NFL Busts: Who Is Stinkin' It Up So Far In '09?

See those gloves Braylon Edwards is wearing in the picture on the right?

With his stat-line so far in 2009, looks like he's not using them.

Or any part of his six-foot-three frame, including his brain buried under his over-inflated ego, which caused him to apparently punch LeBron James' friend after a night on the town for virtually no reason.

Or the fact that James is the only major athlete in Cleveland that is consistently producing.

Braylon is not alone.

There are a myriad of players that came into the season with high expectations, and were the first and second round fantasy picks of many owners that are currently not producing.

Coaches are sitting on fire pits for seats, and fans are becoming antsy in some cities as their beloved teams are facing huge deficits that have implications on their playoff chances.

How does a guy like Edwards who was at the point of stardom suddenly fall into a deafening slump that confuses everyone around him?

I'm sure Eric Mangini would love to know the answer to that. Somewhere Romeo Crennel is laughing at the notion that somehow he was blamed for Cleveland's failures.

Well, on the bright side, we don't have to watch those terrible 5-hour energy commercials featuring Edwards.

So much for the much publicized "quarterback mystery" before the season between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. At this point, they both look like Don Majkowski.

For the purposes of this article, I took 15 players and grouped them into three separate categories based on their performances so far.

Don't worry, this won't all be ugly, I promise.

The Tina Fey Group For, "I'm Naturally Good at What I Do, and Look Good Doing It"

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

The three-time MVP of the NFL just keeps doing what he does best: throw touchdowns, and play in entertaining commercials.

Manning is mustering up another possible MVP season, leading the league in QB rating and passing at a 71 percent clip with nine TD's to just three picks. Oh, and his Colts are undefeated. Again.

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

A.D Peterson has been running through teams so far with his new running mate, Brett Favre.

Peterson ran for under 60 yards Monday night against the rival Packers, but it was Brett's night to gash them where it hurt most: in the win column. Peterson took a back seat and scored a touchdown on 25 carries.

With 412 yards rushing, Peterson is 2nd in the league rushing, and long as he stays healthy, don't expect too many games like Monday night out of him.

3. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

The good: Johnson currently leads the league in rushing with 434 yards and a 6.3 per carry rushing average.

The bad: His QB is 36-years-old, and has thrown more INT's than TD's.

The ugly: The Titans are 0-4 and have Vince Young as a backup.

4. Steve Smith, New York Giants

After Plaxico Burress declared war on himself, everyone wondered who would fill his spot once he graced the halls of the pen.

Enter the unknown No. 12.

Smith has been Eli Manning's go-to-guy, with 411 yards and four touchdowns so far, and has exhibited excellent route-running and has helped that Giant team to again be the beast of the NFC East.

5. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Brees has slowed down in recent weeks, but his start to the season was on a downright ridiculously scary path, as he threw nine TD's in two games.

He has zero in the last two games, but has not turned the ball over in boasting a 108.4 passer rating and nearly 70 percent.

Not to mention, his Saints are 4-0.

The Jay Leno Group For, "Who Cares What You've Done? If You Don't Get Better Soon, You're Getting Canned"

1. Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans

Collins and the Titans are 0-4, he's nearly lost all of his hair, he's thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, he can't blame the running game and your team is already having to come out and publicly stand by you.

As a QB, you know it's bad when your team and coach are defending you at Week Four.

Is the only reason Collins is still starting because Vince Young is the alternative? Jeff Garcia, Jeff Garcia, Jeff Garcia.

2. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Romo and the Cowboy express waltzed into Denver thinking of what they'll have for dinner once they whipped the Broncos.

After that loss, I bet Jerry Jones fed them beans and cow manure.

Romo has been notoriously inconsistent, so has his fellow players and it all amounts to Dallas sporting an equally inconsistent 2-2 record. Didn't anyone teach that man to throw AWAY from Champ Bailey?

Anybody say Romo needs T.O and T.O needs him? I hear 'ya.

3. Dick Jauron, Coach, Buffalo Bills

I didn't put this guy into the worst group because I feel bad for him. He has been given the keys to a Mercury Milan and expected to outrun a Lamborghini Gallardo.

This Bills team lacks mental strength, and they've repeatedly made fans hearts end up in their shoe soles, finding ways to lose games they had in the bag.

Adding Terrell Owens was widely believed to be what the Bills needed to make the playoffs, but firing Turk Schonert has not helped a passing offense ranked 23rd.

4. The Carolina Panthers Offense

We all know about the mishaps of QB Jake Delhomme, and his end to last season and start to this one.

But 'ole Jake has actually been better the last couple of weeks, but his friends on offense haven't been.

Steve Smith has been invincible, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart haven't shown up yet, and no WR has scored a TD.

5. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers

Let's face it, we all feel really bad for L.T. No running back since Emmitt Smith has made us feel so bad to see him slow down and start to lose his edge.

Tomlinson wanted so bad to make all of the critics quiet down and have another breakout year, but that campaign has already started on a limp.

L.T has run for just 70 yards off of 20 carries, has one TD and is already battling injury problems. It's sad to watch, but it looks like our favorite back of the millennium is about cooked. No disrespect.

The Marlon and Shawn Wayans Group For, "Sorry To Everyone Who Watches Us and Spends Their Hard-Earned Money, but We're Just Not Good"

1. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns

I've said enough about Mr. Jealousy, or Butterfinger.

2. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills

He can blame the media all he wants for jostling him, but when you have the expectations he came to Buffalo with and you've dropped nearly as many balls as you've caught, you deserve to be jostled.

3. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

Absolutely, positively downright horrible. Where is this guy? He smacks helpless women, then loses his career as a star player.

Dick Vermeil was right when he dubbed Johnson a cry baby. Is he the next Shaun Alexander?

4. JaMarcus Russell, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Darren McFadden, Tom Cable, Al Davis, Oakland Raiders

This team is so bad, I don't even know what to say about them anymore. Russell is looking like bust material, Heyward-Bey never should have been a first-round pick, McFadden is hurt too much to tell what he is, Cable is a better heavyweight boxer than coach and Davis speaks for his lonesome.

At least you have Nnamdi Asomugha. I love that guy.

5. The St. Louis Rams

Final scores of the Rams first four games:

Week One—Seattle 28, St. Louis 0

Week Two—Washington 9, St. Louis 7

Week Three—Green Bay 36, St. Louis 17

Week Four—San Francisco 35, St. Louis 0.

Somebody better call Nelly, because for any coach in St. Louis, "It's Gettin' Hot In Herre."

Those are your NFL busts and great players so far in 2009.

Will Edwards continue his path to bum-dom? Will St. Louis be the 2nd consecutive team to go 0-16?

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