Former Notre Dame teammates Robert Hughes and Brian Smith enjoyed a reunion at the Bears-Browns preseason game on Thursday night. Hughes had a stellar night for the Bears. He rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and also had 26 yards on two pass receptions. Smith started at linebacker for the Browns and had two tackles.
On one play, Hughes ran a pass pattern out of the backfield and was well covered by Smith and Nathan Enderle's pass was too long.
"He was talking all game," Hughes said with a laugh. "He said, 'Man, Rob did you get faster or something?' I said, 'No, you got slower.'
Both players were cut on Saturday -- as their former teammates were losing to South Florida 23-20 in South Bend. But Hughes still enjoyed the moment when he had a chance to compete against a friend at the highest level.
"It's always been friendly competition between me and Brian. I think of him as a brother," Hughes said. "We spent four years together [at Notre Dame]. We became really close friends. We came in together. We left at the same time. We train at the same facility. We signed with the same agency.
"It's always good to see Brian. I wish the best for him."
The news wasn't as bad for other former teammates. Defensive tackle Ian Williams (49ers) and cornerback Darrin Walls (Falcons) made NFL rosters as undrafted free agents. Tight end Kyle Rudolph, a second-round draft pick, is with the Vikings. He had six receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown in the preseason.
Guard Chris Stewart was cut by the Jets. Running back Armando Allen was cut by the Buccaneers, but was signed to the Bears' practice squad Monday.
The Bears made a BIG Mistake cutting Robert Hughes. He will be a big star in the NFL, sadly with another team.