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 Tuesday, January 4

Rookies get defensive, too

 
ESPN.com

 
Andy Katzenmoyer
Andy Katzenmoyer continues to improve for the Patriots.
Most of the attention this season has been focused on the rookies making an impact on the offensive side of the ball. However, there are a number of defensive rookies who are making considerable contributions.

Green Bay used its first three draft picks on defensive backs, and the early returns look good. In New England, Andy Katzenmoyer has done an adequate job replacing injured linebacker Ted Johnson. We're still going to give you the skinny on Tim Couch and the other rookies playing offense, however, we've included some first-year players who are getting it done on defense.

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 third 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
Antuan Edwards, CB, Packers

vs. Vikings
3 tackles
2 interceptions
1 TD

Edwards, the first of three defensive backs taken by Green Bay in the first three rounds of the 1999 draft, made his first two NFL interceptions in the Packers' victory over the Vikings. The first pick came in the second quarter, with Edwards returning it 26 yards for a touchdown. Edwards was beaten for a 50-yard reception by Jake Reed. However, he teamed with the rest of the Packers secondary to hold Randy Moss to two receptions -- and that's exactly what the Pack wanted when it drafted the trio of DBs.
Mike McKenzie, CB, Packers

vs. Vikings
3 tackles

A third-round pick in the recent draft, McKenzie quickly won a starting job in the Packers secondary. He teamed with Edwards on Sunday to help shut down Moss. "We were all drafted to help this team. We had to make a difference in the game," McKenzie told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Andy Katzenmoyer, LB, Patriots

vs. Giants
6 tackles

The "Big Kat" continues to improve with each game. In the Patriots victory over the Giants, Katzenmoyer had six tackles, including a few jarring hits.
Champ Bailey, CB, Redskins

at Jets
5 tackles

Only three games into the season, coach Norv Turner has basically ruled out Bailey playing any offense. Turner feels Bailey is just too important to the team's defense. "With the way he's playing on defense and the way our guys are playing on offense, it's not in his best interests or our best interests to play him on offense," Turner told The Washington Post. Bailey had six tackles in the Redskins' victory over the Jets.
Jevon Kearse, DE, Titans

at Jaguars
7 tackles

Kearse followed up his three-sack effort against the Browns by recording seven tackles in the Titans victory over the Jaguars.
Tim Couch, QB, Browns

at Ravens
13-for-32
123 yds., 1 TD, 0 INT
6 att., 49 yds.

In two games as a starter, Couch has had plenty of ups and downs. The first-year passer struggled for three quarters Sunday against the Ravens, passing for only 37 yards, however, he engineered an impressive touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Couch connected with Terry Kirby on a 61-yard pass play, and then hit Kevin Johnson with an 11-yard touchdown pass.
Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles

at Bills
6-for-11
34 yds., 0 TD, 0 INT
1 att., 10 yds.

He still hasn't started a game, but McNabb continues to get plenty of work. He replaced Doug Pederson in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' 26-0 loss to the Bills, completing six of 11 passes for 34 yards. Coach Andy Reid hasn't said who will start next Sunday against the Giants, but McNabb could get the nod.
Edgerrin James, RB, Colts

at Chargers
17 att., 46 yds.
3 rec., 36 yds.

San Diego's strong run defense kept James from becoming the first rookie to rush for 100 yards in each of his first three games. James finished the game with 46 yards on 17 carries and caught three passes for 36 yards.
Torry Holt, WR, Rams

vs. Falcons
2 rec., 47 yds., 1 TD

The explosive wide receiver from N.C. State continues to show big-play ability. In the Rams' 35-7 victory over the Falcons, Holt caught two passes for 47 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown reception. In three games, Holt has caught only five passes, but he has two touchdowns and is averaging 16.6 yards a catch.
Cade McNown, QB, Bears

at Raiders
3-for-5
38 yds.

McNown made his only appearance of the game in the second quarter of the Bears' loss to the Raiders, completing three of five passes for 38 yards. Bears coach Dick Jauron continues to stick to his rotation of starting Shane Matthews, but playing McNown for a series or two in the second period.
Kevin Johnson, WR, Browns

at Ravens
2 rec., 18 yds., 1 TD

The rookie wide receiver from Syracuse caught his second touchdown pass in as many weeks. In three games, Johnson has caught eight passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Troy Edwards, WR, Steelers

vs. Seahawks
6 rec., 72 yds., 1 TD

Edwards had his most productive game as a pro in Pittsburgh's loss to the Seahawks. The wide receiver from Louisiana Tech had six receptions for 72 yards and caught his first NFL touchdown pass from Mike Tomczak in the closing minutes.

 


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