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Mid Season All Rookie Team
This is a list of the rookies who have been the best at their respective positions so far this season. At the end there is a short list of the players who I think will be considered for Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year.
QB- Mark Sanchez, New York Jets.
>It hasn’t been pretty for either Matt Stafford or Sanchez, but the USC rookie has been responsible for 11 touchdowns (8 passing, 3 rushing) this year, compared to Stafford’s 5 (3 passing, 2 rushing). Only blemish: a 5 interception performance against Buffalo.
RB-Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
>Not much to speak of this year in terms of running backs, but Moreno is the only one with a starting job. He leads all rookie runners with 420 yards rushing, and he has two touchdowns.
RB- LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
>He doesn’t start, but LeSean McCoy has filled in admirably whenever Brian Westbrook goes down with one of his annual injuries. He has 294 yards rushing and two touchdowns, as well as 15 catches.
WR-Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts
>When Anthony Gonzalez went down with an injury, Collie stepped up. He leads all rookie receivers with 30 receptions, along with 330 receiving yards and four scores.
WR-Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
>Perhaps a better position for Harvin would be “playmaker.” Harvin has been an electric kickoff returner, as well as a reliable receiver for Brett Favre. He has 28 catches for a rookie best 369 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, along with a 30.7 kickoff return average (plus two scores).
WR-Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
>Wallace has become the player the Steelers wanted Limas Sweed to be. He has supplanted Sweed in the lineup, and has become a big play option for Pittsburgh. Wallace has 20 catches for 368 yards and two scores.
TE-Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions
>Not much to speak here either. Pettigrew leads all rookie tight ends with 14 catches and 169 yards receiving.
OL-Michael Oher, Baltimore Ravens
>Yet another position that lacks the impact rookies of a year ago. Oher has been the best rookie offensive lineman this year, playing both right and left tackle with equal skill, toughness and tenacity.
OL-Phillip Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings
>A perfect fit in Minnesota, Loadholt uses his massive frame to open holes for Adrian Peterson and protect the right side of the line.
OL- Louis Vasquez, San Diego Chargers
>Vasquez earned a starting spot on San Diego’s line, and has started every game he hasn’t been injured.
OL-Eugene Monroe, Jacksonville Jaguars
>Monroe earns this spot pretty much by default. He is the only starting left tackle out of the entire class, and has held the job the entire year.
OL-Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns
>Mack quickly earned the starting center spot in Cleveland, supplanting veteran Hank Fraley.
DL- Terrence Knighton, Jacksonville Jaguars
>Knighton’s size and versatility have given the Jaguars flexibility in their defensive fronts, allowing them to go back and forth from a 4-3 and a 3-4. Knighton has 20 tackles.
DL-Brian Orakpo, Washington Redksins >Orakpo leads all rookies with 3.5 sacks.
DL-Desmond Bryant, Oakland Raiders
>This undrafted rookie from Harvard is actually tied for the lead in tackles amongst rookie defensive lineman.
DL- Connor Barwin, Houston Texans
>Barwin has been a solid third down lineman for Houston, giving them a capable bookend rusher across from Mario Williams.
LB- Brian Cushing, Houston Texans
>My leading candidate for defensive rookie of the year, Cushing has 66 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions this year.
LB- James Laurinaitis, St. Louis Rams
>One of the few bright spots on a dead Rams team, Laurinaitis has 56 tackles and two interceptions this year, and has started every game at middle linebacker.
LB-Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
>Matthews earned the starting outside linebacker job in week 4, and hasn’t looked back. He has 20 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.
LB- Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks >Curry has 40 tackles and two sacks for Seattle in his rookie campaign.
DB- Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills
>This converted cornerback is enjoying an all pro year at free safety, having hauled in a whopping seven interceptions this season. He also has 32 tackles and an amazing 16 passes defensed.
DB-Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions
>Delmas has been a force at free safety for the Lions, making 42 tackles (best among rookie defensive backs), along with a sack and a fumble return for a touchdown.
DB- Al Afalava, Chicago Bears
>A seventh round pick, Afalava is the only member of his class to start. The Oregon State product locked up the starting strong safety position in training camp, and has 31 tackles and a sack.
DB- Derek Cox, Jacksonville Jaguars
>A long shot from William and Mary college, Cox has earned a starting cornerback spot in Jacksonville, and has 35 tackles and two interceptions (including one on Peyton Manning).
K- Ryan Succop, Kansas City Chiefs
>A Mr. Irrelevant who has actually had quite an impact on his team. He is the Chiefs’ starting kicker, and has hit nine of eleven tries, including a long of 53.
P-Tom Morstead, New Orleans Saints
>Has a 44.2 yard average on punts, and he also is New Orleans’ kickoff specialist, and is tied for third in the league with 12 kickoff touchbacks.
KR- Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
>Has changed games with his kickoff ability. He has two touchdown returns, and a 30.7 yard kickoff return average.
Short list for Rookies of the Year: Offensive: Mark Sanchez, New York Jets; Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings Defensive: Brian Cushing, Houston Texans; Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills |