Rookie of the Year meter

Chambers NFL’s top rookie as Miami wide receiver shines bright on Monday night

By Jeff Reynolds, Associate editor of special projects

I said last week that San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson would have to show us something to hold off Chambers. He didn’t, and Chambers caught two touchdown passes as his assault on the AFC East continued. The rookie from Wisconsin has provided a receiving threat to the once one-dimensional Dolphins offense and doesn’t shy away from the spotlight with the game on the line. This is the best rookie season by a wideout in a since Randy Moss in 1998. Comparing Chambers’ rookie numbers to those of Moss breaks down like this — Receptions: Moss (69), Chambers (34); Touchdowns: Moss (17), Chambers (7); Yards: Moss (1,313), Chambers (640). The only difference? Moss started 11 of 16 games in a pass-oriented offense and Chambers, who wasn’t heard from until the season was four weeks old, is lucky to get five looks a game — he makes the most of them.

2. Kendrell Bell, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week: 4
Season Stats: 62 tackles, 7 sacks Sunday vs. NYJ: 5 tackles
Stock: STEADY

Bell is the top defensive rookie right now, holding a slight edge over Detroit DT Shaun Rogers. Bell is an impact player on the best defensive team in the league. If he has a weakness, it is covering backs and tight ends. Right now, that flaw makes him a spectator on third downs.

3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
Season Stats: 281 carries, 1,007 yards, 10 touchdowns
Sunday @ PHI: 19-51-0, 2 fumbles (1 lost)
Last Week: 1
Stock: FALLING

For the first time this season, Tomlinson is not the main course on the rookie food chain. The offensive line he is running behind might not be better than the one Texas Christian boasted during Tomlinson’s senior season. The Chargers’ ineptness on third downs and in short yardage is taking the ball out of Tomlinson’s hands in crucial situations. To give Tomlinson’s season a little perspective, he is the first 1,000-yard rusher in San Diego since Natrone Means in 1994.

4. Shaun Rogers, DT, Detroit Lions
Season Stats: 64 tackles, 3 sacks, two blocked FGs, FF
Sunday @ TB: 1 tackle, one-half sack
Last week: 3
Stock: STEADY

Rogers is a load in the middle because he simply makes plays, but he hasn’t received much media attention due to the Lions’ 0-12 start. Rest easy, Shaun; before long, everyone will be forced to take notice.

5. Anthony Thomas, RB, Chicago Bears
Season Stats: 165 carries, 692 yards, 5 touchdowns
Sunday @ GB: 15-54-1
Last week: 6
Stock: STEADY

Thomas returned after a two-week hiatus nursing a hamstring injury. He didn’t do much against the Packers in the biggest game of the season for the Bears, but the opportunities weren’t there with Chicago playing a conservative brand of catch-up for the better part of three quarters. His touchdown did tie the game in the third quarter.

6. Travis Henry, RB, Buffalo Bills
Season Stats: 201 carries, 675 yards, 4 touchdowns
Sunday vs. CAR: 27-101-1
Last week: 9
Stock: RISING

Henry looks like O.J. Simpson (10,183 rush yards 1969-77) one week, then more like Ronnie Harmon (led Buffalo with 485 rush yards in ’87) the next. Last week, Henry cleared 100 yards on the ground for the second time this season against a horrid Carolina run defense. Like Tomlinson, Henry could use a few healthy horses up front.

7. Rod Gardner, WR, Washington Redskins
Season Stats: 35 catches, 583 yards, 4 touchdowns
Sunday @ ARZ: 2-52-0
Last week: 7
Stock: STEADY

Gardner leads all rookies with 35 catches. He had an impressive 40-yarder Sunday vs. Arizona and could become the Redskins’ go-to guy as early as next season if veteran WR Michael Westbrook walks as a free agent.

8. Anthony Henry, CB, Cleveland Browns
Season Stats: 36 tackles, 7 interceptions
Sunday @ NE: 0 ints, 8 tackles
Last week: 5
Stock: STEADY

It would be unfair to say Henry made a season of one Week Two meeting with Detroit QB Ty Detmer — who threw seven picks in that game. Besides, there is no question Henry makes the secondary in Cleveland better. The Browns have four or more interceptions in three different games.

9. Mike McMahon, QB, Detroit Lions
Season Stats: 26-59-312-1 TD- 0 INT
Sunday @ TB: 11-25-165, 0 TD
Last week: 10
Stock: RISING

The ball belongs to McMahon for the rest of the season. His goal is to win at least one for the Lions, who are 0-12. Sunday, he gave his team that chance, as the Lions took a lead into the final minute of play. After a Tampa touchdown, the Lions’ special teams coughed up the ball in the final minute of the game, and McMahon never got the opportunity to lead his first game-winning drive in the NFL.

10. Kevin Barlow, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Season Stats: 84 carries, 370 yards, 2 touchdowns
Sunday @ STL: 5-20-0
Last week: 8
Stock: FALLING

Injuries hampered Barlow the two previous weeks, but he came back from the inactive list to play Sunday in St. Louis. Barlow averaged 4.0 yards per carry spelling an ineffective Garrison Hearst and should get more touches as the season wears on, including next week when the offense will need fresh backs vs. Miami.

Justin Smith, DE, Bengals — Eight tackles and three sacks Sunday vs. the Jaguars prove that Smith is catching on after an extended holdout.

Adam Archuleta, S, Rams — Second concussion in two weeks could mean end of season for talented safety.

Jose Cortez, PK, Niners — Didn’t attempt a field goal Sunday, but Cortez has made 15-of-20 this season. Of the five misses, four were blocked.

Tommy Polley, LB, Rams — Making an impact due to injuries on a talented St. Louis defense.

Steve Smith, WR-KR, Panthers — Leads NFL with 27.9 average and two scores on kick returns.

Todd Heap, TE, Ravens — Shannon Sharpe is a little banged up, which could lead to a hike in playing time for Heap.

Alge Crumpler, TE, Falcons — Needs space to be effective.

Chris Weinke, QB, Panthers — Still lacks the finishing touch, as evident in Sunday’s 25-24 loss to Buffalo when Carolina blew a 24-6 lead. Has a team-best six rushing touchdowns.

Michael Vick, QB, Falcons — New owner or not, Vick is at least a year away.

Andre Carter, DE, Niners — Health holding Carter back.

Jamie Winborn, LB, Niners — When San Francisco starts to win games like the one it lost Sunday in St. Louis, it will be due to its depth and skill at linebacker.

David Terrell, WR, Bears
Santana Moss, WR, Jets
Koren Robinson, WR, Seahawks
Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
Snoop Minnis, WR, Chiefs

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, when progress warrants a measurement against Chris Chambers.

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2001 - 2002 Season