Who's your breakout player in the Beast?

[Gryphon]

Who's your breakout player in the Beast?

July 6, 2009 11:30 AM


Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

I was just working on an ESPN.com extra-credit assignment in which I was supposed to select the NFC East breakout player of the year. Obviously, players such as DeMarcus Ware and Justin Tuck were not considered -- since they've already broken out.

I was thinking about guys who might bust out and challenge for a Pro Bowl spot for the first time. And it could be a rookie or a veteran. Just off the top of my head, here's a breakout player for each team. And as always, I'm very interested in your opinion. Come up with your own breakout players in the "comments" section. Or simply tell me how lame my choices were.

Cowboys

Felix Jones, RB: I just feel it coming. He was remarkable on the limited occasions Jason Garrett let him touch the ball in '08. And he appears to be fully recovered from toe surgery.

Eagles

LeSean McCoy, RB: I know. I know. It's sort of easy to pick young running backs, but I really think McCoy will make an immediate and significant impact. And more importantly, his presence will make Brian Westbrook more effective. I could see McCoy rushing for 750 yards and catching 35-40 passes.

Giants

Kenny Phillips, S: I've been telling everyone who will listen. This guy's going to the Pro Bowl. I just feel like he has tremendous instincts, and with that pass rush, he'll have the chance to get his hands on the ball.

Commanders

Devin Thomas, WR: I realize this is going out on a limb. I still have a healthy fear of all Michigan State receivers, but Thomas is taking a much smarter approach this offseason. And I think he's ready to make a significant impact. And yes, a Commanders coach is whispering things to me.

 

[Four]

bennett

I have a feeling about that kid

 

[Ren]

bennett

I have a feeling about that kid

That would be my pick too, i don't think there's a player in the league that can out jump him on a redzone fade route, he could very well get 8-10 TDs this season if we use him in the redzone

 

[Bob Sacamano]

That would be my pick too, i don't think there's a player in the league that can out jump him on a redzone fade route, he could very well get 8-10 TDs this season if we use him in the redzone

David Buehler

will lead the NFL in special teams tackles and touchbacks, will be the NFC rep as special teamer

 

[Silverstar]

Felix Jones and Anthony Spencer better have breakout seasons!

 

[Dodger]

Miles Austin.

 

[cobra]

Felix Jones and Anthony Spencer better have breakout seasons!

Or else what?






I'm going with Spencer. He's played well in a limited role, and is finally going to be given the opportunity to show his stuff.

Personally, I think Felix already broke out before the injury.

 

[Tovya]

Miles Austin.

I'm with you, Austin all the way.

I think Feliz Jones is going to have a great year, but I expect it, so I guess personally I don't see it as a "breakout" because of that because he already showed us he had the stuff last season.

Austin is gonna shock and amaze this year...

 

[alancdc]

That would be my pick too, i don't think there's a player in the league that can out jump him on a redzone fade route, he could very well get 8-10 TDs this season if we use him in the redzone

I also think he will have a "big" year, but don't see how he gets enough touches so I would vote Felix!

 

[Gryphon]

Cowboys Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
Jul 2, 10:15 pm EDT
Inside Slant

• TE Martellus Bennett is poised for a breakout season. He’s in position to be a regular contributor for multiple reasons, including the Cowboys’ plan to use multiple-tight end sets more often. Another reason is, he’s no longer the class clown. He is listening and adhering to the teachings of tight ends coach John Garrett.

“I understand him,” Bennett said of Garrett. “I actually forgot what works. If you listen to the coach it works if you just do what he says. It’s hard as an athlete though. As an athlete when you’ve been doing something some way for so long and it’s been working for so long and a coach tries to break your habits, it’s kind of hard.

“I’ll be like, ‘This is the way I do it.’ So I finally broke down, and what he says is ‘drinking the Kool-Aid.’ I’m finally drinking the Kool-Aid, so I’m just trying to do everything they tell me to do with the technique and everything and become an even better player.”

 

[SharutoX]

Felix Jones.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Jenkins or Scandrick

 

[Silverstar]

Or else what?

They might turn into Julius Jones and Bobby Carpenter

I'm going with Spencer. He's played well in a limited role, and is finally going to be given the opportunity to show his stuff.

He needs to get at least 8 sacks like Ellis did or he only breaks out with a sweat as far as I'm concerned.

Personally, I think Felix already broke out before the injury.

I disagree, Chris Johnson is the one who really broke out last year and I want Felix to do the same this year.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Cowboys Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
Jul 2, 10:15 pm EDT
Inside Slant

• TE Martellus Bennett is poised for a breakout season. He’s in position to be a regular contributor for multiple reasons, including the Cowboys’ plan to use multiple-tight end sets more often. Another reason is, he’s no longer the class clown. He is listening and adhering to the teachings of tight ends coach John Garrett.

“I understand him,” Bennett said of Garrett. “I actually forgot what works. If you listen to the coach it works if you just do what he says. It’s hard as an athlete though. As an athlete when you’ve been doing something some way for so long and it’s been working for so long and a coach tries to break your habits, it’s kind of hard.

“I’ll be like, ‘This is the way I do it.’ So I finally broke down, and what he says is ‘drinking the Kool-Aid.’ I’m finally drinking the Kool-Aid, so I’m just trying to do everything they tell me to do with the technique and everything and become an even better player.”

Last years disaster could be the best thing that could've happened to our young players coming into the Cowboys atmosphere of 08.

The NFL isnt a party. It's hard work and sacrifice. If you want to be successful and win championships, the atmosphere of last year needs to be COMPLETELY erased.

 

[Aikbach]

Felix Jones, Miles Austin, Roy Williams, Martellus Bennett on offense.

Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Gerald Sesanbaugh, Anthony Spencer, Marcus Spears on defense.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

Out of the whole NFC East, I'd choose #1 Felix Jones and #2 Steve Smith. One of the Giants receivers is going to blow up, and my guess is it will be Smith.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It will be someone from our Cowboys but I can't decide which one!

 

[peplaw06]

So Mosely has single-handedly worn out the term "Beast." Now it's like nails on chalkboard for me.

 

[cobra]

They might turn into Julius Jones and Bobby Carpenter

Julius is not awful, but fair enough: I can buy the point that Julius looks good too in his rookie year. Still, I think Felix's speed is a difference maker.

But Spencer will turn in Bobby Carpenter? Please. Spencer has already shown a lot more than Bobby Carpenter. He actually played well.

I seriously wonder if some of you actually the watched the games last year. I don't think you do. I've literally seen the logic "In his 2nd year, Spencer was not as good as Ware, therefore he is a bust like Carpenter."

It's beyond simple-minded.

He needs to get at least 8 sacks like Ellis did or he only breaks out with a sweat as far as I'm concerned.

8 sacks is good enough to be the 13th highest total in the league last year.

So your point is that he has to be 13th or else he sucks.

Brilliant. Really. Breath-taking.

What planet is this?

I disagree, Chris Johnson is the one who really broke out last year and I want Felix to do the same this year.

Yes, Chris Johnson was impressive, putting up the 8th best total in the league. But again, we get another "if you aren't awesome than you suck" point. According to you, Felix has duplicate Chris Johnson's amazing success or else you claim he won't have broken out. That's just silly and crazy binary thinking of awesome or suck.

It's so painful to see this kind of stuff.

Felix returned a kick for a TD.
He only really got the ball in three games, and his rushing stats were:
9 for 62, 6.9 avg, 1 TD
6 for 76, 12.7 avg, 1 TD
9 for 96, 10.7, avg, 1 TD

So, if one extrapolated those numbers, to 16 games, he would have had:
128 carries, 1248 yards, 9.75 avg, 16 TDs.
I'd consider that great, even better than Chris Johnson numbers.

But odds are he won't be that successful. I'll take 1000 all-purpose yards and 10 TDs.

 

[Future]

David Buehler

will lead the NFL in special teams tackles and touchbacks, will be the NFC rep as special teamer

Dude...alright :laugh2: