Sept. 15, 2009
With 28 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 one of the 2009 season include four Nittany Lions making their NFL debuts and veteran Tamba Hali excelling in his new role as an outside linebacker.
Anthony Adams, DT, Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 15
Adams drew the start at nose tackle for Chicago versus Green Bay, notching two tackles.
Jay Alford, DT, New York Giants
New York Giants 23, Washington Redskins 17
Alford was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He will miss the entire 2009 season.
Levi Brown, OT, Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers 20, Arizona Cardinals 16
In his third year with the Arizona Cardinals, Brown made his 28th career start at right tackle.
Deon Butler, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks 28, St. Louis Rams 0
Butler caught one pass for seven yards in his NFL debut.
Kerry Collins, QB, Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Tennessee Titans 13 (OT)
The longest active NFL tenured Nittany Lion, Collins began his 16th professional season by throwing for 244 yards on 22-of-35 passing and one touchdown.
Dan Connor, LB, Carolina Panthers
Philadelphia Eagles 38, Carolina Panthers 10
Connor saw action in the Panthers' season opener but did not record a tackle.
Bobby Engram, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens 38, Kansas City Chiefs 24
Engram caught two passes for 19 yards in his first regular season game with the Kansas City Chiefs.
John Gilmore, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dallas Cowboys 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
Gilmore was designated inactive for the game.
Robbie Gould, K, Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 15
Gould was perfect for the game, going 1-for-1 on PAT attempts and 2-for-2 on field goal attempts (47 and 21 yards).
Tamba Hali, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens 38, Kansas City Chiefs 24
Hali started at right outside linebacker in the Chiefs' newly implemented 3-4 defense, contributing a standout performance. He recorded five tackles, one sack, and forced a fumble of Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco.
Bryant Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
New Orleans Saints 45, Detroit Lions 27
After leaving San Francisco to sign with Detroit during free agency in the offseason, Johnson hauled in four passes for 45 yards, including a long of 19, in his Lions debut.
Ed Johnson, DT, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts 14, Jacksonville Jaguars 12
Johnson was not active for the Colts' season opener.
Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens 38, Kansas City Chiefs 24
Johnson rushed for 20 yards and had one reception for six yards.
Jeremy Kapinos, P, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 15
Kapinos punted six times for 268 yards, a 44.7 average. One of his punts was downed inside the 20-yard line.
Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 34, Cleveland Browns 20
Kennedy registered two tackles, including one for a loss, in the Vikings' season opening victory.
Justin King, CB, St. Louis Rams
Seattle Seahawks 28, St. Louis Rams 0
After sitting out the entire 2008 season with a foot injury, King made his NFL debut on Sunday. He served as an extra defensive back, recording two tackles.
Aaron Maybin, DE, Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots 25, Buffalo Bills 24
Maybin came off the bench to contribute in his NFL debut, adding his pass rush skills to the Buffalo defense.
Sean McHugh, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Tennessee Titans 13 (OT)
McHugh is on the Steelers' injured list after sustaining a knee injury in the preseason and will be out for the season.
Kareem McKenzie, OT, New York Giants
New York Giants 23, Washington Redskins 17
Making his 47th consecutive start at right tackle, McKenzie helped the Giants rack up 351 total yards and score 23 points against the Redskins' aggressive defensive unit.
Kareem McKenzie made his 47th consecutive start at right tackle for the Giants |
Rich Ohrnberger, OG, New England Patriots
New England Patriots 25, Buffalo Bills 24
Ohrnberger was designated as inactive for the game.
Paul Posluszny, LB, Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots 25, Buffalo Bills 24
Starting at middle linebacker, Posluszny recorded six tackles, all solo, before leaving the game in the second quarter with a broken bone in his arm. Posluszny missed the last 13 games of his rookie season after shattering his forearm against New England on the very same field in 2007.
Michael Robinson, RB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 20, Arizona Cardinals 16
Robinson had two tackles and assisted on another on the 49ers' special teams.
Lydell Sargeant, Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots 25, Buffalo Bills 24
Sargeant suffered a knee injury in the preseason and was placed on the Bills' injured reserve list.
Bryan Scott, S, Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots 25, Buffalo Bills 24
Scott started at strong safety, tying for second on the team with 10 tackles. Late in the game, he foiled a New England two-point conversion attempt by picking off Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady.
A.Q. Shipley, C, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Tennessee Titans 13 (OT)
Shipley, a seventh round draft choice of Pittsburgh in April's NFL draft, is a member of the Steelers' practice squad.
Tony Stewart, TE, Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers 24, Oakland Raiders 20
Stewart caught one pass for 13 yards to begin his third season with the Oakland Raiders.
Cameron Wake, LB, Miami Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons 19, Miami Dolphins 7
Wake was on the inactive list for Miami's regular season opener.
Derrick Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
New Orleans Saints 45, Detroit Lions 27
Williams was listed as inactive for the game.