Around NFL Mini-Camps

This year's draft sent 11 more Trojans into the NFL. Here's a look at some of our guys (past and present) in their new colors as mini-camps get underway around the league. (Note: Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

Mark Sanchez, NY Jets


More pictures after the jump...




Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers


Fili Moala, Indianapolis Colts


David Buehler, Dallas Cowboys


Cary Harris, Buffalo Bills


Chauncey Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars


Matt Spanos, Dallas Cowboys


More pictures to come as other teams conduct their mini-camps.

Fight On!

Update: Trojans in the NFL

Week 1 of the NFL Pre-season continued on Friday with 4 games. The New England Patriots traveled to Tampa Bay where they lost to the Bucs 13-10. Former Trojan QB Matt Cassel got some action for the Patriots, completing 4 out of 7 passes for 32 yards and rushing 3 times for 13 yards. Patriots veteran LB Junior Seau didn't see any action but another former Trojan, LB Oscar Lua, led the team with 5 tackles.

Elsewhere, the New Orleans Saints 1st team offense appeared to be in mid-season form in their 13-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Former Trojan and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush was electrifying the few times he touched the ball and showed the versatility that made him so special last season. Bush finished with 2 carries for 15 yards and had 3 catches for 26 yards.

More games on the slate today highlighted by Carolina at the NY Giants, and Arizona at Oakland. I'll report on that tomorrow morning.

Fight On!

Update: Trojans in the NFL

The NFL's Pre-season got underway in Canton, Ohio last Sunday as the New Orleans Saints played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame Game. If you didn't watch the game (like me), the Steelers won 20-7, but you didn't miss much. The starters for both teams didn't play much, maybe one possession apiece, but that's all. Former Trojans in the game included the Saints' Reggie Bush (2 carries, 8 yds.) and Troy Polamalu (no stats recorded, probably didn't even suit up).

Thursday featured two games: Cincinnati lost at Detroit 27-26, and Indianapolis lost at Dallas 23-10. Former Trojan and Heisman Trophy winning QB Carson Palmer had a nice day for the Bengals, completing 7 out of 10 passes for 93 yards. Former USC defensive lineman Shaun Cody got into the stat sheet for the Lions with 1 tackle. In the 2nd game, former Trojan safety Scott Ware played for the Colts and recorded 3 tackles and 1 assisted tackle against the Cowboys.

Friday's Week 1 Pre-season games featuring former Trojans include: New England @ Tampa Bay, Buffalo @ New Orleans, and St. Louis @ Minnesota. I'll have a roundup from those games before tomorrow morning.

Fight On, to our Trojans in the NFL!

Trojans in NFL Training Camps

From Wednesday's ESPN.com article,

Washington Redskins: LB Dallas Sartz (strained hamstring) was sidelined morning Wednesday...

Seattle Seahawks: Backup fullback David Kirtman broke his hand during practice Wednesday morning...Kirtman, a fifth-round draft choice from 2006 out of Southern California, was participating in a running plays drill with backs and linemen when he suddenly walked off the field with a trainer while holding his right arm. By the afternoon, Kirtman was wearing a soft brace over his right hand and wrist. A Seahawks spokesman said Wednesday night that the team has yet to determine a treatment course for Kirtman, so there is no estimate on how long he will be out. Kirtman spent most of last season on the practice squad before being added to the active roster in December...Mack Strong, Seattle's two-time Pro Bowl fullback who turns 36 in September, said Wednesday that coaches have told him he will be yielding some of his playing time to younger players this season.

And from last Saturday's LA Times regarding the Carolina Panthers:

The Carolina Panthers signed second-round pick Dwayne Jarrett to a four-year, $3.825 million contract...Jarrett, a receiver from USC, will receive $1.935 million in guaranteed bonuses and incentives, making the deal one of the largest in guaranteed money for a second-round pick. Jarrett, the 45th pick in the draft, is expected to contend for the starting receiver job vacated when Keyshawn Johnson was released in the off-season.

"He's excited to be a Carolina Panther and looking forward to the opportunity to start opposite Steve Smith," Jarrett's agent, Darin Morgan, said.

Jarrett's signing came hours after fellow second-round pick Ryan Kalil agreed to a four-year deal. Kalil, also from USC, is expected to compete for a starting job on the offensive line.

An injury for Sartz, what else is new? Tough luck for Kirtman though, he was a very soild (and underrated) player at 'SC. Let's hope he can get back out there healthy. Best wishes to DJ and Ryan Kalil, they have a damn good chance to start next year.

Good luck in the NFL guys.

Fight On!

Trojans in the NFL: 2007 Mini Camp Photos

Here's some pictures from around the NFL, as teams conduct their mini camps following the draft. Maybe the recent success of Carson Palmer and Reggie Bush will carry over into some of our guys listed below.

LB Oscar Lua #49, New England Patriots

WR Steve Smith #12, New York Giants

Smith again, and WR Dwayne Jarrett #82, Carolina Panthers

WR Keary Colbert #83, Carolina, and RB LenDale White, Tennessee Titans

WR Mike Williams #17, Oakland Raiders