With the recent rise of the Wisconsin college football program the Badgers in the NFL have had a similar uptick.
More and more guys are beginning to have a splash in the league and the guys over at Pro Football Focus (PFF) have an eagle eye on each one of them. If you’re not familiar with PFF, you’re living in the stone age of modern football analysis. Here at The Sports Bank, we’re big supporters of what they do, so we’ve oriented our weekly check-up around what they’re saying about Badgers in the NFL.
Week 10 for Badgers in the NFL was an eventful one with Scott Tolzien playing his first significant game action and J.J. Watt doing all he can do in a losing effort.
1.) Green Bay Packers QB Scott Tolzien
Badgers Tenure: 2009-10
Week 10 Play: “Scott Tolzien (-1.3) didn’t have the easiest introduction to the NFL this year; after just over 60 preseason snaps with San Francisco he was bundled into this game with 5:52 left in the first quarter after Seneca Wallace hurt his groin.
The good news was his offensive line did a decent job of helping him out and he was pressured on just 22% of drop-backs. Further positives were he generally made good throws, especially on the final drive of the first half to get his team in position for their opening points.
His problems were two dreadful decisions – trying to force balls into areas where there was no space – and two very inaccurate throws including the ball behind James Jones that Brandon Boykin intercepted. It’s these that are more the concern; the former can more easily be overcome but the occasional inaccuracy may be inherent.” – PFF’s Analysis of the Packers 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
2.) Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
Badgers Tenure: 2011
Week 10 Play: “It’s amazing what the Seahawks’ passing game has done despite the fact that both Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice are out. Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse are as tough a trio to cover as there is at the moment and Russell Wilson is giving them chances to make plays after the catch. Here are some individual performances…” – PFF’s Anlaysis of the Seahawks 33-10 win over the Atlantas Falcons.
– Seattle’s O’Brien Schofield (2006-09) is also highlighted for being the only Seahawk d-lineman to not record a pressure (four rushes).
3.) Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt
Badgers Tenure: 2009-10
Week 10 Play: “There is often conjecture about whether a player winning a major award like Defensive Player of the Year can come from a losing team but there should be absolutely no doubt that, emphasized with performances like this, J.J. Watt is the leading candidate to retain the award this season. In another stellar performance (+10.8) Watt was dominant both against run and pass, putting in not only consistent disruption but coming up with big plays to help keep the Texans in the game creating a turnover as both a pass rusher and run defender…
While some of his “base stats” such as sacks and batted passes might be down on last season Watt’s performance level and impact for the Texans’ defense is anything but as he continues the sort of defensive form we have never before seen in the PFF era.” – PFF’s Analysis of the Texans 27-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
**** Watt also earned the PFF Game Ball and was mentioned throughout the entire analysis.
– Might as well copy and paste this every seven days as Watt makes PFF’s Team of the Week pretty much every week.
– Cardinals OLB Matt Shaughnessy (2005-08) recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the game as well.
– Dallas Cowboys DL Nick Hayden (2004-07) and the defensive line didn’t perform particularly well in a 49-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. For that reason, Hayden was dishonorable mentioned for PFF’s ‘Had a Bad Day’ Team.
– Falcons C Peter Konz (2009-11) received dishonorable mention for PFF’s ‘Had a Bad Day’ Team.
For an extensive list on all the Badgers in the NFL, check out the Badgers in the NFL page at UWBadgers.com
What was your interpretation of Tolzien’s day in Green Bay? What former Badgers player stood out to you this past Sunday? Let me know by commenting below.
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He also enjoys sharing Fantasy Advice and pretends to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best. If social media is not your thing, shoot him an email at grays@uwalumni.com.
*Pictures obtained from packers.com.