BroncoBuff
07-01-2008, 10:49 PM
Marcus Thomas was #22
Look for Selvin Young tomorrow, or my name isn't BroncoBuff.
Breakout players 11-20: Ten more about to step way up
by Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
The term "breakout player" can mean a couple of different things in the NFL. It can mean a surprise player, somebody like Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant last season, or it can mean a player who goes from good to even better.
Each season we see plenty of both, guys who come from nowhere to be major contributors and players who find their way into their first Pro Bowl after a couple of years of growth. My list of breakout players will focus on the latter group, players who have already done some things, some even really good things, but appear poised to do a lot more.
The list is made up of 30 players. They are numbered in order of how much of an impact I think they will make in 2008, with No. 1 being the best and No. 30 the least of this group.
So who's No. 1? Here's a hint: The player isn't on defense.
11. Chris Gocong, OLB, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles were thrilled with the way he played as a first-time starter in 2007. He has the speed to match up with tight ends in coverage and he plays the run well. Having a player with Gocong's versatility in Jim Johnson's defense is a big plus.
12. D'Qwell Jackson, LB, Cleveland Browns: He has been a quality player the past two seasons but most fans outside Cleveland probably have no idea who he is. At 6-feet, 242 pounds, he is a thumper at weak-side linebacker. He also runs well.
13. Eric Winston, RT, Houston Texans: The right tackle spot isn't a strong one in the NFL. Winston has a chance to move toward the top of the rankings at that position. He emerged as the Texans' best lineman last season. He has always been a good pass protector, but he improved his run blocking last season. It's too bad right tackles get overlooked come Pro Bowl time because he's a good one.
14. Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants: After missing 11 games in his rookie season with an injury, Smith had 14 catches in the postseason to emerge as an important part of the Giants' run to the Super Bowl. Watch for him to become a factor in the middle of the field for the Giants' offense in 2008, possibly catching as many as 60 passes.
15. Fred Bennett, CB, Houston Texans: A fourth-round pick last April, Bennett made his way into the starting lineup in 2007 and had three interceptions and 14 passes defensed. With Dunta Robinson coming off a major knee injury, Bennett will have to be even better in 2008.
16. Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers: The Chargers traded up in last year's draft to get Weddle. After a year playing in sub packages, he takes over as the starting free safety. Weddle is one of those players with a knack for finding the football. He will hit and he has cover skills after playing corner in college/
17. A.J. Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers: The Packers expect big things from Hawk in his third season. He showed improvement last season, but needs to play more instinctively. With two years under his belt, look for that to happen.
18. Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: He had 52 catches last season, his second with the team, but watch out in 2008. This could be his Pro Bowl year. It's certainly going to be the season he takes over as the No. 1 guy for Hines Ward.
19. Jovan Haye, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Entering his fifth season, with his second team, Haye is coming off an impressive 2007. He had 16 starts, the first of his career, and had six sacks. At 6-2, 285 pounds, he is a quick inside player who has a chance to be a long-time starter in Tampa.
20. Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings: Rice caught 31 passes in 13 games in 2007 as a rookie. With Bernard Berrian now on the other side that number will go up. Rice doesn't have great speed so he needs speed on the other side to help open things up for him. Berrian has that. Look for Rice to possibly have a 70-catch season.
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10882613
Look for Selvin Young tomorrow, or my name isn't BroncoBuff.
Breakout players 11-20: Ten more about to step way up
by Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
The term "breakout player" can mean a couple of different things in the NFL. It can mean a surprise player, somebody like Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant last season, or it can mean a player who goes from good to even better.
Each season we see plenty of both, guys who come from nowhere to be major contributors and players who find their way into their first Pro Bowl after a couple of years of growth. My list of breakout players will focus on the latter group, players who have already done some things, some even really good things, but appear poised to do a lot more.
The list is made up of 30 players. They are numbered in order of how much of an impact I think they will make in 2008, with No. 1 being the best and No. 30 the least of this group.
So who's No. 1? Here's a hint: The player isn't on defense.
11. Chris Gocong, OLB, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles were thrilled with the way he played as a first-time starter in 2007. He has the speed to match up with tight ends in coverage and he plays the run well. Having a player with Gocong's versatility in Jim Johnson's defense is a big plus.
12. D'Qwell Jackson, LB, Cleveland Browns: He has been a quality player the past two seasons but most fans outside Cleveland probably have no idea who he is. At 6-feet, 242 pounds, he is a thumper at weak-side linebacker. He also runs well.
13. Eric Winston, RT, Houston Texans: The right tackle spot isn't a strong one in the NFL. Winston has a chance to move toward the top of the rankings at that position. He emerged as the Texans' best lineman last season. He has always been a good pass protector, but he improved his run blocking last season. It's too bad right tackles get overlooked come Pro Bowl time because he's a good one.
14. Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants: After missing 11 games in his rookie season with an injury, Smith had 14 catches in the postseason to emerge as an important part of the Giants' run to the Super Bowl. Watch for him to become a factor in the middle of the field for the Giants' offense in 2008, possibly catching as many as 60 passes.
15. Fred Bennett, CB, Houston Texans: A fourth-round pick last April, Bennett made his way into the starting lineup in 2007 and had three interceptions and 14 passes defensed. With Dunta Robinson coming off a major knee injury, Bennett will have to be even better in 2008.
16. Eric Weddle, S, San Diego Chargers: The Chargers traded up in last year's draft to get Weddle. After a year playing in sub packages, he takes over as the starting free safety. Weddle is one of those players with a knack for finding the football. He will hit and he has cover skills after playing corner in college/
17. A.J. Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers: The Packers expect big things from Hawk in his third season. He showed improvement last season, but needs to play more instinctively. With two years under his belt, look for that to happen.
18. Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: He had 52 catches last season, his second with the team, but watch out in 2008. This could be his Pro Bowl year. It's certainly going to be the season he takes over as the No. 1 guy for Hines Ward.
19. Jovan Haye, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Entering his fifth season, with his second team, Haye is coming off an impressive 2007. He had 16 starts, the first of his career, and had six sacks. At 6-2, 285 pounds, he is a quick inside player who has a chance to be a long-time starter in Tampa.
20. Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings: Rice caught 31 passes in 13 games in 2007 as a rookie. With Bernard Berrian now on the other side that number will go up. Rice doesn't have great speed so he needs speed on the other side to help open things up for him. Berrian has that. Look for Rice to possibly have a 70-catch season.
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10882613