USC in the NFL: Week 7 Roundup

It was not the greatest week for USC in the NFL as many a Trojan found themselves on the wrong side of a losing scoreline.

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Still, with so many pros who previously called USC home, there are always stars to be found.

Three Stars of the Week

1. Malcolm Smith: The Raiders’ leading tackler on the season continued to rack up the stats as Oakland racked up a win over San Diego. Smith had 11 tackles, a sack, an interception, two QB hits and two passes defended in the 37-29 victory, prompting head coach Jack Del Rio to praise him after the game: “Malcolm has been tremendous since the day he got here. He’s just a great young man. We can count on him to do a lot.”
2. Robert Woods: Woods hasn’t had great production this season as a member of the Bills’ receiver rotation, but injuries in the unit allowed the third-year receiver to take advantage. Though Buffalo was unable to complete a comeback and fell 34-31 to the Jaguars, Woods hauled in nine receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown on foreign soil.
3. T.J. McDonald: McDonald helped the Rams to a 24-6 win over Cleveland with seven total tackles, including one tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

What Other Projans Did

• Dion Bailey: The Jets safety had six tackles in New York’s 23-30 loss to the Patriots, though he and the entire Jets secondary was exploited by Tom Brady in the end
• Reggie Bush: Bush increased his production for the 49ers, but only marginally so, catghing three passes for 13 yards and rushing for four carries with 21 yards. He also dropped a pass which would have converted a third down as the Seahawks downed San Francisco on Thursday night 20-3.
• Jordan Cameron: In a Miami rout, Cameron had two catches on two targets for 23 yards.
• Jurrell Casey: Casey had three tackles as the Titans lost to the Falcons 10-7.
• Matt Cassel: Making his debut with the Cowboys, Cassel made some nice throws but even bigger mistakes in Dallas’ 27-20 loss to the Giants. Cassel’s 227 yards passing and 25-yard touchdown pass could not negate three interceptions on the day, including a pick six.
• Brian Cushing: Cushing had three tackles against the Dolphins, who torched the Texans defense.
• Everson Griffen: After missing last week’s game due to an undisclosed illness, Griffen was back in action and making plays for the Vikings. In the 28-19 victory over the Lions, Griffen had two tackles including 1.5 sacks.
• Devon Kennard: The second-year man in the New York linebacking corps had seven tackles as Giants downed division rival Dallas.
• Nickell Robey: Though Robey did not log any statistics in the Bill’s London loss to the Jaguars, he was the subject of a late pass interference penalty which set up Jacksonville’s go-ahead touchdown. Mike Rodak of ESPN called it, “very debatable.”
• Leonard Williams: New York’s rookie defensive lineman had just one tackle against New England, but it was a four-yard tackle for loss.

Projans To Watch On Monday Night

• Buck Allen: After a 58 yard performance against Cleveland, Allen’s involvement did not increase like expected against the 49ers last week. Perhaps that will change this week.
• Shareece Wright: Against his former team last week, Wright had four tackles. He’ll look to build on that in his second game for the Ravens.
• Carson Palmer: Baltimore may need Wright to have a big night because Palmer has eaten up nearly every team he’s faced this season.
• Frostee Rucker: Rucker had three tackles last week, but he’s only logged one sack all season.