Defensive players generally don't generate the publicity that their offensive counterparts do and it's no different among rookies. While running backs like LaDainian Tomlinson and Anthony Thomas have loudly made names for themselves, a number of rookies on the defensive side of the ball have made an immediate impact.

	Kendrell Bell was the second linebacker selected in the draft. Dan Morgan was drafted by the Panthers in the first round.

Leading the way through seven weeks of the season is Steelers linebacker Kendrell Bell. The second-round pick from Georgia has been right in the middle of Pittsburgh's surprising rise to the top of the AFC Central as well as the Steelers' top-rated defense.

Through six games, Bell is second on the team with 35 tackles and tied for second with four sacks, the highest total of any rookie in the NFL.

The Steelers were a little lucky that Bell slipped to them with the No. 39 pick. The Bears, picking at No. 38, had Bell rated higher than Thomas. However, Chicago decided to draft for a need at running back. While the Bears are certainly excited about Thomas, Pittsburgh is equally thrilled about Bell, who had eight tackles and one sack in Monday night's victory over the Titans.

Each Tuesday from now until the end of the regular season, ESPN.com will hand out its report card on how the new kids are doing. Here's an update on some of the league's most intriguing efforts by rookies in Week 7:

PLAYER, STATS	THE SKINNY
David Terrell, WR, Bears vs. 49ers 3 rec., 19 yds. 2 TDs	Terrell had only three catches Sunday against the 49ers, but two of them were for touchdowns. The second touchdown came on an accrobatic catch with under one minute left in the game to pull Chicago to wtihin two points. The Bears pulled even on a two-point conversion by fellow rookie and Michigan alum Anthony Thomas. "We're winners, me and (Thomas), and we're going to keep doing this kind of stuff," he said. "Get us the ball and we're going to do a tune on defenses."
Anthony Thomas, RB, Bears vs. 49ers 27 att., 127 yds. 1 TD	Named the Bears' starting running back last week, Thomas responded with his second straight 100-yard game. The second-round pick scored his third touchdown of the season on a 19-yard run in the third quarter. In six games, Thomas has rushed for 439 yards on only 74 carries to average an incredible 5.9 yards per carry. Chicago showed the confidence it has in the rookie by handing him the ball on the game-tying, two-point conversion. Thomas pounded his way into the end zone to send the game into overtime.
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers vs. Bills 16 att., 76 yds. 1 rec., 9 yds.	Tomlinson continues to plug away. With 76 yards rushing Sunday, Tomlinson leads all rookies in rushing with 620 yards. More importantly, the Chargers are 5-2 and firmly entrenched in the hunt for a playoff spot in the AFC.
Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts at Chiefs 5 rec., 63 yds.	Wayne, who was hampered early by an ankle injury, had his best game as a pro last Thursday. With Jerome Pathon and Terrence Wilkins inactive due to injuries, the burden was on Wayne to have a productive game. "Pressure is good," Wayne told the Indianapolis Star. "I love pressure. Pressure makes you a man." Three of Wayne's five recptions resulted in first downs. "Reggie played his best game for us," coach Jim Mora said. With the status of Pathon and Wilkins still uncertain for this weekend's game, the Colts may need another solid effort from the Miami (Fla.) product.
Chris Weinke, QB, Panthers vs. Jets 12-for-34, 76 yds. 1 INT	It hasn't been a good stretch for Weinke. After a debut that saw Weinke lead the Panthers to a stunning victory over the Vikings in Week 1, Carolina has lost six straight games. In Sunday's loss to the Jets, Weinke threw for just 76 yards, completing 12 of 34 passes. "This is six straight Mondays for us where we've had to come in the locker room with a defeat and find a way to deal with that," Weinke told the Charlotte Observer. "We need something to help get us in the right direction and get that black cloud out from over our heads."

Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com.