He has no jumper, can't go to his left and is prone to foul. A pro basketball player Simeon Rice is not.

He should stick to his day job, that being the best rookie defensive player in the National Football League.

The NFL toasted Green Bay as its best team Sunday night. Today we toast Rice as this year's top former Illini in the pros.

To think what he might have accomplished had he shown up in shape. A preseason holdout, Rice signed a week before Arizona's season opener in Indianapolis.

He started – and struggled – at right defensive end in Week 1.

"As the season goes on," Rice said that afternoon, "there's going to be big things happening for me."

A regular Jeane Dixon.

Rice, the No. 3 pick of the draft, wound up with 121/2 sacks to tie an NFL rookie record. He started 15 games, played in all 16. He caused two fumbles, recovered one. He was popular with the fans, a Charles Barkely in shoulder pads.

Now he's trying out for the CBA. Still, he earns an "A."

Our other evaluations:

Super Bowl level

– Kevin Hardy, Jacksonville. As productive as Rice but had better teammates. Deodorant spokesman led the Jaguars in tackles during their playoff run and wound up second in the regular season. As was the case at Illinois, Hardy was at his mobile best, rushing the quarterback (5.5 sacks) and dropping into pass coverage (team-high two interceptions).

– Howard Griffith, Carolina. Count on a hefty raise for the fullback, who enjoyed his finest year as a pro and now is an unrestricted free agent. Impeccable blocker showed good hands, Griffith making a TD grab vs. the Packers in the NFC title game.

– Brad Hopkins, Houston. Another unrestricted free agent certain to cash a big check. Left guard ran his streak of consecutive starts to 45 – second-longest among active Oilers – and helped Eddie George and Co. rush for 1,950 yards, eighth-highest total in team history.

Playoff level

– Ken Dilger, Indianapolis. Was Pro Bowl material in September before the Colts forgot how to protect the quarterback. Colts frequently asked their tight ends to pass protect instead of receive. Still, Dilger had 42 receptions (fourth on the team), 503 receiving yards (third) and four TDs (second).

– Ken Blackman, Cincinnati. Penalty-fest at St. Louis was Blackman's lone toe stub. Third-round pick started 10 games at right guard, including last seven. He was in on every snap of the last four games, the Bengals finishing as the 10th-rated offense in the NFL. New coach Bruce Coslet considers Blackman and Rich Braham linemen of the future.

– Scott Turner, Washington. One of the these days Darrell Green's going to retire. When that happens, Turner becomes a regular. Cornerback did not start but played in all 16 games and was a demon on special teams.

Middle of the pack

– Darrick Brownlow, Washington. Like Turner, Brownlow is a special teams guru (team-high 27 tackles, one forced fumble).

– Moe Gardner, Atlanta. Sprained left ankle stopped his consecutive games streak at 85. Was inactive for final four games.

– Greg Engel, San Diego. No Mike Webster, but center held up nicely when asked to start after Courtney Hall was injured. Third-year pro has a future on the offensive line.

– Mark Dennis, Carolina. Tenth-year pro started nine games at right tackle for the Panthers, but did not figure in team's playoff plans. Licensed stockbroker doesn't need football.

In the lottery

– Keith Taylor, Washington. Released by Carolina in the preseason, veteran safety returned to Washington for the final three games.

– Frank Hartley, Baltimore. Missed Cleveland Stadium, the bulky tight end forced to back up Brian Kinchen and Eric Green. Did not make a catch in eight games.

– Henry Jones, Buffalo. Starting safety broke leg against Colts on Oct. 6 and is rehabbing in Atlanta.

– John Holecek, Buffalo. Two seasons, one game for oft-injured linebacker. Did not play a down in '96.

– Dana Howard, Chicago. Cut by the Rams, rescued by the Bears, who plan to keep him around.

– Jeff George, free agent. Had his best game against June Jones, blasting the ex-coach on national TV. Otherwise, season was a wash. Available for work, probably with the Chiefs.

Jim Rossow is sports editor of The News-Gazette.