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home of the Blue Streaks
Nick Caserio with the Texans during training camp
Houston Texans

NFL Playoffs Feature 23 Blue Streaks on 10 Teams

| By: Joe Ginley '16, SID
Ten of the NFL’s 14 playoff teams employ a Blue Streak. 
The strength and depth of the John Carroll University pipeline to the National Football League has been on full display this season. 

Impressively, all 7 AFC playoff teams feature a Blue Streak, while 3 NFC teams sport a Blue Streak.

A total of 23 Blue Streaks on 10 teams will be in pursuit of Super Bowl LVIII. That's an uptick from years past, up from 14 Blue Streaks in the 2022 NFL Playoffs, 15 in the 2021 Playoffs, and 11 in the 2020 Playoffs. 

To learn the full history of John Carroll's connection to the NFL, click here.

The Premier Matchup
For just about everyone in Cleveland, Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the Houston Texans will be the top game of the weekend. John Carroll Football fans, wherever you're from, could say the same.

This Browns vs. Texans game features an amazing 9 Blue Streaks, with a league-high five on the Browns and four with the Texans. 

On the Browns side, former JCU coach Joe Dever '19G is a member of the scouting department as a Mid-Atlantic Area Scout. Lizzie Heidenreich (Trathen) '13, '18G plays a prominent role as the Manager of Cleveland Browns Foundation. Former JCU baseball standout John Frain '86 (a member of the legendary 1984 team) is the Director of Security for the team. Allison Likar '00 is an Executive Assistant in the front office. And while you may not know the name Brenan Betro '19, you've definitely seen his work, as he serves as the team's Social Media Manager. 

The Texans feature four Blue Streaks across the organization. Most prominently, Nick Caserio '98 is Houston's General Manager. The architect of one of the league's best turnarounds, Caserio has done a marvelous job of building a great Texans team. From drafting CJ Stroud to hiring DeMeco Ryans to the myriad of other wise moves, Caserio's job in turning around the Texans is one of the top stories of the NFL postseason. 

Former JCU coach D.J. Debick '13 has certainly aided the effort as Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. On the sidelines, former JCU coach Frank Ross '10 has made a big impact as Special Teams Coordinator. His unit has been a high-achieving one over the course of the last several seasons. Ross' Texans grade as the NFL's best special teams for the second straight year in Rick Gosselin's rankings, finishing top 10 in 15 of the 22 major categories, tops in kickoff return average, special teams scoring, fewest blocked kicks, and fewest turnovers. Meanwhile, Nate Leopold '22 is in his second season as Personnel Assistant for the team.

The Browns and Texans open up the NFL playoffs on Saturday with a 4:30 pm showdown on NBC. 

Battling in the Cold 
A game circled for many, the Miami Dolphins vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, will feature a Blue Streak on both sides.

Making a return trip to the playoffs is former JCU coach Joe Kasper. He is the Dolphins' safeties coach after working as a wide receivers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles the past two seasons. Kasper will be on the sidelines for what's expected to be one of the colder NFL playoff games in recent memory.

Also no stranger to the postseason is Jalen Myrick '19. A five-year member of the Chiefs organization, Myrick is a College/Pro Scout for Kansas City. He's already got a pair of Super Bowl rings, and is hoping for a third this year. 

The Dolphins and Chiefs play on Saturday at 8:15 pm on Peacock.

Blue Streak Trio in the Snow Bowl
Weather will most likely have an impact on Sunday's opener between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. Three Blue Streaks will be represented in this snow bowl.

For the Bills, Joe Micca '10 plays a prominent role as Rehabilitation Coordinator. Micca and the medical team for the Bills have reeled in plenty of awards and honors in the past year, for good reason. Also in Buffalo is Ashley McCall '23, serving as Events and Experience Graduate Assistant. McCall is doing a likewise excellent job this year in Buffalo. 

Another Wenzler Warrior is on the opposing team. Christine Gaab '17 serves as Direct Marketing Coordinator for the Steelers. This is her second season working for the team. Gaab enjoyed a successful career for JCU Swimming & Diving team as a student-athlete while working in sports information.  

The Bills host the Steelers on Sunday at 1 pm on CBS. 

Good Start with the Pack
After moving to Green Bay in the offseason, Rob Grosso '15 is back in the playoffs.

Grosso spent 2019-22 with the Arizona Cardinals before becoming an Offensive Quality Control coach for the Packers this offseason, working with the tight ends. Grosso will be making his second appearance in the playoffs, as he was on the 2021 Cardinals that lost in the Wild Card round. Grosso also did work as a training camp operations intern in 2015 (Peyton Manning's Super Bowl swan song).

The Packers play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at 4:30 pm on Fox. 

Detroit-Bound JCU Trio
Without a doubt, one of the top storylines of the NFL Wild Card Weekend is Matthew Stafford returning home to face the Detroit Lions, as long-suffering Lions fans host the first-ever playoff game at Ford Field.

A subtext of the headline is that three Blue Streaks will return to the Midwest. Former JCU coach Chris Shula played a key role on the coaching staff this season. Shula got a promotion heading into his seventh season with the Rams, becoming the Linebackers / Pass Rush Coordinator. His unit has done excellent work this season. Nick Caley '06 played a significant role in his first season in LA as tight ends coach following six seasons in the same role in New England. Former JCU coach Mike Harris is also in his first year with the Rams. In 2022, Harris coached safeties at JCU, and this year, he's been coaching stars such as Jordan Fuller and John Johnson III. 

Kickoff in Detroit is set for 8:15 pm on Sunday on NBC. 

No Strangers to the Playoffs in Philly
Following a near miss at last year's Super Bowl, two Blue Streaks in Philadelphia are hoping to get rings. 

Dave Caldwell '96 enjoyed another great year as Senior Personnel Director / Advisor to the GM. The Eagles have made plenty of wise moves to get back to the postseason for a third straight year. Also in the midst of a good season is Jarrod Kilburn '14. The former JCU quarterback continues to serve as a College/Pro Scout for the Eagles. 

The Eagles head to Tampa Bay for an 8 pm kickoff on Monday Night on ESPN/ABC. 

Blue Streaks on Bye 
Three more Blue Streaks are working hard this week, but get a chance to watch from the couch, as the Baltimore Ravens earned the top seed in the AFC. 

Pat Moriarty '93G enjoys another playoff appearance as a longtime member of the front office. The JCU grad serves as Senior Advisor to the General Manager.

Behind the scenes, Will Blake '19 is the man who makes the radio magic happen. Blake is the Director for the Baltimore Ravens Gameday Network, ensuring that all Ravens games air on the radio. The Wenzler Warrior and WJCU 88.7 FM alum is in his second year in the role. 

In his first year working with the team is Noah Tylutki '21, '23G. The Detroit native (Grosse Ile to be exact) is working for the Ravens as a Communications Intern. The former JCU sports information graduate assistant is definitely enjoying his time with the team. 
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