13 NFL Players Sure to Regress in 2012

Not everyone can have a championship season every year in the NFL.

Some players regress over time, where skills slip little by little. Others feel a sharp decline in their play from one season to the next. Either way, at some point, our heroes of the gridiron will have to hang it up because they cannot play the game at such a high level of intensity.

While these players have overachieved in their play from last year and in years past, it can be argued they will not be able to keep up the same momentum.

Whether they meet the majority of their ability will be the real issue, and whether they can help their teams reach the playoffs again has to be the question on the minds of coaches and owners around the league.

Here are some players who may regress in the 2012 season.

Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

Jared Allen may regress, but not for the reasons you think.

The best pass-rusher in the NFL did it all for Minnesota's pass rush last season. Now, here is hoping the young team improves.

You may not see the same numbers this season for Allen, but that does not mean he will not be as active in the Vikings defense.

Allen is still a beast, but hopefully other defensive players will step up and play at Allen's level.

Wes Welker, New England Patriots

As a short guy, I want Welker to succeed.

He is the possession receiver that every team should have on its roster. And as the primary target for Tom Brady last season, Welker delivered.

This year, while he will still be used in the slot and underneath, I do not expect him to get over 100 receptions. I expect Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to get 200 catches between the two of them, and Brandon Lloyd could become the go-to receiver on the outside.

These improvements in the offense will help the team but may not help Welker catch as many passes as he has in the past.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Doesn't it seem like Drew Brees is heading for a let-down?

The problems with the team and its bounty scandal. The fact he lost a key receiver in Robert Meachem and his best guard in Carl Nicks on offense. And the fact he is still stewing about contract negotiations that should never have been an issue in the first place.

This could be the team that implodes the most during the 2012 season, and Brees may be the first to see a decline in numbers.

That is a shame from the guy who broke Dan Marino's single-season yardage record.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

For a guy who played on a 5-11 team and rushed for 1,606 yards last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars could not have asked for much more from Maurice Jones-Drew.

And this season, while the "human bowling ball" will still run through and over defenses, the offense looks to be more improved.

That means several things for this franchise. It means more points, it means a more formidable passing game, and it also means less pressure on MJD to be the only one to make progress on offense.

Jones-Drew will still be the stallion on offense, but there will be other horses he can run with.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Maybe this is more about the entire Atlanta offense.

Here is the situation, which can be explained easily. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is in his first season in the same role as he had with the Jaguars. The former offensive coordinator, Mike Mularkey, has been named head coach of the Jaguars.

Seems like this was a trade more than anything else.

Under Mularkey, Ryan—and the offense—was explosive. With Koetter calling plays, the Jaguars'offense scored just over 12 points per contest.

If the same numbers hold true, then Matt Ryan, Roddy White and the Falcons offense may be taking a step back, which will not help the progress of this superstar in waiting.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

He set records for a rookie that were obscene. Now, with his second season approaching, can he keep up the momentum.

Newton exceeded everyone's expectations last season and proved to be a great offensive weapon for the Panthers, who tripled their win total in 2011. Can Newton, Steve Smith and the offense get to the playoffs this season?

Probably not this season, and Newton may suffer a bit of a sophomore slump. Teams may figure him out, or slow down his production, which will be detrimental to the Panthers' game plan.

Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers

When the 49ers selected him No. 7 overall in the 2011 draft, many heads turned. Obviously, San Francisco brass knew what it was doing.

Aldon Smith was the sack specialist the team envisioned coming out of Missouri. He finished with 37 total tackles, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and 14 sacks.

Because he was such a force on the team in just his first pro season, could it mean the sophomore will not be as dominant as he was last year, but have just as much of an impact?

The 49ers are hoping Smith can become a pass-rusher in the mold of Charles Haley, which is pretty good when it comes to team lore.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens

Could the end of an era be slowly beginning in Baltimore? For years, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis have been the heart and soul of the Ravens defense.

Injuries and age may finally be creeping up on them.

Reed plays with such intensity that he is often injured, and Lewis suffered through an injury-plagued 2011.

Lewis was playing at a level reminiscent of years gone by before he was hurt. And last season, he deflected questions about retirement.

Personally, I hope this is not a case of two great players deteriorating quickly and losing their edge.

Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

Could South Beach be the best place for Reggie Bush? After being in New Orleans for the first four seasons of his career, Bush enjoyed his best season as a running back, passing the 1,000-yard rushing barrier for the first time.

And with the receiving corps being shaky as it is in Miami, Bush may be asked to carry more of the load. Only problem is the Dolphins drafted Daniel Thomas last season to provide some competition.

Successful NFL teams have two quality runners on their rosters, but Bush had a high-production season last year and the question of whether he will be the focal point of the offense needs to be answered.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots

He threw for over 5,000 yards last season and still has "it." Can he have "it" again this season?

At some point, there will come a time when he cannot sustain the same drive.

Tom Brady is great and may have done some of his best work by leading this team on the strength of his arm. This season, he will be asked to do the same things.

Can he still stand and deliver?

Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers

He's 37 and can still be the main target in the Green Bay's passing game.

Driver seems to be in the right place at the right time for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense.

He is the Packers' all-time leader in receptions and yardage, but now that he is on the downside of his career, will the team increasingly look to players like Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings to be the leaders on the outside?

Also, will he suffer the same fate as Hines Ward, who had a subpar season coming off a Dancing with the Stars win?

Tim Tebow, New York Jets

Tim Tebow may be the biggest "loser" of any player in the NFL this season.

Last year, he was arguably the most popular player in the league and was the talk of ESPN,  entertainment sites and all media outlets, and anything associated with seeing the "rock star" in the spotlight.

And it did not hurt that he helped engineer comeback wins to get the Denver Broncos in the playoffs.

Now, Tebow must play behind Mark Sanchez and will likely be used in the Jets offense as a gimmick and on special teams.

Tebow has had early struggles with the new offense, and the only way he gets on the field behind center is if Sanchez gets hurt or cannot deliver.

Is this a fall from grace, or is it a sign this is how he should truly be used in the NFL?

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Admittedly, I was thrilled with Forte's production with the Bears as a runner and receiver before he hurt his knee.

Along with the big contract distraction, now the running back for Chicago is facing competition in the backfield from former Oakland Raiders workhorse Michael Bush.

What does this do to Forte's production and scoring opportunities?

Something tells me this could affect him in a negative manner, and that would not be positive for the Bears and their attempt to resurrect an offense that could be pretty good this year.