Trojans in the NFL: Week twelve update

(A/P Photo)

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

David Buehler (K, Cowboys):
Buehler, who has been hampered with a broken pinky toe the past few weeks, showed no signs of the injury against the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving. Buehler routinely pinned the Raiders' offense, recording three touchbacks on the day in the Cowboys' win.

Said Todd Archer of Dallas News:

“Buehler has 20 touchbacks on the season, which is the second-most by a Cowboys' kicker since 1991. Lin Elliott had 27 touchbacks in 1992. On their two kickoff returns, the Raiders averaged just 13 yards and their average starting point was their own 21.”

Brian Cushing (LB, Texans):
The further the 2009 NFL season progresses, the more I am convinced of Cushing's star potential. The Defensive Rookie of the Year (ROTY) award seems to be Cushing's to lose, as the former Trojan continues to rack up impressive numbers week in and week out.

Cushing had a big game in a losing effort for the Texans on Sunday, recording 11 tackles and intercepting a Peyton Manning pass in the game against the Colts.

The Battle Red Blog seems to echo my sentiments on Cushing earning the defensive ROTY award:

“Brian Cushing has been just as good if not better than advertised. You can nitpick at his coverage technique but no player is perfect, especially a rookie. All bias aside, Cushing gets my early vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year because while Brian Orakpo has the sacks and Jairus Byrd has the interceptions; Cushing has shown the ability to do it all.“

Cushing's presence on the Texans defense has been nothing short of catalyzing. It will be interesting to see if Cushing can keep up his high-impact play to close out the season, especially considering this is about the time that most first year players hit that rookie wall.

Kevin Ellison (S, Chargers):
Ellison had a quiet game for the Chargers in the win over Kansas City on Sunday, recording one tackle for the game; however, there is no denying that Ellison's presence in the secondary has given the team a much needed boost on defense.

Ellison is a physical presence at the strong safety position for San Diego and will continue to start for the Chargers the rest of the season.

Cary Harris (CB, Bills):
Harris, who was signed off of the practice squad and played in last week's game, was active in Buffalo's win over Miami. Harris had one tackle in the game for the Bills.

Harris will continue to get opportunities to carve out a spot for himself on next year's team as the 4-7 Bills are depleted in the secondary due to injury and will probably not be finding themselves in the playoffs this season.

Kaluka Maiava (LB, Browns):
Maiava got squeezed out of his starting job at linebacker due to the Browns' shuffling at the position following the signing of Matt Roth, who was claimed off of waivers. Roth replaced Jason Trusnik on the outside while Trusnik slid over to claim Maiava's spot at inside linebacker.

Maiava's absence from the starting lineup may be short-lived as the Browns' suffered more injuries to starters this past Sunday against the Bengals. According to Mary Kay Kabot of Cleveland.com:

“The Browns threw newcomer Matt Roth into the starting lineup at outside linebacker to replace Trusnik, who moved inside of place of Kaluka Maiava.

If Wimbley has to miss time, Trusnik will probably move back outside and Maiava will go back in next to Bowens.”

Clay Matthews (LB, Packers):
Clay Matthews and the Packers defense made sure that there would be no late-game heroics as in the game last week where Matthew Stafford and the Lions pulled out a victory against the Browns.

Matthews had only two tackles but had a big sack of Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford that resulted in an 8-yard-loss.

Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette thinks that the Packers' rookies on defense, Matthews included, are a big reason that Green Bay has the number one defense in the NFL.

Said Pelissero:

“All three rookies did their parts in Thursday’s win at Detroit, with Matthews recording a sack, Raji making multiple plays in the backfield and Jones at least holding his own, albeit without making a solo tackle.”

“At certain points in time, you had rookie-rookie-rookie inside,” Capers said. “And that’s what has to happen. Those guys gain experience, you gain confidence, and then they have to earn the confidence of the guys around them.”

If not for former teammate, Brian Cushing's performances this season, Matthews might be in the running for rookie defensive honors himself. I have a feeling though that awards are the least of his worries.

Rey Maualuga (LB, Bengals):
Maualuga had four tackles in the Bengals' win over the Browns this past Sunday. Maualuga is a big reason that Cincinnati sits atop the AFC North and has an 8-3 record on the season. Be prepared to hear Maualuga's name called out this postseason as the Bengals are destined to make a strong playoff push.

For the season, Mauluga has 46 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1 sack for the Bengals.

Fili Moala (DT, Colts):
Moala was active but made no box score contribution this past Sunday against the Texans. Moala, Kyle Moore and Patrick Turner have all struggled to get on the field this season for various reasons. One hopes that they get their shot before the 2009 season is all said and done.

Kyle Moore (DE, Buccaneers):
It has been a tough rookie year for Moore as his first NFL season has been derailed by injuries. While Moore is back with the team after tearing his meniscus, it appears that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving slowly with the former Trojans' defensive end.

At some point, the 1-10 Buccaneers will need to start evaluating its talent for next season, which should provide Moore with ample opportunities on the field to carve out a spot in the rotation for next year.

Mark Sanchez (QB, Jets):
Former USC quarterback now New York Jet, Mark Sanchez, got a bit of a scare this past Sunday in New York's game against Carolina. Scrambling for a few extra yards, Sanchez sustained a big hit to his knee, briefly knocking him out of the game. Luckily for Sanchez, there is no ligament damage and the injury does not appear to be too serious.

Against the Panthers, Sanchez had a decent game completing 76.5 percent of his passes for 154 yards; however, he failed to throw any touchdowns and was picked off once on the afternoon.

Patrick Turner (WR, Dolphins):
Patrick Turner's rookie campaign has been a case of so close, yet so far away. Turner finally made it onto the active roster the past couple of weekends but found himself back on the inactive list for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Turner, who has yet to record his first NFL reception, has not done enough in practice to warrant playing time this season. Dolphins’ linebacker, Channing Crowder, talked about Turner on his weekly radio show on WQAM (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald).

Said Crowder of his fellow teammate, Patrick Turner:

“Young, unrefined receiver. He runs sloppy routes.'' But Crowder also said Turner catches a “lot of one-handed balls in practice'' and “will be a productive player in the next two or three years.”