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BBNFL Week 2: Za'Darius Smith best among former 'Cats once again

On3 imageby:Adam Stratton09/19/23

AdamStrattonKSR

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Photo by Eric Hartline | USA TODAY Sports

It is hard not to like Za’Darius Smith. On his way back to the locker room after the team’s Week 1 victory, Smith tried to enter the Club bar to celebrate with fans, but the security officials of the No Fun League wouldn’t let him. He still banged on the glass and got everyone more fired up than they already were.

Afterward, he joked, “They said no white tees in the club.”

On the field this week, Smith once again graded out best among all former Kentucky players with a PFF score of 77.6, but his Cleveland Browns fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-22. The original Big Z (and perhaps the only Big Z to ever put on a Kentucky uniform) had one tackle and one QB hurry, but was a menace all night, at one point drawing a triple team from the Pittsburgh blockers.

However, the big news of the night was not the favorable sort. Star running back Nick Chubb suffered a gruesome leg injury that will make even the most hardened person squirm. Do yourself a favor and don’t watch it. After the game, Smith said, “That just hurt the team, man. That just hurt everybody. We’re all praying for him.”

Smith, himself, also got banged up, spraining his ankle during the game. Thankfully, he was able to tape it up and return to action, though his status will be something to monitor going forward.

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Multiple former ‘Cats on the Inactive list

On the topic of injuries, the Detroit Lions placed Josh Paschal on the IR list with a knee injury that will force him to miss an extended amount of time. It is a shame to see this happen just as he seemed to be coming into his own, making a big play in Week 1 in his team’s upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Speedy recovery to the man who has needed this phrase said to him way too many times.

Wan’Dale Robinson is still inactive as he works himself back from injury, but the former Kentucky wide receiver has returned to practice in a limited capacity. With Saquan Barkley going down with an ankle sprain late in the game, the New York Giants might consider getting the dynamic playmaker back on the field sooner rather than later if Barkley misses much time.

Kelvin “Bossman Fat” Joseph was a healthy scratch for the Miami Dolphins, as he did not travel to the team due to personal family reasons. Another former ‘Cat, Lynn Bowden Jr., was ruled inactive after the New Orleans Saints called him up to the main roster from the practice squad. WR Josh Ali (Falcons) and QB Will Levis (Titans) also remained inactive for Week 2.

BBNFL snap counts, PFF player grades for Week 2

PFF grades reflect the players’ respective offensive or defensive grades unless the majority of their snaps came on special teams.

PlayerPosStatsPFF Grade
Za’Darius Smith (CLE)DE36 snaps, 1 tackle, 1 QB hurry77.6
Lonnie Johnson Jr. (NO)CB21 special team snaps76.8
Carrington Valentine (GB)CB7 special team snaps, 2 defensive snaps67.7
Jamin Davis (WAS)LB41 snaps, 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hit67.1
Josh Allen (JAX)LB38 snaps, 1 tackle, 2 QB hurries, 1 QB hit61.5
Mike Edwards (KC)S20 snaps, 3 tackles61.1
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS)RB17 special teams snaps, 2 offensive snaps61.1
Landon Young (NO)OT4 special team snaps, 1offensive snap61
Randall Cobb (NYJ)WR23 snaps, 1 target55.4
Luke Fortner (JAX)C66 snaps, 1 sack allowed50.1
Bud Dupree (ATL)LB32 snaps, 1 tackle36.5
Brandin Echols (NYJ)CB21 snaps, 1 tackle34.9
Lynn Bowden (NO)WRInactive 
Josh Ali (ATL)WRInactive 
Kelvin Joseph (MIA)CBInactive 
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG)WRInactive 
Will Levis (TEN)QBInactive 
Josh Paschal (DET)DEInjured Reserve 

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