USC NFL Week 1 Roundup: Shareece Wright Shines (9/12)

USC NFL action kicked off the new season this weekend with defensive players like Shareece Wright, Leonard Williams and Josh Shaw taking starring roles.

The start of the 2016 NFL season, as always, holds excitement or dismay, depending on which side of the scoreline you stand on.

For former Trojans and defensive players like Shareece Wright, it was all smiles. Unfortunately for Carson Palmer and USC alumni on the wrong side of defeat, it was a more disappointing start.

Here’s how the Projans fared in Week 1 of the NFL season.

Three Stars of the Week

1. Shareece Wright: The Ravens starter at cornerback had an astounding 11 tackles, including three tackles for loss, in a standout performance against the Buffalo Bills. Needless to say both were team bests in the victory.
2. Leonard Williams: The Jets didn’t pull out the victory against the Bengals, but Williams did his part for the defense, logging six tackles and 2.5 sacks.
3. Josh Shaw: Shaw continues to repay the Bengals faith in him, logging four tackles, an interception and a pass deflection during Cincinnati’s one-point win over the New York Jets.

What Other Projans Did

• Nelson Agholor: The sophomore receiver had four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles in a win against the Cleveland Browns.
• Reggie Bush: In his debut for Buffalo, Bush had three attempts for -4 yards against Buck Allen’s Baltimore Ravens.
• Jordan Cameron: The Miami Dolphin had two receptions for six yards in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
• Jurrell Casey: The Titans’ captain had four total tackles in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
• Brian Cushing: The oft-injured linebacker faced another setback in the first quarter of the Texan’s opener against the Bears. A torn MCL won’t require surgery, but it will keep him out for six weeks. He had two tackles before the injury.
• Everson Griffen: The Viking lineman helped his team to a victory over Tennessee with three tackles on the day.
• Devon Kennard: Kennard had three tackles as the Giants sealed a win over the Cowboys.
• Marqise Lee: Finally healthy, the third-year receiver had two catches for 22 yards in Jacksonville’s loss to Green Bay.
• Clay Matthews: Matthews contributed three tackles and a big sack for the Packers to best the Jaguars.
• Mike Morgan: The Seahawks linebacker had two tackles to help Pete Carroll to a win over the Dolphins.
• Carson Palmer: The Cardinals lost their Sunday night match up in a tight one against the New England Patriots, with Palmer throwing for 271 yards and two touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 104.7.
• Nick Perry: Like his fellow Trojan in Green Bay, Perry had three tackles and a sack against Jacksonville.
• Nickell Robey: Robey had one tackle as the Bills lost to the Ravens.
• Frostee Rucker: The Cardinals defensive lineman had three tackles and a forced fumble against the Patriots.
• Kevon Seymour: A hamstring injury kept Seymour from making his NFL debut alongside Robey.
• Malcolm Smith: Smith was all over the place for the Raiders in their one-point win over the New Orleans Saints. He had eight tackles and one tackle for loss.
• Robert Woods: The Bills wide receiver had four catches for 20 yards against the Ravens.

Projans On Monday Night

• Su’a Cravens: The hybrid linebacker’s NFL debut was a strong one, with four tackles on the night, though his Washington Redskins fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• T.J. McDonald: It was a bad night for offenses all around, but McDonald and the Rams defense couldn’t hold out forever. Still, safety stood out with eight tackles, including four tackles for loss.