Week 17 vs. Detroit Game Release.indd - NFL.com

yet again with perennial Pro Bowl DT Kevin Williams for most of the game,
affording himself well as the defender was credited with just two tackles
in the official statistics...Helped pilot a clock-killing, “four-minute” drive
late in the fourth quarter that saw Starks carry six times for 55 yards into
the teeth of the Vikings’ defense...The RB ripped off runs of 15, 20 and 13
on the drive, all three of which came to the right side of the line...Teamed
with Bulaga to make an excellent pick up of an LB run blitz, blocking up
LB Chad Greenway on Starks’ 15-yarder on the first play of the series...
On Starks’ back-breaking 13-yard run to convert a third-and-7 with 1:17 to
play, kicked out to the second level to again seal Greenway, getting Starks
into the secondary for the game’s clinching play.
at San Diego Chargers (11/6): Part of an offense that produced five scoring
drives and 31 points despite only having eight true possessions during the
game...Made a good drive block on DE Vaughn Martin on Starks’ gamelong
20-yard carry in the second quarter...Also teamed with G T.J. Lang to
block DT Cam Thomas on Rodgers’ 25-yard scramble on a TD drive late
in the second quarter...Sustained protection against powerful DT Antonio
Garay on a Rodgers’ play-action bootleg that resulted in a 64-yard completion
to Nelson early in the fourth quarter.
vs. Minnesota Vikings (11/14): Blocked for yet another productive output
by the offense, one that featured six total scoring series, including four
consecutive TD drives to open the second half...Created sufficient time for
Rodgers to complete 23-of-30 for 250 yards and four TDs for a QB rating
of 140.1, his third consecutive 140-plus outing...Again helped contain
Williams on the interior, who finished the game with just two total tackles
and no sacks.
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11/20): Part of an OL that cleared the way for
five TD drives and 378 yards of offense on the afternoon...Protection unit
yielded just two sacks, their lowest total since Week 6 vs. St. Louis and
allowed Rodgers to post his NFL record 10th consecutive game with a
100-plus passer rating (112.3)...Exited to the second level and made a
good block on LB Mason Foster on Starks’ game-long 20-yard run in the
fourth quarter.
at Detroit Lions (11/24): Started the game and was matched regularly with
standout DT Ndamukong Suh, whom he kept contained for the balance
of the first half before suffering a knee injury...Left the game just before
halftime after another player fell on the back of his leg and did not return.
at New York Giants (12/4): Was ruled out of the game early in the week and
was inactive for the first time since Week 3 of his rookie season, ending a
starting streak that had spanned 48 games (including playoffs).
vs. Oakland Raiders (12/11): Inactive (knee).
at Kansas City Chiefs (12/18): Returned to practice during the week and
assumed his starting role at RG, taking all 57 offensive snaps at his familiar
position.
vs. Chicago Bears (12/25): Part of a protection unit that did not allow
Rodgers to be sacked for the first time in 2011 and helped clear the way
for five TD drives...On the opening drive of the game, made a key block
on DE Israel Idonije that helped spring Grant’s career-long 32-yard catchand-run
off of a screen pass...Had a good set against DT Henry Melton
on Rodgers’ 32-yard completion to Jones on a two-minute TD drive just
before halftime...The play pushed Rodgers past Lynn Dickey for the franchise’s
single-season passing yardage record...Also helped the QB set a
new NFL record with his 13th 100-plus rating game of the season (142.7).
51 D.J. Smith, LB, Rookie, Appalachian State
2011 Season: Instinctive, productive collegiate defender who was been
an immediate contributor on special teams in his first professional season...Has
appeared in all 15 contests, making his first career start at the
N.Y. Giants in Week 13 (Dec. 4), also starting vs. Oakland (Dec. 11) and
at Kansas City (Dec. 18) in place of the injured Desmond Bishop (calf)...
Has been a regular on special teams throughout the season and has nine
tackles on the coverage units...Saw his first extended playing time from
scrimmage at Detroit in Week 12 after injuries hit the ILB position...For the
season, has 37 tackles (25 solo) and an INT on defense.
vs. New Orleans Saints (9/8): As expected, made a statistical impact on
special teams in his first pro contest, posting a team-high two special
teams tackles against the Saints...First tackle came in kickoff coverage
when he slipped beneath a block and dropped RB Darren Sproles at the
New Orleans 17-yard line...Also caught Sproles following a 20-yard punt
return, preventing an even more explosive gain.
at Carolina Panthers (9/18): Returned to his native Charlotte in just his second
NFL game, appearing on special teams, recording a tackle in kickoff
coverage when he corraled RB Mike Goodson on a third-quarter return at
the Carolina 23-yard line.
at Chicago Bears (9/25): Recorded his fourth special teams tackle of the
season on the opening kickoff of the second half when he spun off a block
by LB Brian Iwuh and tackled WR Johnny Knox at the Chicago 26-yard
line...Helped contain the Bears explosive return game to a 21.3-yard average
on kickoffs and only two returnable punts on the afternoon.
vs. Denver Broncos (10/2): Appeared in the game, but did not record any
statistics.
at Atlanta Falcons (10/9): Appeared in the game, but with the Falcons posting
a combined two returns between both punts and kickoffs, he did not
record any tackle statistics.
vs. St. Louis Rams (10/16): Played on special teams and notched his fifth
coverage tackle when he dropped RB Quinn Porter at the Rams’ 19-yard
line on a second-quarter kickoff return.
at Minnesota Vikings (10/23): Picked up his sixth special teams tackle when
he beat a block by LB Kenny Onatolu to drop RB Lorenzo Booker at the
Minnesota 20-yard line on a kickoff return late in the third quarter...Also
made a good block on LB Erin Henderson on WR Randall Cobb’s seasonlong
42-yard punt return that set up a TD early in the third quarter.
at San Diego Chargers (11/6): Appeared in the game on special teams but
not record any statistics.
vs. Minnesota Vikings (11/14): Recorded his seventh coverage tackle of the
season when he brought down CB Marcus Sherels after a 5-yard punt
return in the second quarter...A critical part of the coverage teams that
allowed the Vikings just 69 total combined return yards on both kickoffs
and punts (four kickoffs, two punts).
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11/20): Credited with a tackle on the kickoff
coverage team.
at Detroit Lions (11/24): Appeared in his usual role on the various special
teams units, but entered the game near the end of the first quarter after
starter Bishop left the game with a calf injury...Played the remaining three
quarters in what was an impressive defensive performance against one of
the league’s top scoring and yardage offenses entering the game...Finished
with seven tackles (four solo) and a QB hit...Made his presence felt on his
very first play from scrimmage, attacking the line on a run play, shedding
TE Brandon Pettigrew and dropping RB Kevin Smith for no gain...Also
credited with a tackle on kickoff coverage when he blasted WR Stefan
Logan at the Detroit 21-yard line in the second quarter.
at New York Giants (12/4): Started his first career game at the ‘Mack’ LB
position after both Bishop and A.J. Hawk were rendered inactive due to
calf injuries...Tied for the team lead with nine tackles (eight solo) and was
also credited with a pressure.
vs. Oakland Raiders (12/11): Started his second consecutive game in place
of the injured Bishop and tied for the team lead with 12 tackles (eight
solo), also posting his first career INT on the Raiders’ opening drive of the
game...On the play, drifted to his left mirroring QB Carson Palmer who was
rolling out to the right side after being pressured by LB Clay Matthews...
Palmer tried to fire a throw over Smith to WR Darrius Heyward-Bey but
the LB jumped to pick off the ball, returning it 11 yards...The Green Bay
offense would score on the first play of the next possession to take an
early 7-0 lead.
at Kansas City Chiefs (12/18): Started once again and tallied nine tackles
(including two for loss)...First tackle behind the line came when he stayed
home on an end around play to RB Dexter McCluster in the second quarter,
teaming with DE C.J. Wilson to drop him for a 1-yard loss...Second tackle
for loss came when he diagnosed a screen pass designed for FB Le’Ron
McClain...Fought off a block by G Jon Asamoah and wrapped up McClain
in the backfield for a 4-yard loss to force a third-and-14 on a drive that saw
the defense hold Kansas City to a FG.
vs. Chicago Bears (12/25): Was relegated to special teams duty upon
Bishop’s return to the lineup, appearing on the coverage units, but did not