| | | Edgerrin James leads all rookies in rushing yards and touchdowns. | With the season at the halfway mark, it's time to look at some of the rookies who have made the biggest impact in the first half. We've identified the top 10 first-year players on both sides of the ball through the first nine weeks.
At this point, the chase for Offensive Rookie of the Year isn't even close -- it's Colts running back Edgerrin James in a landslide. On the defensive side, it's a two-man race between Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse and Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey. We give the edge at this point to Kearse based on his recent impressive play and the struggles of Washington's defense.
Each Tuesday during the regular season, ESPN.com offers its report cards for the Class of '99.
Top 10 offensive rookies
PLAYER, STATS |
THE SKINNY |
Edgerrin James, RB, Colts 196 att., 746 yds., 5 TDs 29 rec., 295 yds., 1 TD
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Nine weeks into the season, James is threatening to run away with all the rookie awards. And if he keeps producing like he has the past few weeks, he could garner serious MVP consideration. James leads all rookies in rushing yards (he's second in the NFL), total yards (he's only 31 yards behind Marshall Faulk for the league lead), and is third in receptions. Bill Polian raised a few eyebrows on draft day when he selected James ahead of Ricky Williams, but the Colts president obviously knew what he was doing. |
Ricky Williams, RB, Saints 167 att., 623 yds. 15 rec., 52 yds.
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The Heisman Trophy winner from Texas has had an up-and-down season. After injuring his ankle in the Saints' first preseason game, Williams has never been completely healthy. Despite his injuries, Williams is second among rookies in rushing yards and put together back to back 100-yard games in Weeks 6 and 7. Williams' ability to play through pain all season has won him a tremendous amount of respect from his teammates. He has yet to score a touchdown, however. |
Tim Couch, QB, Browns 114-for-217 1,218 yds., 7 TDs, 6 INTs 25 att., 203 yds. |
While Couch hasn't put up spectacular numbers this season, he has proven worthy of being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Despite playing for a team that has struggled, Couch has thrown only six interceptions in eight games and has displayed good decision-making skills. Couch struggled last week against the Ravens and was replaced by Ty Detmer in the fourth quarter, however. Coach Chris Palmer said that Couch will remain the Browns' starting quarterback next week at Pittsburgh. |
Jon Jansen, OT, Redskins
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The second-round pick from Michigan quickly entrenched himself in the Redskins' lineup and has started every game this season at right tackle. His play has been one of the big reasons behind Washington's improved ground attack.
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Kevin Johnson, WR, Browns 32 rec., 509 yds. 5 TDs
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Three wide receivers were selected before the Browns grabbed Johnson with the first pick of the second round. However, it is the rookie from Syracuse who is first in total receptions (32) and touchdown receptions (5). He has quickly developed into Couch's favorite receiver, catching five of the seven touchdown passes the Browns rookie QB has thrown.
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Olandis Gary, RB, Broncos 125 att., 465 yds., 3 TDs 9 rec., 86 yds. |
The Broncos have won three of five games since Gary took over the starting tailback job. The rookie from Georgia was forced into the lineup due to injuries to Terrell Davis and Derrick Loville, and he has not disappointed. He has rushed for 90 or more yards in three of his five games as a starter, including 108 yards last week against the Chargers. It was the first time in 27 games that San Diego allowed a 100-yard runner. The fourth-round pick has to be considered one of the steals of the draft. |
Damien Woody, C, Patriots |
The first-round pick from Boston College has improved steadily while starting every game for the Patriots. He has been a solid replacement for Dave Wohlabaugh, who signed a free-agent contract with the Browns during the offseason. Woody has been one of New England's most consistent offensive linemen. |
Cecil Collins, RB, Dolphins 127 att., 414 yds., 2 TDs 6 rec., 32 yds.
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The fifth-round pick has shown flashes of the talent that would have made him a sure first-rounder if not for numerous off-field problems in college. After being slowed by a preseason ankle injury, "The Diesel" took over as the Dolphins' primary back in Week 3. Over the last two weeks, Collins has split carries with J.J. Johnson, but he remains Miami's featured back. |
Troy Edwards, WR, Steelers 31 rec., 361 yds. 2 TDs
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While Edwards has struggled at times this season, he has also shown the talent that made him a first-round pick. Despite only starting one game, the rookie from Louisiana Tech leads the Steelers in receptions (31) and is second among rookies. Edwards had one of his best games of the season in Sunday's defeat of the 49ers, catching six passes for 76 yards. |
Kris Brown, K, Steelers 13-for-14 FGs 55 pts. |
While Martin Gramatica is the rookie kicker with the most recognizable game, it is Brown who has put up the best numbers so far this season. Brown converted his first two field-goal attempts last Sunday against the 49ers, setting a league record for the most successful kicks to start a career by making 13 field goals in a row. However, he missed a 31-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, ending the streak. Brown is a perfect 3-for-3 on kicks from beyond 40 yards. |
Top 10 Defensive Rookies
PLAYER, STATS |
THE SKINNY |
Jevon Kearse, DE, Titans32 tackles* 4½ sacks
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Kearse, nicknamed "The Freak" while at Florida, has been one of the NFL's most impressive defensive rookies. The 6-foot-4, 254-pound defensive end, who slipped to No. 16 in the first round, looks like a steal. Kearse has 4½ sacks, and turned in one of the most dominant defensive performances of the season in Week 8 against the Rams. He forced Rams' offensive lineman Fred Miller into six false start penalties and also had one sack and forced a fumble in the Titans' victory. |
Champ Bailey, CB, Redskins 49 tackles 4 INTs 1 TD |
The former two-way star at Georgia has seen action exclusively on the defensive side early in his NFL career. While the Redskins have struggled on defense, Bailey has been a consistently solid performer. He is tied for the lead among rookies with four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
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Fernando Bryant, CB, Jaguars 35 tackles 1 INT
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The Jaguars are leading the NFL in team defense, and Bryant is one reason why. The defensive back from Alabama is third on the Jaguars in tackles and has one interception. He has been so impressive that teams are shying away from throwing the ball in his direction, a rarity for a rookie cornerback. He has drawn comparisons to New England's Ty Law, who is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. |
Andy Katzenmoyer, LB, Patriots 52 tackles 2½ sacks 1 INT, 1 TD |
"The Big Kat" was thrust into the starting lineup because of an injury to Ted Johnson, and he has been one of the Patriots' most consistent performers on defense. Katzenmoyer is second on the team with 52 tackles, and has one interception which he returned 57 yards for a touchdown. He has started all eight games New England has played. |
Mike McKenzie, CB, Packers35 tackles 3 INTs |
McKenzie, the third of three defensive backs selected in the first three rounds by the Packers, has started all eight games. He has 35 tackles and three interceptions, including one last Sunday against the Bears. |
Chris Claiborne, LB, Lions 29 tackles 1½ sacks
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The ninth-overall pick from USC has developed into one of the Lions' leaders on defense. The 21-year old rookie had arguably his best game of the season in Detroit's Week 8 victory over the Buccaneers. Claiborne forced a fumble that resulted in a touchdown and recovered a fumble. He has impressed his teammates with his hard-hitting style and leadership abilities. |
Wali Rainer, LB, Browns 82 tackles
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The fourth-round pick from Virginia has started all nine of the Browns' games this season and is second in the NFL with 82 tackles. While Rainer had a disappointing game in Cleveland's loss to the Ravens last Sunday, he has been one of the most consistent rookies on the defensive side of the ball.
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Tony Bryant, DE, Raiders 12 tackles 4.5 sacks |
The second-round pick is tied for the rookie lead in sacks with 4½. While he hasn't started any games yet, he is pushing starter James Harris for playing time.
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Chris McAlister, CB, Ravens 122 tackles 3 INTs |
The rookie from Arizona (10th pick overall) has earned a starting spot in the Ravens' defensive backfield, and leads the team with three interceptions. |
Al Wilson, LB, Broncos49 tackles 1 sack |
Wilson has played well since taking over the starting job for the injured John Mobley. The last pick in the first round, Wilson is second on the Broncos in tackles. |
* Tackles are not an official NFL statistic. Teams record tackles individually. Because of differences in standards, discrepancies might arise when comparing tackles from player to player or team to team.
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