Foster, Vick top pick 6 of surprise stars

By foxsports
Published

Who knew?

The opening weekend of the NFL season produced some surprise stars, ranging from an undrafted free agent who spent last season on a practice squad to a former Pro Bowl quarterback looking to show he's as dynamic as he used to be.

Here are six players who made a splash in Week One:

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- Arian Foster, rb, Texans. Ever hear of this guy? The 6-foot-1, 227-pounder carried 33 times for a team record 231 yards and scored three touchdowns in Houston's 34-24 win over the defending AFC champion Colts. A second-year player from Tennessee who spent '09 on the practice squad, he posted the NFL's second-best rushing total for an opening weekend since 1933 (O.J. Simpson had 250 against the Patriots in 1973). ''He's grown up a lot,'' Texans coach Gary Kubiak said.

- Michael Vick, qb, Eagles. Replacing Kevin Kolb (concussion) to open the second half, Vick nearly led Philadelphia to an improbable comeback in a 27-20 loss to the Packers. The former Falcons star carried 11 times for 103 yards and hit 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards and a TD, but was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-1 in Packers territory late in the game.

- Aaron Kampman, de, Jaguars. In his first game with his new team, the two-time Pro Bowler had nine tackles, six quarterback pressures and was involved in two sacks in 24-17 win over the Broncos. Playing nine months after reconstructive surgery on his left knee, the 6-4, 286-pounder was on the field for nearly every one of Denver's 61 plays.

- Hakeem Nicks, wr, Giants. Three of his four catches for 75 yards went for touchdowns in the Giants' 31-18 win over the Panthers. The second-year wideout caught TD passes from Eli Manning of 26, 19 and 5 yards - all in the left corner of the end zone.

- Derrick Johnson, lb, Chiefs. Started sixth season with 11 tackles in a 21-14 win over Chargers on a rainy Monday night. His biggest hit caused a fumble by Chargers rookie Ryan Mathews and led to a Chiefs' touchdown.

- David Garrard, qb, Jaguars. He's still around? The 6-1, 244-pound quarterback, produced the best passer rating (138.9) in his nine-year career, hitting 16 of 21 for 170 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-17 win over the Broncos.