Vols For Life: Tauren Poole & Other VFL’s In Action
By Zach Ragan
Aug 9, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Tauren Poole (33) runs the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
There were plenty of former Vols in action the past two nights.
Check out how they fared in action.
Tauren Poole – RB – Carolina Panthers
With Jonathan Stewart still out, Poole worked as the number two running back for the Panthers. The former Vol carried the ball five times for 23 yards, including a 17 yard run. Poole could be in line for a decent amount of playing time this season with Stewart’s injury plagued history.
Cordarrelle Patterson – WR – Minnesota Vikings
Patterson didn’t make have quite the impact in his second preseason game as he did in first game, but he was still effective nonetheless. The talented wideout was targeted three times and caught two passes for 19 yards. He also had a 22 yard kick-return. Patterson saw some time with the first team offense as well.
Da’Rick Rogers – WR – Buffalo Bills
The wide receiver situation in Buffalo has become a crowded one, to say the least. Da’Rick Rogers is fighting for a roster spot and with two of the Bills top receivers out against the Vikings (Stevie Johnson and TJ Graham), he had a big opportunity to step up. Unfortunately for Rogers that didn’t happen. The former Vol had just one catch for six yards. Rogers is currently buried on the depth chart behind Johnson, Graham, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin.
Marvin Mitchell – LB – Minnesota Vikings
Mitchell, a seven year veteran of the NFL, was one the Vikings’ leading tacklers against the Bills. Mitchell finished the game with seven tackles, including five solo tackles.
Denarius Moore – WR – Oakland Raiders
Denarius Moore has had a wildly inconsistent camp as he adjusts to a new quarterback in Matt Flynn. Moore has been praised for circus like catches, but he follows it up with “embarrassing drops”. On Friday night he seemingly found his groove, catching two passes for 29 yards, including an 18 yard touchdown reception from Flynn.
Mychal Rivera – TE – Oakland Raiders
Rivera, who was shut out of the box score in his first preseason game, got in the stat column in week two with one reception for five yards. The tight end position battle is far from settled in Oakland and if Rivera steps up he could find himself right in the mix.
Kevin Burnett – LB – Oakland Raiders
Burnett, always a consistent source of tackles, found himself in a familiar situation for the Raiders on Friday night — leading the team in tackles. Burnett finished the game with seven tackles, including four solo tackles.
Jabari Greer – DB – New Orleans Saints
Greer, a grizzled NFL veteran, had a quiet night against the Raiders. He finished with only one tackle. Greer doesn’t need a whole lot of preseason action to be ready for the season, come week one it’ll be business as usual for the former Vol.
Tyler Bray – QB – Kansas City Chiefs
The Vols 2012 signal caller has been impressive enough in training camp that he basically has the Chiefs’ third quarterback position locked down. Bray worked as the team’s third quarterback against the 49ers and finished four-of-eight for 24 yards.
Eric Berry – DB -Kansas City Chiefs
Berry, who has said he’s stepping up as a defensive leader this season, had a fairly quiet night against the 49ers. Berry finished with three solo tackles in preparation for another possible Pro-Bowl season.
Robert Meachem – WR – San Diego Chargers
Meachem didn’t have a lot of catches against the Bears, in fact he only had one. The former Vol made sure to make it count though, as his one catch went for 40 yards.