iDash Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3715267Top 25 Impact RookiesBy Keith KiddScouts Inc.Updated Nov.20--------------"No. Rookie 1. QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta FalconsFranchise quarterbacks are hard to find, but the Falcons have found their future star. Ryan is a smart player who has done a nice job making decisions when attacking the opposing team's back end. He has shown great maturity and flashes of a big-time arm, but he needs to play with more consistency on the road.2. RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee TitansHe has been very impressive as a change-of-pace back opposite RB LenDale White. Johnson is a very versatile player who contributes in sub and regular packages. He is a powerful inside runner with the speed and quickness to get on the edge of the defense as an outside runner. He's an explosive playmaker who has been one the major keys to the Titans' success. 3. LB Jerod Mayo, New England PatriotsHe has been a highly productive three-down player in the Patriots' system. Mayo has natural athletic skills, range and a knack for being around the football both in the box and out in space. He was all over the field in Week 11 against the Jets and he has easily positioned himself to be the defensive rookie of the year. 4. WR Eddie Royal, Denver BroncosHe has done a great job of giving the Broncos a solid No. 2 receiver opposite WR Brandon Marshall. Royal is a smart, instinctive player who understands route concepts, has very good functional play speed and tremendous hands. He knows how to get open and has added value as a dynamic return specialist. 5. RB Matt Forte, Chicago BearsHe has been a versatile three-down player who has natural vision and instincts. Forte has the speed to press downhill holes with good lateral quickness, balance and control. He has taken a lot of pressure off QB Kyle Orton. 6. WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia EaglesHe is an explosive player who finally gives the Eagles' perimeter a third-level dimension. Jackson plays bigger than his listed size (5-foot-10) with enough functional play strength to gain separation off his release. He also has the speed to attack all levels within the structure of the Eagles' West Coast passing attack. 7. QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore RavensHe is an intriguing young player who is the quarterback of the future in Baltimore. Flacco has a very strong arm that can attack all three levels in the passing game. He is mobile in the pocket. Flacco has come along way with his timing and rhythm in the passing game. 8. OT Jake Long, Miami DolphinsHe has been very impressive playing the most critical position on the offensive line, especially as a rookie. He has been very effective as a run-blocker and does a great job protecting the back side of his quarterback. He is a tough, smart, competitive football player with excellent traits. 9. OT Ryan Clady, Denver BroncosHe has been a very consistent player within the Broncos' zone-blocking schemes. Clady is very athletic with those long arms that allow him to get into defenders quickly. He is a very sound technician with excellent quickness, balance and control. 10. RB Steve Slaton, Houston TexansHe has been impressive in the Texans' running game, which has taken the pressure off the quarterback. Slaton is a versatile back with three-down value. He has played bigger than his listed size (5-foot-9) with explosive speed and natural jump-cut ability. 11. RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina PanthersHe has been a solid addition to the Panthers' power running game. Stewart is a big back with a great combination of quickness, speed and power. He is an explosive player who has the strength to wear defenses down. However, he is only a two-down back and must continue to improve as a receiver and blocker. 12. DE Chris Long, St. Louis RamsHe has been somewhat unnoticed playing on a really bad team. However, Long is relentless and has an outstanding motor. He has strong active hands to get separation from blockers with finishing speed. Long has all the intangibles you look for when building the core of your defense. 13. OT Branden Albert, Kansas City ChiefsHe is another rookie starting in the NFL at the most critical position on the offensive line. He is very athletic with good size, quickness and long arms. He can bend and play with leverage as a run-blocker. 14. SS Chris Horton, Washington RedskinsHorton was not on my original top-20 list and that had a lot to do with the position he plays. However, I went back into the film room and realized that the Redskins found themselves a steal in the seventh round. He is an instinctive player who has a knack for being around the ball. 15. OT Jeff Otah, Carolina PanthersHe is a big, powerful tackle who has improved the right side of the Panthers' offensive line. Otah is a big man who can be hard to get around in pass-protection schemes. He can shock defenders with his strong hands and long arms. He is also very effective as a run-blocker when creating movement and space in the running game. 16. RB Felix Jones, Dallas CowboysHe has explosive, game-changing speed and is a threat to score anytime he touches the rock. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett must find a way to get him more involved in the offense when he returns from his hamstring injury. He is a very good change-of-pace back opposite Marion Barber. 17. RB Kevin Smith, Detroit LionsOne of the few bright spots in Detroit has been the play of Smith. He's a good, young back with three-down value. He has very good speed and power. Smith has fit easily into the Lions' zone-running schemes. 18. TE John Carlson, Seattle SeahawksWith all the injuries at the skills positions in Seattle, Carlson leads the team in receptions. He has shown good blocking ability in the run game, and he is a natural athlete with good hands and route-running ability. Carlson is particularly good at finding the soft spots in underneath zones. 19. RB Ray Rice, Baltimore RavensHe has been a versatile player who has contributed in both regular and sub offensive groupings. Rice is a good north-south runner who can be very effective running between the tackles. He displays a good low center of gravity and runs with power. 20. CB Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay BuccaneersHe is a physical corner who has fit well in Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 system. Talib is a natural athlete with size, long arms and ball skills. He has a good knack for the playing the ball with his back to the quarterback. 21. RB Darren McFadden, Oakland RaidersHe is an explosive athlete with a lot of versatility within the structure of any offense. McFadden has the speed to strike from anywhere on the field, but has been bothered by a toe injury that has affected his playing time. 22. DT Sedrick Ellis, New Orleans SaintsHe is a disruptive young player who contributes in both regular and sub packages. Ellis has shown a good interior push when rushing the passer and improved his technique as a run defender before injuring his knee and missing time. He has all the intangibles to develop into a front-line starter for years to come. 23. TE Dustin Keller, New York JetsHe is a very athletic tight end who can cause a lot of mismatches when aligned outside on the perimeter. He is a natural route runner with good hands and run-after-catch ability. 24. DE Kendall Langford, Miami DolphinsHe is an under-the-radar player in the the Dolphins' 3-4 defense. He is not an ideal starter at this point in his development, but he will be in time. 25. RB Tim Hightower, Arizona CardinalsHe has replaced Edgerrin James in the starting lineup as a three-down back. Hightower has good run vision, quickness, power and instincts. He has deceptive speed and a nose for getting the ball into the end zone." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyGonzotim2 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 thats great but they coulda used a better choice of word then "attacking the opposing teams back end" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iDash Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 thats great but they coulda used a better choice of word then "attacking the opposing teams back end"LOL, No Joke, I am listening to His NFL Podcast preview and Just as I read your post,He said Backend Twice, but it was funnyI dont think He was talking about Ryan at the time.ESPN NFL Preview Podcast ,Keith Kidd -I was reading his Arcivehttp://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?id=3716926 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rico4u31 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Where the heck is Curtis Lofton on that list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick0ne Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 No Glen Dorsey? Nice Pick TD!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi-Falcon Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 If Sam Baker wasn't hurt he would be on that list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick0ne Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 If Sam Baker wasn't hurt he would be on that list.I can agree with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great American Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 thats great but they coulda used a better choice of word then "attacking the opposing teams back end"It Southern slanguage, it just means that Ryan is a pain in the arse to opposing defenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitaman Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Amazing number of 1st round picks on that list.Some years the scouts really earn their keep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobkowski Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Yeah, its too bad about Baker, we really need him. Blaylock ain't much without him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayOzOne Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 It Southern slanguage, it just means that Ryan is a pain in the arse to opposing defenses.It means he'll beat 'em well enough, but he needs to start spankin' that butt to tell them who they're messing with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee sunset Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 No Glen Dorsey? Nice Pick TD!!!!Exactly. That's bad. Since I don't recall his name being called did he do much (if anything) in our game against the Chiefs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzard_falcon Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Jerod Mayo is #3 and Curtis Lofton isn't in the Top 25?I call shenanigans! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconbIaze77 Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Hightower below McFadden....smh.....**** shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee sunset Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 ya. he is #1 in about all of them. Im just really suprised at how hightower is 25th in most of them. he has made more of an impact then people in front of him.Hightower only has 299 yards and a 3.1 average. But does have 7 TD's. Has only recently begun starting over Edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconsfromengland Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 where is curtis lofton. he could be puching for a top 10 spot let alone top 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjlaf Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Nice read. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iDash Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 Keep it Up , MattLofton is good, but he is often taking out on Passing Situations for Brooking, like Brooking is Awesome at Coverage, or Something?If this wasnt the case, Lofton would be on there, he would have a lot more tackles and maybe some more INTs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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