5 Players Arrive, 5 Come Back to Earth

[DaBoys4Life]

Remember Willie Parker? Came in there and set the world on fire, but a few years later, they draft a guy in the first round.

Not saying you may not be right, but there have been guys that popped out of nowhere, looked like superstars and just ended up being productive, better than average backs.

even though they draft some1 in the 1st round doesn't mean Willie P isn't a good RB. He is still one of the better RB's in the NFL and if we would have picked him up they wouldn't have drafted a RB IMO.

 

[AdamJT13]

Not saying you may not be right, but there have been guys that popped out of nowhere, looked like superstars and just ended up being productive, better than average backs.

Or worse. Just ask Peter King.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/dr_z/news/2001/12/21/drz_mailbag/

I don't see how the Cowboys can keep running back Troy Hambrick on the bench much longer. Are you getting my drift? If they manage to lose him, it could be a real tragedy. The guy's got Pro Bowl written all over him.​

Written in what, crayon?

 

[Little Jr]

Or worse. Just ask Peter King.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/dr_z/news/2001/12/21/drz_mailbag/

I don't see how the Cowboys can keep running back Troy Hambrick on the bench much longer. Are you getting my drift? If they manage to lose him, it could be a real tragedy. The guy's got Pro Bowl written all over him.​

Written in what, crayon?

WOW!! That is funny. Did you remember this article or what? That was 7 years ago.

 

[FCBarca]

Definitely not, Bush = Bust

 

[burmafrd]

Bush is never going to be anymore then what he is now. A second rate Westbrook.

 

[theogt]

Remember Willie Parker? Came in there and set the world on fire, but a few years later, they draft a guy in the first round.

Not saying you may not be right, but there have been guys that popped out of nowhere, looked like superstars and just ended up being productive, better than average backs.

My guess is if the Packers get the kind of production out of Grant that the Steelers have gotten out of Parker, they'd be stoked. You do realize Parker is a top 10 back in the league, right? He finished 4th and 6th in the last two years in total rushing yardage.

The Steelers concern with Parker is his size and whether he can continue to handle the load. They, like everyone else in the league, prefer to go to a two back system. Size is not a problem AT ALL for Grant. He's a big dude.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Turner could have it rough due to a young qb, however, he is a very good rb

 

[cobra]

Turner is going to struggle immensely. Teams are going to key on the run. Who knows who the Falcons are going to play at QB, but whoever it is will not be very good. And the Falcons pass catchers are spare. Atlanta should have the worst pass offense in the league. That always is bad news for a RB.

Can't let this pass by...

Come Back to Eartih

2. Ken Hamlin

Talk about cognitive dissonance.

You been screaming all over this board that Hamlin did not play well at all last year. So now you are saying he is going to "return to earth." According to you, he was already there. Or are you conceding that he played like a top free safety last year?

Bahh... who cares. You are just making yourself look like a clown. Or just trying to be a Skip Bayless like controversy-machine. You have Brady, Moss and Cromartie returning to earth, as well. Guess Hamlin is in good company. And your "arrive" list is as idiotic as your bust list.

 

[TheCount]

My guess is if the Packers get the kind of production out of Grant that the Steelers have gotten out of Parker, they'd be stoked. You do realize Parker is a top 10 back in the league, right? He finished 4th and 6th in the last two years in total rushing yardage.

The Steelers concern with Parker is his size and whether he can continue to handle the load. They, like everyone else in the league, prefer to go to a two back system. Size is not a problem AT ALL for Grant. He's a big dude.

Oh I know Parker is good, but top 10 doesn't equal top 5. If Grant is going to be top 5 like you suggest, he's going to have to beat out quite a few, pretty good backs.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Get the Crow ready, Derrick Anderson was too consistant to bust.

 

[Zaxor]

Good

Brandon Marshall
Brad Smith
Brandon Albert
Zack Thomas
Neil Rackers

BAD

Dmac
Walker, Javon
Hall, Deangelo
McNabb
Taylor, Jason

 

[JonJon]

Get the Crow ready, Derrick Anderson was too consistant to bust.

As long as he is a bust for the season opener, I will be fine

 

[AsthmaField]

As long as he is a bust for the season opener, I will be fine

I think that might happen too.

I feel sorry for any QB who meets a Phillips 3-4 for the first time. Particularly one who has Ware, Spencer and Ellis in front of a secondary like ours.

I realize Cleveland has some good players on offense but they'll have to play mistake free to move the ball against Dallas.

At least that's what I think will happen.

 

[khiladi]

I think Grant will end up a top 5 back this season. The first time I saw him with the Packers I was blown away. Then he goes on to tear it up -- I believe he was the most productive back in the league since the week he started.

He made their offense better, not the other way around. Major steal for them.

I agree... The way he hits the hole is just straight explosive, plus he has that slight shift in the hole, making defenders miss. He was the added dimension that the Packers needed.

 

[Sandyf]

Have a few different thoughts

Five to Arrive

1. Jay Cutler, QB, Denver Broncos. Should be better but still a ways to go, think Phillip Rivers will make a bigger statement.
2. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders. Maybe but his OL is still bad and if it doesn't improve he won't look near as good. Actually Turner could be better than what most think at Atlanta. Steve Slaton would be one I would watch in Houston, it is the right place for him but here they might try and sign C. Benson also.
3. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints. Only way it happens for him is if the McAllister factor comes back. Colston would be my pick.
4. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions. Good Choice here.
5. Chris Long, DE, St. Louis Rams. Like him but secondary is weak and could hurt his development if they are picked apart on 3 step drops.

Five to Come Back to Earth

1. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants. He won't surprise anyone this year.
2. Kevin Boss, TE, New York Giants. Will easily be game planned.
3. Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Commanders. Face it, no OL.
4. Justin Tuck, DE, New York Giants. No Strahan to protect him.
5. Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Browns. If he doesn't show quickly it will be the Brady Quinn show.

 

[Vintage]

I think Grant will end up a top 5 back this season. The first time I saw him with the Packers I was blown away. Then he goes on to tear it up -- I believe he was the most productive back in the league since the week he started.

He made their offense better, not the other way around. Major steal for them.

I don't know about top 5....but I agree with this post. I saw waaaay too many Packer games last year (I live in Milwaukee). Grant's nice.

 

[jterrell]

5 to arrive:
1. Michael Turner. He drew notice as a backup but will be the entire offense in ATL this year. Has a chance to lead the league in rushing yardage.

2. Felix Jones. Has great OL in front of him and plenty of other players to key on.

3. Roy Williams, DET WR. Time for him to take mantel as game's best Wr. No better time than a contract season.

4. Matt Lienart. Has had a chance to mature and now gets to lead explosive offense.

5. Jerry Porter. Gets to the be the man in a prolific offense that will keep him happy. Play games that matter for once.


5 to step back:
1. Eli Manning. Eli played well late but the last thing he needed was more pressure to be great. Every step back the defense takes puts more of the onus on him. Not far removed from near team mutiny and could be back in a tailspin within a few games.

2. T.O. Great player but he is not all that efficient. Dallas will spread the ball more this year and T.O. will need to make more of his targeted possessions.

3. Every Commander. Life under Joe Gibbs may have been dated but it was proven, Jim Zorn and a new staff have a lot of knowledge and skill to replace. They get to do so in the tough NFCE. I do not know that this is a 1 year turn-around any coach really wanted which is why Zorn ended up with the job imho.

4. Tom Brady. Huh? Well the guy was completely unstoppable last year. This year he'll revert to merely clutch and great when it matters. Teams generally do some catch up over an off-season and are notorious copy-cats defenses in the AFC will focus solely on slowing Brady as the Giants did.

5. Adrian Peterson. He'll be very good again but fantasies of 2000 yard season are just that. Teams will key off of him every play and bigger backs take more shots. Next off-season Minny will be trying to add a shifty, speed complement to the backfield.

Bold Predictions.
1. Zorn is one and done; replaced by Cowher.
2. DeMarcus Ware is Defensive Player of the Year.
3. Arizona wins the NFCW.
4. Pats face injuries and step back to mere wild card status before advancing to the AFC Championship game.
5. Dallas chokes again in playoffs but this time at Super Bowl

Jax over Dallas.
24-20

 

[DWhite Fan]

I think Cleveland is in the same position San Diego was with Drew B. and Phillip R. Eventually one of them is going to be traded. Not a bad situation to have though.

Let me say this, if Dallas is in the Super Bowl this year they will WIN IT. I don't give a rats rear who they play (Jacksonville included).

I believe Dallas collects #6 in Tampa

 

[Big Country]

I'm definately going to disagree with the Mario Williams pick... Mario is big and fast, kind of like Reggie White was built. Last year, DT Amobe Okoye was a difference maker on that D-line... his return will only help the development of that defense... Mario may not get the same number of sacks, but the Texans have the ability to get even better on defense than last year. Don't forget they have new CB J. Reeves also.

 

[Future]

Eli Manning: I never bought into the hype that he all of a sudden learned how to manage games and matured as an elite quarterback. What I saw was the Giants game scheme to hide his deficiencies as a quarterback. I think those weakness will re-surface this season.

How is he going to come back to earth. The guy hasn't even arrived yet.