#NextLevelBU: Eight Bears on NFL Opening Day rosters
Baylor has a long history of stocking NFL rosters with football talent, and the ranks of Bears in the pros has swelled in recent years. When the 2015 season kicks off tonight in New England and this weekend across the country, Baylor will once again be well-represented, with eight alums on opening day rosters:
* Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons (kicker) — The 14-year veteran ranks in the top 10 all-time in field goal percentage, and is in the top 5 among active kickers in field goals and points scored.
* Demetri Goodson, Green Bay Packers (cornerback) — Goodson earned a spot on Green Bay’s opening day roster and, after spending his rookie year mostly on special teams, is reportedly ready to step up into a backup cornerback role.
* Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins (quarterback) — The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft has battled injuries the last two seasons since winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2012. After sustaining a concussion in the preseason, he has not yet been cleared to play in the season opener.
* Bryce Hager, St. Louis Rams (linebacker) — Hager earned a roster spot in his rookie season and made an impression on Rams coaches by leading the team in tackles in the preseason.
* Bryce Petty, New York Jets (quarterback) — After a strong preseason showing, Petty earned the backup spot at quarterback for the season opener despite his rookie status. The Jets cut two veteran quarterbacks to clear the way for the two-time Big 12 champion.
* Jon Weeks, Houston Texans (long snapper) — Known for his reliability on kicks and punts, the Texans rewarded the veteran long-snapper with a four-year contract extension just a few days ago.
* Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys (wide receiver) — Williams has played a big role in spreading Baylor’s reputation as “Wide Receiver U” on a national level. His quarterback, Tony Romo, says Williams is “one of the best run-after-catch receivers in the league,” and stats like his 16.8 yards per catch as the Cowboys No. 2 receiver bear that out.
* Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans (wide receiver) — Baylor’s all-time leading receiver reached the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in 2013 with the Titans and is considered the team’s No. 1 receiver heading into 2015.
Also worth noting: Former Baylor offensive lineman Cyril Richardson will begin the season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, while fellow OL Kelvin Palmer is on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ reserve/injured list. Four other Bears — Antwan Goodley (Cowboys), Levi Norwood (Chicago Bears), Phil Taylor (Cleveland Browns) and JD Walton (Miami Dolphins) — were among their teams’ final cuts over the last week.
All in all, Baylor Nation will have no shortage of players to cheer for each and every Sunday!
Sic ’em, Bears in the NFL!