NFL Rookies: First Impressions

SI Staff | May 15, 2007

NFL Rookies: First Impressions /

NFL Rookies: First Impressions

Levi Brown, OT

"The draft pick of Levi Brown has really spiced this up, given the line a little flavor." -- Cardinals offensive lineman Deuce Lutui.

Jamaal Anderson, DE

"Jamaal certainly catches your eye by his size and all of that. He's not quite in the shape he needs to be. He'll see that. I think he cramped up right there at the end." -- Falcons coach Bobby Petrino

Marshawn Lynch, RB

"It's not a whole lot different than seeing him on tape. He's very talented, very quick, and he's sudden. He catches the ball well and looks like he's a willing worker. I was pleased." -- Bills coach Dick Jauron

Anthony Spencer, DE/LB

"Spencer did some good things. He has some technique things that we can help him with. I was pleased with him, with his natural ability, just to see the stuff we saw him do naturally in college." -- Cowboys coach Wade Phillips

Reggie Nelson, S

"I commented to him that I think he's doing a fine job as far as picking up our system, because he's not having a problem understanding what we're trying to do and playing a technique. Now, he's got to do stuff better. Better means particularly in the fundamentals, because that's going to get you to the play a whole lot quicker." -- Jaguars defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds

JaMarcus Russell, QB

"We're pleased where he's at, and as soon as we can get him back here, we've got a lot of work to do with him." -- Raiders coach Lane Kiffin

Calvin Johnson, WR

"His talent level and skills are exceptional. We just have to go now and start refining him." -- Lions coach Rod Marinelli

Joe Thomas, OT

"The best guy is going to play. [Veteran Kevin Shaffer's] got the [left tackle] job right now, and I think it's his. And then they're going to compete and we'll see who ends up with it." -- Browns coach Romeo Crennel

Gaines Adams, DE

"He'll be a guy that, if anybody falls out of line, he'll be responsible. He did show good effort, good finishing effort. I think the better shape he gets in, the more you'll see him flash." -- Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden

LaRon Landry, S

"A lot of those guys have been on the dinner circuit. It's different when you come out here for an hour and 55 minutes, and the pressure's on. For some it's always a little bit of a shock. That's probably good, though. It's a wake-up call." -- Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.

Adrian Peterson, RB

"He didn't hiccup at all, I don't think. I think he showed some speed to the outside and pretty good vision on the quick draw up the middle." -- Vikings coach Brad Childress

Ted Ginn Jr., WR

"His status is the same. Nothing has changed from what we have talked about. We are going to do an assessment after he is here for a little while." -- Dolphins coach Cam Cameron on Ginn's foot injury

Patrick Willis, LB

"He has all the intangibles to be a great 'backer. I'm very excited to see what he brings to our defense. He's a playmaker with a lot of speed who has the desire and instinct to find the football. He certainly makes our defense faster." -- 49ers assistant head coach Mike Singletary

Leon Hall, CB

"I've been impressed with Leon, who demonstrated the skills we believed he had as we studied him through his collegiate career. His knowledge of the game and his ability to learn has been excellent." -- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis

Michael Griffin, S

"He improved from this morning to this afternoon, and we expected to see that. As we've said all along, he's a very talented player. He's a very good defensive player and he can play all the positions, and he will only continue to get better outside." -- Titans coach Jeff Fisher

Brady Quinn, QB

"Overall, I think he handled the information that was given to him last night and today pretty well. He was able to make the formation calls, get the guys out of the huddle and run the plays. So I think it went pretty decent." -- Browns coach Romeo Crennel

Greg Olsen, TE

"Greg Olsen is everything that was advertised. I really like what our tight ends did in camp." -- Bears coach Lovie Smith

Anthony Gonzalez, WR

"I think the first practice sobers you up a little bit. It's exciting to be here, it's something I've wanted to do my whole life." -- Anthony Gonzalez

Published May 15, 2007

SI STAFF