Breakout Player Recap: Linebacker

Linebackers had a very big impact on the way the season went last year. James Harrison won defensive player of the year and who knows how far the Ravens would have gone if Ray Lewis didn't play so well. While players like Lewis are a few years from retiring, there are a lot of young talented linebackers who will fill their void. Here are how my breakout predictions from last year look now.



LaMarr Woodley Steelers:

What I said: Woodley didn't start a game in his rookie season but still managed to get 4 sacks. Now that Clark Haggans left for the Cardinals. Woodley has his chance to start for the Steelers and show why he has the upside to be one of the best pass rushers in the league. Woodley has the potential and opportunity to put up a Pro Bowl season in his first full year as a starter.

Now: Woodley put up big numbers in his first year as a starter recording 11.5 sacks and becoming a key player on a very strong Steelers defense. As long as James Harrison commands double teams, Woodley should continue to have double digit sack totals.

Hit or Miss: Hit

Ernie Sims Lions:

What I said: Sims has already established himself as one of the best linebackers in the league as he has 258 tackles in his first two seasons. So why is Sims on this list? That's because he plays for the Lions. Other than Thanksgiving day, football fans around the country don't get to watch Sims and they are missing out. He has already shown what he is capable of and is similar to a young Derrick Brooks. Another good season and Sims should be headed to Hawaii for his first Pro Bowl.

Now: Sims had another very productive year with 113 tackles and 1 sack. The problem is that those numbers are because the Lions defense was on the field most of the game. Sims has played very well his first few years in the league but the Lions must improve before Sims is known on a national stage.

Hit or Miss: Push

Jon Beason Panthers:

What I said: If not for Patrick Willis, Beason would have been talked about for his incredible rookie season. Beason had 140 tackles and 1 interception. He is in a similar boat as Sims as the Panthers don't get much national attention either. But if Beason keeps putting up numbers like that, it will be hard for most football fans to not pay attention.

Now: Beason was just as productive in his second season notching 138 tackles and 3 interceptions. He also did well in the team's only playoff game as he managed to have 8 tackles and an interception. If he puts those numbers up again this year, he should be making his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

Hit or Miss: Hit

David Harris Jets:

What I said: As a rookie, Harris only started 9 games. But he was a tackling machine as he had 127 on the year. Harris also had 5 sacks and forced 2 fumbles. With a full year starting, Harris could prove to be one of the best young linebackers in the league.

Now: Harris was starting to shine in his first year as a starter but a hamstring injury that cost him 5 games hindered his progress. The Jets defense should be one of the best in the league this year and in a big market, Harris could become one of the elite linebackers in the league.

Hit or Miss: Push

Paul Posluszny Bills:

What I said: If Posluszny didn't have a season ending arm injury in week 3, he would be in the same discussion as Willis and Beason. In 3 games, he had 26 tackles which would have put him on pace for 139 tackles. Now Posluszny is healthy and with the Bills poised to make the playoffs, Posluszny has the chance to become a star in his second year.

Now: Posluszny put up good numbers in his first full season as he notched 110 tackles and an interception. With the improvements to the offense, the Bills defense shouldn't be on the field as much so it wouldn't be a surprise if Posluszny did even better in his second full season.

HIt or Miss: Push

D'Qwell Jackson Browns:

What I said: In his second season,Jackson showed flashes of his potential as he had 101 tackles, 1 sack and an interception. But because he plays for the Browns, nobody knows who he is yet. That should change this year as the Browns have 5 prime time games this season and with the additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams up front, Jackson could be even better this year.

Now: Jackson was excellent in his third season recording 154 tackles with two sacks and three interceptions. The Browns were one of the biggest dissapointments last year which would explain why Jackson didn't make the Pro Bowl even though it was well deserved. Jackson is playing like an elite linebacker and it will only be a matter of time until he is regarded as one.

Hit or Miss: Hit

Thomas Howard Raiders:

What I said: Howard has all the makings to turn into a star in his 3rd season. He had 95 tackles last year and is one of the best linebackers in the league in pass coverage as he had 6 interceptions. With his 4.4 speed, Howard ended up taking two of those for touchdowns. With the Raiders improved defense, look for Howard to make his first Pro Bowl appearance in the near future.

Now: Howard's third season was almost identical to his second as he had 97 tackles and 1 interception. His interception total dropped due to the fact that teams were throwing away from him because of his great coverage skills and athleticism. Look for Howard to emerge this season if the Raiders contend in a weak AFC West.

Hit or Miss: Push

Justin Durant Jaguars:

What I said: When Mike Peterson went down with an injury, the unknown Durant stepped in as a rookie and had 49 tackles and 1 interception. The most impressive part was how in his first playoff game against the Steelers, he stepped in and had 12 tackles. With Peterson returning to the middle, Durant will most likely move to the outside where he can utilize his speed and has the opportunity to be a game changing linebacker for years to come.

Now: Durant was solid in his first year as a starter, but the numbers weren't as good as expected as he had 70 tackles in 13 games. In his prime Mike Peterson was a tackling machine with the Jaguars and it wouldn't be surprising if Durant ends up following the same path.

Hit or Miss: Miss

Breakout Player Recap: Defensive Linemen

This is my first post for the defensive side of the ball in the player recap series. Fittingly, it starts with the men up front: the defensive linemen. I only picked 5 of them to breakout last year, but it should be interesting to see how they fared as some of them might have been picked a year too soon.

Gaines Adams Buccaneers:

What I said: Adams had a solid rookie year as he had 38 tackles and 6 sacks but at the end of the year, he showed why he was a top 5 pick in the draft. Adams started to get off the edge faster and learned how to use his great size and speed to create mismatches for his opponents. If Adams continues to improve, he could be in for a trip to Hawaii in the near future. Don't be surprised if Adams gets at least 10 sacks this year.

Now: Adams' second season was almost identical to his first. He had the same amount of tackles with 6.5 sacks and two interceptions. This should be the year where he takes the next step where he reaches double digit sacks and possibly makes the Pro Bowl.

Hit or Miss: Push

Ray Edwards Vikings:

What I said: Edwards has the skill set to be a dominant defensive end in the league. He is 6'5 268 pounds and has 4.8 speed. Last year Edwards had 5 sacks but now with Jared Allen across from him and Kenechi Udeze out for the year, Edwards has a chance to shine. Don't be surprised if Edwards gets at least 10 sacks.

Now: Edwards didn't have double digit sacks like I predicted, but he did have his best year statistically of his career with 50 tackles and 5 sacks. Edwards will continue to be the beneficiary of Jared Allen double teams so it's only a matter of time until he is one of the league's sack leaders.

Hit or Miss: Push

Brodrick Bunkley Eagles:

What I said: Bunkley started to show in his second year why he was worthy of a 1st round pick in 2006. He has incredible strength and the size to clog up the middle of the line. Bunkley has lost some weight this offseason and with the additions on the Eagles defense of Chris Clemons and Asante Samuel, Bunkley could develop into a Pro Bowl caliber player very soon.

Now: Bunkley didn't make the Pro Bowl, but he continued to be a huge presence on the inside. The Eagles have proven to be among the NFC's elite and if the defense plays well look for Bunkley to get his fair share of credit.

Hit or Miss: Push

Jovan Haye Buccaneers:

What I said: In his first year starting, Haye was very impressive as he had 68 tackles and 6 sacks. With the development of Adams and the core of the Bucs defense intact, there is no reason to doubt that Haye could have an even better season in 2008.

Now: After impressing his first year as a starter, Haye took a step back in 2008. He only had 33 tackles and went from six sacks to zero in the course of a year. Haye was picked up by the Titans this offseason and now has an excellent opportunity to fill the very large footsteps that Albert Haynesworth left behind.

Hit or Miss: Miss

Marcus Thomas Broncos:

What I said: If not for legal troubles, Thomas would have been a first round pick in 2007. Instead he fell to the Broncos in the 4th round and if he lives up to the first round hype, the Broncos will be very happy. Thomas impressed at times last year as he had 19 tackles and a sack in 5 starts. Thomas should show lots of flashes of stardom this year, but look for him to really breakout in 2009.

Now: Thomas started every game in his second season and while he wasn't as dominant as I thought he would be, he still showed flashes of stardom. Look for Thomas to be a key contributor on a Broncos team that's really looking to improve its defense.

Hit or Miss: Miss

Breakout Player Recap: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Like my last post, I will be breaking down how my predictions for who would break out last year look now. This time it is wide receivers and tight ends and while some didn't do that well, others did what I expected and more.


Wide Receiver:


Calvin Johnson Lions:

What I said: Johnson had a solid rookie year as he had 756 yards and 4 touchdowns. But compared to his hype coming in, that was a disappointment. Johnson has great size at 6'5 and with 4.3 speed and a 40' inch vertical, many people thought he would come right in and be an elite receiver. Johnson was bothered by a back injury last year which slowed him down so now that he is healthy and the Lions will be running a more balanced attack, don't be surprised if he has more than 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Now: Even though he had multiple quarterbacks throwing him the ball, Johnson did what I expected and more in his second season. He averaged over 17 yards a catch and had over 1300 yards and 12 touchdowns. Johnson is now one of the elite receivers in the league and will be a guy everyone is fighting for in your fantasy league. If Matthew Stafford comes in and develops into everything the Lions think he can be, as scary as it is, Johnson can get even better.

Hit or Miss: Hit

Sidney Rice Vikings:

What I said: Rice had a solid rookie season as he had 396 yards and 4 touchdowns. Now he has added 8 pounds of muscle this offseason and with his 6'4 frame, it was important for him to fill out. Now with Bernard Berrian on the other side, Rice will have single coverage on smaller corners and become one of the best red zone targets in the league.

Now: Rice had nagging injuries all of last year and his stats took a big hit. While he did have four touchdowns, he only had 15 catches and averaged less than ten yards per. On the bright side, Rice is only 22 and is entering his third year which is a year where receivers such as Roddy White and Braylon Edwards took their games to the next level. The only problem is, the Vikings still aren't settled at quarterback.

Hit or Miss: Miss

Santonio Holmes Steelers:

What I said: Holmes had a very good sophomore campaign as he averaged over 18 yards a catch and had 8 touchdowns. But he should be even better this year as he has a great connection with Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward is starting to decline. Don't be surprised if Holmes gets at least 1200 yards this year and makes the Pro Bowl.

Now: Holmes had a solid regular season, but decided to breakout on the grandest of stages. Holmes was named the MVP of the Super Bowl after his 9 catch 131 yard performance. This also included a touchdown catch in the very last minute that will be replayed along with the David Tyree helmet in the NFL Films vault for the next 50 years. Considering his big game performance and Hines Ward's decline, many people will be expecting Holmes to become the number one receiver and possibly make his first Pro Bowl this upcoming year.

Hit or Miss: Hit


Mike Walker Jaguars:

What I said: I was very high on Walker last year until the Jaguars put him on injured reserve. Now he is fully healthy and with Jerry Porter missing preseason, Walker might come in to training camp as the Jaguars number one receiver. Don't be surprised if Walker becomes one of the better players from the receiver heavy 2007 draft class.

Now: Walker always shows flashes of potential, but those glimpses are always ruined due to injuries. After his first career 100 yard game on Sunday Night Football, Walker then goes on to miss the next four games as he's in the hospital with a staph infection. The Jags are looking for a receiver to start opposite Torry Holt now though and as of now, Walker is the leader in the clubhouse.

Hit or Miss: Push

Anthony Gonzalez Colts:

What I said: Gonzalez had a solid rookie season as he had 576 yards and 3 touchdowns. But with Marvin Harrison declining and his health a factor, Gonzalez could be starting for one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Gonzalez probably won't become a number one receiver but he has the potential to be an elite number two. Don't be surprised if he gets around 1000 yards and 6 touchdowns this year.

Now: Gonzalez had a year very similar to his first as he had 664 yards and 4 touchdowns. Now that Marvin Harrison has been released, Gonzalez will be the starter and should get more balls thrown his way. He will probably never be a number one, but Gonzalez could develop into a premier number two receiver.

Hit or Miss: Push

Chansi Stuckey Jets:

What I said: Like Walker, Stuckey was placed on injured reserve for his whole rookie season. Stuckey though could come in this year and right away be the slot receiver for the Jets and with his speed, gives them another deep threat. With the quarterback situation still unsettled, Stuckey should show glimpses this year but should really start hitting his stride in 2009.

Now: Stuckey was one of the pleasant early season surprises as he scored a touchdown in each of his first three games. However, that was all he scored. With the departure of Laveranues Coles, Stuckey should get more balls thrown his way and touchdowns this year.

Hit or Miss: Miss
Tight End:


Ben Utecht Bengals:

What I said: Utecht is a pass catching tight end and he now gives Carson Palmer a dimension he has never had during his time in Cincinnati. Utecht has great size at 6'6 and has experience in pass oriented offenses as he was previously with the Colts. Utecht could end up with around 55 catches and 5 touchdowns in his first year with the Bengals.

Now: Utecht only played 10 games last season but for someone who was primed to have a breakout year, he really disappointed. In an offense that has been looking for a pass catching tight end, Utecht only caught 16 passes for 123 yards. The Bengals drafted Chase Coffman in the third round this year so it will be interesting to see what ends up happening with Utecht.

Hit or Miss: Miss

Marcedes Lewis Jaguars:

What I said: Lewis has great size and soft hands and with the Jaguars low risk passing attack could have a career year in his 3rd season. Last year Lewis had 391 yards and 2 touchdowns. Don't be surprised if that touchdown total at least doubles this year.

Now: Lewis actually had his best year statistically catching 41 balls for 498 yards. It is amazing how the Jaguars considering their receiver situation last year didn't throw it more to the 6'6 Lewis. Lewis is a productive player but in Jacksonville will never have the numbers worthy of a first round pick. If you switched the picks of Lewis and Maurice Jones-Drew, you would be looking at an excellent draft.

Hit or Miss: Push


Zach Miller Raiders:

What I said: Miller had a very good rookie year as he caught 44 passes and 3 touchdowns. Miller has a growing connection with JaMarcus Russell and if Javon Walker isn't fully healthy, could have a big year. Don't be surprised if Miller catches at least 60 passes this year.

Now: Miller definitely built off his early connection with Russell as he is now one of the best tight ends in the league. While he had 778 yards last year, Miller only had one touchdown last year. As the Raiders young receivers continue to develop, look for that number to improve and for Miller to keep on getting better.

Hit or Miss: Hit

Brent Celek Eagles:

What I said: Celek may have only caught 16 passes last year, but he showed lots of potential at the end of the year and with his great size and L.J. Smith's injury history, Celek could get a very good chance to start and could put up big numbers.

Now: Celek didn't have many opportunities to shine last year, but he made the most of them. This included a 131 yard game against the Seahawks and a 10 catch game along with two touchdowns in the NFC Championship game. With L.J. Smith out of town, Celek will now be the starter and it wouldn't be surprising if he caught 50 balls this year.

Hit or Miss: Push

Breakout Player Recap: Quarterbacks and Running Backs

Some people may remember that last year I had a series of posts where I predicted some players who could breakout and end up having big time years. Now with a new series only a week or two away, I thought it was a good time to reflect on how those predictions looked now. This is the first installment where I predicted quarterbacks and running backs that would breakout last year. Let's see how the predictions panned out.

Quarterback:

Jay Cutler Broncos:

What I said: Cutler may have thrown 20 touchdowns last year, but he is only reaching his potential. The Broncos acquired some new targets for Cutler in Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson and if Brandon Marshall is suspended, it will soften the blow. Plus he always has Tony Scheffler to throw the ball to and he is on the verge of becoming an elite tight end. Don't be surprised if Cutler throws 30 touchdowns this year.

Now: Cutler may not have thrown for 30 touchdowns like I predicted, but numbers wise it was his best as a pro throwing for over 4500 yards and 25 touchdowns. Cutler wasn't one to shy away from headlines this offseason. He was traded to the Bears due to his frustration after new head coach Josh McDaniels was looking into getting his old pupil Matt Cassel. Cutler won't have as good a supporting cast in Chicago, but they are an immediate contender in the NFC North.

Hit or Miss: Push
Trent Edwards Bills:

What I said: Edwards was solid as a rookie last year as he was a very good game manager and ended up throwing 7 touchdowns. Now that he has a full year of the offense under his belt along with a 6'6 red zone threat in James Hardy, don't be surprised if Edwards throws 20 touchdowns this year.

Now: Edwards was solid in his first year as a starter completing nearly 66 percent of his passes along with 11 touchdowns. The main problem was that the Bills receiving corps were depleted last year and lacked size after James Hardy suffered a season ending injury. This year, Terrell Owens enters the picture and he is usually on his best behavior the first year with a new team so Edwards could put up some big numbers.

Hit or Miss: Push

Drew Stanton Lions:

What I said: Many people forgot about Stanton last year as he went on injured reserve with a knee injury during preseason. But he is a name you want to remember this year. If the Lions struggle out of the gate, Stanton should see some playing time and with the targets he has in Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, he could put up some big numbers. That and the fact the Lions usually play from behind, it wouldn't be surprising if Stanton threw at least 15 touchdowns.

Now: It doesn't look that good for Stanton. Three quarterbacks played before him last year and with Matthew Stafford now in the picture, it doesn't look like Stanton will get the chance to play. As of right now he is a project as it is hard to learn a system when you have two offensive coordinators in two years. If he doesn't make the Lions roster this year, look for Stanton to try and catch on with a team like the Colts where he is in no rush to play and he will have two or three years to learn the offense.

Hit or Miss: Miss

JaMarcus Russell Raiders:

What I said: The Raiders got some new weapons on offense this offseason and nobody benefits more than Russell. Russell now has a year of learning the offense and has a good group of receivers led by Javon Walker and Ronald Curry. When the Raiders start pulling it together later on in the season, people will be talking about how well Russell is performing and how he could lead them to the playoffs in 2009.

Now: Like I predicted, the Raiders came on late in the season and it was in large part due to Russell. In the last two games of the year which were both Raiders wins, Russell threw for 384 yards 4 touchdowns and an interception. If he continues to play the way he did at the end of the year, the Raiders could surprise people in a very weak AFC West.

Hit or Miss: Push

Troy Smith Ravens:

What I said: If you've read my previous posts, you can see that I am very high on Smith and think he should be the starter in Baltimore. He was solid in limited playing time last year and could thrive under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron as he will take pressure off of him by getting a ground game going. Joe Flacco might be the long term answer for the Ravens, but don't be surprised if Smith shines when he gets his chance.

Now: If it wasn't for tonsillitis that caused him to drop 20 pounds, Smith would have been the started in Baltimore. Things didn't work out that badly for the Ravens though as Joe Flacco came in and played very well in his rookie season. Even if he played, Smith wasn't the quarterback of the future so unless he gets traded, he will be a quality backup option.

Hit or Miss: Miss

Tyler Thigpen Chiefs:

What I said: When most people see this, the first thing that comes to mind is, "Who?" but Thigpen could have a big impact this season. Thigpen has already impressed the Chiefs as he passed Damon Huard for 2nd on the depth chart entering training camp. Thigpen has a strong arm, good mechanics and 4.7 speed which is solid for a quarterback. He's only a few bad games from Brodie Croyle from starting and if Croyle plays anything like last year, Thigpen could be playing quickly.

Now: Even though the Chiefs only won two games last year, they were actually pretty fun to watch when Thigpen was at the helm. In 11 starts he threw for over 2600 yards and 18 touchdowns and he also led all quarterbacks with 386 rushing yards. Unfortunately, Thigpen won't get to start this year after the Chiefs traded for Matt Cassel. This shouldn't be the last we hear of Thigpen though as a team should be more than willing to give him a chance when he is a free agent due to his performance last year.

Hit or Miss: Hit

Running back:

Marshawn Lynch Bills:

What I said: In his rookie season, Lynch ended up with over 1100 rushing yards to go along with 7 touchdowns. The scary part is, he missed 3 games. If Lynch played the whole season, Adrian Peterson might not have ended up with the rookie of the year award. Lynch's sophomore campaign should be even better as he now has a year of the offense under his belt and it doesn't hurt that he plays the Dolphins and Jets a combined 4 times. By the end of this year, Lynch could be mentioned in the same breath as the elite running backs in the league.

Now: Lynch did make the Pro Bowl in his second year, but he isn't in the elite category yet. His numbers actually declined in his second year and his suspension didn't help. With the improved passing game, Lynch could have a big year the only problem is after his arrest this offseason will he be around to enjoy it for all 16 games.

Hit or Miss: Push


Selvin Young Broncos:

What I said: With Travis Henry gone, Young is now the starting back for one of the best rushing attacks in the league. He had a solid rookie year averaging over 5 yards a carry for 729 yards. WIth all of that in mind, Young looks like he's ready to put up big rushing numbers in typical Broncos fashion. Don't be surprised if he has over 1300 rushing yards this year.

Now: In a year in which the Broncos went through multiple backs, Young took a major step backwards in his second season. Granted, he did miss 8 games but he only ran for 303 yards and one touchdown. Considering the arrival of Knowshon Moreno, Young probably won't start this year but the 5 yards a carry average is a good indication he would be a very good third down back.

Hit or Miss: Miss

LenDale White Titans:

What I said: Many people bash White for his weight, but last year he had a career best 1110 yards in the starting role with 7 touchdowns. But if those numbers sound impressive, get this, he played all of last season on a torn meniscus. Now with Chris Johnson in the backfield to help carry the load, White could be even more productive this season. 1200 yards and double digit touchdowns isn't out of the question.

Now: White was a touchdown machine last year scoring 15 good for third in the league. He and Johnson formed the duo of "Smash and Dash" which is arguably the best running back tandem in the league. This could help White in the long run as the wear and tear from his bruising running style is toned down to sharing carries. If the passing game improves, White and Johnson could be even more explosive this year.

Hit or Miss: Hit

Pierre Thomas Saints:

What I said: When people think of Thomas, two questions come to mind. First, who names their son Pierre and the other is who is this guy? Well, I can only answer one of those questions but it should help. When Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush both went down with injuries, Thomas had his first career start in week 17 against the Bears where he had both 100 rushing and receiving yards. He is a north south runner and a good receiver. So basically he is what you get when you combine McAllister and Bush. With McAllister and Bush's health issues, Thomas could get some starts for the Saints this year and it wouldn't be surprising if he had over 1000 all purpose yards.

Now: Thomas had a very big year with over 900 total yards and 12 touchdowns. With Deuce McAllister gone, Thomas should get even more carries this year and it wouldn't be surprising if he is one of the top running backs in fantasy football either. While many people expect Reggie Bush to be the feature back in New Orleans, look for Thomas to be the featured back by the end of the year.

Hit or Miss: Hit

Mike Wallace Interview

This past weekend I had the opportunity to talk to the Steelers new rookie receiver Mike Wallace. The Steelers took Wallace in the 3rd round with the 84th pick. If you read my pre draft receiver rankings, you may remember that I had Wallace at number eight on the list. Along with being one of the fastest receivers in his draft class with a 4.33 forty yard dash, Wallace is also the first player interview on my blog. I would again like to thank Mike for taking the time out of his busy schedule and I wish him the best in his NFL career.

Fbkid: What was the whole draft process like for you?
Mike Wallace: It was nerve racking but it was a really good experience
FB: What was it like to be called on draft day?
MW: It was the best feeling in the world just to know that all of the hard work paid off.
FB: What is it like being reunited with your childhood friend Keenan Lewis?
MW: It’s good since it makes the transition easier knowing that you will go through the experience with somebody you know.
FB: What do you think you can bring to the Steelers?
MW: Competiveness, speed, whatever Coach Tomlin needs me to bring.
FB: What do you feel is your greatest strength as a player and what do you need to work on?
MW: My greatest strength is my speed but I need to work on my whole game as I can always get better.
FB: What current wide receiver do you think you compare most favorably to?
MW: DeSean Jackson but I’m a little bigger.
FB: What is your greatest football moment to date?
MW: Beating Florida in the Swamp.
FB: When did you realize you had a future in football beyond college?
MW: I always felt that if I stayed focused that I could make it since all of my coaches were really confident in me.
FB: Who was your favorite pro team growing up?
MW: The 49ers I really liked watching Jerry Rice, John Taylor and T.O.
Question: What player are you most looking forward to go against?
MW: Champ Bailey
FB: Who is the best player you played against in your college career?
MW: Percy Harvin.
FB: What do you want to do when your career is over?
MW: I want to own businesses and provide for my family.