Trojans in the NFL: Week one update

Mark Sanchez celebrates his first NFL touchdown.
Photo by David J Phillip (A/P)

Trojans in the NFL focuses on USC Trojans, who were drafted into the National Football League this past NFL Draft, in an effort follow the blossoming professional careers of some of your favorite players.

David Buehler:
Buehler was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5^th round of the NFL Draft to provide the Cowboys with a big bomber on kickoffs. So far, Buehler is doing exactly what has been asked of him. According to Stephen F. Holder of the St. Petersburg Times, “The Bucs' biggest special teams weapon, returner Clifton Smith, rendered harmless by Cowboys K David Buehler and P Mat McBriar.”

Buehler will not see many opportunities to kick field goals for the Cowboy with Nick Folk handling the responsibilities; however, Buehler is doing enough strong legwork to make people notice.

Somewhere, Ferris approves.

Brian Cushing:
The linebacker, Cushing, is now with the Houston Texans after being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. There were high expectations for Cushing who as overcome a training camp injury to secure a starting spot on defense for the Texans.

According to Houston Texans Examiner Alan Burge, “Brian Cushing with 5 tackles and 3 assists to tie DeMeco Ryans for the team lead.” Cushing's solid performance is a sign of good things to come for the Texans, who have revamped the linebacker position going into the season.

Kevin Ellison:
Kevin was not able to make it onto the field for Monday night's thriller against the Raiders after being placed on the inactive list. It is a long season so Ellison may see some playing time as the season progresses, especially after a solid preseason campaign.

Kaluka Maiava:
One of the many linebackers to depart the Southern Cal linebacking corps was Kaluka Maiava. Maiava was scooped up by the Cleveland Browns in the later rounds of the 2009 NFL Drafts. Maiava is being counted on to be a major contributor on special teams, something he did quite well during his time at USC.

According to Brad Sherman of The Maui News, “Maiava, a fourth-round draft pick out of Southern California, combined with James Davis to bring down Percy Harvin at the 30-yard line on a kickoff return after the Browns kicked a field goal on the game's opening possession.”

Clay Matthews:
Clay Matthews was the other Southern Cal linebacker selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft (the other being Brian Cushing). Picked by the Green Bay Packers, Matthews was considered a perfect complement to A.J. Hawk on defense for the Packers. While Matthews narrowly missed out on the starting job coming out of his first training camp, he saw a good deal of time on the field during the Packers first game, a win over the Chicago Bears. While Matthews did not put up any eye-popping numbers, the former USC linebacker did record what will be the first of many tackles at the NFL level.

According to Rob Demovsky of Green Bay Press-Gazette, “Defensive coordinator Dom Capers rotated Nick Barnett, Brandon Chillar and A.J. Hawk at the three inside spots and then used Brady Poppinga at the right outside spot in the base defense and Clay Matthews there in the nickel.”

Rey Maualuga:
For those of you familiar with the HBO program, “Hard Knocks,” you probably know why the coaches in Cincinnati have been salivating for the entirety of the Bengals’ training camp, the reason being Rey Maualuga. Maualuga fell into the second round of the NFL Draft after injuring himself at the combine. The Bengals saw a first round talent and did not flinch in the selection of Maualuga.

While the Bengals lost a heartbreaker to the Broncos on a miraculous play by wideout Brandon Stokley, it was the play of the defense that had Bengals’ fans happy for most of the game.

Jreedy over at Cincinnati.com listed the rookie linebacker’s play as one of the highlights of the game: “The good: A strong second half by Rey Maualuga, who finished with six tackles. Keith Rivers also had a couple of nice tackles.”

While it is tough to lose a game in the fashion that the Bengals did, there is little doubt in my mind that Maualuga will use the experience of this game as motivation against Green Bay on this coming Sunday.

Fili Moala:
The big defensive tackle Fili Moala, now property of the Indianapolis Colts, was being counted on to be a big space-filler for the Colts up front. Unfortunately, Moala made it as far as the Colts' inactive list to start the season. That being said, the season is young and a physical presence such as Moala should have some sort of impact before the season is over.

Kyle Moore:
Kyle Moore, drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was listed as questionable going into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Moore did not register any statistical presence during game; so I'm not sure if he made it onto the field. After working out diligently during the off-season, look for Moore to make his presence felt, as head coach Raheem Morris leads the Buccaneers youth movement.

Mark Sanchez:
In probably the biggest performance of any former Trojan on Sunday, rookie QB Mark Sanchez, had a huge game against the Houston Texans. In the game against the Texans on Sunday, Sanchez showed the patience, poise and physical attributes that led the New York Jets to trade up for him in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Sanchez led the Jets the entire way, finishing with 272 yards passing on 18-31 throws including his first passing touchdown (a 30-yard bomb to Chansi Stuckey) as well as his first interception (compliments of John Busing).

According to USA Today, “Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez got a unique pep talk before his first NFL start: It was from Hall of Famer, Joe Namath. Sanchez, months after some said he was too unpolished to enter the NFL as an underclassman, led the Jets to a 24-7 victory in Houston. He said he got "chills" from the one-on-one he had with Namath prior to the game”

Not bad rookie, not bad at all.

Patrick Turner:
Patrick Turner, now a member of the Miami Dolphins, possesses the size and physical presence at the wide receiver position that the Dolphins have been sorely lacking for sometime. While Turner might be that big target for Chad Pennington to throw to, he made it as far as the inactive list this past Sunday. Turner, who looked quite good at the start of training camp, has been passed over for fellow rookie wideout, Brian Hartline. Turner will need to step it up if he wants to make any sort of impact in his rookie season.

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