Dec. 16, 2010
When four former Commodores and their Chicago Bears teammates face Minnesota on Monday Night Football with a chance to possibly earn an NFC playoff spot, they might be standing across the field from a former Vanderbilt standout.
Thomas Welch, a rookie offensive line candidate and ’09 graduate of the Commodores, was promoted to Vikings’ 53-man active roster earlier on Tuesday. Originally drafted by New England, Welch has impressed the Viking organization after hooking on with Minnesota in August.
Welch could dress for his first pro game when the Bears and Vikings meet Monday at a still-undisclosed stadium due to roof damage to the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Here’s a look at how former Commodores performed last week in NFL action:
New England 36, Chicago 7 – Box Score
Bears continue to maintain sole possession of first place in NFC North division, despite dropping to 9-4 overall after a convincing loss to the Patriots in snowy Chicago.
- Earl Bennett, WR, Chicago: Third-year possession receiver topped the Bears in receptions (3) and receiving yards (53), including a long catch for 33 yards.
- Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago: Cutler struggled in the blizzard conditions, hitting 12 of 26 passes for 152 yards and no touchdowns. He is just three touchdown passes shy of 100 for his pro career
- D.J. Moore, DB, Chicago: Starting nickel back was limited to one solo tackle in the loss
- Chris Williams, OG, Chicago: Williams earned his seventh straight start at left guard
NY Giants 21, Minnesota 3 – Box Score
- Jonathan Goff , LB, New York: Starting MLB contributed five tackles and shared on a quarterback sack as New York improved its playoff hopes with an important road win over the Vikings that was played in Detroit due to stadium damage in Minnesota
Indianapolis 30, Tennessee 28 – Box Score
- Jovan Haye, DL, Tennessee: Reserve DT contributed one tackle in Titans’ home loss to Peyton Manning and the Colts. Haye also has missed practice time this week after sustaining a concussion vs. Indianapolis. The Titans continue to struggle, moving to 5-8 overall
San Diego 31, Kansas City 0 – Box Score
- Reshard Langford, safety, Kansas City: Second-year reserve defensive back does not register a tackle in Chiefs’ disappointing shutout loss. Kansas City continues to hold advantage in AFC West, despite falling to 8-5 overall
Tampa Bay 17, Washington 16 – Box Score
- Myron Lewis, DB, Tampa Bay: Rookie cornerback contributes solo tackle while seeing increased action at defensive back. Lewis has helped the Bucs improve to 8-5 – and stay in the NFC playoff picture in the highly competitive NFC South
Status on other `Dores in the Pros:
- As mentioned earlier, Welch , OL, Minnesota: Welch was added to Minnesota practice squad Sept. 4
- Marcus Buggs is re-signed to Chicago Bears’ practice squad on Dec. 7
- Curtis Gatewood, LB, Arizona: Gatewood re-signed with Arizona Oct. 5; added to Cardinals’ practice squad
- Hunter Hillenmeyer, LB, Chicago: Veteran LB on injured reserve after early-season concussion concerns
- Bradley Vierling, C, Jacksonville: Vierling was added to Jags’ practice squad on Sept. 6
- Jamie Winborn, LB, Tennessee: Veteran LB was placed on injured reserve Nov. 3 for shoulder injury
Coming This Week:
- Kansas City (8-5) at St. Louis (6-7), Sunday, 12:00 noon, CT
- Houston (5-8) at Tennessee (5-8), Sunday, 12:00 noon, CT
- Philadelphia (9-4) at New York Giants (9-4), Sunday, 12:00 noon, CT
- Detroit (3-10) at Tampa Bay (8-5), Sunday, 3:15 p.m., CT
- Chicago (9-4) at Minnesota (5-8), Stadium-TBA, Monday, 7:30 p.m., CT