2010 NFL Prediction: Top 10 Players Who May Have a Sophomore Slump
The dreaded Sophomore Slump.
It is the elephant that is in the room for any second year player and even though it is not talked about around the locker room, training facility, sidelines, or where ever it is indeed a real thing.
Some players like Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson never see it, but then there are players like Steve Slaton who have hit the slump hard in year two.
Now the following is looking specifically at statistical performances and ranking the No. 10 most likely second year player who may hit the sophomore slump, to the No. 1 most likely to hit it this season.
No. 10: Brian Cushing, Linebacker, Houston Texans
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Cushing makes this list just for the fact that he will miss several games this season due to a suspension and this will hurt his stats.
He will have a tough time eclipsing his rookie stats not playing a full season.
No. 9: Chris Wells
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Wells came on really strong toward the end of 2009 and his future in the NFL as a running back looks very promising too.
But that was until former Cardinal Quarterback Kurt Warner announced his retirement from playing football.
That put all the pressure on both Wells and new starting quarterback Matt Leinart's shoulders.
Opposing defenses might just stack the box to prevent Wells from running the ball and force Leinart to make plays with his arm.
If this happens, and it most likely will, it may be a very long season for Wells in year two.
No. 8: Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, NY Jets
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It has been made public that Sanchez was held back in his rookie year, but now head coach Rex Ryan will open up the play book more for Sanchez and let him make more calls on the football field too.
Sanchez has a new weapon on the outside with Santonio Holmes, but there is that chance that he hits the slump and hits it hard.
Jets fans probably don't like to see this, but it is possible and even though Sanchez looks good on paper, he needs to transition that onto better play on the field too.
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No. 7: Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Denver Broncos
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Moreno may be still recovering from a hamstring injury, but his absence from training camp and practices does not bod well for him to improve on his 2009 rookie year.
Add on top of that the fact the Broncos do not have a premier receiver on the outside since they traded Brandon Marshall away.
This puts more pressure on Moreno to shoulder more responsibility on the offensive side of the ball and sometimes that added pressure can be the sole cause of a sophomore slump.
No. 6: Jeremy Maclin, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
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Do not think that since Maclin is on this list that he is not a talented receiver, he is but the real question of his success lies with the throwing arm of new Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.
If Kolb struggles, so will Maclin in year two.
No. 5: Brian Orakpo, Linebacker, Washington Redskins
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In Orakpo's rookie season, he had to learn a brand new defensive system.
Now in his second year, he has to learn a whole new defensive scheme since the Redskins are now one of the newest teams to adapt the 3-4 scheme into their team.
This change could really hurt Orakpo's productivity if he too cannot adapt to the new defensive scheme in 2010.
No. 4: Josh Freeman, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Bucs
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Freeman is without a doubt the starter going into the new season, but he has two rookie receivers in Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn that will be seeing many reps on the field and could hurt Freeman's game too if they cannot get open.
At least Freeman also has some veterans to throw to including Kellen Winslow Jr., Reggie Brown, and Michael Clayton to name just a few.
Freeman's development really does depend on the two new rookies though and if they cannot transition into the NFL this season, look for Freeman's number to suffer too.
No. 3: Mike Wallace, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Not only are there questions surrounding the Steelers' starting quarterback position due to Ben Roethlisberger's suspension, but Wallace has also moved up from being the No. 3 receiver to the No. 2 starting receiver on the depth chart.
No longer is Santonio Holmes a threat on the field since he was traded away and Wallace may feel some pressure as the teams' No. 2 in 2010.
No. 2: LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles
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McCoy went from the No. 2 back behind Brian Westbrook one season ago to the No. 1 back on the depth chart during this past offseason.
Couple that along with a new first-time starting quarterback in Kevin Kolb and defenses will be aggressive and challenge these young players to step up their games and maybe that pressure will be too much for McCoy to shoulder.
At least, he can share some of that pressure with newly acquired back Mike Bell from the Saints.
No. 1 Shonn Greene, Running Back, NY Jets
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Sorry Jets fans, but even though Greene broke out during the Jets' playoff run last season, he still does not have the threat of one Thomas Jones running the ball too.
That is no way to disrespect new Jet back LaDainian Tomlinson, but Jones was playing the best football of his career and the Jets just threw that away even though both Jones and Greene were great compliments to each other.
Now Greene is on top of the depth chart at running back with Tomlinson behind him, but all the pressure is on Greene now more so than at any time one year ago.
Agree, Disagree, Or Do You Have Another Suggestion?
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Many will accept this list, and many will not, but bottom line is that there is no sure way to predict these things and that is why it is just my opinion.
But I do want to hear what you have to say and if you have any other suggestions to this list that I may have left off.
Perhaps this guy should have made this list too.
Please comment below!
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