kelly Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Kiper: NFL Rookie Rankings This week, Mel goes 36 deep, and two AFC East stars lead the way 13 32 Email Sheldon Richardson has been among the best at his position league-wide. This is the first year I've done a regular ranking of the rookies, and I'm finding that in some ways it can be even tougher than pegging the best prospects. With prospects, you try to separate what you're seeing with what a player is capable of. If I see an undersized defensive end who isn't holding up well against the run but has special quickness and pass-rushing skills, there's a good chance he's an outside linebacker at the next level. I'm projecting. His grade isn't just about performance; it's about what he can be. It's a different story with NFL rookies. Most rookies are being used to maximize their skills. I consider the players around them and how much help they're getting, but these rankings are about pure performance, not just potential. Again, the usual parameters: • The rankings reflect play over the whole season, not just the previous Sunday. • Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more. • I'm asking: Would this player be a starter on most teams? (I think that hurts QBs some). • Total snap count matters. Great plays matter, but staying on the field is important. With the rules in place, here we go. This week, I decided to go 36 deep: Richardson 1. Sheldon Richardson, DT, New York Jets He's been a solid, steady performer week after week for the Jets. It's interesting to note that Richardson is the top rookie defensive lineman in the NFL right now and former Jets first-rounder Muhammad Wilkerson is right there among the top overall defensive linemen in the NFL at this point. Richardson is particularly dominant against the run, with great vision and a sense of where the ball is headed. Rex Ryan has to be thrilled with the line, and second-year man Damon Harrison has also been outstanding. > http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9871367/nfl-afc-east-stars-top-mel-kiper-rookie-rankings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 If you read PFF's article they sited this past weekend as Sheldon's worst game thus far and that his pass-rush, which looks good to me, is the part that's holding him back from running away with it. They state that his run defense is absolutely phenomenal, which is impressive being as a rookie, and that's what is keeping him atop the boards. I imagine since the defense wasn't on the field as much this past game that hurt his chances to add to his season, but it's still surprising to see him not grading out so well in the pass-rush department. Love the kid, especially his attitude and hope he runs away with this thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freemanm Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Kiper: NFL Rookie Rankings This week, Mel goes 36 deep, and two AFC East stars lead the way 13 32 Email Sheldon Richardson has been among the best at his position league-wide. This is the first year I've done a regular ranking of the rookies, and I'm finding that in some ways it can be even tougher than pegging the best prospects. With prospects, you try to separate what you're seeing with what a player is capable of. If I see an undersized defensive end who isn't holding up well against the run but has special quickness and pass-rushing skills, there's a good chance he's an outside linebacker at the next level. I'm projecting. His grade isn't just about performance; it's about what he can be. It's a different story with NFL rookies. Most rookies are being used to maximize their skills. I consider the players around them and how much help they're getting, but these rankings are about pure performance, not just potential. Again, the usual parameters: • The rankings reflect play over the whole season, not just the previous Sunday. • Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more. • I'm asking: Would this player be a starter on most teams? (I think that hurts QBs some). • Total snap count matters. Great plays matter, but staying on the field is important. With the rules in place, here we go. This week, I decided to go 36 deep: Richardson 1. Sheldon Richardson, DT, New York Jets He's been a solid, steady performer week after week for the Jets. It's interesting to note that Richardson is the top rookie defensive lineman in the NFL right now and former Jets first-rounder Muhammad Wilkerson is right there among the top overall defensive linemen in the NFL at this point. Richardson is particularly dominant against the run, with great vision and a sense of where the ball is headed. Rex Ryan has to be thrilled with the line, and second-year man Damon Harrison has also been outstanding. > http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9871367/nfl-afc-east-stars-top-mel-kiper-rookie-rankings Don't get me wrong, I think Richardson is the best rookie DLman in the league. What is also helping him, however, is that teams are sometimes double-teaming Mo Wilkerson - the Patriots did it a few times. But no doubt, probably the best defensive rookie in the league right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F.Chowds Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 IIt looked like Sheldon Richardson was running away from things at the top of our Race for Rookie of the Year. He’s not. His weakest performance of the season to date allowed others to close the gap, and as we near the mid-way point we’re gearing up for a fantastic finish in a very closely fought race. Let’s take a look at the top 10 to see how it’s playing out. 1. Sheldon Richardson, DE, Jets: +12.1 Slipped to seventh in our 3-4 defensive end rankings in large part due to his inability to generate pressure. That has held him back a tad this year, but his run defense has been so good you can continue to look past it. 2. Star Lotulelei, DT, Panthers: +9.3 After three so-so outings I was among many wondering if Lotulelei was beginning to slow down after a hot start. Well the Rams (and everyone else) found out that wasn’t the case. A big performance that saw a third of his run defense snaps end with him making a defensive stop. 3. Giovanni Bernard, RB, Bengals: +8.6 A quieter day from him where again his best work was done in the receiving game. So very dangerous in space. 4. Kiko Alonso, LB, Bills: +5.0 Down to sixth in our inside linebacker rankings, the tackling machine was quieter this week and didn’t help his cause by negating some good play with a couple of missed tackles. 5. Desmond Trufant, CB, Falcons: +4.7 We don’t spend a lot of time speaking about Trufant, and that’s a good thing. Has missed just 19 snaps all year and has broken up one pass in every game. Has fitted in nicely. 6. Larry Warford, RG, Lions: +5.6 A step back for Warford who, in getting beat for two hits and four hurries, had his worst day in pass protection while also posting a negative with his run blocking. Not quite ready for the ferocious Bengals front four. 7. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Cardinals: +5.4 The versatile Mathieu has graded positively in every area of the game, while proving up to task as a stand in safety and crucial slot cornerback. A very handy player to have. 8. Eric Reid, S, 49ers: +4.8 Quiet day against the Titans, and that’s the way it will be for him at times. Still, when the team looks at the tape and then compares him to how Dashon Goldson is playing they won’t have any complaints. 9. D.J. Fluker, OT, Chargers: +3.4 Allowed two hits and two hurries. Suffice to say he’s better suited to life on the right side of the line and his grade took a hit when asked to fill in on the left side. 10. Marcus Cooper, CB, Chiefs: +7.2 The only thing keeping Cooper down is his playing time. He’s been a revelation since being picked up by the Chiefs, with two picks and six pass break ups highlighting his worth, while only 37% of passes into his coverage have been complete. Dropping Out Travis Frederick, C, Cowboys: A big step back as his run blocking got exposed by the Eagles’ front. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers: Not a bad day but just didn’t advance himself as much as others around him. Five to Watch Kawann Short, DT, Panthers: Made a couple of big plays this week but also went quiet for large spells. A little bit more consistency and he’s getting his own little section. Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers: It can be hard sledding behind the Packers’ line, but we’d like to see Lacy do a little bit more to crack the main list. Geno Smith, QB, Jets: If he was more consistent he’d be on this list. He’s not, but that he’s not a million miles away from making it should show how well he has played at times. Corey Lemonier, LB, 49ers: Coming along very nicely in the Niners’ sub-package defense. Plenty of time to be had there. Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins: Has already proven himself a playmaker and now it’s just repeating his achievements that stands in the way of a spot in the Top 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 If you read PFF's article they sited this past weekend as Sheldon's worst game thus far and that his pass-rush, which looks good to me, is the part that's holding him back from running away with it. They state that his run defense is absolutely phenomenal, which is impressive being as a rookie, and that's what is keeping him atop the boards. I imagine since the defense wasn't on the field as much this past game that hurt his chances to add to his season, but it's still surprising to see him not grading out so well in the pass-rush department. Love the kid, especially his attitude and hope he runs away with this thing. so far , he looks like a keeper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 ... 'Trying to Prove 'Em Wrong' video - > http://www.newyorkjets.com/photos-and-videos/videos/Sheldon-Richardson-Trying-to-Prove-Em-Wrong/06133961-edda-44ee-9a71-164ff9dfd873 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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