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Heels in the Pros: 2016 NFL Season Week One
How did former UNC players do in week one of the NFL season? We recap it all…
Currently, there are 24 former North Carolina Tar Heels in the NFL. Some survived the dreaded preseason cuts to earn a spot on a NFL roster. Others were released and still hoping to get a shot in the league.
The NFL week one was a pretty entertaining one. The league saw a record amount of games decided by one score or less, and four games decided by just one point.
But how did our former Tar Heels do?
We take a look at how they performed during Week One of this season.
Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints kicker Connor Barth (3) attempts a field goal during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Connor Barth (Chicago Bears), Shakeel Rashad (Houston Texans)
Barth had two extra points in a 23-14 loss for the Chicago Bears against the Houston Texans. The kicker was signed just a week before the season as the Bears released longtime kicker Robbie Gould.
Rashad did not play in this game.
Da’Norris Searcy – Tennessee Titans
Searcy had eight tackles including two stuffs in a 25-16 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings.
Shaun Draughn – San Francisco 49ers
Despite losing a fumble, Draughn rushed seven times for 18 yards and one touchdown, in addition to two receptions for 18 yards. San Francisco defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28-0.
Draughn is expected to play a big role in the 49ers backfield along with starter Carlos Hyde.
Garrett Reynolds, Robert Quinn, Cam Thomas – Los Angeles Rams
Quinn had two tackles in a 28-0 lost to the 49ers, as the Rams defense was unimpressive in week one.
Thomas had one tackle in this game as he played sparingly.
Sylvester Williams – Denver Broncos
Although he starts at nose tackle on the Broncos’ defense, Williams managed to net one tackle in a close 21-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.
Tre Boston – Carolina Panthers
Boston starts at safety for the Panthers. Against Denver, Boston had four tackles including one sack.
Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Zach Brown (53) signals that his team has recover a fumble by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Brown, Brandon Tate – Buffalo Bills
Brown plays linebacker for the Bills. In a 13-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Brown had eight total tackles (four solo tackles and four assisted).
Tate has no statistics from this game.
Romar Morris, Bruce Carter – New York Jets
The New York Jets were defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals 23-22. Morris did not play in this game.
Carter has no statistics from this game.
Giovani Bernard, Russell Bodine – Cincinnati Bengals
Bernard rushed five times for 25 yards and caught one reception for five yards. The former UNC back is splitting time with Jeremy Hill in the Bengals backfield.
Eric Ebron – Detroit Lions
Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) celebrates his touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Ebron caught five passes for 46 yards and one touchdown. His longest catch was 13 yards and seemed to be a favorite target for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Ebron even played on over 90 percent of the Lions snaps.
Detroit edged out the Indianapolis Colts 39-35.
How will the former Tar Heels do in week two? Check back for our weekly feature.
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