Badgers in the pros

This week's move of Ron Dayne from Denver to Houston made me think of some of the most recent Badgers in the NFL.

Brooks Bollinger - QB, drafted 2003 (NYJets)
Drafted in the 6th round, Brooks mired away in oblivion as a third string QB until an
unfortuitous game against Jacksonville in which Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler were both
injured. The Jets brought in Vinny Testaverde, but chose to start Brooks instead. Traded in
the off-season to Minnesota.

Jim Sorgi - QB, drafted 2004 (Indianapolis)
Also a 6th round pick, Sorgi was picked up by the Colts where he is forever stuck behind
Peyton Manning. In his NFL career he has 5 TDs and 1 INT.

Brian Calhoun - RB, drafted 2006 3rd round (Detroit)
One of only two members of Wisconsin's newest class to see playing time in the first game of
the regular season, Calhoun was given two touches with the Detroit Lions.

Owen Daniels - TE, drafted 2006 4th round (Houston)
The other rookie to see playing time, he started at Tight End for the Houston Texans, but
caught no passes.

Erasmus James - DE, drafted 2004, 18th overall (Minnesota)
In his rookie season with the Vikings, James notched 23 tackles and 4 sacks. In the opening
game of this season, he added 2 more tackles to his total.

Chris Chambers - WR, drafted 2001 (Miami)
A second round pick, 21st overall, Chambers has spent his entire pro career with the Miami
Dolphins. He has the Dolphins rookie single-season record for most receiving yards. In 2005,
Chambers lead the Dolphins in receptions (82), yards (1118), and touchdowns (11). He also
holds the best single game performance for a Dolphon receiver, notching 15 catches for 238
yards and a game-winning TD. That performance earned him AFC Player of the Week. In
2005, he was voted to his first Pro Bowl.

Scott Starks - CB, drafted 3rd round 2005 (Jacksonville)
In the first game of the season, Starks was matched against Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn.
He notched one tackle. Starks made a name for himself on the Jaguars special teams last
season, and is to win the role of Jacksonville's “nickel” cornerback .

Lee Evans - WE, drafted 1st round 2004 (Buffalo)
Probably the Badger that's transferred to the pros most prolifically, Evans has contributed to
the Bills since being drafted. Playing in 16 games in each of the last two seasons, Evans' had 96
receptions for 1586 yards.
In this season's opener, Evans had two receptions for 25 yards.

Jamar Fletcher - CB, drafted first round 2001 (Miami)
In 2004 he was traded to the Chargers and this past offseason was traded again, this time to
Detroit. A former Jim Thorpe award winner (best defensive back), Fletcher turned in a solid
performance in week one, being credited with 2 tackles.

Alex Lewis - LB, drafted 2004, 5th round (Detroit)
Lewis suffered a season ending injury in last season's opener, but that doesn't seem to be
phasing him, as he turned in 6 tackles against the Seahawks and was part of a defense that
held Shaun Alexander to 51 yards. Lewis was instrumental in causing Alexander to fumble in
the game.

Brandon Williams - WR, drafted 2006, 3rd round (San Francisco)
and
Jonathan Orr - WE, drafted 2006, 6th round (Tennessee)
were both on injured reserve to start the season


(thanks to UWBadgers.com for much information)