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NFL Rookie Players of the Week – Colts’ wideout Anthony Gonzalez & Panthers’ LB Jon Beason
The NFL ’07 season enters the final weeks with rookies playing bigger roles on most teams and some high draft choices emerging as bona fide playmakers. The Colts have seen their #1 pick, wideout Anthony Gonzalez come on since midseason and play a significant role in their passing game. He had a huge performance Sunday vs the Ravens when he caught 6 passes for 134 yards and 2 TDs. His TD receptions were his first career scores and went for 40 and 57 yards. Over his rookie season, he has made 28 catches with 13 of them coming over the past three weeks for an impressive average of over 16 yards per catch. He has filled in brilliantly for star veteran wideout Marvin Harrison who has missed most of the season with a knee injury. Gonzalez will give the Colts an awesome trio with Harrison and veteran Reggie Wayne later in the season when Harrison is expected to return.
Panthers linebacker Jon Beason has been one of the more consistent rookie defenders this season and very productive weekly despite a subpar overall performance by Carolina. Last week in the Carolina loss to the Jaguars, he registered 12 tackles roaming sideline to sideline making tackles. He is part of an outstanding rookie class of linebackers that has seen tremendous production from Patrick Willis and David Harris, in addition to his efforts.
Rookie Runner ups
Offense – Selvyn Young - RB - Broncos
Defense – Michael Griffin - S - Titans