Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Cowboys in the NFL - 2005
January 02, 2006 | Cowboy Football
Eleven of the 14 former Oklahoma State Cowboys playing on NFL rosters during 2005 saw their seasons come to an end over the weekend, while the trio of Tatum Bell, Keith Burns and Darrent Williams are all members of the AFC West champion Denver Broncos and will continue their season in the playoffs. The Broncos are 13-3 and have a first-round bye to open the playoffs. They will host a playoff game next week in Denver.
Following is a roundup of how each of the former Cowboys fared in their final game of 2005 and their final season stats.
Billy Bajema, TE - San Francisco Bajema started at tight end and also recorded a tackle on special teams in a 20-17 overtime win against Houston. The rookie started seven games at tight end in 2005 and had five catches for 54 yards, as well as four tackles on special teams. The 49ers finished 4-12.
Tatum Bell, RB- Denver Bell started the regular season finale and rushed for 52 yards on 17 carries while also recording a career-high three touchdowns to lead the Broncos to a 23-7 win over San Diego. In his second NFL season, Bell is Denver's second-leading rusher with 921 yards on 173 carries to go along with eight rushing touchdowns. Bell leads the NFL with an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He also has 18 catches for 104 yards.
Keith Burns, LB - Denver Burns, a 12-year NFL veteran and special teams standout, started a linebacker for the first time in over three years and recorded one tackle against San Diego. He also had a stop on special teams. Denver's special teams captain has a team-high 16 special teams tackles on the season and has also recorded two tackles playing linebacker. Burns has racked up over 200 special teams stops in his career.
Vernand Morency, RB - Houston In his first NFL start, Morency rushed for a team-high 83 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the overtime loss to San Francisco. He also had four catches for 46 yards. Morency played in 13 games in his rookie season, finishing with 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries to go along with 10 catches for 87 yards. Also used as a kick returner, he averaged 21.9 yards on 20 kickoff returns. Houston finished 2-14.
R.W. McQuarters, CB - Detroit McQuarters had three tackles and a pass breakup from his cornerback spot as the Lions lost their finale against Pittsburgh. In his eighth NFL season, McQuarters recorded 57 tackles and two interceptions. He also averaged 23.8 yards on 16 kickoff returns and 11.7 yards on 10 punt returns. Detroit finished the season with a 5-11 mark.
Greg Richmond, LB - Philadelphia After spending last season on the Eagles' practice squad, Richmond spent the '05 season on the team's physically unable to perform list after having surgery in August to repair a herniated disc in his lower back.
Marcellus Rivers, TE - Houston A fifth-year pro, Rivers had a career-high five catches for 34 yards in the Texans' season finale. He also had a tackle on special teams. After spending his first four NFL seasons with the New York Giants, Rivers started five games at tight end for the Texans this season and had 24 catches for 168 yards. He added six tackles on special teams.
Antonio Smith, DE - Arizona A defensive end for the Cardinals, Smith had two tackles and a sack in a loss to Indianapolis. Smith started eight games in 2005 and had 16 tackles and three sacks in 13 games. Arizona finished the season with a 5-11 record. A fifth-round pick in 2004, Smith spent the first 13 games of his rookie season on the practice squad before playing in two of Arizona's final three games and then playing in NFL Europe for Hamburg.
Juqua Thomas, DE - Philadelphia A fifth-year pro in his first season with the Eagles, Thomas started at defensive end and had five tackles and a pass breakup in Philly's 31-20 loss to Washington. Thomas recorded a career-high 19 tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 2005. Philadelphia finished the season 6-10.
Darrent Williams, CB - Denver Williams suffered a groin injury in Week 14 against Baltimore and was inactive for the Broncos' final two regular season contests. He has returned to practice in a limited capacity, and the Broncos are hopeful that Williams will be able to play next week. The rookie cornerback has started nine games for Denver, racking up 58 tackles, two interceptions — one that he returned 80 yards for a touchdown — 12 pass breakups, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. As a kick returner, Williams is averaging 23.9 yards on 18 kickoff returns and 8.7 yards on 17 punt returns.
Jamal Williams, DT - San Diego Williams, a starter on the defensive line, had eight tackles in the Chargers' season ending loss to Denver. In his eighth NFL season, Williams recorded 55 tackles — 45 of those solo stops — and a fumble recovery. San Diego finished 9-7.
Kevin Williams, DT - Minnesota Williams racked up seven tackles and two sacks as the Vikings topped Chicago, 34-10, to end the season. In his third season and following a 2004 campaign in which he was named to the Pro Bowl, Williams had 42 tackles and four sacks. Minnesota ended the season with a 9-7 mark.
Rashaun Woods, WR - San Francisco Woods was on the 49ers' injured reserve list and did not play in his second NFL season.
Kenyatta Wright, LB - New York Jets Wright played in the regular season finale against Buffalo but did not record any stats. In his fifth NFL season, Wright recorded 13 tackles. He has over 60 special teams tackles in his three seasons with the Jets, which ranks in the top five of the club's all-time list. The Jets finished the season 4-12.
