Florida Gators report to NFL training camps

By Adam Silverstein
August 2, 2011

Updated at 9 p.m.

With NFL training camp finally underway after an extended lockout cancelled organized team activities and mini camps, more than three dozen former Florida Gators are working out and trying to earn their keep this year. Below is a comprehensive look at each player in the league as well as those still looking for work.


LB MIKE PETERSON, Atlanta Falcons: Re-signed with Atlanta one week ago to an undisclosed contract. Peterson will begin his third year with the Falcons after finishing the 2010 season with 39 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 13 starts (16 games played).
LB DUKE LEMMENS, Arizona Cardinals: Signed as an undrafted free agent and currently participating in his first NFL training camp.
DT TERRON SANDERS, Baltimore Ravens: Signed as an undrafted free agent and currently participating in his first NFL training camp. Has missed some time with an undisclosed injury.
LB ANDRA DAVIS, Buffalo Bills: Signed for $1.1 million this season, Davis is coming off of a torn labrum that kept him out most of 2011. He avoided surgery on the injury and will return as a starter in 2011.
LB BRANDON HICKS, Buffalo Bills: Signed as an undrafted free agent and currently participating in his first NFL training camp. Got “winded” on his first day and missed some drills. Coaches believe it was “out of anxiety.”
RB EMMANUEL MOODY, Buffalo Bills: Signed as an undrafted free agent and currently participating in his first NFL training camp. Impressed with some nice runs during day three of practice.
WR DAVID NELSON, Buffalo Bills: Signed a three-year, $1.215 million contract with Buffalo in 2010. Nelson was the Bills’ slot threat last year and hauled in 31 receptions (tied for seventh among rookies) for 353 yards and three touchdowns. He will reprise the same role in 2011.
OL JASON WATKINS, Buffalo Bills: Signed to a reserve/future contract by Buffalo.
FS MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago Bears: Signed a four-year, $2.638 million contract with Chicago in 2010. Wright was injured much of last season but will move into the starting free safety role for the Bears in 2011.
WR ANDRE CALDWELL, Cincinnati Bengals: Signed for $555,000 this season, Caldwell may have been on the outs in Cincinnati but now has a better chance to crack the Bengals’ roster with the departure of Chad Ochocinco. He made some impressive catches on Monday.
DE CARLOS DUNLAP, Cincinnati Bengals: Signed a four-year, $3.01 million contract with Cincinnati in 2010. Dunlap set the Bengals’ rookie sack record with 9.5 last season, recording all of them over an eight-week period. He has a chance to start on the left side in 2011 but may be relegated to a nickel rusher role, coming in on passing downs.
S REGGIE NELSON, Cincinnati Bengals: Signed for $957,500 in 2011, Nelson was picked up by Cincinnati in a trade with Jacksonville last season. He ended up starting six games for the Bengals while nabbing 30 tackles and reeling in two interceptions. He is expected to start this year.
CB JOE HADEN, Cleveland Browns: Signed a five-year, $42.2 million contract with Cleveland in 2010. Haden registered 50 tackles, six interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack as a rookie while starting seven but playing in all 16 games for the Browns. He is slated as a starting cornerback and could show Pro Bowl potential in 2011.
OT PHIL TRAUTWEIN, Cleveland Browns: Signed to a reserve/future contract by Cleveland in 2011. Trautwein tore his ACL in 2010 and reached an injury settlement with the Browns. He is hoping to earn a spot on the team this year.
DE DERRICK HARVEY, Denver Broncos: Signed with Denver to an undisclosed contract. After three lackluster seasons in Jacksonville, Harvey was cut one week ago. He registered just 88 tackles in three seasons along with eight sacks and one interception and hopes to make the cut with the Broncos.
LB A.J. JONES, Denver Broncos: Signed as an undrafted free agent and currently participating in his first NFL training camp.
QB TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos: Signed a five-year, $9.75 million contract with Denver in 2010. Tebow earned the final three starts of the season for the Broncos last year. He finished his rookie year with 654 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through the air along with 227 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He is currently fighting for Denver’s starting job with veteran Kyle Orton.
DT MARCUS THOMAS, Denver Broncos: Re-signed with Denver to an undisclosed contract. Thomas will begin his fifth year with the Broncos after finishing the 2010 season with 35 tackles and one sack in two starts (16 games played). He expects to start on the inside in 2011 next to Kevin Vickerson.
DL JEREMY MINCEY, Jacksonville Jaguars: Signed for $640,000 in 2011, Mincey will begin his fourth season with Jacksonville after recording 25 tackles and five sacks in eight starts (15 games played) last year. He is competing for a starting position on the end opposite Aaron Kampman.
LB BRANDON SILER, Kansas City Chiefs: Signed with Kansas City to an undisclosed one-year contract, Siler has started 12 games over the last two seasons and registered 111 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. Previously with San Diego, Siler was also a key special teams performer but will compete for a starting job this season.
C MIKE POUNCEY, Miami Dolphins: Signed a four-year, $9.2 million contract this season as a first-round draft choice. Pouncey is expected to come in and start for Miami at either center or guard, whichever position the team needs him at the most.
WR PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota Vikings: Signed a five-year, $12.05 million contract with Minnesota in 2009. Harvin missed two games in 2010 due to health and family reasons but still started 13 contests and amassed 868 yards and five touchdowns through the air as well as 107 yards and another score on the ground. He also returned 40 kicks for 933 yards and a touchdown and has three return TDs in his two-year career. Harvin is set to be the Vikings’ leading receiver in 2011, especially now that his migraines are (potentially for the first time in his life) completely under control.
LB JERMAINE CUNNINGHAM, New England Patriots: Signed a four-year, $3.11 million contract with New England in 2010. Cunningham started 11 of the 15 games he played last season and notched 34 tackles and a sack. He is expected to play an even greater role for the Patriots in 2011 as the team adjusts to a 4-3 defense.
TE AARON HERNANDEZ, New England Patriots: Signed a four-year, $2.378 million contract with New England in 2010. Hernandez missed two games in 2010 due to injury but earned seven starts in 14 appearances. He recorded 563 reception yards (and 47 rushing yards) along with six touchdowns while nabbing 45 balls out of the air. Offseason hip surgery had him on the PUP list for two practices, but he is back on the field working out with his team and is expected to catch a lot of balls in 2011.
LB BRANDON SPIKES, New England Patriots: Signed a four-year, $2.715 million deal with New England in 2010. Spikes started eight of the 12 games he played in last season (was suspended for four after testing positive for performance enhancers) and grabbed an interception to go along with his 61 total tackles. If the Patriots switch to a 4-3 defense, he may back up Jerod Mayo but would start on 3-4 alignments or when four linebackers are on the field.
DE ALEX BROWN, New Orleans Saints: Signed for $3 million in 2011, Brown is set to begin his second season with New Orleans after spending eight years with Chicago. He notched 39 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble last year.
DE JUSTIN TRATTOU, New York Giants: Signed as an undrafted free agent and currently participating in his first NFL training camp.
G COOPER CARLISLE, Oakland Raiders: Signed for $2.1 million in 2011, Carlisle returns as Oakland’s starting right guard. He has been a regular starter for the team since 2007 after spending the first seven years of his career with Denver.
WR CHAD JACKSON, Oakland Raiders: Signed to an undisclosed contract in 2011, Jackson is trying to make the team as a reserve after suffering through an injury plagued career. He has seen time with New England, Denver and Buffalo but has only participated in a few games during his NFL tenure.
DE JARVIS MOSS, Oakland Raiders: Re-signed with Oakland for $1.25 million in 2011. Moss looks to be a situational pass rusher going forward for the Raiders. He was cut by Denver last season and signed by Oakland as a free agent.
WR LOUIS MURPHY, Oakland Raiders: Signed a four-year, $2.198 million contract with Oakland in 2009. With career-highs in receptions (41) and receiving yards (609) in 2010, Murphy is set to start for the Raiders in 2011. He has six touchdowns over his two-year NFL career and averages 15.1 yards per reception.
WR RILEY COOPER, Philadelphia Eagles: Signed a four-year, $1.92 million contract with Philadelphia in 2010. Cooper saw limited time on offense last season, hauling in seven balls for 116 yards and a touchdown, but played plenty on special teams. He earned two starts in 2010 and is expected to hold down the role as the Eagles’ fourth receiver in 2011.
P CHAS HENRY, Philadelphia Eagles: Signed as an undrafted free agent and currently participating in his first NFL training camp. Henry is impressing his coaches and teammates with his leg and is a favorite to win the starting job.
TE CORNELIUS INGRAM, Philadelphia Eagles: Signed to a reserve/future contract by Philadelphia in 2011. Ingram has spent his time in the NFL on and off of the Eagles’ practice squad. He originally tore his ACL at Florida and has since suffered at least one more tear along with multiple complications.
C MAURKICE POUNCEY, Pittsburgh Steelers: Signed a five-year, $17.96 million contract with Pittsburgh in 2010. Pouncey started every regular season game for the Steelers last season and is the team’s incumbent starting center. He fractured his ankle and missed the Super Bowl, but the injury did not require surgery and he could be headed for a Pro Bowl season in only his second year in the league.
OT MARCUS GILBERT, Pittsburgh Steelers: Signed a four-year, $3.227 million contract this season as a second-round draft choice. Gilbert was not expected to make much noise considering Pittsburgh’s veteran offensive line, but the release of Max Starks gives him an opportunity to win a role at tackle. He could also be worked out at guard in order to fit in the rotation.
DE RAY MCDONALD, San Francisco 49ers: Re-signed with San Francisco one week ago to a five-year, $20 million contract. McDonald has steadily improved over the course of his four-year career and registered 19 tackles as well as an interception return for a touchdown last season. He started nine games for the 49ers in 2008 and is expected to come in and be a full-time starter for the first time in his career.
SS AHMAD BLACK, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Signed a four-year contract this season as a fifth-round draft choice. Black is expected to immediately compete for time on special teams and will likely win a role on the coverage and return units.
FB EARNEST GRAHAM, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Signed for $2 million in 2011, Graham comes into Tampa Bay camp as the third-down back but will still have to compete for his job. He started seven games in 2010 as a fullback and rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown but also caught 16 balls for 130 yards and another score.
WR JABAR GAFFNEY, Washington Redskins: Signed a four-year, $10 million contract with Denver in 2009, Gaffney was traded to Washington this offseason. He notched career-highs in receptions (65) and receiving yards (875) last year with the Broncos in his ninth NFL season. A veteran pass catcher who excelled in the slot, Gaffney will likely back-up Santana Moss as the Redskins drafted three receivers and also signed Donte Stallworth as a free agent.
QB REX GROSSMAN, Washington Redskins: Re-signed by Washington to a one-year, $1.15 million contract. Grossman started three games for the Redskins in 2010 and, in four total appearances, completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 884 yards with seven touchdowns, four interceptions and four fumbles. A free agent at the end of the season, he decided to return once again as a back-up, this time to John Beck rather than Donovan McNabb.
OG MAURICE HURT, Washington Redskins: Signed a four-year contract this season as a seventh-round draft choice. Hurt has been unimpressive thus far and may struggle to make the team if his conditioning does not improve.

VETERAN FREE AGENTS (who played in 2010)
LB Channing Crowder (cut last week by Miami), FB Billy Latsko (2010 with San Diego), DE Bobby McCray (2010 with Philadelphia), CB Keiwan Ratliff (2010 with Cincinnati), CB Lito Sheppard (2010 with Minnesota), OT Max Starks (cut last week by Pittsburgh), RB Fred Taylor (2010 with New England), DT Gerard Warren (2010 with New England), RB DeShawn Wynn (2010 with New Orleans)

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS (still available)
LB Brandon Antwine, FS Will Hill, OL Carl Johnson (signed with New Orleans, cut due to hamstring injury), DT Lawrence Marsh, WR Carl Moore

Photo Credit: Ed Reinke/Associated Press

14 Comments

  1. GatorFan3 says:

    If David Nelson was tied for 7 among rookies where did Aaron Hernandez place in receptions and yards?

  2. SB says:

    Awesome write-up Adam. Thanks a ton.

  3. Juan says:

    Adam great Job, so what happened with Will Hill, I thought he signed with Washington?

  4. Alex says:

    Man, I kinda feel bad for Will Hill – sacrificing his chance at another year in school, maybe getting a degree (heh) and at least playing another season. Now he can’t even get into training camps?

  5. Brett says:

    I don’t feel bad for Will Hill. He doesn’t work hard, has a terrible attitude and a false sense of entitlement. If he worked hard for once maybe he would see some results.

  6. Mr2Bits says:

    Heard Timmy is really pressing at practice knowing that he has to compete for the job with Orton not going anywhere. I hope he gets out of his own head and kicks some ass.

    • Daniel M. says:

      You heard he is really pressing? Pressing is the most vague word imaginable. What does it mean?

      Denver will take a $9,000,000.00 salary cap hit if they keep Orton on their roster as a backup. It is highly unlikely that he remains in Denver. The stalled/failed (depends which newspaper you believe) trade talks with the ‘Phins won’t be the end of this.

      • Mr2Bits says:

        It means he is sucking ass in practice and the QB they want to start is not playing like a starter. Glad we cleared that up.

        • Daniel M. says:

          So Time Tebow sucks now? I’ve been hearing how bad he is for five years and I’ve watched him do nothing but win. His “pressing” aside, I’d like to see/hear why he is “sucking ass.” So many McShays out there.

  7. npgator says:

    Very interesting especially Ray Mcdonald seems to evolved. I also noticed that Dunlap is tearing it up in the NFL – we could have used him in that loss to BAMA!

  8. SaraGator says:

    Man, that’s a lot of Gators in the NFL.

    Interesting to see a lot of teams signing 3 or 4 Gators.

  9. Gatorgrad79 says:

    Cleveland Browns Player Roster

    Phil Trautwein
    OL #72 Height:6-6
    Weight:308
    Age:25
    College:Florida
    Experience:2

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