Montana Boys in the NFL: Mid-Season Update
Earlier this year, we highlighted the 19 Montana boys that made NFL preseason rosters. With half the NFL season in the books, we wanted to check in on how they’re doing. 12 are still on their team’s rosters, 2 are on the practice squad, and 6 didn’t make the final cut.
In the League
Brock Coyle
Seattle Seahwaks – LB
MT Cred: Born and raised in Bozeman, MT and played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance: Brock had 3 tackles against Dallas in a losing effort to Dallas in Week 6. He has 1 tackle this past week against the Carolina Panthers. This has been his only playing time so far.
Outlook: Brock is currently listed has 3rd for MLB in a deep position for Seattle.
Twitter: Brock Coyle @BrockCoyle56
Brock Osweiler
Denver Broncos – QB
MT Cred: Went to Kalispell Flathead High School
2014 Performance: Brock’s only regular season play came in the 4th Qtr in a blow out win against the 49ers in Week 7. His stats are 0/1 throwing and 3 attempts for 2 yards rushing.
Outlook: Brock has yet to play a meaningful down in the NFL. It is hard to gauge where he is at with his development because he is behind one of the greatest and never plays with the starters. Until Manning steps away, we won’t know what Brock can do on his own.
Twitter: Brock Osweiler @BrockOsweiler
Chase Reynolds
St. Louis Rams – RB
MT Cred: From Drummond, MT and played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance: Has yet to play in a regular season game this season.
Outlook: Currently Chase is listed as the fourth string running back in deep backfield.
Colt Anderson
Indianapolis Colts – FS
MT Cred: From Butte, MT and played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance: Colt has played in 7 of 8 games this season. He has 8 tackles for the Colts this season.
Outlook: Colt is slowly integrating himself in the defensive rotation. He is listed second in the depth chart behind Mike Adams.
Twitter: Colt Anderson @AndersonColt
Dan Carpenter
Buffalo Bills – K
MT Cred: From Helena, MT and played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance: Dan is 17/19 for field goals this season with an 89.5 kicking percentage. He is 15/16 in extra points this season. He sits 3rd in the league with most field goals made this season.
Outlook: Dan Carpenter is in a resurgence after Miami and has proven to be one of the league’s best kickers the past two years.
Dane Fletcher
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LB
MT Cred: From Bozeman, MT and played football at Montana State University.
2014 Performance: Dane has 22 tackles for the 2014 season and has played in every game so far Tampa Bay
Outlook: Dane is listed as 2nd in the depth chart on Defense behind MLB Mason Foster. He is getting a lot of playing time as Middle LB.
Twitter: Dane Fletcher @DaneTrain52
Dwan Edwards
Carolina Panthers – DT
MT Cred: From Columbus, MT.
2014 Performance: Dwan has 22 tackles for the 2014 NFL season as well as 3 sacks.
Outlook: Dwan is listed as the 2nd string RDT for the Carolina Panthers and is playing great in that role.
Jimmy Wilson
Miami Dolphins – DB
MT Cred: Played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance so far: Jimmy has 26 tackles for the 2014 NFL season and 1 INT playing in 6 of 8 games. He was inactive against the Jaguars but is expected to return next week against the Chargers.
Outlook: Jimmy is having a great season. He is currently ranked 2nd on the Dolphins depth chart for Safety.
Twitter: Jimmy Wilson @Jimmywilson_27
Jordan Tripp
Miami Dolphins – LB
MT Cred: Played football at the University of Montana
2014 Performance so far: Made the final active roster and had two combined tackles in the Dolphins first regular season game against Oakland.
Outlook: He’s made the team so he has his foot in the door.
Twitter: Jordan Tripp @jtripp37
Kroy Biermann
Atlanta Falcoms – DE
MT Cred: Played at University of Montana and Hardin High
2014 Performance: He’s averaging 4.3 tackles per game, but has yet to get a sack this season.
Outlook: Some Atlanta fans want him benched. A few sacks will quiet them down.
Twitter: Kroy Biermann @biermann71
Mike Person
St. Louis Rams – OT
MT Cred: Played at Montana State and Dawson County High
2014 Performance: Had played only four snaps all season until he stepped in for Jake Long, who injured his knee late in the third quarter during last weekend’s game against the Chiefs.
Outlook: If RG Rodger Saffold doesn’t recover from a shoulder injury he sustained against the Chiefs last week, Person could start against the 49ers.
Twitter: NA
Trumaine Johnson
St. Louis Rams – CB
Montana Cred: Played at University of Montana
2014 Performance: Sprained MCL on August 23 in a preseason game against the Browns.
Outlook: Could return against the 49ers.
Twitter: Trumaine Johnson @Trujohnson2
Practice Squad
Danny Kistler
Oakland Raiders – OT
MT Cred: Played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance: Danny is currently signed on the practice squad of the Oakland Raiders
Outlook: Making the practice squad is a great start but he will still need to battle for a roster position over the next two years.
William Poehls
Tennessee Titans – OT
MT Cred: Played at University of Montana
2014 Performance: Titans announced that he had made the practice squad on September 1.
Outlook: Remains on practice squad and is shooting for a place on active roster.
Twitter: Will Poehls @willpoehls
Cut
Caleb McSurdy
Unsigned – LB
MT Cred: Played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance: Caleb was cut August 25 from the Cleveland Browns.
Outlook: Still fighting to make an NFL team
Jabin Sambrano
Unsigned – WR
MT Cred: Played football at the University of Montana.
2014 Performance: Not currently on an NFL roster
Outlook: Still trying to make a team in the NFL.
Twitter: Jabin Sambrano @Hellaboosty16
Lex Hilliard
Free Agent – RB
MT Cred: Played at University of Montana and Flathead High
Outlook: Still waiting for call from any team to give him a chance since his injuring his shoulder in 2013.
Twitter: NA
Marc Mariani
Unsigned – KR
MT Cred: Played at University of Montana and Havre High
2014 Performance: Was released on August 29, 2014 and is still a free agent.
Outlook: Waiting for a team to pick him up.
Twitter: Marc Mariani @MarcMariani83
Zach Minter
Dallas Cowboys – DT
Montana Cred: Played at Montana State University
2014 Performance: Was waived by the Cowboys on August 30.
Outlook: Currently a free agent.
Twitter: Zach Minter @ZacharyMcBry
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