The NFL's Biggest Busts in 2007

This NFL season has been full of disappointment from players who failed to live up to their expectations.

In no particular order, here is a look at some of this year's biggest duds....

1. Larry Johnson (Kansas City Chiefs)

Johnson was the second best running back last season behind LaDainian Tomlinson.

LJ rushed for 1,789 yards and 17 touchdowns, and his team made the playoffs.

He also led the league in carries last year with 416. 

This season has been nothing like that.

Although LJ has been hobbled by an ankle injury the last few weeks, he had only rushed for 559 yards and three touchdowns prior to his injury.

2. Phillip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)

For a moment, it looked as if Chargers fans didn't have to worry about losing Drew Brees because of Rivers' breakout season last year. 

As a first-year starter for San Diego in 2006, Rivers helped lead his team to a 14-2 record, throwing 22 touchdowns and only nine interceptions.

In 2007, he has already surpassed last year's interception total, throwing twleve so far this year.

The loss of former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has been a huge part of Phillips downward slide.

3. Shaun Alexander (Seattle Seahawks)

This is the second year in a row that Alexander has been a bust.

After rushing for a then all-time record 27 touchdowns in 2005, Alexander has been looking like an old man on the field since.

He went from 27 TD's in 2005, to only 7 in 2006.

This year, he has only rushed for two touchdowns, and has only played eight games due to injury.

When he's at full strength the Seahawks are automatic contenders to win the pathetic NFC West.

4. Thomas Jones (New York Jets)

Jones was one of the biggest offseason acquisitions, but since coming to New York in a trade via Chicago, he has been a big disappointment.

Jones rushed for over 1,000 yards last year, along with six touchdowns helping the Chicago Bears make it to the Super Bowl.

Jones is a hard, tough, physical runner but it simply has been there this year.

His stat line so far: No touchdowns and only 763 yards rushing.

5. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams)

Jack broke out for 13 touchdowns and 1,528 yards last year.

He was one of the top five running backs last year, but this year he has been a bust.

Only three touchdowns and 532 yards, and significant time missed due to injury.

 6. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers)

When it comes to Gore the touchdowns haven't been the factor, it has been mainly his rushing yards.

Before last week's game against Arizona, Gore ony had three touchdowns—but now has five.

He had a breakout last year when he rushed for 1,695 yards and eight TD's.

Only 655 rushing yards so far this year.

7. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers)

The reigning MVP is not having a good season—especially if you compare it to last season's record breaking year.

LT is coming off a 28 touchdown season—an new NFL record—and along the way he rushed for 1,815 yards.

While his team has been inconsistent and not living up to their lofty off-season hype, he has rushed for 872 yards and nine touchdowns.

8. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers)

As a Charlotte native and after watching him live several times, I can personally tell you that Smith is definitely struggling this year.

Only 637 receiving yards compared to 1,166 he had last season.

Since his quarterback Jake Delhomme went down, the Panthers' offense has been non-existent—and no one has been affected more than the speedy wide receiver.

Smith was Delhomme's main target, and without him Smith fails to get involved.  

9. Chad Johnson ( Cincinnati Bengals)

Prior to his 3 touchdown performance against Tennessee, Ocho Cinco had only been in the endzone three times.

He had seven touchdowns last season, and now has six for the year.

How is that a disappointment you say?

It's not really if you think about it—but he has gone through many games this year in which he was practically invisible and has been out-shined by T.J. Houshmanzadeh.

 10. Warrick Dunn (Atlanta Falcons)

Maybe it's because of the departure of quarterback Michael Vick, but he hasn't played with the same enthusiasm as he would if Vick were there.

Last season Dunn and Vick became the first quarterback and running back tandem to rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season.

After rushing for over 1,000 yards the past three seasons, he has only rushed for 583 and his Falcons are terrible.

This is year his 12th season so age might also play a factor in his limited production.

11. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)

Brees and his team as a whole have been a disappointment this year.

After last year's magical year to the NFC Championship, Brees got off to a terrible start after majority of observers picked his Saints to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl.