Dec. 1, 2009
With 30 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 2009 season include Larry Johnson's 100-yard rushing performance in his second game with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Bills' Brian Scott's continued successful transformation from safety to linebacker.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings 36, Chicago Bears 10
Adams came off the bench to see time in the Bears' defensive line rotation, making three tackles, including two solos.
Jay Alford (2003-06), DT, New York Giants
Denver Broncos 26, New York Giants 6
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
Tennessee Titans 20, Arizona Cardinals 17
Brown was part of an offensive line effort that allowed just one sack and protected reserve quarterback Matt Leinart as he threw for 217 yards and no interceptions.
Deon Butler (2005-08), WR, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks 27, St. Louis Rams 17
Butler was targeted once in the passing game but did not have a reception against the Rams. 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
Gerald Cadogan (2005-08), OT, San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers 43, Kansas City Chiefs 14
Cadogan was signed to San Diego's practice squad on November 19. He will wear no. 77 for the Chargers.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans 20, Arizona Cardinals 17
Collins served as the primary back up for starting quarterback Vince Young but did not see action. In six starts this year, Collins has completed 108 of 197 passing attempts (54.8%) for 1,071 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
New York Jets 17, Carolina Panthers 6
Connor saw his most significant playing time of the season versus the Jets, recording two tackles on defense and one stop on special teams.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons 20, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17
Gilmore played but did not have a catch in the loss to the Falcons. He was the target of a pass from punter Dirk Johnson on a kick fake, but it fell incomplete.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings 36, Chicago Bears 10
Gould converted on both of his kicking opportunities, connecting on a 38-yard field goal and making his lone PAT attempt. For the season, he has hit on 17 of his 20 field goals attempts and is a perfect 21-for-21 on PATs.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers 43, Kansas City Chiefs 14
A starter at right outside linebacker in every game this season, Hali had five tackles (4 solos) versus the Chargers.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers 34, Detroit Lions 12
A starter at wide receiver in every game this season for the Lions, Johnson caught one pass for 17 yards in the Lions' Thanksgiving loss to Green Bay.
Larry Johnson (1999-02), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals 16, Cleveland Browns 7
In his second game in his new home in Cincinnati, Johnson rumbled for 107 yards on 22 carries (4.9 avg.). Following his 100-yard rushing performance, one of many in his career, he said "It feels better because I'm in a new situation with a new team, coach and players. It means a lot to me to be able to come in and have the coaches trust me."
Jeremy Kapinos (2003-06), P, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers 34, Detroit Lions 12
Kapinos punted just three times (44.0 avg.) with a long of 57 in Green Bay's Thanksgiving Day victory.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 36, Chicago Bears 10
Kennedy played along the defensive line in the Vikings' 10th win of the season but did not have a tackle.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
Seattle Seahawks 27, St. Louis Rams 17
King served as an extra defensive back, registering one tackle and his first career fumble recovery.
Aaron Maybin (2007-08), DE, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 31, Miami Dolphins 14
Maybin notched two tackles, including one for a loss of four yards, versus Miami.
Sean McHugh (2000-03), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
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
Denver Broncos 26, New York Giants 6
McKenzie and the Giants' offense struggled versus Denver's active defense on Thanksgiving, posting just six points while totaling 267 total net yards.
Jordan Norwood (1997-00), WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles 27, Washington Redskins 24
Norwood is a member of the Eagles' practice squad.
Rich Ohrnberger (2006-08), OG, New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints 38, New England Patriots 17
After making his NFL debut for the Patriots in their win over division rival New York last week, Ohrnberger was inactive for the Monday night game versus New Orleans.
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Bryan Scott now lines up next to fellow former Nittany Lion Paul Posluszny at linebacker for the Bills |
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 31, Miami Dolphins 14
Posluszny tied for the tops on the team and led the Bills' linebacking corps with 10 tackles, including six solos. He also recorded a quarterback hit and a pass defensed.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, San Francisco 49ers
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, San Francisco 49ers 3
Robinson was inactive for the 49ers' match-up with Jacksonville. 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), CB, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 31, Miami Dolphins 14
Sargeant suffered a knee injury in the preseason and was placed on the Bills' injured reserve list.
Anthony Scirrotto (2005-08), DB, New York Giants
Denver Broncos 26, New York Giants 6
Scirrotto was added to New York's practice squad on Nov. 24. A safety at Penn State, he is listed as a cornerback on the Giants' roster.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 31, Miami Dolphins 14
Starting at linebacker next to fellow Nittany Lion Paul Posluszny, Scott notched nine total tackles, tying for the team lead with seven solos.
Tim Shaw (2002, 2004-06), LB, Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings 36, Chicago Bears 10
Shaw played on special teams but did not have a tackle.
A.Q. Shipley (2005-08), C, Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Shipley, a seventh round draft choice of Pittsburgh in the 2009 NFL draft, is a member of the Steelers' practice squad.
Tony Stewart (1997-00), TE, Oakland Raiders
Dallas Cowboys 24, Oakland Raiders 7
Stewart caught one pass for four yards.
Cameron Wake (2000, 2002-04), LB, Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills 31, Miami Dolphins 14
Wake recorded a quarterback hit on defense and assisted on one tackle on special teams.
Derrick Williams (2005-08), WR, Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers 34, Detroit Lions 12
Williams was inactive for the Lions' Thanksgiving match-up with the Packers.