A week ago, Gator Nation was riding high. The football program scored its biggest win in years and looked poised to return to national prominence. And a host of former Gators were pegged as breakout candidates in the National Football League.
But as we all know too well, life doesn’t follow a script.
The Gators ended up with 35 players on active NFL rosters for Week 1 after the Cardinals signed Max Garcia off the Giants’ practice squad and the Texans elevated Jeff Driskel from their own practice squad. According to Spotrac, that places Florida ninth among all colleges and universities.
This is our weekly recap of all 35, plus a list of who remains on each team’s practice squads. We’ll also keep track of guys coming and going, and we’re still on the lookout for Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins. Unfortunately, La’Mical Perine joined them as a free agent after Philadelphia released him from its practice squad.
The Missing Pierce
The biggest storyline for me heading into Week 1 was Dameon Pierce. The rookie running back dominated camps and preseason action, was far and away the best back in Houston, and was listed as the starter on the depth chart.
And then, after all that hype and buildup, the Texans decided to give journeyman backup Rex Burkhead 50 touches while Pierce was on the field for 20 snaps.
No offense to Rex Burkhead, but: What?
The Texans just ran Rex Burkhead instead of Dameon Pierce on third-and-1, and punted for a tie on fourth-and-3.
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) September 11, 2022
OK, enough with the Burkhead. Just feed Pierce, please.
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) September 11, 2022
Dameon Pierce is not injured. Rex Burkhead -- Rex (Bleeping) Burkhead -- is getting the carries.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) September 11, 2022
Texans head coach Lovie Smith acknowledged on Monday that he should have played Pierce more, but also said Pierce needs to do better in pass blocking, blitz pickup, and catching the football.
Um, Lovie, have you seen your starting running back play?
To his credit, Pierce handled the situation well after the game, saying he learned as much as he could watching the veteran Burkhead on the field.
Brighter days are ahead for Pierce.
The Weekly Kyle Pitts Update
Two things can be true at the same time: The Saints defense is very good, aaand Arthur Smith and the Falcons are still struggling to scheme up ways to use Kyle Pitts.
Pitts saw seven targets which resulted in two completions for 19 yards. The red zone continues to be a no-Pitts-land.
Kyle Pitts not even running a route, so the Fullback can get a target.
— Justin Woodruff (@WoodJustRuff) September 11, 2022
Arthur Smith has been cancelled. pic.twitter.com/2mxk6KuviX
Pitts will have bigger games, and I still truly believe he’ll score plenty of touchdowns. But the Falcons are not a good team and the other guy named Smith who is kind of inexplicably an NFL head coach may not be a good one, so temper your expectations accordingly.
Joka’s On Us
Healthy. Seven snaps, two touches. This is, sadly, how to sum up Kadarius Toney’s situation in New York.
The #Giants have barely used Kadarius Toney today and its been weird to see.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 11, 2022
He made something happen the one time he had the ball in his hands.
And then they took him out immediately after. Very odd.pic.twitter.com/GnMCUNVzXw
Brian, this is Kadarius Toney
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 11, 2022
He’s our best WR and our most explosive playmaker on offense.
Last season he ranked 1st in missed tackles forced per reception and 12th in YPRR.
His only flaw is that you won’t play him pic.twitter.com/rFhqyOpjQA
Giants either need to embrace Kadarius Toney or trade him away.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) September 11, 2022
This gimmick-touch doghouse thing is bs.
Hard to disagree, Sam!
The Streak is Over
Jawaan Taylor had never missed an offensive snap in his NFL career. That continued through the Jaguars’ first 65 plays against Washington in Week 1. In the heat and humidity of Sunday afternoon, however, Taylor’s body succumbed to cramps, and he couldn’t get on the field for Jacksonville’s final drive. His ironman streak is now over at 3,279 snaps.
Have you done anything successfully 3,279 times in a row? (I don’t even breathe successfully that many times in a row! — Andy)
The Streak is Over, Part II
Evan McPherson’s star couldn’t have been any brighter after his incredible rookie season. Including a perfect postseason last year, Mac had made 22 straight field goals and 18 straight extra points. That changed on Sunday, and in the biggest of spots.
Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase to tie the game.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 11, 2022
Steelers BLOCK the extra point. It's Minkah Fitzpatrick getting his hand on it.
Unreal. pic.twitter.com/mEevxCpm6Z
MISSED FIELD GOAL
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 11, 2022
EVAN MCPHERSON MISSED THE POTENTIAL GAME WINNING FGpic.twitter.com/ElD5WzZSyi
You could easily argue neither miss was McPherson’s fault. Minkah Fitzpatrick was untouched on the blocked extra point; the high snap clearly affected Mac on the field goal. Even so, McPherson stepped up and took the blame.
I think the kid — who also banged a career-high 59-yarder in the game — will be just fine.
The Streak is Over, Part III
On the other foot, Eddy Piñeiro almost sent Carolina home with a win. He drilled the go-ahead field goal with under two minutes remaining, but the Panthers defense couldn’t hold. Piñeiro has now made 20 straight field goals.
Notables
I think Ceedy Deuce is going to work out just fine in Philadelphia.
CJ Gardner Johnson @CGJXXIII already bringing that energy and swagger pic.twitter.com/QF26KnNrDX
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 11, 2022
Excellent cut on the crosser by Gardner-Johnson pic.twitter.com/8eU0UaBOuO
— Honest NFL (@TheHonestNFL) September 13, 2022
CJ Gardner-Johnson: “First win! That shit feels great!”
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) September 11, 2022
Lane Johnson: “That shit was ugly” pic.twitter.com/MbnDRFFoLW
Weirdly, Marco Wilson may have had the best game of his career despite his team giving up five touchdowns and 44 points to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The Texans had a package of plays for Jeff Driskel, who definitely pass blocks better than Dameon Pierce, so it totally makes sense.
Texans have a Jeff Driskel package!
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 11, 2022
Player of the Week
Marcus Maye’s turbulent offseason could still have severe consequences. But in his first game with the Saints, he blocked out the distractions and helped New Orleans pull off an epic comeback against the Falcons.
Turning Point of the Game in New Orleans #Saints win over Atlanta Falcons
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 12, 2022
Marcus Maye's forced fumble in the 3Q
✍️ @JohnDeShazierhttps://t.co/4gnnkX79QH
Maye was solid in the run game, defended well in the slot, and generally played one of his best games in a few years. After two injury-plagued campaigns in 2020 and 2021, it was nice to be reminded of just how good a player he is.
Play of the Week
It didn’t take Carlos Dunlap long to notch his first sack as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Early in the third quarter, Dunlap lines up at left end, stunts to the inside, breaks down to prevent Kyler Murray from taking off, and pulls him down. It’s a really impressive play.
#Chiefs edge rusher Carlos Dunlap gets to #Cardinals QB Kyler Murray for the sack. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/h5ruQ5yw6B
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) September 11, 2022
Dunlap now has 97 career sacks. Going back to last year, he now has nine sacks in his past seven games. Considering the pace, Dunlap should eclipse the century mark this month, and would be the first Gator to do so since Kevin Carter (104.5 career sacks), who ranks third behind Jack Youngblood (151.5) and Trace Armstrong (106 — also !!!) in career NFL sacks by Gators.
And there is ample reason to believe Dunlap has enough gas in the tank to keep up that pace and maybe chase down Carter and Armstrong in addition to QBs: In just 26 snaps, he also had four tackles.
Here are all of the Week 1 stats (ranked and tiered in order of performance):
The Good
Marcus Maye, NO, S
Week 1: 9 tackles, 1 FF, 75 snaps (100%)
Marco Wilson, ARI, CB
Week 1: 5 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 FF, 67 snaps (96%)
Carlos Dunlap, KC, DE
Week 1: 1 sack, 4 tackles, 1 QB hits, 1 TFL, 26 snaps (40%)
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, PHI, S
Week 1: 5 tackles, 1 pass defended, 67 snaps (97%)
Jonathan Greenard, HOU, DE
Week 1: 4 tackes, 2 TFL, 62 snaps (67%)
Alex Anzalone, DET, LB
Week 1: 9 tackles, 1 TFL, 71 snaps (92%)
Jawaan Taylor, JAX, RT
Week 1: 65 snaps (93%)
D.J. Humphries, ARI, LT
Week 1: 65 snaps (100%)
Trent Brown, NE, RT
Week 1: 57 snaps (100%)
Kyle Pitts, ATL, TE
Week 1: 2 rec, 7 targets, 19 yards, 63 snaps (84%)
Demarcus Robinson, KC, WR
Week 1: 2 rec, 4 targets, 19 yards, 1 tackle, 25 snaps (45%)
C.J. Henderson, CAR, CB
Week 1: 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 37 snaps (46%), 3 ST snaps (9%)
Kaiir Elam, BUF, CB
Week 1: 3 tackles, 30 snaps (45%), 3 ST snaps (16%)
Eddy Pineiro, NYJ, K
Week 1: 1/1 FG, Long 34, 3/3 XP
Taven Bryan, CLE, DT
Week 1: 1 tackle, 44 snaps (83%)
Jonathan Bullard, MIN, DT
Week 1: 1 tackle, 29 snaps (48%)
Evan McPherson, CIN, K
Week 1: 2/3 FG, Long 59, 0/1 XP
The Limited
Dameon Pierce, HOU, RB
Week 1: 11 rush, 33 yards, 1 rec, 6 yards, 20 snaps (29%)
Brandon Powell, LAR, WR
Week 1: 1 rush, 3 yards, 1 rec, 10 yards, 4 kick returns, 16.8 avg, 3 OFF snaps (4%)
T.J. Slaton, GB, DT
Week 1: 2 tackles, 18 snaps (29%), 6 ST snaps (26%)
Kadarius Toney, NYG, WR
Week 1: 2 rush, 23 yards, 7 snaps (12%)
Tommy Townsend, KC, P
Week 1: 2 punts, 54.0 avg
Tyrie Cleveland, DEN, WR
Week 1: 1 tackle, 8 OFF snaps (12%), 11 ST snaps (58%)
Keanu Neal, TB, S
Week 1: 1 tackle, 12 ST snaps (50%)
Marcell Harris, NYJ, LB/S
Week 1: no stats, 18 ST snaps (67%)
Jeff Driskel, QB, HOU
Week 1: 1 rush, 5 yards, 2 snaps (3%)
Dante Fowler, Jr., DAL, OLB
Week 1: no stats, 10 snaps (16%)
Zach Carter, CIN, DT
Week 1: no stats, 11 DEF snaps (17%), 6 ST snaps (19%)
Max Garcia, ARI, G
Week 1: 8 snaps (12%)
Stone Forsythe, SEA, T
Week 1: 3 ST snaps (16%)
Jon Bostic, WAS, LB
Week 1: Active but did not play
Feleipe Franks, ATL, TE
Week 1: Active but did not play
The Inactive
- Van Jefferson, LAR, WR: Inactive (Knee)
- Kyle Trask, TB, QB: Inactive
- Fred Johnson, TB, G/T: Inactive
The Practice Squad
- Freddie Swain, MIA, WR
- Malik Davis, DAL, RB
- Jarrad Davis, DET, LB
- Jeremiah Moon, BAL, LB
- David Sharpe, BAL, T
- Teez Tabor, ATL, S
- Jabari Zuniga, NYJ, DE
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