Rookie Wagon: At the Half

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We’re just pass the halfway mark of the 2016 NFL Season.  Let’s check in on the Rookies….

1. Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams  

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Is the man that bad? Jeff Fischer seems to think so as he ignores the crowd’s chants to start Goff over Keenum.  Keenum has put up a few bench-worthy stinkers but we’ve seen worse.  His completion percentage is 61.5%.  He averages about 7 passing yards per play, has thrown 9 TD passes and racked up 11 interceptions.  I’d say a first round draft pick should put up better numbers than that but Fischer is not giving Goff a chance, and there’s a reason for that.   

2. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Wentz seemed like a godsend to Philadelphia fans, especially during the first three weeks of the season.  He has recently shown us that he’s human with a few bad decisions here and there, but still a great talent.  I’d say the Eagles got every bit of a worthy second overall pick.

3. Joey Bosa, DE, San Diego Chargers

Bosa is doing okay, definitely not a bust.  He’s pretty much as mediocre as the Chargers themselves. With San Diego just under 500 (4W, 5L) and standing last in a pretty tough AFC West this year, you can only hope for better.

4. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys

There’s no debate as to whether or not Elliott has lived up to the hype, especially as of late.  The guy has vision and is great at breaking tackles while stretching for that extra yardage.  Elliot is a sure factor in the Cowboy’s 7-1 start, leading the league in rushing with 891 yards at week 9. Their only loss is to their division rivals, the Giants.

5. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The rookie out of Florida State has not made much noise except when engaging in unfavorable conduct.  Ramsey was ejected for fighting during their week 7 matchup against the raiders.  He was then fined for a late hit against a Titans’ tight end, the following week.  

UPDATE - NY Giants: Can Vernon Live up to Expectations

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New York Giants fans are itching to find out what Olivier Vernon can do for this defense that has been in need of some major improvements over the last few years. Pro-Football Reference ranked them 30th in all team defense last season.

Drafted by the Dolphins in 2012, the Giants acquired Vernon during this year's free agency and gave him a huge payday.  He contracted 85 million over five years with 52.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid defensive end in the NFL.

According to the New York Post, Vernon has been seen doing extra drills well after practice has ended.  Could it be because he knows he's under pressure this season?  I think it's just in his nature to work hard since he displayed this kind of work ethic while in Miami too.

When told about all the pressure he would be under this upcoming season, he simply said, "I'd be a fool not to believe that.  As long as I stick to my game plan, i'll be alright."

As we approach the season's halfway point, some will debate as to whether or not Vernon is living up to his contract. With just 1 sack recorded this season, during a week 3 loss to the Washington Redskins, many will say he's not.  He brings on a lot of pressure and is not bad at stopping the run, but I'm sure the front office was hoping he'd perform much like his 2013 season with the Miami Dolphins.  He recorded 11.5 sacks that season; now that's more like it.  

I'd like to stay optimistic but it's hard to do when the defense currently ranks 19th overall.  They allow an average of 20 points per game and 361 total yards.  Not bad from where they were last year, but not good enough, considering the money spent. 

Rookie Wagon: Training Camp Week 1 Report

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So it's been a little over a week since training camp has begun and i've checked in on the rookies to see how they're making out.

1. Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Goff seems to be doing okay but not good enough to maintain the starting spot we were sure he would secure as the first overall draft pick.  Undrafted QB, Case Keenum has him beat for the moment.  According to CBS Sports, coach Fisher causally named Keenum at the top of the depth charts and stated, "[Keenum] made some really good throws." and "That's what you expect out of your starter."  Don't forget to watch the Hard Knocks this season; they will take us into the Rams locker room throughout camp and the preseason.

2. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Wentz is looking sharp in camp and is particularly good when throwing fades.  That doesn't change coach Pederson's beliefs on the advantages of keeping his first year QB on the bench this season.  As long as Bradford keeps his head above water in camp, we should expect Wentz to sit out this year.

3. Joey Bosa, DE, San Diego Chargers
As much as Chargers fans would like to see Bosa in camp, he is still holding out.  Bosa's team and the Chargers organization can not come to terms on two details of his rookie deal, the offset language and deferred payment of a signing bonus.  Remember, the NFL is a business, and a major one!

4. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Elliot seems to be picking up the playbook pretty well but he unfortunately tweaked his hamstring on 8/2.  According to media sources he will likely sit out a week during camp.

5. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ramsey has been quite impressive during camp dispute doubts that he'd even be ready for camp due to a torn meniscus that happened in May.  He has a great work ethic and should be fun to watch throughout the games ahead.

UPDATE: Potential QB Controversy

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As always, it’s important to note the teams that don’t have a solid starter at QB. These teams are always the ones to follow throughout camp, since there is constant turn of events and media frenzy surrounding them.  A wise old man once said, if you have two or three quarterbacks, then you don’t have one. I think the following teams may have the potential to cause a stir at the QB position this camp:

New York Jets

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, Chris Hackenberg

The Jets and Fitzpatrick have yet to agree to terms on a contract.  This leaves Geno at the starting spot since Hackenberg is an after thought.  Fitzpatrick is clearly the better performer but the Jets need to settle with Fitz sooner rather than later, or this season may not be a bright as last year’s.  

Fitz and the Jets Organization agreed to a 1 year/12 million dollar deal. Sorry Geno!

San Francisco 49ERS

Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, Jeff Driskel

This here may be the best to watch.  Kaepernick has been stinking up the place since the 2013 NFC Championship but will Kelly give him a shot at the starting position?  We will have to wait until one of the most erratic coaches in the league pull out his bag of tricks.

Who Knows! But in other news, the Rams released Nick Foles. I wonder if that has kelly sniffing around.

Philadelphia Eagles

Sam Bradford, Carson Wentz, Chase Daniel

With Bradford’s buddy off to the bay area, new Eagles Head Coach, Doug Pederson is making Bradford prove himself worthy of a starting position.  Bradford seems annoyed by Pederson but he has a solid chance at winning the starting job over Daniels and Wentz.

Sam Bradford seems to be ahead in this race.

Denver Broncos

Marc Sanchez, Paxton Lynch

Since the Broncos let Osweiler ride off on his white horse to never return, they are stuck with the hopes that Marc Sancez will do better than he’s done since the infamous “butt fumble,” but according to 9news.com, Lynch is not going down without a fight.  He quotes, “As a competitor you’re not just going to say i’ll take the back seat to this.”

Coach Kubiak has Sanchez completing reps with the first team

Cleveland Browns

Robert Grffin III, Cody Kessler

There’s not much to say here.  Given the injury mishaps and coaching feuds that left RG3 undesired in DC, I can only hope to see this talented QB win the starting spot over third round draft pick Cody Kessler.  It’s not because I like him, it’s because he’s better.

There has been talks that the Browns will pick their starter before the first preseason game. Article here

This week kicks off the majority of the team’s training camp, although a few sedulous teams began last week. Here's the schedule

ROOKIE WAGON

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Hop on the Rookie Wagon to follow the top 5 NFL draft picks of 2016 on a journey through their rookie season.  I will start by giving an end of week training camp report followed by stats, injuries and other news as they play-out the 2016 season.

Top 5 Draft Picks

1.  Jared Goff (QB) --> St. Loius Rams
2.  Carson Wentz (QB) --> Philadelphia Eagles
3. Joey Bosa (DE) --> San Diego Chargers
4. Ezekiel Elliot (RB) --> Dallas Cowboys
5. Jalen Ramsey (CB) --> Jacksonville Jaguars

In The AFC: Le'Veon Bell Faces Another Suspension

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Pittsburgh Steele's RB, Le'Veon Bell, faces another suspension following a missed drug test. In 2014 he was arrested for DUI and possession of marijuana.  That arrest lead him to a two game suspension in 2015  and subjection to the NFL's substance abuse program.  This program typically tests players more than once per year; according to Ian Rappaport, he missed several test.

I'm sure Steeler's Nation is a bit agitated but Bell is a forced to be reckoned with when on the field. In 2104 he set the single-season team record for yards from scrimmage (2,215), but suspension and a week 8 knee injury held him to just 6 games in the 2015 season.

Acquired by the Steelers in 2015 De'Angelo Williams was left to carry the load while Bell was off the field.  Williams had 11 TDs and 1,274 yards from scrimmage in 16 games played.

Bell suspension is set  to 4 games.  The running back will try appeal his suspension but there is a slim chance he will win this one.

As always, I like to leave  you with a bit of social media sauce but Bell was smart not to post about his mishaps.  Although, his twitter feed is quite entertaining.  Take a look if you haven't already @leveonbell 

In the AFC: Von Miller Gets PAID

Defense Linebacker and Super Bowl XXXIII MVP, Von Miller, finally brings in the cash.  According to espn.com, after 5 months of negotiation, the two sides have come to terms.  Miller has just signed a much deserved 6 year, 114.5 million dollar deal with the Denver Broncos.  This includes a 23 million dollar signing bonus, 61 million guaranteed after year one, and 70 million guaranteed after year two.  This gives Miller the highest guaranteed total amongst defensive players.

The Broncos applied their elusive franchise tag to Miller and had to come to long term deal by today's deadline.  Miller got what he deserved, especially since they have not acquired a name worthy QB after letting Brock Osweiler slip out of their hands.

There were talks of tension, during contract negotiation,  between Miller and Broncos' VP, John Elway; both side deny this.  Let's just say we are happy they have come to terms.

Von Miller was drafted 2nd overall by the Denver Broncos in 2011.  He has since recorded 60 sacks and was Cam Newton's worst nightmare the Broncos win over the highly favorited Carolina Panthers in last season's Super Bowl.


Von Miller (@Millerlite40) took to twitter with this:

FOR LIFE pic.twitter.com/ayvzpJ1WZh

— Von Miller (@Millerlite40) July 15, 2016