Rookies run ahead of curve in NFL

Dazzling dashes, jaw-dropping cuts and game-changing bursts.

Led by Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, Houston’s Steve Slaton and Chicago’s Matt Forte, a spectacular group of rookie running backs has made an immediate impact this year.

“When you look at the whole running back group that came out this year, personally myself, I would say that it would be the best running back class that has come out in the NFL,” Johnson said.

Johnson is sixth in the league with 1,159 yards rushing, followed by Slaton (1,124) and Forte (1,115). It’s the first time three rookies have rushed for more than 1,000 yards since 2001, when it was done by San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson, Chicago’s Anthony Thomas and Indianapolis’ Dominic Rhodes. It’s also only the second time since 1995, when New England’s Curtis Martin, Denver’s Terrell Davis and Chicago’s Rashaan Salaam accomplished the feat.

Detroit’s Kevin Smith (773 yards) has an outside chance of joining the trio, a bright spot in an otherwise miserable season for the winless Lions.

“This is one of the best years for rookie running backs, and look where I’m at,” said Smith, a third-round pick out of Central Florida.

Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart (751) could come close to joining teammate DeAngelo Williams as a 1,000-yard rusher, overcoming a painful toe injury that required off-season surgery that hampered him early this season.

“His body of work is not done yet,” Panthers coach John Fox said. “He’s helped us get to where we are record-wise. He’s been a big part of that.”

Baltimore’s Ray Rice, Arizona’s Tim Hightower, Oakland’s Darren McFadden, Dallas’ Felix Jones and Denver’s Peyton Hillis have also had their share of bright moments.

While Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco have garnered their share of the rookie spotlight as touchdown-slinging quarterbacks, the running backs have certainly burst onto the scene.

Slaton, a third-rounder out of West Virginia, had big hopes for his rookie season, even when it appeared he’d be little more than a third-down back behind Ahman Green.

“That stuff was a dream,” said Slaton, who leads the AFC with 1,429 yards from scrimmage. “I didn’t really think it would happen. I had great guys in front of me, but injuries happened and Coach gave me a chance to step up.”

Johnson’s blazing speed made him too enticing for the Titans to pass up in the draft, even though they already had LenDale White in their backfield. Tennessee used the 24th pick overall on the former East Carolina running back, excited by his 4.24-second time in the 40-yard dash that was the fastest in the history of the NFL Combine.

“It’s working out better than I thought it would, but I wouldn’t say I came here expecting to do any worse because I always have high expectations for myself,” Johnson said. “So, I always expect myself whatever I’m doing to do great at it.”

Johnson recently joined Earl Campbell and Eddie George as the only rookies in the history of the franchise to rush for 1,000 yards in their first NFL season. He’s also second in the AFC in yards from scrimmage, behind Slaton.

“I think the fact that how big of a factor they’ve played on their teams this year so quickly has probably been a surprise to everybody,” Kubiak said of Johnson and Slaton. “Two fine young players that have bright futures.”

The same can be said of Forte, a second-round pick out of Tulane who leads NFL running backs with 58 receptions.

“He keeps on surprising everybody,” Bears quarterback Kyle Orton said. “I don’t think you can count him as a rookie. He wasn’t really a rookie when he came in. He’s well ahead of the curve and playing great football for us.”

McFadden was perhaps the biggest name entering the draft and was the first running back selected with the fourth pick by the Raiders. He hasn’t quite lived up to all the hype, and toe injuries on both feet that caused him to miss three games have been a major factor.

Ryan, the player picked before McFadden, has enjoyed terrific success while leading the Falcons on their playoff run. He’s among the league leaders with a 90.0 quarterback rating, while throwing for 3,146 yards, 14 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

Flacco, the only other quarterback drafted in the first round, has had a similar impact with the Ravens. Highly touted coming out of Delaware, Flacco has given Baltimore a dangerous offense to complement its always stout defense.

“He’s got ice water in his blood,” Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior said. “He’s adjusted well to the NFL.”

So are players at positions besides running back and quarterback.

Denver’s Eddie Royal (75 catches) and Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson (58) have made their marks as game-breaking wide receivers, while Seattle’s John Carlson (51 receptions) and the New York Jets’ Dustin Keller (45) have been playmaking tight ends.

Offensive tackle Jake Long, the No. 1 overall pick, has started every game for Miami and been solid, holding his own even when facing top pass rushers.

While offensive rookies have stood out, New England linebacker Jerod Mayo has been one of the few impact players on defense. Mayo, the 10th overall pick out of Tennessee, leads the Patriots with 114 tackles.