Gators In The NFL - Week 1
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 | Football
There were 30 former University of Florida football players on rosters during the opening weekend in the National Football League, including 23 who saw action and 15 who earned starting positions. The Gators, who have tied for the most wide receivers selected in the NFL Draft from 2006-09 with six, had four former wideouts suit up in the regular-season openers.
A pair of rookies from last season's National Championship team, Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings) and Louis Murphy (Oakland Raiders), each debuted in impressive fashion. Harvin totaled 157 all-purpose yards during Minnesota's 34-20 road win over Cleveland, highlighted by a touchdown pass from Brett Favre. Meanwhile, Murphy hauled in a 57-yard scoring toss from JaMarcus Russell with 2:34 remaining to give Oakland the lead against San Diego before the Chargers answered with the winning score with 18 seconds left.
WR Selected In NFL Draft (2006-09)
| FLORIDA | 6 |
| LSU | 6 |
| Ohio State | 6 |
| Southern California | 3 |
| Florida State | 2 |
| Miami (Fla.) | 1 |
| Georgia | 1 |
| Tennessee | 1 |
NFL Gators' Stats
· DE Alex Brown, Chicago Bears – Started, had three solo tackles, and one tackle for loss
· WR Andre Caldwell, Cincinnati Bengals – Led team with six catches for 54 yards, also had 48 yards on two kickoff returns
· OG Cooper Carlisle, Oakland Raiders – Started at right guard
· LB Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins – Started, had three tackles
· LB Andra Davis, Denver Broncos – Started, had five tackles, three for loss and tied the team lead with one sack
· WR Jabar Gaffney, Denver Broncos – Started, had three receptions for 25 yards in Broncos win
· RB Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Had one rush for one yard
· QB Rex Grossman, Houston Texans – DNP
· DE Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville Jaguars – Started, had one solo tackle
· WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings – Led the team with 36 yards receiving on three receptions and a touchdown, also had two rushes for 22 yards
· TE Cornelius Ingram, Philadelphia Eagles - DNP
· DE Jevon Kearse , Tennessee Titans – Started, tied for team lead with one sack
· FB Billy Latsko, San Diego Chargers – DNP
· S Marquand Manuel, Detroit Lions – Started, recorded seven solo tackles and a pass deflection
· DE Bobby McCray, New Orleans Saints – Recorded one quarter back hit
· DE Ray McDonald, San Francisco 49ers – Tied for a team lead with one sack and had two solo tackles
· DE Jeremy Mincey, Jacksonville Jaguars – DNP
· DE Jarvis Moss, Denver Broncos – DNP
· WR Louis Murphy, Oakland Raiders – Started, had four catches for 87 yards and a touchdown
· S Reggie Nelson, Jacksonville Jaguars – Started, had six solo tackles
· LB Mike Peterson, Atlanta Falcons – Started, had seven solo tackles, an interception and a forced fumble
· CB Keiwan Ratliff, Pittsburgh Steelers – DNP
· CB Lito Sheppard, New York Jets – Started, Recorded an interception, a pass defense and three tackles
· LB Brandon Siler, San Diego Chargers – Assisted on three tackles
· OT Max Starks, Pittsburgh Steelers – Started at left tackle
· RB Fred Taylor, New England Patriots – Started, had 25 yards on nine carries and a rushing touchdown
· DT Marcus Thomas, Denver Broncos – Had one tackle
· OT Phil Trautwein, Cleveland Browns – DNP
· DT Gerard Warren, Oakland Raiders – Started, had three tackles
· RB DeShawn Wynn, Green Bay Packers – Had three rushes for eight yards and one reception for eight yards
-UF-
