Welcome everyone to the third installment to the Rookie Report. Each week during the preseason and regular season, the report will cover 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 preseason, I plan to give a tiered analysis of rookies by position each week followed by a break down of each preseason game. The preseason is crucial for evaluating rookies’ long-term fantasy values as they are given the opportunity to gain valuable playing time and experience they otherwise will not get the opportunity to during the regular season.

So sit back, but don’t get too comfortable because here we go with our third preseason week’s installment of this report on Rookie Quarterbacks…

Tier 1

QB JaMarcus Russell— Oakland Raiders

JaMarcus Russell has all the intangibles to be a great QB in this league: a canon-like arm, athleticism, size, and a quick release. He needs to continue to work on his accuracy and keep his weight down. Russell had good mini-camp and OTA practice sessions where he reportedly outperformed his main competition for the starting job, Josh McCown. Russell was expected to compete with Josh McCown and Andrew Walter for the starting job in week 1 this training camp; however, his holdout and the addition of Daunte Culpepper to the Raiders roster likely will prevent him from taking the starting job in week one. Regardless, he will be the face of the Oakland franchise for the foreseeable future.

QB Brady Quinn— Cleveland Browns

Quinn joins the Cleveland Browns after being groomed by Coach Charlie Weiss in Notre Dame’s pro-style offense. Quinn has excellent size, leadership qualities, arm strength and experience. He needs to work on his accuracy, and there are question marks about his ability to step up in big games. Quinn had a rough start in this summer’s practice sessions, but he will compete with Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson for the starting job in week 1. Quinn is the franchise QB for the Brown’s future. Quinn’s holdout early in camp did not help his chances to start the season as the Browns opening week QB; however, again the competition for the position is not stellar.

Tier 2

QB Drew Stanton— Detroit Lions

Drew Stanton has good size, arm strength, accuracy and leadership qualities. He will have to adjust to a pro-style offense. In OTAs, Stanton struggled to pick up Mike Martz’s complex offense. Mike Martz is changing Stanton’s release as well. If Stanton is able to learn Martz’s pass happy system, he is in an excellent situation to put up great fantasy numbers with an aging starting QB in front of him and both Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson to throw to.  Stanton suffered an injury early in the preseason that landed him on the Injured Reserve list, but he is someone you want to own for the future.

QB Kevin Kolb— Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ surprised fans with the selection of Kevin Kolb in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. Kolb has adequate arm strength, a quick release, good accuracy, and is a good athlete. Kolb will have to pick up the intricacies of the pro-style offense as he was in the same system in high school and at University of Houston. In his rookie year, Kolb will compete for the backup QB position to Donovan McNabb; however, he will likely begin the season as the emergency third QB. If McNabb goes down with an injury this season, Kolb could be starting in the very near future for the Eagles.

Tier 3

QB John Beck— Miami Dolphins

John Beck was taken in the second round by the Miami Dolphins in this year’s NFL Draft. Beck is older than the normal QB prospect coming out of college at 26 due to him spending 4 years as a Mormon missionary. Beck has adequate arm strength, good accuracy, and is a smart QB.  Miami took Beck with an early day one pick to groom as a starting QB whenever Trent Green retires; but, up to a couple weeks before the draft, Beck was regarded as a mid to late round QB prospect. Beck experienced great success in college in BYU’s wide open offense; however, those passing numbers are inflated due to the system. If you are taking Beck in your fantasy rookie draft this year, you have to ask yourself whether Beck is an excellent prospect primed to take over for Trent Green, or whether he is a college system QB who projects as a quality backup in the NFL.

QB Trent Edwards— Buffalo Bills

Trent Edwards has great arm strength, a quick release, and good size. He comes into the NFL with injury and durability concerns from his college career. His senior college season was ended prematurely due to a broken foot. Edwards has the talent and intangibles to succeed at the next level, but he must prove to the Bills that he can stay healthy. In his rookie season, Edwards will fight for the backup job to JP Losman in training camp this year. Long term, Edwards has the talent and potential to challenge Losman for the starting job if he can stay healthy.

QB Troy Smith— Baltimore Ravens

As a former Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith has good arm strength, is very athletic, and is a great leader. Smith’s stock in the NFL Draft slipped after a mediocre Senior Bowl performance and question marks about how his size and mechanics translate to success in the NFL. Smith had a rough start in mini-camps, but improved as summer workouts came along. Smith will start his career with Steve McNair as his mentor, and be groomed in the long-term to take over whenever McNair retires.

Tier 4

QB Jeff Rowe— Cincinnati Bengals

Jeff Rowe has good size, pocket presence, quick release, and is a good leader on the field. He still needs to learn the in’s and out’s of a pro-style offense. His situation to get on the field is limited as he is behind elite starting QB Carson Palmer, so his long-term value if he remains with the Bengals is as a backup. In his rookie season, Rowe is likely to start his career as the third string emergency QB.

Other Mentionables

QB Tyler Palko—New Orleans Saints

QB Matt Moore— Dallas Cowboys

QB Jared Zabransky— Houston Texans

QB Matt Gutierrez— New England Patriots

QB Lester Ricard— Jacksonville Jaguars

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

Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Notable rookie performances for the Dolphins include John Beck going 5 for 6 for 52 yards and converting the go-ahead 2 point conversion for the win and WR Kerry Reed’s 1 catch for 17 yards.

Notable Chiefs’ rookies include: RB Marchus O’Keith’s 8 carries for 21 yards; RB Kolby Smith’s un-impressive 7 carries for 3 yards, 1 catch for 14 yards and a fumble lost; FB Gilbert Harris’ 2 catches for 42 yards; TE Michael Allan’s 3 catches for 42 yards; and Kicker Justin Medlock going 1 for 3 on FG’s and 1 for 1 from extra points.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Buffalo Bills

With both Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood out for the Falcons, RB Jason Snelling filled in nicely with 12 carries for 50 rushing yards and 2 catches for 13 receiving yards; however, he did lose a fumble. WR Laurent Robinson continues to impress in training camp and preseason action as he finished Friday’s game with 4 catches for 54 yards. Other Falcon notable rookie performances include WR Eric Weems’ 2 catches for 30 yards and WR Vincent Marshall’s 1 catch for 9 yards.

For the Buffalo Bills, RB Marshawn Lynch got the start at RB; however, he turned out a mediocre performance with 5 carries for 16 yards. QB Trent Edwards had a good game finishing with 11 for 16 passing for 101 yards and a 10-yard TD pass to Roscoe Parrish while scrambling. Other notable Bills’ rookie performances include RB Dwayne Wright’s 3 carries for 13 yards and TE Derek Schouman’s 2 catches for 10 yards.

Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Notable Carolina Panther rookie performances include WR Ryne Robinson’s 1 catch for 8 yards and WR Dwayne Jarrett’s 1 catch for 7 yards.

Eagles RB Tony Hunt was utilized on short yardage goal line runs with 6 carries for 7 yards and two touchdowns. QB Kevin Kolb went 11 for 16 for 78 passing yards. TE Brent Celek had 4 catches for 45 yards.

Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets

Minnesota rookie RB Adrian Peterson was impressive in his 2^nd preseason game as he carried the ball 8 times for 70 yards and a touchdown. Peterson had a spectacular 43 yard run off the right tackle that included a spin move and laying out the defensive back at the end of the play. It appears that his shoulder is healed and he is ready to contribute this year. WR Sidney Rice had 2 catches for 14 receiving yards.

Notable Jets’ rookie performances include RB Danny Ware’s 11 carries for 45 yards and WR Chansi Stuckey’s 3 catches for 13 yards and 1 rush for 5 yards.

Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots

Titans’ rookie RB Chris Henry continued to showcase his mediocre talent with 8 carries for 15 yards along with a botched handoff with Vince Young that resulted in a fumble. Henry has had trouble in training camp with fumbles, and it is unlikely that this performance will help his quest to receive carries this year. Henry continues to be the most overrated player in dynasty rookie drafts this season, and owner who take him will be severely disappointed when they realize they wasted their first round rookie pick. WR Chris Davis had 1 catch for 14 yards.

New England QB Matt Gutierrez finished with 4 for 9 passing for 44 yards and a rushing touchdown. RB Quiton Smith had 3 carries for 6 yards rushing.

Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals

Houston WR Jacoby Jones registered another solid week finishing with 2 rushes for 24 yards, 2 catches for 32 yards, and an 80 yard punt return for a touchdown. QB Jared Zabransky was 1 for 4 passing for 19 yards.

Arizona WR Steve Breaston turned in a good performance with 4 catches for 37 yards. Other notable Cardinal rookie performances include: TE Ben Patrick’s 2 catches for 32 yards; QB Toby Korrodi’s 3 for 9 passing for 36 yards and an interception; and RB Steve Baylard’s 2 rushes for 11 yards and 1 catch for 8 yards.

Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland’s QB Brady Quinn turned out an impressive debut in the fourth quarter of this game with 13 for 20 passing for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. WR Syndric Steptoe had 1 catch for 7 yards.

There were no notable Lions rookie performances.

New Orleans Saints vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals QB Jeff Rowe was efficient with 6 for 9 passing for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Notable Saints rookie performances include RB Pierre Thomas’ 1 catch for 11 yards; RB Antonio Pittman’s 6 carries for 17 yards and a touchdown; and WR Robert Meachem’s 1 catch for 6 yards.

Tampa Bay Bucs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Tampa Bay rookie RB Kenneth Darby finished Saturday’s game with 8 carries for 20 yards, 2 catches for 8 yards, and a touchdown. RB Brian Storer had 1 carry for 7 yards.

Jacksonville WR John Broussard had 2 catches for 29 yards. WR D’Juan Woods had 1 catch for 21 yards.

San Diego Chargers vs. St. Louis Rams

Notable Chargers rookies in Saturday’s game include: RB Germaine Race’s 5 carries for 24 yards and a touchdown; TE Scott Chandler 2 catches for 12 yards and a touchdown; WR Craig Davis’ 2 catches for 9 yards.

St. Louis RB Brian Leonard had 17 carries for 49 yards and 2 catches for 18 yards.

Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys

Denver RB Selvin Young had 2 catches for 14 yards and 1 carry for 0 yards.

Dallas Cowboys rookie PK Nick Folk hit a 52 yard field goal on his only attempt and was 2 for 2 on extra points. RB Alonzo Coleman had 4 carries for 15 yards. WR Isaiah Stanback had an impressive preseason debut with 2 catches for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Redskins

Pittsburgh rookie RB Gary Russell had 7 carries for 24 yards.

Redskin’s RB Marcus Mason had 7 carries for 14 yards and 1 catch for 6 yards.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers

Seattle RB A.J. Harris had 15 carries for 54 rushing yards.

Green Bay rookie RB Brandon Jackson had 15 carries for 54 yards, 1 catch for 11 yards, and a touchdown. WR James Jones had 4 catches for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns. Other notable rookie performances for the Packers include: QB Paul Thompson’s 5 for 10 passing for 49 yards and 2 interceptions and TE Clark Harris’ 1 catch for 20 yards.

Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers

Oakland rookie TE Zach Miller had 2 catches for 9 yards.

San Francisco RB Thomas Clayton had 10 carries for 42 yards, 1 catch for 6 yards, and a touchdown.

New York Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens

Notable Baltimore Ravens rookie performances include: QB Troy Smith going 4 for 8 for 60 passing yards and 1 rush for 8 yards; WR Matt Willis’ 3 catches for 41 yards; TE Marcus Freeman’s 1 catch for 15 yards; TE Kendrick Ballantyne’s 1 catch for 14 yards; and WR Damien Linson’s 1 catch for 11 yards.

Giants’ rookie RB Ahmad Bradshaw was impressive in relief of Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns with 7 carries for 70 yards. WR Steve Smith also had a good game before leaving with a concussion resulting from Ed Reed’s elbow. Smith finished with 2 catches for 19 yards and a touchdown. PK Josh Huston went 2 for 2 on field goal attempts with a 50 yarder. TE Michael Mathews had 1 catch for 22 yards.