The 2018 MCL season is rolling along, and several rookies have stepped in and made an immediate impact for their teams.  Let's take a look at some of the top rookies from last years draft class:

• Benjamin Collie, QB - Remember when rookie QBs needed time to sit and learn??  Well neither does Collie. He has stepped into the NFL and taken the league by storm.  Through 5 games Collie has almost a 2:1 TD:INT ratio, which in this league is very impressive.  He is currently 2nd in the NFL in passing yards, and has led the Rams to a solid 4-1 record.
• Effrem Holmes, DE - Big time players, show up in big time games.  While the Titans ended up falling to the AFC leading New England Patriots, you can't blame Holmes.  He took down Tom Brady 3 times and caused the NFL top QB to force 3 int.  Holmes is currently tied for the league lead with 11 sacks through 5 games.
• Angelo Williams, HB - It's not easy finding a role in the crowded Panther backfield, but Angelo has made his mark.  He currently leads all rookie HBs in rushing yards, aside from sharing time with CMC and the newly acquired Jeremy Hill.  

In typical Patriots fashion, if you underperform in practice and complain about playing time, you'll find yourself in a new uniform.  Rookie wide receiver, Antione Freeman, fell into this trap.  While most experts agree that he has the talent to one day be a #1 Reciever, Freeman felt he was ready now.  Coach Dale disagreed, "I need to see these youngsters put in the work during practice and show me you're ready." 

Freeman was sent to the defending champion Dallas Cowboys who have really been struggling on offense.  In return, New England received 2nd year cornerback Jourdan Lewis.  Dale said he really likes Lewis' physicality at the line of scrimmage.  Contract talks with current nickel corner, Eric Rowe have not begun so it is looking likely that we will be the odd man out at the end of the season if Lewis performs well.  What do you think of the recent Cowboys/Patriots trade???

There are only a few absolute truths in this world... One of which is that father time is undefeated.  Tom Brady seemed to be fighting this battle as good as, if not better than most.  Having another MVP caliber season, Brady is now on the shelf.  Taking a ferocious hit by the Buffalo Bills D-Line, Brady has torn his shoulder.  In a season where the AFC playoff race couldn't be any tighter, the Patriots now look to Jimmy G to carry them through.  At 40 years old, can Brady overcome an injury to his shoulder?  We've seen what shoulder injuries can do to QBs in their prime (Pennington, Brees, and most recently Luck, and Newton).  It takes some time to regain top form, but Brady is different.... He's 40.  Most experts are writing off Brady for this season.... and possibly for good.  So if you're Coach Chris Dale, and Jimmy G plays well and carries the Patriots into the playoffs.... and the Doctors clear Tom Brady for the playoffs... What do you do???  Will this be the end of an era???

Coming into the 2017 MCL season, most experts predicted the New England Patriots to be AFC East champs once again.  The off season additions of Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore seemed to add to an already talented roster full of high quality NFL veterans.  While the first 3 games went as planned for the Patriots, the next 3 games brought on some major problems.  Losing Center David Andrews early in the season, left a gap in pass protection as the awareness of the offensive line suffered.  Tom Brady struggled to overcome the constant barrage of hits, pressures, and sacks and had his 3 worst games of the season.  He started to look like a 40 year old, and the Patriots were left at 3-3 wondering if this season would be lost.

In typical Patriots fashion, they did overcome the struggles.  Tom Brady has once again cemented himself as the premier QB in the league.  Over this 5 game stretch, Brady is completing 68% of his passes, averaging 253yards per game and has 13 tds and 6 int.  

Coming off a win against the division leading Miami Dolphins, the Patriots are now tied for the division lead.  In the final stretch of the season, New England finishes with 4 games against division opponents.  This should make for an exciting finish as we battle for the playoffs and another super bowl run.  

After making a Super Bowl run last year, the Bills have turned a complete 180.  Front office staff was unable to resign many high profile players and the on-field performance shows.  Replacements have been unable to fill the voids and the coaching staff has been unwilling to change up the game plan to allow the new players reach full potential. 

HB Iran Agurs is especially frustrated.  In a statement after the most recent loss to the division rival Patriots, Agurs said "I guess when you tag a QB for 20 mil you feel you gotta let him throw, regardless if he completes passes or not"  Agurs has been one bright spot on the much malign offense.  He's averaging 5 ypc, but still the offensive staff is unwilling to fully committ to the running game.

Tagging EJ Manuel has proved to be a major mistake.  His numbers are down, his attitude in the locker room is toxic, and the Bills have not been able to build up any resources or find a solid replacement.  Untill the staff comes up with a solution, this losing environment may continue in upstate New York.