’Noles in the NFL: Week 1

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:

Cook’s first score of the year came on a 19-yard run he bounced to the outside in the first quarter:

And he followed his blockers in for his second, giving Minnesota a commanding 28-0 lead:

Cook’s carry chart by the end of the game? An actual work of art:

Xavier Rhodes

Sticking with the Vikings, but switching to the other side of the ball, Xavier Rhodes wasn’t allowing anything through the air:

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:

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:

one sealing the game in the 4th quarter:

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:

His defensive coordinator has high hopes for his potential in the NFL, saying he’s ready for everything that may come his was:

Spider Burns wasn’t able to record his first NFL sack, but when he does, he’ll have a new celebration to debut:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Also, anything for a press box hot dog:

Vince Williams

And finally, Williams’ Steelers were throttled by New England on Sunday night, but is there anything worse than this?