Rookie Report: Mason Crosby (K-- GB)

By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible Senior Writer

In looking back on Green Bay’s unexpected return to prominence in the NFC North this year, most fans will immediately point to Brett Favre’s dramatic comeback season or the defensive unit’s coming of age as key factors, but one component that’s been often overlooked is rock-solid kicking phenom, Mason Crosby who’s been delighting diehard cheeseheads with his pinpoint- accurate field goals and booming kickoffs.

Pegged by many to fall within the first three rounds of the 2007 NFL Draft, the University of Colorado placekicker was finally chosen with the 193rd pick of the sixth round on the heels of a collegiate career that saw him become the first player in the Big 12 to be named player of the week eight times.

During his four-year experience, the Lubbock, Texan dazzled fans by converting 138 of his 203 kickoffs into touchbacks. His accuracy, additionally, was also off the charts as he connected on 66 of 88 field goal attempts.

At the start of his first professional season, Crosby was faced with challenge of unseating incumbent kicker Dave Raymer who scored 109 points for the Green and Gold in 2006.
The 23-year-old wasted no time in making a case for himself by nailing a 52-yard field goal in his first preseason game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field---the longest field goal ever kicked in that stadium.

Upon claiming the starting kicker’s role, the former Buffalo began the regular season in grand style by going three-for-three on his field goal attempts which included a 53-yarder and a 42-yard kick with only seconds remaining as Green Bay outscored Philadelphia 16-13 in an early-season thriller.

The 6’ 1” 212-pound Crosby went on to become a very reliable contributor to a high-scoring offense and dispelled all concerns that his success as a collegian was nothing more than a product of the thin Colorado air.

A howitzer leg along with a perfect success rate on extra points have allowed Crosby to lead all NFL kickers in scoring with 131 points heading into the last week of the season.

Ranked first overall among placekickers by the 2007edition of the NFL Draft Bible , Crosby may very well be the best kicking prospect to enter the professional ranks since Sebastian Janikowski entered the league in 2000.

In the past, this special-teams marvel has proven to have the temperament to handle pressure when called upon to make game-deciding plays and is also versatile enough to handle punting duties if necessary.

In a league where field position is vital to the outcome of games, Crosby’s kickoff prowess is the ultimate secret weapon in forcing opposing squads to put together long drives in their hopes to generate points. Crosby’s exceptional ability in this area may prove crucial during postseason play, particularly in home games that may very well be played in less-than-desirable winter conditions.

Rookie Report: David Harris (LB-NYJ)

By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible Senior Writer

Fresh off an 11-5 season in 2006, most ardent Jets fans had visions of their team continuing its ascent in the AFC as smart, workmanlike team capable of executing clutch, game-deciding plays late in games that would put them over the top in an extremely competitive conference.

Those grandiose expectations soon turned ominous in head coach Eric Mangini’s second campaign as New York was painfully exposed as a talent-deficient squad who had overachieved the year before.

Among the few things Gang Green aficionados can take solace in is the infusion of young blood in New York’s otherwise flimsy defense that has really given the team a much-needed shot in the arm.

Much like fellow rookie teammate Darrelle Revis, inside linebacker David Harris gave little indication of his inexperience when called upon to assume starter duties.

New York’s week eight contest versus Buffalo proved to be Harris’s coming-out party as the 47th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft made an unanticipated impact in place of Jonathan Vilma who suffered a devastating knee injury that prematurely ended his season the week before.

The former University of Michigan standout opened some eyes with a series of bone-crunching stops en route to recording 17 total tackles, three and a half of which resulted in lost yardage.
His punishing style immediately evoked memories of Marvin Jones, Mo Lewis and other stellar linebackers who once donned the green and white.

Harris followed up his promising start by authoring an astounding 24 tackles (20 solos) against a superior Washington Redskins team that many predicted would walk all over the hapless Jets.
Instead, the 6’ 2” 243-pound linebacker was a key component in helping his team make the game a tightly-contested matchup.

Harris’s inspiring takedown of running back Clinton Portis late in the fourth quarter enabled the Jets to trot their offense back on and drive for a game-tying field goal which forced overtime.
Ranked second overall among inside linebackers in the latest version of the NFL Draft Bible, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native’s on-field attributes went far beyond his physical qualities.
On the collegiate level, Harris was widely known as a uniquely discerning athlete who saw the field well which contributed to his aggressiveness when shedding blocks, finding the ball and stuffing oncoming ballcarriers.

He closed the book on his college career with a total of 196 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
His efforts were recognized when Harris not only became a finalist for the Butkus Award, but was also voted the team co-MVP along with tailback Mike Hart in his senior year.

When looking to revamp an undersized linebacking corps in their 3-4 scheme, the Jets front office were enamored both with his prototypical size and his technically-sound mechanics used to perfection when wrapping up opponents.

Despite lackluster speed and undeveloped coverage skills, Harris more than made up for his shortcomings with his natural leadership and thorough understanding of the sport.
“He’s got a good feel for where the ball is going prior to the snap and then adjusting post-snap,” said Mangini.

Since replacing Vilma, Harris has compiled 83 tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble.
To date, the precocious phenom is the team leader in tackles with 108 with only seven starts under his belt.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the youngster has taken a liking to calling plays and setting up the defense.

By all accounts, it would be safe to surmise the soon-to-be 24-year-old to be a complete package at linebacker, but playing behind a stamina-deprived nose guard in Dwayne Robertson has prevented Harris from becoming a weekly dominant presence.

With added beef to the front line, there’s little doubt that the rookie could flourish into an All-Pro in 2008.

Rookie Report - Sidney Rice (MIN-WR)

By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible Senior Writer

With all the excitement and fanfare created by all-world back Adrian Peterson this season, many overlook the contribution made by fellow rookie Sidney Rice in Minnesota’s electrifying late-season run for the playoffs.

Chosen 44th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, not much was expected of the 6’ 4” 200-pound wide out. He was generally viewed as an unpolished athlete, very rough around the edges, especially in the area of route-running.

After two seasons at the University of South Carolina (not including his first year as a redshirt freshman), Rice decided to market his size and one-of-a-kind leaping ability to the NFL.

Despite Minnesota’s gaffe in selecting fellow receiver Troy Williamson (also from USC) as the seventh-overall pick only two years prior, Rice had a lot more to offer than his teammate who has done next to nothing to warrant his lofty first-round status, even with his sprinter’s speed.

Following a rather non-descript start to his rookie season, the former first and second team All-SEC honoree began making waves in week four versus Green Bay with six receptions for 75 yards and a 15-yard score.

In the ensuing weeks, it became increasingly clear that Rice’s deceptive speed was a weapon that Minnesota’s inferior passing attack needed to make better use of--and that they did in week nine when backup passer Brooks Bollinger uncorked a 40-yard touchdown to his newfound playmaker.

In Minnesota’s 29-22 victory over Oakland, Rice unveiled his rocket arm by heaving a 40-yard pass to tight end Vishanthe Shiancoe, who turned it into a 79-yard completion.
This multifaceted phenom is fast becoming a handful for defensive backs with his ability to avoid the jam and quickly release off the line.In addition, Rice possesses great hands and uncanny body control allowing him to effortlessly extend when catching the ball away from his frame even on poorly thrown passes.

What worked against him prior to becoming a Viking was his lack of bulk along with his humdrum 4.51 speed in the 40.

While the 21-year-old has silenced those doubting his talents as a downfield threat, questions do persist regarding his durability as Rice has already fallen prey to hamstring woes.
But ever since sitting out the week 10 contest with Green Bay, Rice has been a man on a mission, setting the tone with a 60-yard touchdown grab from Tavaris Jackson on the second play of the game in week 12 in the 41-17 victory over the Giants.

Jackson and Rice continued to make noise the following week by combining on a two-yard score as the Vikings dropped the hammer on the toothless Lions, 42-10. In executing his touchdown catch, Rice made a sensational leap while adjusting to the errant throw before hauling it in. On the day, the former Gamecock recorded five receptions for 53 yards.

Although the rookie isn’t the polished route runner he will eventually be, his game-breaking skills are already evoking comparisons to star wide out Plaxico Burress.

The continued emergence of his fledging quarterback combined with a monstrous offensive line and running game can only bode well for the future prospects of this exciting performer who broke Sterling Sharpe’s team record for receiving yards in a season with 1,143 while at South Carolina in 2005.

Look for Rice to be an ominous force for opposing secondaries as the 6-6 Vikings are more than capable of making a clean sweep of their remaining games versus the 49ers, Bears, Redskins and Broncos.

Rookie Report- Patrick Willis (SF- OLB)

By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible/FFI Senior Writer

While San Francisco’s season has been nothing short of a colossal failure, the one thing both coaches and fans alike can hang their hats on is the continuing emergence of 2007 first-round pick Patrick Willis, who’s wasted no time in setting an example for his fellow teammates with both his relentless energy and unmatched work ethic.

Prior to being selected with the 11th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the 6’ 1” 242-pound linebacker blew away observers with his astonishing power by recording a 700-pound squat at the NFL combine along with dazzling them with outstanding sub 4.5 40 speed.

It was on the field, however, that the Ole’ Miss product truly made a case for himself with 133 tackles in only nine games as a senior middle linebacker. Willis followed that up with a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl. It was during that time that 49ers assistant head coach and former linebacker Mike Singletary learned of Willis’s diligence and willingness to become one of the best at his position.

Not only did the young Bruceton, Tennessee native ask lots of questions, but he proved to be very coachable and was extremely receptive to employing different techniques requested by NFL personnel.

Willis’s physical attributes and dogged film-study habits allowed him to make an immediate impact as one of San Francisco’s starting linebackers with 11 tackles (nine solo) and a forced fumble in his first professional game versus the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2006 Butkus Award winner has continued his ascent and currently leads the league in tackles with 128 after 12 weeks.

What’s been most impressive about Willis is the fact that he hasn’t in any way been overwhelmed by the speed of the professional game. In fact, the rookie has only built upon his reputation as a tackling machine and play maker.

Those skills were on display during the overtime session of San Francisco’s win over Arizona last week when Cardinal wide receiver Sean Morey looked to be on his way to a sure touchdown off a Kurt Warner pass when---out of nowhere---Willis enters the picture to make a touchdown-saving tackle at the 24 –yard line when Morey had already run over 50 yards downfield uncontested. The linebacker’s never-say-die attitude was rewarded when Arizona kicker Neil Rackers missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.

"It's not just speed on a play like that," commented 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, "it's want-to."
Singletary has even higher praise for the instinctive linebacker by comparing him to future Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis.

The one area where Willis can stand to improve in is his pass coverage that's sometimes compromised by a slight lack in hip flexibility.

The 23-year old's love of the game should get him through any deficiencies he has in his game in his development as the ultimate three-down defender.
Willis's toughness is another attribute that should serve him well in his with his ability to play through a litany of injuries, including a broken middle finger, a sprained knee, a foot sprain and a dislocated shoulder.

This quick study's explosiveness to the ball will continue to strike fear in the hearts of running backs looking to gain the edge on the 49ers defense, and in a division chock full of high octane offenses Willis's contributions will be sorely needed to keep a low-scoring San Francisco team in most games.

Beyond all his football skills and intangibles, Willis is also regarded as a
genuinely classy individual who makes 'please' and 'thank you' major parts of his daily vocabulary.

His strong character was put to test prior to his 2006 senior year by the drowning death of his older brother. Willis responded with a monster season which has propelled him to a promising NFL career.

It would come as no shock to this writer to eventually see the young 49er being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame twenty years from now and be forever revered as a man who knows no obstacles.