Arizona Wildcats in the NFL: Preseason Edition

As the NFL pre-season comes to a close and everyone has drafted their NFL Fantasy football teams, we thought it would be a good time to catch up with a few of our Wildcats turned Pro in the news.

RB Ka’Deem Carey, Chicago Bears

Ka’Deem is in the middle of playing his heart out in Chicago, and it’s shows. Check out this video of Carey, breaking three tackles no less (thanks to David Kelly of Fox 11 Sports):

Carey was selected in the fourth round (117th overall) by Chicago in the 2014 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, in 2014, Carey played in 14 games and he carried the ball 36 times for 148 yards averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also caught five passes for 57 yards averaging 11.8 yards with the longest pass caught measuring in at 18 yards.

According to the Bears Senior Writer Larry Mayer, Carey will back up the No. 1 Bears running back, “Bears coach Marc Trestman revealed Thursday that if workhorse running back Matt Forte needs a break in Sunday’s season opener, rookie Ka’Deem Carey will be the first player off the bench.”

Carey had been listed as the third option in the Bears running back depth chart but has moved himself up into the second slot.

Mayer caught Carey’s Coach Trestman’s comments on the reasoning behind the move:

"“He got up to speed very quickly,” Trestman said. “The first thing he did was show us that he not only wanted to do it, but he physically understood and mentally understood how to do it, and that showed up. Now is he going to be perfect? Nobody’s perfect at it. But he came around very quickly. “He also learned how to practice quickly and how to do in a professional [way] and the expectations that we had. And once he turned that corner, he really did progress quickly. We don’t really know how it’s going to transition to the real deal on Sunday and the weeks to come, but he’s earned the right at this point to have the first shot.”"

Things are looking up for Carey in Chicago, where they also say BEARDOWN!

Next: WR Juron Criner, New York Giants

May 27, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Juron Criner (84) catches a pass at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

WR Juron Criner, New York Giants

Juron Criner was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2012 in the fifth round. In his rookie season he caught 16 passes for 151 yards (avg. 9.4 yards.) He was waived by the Raiders, then Juron was feeling fortunate to be given a chance by being picked up the New York Giants for preseason play.

Last week Criner got the news the Giants were waiving him along with 20 other some odd hopefuls as reported on September 3rd by Giants Sports Writer Michael Eisen.

More from Cats in the Pros

• From Arizona Wildcat to New York Yankee, Austin Wells gets called up
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s FIBA World Cup performance is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s
• Rawle Alkins a star in the Drew League this summer
• Former Wildcat Scooby Wright wins Second USFL Title
• The Edmonton Elks have re-signed former Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate

It’s just heartbreaking.  We see these young fabulous players who do so well in college get cut from teams and they stay positive, after all, the NFL is one of the most competitive companies to work for.

Just watch Hard Knocks this week with the Houston Texans, it’s ‘cut week.’ The head coach had to cut players on his roster from 75 players to 53. Each NFL team had to waive 22 players and put them back out on the free agent market again. Juron is just one of our Wildcats who were waived.

Also waived last week was our former Wildcat corner back Shaquille Richardson, who was just brought in for the preseason by the Arizona Cardinals.  Shaq looked good, and we hoped both Shaq and Juron would land jobs in the NFL.

Both of these players are very positive and spiritual people and we hope they both find a place when all the turmoil, injuries (there’s usually a ton of injuries) and everything else plays out during the season.

Next: LB Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears

Oct 5, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs (55) intercepts the ball during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

LB Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears

Lance Briggs has had a brilliant NFL Career. Recently, there were reports that Free Agent Briggs was retiring.  Lance set the record straight with this tweet:

The entire statement on Sqor is as follows: ‘Ahem! I have not filed any papers. I have NOT officially retired. However, I am excited to begin the next phase of my life, and will make an official decision in the coming weeks!! 🐻⬇️’

Lance has done a great job preparing for this transition, if it happens. Check out his website Lance-Briggs.com and you’ll find out he’s a cook, a sports commentator, has a foundation, is a dad and a comic book writer.  Hmm, a writer, huh? Lance? Want to write for ZonaZealots? C’mon, just one article?

One would assume his next venture career-wise is going to be as a sports commentator, and this will be really fun for fans.  Hearing about his experiences and learning more about the game from this beloved Wildcat who never forgets where he played college ball, still supporting the players. He’s definitely a #Wildcat4Life and we look forward to sharing in his next chapter, or following him on his next team in the NFL, whatever happens.

https://twitter.com/LanceBriggs/status/640340671925104640

Next: LB Marquis Flowers, Cincinnati Bengals

Oct 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Marquis Flowers (53) during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

LB Marquis Flowers, Cincinnati Bengals

Just last week Marquis Flowers went down with a shoulder injury and was ruled out for the game this last weekend. Thankfully Flowers was not dropped from the team, but he was put on injured reserve and by all signs he is looking forward to the 2016 season, it cannot come soon enough for him.

https://twitter.com/MrHitThat_2/status/640204516693004288

He is very positive about the future, and you can just imagine how much he wants to get back on the field. He is still a Wildcat at heart…he paid attention this last weekend.

He is very active on social media, so send him some Wildcat love and support for a quick recovery at @MrHitThat_2 .

Next: LB Brooks Reed, Atlanta Falcons

Feb 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texan linebacker Brooks Reed watches the Houston Rockets play the Chicago Bulls in the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

LB Brooks Reed, Atlanta Falcons

Outside linebacker Brooks Reed, a source told ESPN.com, underwent groin surgery and he was informed that he’ll be placed on injured reserve and will be given a designation to return.

Coach Dan Quinn announced Reed’s groin surgery. Brooks will have to miss six weeks of practice and will have to wait eight weeks to play in his first game as a Atlanta Falcon.

This means he won’t be able to play against his former team the Houston Texans in Week 4. They are expecting him back for the game against the Minnesota Vikings on November 29th to stop Vikings returning running back Adrian Peterson.

Reed signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 11, 2015 to a five-year, $22-million contract according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of AJL.com.

Here’s hoping another Wildcat has a speedy recovery!

This NFL Pre-season has not fared too well for our Wildcats.  As the season rolls on, we plan on checking in on St. Lois Rams QB Nick Foles and New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski as well as all our other Wildcats.

Next: Pac-12 Week 1 is in the books, we review each game one by one..and it wasn't all pretty