Tavern talk: blue-chip players, part 6 - by Mike Lombardi

National Football Post

Today, let’s take a look at blue-chip players in the NFC South and West. It might not have been easy being green, but it’s even harder being blue....

BLUE CHIP PLAYER:

Player has abilities that can create mismatches vs. most opponents in the league. Is a featured player on the team and has impact on the outcome of the game. Not one player can take him out of the game. Each week he has a consistent level of performance. Plays at a championship level performance. Rates in the top 10 at his position in the league.

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta

BLUE CHIP

APRoddy White

Roddy White: Big-play wideout who keeps improving.

Michael Turner: Power, speed and big-play ability.

John Abraham: Falcons were 2-4 in games when he didn’t have a sack. He was their defense.

Tony Gonzalez: Still wondering why the Chiefs traded him.

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Matt Ryan: Very close to being a blue. One more year and he’ll be one for sure.

COACH/QB COMBO

Had the right recipe for turning the team around: get a young quarterback (Ryan) and a good head coach (Mike Smith).

Carolina

BLUE CHIP

DeAngelo Williams

DeAngelo Williams: Had a breakout blue year last season.

Jordan Gross: One of the better-paid and better left tackles in the NFL.

Steve Smith: Great big-play wideout.

Julius Peppers: Can make plays on critical third downs.

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Damione Lewis: He plays well, but he’s not a blue.

Chris Gamble: Solid and steady player.

Jeff Otah: Has blue ability, but not a blue yet.

COACH/QB COMBO

John Fox knows what to expect from Jake Delhomme and manages the game accordingly. This team is all about big plays, run or pass.

New Orleans

BLUE CHIP

APDrew Brees

Drew Brees: One of the game’s best.

Jonathan Vilma: Was very impressive last year, run and pass.

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Marques Colston: When healthy, he can be a force, and a blue.

Lance Moore: He was the best wideout last year; very effective

COACH/QB COMBO

Great combination and great offense run by a great player. Saints must learn to close out games; lost five by a combined 13 points last year.

Tampa Bay

BLUE CHIP

Antonio Bryant: Showed big-play ability. A big-play athlete and talent who got his off-the-field life squared away.

Kellen Winslow: Very effective playmaker in the passing game.

Barrett Ruud: Can play run or pass; makes plays.

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Donald Penn: Was close to a blue, very close. Still pondering this one.

COACH/QB COMBO

The Bucs are attempting to copy the Falcons’ program. This year, they have a new coach (Raheem Morris) and a new quarterback (Josh Freeman) and want to build the franchise around him.

NFC WEST

Arizona

BLUE CHIP

APLarry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald: He is so effective down the field.

Kurt Warner: Had a blue year in 2008.

Darnell Dockett: Very effective inside player.

Adrian Wilson: Big, physical tackler.

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Anquan Boldin: Best when the ball is in his hands after the catch. Durability keeps him from being a blue.

Karlos Dansby: Very good player, good tackler.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: If he has another great season, he’ll be a blue.

COACH/QB COMBO

The Cards finally got it right. Hire a good coach and get the right man playing quarterback. This is why they were successful.

St. Louis

BLUE CHIP

NONE

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Steven Jackson: He has not been able to stay healthy. Has blue talent, but not durability.

COACH/QB COMBO

New coach (Steve Spagnuolo), but not a new quarterback, and that remains a need. The Rams are not a talented team and will need time to get this turned around.

San Francisco

BLUE CHIP

APFrank Gore

Patrick Willis : He can play run or pass.

Frank Gore: He’s right on the line between an almost and a blue. Not sure here.

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Nate Clements: He’s good, but not sure he’s a blue.

Joe Staley: He’s a very good player, but not a blue yet.

COACH/QB COMBO

Somewhere along the way, the 49ers lost their true roots of coach, system and player. Maybe this will work, but the team that made the west coast offense famous now wants to run the ball and has lost its identity. Sorry, coach Walsh.

Seattle

BLUE CHIP

Walter Jones: Durability is an issue, but still very good player. They need him to be healthy. 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Matt Hasselbeck: He’s a very good player, but not a blue now.

Lofa Tatupu: Like a lot of Seahawks, he didn’t play well last year.

Marcus Trufant: Can run and cover, better in ‘07.

COACH/QB COMBO

A new coach in Seattle as Jim Mora takes over for Mike Holmgren. Hasselbeck is effective if he can stay healthy and Mora runs the right offense that fits his skills. 

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