Rookies of the Year? More like "Year of the Rookies"

2006 certainly is shaping up as the year of the rookie. I mean, look at some of the names, numbers, and impact these guys have had in Year One of their NFL lives:

Joseph Addai (IND): 1,023 total yards, 8 TD
Mark Anderson (CHI): 8 sacks
Reggie Bush (NO): 956 all-purpose yards, 2 TD
Marques Colston (NO): 869 receiving yards, 7 TD
Tamba Hali (KC): 5.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles
Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX): 771 total yards, 8 TD
Matt Leinart (ARI): 1,753 passing yards, 9 TD
Laurence Maroney (NE): 798 total yards, 5 TD
DeMeco Ryans (HOU): 99 tackles
Vince Young (TEN): 1,617 total yards, 12 TD

What’s more amazing is that only Bush, Young, and Leinart were drafted in the top ten in April. The depth of the draft feeds into the NFL’s desired parity, meaning any team can instantly become a contender if they do their homework and draft well. And that Mel Kiper Jr. is flat-out stealing a paycheck from ESPN.

We may look back at the class of 2006 as one of the best ever.

This is the second week of the NFL Network’s Thursday night broadcasts, and I’ve got to say I’ve got a love/hate relationship with the NFL Network. While I love the concept of a network devoted solely to professional football, I hate the fact that I would have to pony up a bunch of cash for DirecTV simply to get the NFL Network. As popular as the NFL is, I’m sure there are a bunch of financially-sound individuals (myself included) that are not going to incur the extra expense to catch a couple of additional games. Hopefully, the NFL and cable providers can reach an agreement that would allow the network to be more readily available. In the meantime, we’ll just pick ‘em today and read about ‘em later.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

The Match-up: Baltimore (+3.0) @ Cincinnati
The Skinny: For the Ravens, the concept is simple – win and clinch the AFC north. Execution of that concept, despite the fact that Cincinnati’s defense is among the worst statistically in the league, will be more difficult. Vegas thinks so, too. That’s why the Bengals are favored. Personally, I don’t see it, and I think the Ravens will continue their physicality on offense and beat the Bengals into submission.
Straight Up: Baltimore
Against the Spread: Baltimore