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 Tuesday, January 4

Rookie QBs aren't sitting around

 
ESPN.com

 
Tim Couch
Tim Couch threw his first NFL touchdown pass Sunday.
When the regular season started, the first three picks in the NFL draft (all quarterbacks) were on the sidelines wearing baseball caps. However, in only the second week of the season, Tim Couch made his first start for the Browns, Donovan McNabb played the entire second half of the Eagles' game and Akili Smith saw considerable action for the Bengals.

While Couch is the only one with a firm grasp on a starting job, McNabb and Smith probably aren't that far behind.

With the regular season off and running, here's a look at how some of the league's most intriguing rookies fared on the season's second weekend.

Each Tuesday during the regular season, ESPN.com will continue to offer its report cards for the Class of '99.

PLAYER, STATS THE SKINNY
Tim Couch, QB, Browns

at Titans
12-for-24
134 yds., 1 TD, 0 INT
5 att., 40 yds.

The No. 1 overall pick got his first start in the NFL and had mixed results. Couch finished 12-for-24 for 134 yards and threw his first touchdown on a 39-yard pass to fellow rookie Kevin Johnson. However, the Browns continued to struggle on offense, scoring only nine points in their loss to the Titans, and Couch was sacked seven times.
Akili Smith, QB, Bengals

vs. Chargers
10-for-17
100 yds., 0 TD, 1 INT
2 att., 4 yds.

The Bengals were forced to use Smith for the second consecutive week when Jeff Blake went down with an injury in the first half. Smith entered the game with Cincinnati down 28-7 and failed to generate any points. The rookie from the University of Oregon completed 10 of 17 passes for 100 yards and one interception. He was also sacked twice. Depending on Blake's status, Smith could see considerable action Sunday against St. Louis.
Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles

vs. Buccaneers
4-for-11
26 yds., 0 TD, 0 INT
5 att., 38 yds.

McNabb made his NFL debut, entering the Eagles' 19-5 loss to the Buccaneers in the second half after an injury to starting quarterback Doug Pederson. The No. 2 overall pick completed four of 11 passes for 26 yards and was chased all over the field by a relentless Bucs defense. McNabb was sacked six times, and it would have been more if not for his speed. Coach Andy Reid says Pederson is still the team's starting QB.
Edgerrin James, RB, Colts

at Patriots
32 att., 118 yds., 1 TD
1 rec., 9 yds.

The fleet-footed running back from Miami (Fla.) became only the eighth rookie in NFL history to rush for at least 100 yards in each of his first two games. James rushed for 118 yards on 32 carries and scored a touchdown in the Colts' loss to the Patriots. However, James had a costly fumble with 2:32 remaining, which led to New England's game-winning field goal.
Ricky Williams, RB, Saints

at 49ers
22 att., 80 yds.
3 rec., 5 yds.

The Saints finally got to see Williams for a full game. The Heisman winner carried the ball 22 times for 80 yards in the Saints' loss to the 49ers. He had a 15 yard run to start a second-half drive that gave the Saints a 21-14 lead. While Williams' ankle made it through the game, he apparently suffered a sprained right elbow on a block by Ken Norton Jr. after an interception. The elbow was in a brace after the game.
Cade McNown, QB, Bears

vs. Seahawks
1-for-2
4 yds.

After last week's impressive performance, McNown did not play very much in the Bears' loss to the Seahawks this weekend. He completed one of two passes for four yards, playing only one series and failing to pick up a first down.
Jevon Kearse, DE, Titans

vs. Browns
3 sacks

The Titans' first-round pick recorded his first sacks in the NFL. On Cleveland's third series of the game QB Tim Couch had the offense moving down field. However, Kearse knocked down a Couch pass and then sacked him two plays later to stop the drive. Kearse finished the game with three sacks.
Champ Bailey, CB, Redskins

at Giants
7 tackles

Bailey continues his strong play in the Redskins' defensive backfield. The rookie from Georgia recorded a team-high seven tackles last week.
Cecil Collins, RB, Dolphins

vs. Cardinals
15 att., 45 yds.

Collins made his NFL debut and carried the ball 15 times for 45 yards in Miami's win over Arizona. The fifth-round pick had been hampered the last few weeks by a sprained ankle, and he didn't play last Monday against the Broncos. Collins did have one mental lapse when he wasn't ready for a pitch from Dan Marino because he was adjusting his chin strap. "Cecil did a heck of a job," coach Jimmy Johnson told The Miami Herald. "It was his first NFL action."

 


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