[ NFL ISLANDERS ]
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich of the 49ers, a Hawaii alumnus, leaped as he tried to tackle Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown.
Colts’ Freitas takes a seat
One of the pleasant surprises for the Indianapolis Colts took a spot on the bench yesterday after starting six of the past seven games.
Offensive tackle Tarik Glenn not only returned to practice this past week after being sidelined for the first time in his six-year career with a knee injury, he was back in the starting lineup for yesterday's win over rival Tennessee as well.
That didn't keep local boy and rookie left tackle Makoa Freitas (Kamehameha/Arizona) out of the game. Freitas was a key ingredient for the Colts in their recent offensive success and figures to see plenty of snaps in the postseason.
It doesn't appear that many NFL players with island ties will be joining him. The Denver Broncos kept their flame flickering with a home win over rival Kansas City.
Wideout Ashley Lelie (Radford/Hawaii) continued his second-season struggles with only one catch for 7 yards. All-Pro Ed McCaffrey started in Lelie's place for a second straight week.
Place-kicker Jason Elam (Hawaii) fell one point shy of cracking 100 for the season, but he still had six extra points and, more importantly, a 47-yard field goal for the Broncos. Elam aggravated an old muscle pull earlier this season, but said last week he was pain free and only need to find his rhythm.
Defensive end Mario Fatafehi (Farrington/Kansas State) started his third game of the season in place of the discipline-challenged Daryl Gardener. Fatafehi did not record a tackle.
Baltimore also kept its drive for the playoffs in gear with an emotional win over upstart Cincinnati. Ravens defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Kahuku/Utah) finished with one tackle.
Seattle stalled a bit in its drive for the postseason with another road loss, this time in Minnesota. But the Seahawks' 8-5 mark keeps them perched on the top side of the bubble, much to the delight of tight end Itula Mili (Kahuku/BYU).
He started his ninth game of the season and had one reception for 3 yards. The Seattle defeat kept San Francisco's postseason hopes on life support. The 49ers pulled within two games of NFC West rival Seattle with a lopsided win over Arizona. Former UH linebacker Jeff Ulbrich returned from multiple leg injuries and made his presence felt with six unassisted tackles. Ulbrich, who is fourth on the team with 64 tackles, missed last weekend's game in Baltimore with ankle and thigh injuries.
Injuries have plagued a couple of offensive linemen with island ties who will likely be home come January. Chief among them is Jacksonville guard Vince Manuwai (Farrington/Hawaii). He was back in the starting lineup for the 11th time in 13 games after being sidelined with a foot injury.
He joined fellow Jaguar offensive lineman Chris Naeole (Kahuku/Colorado), who started his 13th straight time this season, in the winners' circle as Jacksonville dominated Houston. Running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (Saint Louis/Utah) was not on the active roster. Neither was New Orleans running back James Fenderson (Mililani/Hawaii), who is slowed with an ankle injury.
Former Saint Louis School centers Olin Kreutz (Washington) and Dominic Raiola (Nebraska) were on the field yesterday for their 13th consecutive starts of the season. Kreutz has had some nagging injuries of his own, but has managed to play through them.
He and Raiola were on the losing side of the scoreboard yesterday as Chicago lost in Green Bay and Detroit suffered a somewhat rare home loss to San Diego. Atlanta offensive lineman Kynan Forney (Hawaii) was more fortunate, thanks to the return of Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick. Forney started for the 13th time this season.
So did Pittsburgh defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen (Molokai/Boise State), who finished with three sacks as Pittsburgh dropped Oakland to 3-10.
