Sooners in the NFL: Week Seven

NORMAN, Okla. Recap the most recent NFL action and read about former Sooners' performances on the Sunday stage in this week's report.

SoonerSports.com will provide regular updates on former OU football players who are now representing the crimson and cream in the pros. This weekly feature will recur throughout the season, updating each Monday.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

The Denver Broncos (5-1) attempt to win their fifth-straight ball game against the Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) at Paul Brown Stadium.

Denver running back Reuben Droughns replaced former OU star Quentin Griffin when he was sidelined with an ankle injury two weeks ago. Since then, Droughns has piled up rushing yardage with ease, recording 369 yards on 68 carries.

That trend may continue tonight considering Cincinnati has the worst run defense in the NFL this season. The Bengals, on a three-game losing skid, allow a league-worst 160.4 rushing yards per game.

It is the first Monday night game in Cincinnati since 1989. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m.

Falcons Grounded

Kansas City (2-4) set an NFL record with eight rushing touchdowns in their 56-10 rout of the Atlanta Falcons (5-2).

Priest Holmes and Derrick Blaylock showed KC fans that the ground game isn't dead as the pair rushed for 229 yards and four touchdowns apiece.

Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick had no response to the stingy defense led by former Sooner William Bartee (1998-99).

Bartee tipped a pass that was intercepted by safety Greg Wesley in the first quarter and sacked Vick on a third-and-two that ended the Falcons' first drive of the second quarter.

"They just out-executed us," Vick said. "We couldn't get anything going."

Bartee ended the game as the Chiefs leading tackler with five. He also had the sack and two pass deflections.

Former Sooner and current Chief Jimmy Wilkerson (2000-02) was inactive for Sunday's game.

The Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium next week.

Buffalo Hunters

Deion Sanders was “Prime Time” again, picking off two passes and returning one for a TD, in Baltimore's (4-2) 20-6 win against the Buffalo Bills (1-5).

The Baltimore defense made it a frustrating day for Buffalo's offense.

“It was like something I've never been a part of,” receiver Eric Moulds said. “It was terrible.”

Former Sooner defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (1995-98) made four tackles as the Ravens' front four pressured Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe into throwing four interceptions and held running back Willis McGahee to just 59 total yards.

Gregg and the Ravens travel to Philadelphia for their Halloween matchup with the Eagles.

Blundering Bears

The Chicago Bears (1-5) struggled to find rhythm again, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) 19-7.

The Buccaneers capitalized on Bears' mistakes, building a 10-0 halftime lead after scoring on two 93-yard drives.

OU All-American Tommie Harris (2001-03) looked unstoppable early, tackling Bucs' running back Michael Pittman for two- and eight-yard losses on the first two plays of the game.

Harris however made a critical mistake that caused that momentum to dissipate.

Late in the first quarter with Tampa Bay backed up inside its own 5-yard line, Harris was called for an unnecessary roughness after jumping offsides and knocking down Bucs' QB Brian Griese. The play allowed Tampa Bay to get a first down and, eventually, a field goal that gave them an early 3-0 lead.

Harris finished the day with four tackles, three for loss, and a sack.

Former OU defensive back Corey Ivy (1995-97), who has turned into one of the NFL's most valuable special teams players, made two tackles today one on a kickoff return and the other on a punt return.

The Chicago Bears host the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday night at home. Tampa Bay has the week off.

Road Warriors

After setting an NFL record 24-straight road losses last year, the Detroit Lions (4-2) beat the New York Giants (4-2), 28-13, to remain a perfect 3-0 in road games this season.

Former Sooners Teddy Lehman (2000-03), Stephen Alexander (1994-97) and Stockar McDougle (1998-99) all started for the Detroit Lions.

Lehman ate up the Giants' offense, collecting seven tackles from his linebacker position.

Tight end Alexander led all Lions' receivers, catching five passes for 52 yards including a 24-yard reception.

Right tackle McDougle protected quarterback Joey Harrington well again. Harrington completed 18 of his 22 attempts for 230 yards and two scores. He finished the game with a QB rating of 140.5.

The Detroit Lions next travel to Dallas for their week eight matchup with the Cowboys.

Andre the Giant

Even with Randy Moss on the sidelines Duante Culpepper still had enough fire power to roll the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) over the Tennessee Titans (2-5), 20-3.

Culpepper completed 24-of-30 passes for 183 yards through the air and running back Mewelde Moore added 138 more of his own on the ground.

All this offense, however, did allow Titans cornerback and former Sooner Andre Woolfolk (1999-2002) to stand out on defense.

Woolfolk made seven tackles, third most on the team, and deflected a pass. Woolfolk has 38 tackles this season.

Former All-American Rocky Calmus (1998-2001) sat out again with a back injury.

The Titans look to get back in the win column next week with their game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pack Attacked

The Green Bay Packers (2-4) scored on their first seven possessions to beat the Dallas Cowboys (3-4), 41-20, at Lambeau Field.

OU All-American Roy Williams (1999-2001), who had eight tackles, apologized for Dallas' poor defense.

“Sometimes we don't fight,” Williams said. “That's discouraging. It's sad. There are no excuses for the way we played today.”

Packers linebacker and former Sooner Torrance Marshall (1999-2000) contributed to Green Bay's early success.

Marshall recovered a Najeh Davenport fumble on a kickoff return in the first quarter. He also made a tackle late in the game.

The Packers next travel to the nation's capital for a contest with the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys go back to Dallas for their matchup with the Detroit Lions.

Injury Bugged

New York Jets' cornerback Derrick Strait (2000-03) sat out his third consecutive game with a foot injury.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Travian Smith (1994-97) missed his second-straight contest with a knee injury.

Former OU tight end Trent Smith (1999-2002) was placed on the injured reserve list by the Baltimore Ravens Aug. 31 and will miss his second consecutive season after, again, breaking his leg in a preseason game. Smith broke the leg in the Ravens' first preseason game versus the Atlanta Falcons.

New York Giants' and former OU defensive tackle Martin Chase (1994-97) was also placed on the IR with a knee injury and will sit out the 2004 season.

Injury Report	Injury	Return
Rocky Calmus (Titans)	Back	Questionable
Martin Chase (Giants)	Knee	Out for Season
Travian Smith (Raiders)	Knee	Doubtful
Trent Smith (Ravens)	Leg	Out for Season
Derrick Strait (Jets)	Foot	Out

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