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No one would have predicted that the undrafted Patrick Bailey would have won rookie of the year last year, especially since many folks here were expecting great things from Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed as immediate impact players. Give me the guys that you think have the best shot at earning the Joe Greene Award this year.
My Top Five:
1. Joe Burnett
2. Mike Wallace
I think just like last year, our rookie of the year will come down to special teams contributions more than anything else. I don't think either of these guys will show much as rookies in their likely roles as the #5 CB and #5 WR respectively, but they could give this team an added dimension in terms of dangerous return men that we have not seen since Antwaan Randle El signed in Washington. I think Burnett will handle the vast majority of the punt returns while Wallace will handle the vast majority of the kick returns. I give Burnett the slight advantage here since I think he will have more opportunities. Since punt returns come after our defense stops a team and kick returns come after our defense allows the other team to score, I think we will see more of the former than the latter. I wouldn't be surprised to see Burnett take 2 punts to the house this season while Wallace takes a kick back for a score as well.
3. Kraig Urbik
Everyone seems to be assuming that Trai Essex has all but wrapped up the starting RG position on the basis of Stapleton's injury and Urbik's lackluster performance early in camp. However, we haven't even had a single pre-season snap yet, and Urbik's reputation is a guy who looks out of play in individual drills but flourishes in actual game play. I think there is still a chance that Urbik impresses in these 4 pre-season games, and if he manages to win the starting right guard, then he could be a shoo-in for the rookie of the year award. I'm not counting him out yet.
4. Ziggy Hood
His linemates have nothing but good things to say about the kid, which is certainly promising. But it still takes time for anyone to adjust to the transition from 4-3 DT to 3-4 DE, all while trying to transition from college speed to NFL speed like every other rookie. He may spell Smith and Keisel in the early downs at times (although I think Kirshchke and/or Eason will still do that most of the time). I think his primary contribution will be as a pass-rushing DT in a 4 man front in nickle and dime passing situations, which is more similar to the role he played in college. If he can generate pressure in that role, and possibly a few sacks, he could be in the running for the award.
5. Isaac Redman
Since Bailey won the award last year out of nowhere, I have to at least pick someone out of left field as a wild card candidate. With Summers reported running high in camp (appropriate pad level is vital in order to be a short yardage back at this level), there is a possibility that the undrafted rookie out of Bowie State could beat out the much heralded Tank. If this kid shows that he can play special teams as well as run hard between the tackles, he could be a surprise...
My Top Five:
1. Joe Burnett
2. Mike Wallace
I think just like last year, our rookie of the year will come down to special teams contributions more than anything else. I don't think either of these guys will show much as rookies in their likely roles as the #5 CB and #5 WR respectively, but they could give this team an added dimension in terms of dangerous return men that we have not seen since Antwaan Randle El signed in Washington. I think Burnett will handle the vast majority of the punt returns while Wallace will handle the vast majority of the kick returns. I give Burnett the slight advantage here since I think he will have more opportunities. Since punt returns come after our defense stops a team and kick returns come after our defense allows the other team to score, I think we will see more of the former than the latter. I wouldn't be surprised to see Burnett take 2 punts to the house this season while Wallace takes a kick back for a score as well.
3. Kraig Urbik
Everyone seems to be assuming that Trai Essex has all but wrapped up the starting RG position on the basis of Stapleton's injury and Urbik's lackluster performance early in camp. However, we haven't even had a single pre-season snap yet, and Urbik's reputation is a guy who looks out of play in individual drills but flourishes in actual game play. I think there is still a chance that Urbik impresses in these 4 pre-season games, and if he manages to win the starting right guard, then he could be a shoo-in for the rookie of the year award. I'm not counting him out yet.
4. Ziggy Hood
His linemates have nothing but good things to say about the kid, which is certainly promising. But it still takes time for anyone to adjust to the transition from 4-3 DT to 3-4 DE, all while trying to transition from college speed to NFL speed like every other rookie. He may spell Smith and Keisel in the early downs at times (although I think Kirshchke and/or Eason will still do that most of the time). I think his primary contribution will be as a pass-rushing DT in a 4 man front in nickle and dime passing situations, which is more similar to the role he played in college. If he can generate pressure in that role, and possibly a few sacks, he could be in the running for the award.
5. Isaac Redman
Since Bailey won the award last year out of nowhere, I have to at least pick someone out of left field as a wild card candidate. With Summers reported running high in camp (appropriate pad level is vital in order to be a short yardage back at this level), there is a possibility that the undrafted rookie out of Bowie State could beat out the much heralded Tank. If this kid shows that he can play special teams as well as run hard between the tackles, he could be a surprise...
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