Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the NFL: Week 1

Added by Gregg Snyder on September 11, 2012.

Anthony Davis, #76, is our Knight of the Week. Photo Credit: Ben Fogletto, The Press of Atlantic City.

The NFL season began this week and we will continue to provide a recap of former Rutgers Scarlet Knights currently playing in the NFL. Follow their production every week this season.

There are currently 18 former Rutgers players on NFL rosters. That number is down from the 24 that finished last season on a roster. Not counted in those 18 players is former head coach Greg Schiano who is now in the NFL. Schiano grabbed his first career NFL win as a head coach, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 16-10 win over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay won the game in typical Schiano fashion, using defense and special teams.

Now to the players…

Knight of the Week

Anthony Davis.

The San Francisco 49ers starting right tackle helped his team start the 2012 season with a bang. The 49ers took it to the Green Bay Packers in route to a 30-22 victory. It was a statement win for the 49ers as they proved last year was no fluke and they are one of the best teams in the NFL. Behind the strong offensive line, the 49ers gained 186 yards on the ground, the second most in the NFL this week.

Sibling Rivalry

The McCourty brothers faced off against each other this week. Both Jason and Devin starting at cornerback for the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots respectively. Devin McCourty got the better of the matchup, recording seven tackles and two pass defenses as the Patriots won 34-13. He also returned two kickoffs for 28 yards. Jason McCourty had two tackles and one tackle-for-loss for Tennessee.

Monday Night Football

There were two games on Monday Night Football this week. In the first, Ray Rice and the Baltimore Ravens battled a Cincinnati Bengals team that has Brian Leonard, Clark Harris, and rookie Mohamed Sanu on it’s roster. Rice and Leonard of course were backfield mates at Rutgers while Sanu was one of the best athletes to ever wear the Rutgers uniform.

Ray Rice got off to a quick start, scoring two touchdowns to help the Ravens to a 44-13 win. He gained just 68 yards but that came on only 10 carries. Rice also caught three passes for 25 yards. On the other side, Brian Leonard had three carries for five yards. Clark Harris handled the long snapping duties for Cincinnati. Rookie wide receiver, Mohamed Sanu is currently buried on the Bengals depth chart and did not play.

More Knights in Action

Jeremy Zuttah started at center for Schiano and the Bucs in their 16-10 win over Carolina. The Tampa Bay offensive line did a nice job paving the way for 130 rushing yards.

Also appearing the the game for Tampa Bay was former Knights Gary Gibson and George Johnson. Johnson, the backup defensive end played but did not record any stats. Gibson is the backup at defensive tackle. He also played but did not record any stats.

Joe Lefeged, the Indianapolis Colts backup safety, recorded one tackle in the teams 41-21 loss to the Chicago Bears. Lefeged did make an impact on special teams as many Rutgers fans are accustomed to. Twice, Lefeged was able to help pin the Bears near the goal line by keeping punts from bouncing in the end zone.

The Miami Dolphins struggled, losing 30-10 to the Houston Texans on Sunday. Linebacker Jonathan Freeny did play in the game for Miami but did not record any stats.

Suspended

Tennessee Titans’ wide receiver Kenny Britt did not play this week as he is serving a one-game suspension for off-the-field issues. Britt is expected to be one of the more productive wide outs for Tennessee this season.

Inactive

Injured Reserve

Practice Squad