Rookie Review

[IndyNorm]

I'm not as high on the class as some of you guys, but do agree that they show the potential to be a good class. Hopefully some of their lack of development had to do with the coaching staff debacle. My take:

Pierce - Was good for the first half of the season but was pretty much non-existent in the 2nd half of the season. Hopefully this was due to the whole coaching debacle.

Woods - Certainly had his moments and IMO showed he has the highest upside of anyone in the class. It was frustrating seeing him have a great game one week then barely play the next. Hopefully that was due to our coaches not really being able to figure out how to use him and that the new coaching staff is able to figure that out.

Raimann - Was thrust into the starting lineup well before he should have been due to Ballard's unbelievably incompetent decision to hand Matt Pryor the starting LT position. So not a big surprise he struggled early. Glad he was able to progress and if he continues to do so and becomes a good LT then that will be huge for us.

Cross - Huge disappointment after the hype coming out of TC and the preseason. Hope a full offseason gets him in a place where he can start meeting his potential. Good that he was able to play well on ST, so he can at least be productively there if he doesn't develop into a starting safety.

Johnson - Saw some action but didn't really do much. We'll see if he develops into a decent rotational guy.

Thomas - Obviously a great rookie season, especially compared to expectations. Could be a special pick.