NFL Preseason 2011: 10 Players Poised for Comebacks in 2011

The NFL saw a good bit of players start their career off hot as the sun, but ultimately get cooled down more than Christmas in Green Bay over the past couple of years.

Whether it was due to injuries, arguments in the front office, losing their confidence or whatever the case may be, these players certainly fell off the map as far as the elite go.

This year, they will reassert themselves onto the scene and have breakout years for the teams that they play for. These are the eleven players that are poised to make a comeback in 2011.

Matthew Stafford

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lions' fans more excited about a season before it started before, and a lot of the reasoning has to do with a healthy Matthew Stafford.

This team now has confidence after competing well last season without Stafford and adding a defensive front that will make any offensive coordinator nervous, but the key to the season is Stafford.

Stafford has been plagued by injuries in his NFL career thus far, but he’ll finally play a whole season and lead the Lions to winning ways. Look for Stafford to Calvin Johnson to be the hottest hookup all season long.

Ryan Grant

Isn’t it amazing what the Green Bay Packers did without their starting running back a year ago? The Packers are on the hunt for their second straight Super Bowl win, and they’re better this year than they were last year.

A healthy Grant will make Aaron Rodgers even more deadly, and Grant will benefit from the respect the defense has to show for the Packers’ passing attack. Fantasy owners might want to give this guy a good look come draft day.

Shawn Merriman

Can "Lights Out" really return back to his roots and be the dominant player he once was? I don’t know about all that, but I believe he is motivated and ready to get on that football field.

Reports from the Bills' training camp is that Merriman is rejuvenated and shaping up for a stellar season. Bills' fans might have something to get excited about.

Dallas Clark

Dallas Clark’s injury last year was a big blow to the Colts offense, but I expect him to pick up this season as if it never happened.

As a result of being injured, Clark finished the year with only 347 yards receiving and three touchdowns. That’s un-Clark like and with Peyton Manning still throwing him the ball, he’ll have another impact year for the Colts.

Ronnie Brown

The “Dream Team” went all out this offseason and found themselves a great running back in Ronnie Brown. Brown has struggled to stay healthy over the past couple of years with the Dolphins, but being LeSean Mccoy’s backup might work out in his favor.

If Brown can stay healthy, look for him to add another dynamic to this explosive offense and help the Eagles have that dream season they’re hoping for.

Brett Favre

Just kidding… Come on, I had to do it.

Pierre Thomas

Pierre Thomas had a fantastic season with the Saints in 2009 but was bitten by the injury bug like most of the other guys on this list.

Thomas proved how great of an asset he was to the Saints by helping them win the Super Bowl in 2009 and showed that he’s one of the best screen backs in the game. The Saints have added more depth to running back, but Thomas still finds a way to rack up stats before the year is over.

Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson had the life of a soap opera star last year with all the contract talks and sustaining a calf injury. Because of all of this, Jackson had a really disappointing season, but don’t expect 2011 to be the same way.

Jackson still has Phillip Rivers throwing him the ball, and these two still make for a dynamic duo. Jackson gets back to his old ways this year and will be on the receiving end of multiple Rivers touchdown passes.

DeAngelo Williams

When DeAngelo Williams first stepped on the scene at Carolina, he electrified the crowd and was considered as one of the league’s elite running back. Things have changed leading up to 2011, as Williams' career has been plagued by injuries.

The Panthers are better this year, but not that much better. Williams will have to run his heart out for the Panthers to be successful in the toughest division in football, the NFC South.

Jermichael Finley

Here’s the other guy Rodgers and the Packers’ offense were missing a year ago. Just imagine what that offense will do having him in the lineup again.

Finley is a very athletic tight end and will help this Packers offense continue to thrive in the NFL.

Austin Collie

Austin Collie suffered multiple concussions a year ago that really forced him to not be able to play the majority of the season. Coming back from all those concussions will be tough, but I believe Collie can do it.

Collie is a tough, gritty receiver that will play like he did in 2009. Manning will hook up with Collie multiple times this year, and Collie will look like he never missed a beat.

Donavon McNabb

Donavan McNabb’s tenure with the Redskins is forgettable and he is getting older, but I believe this future hall of famer has another solid year in him.

He’ll have a much better supporting cast this time around with Adrian Peterson carrying most of the load for the offense. McNabb threw more interceptions than he did touchdowns last year, but McNabb will get back to playing like the McNabb we’ve grown so used to seeing this season.