Is it just me or is this year?s rookie class making more of an immediate impact than any draft class in recent memory? I?m not talking about just the Jets, I?m talking about across the NFL. Starting with the quarterbacks, there are 4 rookies now starting ? Young, Lienart, Gradkowski, and Cutler. Just the fact that 4 rookie QB?s are starting in their first year is an oddity in the NFL ? when was the last time that happened, if ever? Vince Young is by far the most impressive of the group leading his team to come from behind victories in the last three weeks and showing the same poise and swagger he showed the country while winning a National Championship for Texas. Don?t get me wrong he?s had rookie growing pains like everyone else but he has been playing more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie project QB who will take at least 2 years to assimilate to the NFL as many experts predicted. Vince Young will win at least one championship in this league. Lienart has also had a solid rookie season after taking over for former league MVP Kurt Warner in week 5. He?s passed for over 2000 yards since then with 10 TD passes. He?s also thrown 10 interceptions but playing from behind tends to result in more interceptions being throw, and the Cardinals defense isn?t exactly the 85 bears. The most impressive thing about Lienart to me, like Young but not at the same level, has been his poise. He looks like he?s going to be a solid NFL quarterback. At running back we have Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Addai, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Leon Washington all making significant impacts on there respective teams. Bush finally seems to be hitting his stride in the NFL coming off two big weeks statistically, putting up 4 TD?s during that span. As expected he?s been used as a RB, WR, and punt returner. He?s put up 10 total TD?s, over 1000 all purpose yards, and recorded 79 receptions to date. The stats don?t tell the whole story with Bush though. He?s been used as a decoy throughout the season as opposing defenses are forced to respect his superior athleticism. This helps open up the run and the pass for other players on the team. Rookie head coach Sean Payton has done a fantastic job not only with utilizing Bush but also with resurrecting New Orleans Saints franchise. Laurence Maroney appears to be a 30+ carry a game type back who came into the league ready to not only take the big hits that NFL running backs must be able to absorb, but to deliver big hits as well as a powerful stiff arm. The Patriots should be set at the running back position for a while. Jones-Drew has put up 9 rushing TD?s and 666 yards spelling Fred Taylor as well as a kick return for a TD last week. Jones-Drew is also a power NFL RB. This draft was supposed to be weak in the wide receiver category and there?s not a bunch of guys to talk about here. The second to last pick in the draft, Marques Colston has been outstanding though putting up 917 receiving yards along with 7 receiving TD?s to date. On the offensive line, OT Marcus McNeil has started every game for one of ? if not the best ? offenses in the league. Center Nick Mangold has stepped into Kevin Maweas position from day one making the line calls and holding his own against some of the best in the league. D?Brickshaw Ferguson has also started every game and done quite well although he has had some rookie growing pains. Defensively, A.J. Hawk has started every game for the Packers recording 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception. Haloti Ngata (NT) has started every game for a very good Ravens defense. On special teams Devin Hester of the Bears has been phenomenal returning a single season record 6 kicks (kickoffs/punts) for TD?s already. From a coaching perspective you have Sean Payton resurrecting a Saints team that was in shambles. They are now the 2nd seed in the NFC. We all know what Eric Mangini and Brian Schottenheimer have done for the Jets so far. I?ve probably overlooked a few in the process but you can see what I?m getting at. As Bill Parcells would say, let?s not take out the anointing oil just yet, but the first season of this rookie class has been above average so far to say the least.
Excellent post. I've sure realized this as well, and it's actually fun to watch the immediate payoff of all this. I'm sure there are some we're missing as well. Hard to believe.
The rookies have definatley had more of an impact than last year. THey are pretty much filling up the highlight reels. Anyone care to make one of these breakdowns for last years rookies? I'm.....er......busy
you're right he is. my intent was to highlight his powerful running style. he does absorb a lot of hits the way he runs - i didn't mean to sound like he was indestructible.
