Kyle Fuller's knack for generating turnovers has him in fine position for Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration, but the first-year Bears cover man has company.
No rookie defender has played as well from wire to wire as Baltimore Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley, who currently stands as the NFL's only player to have at least 40 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble entering Week 6. As WNST.net's Luke Jones points out, Mosley also leads all linebackers league-wide with five passes defensed.
Ravens inside linebackers coach Don "Wink" Martindale was hooked immediately, saying of Mosley back in August that "he's been here for months, and it seems like he's been here three years."
Pro Football Focus has the Baltimore newbie ranked behind just Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly after Week 5, and Mosley has played more snaps than both.
What we've seen from Mosley on Game Rewind suggests a player improving with every tilt. He was a punisher against the run in a Week 4 win over the Panthers, recording seven defensive stops in the face of just 29 ground snaps for Carolina. Mosley's strong handiwork in Sunday's loss to the Colts drew heady comparisons from one veteran Ravens teammate.
"Some of the plays he made on the field today, it's unbelievable," said cornerback Lardarius Webb. "Reminds you of Ray (Lewis) -- to me."
We'll pump the brakes on that chatter, but Mosley's tape tells no lies: He's strong enough to one-arm tackle runners with a blocker in his face and fast enough -- with the requisite vision -- to hold his own in pass coverage.
Our rookie rankings tilt from week to week, but as the group agreed on Sunday night's podcast, Mosley is beginning to emerge as a top candidate for first-year defensive honors.
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