James Starks and 10 NFL Players Headed for Sophomore Slumps

Assuming that we even have a 2011 football season there's going to be a new set of sophomores. These guys have a full season under the belt, and are vying to defeat the dreaded sophomore slump. 

However it is bound to happen. A sophomore slump is just an awful season from those players expected to do well in their second season in the NFL.  Beanie Wells, Knowshon Moreno and Darrius Heyward-Bey were all victims of the sophomore slump. 

Which 2010 rookies are headed for a disastrous 2011 season? In no particular order, here are 10 players headed for a sophomore slump. 

10. James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty I

Starks didn't have a spectacular rookie season because he didn't see the field until week 13. However Starks blew up when it mattered most in the playoffs. 

He ran for a total of 315 yards in the post season which is three times the amount of yards he rushed for in the regular season. 

With the return on Ryan Grant, Starks won't get very many carries and who knows if he will even be the second-string guy. Starks's sophomore season will be disappointing. 

9. Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots catches a pass from quarterback Tom Brady #12 (not pictured) to run it in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on Dece

Hernandez was the third-leading receiver for the Patriots this past season. He caught 45 receptions for 563 yards and six touchdowns. Hernandez was the second tight end New England drafted last year, the first was Rob Gronkowski, who also had a great rookie year. 

Hernandez's second year in the NFL will not be as productive as his first. He recently had hip surgery and it could be a factor in his second season. Tom Brady does spread the ball around well, but Gronkowski is going to be the main tight end focus meaning Hernandez will suffer. 

8. Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Barrett Ruud #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Another tight end finds his way on the sophomore slump list. Graham will be the full-time tight end for the Saints since New Orleans cut ties with Jeremy Shockey. 

Both tight ends put up similar numbers in 2010 and New Orleans wants to save money by just going with Graham. However it will prove to be a bad move when Graham declines in his sophomore year. 

Graham will be targeted more which also mean more eyes will be on him. Can he handle the pressure? We will see in 2011...if we have a football season. 

7. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: C.J. Spiller #21 of the Buffalo Bills rushes against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Spiller didn't have a phenomenal rookie season like many hoped he would. His second year in the NFL won't be any different, leaving many to wonder if he will ever amount to anything. 

Two bad years in a row will get people talking about a bust career for Spiller. He was a top 10 pick in 2010, which means the Bills thought he would be a huge factor his first year. Spiller had a total of 615 yards and only two touchdowns. That includes rushing, receiving and returns.  

Spiller's sophomore season will probably see better numbers and a few more carries taken away from Fred Jackson. However, it won't be anything special. 

6. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the New York Giants on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Dez Bryant was turning a lot of heads during his rookie season. The Cowboys believe they have found their future top wide out in Bryant, but his sophomore season won't be too spectacular. 

Bryant was the Cowboys third-leading receiver catching 45 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns before suffering an ankle injury. Bryant missed the final four games of the 2010 season. 

His numbers may be a little higher since he'll have a full season, but it won't reach the level of hype that is surrounding him. People are expecting huge things from this kid and he could fall short. Coming back from an injury is never easy and Bryant will falter.    

5. Maurkice Pouncey, C, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is helped off of the field after being injured in the first quarter against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsbu

Pouncey had a solid rookie season and made the Pro Bowl because of it. He was one of five rookies to make the Pro Bowl. 

He went down with an ankle sprain in the playoffs and it could linger on into next season. Once you're hit with one ankle injury your feet are subject to injuries much easier. If Pouncey gets tangled up in a pile at some point then he could re-injure that ankle. 

That's something he will think about all year long which means his production will decrease. With such a stellar rookie season, Pouncey has no where to go but down. He won't be making the Pro Bowl next season. 

4. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions tries to get around the tackle of Frank Walker #41 of the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Best had a solid rookie year accumulating a total of 1,042 yards and six touchdowns. He ran the ball 171 times and caught 58 passes from three different quarterbacks. 

The Lions traded up to get Best hoping he could take some pressure off Calvin Johnson. He certainly did help the offense out, but it won't be the same in 2011. The Lions are making progress and headed in the right direction.

But in 2011 with a healthy Matthew Stafford they will be airing it out. Best's touches will decrease some and he won't make the most of the times he has the ball. 

3. Tim Tebow, QB, Denver Broncos

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks to deliver a pass against the San Diego Chargers at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Even though John Fox recently named Kyle Orton the starter, he won't hold that job for too long. I believe Tebow will win the job this summer. 

And once he takes over and has his go at the NFL's best players, he will fall short. Tebow played well at the end of the season when he was give then chance to start, but when he starts the season at quarterback for the Broncos he will crack under the pressure. 

Tebow won't take the Broncos too far and Kyle Orton will take back over the role of the starter by at least week 10, possibly earlier. 

2. Colt McCoy, QB, Cleveland Browns

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Colt McCoy wasn't expected to play at all in 2010, but injuries to Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace gave him the chance to start. 

McCoy made the most of his time as the starter and in eight games he threw for 1,576 yards, six touchdowns and had completed 60 percent of his passes. 

McCoy will be the starter in 2011, but he won't remain there for long. He will struggle with no talent around him, and because of that he won't win games. And when you can't win games you lose your job. McCoy will be a victim of the sophomore slump. 

1. Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams scrambles to pass the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeate

The 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year will have a sophomore slump in 2011. Bradford threw for over 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ranked in the top 20 for completion percentage at 60 percent. It was no doubt one heck of rookie season for Bradford.

With that said though, 2011 will be much more difficult for Bradford. He has a year under his belt, but now teams have a year on him and will be better prepared when they face him. Also, if there is any type of lockout it will definitely hurt him.

Bradford needs some help on offense and if the Rams don't get that for him through the draft or free agency his game will suffer. Bradford's leading receiver was Danny Amendola, who was targeted 123 times but only brought in 85 receptions. Amendola only had 689 yards and three touchdowns.