re: Auburn in the NFL

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I was able to get a handful of interviews, and first up was the man who had the biggest offensive play of the night for the Panthers, rookie running back Cameron Artis-Payne.

Artis-Payne played two seasons at Auburn after transferring from Allan Hancock College. During his junior year, Artis-Payne shared carries with Tre Mason, but still amassed 610 yards on 91 carries and scored six touchdowns. In his senior year, Artis-Payne was the featured-back for the Tigers and accumulated 1,608 yards on 303 attempts and scored 13 touchdowns.

Here is the transcript of my interview with Cameron Artis-Payne:

Q: How do you feel about the transition from college to the NFL?

CAP: The players up here are a lot smarter because of the time they spend on the film study, so they react quicker. All in all, it’s been a good transition. The (Auburn) coaching staff, coach (Bobby) Bentley and coach (Tim) Horton prepared me well for this.

Q: Do you feel like you have an advantage because of the read-option system that you played in? Was that the same that Cam (Newton) brought with him from Auburn?

CAP: It’s definitely something that I’m accustomed to, and that can help me in a way. I feel comfortable with that, but I also feel comfortable with the pro-style stuff. Either way.

Q: How have you improved in pass protection?

CAP: I’m definitely getting better every day in pass protection. Pass protection is a lot easier in a game than it is doing one-on-ones in practice. It’s just something I need to continue to work on every day.

Q: You had a pretty nice hole for that 29-yard run. How did you see that as it was developing?

CAP: Just being patient. Let my blockers set up, and seeing that I could cut it back. It worked out.

Q: Are you happy to be out of camp?

CAP: Yea, definitely man. Being out of camp is something to look forward to. I get to get in a real bed. Rookies didn’t get to rent a bed this year, so it’s better now.

Q: This was your second time on this field. Was it special playing under those lights?

CAP: It was definitely a good feeling. Real pumped. It was a jittery feeling. Emotions were high, but it worked out well today, so I was happy.

In the first official Panthers’ depth chart of the preseason, Artis-Payne was listed as the fourth running back. Since then, he’s shown so much improvement that last night, Artis-Payne saw action with the first-team offense. With his ability to make one cut and burst through the hole, Artis-Payne could very easily cut into starter Jonathan Stewart‘s carries this season.

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Jay Ratliff suspended three games for the Bears do to substance abuse policy.

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In the first official Panthers’ depth chart of the preseason, Artis-Payne was listed as the fourth running back. Since then, he’s shown so much improvement that last night, Artis-Payne saw action with the first-team offense. With his ability to make one cut and burst through the hole, Artis-Payne could very easily cut into starter Jonathan Stewart‘s carries this season.

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Auburn NFL roundup

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Harris is preparing for this fourth season as the Falcons' long snapper.

Harris was one of the 32 former Auburn players who got on the field during the second full week of the NFL's preseason schedule.

Former Auburn players who started games this weekend included quarterback Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff of the Chicago Bears, middle linebacker Karlos Dansby of the Cleveland Browns, outside linebacker Dee Ford and left guard Ben Grubbs of the Kansas City Chiefs, left offensive tackle King Dunlap of the San Diego Chargers and running back Tre Mason and left offensive tackle Greg Robinson of the St. Louis Rams.

Newton completed 4-for-10 passes for 42 yards with an interception in the Panthers' 31-30 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Mason had three carries for 6 yards in the Rams' 27-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Other former Auburn players getting on the field included Falcons cornerback Jonathon Mincy and safety Robenson Therezie, Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne, Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah, Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Bynes and defensive tackle Gabe Wright, Green Bay Packers safety Ryan White, Houston Texans fullback Jay Prosch and guard Chad Slade, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Corey Grant and cornerback Nick Marshall, New England Patriots safety Brandon King, Oakland Raiders punter Steven Clark and cornerback Neiko Thorpe, Philadelphia Eagles place-kicker Cody Parkey, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates, San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Corey Lemonier, offensive tackle Patrick Miller and safety Jermaine Whitehead; Rams wide receiver Emory Blake, defensive tackle Nick Fairley and cornerback Trovon Reed and Titans defensive end Angelo Blackson.

Artis-Payne gained 33 yards on just four carries for Carolina.

Wright recovered a fumble at the Washington 11-yard line to set up a touchdown in the Lions' 21-17 loss to the Redskins.

Prosch caught a 2-yard pass in the Texans' 14-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Grant had one carry for 3 yards and kickoff returns of 35 and 42 yards and Marshall returned two kickoffs for 41 yards in the Jaguars' 22-12 loss to the New York Giants.

Clark did not get to punt in the Raiders' preseason opener. In the Raiders' 20-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Clark got off punts of 50 and 57 yards.

Parkey made field goals of 21 and 35 yards and all three of his extra-point attempts, but he was wide left on a 55-yard field-goal attempt in Philadelphia's 40-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Coates caught two passes for 60 yards, with one of the receptions going for 54 yards in Pittsburgh's 24-19 victory over Green Bay.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers, Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Quentin Groves, Bengals wide receiver Onterio McCalebb and defensive tackle Pat Sims, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Quan Bray, Jaguars defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks, Giants offensive tackle Brandon Mosley, Steelers center Reese Dismukes, Chargers cornerback Chris Davis and Rams linebacker Daren Bates did not play.

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What the Pittsburgh Steelers' 1st cuts tell us about the final cut to 53

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Guard

This is by far the most complicated because all the centers other than the injured Maurkice Pouncey – a solid short-term IR candidate – also play guard, including the recently signed veteran Doug Legursky.

Two probably have to go with one being brought back at least for the practice squad, considering Pouncey's fractured fibula.

That puts a pair of Rimington Trophy (center) finalists in Reese Dismukes and B.J. Finney in sharp focus. With not much time to have seen Legursky, he and Chris Hubbard, who made last year's practice squad could also be on the bubble.

Hubbard has practiced at center but doesn't have experience snapping to Ben Roethlisberger, limiting his usefulness beyond that of a guard with Wallace and Legursky around. Both have experience playing or practicing with Roethlisberger.

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Big night from Grant tonight. Had a really nice 40 yard TD run and two good runs of 14 and 20 IIRC.

LINK

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Jaguars running back Corey Grant made a compelling case to make the 53-man roster in his final opportunity.
The undrafted rookie’s speed might be too enticing for Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell to cut him.

Grant showed off his dynamic potential on a 40-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of Thursday night’s 17-16 win at Washington in the preseason finale. Grant displayed vision as well as his acceleration on the score.

“Tonight was a big night for me,” Grant said. “It’s the last time to show what I can do. The line did a good job and I ran behind them.”

The 5-11, 205-pound Grant started left, and then made a quick and decisive cut up field. Right guard A.J. Cann appeared to clear a sizable hole. Grant turned up the field, and then started angling toward the left sideline once he reached the secondary. He easily outran Redskins defenders to the end zone.

“You saw his speed right there – legit fast,” Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. “You know what? [He runs a] 4.29 [40-yard dash], and I think he used all of it on that touchdown run.”

Grant wasn’t finished. He broke off runs of 14 and 20 yards on consecutive plays in the third quarter that led to another touchdown. He finished with a game-high 74 yards on five carries.

Grant showed good agility and awareness on the 14-yard run. His 20-yard gain was pure speed around the right edge.

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