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By Matt Bowen
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com
As we inch closer to the start of training camps next month, who are the players you should keep an eye on? The players who could have breakout seasons for their respective clubs?
Today, let’s look at five on the offensive side of the football who could surprise us in 2009 with their production.
1. Kyle Orton, QB, Denver
I’ll be the first to admit that I was tough on Orton during his tenure in Chicago, but let’s be honest: He wasn’t the right fit for an offense that’s predicated on running the ball and using play action to expose defensive secondaries down the field. But Orton steps into Josh McDaniel’s new offensive system in Denver, where he has a big-time WR in Brandon Marshall, plus some talent in the backfield in rookie Knowshon Moreno — someone who can be an excellent dual-threat back at this level.
Orton operates best when he’s in the shotgun, when he has time to throw and when the offense requires him to make short-to-intermediate passes to an area on the field. It worked for Matt Cassel last season in New England, and it should work for Orton in ’09. Remember, the Broncos brought in Orton for a reason — to run this exact system.
2. Patrick Crayton, WR, Dallas
I have always liked Crayton’s game at the wide receiver position, and with the departure of Terrell Owens, I expect him to play a major role in the passing game for the Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo. Yes, we can all agree that Romo’s No. 1 target in any down-and-distance situation will be TE Jason Witten, but the ‘Boys still need a receiver who can make plays down the field on first and second downs.
Crayton averaged more than 14 yards a catch in ’08, and although WR Miles Austin might be the ultimate deep threat for this Cowboys team, he’s still a No. 3. Crayton should fit nicely into the No. 2 role and might even be more productive by season’s end than expected No. 1 Roy Williams.
3. Ladell Betts, RB, Washington
The Commanders can’t afford to run Clinton Portis into the ground again this season, and they can’t afford to stall on offense again in the second half of the season. For those reasons, I expect Betts to carry a more prominent role in the offense and share more of the workload in the backfield.
He has a different style than Portis, and although he doesn’t have the exact burst and top-line speed of Portis, he can break tackles and is a valuable receiver out of the backfield. We’ve heard the coaching staff has been high on Betts all offseason, and I don’t see why that would change come training camp. He should be a player in the fall and see his share of touches if this Commanders’ team wants to make any sort of playoff push come late November and early December.
4. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago
It’s hard not to focus on the tight end position in Chicago, especially when you talk to Bears GM Jerry Angelo, who’s confident Olsen will produce in offensive coordinator Ron Turner’s scheme with Jay Cutler now at quarterback. If the Bears don’t make any last-minute adjustments at WR — which seems to look more probable with every day that passes — I expect Olsen to be the type of target for Cutler that Witten is for Romo in Dallas.
Turner does get creative with Olsen, especially when he and fellow TE Desmond Clark are on the field at the same time. Olsen has the athletic ability to line up removed from the formation on the backside of 3x1 sets, matched up against a corner or a safety on an island — where he can use his body to shield defenders and run inside breaking routes. He should and will be one of the featured attractions in this offense and could have a big season.
5. Joey Galloway, WR, New England
I like the idea of Galloway in New England because it allows the Patriots to be even more creative on offense -- and with the return of QB Tom Brady, the former Buc should have a major effect on this entire unit. At this level, it’s all about match-ups when it comes to running a successful passing game — and Galloway will not only win most of those, he will allow New England to feature three wide receivers, counting Randy Moss and Wes Welker, with speed on the field at all times. Team will have to counter with sub packages, and this is when New England is at its best in both the run and pass.
Plus, Galloway is still a deep-ball guy — and a good one. Any time you have a player on the field who can change the outcome of a ballgame with one play, he’s worth every dollar spent. Don’t expect huge numbers from Galloway, but do expect him to be the difference in a couple of victories for the Pats this season.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com
As we inch closer to the start of training camps next month, who are the players you should keep an eye on? The players who could have breakout seasons for their respective clubs?
Today, let’s look at five on the offensive side of the football who could surprise us in 2009 with their production.
1. Kyle Orton, QB, Denver
I’ll be the first to admit that I was tough on Orton during his tenure in Chicago, but let’s be honest: He wasn’t the right fit for an offense that’s predicated on running the ball and using play action to expose defensive secondaries down the field. But Orton steps into Josh McDaniel’s new offensive system in Denver, where he has a big-time WR in Brandon Marshall, plus some talent in the backfield in rookie Knowshon Moreno — someone who can be an excellent dual-threat back at this level.
Orton operates best when he’s in the shotgun, when he has time to throw and when the offense requires him to make short-to-intermediate passes to an area on the field. It worked for Matt Cassel last season in New England, and it should work for Orton in ’09. Remember, the Broncos brought in Orton for a reason — to run this exact system.
2. Patrick Crayton, WR, Dallas
I have always liked Crayton’s game at the wide receiver position, and with the departure of Terrell Owens, I expect him to play a major role in the passing game for the Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo. Yes, we can all agree that Romo’s No. 1 target in any down-and-distance situation will be TE Jason Witten, but the ‘Boys still need a receiver who can make plays down the field on first and second downs.
Crayton averaged more than 14 yards a catch in ’08, and although WR Miles Austin might be the ultimate deep threat for this Cowboys team, he’s still a No. 3. Crayton should fit nicely into the No. 2 role and might even be more productive by season’s end than expected No. 1 Roy Williams.
3. Ladell Betts, RB, Washington
The Commanders can’t afford to run Clinton Portis into the ground again this season, and they can’t afford to stall on offense again in the second half of the season. For those reasons, I expect Betts to carry a more prominent role in the offense and share more of the workload in the backfield.
He has a different style than Portis, and although he doesn’t have the exact burst and top-line speed of Portis, he can break tackles and is a valuable receiver out of the backfield. We’ve heard the coaching staff has been high on Betts all offseason, and I don’t see why that would change come training camp. He should be a player in the fall and see his share of touches if this Commanders’ team wants to make any sort of playoff push come late November and early December.
4. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago
It’s hard not to focus on the tight end position in Chicago, especially when you talk to Bears GM Jerry Angelo, who’s confident Olsen will produce in offensive coordinator Ron Turner’s scheme with Jay Cutler now at quarterback. If the Bears don’t make any last-minute adjustments at WR — which seems to look more probable with every day that passes — I expect Olsen to be the type of target for Cutler that Witten is for Romo in Dallas.
Turner does get creative with Olsen, especially when he and fellow TE Desmond Clark are on the field at the same time. Olsen has the athletic ability to line up removed from the formation on the backside of 3x1 sets, matched up against a corner or a safety on an island — where he can use his body to shield defenders and run inside breaking routes. He should and will be one of the featured attractions in this offense and could have a big season.
5. Joey Galloway, WR, New England
I like the idea of Galloway in New England because it allows the Patriots to be even more creative on offense -- and with the return of QB Tom Brady, the former Buc should have a major effect on this entire unit. At this level, it’s all about match-ups when it comes to running a successful passing game — and Galloway will not only win most of those, he will allow New England to feature three wide receivers, counting Randy Moss and Wes Welker, with speed on the field at all times. Team will have to counter with sub packages, and this is when New England is at its best in both the run and pass.
Plus, Galloway is still a deep-ball guy — and a good one. Any time you have a player on the field who can change the outcome of a ballgame with one play, he’s worth every dollar spent. Don’t expect huge numbers from Galloway, but do expect him to be the difference in a couple of victories for the Pats this season.
are we watching the same game last year?