Mountaineers in the NFL

WVU grads (or, at least, former attendees) have gone on to the National Football League. I thought Mondays would be a good day to track them. And, when I’m feeling nostalgic, I’ll write about former Mountaineers who went on to have at least a year in the league.

Anthony Becht, TE Tampa Buccaneers

Becht’s career is just about over. He’s on the Tampa roster, but he had no stats in yesterday’s loss to Seattle. Things have been going downhill for him since Pennington’s chronic wrist problems began.

Marc Bulger, QB St. Louis Rams

Bulger was mildly miserable against the Carolina Panthers. His line was:

CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%      LNG	TD	INT	RAT	        ATT	YDS	AVG   TD

22 42 167 52.4 18 1 0 70.2 3 18 6.0 0

While the Panthers do have a defense that could be decent, one would expect more from the QB of a supposedly high octane offense, even in week one. The Rams played poorly overall, but the QB has to perform, and Bulger’s numbers stand as evidence of either 1)He didn’t play well, or 2)His team stinks, or 3)Carolina’s better than I suspected, or even 4)Linehan’s offense ain’t so hot, after all.

Antwan Lake, DT New Orleans Saints

Antwan’s Saints got completely outclassed by the Indianapolis Colts on the league’s opening night. Lake offered two tackles as a sub in the Saints hopeless defense against the Colts, who looked incredibly strong overall.

Corey McIntyre, FB Atlanta Falcons

Since Corey had no stats against his name in the Falcons’ obliteration against the Vikings, I want to ask him one question: How’s my boy, Prince Killer? That pitbull is one good doggie.

Jerry Porter, WR Oakland Raiders

The second best former Mountaineer receiver to play in the league actually had two catches for the Raiders yesterday as the Raiders went down to the Lions. Two catches for twenty-six yards. It’s something, I guess.

Todd Sauerbrun, P Denver Broncos

Sauerbrun may be long in the tooth, but remains a really good punter, steroid issues aside. Todd had three punts yesterday, dropping one inside the twenty. Of course, one of those three punts went for six points for the Bills. Not that it’s all Todd’s fault, but…

Gary Stills, DE Baltimore Ravens

Stills had no numbers in tonight’s loss to the Bengals, though that doesn’t mean much. The Ravens playmakers are linebackers and safeties.

John Thornton, DT Cincinnati Bengals

Former teammate of Stills, big John Thornton had one tackle tonight in the Bengals’ victory.

All in all, a pretty crummy week for former Mountaineers, going 2-6.

Oh, and of course, this doesn’t include any former Mountaineers who might be suspended or otherwise detained by police.