Sooners In The NFL: Week Four

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.

Sooners in the NFL

Monday Night Action

The Baltimore Ravens (2-1) host the Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) Monday night at 8:00 p.m.

The Ravens seek their third consecutive victory of the season and eighth in a row at home. The Chiefs are the last visiting team to win in Baltimore.

Two former Sooners who haved battled injuries this season may play in the game.

Raven defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (1995-98) returned to practice Thursday after two weeks off while recovering from minor knee surgery. Gregg's presence in the lineup will strengthen the Ravens tough run defense just in time for former Texas Longhorn running back Priest Holmes. His return to the starting lineup, however, is a game-time decision.

Chief defensive back William Bartee (1998-99), who injured his neck during the season opener at Denver, may miss this game. Bartee is listed as doubtful and will likely sit out the game.

Hard Charger

LaDanian Tomlinson became the San Diego Chargers' all-time leading rusher with his 147-yard performance Sunday.

Tomlinson has 4,979 yards in four seasons, eclipsing the record of 4,972 yards set by Paul Lowe, who played with San Diego from 1960-68. Tomlinson also had one touchdown.

Despite Tennessee quarterback Billy Volek's awesome performance, 39-of-58 for 278 yards and two touchdowns, in relief of an ailing Steve McNair, the Titans could not contain the San Diego offense. Tennessee ran 79 plays compared to 45 for San Diego, but was outgained 393 yards to 329.

Former OU and current Tennessee cornerback Andre Woolfolk (1999-2002) had two tackles.

Titan linebacker Rocky Calmus (1998-2001) was inactive due to a back injury.

Tennessee travels to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers for week five's Monday night matchup.

Definitive Defense

The Jets defense forced four turnovers in the second half to secure a 17-9 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Former Sooner Derrick Strait (2000-03) started at cornerback on the Jets' incredible defense. Strait made six tackles, including two on special teams.

It wasn't all defense for the Jets, however, as Curtis Martin topped 100 yards rushing for the third game in a row and the 50th time in his career, moving into 10th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 12,094 yards. He rushed for 110 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown.

The New York Jets next play host to the Buffalo Bills.

Road Rage

David Carr led the Houston Texans to their first-ever back-to-back wins with a 30-17 win against the Oakland Raiders.

Carr was 14-of-23 for 228 yards and one touchdown, but it was really the four consecutive Oakland turnovers that sealed the victory.

The Raiders turned the ball over on four-straight drives after being tied at 17. Oakland also had 13 penalties in their 11^th-straight road loss.

Former OU linebacker Travian Smith (1994-97) had eight tackles, second on the Raiders' defense.

The Oakland Raiders face the Colts in Indianapolis next week.

Back On Track

The Denver Broncos used three Jason Elam field goals to narrowly defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 16-13, in their third consecutive road game.

Former Oklahoma running back Quentin Griffin (1999-2002) rushed for 66 yards on 21 carries, despite having only 12 yards at halftime. Griffin also caught a pass for a 15-yard gain.

As the Broncos' starter Griffin has 295 rushing yards this season in four games. In 2003, he totaled 345 rushing yards in 10 games.

Former OU defensive back Corey Ivy (1995-97) played his usual role on Tampa Bay's special teams, but did not record any statistics.

Next week, Denver hosts the Carolina Panthers while Tampa Bay travels to New Orleans for their game with the Saints.

Fly Like An Eagle

David Akers made four field goals to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 19-9 win against the Chicago Bears.

The air attack of Donovan McNabb to Terrell Owens was also hot again as the two connected eight times for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Former Sooner Tommie Harris (2001-03) recorded four tackles from his defensive tackle spot.

The Chicago bears have week five off before hosting the Washington Redskins Sunday, Oct. 17.

The Pack Is Smacked

The New York Giants delivered a knockout blow to the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre on their own turf.

Favre sustained a concussion in the third quarter when his head bounced off the Frozen Tundra after being knocked down by two New York defensive linemen. It is too early to tell whether the injury will put an end to Favre's streak of 212 consecutive starts.

Former OU linebacker Torrance Marshall (1999-2000) played as a reserve linebacker and on special teams. He did not record any tackles.

The Green Bay Packers host the Tennessee Titans and another ailing quarterback, Steve McNair, on Monday night next week.

Sunday Night Fright

The San Francisco 49ers went to 0-4 for the first time in a quarter of a century with a 24-14 loss to the St. Louis Rams Sunday night.

The Rams scored on all four of their first-half drives and led 24-0 at the break. It looked as though the 49ers might get shut out in two consecutive games for the first time in franchise history before a Curtis Conway touchdown reception with just over 13 minutes to play.

Former OU linebacker Brandon Moore (1997-2001) did not record any statistics.

The 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.

Injury Bugged

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.

Chase's Giants (3-1) defeated Green Bay 14-7. They play the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.

Injury Report	Injury	Return
William Bartee (Chiefs)	Neck	Doubtful
Rocky Calmus (Titans)	Back	Questionable
Martin Chase (Giants)	Knee	Out for Season
Kelly Gregg (Ravens)	Knee	Questionable
Trent Smith (Ravens)	Leg	Out for Season

For The Record

Of the 19 former Sooners currently on NFL rosters, 14 played in the Stoops era (1999-present).
Of those Sooners, 12 played in the 2000 National Championship game at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla.
NFL teams with former Oklahoma players on their rosters went 3-6 in week four with two head-to-head matchups, not counting Monday night's contest between Baltimore and Kansas City. NFL teams with former Sooners are 20-25 on the season with six head-to-head games played.

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