Week 11 NFL All Rookie Team
By Joe Mazzulo
Week 11 was an ugly for the draft class of 2013, well at least every position outside of quarterback. E.J. Manuel got the nod this week, but I would like to acknowledge both Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon and Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin for stellar efforts in leading their teams to victories. Outside of those 3 players, it was a difficult task putting together this weeks team as the NFL’s rookies struggled with what may end up being the proverbial rookie wall.
Offense
E.J. Manuel – Quarterback, Buffalo Bills
Manuel was fantastic against a very tough Jets defense. 20-28 for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns for a QB rating of 121.9 wasthe best game of Manuel’s young career.
Montee Ball – Running Back, Denver Broncos
2 big touchdowns in the Broncos 27-17 victory over the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Ball may be ready to receive a bigger piece of the rushing pie in Denver.
Giovani Bernard – Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
Bernard was his usual solid self against a strong Browns defense, putting up over 80 combined yards and providing a security blanket for Andy Dalton in the passing game.
Marquise Goodwin – Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills
Goodwin’s speed was on display as the former Longhorn hauled in 6 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Ace Sanders – Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Sanders paced the Jaguars with 8 catches for 61 yards, Sanders has a bright future in Jacksonville as soon as the Jaguars find a quarterback.
Mychal Rivera – Tight End, Oakland Raiders
Rivera was a key target for rookie QB Matt McGloin as the Raiders beat the Texans 28-23. Rivera finished with 5 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.
David Bakhtiari – Left Tackle, Green Bay Packers
Bakhtiari continues to protect his QB’s blindside as the Packers kept the Giants pass rush from getting to Scott Tolzien.
Hugh Thornton – Right Guard, Indianapolis Colts
Thornton plays a throwback brand of football and helped the Colts control the line of scrimmage and run all over the Tennessee defense.
Kyle Long – Right Guard, Chicago Bears
Long and the Bears OL kept Josh McCown clean and opened up running lanes for Matt Forte as the Bears beat the Ravens 23-20.
Lane Johnson – Right Tackle, Philadelphia Eagles
Lane Johnson has continued to settle into the right tackle position in Chip Kelly’s offense.
Defense
Star Lotulelei – Defensive Tackle, Carolina Panthers
Lotulelei may end up being the steal of the 2013 draft. He has been dominant this season and continued his disruptive ways by sacking Tom Brady in Monday nights victory over New England.
Kawann Short – Defensive Tackle, Carolina Panthers
Kawann Short made a game changing play by stripping Stevan Ridley as the Patriots were driving deep in Panthers territory. The turnover led to a Carolina field goal and also kept New England out of the endzone.
Sheldon Richardson – Defensive Lineman, New York Jets
9 total tackles and a tackle for loss as Richardson continues to emerge as a disruptive force for the Jets defense.
Kiko Alonso – Inside Linebacker, Buffalo Bills
13 total tackles with a tackle for loss. The leagues most productive rookie on either side of the ball, Alonso is still comfortably ahead in the race for defensive rookie of the year honors.
Jon Bostic – Inside Linebacker, Chicago Bears
5 tackles, a tackle for loss, a deflected pass, and an interception as Bostic helped lead the Bears past Baltimore.
Paul Worrilow – Outside Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons defense was a mess but Worrilow was a statistical bright spot with 16 tackles and a tackle for loss.
Dee Milliner – Cornerback, New York Jets
The struggling Milliner showed signs of life with 8 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a deflected pass in the Jets loss against Buffalo.
Jonathan Banks – Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Banks had 6 tackles and a deflected pass in the Buccaneers 41-28 victory over Atlanta.
Robert Lester – Safety, Carolina Panthers
Lester sealed the victory for the Panthers by intercepting Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as time expired, he also had 3 tackles and a deflected pass.
Jonathan Cyprien – Safety, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cyprien led the Jaguars with 8 tackles in the loss to the Cardinals and has slowly emerged as the leader of the Jacksonville defense. His best days are ahead of him.