Running back Samkon Gado of the Green Bay Packers, defensive back Ellis Hobbs of the New England Patriots, wide receiver Matt Jones of the Jacksonville Jaguars, linebacker Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks and cornerback Darrent Williams of the Denver Broncos, are the finalists for NFL Rookie of the Week honors for games played on November 13-14, the NFL announced Tuesday.
Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com beginning Tuesday morning and ending on Thursday to determine the NFL Rookie of the Week. The NFL Rookie of the Week will be announced Thursday afternoon on NFL.com.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet 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 XL in Detroit.
This is Pepsi's fourth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the first year that Diet Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
Week 10 nominees:
Samkon Gado, Green Bay RB
Ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries in the Packers' 33-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Gado scored on touchdown runs of two and nine yards in his first NFL start. He also caught a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brett Favre.
Ellis Hobbs, New England DB
Recorded a team-leading seven tackles, defended four passes, recovered two fumbles and had one interception in the Patriots' 23-16 victory over the AFC East-rival Miami Dolphins. Hobbs' fourth-quarter interception gave New England possession at the Miami 23 yard-line and led to a field goal.
Matt Jones, Jacksonville WR
Had career-highs in receptions with five and receiving yards with 117 in the Jaguars' 30-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Jones also caught his third NFL touchdown on a 32-yard pass from quarterback Byron Leftwich. In addition, he had two carries for 12 yards.
Lofa Tatupu, Seattle LB
Recorded a team-high nine tackles and one sack in the Seahawks' 31-16 victory over the NFC West-rival St. Louis Rams. Tatupu sacked Rams quarterback Marc Bulger for a loss of 11 yards as St. Louis was driving late in the third quarter. He leads the team with 62 tackles this season.
Darrent Williams, Denver CB
Recorded three tackles and one interception, which he returned 80 yards for a touchdown in the Broncos' 31-17 victory over the AFC West-rival Oakland Raiders. With Denver leading 23-10 and Oakland driving, Williams stepped in front of a Raiders pass and raced 80 yards for the deciding score.
