Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Vernon Davis: Step Up or Step Out

The third year is usually crucial for NFL players.

Sometimes it's because they're looking to come back from a sophomore slump.

Sometimes it's because of injuries.

Sometimes it's because they haven't been able to put everything together.

Occasionally, some players will dispel all doubts after their first two years, but that is a rarity. Regardless of why, most players find themselves getting told to put up or shut up going into year No. 3.

So, who's on the proverbial "hot seat" this year? Who will step up? Who will fail?

I'll go over my top-five "Make-Or-Break" players, in no particular order, going into 2008, along with a prediction and an explanation.

Let's get started:

1. Matt Leinart, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Analysis: Matt Leinart is an enigma. The man stayed for five years at USC, even passing on the opportunity to be a surefire No. 1 overall pick and sign that rich contract in 2005 to return to school.

So he must love the game, right? We still don't know.

In his first two seasons Leinart has started a combined 16 games. If you try to find a picture of him on Google, you'll find one of him with a beer bong before you find one of him in a football uniform. That's saying something about his image.

He seems to be a lot like David Terrell to this point in his career: more interested in living the life of a football player than actually playing football.

So, will Leinart step up this year and show everyone why he was a Heisman winner and potential No. 1 overall pick?

Make or Break? Make. Leinart is a smart guy, and he has to know that the Cardinals aren't happy with him right now. If he can stay healthy and put it all together on the field, he'll be a great leader for the frighteningly good air attack down in Arizona.

2. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints

Analysis: Who would've thought that Reggie Bush would make this list when he was drafted? Instantly hailed as the next Gale Sayers, I even twisted my ankle jumping on his bandwagon.

To this point, it seems like we had it all wrong.

Bush has been given every opportunity to shine, playing all 16 games in 2006 and getting an opportunity to be a full-time back in 2007.

How has he responded? 1,146 rush yard and 3.7 yards per carry.

Now, things aren't all bad for Bush. He showed flashes of his brilliant versatility his rookie year, notching 742 receiving yards.

Bush is in the perfect situation for success: A great QB, a prolific passing game, including a newly added Jeremy Shockey, and an offensive line that sports a dominant left tackle in Jammal Brown and a Pro-Bowl snub in right guard Jahri Evans.

But Bush has had all of these things (except Shockey) in both of his first two years, so what makes this year different?

He can finally combine what he did his first two years.

In his rookie season, he was healthy, playing in all 16 games, but did not get as big of an opportunity to show what he could do, starting only half of those games.

In his sophomore season, he was constantly battling injuries without running mate Deuce McAllister to lighten the load.

This year, he will have both.

Make or Break? Make. If he can keep himself healthy through the season, there should be nothing standing in the way of him and an easy 1,500 total yard season.

3. Manny Lawson, OLB, San Francisco 49ers

Analysis: Manny Lawson is a tough one to figure out.

During his rookie year, he was a middle-of-the-road player, as is expected from rookies, notching 57 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in 12 starts.

But his sophomore year was cut short after a mere two games when he tore his ACL.

ACL tears are extremely hard for players to come back from, and Lawson will have a tough road ahead of him.

But he won't be going it alone.

Joining Lawson on the defensive side of the ball are the newly acquired Justin Smith and Kentwan Balmer, along with Pro Bowl ILB Patrick Willis.

With a great supporting cast in the front seven, and the now famed "$100-million secondary", Lawson stands poised to break out and show everyone why he was the No. 22 overall pick in the 2006 draft.

Make or Break? Make. Look for him to have upwards of 70 tackles and eight-10 sacks in 2008.

4. Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Cleveland Browns

Analysis: Wimbley suffered the dreaded sophomore slump in 2007.

After a great rookie season saw him rack up 62 tackles and 11.0 sacks in 2006, his next year only saw him get 51 tackles with 5.0 sacks.

So can Wimbley regain and improve on his rookie form in 2008?

He'll need to if Cleveland is to be successful this year. After trading away their stud corner in Leigh Bodden to Detroit, the Browns will need their front seven to take some pressure off that secondary, and they can't do that with Wimbley putting up mediocre numbers.

Make or Break? Make. Wimbley is a stud, and will no doubt step up his play this year. Don't be surprised if he locks up a Pro Bowl berth.

5. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Analysis: Vernon Davis is the most physically gifted tight end in the NFL, but so far hasn't been able to translate that into success on the pro level.

Davis ran a 4.38-forty at his pro day, and entered the draft coming off a year where he led the ACC in receiving yards per game with 79.2, second in receiving yards only to Calvin Johnson with 871, and was third in the conference in receiving TDs with .

Those are impressive numbers for a tight end in a very good conference.

So why hasn't he been able to do it at the pro level?

Well, maybe you can ask his quarterback. If you know who it is, you should ask.

Over Davis' short career, he has played with three different starting QBs:

Alex Smith: Started all 16 games in 2006, only seven in 2007

Shaun Hill: Started two games in 2007

Trent Dilfer: Started six games in 2007

So, will Davis finally get some stability this year? He better hope so. But with the experience under his belt, Davis needs to take some responsibility. After all, a good receiving tight end is an inexperienced quarterback's best friend.

Make or Break? Break. With the 49ers starting Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson at receiver, Davis will face many double-teams, and won't even have the opportunity to be a red-zone threat with San Francisco's offensive woes.

Hopefully at some point, Davis can pull it together, but I don't see it happening in 2008.

Well, there they are. The men with the 800-pound monkeys on their backs. Some will shed it, some won't.

Football doesn't build character, it reveals it. Time for the world to see what these guys' true colors are.