Release from The PhanaticPhiladelphia, PA (The Phanatic) - Many rookies had standout seasons in 2006, playing staring roles for clubs vying for postseason berths.
Three rookies stood above the pack, and each garnered at least two votes in Rookie of the Year balloting. In the end, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston captured The Phanatic's Rookie of the Year Award, as voted on by a panel of nine staff writers.
Colston had a storybook season in his first year out of Hofstra, entering the league as a little-known seventh-road draft choice from a small I-AA school. Yet, the tall, physical wideout quickly developed a strong connection with quarterback Drew Brees and became the go-to guy for the surprising Saints, who went from three wins to 10 in 2006 and enter the NFC Playoffs with a week off as the second seed.
The 6-4 wide receiver hauled in 70 passes for 1038 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while missing two games and failing to start in two others. He was a key member of a revitalized offense, which included not only Brees but the two-headed backfield of Deuce McAllister and second overall draft pick Reggie Bush.
Colston garnered one more vote than Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, who took over for Kerry Collins after an 0-3 start and led the Titans to the brink of the playoffs. Young was 8-5 as a starter and engraved some "Wow" moments in the minds of football fans everywhere. The athletic signal-caller didn't rely on his legs in 2006, but used them as an effective complement to a strong, and surprisingly accurate arm at times.
Young ran for 552 yards and seven touchdowns, but also threw for 2199 yards with 12 scores and 13 interceptions. More important than stats, Young made the big throws when he had to, leading fourth-quarter comebacks against the Colts, Texans, Jaguars and Bills and skating into the end zone for the winning score in an overtime victory against the Giants.
The other vote-getter, Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew, can not be discredited for the season he put together. Jones-Drew started just one game in 2006, yet finished only 59 yards short of joining teammate Fred Taylor in the 1000-yard club. The UCLA product was effective as a receiver -- with 46 receptions for 436 yards and two scores -- and near the goal line, finishing tied for third in the NFL with 16 touchdowns.
Official Voting Results:
Marques Colston, New Orleans: 4 votes
Vince Young, Tennessee: 3 votes
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville: 2 votes
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