Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
Blount & Verner Win Weekly Rookie Awards
Photo – LaGarrette Blount - Bucs
This week’s Draft Insiders’ offensive and defensive rookie player awards are both performers who were either selected late or not at all in the NFL 2010 Draft. Tampa running back LaGarrette Blount and Titans’ corner Al Verner were two of the best bargains in the draft last April and have been fine performers especially over the 2nd half of the NFL season.
Tampa Bay Bucs rookie running back LaGarrette Blount wins the Offensive Rookie weekly award for another strong performance. He leads his team with 777 rushing yards and 6 TDs on the season while playing in only eleven games. He has received more then 10 carries in only nine games this season while averaging 4.7 yards per carry and breaking runs of 20 yards or more seven times. For the season he has carried only 164 times, though his touches have increased over the 2nd half of the year.
After a shortened final season at Oregon due to a suspension, Blount was not drafted in the NFL Draft 2010. The Bucs signed him and he has turned into one of the gems of the class and among the top first year stars in the league. Blount is part of a huge Tampa rookie class that has been highly productive and includes wideouts Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn.
Titans corner Al Verner had another strong game that earned him the weekly Defensive award. He posted 10 tackles in the Titans win over the Texans. He also added his third interception of the year. Verner was selected in the 4th round and one of the bargains of the player process last spring. For the season, he has made 81 tackles with the 3 interceptions, both outstanding numbers for a first year defender especially from a cornerback. He has outplayed several highly regarded first year corners this season.
Weekly Player Winners
Week 15
Offense - RB LaGarrette Blount - Bucs
Defense - CB Al Verner - Titans
Week 14
Offense - WR Arrelious Benn - Bucs
Defense - Safety T.J. Ward - Browns
Week 13
Offense - RB Chris Ivory - Saints
Defense - DE Jason Pierre-Paul - Giants
Week 12
Offense - QB Sam Bradford - Rams
Defense - DE Jason Pierre-Paul - Giants
Week 11
Offense - RB Chris Ivory - Saints
Defense - LB Pat Angerer - Colts
Week 10
Offense - WR Dez Bryant - Cowboys
Defense - Safety Earl Thomas - Seahawks
Week 9
Offense - WR Jacoby Ford - Raiders
Defense - S - Eric Berry - Chiefs
Week 8
Offense – RB LaGarrette Bount - Bucs
Defense - DT Nda Suh - Lions
Week 7
Offense - WR Dez Bryant - Cowboys
Defense - Safety Eric Berry - Chiefs
Week 6
Offense - RB Chris Ivory - Saints
Defense - LB Pat Angerer - Colts
Week 5
Offense - QB Max Hall - Cardinals
Defense - DT Nda Suh - Lions
Week 4
Offense - QB Sam Bradford - Rams
Defense - Safety Taylor Mays - 49ers
Week 3
Offense - QB Sam Bradford - Rams
Defense - Safety Earl Thomas - Seahawks
Week 2
Offense - RB Jahvid Best - Lions
Defense - DT Nda Suh - Lions
Week 1
Offense - RB Dexter McCluster - Chiefs
Defense - Safety Eric Berry - Chiefs