Photo by Al Behrman (A/P)
Training camp update: Trojans in the NFL is designed to give the reader updates on some of your favorite former USC Trojans drafted this past year.
David Buehler (Dallas Cowboys):
David Buehler has been busy making fellow Dallas rookie, DeAngelo Smith, look foolish in practice. Smith, a defensive-back for the Cowboys, challenged Buehler to a 50-yard dash following practice a week or so ago. Buehler obliged and promptly smoked his fellow rookie, adding to Buehler’s growing legend.
Brian Cushing (Houston Texans):
Brian Cushing sprained his LCL in practice a couple of weeks ago and is still undergoing rehabilitation for the injury. Following in the footsteps of other pro-athletes such as Terrell Owens, Cushing has been using a hyperbaric chamber in an effort to speed up the recovery process.
Cary Harris (Buffalo Bills):
Harris recently saw some action (albeit limited) in Buffalo's matchup against the Packers on August 22nd. Harris recorded two solo tackles in the Buffalo loss. Currently, Harris is battling rookie seventh round pick, Ellis Lankster, for the final cornerback spot on the roster.
Kevin Ellison (San Diego Chargers):
Kevin Ellison has been having a fine preseason to date. After snagging five interceptions in practice the other day, Ellison was given the nickname, “Pick City” by his fellow defenders. Ellison also came up big in his pursuit of landing the starting job at safety in last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. In that game Ellison lead the defense with five solo tackles.
Kaluka Maiava (Cleveland Browns):
Maiava, USC's two-time co-special teams player of the year, is picking up where he left off with the Trojans, earning the praise of head coach Eric Mangini due to his stellar play on special teams. Maiava is also making the most of his playing time this preseason, racking up six tackles in Cleveland's victory over Detroit on Saturday.
Clay Matthews (Green Bay Packers):
Matthews recently returned to practice after being sidelined due to a hamstring injury that has kept him out of practice since August 6th. Matthews hopes to make his mark in the last two preseason games in an effort to secure a starting job at linebacker.
Rey Maualuga (Cincinnati Bengals):
Maualuga seemed to be having a lot of fun chasing around Tom Brady in the Bengals most recent preseason game against the New England Patriots. Maualuga finished the game with three tackles, but seemed to be all over the field, which Bengals’ fans everywhere must love. With Maualuga's tenacious play on the field coupled with the return of another former USC Trojan, Keith Rivers, the Bengals hope that there defense will be much improved from last years unit.
Fili Moala (Indianapolis Colts):
Our very own Indianapolis Colts Examiner speculates that Moala will be the third defensive-tackle off the bench for the Colts behind the Johnson tandem of Al and Antonio. Moala recently recorded two tackles in a preseason game against the Eagles.
Mark Sanchez (New York Jets):
Mark Sanchez seems to be doing everything right as of late. Bouncing back after a rough start in a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sanchez showed everyone why the Jets traded up to get him this past NFL draft. Sanchez was named starting quarterback for the Jets today after distancing himself in the quarterback battle between him and former Oregon Duck, Kellen Clemens.
Patrick Turner (Miami Dolphins):
There is open competition at the wideout position in Miami, and Patrick Turner looks to lock up a spot in the rotation as either the third or fourth wide receiver on the roster. Unfortunately for Turner, the same inconsistencies that dogged him during his days as a Trojan are affecting him in his new job with the Dolphins. Turner will continue to battle Brian Hartline, Brandon London and Anthony Armstrong for a position in the wide receiver ranks.
For your viewing pleasure we have another video brought to you by PeteCarrollTV. Check out the Trojans around the NFL: 2009 Preseason Week 2 video below!
For more info:
Training camp update: Trojans in the NFL (Part I)
Training camp update: Trojans in the NFL (Part II)
Training camp update: Trojans in the NFL (Part III)
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