Five first round draft choices make up this year's nominees for the 2007 Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year award. WR Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs, RB Marshawn Lynch of the Buffalo Bills, RB Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, LT Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns and LB Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers were this year's nominees.
Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com from 9 a.m. EST on January 3 through 6 p.m. EST on January 28 to determine the 2007 Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year.
In addition, for the third year, NFL fans may cast their votes for the 2007 Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year using phones with Sprint wireless service -- an opportunity available only to Sprint customers. This fast, convenient voting method involves texting the word PEPSI to short code 7777. Sprint customers will then receive an interactive text message that links fans to the ballot with the five finalists. Data and text messaging rates may apply.
The winner will be presented the 2007 Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year award during a press conference in Arizona, the site of Super Bowl XLII, on Thursday, January 31, 2008.
The five finalists were selected for their outstanding performances throughout the 2007 NFL season. Each week, five nominees were chosen for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL fans voted for the winner on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless. Those results were used to help determine the finalists.
This is Pepsi’s sixth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the third year that Diet Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
THE NOMINEES
Dwayn
e Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Bowe started in the final 15 contests of the 2007 season, totaling 70 receptions for 995 yards and five touchdowns -- tops among all NFL rookie receivers. Both his 995 receiving yards and 70 catches were the highest single-season marks by a rookie in Chiefs history. Bowe, who attended Louisiana State University, was nominated for six Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards.
e Bowe, WR, Kansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Bowe started in the final 15 contests of the 2007 season, totaling 70 receptions for 995 yards and five touchdowns -- tops among all NFL rookie receivers. Both his 995 receiving yards and 70 catches were the highest single-season marks by a rookie in Chiefs history. Bowe, who attended Louisiana State University, was nominated for six Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards.
Marsh
awn Lynch, RB, Buffalo BillsLynch led all NFL rookies with 280 carries this season (ninth in the league) and totaled 1,115 yards, first among AFC rookies.. After passing the 200-carry mark in Week 14, Lynch became the first Bills rookie running back to post 200 attempts since 2001. Lynch led the NFL in rushing attempts per game at 21.5 and finished fifth in the AFC and first among AFC rookies with an average of 85.8 yards per game. Lynch scored seven touchdowns throughout the season and exhibited his versatility by making 18 receptions for 184 yards. Lynch, who attended the University of California, was nominated for six Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning twice.
Adrian
Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Peterson shattered all Vikings rookie rushing records and set an NFL record for rushing yards in a game with 296 against San Diego on Nov. 4. Peterson led the NFC and was second in the NFL in rushing with 1,341 yards, a total that ranks as the second-most yards in a season in Vikings history. A threat as a receiver and a kick returner, Peterson amassed 2,021 combined net yards to rank second in Vikings history behind Herschel Walker's 2,051 in 1990. Peterson, who attended University of Oklahoma, was nominated for seven Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning three times.
Peterson, RB, Minnesota VikingsPeterson shattered all Vikings rookie rushing records and set an NFL record for rushing yards in a game with 296 against San Diego on Nov. 4. Peterson led the NFC and was second in the NFL in rushing with 1,341 yards, a total that ranks as the second-most yards in a season in Vikings history. A threat as a receiver and a kick returner, Peterson amassed 2,021 combined net yards to rank second in Vikings history behind Herschel Walker's 2,051 in 1990. Peterson, who attended University of Oklahoma, was nominated for seven Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning three times.
Joe Th
omas, T, Cleveland Browns
The third overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Thomas not only started every game of the season at left tackle for the Browns, but he played every single offensive snap. He was an integral part of the Browns revamped offensive line that allowed QB Derek Anderson to pass for 3,787 yards and throw 29 touchdowns. Thomas' effective blocking also allowed the Browns to gain on the ground, with RB Jamal Lewis rushing for 1,304 yards. Thomas was so effective in protecting the passer, that Anderson was sacked only 14 times, the third lowest in the NFL and the lowest among quarterbacks who played in all 16 games. Thomas, who attended University of Wisconsin, was nominated for one Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award.
omas, T, Cleveland BrownsThe third overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Thomas not only started every game of the season at left tackle for the Browns, but he played every single offensive snap. He was an integral part of the Browns revamped offensive line that allowed QB Derek Anderson to pass for 3,787 yards and throw 29 touchdowns. Thomas' effective blocking also allowed the Browns to gain on the ground, with RB Jamal Lewis rushing for 1,304 yards. Thomas was so effective in protecting the passer, that Anderson was sacked only 14 times, the third lowest in the NFL and the lowest among quarterbacks who played in all 16 games. Thomas, who attended University of Wisconsin, was nominated for one Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award.
Patric
k Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Willis led the NFL with 174 tackles this year, including 135 solo tackles, tops among all NFL players. Willis also totaled four sacks, two forced fumbles, one recovered fumble and five passes defensed throughout the season. One of his best games was against NFC South champion Tampa Bay when he recorded 20 tackles (12 solo), 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed. Willis, who attended the University of Mississippi, was nominated for five Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning four times.
k Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ersWillis led the NFL with 174 tackles this year, including 135 solo tackles, tops among all NFL players. Willis also totaled four sacks, two forced fumbles, one recovered fumble and five passes defensed throughout the season. One of his best games was against NFC South champion Tampa Bay when he recorded 20 tackles (12 solo), 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed. Willis, who attended the University of Mississippi, was nominated for five Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning four times.
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