Tag Archives: 2009 nfl breakout players
NFC West Breakout Players
We conclude the Breakout Player series with the NFC West today. To see the rest of the NFC check here, here, and here. The NFC West has been called the weakest division in football the past couple of years but the Cardinals put some of that talk to rest with their Super Bowl run and these players could help spark their respective teams into making a run like the Cards did.
Arizona Cardinals- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Rodgers-Cromartie has everything you look for in a shutdown corner.
Cromartie had a great rookie year capped by an excellent postseason which saw him emerge as the Cards best corner. He picked off four passes in the regular season and then added two more in the playoffs. Coming out of small school Tennessee State, not much was expected of Cromartie but he proved the naysayers wrong. He possess a rare combination of size (6’2) and speed (4.33) and also has great ball skills as evidenced by his performance last season. Cromartie is on his way into becoming an elite shutdown corner, which are few and far between nowadays in the NFL.
Saint Louis Rams- Donnie Avery
As a rookie wide receiver Avery impressed last season. Although it was viewed as a reach when the Rams selected him as the first wide receiver last year in the draft Avery lived up to the hype. His emergence made longtime veteran Torry Holt expendable for the Rams in the off season. He enters the year as the number one target for Marc Bulger, who is looking to rebound after a couple of rough years. The speedy Avery was hurt earlier in camp but now is fully recovered and ready to go for the opener. A 1,000 yard campaign is certainly in reach for the sophomore wide out.
San Francisco 49ers- Josh Morgan
As a sixth round pick last season Morgan was the star of training camp and looked like he was going to make a big impact. Then right before the season he got a staph infection and lost 15 pounds. Morgan returned during the season and had two nice games in a row before getting injured again. Heading into this season Morgan impressed at OTAs. He has also benefited from the Michael Crabtree holdout and will start the season as the starter and will remain one as Crabtree is likely to have no impact this season if any at all. Although the 49ers want to run a run orientated offense when they pass Morgan will be the go to guy.
NFC South Breakout Players
We roll on through the NFC with the South today. The South has been the craziest division in the NFL recently with the last place team winning the division the following year four out of the past five years (good news for the Saints). To check out the East and North click here and here.
Atlanta Falcons- Curtis Lofton
Lofton came in and started at middle linebacker as a rookie last year but looked like a seasoned veteran out there. Now entering his second year Lofton will
Lofton has shed weight to improve in coverage as he becomes a three down linebacker this season.
take on a greater role on defense. With the departure of longtime starter Keith Brooking, Lofton will be the leader on the defense and wear the defensive headset. He will also now be playing all three downs as opposed to two, which he did lats year. He is a tackling machine who racked up 94 last year and playing all three downs this year will only increase that number. He has shown dedication by shedding eight pounds to improve his coverage skills which would make him a complete linebacker.
Carolina Panthers- Richard Marshall
Marshall is entering his fourth year in the league and this year appears to be the year where he will finally breakout. He has flashed in his three years amassing seven interceptions and returning two for touchdowns but has not had the opportunity to start. The Panthers released Ken Lucas in the off season paving the way for Marshall to step up. New defensive coordinator Ron Meeks likes his corners to play very physical, which is an area Marshall excels in. Marshall will be highly motivated as he in entering a contract year and knows with solid play he will cash in big in the free agent market.
New Orleans Saints- Tracy Porter
Porter was off to a nice rookie campaign before an injury shelved him for the season after only five games. In those five games though, Porter had emerged as the Saints top corner back. He returns this season as a starter in an improved Saints secondary which will benefit him. Porter possess excellent speed and in a play maker in the secondary. Expect porter to be a key component on a much improved Saints defense this season.
NFC North Breakout Players
We continue out look at the NFC with the North division today. You can see the NFC East here. Without further ado here are the breakout candidates from the NFC North.
Chicago Bears- Greg Olsen
Olsen will be Jay Cutler's favorite target this season.
Olsen has improved in his two years in the league and looks poised to have a breakout year this season. He has shared time with Desmond Clark but is now firmly the starter. Chicago also acquired this guy called Jay Cutler who is a hell of a lot better than Kyle Orton. Olsen will be the primary target in the passing offense which will pass more this season with Cutler at the helm.
Detroit Lions- Cliff Avril
Avril was one of the few bright spots on a win less Lions team. The rookie from Purdue was a constant force in rushing the passer and notched 5 sacks despite starting only four games. Now Avril will be starting from week one giving him a full season to wreck havoc. If the Lions improve this season he will be a big part of the success.
Green Bay Packers- Jermichael Finley
Finley didn’t play much as a rookie as he was considered raw coming out of college. Finley though, has improved his blocking dramatically and it has earned him more playing time. He has drawn rave reviews for his play in training camp and has torn it up in the preseason. Finley will start the season splitting time with veteran Donald Lee but don’t be shocked when Finley takes over early in the season.
NFC East Breakout Players
We kick off the NFC today with a look at the NFC East. The toughest division in football last year looks like it will be a dogfight again and these brejout players could make the difference in who makes the playoffs and who goes home.
Dallas Cowboys- Martellus Bennett
Bennett can silence the critics with his play this year.
Bennett has made a lot of noise this off season for his off the field antics but is also impressing on the field. The talented tight end’s immaturity may be the only thing holding him breaking out. With the rapid development of Bennett the Cowboys will use a two tight end set as their base formation this season. Combine that will the departure of Terrell Owens and Bennett will be looking at a lot more targets. Even with Jason Witten ahead of him on the depth chart I wouldn’t be surprised if Bennett finished third on the team in receiving.
New York Giants- Terrell Thomas
Thomas has a nice season as a rookie last year and will look to build off that this season. Playing mostly in a nickel and dime role Thomas impressed and even started two games due to injuries. With Aaron Ross currently nursing a nagging hamstring injury Thomas has an opportunity to seize the starting job. Playing opposite Corey Webster will not hurt as well as having perhaps the best pass rush in the game. A complete corner, Thomas could have a big season this year.
Philadelphia Eagles- DeSean Jackson
Jackson was electrifying as a rookie igniting the Eagles offense. He finished the season just short of 1000 yards and looks like the number one receiver the Eagles have been searching for ever since Terrell Owens left town. As good as he was last season he still made rookie mistakes, most noticeably prematurely dropping the ball before he crossed the end zone which could have been very costly. With another year of seasoning Jackson should be even better this year as he becomes Donovan McNabb’s clear number one target.
AFC North Breakout Players
Today were lookin at the AFC North home of the world champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Be sure to check out the AFC East and South and look out for the West coming soon.
Baltimore Ravens- Ray Rice
Rice has gotten stronger to become a complete back while maintaining his qucikness and speed.
Rice had a nice rookie year as one third of the Ravens three headed monster at running back. Heading into this season Rice will take on a bigger role with Le’Ron McClain playing more of a traditional fullback role and Willis McGahee is the coaches doghouse. Rice has bulked up to improve his in between the tackles running and has not lost any speed. He has three down skills and I wouldn’t be surprised if he caught 50 balls this year.
Cincinnati Bengals- Keith Rivers
Rivers was off to a great start last season before getting blinsided by a Hines Ward block that broke his jaw and ended his season. The hit drew so much attention that a rule was added banning hits similar to Wards. Rivers will be out with a vengeance this year and I expect him to lead the Bengals in tackles as he becomes the leader of an improving defense.
Cleveland Browns- Jerome Harrison
Harrison hasn’t been given much of a chance to show his skills in his three years but that will change this year. Jamal Lewis has hit 30 years old and has a lot of mileage on his tires. Also new coach Eric Mangini may utilize Harrison similar to how he used the similar Leon Washington in New York. Harrison has the talent, he led the nation in rushing as a senior while at Washington State, all he needs is the opportunity.
AFC South Breakout Players
Today were looking at the AFC South and the players primed to break out this season. Be sure to check out the other divisions and come back to see the rest.
Houston Texans- Amobi Okoye
After a promising rookie year Okoye fell victim to the sophomore slump last year. Okoye is still just 22, younger than some rookies, so there’s no need to worry. Another year to mature will do wonders for Okoye and playing along side Mario Williams doesn’t hurt either. If the Texans want to take the next step they will need Okoye to have a big year.
With Marvin Harrison gone Gonzalez will step up to fill the void.
Indianapolis Colts- Anthony Gonzalez
Gonzalez has been solid in the slot for Peyton Manning and the Colts the past two seasons. Now with Marvin Harrison out of the fold Gonzalez is primed to break out. The former Buckeye will see plenty of targets in the Colts high octane offense and an 80 catch 1000 yard campaign is within reach.
Jacksonville Jaguars- Mike Walker
Walkers biggest enemy in his short career has been injuries. The former fourth rounder has shown potential and looked like he was going to break out last year after a good showing one game but tore up his knee. Now fully healthy Walker is heading into this season Walker is locked into a starting job opposite Torry Holt. With the offensive line healthy David Garrard should rebound and have plenty of time to find Walker all season long.
Tennessee Titans- Jason Jones
Jones had a nice rookie season backing up at defensive tackle coming out of Eastern Michigan. Now with the loss of Albert Haynesworth Jones will need to step up. He recorded three sacks in one game last year filling in for Haynesworth proving he could play. Jones will likely be in a three man rotation with Tony Brown and Jovan Haye at defensive tackle and the Titans will need his pass rushing presence in the middle.
AFC East Breakout Players
Edwards looks like he is on the verge of taking the next step as a quarterback.
Every year there are countless breakout players. Some are young players who finally get a chance to play, high draft picks who finally live up to their potential, contract year players, and some come out of nowhere. Last years breakout players included DeAngelo Williams, Aaron Rogers, and Antonio Bryant. Now onto this years candidates from the AFC East.
Buffalo BIlls- Trent Edwards
Edwards is entering his third year in the league and this
may be the year when he makes the jump to great quarterback status. The addition of T.O. will give him a legitimate number one receiver and will free up Lee Evans to make plays down the field. The only thing standing in his way is his offensive line. The Bills will start two rookies and have Langston Walker, a natural right tackle, on the blind side.
Miami Dolphins- Ronnie Brown
Brown ran for just over 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns but could be in line for a huge year this season. He was coming off ACL surgery last year and should be even stronger this year. Many people forget that in 2007 Brown was off to to a torrid start before tearing up his knee half way through the season. The former number two pick is also in a contract year which should give him all the motivation he needs to have a career year.
