Posted on September 20th, 2009 by Admin

By David Whipkey | Pitt Panthers Gameday Correspondent

Pitt’s storied football tradition includes many players who have moved on and excelled in the National Football League. Performers such as Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, Mike Ditka, Hugh Green and Bill Fralic dominated both on the Oakland campus and in the professional ranks.

The tradition is continuing in a big way this millennium. PittPanthersGameday.com will highlight each Panther alumnus on Mondays during the NFL season. Week two’s highlights included:

Darrelle Revis, New York Jets cornerback: Revis continued his stellar early 2009 season by shutting down another premium wide receiver. One week after stifling Houston’s Andre Johnson, Revis again displayed his coverage skills by limiting New England’s Randy Moss to 24 yards receiving on four receptions. Revis also contributed five tackles and one interception of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in New York’s 16-9 win at the Meadowlands.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals receiver: Fitzgerald helped the Cards rebound after a disappointing season opening loss to San Francisco.  The current Madden ’10 video game cover boy hauled in a 22-yard scoring pass from Kurt Warner in Arizona’s 31-17 win over host Jacksonville. Fitzgerald finished with four catches for 34 yards in the win.

Gerald Hayes, Arizona Cardinals linebacker: Hayes was a stabilizing force in Arizona’s defense during their 31-17 win at Jacksonville. Hayes finished with three tackles and assisted the defense in holding the Jaguars to 92 yards rushing.

LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona Cardinals kick returner: The rookie finished with 14 yards rushing on two carries and added 25 yards worth of kick return yardage.

Shawntae Spencer, San Francisco 49ers cornerback: Spencer is fast becoming a force in San Francisco’s secondary. Spencer finished with two tackles in their 23-10 win over Seattle and helped hold the Seahawks to 224 yards passing.

Andy Lee, San Francisco 49ers punter: Lee kept Seattle’s offense pinned deep all day Sunday. The sixth-year punter averaged 40 yards per punt on six boots in Sunday’s 23-10 over the Seahawks.

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles running back: Shady made things happen Sunday when he touched the ball in Philadelphia’s 48-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints. McCoy finished with 18 yards on three carries and added 37 yards receiving on four receptions.