1.   Eight rookies started on defense at some point last season, and it showed.

2.   Five rookies have started at least three games, led by a backcourt of Bernard King and point guard Jamaal Gilchrist.

3.   For the second game in a row, rookie Chad Fonville started in left field, with Roberto Kelly on the bench.

4.   If not, the rookies will start again.

5.   That will be corrected soon as the rookie may start against Texas Tech on Saturday.

6.   The Clipper rookie started at point guard, but seemed a longshot for duty after throwing up at the morning shoot around.

7.   Their offensive problems could be compounded Sunday in Seattle, when three rookies will start and for much of the game four players in their first year will perform.

8.   Understand, it has not been often in Patriots history that a rookie has started at left tackle.

9.   With Varitek throwing out Knoblauch stealing after a leadoff walk and rookie Merloni starting a double play in the third, Wakefield faced the minimum nine batters.

10.   Eriksson is unlikely to continue to experiment with the England squad as he did against the Netherlands, where four rookies started.