Hey rook, get in there and show your stuff.Thats the reality of the NFL these days, when rookies, especially those selected high in the draft, not only are given a chance to prove themselves but are expected to contribute immediately. The salary cap forces it, but so do coaches eager to get more athletic skill on the field.This year, wide receivers and the guys who try to cover them are having the most impact.Such as Brandin Cooks of the Saints.He is so sharp in being able to pick things up and we use him in a lot of different ways, Drew Brees says of throwing to the first-round pick. He just continues to amaze me with his ability to compartmentalize those things and go out and execute it. If he makes a mistake it only happens once. He corrects it very quickly. Ive been impressed with that.Perhaps equally as impressive has been the work of another first-rounder, Cleveland cornerback Justin Gilbert. He started slowly but recently has been as effective as veteran Joe Haden at the other corner.I think hes really improving, Browns safety Donte Whitner. I think hes going out there and not thinking. Hes going out there to make plays and not going out there not to get beat.Thats critical in the secondary, where Chicago CB Kyle Fuller, San Diego CB Jason Verrett, Denver CB Bradley Roby, San Francisco safety Jimmie Ward, Arizona S Deone Bucannon, and Green Bay S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix have stood out in positions where the transition from college is exceptionally difficult.Not to mention the challenge of facing high-powered pro offences where receivers such as Cooks, Arizonas John Brown, Buffalos Sammy Watkins, Carolinas Kelvin Benjamin, Jacksonvilles Allen Robinson, and Philadelphias Jordan Matthews have so smoothly fit in.Its huge, Packers safeties coach Darren Perry says of the learning curve, particularly for a safety in his first NFL season.I mean its just a totally different game then the college game. The offences that you face are different. You see a little more zone read nowadays with some of the teams that we play, but for the most part its a different game.And so (Clinton-Dix) is learning, and I think every day for him is a new experience. You can see him growing, still has a ways to go. ... So we just got to keep plugging, were taking nothing for granted, as youve got to be with young guys.The most difficult positions for rookies to make a difference usually are quarterback and anywhere on the offensive line.While Derek Carr has been Oaklands starter from the get-go, and Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles have ascended in Jacksonville, neither is close to producing the way Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton did in recent seasons.But the offensive line has produced quite a few noteworthy debut seasons, ranging from centres Corey Linsley (Green Bay), Bryan Stork (New England) and Russell Bodine (Cincinnati) to tackles JaWuan James (Miami) and Justin Britt (Seattle) to guards Zach Martin (Dallas) and Joel Bitonio (Cleveland).They are old-school offensive linemen, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett says of his young blockers, but that fits for all the rookies up front. They dont say a whole lot. They go out and do their job. They do it the right way.Not all rookies are doing things the right way, nor do they even come close to that.Last springs top overall draft pick, DE-LB Jadeveon Clowney, got hurt in Houstons opener and only just returned. Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. injured his hamstring in the first practice of training camp and only recently got into the lineup.Falcons OT Jake Matthews has been ineffective and bothered by a sprained ankle. The Lions Eric Ebron, considered one of the best tight ends to enter the league in years, has been slowed by injuries.And Johnny Manziel sits patiently on Clevelands bench, the most touted rookie backup since, well, Tim Tebow.Still, this has been an exceptionally strong rookie crop, with solid work by Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley, Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon and Chargers RB Branden Oliver.And its punctuated by the performances of three kickers: Washington punter Tress Way, and placekickers Chandler Catanzaro and Cody Parkey.Way is showing the way by leading the NFL with 49.7 gross yards per kick.Arizonas Catanzaro set the rookie mark by making his first 16 field goal tries. Philadelphias Parkey is not far behind, hitting 14 out of 15 kicks.Catanzaro was an undrafted free agent who beat out veteran Jay Feely in the preseason and has been spotless since. Even his kickoffs, something he didnt handle in college, have been strong.We have some good friends at Clemson. Theyve always talked about it, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says, adding that special teams coach Amos Jones had worked him out and knew about him. And we kept our fingers crossed that he did not get drafted because he was a guy we had marked to get right away as soon as college free agency started.Nice move. One of many made by NFL teams in adding impactful rookies.___AP NFL website:
www.pro32.ap.org and
www.twitter.com/AP_NFL . Solomon Elimimian did not make the trip with the team after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury in the teams regular season finale against the Calgary Stampeders. .ca. Hi Kerry, Thursday nights Bruins-Blackhawks game had a goal by Patrice Bergeron initially waved off by the referee, but video review clarified it was a good goal.
http://www.officialtimberwolvesproshop.com/. -- Mississippis Andrew Ritter said his game-winning, 41-yard field goal felt good off his foot. . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. .J. -- The New York Jets have promoted Tony Sparano Jr.Every night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, TSN hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Jamie McLennan breaks down each goalies performance. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens (5) - He had a huge game, with no better series saver than the paddle save on Milan Lucic in the second period. He had great rebound control all night long, handled the puck well and didnt allow second chances. Price also had big saves on Jarome Iginla, Davif Krejci, Carl Soderberg and Patrice Bergeron. His big save on Bergeron helped turn it around immediately as the Habs scored the same play. He was the best player on the ice for the Habs on Monday night. He had a huge game when it counted, especially in the second when the Bruins pressed hard. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins (3) - Rask had no chance on the first goal by Lars Eller, as it was caused by a tough turnover early in the game. In the second goal, he wasnt set on Max Paciorettys partial breakaway and allowed a five-hole goal that he should stop. Rask did make great saves on Renee Bourque, Brendan Gallagher, Eller and Tomas Plekanec.dddddddddddd The third goal by Montreal was a scramble play around the net. He was just good on Monday night. He didnt lose them the game, but didnt win it for them like Price did. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings (2) - Quick guessed on the wrong side on Nick Boninos goal and was screened, with not much help on the back door goal (Mathieu Perreault/Devante Smith-Pelley goal). And Smith-Pelleys secondgoal on a breakaway finished with a nice move. Quick has cooled off in his game since the first two starts of the series. Hell needs to be a difference maker in the next game, as hes just been okay. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks (4) - Gibson was solid again. He had chance on the Trevor Lewis goal, as it was a deflection off of Bryan Allens arm. He made big saves on Tyler Toffoli and then off Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar in the second on the penalty kill - then a huge left pad save on Gaborik early in the third. Gibsons positioning and rebound control was very strong and he showed good poise again. ' ' '
