Patriots rookie of the year

[KevinFaulk-33]

Now that the regular season is over we can discuss this. Vote!

 

[nabwong]

I'm going to give it to Dennard. Why? Because he's awesome!

 

[PatsDeb]

Hmmm. This is tough. None of them made stellar contributions consistently, but all had bursts of greatness. I don't think it can be Bolden because of the suspension and he didn't do anything once he came back. I guess I will go with Jones, narrowly, through a process of elimination.

 

[IllegalContact]

I say hightower

most consistent presence.

 

[randomk1]

I'm having a hard time picking between the big 3 contributors.

C.Jones and Hightower have been awesome but considering our situation in the secondary i almost feel that Dennard could be the most important rookie. I don't want Arrington facing guys like D.Thomas,Decker

 

[Big-T]

Dennard, pretty much for his draft position to production output, Hightower & Jones have been good too but Dennard was a 7th rounder and is one of the reasons for the improved secondary.

 

[BradyManny]

Jones. Was a beast all year when healthy.

Hightower is a close second - and has played quite well of late.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Why does Tavon Wilson get a spot but not Justin Francis? He's played a lot of snaps this season.

 

[Rob0729]

It is Jones. Before he got hurt, he was the favorite for the league's rookie of the year, not just the Patriots' ROY. Considering no one else has consistently been a presence, I don't know how he can lose the Patriots ROY honor just because he missed about a month and was hobbled until the fourth quarter vs. Jacksonville.

I am surprised Dennard got as many votes. The guy had an up and down season. He was finally coming around and becoming a pretty solid starter when he got hurt, but he really didn't do nearly as much as Jones. I guess it is a "what have you done for me lately" vote since his impact has been far more recent.

Personally, my rookie rankings would be:

1. Jones (An absolute stud when healthy and teams have to prepare for him)
2. Hightower (most consistent over the season, but not as much impact as I had thought right away)
3. Dennard (Up and down early, came into his own before he got injured)
4. Wilson (started out fairly good and dropped off. Still had 4 INTs)
5. Francis (has come on late, but took a lot of time to get rolling. Probably more upside than Wilson who he finishes behind)
6. Bolden (Had a couple of spectacular games, but an injury and drug suspension killed the rest of his season)

 

[Jimke]

Chandler Jones is rookie of the year but Justin Francis is the
unsung rookie of the year. He is starting to show why the Patriots
did not try and sneak him unto the practice squad.

 

[patfanken]

1. Jones (An absolute stud when healthy and teams have to prepare for him)
2. Hightower (most consistent over the season, but not as much impact as I had thought right away)
3. Dennard (Up and down early, came into his own before he got injured)
4. Wilson (started out fairly good and dropped off. Still had 4 INTs)
5. Francis (has come on late, but took a lot of time to get rolling. Probably more upside than Wilson who he finishes behind)
6. Bolden (Had a couple of spectacular games, but an injury and drug suspension killed the rest of his season)

I'm not really sure who is the "best" rookie of the bunch, but when I saw this list, I couldn't help think, "Wow, what a rookie haul, from top to bottom. That's 3 defensive starters, and one rotational player, plus TWO, not one but TWO, UDFA who managed to not only to make a Superbowl roster, but make real contributions beyond special teams

Then add in an ace special teamer/developmental DB and you can almost forgive Jake Beguette's, and Eberts disappointing red shirt seasons because there is still a chance they can develop. This is an amazing rookie class. Actually its a continuation of 3 straight years of good drafts, and why we are in the position we are in.

 

[patfanken]

BTW- If there might be other teams that do as well as the Pats in gathering undrafted player, but there aren't many. What was the stat? 19 players on last season's superbowl roster that came into the league as UDFA's. That's astounding. I'm sure that reputation makes it easier for the Pats to go after and get the UFDA's they want. They all know that the competition will be tough, but if they are good enough, they WILL get a fair chance.

 

[Rob0729]

I'm not really sure who is the "best" rookie of the bunch, but when I saw this list, I couldn't help think, "Wow, what a rookie haul, from top to bottom. That's 3 defensive starters, and one rotational player, plus TWO, not one but TWO, UDFA who managed to not only to make a Superbowl roster, but make real contributions beyond special teams

Then add in an ace special teamer/developmental DB and you can almost forgive Jake Beguette's, and Eberts disappointing red shirt seasons because there is still a chance they can develop. This is an amazing rookie class. Actually its a continuation of 3 straight years of good drafts, and why we are in the position we are in.

This rookie crop has the potential to be the best rookie class of the Belichick era. It made the biggest immediate impact of any rookie class (the 2003 class might have a decent argument against that claim though). This class and the 2010 class alone has restocked the Pats for a good long time to come.

 

[Ivan]

Jones had the biggest impact but overall this is one of the best rookie classes they have ever had and it is going to pay big dividends the next few years. I really think that they are going to have a top 3-5 defense for the next 5 years. Great job by Belichick. I can't wait to see how this defense plays next year.

 

[DarrylS]

I agree a lot of rookies who made a huge impact, accolades to the Pats front office and the coaches for knowing how to groom them and letting them play..

The late round draft picks and UDFA's who make an impact are my fave's...

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

It's hard not to be biased when voting. While Jones is clearly the superior player, the panic factor for me is much higher if we lose Dennard.

 

[Uncle Rico]

...

Personally, my rookie rankings would be:

1. Jones (An absolute stud when healthy and teams have to prepare for him)
2. Hightower (most consistent over the season, but not as much impact as I had thought right away)
3. Dennard (Up and down early, came into his own before he got injured)
4. Wilson (started out fairly good and dropped off. Still had 4 INTs)
5. Francis (has come on late, but took a lot of time to get rolling. Probably more upside than Wilson who he finishes behind)
6. Bolden (Had a couple of spectacular games, but an injury and drug suspension killed the rest of his season)

Pretty similar to my line of thinking. Jones has had the biggest impact over the longest period of time.

I absolutely love the way Dennard plays the game. Nice coverage skills, and excellent tackler

Hightower: I think he will really benefit from a pro off-season. I saw mention at one point this season that he came in a little heavier than expected and I have to think that'll change for '13.

 

[NewFeep]

C. Jones! And it's not even close. He filled a position of need all year except for a couple games due to injury.

Dennard and Hightower were neck and neck coming in second.

Excellent draft this year, another really good draft and we can still dominate the division and vie for a top seed come playoff time for the foreseeable future.

Good thread too!

 

[resdubwhite]

Jones injury brought Dennard and Hightower into the reckoning.

But he managed to stay out ahead.

Hoping the sophomore year for these guys beats the rookie season.

We'll be a much better team if they are.

FO: More drafting like this please.

 

[mgteich]

The choice seems to be a 1st rounder who played like a solid 1st rounder or 7th rounder who played like a solid 2nd or 3rd rounder. I choose Dennard.