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I spent the first two Mondays of the NFL season compiling stats for all of the Hokies in the NFL. Then, I got a Facebook message from a loyal reader of VTHokieFans.com reminding me of a site dedicated to keeping tabs of Hokies in professional football. So, instead of duplicating efforts, I’m going to refer you guys to The Professional Hokie site here.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Here is a quick recap of former Hokies in the NFL and how they did in week two of the 2008 NFL season. There are 32 former Techsters (give or take a cut here and there) currently in the NFL according to CBSSportsline.com’s Alumni Tracker. This list is updated to the best of my knowledge, but if I’ve missed something, e-mail me at gary@vthokiefans.com.

Archives | Week 1 | Week 2

Xavier Adibi | Houston Texans | OLB
Week 2 – Bye Week

James Anderson | Carolina Panthers | LB
Week 2 vs. Chicago (W, 20-17)
Active, did not play

Duane Brown | Houston Texans | OL
Week 2 – Bye Week

David Clowney | New York Jets | WR
Week 2 vs. New England (L, 10-19)
Active, did not play

Andre Davis | Houston Texans | WR
Week 2 – Bye Week

Anthony Davis | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | T
Week 2 vs. Atlanta (W, 24-9)
Played, did not start

John Dunn | T
Cut by Detroit July 24

Chris Ellis | Buffalo Bills | DE
Week 2 @ Jacksonville (W, 20-16)
Listed as Active, but did not play

John Engelberger | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 2 vs. San Diego (W, 49-38)
1 tackle (solo)

Brandon Flowers | Kansas City Chiefs | CB
Week 2 vs. Oakland (L, 8-23)
3 tackles (all solo)

Brandon Frye | Houston Texans | T
Week 2 – Bye Week

Vincent Fuller | Tennessee Titans | DB
Week 2 @ Cincinnati (W, 24-7)
8 tackles (3 solo, 5 assists)

Shayne Graham | Cincinnati Bengals | K
Week 2 vs. Tennessee (L, 7-24)
0/1 FGs (missed 37 yarder); 1/1 PATs (1 point)

Eric Green | Arizona Cardinals | CB
Week 2 vs. Miami (W, 31-10)
1 tackle (solo)

Jake Grove | Oakland Raiders | C
Week 2 @ Kansas City (W, 23-8)
Started

DeAngelo Hall | Oakland Raiders | CB
Week 2 @ Kansas City (W, 23-8)
6 tackles (all solo); 1 pass deflection

Vince Hall | LB
Cut by the Rams

Justin Hamilton | Washington Redskins | CB
Week 2 vs. New Orleans (W, 29-24)
1 tackle (assist)

Kevin Jones | Chicago Bears | RB
Week 2 @ Carolina (L, 17-20)
1 carry, 0 yds

Jeff King | Carolina Panthers | TE
Week 2 @ San Diego (W, 26-24)
2 rec., 29 yds, 0 TDs, 0 fum

Matt Lehr | G
Cut by the Bucs on 9/7

Jonathan Lewis | Jacksonville Jaguars | DT
Week 2 vs. Buffalo (L, 16-20)
Injured Reserve

Will Montgomery | New York Jets | G
Week 2 vs. New England (L, 10-19)
Listed as Active, but did not play

Josh Morgan | San Francisco 49ers | WR
Week 2 @ Seattle (W, 33-30)
1 rec., 8 yds

Jason Murphy | Tennessee Titans | G
Week 2 @ Cincinnati (W, 24-7)
Cut by Titans 8/31, signed to practice squad 9/3

Carlton Powell | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 2 vs. San Diego (W, 39-38)
PUP List (physically unable to perform)

Pierson Prioleau | Jacksonville Jaguars | DB
Week 2 vs. Buffalo (L, 16-20)
2 tackles (both solo)

Aaron Rouse | Green Bay Packers | S
Week 2 @ Detroit (W, 48-25)
2 tackles (both solo)

Eddie Royal | Denver Broncos | WR
Week 2 vs. San Diego (W, 39-38)
Receiving: 5 rec., 37 yds, 1 TD, 1 two-point conversion

Nick Sorensen | Cleveland Browns | DB
Week 2 vs. Pittsburg (L, 6-10)
2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assist); .5 sacks

Darryl Tapp | Seattle Seahawks | DE
Week 2 vs. San Francisco (L, 30-33)
1 tackle (solo)

Ernest Wilford | Miami Dolphins | WR
Week 2 @ Arizona (L, 10-31)
Played, but no stats

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If you missed the Denver @ Oakland game last night/early this morning, Eddie Royal had one of the single greatest NFL debuts by any Hokie in history. He absolutely lit up the Oakland Raiders secondary last night in the second game of ESPN’s Monday Night Football double header. Royal was the go-to guy for Denver QB Jay Cutler. Royal accounted for 185 total yards including 9 receptions for 146 yards, 1 TD, nine rushing yards, 19 punt return yards and 11 kickoff return yards.

Royal should be a strong favorite for NFL Rookie of the Week. Through week one, he leads all NFL receivers with 146 yards, and set the Broncos record for most receptions by a rookie making his debut. Below is a video highlighting Eddie’s amazing NFL debut. Scroll down a little further for updates on all the Hokies currently in the NFL.

Link to official NFL.com Eddie Royal highlights from the game.

Here is a quick recap of former Hokies in the NFL and how they did in week one of the 2008 NFL season. There are 32 former Techsters currently in the NFL according to CBSSportsline.com’s Alumni Tracker. This list is updated to the best of my knowledge, but if I’ve missed something, e-mail me at gary@vthokiefans.com.

Xavier Adibi | Houston Texans | OLB
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
Inactive

James Anderson | Carolina Panthers | LB
Week 1 @ San Diego (W, 26-24)
Inactive

Duane Brown | Houston Texans | OL
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
Started at left offensive tackle (Note: Matt Schaub (Texans QB) was sacked 5 times)

David Clowney | New York Jets | WR
Week 1 vs. Miami (W, 20-14)
Inactive (listed as injured)

Andre Davis | Houston Texans | WR
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
6 punt returns for 112 yds; 18.7 ypr; long of 28 yds

Anthony Davis | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | T
Week 1 @ New Orleans (L, 20-24)
Played, did not start

John Dunn | Detroit Lions | T
Week 1 @ Atlanta (L, 21-34)
PUP List (physically unable to perform)

Chris Ellis | Buffalo Bills | DE
Week 1 vs. Seattle (W, 34-10)
Listed as Active, but did not play

John Engelberger | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 1 @ Oakland (W, 41-14)
4 tackles (all solo)

Brandon Flowers | Kansas City Chiefs | CB
Week 1 @ New England (L, 10-17)
6 tackles (5 solo, 1 assist)

Brandon Frye | Houston Texans | T
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
Inactive: Cut by the Texans on 9/2, added to practice squad on 9/4

Vincent Fuller | Tennessee Titans | DB
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville (W, 17-10)
4 tackles (2 solo, 2 assists)

Shayne Graham | Cincinnati Bengals | K
Week 1 @ Baltimore (L, 10-17)
1/1 FG – 43 yards; 1/1 PATs (4 points)

Eric Green | Arizona Cardinals | CB
Week 1 @ San Francisco (W, 23-13)
2 tackles (both solo)

Jake Grove | Oakland Raiders | C
Week 1 vs. Denver (L, 14-41)
Started, 1 fumble recovery

DeAngelo Hall | Oakland Raiders | CB
Week 1 vs. Denver (L, 14-41)
7 tackles (all solo)
2 personal fouls (both against Eddie Royal)

Vince Hall | St. Louis Rams | LB
Week 1 @ Philadelphia (L, 3-38)
Injured Reserve

Justin Hamilton | Washington Redskins | CB
Week 1 @ New York Giants (L, 7-16)
Played, did not start, no stats

Kevin Jones | Chicago Bears | RB
Week 1 @ Indianapolis (W, 29-13)
13 carries, 45 yds, 0 TDs, 0 fum, long of 12 yds

Jeff King | Carolina Panthers | TE
Week 1 @ San Diego (W, 26-24)
1 rec., 4 yds, 0 TDs, 0 fum

Matt Lehr | New Orleans Saints | G
Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay (W, 24-20)
Cut by the Bucs on 9/7

Jonathan Lewis | Jacksonville Jaguars | DT
Week 1 @ Tennessee (L, 10-17)
Injured Reserve

Will Montgomery | New York Jets | G
Week 1 vs. Miami (W, 20-14)
Listed as Active, but did not play

Josh Morgan | San Francisco 49ers | WR
Week 1 vs. Arizona (L, 13-23)
Played, but no stats

Jason Murphy | Tennessee Titans | G
Week 1 vs Jacksonville (W, 17-10)
Cut by Titans 8/31, signed to practice squad 9/3

Carlton Powell | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 1 @ Oakland (W, 41-14)
PUP List (physically unable to perform)

Pierson Prioleau | Jacksonville Jaguars | DB
Week 1 @ Tennessee (L, 10-17)
Played, but no stats

Aaron Rouse | Green Bay Packers | S
Week 1 vs. Minnesota (W, 24-19)
2 tackles (both solo)

Eddie Royal | Denver Broncos | WR
Week 1 @ Oakland (W, 41-14)
Receiving: 9 rec., 146 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: 2 attempts, 9 yards
Passing: 0/1
Returns: 2 punt returns, 19 yds; 1 kickoff return, 11 yds
Total Offense: 185 yards

Nick Sorensen | Cleveland Browns | DB
Week 1 vs. Dallas (L, 10-28)
1 tackle (assist)

Darryl Tapp | Seattle Seahawks | DE
Week 1 @ Buffalo (L, 10-34)
3 tackles (1 solo, 2 assist)

Ernest Wilford | Miami Dolphins | WR
Week 1 vs. New York Jets (L, 14-20)
Played, but no stats

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Last year, the Houston Texans went out and brought in highly touted, albeit unproven, quarterback Matt Schaub to lead the offense. He played well last season, but got dinged up because of a shaky offensive line. Houston took steps to correct that problem today when they surprised everyone and selected former Virginia Tech OL Duane Brown with the No. 26 overall pick in the first round. The 6-4, 315-pound converted TE has the ability to play either tackle position, which will provide OL depth for the Texans. The pick came as a surprise because Brown was graded by many mock drafts as a third-round selection.

From ESPN: “Houston clearly placed an emphasis on need over value. Brown is a reach because he’s not a great drive-blocker and he can get pushed into the backfield by bull rushes. On the flip side, he’s a former tight end who has the quick feet, athletic ability and initial burst to develop into an outstanding pass-blocker and an effective starter on the left side. It’s also worth pointing out that he was the best tackle left on the board (seventh rated overall).”

From Rivals: “The Texans made a good trade back at first, but the worst case scenarios occurred over the last eight picks. Many of the guys they would have wanted came off the board. Brown is an athletic left tackle, but a guy most graded as a third-round pick.”

Second Round

The Kansas City Chiefs may have found an heir apparent for Ty Law in former Hokie Brandon Flowers. The Chiefs selected the hard-hitting All-American corner with the 4th pick in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

From ESPN: “Flowers doesn’t have elite size or top-end speed. Occasionally, he gets caught out of position trying to make a big play. However, he plays far bigger than his size indicates and faster than his 40 time suggest. He opens his hips very well and has the upper-body strength to deliver a violent punch. There’s also a lot to like about his willingness to play the run.”

From Rivals: “Flowers was the most physical corner available in this draft. He has the inside track to replace Ty Law in the starting lineup as a rookie. He has a high level of development as a cover man, which indicates he can play the nickel corner role almost immediately. He could develop into an early starting NFL corner with shutdown talent.”

Seven picks later, the Denver Broncos got some receiver help for QB Jay Cutler in Eddie Royal, who went a little earlier in the draft than I thought he’d go. He’s undersized, even for a college WR, but his prowess as a return man is probably what appealed to the Broncos.

From ESPN: “Royal has had some problems staying healthy, and the fact that he doesn’t have great size only accentuates concerns about his durability. He has to improve his route-running, but he has the quickness and athletic ability to separate from coverage once that happens. He’s fast enough to stretch the field and make an impact as a punt returner.”

From Rivals: “Royal was pound-for-pound one of the fastest and strongest receivers available in the draft. He also gives the Broncos the added option of using him as their primary return man.”

Hokies hoping to be selected on Day Two of the 2008 NFL Draft:

Xavier Adibi
Barry Booker
Chris Ellis
Vince Hall
Justin Harper
Josh Morgan
D.J. Parker
Carlton Powell

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