Buckeyes in the NFL, Week 12: Devin Smith Exits the Doghouse & Enters the End Zone

By Mike Young on November 30, 2015 at 10:10 am
Devin Smith finally reaches the end zone
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Nothing about Devin Smith's rookie year has gone as planned. He suffered broken ribs in training camp, a tough injury to overcome so early in the season even for veteran players. 

Since then, multiple Jets coaches called him out through the media – both wide receivers coach Karl Dorrell and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said he wasn't grasping the offense. One TD catch doesn't mean Smith is suddenly Ryan Fitzpatrick's go-to target but it's a significant step for the former Buckeye wideout.

Perhaps New York's staff will have more trust in him going forward after this:

Alex Boone: "Those Refs Sucked"

Alex Boone's honesty is both a blessing and a curse. Local sportswriters and radio appreciate his candor, the NFL and his bank account probably don't.

After the 49ers' loss to the Cardinals, Boone heavily criticized the refs and brought Roger Goodell into the discussion. The commissioner will probably sign off on a hefty fine for Boone – not that he cares:

Boom Returns to INdy

Since the Colts drafted Andrew Luck, the team has tried to conjure a competent run game. Offseason moves don't work out and, inevitably, Donald Brown or Ahmad Bradshaw end up taking handoffs in late November. 

It appears Boom Herron will be the next version of Brown and Bradshaw. The Bills waived him, Wednesday, and Indianapolis claimed him the next day. Herron played five games for the Colts in 2013 and in all 16 games in 2014. 

He also ran for 170 yards and scored twice in three postseason games, last season. The Bengals fans reading probably remember him catching 10 passes in Indy's wildcard win over Cincinnati. 

Bradshaw is now out for the year due to a wrist injury, the team announced Monday. Herron will be Frank Gore's primary backup going forward.

Play of the Week

The undefeated Panthers are dominating the NFC South and the weekly "Play of the Week" spot in this article. Last week, I featured Ted Ginn's TD grab against Washington. Two weeks ago, Kurt Coleman picked off a pass against the Titans. 

Coleman now has an interception in three consecutive games and a total of five on the season. Carolina's defense leads the league with 18 interceptions and Coleman has the most on the team after this pick-six against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving:

How They Fared in Week 12

Player Team Position Stats/Notes
Mike Adams Pittsburgh Steelers OL Won't play in 2015 but expected to return to team in 2016
Will Allen Pittsburgh Steelers S 4 tackles in loss to Seahawks
Michael Bennett Jacksonville Jaguars DT Inactive for loss to Chargers due to hamstring injury
Alex Boone San Francisco 49ers OL Will get fined for ripping officials after loss to Cardinals
Philly Brown Carolina Panthers WR/KR/PR Inactive for win over Cowboys due to shoulder injury
Kurt Coleman Carolina Panthers S 3 tackles, 1 INT returned for a TD in win over Cowbys
Nate Ebner New England Patriots DB/ST 1 tackle, recovered muffed punt in OT loss to Broncos
Ted Ginn Jr. Carolina Panthers WR Played in win over Cowboys despite knee injury
Doran Grant Pittsburgh Steelers CB Inactive for loss to Seahawks
Johnathan Hankins New York Giants DT On IR due to torn pectoral muscle
Brian Hartline Cleveland Browns WR Plays tonight vs Ravens
A.J. Hawk Cincinnati Bengals LB 1 tackle in win over Rams
Boom Herron Indianapolis Colts RB Claimed off waivers by Colts, played special teams in win over Bucs 
Cameron Heyward Pittsburgh Steelers DE 3 tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits in loss to Seahawks
Carlos Hyde San Francisco 49ers RB Inactive for loss to Cardinals due to foot injury
Malcolm Jenkins Philadelphia Eagles S 5 tackles in rough day for Eagles secondary in loss to Lions
James Laurinaitis St. Louis Rams LB 9 tackles in loss to Bengals
Corey Linsley Green Bay Packers C Inactive for loss to Bears due to an ankle injury
Nick Mangold New York Jets C Active for win over Dolphins despite hand injury
Jake McQuaide St. Louis Rams LS Every friend and family member of his attended loss to Bengals
Jack Mewhort Indianapolis Colts OL Banged-up Colts line allowed 3 sacks in win over Bucs
Andrew Norwell Carolina Panthers OL Played well in win over Cowboys and return from hamstring injury 
Mike Nugent Cincinnati Bengals K Kicked 1 field goal, 4 extra points in win over Rams
Bradley Roby Denver Broncos CB 2 tackles in OT win over Patriots
Ryan Shazier Pittsburgh Steelers LB 1 tackle, left loss to Seahawks early due to concussion
John Simon Houston Texans LB 3 tackles, in win over Saints
Devin Smith New York Jets WR 2 receptions, 33 yards, first career TD in win over Dolphins
Rod Smith Dallas Cowboys RB 1 reception, 6 yards in loss to Panthers
Jake Stoneburner Miami Dolphins TE Inactive in loss to Jets
Donte Whitner Cleveland Browns S Plays tonight vs Ravens
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