Larz Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4250421 1. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jones-Drew is the easiest to project. The Jaguars cut halfback Fred Taylor and handed the starting job to Jones-Drew. The team rewarded him with a four-year, $30.565 million contract. At 24, Jones-Drew is ready to change the way general managers scout backs. Most GMs downgraded him because he's only 5-foot-7, thinking the shorter back wouldn't be as durable. During his rookie season (2006), scouts and GMs realized it's not height that determines a running back's success; it's talent. In 2008, Jones-Drew had 824 yards on 197 carries. In 2009, he'll likely get 275 to 300 carries and should exceed 1,200 yards. 2. Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: In his final 10 games last season -- including the playoffs and Super Bowl -- Holmes had 39 catches for 628 yards and five touchdowns. With the Steelers' coaches feeling more comfortable letting Ben Roethlisberger have 30-pass games, Holmes should be on target for his first 1,000-yard season and come close to 10 touchdown receptions. Holmes had a career game in the Super Bowl, catching nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. The confidence and momentum from that performance will carry over to this season. Roethlisberger will try to get the ball to Holmes at least five times a game, depending on the coverage. 3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: Because of the controversy surrounding Brett Favre's departure and the disappointment of a 6-10 season, Rodgers' 4,038-yard season is often overlooked. He struggled in the latter stages of games, and that should improve because of experience. Rodgers has one of the strongest arms in football. He threw 28 touchdown passes in 2008 and proved his toughness by playing the second half of the season despite a shoulder separation. Rodgers should be one of the NFC's top quarterbacks this year. 4. Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans: Because he plays on a Texans team that has been stuck at 8-8 seemingly forever, Slaton had the quietest 1,282-yard season in recent memory. Now there is no question Slaton is the feature back. Although his gaudy 4.8-yard rushing average will probably drop, his carries will increase from the 268 he had last year. There's a good chance he could go over 1,300 yards, and the Texans have an outside chance of winning nine or 10 games this year, which will make Slaton more known around the league. 5. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders: Al Davis loves speed, which is why he drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey and why McFadden should have a breakout season this year. Foot problems nagged him throughout the 2008 season. This fall, his season should be on better footing. McFadden first has to beat out Justin Fargas for the starting job. What's pretty clear is that McFadden won't be limited to the 113 carries of his injury-marred rookie season. Because of his speed, he should have a high yard-per-attempt average. If he can get 225 carries, he should get 1,000 yards. Clearly, head coach Tom Cable, whose specialty is coaching offensive linemen, will focus more on the run than the pass. 6. John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks: Those who have been watching Seahawks practices have three comments: Matt Hasselbeck looks great, Aaron Curry is a beast and Carlson looks awesome. Carlson was impressive as a rookie, catching 55 passes for 627 yards and five touchdowns. He might catch only five to 10 more passes this season, but the quality of those receptions will be a big asset for the Seahawks' offense. New offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is expanding Carlson's role in the middle of the field. Carlson, who is 6-foot-5, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are bigger targets for Hasselbeck when the Seahawks are in the red zone. It wouldn't be out of the question for Carlson to get eight to 10 touchdowns. 7. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago Bears: Since arriving in Chicago after being traded from Denver, quarterback Jay Cutler can't be spotted anywhere without Olsen by his side. They've developed a close friendship on and off the field, and that should translate into improved numbers for Olsen, who caught 54 passes for 574 yards last season. The Bears' receiving corps is undermanned, so Cutler has to make the best out of his close relationship. Olsen could end up being Chicago's No. 1 pass-catcher. 8. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens: There's been a lot of turbulence in the Ravens' backfield this offseason. Le'Ron McClain said the team plans to use him at fullback. Willis McGahee had two offseason surgeries and is coming off an "off" season in 2008 in which he had only 170 rushes for 671 yards. Those issues have cleared the path for Rice to be the starter, and that means a lot in Baltimore. The Ravens ran the ball 37 times a game last season. Flacco's growth might cut down that number a little, but Rice will see plenty of action. He averaged 4.2 yards a carry last year. If he can get 275 carries, he should get over 1,000 yards easily. 9. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, New York Jets: He should have a great season by default. Unless they can land Plaxico Burress, Cotchery is the Jets' only legitimate receiving threat. He caught 71 passes for 858 yards last season. Coach Rex Ryan isn't planning to throw the ball a lot this season because he wants to run the ball about 37 times a game. Most of the time, an eighth defender is going to be concentrating on stopping the run, so Cotchery should get five to six pass-catching chances a game. 10. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers: Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson remain the top two passing options for quarterback Philip Rivers, but the 6-5 Jackson could be 2A. He caught 59 passes for 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns last season. During a three-game stretch in December, Jackson caught 18 passes for 348 yards. It's not out of the question for him to catch 70 passes this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Jet Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Clayton is an idiot. He hardly goes out on a limb, with most of those guy being proven studs. Also, Dustin Keller isn't a legitimate recieving threat? I think he'll lead the team in recieving yardage next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 MJD? He's going into his 4th year and he's been a stud every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#27TheDominator Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Clayton is an idiot. He hardly goes out on a limb, with most of those guy being proven studs. Also, Dustin Keller isn't a legitimate recieving threat? I think he'll lead the team in recieving yardage next season. I agree. Keller seems like a pick. He seemed to be doing real well until he hit the rookie wall. Cotchery will get more balls thrown his way, but with nobody on the other side and an unproven QB there won't necessarily be more real opportunity. What can we expect from Mr. Mackey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFlaJets Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Clayton is an idiot. He hardly goes out on a limb, with most of those guy being proven studs. Also, Dustin Keller isn't a legitimate recieving threat? I think he'll lead the team in recieving yardage next season. I agree on Keller IJ-that's the name I scrolled down looking for...I think we end up with Plaxico from what Cimini and Schein were saying on Jets Nation today. I'd take him for 8 games...him and Cotchery? Wow...2 Pats killers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vudu Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 This means absolutely nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbro22 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Clayton is an idiot. He hardly goes out on a limb, with most of those guy being proven studs. Also, Dustin Keller isn't a legitimate recieving threat? I think he'll lead the team in recieving yardage next season. For real, I expected to see Keller on this list. This list is ****ty journalism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Jet Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 This list is ****ty journalism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I throw up in my mouth whenever I see this guy talking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 He always spits on his lips!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJ667 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 why is leon not on this list. I'll tell you why because this list sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I think I could do a better job on ESPN than Chicken Little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 why is leon not on this list. I'll tell you why because this list sucks Because Thomas Jones owns the rock. Leon just borrows it 5-10 times a game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Because Thomas Jones owns the rock. Leon just borrows it 5-10 times a game. Bing Bing Bing. Thomas Jones is very underrated on this board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 If Rashard Mendenhall stays healthy he could surprise alot of folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pragmatic Bus Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 If Rashard Mendenhall stays healthy he could surprise alot of folks. with "surprise" bieng a relative term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damaged89 Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Bing Bing Bing. Thomas Jones is very underrated on this board. This is untrue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqua4ever04 Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Why is Darren McFadden poised to breakout? He didn't do a damn thing last year and I don't expect that to change anytime soon. His legs go completely dead upon contact, you will never see Darren McFadden push an NFL pile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqua4ever04 Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 If Rashard Mendenhall stays healthy he could surprise alot of folks. It wouldn't surprise me. Rashard Mendenhall is an absolute stud; I'm rooting for him to get back to full health and play like he can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Jet Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 It wouldn't surprise me. Rashard Mendenhall is an absolute stud; I'm rooting for him to get back to full health and play like he can. He was awful when healthy last season. Awful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 He was awful when healthy last season. Awful! I thought he was doin' well. Sure he had a case of the fumbles last pre-season but after that he played pretty well for a rook imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Jet Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 I thought he was doin' well. Sure he had a case of the fumbles last pre-season but after that he played pretty well for a rook imo. He had barly 3 yards per carry. He really didn't impress me at all although I was a huge fan of his in College Football. I'm not sayin' he's a bust or anything like that, I hope he does well for you guys, I just didn't like what I saw fom him last season. Seemed a little hesitant to me, maybe that wa related to the fumbling issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashingjet Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 what a crock, no Davone Bess, Ginn or Ronnie Brown, but he's got the Seahawks TE? Give me strength. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqua4ever04 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 what a crock, no Davone Bess, Ginn or Ronnie Brown, but he's got the Seahawks TE? Give me strength. Well I think Ronnie is already proven but yeah, I do think one of the receivers should've been mentioned. Ted Ginn is going to have a big year; he has progressed from the first year to second and he got better on a weekly basis last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDjoey Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Why is Darren McFadden poised to breakout? He didn't do a damn thing last year and I don't expect that to change anytime soon. His legs go completely dead upon contact, you will never see Darren McFadden push an NFL pile. Of course Darren mcfadden going to have a monster year if hes healthy. what part didn't you understand that Mcfadden had a couple injuries last year that limited him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Clayton is an idiot. He hardly goes out on a limb, with most of those guy being proven studs. Also, Dustin Keller isn't a legitimate recieving threat? I think he'll lead the team in recieving yardage next season. I was kind of surprised by the list myself. Maurice Jones Drew is going to have a big year? Shocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.