The Rookie Report: Week 7
by Luke Paul Chandler
The Patriots draft well in April and play well in the Fall.
The reason the Patriots stay competitive each year is their work in the NFL Draft. This week was no different. In New England, linebackers Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton are making big impacts on defense and special teams, respectively. Both of them had fumble recoveries against a beleaguered Broncos team. Also, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite and running back Benjarvus Green-Ellis played extensivley. Wilhite showed nice ball skills in limited duty, and Green-Ellis scored a touchdown in the blowout. Keep an eye on return specialist Matt Slater, who could be unseating Ellis Hobbs from the kick return duties.
Offensive Rookie of Week
Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers
5 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD
The star of the 49ers preseason had his best game as a pro this week. After being bothered by a groin muscle pull since the end of training camp, he looked crisp against the Giants and was making good cuts in his routes. Morgan was able to get off the line quickly, a must in Mike Martz offense. In an offense that sorely lacks a young receiving threat, Morgan has a chance to make a name for himself throughout the remainder of the season. His ability to beat physical corners makes him very dangerous.
Best of the Rest
2. Martellus Bennnett, TE, Cowboys - The Cowboys added another deep threat this week, just it wasn’t Roy Williams. Bennett showed good quickness out of his breaks, and was able to capitalize on slower linebackers trying to cover him. Bennett is also playing well on special teams.
3. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans - While beating up on the Chiefs is becoming common this season, Johnson’s performance stood out this week. Even without his 66-yard touchdown run, Johnson averaged seven yards per carry. Johnson continues to show an ability to fight for tough yards in the phone booth, and then accelerate through once he hits the second level. He is a difficult target to bring down.
4. Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens - The Ravens offense opened up this week against the Dolphins, and Flacco responded well. Playing mostly out of the no-huddle, he averaged over 10 yards per completion and had a passer rating of 120.2. His accuracy is improving each week.
5. Benjarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Patriots - Called up from the practice squad after Laurence Maroney was lost for the season, Green-Ellis responded with a strong game against the Broncos. His powerful running style and short-yardage abilities will help the Patriots
Defensive Rookie of the Week
Dwight Lowery, CB, Jets
7 tackles (5 solo), 1 Pass Defended
Lowery has become one of the bigger steals of this year’s draft. His instincts and play recognition are a good fit for the Jets, who play mostly in zone coverage. Lowery showed good instincts against both the run and the pass this week, and was an active defender. He was giving up some yardage against the Raiders quicker receivers, but he still played a strong game.
Best of the Rest
2. Mike Jenkins, CB, Cowboys - With the Cowboys secondary in flux, Jenkins has to be a calming influence. He played well against the Rams Donnie Avery, who is much quicker than he. Jenkins was able to react and play aggressively.
3. Jerod Mayo, ILB, Patriots - Mayo’s run stuffing ability was big on Monday night. He played the interior run well, and was able to disrupt Denver’s zone blocking scheme. He follows the flow of the ball well, and he doesn’t take many false steps.
4. Pat Sims, DT, Bengals - The Bengals overall run defense is struggling, but Sims showed flashes of being the run-stuffing tackle they have needed for years. He was able to over power the Steelers’ linemen on a few plays, and stop Mewelde Moore for little yardage. Sims is raw, but talented.
5. Cliff Avril, DE, Lions - Expected to be used mostly as a rush specialist, Avril started to see more action this week in the base defense. He held up well against the run and got good penetration on the few snaps he was in for.
Special Teams Rookie of the Week
Justin Forsett, RB, Seahawks
1 Kick Return, 24 yards; 2 Punt Returns, 36 yards
The former Cal Golden Bear finally saw some game action this week, after splitting the first month of the season with the Colts and Seahawks. Forsett is not a natural return specialist, but his quickness on punt returns showed this week against the Buccaneers. Forsett ran with good vision, trusting his blockers. He also threw a key block on a Josh Wilson return.
Rookie on Rookie
Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs vs Vernon Gholston, LOLB, Jets
With Larry Johnson inactive this week, Charles should be splitting carries with Kolby Smith at running back. Charles has yet to carve out a big game rushing, but the team will feature him heavily on third downs. Gholston has had trouble picking up the defense, and he has been brought along slowly by the Jets. The team may try to find a matchup on a passing down to isolate Charles in the flat against Gholston, who is learning to play zone coverage in the NFL. In any way, Gholston one-on-one with Charles on a passing or rushing down is dangerous. If it’s a running situation, Gholston will have to play containment until help comes from the other defenders. On passing downs, look for Charles to take on Gholston blocking. Charles is a lunger when blocking and could have trouble in that scenario.
Tough Assignment
Gosder Cherilus, ORT, Lions vs Jason Taylor, LDE, Redskins
The Lions line is in a state of flux, and Cherilus is looking at regaining his job from George Foster Sunday. Cherilus had played poorly against the Vikings, which resulted in his benching. Now it appears the line will need him against the aggressive Redskins line. While Jason Taylor’s calf injury has limited his snaps and effectiveness, he’s the kind of speed rusher that Cherilus has struggled against. Cherilus has a tendency to play too high in his stance and a veteran like Taylor will make him pay for that mistake. Even if Taylor only plays on passing downs, it will be a difficult day for Cherilus.
Contact Luke at Luke@newerascouting.com.