The Rookie Report Special IDP Edition (Part 2) Nov 12, 2007 | More

Welcome everyone to the tenth regular season installment to the Rookie Report. In case you missed the report during the first nine weeks of the season, the report will cover topics, trends and a game by game analysis of notable performances by the NFL’s 2007 Rookie Class to assist in your pursuit of dynasty championship gold.

During the first eight weeks, the Rookie Report has focused on trends for offensive rookie players. Over the past two weeks (including this week), we will profile some of the rookie individual defensive players who could make an impact for your fantasy teams. This edition will contain players in the defensive backfield.

So sit back, but don’t get too comfortable because here we go with our ninth regular season week’s installment of this report on cornerbacks and safeties.…

Cornerbacks

Darrell Revis – New York Jets

Darrell Revis was taken in the middle of the first round of the 2007 draft, and has provided an instant impact at the cornerback position as a rookie. Revis has excellent ball and tackling skills as well as speed, and he has showcased these talents through the first 9 weeks of the NFL season by recording 57 tackles, an interception, and 10 passes defended. Fantasy-wise Revis is already ranked in the top 10 at the cornerback position, and it appears that he is only going to get better as time goes on.

Eric Wright – Cleveland Browns

Eric Wright was taken in the 2^nd round of the 2007 NFL draft out of UNLV. Much like Revis, Wright has made an instant impact as a rookie for his team and fantasy owners. Wright has an excellent combination of speed, fluid hips, and is excellent in coverage both in man-to-man and zone coverage schemes. In the first nine weeks of the NFL season, Wright has recorded 56 tackles, 7 passes defended and an interception. These numbers are good enough to put Wright in the top 10 at the cornerback position in 2007.

Aaron Ross – New York Giants

Out of the University of Texas, Aaron Ross has great speed, athleticism and ball skills. Ross also returns punts part-time, thus furthering his value both to the Giants as well as fantasy owners who are rewarded for return yards. Ross started as the back-up in 2007, but has worked his way into the starting lineup with 4 starts this year. To-date in 2007, Ross has recorded 23 tackles, 6 passes defended and 3 interceptions, and appears to be the Giants future at the position.

Leon Hall – Cincinnati Bengals

Despite only receiving two starts this year, Leon Hall has put up impressive numbers for the Bengals this year. Through the first nine weeks, Hall has recorded 23 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 6 passes defended, and 3 interceptions.Given the amount of time the Bengals’ defense spends on the field, Hall should continue putting up solid numbers in the 2^nd half of 2007 and beyond.

Fred Bennett

Following the demotion of Demarcus Faggins and the season ending injury of Dunta Robinson, Fred Bennett put up good numbers in his first start of the season with 3 tackles, 2 passes defended and an interception. Given Houston’s lack of secondary depth for the remainder of 2007, Bennett remains someone to watch who could provide a spot start in 2007 and has excellent potential for dynasty rosters.

Safeties

LaRon Landry – Washington Redskins

LaRon Landry was taken as the sixth pick of the 2007 NFL draft due to his excellent speed, great instincts, and big play making ability. Landry always seems to have a knack for anticipating where the ball is going to be and making play. To-date in 2007, Landry has been somewhat inconsistent week-to-week; however, over the past three weeks Landry has turned into a tackling machine.Landry has recorded 57 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2 passes defended which is good enough to rank him in the top 20 at the safety position thus far, and this is likely to continue in the long-term as he appears to be getting stronger as the weeks go on.

Reggie Nelson – Jacksonville Jaguars

Reggie Nelson was rated just a step below Laron Landry in the 2007 NFL Draft.Nelson has the ability to both play up at the line and stuff the run as well as dropping into coverage to defend the pass. He has great anticipation and has good speed to close out plays. To-date in 2007, Landry has started 7 games and has put up solid numbers with 39 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack.

The following section of the rookie report will recap performances by rookies each week for each game.

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons

Falcons WR Laurent Robinson caught 5 passes for 32 yards.

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson rushed 11 times for 45 yards and caught 3 passes for 14 yards before leaving the game with a leg injury. WR Aundrae Allison caught 1 pass for 4 yards.

Packers WR James Jones caught 3 passes for 62 yards. RB Brandon Jackson had 4 rushes for 1 yard and caught 2 passes for 14 yards. PK Mason Crosby connected on 2 field goals and 4 extra points.

Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Broncos RB Selvin Young rushed 20 times for 109 yards, had 3 catches for 20 yards and scored a touchdown.

Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe caught 9 passes for 105 yards. RB Kolby Smith rushed 2 times for 2 yards and caught 2 passes for 7 yards.

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

Bills’ RB Marshawn Lynch rushed 19 times for 61 yards and caught 3 passes for 24 yards before leaving with an injury. RB Dwayne Wright rushed 1 times for 1 yard.

Dolphins WR Ted Ginn, Jr. caught 1 pass for 12 yards and rushed 1 time for no gain.

New Orleans Saints vs. St. Louis Rams

Rams RB Antonio Pittman rushed 7 times for 53 yards and caught 1 pass for no gain. RB Brian Leonard rushed 2 times for 6 yards and caught 2 passes for 16 yards.

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

There were no notable rookie performances in this game.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

Titans RB Chris Henry rushed 3 times for a 2 yard loss and caught 2 passes for 15 yards.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins

There were no notable rookie performances in this game.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Ravens WR Le’Ron McClain caught 1 pass for 4 yards.

Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals

Lions WR Calvin Johnson caught 3 passes for 37 yards.

Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

Cowboys PK Nick Folk hit his only field goal attempt from 44 yards and connected on all 4 of his extra point attempts.

Giants TE Kevin Boss caught 1 pass for 18 yards.

Chicago Bears vs. Oakland Raiders

Bears RB Garrett Wolfe rushed 1 time for a four yard loss.

Raiders TE Zach Miller caught 4 passes for 43 yards.

Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers

Chargers WR Legedu Naanee caught 2 passes for 12 yards.

Due to the timing of this report, a recap of Monday night games will not be included in the Rookie Report.