Trojans in the NFL: Week 2

Matt Cassel (QB, New England) was the most watched Trojan in Week 2. Nothing spectacular, no mistakes, it was a simply a solid performance that got the job done. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 165 yards and picked up seven yards in two carries. As he pointed out in a post-game interview, all that matters are Ws. He earned one in his first start since high school, 19-10, over the Jets (and some guy named Favre).

Reggie Bush (RB, New Orleans) is still a human highlight reel, but also still not an every down back. He returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown with ridiculous speed -- and a taunting wave. On offense he ran 10 times for 28 yards and made seven receptions for 63 yards. The Saints lost to Washington, 29-24.

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) split carries with Chris Johnson but touched the rock 18 time for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) had a big day. The rookie made five tackles, but, most impressively, had two sacks in a 33-30 overtime loss to San Francisco.

Troy Polamalu (S, Pittsburgh) overcame hamstring trouble to make four tackles and an interception in a 10-6 victory over Clevelend.

Keith Rivers (LB, Cincinnati) made eight tackles in the loss to Tennessee.

Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati) doesn't seem his old self. After a lousy game last week, he was only 16 of 27 for 134 yards and two interceptions in a 24-7 loss to Tennessee. He also injured his ankle in the second half.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) had 97 yards in Week 1 and was holding off rookie Darren McFadden pretty well. Then he pulled his groin in the second quarter this week against Kansas City and McFadden had a great day. Before leaving, Fargas had 43 yards on nine touches in a 23-8 victory.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made five tackles in the loss to the Niners.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) made catches of 11 and 8 yards, as well as a tackle after a turnover. New York won 41-13 over St. Louis.

Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona) saw mop-up duty in a 31-10 victory over Miami. He completed a 15-yard pass on two attempts. Kurt Warner seems to have the job on lock for now.

Fred Davis (TE, Washington) played in his first game as a pro and made a 6-yard catch in the victory over New Orleans.

Frostee Rucker (DE, Cincinnati) made five tackles in the loss to the Titans.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) made four tackles in the loss to Washington.

Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit) had three tackles in a 48-25 loss to Green Bay.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) made one tackle in the loss to Pittsburgh.

LaJuan Ramsey (DE, Indianapolis) had a tackle in an 18-15 win over Minnesota.

Also played: Sammy Knight (S, NY Giants).

Monday Night Football: Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) will be playing against Dallas.

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Rich Kane / US Presswire

Comments

[pk-in-the-mesa]

Wow Adam

It just goes to show you that Sark Being the QB coach was the real deal at SC, not so much Chow. I knew Matt was a good QB he just had to get a chance, it is all about the system they are in I am sure that Matt Lienart will do better in a system like tampa or others for drop backs

[pk-in-the-mesa]

Adam and fellow Trojans,

Really if you think about it Pete really prepares his players for the NFL more than any other coach's. The fact is that having to perform every day to ether hold or gain a starting position is a PRO invirement in fact take the RBs They are given on game day to show their stuff, much like the PROs. So if I were a top player I would hope and pray to get a ride at USC.

[HBC]

Aside from the Trojans, seemed like every highlight I saw involved someone recently from the Pac-10, (ex. Jonathan Stewart, Trent Edwards, Aaron Rodgers . . .)

[BIg AL]

Does anybody know the status of Mike Williams? Is he on an NFL roster?

[Bill Baldwin, Jr.]

Mike Williams was released by Tennessee in early August and is a free agent as far as I can learn. He weighed in at 271 last spring when the Titans signed him ,but reported to training camp at 240.Still, a lot of weight to be hauling around as a WR.

What a waste and too bad. Here's a kid who was all everything at USC: remember the one-hand catch against UCLA? Left two years early and a bigger bust hasn't been seen in the NFL in a long time.

Dwayne Jarrett isn't exactly lighting up the night sky in Carolina, either. At least he's started a couple of games, but with Steve Smith back I wonder if Jarrett's career will go the way of Mike Williams'? I sure hope not, but Jarrett wasn't ready for the NFL, was told he wasn't ready and still declared as a Junior.