Buffs In The NFL: Toney Clemons With Jaguars
With the NFL's 2012 regular season nearing its end, it was finally time for former University of Colorado wide receiver Toney Clemons to make his way onto the stat sheet.
Clemons began his first NFL season in Pittsburgh after being drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft. However being the 231st overall pick guaranteed no promises in Pittsburgh, and after a strong outing in training camp, Clemons nearly made the final roster before he was cut in the final week of camp.
The Steelers did not completely cut ties with Clemons as he was placed on the practice squad in September. On Nov. 26, Clemons received a call from the Jacksonville Jaguars who wanted to sign him to their 53-man roster.
Clemons accepted the offer and played in his first career NFL game during week 14 against the New York Jets. Clemons has played in each of Jacksonville's three games since signing with the team.
Last week, Clemons made his first career reception against the New England Patriots in a play that gained 17 yards. While at CU, he finished 17th in all-time receiving yards with 1,162 and tied for 18th in all-time receptions with 86.
It appears as if Clemons is starting to find his groove with his new team, and he will look to continue the success into the last week of the regular season against the Tennessee Titans and then into his second NFL season next year.
Buffs In The Playoffs
The playoff picture is almost set entering the final week of the regular season, yet there are still a few pieces left to fit into the puzzle.
One of the more important games being played this weekend feature two former Colorado Buffaloes as Lawrence Vickers with the Dallas Cowboys and Tyler Polumbus with the Washington Redskins face off in a battle for the NFC East Division crown.
Vickers, in his seventh NFL season, has been the starting fullback for Dallas (8-7) while in his first season with the Cowboys. Polumbus, a fourth year NFL veteran, has started every game this season at right tackle for the Redskins (9-6).
If Washington wins, the Cowboys will be left out of the playoffs, but if Dallas wins, the Redskins will still have an outside shot at making the postseason. The game will conclude the regular season as it is scheduled for primetime on Sunday night at 6:20 p.m. MST on NBC.
Five more former Buffaloes are guaranteed trips to the playoffs as their respective teams have already clinched berths. Three of the four AFC divisions were clinched by teams featuring former Buffs.
Justin Bannan and the Denver Broncos have clinched the AFC West Division title and still have a chance to obtain the No. 1 seed with a win and a Houston loss in the final weekend.
New England, where Nate Solder starts at left tackle, clinched the AFC East Division title. Solder has been protecting Tom Brady's blind side during his entire second NFL season.
The Baltimore Ravens and Jimmy Smith have won the AFC North Division. Smith is also in his second season playing cornerback for the Ravens, who drafted him with the 26th overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Mason Crosby and Brad Jones will also be making trips to the playoffs as the Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North Division. Crosby is in his sixth NFL season while Jones is playing in his fourth NFL campaign. Both players have spent their entire careers in Green Bay after being drafted by the Packers.
The playoffs will begin on Jan. 5, 2013 with the Super Bowl being held on Feb. 3 in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.