NFL Rookie of the Year

Speaking of rookie wide receiver seasons:

Colston is alreday having a better year than Michael Irvin, Tim Brown and Jerry Rice in their rookie years. He was on pace before the injury to beat Moss in two of the three major categories (only scores would have gone in Moss' favor).

 

Go tell that to NFL.com, the official site of the NFL, which lists tackles in its statistics.

 

I'm actually a little surprised that Reggie Bush hasn't gotten any love yet.

 

Can't use "on pace before injury" in the NFL.

Each injury takes away a little.... takes spring out of the shocks.... twitch out of the muscles... fizz out of the soda pop.

 

Reggie is getting better, but he did the dancing thing again Sunday vs. the Skins.

In the open field, he's sensational. But Colston would be right there (with Hester and Vince) if he hadn't gotten hurt. His production has been amazing. Payton's ready to get rid of Joe Horn. Plus a seventh-round pick from Hofstra, how good a story is that.

Tough call between those two guys.

When in doubt, go with the quarterback.

 

As much as I like Devin Hester, I just don't see how someone who doesn't play offense and rarely plays defense could be ROY with such a limited number of plays. Impact, sure, but Jones-Drew plays special teams too.

Hester kick returns -- 15 returns, 28.5-yard average, 96 long, 2 touchdowns
Jones-Drew kick returns -- 26 returns, 27.6-yard average, 93 long, 1 touchdown

If you look at those numbers and call it a draw, you've got Hester's punt returns against Jones-Drew, who has 764 yards on the ground and another 379 receiving with still two games to go. That's why I like Jones-Drew here.

 

I'd do somersaults if it were Colston ... but I think the injury has held him back a little too much in the second half.

I think Hester is the best choice. Oz, he's been as light-out on punt returns as on KO returns.

But I think Bush will win it.

 

Can't remember a year when so many players have a legit shot at winning ROY. I love it.

Despite Hester's record-setting returns, I've got to go with Colston. He missed a couple games and still went over 1,000 yards. Plus, who had ever heard of this guy before this year? People expected Hester to be at least decent.

My ballot....
1. Colston
2. Hester
3. Bush
4. Young
5. Jones-Drew

 

I know this. But Hester contributes in only one part of the game, that's it. Jones-Drew runs, catches and returns kicks. The Jags always have a way to get him involved with the game plan, other than waiting for returns.

As a return specialist in high school, believe me when I say I love watching Hester play. I just think whoever wins that award ought to do more than return kicks. It's football's version of the DH-position player argument.

 

See.... whatever the reason you vote for someone, I don't think this should be part of it.

 

Lets see, Vince Young has the Titans -- a dogshit team -- in the playoff hunt. I never thought I would type that sentence when the season began.

Take Hester off the Bears and Chicago still cruises to the division title and high playoff seed. Replace VY with, say, Kerry Collins, and the Titans are in the Joe Thomas lottery.

 

Marcus McNeill.