Four former Jayhawks set for NFL postseason

Undrafted rookie free agent, Chris Harris, will play a key role for the Denver Broncos this postseason. by matt_tait

The NFL playoffs are set, and while most Kansas University football fans have used that as a gauge to track KU?s quest for a defensive coordinator, there?s also another reason for the arrival of the postseason to draw the interest of KU fans.

Four of the seven former Jayhawks currently playing in the NFL will be on playoff rosters in 2012. Whether they all will be active or get a chance to play remains to be seen. But getting there is half the battle.

Here?s a quick look:

Believe it or not, Denver cornerback CHRIS HARRIS is probably the one former KU player who will make the biggest impact on the postseason this year. Whether the Broncos make any noise as the No. 4 seed in the AFC or not, Harris will be on the field and will be given a chance to make plays against the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Harris, who ranks fourth in the NFL in tackles among all rookies, finished with three solo stops and one pass break-up during the Broncos? 7-3 loss to Kansas City on Sunday. Harris finished the regular season with 72 tackles, one interception and six pass break-ups while playing most often as Denver?s nickel corner. The Bixby, Okla., native led the Broncos in tackles mulitiple times and was, without question, one of the team?s biggest surprises, having joined Denver as an undrafted free agent.

Denver (8-8) will play host to Pittsburgh (12-4) at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

As for the former Jayhawk most likely to make the next biggest impact this season, that?s a tough call. ANTHONY COLLINS (Cincinnati), KERRY MEIER (Atlanta) and MORAN NORRIS (San Francisco) all have roster spots on their postseason team, but none are guaranteed to play.

Collins, an offensive tackle, played in seven games this season for the Bengals and made two starts (Dec. 11 and Dec. 18) in place of the injured Andre Smith. AC also played some on special teams and as an extra blocker in short yardage situations.

Cincinnati (9-7) will travel to Houston (10-6) to take on the AFC South champion Texans at 3:30 p.m. today.

Meier, a wide receiver, played in 12 of the Falcons? 16 games this season ? mostly on special teams ? and did not record a catch or a tackle. He missed Weeks 16 and 17 with a groin injury and likely won?t play this weekend when the fifth-seeded Falcons (10-6) travel north to take on the fourth-seeded New York Giants (9-7) at noon Sunday.

Finally, Norris, a fullback and 11-year NFL veteran, has played in four games for the surprising 49ers this season, starting the first two games of the season and then playing sparingly in Week 12 and Week 17. Norris battled injuries most of the season and did not record a carry, catch or tackle during the four games in which he played.

No. 2 seed San Francisco (12-4) earned a first-round bye in the NFC and will play host to a Divisional Round game the weekend of Jan. 14-15.

Source: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/2012/jan/7/four-former-jayhawks-set-for-nfl-postsea/

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