Perloff's Blog / Breakout Or Bust 2 days ago :: 124129 Views It's always nerve-racking to write a prediction that can make you look stupid in a few months. But I'll take the heat in November if I'm wrong. Here's my take on five young players who will deliver on their promise and five who will fall short in 2007: Breakouts Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos - Everything's laid out perfectly for Cutler. The Broncos have the running game and the defense. Now the strong-armed kid out of Vandy has to avoid the kind of mistakes that result in interceptions for touchdowns. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Jets - Look for the Jets to run a lot this season, which will take some pressure off Ferguson, who showed major improvement at the end of last season. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers - You have to love his cockiness and speed. And the 49ers' other receivers aren't scaring anyone, so quarterback Alex Smith will look for the second-year TE often. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Browns - Wimbley, who had 11 sacks as a rookie, has the moves and speed to be the next pass-rushing star. Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh - The Steelers say they're going to open up the offense, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been itching for a legitimate deep threat. Holmes will be that guy. Busts Vince Young, QB, Titans - Young's biggest problem is the level of expectation he set with his rookie season. As talented as he is, he's looking at a frustrating season in Tennessee. The Titans won't be able to match last year's eight-win total, and Young's star will fall if he leads a losing team. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins - Brown seems to take a tad too long to hit the hole. With his size, he should be a better red-zone back. Marcus Spears, DE, Cowboys - One of the guys who reportedly had enough of Bill Parcells and is supposed to be reborn this year. Not going to happen for the former first-round pick. Cedric Benson, RB, Bears - Now that the Bears have dealt Thomas Jones, there will be more pressure on Benson, who hasn't shown much in terms of leadership in his short career. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry last season, but I expect that number to dip when he's the primary ballcarrier. Defenses will know he's coming. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos - He's on many people's list of breakout offensive stars for '07. But he's been nicked up in camp and may not solidify that No. 2 receiver spot > http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/49175
Ferguson got better towards the end of last year?? I thought he sort of faded down the stretch. I like the kid, I think he'll be the man, but I wouldn't say that he improved later on last season.
I have a feeling the Bears are really going to regret letting TJ go. Oh well, their loss, our gain. :grin:
I missed where Brick improved at seasons end. I think he will be fine this year but sheesh, I wish these guys would actually watch the players they are critiquing.
Having the Jets run more is not going to take the pressure off of D'Brick, quite the opposite. Nobody questions that D'Brick is going to handle the speed rushers in pass protection. Some people have questions about how he's going to handle the power rushers as he develops. Everybody has questions about how effective a blocker he would be in an offensive system slanted towards the run. If the Jets actually run 55-60% of the time this year it increases D'Bricks chance of busting not breaking out.
