Reedy, Fluellen make impressive debuts for UT

8/9/2014

It was a positive step on Friday for two former University of Toledo football players trying to land NFL roster spots after being signed as undrafted free agents.

Former Rocket receiver Bernard Reedy was the leading receiver for the Atlanta Falcons in their 16-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Reedy had two catches for 61 yards, including a long of 35 yards.

David Fluellen made a good impression with the Philadelphia Eagles. The running back scored on a 14-yard pass from Matt Barkley in the Eagles’ 34-28 loss to the Bears. He also carried the ball six times for 25 yards. Fluellen’s longest run was 15 yards.

In Minneapolis, Matt Cassel was sharp from the start, giving Teddy Bridgewater a model touchdown drive to watch.

That's the early snapshot of Minnesota's starting quarterback competition.

Cassel led a couple of crisp scoring marches, and the Vikings broke in their temporary new home stadium for the next two years by beating the Oakland Raiders 10-6 in the exhibition opener on Friday night.

Bridgewater relieved Cassel at quarterback after two series, and the rookie's first name was rhythmically chanted during his first two snaps by a crowd eager to see the first-round draft pick in action. Playing into the third quarter, Bridgewater's debut was mixed at best: 6 for 13 for 49 yards, two sacks and one fumble the Vikings recovered.

The third overall pick and the first quarterback taken in June’s draft, Blake Bortles, had a solid debut with Jacksonville.

The rookie quarterback threw for 117 yards and led a second-half drive for a field goal in a 16-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

''There was some good stuff, some bad stuff, things that I've got to overcome,'' Bortles said.

''It's a process, it's not going to happen overnight,'' he added.

He completed 7 of 11 passes, including a 31-yarder down the middle of the field to Mike Brown to set up a 26-yard field goal that gave the Jaguars a 10-3 lead late in the third quarter.

Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson had a successful debut at running back with the Jaguars. He carried the ball seven times for 36 yards and scampered 23 yards in the fourth quarter for the decisive touchdown.