Up and running: it didn't take long for players like Kevin Jones to get used to life in the NFL

Football Digest, April, 2005

SOME YEARS, IT'S ALMOST impossible to fill out an all-rookie team. Not in 2004.

How often is there such an easy choice at quarterback--or at any position at all--as the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger? Indeed, Big Ben deserved consideration for the NFL's most valuable player, not just for the top offensive rookie.

How many seasons are there with so many rookie defensive backs who start and make an impact? In '04, there were enough to fill out a few all-rookie squads.

And the NFL freshmen who were factors were not limited to first-round draft picks, although quite a few of those were significant contributors. But for every Roethlisberger, Kevin Jones and Roy Williams on offense, there was a Mike Karney, a Shane Olivea, and a Nick Hardwick. For every Jonathan Vilma, our Defensive Rookie of the Year, Dunta Robinson, and D.J. Williams, there was an Erik Coleman, a Randall Gay, and a Jared Allen.

Here's our 2004 All-Rookie Team:

OFFENSE

Quarterback

BEN ROETHLISBERGER, Pittsburgh Steelers

The numbers say just about all you need to know about the 11th overall draft pick from Miami (Ohio) and our runaway pick as Offensive Rookie of the Year. Roethlisberger's incredible rookie season dwarfed those of such other quarterbacking greats as John Elway, Brett Favre, and Peyton Manning. Yes, it was even better than it hat of Dan Marino, the measuring stick for rookie QBs.

"I think the thing that amazes me the most is Ben's poise," Steelers running back Jerome Bettis says. "If he makes a bad throw or a bad decision, he just says, 'OK, that play is over, we'll do it right on the next play.' And then he does. The poise and discipline are not something you see too often from a rookie."

Running Backs

KEVIN JONES, Detroit Lions

JULIUS JONES, Dallas Cowboys

The Jones Boys--no relation, although Julius is the younger brother of the Chicago Bears' Thomas Jones.

Julius was a revelation for the Cowboys once he got healthy after an early-season shoulder problem. Dallas had virtually no ground threat without the second-round pick from Notre Dame, a player coach Bill Parcells targeted on draft day, even trading down with the confidence Jones could be had in a lower spot. Parcells was right, and Jones was worth the wait.

"I go out every game with a chip on my shoulder to prove something," says Jones, an underachiever in college. "I had high expectations of myself. I go out and expect myself to perform at the best level, top level."

So does Kevin Jones, the brightest spot on Detroit's offense and the first breakaway threat the Lions have had since Barry Sanders. "It's hard to tag me because I try to be a versatile runner," he says. "You can't be only a power guy because sometimes you have to outrun somebody. Sometimes you have to make people miss."

He does.

Fullback

MIKE KARNEY, New Orleans Saints

The Saints sought a more well-rounded fullback to lead the way for Deuce McAllister and also contribute in the passing game. The fifth-round pick from Arizona State came through and was one of the steadier players on the New Orleans offense despite keeping a very low profile.

Wide Receivers

MICHAEL CLAYTON, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ROY WILLIAMS, Detroit Lions

Williams was the more spectacular of the two young wideouts from a sensational draft crop, but he also had trouble contributing consistently because of an ankle injury. Williams figures to be a go-to receiver in Detroit for a long time; he can be a highlight reel unto himself.

"It's kind of exalting because you're a part of something rare, and it'll be interesting to see how everything pans out in a few years" Williams says. "The guy I've really noticed is Michael Clayton down in Tampa Bay."

Clayton isn't quite the same breakaway threat, but his precise routes, good hands, and burst of separation made him the No. 1 target on the Buccaneers.

"We're excited about him--he's made an impact for us," Bucs coach Jon Gruden says. "You never expect the [Keenan] McCardell holdout to last long. We lost Joe Jurevicius, a guy that delivered big plays for us, and Joey Galloway, a guy we counted on. That forced Michael not only into a starting role, but a go-to role as a receiver and as a blocker and physical football player."

Many regarded him as the second-best offensive rookie in '04 behind only Roethlisberger.

Tight End

CHRIS COOLEY, Washington Redskins

Cooley gets the nod almost by default, but that doesn't mean he hasn't earned recognition. More an H-back than a true tight end, the third-round choice from Utah State has the ability to find the end-zone, which caught the attention of Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.

"We probably should have been going to him more than we did," Gibbs says. "Certain guys have a knack for getting hooked up. He's going to be where he's supposed to be."

Offensive Tackles

SAHNE OLIVEA, San Diego Chargers

TRAVELLE WHARTON, Carolina Panthers

Olivea sank to the bottom of the draft, even though he was a standout at Ohio State.

"If we had any idea Olivea would play like he's playing, he would not have been a seventh-round draft choice," Chargers coach Marty Schottentieimer said late in the season. "He would have been picked earlier. Everybody matures at different times. Some guys end up coming to you' and they don't get any better. There are other guys that improve dramatically, and he's one that did."