Rookie of the Year meter

Tomlinson holds off defensive stars Bell, Rogers for another week

By Jeff Reynolds, Associate editor of special projects
Nov. 20, 2001

In as close to a must-win as the Chargers have had all season, Tomlinson tied the game at Oakland at 24-24 with a 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter. Ineptitude on third downs continued, but Tomlinson can’t be held solely responsible in that area. One thing San Diego keeps waiting for is a long run; Sunday his long was 10 yards.

2. Kendrell Bell, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week: 3
Season Stats: 51 tackles (44 solo), 7 sacks Sunday vs JAX: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Stock: RISING

Bell has been a major player on the league’s top defense and is only going to get better. He has speed and strength, and covers tight ends and backs as well as he stops the run.

3. Shaun Rogers, DT, Detroit Lions
Season Stats: 57 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 blocked FGs, 1 forced fumble Sunday @ ARZ: 5 tackles
Last week: 2
Stock: STEADY

For an 0-9 team with little to play for, Rogers’ production has yet to fall.

4. Anthony Thomas, RB, Chicago Bears
Season Stats: 150 carries, 638 yards, 4 touchdowns Sunday @ TB: 23-58-0
Last week: 4
Stock: FALLING

Consecutive weeks facing top-notch defenses — Green Bay and Tampa Bay — have produced sub-60-yard rushing games for Thomas. He will remain the feature back in the Bears’ backfield and should regain some momentum the next two weeks against Minnesota and Detroit.

5. Adam Archuleta, S, St. Louis Rams
Season Stats: 32 tackles, sack Sunday @ NE: 1 tackle
Last week: 5
Stock: STEADY

Archuleta suffered a concussion against the Patriots, but defensive coordinator Lovie Smith doesn’t want to go a week without him — especially against Tampa Bay.

6. Chris Chambers, WR, Miami Dolphins
Season Stats: 23 catches, 468 yards, 2 touchdowns Sunday vs. NYJ: 2-25-0
Last week: 6
Stock: STEADY

Chambers will continue to become a bigger part of the offense as the year goes on, but he needs dependable players around him to have an impact.

7. Rod Gardner, WR, Washington Redskins
Season Stats: 27 catches, 474 yards, 3 touchdowns Sunday @ DEN: 2-19-0
Last week: 7
Stock: FALLING

Gardner hasn’t had a decent game since he bailed the Redskins out against Carolina in overtime and collected more than 200 yards receiving. QB Tony Banks and reserve Kent Graham went to WR Michael Westbrook (9-104, 1 TD) when they needed a big catch at Denver and may be growing tired of Gardner’s occasional drops.

8. Kevin Barlow, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Season Stats: 71 carries, 308 yards, 2 touchdowns Sunday vs. CAR: 7-19-0
Last week: 9
Stock: STEADY

Barlow needs consistent touches to make things happen. His size makes him daunting to defenses by the fourth quarter, an area in which the Niners could use Barlow more effectively.

9. Travis Henry, RB, Buffalo Bills
Season Stats: 149 carries, 468 yards, 2 touchdowns Sunday vs. SEA: 13-29-0
Last week: 10
Stock: STEADY

Barry Sanders couldn’t gain 100 yards behind this offensive line. Henry is a hard runner. If he survives the rebuilding in Buffalo, he’ll be a good back.

10. Correll Buckhalter, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Season Stats: 92 carries, 428 yards, 2 touchdowns Sunday @ DAL: DNP-CD
Last week: 8
Stock: FALLING

Wrong place, wrong time for this rookie. Buckhalter was suspended for one game after being a passenger in the car of a teammate who was found to be in possession of marijuana. He may be out of the RB rotation if he can’t get back into the good graces of head coach Andy Reid.

Best of the rest

Jose Cortez, PK, 49ers — San Fran is 3-1 in overtime and the rookie has made 13-of-16 field goals.

Tommy Polley, LB, Rams — Injuries to Don Davis and Mark Fields will thrust Polley into a full-time role. I think the Florida State product is ready.

Steve Smith, WR-KR, Panthers — Three returns (one punt, two kickoff) for touchdowns. That’s more scores than any Carolina running back.

Todd Heap, TE, Ravens — Bothered by an ankle injury early, Heap caught his first touchdown as a pro Sunday. There are plenty to come.

David Terrell, WR, Bears — With enough experience, Terrell’s skill will catch up with his mouth.

Alge Crumpler, TE, Falcons — Speed and size will make him a dependable third-down target for "The Future" — a.k.a. Michael Vick.

Chris Weinke, QB, Panthers — He’s had to face injuries, no running game and he plays in the rugged NFC West. Give him three years and Weinke could be incredible, but he’ll also be 30.

Michael Vick, QB, Falcons — Raw now, but think Daunte Culpepper squared.

Andre Carter, DE, 49ers — He hasn’t taken the league by storm as San Francisco expected, but Carter is a diamond waiting to be polished.

Jamie Winborn, LB, 49ers — Already a part-time starter, Winborn, along with Julian Peterson, Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich will be the best LB corps in the league by the end of next season.

Justin Smith, DE, Bengals — Speed to burn, needs to learn.

Santana Moss, WR, Jets
Koren Robinson, WR, Seahawks
Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts — Plenty of teams thought highly of the 2001 WR draft class. It will be two years before we find out how good it really is.

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