Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
#MiddleMade Pro Blue Raiders Round Up: 2022
10/19/2022 6:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — With Middle Tennessee football working through its open date this week, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton took some time to take a breath himself, by sorting through how this year's crop of Blue Raiders in the NFL is doing through six weeks in the 2022 season.
With a wide array of stories, from All-Pro veterans continuing their level of play, to breakout starters getting their chance with increased playing time, to rookies just looking to find time where they can on the field:
Kevin Byard – Safety, Tennessee Titans
The "Mayor of Murfreesboro" has not missed a beat in 2022 just up the road in Nashville, already compiling 37 total tackles (17 solo) as well as one interception through the Titans' first five games of the season, all starts for the two-time All-Pro.
After two tough losses, a one-point loss to the Giants and a 41-7 shellacking at the hands of the Bills, the Titans have ripped off three straight wins heading into their bye week this past weekend, in large-part thanks to a players-only meeting spearheaded by one of the team's captains, Byard, per ESPN's Turron Davenport.
Byard, of course, was also present for the Blue Raiders' Friday night game against UTSA earlier this season, when his No. 20 jersey was retired by the university.
Darius Harris – Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
In the City of Fountains, Darius Harris is having a breakout year at linebacker for the Chiefs, starting a career-high four games already this season, which has led to career highs in total tackles (31), solo tackles (19) and his first-career sack in his third NFL season.
Filling in for the suspended Willie Gay, Jr., the long-time Chiefs reserve has reaped the benefits of his longevity with the organization, including earning praise from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who said that he's looking to get Harris more involved in the defense when Gay returns from injury, reports Chiefs writer Charles Goldman.
Harris spoke to the media, including SB Nation's Jared Sapp, ahead of the Chiefs' game against the Bills this past weekend, highlighting his journey to his breakout 2022 campaign.
"Even before I got the chance to start, I prepared myself and kind of went about it as if I was a starter," Harris said. "So, when the opportunity came — it was just time for me to actually showcase it to others who are not in the building and who are not around. So far, everything's been good — I'm feeling confident, the guys around me have been giving me that confidence boost, and we've just been making plays all together. With the guys around it makes it easier for me."
Charvarius Ward – Cornerback, San Francisco 49ers
After signing a three-year, $42 million contract with the 49ers this offseason, Charvarius Ward has started all six games for San Francisco in 2022, securing 28 tackles while deflecting eight passes and forcing a fumble, while also earning his first interception for the 49ers in a Week 2 win over the Seahawks.
The former Kansas City Chief has been one of the league leaders in pass deflections this season, and currently rates as the No. 2 cornerback in the entire league according to Pro Football Focus' player grades. That high-level of play has earned Ward plenty of praise from 49ers' head coach Kyle Shannahan, 49ers Web Zone's David Bonilla reports.
"He's what we hoped he could be like," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters before a practice last week, Bonilla reported. "When you do take a swing, you hope you hit it, and I really feel like we have."
Richie James – Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Going from the 49ers to the Giants this offseason, Richie James won the punt returner job out of camp in New York with plenty of snaps on offense, a big return to form for James after missing the 2021 season due to injury.
He led the Giants in receptions most of the season, though Saquon Barkley recently just edged him out overall. He's caught 19 passes for a team-leading 189 receiving yards so far this season, while also averaging 7.6 yards per return with a long of 22 yards on punt returns this season, helping the Giants to a 5-1 start to their 2022 campaign.
His stellar play and early chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones earned him a visit to the Giants' website's podcast, Giants Huddle, where he joked that "you've got to be a crazy sucker to do this job. You got to have a little psycho in you to go out there in a punt return or kick return."
Robert Jones – Offensive Lineman, Miami Dolphins
Robert Jones has been a key reserve lineman for the Dolphins this season, appearing in five of Miami's six games, mostly on special teams units, while battling through some back injuries that have limited his availability during practice.
Chandler Brewer – Offensive Lineman, Los Angeles Rams
Chandler Brewer played this past weekend for the Rams against the Carolina Panthers, appearing for the Rams for the first time this season. Players can be activated up to three times from the practice squad before they must be signed to the active roster.
Brewer was also elevated to the active roster in Week 4 against the 49ers, but did not appear in the game.
Jovante' Moffatt – Safety, Atlanta Falcons
Jovante' Moffatt started training camp a New York Jet, then was picked up on waivers by the Cleveland Browns, then waived again. As of September 20, however, Moffatt is a practice squad member for the Atlanta Falcons.
You can check him out in the Falcons' practice pictures from Wednesday's practice, in the second photo here.
Reed Blankenship – Safety, Philadelphia Eagles
Reed Blankenship made the active roster as an undrafted free agent for the Eagles, a rise that was quite fun to watch as a not-so-neutral observer in Murfreesboro. Seeing Eagles fans discover what Blue Raider fans already knew about Reed was a joy to watch.
During the regular season, Blankenship has only been activated for one game so far this season, recording two total tackles against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
DQ Thomas – Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
After getting cut by the Jets following training camp, DQ Thomas has stuck with the Packers practice squad early in the 2022 season.
With a wide array of stories, from All-Pro veterans continuing their level of play, to breakout starters getting their chance with increased playing time, to rookies just looking to find time where they can on the field:
Kevin Byard – Safety, Tennessee Titans
The "Mayor of Murfreesboro" has not missed a beat in 2022 just up the road in Nashville, already compiling 37 total tackles (17 solo) as well as one interception through the Titans' first five games of the season, all starts for the two-time All-Pro.
After two tough losses, a one-point loss to the Giants and a 41-7 shellacking at the hands of the Bills, the Titans have ripped off three straight wins heading into their bye week this past weekend, in large-part thanks to a players-only meeting spearheaded by one of the team's captains, Byard, per ESPN's Turron Davenport.
Kevin Byard said the #Titans had a players only meeting after the Bills loss. Wanted to make sure they showcase the reserve to bounce back from a tough loss. Byard said this three game win streak is exactly what they planned. pic.twitter.com/r19jdqhU05
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) October 9, 2022
Byard, of course, was also present for the Blue Raiders' Friday night game against UTSA earlier this season, when his No. 20 jersey was retired by the university.
.@KevinByard's legacy has been cemented into Blue Raider history forever with last night's number retirement ceremony.
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 1, 2022
📸 Photo gallery: https://t.co/k8h9l53ACh
📺 Watch the ceremony: https://t.co/ACdR7YCmgn pic.twitter.com/xUStNY9xUF
Darius Harris – Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
In the City of Fountains, Darius Harris is having a breakout year at linebacker for the Chiefs, starting a career-high four games already this season, which has led to career highs in total tackles (31), solo tackles (19) and his first-career sack in his third NFL season.
Filling in for the suspended Willie Gay, Jr., the long-time Chiefs reserve has reaped the benefits of his longevity with the organization, including earning praise from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who said that he's looking to get Harris more involved in the defense when Gay returns from injury, reports Chiefs writer Charles Goldman.
#Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo mentioned that both Jaylen Watson and Darius Harris have proven they deserve to be out there and starting. Creates an interesting dilemma w/ Trent McDuffie potentially returning this week and Willie Gay Jr. returning next.
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) October 13, 2022
Harris spoke to the media, including SB Nation's Jared Sapp, ahead of the Chiefs' game against the Bills this past weekend, highlighting his journey to his breakout 2022 campaign.
"Even before I got the chance to start, I prepared myself and kind of went about it as if I was a starter," Harris said. "So, when the opportunity came — it was just time for me to actually showcase it to others who are not in the building and who are not around. So far, everything's been good — I'm feeling confident, the guys around me have been giving me that confidence boost, and we've just been making plays all together. With the guys around it makes it easier for me."
Defense makin' early moves! Darius Harris recovers the fumble 💪 pic.twitter.com/XiA9GOtosr
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 16, 2022
Charvarius Ward – Cornerback, San Francisco 49ers
After signing a three-year, $42 million contract with the 49ers this offseason, Charvarius Ward has started all six games for San Francisco in 2022, securing 28 tackles while deflecting eight passes and forcing a fumble, while also earning his first interception for the 49ers in a Week 2 win over the Seahawks.
The former Kansas City Chief has been one of the league leaders in pass deflections this season, and currently rates as the No. 2 cornerback in the entire league according to Pro Football Focus' player grades. That high-level of play has earned Ward plenty of praise from 49ers' head coach Kyle Shannahan, 49ers Web Zone's David Bonilla reports.
"He's what we hoped he could be like," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters before a practice last week, Bonilla reported. "When you do take a swing, you hope you hit it, and I really feel like we have."
Charvarius Ward on why he's fit in so well with the 49ers:
— KNBR (@KNBR) October 14, 2022
"I think I'm a nice, cool, chill, easygoing man. And I'm pretty good at football." pic.twitter.com/v1nwVdaIgX
Richie James – Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Going from the 49ers to the Giants this offseason, Richie James won the punt returner job out of camp in New York with plenty of snaps on offense, a big return to form for James after missing the 2021 season due to injury.
He led the Giants in receptions most of the season, though Saquon Barkley recently just edged him out overall. He's caught 19 passes for a team-leading 189 receiving yards so far this season, while also averaging 7.6 yards per return with a long of 22 yards on punt returns this season, helping the Giants to a 5-1 start to their 2022 campaign.
His stellar play and early chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones earned him a visit to the Giants' website's podcast, Giants Huddle, where he joked that "you've got to be a crazy sucker to do this job. You got to have a little psycho in you to go out there in a punt return or kick return."
— Richie James (@Senseispunk) October 10, 2022
Robert Jones – Offensive Lineman, Miami Dolphins
Robert Jones has been a key reserve lineman for the Dolphins this season, appearing in five of Miami's six games, mostly on special teams units, while battling through some back injuries that have limited his availability during practice.
Little late but an amazing win by the Dolphins yesterday! Gave @D1__JW ( Jaylen Waddle) and Robert Jones their paintings, hope you love them as much as I do. Let's do the same thing this Thursday! #FinsUp @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/S6I2eJP2qQ
— Molly Glassman (@MollyGlassman2) September 26, 2022
Chandler Brewer – Offensive Lineman, Los Angeles Rams
Chandler Brewer played this past weekend for the Rams against the Carolina Panthers, appearing for the Rams for the first time this season. Players can be activated up to three times from the practice squad before they must be signed to the active roster.
Brewer was also elevated to the active roster in Week 4 against the 49ers, but did not appear in the game.
Jovante' Moffatt – Safety, Atlanta Falcons
Jovante' Moffatt started training camp a New York Jet, then was picked up on waivers by the Cleveland Browns, then waived again. As of September 20, however, Moffatt is a practice squad member for the Atlanta Falcons.
You can check him out in the Falcons' practice pictures from Wednesday's practice, in the second photo here.
Reed Blankenship – Safety, Philadelphia Eagles
Reed Blankenship made the active roster as an undrafted free agent for the Eagles, a rise that was quite fun to watch as a not-so-neutral observer in Murfreesboro. Seeing Eagles fans discover what Blue Raider fans already knew about Reed was a joy to watch.
What a hit by Reed Blankenship!
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) August 28, 2022
That's the type of play that'll get the coaches attention!#Eaglespic.twitter.com/4TYWtCjFLv
During the regular season, Blankenship has only been activated for one game so far this season, recording two total tackles against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
Another note from yesterday's game: #Eagles undrafted rookie safety Reed Blankenship (Middle Tennessee State) made his NFL debut.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) October 10, 2022
Blankesnhip was credited with his first tackle on the opening kickoff.
DQ Thomas – Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
After getting cut by the Jets following training camp, DQ Thomas has stuck with the Packers practice squad early in the 2022 season.
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