NFL Preseason 2010: Five Veterans That Need to Prove Themselves

In the NFL, the offseason is just as intense as the regular season. In order to maintain your health and stability, players must endure practice, training and more practice. For others it's the season for renewing contracts and mental adjusting, so the transition won't be as hard.

Many newcomers surface our field this year (Miles Austin, Jamaal Charles, Dez Bryant) and that allows new talent to explode while the Vets have to play twice as hard just to keep their spot.

For those looking to stay on the starting roster, you better tighten up--offensively and defensively.

In that light, there are clearly a lot of players league-wide that have a lot to prove heading into the 2010 season.

Marshawn Lynch,Running Back, Buffalo Bills

Lynch entered the 2007 season as the starter running back for the Buffalo Bills. He made highlights scoring his first touchdown and being the first touchdown pass completed by a Bills non-quarterback since 1981.

With consecutive 1,000 yard seasons to begin his career in 2008; he quickly gained popularity and credibility in the NFL. In the two-year time frame, he would go on to score 16 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, his downfall was keeping up with the league’s personal conduct policy. Lynch was involved in several mishaps; being accused of sexual assault by former girlfriend, a hit-and-run accident where he hit a pedestrian and fled the scene, and being arrested and charged with felony possession of a firearm.

This resulted in Lynch on three years of probation, serving 80 hours of community service and for a three game suspension at the start of 2009 season. When he returned to the lineup last year, Lynch was ineffective, rushing for just 450 yards and two scores; he eventually lost his starting job to former understudy Fred Jackson.

Since then, Lynch refused to report to spring practices until mid-June, seeking a trade in the process

Roy Williams, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Williams is known for his hard hitting and tackling skills during running plays.

In 2008, Jerry Jones traded first, third, and sixth round picks to the Lions to maintain Williams services. However, the outcome wasn’t as expected. The league expected a dynamic duo and with Terrell Owens leaving the Cowboys it was a one of William’s weaker offensive season.

He caught just 19 passes in the first ten games with Dallas.
The 2009 season wasn’t his best, but he’s working hard enough to prove that he still belongs on the field. He scored seven touchdowns and caught 38 passes.

Though, he continued to give his best foot forward Williams was disappointed as he watched wide receiver Miles Austin (81 catches, 1,320 yards, 11 touchdowns) that year.
On March 5, 2009, the Cowboys released Williams, on his request.  

Marion Barber, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys selected Marion Barber in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

During the 2007 season, Barber's power running back style gave him the nickname Marion the Barbarian and he was the league leader in breaking tackles. Barber rushed 975 yards on 204 carries and 10 rushing touchdowns with a 4.8 yards-per-carry rushing average. He caught 44 passes for 282 yards and two touch downs.

At 5’11 ft and 218 lbs-- Barber is big, physical and can score touchdowns in the red zone.

What he lacks is speed and that is crucial for passing and making plays. That’s why Jerry Jones wants to see more from Barber.

He played six games in 2008 and injury problems (torn quadricep muscle) limited his playing time to just 14 games last season.

Thomas Jones,Running Back, Kansas Chiefs

After leaving the New Jersey Nets, joining the Kansas City Chiefs helped greatly improve his career.

Jones had his best season in 2008. Named the AFC's starting running back in the Pro Bowl, Jones scored 15 touchdowns, including two via receptions, and rushed for 1,312 yards to lead the AFC.

Jones will be given the starting job, but will share it with Jamaal Charles, a speedy back the Chiefs got out of Texas with a third round pick in 2008.
Charles broke out last year in limited action. He rushed for seven TDs and 5.9 yards per carry.

On December 3, 2009, Jones reached 1,068 rushing yards against the Buffalo Bills. This would mark the fifth consecutive season in which Jones has rushed for 1,000+ yards.

Honestly, I don’t think he will be as successful with the Kansas City chiefs as he did with the Jets, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Shawne Merriman, Linebacker, San Diego Chargers

Shawne Merriman

Like Marshawn Lynch, this guy had some of his business on “display” and the added injuries don’t help his game/reputation either. Shawne Merriman was drafted in the 1st round in the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland by the San Diego Chargers. He faced steroid accusations which helped prevent him from winning post season awards or earning a Pro Bowl invite (known as “Merriman Rule”).

Then in 2008 season, he tore his PCL and LCL and missed the entire season.

Upon returning a year later, he made headlines for his charges of battery involving an incident with Tila Tequila. Though, charges were dropped that impacted his season to follow.

In 2009 season, recovering from knee surgery Merriman only had four sacks.

Right now he is trying to find a contract that’ll give him time to work on his injuries before he return.