Trojans in the NFL: Week 14

Troy Polamalu (S, Pittsburgh) made his league-leading seventh interception in a 20-13 victory over Dallas. He also made nine tackles, two of which kept the Cowboys from running out the clock in the fourth quarter, allowing the Steelers to claim a comeback victory.

Reggie Bush (RB, New Orleans) looks like he's fully recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of four games. His 43-yard run from scrimmage was a career high, and he finished with 80 yards in 10 carries plus three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown. The Saints beat Atlanta, 29-25.

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) rumbled for 99 yards and a touchdown in 24 carries, though he lost one fumble. He also made a two-yard reception in the Titans' 28-9 victory over Cleveland.

Matt Cassel (QB, New England) bounced back from a rough game last week to put up solid numbers and led the Pats to a fourth-quarter comeback over Seattle, 24-21. He finished with 268 yards and a touchdown on 26-of-44 passing. He also picked up 14 yards in seven attempts, though three of those were sacks.

Junior Seau (LB, New England) is ba-aaaaaack. The 39-year-old veteran was convinced to play because the Pats have injury problems at linebacker. He made it into the game and recorded one tackle in the victory over the Seahawks. Surprisingly, he's not even among the five oldest players on active rosters this season.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) picked up 50 yards in 12 carries and added nine more on two catches as the Raiders lost, 34-7, to San Diego.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) grabbed four catches for 47 yards in a 20-14 loss to Philadelphia.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) piled up eight tackles in the loss to New England.

Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona) still isn't good enough for mop-up duty, as the Cards beat St. Louis, 34-10. His coach insists the timing just hasn't been right.

Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati) is still out with an injury but can live vicariously through his younger brother, Jordan. The Bengals' third-string quarterback played in a 35-3 loss to Indianapolis. He was four of six for 30 yards and a four-yard rush.

Keary Colbert (WR, Detroit) had catches of 28 and four yards in a 20-16 loss to Minnesota.

Shaun Cody (DT, Detroit) matched a season-high five tackles in the loss to Minnesota.

Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) made three tackles and forced a fumble in the victory over the Giants.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) had two tackles in the loss to the Saints.

Terrell Thomas (CB, NY Giants) recorded two tackles in the loss to Philly.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) made a tackle in the victory over Atlanta.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) had a tackle in the loss to Tennessee.

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Matthew Emmons/US Presswire

Comments

[EJK]

Adam,

Do you think Taylor Mays has the potential to become better than Troy Polamalu? I think Mays would be a sure-fire top-10 pick in the NFL draft this year if he chose to leave early. I'd be surprised if Mays chose to stick around another year.

Also, do you think Rey Maualuga is the best linebacker of the Pete Carroll era? Or perhaps even the best defensive player?

[Adam Rose]

Mays might be the most complete physical athlete of the Pete Carroll era, and is certainly bigger and stronger than Polamalu. He has a high ceiling and does have the potential to be better in the NFL. I'm not saying he WILL be better, just that he COULD be better.

There have been a lot of good linebackers in recent years. Some think Cushing is better than Rey right now! You can't forget about Tatupu and Rivers, either. Dallas Sartz might have contributed the most leadership, and Clay Matthews came the furthest. If I'm an NFL team with a draft pick reserve for one of these guys (assuming all in the same year), it would probably be Tatupu or Maualuga. The dark horse is Matthews, who might develop even more in the NFL. After that I go with Cushing, then Rivers.

The best defensive player debate is between Rey, Troy, Taylor, Sedrick Ellis, Mike Patterson, Kenechi Udeze, Shaun Cody ... maybe a couple others I'm blanking on. It also depends if you look at what they did in college vs. NFL potential.