2011 NFL Season: 32 Wild Predictions That Will Knock Your Socks Off
The 2011 NFL season should and will begin with a compelling offseason of trades, free agency, and of course draft hype.
There are questions for every team out there from the lowliest of the lows like Carolina, Denver and Cincinnati, to the most successful clubs out there like the Patriots, Steelers, Jets and Packers.
Rather than tell you things that are terribly obvious (like the Colts will re-sign Peyton Manning, or the Titans will unload Vince Young), we have some out-of-the-box, shocking predictions for an offseason that will be exciting from start to finish.
No. 32: There Won’t Be a Lockout!
1 of 32
Things look bad right now. A meeting between the two sides was canceled and earlier reports stated the negotiations were not going well.
And since we’ve already crossed over into the offseason, there has to be a feeling of apprehension for both sides and the fans.
But Roger Goodell knows that his reputation is on the line, as is DeMaurice Smith's. And since the owners don’t want to lose hundreds of millions (don’t be fooled by whatever “war chest” they have stockpiled.....they have more to lose by a lockout than anyone) they’ll work for an agreement.
It will take a while and we’ll hit July without a resolution, but near the start of training camp, a deal will be reached.
No. 31: Chad Henne Will Redeem Himself in Miami
2 of 32
There seems to all kinds of heated debate on the quarterback situation in Miami. Some people want Chad Henne (the Chad Henne who was 5-of-18 against the Jets and 6-of-16 against the Patriots) out, no matter who would be his replacement.
And others want Henne (the Chad Henne who completed 33 passses against Buffalo and threw for 363 yards in the Week 3 near-win over the Jets) think Henne can be the franchise quarterback he seems to be.
He’s only 25 years old and if Ronnie Brown leaves via free agency, Henne will have to step up as the leader of that offense. In that scenario, he’ll gain a great deal of respect from his teammates and that should translate to wins for the Fins.
No. 30: The Redskins Keep Donovan McNabb
3 of 32
Donovan McNabb is a team player and although Mike Shanahan and the entire Washington front office embarrassed him publicly, those fences can be mended.
Rex Grossman is a free agent and as much as Shanahan seemed to like him, the question remains: Does Shanahan like him enough to risk his job by throwing all his support (and Daniel Snider’s money) at Grossman for a long-term, multi-million dollar deal?
Seems unlikely.
From McNabb’s perspective, finding a new team to start all over again doesn’t sound very appealing. And if he stays with the Skins, he’ll have two more chances to show up the Eagles and Andy Reid.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 29: Neither Big-Play Jets Receiver Returns in 2011
4 of 32
The Jets spent a ton of money last year on big-name, high-profile free agents or big-name, high-profile trades: LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, etc. And where did it get them—absolutely no further then they got a year before.
This offseason, they’ll take a minimalist approach. They’ll choose not to bring back Cromartie (although they’ll make a push for Nnamdi Asomugha) and won’t break the bank for Holmes or Braylon Edwards.
Yes, they’d like to have one, if not both players, return. But both have found themselves in legal trouble the past year.
And on a team that is routinely in the news for “scandals” (Mark Sanchez, Rex Ryan’s feet, Brett Favre’s cell phone, the Ines Sainz controversy) they cannot afford to collect more baggage.
No. 28: Terrell Owens Doesn’t Sign with St. Louis
5 of 32
If you look past the problems T.O. has had and caused the past decade, he does seem to be a great fit in St. Louis. For one, he can mentor their young receivers on the roster and any rookie they select in April’s Draft.
Secondly, he does give Sam Bradford a bona fide weapon: Even if he’s not the T.O. of five years ago, he can still have an impact on the game
But do the Rams really want to gamble on a player who will be on his fourth team in four seasons?
He’s a better option than Randy Moss, but that’s not saying much.
Look for T.O. to land on a team that isn’t so young across the board.
No. 27: Dallas Keeps Roy Williams
6 of 32
With no salary cap, the Cowboys can afford to pay Williams, who is due over $5 million next season. They won’t be willing to pay that amount, but because he is willing to take a slight cut in pay, they’ll keep him.
That should be surprising from both sides’ perspecitives.
The Cowboys do not need him to be successful in the passing game. With Miles Austin and Dez Bryant on the outside, Jason Witten in the middle, and Felix Jones out of the backfield, Tony Romo has plenty of options.
And Williams, a seventh overall pick not that long ago, will have people telling him he is too good to take a pay cut.
But Jerry Jones' Cowboys without a salary cap? Like a kid in a candy store.
No. 26: The Vikings Let Sidney Rice Go
7 of 32
Minnesota would really like to be able to bring back Rice. And there are reports that they will give him the transition tag.
But that doesn’t guarantee his place in Minnesota in 2011.
Rice's durability throughout an entire season (and especially multiple seasons) is a question mark after his hip surgery in 2010. The Vikings might want to keep him for another year and see how it goes.
But there will be a few teams out there who look at what he did with a good quarterback in 2010 (83 catches, 1,312 yards, eight TDs) and his age (24) and consider him a steal.
Assuming the Vikes do tag him, any other team that offers him a multi-year deal can sign him, provided the Vikes don’t match.
In that situation, the money will be too high and the years too many for Minnesota to commit to him with the quarterback position so messy.
No. 25: The Pats Let BenJarvus Green-Ellis Go
8 of 32
In a perfect world, the Pats would like to have Green-Ellis. But they would have also like to have kept Richard Seymour, Asante Samuel and Deon Branch (the first time).
With question marks about Logan Mankins and Matt Light, Green-Ellis will just seem a luxury they again cannot afford. Green-Ellis became a pretty high-profile player during this season and that had to raise his stock considerably.
Danny Woodhead is not a feature back and won’t be able to pick up the slack. But because the Pats have two first-round picks, they could easily replace Green-Ellis with a Mikell Leshoure or perhaps even a Mark Ingram Jr.
No. 24: Mark Sanchez Has a Sit-Down with Roger Goodell
9 of 32
As far as we know, Mark Sanchez and his extracurricular activities haven’t broken any laws.
But neither did Ben Roethlisberger…as far as we know.
Now, the difference between what Roethlisberger was accused of and what Sanchez is being “accused of” is considerable.
But the NFL and its “code of conduct” policy isn’t about legal vs. illegal. Essentially, it's reserved for players who make bad decisions and put themselves, their team, and the league in a spot of questionable ethics or legality.
Sanchez did that. He won’t be suspended or fined or even publicly admonished by the NFL. But, behind closed doors, he’ll be given a Roethlisberger-like warning.
No. 23: Jason Campbell Is the Raiders' Opening Day Starter
10 of 32
The Raiders seem to always be in the market for a new starting quarterback. And this year isn’t an exception. Plenty of people see them going after Vince Young, who seems like the prototypical Al Davis excitement-first, production-second player.
And make no mistake about it, if Davis wants Young, he’ll get him and Hue Jackson will play him.
But for some reason, Davis sees Campbell as the 21st century version of Jim Plunkett and he won’t give up on the former Auburn Tiger yet, despite some terrible moments in 2010.
Campbell still has all the tools and will have no problem (again) beating out Bruce Gradkowski.
And because the Raiders do not have a first-round pick, there isn’t going to be a Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert or Ryan Mallett on the board when they choose.
No. 22: The Falcons Draft a Wide Receiver Early
11 of 32
The Falcons have gone down the late-first-round-wide-receiver road before. And it hasn’t had terribly immediate results: Roddy White was labeled a bust for two years, and Michael Jenkins hasn’t panned out at all.
But with Jenkins' production limited once again and Tony Gonzalez turning 35, they might need to look for alternatives.
It would be somewhat surprising if the Falcons, who had a very potent offense with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and White, but a sometimes shaky defense, spent their top choice on a receiver. But they could make a play and try to move up to get Julio Jones.
No. 21: Jacksonville Goes After Steve Smith
12 of 32
There have been repeated rumors about Steve Smith being shipped out of Carolina. And it really does make sense for both him and the team. Even though the Panthers are terribly thin at the position, they can get something decent in return for him and they should be going after one in the draft anyway.
And from Smith’s point of view, he’s never going to come close to a title in Carolina.
The Jaguars, on the other hand, have some pieces in place to at least make a playoff run. All they are really missing is a receiver to pick up the slack on the offensive side of the ball.
With Maurice Jones-Drew, Marcedes Lewis and a speedy player like Smith, David Garrard would be much more efficient.
No. 20: The Colts Don’t Go After a Free-Agent Running Back
13 of 32
The pairing of Peyton Manning with a stud running back like DeAngelo Williams may be a dream scenario in Indianapolis, but it doesn’t seem to make much sense.
The Colts are a passing team and as long as they are throwing tens of millions of dollars at Manning, they are going to remain one.
Williams would not touch the ball enough to warrant the huge contract he deserves. He wouldn’t be be enough of a factor in the passing game, either.
The Colts would be better off zeroing their attention on the defensive side of the ball and looking for a second-tier back in the open market like Brandon Jackson.
No. 19: The Chargers Don’t Bother Franchising Vincent Jackson
14 of 32
Jackson is big, talented and even in an extremely limited season put up some decent numbers. But he clearly doesn’t want to be in San Diego.
So why franchise him and keep him around for another season?
Philip Rivers is becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and he can excel without a big-name wideout, especially when he has Antonio Gates.
The last thing the Chargers need is another headache off the field. They will already be fielding “Will Norv Turner Be Fired Questions” as soon as they lose their first game in the fall, and just unloaded Shawne Merriman for being a problem.
There are plenty of decent options in the draft and the free-agent market.
No. 18: Cam Newton Is the First Quarterback Selected in the Draft
15 of 32
Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Mallett are the prototypical stand-in-the-pocket quarterbacks that plenty of teams want for the future.
And any team that grabs them will be lucky to have them.
But Cam Newton just has too much on his resume for a team in need of a quarterback to pass on him. He has Ben Roethlisberger’s size and escape ability. He has Vince Young’s mobility. And he has Drew Bledsoe’s release.
Not only that, he was the most scrutinized collegiate football player in 2010, both on and off the field. He handles the pressure great and actually played better while the spotlight was on him.
To a coach like Jim Harbaugh, that should be as important as any of his physical skills.
No. 17: Nnamdi Asomugha Re-Signs with the Raiders
16 of 32
Since it’s almost impossible to imagine Peyton Manning not back in Indianapolis and Michael Vick not back in Philadelphia, Asomugha will be the most sought-after prize in the free agency dash that begins this spring.
He might not be “the best” cornerback in the NFL, like people are hyping him. But he is a difference maker.
The Jets, Patriots, Giants and just about any contender with money to spend will want Asomugha.
But with Rod Woodson joining the coaching staff, he might not want to pass up a chance to learn from one of the greatest corners of all time. And since he’s California-born and raised, he might want to stay in Oakland and finish what he started.
Remember, he already re-signed with Oakland once.
No. 16: Plaxico Burress Has Several Suitors
17 of 32
Randy Moss and Terrell Owens seem to be personae non gratae this offseason. That doesn’t seem to be good news for a player like Burress, who was actually in prison recently, while Moss and Owens are just viewed as “troublemakers.”
But Burress is still a big target who succeeded in New York.
Teams will want to take a look at him, but his best destination would be a return trip to the Big Apple, with the Giants.
No. 15: The Bills Give Ryan Fitzpatrick a Long-Term Extension
18 of 32
The Bills have been desperately searching for Jim Kelly’s heir apparent, and they’ve repeatedly struck out with Rob Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, J.P. Losman and Trent Edwards.
And no one will confuse Fitzpatrick with Kelly, or a Peyton Manning or a Tom Brady.
But he had some big moments and engineered some impressive wins and near-wins in the 2010 season.
The team needs some consistency, and heading back into training camp without Fitzpatrick’s 2012 free agency looming over their heads would solidify a foundation in Buffalo.
No. 14: Bill Parcell's Name Pops Up Again
19 of 32
No matter how many times he retires or resigns, Bill Parcells will always be mentioned as a possible savior for teams in need of franchise overhaul.
And within weeks of leaving his post in Miami, he was brought to San Francisco as a consultant on the team’s future.
The Parcells “itch” is as famous as any in football. He’s taken his “last job” so many times, that is seems unlikely that the semi-successful Dolphins gig will be his last. He is only 69 and can still run a team from the front office.
No. 13: The Browns Don’t Extend Peyton Hillis
20 of 32
The Browns' biggest star this year was Peyton Hills. And with good reason. Not only did he rush for nearly 1,200 yards, but he caught 61 passes for another 477.
He’s only 25 and a budding superstar, but the Browns will be cautious in locking him up long-term.
Hillis absorbed so much abuse this year that there has to be some concern about his longevity and being the classic “one-hit wonder” running back that we’ve seen in the NFL before.
He becomes a free agent after 2011, so if they don’t give him a deal soon, expect this to be his last year in Cleveland.
No. 12: Defensive Linemen Don’t Dominate the Draft’s First Day
21 of 32
While 1983 and 1999 were each the “Year of the Quarterback,” it would be fair to say that 2011 is the “Year of the D-Lineman.”
Da’Quan Bowers, Nick Fairley, Robert Quinn and Marcell Dareus are all being mentioned as “can’t-miss prospects.” And they should be top players taken. But teams will be leery of grabbing a remaining defensive lineman outside of the Top 10.
That could cost players like Cal’s Cameron Jordan, Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward, Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn, Illinois Corey Liuget and others to fall a few places.
Any time a team takes the fourth or fifth players at a specific position, it can be seen, right or wrong, as reaching.
No. 11: The Packers Misfire on the Running Back Position
22 of 32
The Super Bowl champions are in a very interesting spot this offseason.
James Starks had a great playoff game against the Eagles, but there’s no guarantee he can be the every-down back they need. He missed a good chunk of the season with a hamstring injury and missed all of his senior season at Buffalo with a shoulder injury.
They will have Ryan Grant returning from his ankle injury. But who knows how effective he’ll be. Some will be fond of saying “they won the Super Bowl without him” when he becomes a free agent after 2011.
Brandon Jackson, who people forget did a nice job as replacement early in the season, is a free agent this spring. He would seem to be the odd man out since he is the only one of the three not under contract for 2011. But it would be a mistake to let him walk.
He isn’t going to ask for or garner DeAngelo Williams or even BenJarvus Green-Ellis money. So they should pay him.
Jackson is an effective pass catcher and the Packers' question marks at running back would be better solved with three good options, instead of two.
No. 10: Tim Tebow Becomes the Broncos' Incumbent Starter
23 of 32
Tebow showed promise in his brief reign as the Broncos' man in charge during late December.
And a year of offseason work will work to his benefit. So will the fact that both he and Kyle Orton will be starting from scratch with a new playbook and a new offense.
But John Fox has a honeymoon period in Denver now and with pressure from the front office to play Tebow, he will get more opportunities than he would have in Josh McDaniels contract year.
And since there are absolutely no playoff expectations for the 2011 Broncos, unlike last year, look for Tebow to be the Day One starter. After that, who knows?
No. 9: Randy Moss Is Unemployed
24 of 32
Just last year, Moss came into Patriots training camp on the heels of a third straight incredible season in New England.
But after his triple fiasco in New England, Minnesota and Tennessee, he will be one of the least sought-after free agents on the 2011 market.
He just turned 34 and blew all the good will he built up for his reputation during his 2007-09 run with the Patriots.
Much like Terrell Owens did last year, he will find himself without a job by late July. But unlike T.O., a desperate team won’t take a chance on him...until a team loses a starting wide receiver to injury in the preseason.
No. 8: Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas Are Out in New Orleans
25 of 32
Recent reports suggest that the Saints will try to coerce Bush into taking a pay cut in 2011, a year he is scheduled to make nearly $12 million.
He clearly isn’t worth that type of money, and although he is still a big name and would attract attention from teams if he were cut loose, that won’t keep the Saints from doing so.
Even if he had become the same type of dynamic player he was at USC, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy (missing 22 games the last four seasons) and his production has diminished every year.
Not only that, but the Saints have to consider whether or not they want to re-sign Pierre Thomas, who is going to be on the mend from ankle surgery.
With all those uncertainties, they are better off starting from scratch and making a run at a more reliable player in free agency or perhaps drafting a running back in the late first round.
No. 7: LaMarr Woodley Will Sign a Long-Term Deal in Pittsburgh
26 of 32
Reports indicate that the Steelers will franchise Woodley, keeping him from hitting the open market. But the Steelers are savvy when it comes to these issues.
And biting the bullet and giving him a long term deal instead of the franchise tag would be a smarter move. If they franchise him, Woodley could earn around $10 million next year.
But if they are going to pay him $10 million for one season, why not pay the 24-year-old a comparable price to guarantee his stay for four or five years.
The last thing Pittsburgh wants to do is let a good, borderline great, player leave that defense. At the start of next season, Troy Polamalu will be 30, James Harrison and Brett Kiesel will be 33, Casey Hampton 34, and James Farrior 36.
Locking up Woodley masks some of those concerns, and since he’s been a big producer in the playoffs, the Steelers will begrudgingly open up their wallets.
No. 6: The Colts Draft a Quarterback
27 of 32
Relax, this isn’t to “replace” Peyton Manning, who is a free agent.
The club will re-sign their franchise.
Still, it is time to start to search for an heir apparent. Curtis Painter has a shot at that gig, but they need to keep their eye out for someone in this year’s draft as well.
Not in the first round, or even the second round.
But if a “winner” like Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick is available, the Colts should go for him.
No. 5: Vince Young Lands in Arizona
28 of 32
The Cardinals missed on one quarterback in the 2006 NFL Draft, selecting Matt Leinart with the 10th pick. This year, they’ll have an opportunity for a re-do.
Vince Young is available to any team that wants the gamble and if there is a team that needs to take a high-risk, high-reward gamble, it’s the Cardinals.
They have Max Hall and John Skelton as “projects,” but Derek Anderson is clearly not the present. Young can step in and contribute with both his legs and his arm, even if he isn’t a long-term solution.
The Cardinals have to do something this offseason to keep Larry Fitzgerald happy, and spending their first-round pick on a quarterback won’t make them better this year, especially if it is on Cam Newton.
The questions about Young’s coachability are valid, but a change of scenery can be the cure. After all, Whisenhunt resurrected Kurt Warner’s career, and Young has a similar quick release.
No. 4: Kevin Kolb Stays in Philadelphia
29 of 32
As great as Michael Vick was in 2010, a repeat performance just doesn’t seem likely. He struggled a bit towards the end of the season, against Chicago, Minnesota, and parts of the playoff loss to Green Bay.
Worse off, his durability is a major issue. He was injured at three different times during the season. That likely won’t change with his aggressive, reckless running style.
Having Kolb on their roster assures them a great contingency plan. He may not be as dynamic a runner or as effective a deep passer as Vick, but Kolb can certainly get the ball to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. To part with him for a third- or fourth-round pick just isn’t worth it.
No. 3: Carson Palmer Stays in Cincinnati
30 of 32
Right now, all the buzz is over Carson Palmer arranging a departure from Cincinnati.
But calmer heads will prevail. Palmer is the face of that franchise and commands a great deal of respect. Dumping him, to the 49ers or whoever else is atop the rumor list, won’t resolve the problems in Cincinnati.
Furthermore, if Marvin Lewis is on a one-year leash with the Bengals, starting over with a new quarterback or, worse yet, a rookie quarterback is not ideal.
Maybe after next year, Palmer will be on his way out, but not in 2011.
No. 2: The Eagles and Michael Vick Don’t Reach a Long-Term Deal
31 of 32
This goes hand-in-hand with number four on this list.
The Eagles have too much talent on offense, and too much of a win-now mentality, to risk their 2011 season on the shaky health of Michael Vick.
When he’s on the field, Vick is the league’s most dynamic and multi-talented player. But he showed considerable wear and tear in 2010. He’s only played 16 games once in his career and turns 31 this summer.
They are wise to franchise him, and assure him for another season. But two years' plays are a better gauge than just one. There’s no reason they cannot extend him later in the 2011 season.
After all, any team other than the Eagles will have second thoughts about bringing in Vick because of the negative PR it will garner.
No. 1: Brett Favre Stays Retired!
32 of 32
Can’t we all hope so?
With the Jenn Sterger scandal, the injuries, his poor play, and the regime change in Minnesota it just doesn’t seem likely he'll be back.
Although we’ve all thought that before.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")