CBS Sportsline: Marcus Thomas to break out in 2008 - The Orange Mane

Popps · 06-30-2008, 07:30 PM

Might have been posted already. Sort of shocking to see his name show up, but I hope Prisco is right.

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10882613

Editor's note: This is the first of three parts of Pete Prisco's breakout players for 2008.

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.

Johnny Jolly is expected to fill big cleats in Green Bay. (Getty Images)
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.

They will be broken down into groups of 10, working our way back. So on Monday you get No. 21 to No. 30. That will be followed up by No. 11 to No. 20 on Tuesday and then No. 1 to No. 10 on Wednesday.

So who's No. 1? Here's a hint: The player isn't on defense.

21. Johnny Jolly, DT, Green Bay Packers: He takes over as the starter inside after Corey Williams was traded to the Browns. Jolly showed well in his time last season before he tore a rotator cuff. He's battling back from that, but the Packers expect him on the field when camp opens.

22. Marcus Thomas, DT, Denver Broncos: Thomas played well as a rookie in 2007. Watch what he does this year. He will show off the talent that would have made him a first-round pick, were it not for off-the-field issues before the draft. He has Warren Sapp-like quickness.

23. Freddie Keiaho, LB, Indianapolis Colts: When Cato June left via free agency, the Colts did what they always do: find a quality replacement. Although small at 5-11, 230 pounds, Keiaho is a swift player who knows how to get to the football. With more experience, he will make people forget June.

24. Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders: As a rookie last season he caught 44 passes in an offense that struggled to get good quarterback play. Now that JaMarcus Russell is settled in as the starter look for Miller and Russell to form quite a connection.

25. Arron Sears, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs love this kid. He started at left guard as a rookie and quickly showed that he has Pro Bowl ability. He plays with a nasty streak and excels in the run game.

A bust in Minnesota, Troy Williamson tries to give the Jags a needed speed injection. (Getty Images)
26. Troy Williamson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: He was considered a flop in Minnesota after his selection in the first round of the 2005 draft. He had 79 catches in his first three seasons, just 24 in 2007. That's why the Vikings traded him to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. During the Jaguars' offseason work, Williamson was outstanding. He didn't drop a pass. If that carries over to camp, his speed will be a big addition to the Jacksonville passing game.

27. Jared Gaither, T, Baltimore Ravens: With the retirement of Jonathan Ogden, Gaither takes over as the starting left tackle. He had two starts last season as a rookie and played pretty well. At 6-9, 350 pounds, he makes Ogden look small. He also has great feet for a man that big. He might struggle at times, but by the midway point he should be a dominant player.

28. Brandon Jackson, RB, Green Bay Packers: I know Ryan Grant is the starter and he played well last season. But Packers coaches really like Jackson. With a year under his belt in terms of picking up blitz packages, he will be on the field more in his second season. He did rush for 113 yards on 20 carries in the season finale after not doing much when he started the first three games of the season.

29. Chad Jackson, WR, New England Patriots: He has had two injury-plagued seasons that have limited him to 13 catches. That should change now that he's healthy. With Donte' Stallworth gone to the Cleveland Browns, the Patriots need a third receiver to step up. Jackson has the size and speed. Now that he's a year-and-half removed from a torn ACL, this is his time.

30. Domata Peko, DT, Cincinnati Bengals: He has been a quality starter the past two seasons. For that, the Bengals rewarded him with a long-term deal. Peko plays hard and he's very good against the run.

RunSilentRunDeep · 06-30-2008, 07:36 PM

He's not ranked ahead of someone named Johnny Jolly? Nevertheless, I agree Thomas turns heads this season.

SureShot · 06-30-2008, 07:53 PM

I would get excited, but Chad Jackson is on the same list.

Popps · 06-30-2008, 08:00 PM

Are Thomas and Robertson slated to line up next to each other?

DenverBrit · 06-30-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popps

Are Thomas and Robertson slated to line up next to each other?

I believe so. With an attacking scheme, we should see a big improvement.

Popps · 06-30-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverBrit

I believe so. With an attacking scheme, we should see a big improvement.

A healthy Robertson clearly improves our defense, and would hopefully keep some heat off of Thomas if they do line up next to each other.

It'll be interesting with the return of Moss and Ekuban. Tough to imagine the front four getting worse with those changes.

BlaK-Argentina · 06-30-2008, 08:17 PM

I expect Cutler and Marshall to be on that list.

SonOfLe-loLang · 06-30-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaK-Argentina

I expect Cutler and Marshall to be on that list.

they already broke out

BlaK-Argentina · 06-30-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

they already broke out

Well, the article said that players who are good and on their way to great would be on it. I think both those guys should be there in that case.

elsid13 · 06-30-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaK-Argentina

Well, the article said that players who are good and on their way to great would be on it. I think both those guys should be there in that case.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Cutler, Marshall and Scheffer on the list.

BlaK-Argentina · 06-30-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsid13

I wouldn't be surprised to see Cutler, Marshall and Scheffer on the list.

I think Scheffler could be great but it seems like there's always an injury concern with him.

SonOfLe-loLang · 06-30-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaK-Argentina

Well, the article said that players who are good and on their way to great would be on it. I think both those guys should be there in that case.

Can a guy who caught a 100 balls already really be on the list?

DukeWoody · 06-30-2008, 08:42 PM

I think Selvin Young deserves a nod to be on that list..I can see him cranking out 2000 all purpose yrds in 2008...1500 rushing /500 receiving...

BlaK-Argentina · 06-30-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

Can a guy who caught a 100 balls already really be on the list?

I think you're right about Marshall but Cutler has yet to break out IMO. I think it will be pretty obvious to everybody when he does.

DenverBrit · 06-30-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popps

A healthy Robertson clearly improves our defense, and would hopefully keep some heat off of Thomas if they do line up next to each other.

It'll be interesting with the return of Moss and Ekuban. Tough to imagine the front four getting worse with those changes.

I agree. For once, we might see a D line that Broncos fans can look forward too.

maher_tyler · 06-30-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaK-Argentina

I think you're right about Marshall but Cutler has yet to break out IMO. I think it will be pretty obvious to everybody when he does.

I agree...with him being able to control his diabetus it'll be interesting how much better he will play considering the numbers he put up last year!!

TheReverend · 06-30-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

Can a guy who caught a 100 balls already really be on the list?

Considering he's slated to be the #1 guy on the vaunted Denver rushing attack, I wouldn't be surprised if he's #1 on the list on Wednesday.

Gcver2ver3 · 06-30-2008, 09:56 PM

we'll see...

TexanBob · 06-30-2008, 10:04 PM

As long as it's not breaking out of jail...

BroncoBuff · 06-30-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeWoody

I think Selvin Young deserves a nod to be on that list.

Yes, he's a virtual lock for one of the Top 20 ... the Denver running game is still a vanted powerhouse, and Selvin is #1 on the list of "Shanahan's next 1,000 yard running back."

watermock · 06-30-2008, 11:14 PM

I think Williamson was supposed to Moss replacement, just like Jackson is going to Cullpepper?

other than that, the hornheads would be contenders this season.

fontaine · 07-01-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popps

It'll be interesting with the return of Moss and Ekuban. Tough to imagine the front four getting worse with those changes.

I just had a flashback to last year's offseason when we signed Jim Bates.

no-pseudo-fan · 07-01-2008, 07:50 AM

We have a team full of up-and-coming stars. B-Marsh, Cutler, Scheffler, Dumervil, Thomas, Kuper, and Young. I would even say that Moss and Crowder are going to open eyes this year. Amazing what a couple good draft classes will do for the team.

Atlas · 07-01-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff

Yes, he's a virtual lock for one of the Top 20 ... the Denver running game is still a vanted powerhouse, and Selvin is #1 on the list of "Shanahan's next 1,000 yard running back."

Yeah you can say that now and watch by week 5 Torain will be starting.

2KBack · 07-01-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no-pseudo-fan

We have a team full of up-and-coming stars. B-Marsh, Cutler, Scheffler, Dumervil, Thomas, Kuper, and Young. I would even say that Moss and Crowder are going to open eyes this year. Amazing what a couple good draft classes will do for the team.

The news has been very quiet on the Moss front. I wish they would get away from the beetus and Marshall, and maybe give us some updates on other guys. If Moss has been the workout warrior we've heard, he could be Denver's Justin Tuck.

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06-30-2008, 07:30 PM	#1
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,786	CBS Sportsline: Marcus Thomas to break out in 2008 Might have been posted already. Sort of shocking to see his name show up, but I hope Prisco is right. http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10882613 Editor's note: This is the first of three parts of Pete Prisco's breakout players for 2008. 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. Johnny Jolly is expected to fill big cleats in Green Bay. (Getty Images) 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. They will be broken down into groups of 10, working our way back. So on Monday you get No. 21 to No. 30. That will be followed up by No. 11 to No. 20 on Tuesday and then No. 1 to No. 10 on Wednesday. So who's No. 1? Here's a hint: The player isn't on defense. 21. Johnny Jolly, DT, Green Bay Packers: He takes over as the starter inside after Corey Williams was traded to the Browns. Jolly showed well in his time last season before he tore a rotator cuff. He's battling back from that, but the Packers expect him on the field when camp opens. 22. Marcus Thomas, DT, Denver Broncos: Thomas played well as a rookie in 2007. Watch what he does this year. He will show off the talent that would have made him a first-round pick, were it not for off-the-field issues before the draft. He has Warren Sapp-like quickness. 23. Freddie Keiaho, LB, Indianapolis Colts: When Cato June left via free agency, the Colts did what they always do: find a quality replacement. Although small at 5-11, 230 pounds, Keiaho is a swift player who knows how to get to the football. With more experience, he will make people forget June. 24. Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders: As a rookie last season he caught 44 passes in an offense that struggled to get good quarterback play. Now that JaMarcus Russell is settled in as the starter look for Miller and Russell to form quite a connection. 25. Arron Sears, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs love this kid. He started at left guard as a rookie and quickly showed that he has Pro Bowl ability. He plays with a nasty streak and excels in the run game. A bust in Minnesota, Troy Williamson tries to give the Jags a needed speed injection. (Getty Images) 26. Troy Williamson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: He was considered a flop in Minnesota after his selection in the first round of the 2005 draft. He had 79 catches in his first three seasons, just 24 in 2007. That's why the Vikings traded him to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. During the Jaguars' offseason work, Williamson was outstanding. He didn't drop a pass. If that carries over to camp, his speed will be a big addition to the Jacksonville passing game. 27. Jared Gaither, T, Baltimore Ravens: With the retirement of Jonathan Ogden, Gaither takes over as the starting left tackle. He had two starts last season as a rookie and played pretty well. At 6-9, 350 pounds, he makes Ogden look small. He also has great feet for a man that big. He might struggle at times, but by the midway point he should be a dominant player. 28. Brandon Jackson, RB, Green Bay Packers: I know Ryan Grant is the starter and he played well last season. But Packers coaches really like Jackson. With a year under his belt in terms of picking up blitz packages, he will be on the field more in his second season. He did rush for 113 yards on 20 carries in the season finale after not doing much when he started the first three games of the season. 29. Chad Jackson, WR, New England Patriots: He has had two injury-plagued seasons that have limited him to 13 catches. That should change now that he's healthy. With Donte' Stallworth gone to the Cleveland Browns, the Patriots need a third receiver to step up. Jackson has the size and speed. Now that he's a year-and-half removed from a torn ACL, this is his time. 30. Domata Peko, DT, Cincinnati Bengals: He has been a quality starter the past two seasons. For that, the Bengals rewarded him with a long-term deal. Peko plays hard and he's very good against the run.

06-30-2008, 07:36 PM	#2
RunSilentRunDeep Ring of Famer I root for laundry Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,403 Adopt-a-Bronco: Matt Prater	He's not ranked ahead of someone named Johnny Jolly? Nevertheless, I agree Thomas turns heads this season.

06-30-2008, 07:53 PM	#3
SureShot Te-believer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Paradise Divide Posts: 5,996 Adopt-a-Bronco: Matt Russell	I would get excited, but Chad Jackson is on the same list.

06-30-2008, 08:00 PM	#4
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,786	Are Thomas and Robertson slated to line up next to each other?

06-30-2008, 08:17 PM	#7
BlaK-Argentina Pampita says... ... support your team! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mar del Plata, Argentina. Posts: 5,174 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	I expect Cutler and Marshall to be on that list.

06-30-2008, 08:42 PM	#13
DukeWoody Happenin Homer Homie Back to the drawing board Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In The Loft / Dog House Posts: 1,151 Adopt-a-Bronco: NEXT BIG STAR	I think Selvin Young deserves a nod to be on that list..I can see him cranking out 2000 all purpose yrds in 2008...1500 rushing /500 receiving...

06-30-2008, 09:56 PM	#18
Gcver2ver3 Ring of Famer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 6,629 Adopt-a-Bronco: not Lance Ball	we'll see...

06-30-2008, 10:04 PM	#19
TexanBob Don't Argue With Me You Know I'm Right Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,023 Adopt-a-Bronco: Darris Nash	As long as it's not breaking out of jail...

06-30-2008, 11:14 PM	#21
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	I think Williamson was supposed to Moss replacement, just like Jackson is going to Cullpepper? other than that, the hornheads would be contenders this season.

07-01-2008, 07:50 AM	#23
no-pseudo-fan True Orange & Blue Follow me... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: EPT Posts: 2,136 Adopt-a-Bronco: Hidalgo	We have a team full of up-and-coming stars. B-Marsh, Cutler, Scheffler, Dumervil, Thomas, Kuper, and Young. I would even say that Moss and Crowder are going to open eyes this year. Amazing what a couple good draft classes will do for the team.