Rookie Report

Keyword
NFL
Scores
Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Message Board
NFL en español
CLUBHOUSE


SHOP@ESPN.COM
NikeTown
TeamStore
SPORT SECTIONS
Wednesday, November 28
 
Chambers flashes big-play ability

By Peter Lawrence-Riddell
ESPN.com

Barring anything unforeseen, Chris Chambers is going to be a good wide receiver in the NFL for a long time. The speedster from Wisconsin has quickly moved to the head of a distinguished class of rookie receivers and become the deep threat the Dolphins offense sorely lacked.

Chris Chambers
Chris Chambers, right, is second on the Dolphins in receiving yards (569) and is first in touchdown receptions.

Chambers has piled up an impressive 569 yards receiving on just 28 receptions -- good for a league-leading average of 20.3 yards per catch. The 10th wide receiver selected in a draft that was considered one of the best for receivers in years, Chambers trails only Rod Gardner of the Redskins (31) in receptions by rookie receivers and leads all rookies in yards.

At his current pace, Chambers would finish the season with 45 catches for 910 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers are extremely impressive considering the fact that rookie receivers usually ride a bumpy road to NFL success.

Chambers, who slipped in the draft because of questions about his route-running ability, had his best game as a pro in Miami's 34-27 come-from-behind win over the Bills. He scored Miami's last two touchdowns of the game, including hauling in the game-winning touchdown with less than one minute left in the game.

"He wants the ball," Jay Fiedler told the Miami Herald. "As long as he keeps proving himself, I'm going to give him that chance."

Each Tuesday from now until the end of the regular season, ESPN.com will hand out its report card on how the new kids are doing. Here's an update on some of the league's most intriguing efforts by rookies in Week 11:

PLAYER, STATS THE SKINNY
Travis Henry, RB, Bills
vs. Dolphins
19 carries, 97 yds., 1 TD
Henry turned in one of his best performances of the season in Buffalo's loss to Miami. The second-round pick from Tennessee has quietly moved into third place on the list of rookie rushing leaders, behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Anthony Thomas.
Mike McMahon, QB, Lions
vs. Packers
9-20, 89 yds., 1 TD
In his first extended action of the season, McMahon almost rallied the Lions to a comeback win against the Packers. With Charlie Batch suffering on the sideline with a pulled groin muscle, McMahon completed nine of 20 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown and led the Lions to their only two offensive touchdowns of the day in the final quarter. Batch practiced Monday and has been announced as the starter against the Bears this weekend.
Richard Seymour, DT, Patriots
vs. Saints
3 tackles
After an early season that was hampered by leg injuries, Seymour has come into his own over the last month. One plus from missing time early is that Seymour could avoid getting worn down late in the season. "I know it's a long season, but at this point, it hasn't bothered me because I haven't played that much," Seymour told the Boston Herald. "Early on in the season I got hurt so it really hasn't fazed me as it would have over the long haul."
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers
vs. Cardinals
21 att., 75 yds.
13 rec., 72 yds.
Tomlinson's 13 receptions against the Cardinals were the most receptions ever by a Chargers running back and boosted his season total from 20 to 32. His 32 receptions leads all rookies -- including wide receivers. The No. 5 overall pick has piled up 1,095 yards from scrimmage in 11 games.
Gerard Warren, DT, Browns Warren, the No. 3 overall pick, was suspended by the Browns and didn't play last weekend against the Bengals. He was suspended by coach Butch Davis after getting arrested early Tuesday morning outside a Pittsburgh nightclub on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. Warren was reinstated to the team Monday.

Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com.








 ESPN Tools
Email story
 
Most sent
 
Print story