Michigan State University Athletics
Six Former Spartans Prepare For 2008 NFL Playoffs
1/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 5, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Six former Michigan State players - Dallas offensive tackle Flozell Adams, Seattle outside linebacker Julian Peterson, New York Giant wide receiver Plaxico Burress, San Diego defensive tackle Brandon McKinney, San Diego kicker Dave Rayner and Tennessee defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson - are scheduled to participate in the 2008 NFL Playoffs. Five former Spartans, representing four different teams (Seattle, New York Giants, Tennessee and San Diego), will be in action during this Wild Card Weekend (Jan. 5-6). Next weekend, another former Spartan will begin postseason action as Dallas plays host to a Divisional Playoff game.
The 6-foot-7, 340-pound Adams started all 16 regular-season games at left tackle for the Cowboys, who ranked among the NFL leaders in scoring (second at 28.4 points per game), total offense (third at 365.7 yards per game) and passing offense (fourth at 256.6 ypg.). Adams is scheduled to make his fourth Pro Bowl appearance on Feb. 10 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The 6-3, 240-pound Peterson started all 16 regular-season games for the Seahawks and ranked 10th in the NFC and 17th in the NFL with 9.5 sacks (64 yards). He also finished fourth on the team in tackles with 74, including 63 solo hits. Peterson recorded a season-best 10 tackles at Pittsburgh. A week earlier, he produced a career-best three sacks (21 yards) at San Francisco. Peterson will make his second straight Pro Bowl appearance and fourth overall on Feb. 10.
 Plaxico Burress ranked among the NFC leaders in receptions (16th with 70), receiving yards (10th with 1,025) and TD receptions (second with 12).  | |
The 6-5, 232-pound Burress started all 16 regular-season games for the Giants and ranked among the NFC leaders in receptions (16th with 70) and receiving yards (10th with 1,025). His career-best 12 touchdown receptions ranked second in the NFC and fourth in the NFL. Burress had three 100-yard receiving games in 2007, including eight catches for 144 yards and three TDs in the season opener at Dallas.
The 6-2, 324-pound McKinney appeared in 14 regular-season games for San Diego, including starts in the last two games against Denver and at Oakland. He recorded 21 tackles in 2007, including 14 solo stops. McKinney posted a career-best six tackles at Tennessee. He made three stops each in back-to-back games against Oakland and Houston.
The 6-2, 210-pound Rayner handled kick-off duties for San Diego's regular-season finale at Oakland. He previously spent 10 weeks of the 2007 season with Kansas City and scored 59 points, hitting 15-of-22 field-goal attempts and all 14 extra-point attempts. In Week 3, Rayner converted a season-long 49-yard field goal in the Chiefs' 13-10 victory over Minnesota.
The 6-5, 305-pound Vickerson saw action in four of Tennessee's final five regular-season games and finished with three tackles. He was signed to the Titans' practice squad on Oct. 31 and joined the active roster on Nov. 27. Vickerson was credited with two tackles in his NFL debut against Houston in Week 13.
