Best of 2007: Breakout Players, Part 1

2007 was a year to remember for many athletes. Instead of giving even more love to the best, why not look ahead to next year and show some appreciation for the breakout athletes?

Here is part one of a three part series on the best breakout players of the year.

NFL Candidates: Mario Williams, Braylon Edwards, Antonio Cromartie, Santonio Holmes

The Pick: Antonio Cromartie

Whether it's making acrobatic one handed interceptions or scoring the longest touchdown in NFL history, Antonio Cromartie loves to make a statement. So is it any surprise that he is the NFL's breakout player of the year?

Fellow 2006 draftee Mario Williams has certainly had an outstanding year, bouncing back from a tough rookie season. Not to mention Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, two receivers on two rival teams fighting for the AFC North and establishing themselves as true number one targets.

But out of all these number one picks, Cromartie has had the longest road.

Cromartie had a devastating knee injury that wiped out his entire junior year at Florida State. He was set to return and play for the Seminoles in 2006 until his mother was diagnosed with cancer. 

Despite the numerous things working against him, including only playing two years and only starting one game, Cromartie threw his name into the NFL Draft. The Chargers selected him 19th overall ignoring the fact he hadn't seen regular game action since the 2004 season.

Cromartie had a decent rookie year, playing a little backup corner and special teams. He also returned kicks towards the end of the season. Many draft experts regarded him as a project because of the lack of starting experience and ACL injury.

Cromartie started off 2007 still a backup. It wasn't until Week Six that he recorded his first interception of the year. He followed that game with two more picks, one being returned for a touchdown.

The next week Cromartie set a record that kept getting tied year after year with the likes of Devin Hester and Nathan Vasher. Cromartie topped them both with something you can't top.

Ryan Longwell's 57 yard field goal attempt fell just short, but was still in play, leaving enough room for Cromartie to pluck the ball before it hit out of bounds. Then he began to do something no one had ever done before.

His 109 yard return for a touchdown was Cromartie's arriving moment. It is a play that will live down in history as one of the most exciting returns ever. No one has ever done what he did, and according to him that wasn't even his most memorable play of his breakout year.

One week later in his first career start, Cromartie picked off Peyton Manning three times in the first half of the Sunday Night game. One of his three picks was a highlight reel snag with one hand.

Cromartie didn't stop there. He now sits atop the league leader board in both pass deflections (27), four ahead of the next in line, and interceptions (10), three ahead of second place.

Cromartie started out the first six weeks of the year as a backup cornerback. In Week 16 of the NFL season he is a pro bowl corner leading the league in the most important statistics for a defensive back. He has a record long return, three picks off the NFL's single season touchdown king (for now), and most importantly, a starting job.

Looking Ahead to 2008 

Who to watch in 2008 for the NFL?—How about Tampa Bay defensive end Gaines Adams?

A dynamic defensive player that has Buccaneer fans thinking of Simeon Rice reincarnated, Adams is coming on strong to end 2007. It can only mean that 2008 has better things in store for the Buc's Rookie. Adams took the reigns of a starting job in Week Nine and hasn't let go.

Tennis

The Pick: Jelena Jankovic

In a sport that is near and dear to my heart, I gained a new favorite athlete, quite unexpectedly.

Little did I know she just became the number three ranked tennis player on the women's circuit.

The Smilin' Serbian's arriving moment cannot be pinned. She had a magical year, despite the fact she didn't come home with the Wimbledon or US Open Trophies. Her performances left a lot of people wanting more.

Her quarterfinal match against Venus Williams was one of the best of 2007, going all three sets and then some.

This is just as much a "watch out" in 2008 as it is an "I've arrived" in 2007. Jankovic is on her way to the top and what better girl to do it? The only time you will find her not smiling is during a match, but even then it's tough to believe she isn't smiling on the inside, playing the game she loves. 

On Deck for Part 2: NBA, NHL, NASCAR