Oct. 20, 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 six of the 2009 season include the Bills' Paul Posluszny's standout performance in his first game back after injury and key contributions by Larry Johnson and Tamba Hali in the Chiefs' first win of the season.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons 21, Chicago Bears 14
Adams has been bothered by a toe injury, preventing him from starting in his usual defensive tackle spot. He did see limited time off the bench, making one tackle.
Jay Alford (2003-06), DT, New York Giants
New Orleans Saints 48, New York Giants 27
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 (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals 27, Seattle Seahawks 3
The Cardinals starting right tackle, Brown helped keep the potent Arizona offense rolling along as it totaled 344 yards, including 282 through the air, in the team's second consecutive win.
Deon Butler (2005-08), WR, Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals 27, Seattle Seahawks 3
Butler played but did not have a catch in the loss to Arizona. Penn State's all-time leading receiver has been keeping a rookie diary for The Seattle Times and it makes for a very interesting and entertaining read. Check it out here.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Tennessee Titans
New England Patriots 59, Tennessee Titans 0
Collins struggled mightily in his 23rd consecutive start for the Titans, completing 2 of 12 passes for -7 yards with one interception.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
Connor saw action on special teams, registering one tackle.
Bobby Engram (1991, 1993-95), WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 14, Washington Redskins 6
Engram was active for the game but did not catch a pass.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
Serving as a back-up tight end, Gilmore was targeted with one pass but did not have a catch.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons 21, Chicago Bears 14
Gould did not attempt a field goal in a game for the first time since Nov. 30, 2008, a 34-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He has attempted at least one field goal in 61 of 66 games over his five seasons with the Bears. Prior to Sunday night, he had tried a field goal in 35 of 36 games since Super Bowl XLI. Gould, however, did convert on two PATs against the Falcons.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 14, Washington Redskins 6
Hali started at right outside linebacker for the sixth consecutive game, notching four tackles and a sack for a loss of seven yards.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers 26, Detroit Lions 0
Johnson started at one of the receiver spots, catching two balls for 27 yards.
Larry Johnson (1999-02), RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 14, Washington Redskins 6
Johnson ran for a season high 83 yards and had three receptions for 12 yards in helping the Chiefs claims their first win of the season.
Jeremy Kapinos (2003-06), P, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers 26, Detroit Lions 0
Kapinos punted just twice in the shutout win over the Lions, averaging 41.0 yards per kick.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 33, Baltimore Ravens 31
Kennedy saw playing time in the Vikings' defensive line rotation, registering an assisted tackle and a quarterback hit.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
Jacksonville Jaguars 23, St. Louis Rams 20 (OT)
King saw action as a reserve defensive back but did record any stats.
Aaron Maybin (2007-08), DE, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 16, New York Jets 13 (OT)
Maybin played as a reserve defensive end but did not record a tackle.
Sean McHugh (2000-03), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cleveland Browns 14
McHugh is on the Steelers' injured list after sustaining a knee injury in the preseason and will be out for the season.
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
New Orleans Saints 48, New York Giants 27
In a tough road loss, McKenzie and the Giants' offense tried to keep pace with New Orleans, totaling 325 total yards and three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush).
Rich Ohrnberger (2006-08), OG, New England Patriots
New England Patriots 59, Tennessee Titans 0
Ohrnberger was designated as inactive for the game. He remains listed as the second team right guard on the Patriots' depth chart.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 16, New York Jets 13 (OT)
Posluszny made a triumphant return to the line-up in his first game back after suffering a broken arm in week one. The Bills' starting middle linebacker finished second on the team with nine tackles (6 solos, 1 TFL). He also recorded his second career interception, picking off Jets' QB Mark Sanchez in overtime as they were driving into Bills territory. Ten plays later, Buffalo kicker Rian Lindell nailed a 47-yard field goal, giving the Bills the win.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, San Francisco 49ers
BYE
San Francisco's jack-of-all-trades, Robinson has caught three passes for 12 yards, returned two kickoffs for 38 yards, and recorded six special teams tackles. The former All-Big Ten quarterback periodically hosts a video segment on the 49ers website called "The Robinson Report." Go to www.49ers.com and click on the link under the Media Gallery tab to check out his work.
Lydell Sargeant (2005-08), Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 16, New York Jets 13 (OT)
Sargeant suffered a knee injury in the preseason and was placed on the Bills' injured reserve list.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 16, New York Jets 13 (OT)
Scott, the Bills' starting strong safety, was inactive for the third straight game, sidelined by an ankle injury suffered in week three.
Tim Shaw (2002, 2004-06), LB, Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons 21, Chicago Bears 14
Shaw recorded one special teams tackle in the loss to Atlanta, giving him six in four games with the Bears.
A.Q. Shipley (2005-08), C, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cleveland Browns 14
Shipley, a seventh round draft choice of Pittsburgh in April's NFL draft, is a member of the Steelers' practice squad.
Tony Stewart (1997-00), TE, Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders 13, Philadelphia Eagles 9
Stewart did not catch a pass from his tight end position but make two tackles on special teams.
Cameron Wake (2000, 2002-04), LB, Miami Dolphins
BYE
Active for three games, Wake has notched six tackles, one forced fumble, and is tied for second on the team with two sacks.
Derrick Williams (2005-08), WR, Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers 26, Detroit Lions 0
Williams caught one pass for seven yards and returned six kickoffs for 96 yards (16.0 avg.), with a long of 23.