2005/06 FANTASY ROOKIE TEAM

January 3rd, 2006 9:00 am ET

In hindsight, we realize that the 2004 rookie class spoiled fantasy football owners. Kevin Jones, Julius Jones, Michael Clayton, Lee Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams, Ben Roethlisberger, Nate Kaeding, and others had us believing that the transition from college to the pros wasn't that difficult.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the bar has been lowered back to a more normal level. The 2005 crop of fresh-faced, bright-eyed youngsters failed to do much damage despite the best efforts of two Auburn running backs, a Big Money tight end, and a short-term ray of sunshine up in the frozen tundra. We present the 2005 All-Rookie Team:

QB Kyle Orton, Bears: The quarterback section of the rookie report is always about as alluring as Shelley Smith in a peach parka, and this year's top gun managed a staggering nine touchdowns and 1,869 yards. Sadly, those totals blew away the competition. Orton, a fourth-round pick out of Purdue, was forced into a starting role when Rex Grossman fractured his left fibula during the preseason. Along with the aforementioned positive numbers, Orton tossed 13 interceptions and fumbled 12 times, but we have to give him credit for leading the Bears to an NFC North title and a first-round playoff bye. We'll also remember his rookie season as a time for enjoying the town and shunning razors. Ah, the life of a bachelor!

--Honorable mention: Seventh-round smartypants Ryan Fitzpatrick was also thrust into the lineup due to injuries, and he managed to throw for 310 yards and three touchdowns in a relief role on November 27. Fantasy owners then added him to their rosters, and although he struggled, Fitzpatrick managed to rush for a touchdown in weeks 13 and 14. Those running scores gave him the honorable mention edge over Browns' youngster Charlie Frye.

RB Carnell Williams, Buccaneers: The man known as Cadillac may have been the third running back off the board last April, but he was the first car out of the garage this September. Williams rushed for 148, 128 and 158 yards in his first three games before succumbing to foot and hamstring injuries. He returned in week eight and struggled through the next three contests before finding his groove again over the final seven tilts. Cadillac ended up leading all rookie running backs in carries (290), rushing yards (1,178), and 100-yard games (six), and his six touchdowns ranked third at the position.

RB Ronnie Brown, Dolphins: This second overall pick struggled in early tilts against the Broncos and Jets before busting out for 132 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers in week three. The effort opened a strong five-game streak for Brown, but his numbers suffered over the second half due to a split backfield with Ricky Williams. Brown finished second amongst rookies in rushing yards (907), scored five total touchdowns, and tied Alvin Pearman (Jaguars) for the rookie lead in receptions (32).

--Honorable mention: Second-half sensation Samkon Gado rocked the Packers and the fantasy world with seven total touchdowns and three 100-yard efforts from weeks nine through 14. Unfortunately, Gado crushed fantasy teams when he suffered a torn MCL in week 15. A handful of other rookies (Jacobs, Marion Barber, Frank Gore, Ryan Moats, Cedric Houston) all gifted the fantasy world with a few shining moments but ultimately deserve no more than a cursory nod.

WR Chris Henry, Bengals: This third-round pick lived up to his draft report, which declared that he had first-round athletic ability and first-grade maturity. Henry emerged as the Bengals number three receiver and led all rookie wideouts with six touchdowns. He surpassed the 50-yard mark only four times, but his 422 receiving yards sadly ranked sixth amongst his classmates. On the negative side, Henry was arrested on December 14 for speeding, driving with expired tags, having an expired license, and possessing marijuana.

WR Reggie Brown, Eagles: First-year players often struggle to grasp all the intricacies of the West Coast system, but the Eagles pushed their prized second-round pick quickly through the playbook. Brown jumped into the starting lineup following the suspension of Terrell Owens, and in nine starts following the star receiver's fallout, Reggie hauled in 34 passes for 463 yards and four touchdowns. All told, he led the rookie class in receptions (43) and yards (571).

--Honorable mention: A bushel of other rookie receivers displayed glimpses of talent, but the runner-up spots go to the Browns' Braylon Edwards (512 yards) and the Jaguars' Matt Jones (five touchdowns). It appears as though this class (which also features Mark Clayton, Roddy White, Troy Williamson, Mike Williams, Brandon Jones, Roydell Williams, Courtney Roby, Mark Bradley, and others) is generally on the three-year receiver plan.

TE Heath Miller, Steelers: Big Money started off his professional career with a bang, catching a three-yard touchdown in the season opener. Miller then proceeded to run silent for two contests before notching five touchdowns over a four-game span. Unfortunately, the first-round pick failed to score after week eight, thanks in part to Roethlisberger's various injuries. However, Heath's six total touchdowns ranked sixth at the position, and his 39 catches and 459 yards were good starting points for his career.

--Honorable mention: Alex Smith jumped out to an even better start than Miller, finding the end zone twice in week one. The Buccaneer then went scoreless over the remainder of the season, but he did finish with 41 catches and 367 yards. Bryan Fletcher and Bo Scaife also made plays for this oh-so-heralded spot.

K Mike Nugent, Jets: The most controversial pick in this article actually deserves scant praise for his rookie campaign. The much ballyhooed second-round selection struggled throughout the campaign and finished with only 90 points. The positive spin is that Nugent managed seven field goals of over 40 yards and finished strong, piling up 53 points over the final six games.

--Honorable mention: Robbie Gould didn't join the Bears until week five and averaged more points-per-game than Nugent, but he managed to hit only three field goals of longer than 40 yards. Rob Bironas outscored both Nugent and Gould, but the Titans kicker wasn't technically a rookie.

 

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