Former Trojan fullback and the father of Lofa Tatupu, Mosi Tatupu, died yesterday. Mosi was a member of the 1974 national championship team and played in the NFL for 14 years.

Mosi was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa. He played at USC from 1974-1977. In 1977 he won the Offensive Player of the Year and Most Inspirational awards.

He spent most of his NFL career as a New England Patriot (1978 - 1990). He played on their Super Bowl team in 1986 and made the Pro Bowl that same year as a special teamer.

The Mosi Tatupu award is given every year to the best special teams player in college football.

His cause of death is yet to be determined. He was 54 years old.

Mosi Tatupu's cause of death not given [espn]

It's official: Rey Maualuga will be joining Keith Rivers and Carson Palmer in Cincy.

Steal of the draft. Just like Lofa Tatupu a few years back. People who passed will be made to pay.

Matt Cassel (QB, New England) had the biggest game of his career and was impressive even in defeat. Call it a moral victory. He piled up 400 yards on 30-of-51 passing with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 62 yards on 8 carries, making him the first NFL player to gain 400 yards throwing and 60 yards receiving in the same game. He led the Pats back from an 18 point deficit at halftime, but they eventually fell 34-31 in overtime. No worries. The best game of his career was enough to win over the Sports Guy.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made 9 tackles in a 26-20 loss to Arizona.

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) carried 14 times for 52 yards in a 24-14 victory over Jacksonville.

Terrell Thomas (CB, NY Giants) had a career-high 5 tackles, one for a loss, in a 30-10 win over Baltimore.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) carried 17 times for 57 yards in a 17-15 loss to Miami.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) made 5 tackles in a 29-27 Monday night victory over Buffalo.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) caught passes for 12 and 5 yards in the victory over Baltimore.

Frostee Rucker (DE, Cincinnati) made 4 tackles in a 13-13 tie with Philly.

Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) assisted on a pair of tackles in the tie with Cincy.

Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit) had 2 tackles in a 31-22 loss to Carolina.

Shaun Cody (DT, Detroit) made a tackle in the loss to Carolina.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) had a tackle in a 30-20 win over Kansas City.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) assisted on a tackle in the loss to Arizona.

Also played: Fred Davis (TE, Washington), Sammy Knight (S, NY Giants), Billy Miller (TE, New Orleans)

Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona) didn't play, as usual. Does it strike anybody else as strange that after he got in for a few minutes in week two, he hasn't even been used in garbage time during three different games decided by 21+ points?

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Luc Leclerc/US Presswire

Matt Cassel (QB, New England)

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) led the Titans with 14 rushing yards. That wasn't too impressive, but his touchdown was his 11th of the season. He also made a six yard catch. Tennessee excaped Chicago, 21-14, to remain undefeated.

Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) only had one tackle, but grabbed his first career interception (complete with a 21 yard return) and recovered a fumble in a 36-31 loss to the NY Giants.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) is doing the best under the circumstances, gaining 89 yards on 22 carries and 9 on a reception. He also had a fumble in the Raiders' 17-6 loss to Carolina.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made 9 tackles in a 21-19 loss to Miami.

Billy Miller (TE, New Orleans) nabbed 5 receptions for 65 yards in a 34-20 loss to Atlanta.

Reggie Bush (RB, Saints) is expected back from knee surgery for next week's game against Kansas City.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) made 7 tackles, one behind the line of scrimmage, in a 34-30 loss to Denver.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) made 5 tackles in the loss to Atlanta. He also got a nice writeup in the Times-Picayune.

Troy Polamalu (S, Pittsburgh) had 4 tackles in a 24-20 loss to Indianapolis.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) caught a 12 yard reception in the win over Philly.

Terrell Thomas (LB, NY Giants) had 3 tackles in the victory over the Eagles.

Keary Colbert (WR, Seattle) made an 11 yard reception in the loss to Miami.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) had one tackle in the loss to Miami.

Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit) made on tackle in a 38-14 loss to Jacksonville.

Also played: Thomas Williams (LB, Jacksonville)

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Elise Amendola/AP

• Ryan Kalil (C, Carolina)
• Deuce Lutui (G, Arizona)
• Sam Baker (T, Atlanta Falcons)
• Matt Cassel (QB, New England)
• Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati)
• Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland)
• LenDale White (RB, Tennessee)
• Reggie Bush (both as RB and Kick Returner, New Orleans)
• Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle)
• Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia)
• Sedrick Ellis (DE, New Orleans)
• Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland)
• Keith Rivers (LB, Cincinnati)
• Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle)
• Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit)
• Troy Polamalu (SS, Pittsburgh)

Click here to vote for your favorite Trojans.

-- Adam Rose

Matt Cassel (QB, New England)

Reggie Bush (RB, New Orleans) is still a human highlight reel, but also still not an every down back. He returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown with ridiculous speed -- and a taunting wave. On offense he ran 10 times for 28 yards and made 7 receptions for 63 yards. The Saints lost to Washington, 29-24.

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) split carries with Chris Johnson, but touched the rock 18 time for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) had a big day. The rookie made 5 tackles, but, most impressively, had two sacks in a 33-30 overtime loss to San Francisco.

Troy Polamalu (S, Pittsburgh) overcame hamstring trouble to make 4 tackles and an interception in a 10-6 victory over Clevelend.

Keith Rivers (LB, Cincinnati) made 8 tackles in the loss to Tennessee.

Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati) doesn't seem his old self. After a lousy game last week, he was only 16-of-27 for 134 yards and 2 interceptions in a 24-7 loss to Tennessee. He also injured his ankle in the second half.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) have 97 yards in week one and was holding off rookie Darren McFadden pretty well. Then he pulled his groing in the second quarter this week against Kansas City and McFadden had a great day. Before leaving, Fargas had 43 yards on 9 touches in a 23-8 victory.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made 5 tackles in the loss to the Niners.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) made catches of 11 and 8 yards, as well as a tackle after a turnover. New York won 41-13 over St. Louis.

Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona) saw mop-up duty in a 31-10 victory over Miami. He completed a 15 yard pass on 2 attempts. Kurt Warner seems to have the job on lock for now.

Fred Davis (TE, Washington) saw the first pro action of his career and made a 6 yard catch in the victory over New Orleans.

Frostee Rucker (DE, Cincinnati) made 5 tackles in the loss to the Titans.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) made 4 tackles in the loss to Washington.

Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit) had three tackles in a 48-25 loss to Green Bay.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) made one tackle in the loss to Pittsburgh.

LaJuan Ramsey (DE, Indianapolis) had a tackle in an 18-15 win over Minnesota.

Also played: Sammy Knight (S, NY Giants).

Monday Night Football: Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) will be playing against Dallas.

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Rich Kane / US Presswire

Reggie Bush (RB, New Orleans)

Matt Cassel (QB, New England) may have become the hottest commodity in fantasy football this weekend when Tom Brady went down. But will he actually become the long-range starter? For more on his performance, click here.

Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona) didn't see any action against the 49ers. Crazy thought ... he will probably be a backup in week two, but his former backup (Cassel) could be leading the defending AFC champion.

Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati) was also upstaged by his former backup (again, Cassel). Still dealing with a broken nose, he was just 10-of-25 for 99 yards and an interception. He also picked up 15 yards on 3 carries. The Bengals lost to Baltimore, 17-10.

Keith Rivers (LB, Cincinnati) made a big impact in his first game as a pro, recording 10 tackles (9 solo) in the loss to the Ravens.

Frostee Rucker (DT, Cincinnati) had six tackles and forced a fumble.

Troy Polamalu (S, Pittsburgh) had a good game despite being hampered with a hamstring problem. He made three tackles and nabbed an interception in a 38-17 victory over Houston.

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) ran 15 times for 40 yards and a touchdown, but seems to be losing the starting job to rookie Chris Johnson.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made 8 tackles in a 34-10 loss to Buffalo.

Dwayne Jarrett (WR, Carolina) had catches of 25 and 11 yards in a 26-24 win over San Diego.

Steve Smith (WR, New York Giants) made grabs of 8 and 7 yards in Thursday's 16-7 win over Washington.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) had three tackles in a 28-10 loss to Dallas.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) made a pair of tackles in the win over Tampa Bay.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) made two tackles in the loss to the Bills..

Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) had a pair of tackles in a 38-3 shelling of St. Louis.

Shaun Cody (DT, Detroit) made two tackles in a 34-21 loss to Atlanta.

Monday Night Football: With a pair of games tonight, John David Booty (QB, Minnesota), Keary Colbert (WR, Denver), and Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) could all see some playing time.

-- Adam Rose
Photo: Crystal LoGiudice-US PRESSWIRE

Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says Mike Holmgren wasn't happy with a pass-interference call levied against Seattle cornerback Kevin Hobbs. I watched the play repeatedly and thought Hobbs played the ball well, except for when he reached his right hand around the right shoulder pad of the receiver. That was the only appearance of interference, but Holmgren wasn't buying: "Can I get fined in the preseason? Holy Toledo. I thought Kevin Hobbs made a great play on that long ball. I couldn't ask him to do it any better. I didn't agree with the call, and it's too bad because we needed that."

Also from Farnsworth: Lofa Tatupu says he'll be OK after suffering a knee injury. The three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker is arguably the Seahawks' most important player on defense. Counting today, Tatupu has 13 days to get ready for the regular-season opener at Buffalo.

Michael Steffes of Seahawks Addicts found the play on which Tatupu suffered the knee injury against the Chargers. It happened at the 3:15 mark of the second quarter. Steffes: "My first thought was that it might be a bad high ankle sprain. However, Lofa actually plays the next play, but he struggles pushing off the knee and then walks off."

Frank Hughes of Seahawks Insider wonders how the Seahawks will proceed at quarterback for their final exhibition game. Starter Matt Hasselbeck (back), backup Seneca Wallace (groin) and third-stringer Charlie Frye (knee) all have injury concerns.

Also from Hughes: Patrick Kerney felt good in his first extended action of the exhibition season, while Leonard Weaver said he likes his new backfield pairing with Owen Schmitt.

Jose Romero of the Seattle Times says Holmgren was pleased with Frye's efforts against the Chargers. The better Frye plays, the more comfortable Holmgren feels using Wallace as a receiver or return specialist (although that probably changes if Hasselbeck's sore back remains an issue).

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee describes 49ers coach Mike Nolan as "on the fence" as to keeping five or six receivers. Ashley Lelie probably doesn't make the team unless the 49ers keep six.

Matt Maiocco of Instant 49ers says the 49ers are getting players back from injuries, but receiver Bryant Johnson isn't one of them. It's fair to wonder if Johnson can recover from his hamstring injury in time to enter the regular season as a starter.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com describes Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart as upbeat for a guy who tossed three interceptions Saturday night, then heard about Chris Mortensen's report about Kurt Warner's expected ascension to the starting job.

Also from Urban: "Kurt Warner named Week 1 starter" flashed on the screen in the Cardinals' locker room as ESPN covered the quarterback situation. Coach Ken Whisenhunt: "Contrary to everything [reported], nothing has changed. We have not made a decision. We have not named Kurt the starting quarterback."

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic quotes Leinart on news of Warner's expected ascendancy to the starting job. Leinart: "You can't afford to listen to that stuff because everybody's going to have their own opinion and that's basically what it is, an opinion."

Romando Dixson of the Asheville Citizen-Times says the locals are grateful after Rams defensive end Leonard Little paid for 116 youth football helmets. Said Little, who is from the area: "When I retire, I will do a lot more in the city. I have a busy schedule right now. Once I leave the game, I can make an impact in the community."

Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with 49ers right tackle Jonas Jennings, who disputes his reputation as an injury-prone outcast lacking toughness.

Also from FitzGerald: The 49ers aren't sure on a starter at split end, and they continue to juggle starters on the offensive line. Tony Wragge worked at left guard, with rookie Chilo Rachal at right guard.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams' offensive line drew praise for its performance against the Ravens on Saturday night.

Also from Coats: Brock Berlin is looking good as the likely No. 3 quarterback for the Rams.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch assesses injuries in the Rams' secondary. Safety Oshimogho Atogwe is back at practice after suffering a hamstring injury. Cornerback Fakhir Brown hasn't participated fully in a practice since suffering a shoulder injury July 25.

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat checks in with Rams rookies Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, talented receivers who made an impact against the Ravens. Nerves got the better of Avery early in the game, but he settled down and finished with five receptions for 65 yards. The Rams put together a 91-yard touchdown drive with both rookies in the game.

Now there's a new name on that list. USC's 11th addition to its already stellar '09 class is Tongan native Hebron Fangupo. A JC transfer out of Mt. San Antonio College, the 6-2, 330-pound defensive tackle has the raw size, speed and talent to become the next Polynesian super star. As reported on Scout, Fangupo had this to say of his new-found home:

"I like the tempo. I just like the coaching environment. I like coaches that get a little crazy because I like to get crazy....As a Polynesian, we have a scream that we do before we go into battle, and he (Coach Watson) just kept doing it. I liked that because he has been around a few Polynesians and knows how we work."

By the time you hear that war cry...it will already be too late.

No one seemed to know what to expect from Seattle's first round pick. There was talk of it being an offensive grab. A tight end, maybe. Others claimed it would be a defensive tackle. And some even speculated they would go for a quarterback. Well, the debate is now over. The Seattle Seahawks have added one more weapon to their defensive arsenal by drafting defensive end Lawrence Jackson with pick #28. Jackson had big stats at USC, including 60 tackles, 17 for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2007. Lawrence Jackson and Lofa Tatupu on the same field? Can you say...ouch?

With his selection, Jackson rounds out four Trojans selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. Check out SI.com to see the complete draft list.

Sammy Knight (S - Jacksonville) had his busiest game of the year with 13 tackles (10 solo), one of which was for a loss. The Jags beat the Steelers 31-29.

Lofa Tatupu (LB - Seattle) made 12 tackles (6 solo) in a 35-14 victory over Washington.

Steve Smith (WR - New York Giants) caught the ball 3 times for 29 yards. One catch was a clutch 21-yarder on third down during a 2nd quarter touchdown drive. The Giants beat the Bucs 24-14.

LenDale White (RB - Tennessee) had a big first half, but eventually an injury-depleted Titans team fell to San Diego 17-6. White had 69 yards on 19 carries and lost 3 on a reception.

Brian Kelly (CB - Tampa Bay) made 3 tackles in the loss to the Giants.

Troy Polamalu (S - Pittsubrgh) tried to play despite a knee injury. He had two tackles (assisted) in the loss to Jacksonville.

Carson Palmer (QB - Cincinnati) didn't make the playoffs, but he is making waves.

Coaches Corner: A big share of the NFL's post-season brain trust has ties to USC. Former Trojan players Mike Holmgren (Seattle Seahawks) and Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville Jaguars) both coached their teams to victory this weekend, as did former Trojan assistant coach Norv Turner (San Diego Chargers).

Former USC assistant coach Joe Gibbs' Washington Redskins are headed home after their loss. Former player Jeff Fisher's Tennessee Titans are headed home, too, but Norm Chow was reportedly recommended by outgoing Hawaii head coach June Jones as a possible replacement (thanks to Gerrrg for the tip). Chow, of course, was Offense Coordinator at USC before taking over the role in Tennessee.

A number of USC fan favorites, including Reggie Bush, Justin Fargas, and Keary Colbert, sat out this week with injuries.

LenDale White (RB - Tennessee) became the Trojan's second 1,000-yard rusher this season thanks to a 23 carry, 103 yard performance. He's up to 1063 on the season. The Titans beat the Jets 10-6.

Carson Palmer (QB - Cincinnati) had another rough outing. He was 11-of-21 for 115 yards, 1 touchdown, and two more interceptions (19 on the year). The Bengals squeaked out a 19-14 win over Cleveland.

Troy Polamalu (S - Pittsburgh) forced a fumble and had six tackles as the Steelers beat St. Louis 41-24.

Brian Kelly (CB - Tampa Bay) made an interception and a tackle in a 21-19 loss to San Francisco.

Junior Seau (LB - New England) mad five tackles and was credited with half a sack in the Pat's 28-7 win over Miami.

Sammy Knight (S - Jacksonville) made eight tackles as the Jags downed Oakland 49-11.

Billy Miller (TE - New Orleans) made three catches for 38 yards against Philadelphia. The Saints lost 38-23.

Chris McFoy (WR - Oakland) caught the first pass of his career, a 19 yarder for Lane Kiffin's Raiders.

Keary Colbert (WR - Carolina) may be looking for a real estate agent.

Kenechi Udeze (DT - Minnesota) had 6 tackles in a 32-21 loss to Washington.

Lofa Tatupu (LB - Seattle) had 5 tackles in 27-6 win over Baltimore.

Willie McGinest (LB - Cleveland) made 3 tackles in the loss to Cincinnati.

Mike Patterson (DT - Philadelphia) had 2 tackles in the victory over New Orleans.

Also Played: Dominique Byrd (TE - St. Louis) and Dwayne Jarrett (WR - Carolina).