Former BYU Cougars once again left their mark on the 2006 NFL regular season. Seven players helped their teams win division titles while all three head coaches with BYU ties helped their teams win division crowns. Several players were among team leaders in various offensive, defensive, and special teams categories. Arizona defensive back Aaron Francisco, in only his second NFL season, was named to the Pro Bowl as a special teams alternate.
The following is a list of former BYU players and coaches who contributed to their NFL teams' success during the 2006 NFL regular season:
Ben Archibald (OL, New Orleans): Archibald played in six games for the NFC South champion New Orleans Saints in his rookie campaign last season and was on the Saints' practice squad for the entire 2006 regular season. The Saints earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Colby Bockwoldt (LB, Tennessee): Bockwoldt played in all 16 games and started one game in his first season with Tennessee and third NFL season overall. He finished with 21 total tackles (14 solo), one sack, and one fumble recovery.
John Denney (LS, Miami): John played in all 16 games this season as the Dolphins' first-string long snapper. On the season, John recorded five tackles (four solo) and had one fumble recovery. This season marked John's second in the NFL.
Ryan Denney (DE, Buffalo): Ryan, John's older brother, played in all 16 games in his fifth season in the NFL after being drafted in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He finished the year with 54 tackles (38 solo), six sacks, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. On the season, Ryan ranked second on the team in sacks and second among Bills defensive linemen in tackles.
Aaron Francisco (DB, Arizona): Francisco, in only his second NFL season after being undrafted out of BYU, was named a Pro Bowl alternate as a special teams player. Francisco played in all 16 games, including one start, after playing in eleven games as a rookie last season. He finished the season with 49 tackles, including 41 solo takedowns, two interceptions which he returned for a total of 61 yards, and one pass deflection. Francisco led the Cardinals in special teams tackles. He also ranked ninth on the Cardinals in total tackles and fourth in interceptions.
Chris Hoke (NT, Pittsburgh): Hoke, in his sixth season with the Steelers, played in all 16 games in the 2006 campaign. Hoke recorded 12 tackles, including nine solo takedowns, from his nose tackle position.
Scott Jackson (OL, Houston): Jackson was signed to the Texans' active roster from Tampa Bay's practice squad midway through the season. Jackson spent the past two seasons with the Buccaneers.
Doug Jolley (TE, Tampa Bay): Jolley, in his fifth NFL season, played in 11 games this season and caught one pass for seven yards. Jolley originally was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft by Oakland.
Brett Keisel (DE, Pittsburgh): Keisel, in his fifth NFL season, started all sixteen games and did not disappoint after signing a free agent contract with Pittsburgh before the season. On the season, Keisel recorded 55 tackles, including 38 solo takedowns, 5.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. He ranked third on the Steelers in sacks and second among defensive linemen in tackles. Keisel originally was drafted by Pittsburgh in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL draft.
Reno Mahe (RB, Philadelphia): All purpose back and special teams extraordinaire Reno Mahe played in 12 games, including one start, in his fourth season with Philadelphia. On the season, Mahe registered four carries for 18 yards and five receptions for 23 yards for the NFC East champion Eagles. He also returned 30 kickoffs for 667 yards for an average of 22.2 yards per return, with a long of 64 yards, and 18 punts for 169 yards for an average of 9.4 yards per return, with a long of 23 yards. Mahe also registered three tackles (two solo) on special teams. Mahe led the NFL in punt return average last season.
Itula Mili (TE, Seattle): Mili struggled with injuries in his tenth season with Seattle but still managed to haul in 10 receptions for 69 yards. Mili started two games and appeared in 10 games for the NFC West champion Seahawks. Mili holds the Seahawks franchise record for receptions in a season by a tight end (46) and held the franchise record for receiving yards in a season by a tight end until 2005.
Rob Morris (LB, Indianapolis): Morris played in 15 games, including five starts, in his seventh season with the Colts after being drafted in the first round (28th) of the 2000 NFL draft. He finished the season with 55 total tackles (43 solo). Morris helped the Colts win the AFC South by a four game margin.
Shaun Nua (DL, Pittsburgh): Nua, one of three defensive linemen from BYU on the Steelers, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft. He has spent the last two seasons on the Steelers' practice squad.
Brady Poppinga (LB, Green Bay): Poppinga, in his second season, played in all 16 games and started 12 games for the Packers. He finished with 60 total tackles (44 solo), one sack, one interception, which he returned for 21 yards, four pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. Poppinga ranked seventh on the team in tackles. He was drafted by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft.
Gabe Reid (TE, Chicago): Reid, in his fourth season with Chicago, played in 13 games this season for the NFC North champion Bears. He finished the year with four receptions for 37 yards. Reid also registered two solo tackles on special teams.
Fahu Tahi (FB, Minnesota): Tahi, in his rookie season, spent most of the season on Cincinnati's practice squad before being signed to the Vikings active roster.
John Tait (OL, Chicago): Tait, in his eighth season overall and third with Chicago, started all 14 games he played in this season and helped the Bears win the NFC North and secure a first-round playoff bye. The Bears' offensive line allowed the sixth fewest sacks in the NFL and fourth fewest in the NFC. Tait originally was drafted in the first round (14th) of the 1999 NFL draft.
Todd Watkins (WR, Arizona): Watkins was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft. He spent much of his rookie campaign on the Cardinals' practice squad before being elevated to the active roster late in the season.
Scott Young (OL, Philadelphia): Young, in his second NFL season, made his NFL debut and played in 12 games for the NFC East champion Eagles. Young was drafted by Philadelphia in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft.
COACHES
Brian Billick (head coach, Baltimore): Billick, in his eighth season with Baltimore, led the Ravens to the AFC North division title and a first round playoff bye. The Ravens finished with a 13-3 record, good enough for second best in the NFL. Billick coached and played at BYU.
Norm Chow (offensive coordinator, Tennessee): Chow, in his second season as the Titans' offensive coordinator, helped the Titans finish second in the AFC South with an 8-8 record. The Titans won six of their last seven games and barely missed the playoffs, despite being led by a rookie quarterback. Chow coached at BYU from 1973 to 1999.
Mike Holmgren (head coach, Seattle): Holmgren guided the Seahawks to the NFC West crown one year after taking his team to the Super Bowl. Holmgren is in his eighth season as head coach of the Seahawks.
Jim Lind (tight ends coach, Seattle): Lind is in his eighth season as tight ends coach for Seattle. Lind coached at BYU with Holmgren.
Andy Reid (head coach, Philadelphia): Reid's Eagles won the NFC East division title despite losing Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb to an injury early in the season. Reid coached and played at BYU.