Pitt in the NFL: Fitzgerald shines in Week One

Every Sunday, several Pitt alumni look to find as much success in the NFL as they did when they ran around Heinz Field dressed in blue and gold. Over the years, former Panthers have proven that the road to the NFL runs through the University of Pittsburgh.

Larry Fitzgerald

Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt 2002-2003), who had his college number retired by the Panthers on Sept. 2, starred in his first game since the ceremony over the weekend.

Not even a single minute into the season, Fitzgerald scored on a four-yard lob pass from Arizona’s most prized off-season acquisition, Carson Palmer. 

The Cardinals struggled to find a decent quarterback in 2012, resulting in a down season for the highly-talented Fitzgerald. But now, Fitzgerald looks to have already built a strong rapport with Palmer: He finished the afternoon with eight catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his efforts, Arizona fell to St. Louis, 27-24.

Fitzgerald, at age 30, is still one of the most feared receivers in the league and appears to be ready to lead the Cardinals to their first win of the season next week against a weak Detroit secondary. With two touchdowns on Sunday, he is already halfway to his 2012 total, though he only found the end zone four times. 

Darrelle Revis 

Tampa Bay welcomed a healthy Darrelle Revis (Pitt 2004-2006) to its defensive secondary. Revis, who missed 14 games last season because of a torn ACL, was traded to Tampa Bay in the offseason after spending his first six years in the league with the New York Jets.

Revis met his former team right away when the Buccaneers took on the Jets Sunday afternoon. The Pitt alumnus was given the job of covering an old teammate, wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Revis knocked away two passes from Holmes, who was only able to grab one ball for 15 yards. 

The Jets emerged on top, however, with a dramatic 18-17 victory. 

Revis will look to show the league that he is still one of the top cornerbacks in the game, despite his injury last season. He will match up against wide receiver Marques Colston next week when the Buccaneers head home to take on the New Orleans Saints.

LaRod Stephens-Howling

Bad news has already struck Pittsburgh Steelers running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (Pitt 2006-2008). Stephens-Howling, who was competing for the majority of carries in the Pittsburgh backfield, tore his right ACL against the Titans and will most likely be out for the remainder of the season. 

He tallied 19 yards on six carries and 11 yards on two catches before his exit.

Henry Hynoski

Giants fullback Henry Hynoski (Pitt 2007-2010) had an unproductive night as New York fell to Dallas, 36-31. Hynoski missed a chance to score in the first quarter when he dropped a wide-open Eli Manning pass in the red zone. 

Hynoski also failed to pick up a blocking assignment on Cowboys safety Barry Church. Church then proceeded to knock the football out of the hands of Giants tailback David Wilson, forcing a crucial turnover early in the game.

Jabaal Sheard 

Cleveland defensive end Jabaal Sheard (Pitt 2007-2010), who is coming off a seven-sack season in 2012, managed only two tackles in a 23-10 loss to Miami. Look for Sheard to break out in week two against an injury-plagued Baltimore offensive line that allowed four sacks in week one. 

Andy Lee

San Francisco punter Andy Lee (Pitt 2000-2004) started off the 2013 season with five punts for 236 yards in a 34-28 nail-biter win over Green Bay. Lee secured one punt inside the 20 yard line and averaged a distance of 47.2 yards.