Rave reviews for Van Noy, Hill was the most popular Saint

Kyle Van Noy's play had a lot to do with New England getting eight sacks.


Kyle Van Noy looked good after a month in hiding. His stellar play is garnering a lot of praise from fans and media alike. As the backup quarterback and special teams extraordinaire, Taysom Hill was the most popular Saints player.

Blue Cougar Football usually limits its weekly NFL report on BYU alumni to the players, but we will note here that former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian is now done for the season. The Atlanta Falcons lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 15-10. Sarkisian is the offensive coordinator for Atlanta.

Here is the complete review for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (11-5)
Wild Card: W 31-26 Carolina Panthers
Divisional: L 29-24 Minnesota Vikings

Hill was in high demand by fans as Drew Brees threw two first half interceptions, and the Saints fell behind 17-0.  Brees rallied the Saints to within three early in the fourth quarter, so the popularity ended after one half.

Hill did see the field in his variety of special teams duties. The Saints ran a trick play and had one of their wide receivers throw the ball. He missed a wide open player. Kind of surprised Hill wasn't used for that play.

However, Hill took over the telecast moments later by almost blocking a punt.



Even though Hill didn't block it, the broadcast crew couldn't stop talking about him. Instantaneously, he was the most popular Saint, again.

The Vikings foiled a trip to the NFC Championship Game for Hill with a 61-yard touchdown on the final play of the game.

 Regular Season  Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
N/A
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
 Season 
4
0
0
0
 0 
 0 
 0 
0
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
4
 0 
0
0
 0  
 0  
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Kyle Van Noy, New England Patriots (13-3)
Wild Card: BYE
Divisional: W 35-14 Tennessee Titans

Van Noy made two run-of-the-mill tackles, but got rave reviews for how he contributed to other Pats defenders making big plays.




This third play was a little controversial, since Van Noy clearly grabbed the runners facemask. It is also clear that two fouls were committed against Van Noy: holding and block in the back. Neither of those were called. In the end, it led to a fourth down stop just before halftime.


Van Noy got his share of media coverage this week. Here are links to three articles featuring him.

Boston Globe: Kyle Van Noy feeling a spring in his step (pre-game)
Patriots Wire (USAToday): Kyle Van Noy on Patriots defense
NBC Sports: Patriots spy games lead to record-setting sack number vs. Titans

With the Saints' loss, Van Noy is the last Cougar prowling.

 Regular Season  Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 73 
 5.5 
34
 4 
 2 
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 Career (4 Yr) 
 141
 7.5 
 44 
 7 
 5 
 1
 0
 0
 1 
 0
 0 

Daniel Sorensen, Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
Wild Card: L 22-21 Tennessee Titans

Sorensen's season ended with the loss to the Titans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Playoff Stats: 3 tackles
Unofficial: 1 Sack (two-point conversion).

 Regular Season  Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 N/A 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 89 
 1.5 
 14 
 5 
 5 
 1 
 3 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (4 Yr) 
 182 
 3.5 
 29 
 9 
 13 
 4 
 51 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 0 

Harvey Langi, New England Patriots (13-3)
Langi is out for the season recovering from injuries sustained in a car crash.


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 N/A









 Season 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
1
 0
 0
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions (9-7)
Ansah's season is over.


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 4 
 3 
 35 
 3 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 44 
 12 
 79 
11
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 1 
 1 
 0 
 Career (5 Yr) 
 207 
 44 
 326 
 28 
 2 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 10 
 3 
 0 

John Denney, Miami Dolphins (6-10)
Denney's season is over.

Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers (7-9)
Williams' season is over.


 Rush  Yards  Ave.  TD  Fum  Rec.  Yards  Ave.  TD  Fum  FR 
 Last Game 
 22 
 82 
 3.7 
 0 
 0 
 3 
 31 
 10.3 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 153 
 556 
 3.6 
4
 0 
 25 
 262 
 10.5 
 2 
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
153
556
 3.6 
4
 0 
 25 
 262 
 10.5 
 2 
 0 
 0 

 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0
 Season 
3
 0
 0 
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
3
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Bronson Kaufusi, Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
Kaufusi's season is over.


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 DNP


 Season 
 5 
 0 
 0
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (2 Yr) 
5
 0
 0
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Alani Fua, Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
Fua is recovering from surgery.


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
  N/A









 Season 
  N/A
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 Career (3 Yr) 
 8 
 0 
 0
 0
 0  
 0  
 0 
 0 
 0 
 1 
 0 

Kai Nacua, Cleveland Browns (0-16)
Nacua's season is over.


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
5  
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
 Season 
14  
0
0
0
 0 
 0 
 0 
0
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
14  
 0 
0
0
 0  
 0  
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Michael Davis, Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
Davis' season is over.


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 18 
 0 
 0 
 0
  1  
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
 18 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Kickoff returns: 2 for 36 yards

Jordan Leslie, Denver Broncos (5-11, L 27-24 Kansas City Chiefs)
Leslie's season is over.


 Rec.  Yards  TD  Fum  FR 
 Last Game 
 DNP 



 Season 
 1 
 26 
 0 
 0 
 0   
 Career (1 Yr) 
 1 
 26 
 0 
 0
 0  

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com

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