Alumni doing Pitt proud in the NFL
forever hold a place in Panthers lore thanks to his two interceptions his senior year — against Penn State and Clemson. Lewis, 24, spent his rookie year on the Patriots practice squad before getting a real shot with the Bills, who have had him off and on their active roster while using him in three games. He even started two of those, but was inactive Sunday against Houston.
• Brian O’Neill: Minnesota Vikings, offensive tackle, first season. Season stats: 5 games played, 1 start. Minnesota’s second-round draft pick has already been needed as a rookie due to a depleted offensive line, and O’Neill drew solid reviews in Sunday’s 27-17 win against Arizona. He made his first career start, at right tackle, and allowed two pressures but no sacks in 40 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, which graded him as the best offensive lineman for the Vikings (3-2-1).
• Avonte Maddox: Philadelphia Eagles, defensive back, first season. Season stats: 9 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 2 starts. A rookie surprise for the defending Super Bowl champs, Maddox has bounced back and forth between safety and slot corner. He never played the former position, in high school or at Pitt, but is already ingratiating himself to the coaching staff in Philadelphia (3-3). Sound familiar? Pat Narduzzi loved him, and now he has started the past two games for the Eagles. He got his first NFL interception three weeks ago at Tennessee, but also allowed the winning touchdown catch in overtime.
• Jordan Whitehead: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, safety, first season. Season stats: 16 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 start. Another quick study in an NFL secondary out of Pitt, Whitehead made his first career start Sunday against Atlanta after missing one game with a hamstring injury. The Buccaneers (2-3) have lost three in a row, but Central Valley High School can be proud of Whitehead’s contributions, saw him play against the Steelers.
On the fringe:
• Quarterback: Tom Savage reportedly is close to signing with the 49ers
• Wide receiver: Quadree Henderson (Giants practice squad), Jester Weah (Texans reserve/injured list)
• Tight end: J.P. Holtz (Redskins practice squad), Matt Flanagan (Redskins practice squad), Manasseh Garner (Redskins reserve/ injured list)
• Offensive line: Dorian Johnson (Panthers practice squad)
• Linebacker: Bam Bradley (Ravens physically unable to perform list)
Coaching notes
Former Panthers Matt Cavanaugh (Redskins) and Teryl Austin (Bengals) are offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. … Jerry Olsavsky coaches Steelers inside linebackers, Alex Van Pelt coaches Bengals quarterbacks and Andrew Janocko is Vikings cooffensive line coach. … Buddy Morris, longtime Pitt football strength and conditioning coach, holds the same position with the Cardinals. … Dom DeCicco (49ers) and Max Gruder (Dolphins) are working as scouts. … In case you missed it in the offseason, Pitt alumnus David Tepper is the new owner of the Panthers. … Doug Whaley, fired as Bills general manager before last season, is now director of college scouting for the NFL Players Association.
Brian Batko: bbatko@postgazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.