Locals in the NFL

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Aug 31, 2008

Player ... Team ... Pos. ... Year ... Utah tie

JOHN BECK ... Dolphins ... QB ... 2 ... BYU

Lost competition for starting job, may be traded out of Miami

RYON BINGHAM ... Chargers ... DT ... 4 ... Alta HS

A backup for now, but likely being groomed as a future starter

JESSE BOONE ... Raiders ... C ... 2 ... Millard HS/Utah

Still fighting to earn a roster spot with the Raiders

STEWART BRADLEY ... Eagles ... LB ... 2 ... Highland HS

Former Highland star now a starter in Philly

MARTAIL BURNETT ... Vikings ... DE ... R ... Utah

Fighting to earn a roster spot as a backup

JARRETT BUSH ... Packers ... CB ... 3 ... USU

Hoping to earn the Packers' No. 3 corner spot

KIRK CHAMBERS ... Bills ... OL ... 5 ... BYU

A lock to make the roster, and could get playing time

DANIEL COATS ... Bengals ... FB ... 2 ... Northridge HS/BYU

Moved from tight end to fullback during offseason

CHRIS COOLEY ... Redskins ... TE ... 4 ... Logan HS/USU

Will continue to be a prime target for QB Campbell

KEVIN CURTIS ... Eagles ... WR ... 5 ... Bingham HS/USU

Out indefinitely after sports hernia surgery

JOHN DENNEY ... Dolphins ... DE ... 4 ... BYU

Valuable to the Dolphins as their long snapper

RYAN DENNEY ... Bills ... DE ... 7 ... BYU

Finally healthy, should be a big contributor on defense

ANDRE DYSON ... FA ... DB ... 8 ... Clearfield HS/Utah

Played for Jets last season, hoping to resume career

JONATHAN FANENE ... Bengals ... DE ... 3 ... Utah

Started in preseason, but likely to be a backup

STEVE FIFITA ... Patriots ... DT ... 3 ... Utah

Cut by Dolphins, hoping to catch on with AFC champs

AARON FRANCISCO ... Cardinals ... DB ... 4 ... BYU

Just one of a deep group of safeties in Arizona

JORDAN GROSS ... Panthers ... T ... 6 ... Utah

Changing positions to help improve the o-line

DAVID HALE ... Ravens ... OL ... R ... Fremont HS/Weber State

Didn't play well in preseason but will make roster

MARQUES HARRIS ... Chargers ... LB ... 4 ... SUU

Top special teams player and situational pass rusher

CHRIS HOKE ... Steelers ... NT ... 8 ... BYU

Still contributing as a valuable backup for the Steelers

ADE JIMOH ... FA ... DB ... 6 ... USU

Signed by Patriots in offseason but released a week later

BRYAN KEHL ... Giants ... LB ... R ... Brighton HS/BYU

Came on strong late in preseason and will contribute

BRETT KEISEL ... Steelers ... DE ... 7 ... BYU

A reliable starter on a defense that's getting older

CHRIS KEMOEATU ... Steelers ... G ... 4 ... Utah

Has to replace the departed Alan Faneca at left guard

MA'AKE KEMOEATU ... Panthers ... DT ... 7 ... Utah

Will be counted on to be team's top run-stuffer

GABE LONG ... Texans ... DT ... R ... Utah

Hoping to earn a roster spot as a reserve

JOHN MADSEN ... Raiders ... TE ... 3 ... Hunter HS/Utah

No. 2 on depth chart at tight end, should get chances

PAT MCQUISTAN ... Cowboys ... T ... 3 ... Weber State

Probably sent a message when team recently traded for a guard

PAUL MCQUISTAN ... Raiders ... G ... 3 ... Weber State

Should make the team as a reserve lineman

ROB MORRIS ... FA ... LB ... 9 ... BYU

Could be re-signed by Colts before opener

SHAWN MURPHY ... Dolphins ... OL ... R ... Lone Peak HS/USU

Battled injuries during the preseason

HALOTI NGATA ... Ravens ... DT ... 3 ... Highland HS

Preseason showed he's indispensable to defense

DONALD PENN ... Bucs ... T ... 3 ... USU

Now the starter at left tackle after Petitgout's release

BRADY POPPINGA ... Packers ... OLB ... 4 ... BYU

Fought off challenge from Chillar to remain starter

KELLY POPPINGA ... Dolphins ... LB ... R ... BYU

Played sparingly in preseason, but hoping to make team

SIONE POUHA ... Jets ... DT ... 4 ... East HS/Utah

Saw most defensive snaps of his career last season

KEVIN ROBINSON ... Chiefs ... WR ... R ... USU

Has an injured knee, will miss at least the first six weeks

JOSH SAVAGE ... Saints ... DE ... 4 ... Hillcrest HS/Utah

Started in preseason finale, will likely be team's fourth DE

BARRY SIMS ... 49ers ... G ... 11 ... Utah

Moved across the bay in the offseason

ALEX SMITH ... 49ers ... QB ... 4 ... Utah

Former No. 1 pick now a backup

DEREK SMITH ... Chargers ... MLB ... 11 ... American Fork HS

New Charger will start first four of games of the season

STEVE SMITH ... Panthers ... WR ... 8 ... Utah

Will have a huge season -- after his suspension

PAUL SOLIAI ... Dolphins ... DT ... 2 ... Utah

Progressing well and should be a contributor

FAHU TAHI ... Vikings ... FB ... 3 ... Granger HS/BYU

Hurt in preseason, might not make final roster

JOHN TAIT ... Bears ... T ... 10 ... BYU

Struggled in preseason, but needed by offense

PARIS WARREN ... FA ... WR ... 4 ... Utah

Cut by team after gruesome ankle injury last season

TODD WATKINS ... Raiders ... WR ... 3 ... BYU

In running to earn one of team's final roster spots

ERIC WEDDLE ... Chargers ... DB ... 2 ... Utah

Will start at free safety following the release of McCree

SCOTT YOUNG ... Eagles ... G ... 4 ... Hillcrest HS/BYU

On the bubble if he'll make the final roster