Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 145 ON THE MOVE Anthony Fasano Inks Deal With Tennessee One of the AFC's most dependable tight ends of the past de- cade, Anthony Fasano, left the Kansas City Chiefs to sign with the Tennessee Titans. Fasano, who started the most recent stretch of "Tight End U" at Notre Dame while he played there from 2002-05, caught 25 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns in 2014. He has now posted at least 23 receptions in each of the last seven seasons and expects that to continue with the Titans. "I've been in some different offenses and had different quarter- backs, different kinds of structures of teams. I think that sort of dictates what role you play and how your stats turn out," Fasano told The Tennessean. "But I think I've been pretty consistent — you know what you're going to get out of me." Ultimately, he picked the Titans because of his relationship with head coach Ken Whisenhunt and tight ends coach Mike Mularkey — both of whom are former NFL tight ends. "We all spoke the same language, and I think we were all similar players in the past. They were familiar with my game and the type of player I am," Fasano said. "Having those type of people around me makes my comfort level a little better and easier, and all of that played a big part of why I felt comfortable in Tennessee." Sergio Brown Joins The Jaguars Former Irish defensive back Sergio Brown is on the third or- ganization of his NFL career after signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. Brown played in 15 games while starting eight in 2014, and made 33 tackles while defending six passes. He has 101 career tackles and one interception through five seasons. Ryan Harris Provides Depth For Broncos Offensive tackle Ryan Harris has rejoined the Denver Broncos af- ter spending the past three seasons with Houston and Kansas City. Once starting tackle Ryan Clady suffered an ACL tear this spring, the Broncos quickly signed the familiar face to bolster their of- fensive line depth. Harris has played in 94 games and started 54 during his professional career. ON THE RISE • Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions — Riddick was an invaluable piece of the Detroit Lions' playoff season a year ago, and he figures to factor into the offense even more in 2015. The aging — and expensive — Reggie Bush was cut by the organization this offseason, due in large part to Riddick showing he was capable of filling that role on the offense. Expect his total carries — he had 20 last year — to increase this season. • Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals — Eifert made this list one year ago following a strong rookie season that included 39 receptions for 445 yards and two scores. His 2014 season, however, lasted just one game before an injury put him on the shelf for the year. This fall, Eifert is expected to make the jump that many anticipated one year ago at this time — as long as he can stay healthy. • Stephon Tuitt, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers — Tuitt enters year two in the NFL after a productive rookie campaign. After starting four games and playing in all 16 while recording 17 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble, he figures to earn an increased role in Pittsburgh's pass rush this season. BY THE NUMBERS 1 Former Irish player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. Only tight end Ben Koyack (Jacksonville, seventh round) was chosen, while cornerback Cody Riggs, kicker/punter Kyle Brindza and wide receiver DaVaris Daniels signed as undrafted free agents. 2 Consecutive seasons lost to injury to begin Kapron Lewis-Moore's career. The former Irish defensive line- man suffered a season-ending torn ACL in 2013 and an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2014 campaign. 10 Times in the past 12 years a Notre Dame alumnus has been on the championship-winning squad, after running back Jonas Gray and linebacker Darius Fleming were part of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl victory last season. 1,449 Days between starts for the Chicago Bears' Jimmy Clausen. He started 10 games as a rookie for the Carolina Panthers in 2010 before not starting again until Dec. 21, 2014, against the Detroit Lions. TOP FIVE MEMORABLE MOMENTS 1. Jonas Gray, RB, New England Patriots — Gray's performance — included as the No. 1 single-game performance of 2014 — is easily the most memorable, which made the next week that much more difficult for the third-year running back. The following week after the four-touchdown performance, Gray was late to practice — he said his alarm clock did not go off — and only once the remainder of the season did he record double-digit carries. 2. Darius Fleming, LB, New England Patriots and Jonas Gray, RB, New England Patriots — Fleming and Gray earned a Super Bowl ring when New England topped Seattle 28-24 in a thrilling Super Bowl this past February. Fleming became a key part of the Patriots' special teams units late in the season, and Gray contributed to a struggling rushing attack in 2014. 3. Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys — Martin was the only offensive rookie named to the Pro Bowl after a fine first season with America's team. He helped the Dallas Cowboys as- sert the No. 2 rushing attack in the NFL and proved to be a sta- bilizing piece on the line. 4. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Chi- cago Bears — On Dec. 21, Clausen started for the first time in nearly four years. The Bears w e r e o u t o f playoff conten- tion, but they t r i e d to p l ay spoiler for the D e t ro i t L i o n s . While the Bears fell short in a 20-14 loss, Clausen com- pleted 23 of 39 p a s s e s fo r 1 8 1 ya rd s w i t h t wo touchdowns and one interception. 5 . G o l d e n Ta t e , WR, Detroit Lions — Tate's October per- formance against the New Orleans Saints was one of the best of the season, and his late touchdown helped fuel the Lions in a 13-point fourth-quarter comeback victory. Tate caught a pass near the sideline for a first down and turned what should have been a 15-yard gain into a 73-yard score. He scampered past the Saints defense and outran their defensive backs for the big TD. Patriots running back Jonas Gray had one of the NFL's top single-game performances in 2014, rushing for 201 yards and four touch- downs on 37 carries in a 42-20 victory over India- napolis Nov. 16. PHOTO COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS