Worst to Best: Players Who Have Taken a Step Forward In 2008

Alright everyone this is the follow up to my "best to worst in the NFL 2008" article. Now these guys are not the best in the league necessarily nor were they the worst last year, but they have improved immensely and it keeps in tune with the same title as the last article. Same concept just the other way around, so again lets get to it.

#5. Buffalo Bills QB Trent Edwards

Now Edwards started nine games last season for the Bills and had roughly the same numbers. I have him here because he was able to win the starting job and led his team to five wins to start the season. His QB rating is 16 points higher than it was last season after nine games at 86.9 and he has completed 10% more completions. Edwards was 5-4 as a starter last season. Trent has passed for 1,845 yards and 7 touchdowns.

#4 Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton

Kyle Orton was able to win the starting job over Rex Grossman in training camp. The fans did not know how to take the choice. Well Orton has proved to everyone he is the man in Chicago. In his last significant action, Orton led the Bears to the playoffs after starting 15 games for the Bears in 2005. Now in those games, Orton passed for 1,869 yards and only 9 touchdowns. This season through 8 games Orton has passed for 1,777 yards and 10 touchdowns. Once he comes back from his ankle injury he should pick right back up.

#3 Seattle Seahawks RB Julius Jones

Last season as a starter with the Cowboys, Jones was only able to post 588 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns. That was in 16 starts. After the emergence of Marion Barber, the Cowboys decided to part ways with Jones. This season as a Seahawk, Jones has already passed his 2007 totals with 597 yards and 2 touchdowns. If he continues on this pace he would double his numbers in both major categories in 2008.

#2 Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson was another pick at receiver for the Lions out of the draft in 2007. In his rookie campaign, Johnson was able to post 756 yards in the air and 4 touchdowns in 15 games. Now in his sophomore year, Johnson is now the number one receiver in Detroit and number five in the NFL. In nine games Calvin has already past his last year totals with 774 yards and six touchdowns. He has a bright future in Detroit and is something that the fans can cheer about. Look for him to continue performing well this season.

Now it always comes down to this, and the number one on my list is... drum roll please....

#1 Miami Dolphins QB Chad Pennington

After the Jets brought Brett Favre to the team, they thought it was time to part ways with him. One teams loss is another teams gain and has been the Miami Dolphins. Last season after posting only one win, the Dolphins were at a loss for words. Then Chad Pennington comes in and takes over. The Dolphins are now 5-4. In nine games last season, Pennington posted 1,765 yards and 10 touchdowns.

This year he has already past his 2007 numbers with 2,200 yards and 8 touchdowns. No matter how the rest of the season pans out for the Dolphins, they could not have expected more with a new coach, GM, and QB. I think that if it was not for the success of Kurt Warner, he would be at the top of the list for NFL Comeback player of the year.

That's it and I hope you enjoyed. If you don't like my picks please don't jump on me to hard. Post a comment with your picks and I would love to debate or agree with it.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?