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Trojans in the NFL: Week eight update
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(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):
David Buehler was at it again this Sunday, providing powerful kickoffs for the Dallas Cowboys' special teams unit. In Sunday's game against Seattle, Buehler recorded four, yes four, touchbacks on the day. As David Moore of The Dallas Morning News said, “This improvement in this [special teams] phase of the game from last season is dramatic.”
It seems that Buehler is not only making huge contributions on kickoffs for the Cowboys, he's doing it at a record pace. According to Todd Archer, a reporter for Dallasnews.com:
“In seven games, David Buehler has 17 touchbacks, putting him on pace for 39 this season. The team record is 27 set by Lin Elliott in 1992.
Buehler had four touchbacks on Sunday. Of his 38 kickoffs, not including squib kicks, only two have been returned outside the 30 this season. His 17 touchbacks are second-most in team history, tying Toby Gowin.”
Dallas Cowboys supporters around the country may still be getting to know David Buehler and his kicking exploits but his success at the next level really should come to no surprise for Trojans fans who had the pleasure of watching David at USC.
Brian Cushing (LB, Texans):
Brian Cushing continued his stellar play this season with a strong performance against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Cushing has been a huge success for the Texans to date, making impact plays and influencing a resurgence within the defensive unit.
Against the Bills on Sunday, Cushing did a little bit of what he's done all year, produce. For the game the former Trojan led the Texans with 10 tackles on the day as well as one interception.
The way Brian Cushing continues to improve week-in and week-out, he could very well earn defensive rookie of the year honors when it's all said and done.
For more information on Cushing's defensive prowess in the NFL, check out our Houston Texans Examiner Alan Burge.
Kevin Ellison (S, Chargers):
Since being thrust into the starting safety role for the Bolts, Kevin Ellison has had some strong performances and some not-so-strong performances. While they got the win against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Ellison's performance was of the not-so-strong variety.
John from the Bolts From The Blue blog touched on Ellison's Sunday contributions in his latest Bolts & Dolts column. Per John:
“Stephen Cooper/Kevin Ellison - There's a reason these guys had 15 tackles between the two of them. They can't cover worth a damn. Did anyone ever bother to tell Cooper that he can actually stay close to the check-down receiver? Standing 5 yards behind him isn't helping anything. Ellison wasn't flat-out burned by anyone, but JaMarcus Russell had no fear throwing to Nick Miller when Miller drew Ellison.”
How do you really feel John?
That being said, it's amazing that a guy like Ellison, who was a late NFL draft choice and inactive for the first couple games of the year, has developed into a starter this quickly. The Chargers may not have the greatest depth in their secondary but Ellison must be doing something right to earn the opportunity to play this much and right away.
Cary Harris (CB, Bills):
Cary Harris is still a member of the Buffalo Bills' practice squad.
Kaluka Maiava (LB, Browns):
Former Trojans' linebacker, Kaluka Maiava, continues to see increased playing time with the Cleveland Browns because of injury to some of their key players. Maiava was already making his presence felt on special teams for the Browns, but now he is slowly finding his groove on defense.
It was a lackluster game for the entire Browns team on Sunday as they succumbed to the Chicago Bears, 30-6. Maiava contributed five tackles on the day for the Browns, but had a tough time along with the other Cleveland defenders, bringing down Bears' tailback Matt Forte. Forte rushed for two touchdowns and 90 yards in the Chicago win.
Clay Matthews (LB, Packers):
Those of you who watched the Vikings-Packers game in hopes of a repeat performance from Clay Matthews, who in the last meeting between the teams ripped the ball away from Adrian Peterson and ran it in for a touchdown, were sorely disappointed on Sunday.
Matthews had a quiet game for the Packers in their loss to Brett Favre and the Vikings, recording five tackles and not much else for Green Bay. Matthews has shown flashes of his big-play potential but has been slowly worked into the Packers' defensive schemes as the season has progressed.
I have a feeling we've yet to see what Clay Matthews can really do at the next level; however, that could change any given Sunday.
(A/P Photo)
Rey Maualuga (LB, Bengals):
Rey Maualuga and the Bengals enjoyed a Sunday off compliments of their bye week.
Fili Moala (DT, Colts):
Moala was active for his second straight game for the Indianapolis Colts, however made no contributions on defense, at least from a box score perspective. It's been a tough year for Moala who was inactive for the first five games of the season and continues to be brought along slowly for the Colts.
Kyle Moore (DE, Buccaneers):
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a bye this past Sunday however their rookie defensive end, Kyle Moore, is getting closer to returning to the field. Moore, who has been sidelined with a torn meniscus, could see his first action of the season this coming Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
Mark Sanchez (QB, Jets):
Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets had a chance to win Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, but in the end their game-winning drive fell incomplete just like their quarterbacks pass to tight end Dustin Keller.
While Sanchez couldn't steer his team to a fourth quarter victory, he was quite efficient in quarterbacking the Jets on Sunday. For the game, Sanchez completed 20 of 35 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
From a fantasy perspective, Rotoworld sees the value in Mark Sanchez:
“Though he did lead two late-game touchdown drives and nearly the game-winner in a furious comeback attempt, the Jets' special teams blew the game. He should be worth rostering with Jerricho Cotchery finally healthy, though he won't be a starting option coming out of the Week 9 bye.”
While fantasy owners can be pleased with knowing his fantasy values are improving, New York Jets fans have to be at least a little encouraged with the way that Sanchez performed down the stretch in Sunday's game. Mark Sanchez may not have navigated the Jets to victory but he did enough to make more than a few people excited about what is to come from the young New York QB.
Patrick Turner (WR, Dolphins):
Another week, another appearance on the inactive list for Patrick Turner. Things are not looking good for the former Trojan wideout as he has yet to make any sort of impact for the Dolphins. Adding to Turner's problems is the fact that fellow rookie Brian Hartline, who was drafted one round later than Turner, started at wide receiver for the Dolphins on Sunday.
Week one update | Week two update | Week three update | Week four update | Week five update |
Week six update | Week seven update
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