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DESIRED YOUNG PLAYERS EXCEL AS 2002 KICKOFF APPROACHES Their time is now. After standout collegiate careers, many young players have taken the next step to NFL success – a strong performance in the 2002 preseason. Last year at this time, who knew the “A-Train” would steamroll down the tracks as the Bears’ ANTHONY THOMAS rushed for 1,183 yards? Or that undrafted free agent DOMINIC RHODES would top the 1,000-yard mark to lead the Colts in rushing? Or that linebacker KENDRELL BELL would be a vital cog in the Steelers’ No. 1 NFL defense? With one more week of preseason before Kickoff 2002 Weekend, here are young NFL players who have made a mark this summer: BAVARO PART II?: It did not take long for New York Giants rookie tight end JEREMY SHOCKEY to make an impression. The Giants’ first-round draft pick announced his arrival in the team’s first preseason outing, a 34-17 win over the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. The former Miami Hurricanes star finished the game with four receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown, but it was his work on one particular play that had everyone buzzing. After catching a short pass, Shockey stiff-armed one Houston defender and moved up the sideline, flattening a defensive back before being dragged down by a pair of Texans. The 48-yard gain was reminiscent of former Giants tight end MARK BAVARO, whose punishing style helped New York to a pair of Super Bowl victories and made him a fan favorite. "He's a rookie and I don't want to be premature, but he's special,” says Giants linebacker MIKE BARROW. “The sidelines went crazy on that play. We were all yelling, 'Did you see that?'" Adds Bavaro, who spent time with Shockey when he visited the team’s training camp in Albany, New York, “I’m excited about the new kid.” Another Giants youngster who has made a name with big hits is quarterback-turned-tight end DARNELL DINKINS. The undrafted free agent played wide receiver, linebacker, defensive back and quarterback at the University of Pittsburgh and spent this past spring developing into a special teams ace with the NFL Europe League’s Rhein Fire. Throughout preseason, Dinkins’ special teams play has won him rave reviews from Giants coaches and he is hoping it leads to a spot on the regular-season roster. "It doesn't matter to me if I play quarterback or tight end or wide receiver, as long as I’m playing," says Dinkins. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I just want to help the Giants wherever I can. " GILLETTE STADIUM TO BE “BRANCH” OFFICE: Patriots fans this summer have watched a certain Branch take root in New England and hope to count rings on him for years. That would be wide receiver DEION BRANCH, the team’s second-round draft choice from Louisville. With the 5-9, 193-pound wideout, the defending Super Bowl champions have not simply maintained their talent at the receiver position – they’ve upgraded it. The Patriots’ coaching staff also has successfully experimented with having Branch return kickoffs and punts. “I’ve been telling everybody he’s one of the most advanced rookies I’ve ever seen,” says fellow Patriots wide receiver DAVID PATTEN. “He just doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. That’s unheard of for a rookie. He’s going to be a great asset on this team.” Going into the final week of preseason, Branch is tied for the second most receptions in the AFC (11) and is second in the conference in receiving yards (163). The guy throwing to him, All-Star quarterback TOM BRADY, sees great potential in Branch. “Deion’s very smart for a young guy in that he doesn’t make many mistakes,” says Brady. “He’s strong enough where he can fight press coverage and get open. He’s got good speed, good awareness.” Patriots All-Star receiver TROY BROWN agrees with his QB. “Deion is the most accomplished rookie I’ve seen here since TERRY GLENN,” says Brown. “Terry was a natural athlete, really fluid and graceful. Deion is a kid who loves to play football. You can tell he knows what he’s doing.” FROM HEISMAN QB TO ROOKIE WR: St. Louis Rams third-round draft pick ERIC CROUCH concluded his college career the way many players have only dreamed about – by winning the coveted Heisman Trophy. But Crouch’s time at the University of Nebraska was spent as a quarterback, where he directed the Cornhuskers’ vaunted attack as a QB who specialized in running the football. Now with the Rams, he’s utilizing his speed as a wide receiver, making the position switch during training camp. St. Louis head coach MIKE MARTZ likes what he has seen of the talented rookie. “He’s done a good job,” says Martz. “You have to remember, Eric has never lined up against cover- two, cover-one, and all of these other coverages. Eric is fine. He is going to continue to grow and be a really good player.” Crouch is focusing on learning the nuances of his new position, and the benefits of no longer being chased by linebackers, defensive tackles and pass-rushing defensive ends. “Whatever you do, you just have to do it hard and 110 percent,” says Crouch. “There's no resting and no slacking off. Your teammates and coaches really push you to get the best out of yourself, and that’s what I’m trying to do.” LEVI FITS BENGALS LIKE NEW PAIR OF JEANS: The Cincinnati Bengals had a plan for their first-round selection in the 2002 NFL Draft, nimble 6-5, 304-pound Arizona left tackle LEVI JONES. Early indications are that the team’s scouting department has earned its tiger stripes. By pocketing the four-sport high school letterman with the 10th pick in the draft, Cincinnati now has a strong, agile understudy to seven-time All-Star RICHMOND WEBB. Webb, a 13-year veteran, says defensive ends will have trouble keeping up with this Jones. “They (the Bengals) hit it right on the nail,” says Webb. “If you watch his practice habits, running to the football, showing a lot of energy, high-motor guy, good character, willing to listen…they hit it on the nail.” Jones’ exceptional speed is what separates him from the pack. “He has great talent, great feet,” says the man Jones will be protecting, new Bengals quarterback GUS FREROTTE. “He’s going to be a great player, but he’s so anxious to do so well, he overplays some things. He can catch up because his feet are so quick.” Jones knows the step up to the NFL is high. “In college, you can get away with a lot of stuff,” he says. “Up here, you can’t get away with anything. You’ve got to be on top of your game every play, or the guy across from you is going to embarrass you.” “ROY” OF ALL TRADES: When the Dallas Cowboys selected safety ROY WILLIAMS of Oklahoma with the eighth pick in this year’s draft, he became perhaps the team’s most heralded first-round choice since TROY AIKMAN. The Cowboys have wasted no time in getting the most out of the former Oklahoma star, as Williams has been possibly the team’s busiest player. In addition to being on the field with the first-team defense, Williams also works when situations call for multiple defensive backs, and on special teams with the kick and punt units. “We’ve got him doing everything,” says Cowboys head coach DAVE CAMPO. “I’m very pleased with Roy. With the place we took him, obviously we feel he is going to be one of the best safeties in the league. He’s a rookie and is picking up things very well.” Williams enjoyed a standout collegiate career that included a national championship and several individual honors such as the Nagurski Award, given to college football’s top defensive player. Now his focus is on doing everything possible to help the Cowboys become one of the NFL’s elite. “I’m happy they are putting a lot on me and giving me a lot of responsibility,” says Williams. “It means they believe in me and I’m doing my best to get the job done.” HURRICANE IN DENVER BRINGS SUNNY FUTURE: A natural reaction to TERRELL DAVIS’ departure from the Denver Broncos’ backfield is to predict a struggling ground game. Davis will be missed, but University of Miami running back CLINTON PORTIS offers an orange grove of optimism. Chosen by the Broncos with the 51st selection in the draft, Portis’ hallmarks of powerful runs, a pile-moving leg drive and the vision to exploit rushing lanes will find a welcome home among the Denver faithful. “He’s going to be a great back, there’s no doubt about that,” says Davis. “He is going to be a star on this level. He has all of the attributes you want in a running back. He’s not a big guy, but he’s quick, he has great balance, he has powerful legs.” Portis is competing for the Broncos’ starting running back position with OLANDIS GARY. He played a significant role in helping Miami earn a national championship in 2001 by rushing for 1,200 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns while starting in all 11 Hurricanes games. He is the fastest Denver rusher in turning the corner on sweeps. "I'm very happy with him," says Broncos running backs coach BOBBY TURNER. "He's very coachable, a delight to be around, with a great sense of humor. The more opportunities he gets, the better he’s going to be.” In his first three preseason games, Portis has rushed 35 times for 162 yards and a touchdown. "I don't feel like I have to live up to expectations,” he says. “I know I can't fill Terrell's shoes. I've got to go out and make my own name." |