NFL 2010 Preview: Something in Store For Each NFL Team This Season
The NFL is known as the "Not For Long" sports league since one simple injury to a star player could change the course of a franchise in the blink of an eye.
This is just an example of one of the many surprises that could occur each and every season in the NFL.
The following are 32 observations, one for each team, that could possibly happen and/or be in store this upcoming 2010 season.
Arizona Cardinals: Matt Leinart Fails, Derek Anderson Steps In
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Leinart may be the former first round pick and incumbent going into the season, but IF (emphasized for a reason) he fails to impress both the coaches and Cardinal fans, then they will have to put their faith into Anderson to step in and produce.
This wouldn't be the first time Anderson has stepped in for a starter who couldn't cut it.
In 2007, the Cleveland Browns started with Charlie Frye as their season opening quarterback and he got leveled through one and a half quarters of football by the Steelers and was benched before halftime when Anderson stepped in.
After that first game, Anderson led Cleveland on a 10-6 run that year while making the Pro Bowl, too.
He had Pro Bowl receiver Braylon Edwards then, and in Arizona he has an even better receiver in Larry Fitzgerald which could see Anderson have another fine season with the Cards IF Leinart does not pan out.
Atlanta Falcons: Dunta Robinson Struggles
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It is highly doubtful that Robinson would struggle in 2010, but he is on a new team and in a new defensive system that could take some time for him to adjust to since the new game plans are different from when he was with Houston.
This could be a huge blow to the Falcons' plans of making the playoffs this season IF Robinson indeed does struggle to catch on.
Baltimore Ravens: Quarterback Controversy?
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Without a doubt, Joe Flacco is the starter for the Ravens, but what if he struggles even though he has new weapons to throw to like receiver Anquan Boldin?
That may put pressure on him to perform since backup Marc Bulger is standing back holding the clipboard and there is a reason that Bulger was signed as Flacco's backup and that is to insure that Flacco does not struggle.
Bulger is going to be serving as the mentor for Flacco, since he has not really had a mentor in the NFL, but Bulger could step in too if Flacco does not continue his progress as an NFL quarterback.
A slip up could mean Bulger is in, but this is just a big IF as well.
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Buffalo Bills: Levi Brown Rises From The Depths To Be The Man
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Levi Brown is a project quarterback from Troy, but when you look at the other quarterbacks on the Bills' roster, one might think that Brown has an equal opportunity to win the starting quarterback job with a solid preseason.
Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Brian Brohm are all good quarterbacks in their own right, but it is hard to see a good quality starting quarterback in that group, which makes Brown's chances that much better.
Carolina Panthers: Brandon LaFell Is The WR Dwayne Jarrett Couldn't Be
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The Panthers have been looking for a good compliment at receiver opposite of Steve Smith for many years.
Bouncing back and forth with Mushin Muhammad and they drafted Jarrett, who was supposed to be the No. 2 behind Smith but he never panned out.
In the 2010 NFL Draft, the Panthers decided to try once again with LaFell and it seems that he should be able to transition into the NFL with his size and become a compliment to Smith, but only time will tell and you never know...Jarrett could prove all the critics wrong and have a break out year in 2010.
Chicago Bears: Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers Form Deadly Combo
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The Bears went out and signed a pass rushing beast in Peppers this past offseason and once teamed up with a healthy Urlacher, this Bears defense will be intimidating their opponents each and every Sunday.
In his eight years in the NFL, Peppers averages over 10 sacks per season.
While Urlacher has had over 90 total tackles in eight of his 10 NFL seasons with those two being injury years.
Cincinnati Bengals: The T.O. and Ochocinco Show Entertains and Works
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Many NFL fans and experts do not think that this matching of Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and the Bengals is a good thing at all.
There are reasons that this pairing can work starting with the fact that head coach Marvin Lewis knows how to take former stars, who are now cast-offs, and turn them back into solid contributors once again.
Owens is the latest cast-off and if you think that he and Ochocinco will argue over the ball, think again because these guys have been friends for a long time and they should be supportive of each other more than anything else for the better of the team.
If Owens wants to get into the playoffs again as his career slowly winds down, then he needs to do the right thing and be a team player, which it looks like he just may do in 2010.
Cleveland Browns: The Season To Surprise Nearly Everyone
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It doesn't matter if head coach Eric Mangini is on the hot seat or not because new president Mike Holmgren kept him on the team for another year which proves that even a legendary former coach like Holmgren sees something in Mangini.
Jake Delhomme is another big question, but again Holmgren knows quarterbacks and he wouldn't have signed him to a two-year deal if he didn't think Delhomme couldn't play anymore.
With a strong middle and left side of their offensive line and a running game that should be even better than in 2009, the Browns could surprise many since they are a team that is so far under the radar, other teams may neglect taking them seriously while preparing for them.
No matter what, when a team is this looked down upon in league rankings and overall evaluations, that is when a team comes out of nowhere and becomes the Cinderella of that particular NFL season.
Perhaps 2010 can be that Cinderella year for the Browns.
Dallas Cowboys: Drama in The Big D Once More Leads To a Cut
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First Dez Bryant has supposed character issues going into the NFL draft, so he falls into Jerry Jones' lap and you know Jones wouldn't pass on that value with a receiver.
Then Bryant refuses to carry Roy Williams' pads, who is the guy Bryant is supposedly going to replace anyway, and that starts up a commotion.
Finally, Bryant gets hurt and is out for four to six weeks during training camp and preseason which looks like Williams will still have a lock on his starting job for at least the first half of the season now.
The Cowboys have been trying to stay out of and away from the drama since they got rid of T.O., but now it is back and many are blaming Bryant.
Honestly though, the drama will stay in Dallas as long as both Bryant and Williams are on the same roster, so look for Williams to possibly get dumped by the Cowboys sometimes during the season since there is no salary cap and penalty to do so.
Denver Broncos: Josh McDaniels Feels the Heat
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Does anyone really know what head coach Josh McDaniels is doing in Denver?
First he trades away Jay Cutler in 2009, then he trades away Brandon Marshall this year and who is next to get traded?
Also, McDaniels gets Kyle Orton, but wanted Brady Quinn in 2009, then he gets Quinn this year in a trade only to trade back into the first round to pick Tim Tebow.
Seriously, it seems that McDaniels has no clue what he wants or what he his doing in Denver and his seat will only get hotter during 2010 in regards to how the team preforms.
Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh Becomes a Dominant Defensive Force
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Suh is the most talked about and highly touted defensive lineman since Warren Sapp entered the league.
And he will put on a show each week that makes him one of the most dominating defensive players in the NFL right away.
A defensive lineman like Suh only comes around once or twice each decade and the Lions are more than happy to have him on their roster.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers Has Better Stats Than All QBs
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Who would have ever thought that Brett Favre's successor would be this good?
Rodgers has all the weapons at his disposal including Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley, Gregg Jennings, and Donald Driver to name a few; and they will all help Rodgers lead what could easily become the NFL's most potent offense in 2010.
In 2009, the Packers' offense was the sixth best in total yardage in the NFL and they look to improve on that this year.
Houston Texans: A Late Round Gem
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Do not doubt Texans wide receiver Dorin Dickerson's abilities and skills to catch passes in the NFL.
In college, he was more an a receiver than a tight end and the Texans have been looking for a receiver who could really compliment Andre Johnson.
That is not to say that Kevin Walter is not a great compliment to Johnson, but Dickerson has speed which makes him a viable downfield threat while Johnson catches passes everywhere else on the field.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Gonzlez Reclaims His No. 2 WR Spot
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Gonzalez had the misfortune of being injured in 2009 and watched both Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon step in and step up their game.
Now Gonzlaez must battle with both Collie and Garcon to reclaim what was rightfully his, the No. 2 starter receiver spot.
There is a reason that Gonzalez is a former first-round pick and he will be a starter once again for the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The MJD Burnout Factor
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There is not doubt that Maurice Jones-Drew is the focal point and main weapon of the Jags' offense, but there is also the issue of burnout too.
If the Jags continue to use Jones-Drew as much as they might, then he could get worn out toward the end of the season and that is why the Jags need to get both Greg Jones and Rashad Jennings a few more reps in 2010 just to keep Jones-Drew from burning out.
Kansas City Chiefs: Thomas Jones, the Old Man Who Can't Stop Running
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He may be 32 when the 2010 season begins, but Jones has shown no signs of slowing down and has broken the barrier when it comes to running back who hit the wall when they reach 30 years old.
Now with the Chiefs, Jones will team up with both Jamaal Charles, who ran for over 1,000 yards last year too and rookie Dexter McCluster to make up a very scary and versatile backfield.
Speed, power, and elusiveness are present in these three players and it will make defending against them very difficult for opposing teams.
Jones will still lead the way though because you cannot sit a veteran who has only played better as he gets older.
A quality usually found in quarterbacks is very rare in a running back.
Miami Dolphins: Ricky Williams Is Another Anomaly at RB
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Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin Becomes the Deadliest Weapon In the NFC
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Forget Brett Favre.
Forget Adrian Peterson.
Percy Harvin will become deadlier than both this season.
Whether he is lining up as a receiver, Wildcat quarterback, in the backfield, or returning kicks and punts, Harvin's value is in his explosiveness and his ability to be a decoy to opposing defenses as well.
New England Patriots: Beware Of Their Young Defense
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The Patriots' defense has been rebuilt and is young in most areas.
Just look at this list of all their young talent on defense:
Darius Butler, Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, and Brandon Merriweather as defensive backs.
Jermaine Cunningham at defensive end.
Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes at inside linebacker.
This is a great core of young talent to become a dominating defense very soon.
New Orleans Saints: Pressure Is on Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas
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With Mike Bell moving on via free agency that bulk of the carriers will be going to both Bush and Thomas now that the 650-plus yards Bell ran from in 2009 are no longer on the roster.
Unless another younger back steps up like Lynell Hamilton, both Bush and Thomas need to avoid the injury bug since their durability has been questioned in the past.
NY Giants: Brandon Jacobs Is Back
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There are many questions surrounding Jacobs and his ability to play at a high level, but when a running back is only 28 years old and 6'4" 264 pounds it is hard to go against a player with those measureables.
Look for Jacobs to run the ball many more times in 2010 and with his added weight, he may just be in more of a power role, but he will power through many defenders this season.
NY Jets: Too Many Egos For Rex Ryan To Control
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Head coach Ryan has a team full of egos from Braylon Edwards to Derrelle Revis to Mark Sanchez.
Whether he can control them all in the locker room remains to be seen, but fans will get a glimpse inside of the Jets' locker room on HBO's Hard Knocks.
This looks like too many big name players for one roster to handle and this could lead to doom for the hopes of all Jets fans.
Oakland Raiders: Jason Campbell Will Save Raider Nation
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Campbell got the raw deal in Washington having a different offensive coordinator every year and having to learn a new system, too.
Now in Oakland, Campbell should be able to settle in and not only save the franchise, but help the young receiver group grow into a bunch of playmakers for many years to come.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremy Maclin To Hit Sophomore Slump
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Many Eagles fans will argue this point, but somethings says that new quarterback Kevin Kolb may struggle which will really be the main cause of Maclin's sophomore slump.
If Kolb does not struggle, then look for Maclin to have a solid, but not break out year since it all depends on Kolb first and foremost.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Polamalu Should Be Injury-Free
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Back in 2007, Polamalu missed five games due to injury and came back in 2008 with a Pro Bowl season.
After missing 11 games in 2009 also due to injury, there is no reason that Polamalu shouldn't be able to come back this year and have another Pro Bowl caliber season.
The only issue is that Polamalu plays so hard on each and every play, that you cannot guarantee that he will avoid the injury bug again this year.
We can only cross our fingers because he is one of the most dominating defenders in the NFL when he is 100 percent healthy.
San Diego Chargers: Struggling Running Attack Will Hurt Philip Rivers
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The Chargers are putting the running game square on the shoulders of rookie running back Ryan Mathews.
Yes, Darren Sproles will get carries too, but Mathews will get the bulk of the load and IF Mathews struggles, then so to will quarterback Philips Rivers because opposing defenses can focus on covering the outside receivers while letting Mathews prove he can be a threat running the ball.
San Francisco 49ers: The Next Big Offensive Attack
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The Niners are on the verge of getting back to the NFL playoffs and many experts are predicting the team to take over in the NFC West with the retirement of Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.
A strong running game featuring Frank Gore, a passing attack that should see both Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis have huge seasons will have the Niners worrying defenses as to how to game plan for their various weapons at the skill positions.
Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas Will Be the Next Great Safety
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The Seahawks needed help in the back end of their defense and they were lucky enough to land Thomas, who is versatile enough to play both safety and cornerback.
But as a safety, Thomas will be able to be a ball-hawk the likes of Ed Reed and he will have many NFL quarterback throwing away from him rather than in his direction.
St. Louis Rams: Steven Jackson Is Still No. 1
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Jackson has been through the thick and thin the past three seasons with the Rams while the team only won a total of six games during that span, Jackson has been nearly an unstoppable force for the Rams' offense as the featured weapon on offense.
Defenses knew that Jackson would get the ball a lot, but still could not shut him down, especially in 2009 when he had for the third most total yards in the entire league.
With an offensive line that should be better in 2010, and with a new quarterback in Sam Bradford, in theory Jackson should not have to carry the entire offense, but he will for yet another season be their primary and most consistent weapon.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: New Defensive Line Will Be Good, Quick
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The Bucs needed to start rebuilding somewhere and they started on the defensive line with No. 3 overall pick Gerald McCoy and second round pick Brian Price both on the inside of the line, which will make a big difference when offense's try to run on the inside.
With both McCoy and Price stuffing the run, it should open up the rest of the defense to make plays and hopefully create turnovers.
Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson Will Not Be Stopped
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Johnson got a new deal that will keep him on the football field in 2010 and though many see his 2,000-plus performance in 2009 as a rare occurrence, there are others who think he could have a chance to beat Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record too.
He may not beat the record, but he still could have another run at 2,000 in 2010 seeing as how he is only in his third year in the league.
Washington Redskins: McNabb Helps Develop Both Thomas and Kelly
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Both Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly have disappointed the expectations of both the Redskins' front office and the expectations of the fans too.
Now with Donovan McNabb at the helm, he might be just what both Thomas and Kelly needed to get on track and produce at a higher level in the NFL.
Look for both of these two receivers to begin showing up on game days and making an impact in year three of each of their NFL careers.
Your Thoughts
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Any more thoughts and/or hypotheticals that you may have on your team or on another team?
If so, please feel free to participate in the discussion in the comments section below.
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