:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26085835/20131229_jla_sh2_588.0.jpg)
Hey there ladies and gentlemen of the Free World, sorry for my absence, I know we just finished up Week 17 and you were probably all like "Hey, where's my regurgitated Purdue-centric NFL stats?". Go outside. Read a book. Keep your kids off the streets. I'm working my way into a new city and job, so deal with it.
TE Kyle Adams (Buccaneers) - Adams finished his five games with the Buccaneers this season as the second string tight end but went without a target.
DE Cliff Avril @cliffavril (Seahawks) - Avril finished the regular season with eight sacks.
QB Drew Brees @drewbrees (Saints) - Brees went for 381 yards and four touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. He was the lone Boilermaker voted into the Pro Bowl. He also lost his short lived yardage record to Peyton Manning, who now owns every record in NFL history.
C Nick Hardwick @hardwina (Chargers) - The Chargers snuck into the playoffs with an overtime win over the Chiefs, rushing for 186 yards. Rivers was sacked three times.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Nick Hardwick: "The playoffs are so fun. We got nothing to lose. We're going to play loose, have fun, fight as hard as we can." <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23chargers&src=hash">#chargers</a></p>— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) <a href="https://twitter.com/annieheilbrunn/statuses/417472792032837633">December 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
TE Dustin Keller @DUSTINKELLER81 (Dolphins) - Injured Reserve
OT Dennis Kelly @DennisKelly67 (Eagles) - Kelly failed to see the field this year for the Eagles after starting in ten games last season.
OLB Ryan Kerrigan @RyanKerrigan91 (Redskins) - Kerrigan finished out 2013 with three tackles, ending the season with 8.5 sacks, which matches his career high. Kerrigan, however, was not able to make this season two straight Pro Bowl appearances.
LB Mike Neal @mneal96 (Packers) - Neal led the Pack with six tackles in their playoff clinching win.
DE Rob Ninkovich (Patriots) - Ninkovich had five tackles and a sack. He finished with eight sacks on the season. Ninkovich was left off the Pro Bowl roster, but don't be surprised if he sneaks in if there are any injuries on the defensive line.
G Uche Nwaneri @Chuckwu77 (Jaguars) - Nwaneri and the Jaguars saw their season come to a close with a loss to the Colts, but the Jags did win four more games than many people thought they would. The Jags only picked up 42 yards on the ground, while Chad Henne was sacked three times.
QB Kyle Orton (Cowboys) - Orton had himself a pretty good game stepping in for the injured Tony Romo. He went for 358 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys "Win And You're In" game but two interceptions, including a killer late pick, left the Cowboys on the outside. Cowboys are going to be Cowboys and Orton's gonna Romo.
T Michael Otto @amishwizard66 (Titans) - Otto saw action in 15 games this year, starting two.
QB Curtis Painter (Giants) - Painter's appearance in Sunday's game meant three former Boilers saw action at quarterback this week. Painter's action wasn't good, but it was action. He went 2/8 for 11 yards and an interception, good for a .1 QB rating.
DE Shaun Phillips @ShaunPhillips95 (Broncos) - Phillips had one tackle in the Broncos final regular season game, but he led all Boilers with ten sacks on the year.
DB Bernard Pollard @Crushboy31 (Titans) - Pollard had six tackles in the Titans finale, including one deflected ball off the face that led to a Titans interception. He led the team with 99 tackles.
HB Kory Sheets @Sheets24K (Saskatchewan Roughriders) - Sheets didn't catch on with the Colts, but says he might take a peak at the NFL. He was quoted as saying he'd like to be back for CFL training camp if he doesn't get any NFL looks.
DT Kawann Short @kk_mr93 (Panthers) - The Panthers clinched the NFC South, and Short finished up a pretty good rookie season with one tackle. The upgraded defensive line was a big reason for the Panthers' turnaround.
DE Anthony Spencer (Cowboys) - Injured Reserve
Stay tuned for playoff updates for Avril, Brees, Hardwick, Kelly, Neal, Ninkovich, Phillips, and Short.