NFL Players Sure to Capitalize on Fresh Starts with New Teams

Sometimes, all anyone needs to get over a hump or to revitalize a career is a change of scenery.

Wide receiver Randy Moss enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2007 after landing in New England with the Patriots after two years with the Oakland Raiders. Running back Marshall Faulk was good in Indianapolis with the Colts, but incredible once he landed with the St. Louis Rams in 1999.

With all the player movement in the NFL these days, it’s pretty easy for a player to find a new home and attempt a makeover. Here are eight players who will capitalize on fresh starts with new teams in 2013.

Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons

Running back Steven Jackson voided his contract with the St. Louis Rams in March and went looking for a contender, as first reported by Howard Balzer. It didn’t take long for him to find a new home with the Atlanta Falcons.

Jackson’s carried the ball at least 237 times and gained 1,002 or more yards in each of the last eight seasons he’s been in the NFL. He’s also caught at least 38 passes in each of those seasons.

Don’t expect Jackson to greatly improve upon the rather lofty numbers he’s posted since 2005. He might cross the goal line more in Atlanta in 2013 and may catch more passes, but personal numbers aren’t the way he’ll capitalize with his new team.

Jackson has only played in two playoff games in his nine-year career—both in 2004 as a rookie backup to running back Marshall Faulk in St. Louis. By choosing Atlanta, Jackson picked a locale where he thinks playoff wins, and possibly a Super Bowl ring, could be a realistic finish to his time in the NFL.

Look for Jackson to slightly improve statistically in 2013. But his fresh start with the Falcons will be a success if the Super Bowl becomes a reality.

Cliff Avril, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks did as much to improve their defense this offseason as any team in the NFL. Defensive end Cliff Avril is a huge part of the Seahawks’ improvement plan.

Avril will replace injured defensive end Chris Clemons, and on the surface, Avril’s 9.5 sacks last season and Clemons’ 11.5 look very similar. But there’s a lot of room for growth from Avril.

Avril notched his 9.5 sacks being the Detroit Lions’ premier pass-rush specialist. Kyle Vanden Bosch, who rushed from the opposite side of Detroit’s defensive line, didn’t instill much fear to opposing offensive lines. Neither did Detroit’s linebacker corps.

Things may be different in Seattle where Avril, while a potent threat, may not be the most threatening pass-rush option for the Seahawks.

Seattle defensive end Bruce Irvin notched eight sacks last season as a rookie and only played 333 pass-rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

The Seahawks also brought in defensive end Michael Bennett, who’s also a quality asset in pass-rush situations. Clemons has even said in a tweet that he may be ready to play early in the 2013 season.

Avril will step up his game in 2013 because he won’t be asked to do everything in the pass rush for the Seahawks. He also won’t always have shifts, picks and chips constantly sent his way as the offense targets its pass-blocking strategies solely at Avril.

Wes Welker, Denver Broncos

In 2007, when wide receiver Wes Welker joined the New England Patriots after four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Welker transitioned from above-average to one of the most prolific pass-catchers in the game.

When Welker joins the Denver Broncos in 2013, that same kind of fresh start isn’t going to occur. There just isn’t that kind of room for improvement. But he does have a few things going for him.

In just about every case where a receiver leaves quarterback Tom Brady, that receiver lands on a team with a lower quality passer. That won’t be the case with Welker, who will have the luxury of catching passes from two of the best quarterbacks of this era—first Brady and now Peyton Manning.

Welker moves to a better team situation, too.

The Broncos are primed as one of the best AFC teams on paper, and their chance at a Super Bowl run seems much stronger than New England’s.

That may not seem important coming from the Patriots, who had a dynastic run of championships, winning three titles in four years from 2002 to 2005. But Welker missed those rings. He played on two Patriots teams that lost in the Super Bowl.

After not feeling wanted in New England, Welker sure will relish the chance for a title with Manning and the Broncos.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw was part of a salary-cap cutdown in New York with the Giants in February and finally found a new home with the Indianapolis Colts on June 11, according to ESPN.

Bradshaw is the latest addition to a Colts offense whom head coach Chuck Pagano wants to see move quicker and be able to run the football, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.

Last year, rookie quarterback Andrew Luck threw for 4,374 and 23 touchdowns and didn’t have a punishing running game. Now with second-year rusher Vick Ballard and Bradshaw a more-than-adequate ball-carrying tandem, Luck is going to have more options, and the Colts offense should move much more efficiently.

The Colts may also be in a better position than the Giants to make a run at the playoffs. Which means that Bradshaw might not only flourish in his new home but also have more postseason success than he would have had had he not made too much money with the Giants.

It’s not all about the money, right?

Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions

Running back Reggie Bush reestablished himself in Miami over the past two seasons with the Dolphins and notched more than 200 carries in a season for the first time in his seven-year career.

Bush may continue to grow with the Detroit Lions.

Wide receiver Nate Burleson had glowing things to say about Bush Sunday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Burleson said it’s hard not to look at Bush and wide receiver Calvin Johnson and not gush like a fan. "There's times when you look at him (Bush), and you think you're watching a live version of a Madden video game because he's just so smooth," said Burleson.

Last season, Bush scored six rushing touchdowns and gained 986 yards on the ground. That was in a Miami offense that was led by rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill and had limited options elsewhere on offense.

In Detroit, the Lions have a fast passing attack that features quarterback Matthew Stafford and Johnson running routes. Those two will open up so many options for Bush because defenses will spend a good amount of resources trying to stop the pass.

Bush could enjoy his best season as a pro yet.

Chris Ivory, New York Jets

If you want a glimpse of what running back Chris Ivory can do, look at his rookie season in 2010 with the New Orleans Saints where he led the team in rushing with 716 yards on just 137 carries.

That glimpse was short-lived because Ivory has had trouble with health (he played in just six games in each of his last two seasons and has never played a full 16-game schedule) and fell victim to a very crowded backfield with the Saints.

New Orleans had four running backs last season in Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Ivory who were capable of leading the team in rushing, but not enough touches to go around.

Ivory just wasn’t going to get featured-back love.

But with the New York Jets, Ivory is in a position of earning the starting running back role. If Ivory does win the starting job, and stays healthy in 2013, the New York Jets will watch an explosive runner who’s averaged 5.1 yards per carry over his three-year career. At that pace, with every-down carries, Ivory could easily become a 1,000-yard rusher.

Darrelle Revis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It seems quite odd to list one of, if not, the best cover corner in the NFL on a list of players that will capitalize on fresh starts with new teams. But that’s just what cornerback Darrelle Revis will do after being traded from the New York Jets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Revis’ 2012 season was a loss because of a torn ACL; he only appeared in two games. But in each of the two seasons prior, Revis definitely earned his nickname “Revis Island.”

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) had Revis ranked No. 2 in the NFL in 2011 as he allowed one reception for every 15.8 coverage snaps played (only Nnamdi Asomugha was better at 18.6). In 2010, Revis was the top-ranked cornerback with a 20.6 cover snaps per reception ratio.

It’s hard to get better when you’re already playing at an elite level, but Revis could have a bigger impact in Tampa than he had in New York.

It’s no secret that the Jets are a train wreck right now. Tampa Bay’s not.

The Buccaneers are on the opposite end of the spectrum as a team that’s on the cusp of playoff relevance. With a potent front seven and a revamped secondary, Revis could find himself on an island with a very stout defense in support; one that excels against the run and pass. 

Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks

In four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Percy Harvin has never caught fewer than 60 passes and has been an integral part of the Vikings attack in the return game.

But Harvin was rarely truly happy.

Instead of letting Harvin walk as a free agent in 2014 with no compensation, the Vikings traded him to the Seattle Seahawks for a first- and seventh-round pick in 2013 and a mid-round pick in 2014, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, who initially reported the deal.

Harvin has already impressed the coaching staff in Seattle, who, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, plan to use Harvin in his usual slot position mostly, but also line him up outside, let him return kicks and use him as a running back.

Harvin’s versatility will continue to shine in Seattle, and he’ll be a part of a more proficient offense with a much better quarterback. Harvin told Jim Rome that, despite reports, he never had a problem with quarterback Christian Ponder in Minnesota.

But he also never gushed about Ponder like he already has regarding Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. Harvin called Wilson “a big leader” and said Wilson had a “big arm; he’s very, very sharp.”

Harvin should be very, very happy in Seattle.