Knights in the NFL: Week 2 Recap

Following week 1, let’s just say the NFL Knights did better in their version of Week 2.

The Bengals Clark Harris and Tyler Kroft participated in Thursday Night football, dropping another home game this time to Houston. The 13-9 Texans win in Cincinnati was no fault of Harris and the kicking units as the converted all three field goal attempts. In addition, the punting unit downed 6 of 7 punts inside the 20 and, Harris (1 tackle) was featured in an ESPN article Saturday. Kroft and the offense could never really get it going resulting in the firing of their offensive coordinator.

Jason McCourty and Kenny Britt traveled to division rival Baltimore. The Ravens halted the Browns momentum in a 24-10 decision where rookie starter DeShone Kizer was injured for part of the game and his late return was not enough to mount a comeback. Britt was only targeted twice, hauling in one pass for two yards. McCourty (3 tackles) did everything he could, recording an interception and forcing a fumble.

Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon bounced back by defeating Brandon Coleman’s Saints 36-20 in a game that was simply a blowout. Tom Brady went bonkers in this one torching New Orleans with 447 yards through the air that included three first quarter TD tosses. Coleman was second on the team with four catches and 82 yards including a touchdown predicted by color commentator Tony Romo. McCourty added six tackles and a pass defended. Harmon had three tackles himself.

Logan Ryan and the Titans rebounded nicely by demolishing Jacksonville 37-16 in a battle of two big time sleeper teams heading into the season. Ryan added 4 tackles and the Titan defense intercepted Blake Bortles twice. The Titans may in fact be the team to be in the AFC South this year.

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Michael Burton, Marcus Cooper, and Andrew DePaola of Chicago traveled to Tampa Bay looking to prove their week 1 showing was not a fluke. They failed as the Bucs unloaded on them 29-7. Burton recorded no stats, DePaola’s unit had on ok day in limited action as despite the score they only attempted three punts and no field goals. Cooper added a solid six tackles in the loss.

Leonte Carroo and the Dolphins finally got to play a game after their week 1 match-up with cross-state Tampa Bay was rescheduled due to Hurricane Irma. Carroo was not targeted as he played only 2 offensive snaps and 11 on special teams as Miami squeaked out a 19-17 win against San Diego. Carroo will be “home” next weekend as the Fish take their annual trip to the Meadowlands to face the Jets.

On Sunday night, Mohamed Sanu and the Falcons destroyed Green Bay, even though the final score of 34-23 doesn’t tell the whole story. Sanu tied with Julio Jones for the lead in receptions with five, and was second in yards with 85, including a long of 24. The Dirty Birds revenge march continues at Detroit next week, so they curiously watched Monday night’s match up ...

Steve Longa played Monday Night Football at the Meadowlands against the Giants. It was a close game that Detroit seized the momentum of early in the 4th with an electric punt return TD. Longa finished with 1 tackle in the 24-10 victory.

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Other local scores: Raiders 45, Jets 20. Chiefs 27, Eagles 20.

Practice squads: Andre Patton (Chargers), Carlton Agudosi (Cardinals)

Knights in the Pros flashback ... 2010

Courtney Greene, a New Rochelle, NY native, not be confused with Khaseem Greene for you younger fans, was a four year starter on the banks. Drafted in the 7th round by Seattle, he caught on with Jacksonville playing exclusively on special teams for the 2009 Jaguars. In 2010, the Jags surprised many with a week 1, 24-17 win over the Denver Broncos as Greene contributed just one tackle in reserve duty.

No one expected Greene to start week 2 at strong safety and making an immediate impact with 4 tackles including a strip hustling after Ryan Matthews in the 1st quarter. He finished the day by tallying 8 tackles, his first career interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Greene stuffing the stat sheet was not enough as the Jags fell apart in the second half with David Garrard throwing four INTs in a 38-13 defeat to San Diego.

Greene started 11 more games for the upstart Jacksonville group that ended up finishing 8-8 with a solid 56 tackles on the year. He would only play seven games the following year, starting two. He played one year in Canada with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, then turned down offers from the NFL and CFL to end his career early. He was last reported to be training young athletes in Maryland.

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