Boilermakers in the NFL: Week 3

Week 3 ended with a Boilermaker in action Monday night, as the Broncos and Shaun Phillips beat the Raiders in Denver. It was the end to a big week for Boilermakers as one signed an extension, one ended his season, and one made his first career sack. Oh, and Ryan Kerrigan worked as a retail employee.

DE Cliff Avril (Seahawks) - The Seahawks defense predictably feasted on the corpse-like Jaguars, winning 45-17, with Avril notching just one tackle and a pass deflection while playing 73% of snaps.

QB Drew Brees (Saints) - Brees had three touchdowns and an interception to go with 342 yards in the Saints 31-7 victory over the Cardinals. Brees also threw in a rushing touchdown for good measure as the Saints improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2009, a year which saw them win the Super Bowl.

C Nick Hardwick (Chargers) - The Chargers lost 20-17, but the biggest story of the game came in the second quarter as a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Phillip Rivers left the Chargers with a first and goal at the 30. The flag was thrown when, it appeared, Rivers argued just a little too much with an official after an offensive pass interference wiped out a Chargers touchdown.

Hardwick had a different explanation, saying Rivers got in trouble for yelling at the crowd after the play.

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"That kind of stuff is frustrating. We got in trouble for egging on a crowd. Big deal. It's football."

TE Dustin Keller (Dolphins) - Injured Reserve

OT Dennis Kelly (Eagles) - Kelly was inactive again with a back issue during the Eagles' Thursday night loss. The Eagles' short week hurt Kelly's chances at a comeback, but he is planning to be ready for Sunday's game.

OLB Ryan Kerrigan (Redskins) - Kerrigan performed as usual, picking up seven tackles (one for loss) and a pass deflection. The Redskins are still looking for their first win of the season, but Kerrigan continues to maintain the pace that saw him end last season in Honolulu. After failing to record a sack in week 3, Kerrigan sits at 9th in the NFL with 3.0 sacks.

Even with all that action on the field, it's not easy to recognize the man behind the mask. Check out this video as Kerrigan becomes the next in a line of athletes to go undercover at a Modell's Sporting Goods. Kerrigan flies under the radar as "Marty," an employee at a D.C. area Modell's, and is recognized by literally nobody.

"Who is your favorite player?"

"Uhh, the tall one, I can't remember his name?"

"Ryan Kerrigan?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Ryan Kerrigan - Modell's Sporting Goods Undercover Associate (via Modells SG)

LB Mike Neal (Packers) - Neal didn't make an impact on the box score Sunday in 38 snaps, but the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran a good story on a move I didn't even know had happened; Neal's switch to linebacker. The 280ish-pound Neal is unconventionally big for the position, but the Packers staff seems to think it's a natural move for Neal. Prior to Sunday's game, Neal was tied with Clay Matthews for the team lead in quarterback pressures and ranked fourth on the team in tackles per snap, with one every 7.9 plays.

LB Rob Ninkovich (Patriots) - Over the weekend Ninkovich signed a three-year extension to remain in New England through 2016. The deal is worth $15 million, with $8.5 million guaranteed. He followed up news of his contract with fives tackles and .5 sacks in the Patriots win over the Bucs.

G Uche Nwaneri (Jaguars) - Nwaneri was a game time decision with a knee injury on Sunday but did play in the Jaguars loss to the Seahawks.

QB Kyle Orton (Cowboys) - The only action Orton is seeing these days is during arguments between Denver fans: those who claim they've been "real fans" since the Orton, Cutler, and Tebow days vs. the Peyton Manning "bandwagon fans". Stupid bandwagon Bronco fans.

T Michael Otto (Titans) - Finding relevant info on linemen is hard enough, but when you're a backup, it becomes even harder. NFL.com does say he played in Sunday's game, so there's that. Starting RT David Stewart has battled nagging injuries all year so the possibility of Otto getting a start or two this year is not out of the realm of possibility.

QB Curtis Painter (Giants) - The Giants and Eli are BAD. The Giants actually got beat so bad Sunday that Painter made an appearance, an appearance just long enough for him to throw an interception (2-4, 16 yards, 1 INT). Keep your head up though Curtis. Remember, everyone's favorite player is the backup quarterback, especially when your team is winless.

DE Shaun Phillips (Broncos) - Phillips, who was battling back spasms and listed as questionable, hasn't been able to catch the magic of his opening week performance. He recorded just two tackles in the Broncos' Monday night win, but with Von Miller's ongoing troubles he figures to keep seeing time.

DB Bernard Pollard (Titans) - Pollard blocked a 38-yard field goal before the end of the first half, a field goal that would be the difference in a 20-17 game. Pollard had six tackles, including one for a loss.

HB Kory Sheets (Saskatchewan Roughriders) - Sheets did not play because of a sprained knee, but Roughriders coach Cory Chamblin says Sheets is now day to day. Sheets can still break the CFL record of 2,065 rushing yards, but he'll have to rush for roughly 141 yards in each of his remaining six games.

DT Kawann Short (Panthers) - Short notched his first career NFL sack on Sunday, one of seven the Panthers laid on Eli Manning. Short finished the game with four tackles and continues a solid rookie campaign.

DE Anthony Spencer (Cowboys) - After his season debut in Week 2, the franchise tagged Spencer reported soreness in his left knee but told reporters he planned on being out on the field in Week 3. Turns out that soreness was a little worse than expected. Spencer's agent tweeted earlier today that the Cowboy would undergo season ending surgery, ending Spencer's season after just 38 snaps. Spencer will collect his $10.627 million in guaranteed salary, but the 30-year-old now finds himself a free agent coming off a major knee surgery at the end of this season.

Once again, if I missed anyone, let me know in the comments below.