Linebacker Nick Barnett of the Green Bay Packers, tight end Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers, cornerback Terence Newman of the Dallas Cowboys, running back Onterrio Smith of the Minnesota Vikings, and cornerback Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears are the finalists for Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week honors for games played on December 14-15, the NFL announced Tuesday.
Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com from Tuesday morning until 9:00 AM ET Thursday to determine the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week. The Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week will be announced Thursday on NFL.com.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors.
Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston.
Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com from Tuesday morning until 9:00 AM ET Thursday to determine the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week. The Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week will be announced Thursday on NFL.com.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors.
Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston.
A closer look at the finalists:
Nick Barnett, Green Bay LB
Recorded a team-high nine tackles, a special-teams tackle and defensed a pass in the Packers' 38-21 win over San Diego. Barnett leads all rookies with 101 tackles.
Antonio Gates, San Diego TE
Caught five passes for 117 yards in the Chargers' 38-21 loss to Green Bay. In his eighth career start, Gates record his first career 100-yard game.
Terence Newman, Dallas CB
Recorded five tackles and three interceptions in the Cowboys' 27-0 win over Washington. Newman's three interceptions ties a Dallas record for most in a game. Two of his interceptions led to Dallas points.
Onterrio Smith, Minnesota RB
Rushed for 148 yards on 27 carries, a 5.5 yards per carry average, and caught two passes for 10 yards in the Vikings' 13-10 loss to Chicago. Smith's 148 rushing yards broke a Vikings single-game rookie record set in 1961.
Charles Tillman, Chicago CB
Recorded 10 tackles, defensed three passes and intercepted a potential game-winning pass in the end zone in the Bears' 13-10 win over Minnesota. With 1:11 remaining in the game Tillman recorded his fourth career interception by stepping in front of a pass intended for Randy Moss in the end zone. The interception sealed Chicago's victory.
