The Football Diner Big Top 5
Top Day 2 Rookie Performers
by Jody Jamieson
21/2/2008
 
With the 2008 NFL Combine upon us, the elite college players are looking to Indianapolis as an opportunity to move up in the pecking order and ultimately make the big bucks when they are selected in the Draft. However, sometimes it's the guys who go on Day 2 who can make just as big an impact in their rookie year. This week Top Fives focuses on last year's Draft and the impact some Day 2 rookies made in the NFL. This year's draft will only have two rounds on Day 1 for the first time, as opposed to three in previous years. In this week's list we have a safety convert, two Super Bowl winners, a kicker, and an undrafted free agent.
 
5. Selvin Young – Denver Broncos Running Back – Undrafted, Texas
 
I was debating whether to include Young in this list, but the fact he got invited to the Combine last year was good enough reason for me. Despite not being drafted, the Broncos picked him up almost immediately after the draft. Some good performances in pre-season meant that Mike Shanahan named him number two back behind Travis Henry. When Henry picked up injuries and looked like he may be suspended for failing a drugs test, Selvin stepped in and did a very good job. 120 total yards from scrimmage in his first start against Green Bay was an impressive tally for Young. He then tallied 100 yards rushing against the Chiefs. Averaging over 5 yards per carry over 140 attempts is a pretty good record for an undrafted rookie.
 
All the signs don't point to Selvin Young being able to carry the load throughout a whole game and ultimately a whole season. He looks more of a 10-15 carry back. However on top of that he's done a good job picking up the blitz and looks like he could become a real threat coming out of the backfield. Andre Hall looked good when he appeared from nowhere towards the end of last year, and this could become an extremely effective combination out of the backfield.
 
4. Ahmad Bradshaw – New York Giants Running Back – Round 7, Marshall
 
We all know by now that Ahmad Bradshaw had a dream rookie year, picking up a ring, but it wasn't all plain sailing to begin with. Two fumbles on kick-returns made the Giants question if he could ever be an option in the halfback position. With the exciting Derrick Ward picking up a season ending injury, and Reuben Droughns underperforming, Bradshaw got his first carry in the Vikings debacle at the Meadowlands. He picked up 29 yards on 4 carries. While that was pretty good, his break-out 88 yard touchdown run in the snow against Buffalo signalled his intentions. If you watch the replay back there is hardly any snow falling as he picks up the ball, but by the time he bursts over midfield it is hammering down! That was the longest run of the season, and not bad for a 7th round rookie!
 
He continued his good form into the playoffs, and helped create a vibrant 1-2 punch with the physical Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs running over linebackers, and the "scat-back" style of Bradshaw created an excellent combination and change of pace from the backfield.
 
3. Nick Folk - Dallas Cowboys Kicker – Round 6, Arizona
 
The Cowboys selected Folk in the Draft as a bit of competition for Martin Gramatica, but in reality, Gramatica had looked good at the end of the 2006 season and was likely to get the nod. A 46 yarder against the Giants as time expired on his Cowboys debut certainly put him in good stead to find a settled home. With the ability to really put his foot through the ball, but lacking the consistency, we were unsure about his ability to really shine in his first season. When Folk eventually beat out Gramatica, he showed he was for real. Connecting with 26 of 31 kicks (1 of the 5 misses was blocked) meant Folk went on to represent the NFL at the Pro Bowl. The undoubted highlight of Folk's rookie season was the Monday Night game in Buffalo. The Bills led 24-22 with seconds remaining, and Folk stepped up to connect with a 53 yard attempt, only for Bills coach Dick Jauron to call time and force Folk to do it all over again. Not a problem! Folk blasted the retake right down the middle to keep the Cowboys undefeated at 5-0. Folk looks a solid bet to be the Cowboys kicker for a long, long time.
 
2. Tanard Jackson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety – Round 4, Syracuse
 
Jackson may have had a great rookie year at Tampa Bay, but safety wasn't always his trade. He played his college career at Syracuse as a cornerback. While not exactly setting the collegiate game on fire, Jackson was projected as a mid round pick and that was exactly where he was taken. Tampa Bay saw enough in him to take him in the 4th round with the 106th pick. The Bucs saw potential in him to play the free safety position, where he would come into direct competition with another previous fourth round pick.
 
Will Allen was selected in the 4th round by Tampa in 2004. Gradually he forced his way into contention for the starting job, and by 2006, he was the guy. There seemed no threat to his position for 07, but Jackson impressed in training camp and beat out Allen for the starter's job in Week 1.
 
Tanard Jackson recorded his first career interception in Indianapolis in Week 5. He finished the season with 56 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and a couple of interceptions, recording his second pick in a victory over Arizona. Jackson looks like a very good compliment to the Bucs defense and could be a mainstay at free safety if he continues his good play into 2008.
 
1. Kevin Boss – New York Giants Tight End – Round 5, Western Oregon
 
Quarterback controversies are a weekly occurrence in the NFL. In 2007 we had masses of them, with teams such as the Jets, Browns and the Ravens all coming up at some point. The Super Bowl Champion Giants seem to have a tight end controversy on their hands – which is a new one! - going into 2008 after the superb play of the 153rd pick of the '07 Draft.
 
Kevin Boss was already showing promise as the 2nd choice tight-end behind Jeremy Shockey. However, when Shockey broke his left fibula on December 16th against the Redskins, Boss stepped in. I had noticed that while Boss had hardly put up Tony Gonzalez-esque numbers as a receiver, he had a knack of getting open, despite his apparent lack of speed. It could be argued that Eli Manning's early season tendency to look for Burress, then Shockey, then panic, may have been detrimental to the Giants team. With Shockey out of the picture, Eli loosened up and Steve Smith also came back to give Eli four good targets in Burress, Amani Toomer, Smith and Boss. It has been well documented that Shockey can be a negative influence, and I have to say the Giants looked much more balanced offence without Shockey.
 
Boss doesn't look Canton bound by any means, but looks an excellent pickup who could be a very good starter in a Giants offense which looked more balanced in the post-season than it had in a long time.
 
Off-Season Thoughts
 
If the rumours are true, I think the Dallas Cowboys are making a mistake allowing Flozell Adams to hit the open market come February 29th. He may be the false start King of the World, but he's one of the best left tackles in the league, and I can see Tony Romo spending a lot of time picking grass out of his helmet if they allow Adams to leave. To me, it's not a smart move. Pat McQuistan looks decent, but he's not in Flozell's league.
 
Despite the fact the Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on Jared Allen, I still think there's a possibility that Allen may play his '08 football elsewhere. If there is one franchised player who is worth giving up two first round picks for, it would be Allen. A pass rushing freak like him isn't easy to come by, and considering the money being paid to first round picks these days, investing some of that money in Allen may be money well spent.
 
If the Eagles pick up Asante Samuel as foxsports.com is reporting, it would make a major difference to a struggling secondary. When fit, Lito Sheppard is excellent, but he's rarely at 100%. However, I wouldn't like to see Sheppard traded just to accommodate Samuel. Moving Sheldon Brown to safety, playing Samuel AND Sheppard at corner, and taking a nickel corner in the draft is my ideal scenario. Ideal scenarios don't tend to happen in football though, and I would be surprised if Lito would be too chuffed at #2.
 
And Finally…
 
Spygate-watch carries on and on, and with Matt Walsh claiming to have damning evidence against the Patriots, it could be a scary time ahead in Foxboro for Bill Belichick. A lot of mud slinging is going on between various parties involved in this conflict, as it shows no signs of slowing down. If it turns out that Walsh has tapes of the Rams final walkthrough practice before Superbowl XXXVI then what happens? It seems likely that Belichick would be suspended for a year if found guilty. What has to happen in the wake of this is that a defensive player must be given a headset in their helmet like the quarterback to make sure this can't happen again. That motion was almost passed last year, but I'm pretty sure it will be voted in this time around. It seems the easiest way to avoid a repeat.