Young Blood
Posted: Tuesday November 03, 1998 05:17 PM
By Peter King
 Here are 10 players—none of whom is named Peyton or Ryan—who have
risen to prominence in the first half of the season.
1. Ty Law,
Patriots cornerback Tied for the league lead in interceptions,
with five, he talks a good game, then goes out and backs it up. Early in
1995, his rookie season, Law began badgering then coach Bill Parcells,
saying, "Let me take the other team's receiver out of the game. Stick
me on him, Coach." Parcells never did use him that way regularly, but
successor Pete Carroll has, and Law, playing a clinging and physical
corner, hasn't been beaten on a touchdown pass in eight games this year.
"I'm long overdue for the Pro Bowl," says the 24-year-old. Who
could argue?
2. Randy Moss,
Vikings wideout A new emphasis on the deep passing game is the
biggest reason that Minnesota is one game up on Green Bay in the NFC
Central, and Moss is right in the middle of it. He is averaging 19.1 yards
per catch, has scored six touchdowns and is on pace to become the first
rookie to rack up 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches in a
season.
3. Vonnie
Holliday, Packers defensive end Green Bay traded up 10
spots in the '98 draft, to 19th, for the opportunity to select this
6'5", 300-pound North Carolina product. Now we know why. With six
sacks and 37 tackles in the first half of the season, Holliday has already
developed into a great bookend opposite Reggie White.
4. Sam Madison,
Dolphins cornerback "A shut-'em-down corner," Miami
coach Jimmy Johnson says of the 1997 second-round draft pick from
Louisville. Madison and rookie reserve Patrick Surtain could be
the league's best cornerback tandem by 2000.
5. Charlie
Batch, Lions quarterback What makes this rookie such a
surprise is not just his precocious play (57.5% completion rate) at a time
when Peyton Manning and
Ryan Leaf have
struggled mightily. It's also his commanding presence in the huddle.
6. Tony Parrish,
Bears free safety Rookie second-round pick has been a starter and
punishing hitter from Day One.
7. Charles Woodson,
Raiders cornerback The league's best rookie corner since Deion
entered the league in '89.
8. Jermaine
Lewis, Ravens wideout-return man This third-year player is
an explosion waiting to happen on every kick or catch.
9. Takeo Spikes,
Bengals linebacker Rookie reminds foes of a young Mike
Singletary.
10. Brad
Maynard, Giants punter Second-year player has hang time to
die for and is a great coffin-corner kicker.
Issue date: Nov. 9, 1998
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