Richmond-area players in the NFL
Duane Brown
Team: Houston
Position: Offensive lineman
Vitals: 6-4, 313
Hometown: Richmond
High school: Hermitage
College: Virginia Tech
Years as a pro: 2nd season
Playing career: Drafted in the first round by Houston (26th overall) in 2008 . . . Became first Texans rookie to start all 16 games on the offensive line since Chester Pitts in 2002 . . . Was first Richmond-area player to be drafted in the first round since 2001, when David Terrell (Huguenot) went to Chicago with the No. 8 pick.
Extra point: Played tight end at Hermitage, and that remained his position until the eve of his redshirt sophomore season at Tech, when he was moved to offensive tackle.
James Farrior
Team: Pittsburgh
Position: Linebacker
Vitals: 6-2, 243
Hometown: Ettrick
High school: Matoaca
College: Virginia
Years as a pro: 13th season
Playing career: Drafted in the first round (8th overall) by the New York Jets in 1997 . . . Signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh in 2002 . . . Two-time Pro Bowl selection (2004, 2008) . . . His 133 tackles last season were third-most in his career . . . Four of his 10 career interceptions came in'04 . . . Two-time Super Bowl champion (2005, 2008).
Extra points: Times-Dispatch co-player of the year and Group AA co-offensive player of the year as a senior at Matoaca in 1992 . . . Second team all-ACC as a junior at U.Va. in'95, first team all-ACC as a senior in'96.
Victor Harris
Team: Philadelphia
Position: Cornerback
Vitals: 5-11, 187
Hometown: New York City
High school: Highland Springs
College: Virginia Tech
Years as a pro: Rookie
Playing career: Drafted in the fifth round (157th overall)
Extra points: "Macho" could be used by the Eagles in the defensive backfield, as a receiver or on special teams . . . First-team All-America selection in 2008 by Sporting News Magazine . . . Unanimous first-team all-ACC pick in'08 and first team all-ACC in'07 . . . Started the final 40 games of his 50-game career at Tech . . . Rushed 225 times for 2,346 yards and scored 27 touchdowns on the ground his senior season at Highland Springs . . . Finished high school career as the Central Region's leading rusher with 5,320 yards.
Kendall Langford
Team: Miami
Position: Defensive end
Vitals: 6-6, 295
Hometown: Petersburg
High school: Petersburg
College: Hampton
Years as a pro: 2nd season
Playing career: Drafted in the third round by Miami (66th overall) in 2008 . . . Started 13 of 16 games as a rookie, making 31 tackles.
Extra points: As a senior in 2007, Langford led Hampton with 72 tackles on his way to his third straight first-team all-MEAC selection .. Named first team all-Central District, second team all-Central Region and second team All-Metro as a senior at Petersburg in 2003.
Mark Parson
Team: Houston
Position: Cornerback
Vitals: 5-10, 182
Hometown: Richmond
High school: Monacan
College: Ohio U.
Years as a pro: Rookie Playing career: Signed as undrafted free agent
Extra points: 46 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 5 passes defensed in senior season at Ohio U. . . . An All-Metro selection as a running back at Monacan High School, where he rushed for 1,578 yards and 20 TDs as a senior . . . Also played at Fork Union Military Academy before attending Ohio U.
Michael Robinson
Team: San Francisco
Position: Running back
Vitals: 6-1, 228
Hometown: Richmond
High school: Varina
College: Penn State
Years as a pro: 4 Playing career: A quarterback and wide receiver in college, Robinson was converted to running back after the 49ers drafted him in the fourth round in 2006. He received a three-year contract extension in 2008. He has totaled 287 yards on 83 carries (3.5 average) and two touchdowns and has made 37 receptions for 322 yards (8.7 average).
Extra point: Midway through the 2008 season, Robinson took over as starting fullback after Zak Keasey suffered a season-ending biceps tear.
Darren Sharper
Team: New Orleans
Position: Safety
Vitals: 6-2, 210
Hometown: Richmond
High school: Hermitage
College: William and Mary
Years as a pro: 13th season
Playing career: Drafted by Green Bay in the second round of 1997 (60th overall) . . . Signed with Minnesota as a free agent in 2005 . . . Signed as a free agent with New Orleans in 2009 . . . His 54 interceptions rank 18th on the NFL's all-time list, tied with Eric Allen, Willie Brown and Darrell Green . . . First team All-Pro in 2000 when he had 9 interceptions; second team All-Pro three times . . . Four-time Pro Bowl selection
Extra points: Brother of former NFL and U.Va. linebacker Jamie Sharper . . . Was a W&M teammate of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Eagles assistant Sean McDermott.
Jason Snelling
Team: Atlanta
Position: Running back
Vitals: 5-11, 229
Hometown: Toms River, N.J.
High school: L.C. Bird
College: Virginia
Years as a pro: 3
Playing career: Drafted in the seventh round by Atlanta in 2007 . . . Has 28 carries for his career for 105 yards (3.8 average) and one touchdown.
Extra point: Dealt with epilepsy, which caused him to take a medical redshirt in his sophomore season at U.Va. . . . Has participated in the National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington and has spoken about how he has overcome the condition.
Ernest Wilford
Team: Jacksonville
Position: Wide receiver/ tight end
Vitals: 6-4, 235
Hometown: Richmond
High school: Armstrong
College: Virginia Tech
Years as a pro: 6
Playing career: Drafted in the fourth round in 2004 by Jacksonville . . . Signed a four-year, $13 million contract with Miami in 2008 . . . Has 144 receptions for 2,019 yards (14.0 average) and 14 touchdowns.
Extra point: Displeased with his lack of speed for an NFL wide receiver, the Dolphins tried to convert him to a tight end but released him Aug. 24. He re-signed with Jacksonville the next day.
Damien Woody
Team: N.Y. Jets
Position: Tackle
Vitals: 6-3, 330
Hometown: Beaverdam
High school: Patrick Henry
College: Boston College
Years as a pro: 11th season
Playing career: Drafted in the first round (17th overall) by New England in 1999 . . . Two-time Super Bowl champion with Patriots (2001, 2003). Missed Super Bowl after 2003 season because of knee injury . . . Signed with Detriot in 2004 and started every game for Lions in'04 and'05. .. Signed five-year contract with Jets in 2008 . . . A Pro Bowl selection in 2002 and an alternate in'04 . . . Has played every position on offensive line except left tackle.
Extra point: Won Group AAA state championship with Patrick Henry in 1994.
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