2013 NFL Rookies

[BINGO]

Geno Smith - QB - Jets

According to the NY Daily News, "it's no secret" GM John Idzik is pulling for Geno Smith to win the Jets' quarterback job.

This has been clear since Idzik signed David Garrard in hopes of knocking Mark Sanchez off the roster. (Garrard retired.) Coach Rex Ryan is expected to name a starter "in the run-up" to New York's third preseason game. Sanchez will start the exhibition opener, and Smith the second game. The top performer will start preseason game No. 3. Through 14 training camp practices, Smith has thrown one interception. Sanchez has been his usual turnover-prone self.
Source: New York Daily News

Aug 8 - 12:57 AM

 

[BINGO]

Matt Barkley - QB - Eagles

Matt Barkley has yet to take a first- or second-team rep in Eagles camp.

Coach Chip Kelly claimed Barkley would have a "chance" at the starting job, but it's predictably not going to happen. It remains a mystery why Kelly drafted the weak-armed, lead-footed former USC Trojan, but it most certainly wasn't to start games in 2013. Barkley is a big name, nothing more.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

Aug 7 - 9:58 PM

 

[BINGO]

Kenny Vaccaro - DB - Saints

Saints first-round S Kenny Vaccaro is not expected to be a "starter" as a rookie.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune allows Vaccaro will still "see the field early and often this season." FS Malcolm Jenkins and SS Roman Harper will be the Saints' starting safeties, with Vaccaro entering in all nickel and dime packages to play center field and cover the slot. Vaccaro's IDP value is adversely affected because it appears he will not be a staple on obvious running downs.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Aug 7 - 8:05 PM

 

[BINGO]

Keenan Allen - WR - Chargers

Rookie WR Keenan Allen mixed in with the first-team offense during the Chargers' first practice without Danario Alexander (torn ACL).

Vincent Brown (hamstring) was rested for some reps, and Allen benefited by working with the ones opposite Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal. Brown is out for San Diego's preseason opener, so Allen should get opportunities to play with the Philip Rivers group in three-wideout sets. He's the No. 4 receiver right now.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego

Aug 7 - 7:00 PM

 

[BINGO]

Menelik Watson - T - Raiders

Raiders second-round OT Menelik Watson (calf) was activated from the NFI list Wednesday, but suffered a setback in his practice debut.

Unreal. Watson left the field "very upset," and "(slapped) the bench in frustration." Watson was supposed to challenge Khalif Barnes for right-tackle duties, but it's hard to see that happening now. With first-rounder D.J. Hayden (heart) still not cleared for contact, a team that desperately needs its young players to step up doesn't look like it's going to get much early-season production from its top two picks. The Reggie McKenzie era could already be hanging in the balance in Oakland. The Raiders have the potential to be historically bad this season.
Source: Vittorio Tafur on Twitter

Aug 7 - 6:20 PM

 

[BINGO]

Johnathan Franklin - RB - Packers

Aaron Rodgers says Johnathan Franklin has "a slight edge" on fellow rookie Eddie Lacy in the passing-game department.

The backfield is beginning to take shape, with Lacy as the early-down and red-zone bruiser, and Franklin as the pass-game specialist and change of pace. "I think Jonathan from the mental side has a slight edge right now, just because he understands [passing game] progressions well and he's done a little bit more of that at UCLA," said Rodgers. "But Eddie obviously has the physical stature and downhill running style that [coach] Mike [McCarthy] has always appreciated."

Source: SI.com Aug 7 - 6:02 PM

 

[BINGO]

Tavarres King - WR - Broncos

ESPN believes fifth-round WR Tavarres King is making a "legitimate push" to be the Broncos' No. 4 receiver.

Per reporter Jeff Legwold, King has displayed "upper-level ball skills," and the ability to "make plays in
traffic." OC Adam Gase praised King last week, saying he's "made some big plays down the field," and "done a good job of not being the guy we are calling out to fix things." Just one injury away from a big role in one of the league's most dynamic offenses, King is a name to file away.
Source: ESPN.com

Aug 7 - 5:44 PM

 

[BINGO]

Montee Ball - RB - Broncos

ESPN Broncos blogger Jeff Legwold reports Montee Ball is "already at the top tier" of Denver's backfield rotation as the "No. 1B" to Ronnie Hillman's "No. 1A" through two weeks of training camp.

In other words, Ball is nipping at Hillman's heels. As Legwold notes, Ball weighs 214 pounds compared to Hillman's 195, making the rookie a better red-zone option. Legwold also reports Ball has shown "good vision, quick feet" and "better hands in the passing game than some scouts believed." To grab a true workhorse role, Ball is still going to have to make big strides in pass protection.
Source: ESPN.com

Aug 7 - 5:43 PM

 

[BINGO]

Theo Riddick - RB - Lions

DetroitLions.com reports sixth-round RB Theo Riddick has been impressing with his ability to run between-the-tackles.

"He doesn't run the ball like a rookie," Reggie Bush said. "He has very good vision and he's a natural runner in-between the tackles." The Lions have been pumping up Riddick all week, sending perhaps a not-so-subtle message to Mikel Leshoure. We're not suggesting it will happen, but it wouldn't be stunning if Riddick stole Leshoure's roster spot with an impressive preseason.
Source: detroitlions.com

Aug 8 - 12:20 PM

 

[Yadahell]

Rookie Report: Safety Bacarri Rambo - NFC East Blog - ESPN

 

[BINGO]

Keenan Allen - WR - Chargers

According to the Union-Tribune San Diego, rookie WR Keenan Allen is having an up-and-down training camp.

Allen's reps have increased due to Danario Alexander's ACL tear, but his play still has a ways to go. Per columnist Tom Krasovic, "Sometimes, (Allen) asserts himself. Other times, he looks uncertain." Allen has practiced every day in camp, but is treading water as San Diego's No. 4 wideout entering the preseason.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego

Aug 8 - 3:27 PM

 

[BINGO]

Rookie Report: Safety Bacarri Rambo - NFC East Blog - ESPN

Man, so mad we spent our first round pick on a safety when we could have had this kid Rambo in the later rounds.

 

[BINGO]

Zach Ertz - TE - Eagles

Second-round pick Zach Ertz has been "as good as advertised" in training camp, and Philly Mag's Sheil Kapadia predicts Ertz will wind up leading the Eagles' tight ends in catches and yards.

Ertz is lining up out wide "a lot" in practice. He's a wide receiver in a tight end's body, based on Ertz's Stanford tape. James Casey will be Philadelphia's H-back, while Brent Celek figures to handle the bulk of run-blocking duties.
Source: Philly Mag: Birds 24/7

Aug 8 - 3:43 PM

 

[I_am_1z]

Tavarres King - WR - Broncos

ESPN believes fifth-round WR Tavarres King is making a "legitimate push" to be the Broncos' No. 4 receiver.

Per reporter Jeff Legwold, King has displayed "upper-level ball skills," and the ability to "make plays in
traffic." OC Adam Gase praised King last week, saying he's "made some big plays down the field," and "done a good job of not being the guy we are calling out to fix things." Just one injury away from a big role in one of the league's most dynamic offenses, King is a name to file away.
Source: ESPN.com

Aug 7 - 5:44 PM

A guy that's play is similar to Jenkins

 

[NinerSickness]

Tavarres King - WR - Broncos

ESPN believes fifth-round WR Tavarres King is making a "legitimate push" to be the Broncos' No. 4 receiver.

Per reporter Jeff Legwold, King has displayed "upper-level ball skills," and the ability to "make plays in
traffic." OC Adam Gase praised King last week, saying he's "made some big plays down the field," and "done a good job of not being the guy we are calling out to fix things." Just one injury away from a big role in one of the league's most dynamic offenses, King is a name to file away.
Source: ESPN.com

Aug 7 - 5:44 PM

 

[BINGO]

I was trying to tell folks about this kid:


Christine Michael - RB - Seahawks

Seahawks rookie RB Christine Michael rushed 16 times for 89 yards in Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers.

That's a cool 5.6 yards per clip. Michael played all four quarters, only failing to touch the ball on Seattle's final possession. He made a host of impressive cuts, doing little to dissuade the notion that he's Marshawn Lynch's most talented backup. Robert Turbin has a problem on his hands.

Aug 9 - 8:38 AM

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Man, so mad we spent our first round pick on a safety when we could have had this kid Rambo in the later rounds.

We should have drafted him in addition to taking Reid. Reid at SS and Rambo at FS was my goal going into the draft.

 

[BINGO]

D.J. Hayden - DB - Raiders

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie expects first-round CB D.J. Hayden (abdominal surgery) to make his exhibition debut in the third preseason game.

"We'll let him go full-bore — that third (preseason) game, the gloves come off," McKenzie assured. McKenzie says Hayden is physically ready, but still struggling with the mental aspect. "He's going to have to pull the trigger on some things, get the big hit, make plays, he'll be back to normal mentally," McKenzie said. "His weight is right back, his strength, he's been normal." Until proven otherwise, McKenzie's inaugural first-round pick is looking like a huge gamble.
Source: NFL.com

Aug 9 - 12:37 PM

 

[BINGO]

We should have drafted him in addition to taking Reid. Reid at SS and Rambo at FS was my goal going into the draft.

Cordarelle Patterson, Xavier Rhodes, Tyler Eiffert, could all have been the better choice a better choice in the first round IMO; and then we could have gotten Rambo at a later round.

 

[BINGO]

Keenan Allen - WR - Chargers

Chargers rookier WR Keenan Allen caught two passes for 13 yards in Thursday's preseason opener.

Allen was targeted a third time, but diving, he couldn't corral an errant throw from Checkdown Charlie Whitehurst. The pass was picked off. If nothing else, Allen appeared to be moving smoothly. He didn't do anything to hurt or improve his standing as the No. 4 receiver.

Aug 9 - 12:19 PM