Sometimes I think this article should be called "Tom Brady in the NFL: Week 14." A good amount of the names below have spent the season on the inactive list or practice squad. Many more are simply rotational players with minimal output. It's too bad Woodson's stuck in Oakland instead of carrying the Lions to the playoffs. Anyways, here's this week's updates:
Jay Feely (K, Undrafted in 1999, Arizona Cardinals):
After a solid 2013 campaign so far, Feely reminded every one of his preseason struggles by missing two field goals on Sunday, one from 50 yards and the other from 25. For an Arizona team trying to steal a Wild Card spot, Feely can't miss easy field goals. Outside of the misses, Jay went four for four on extra points.
Kenny Demens (ILB, Undrafted in 2013, Arizona Cardinals):
Demens is on the practice squad in Arizona.
Alan Branch (DT, 33rd in 2007 to Cardinals, Buffalo Bills):
The Bills did nothing against the Tampa Bay Bucs this week, and Branch wasn't the exception. On 47 defensive snaps, he recorded two solo tackles.
Craig Roh (DE, Undrafted in 2013, Carolina Panthers):
Roh is on the practice squad in Carolina.
Tim Jamison (DE, Undrafted in 2009, Houston Texans):
Jamison was inactive this week.
Chad Henne (QB, 57th in 2008 to Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars):
In a Thursday night game featuring two bottom feeders, Henne helped the Jags win by starting off strong, throwing two touchdowns before two minutes into the second quarter. However, he faded as the game went on, finishing 12 for 27 for 117 yards with two TDs and no interceptions.
Denard Robinson (WR, 135th in 2013 to Jaguars, Jacksonville Jaguars):
Due to some injuries to the backs ahead of him on the depth chart, Robinson was Jacksonville's only RB at one point late in the fourth quarter. On two carries, he looked like Michigan's rushing attack this year as he went backwards for one yard. If the injuries persist, he might see increased action in the final weeks of the season.
Junior Hemingway (WR, 238th in 2012 to Chiefs, Kansas City Chiefs):
In the Chiefs 45-10 rout of the Washington Redskins, Hemingway wasn't much of a factor, recording one catch for 11 yards and a couple stops on special teams.
Jordan Kovacs (S, Undrafted in 2013, Miami Dolphins):
Kovacs is on the practice squad in Miami.
Tom Brady (QB, 199th in 2000 to Patriots, New England Patriots):
It's already been an up-and-down, weird, goofy, ridiculous, comeback-filled year for Brady and the Pats, and Sunday only added to the season's narrative. After finishing an ugly first half with a 31.7 passer rating, Brady posted a 126.2 passer rating in the second half as he led the Patriots back from a 12-point deficit with 2:35 remaining. Gaining possession following a Cleveland field goal, Brady quickly led the offense to the end zone in 12 plays, cutting the Browns' lead to 26-21. Following a successful onside kick, Brady took control with a minute remaining, which proved to be more than enough time as he threw for another touchdown thirty seconds later. Brady ended up finishing the game 32 for 52 for 418 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Another unbelievable performance and comeback by Brady and the Pats this year.
Ryan Mundy (S, 194th in 2008 to Steelers, New York Giants):
Mundy recorded tackles on 28.5% of his defensive snaps on Sunday: two tackles on seven snaps. Considering the limited time, that's pretty good game involvement.
David Harris (ILB, 47th in 2007 to Jets, New York Jets):
In the eyes of Gang Green Nation, Harris was one of the "Good" parts of New York's victory on Sunday. This is what they had to say about David's five tackle, three assist performance:
"Again, not a perfect performance by any means but you have to accept what Harris brings to the table. He won't be a complete linebacker as his coverage skills are just not there, but he made some nice stops in the flat and he's pretty reliable in the run game, so I'll give him that."
William Campbell (RG, 178th in 2013 to Jets, New York Jets):
Campbell was inactive this week.
Jason Avant (WR, 109th in 2006 to Eagles, Philadelphia Eagles) and Brandon Graham (LB, 13th in 2010 to Eagles, Philadelphia Eagles):
After the first play of the game, during which Graham tackled Detroit's Jeremy Ross on the opening kickoff, I don't remember hearing either player's name called. This might be because my mind melted for the umpteenth time as I watched the Lions blow yet another game. Both players were on the field for a good amount -- Avant for 45 offensive snaps, Graham for 31 total snaps) -- but neither did much in the snow- and run-filled game (likely why Avant didn't catch any passes).
LaMarr Woodley (OLB, 46th in 2007 to Steelers, Pittsburgh Steelers):
Woodley finally returned this week after missing the last three game's with a calf injury. With one solo tackle and two assists, Woodley earned praise from Behind the Steel Curtain as they noted "how explosive [he] looked (even with some rust)." However, its not all peaches and cream for LaMarr in Pittsburgh as BTSC also commented on how "his contract [will] stick out like a sore thumb" following this season due to the strong performances by his replacement and other rookies on the Steelers defense.
Charles Woodson (FS, 4th in 1998 to Raiders, Oakland Raiders):
I'll let Woodson sum up Oakland's loss against the Jets on Sunday, because he puts it best:
"That's as embarrassing a game that I've ever been a part of. We were like the Bad News Bears out there today. Defensively, we went out there and basically peed down our legs."
From the sounds of it, the Raiders need to Man Up!
Jonathan Goodwin (C, 154th in 2002 to Jets, San Francisco 49ers):
Goodwin played on all 68 offensive snaps for the 49ers in an important, 19-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks this week. The offense is still struggling, but it doesn't seem to be an issue with the line play. Regardless, a win against one of the league's most dominant defenses has to feel good.
Mario Manningham (WR, 95th in 2008 to Giants, San Francisco 49ers):
Manningham had a disappointing week, playing on only 16 snaps and failing to catch any of his four targets. Even though the 49ers won a huge game over the Seahawks, the offense continues to be a problem, evidenced by the fact that the fullback has become a more consistent target for Colin Kaepernick than Manningham.
Jake Long (LT, 1st in 2008 to Dolphins, St. Louis Rams):
Jake Long and the St. Louis Rams are having a bad year. In Week 14, they were blown out 30-10 by their division rivals, the Cardinals.
Patrick Omameh (G, Undrafted in 2013, Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Omameh was inactive for the seventh straight week.
Mike Martin (DT, 82nd in 2012 to Titans, Tennessee Titans):
After a couple weeks on the inactive list, Martin was on the roster for Tennessee's game against the Denver Broncos this week. The writers at Music City Miracle "don't know why" the Titans made this move, and this feeling is further supported by the fact that he played on only 21 defensive snaps and didn't record any stats on Sunday.