Tim Tebow and 15 Other Players Who Deserve a Shot in 2011
Tim Tebow finally got his first start Sunday for the Denver Broncos.
The former Heisman Trophy winner and Florida Gators quarterback completed eight of 16 passes for 138 yards with one touchdown in the Broncos' 39-23 loss to Oakland. He also had eight carries for 78 yards and a touchdown.
"You're playing against the biggest, strongest, fastest, but at the end of the day it's still playing football and so it wasn't extremely different," Tebow said.
Many had questioned Josh McDaniels and the team when they traded up to get Tebow in the first round. When he got his chance, though, Sunday he took it. Whether he'll be in the team's plans in 2011 remains unknown, especially since Denver is searching for a new head coach. But there are plenty of others like Tebow who deserve a chance to prove themselves and contribute.
Besides Tebow, here are 15 others who should get a chance to do way more in 2011:
16. RB Darren Sproles, San Diego
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Remember when it appeared Sproles was the future after San Diego parted ways with LaDainian Tomlinson? Well, Sproles is now a third option behind Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews, who was drafted with the 12th overall pick this year out of Fresno State. San Diego should keep utilizing Sproles, especially in the passing game, where he has the second most receptions on the team.
His ability as a return man also makes him valuable.
15. RB Anthony Dixon, 49ers
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San Francisco has its franchise back with Frank Gore, but it never hurts to build depth and have additional options in the backfield. Dixon is just a rookie, but he's rushed for 198 yards on 53 carries, and scored twice. He's also been used in the passing game as well.
Right now, San Francisco is leaning on Brian Westbrook, who is a proven veteran, but it makes more sense to develop Dixon if you're looking at the long term.
14. RB Ryan Torain, Washington
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Obviously, Clinton Portis is more talented, but he also is injury-prone. Torain leads the Redskins with 126 carries for 313 yards and three touchdowns. He's had three 100-yard games this year, including 24 carries for a season-high 172 yards against Tampa Bay.
Coach Mike Shanahan always had a stable of talented running backs at Denver, so don't be surprised if he does that here, but Torain should figure in much more for their future plans.
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13. QB Jimmy Clausen, Carolina
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Obviously when you're a lottery pick, you're a priority. But there has been plenty of talk that if the Panthers get the No. 1 pick in next year's NFL Draft that they would choose Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, thus kicking Clausen curbside after just one year.
It's crazy to consider, especially when he's had little protection and been sacked 26 times. You'd have to think any quarterback would struggle, no matter how talented they were, if they were tossed into his situation.
12. CB Bryan McCann, Dallas
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He has 14 tackles and one interception, but Dallas should enter next season knowing he will be a huge option in the return game. Dez Bryant is your No. 1 threat on punt returns, but McCann (pictured, No. 37) has been the specialist on kickoffs, with 17 returns for 391 yards (23.0 yard average).
Dallas has thought they had the answer before with Terence Newman and recently with Felix Jones, but McCann should put these questions to rest.
11. QB Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota
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With Brett Favre set to retire, Jackson should step in as the Vikings starter for the immediate future. It will be interesting to see if Minnesota retains interim head coach Leslie Frazier, but whoever is the coach will obviously need to look at drafting a franchise quarterback in next year's draft.
Unless it's someone with uncanny ability like Sam Bradford, Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco (who can step in immediately), that person will have to sit and be groomed. So it makes sense to give the reigns to Jackson until then.
10. RB Donald Brown, Indianapolis
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The Colts drafted Brown out of Connecticut, and might as well throw him into the fire in 2011. Indianapolis has had zero production from its ground game this year, and with Joseph Addai injured, Brown has had to take the load. He has 120 carries for 460 yards, highlighted by Sunday's 129 yards in a huge 34-24 win over Jacksonville.
If Indianapolis is smart, they make Brown the No. 1 option, draft another running back and then have Addai be the third back.
9. WR Jacoby Ford, Oakland
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The rookie has become a key option for the Raiders passing attack, and is their primary man on kickoff returns. Tom Cable has said he wasn't ready to let him handle punt returns, but why not give him the shot in 2011? He doesn't have to be the top option there too, but it certainly helps having playmakers out there who can make something happen.
Ford definitely qualifies.
8. RB Maurice Morris, Detroit
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The Lions drafted Jahvid Best as part of their future core with quarterback Matthew Stafford, but injuries happen and you certainly can't hurt your team when you have a reliable backup like Morris, who has 66 carries for 293 yards.
The nine-year vet from Oregon showed off his ability Sunday, finishing with 15 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown in Detroit's 23-20 overtime victory over Tampa Bay.
7. QB Rex Grossman, Washington
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The Redskins backup almost led his team to an improbable win over Dallas on Sunday. Grossman completed 25 of 43 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions.
Mike Shanahan is lucky to have him available. If Donovan McNabb isn't getting it done, Shanahan would be wise to give Grossman a shot.
6. RB Tashard Choice, Dallas
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The Dallas Cowboys for some reason have a very difficult time with this, so let's repeat what everyone knows: Marion Barber is not an effective starting running back.
Go with Felix Jones, use Choice as a change of pace back, then bring Barber in as a hammer.
5. QB Tim Tebow, Denver
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Why would you not utilize him in your offense? Is he a starter? That remains very debatable, but Pittsburgh (Kordell Stewart, Antwaan Randle El) and the New York Jets (Brad Smith) have provided a blueprint on how to use former college quarterbacks effectively in your offense and special teams.
Denver would be wise to learn from them.
4. WR Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh
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The Steelers have three great options already in Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Heath Miller, but Ben Roethlisberger should continue to throw to Sanders.
The rookie averages just over 13 yards a catch, and also is a threat on kickoff returns.
3. RB Mike Goodson, Carolina
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There are questions as to whether Jonathan Stewart will remain with the team. Whether he stays or goes, you've got to lean more on the second-year player from Texas A&M, who's rushed for 435 yards and three touchdowns.
2. RB Chris Ivory, New Orleans
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The Saints have had issues with their running attack all year, and since Reggie Bush has been injury-prone, that's allowed Ivory to get more playing time.
He's the team's leading rusher with 683 yards and five touchdowns, and would be a solid No. 1 back, with Bush sliding back into his role as more of a utility player.
1. WR Arrelious Benn, Tampa Bay
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If you saw glimpses of him in high school, or watched him in college at Illinois, you know he's a playmaker. The rookie has 379 yards receiving this year, but Raheem Morris would be wise to develop him and let him become the explosive player he's capable of being.
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