NFL Wide Receivers: What To Look For In 2009

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ochocinco recently predicted a playoff berth for the Bengals in 2009.

Is this another case of Ochocinco biting off more than he can chew, or are the Bengals legitimate contenders?

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with Ochocinco predicting the playoffs for the Bengals. Only Ochocinco’s name is stupid; he himself is not.

It’s late June, the perfect time to toss out brash predictions about making the playoffs, despite playing in a division represented by both 2008 AFC Championship combatants. It creates fan interest and a general buzz around the league.

Besides, by the time late September and Cincy’s 1-3 start rolls around, everyone will have forgotten Ochocinco’s prediction.

Anyway, you can’t trust a convicted sex offender who changes his name; why should you trust a NFL wide receiver who does the same?

With that being said, let’s take a look around the NFL and check what’s in store in 2009 for other big time wideouts.

Terrell Owens (Buffalo): As the Bills most high-profile signing in history, T.O. will bring loads of anticipation and excitement—as well as other baggage—to one of the smallest markets in the NFL.

Undoubtedly, Owens will be the recipient of several touchdown passes from Trent Edwards in the most exciting autumn in Buffalo since the Jim Kelly years.

Then, when the luster wears off and the December chill arrives, resulting in several failed meetings between the winter-hardened football and Owens’ suspect hands, T.O. will be the recipient of a one-way ticket to a barrel ride over Niagara Falls.

Braylon Edwards (Cleveland): With the Browns in need of leadership, Edwards has vowed to take a more prominent role in that capacity. To achieve that, Edwards spent much of the offseason strengthening his hands after a year of numerous drops.

New head coach Eric Mangini, as well as quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, have lauded Edwards’ efforts, noting that his enthusiasm is contagious. Finally, it seems, Edwards’ attitude is “catching.”

Randy Moss (New England): With Tom Brady returning, is there any reason that Moss shouldn’t expect a huge year?

Maybe.

With his knee at full-strength, doctors have given Brady the go-ahead. Still, the question remains; will Brady get the green light from his hen-pecking supermodel wife, Giselle Bundchen?

And, with Giselle rumored to be pregnant, the only thing worse for Moss than hearing “You’re da baby’s daddy” is “Brady’s da baby daddy.”

If the kid comes out with a full afro, then we’re looking at a completely different set of problems.

Andre Johnson (Houston): Though Johnson hasn’t predicted a playoff berth for the Texans, he has promised the greatest statistical season in franchise history. Well-known for his ability to please Pro Bowl voters, Johnson plans to take that one step further by offering the same courtesy to fantasy owners.

Brandon Marshall (Denver): Marshall has requested that the Broncos trade him, so there’s really no telling where Denver’s troubled wide receiver will end up. Some experts say Washington while others predict Oakland.

A more likely destination would be in custody.

But really, can we really fault Marshall for requesting a trade? Isn’t that normal protocol for a prolific wide receiver when Kyle Orton is named starting quarterback?

Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh): Can you measure the importance of winning the Super Bowl MVP trophy for a young receiver who has openly admitted that he sold drugs as a youth? Well, if you could, it wouldn’t be measured in grams.

In 2009, Holmes main goal will be to avoid comparisons with Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Deion Branch, whose career has been on such a downward slope that he may soon end up selling drugs.

Torry Holt (Jacksonville): Although he’s no longer a spry 20-year-old—and he won’t be running his routes on speedy artificial turf—Holt gives David Garrard his first big time wide receiver in Jacksonville. Holt is fast enough to break a long touchdown catch, crafty enough to gain eight yards and get out of bounds to stop the clock, and wise enough not to get caught in a parking lot dicing cocaine with a credit card.

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