Dec. 2, 2008
With 26 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 13 of the 2008 NFL season include another impressive offensive performance by Kareem McKenzie and the Giants' offense, Jay Alford's first start of the season on the Giants' No. 3-ranked defense, and Scott Paxson's promotion to the Steelers' active roster for the second time this season. In other news, former Nittany Lion punter Jeremy Kapinos (2003-06) will work out for the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday with the hopes of filling their kicking vacancy. Kapinos was a member of the New York Jets practice squad for part of last season and was cut by the Jets in training camp this year.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 14
Adams received playing time in the Bears' defensive line rotation, registering two assisted tackles.
Jay Alford (2003-06), DT, New York Giants
New York Giants 23, Washington Redskins 7
Alford received his first start of the season at defensive tackle, recording two tackles (one solo), including one for a loss.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles 48, Arizona Cardinals 20
Brown and the Cardinals offensive line did not permit a sack against the Eagles' pressuring defensive scheme, allowing quarterback Kurt Warner to throw for 235 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals offense is ranked No. 3 in the NFL, averaging 379.8 yards per game.
Jay Alford made his first start of the season for the Giants last Sunday |
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans 47, Detroit Lions 10
Collins' arm wasn't needed much in the Titans' 11th win of the season, as they rolled up 292 yards rushing in a rout of the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. He finished the day completing 11-of-18 passes for 127 yards.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 35, Green Bay Packers 31
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
Dallas Cowboys 34, Seattle Seahawks 9
Engram started at wide receiver, contributing a four-catch, 45-yard performance. He ranks second on the team with 28 receptions for 301 yards.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, New Orleans Saints 20
Gilmore started at tight end for the Buccaneers for the second consecutive game, catching one pass for six yards.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 14
Gould did not attempt a field goal in a game for the first time this season but was 2-for-2 on PATs.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 20, Oakland Raiders 13
Hali started at his customary left defensive end spot, recording two solo tackles.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 10, Buffalo Bills 3
Johnson caught one pass for 16 yards. He ranks third on the team with 28 catches for 353 yards.
Larry Johnson (1999-02), RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 20, Oakland Raiders 13
Johnson ran for 92 yards on 24 rushes and had a two-yard touchdown carry, helping Kansas City break a nine-game losing streak with a win over archrival Oakland.
Joe Jurevicius (1994-97), WR, Cleveland Browns
Indianapolis Colts 10, Cleveland Browns 6
Jurevicius will miss the remainder of the 2008 season after contracting a serious staph infection following knee surgery. He has pledged to return to play for his hometown Browns in 2009.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
Miami Dolphins 16, St. Louis Rams 12
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
Denver Broncos 34, New York Jets 17
Lowry served in a back-up role in the Denver secondary.
David Macklin (1996-99), CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 20, Oakland Raiders 13
Macklin was active for the game but did not see playing time.
Sean McHugh (2000-03), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 33, New England Patriots 10
McHugh received playing time as a back-up tight end in a crucial win over AFC foe New England. At 9-3, the Steelers are in first place in the North Division and own the conference's second best record.
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
New York Giants 23, Washington Redskins 7
McKenzie paved the way as the Giants amassed 108 rushing yards and protected 2008 Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning as he threw for 305 yards. The Giants are an NFC-best 11-1 and own a three-game lead in the East Division.
Scott Paxson (2003-05), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 33, New England Patriots 10
Paxson has been signed from the Steelers' practice squad to their active roster for the second time this season.
Anwar Phillips (2002-05), CB, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens 34, Cincinnati Bengals 3
Phillips is a member of the Ravens' practice squad
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Buffalo Bills
San Francisco 49ers 10, Buffalo Bills 3
Posluszny totaled four tackles, including two solos. He leads the Bills defense with 80 tackles and 65 solos.
Tyler Reed (2003-05), G, Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 14
Reed is a member of the Bears' practice squad.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 10, Buffalo Bills 3
Robinson recorded one special teams tackle.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
San Francisco 49ers 10, Buffalo Bills 3
Scott started at strong safety for the Bills, totaling three tackles (two solo). He also had a key fumble recovery late in the third quarter, halting a 49er drive that had penetrated deep into Buffalo territory.
Isaac Smolko (2003-05), TE, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens 34, Cincinnati Bengals 3
Smolko is a member of the Ravens' practice squad.
Tony Stewart (1997-00), TE, Oakland Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs 20, Oakland Raiders 13
Stewart led the Raiders' in special teams tackles with two.
Kenny Watson (1996, 99-00), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens 34, Cincinnati Bengals 3
Watson was active for the game but did not carry the ball or catch a pass.