YOUNG PLAYERS EXCEL AS KICKOFF 2000 APPROACHES

With NFL Kickoff 2000 on Labor Day weekend, and final roster cuts this Sunday, many young players are making it easy for coaches as NFL rosters are determined.

"All the players are talented, or they wouldn’t be on the practice field," says Washington Redskins head coach NORV TURNER. "But when the game starts, do you make the play, or do you let the other guy make the play? Guys that make the play the highest percentage of the time we’re going to keep on our roster."

Some of the young NFLers who have been "making the plays" this preseason:

DAUNTE LOOKS DAUNTING: He hasn’t thrown a pass in live NFL regular-season action.

But off his performance this summer, Minnesota Vikings second-year quarterback DAUNTE CULPEPPER – slated to be the team’s starter this year – is ready for Kickoff 2000.

Culpepper – the Vikings’ 1999 first-round selection from Central Florida – threw for the NFL’s only 300-yard passing game this preseason on August 18. The 6-4, 250-pounder passed for 311 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

"I think he’s ready to take over the reins," says Vikings running back ROBERT SMITH.

Minnesota head coach DENNIS GREEN is not all that surprised by Culpepper’s preseason performance (he leads the NFL with 580 passing yards).

"He was an All-American quarterback in college," says Green. "Last year was the only time in his life that he hasn’t played."

Culpepper is making up for it this summer.

TWO ROOKIES HELPING FUEL JETS’ DEFENSE: With the first two of their unprecedented four first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft, the New York Jets decided to give their pass rush a spark. First, with the 12th overall pick, they selected 6-5, 280-pound defensive end SHAUN ELLIS of Tennessee. Next, they picked 6-4, 250-pound linebacker JOHN ABRAHAM from South Carolina with the 13th selection.

The Jets finished 30th in the NFL in sacks last season (26) and were aiming to improve that part of their game. With Ellis and Abraham, new head coach AL GROH thinks they have done exactly that.

"With Shaun and John, we have explosive players who add a lot to our defense," Groh says. "They both have the ability to get after the quarterback and they possess size, which is important to us. It was a priority of ours to add explosiveness to our defense."

So far this preseason, the duo has lived up to its billing. Abraham is tied for the league lead with three sacks, and Ellis has one QB drop.

ROOKIE IMPACT: Rookies often have a difficult time making an immediate impact. But San Francisco 49ers linebacker JULIAN PETERSON, the team’s first-round selection this year, hasn’t hesitated in making an impression.

In his first NFL game on August 5 against the San Diego Chargers, Peterson had three sacks and forced two fumbles.

"It came out a lot better than I thought," Peterson said of his debut. "That's what I came here to do. If I can continue to make plays like that, then I'm going to try to make them every down I'm out there." Peterson’s three sacks tie for the NFL lead.

San Francisco head coach STEVE MARIUCCI applauds Peterson’s pass-rushing abilities, and thinks he can become a force in pass coverage also.

"He will learn how to play coverage and ‘man’ technique, and handle tight ends as time goes on," says Mariucci. "He's certainly athletic enough. He can really bring the heat. He's good at it, he loves doing it, and that's why we put him at end in the nickel package.''

FIRST SCORE HINT OF MORE TO COME?: The first touchdown scored at the new Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium appropriately came from the club’s first-round draft choice of this year. The team thinks it’s a sign of good things to come.

On August 19 in the first quarter, wide receiver PETER WARRICK, lined up on the left side, swung around, took a handoff from quarterback AKILI SMITH, avoided a tackle and raced 14 yards into the end zone standing up for the first score in the history of the 65,600-seat stadium.

Taking care of his "regular" job – catching passes – Warrick had a game-high six receptions for 55 yards, including a 23-yard catch from Smith that began the Bengals’ second scoring drive in their 24-20 victory over the Chicago Bears.

"He’s gifted," says Bengals head coach BRUCE COSLET. "The sky’s the limit for him."

Smith puts his opinion of his new receiver in more picturesque terms. "You’ve got to get that dude the ball," Smith says, "whether it’s on a slant or a reverse or whatever."

SEAHAWKS ADD NEW BLOOD TO BACKFIELD: After the team selected running back SHAUN ALEXANDER with the 19th choice in the 2000 NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks fans wondered how quickly the rookie could develop playing behind veteran starter RICKY WATTERS.

The answer out of the northwest is "real quick," thanks in big part to Watters.

Watters has pitched in big-time with the development of Alexander and there appears to be a powerful "1-2" running-back punch in the offing. Alexander has been impressive in Seattle’s preseason, rushing for 99 yards on 27 carries while tying for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns with two.

"When I see Shaun doing things like he has done so far, if I am banged up, I don’t feel like I have to stay in there, because now I know who’s coming in behind me and what he’s going to do," says Watters. "Shaun has a great attitude. He is willing to learn. He is asking questions all the time. That’s how you get to be good fast."

Seahawks head coach MIKE HOLMGREN likes what he sees from Alexander as well. "Shaun is a good player," he says. "We knew that when we picked him. I think we’re in a great situation, because Shaun has a great running back in front of him and he has a chance to learn from Ricky."

KING OF THE PRESEASON: Green Bay Packers backup quarterback MATT HASSELBECK is again on fire in the preseason. Hasselbeck has completed 26 of 42 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns for a 96.7 passer rating.

Last year, Hasselbeck finished the preseason with an NFC-leading 127.7 rating, including nine TDs with only one interception and an 68.6 completion percentage.

"This is my postseason," says Hasselbeck. "I enjoy it and have a great time."

Hasselbeck’s success has led to speculation that he would be better served as a starter with another team rather than backing up BRETT FAVRE.

"I hope this is the only team he ever starts for, and we keep him around here for a long time," says Packers head coach Mike Sherman. "I'm very impressed with his leadership. I'm very impressed with his play-making ability."

PRICE IS RIGHT IN BUFFALO: Buffalo Bills wide receiver PEERLESS PRICE enters his second NFL campaign with what would appear to be a tough task ahead of him: fill the spot held down by ANDRE REED for the past 15 years. Reed’s departure (he’s now with Denver) has thrust Price, who had 31 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 1999, into the starting role.

Price, chosen by the Bills in the second round of 1999, not only has more responsibility this year, but a new perspective.

"I’m going into this season with a little different set of circumstances," says Price. "I’m a starter and a lot more is expected of me, and I expect a lot more of myself. I’ll be making plays for this offense, and that’s what my teammates are looking for me to do."