Most Valuable Rookie
As the 2009-10 NFL season winds down, we have a number of very talented rookies vying for the honor of being respectfully named offensive and defensive “Rookie of the Year.” When the season started I had Percy Harvin of the Minnesota Vikings as the clear favorite for the award, I have to admit he was a huge fan of his during his college days at the University of Florida. Percy Harvin is by far the most versatile of all the NFL rookies, he is capable of catching and running the ball while lining up in multiple positions. Other players are also making an impact on their teams, like the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lesean McCoy, who ranks second among all rookies rushing the ball with 528 scrimmage yards. Lesean McCoy has also recorded 27 receptions and 206 receiving yards, which is the most among all first-year running backs. Knowshon Moreno of the Denver Broncos is another player who has also been highly productive in his short NFL career, with his 688 rushing yards outpacing every other freshman thus far at this point in the season. The New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez has looked good at times, as has the Detroit Lions’ Matt Stafford.
Now let’s take a look at the potential Defensive Rookie of the Year nominees, there have been some good players, some regular players and some flops. But this handful of defensive players have made a huge impact not only on their respective teams, but on the NFL as well. Let’s start our conversation talking about Brian Orakpo, outside linebacker for the Washington Redskins, he has had a great year on a losing team, but his 7 sacks lead all players in that category. Another player with the potential to be very good long-term is outside linebacker Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers, who currently ranks second among all rookies in sacks with 5. Clay Matthews’ former college teammate Brian Cushing, outside linebacker of the Green Bay The Houston Texans have also had a great year like any other rookie with their rookie leading 99 combined tackles. Brian is also second among all freshmen with 3 interceptions as well. This upcoming rookie isn’t getting a lot of press attention, but he has quietly put up some pretty impressive stats; I’m talking about free safety Jarius Byrd of the Buffalo Bills who leads all first-year players with 8 interceptions. And last but not least, rounding out this fantastic group of defensive rookies is James Larenitis, middle linebacker for the Saint Louis Rams, who has been very impressive on a bad team. James is second among all rookies in combined tackles with 85 and also leads all rookies with 75 solo tackles.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin (Minn.) Dark horse: Lesean McCoy (Fil.)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Brian Cushing (Hou.) Dark horse: Brian Orakpo (Washington)