Category: Rookie Notes

Mohamed Sanu MIA in Bengals offense

Bengals, Rookie Notes
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Cincinnati Bengals 3rd-round pick Mohamed Sanu has yet to see any meaningful action, taking the field for a grand total of five plays through two games.

Sanu was used for five plays in the season opener against Baltimore, all five of which were running plays. Sanu was active again in Sunday against the Browns, but did not see the field.

The Bengals have used six receivers so far this year, including Sanu, but Sanu is the only one who has yet to run a route. 5th-round pick Marvin Jones has apparently jumped Sanu on the depth chart, based on the fact that he’s taken the field for a total of 23 plays in both games.

Vontaze Burfict competing for starting job at strong-side linebacker

Bengals, Rookie Notes
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The Cincinnati Bengals gave Vontaze Burfict his first taste of NFL action on Sunday against the Browns. He was originally expected to start in place of the injured Thomas Howard, but the Bengals opened up in a nickel package so he ended up coming off the bench and playing 22 snaps at strong-side linebacker.

Despite reports prior to the game that Burfict would be the Bengals starter, actions speak louder than words. Burfict and Manny Lawson each played 22 snaps on Sunday, indicating that the job is still very much up for grabs in Howard’s absence.

Bruce Irvin excelling as pass rush specialist

Rookie Notes, Seahawks
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Seattle Seahawks 1st-round pick Bruce Irvin recorded his first career sack on Sunday against the Cowboys and is developing into an asset as a pass rush specialist.

Through two games Irvin has been used as a pass rusher on 53 of his 64 snaps (82.8%).

While Irvin has done a nice job in this role (he’s recorded a sack, hit or pressure on 9.1% of his pass rush plays), their use of him in this role begs the question: is it worth drafting a pass-rush specialist in the 1st round?

No matter how well Irvin performs in this role, the fact remains he’s a part-time player. He certainly hasn’t looked like a bust, but until he develops into a a true three-down lineman it will be hard to give the Seahawks a strong grade for their selection.

Justin Blackmon continues to struggle

Jaguars, Rookie Notes
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Jacksonville Jaguars 1st-round pick Justin Blackmon has just three catches through his first two games, and was shut out on Sunday against the Texans.

Blackmon was on the field for 24 pass plays and was targeted three times, but failed to come down with a catch.

The issue for Blackmon is his route running and it really shouldn’t come as a surprise. Oklahoma State ran a fairly basic offense, which required very little of Blackmon other than to go deep. He was bigger, stronger and faster than most Big 12 defensive backs and wasn’t forced to refine his route running skills. He has the ability to develop into an elite receiver, but it will clearly take time.

Matt Kalil nearly perfect through two games

Rookie Notes, Vikings
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Minnesota Vikings 1st-round pick Matt Kalil hasn’t wasted any time living up to expectations.

According to Pro Football Focus, Kalil has allowed zero sacks, zero quarterback hits and just one quarterback hurry. PFF’s weighted Pass Block Efficiency rating ranks Kalil among the game’s elite with a 98.9 percent rating.

It’s only two games and we shouldn’t draw conclusions – good or bad – based on this small sample size. But it’s certainly encouraging for the Vikings to see Kalil hit the ground running.