Longhorns in the NFL – Week 1 (w/ video)
For fans of college football, it's fun watching the guys you rooted for move on to pursue the NFL dream. This year a total of 28 Longhorns were named to NFL teams. Some of them are just starting their NFL journey while one Longhorn starts his 20th season in the NFL.
Let's take a look at the Week 1 performance of some of the for Texas Longhorns around the NFL.
Kenny Vaccaro - Safety - Tennessee Titans
Kenny played a good game in a losing effort as the Titans lost a tough game in Miami against a game Dolphins team. In a game that ended up hitting the record books as the longest NFL game ever played (Thanks to a four hour weather delay), Vaccaro put together a decent stat line that included 4 tackles and an interception.
Here's that interception.
Former #Saints Safety Kenny Vaccaro picks off Ryan Tannehillpic.twitter.com/fOpZzgpzuA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 9, 2018
Malcom Brown - DL - New England Patriots
Malcom Brown and the New England Patriots escaped with a 27 - 20 win over the Houston Texans. Brown didn't light up the stats sheet (1 tackle and 1 assist), but he was all over the field, pressuring the pocket and being the disruptive force we grew accustomed to seeing at Texas.
The Patriots looked legit. While Tom Brady's side of the football gets much of the media hype, their defense deserves some attention too, and Malcom Brown plays a big role in the success of that unit.
Michael Dickson - P - Seattle Seahawks
The former Texas punter caught the eyes of plenty across the country this preseason as he continued to boot booming punts. Already a known force on the Forty Acres, the Australian cemented his status as a must-watch anytime he is back and ready to impress with his leg.
THE ROOK FROM AUSTRALIA IS A WEAPONNNN #ForTheBrand pic.twitter.com/rF9c7v2N3l
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 9, 2018
Justin Tucker - K - Baltimore Ravens
Justin Tucker kicked two field goals, including a one from 41 yards as the Baltimore Ravens continued with their outstanding play, defeating the Buffalo Bills 47 - 3. The Ravens have been locked in since their first preseason game and Joe Flacco has the offense ticking.
If the Ravens continue to put up big numbers offensively, Justin Tucker could be lined up for career year. I case you forgot about his ability to hit the longball, see the video below. (Yes it's off a tee. Yes, it's still impressive)
Justin Tucker just nailed a 70 yard FG pic.twitter.com/cTy9mXieS0
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 29, 2017
Earl Thomas - Safety - Seattle Seahawks
For Earl Thomas it's been a tough 3 months. The NFL All-Pro and former Texas standout has been a very notable training camp hold out. Thomas wants a new contract while the Seahawks are unwilling to negotiate it until the end of this season.
On Sunday, his holdout ended as the suited up for the Seattle Seahawks as the faced the Denver Broncos in Denver. It was back and forth game that the Seahawks eventually lost 24 - 27.
Thomas knocked off the rust, notching 5 tackles, 2 defended passes and 1 interception. Here's what he had to say about the interception that includes a highlight of the play.
“I haven’t had one like that in a minute” - @Earl_Thomas#SEAvsDEN pic.twitter.com/wbYVNt8Ki0
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2018
Jordan Hicks - LB - Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Hicks had himself a day. The former Texas Longhorns linebacker and recent Super Bowl Champion racked up a team high 7 tackles with 1.5 sacks as the Eagles grinded out a tough 18 - 12 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Check out this video of Hicks going beast mode, destroying the block and picking up a QB sack...
Devonta Freeman can't block Jordan Hicks 😳 pic.twitter.com/HXPPTtiCTu
— RotoQL (@rotoqlapp) September 7, 2018
Phil Dawson - K - Arizona Cardinals
It was a tough day for Phil Dawson and the Arizona Cardinals as they dropped their opener to the Washington Redskins, losing 24 - 6.
Phil Dawson didn't make an appearance on the stats sheet, but Dawson is starting his 20th season and that's worth talking about.
Over Dawson's 20 year career, he has played for the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and now the Arizona Cardinals.
Dawson's biggest moment as a Texas Longhorn came against University of Virginia. With time winding down, Dawson launched a 50-yarder into a 30 MPH wind to secure 17-16 victory for Texas.
