RAMS QB SAM BRADFORD & LIONS DT NDAMUKONG SUH NAMED NFL ROOKIES OF MONTH FOR OCTOBER
Quarterback SAM BRADFORD of the St. Louis Rams and defensive tackle NDAMUKONG SUH of the Detroit Lions are the NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month for October, the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: QB SAM BRADFORD, ST. LOUIS RAMS
Bradford, the first overall selection out of Oklahoma, started all five games during October and led the Rams to a 3-2 record. He completed 102 of 175 passes (58.3 percent) for 1,019 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions for an 81.1 passer rating.
He went 3-0 at home in the month, completing 66 of 104 passes (63.5 percent) for 678 yards with five touchdowns and one interception for a 94.2 passer rating.
This season, he is 4-1 at home and is the only rookie quarterback selected No. 1 overall to win four of his first five starts at home since 1967, the first year of the common draft.
He has 11 touchdown passes and joined Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (13, 1983) as the only rookie quarterbacks to throw at least 10 TDs by the end of October.
Bradford is the second Ram to be named Rookie of the Month, joining EDDIE KENNISON (October 1996).
He is the 11th quarterback to be honored and the first since MARK SANCHEZ (September 2009).
Bradford and TIM COUCH (October 1999) are the only No. 1 overall selections to be named Rookie of the Month.
DEFENSE: DT NDAMUKONG SUH, DETROIT LIONS
Suh, the No. 2 overall pick out of Nebraska, started all four games during the month and recorded 14 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception and a 17-yard fumble-return touchdown.
His 4.5 sacks in October are the most by a Lions rookie in a single month since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. Suh's 4.5 sacks in October are more than any rookie in the NFL has tallied for the entire season.
Suh's interception in Week 5 against St. Louis was the first interception by a Lions rookie DT since 1950 (THURMAN MC GRAW).
In Week 8 against Washington, Suh returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown. It marked the first fumble-return touchdown by a Lions rookie defensive lineman since 1971 (BOB BELL).
This season, he leads all NFL rookies and ties for eighth overall with 6.5 sacks. Suh's 6.5 sacks are the most by a defensive tackle.
Suh is the second Lion to earn Rookie of the Month honors this season. Running back JAHVID BEST was honored on offense in September .
He joins LOUIS DELMAS (September 2009) as the only Lions to be named Defensive Rookie of the Month.
Suh is the fourth defensive tackle to be honored, joining COREY SIMON (November 2000), ROCKY BERNARD (September 2002) and AMOBI OKOYE (September 2007).
Other nominees for the October NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month Award were:
Detroit running back JAHVID BEST (first round, California), who rushed for 173 yards and added 20 receptions for 133 yards during the month. He leads all rookies with 613 scrimmage yards and his five total touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) are tied for first.
Dallas wide receiver-punt returner DEZ BRYANT (first round, Oklahoma State), who had 15 catches for 191 yards with three touchdowns and returned seven punts for 109 yards with one TD in October. He ties for first among all rookies with five total touchdowns (three receiving, two returning).
Cincinnati wide receiver JORDAN SHIPLEY (third round, Texas), who totaled 188 receiving yards with one touchdown in three games in October.
Tampa Bay wide receiver MIKE WILLIAMS (fourth round, Syracuse), who started all four games during the month and had 20 catches for 331 yards and two touchdowns. He leads all rookies in receiving yards (470) and touchdown receptions (four).
Other nominees for the October NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month Award were:
Kansas City safety ERIC BERRY (first round, Tennessee), who started all four games and recorded 23 tackles and two interceptions, tied for the most by a rookie in October.
Tampa Bay safety CODY GRIMM (seventh round, Virginia Tech), who started all four games in October and had two interceptions, including an 11-yard touchdown return. He added 25 tackles and a forced fumble.
New England cornerback DEVIN MC COURTY (first round, Rutgers), who had two interceptions, tied for the most among rookies in October.
Seattle safety EARL THOMAS (first round, Texas), who started all four games during the month and had 14 tackles and two interceptions. He leads all rookies with four interceptions.
Tennessee cornerback ALTERRAUN VERNER (fourth round, UCLA), who had two interceptions, tied for the most among rookies in October. He also added 35 tackles and eight passes defensed.
