Nov. 25, 2008
With 27 Nittany Lions on National Football League rosters, Penn State is well represented in the professional ranks. Each week throughout the year, www.GoPSUsports.com, will provide updates on the exploits of these former Nittany Lion greats. Highlights from week 12 of the 2008 NFL season include a showdown between former Nittany Lion offensive greats Kareem McKenzie and Levi Brown, the Chiefs' Larry Johnson's 105 total yards, and Bryant Johnson's second straight four-catch, 56-yard performance.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 27, St. Louis Rams 3
Adams saw playing time as a back-up defensive tackle but did not record any stats.
Jay Alford (2003-06), DT, New York Giants
New York Giants 37, Arizona Cardinals 29
Alford received playing time in the Giants' defensive line rotation, recording one quarterback hit.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants 37, Arizona Cardinals 29
Brown and the Cardinals offensive line allowed just one sack against one of the league's most aggressive and active defenses while protecting NFL MVP candidate Kurt Warner as he threw for 348 yards. The Cardinals offense in ranked No. 2 in the NFL, averaging 390.7 yards per game.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Tennessee Titans
New York Jets 34, Tennessee Titans 13
Despite the Titans suffering their first loss of the season, Collins was solid behind center, completing 21-of-39 passes for 243 yards and one touchdown. In 10 starts, Collins has thrown for 1,998 yards and nine touchdowns with just four interceptions.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
Atlanta Falcons 45, Carolina Panthers 28
Connor was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season ending knee injury in Carolina's week three game versus Minnesota.
Bobby Engram (1991, 1993-95), WR, Seattle Seahawks
Washington Redskins 20, Seattle Seahawks 17
Engram started at wide receiver, totaling two receptions for a team-high 34 yards.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38, Detroit Lions 20
Gilmore started at tight end for the Buccaneers but did not catch a pass.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 27, St. Louis Rams 3
Gould was perfect on the day, connecting on field goals of 38 and 43 yards and converting on 3-of-3 PATs. For the season, he has made 18 of 21 (85.7%) field goal attempts.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills 54, Kansas City Chiefs 31
After missing the previous game with an ankle injury, Hali returned to his starting left defensive end spot, recording two solo tackles.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys 35, San Francisco 49ers 22
For the second consecutive game, Johnson caught for passes for 56 yards. He ranks third on the team with 27 catches for 337 yards.
Larry Johnson (1999-02), RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills 54, Kansas City Chiefs 31
Johnson rushed for 81 yards on just seven carries (11.6 avg.), including a long of 63 yards, and caught two passes for 24 yards.
Joe Jurevicius (1994-97), WR, Cleveland Browns
Houston Texans 16, Cleveland Browns 6
Jurevicius will miss the remainder of the 2008 season after contracting a serious staph infection following knee surgery. He pledges to return to play for his hometown Browns in 2009.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota Vikings 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 12
Kennedy was designated inactive for the game.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
Chicago Bears 27, St. Louis Rams 3
King resides on the injured reserve list after tearing a ligament in his left big toe in the Rams' preseason opener.
Calvin Lowry (2002-05), S, Denver Broncos
Oakland Raiders 31, Denver Broncos 10
Lowry was designated inactive for the game.
David Macklin (1996-99), CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills 54, Kansas City Chiefs 31
Macklin served in a back-up role in the Chiefs' defensive backfield but did not record any stats.
Sean McHugh (2000-03), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cincinnati Bengals 10
McHugh saw action as a back-up tight end.
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
New York Giants 37, Arizona Cardinals 29
McKenzie and his offensive line mates allowed just one sack in helping the defending Super Bowl Champions to their sixth straight victory and 10th win of the season overall. The Giants boast the league's top rushing offense, averaging 164.9 yards per game, and the NFL's No. 5-ranked overall offense (367.8 ypg).
Scott Paxson (2003-05), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cincinnati Bengals 10
Paxson is a member of the Steelers' practice squad.
Anwar Phillips (2002-05), CB, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens 36, Philadelphia Eagles 7
Phillips is a member of the Ravens' practice squad
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 54, Kansas City Chiefs 31
Posluszny recorded three tackles, all solos. He leads the Bills defense with 76 tackles and 63 solos.
Tyler Reed (2003-05), G, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 27, St. Louis Rams 3
Reed is a member of the Bears' practice squad.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys 35, San Francisco 49ers 22
Robinson had three receptions for seven yards and registered one special teams tackle.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 54, Kansas City Chiefs 31
Scott saw action as a back-up in the Bills' secondary and played on special teams, making one tackle.
Isaac Smolko (2003-05), TE, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens 36, Philadelphia Eagles 7
Smolko is a member of the Ravens' practice squad.
Tony Stewart (1997-00), TE, Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders 31, Denver Broncos 10
Stewart got the start in Oakland's two tight end set, catching one pass for five yards.
Kenny Watson (1996, 99-00), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cincinnati Bengals 10
Watson was active for the game but did not carry the ball.