Lists in which a person attempts to rank players, teams or bands are low-hanging fruit for disagreement. They are also page view magnets for this very reason, as people love to disagree -- particularly if there is no true right or wrong at stake. That said, we have to take the bait on Mel Kiper Jr.'s final ranking of the top 30 rookies in the NFL this year. We cannot in good faith ignore the fact that Vikings WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson, though admittedly underutilized early in the season, winds up only at No. 26 on Mel's list.
Nor can we overlook the fact that Jets QB Geno Smith, who was awful by just about every measure one could find as a rookie, finds a spot two places ahead of Patterson at No. 24. [Link here: Insider required.]
Think about that. Patterson was just named as a replacement in the Pro Bowl. He is one of the most electric rookie offensive talents to come along this season and looks to have a magnificent future ahead of him.
Smith, playing an admittedly tougher position, threw 21 interceptions and basically doomed an otherwise semi-competent Jets team to an 8-8 season.
Congratulations, ESPN and Mel. You made us so angry we had to write about it.
