of like what we had in Champ Bailey in Denver,? said Foster, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Broncos. ‘You just knew he was going to do something to change the game. That’s how I feel about Calvin.

Drafting a QB could be good for Hasselbeck
Examiner.com
Or what if the Lions decide Daunte Culpepper is the answer to their problems and decide to pass on Matthew Stafford and he slips to the fourth. So now we've got a young quarterback in camp. A lot of expectations, a lot of promise and a little pressure

BJ Raji Is Still the Right Choice For the Lions
Bleacher Report, CA
If the Lions pass on Stafford, they could go with Daunte Culpepper, or sign former Super Bowl Quarterback Rex Grossman (seriously, why hasn't this guy garnered more interest’), and they could draft a developmental quarterback later.

Lions zeroing in on Stafford
TestisteroneSports.com, California
The club should be a bit nervous about this selection however, especially when you remember that they once took Joey Harrington with the #3. Stafford should be better than Joey was, and would like begin the season behind Daunte Culpepper on the depth

QB or not QB? That is the Lions' No. 1 question
USA Today
Besides, Detroit has an accomplished offensive coordinator in Scott Linehan and a decorated veteran quarterback in Daunte Culpepper, a man who's been on the other side of the franchise-quarterback-in-waiting coin and someone who can convey his

NFL — Old Faces in New Places - Detroit Lions
Pro Fantasy Sports, KS
Johnson ascended into the upper tier of wide receivers (despite getting his passes from a ’star-studded? quarterbacking crew that included Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper and Jon Kitna), notching 78 receptions and 12 touchdowns.

Go back to Draft Extras Summary:
Pro Football Weekly, IL
Daunte Culpepper had his most success in Minnesota under current offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, and from what I hear, the Lions? brain trust feels comfortable giving Culpepper a shot this year while grooming another. I could see the Lions showing

Bucs to meet with Josh Freeman
TestisteroneSports.com, California
Bucs are currently planning on going with journeyman Luke McKown at QB. McKown still has yet to prove his passing worth in his six NFL seasons, so it makes sense that Tampa would be eyeing a player who has drawn many comparison's to Daunte Culpepper.

Travis Fisher

Friday Notes: Lions Not "Locking In" on Stafford’
Pride of Detroit, MI
Travis Fisher also believes he can secure a starting job, even though the Lions added a couple players to the secondary during the offseason. SI.com's latest mock draft has the Lions selecting Jason Smith and Robert Ayers. The 2009 NFL schedule will be

Cornell Green

Oakland Raiders draft outlook: Offensive Line
Silver and Black report, NJ
Kwame Harris is gone, and someone else will likely occupy Cornell Green’s right tackle spot. That alone will improve the play of the line, especially at both tackle positions, which were a reason why Oakland’s offense sputtered and could not provide a

Meet Jamon Meredith (w/update)
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA
Cornell Green's time has passed and Erik Pears is too much an unknown. The zone-blocking scheme doesn't require teams to draft the very best offensive linemen on the board, though Raiders coach Tom Cable has said elite linemen are elite in just about

Bills Safety Donte Whitner Arrested
FanHouse, NY
Carlos Osorio, AP March 21: Raiders offensive tackle and Super Bowl XXXVII champ Cornell Green was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Florida. Tampa police say Green struck the mother of his two children with an aluminum mop handle.

Oakland Raiders 2009 NFL Draft Needs
Locksmith Sports Picks, IA
The Raiders could use upgrades at both offensive tackle spots where Cornell Green and Kwame Harris (free agent) are both subpar pass protectors. Defensively, the team would benefit from a massive run-stuffing tackle. Likely Day 1 Targets - Owner Al

Oakland Raiders offseason progress report
Examiner.com
None of the three are household names as of yet, but they all have starting experience and will push Mario Henderson and Cornell Green come training camp, and possibly win the jobs outright. These moves are not as splashy as grabbing a tackle at the

Alex Haynes

Why Kyle Orton Will Have a Better Season Than Jay Cutler
Bleacher Report, CA
His weapons at halfback include JJ Arrington, Selvin Young, Correl Buckhalter, Lamont Jordan, Alex Haynes, Andre Hall, PJ Pope, and Ryan Torain. He also has one of the best O-lines in the league. The defense isn't the greatest, but it's better than

Asante Samuel

Draft will make a strong contender stronger
Boston Globe, United States
Some of the moves were master strokes - a minor deal in the first round to select defensive end Ty Warren, and a trade up in the fourth round for cornerback Asante Samuel. Others, such as an aggressive trade in the second round for receiver Bethel

The 10 best draft picks of the Bill Belichick era
Providence Journal, RI
But Wilfork has become arguably the best nose tackle in the NFL, with one Pro Bowl nod to his credit thus far. 4. Asante Samuel (fourth round, 120th overall, 2003): This turned out to be a particularly strong draft class for the Pats, as you’ll see.

The best on Bill Belichick’s list: Part I
NESN.com, MA
With some better corners on the opposite side of the field next season, though, Hobbs will return to the form he displayed during the Asante Samuel era. He also gets bonus points for his special teams work. 15. Shawn Springs, Cornerback.

Teams Will Regret Not Taking A Closer Look
Patriots Insider
"After this is over I may call him." Imagine that. Having a cousin in the NFL who isn't beating a drum for him. Sheppard moved on from Philadelphia one year after the arrival of former Patriot Asante Samuel. If Anderson gets a chance to compete,

Dominant teams: More of the greatest
Waterbury Republican American, CT
Wes Welker, Asante Samuel, Mike Vrabel, Vince Wilfork. 1962 Packers: Like the Patriots they had one blemish, finishing 13-1 in the regular season. They allowed only 10.6 points per game, winning by an average of 19.0 points. They led the NFL in

Report: Vontae Davis visited Eagles
Bleeding Green Nation, PA
Asante Samuel by foos05 on Apr 9, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs It’s true. If the Eagles under Reid have shown anything? They love lineman on either side of the ball and corners? So it wouldn’t shock me to see them take a guy like Davis. by

2009 NFL Draft Preview: Picks 26-13
Weekly Challenger, FL
These are their draft needs, Cornerback, the next shutdown corner they draft will be the first since they let Asante Samuel get away. Running Back, with the addition of Fred Taylor, will Laurence Maroney have to take a back seat.

Let's Take A Little Look Around
Bleeding Green Nation, PA
Asante Samuel by foos05 on Apr 9, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs by yophillybro on Apr 9, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs Thank goodness Jim is doing well! Thoughts and prayer buddy! Loooooook here brotha'…..who you jivein' with

New England Patriots: 2009 NFL Mock Draft
BetFirms, IA
Cornerback - When the Pats decided to let Pro Bowler Asante Samuel leave for Philadelphia last season, they knew their cornerback corps would take a hit. They didn’t foresee just how much of a drop-off it would be, though.

Kevin Smith

Knowshon Moreno viewed as draft's most complete running back
The Detroit News, MI
Chris Johnson (Tennessee) was a Pro Bowler as a rookie, and a handful of others — from Matt Forte (Chicago) to Steve Slaton (Houston) to the Lions' Kevin Smith — all proved it's a young man's game in the backfield. But the top rushing teams also

Get to know Knowshon, not the average running back prospect
USA Today
The Detroit Lions' Kevin Smith and Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart also flashed great potential and nearly reached 1000 yards. Yet ask teams in position to draft a back like Moreno, and they're typically vague. Secrecy runs rampant during the NFL

NFL Mock Draft: Apr. 13, 2009
Bleacher Report, CA
Book him and Gosder Cherlius at the tackles and let Kevin Smith run his way to 1000 yards for the next couple years if healthy. Analysis: There was no secret that the Rams were coveting Jake Long in last year's draft. They let go Orlando Pace and have

With The First Pick In The FanIQ NFL Mock Draft, The Detroit Lions
FanIQ, CA
Kevin Smith is a promising young running back and Ernie Sims could potentially be an elite linebacker, but that's about as good as it gets on the strengths side of things. For weaknesses, I would say the entire defense, the offensive line,

The 411 Games Top 5 04.13.09: Week 7 - The Useless Video Game
411mania.com, TX
Kevin Smith (Killer7) - All the alternate personalities of Killer7 were fun as hell to play as, save for Kevin. And it's a shame because his design was fairly interesting. Here's a guy who just so happens to be a gray hunchback who hurls knives and can

I succumbed to the temptation, please forgive me
Stampede Blue, New York
And then Stafford also has a really good second year running back in Kevin Smith. They could end up picking up another receiver or two or three eventually, but I don't think they're going to need one right off the bat. If he shows up and works his ass

Patriots' Warren moving in right direction
Boston Globe, United States
The Patriots re-signed defensive end Mike Wright to a four-year deal this offseason, but nose tackle Vince Wilfork, right defensive end Richard Seymour, defensive end Jarvis Green, and nose tackle/defensive end Le Kevin Smith are entering the final

2009 NFL Mock Draft
The Football Expert, OH
This pick with Cherilus from last year’s draft makes life easier in Detroit for Kevin Smith and Culpepper. Relax Lion fan, Sam Bradford will be available when you pick first next year. Orlando Pace is in Chicago and Baron is a good RT, but you don’t

NFL Draft Preview: Chris ‘Beanie? Wells
Bleacher Report, CA
by Ryan Lester (Columnist) Following up an NFL rookie class that featured Matt Forte, Steve Slaton, Jonathan Stewart, and Kevin Smith is going to make most draft classes look bad. One of the running backs that could hold his own is Ohio State’s Chris

Weatherford Rising
GoldenEaglePride
Many projected the team would struggle when the nation’s leading rusher, Kevin Smith left early for the NFL, but few thought they would finish 119th out of 119 teams in total offense. Each of the three quarterbacks the team used struggled mightily,

The Importance Of Positions- Offence
Pride of Detroit, MI
Potentially, Kevin Smith showed some nice promise last year but will he be considered in the Top 10 backs in the next few years’, probably not. The other skill position was a close call with RB for 3rd place. A Wide Receiver provides much of the same

Through The NFL Mocking Glass: A Fantasy-Focused Mock Draft
Bleacher Report, CA
RB Kevin Smith turned a corner in the second half of the season, and rushed for an average of 83.8 yards with little help from the passing game. Stafford can loosen things up for Smith, increasing his value into a solid fantasy RB2.

Mike Walker

Offseason notebook
Jaguars.com
Jaguars players Troy Williamson, Mike Walker, Scott Starks, Paul Smith and Cleo Lemon spent time on the court trying their hand at tennis with several professional players, and concluded the event by signing autographs and taking pictures.


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