DeMarcus Van Dyke Baptised Under Fire

Rookie third-round draft pick DeMarcus Van Dyke had a rough first series as Oakland sat starting corners Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson on the second series, and things got even worse just before halftime.

Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald immediately hauled in a 43-yard pass from Kevin Kolb down the left sideline, a play in which Van Dyke actually had good coverage.

At least, Van Dyke showed that he could stay with one of the most potent receivers in the league. Matching Fitzgerald’s speed wasn’t an issue for Van Dyke, but matching his experience and hands was another story.

Against strong coverage the former Madden cover boy hauled in a spectacular 41-yard grab giving DVD his “welcome to the NFL” moment. The rookie matched Fitzgerald step for step down the sideline and got his hand up, but the veteran receiver would not be denied.

A short time later, Beanie Wells broke a high tackle attempt by Van Dyke running to his left and gained 15 yards.

With 25 seconds left in the half, quarterback John Skelton found Stephen Williams in the middle of the end zone with Van Dyke trailing the play, giving Arizona a 7-6 lead.