2011 NFL Predictions: 6-Pack of Studs on the Rebound

In some cases the injury bug strikes, in other cases a change in team can have a temporarily negative effect; sometimes a player simply has a down year. As is the case every NFL season, 2010 brought disappointment for a group of perennial studs.

But these guys are studs—for the purpose of this article, a stud is a player with a minimum three pro-bowl appearances.

Which six studs are primed to bounce back from a sub-par 2010?

Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Boldin is one of the toughest veterans in the NFL; he fractured his paranasal sinuses in 2008—his face—and returned in less than a month. 

So when the Ravens traded a third and fourth round pick for Boldin and a fifth rounder, it seemed as though the Ravens offense had found the final piece to the puzzle, the tough and savvy veteran receiver young quarterback Joe Flacco was missing. 

However, Boldin had career lows in catches and receiving yards for a season in which he played more than 12 games; playing 16 games in 2010, his numbers paled in comparison to his 2007-2008 stretch in which he played only 12 games both years.

Boldin isn't fully to blame; Donte Stallworth was never a consistent deep threat, Flacco and Boldin were still building chemistry, the Ravens offense went through stretches of stagnant play and Ray Rice averaged nearly a yard and a half less per carry--Boldin's season can be summed up by the highlight featured on his NFL.com profile.

2011 brings another chance for Boldin to prove his worth to the Ravens, and I think he will be in a better position for success; rookie Torrey Smith could be the vertical threat the offense has been missing and Tandon Doss is an all-around receiver that could fill the role of T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Boldin had a full offseason to work with Flacco and the Ravens' Super Bowl window may be closing; the tough-as-nails Boldin should once again emerge as an elite threat during Ray Lewis' final push for glory.  

Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets

Revis became such a force as a lockdown corner he earned the nickname "Revis Island" to describe his presence on the field; 64 passes defensed and 14 interceptions his first three seasons in the league.

After a breakout 2009 Revis held out going into training camp in 2010, signing a new deal just a week before the season.

Revis injured his hamstring in Week 2, played only 13 games, went without an interception and broke up 10 passes in 2010. Quite the drop in production from the season before, 31 pass breakups and six interceptions; in addition to zero starts missed his first three seasons. 

Revis heads into 2011 with no contract distractions and the continued expectations of becoming one of the greatest ever, at least according to head coach Rex Ryan. 

While the praise may be a bit premature, Ryan now has an injection of size and youth on the interior defensive line to help take the pressure off his lockdown corner; size that has been limited the past two seasons with the injuries to Kris Jenkins.

If Revis remains healthy during 2011 he should return to his ball-pillaging ways.  

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

For the average quarterback a 68.1 completion percentage, 4,600-plus yards and 33 touchdowns would be a career year; Brees is not the average quarterback.

His completion percentage is somewhat misleading given the Saints' lack of a consistent running game at times in 2010; furthermore, his yards per attempt and quarterback rating were his second lowest numbers in his five years in New Orleans, his 22 interceptions a career high and 25 sacks the most he's taken in New Orleans.

Interestingly enough, Brees' 2010 may have been predictable based on his previous play with the Saints. After the 2006 playoff run in Sean Payton's first year as coach, Brees endured perhaps his worst statistical season as a Saint in 2007; Brees' decline after the 2009 Super Bowl season is comparable to the decline from 2006-2007.

What is to come in 2011? For starters, the Saints' drafting of Mark Ingram suggests the team will have a physical presence in the running game once again, the former Heisman trophy winner sure to be a factor paired with Pierre Thomas. And as always, the Saints will have a bevy of weapons at receiver, not to mention emerging tight end Jimmy Graham.

Plus, Brees is heading into the final year of his deal and has presumably been motivated by the lockout, a key public figure in the proceedings; Brees is a stud to watch in 2011.   

Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

Simply put, Steve Smith had one of his most disappointing seasons as a pro in 2010; his lowest totals in receptions, yards and touchdowns, coupled with his second lowest in yards per catch, since he played only one game in 2004; his struggles suggested maybe there was more to Smith's poor play than just a decline in his skills.

After all, the Panthers did go 2-14 in 2010 with a rookie quarterback at the helm for the majority of the year; former All-Pro back DeAngelo Williams played only six games; All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers and former team leader Jake Delhomme played elsewhere in 2010. Rightfully so, Smith may have felt somewhat lost during 2010.

Smith put his home on the market after the 2010 season and speculation ran rampant that he wanted out of Carolina; whether or not that is the case, Smith has seemed a tad bit more receptive to the idea of staying in recent months, though no true indication has been given.

If Smith remains in Carolina for 2011, I would be surprised if he wasn't featured in a more prominent role. Cam Newton has the big arm and athleticism to pair with a tough running game; furthermore, the rookie quarterback hopes Smith remains with Carolina.

Even if the win-loss woes continue in Carolina, look for Smith to statistically rebound under the new regime. 

Wes Welker, WR, New England

Wes Welker had three straight 100-plus catch, 1,000-plus yard receiving campaigns after being traded to New England before the 2007 season for a second- and seventh-round pick.

However, at the end of year three (2009), Welker tore his ACL and MCL after a career high 123 catches; the dedicated Welker managed to play 15 games in 2010, but caught nearly 40 less balls and had 500 less yards receiving.

Naturally, Welker did not have full explosiveness in his first year back from a major knee injury. However, 2011 may hold a different fate for Welker.

The Patriots have infused youth into the roster at the running back position to help expand the short passing repertoire; Tom Brady showed a re-birth of passion in 2010 and looks primed to lead a young team towards another Lombardi.

The Patriots will have to lean on Welker early and often in 2011 if they hope to repeat as division champions, in an improving division; he should have two healthy legs at his disposal in 2011 and again be put in position to catch 100-plus passes for 1000-plus yards.     

Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Detroit Lions

Vanden Bosch is the wild card on this list; a three time Pro Bowler with three straight seasons of 4.5 or less sacks, and two seasons with 11 or less games played.

He signed a four year deal with Detroit before the 2010 season re-uniting with former Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, now the Lions head coach. 

Unfortunately, the change of scenery didn't help his performance; Vanden Bosch was placed on IR after 11 games in 2010, needing surgery on a herniated disk.

Now, Vanden Bosch feels healthy and is focused on having his best season ever, his working with teammates since the start of the lockout a sign of devotion towards 2011; the Lions drafted Nick Fairley to pair with Ndamukong Suh on the interior, in addition to Cliff Avril, Lawrence Jackson and Vanden Bosch on the outside.

Jim Schwartz recently nicknamed his newly fearsome defensive line "The Silver Crush."  Given his improved health and desire to win in 2011, Vanden Bosch is in position to resurrect his career playing with a young and talented group.