Dec. 9, 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 14 of the 2008 NFL season include an impressive performance by Bears' nose tackle Anthony Adams in his first start of the season, solid outings by San Francisco 49ers Bryant Johnson and Michael Robinson, and Jeremy Kapinos' first game as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 10
Adams started at nose tackle and was a force up the middle for the Bears' defense. He tied for the team lead in tackles with eight, including six solos.
Jay Alford (2003-06), DT, New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14
Alford continued his solid play of late, making three tackles while serving as a key part of the Giants' defensive line rotation.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals 34, St. Louis Rams 10
Starting right tackle Levi Brown and the Arizona Cardinals clinched the NFC West title with a dominating win over St. Louis.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans 28, Cleveland Browns 9
Collins helped the Titans' secure the AFC South Championship by throwing for 155 yards, on 14-of-23 passing, and two touchdowns in a home victory over Cleveland.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 38, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23
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
New England Patriots 24, Seattle Seahawks 21
Engram came off the bench to catch four passes for 27 yards. He ranks second on the team with 32 receptions for 328 yards.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers 38, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23
Gilmore started at tight end for the Buccaneers for the third straight game, catching one pass for five yards.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 10
Gould was once again perfect on the day, connecting on all three field goal tries (22, 35, 36 yards) and two extra point attempts.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos 24, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Hali got the start at left defensive end, recording six tackles (five solos).
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 24, New York Jets 14
Johnson tied for the team-high with six receptions, totaling 49 yards. He caught the game-sealing touchdown, a three-yard grab, late in the fourth quarter. Johnson is second on the team in receiving yards (402) and receiving touchdowns (3) and third in receptions (34).
Larry Johnson (1999-02), RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos 24, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Johnson rushed for 36 yards on 11 carries.
Joe Jurevicius (1994-97), WR, Cleveland Browns
Tennessee Titans 28, Cleveland Browns 9
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.
Jeremy Kapinos (2003-06), P, Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans 24, Green Bay Packers 21
Kapinos signed a two-year contract with the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 3. In his first game, in frigid conditions at Lambeau Field, Kapinos punted nine times for a 39.5 average and placed three kicks inside the 20-yard line.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 20, Detroit Lions 16
Kennedy was signed by the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 3. He was designated inactive for the game versus the Lions.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
Arizona Cardinals 34, St. Louis Rams 10
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 24, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Lowry saw playing time as a back-up defensive back but did not record any stats.
David Macklin (1996-99), CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos 24, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Macklin served in a back-up cornerback role but did not register any stats.
Sean McHugh (2000-03), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Dallas Cowboys 13
McHugh saw action as a back-up tight end but did not catch a pass.
Paul Posluszny has racked up a team-high 91 tackles this season for the Bills |
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14
A key member of what is considered to be the NFL's best offensive line, McKenzie made his 13th-consecutive start at right tackle this season. The Giants boast the league's top rushing offense, averaging 154.6 yards per game.
Scott Paxson (2003-05), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Dallas Cowboys 13
Paxson was designated inactive for the game.
Anwar Phillips (2002-05), CB, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens 24, Washington Redskins 10
Phillips is a member of the Ravens' practice squad
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins 16, Buffalo Bills 3
Posluszny led all tacklers with 11 stops, including eight solos. He continues to lead the Bills defense with 91 total tackles and 73 solos.
Tyler Reed (2003-05), G, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 10
Reed is a member of the Bears' practice squad.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 24, New York Jets 14
Robinson had an eventful day in the 49ers' win over the Jets, rushing twice for five yards, catching a pass for 13 yards, returning a kickoff for 34 yards, and making one tackle.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins 16, Buffalo Bills 3
Scott started at free safety for the Bills and led the team with nine solo tackles (10 total).
Tony Stewart (1997-00), TE, Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers 34, Oakland Raiders 7
Stewart played as a back-up tight end, catching one pass for 11 yards.
Kenny Watson (1996, 99-00), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens 34, Cincinnati Bengals 3
Watson was designated inactive for the game.