Pitt in the NFL: Panthers have varied success

The 12th week of the NFL season featured standout performances from some more unheralded Pitt… The 12th week of the NFL season featured standout performances from some more unheralded Pitt alumni in the league.

Both San Francisco 49ers punter Andy Lee and Detroit Lions defensive back Aaron Berry turned in good performances on the national stage on Thanksgiving Day.

Lee (Pitt punter, 2000-2003) had five punts for a total of 288 yards in the 49ers’ 16-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Lee’s punts averaged a whopping 57.6 yards. The former Pro Bowler looks destined for that honor again this year. His season average of 50.5 yards per punt is second-best in the league behind only Shane Lechler of the Oakland Raiders.

Berry (Pitt defensive back, 2006-2009) had four solo tackles and one pass deflected in the Lions’ 27-15 loss to the undefeated Green Bay Packers. Berry managed to hold his own against one of the best passing attacks in the NFL but wasn’t able to lead his team to victory.

Also on the national stage were Tyler Palko (Pitt quarterback, 2002-2006) and Jon Baldwin (Pitt wide receiver, 2008-2010) whose Kansas City Chiefs came up short in their Sunday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baldwin had only two catches for just 26 yards, both coming near the end of the game. Palko was erratic throughout, completing 18 of 28 passes for only 167 yards and throwing three interceptions. Palko was driving the Chiefs down the field at the end of the game, but he threw an interception with 28 seconds left. The Steelers held on for the 13-9 victory.

Leading NFL rusher LeSean McCoy (Pitt running back, 2007-2008) turned in a lackluster game as his Philadelphia Eagles fell 38-20 to the New England Patriots. McCoy had 10 rushes for 31 yards and four receptions for 30 yards. McCoy started fast with a touchdown for the first score of the game, but the Eagles quickly fell behind and were forced to throw 48 times as they tried in vain to come back.

Also in the Eagles game was Dion Lewis (Pitt running back, 2009-2010). Lewis had two kick returns for 39 yards.

In the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams, both Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt wide receiver, 2002-2003) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (Pitt running back, 2005-2008) had sub-par performances for the Cardinals.

Fitzgerald only had three receptions for 55 yards and struggled to connect with quarterback John Skelton. Stephens-Howling had two rushes for 9 yards and one reception for 14 yards. He also had four kick returns for a total of 97 yards. Despite that, the Cardinals were able to win 23-20.

All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis (Pitt cornerback, 2004-2006) had eight solo tackles to go with one pass defended. He was the only member of the New York Jets secondary to show competency in their 28-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Rookie Jabaal Sheard (Pitt defensive lineman, 2007-2010) had four tackles and one sack in the Cleveland Browns 23-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. It was Sheard’s second straight game with a sack as he continues a solid rookie campaign with the Browns.

Clint Session (Pitt linebacker, 2003-2006) was placed on the Injured Reserve list of the Jacksonville Jaguars last Monday. He suffered his second concussion of the season in Week 11.