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Miner NFL Report

NFL Training camps got going this past week, they are far and few, but here are some former Miners who are residing on NFL rosters during the greatest time of the year!

By Alex Nicolas
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The yelling, whistles, and grind of NFL training camp is full throttle this weekend as football is just around the corner. 

Nine former UTEP players are battling their way for jobs in camp, and here is a list of who is where and the prospects of their roster spot.

Joe Banyard/Running back/Minnesota Vikings

Banyard is listed as fourth on the depth chart at running back to start camp, he saw some action late last year, though only had one reception for 11 yards.  Of course Adrian Peterson is locked in as the starter, Banyard is battling Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon for a spot in the backup rotation behind AP.

For more Vikings Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Daily Norseman

Antwon Blake/Cornerback/Pittsburgh Steelers

After spending two years in Jacksonville, the Houston native etched himself as one of the best special team players in the NFL after his first year with the Steelers last season.  Blake is a starter on the special teams unit, and is an ace as a gunner, also fighting for a spot as a backup on the cornerback depth chart.  Blake is a rising special teams star in the league, his Madden speed rating is just about right.

For more Steelers Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Behind the Steel Curtain

 Oniel Cousins/Guard/Tampa Buccaneers

 

Cousins enters his seventh season in the league, signing a one-year deal with Tampa after appearing in 59 games in his first six seasons with nine starts with the Ravens and Browns.  Cousins is penciled in as a starter at right guard under first year Head Coach Lovie Smith.  Smith inherits a team with a lot of young talent on defense, and Cousins will go up against one the best young defensive lineman in the game everyday in camp in Gerald McCoy who will certainly push Cousins in his battle for a starting gig.

For more Buccaneers Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Bucs Nation

Quintin Demps/Safety/New York Giants

Demps joins a talented, and deep secondary in New York after his two most productive pro seasons with Houston in 2012, then last year he recorded 4 picks, and housed a 95 yard kick return against the Redskins last season during his one year stint with the Chiefs.  Demps also averaged 15.2 yards per return on his interceptions in Kansas City last season while also recoding nine pass breakups.  He has recorded 70 tackles the past two seasons, providing experienced proven depth behind starters Antrel Rolle and Will Hill for the G-Men.  Demps is battling Trindon Holliday for return honors as well, and looks to have the kick returns reigns on lock, interesting to see if he can also lock down the punt returner spot during camp.

For more Giants Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Big Blue View

Jon Dorenbos/Long Snapper/Philadelphia Eagles

 

The eldest active tenured NFL Miner is Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos.  "The Magician" is locked in for his 12th NFL season, playing in every game the Eagles have played since 2006. Dorenbos' contract says he will be in Philly until 2017, and according to www.Nj.com he owns a bag of Jason Kelce's beard hair.

For more Eagles Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Bleeding Green Nation

James Davidson/Defensive End/Cincinnati Bengals

Davidson goes from a three-point stance to a two point stance, making the transition to linebacker from defensive end, all while fighting for his NFL life as an undrafted rookie free-agent with the Bengals. Davidson in one of eleven linebackers vying for eight depth chart slots on the Bengals solid defensive unit.  Davidson made a highlight in camp that had Bengal fans talking.  Making a diving pass breakup on a drill with TE's, Davidson probably drew as many Google searches as he did oh's and ah's in his first day at camp.

For more Bengals Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Cincy Jungle

 Jordan Palmer/Quarterback/Chicago Bears

Palmer was announced as the backup for the Bears Wednesday according the team's Twitter feed.  Palmer has not played in a NFL game since 2010, but boasts way more clipboard experience than the other candidates to replace Josh McCown to back up Jay Cutler. Palmer is the frontrunner ahead of former Golden Domer, and Carolina Panther Jimmy Clausen, along with the Bears 6th round pick David Fales. In six seasons, Palmer has 59 career passing yards.

 

For more Bears Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Windy City Gridiron

Darren Woodard/Cornerback/St. Louis Rams

The Rams look to improve a horrid secondary under first year defensive coordinator Greg Williams, and Darren Woodard hopes to crack the depth chart in his second season.  The Rams secondary allowed opponents to complete 68.1 percent of their pass attempts a year ago.  Woodard signed a practice squad deal last September and has not appeared in any games. He is apart of a very young secondary that combined has only 71 career NFL starts between the position group.  Woodard looks to be third or fourth down the depth chart as of today.

For more Rams Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Turf Show Times

Horace Miller/Linebacker/Seattle Seahawks

Horace Miller joins the defending Super Bowl Champs as a un-drafted free agent, and through OTA's he displayed his elite speed that made him the 2008 SPARQ National Champion.  Miller sits fourth on the depth chart at Will linebacker, impressive fact is this season is just Miller's second season at linebacker and is now competing for a NFL job at linebacker.  His 4.4 speed should at least land him on the practice squad, though we all know how hard he works and how he can get after it.  It maybe a half court shot, but I believe Miller has a decent chance of making A roster at some point somewhere if he has a solid pre-season.

For more Seahawks Training Camp Coverage, visit SB Nation's Field Gulls