NFL 2011: 15 Big Guys Whose Weight Will Balloon Without Offseason Team Workouts

There is no question that the NFL lockout affects more than just the players livelihood. Don't think for a minute that the average NFL hasn't grown accustomed to their yearly schedule of the NFL. From the media interviews after the season, to the week to week grind of the season itself, these players have found that live in the NFL is a constant thing.

So what happens when the expired CBA prevents off-season workouts? There are some guys who are sure to hit the gym hard(I'm thinking Vernon Davis and Larry Fitzgerald) to keep themselves in prime football shape. But there are plenty of others who count on those off-season workouts to get themselves in playing shape. 

So here's a look at 15 athletes who already have some weight issues and could go from dumbbells to Ding-Dong's in the midst of an NFL lockout. 

15. Mike Tolbert, RB San Diego Chargers

Despite Tolbert's attempts to achieve that second burst through the drive thru at Wendy's, the reality is he gets it through his mandatory workouts with the Chargers. 

Listed as 243 pounds packed into a 5' 9" frame is asking a lot for him to sit around for six months while the owners and the NFLPA determine an 18 game schedule. Tolbert would be best off hitting the treadmill during the lockout, but he's more than likely to keep eyeing those frosties. 

14. Cedric Benson, RB Free Agent

Benson has experienced a renaissance during his time in Cincinnati, now that he's looking for employment, possibly with the Bengals again, he'll need to be in tip top shape.

The problem with that is Benson is not the biggest workaholic you'll find. He walked out during a Bears pre-season game. He was unhappy with his role in the offense last season. Translation? Benson is easily displeased.

So how's he going to like sitting on his behind for six months without any money coming in and no word on any team trying to sign him?

The lockout better be resolved quickly or Benson is likely to more time enjoying the fat life, than enjoying a gym.  

13. Phil Taylor, NT Potential First Round Pick

So how worried with NFL teams be when they think about drafting Phil Taylor. He's a talented nose tackle with conditioning issues who could be spending the first five months of his NFL life without any condition from the teams Strength and Conditioning coaches, or their team doctor? 

You'd have to assume that makes them a little skiddish. There's nothing quite like watching your top pick gorge himself on Doritos, as you pray for the slim chance he remembers that Bally's IS open daily. 

Ah, you have to love the discipline of NFL players. 

12. Michael Bush, RB Oakland Raiders

Nothing will derail the offseason workout program of an NFL athlete quicker than an arrest. In February Michael Bush was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. 

So the Raiders have a potential booze hound with legal troubles and a lot of time on his hands. That should move him right to the front of the Oakland team photo.

This incident could be the boot in the rear end that Bush needs to stay committed to football even if the Owners and the NFLPA aren't. Or, it could be just what he needs to remain even more stagnant. Let's hope it's the former. 

11. Terrance Cody, NT Baltimore Ravens

I know what you are going to say "Can a lockout really hurt a guy this big anymore than he has already hurt himself?"

The answer is yes. A guy of Cody's size needs all the physical activity he can get. These guys don't think much about their diet and they rely on these offseason workouts to get them where they need to be. Spending months without a mandatory workout isn't guaranteed to put Cody in the mood to do wind sprints. 

10. Sebastian Janikowski, K Oakland Raiders

Okay, this one is a little bit of stretch, because as long as Janikowski can move his leg the Raiders don't care much about the rest of him. However, Janikowski has seen lighter days and spending months on his couch, presumably eating only the finest food his $10 million contract can afford, it's likely he'll get heavier. 

At some point that leg gets harder to move and there is nothing more sad than a kicker who can't move his leg. 

9. Pat Williams, DT Minnesota Vikings

Clearly the current off-season condition schedule hasn't managed to put Pat Williams into a healthy weight. It's to the point that the "Wall of Williams" can now just be the "Wall of Pat." 

So, when you give a guy that size time to do nothing, and with no consequences for sitting around, what's the likelihood he's going to become a fixture at the local Applebee's? 

You know just like I do that Pat Williams needs a return to football for his health. 

8. Ricky Williams, RB Free Agent

Now is the time for everyone to insert their pot and munchies joke, but the reality is that Ricky's weight fear has very little to do with the Dank Cheeba (thank you Urban Dictionary).

The truth is that Ricky is just a guy who isn't controlled by football so he probably counts on these off-season workouts to keep his head on straight. However, without football in the picture he's likely to forget about it completely. 

My guess is that the longer the Lockout takes the more likely he's going to sign to the team with the best buffet. 

7. B.J. Raji NT, Green Bay Packers

There's no doubt the player that has been nicknamed "The Freezer" has been enjoying the spoils of Super Bowl victory. The offseason of a champion is filled with memorable experiences and a lot of green room food. 

So, what will Raji do when he's got months longer to extend his new found celebrity? One would hope he'd attack the weight room, but we all know it's easier to attack the frozen food section of your local grocer. 

6. Michael Turner, RB Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner has had issues with his conditioning the past, so there should be concern from the Atlanta brass that he stays in shape during the offseason. 

What Turner needs is a good reason to stay in shape even when football isn't being played. His reasoning? How about that the Falcons will clearly be contenders for the NFC title this season and he's got a franchise quarterback that should continue to allow him to rack up big numbers. 

Let's hope Turner keeps his commitment. 

5. Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh Steelers

Okay, everyone is waiting for a cheap rape joke right about now. Or they are waiting for a fat head joke. Well, his head is the size of a small country, but that has nothing to do with his weight concerns. 

You know what does? Women. 

The once party hard QB has gone the straight and narrow and found himself a woman to marry. The nuptials are planned for the summer. 

Ask any married man you know and they will tell you they gained more weight after the wedding. I don't care that his job is to keep himself in shape. Married=weight gain and that's the bottom line.

Ben better hope for quick return to workouts because the happy husband won't be shedding any pounds until then. 

4. Andre Smith, OT Cincinnati Bengals

It goes without saying that Andre Smith is a big guy, but instead of poking innocent fun at him, let's take a second to really examine just how big he is. 

He's listed at 345 pounds. There is nothing about Andre Smith that's in good shape. The fact is that these lineman are often morbidly obese and a prolonged period without football could put these guys in a bind.

Do they attempt to lose weight and risk being undersized? 

Probably not, instead a disappointment like Andre Smith does nothing because it's better than making matters worse by losing weight, right? 

3. Donovan McNabb, QB Washington Redskin

McNabb, with the full complement of an offseason program, lacked the conditioning needed to get the two minute drill done correctly.

Just because a guy doesn't meet the definition of "fat" doesn't mean he can't be out of shape. The knock on McNabb from Mike Shanahan was very similar to those that thought McNabb got a little tired at the end of his lone Super Bowl appearance.

Assuming the Redskins can't find an appropriate suitor for McNabb and he's stuck knowing that he's trapped on a team with a coach who doesn't want him it could be ugly for him.

McNabb might find himself with even less motivation to workout and no contract mandated workouts to boot. Could be a very fattening lockout for No. 5.  

2. Albert Haynesworth, DT Washington Redskins

It's clear Albert Haynesworth would rather cry about the 3-4 scheme than do a 40 yard dash. Albert couldn't even pass a conditioning test upon arrival at the Redskins training camp. 

It's clear that Haynesworth has a lot better things to do in the offseason than workout. Like sample everything on the Culver's menu...twice...in the same day. 

So what's going to happen when he, like McNabb, finds himself stuck on a team he hates and with no desire to play? Who thinks he's going to lose 40 pounds and recommit himself to the game? 

Yeah, I don't think so either. 

1. Mike Williams, WR Seattle Seahawks

When Mike Williams heard there was going to be months without a scheduled workout, rumor has it he started shuttering like a recovery addict about to relapse. 

The last thing Mike Williams wants is to be thrown off his schedule that has saved his career. 

The Seahawks wide receiver is hoping the labor dispute ends sooner rather than later. Otherwise you might find Mike Williams back to his former, less attractive weight, and out of football for good.