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There is nothing better than when that countdown hits 0:00 on the NFL Red Zone channel and you know that you’re not going to do anything but sit in the same spot all day and watch 10 hours of football. Okay, maybe not everybody has that freedom, but that’s how my Sunday was spent and I have no regrets.
The NFL season is back and we’re going to do our weekly ’Noles in the NFL column a little bit different this year. Instead of including a bunch of insignificant stats, like Devonta Freeman having eight carries for 19 yards and a fumble (shout out to my fellow Freeman owners), we’ll be highlighting notable stories and performances pertaining to former Seminoles in the NFL.
So lets jump into week one of ’Noles in the NFL.
Dalvin Cook
After a roller coaster 2018 season, Dalvin Cook exploded back on the scene as the Vikings dominated the Falcons. Cook carried the ball 21 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns and tacked on two catches for nine yards.
Cook showed the explosiveness that Florida State fans saw on Saturdays, and despite his struggles with injuries, he appears to be running stronger than ever and certainly isn’t shying away from contact:
My goodness Dalvin Cook... #Vikings pic.twitter.com/TK2TadweFS
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 8, 2019
Cook’s first score of the year came on a 19-yard run he bounced to the outside in the first quarter:
The @Vikings are cookin' in Minnesota.@DalvinCook runs for the 19-yard TD! #ATLvsMIN
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2019
: CBS
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch on mobile: https://t.co/PoZiStO3mL pic.twitter.com/eRZ5mVL8F5
And he followed his blockers in for his second, giving Minnesota a commanding 28-0 lead:
@dalvincook keeps cookin’ and is in for his 2nd rush TD of the game! #Skol #ATLvsMIN
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2019
: FOX
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch on mobile: https://t.co/PoZiStO3mL pic.twitter.com/jGAlwQr3qu
Cook’s carry chart by the end of the game? An actual work of art:
This is art.
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) September 8, 2019
Dalvin Cook + Gary Kubiak = scary production pic.twitter.com/16WHBdXChe
Xavier Rhodes
Sticking with the Vikings, but switching to the other side of the ball, Xavier Rhodes wasn’t allowing anything through the air:
Two key pass breakups from Xavier Rhodes. Love to see that swagger: pic.twitter.com/pgfZ9klSCT
— Nick Olson (@NickOlsonNFL) September 9, 2019
Jameis Winston
Not everything will be highlights in this column, and Jameis Winston had another outing to forget in a make or break year.
Winston has broken plenty of records in his NFL career, but unfortunately, as of late, they aren’t the records a starting QB wants to be breaking:
This is Jameis Winston's 17th career game with multiple interceptions, passing Blake Bortles for most in the league since Winston entered the NFL in 2015. pic.twitter.com/2jiXnz9E8w
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 8, 2019
One of Winston’s interceptions was a tipped ball off the hands of tight end O.J. Howard, but the other two were poor throws that turned into six points the other way:
Jameis Winston with a terrible decision and it's a pick-6 for Richard Sherman pic.twitter.com/49vZPWtzzw
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2019
one sealing the game in the 4th quarter:
Ugly, ugly interception for Jameis Winston. Ahkello Witherspoon takes it back for a TD. That should do it. pic.twitter.com/N1jFbgLzJ5
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2019
Brian Burns
The Panther’s didn’t get the win, but Brian Burns had a nice first game, getting into the backfield for a nice TFL:
Great read and tackle for loss by #Panthers 1st round pick Brian Burns.pic.twitter.com/gTLymdSvkF
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2019
His defensive coordinator has high hopes for his potential in the NFL, saying he’s ready for everything that may come his was:
DC Eric Washington when asked what rookie Brian Burns is ready for ...
— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) September 5, 2019
“Everything.”
Spider Burns wasn’t able to record his first NFL sack, but when he does, he’ll have a new celebration to debut:
Brian Burns says he has a new sack celebration that is NOT Spider-Man related...
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 5, 2019
pic.twitter.com/GVvd3yd3d4
Something tells me we won’t be waiting too long to see that celebration.
Derrick Nnadi
Nnadi has been active in the community since entering the NFL and was named the NFLPA’s community MVP for holding back to school events following tragic shootings in his home state of Virginia:
Chiefs’ DT Derrick Nnadi named NFLPA Community MVP for providing a shopping spree for a victim’s family following the Virginia Beach mass shooting and hosting two back-to-school events for kids in Kansas City and Southeast Virginia.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2019
Congrats to @DerrickNnadi for being named Week 0 #CommunityMVP after hosting multiple back-to-school events, including a shopping spree for a victim’s family after the VA Beach mass shooting.
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) September 6, 2019
: https://t.co/5Z35iMJRw7
Want to join Derrick in giving back? https://t.co/VoWO5BNCY3 pic.twitter.com/qUxAPvAI2T
Roderick Johnson
Big Rod has impressed in Houston where they have invested in keeping quarterback Deshaun Watson upright. After a stellar preseason, he will get his chance to prove himself in the regular season on Monday Night Football against the Saints:
Despite spending ample draft capital and money on the offensive line in recent years, the #Texans' top lineman this preseason was unheralded third-year LT Roderick Johnson.
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) August 31, 2019
Johnson's 81.8 pass blocking grade ranked 10th among offensive tackles. pic.twitter.com/9jS2qgDl9k
Lamarcus Joyner
With a change of scenery, moving from LA to Oakland this offseason, Lamarcus Joyner says he feels like he enjoys playing football again:
"I feel like I didn't get to enjoy the NFL like I'm doing here. ... Now I get a new start."
— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) September 5, 2019
Lamarcus Joyner joins Upon Further Review to discuss why he feels like a rookie again and so much more. Listen » https://t.co/JwuI1G2Jv9 pic.twitter.com/lBP6IY2G9C
The hard-hitting safety also hosted a Reddit AMA where he answered a plethora of fan questions.
Derwin James
After earning a Pro Bowl nod in his rookie year, Derwin James is set to miss a few week of his sophomore season with a foot injury. But being the great teammate that he is, James was at the game supporting his teammates in their overtime win:
Derwin James was on the field for warmups, moving around on one of those medical scooters. His right foot is in a boot. #Chargers
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 8, 2019
Also, anything for a press box hot dog:
Derwin James, one leg on a scooter, is up here grabbing a hot dog in the press box. That makes me feel a little more secure about eating them. A little.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) September 8, 2019
Vince Williams
And finally, Williams’ Steelers were throttled by New England on Sunday night, but is there anything worse than this?
Yeah heartbreak hurts, but have you ever bit into an Oatmeal Rasin cookie thinking it was Chocolate Chip?
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) September 5, 2019