Trojans in the pros: week two

Week two of the NFL saw blowouts and tight games alike. While there weren’t any standout performances, it was a solid week for  several former Trojans.

• Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen had two tackles and a sack on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman in a 24-21 loss.

• New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Charles Brown and his fellow offensive linemen looked improved in a winning effort against the Chicago Bears. Brown and company only allowed their quarterback Drew Brees to be sacked once.

• Quarterback Matt Cassel and the Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs had the worst day of any team this week. Cassel threw 22 times for 133 yards with three interceptions and a 44.5 passer rating. The Chiefs fell victim to the Detroit Lions 48-3 and are in the thick of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

• New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had an unspectacular day with 182 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.His team, however, helped him out as they stomped the Jacksonville Jaguars 32-3.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers bounced back from a traumatic week one loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a 24-0 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu had eight tackles and a sack as a part of a dominating defensive performance.

• Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews sacked his first quarterback of the year against the Carolina Panthers with five tackles as well as the Pack won 30-23.

• Center Ryan Kalil and the rest of the Panthers offensive line didn’t pave the way for the ground game well (71 yards), but they only allowed quarterback Cam Newton to be sacked only once.

• Offensive tackle Tyron Smith did well in his second career start for the Cowboys in a 27-24 overtime win against the 49ers. quarterback Tony Romo was sacked just once.

• Linebacker Brian Cushing led the Houston Texans in tackles during a 23-13 win in Miami with ten total tackles.

• Running back Reggie Bush, who was slated to be the feature back, had a smaller role. Bush only had six carries as the team deferred to the rookie Daniel Thomas (18 carries) to be the chief back.

• Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga had seven tackles in a loss in Denver, 24-22.

• Atlanta Falcons OT Sam Baker and his fellow large men up front struggled against an aggressive Philadelphia Eagles side, as they allowed Matt Ryan to be sacked four times. This week, though, Atlanta emerged victorious, 35-31.

Here are Trojans who neither played nor recorded significant statistics during Week two.

• Detroit DE Kyle Moore
• Oakland TE David Ausberry
• Tampa Bay RB Allen Bradford
• Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (2 tackles, 1 QB hit)
• Cleveland LB Kaluka Maiava
• Cleveland TE Jordan Cameron
• Indianapolis DT Fili Moala (2 tackles)
• Indianapolis CB Kevin Thomas
• NYJ WR Patrick Turner (1 tackles)
• NYJ RB Joe McKnight (6 rushes, 14 yards)
• Seattle TE Anthony McCoy (2 catches, 9 yards)
• Seattle TE Dominique Byrd
• Seattle WR Mike Williams (1 catch, 9 yards)
• Seattle CB Josh Pinkard
• San Diego Chargers CB Shareece Wright
• Houston DT Shaun Cody (1 tackle)
• San Francisco guard Chilo Rachal (running game was ineffective, once more)
• Cincinnati S Taylor Mays
• Cincinnati LB Keith Rivers
• Cincinnati defensive end Frostee Rucker (2 tackles)
• Dallas kicker David Buehler (5 kickoffs, no PATs or FGs attempted)
• Philadelphia OT Winston Justice
• Philadelphia DT Mike Patterson (1 tackle)
• Philadelphia fullback Stanley Havili