As the 2010 NFL season draws to a close, take a look back at some of the former University of Oregon standouts that have made a name for themselves playing on Sundays.
Josh Bidwell (Washington Redskins) — The 34-year-old punter played only four games for Washington before going on injured reserve with a hip injury. In those games, Bidwell punted 15 times with an average of 41.7 yards per kick.
LeGarrette Blount (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — While his career at Oregon was filled with controversy, Blount has excelled in the professional ranks. As an undrafted rookie for a surprising 10-win Buccaneers team, Blount rushed for 1,007 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry.
Jairus Byrd (Buffalo Bills) — After finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2009, the safety had another strong season in 2010, making 89 tackles and three forced fumbles for a struggling Bills team.
Ed Dickson (Baltimore Ravens) — A third-round pick of the Ravens in the 2010 NFL draft, Dickson had a solid debut season, hauling in 11 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown.
Patrick Chung (New England Patriots) — Like Byrd, Chung followed up a remarkable 2009 debut with an impressive 2010 season. Chung started 13 of the 14 games in which he appeared, and had 96 tackles and three interceptions.
Dennis Dixon (Pittsburgh Steelers) — After starting the first two games of Pittsburgh’s season due to Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension, Dixon tore his meniscus in a game against the Tennessee Titans, and missed the remainder of the season. Dixon’s left knee was the same limb he injured in Oregon’s infamous 2007 loss at Arizona.
Kellen Clemens (New York Jets) — Clemens completed one of two passes while backing up fellow former Pacific-10 signal-caller Mark Sanchez.
A.J. Feeley (St. Louis Rams) — Feeley, a backup to star rookie Sam Bradford, didn’t throw a pass in 2010.
Maurice Morris (Detroit Lions) — After a relatively inactive first half, Morris finished 2010 strongly, the highlight being a 109-yard rushing effort in a 23-20 overtime win at Tampa Bay. Morris finished the season with 506 yards of total offense to go along with five touchdowns.
Haloti Ngata (Baltimore Ravens) — One of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, Ngata was spectacular again in 2010. He was recently named a starter for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl after making 63 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Igor Olshanksy (Dallas Cowboys) — In his second year with Dallas (following five with the San Diego Chargers) the 6-foot-5, 315-pound defensive end put together a solid season, making 38 tackles.
Justin Peelle (Atlanta Falcons) — Playing behind star tight end Tony Gonzalez, Peelle made 10 catches for 96 yards and one touchdown in 2010.
Dante Rosario (Carolina Panthers) — The 26-year-old Beaverton native had one of the best years of his professional career, setting a career high in receptions (32) to go along with 264 yards receiving as a tight end.
Geoff Schwartz (Carolina Panthers) — The third-year offensive lineman started all 16 games for a disappointing Panthers team that will have the first pick in this spring’s NFL Draft.
Junior Siavii (Seattle Seahawks) — If statistics are any indication, Siavii easily had the best year of his NFL career in 2010. The defensive tackle made a career-high 30 tackles (his previous high total was 11), and appeared in 14 games. Unfortunately, Siavii was put on injured reserve in late December with a spinal cord injury.
Adam Snyder (San Francisco 49ers) — The versatile offensive lineman appeared in 15 of San Francisco’s 16 games this season.
Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) — Stewart, the Panthers’ leading rusher, ran for 770 yards and two touchdowns in 2010. He added 103 yards and one touchdown as a receiver.
Walter Thurmond (Seattle Seahawks) — The rookie cornerback made 37 tackles and had seven passes defended in a backup role.
Matt Toeaina (Chicago Bears) — Toeaina had a career year in 2010, setting new highs in games played (16), tackles (24), and sacks (2.0).
Will Tukuafu (San Francisco 49ers) — A late addition to the 49ers’ 53-man roster from their practice squad, the defensive end didn’t take the field in two games with the team.
Max Unger (Seattle Seahawks) — Unger, Seattle’s starting right guard to begin the season, was forced to go on injured reserve in mid-September with a toe injury. He missed the remainder of the season.
T.J. Ward (Cleveland Browns) — Only a rookie, Ward settled into his role as a starting safety, leading Cleveland in total tackles with 123. He also made two interceptions and forced a fumble.
Demetrius Williams (Cleveland Browns) — A fifth-year wide receiver, Williams saw action in two games for the Browns but didn’t register a reception.
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