2012 NFL OTAs: Biggest Winners and Losers So Far

Many say that OTAs don't have much of an impact on the regular season, but I disagree with that sentiment.

The time spent during the summer is what helps players learn the playbook and develop chemistry. It's also a chance for players to get an understanding for how their respective teams plan on using them in the upcoming year.

The players who find themselves on the loser list aren't guaranteed to fail, but starting off on the wrong foot is a step in the wrong direction. Conversely, those labeled as winners can head into training camp with a lot of confidence.

Winner: Rueben Randle, New York Giants

Rookie Rueben Randle appears headed toward a heavier workload this offseason, thanks to Hakeem Nicks' foot injury.

It's never good when a team's go-to wide receiver gets injured, but there's definitely a positive spin to this story for the New York Giants. Nicks' absence provides younger players like Randle and Ramses Barden more opportunities.

Barden's lack of development means the spotlight will be on Randle to perform. Neither player is competing to replace Nicks as he's expected back by the start of the season, but both are fighting to fill the void left by Mario Manningham.

The Giants will benefit from Randle receiving extra reps this offseason. It will better prepare him for the upcoming season, and should help him build a relationship with Eli Manning.

Loser: Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

Beanie Wells has a ton of ability, but injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential. Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic took a deeper look at Wells' offseason recovery from a knee injury, and revealed that the running back had a procedure done that could have been microfracture surgery. 

Instead of working on his conditioning or refining his on-field skills, Wells is spending the offseason rehabbing from another injury. 

To make matters worse for Wells, running back Ryan Williams—a second round selection in Arizona's 2011 draft—is expected to return healthy this season. 

There isn't enough information to confirm the true nature of this injury, but Wells' longevity in the league is certainly in question. Injury prone running backs don't last long in the NFL, and Wells needs to have an injury-free year to remain in the Cardinals' long-term plans. 

Winner: Dontari Poe, Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs insider Josh Looney tweeted that Dontari Poe is already lining up as the first-team nose tackle. This indicates that the team believes Poe is ready to take on the challenge of such a demanding position.

Poe's draft position was as much about potential than anything else, which is why his insertion into the starting line is a big deal.

Kansas City's defense is a unit on the rise, and adding a dominant presence in the middle of the line could get them over the hump. Poe's size and anchor ability will allow him to occupy blockers, freeing up linebackers to get after the football.

Giving Poe's confidence a boost in OTAs could pay dividends during the regular season.

Loser: Jared Odrick, Miami Dolphins

A Miami Dolphins practice report from Ben Volin of The Palm Beach Post mentions that Jared Odrick has been lining up at left defensive end, a surprising move considering the team's switch to a 4-3 heavy attack.

Odrick doesn't have the skill set to succeed at defensive end in a 4-3 system. He's not a top-notch pass rusher, and his lack of speed will limit his ability to attack the edge.

During his college career, Odrick lined up at defensive tackle and excelled at penetrating the pocket. I've always felt that his best position is the three-technique, a spot that appears to be open in the Dolphins' starting lineup.

Once we get a clearer picture of the Dolphins' defensive strategy it might be easier to understand this move. 

Winner: Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

Mark Sanchez has a brand-new weapon to enjoy this summer. 

According to Jenny Vrentas of The Star-Ledger, Sanchez has looked much better than backup Tim Tebow and seems to be responding to the competition. However, I'm more encouraged about the bond being developed between Sanchez and rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill.

The New York Jets selected Hill in the second round to give Sanchez a replacement for Plaxico Burress. Hill's size and speed combination make him an excellent downfield threat. He needs time to develop, but has the potential to produce immediately. If Hill is able to develop into a No. 1 target, it might open an opportunity to cut ties with the troublesome Santonio Holmes.

At this point, any positive reviews are good for the makeup of Sanchez and the Jets organization.

Loser: Danny Coale, Dallas Cowboys

A broken foot could cost Danny Coale a shot at winning the Dallas Cowboys' slot receiver role.

Coale was a contender to fill the void left by Laurent Robinson, but this injury will likely keep him sidelined through the beginning of training camp. 

Last year, the Cowboys rotated several players in and out of the slot role until Robinson was able to seize the position. Coale's quickness, sound route running and feel for open holes in the defense made him a perfect candidate. However, he needed OTAs and a full training camp to have a legitimate shot at winning the competition.

Winner: Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears

The decision to replace Mike Martz with a combination of Mike Tice and Jeremy Bates will make life easier for Lovie Smith. He now has an offensive coordinator who shares his vision of taking care of the football, and won't have to worry about drama between Jay Cutler and his coaches.

Smith's tenure in Chicago has been hampered by inconsistent offensive production, and the hiring of Martz seemed like a stretch from the beginning. His timing-based offense didn't suit the playing style of Jay Cutler. Tice's experience with the offensive line and newness to the role should make for a good give-and-take relationship.

Don't rule out the importance of having Jeremy Bates on board. He worked with Cutler while he was in Denver and knows how to communicate with the complicated quarterback.

Loser: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson will continue to make plays, but the recent situation with Titus Young won't help loosen coverage. 

Young was held out of practices because of an incident involving a punch he threw at Louis Delmas. Immaturity issues continue to plague Young, and could impact his ability to produce.

Johnson needs Young to threaten the defense and help draw coverage away from his side of the field. Defenses will continue to double and even triple team Johnson if he represents Detroit's only true weapon at receiver. 

The uncertainty of Ryan Broyles' health and Nate Burleson's inconsistent hands make Young someone the Lions are counting on.

Winner: Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Last year, Alex Smith had to make due with a very unimpressive wide receiver corps. Michael Crabtree was the team's best receiver, and he had a tendency to disappear in games.

The San Francisco 49ers identified this problem and added a ton of talent via free agency and the draft.

Randy Moss might be 35 years old and coming off one of the worst stretches of his career, but he's already impressed his new team with his work ethic and offers the 49ers someone who can stretch the field.

Moss isn't the only new face, as the 49ers also brought in Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham and drafted Illinois star A.J. Jenkins.

This group, combined with Vernon Davis, should help Smith take his game to the next level.

Loser: Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The trade of Kellen Winslow to the the Seattle Seahawks indicates a new no-nonsense approach from head coach Greg Schiano.

With Winslow's departure, other players with baggage like Aqib Talib have been put on notice. Talib's off-the field issues and on-the-field mistakes are well documented.

He will have a very short leash with Schiano unwilling to tolerate any misbehavior. 

Winner: Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blaine Gabbert's rookie season sparked a lot of discussion about his potential, or lack thereof, as a starting quarterback.

The Jacksonville Jaguars management decided to focus their offseason on adding pieces to help their young quarterback. Adding Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon, combined with the return of Eben Britton, should help Gabbert's development.

ESPN's Paul Kuharsky believes the return of Britton will play a major role in improving the Jaguars' pass protection. The ability to sit comfortably in the pocket is always important for the development of a young quarterback, especially in the case of Gabbert, who struggles in the face of pressure.

Also, don't rule out the importance of Mike Mularkey coming in as the head coach. Mularkey has been given a lot of credit for the development of Matt Ryan.

Loser: Chad Ochocinco, New England Patriots

Greg A. Bedard of The Boston Globe noted that Chad Ochocinco might not have been studying his playbook. His practice notes for the New Englad Patriots stated "Deion Branch had to tell him where to line up at one point."

Most of Ochocinco's struggles last season were due to his inability to pick up the offense. Simply put, Bill Belichick will not tolerate players being out of position.

Ochocinco had a hard time getting snaps last season and now faces even more competition with added depth to the team's receiving corps by in Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth and Anthony Gonzalez.

Winner: Shaun Phillips, San Diego Chargers

In the past few years, the brunt of San Diego's pass rushing responsibilities fell on the shoulders of Shaun Phillips. However, the additions of Jarret Johnson and Melvin Ingram should help draw away double teams and generally lessen the burden on Phillips. 

The link above also talks about how the new blood has energized the entire defense. I expect nobody to have more hop in their step than Phillips.

It's also important not to overlook the added depth along the defensive line. I have long been a big supporter of Kendall Reyes, and expect him to have a major impact as a rookie.

Loser: Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

Not only did the Cleveland Browns draft Colt McCoy's replacement in the first round, they also appear unlikely to give him a shot with a different team. McCoy would benefit from a change of scenery, but Terry Pluto of The Cleveland Plain Dealer feels Cleveland should keep him as a backup.

I agree with Pluto's argument that having a capable backup is very important. His talk about saving money by keeping McCoy and releasing Seneca Wallace also makes sense. However, this doesn't help McCoy and his pursuit to be a successful starting quarterback in the NFL. 

McCoy needs to find a new team, and the only way that happens is if he's traded.

Winner: Brandon Lloyd, New England Patriots

In recent years, Brandon Lloyd was able to find success catching passes from quarterbacks like Kyle Orton and Sam Bradford. This season, he will have an opportunity to work with one of the game's best in Tom Brady. With that pairing in mind, it shouldn't be a surprise to hear that Lloyd has impressed so far this offseason.

Lloyd's crisp routes and excellent hands should make him a favorite target of Brady. His 13.8 yards per catch last season was higher than both Wes Welker and Deion Branch. Lloyd isn't a burner or major deep threat, but he has enough speed to attack the deep part of the field.

At age 30, it will be nice for Lloyd to finally have a chance to catch passes from a top-notch quarterback. Reaching the 100-catch mark is certainly doable as long as he stays healthy.