THE ROOKIE REPORT CARD

October 12th, 2008 7:55am PST

THE WEEKLY ROOKIE REPORT CARD

Based on traditional standard scoring rules applied to the numbers from week 6
. Here are the kids in the NFL!

The grading scale: (A-being a weekly starter and F-being "why did I pick-up this guy?").

(Week 6) The Kids of America...

TOP 25
1. RB-Matt Forte (Overall grade A / 4.000)
The Bears running back had a very productive game last week against the Lions. Forte carried the ball 15 times for only 36 yards, but did find the end zone. He also added 4 receptions for 25 yards and another score. (17 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: A+

2. RB-Steve Slaton (Overall grade A / 3.985 gpa)
The Texans running back continues to impress with another eyebrow raising performance in week 5. Last Sunday against the Colts, Slaton carried the ball 16 times for 93 yards rushing with two touchdowns! (21 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: A++

3. RB-Chris Johnson (Overall grade B / 3.455 gpa)
The Titans running back was very quiet last week against a very good Ravens defense. Johnson had 18 carries for 44 yards on the ground and only 2 catches for 4 yards. (4 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: D

4. QB-Matt Ryan (Overall grade B / 3.250 gpa)
The Falcons young field general played solid in week 5 facing the Packers defense on the road. Ryan completed 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards, tossed two touchdowns and one interception. Ryan also scrambled for 16 yards on 4 carries. (18 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: A+

5. RB-Jonathan Stewart (Overall grade B / 3.050 gpa)
The Panthers rookie runner was steady running the ball in week 5 against the Chiefs, but did hit a bump in the road with a fumble. Stewart turned in 19 carries for 72 yards and added one catch for 8 yards. (5 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: D

6. RB-Tim Hightower (Overall grade B- / 2.875 gpa)
Tagged as the team's designated short yardage back, has paid off for running back Tim Hightower. Through 5 games this season, Hightower has 5 touchdowns and on Sunday he collected two of those against the Bills. Hightower also ran very well gaining 37 yards on 7 carries. (15 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: A

7. RB-Felix Jones (Overall grade B- / 2.750 gpa)
The Cowboys rookie runner had his best day on America's team last Sunday against the Bengal's. Jones carried the rock 9 times for 96 yards (10.6 yds/carry) and scored on a 33 yard run. Jones also added a catch for 7 yards. (15 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: A

8. RB-Kevin Smith (Overall grade C+ / 2.575 gpa)
The Lions running back was back in as the starter in week 5, but still did split carries with RB Rudi Johnson. Smith was hardly effective against a tough Bears run defense, but was productive for fantasy owners. Smith had 8 carries for 31 yards and a score, and added 4 catches for 25 yards. (11 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: B

9. WR-Eddie Royal (Overall grade C+ / 2.475 gpa)
The Broncos speedy receiver did not make much noise last Sunday against a very tough Buccaneer defense. Royal was held to 3 catches for only 23 yards receiving for the day. (2 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

10. WR-DeSean Jackson (Overall grade C+ / 2.475 gpa)
The Eagles playmaking receiver was shut down last week against the Redskins. Jackson only totaled 21 yards with 1 catch for 8 and 2 carries for 13. (1 fantasy point)
Grade This Week: F

11. RB-Darren McFadden (Overall grade C / 2.250 gpa)
The Raiders rookie did not play. Team on bye.
Grade This Week: no grade

12. WR-Donnie Avery (Overall grade C / 2.000 gpa)
The Rams rookie receiver did not play. Team was on bye.
Grade This Week: no grade

13. TE-Dustin Keller (Overall grade D+ / 1.925 gpa)
The Jets tight end did not play. Team on bye week.
Grade This Week: no grade

14. QB-Joe Flacco (Overall grade C- / 1.850 gpa)
The Ravens rookie struggled in week 5 facing a very tough and stingy Titans defense. Flacco completed 18 of 27 passes, but for only 153 yards. He did not have any touchdowns, but did throw two picks. (2 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

15. WR-Jordy Nelson (Overall grade D / 1.250 gpa)
Nelson was pretty much a non-factor in week 5, not seeing much action. The Packers rookie receiver was only targeted once and finished the game with one catch for 14 yards. (1 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

16. WR-Mike Tolbert (Overall grade D- / 0.950 gpa)
The Chargers rookie fullback did not make it into the stats books last week. Tolbert finished with no carries and no receptions. (0 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

17. TE-John Carlson (Overall grade D- / .850 gpa)
The Seahawks tight end, like the team struggled against the defending Superbowl Champions last Sunday. After a somewhat fast start, Carlson has cooled down considerably. The tight end did not record a single catch in week 5. (0 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

18. RB-Kregg Lumpkin (Overall grade D- / 850 gpa)
The Packers rookie runner did not play last week. He was sidelined with an injured hamstring.
Grade This Week: no grade

19. WR-Michael Bumpus (Overall grade F / .600 gpa)
The Seahawks rookie receiver continues to see little action each week. Last Sunday against the Giants Bumpus had one catch for 10 yards. (1 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

20. RB-Jamaal Charles (Overall grade F / 0.550 gpa)
With LJ crashing last week against the Panthers, the door was slightly open for Charles to get some looks. Last Sunday the rookie carried the ball 4 times for 18 yards and grabbed 4 passes for 22 yards. (3 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: D-

21. WR-James Hardy (Overall grade F / 0.500 gpa)
The Bills rookie has not hard much action this season, but did see a little last Sunday. Hardy added 3 catches for 35 yards to bring his season totals to 5 receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. (3 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: D

22. RB-Rashard Mendenhall (Overall grade F / 0.450 gpa)
The Steelers rookie running back is out for the season and will have to wait until next year to make an impact!
Grade This Week: final fantasy grade F

23. RB-Ray Rice (Overall grade F / .450 gpa)
The Ravens rookie running back has fallen down the depth chart. In week 5 against the Titans, Rice did not see any action.
Grade This Week: no grade

24. WR-Harry Douglas (Overall grade F / 0.425 gpa)
The Falcons receiver did not see a lot of action last Sunday against the Packers, but did get a chance to run with the ball. Douglas had one carry for 18 yards and no receptions. (1 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

25. TE-Martellus Bennett (Overall grade F / 0.250 gpa)
The Cowboys tight end was once again a non participant in the team's passing game. Bennett was held without a catch last week against the Bengal's. (0 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

Missed the Cut...

WR-Josh Morgan (Overall grade F / 0.000 gpa)
The rookie receiver was relatively quiet once again in Week 5. Morgan caught just two passes for 13 yards, giving him 5 receptions and 49 yards for the season. (1 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

WR-Davone Bess (Overall grade F / 0.000 gpa)
The Dolphins rookie receiver did not have his best day last week. Bess caught 3 passes for 25 yards, but also fumbled once. (0 fantasy points)
Grade This Week: F

**Newest relevant Classmates making fantasy noise...
The Colts rookie tight end Tom Santi scored his first touchdown last Sunday. Santi now has 10 receptions and 64 yards receiving this season and could be working his way into some regular work.
**The Cardinals rookie receiver Early Doucet took advantage of his opportunity in week 5. The rookie caught 6 passes for 42 yards in his first action this season.
These are my grades for the week, check back next week, when I will update The Rookie Report Card!

Rookie Rankings for Week 6
(rankings reflect matchups for week 6)

Quarterbacks...
1. Matt Ryan...has a tough matchup, but at home and Bears give up pass yards!
2. Joe Flacco...should be okay, but will see a lot of Colt's Freeney and Mathis!
3. Matt Flynn...back to the bench, as Rodgers is a gamer.
4. Chad Henne...won't see any action this week.

Running backs...
1. Matt Forte....used in run and pass, could have big day.
2. Felix Jones....will continue to see regular snaps each week.
3. Steve Slaton....should have plenty of carries, but find few yards.
4. Jonathan Stewart....will have a rough day running against the Bucs.
5. Tim Hightower.....always has a chance to punch on in.
6. Kevin Smith.....won't see too many holes against the Vikings.
7. Darren McFadden....will be limited against the Saints.
8. Ray Rice....has fallen down the chart, but could see a few carries Sunday.
9. Mike Tolbert....will see very little action Sunday.
10. Kregg Lumpkin....not expected to see much action Sunday.
11. Chris Johnson....going to have a quiet week on a bye.
12. Jamaal Charles....no action this week, team on bye.
13. Rashard Mendenhall....out for the season.

Receivers...
1. DeSean Jackson....the rookie will be greatly involved in the Pass game.
2. Dustin Kelller....could see a few red zone targets on Sunday.
3. Donnie Avery.....should be more involved in passing game.
4. Eddie Royal....may be limited, but should still see a few targets.
5. Tom Santi....could get a few balls thrown his way Sunday.
6. Jordy Nelson....behind Driver and Jennings won't get too many targets.
7. John Carlson....could struggle with quarterback change.
8. Michael Bumpus....with Engram back will see fewer targets.
9. Harry Douglas....won't see many chances behind White and Jenkins.
10. Josh Morgan....has been ineffective for several weeks.
11. Davone Bess....will have tough time cracking the line-up on Sundays.
12. Martellus Bennett....stuck behind Witten.
13. James Hardy....will have to wait a week to see action, on bye.


By David G. Ortega