NFL Depth Charts Feature Three Big Island Football Alums

Three familiar faces are listed on National Football League depth charts ahead of the league’s first full week of preseason games.

Hawai`i Preparatory Academy graduate Max Unger is in a familiar spot with the Seattle Seahawks. A season removed from being named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and being voted into the 2013 Pro Bowl, Unger is once again slated to start the center-quarterback exchange with rising star Russell Wilson.

Seattle opens the preseason in San Diego Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Hawai`i time.

Another former HPA standout, Daniel Te`o-Nesheim, is fighting for a starting job in Tampa Bay. The Kamuela-born defensive end started 14 games last season and played in all 16 games under rookie coach Greg Schiano. He picked up 40 tackles last season in his second season with the Buccaneers.

Former HPA standout Daniel Te`o-Nesheim. Buccaneers.com photo.

The fourth-year pro is currently listed as a backup to Da`Quan Bowers at the left defensive end position. Bowers missed the first six games last season with a torn Achilles tendon. The off-season injury forced the Buccaneers to place him on the Physically Unable to Perform, or PUP, list.

Tampa Bay hosts defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. Hawai`i time.

In Buffalo, Kamehameha-Hawai`i graduate Mana Silva is looking to stick with the Bills ahead of Sunday’s preseason opener at Indianapolis.

Former Kamehameha-Hawai`i graduate Mana Silva. Buffalo Bills photo.

The team’s first depth chart lists Silva as a backup to four-year veteran Jairus Byrd at the free safety position. Byrd accumulated 76 tackles, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries while playing in all 16 games last season.

Silva enters his third season in the NFL. He played three games last season in Dallas before being released. The Bills picked him up and used him in seven games. He totaled four tackles between the two teams.

The Bills-Colts game will kickoff at 7:30 a.m. Hawai`i time.