motife
12-26-2007, 04:08 PM
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Rookie+of+the+Year+Meter/2007/rookie16.htm
Rookie of the Year Meter
A look at the duds of the first-year crop
By Matt Sohn
Dec. 26, 2007
For the past 16 weeks, we’ve used this spot to chronicle all the standouts, surprises, movers and shakers among the NFL’s freshmen. But as is the case every year, the 2007 rookie crop has produced its share of duds in addition to the studs. From both a physical and mental standpoint, the jump from the college game to the professional ranks is littered with obstacles. Some rookies take a year to emerge, some will take a couple years, and inevitably, some of the first-year fizzlers will wind up as career busts. Taking into account the expectations of the player, here’s a rundown of the 10 most disappointing rookies of ’07 (Players whose seasons were cut short due to injury, such as Bills LB Paul Posluszny and Broncos DE Jarvis Moss, are excluded):
1. Saints WR Robert Meachem (first round, 27th overall): Has yet to appear in a game. Unable to grasp Sean Payton’s playbook, the Saints have essentially redshirted him.
2. Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons (first round, 15th overall): Has been outplayed by the team’s second-round linebacker, LaMarr Woodley. Mostly has been a special-teams guy.
3. Patriots S Brandon Meriweather (first round, 24th overall): The only 2007 Patriots draftee still on the roster, he’s not even a regular in DB-heavy sub packages.
4. Packers DT Justin Harrell (first round, 16th overall): The masses who called this a wasted pick have, thus far, been vindicated.
5. Dolphins QB John Beck (second round, 40th overall): Unlike JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, Beck has logged significant time under center, and has only exacerbated the Dolphins’ woes. Even glimpses of potential were in short supply.
6. Falcons DE Jamaal Anderson (first round, eighth overall): Despite starting from Week One, he hasn’t recorded a single sack. Nothing special against the run, either.
7. Chargers WR Craig “Buster” Davis (first round, 30th overall): His lack of production necessitated the trade for Chris Chambers.
8. Panthers WR Dwayne Jarrett (second round, 45th overall): Panthers cut Keyshawn Johnson shortly after drafting Jarrett. Oops.
9. Packers RB Brandon Jackson (second round, 63rd overall): Most figured the former Cornhusker would emerge as the Packers’ workhorse. Instead, his dismal performances helped open the door for revelation Ryan Grant.
10. Cardinals DT Alan Branch (second round, 33rd overall): Dropped like a rock in the weeks leading up to the draft. Now we know why.
On to the head of the class...
1. 49ers LB Patrick Willis
Season stats (15 games): 162 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: 20 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble
Last week’s ranking: 1
Stock: Rising
Much like Adrian Peterson in his breakout game at Soldier Field in Week Six, Willis’ latest performance solidifies his standing among the league’s elite at his position. Granted, the NFC South champion Buccaneers benched their starters for much of the game, but a 20-tackle, two-sack outing is remarkable regardless of the situation. With Willis leading the charge, the Niners limited Earnest Graham to 21 yards on nine carries.
2. Browns OT Joe Thomas
Last week’s ranking: 3
Stock: Steady
Credit the weather, the Bengals’ secondary and poor decisions with Derek Anderson’s shoddy showing. Don’t point the finger at the offensive line. The line has certainly been better, but Thomas was solid. Jonathan Ogden’s selection to the Pro Bowl over Thomas proves that name recognition is as important as performance in determining who goes to Hawaii.
3. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
Season stats (13 games): 227 carries for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, 19 receptions for 268 yards and one touchdown, three lost fumbles
Week 16 stats: nine carries for 27 yards, two receptions for 21 yards
Last week’s ranking: 2
Stock: Falling
Behind the effort of an inspired Redskins defense, Peterson was unable to get anything going for the second time in the past three games. With the Skins getting out to a big lead, the ground-oriented Vikings had to go to the air, further diminishing Peterson’s impact. Minnesota is now in need of outside help if Peterson’s rookie campaign is to extend into the postseason.
4. Jets LB David Harris
Season stats (15 games): 116 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble
Last week’s ranking: 5
Stock: Steady
Not only does he consistently put up impressive numbers, but Harris seemingly delivers at least one attention-grabbing highlight each game. On Sunday against the Titans, it was his backside pursuit and subsequent strip-sack of Vince Young. Once the Jets acquire a couple beefy D-linemen to tie up blockers, Harris will evolve from rookie standout to perennial Pro Bowler.
5. Panthers LB Jonathan Beason
Season stats (15 games): 130 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: 12 tackles
Last week’s ranking: 6
Stock: Steady
The Panthers offered only tepid resistance to the Cowboys’ ground game, with most of the effort coming from their rookie middle linebacker. A force from Week One, only Willis and D.J. Williams of the Broncos sit above Beason, who's tied with Nick Barnett of the Packers, on the NFL’s tackle charts. Whether or not John Fox is replaced at season’s end, the Panthers have themselves the consummate defensive centerpiece already in place.
6. Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe
Season stats (15 games): 69 receptions for 982 yards and five touchdowns
Week 16 stats: eight receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown
Last week’s ranking: 9
Stock: Rising
Damon Huard, who replaced a nicked-up Brodie Croyle, did the smartest thing a Chiefs quarterback can do: Get the ball to Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. Bowe feasted on the Lions’ maligned secondary, outperforming the more heralded Calvin Johnson (two receptions for 47 yards). Bowe needs just 18 receiving yards in the finale to become the rare rookie wideout to reach 1,000 yards.
7. Jets CB Darrelle Revis
Season stats (15 games): 82 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble
Week 16 stats: two tackles
Last week’s ranking: 4
Stock: Falling
It’s difficult for a cornerback to have a statement game against the Titans’ vertically challenged passing attack. Next week’s matchup against the Chiefs’ Bowe, however, is a different story. Whichever rookie gets the best of the other will go a long way in deciding which teams enters the offseason with some momentum after falling from ’06 playoff participant to ’07 flop.
8. Bills RB Marshawn Lynch
Season stats (12 games): 258 carries for 1,010 yards and seven touchdowns, 17 receptions for 162 yards, one lost fumble
Week 16 stats: 18 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown, two receptions for 42 yards
Last week’s ranking: 10
Stock: Steady
With an 88-yard TD scamper capping off a 151-yard gem of a game, the Giants’ Ahmad Bradshaw was the awe-inspiring rookie running back in Orchard Park on Sunday. For Lynch, it was business as usual. Few ankle-breaking shimmies, but a whole lot of high-impact collisions. You don’t see many tailbacks run with as much authority as Lynch, whose style exemplifies the city of Buffalo’s blue-collar mentality.
9. Redskins S LaRon Landry
Season stats (15 games): 90 tackles, 1½ sacks, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: three tackles
Last week’s ranking: 8
Stock: Steady
If the Redskins end up securing the NFC’s last playoff berth, Landry and his defensive cohorts deserve as much praise as QB Todd Collins. However, they would just as soon settle for a Tylenol and an ice bath. After winning consecutive games against Brandon Jacobs’ Giants and Adrian Peterson’s Vikings, they finish up with Marion Barber’s Cowboys. Seeing as how the Skins drafted Landry in part because of his sustained excellence throughout his four-year career at LSU, a brutal stretch run won’t pass as a viable excuse should Landry regress.
10. Bengals CB Leon Hall
Season stats (15 games): 64 tackles, five interceptions, one forced fumble
Week 16 stats: five tackles, one interception
Last week’s ranking: Honorable mention
Stock: Steady
Hall will still give up the occasional deep ball, but he has gambled more judiciously as the season has progressed. It’s no coincidence that since he entered the starting lineup in Week 10, the Bengals’ leaky pass defense has steadily improved. The secondary was at its best last Sunday, containing the Browns’ aerial attack while baiting Derek Anderson into throwing four interceptions.
Honorable mention (In no particular order)
Bills QB Trent Edwards: The only rookie quarterback who can be satisfied with his season.
Texans DT Amobi Okoye: Testament that the “rookie wall” is no myth.
Buccaneers S Tanard Jackson: Unlike fellow Syracuse safeties Tebucky Jones and Donovin Darius, Jackson has exceeded expectations in the NFL.
Giants CB Aaron Ross: Should hang his head in shame when reviewing film of Lee Evans’ TD grab.
Dolphins C Samson Satele: One of a small handful of Dolphins secure in a starting role.
49ers OT Joe Staley: Worth a high first-rounder in ’08? Patriots think so.
Titans S Michael Griffin: Three interceptions in the past four games.
Jaguars S Reggie Nelson: Fumbling immediately after nabbing an interception is a microcosm of his inconsistent season.
Lions WR Calvin Johnson: “Can’t miss” prospect yet to redefine the WR position.
Ravens OG Ben Grubbs: Sure thing on an offense rife with uncertainty.
Best of the rest (In no particular order)
Broncos RB Selvin Young
Raiders TE Zach Miller
Buccaneers OG Arron Sears
Packers WR James Jones
Colts DT Ed Johnson
Chiefs RB Kolby Smith
Cowboys PK Nick Folk
Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez
Chargers S Eric Weddle
Rookie of the Year Meter
A look at the duds of the first-year crop
By Matt Sohn
Dec. 26, 2007
For the past 16 weeks, we’ve used this spot to chronicle all the standouts, surprises, movers and shakers among the NFL’s freshmen. But as is the case every year, the 2007 rookie crop has produced its share of duds in addition to the studs. From both a physical and mental standpoint, the jump from the college game to the professional ranks is littered with obstacles. Some rookies take a year to emerge, some will take a couple years, and inevitably, some of the first-year fizzlers will wind up as career busts. Taking into account the expectations of the player, here’s a rundown of the 10 most disappointing rookies of ’07 (Players whose seasons were cut short due to injury, such as Bills LB Paul Posluszny and Broncos DE Jarvis Moss, are excluded):
1. Saints WR Robert Meachem (first round, 27th overall): Has yet to appear in a game. Unable to grasp Sean Payton’s playbook, the Saints have essentially redshirted him.
2. Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons (first round, 15th overall): Has been outplayed by the team’s second-round linebacker, LaMarr Woodley. Mostly has been a special-teams guy.
3. Patriots S Brandon Meriweather (first round, 24th overall): The only 2007 Patriots draftee still on the roster, he’s not even a regular in DB-heavy sub packages.
4. Packers DT Justin Harrell (first round, 16th overall): The masses who called this a wasted pick have, thus far, been vindicated.
5. Dolphins QB John Beck (second round, 40th overall): Unlike JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, Beck has logged significant time under center, and has only exacerbated the Dolphins’ woes. Even glimpses of potential were in short supply.
6. Falcons DE Jamaal Anderson (first round, eighth overall): Despite starting from Week One, he hasn’t recorded a single sack. Nothing special against the run, either.
7. Chargers WR Craig “Buster” Davis (first round, 30th overall): His lack of production necessitated the trade for Chris Chambers.
8. Panthers WR Dwayne Jarrett (second round, 45th overall): Panthers cut Keyshawn Johnson shortly after drafting Jarrett. Oops.
9. Packers RB Brandon Jackson (second round, 63rd overall): Most figured the former Cornhusker would emerge as the Packers’ workhorse. Instead, his dismal performances helped open the door for revelation Ryan Grant.
10. Cardinals DT Alan Branch (second round, 33rd overall): Dropped like a rock in the weeks leading up to the draft. Now we know why.
On to the head of the class...
1. 49ers LB Patrick Willis
Season stats (15 games): 162 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: 20 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble
Last week’s ranking: 1
Stock: Rising
Much like Adrian Peterson in his breakout game at Soldier Field in Week Six, Willis’ latest performance solidifies his standing among the league’s elite at his position. Granted, the NFC South champion Buccaneers benched their starters for much of the game, but a 20-tackle, two-sack outing is remarkable regardless of the situation. With Willis leading the charge, the Niners limited Earnest Graham to 21 yards on nine carries.
2. Browns OT Joe Thomas
Last week’s ranking: 3
Stock: Steady
Credit the weather, the Bengals’ secondary and poor decisions with Derek Anderson’s shoddy showing. Don’t point the finger at the offensive line. The line has certainly been better, but Thomas was solid. Jonathan Ogden’s selection to the Pro Bowl over Thomas proves that name recognition is as important as performance in determining who goes to Hawaii.
3. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
Season stats (13 games): 227 carries for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, 19 receptions for 268 yards and one touchdown, three lost fumbles
Week 16 stats: nine carries for 27 yards, two receptions for 21 yards
Last week’s ranking: 2
Stock: Falling
Behind the effort of an inspired Redskins defense, Peterson was unable to get anything going for the second time in the past three games. With the Skins getting out to a big lead, the ground-oriented Vikings had to go to the air, further diminishing Peterson’s impact. Minnesota is now in need of outside help if Peterson’s rookie campaign is to extend into the postseason.
4. Jets LB David Harris
Season stats (15 games): 116 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble
Last week’s ranking: 5
Stock: Steady
Not only does he consistently put up impressive numbers, but Harris seemingly delivers at least one attention-grabbing highlight each game. On Sunday against the Titans, it was his backside pursuit and subsequent strip-sack of Vince Young. Once the Jets acquire a couple beefy D-linemen to tie up blockers, Harris will evolve from rookie standout to perennial Pro Bowler.
5. Panthers LB Jonathan Beason
Season stats (15 games): 130 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: 12 tackles
Last week’s ranking: 6
Stock: Steady
The Panthers offered only tepid resistance to the Cowboys’ ground game, with most of the effort coming from their rookie middle linebacker. A force from Week One, only Willis and D.J. Williams of the Broncos sit above Beason, who's tied with Nick Barnett of the Packers, on the NFL’s tackle charts. Whether or not John Fox is replaced at season’s end, the Panthers have themselves the consummate defensive centerpiece already in place.
6. Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe
Season stats (15 games): 69 receptions for 982 yards and five touchdowns
Week 16 stats: eight receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown
Last week’s ranking: 9
Stock: Rising
Damon Huard, who replaced a nicked-up Brodie Croyle, did the smartest thing a Chiefs quarterback can do: Get the ball to Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. Bowe feasted on the Lions’ maligned secondary, outperforming the more heralded Calvin Johnson (two receptions for 47 yards). Bowe needs just 18 receiving yards in the finale to become the rare rookie wideout to reach 1,000 yards.
7. Jets CB Darrelle Revis
Season stats (15 games): 82 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble
Week 16 stats: two tackles
Last week’s ranking: 4
Stock: Falling
It’s difficult for a cornerback to have a statement game against the Titans’ vertically challenged passing attack. Next week’s matchup against the Chiefs’ Bowe, however, is a different story. Whichever rookie gets the best of the other will go a long way in deciding which teams enters the offseason with some momentum after falling from ’06 playoff participant to ’07 flop.
8. Bills RB Marshawn Lynch
Season stats (12 games): 258 carries for 1,010 yards and seven touchdowns, 17 receptions for 162 yards, one lost fumble
Week 16 stats: 18 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown, two receptions for 42 yards
Last week’s ranking: 10
Stock: Steady
With an 88-yard TD scamper capping off a 151-yard gem of a game, the Giants’ Ahmad Bradshaw was the awe-inspiring rookie running back in Orchard Park on Sunday. For Lynch, it was business as usual. Few ankle-breaking shimmies, but a whole lot of high-impact collisions. You don’t see many tailbacks run with as much authority as Lynch, whose style exemplifies the city of Buffalo’s blue-collar mentality.
9. Redskins S LaRon Landry
Season stats (15 games): 90 tackles, 1½ sacks, one fumble recovery
Week 16 stats: three tackles
Last week’s ranking: 8
Stock: Steady
If the Redskins end up securing the NFC’s last playoff berth, Landry and his defensive cohorts deserve as much praise as QB Todd Collins. However, they would just as soon settle for a Tylenol and an ice bath. After winning consecutive games against Brandon Jacobs’ Giants and Adrian Peterson’s Vikings, they finish up with Marion Barber’s Cowboys. Seeing as how the Skins drafted Landry in part because of his sustained excellence throughout his four-year career at LSU, a brutal stretch run won’t pass as a viable excuse should Landry regress.
10. Bengals CB Leon Hall
Season stats (15 games): 64 tackles, five interceptions, one forced fumble
Week 16 stats: five tackles, one interception
Last week’s ranking: Honorable mention
Stock: Steady
Hall will still give up the occasional deep ball, but he has gambled more judiciously as the season has progressed. It’s no coincidence that since he entered the starting lineup in Week 10, the Bengals’ leaky pass defense has steadily improved. The secondary was at its best last Sunday, containing the Browns’ aerial attack while baiting Derek Anderson into throwing four interceptions.
Honorable mention (In no particular order)
Bills QB Trent Edwards: The only rookie quarterback who can be satisfied with his season.
Texans DT Amobi Okoye: Testament that the “rookie wall” is no myth.
Buccaneers S Tanard Jackson: Unlike fellow Syracuse safeties Tebucky Jones and Donovin Darius, Jackson has exceeded expectations in the NFL.
Giants CB Aaron Ross: Should hang his head in shame when reviewing film of Lee Evans’ TD grab.
Dolphins C Samson Satele: One of a small handful of Dolphins secure in a starting role.
49ers OT Joe Staley: Worth a high first-rounder in ’08? Patriots think so.
Titans S Michael Griffin: Three interceptions in the past four games.
Jaguars S Reggie Nelson: Fumbling immediately after nabbing an interception is a microcosm of his inconsistent season.
Lions WR Calvin Johnson: “Can’t miss” prospect yet to redefine the WR position.
Ravens OG Ben Grubbs: Sure thing on an offense rife with uncertainty.
Best of the rest (In no particular order)
Broncos RB Selvin Young
Raiders TE Zach Miller
Buccaneers OG Arron Sears
Packers WR James Jones
Colts DT Ed Johnson
Chiefs RB Kolby Smith
Cowboys PK Nick Folk
Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez
Chargers S Eric Weddle