A dozen former college football standouts from Iowa will take part in the National Football League divisional playoffs this weekend. Former Iowa linebacker Chad Greenway is one of four college players from the state on the roster for the Minnesota Vikings and they will play host to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Vikings lost their playoff opener last season to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Greenway says they are upset that they lost and says the made some mistakes they can’t make. The Vikings hope the home field will be an advantage but Greenway says a lot of road teams are having success in the postseason. He says teams are used to it and have been able to go to different counts.
The Cowboys are on a roll and Greenway says the Viking defense needs to shut down their running game. Greenway says they want to make them have to throw the ball every time and he says that gives them a chance. He says if they can run the ball and pick their spots to throw it, that’s when they are really good.
Former UNI defensive back Benny Sapp, Iowa State quarterback Sage Rosenfels and Iowa running back Albert Young are also on the roster. Former Hawkeye running back Sean Greene and the New York Jets will visit San Diego. Former Iowa kicker Nate Kaeding and Iowa State linebacker Tim Dobbins are on the Charger’s roster.
Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals will visit the New Orleans Saints. The former UNI star tossed five touchdown passes in last week’s victory over Green Bay in overtime. Brandon Keith from UNI is a reserve offensive lineman while Kenny Iwebema is a backup defensive end. Former Drake kicker Billy Cundiff was a acquired at mid-season by the Baltimore Ravens and they will visit the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
Former Iowa Hawkeye Marshall Yanda is the starting right guard for the Ravens while former Hawkeye Dallas Clark had a pro bowl season for the Colts with 100 receptions and ten touchdowns during the regular season.