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Unsung Heroes Rams turn to dependable Proehl in clutch
Every Tuesday during the NFL season, CNNSI.com's Pat Kirwan will recognize the players and coaches who don't see much of the spotlight but get the job done. At the end of the season, Kirwan will present his Unsung Coach of the Year award in the memory of former NFL player and coach Chip Myers. In January 1999, after having served as an NFL assistant for 15 years, Myers was named Vikings offensive coordinator. Just a month later, Myers suffered a fatal heart attack. Receiver Ricky Proehl may not be Torry Holt or Isaac Bruce in the Rams' offensive machine, but he seems to be a go-to guy when things are on the line. Against the Patriots on Sunday night, Proehl caught five balls for 62 yards. With the game close just before halftime, he caught passes on three consecutive plays as St. Louis marched 97 yards for a score. The Bills may have lost a tough game to the Seahawks, but there's hope for the rest of the season after Alex Van Pelt 's 28-for-316, two-touchdown performance. The Bills will be a different team with Van Pelt under center the new few weeks. Keep an eye on Seahawks defensive back Curtis Fuller . The 2001 fourth-round pick can play corner or safety and against the Bills had eight tackles and two passes defended. Mark my words: He will continue to get more playing time each week and will emerge as one of the best dime backs in the league by year's end. How about Browns running back Ben Gay? The undrafted rookie from Garden City Community College had 18 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown, a reception for seven yards and two kickoff returns for 66 yards. In the big Cleveland win against the defending champion Ravens, Gay accumulated 129 yards in 21 opportunities. Another guy who seems to have come out of nowhere is New Orleans wideout Eddie Williams. Signed off the team's practice squad a few weeks ago, Williams caught two touchdown passes in the Saints' victory against the Colts. Coming into the week, Williams, who is built like a tight end but has a receiver's speed, had just three career receptions. While winning on the road is hard, beating a division opponent away from home is even harder. Imagine shutting out a division rival on the road with first place on the line. That's exactly what Ted Cottrell's Jets defense did when it stopped the Dolphins from scoring a point. Cottrell's troops scored twice, held Miami to 78 yards rushing, had three interceptions, three sacks and three forced fumbles, and never even let the Fish into the red zone. That's championship defense -- and that was the best defensive game I've seen this year. The Patriots are quietly building a good football team . Even though they lost to the Rams this week, they are still in a position to make a run at the postseason. Scott Pioli is Bill Belichick's right-hand man and he's done a terrific job of bringing in talent for a reasonable amount of money. Antowain Smith will rush for 1,000 yards, receivers David Patten and Charles Johnson have been reliable targets, and Mike Compton has been an excellent addition on the offensive line. I know how much Belichick relies on Pioli and so far his behind-the-scenes efforts have produced excellent results. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated. Unsung Heroes appears every Tuesday at CNNSI.com.
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