11.   But how the rookie was used Saturday night, particularly compared to Banks, showed us again that the job is his to win, or lose.

12.   But here it is September and another Dodger rookie is being productive enough in the midst of a pennant race to put his name among the top rookies.

13.   But staying on the field is part of the skill of playing in the NFL, and thus far the rookie has not been able to do that.

14.   But the best rookie this season was Golden State center Marc Jackson.

15.   But the fact that so many of those bad teams are lottery perennials belies the notion that any rookie will be their salvation.

16.   But the rookies were not enough, either.

17.   But the rookie is aware of how far he has to go.

18.   But two rookies are still at work.

19.   Downfield was the rookie wide receiver Derrick Alexander, who had been killing the Giants all game.

20.   Face it, rookies are the lowest form of life on an NFL team.