For the second time this season, Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Arthur Moats has been nominated for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award.
Moats is coming off his best game as a professional in Buffalo's 17-14 win over the Miami Dolphins. The rookie out of James Madison was all over the field, recording six tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits as Buffalo's defense put up its second straight solid performance. In his last two games, Moats has 2.5 sacks - working against Joe Thomas and Jake Long, mind you - and a forced fumble.
Also eligible for the award are Carolina quarterback Jimmy Clausen (13-19, 141, 1 TD), Tampa Bay running back LeGarrette Blount (15-110, 1 TD), New England tight end Aaron Hernandez (4-31, 2 TD) and Kansas City safety Kendrick Lewis (2 INT). This is the second straight week that Moats has been nominated for this award, and he's getting praise from his head coach, as well.
"In the last four or five weeks he might’ve made as much progress as anybody on our football team," Chan Gailey told reporters on Monday. "He’s learning to play outside 'backer. He started as an inside 'backer in training camp and the off-season, and we ended up moving him to outside 'backer. He is learning to play the position, and he’s got a chance to be a good outside ' backer before it’s over with."