Mark Sanchez and NFL QBs Who Need a Breakout Season in 2011

Lots of NFL teams are counting on key players to have super seasons this fall. But with no position is that more true than at QB.

The following is five QBs who need to break out for their teams to get to where they want to go.

Usually, when people talk about a player having a "breakout season," they are usually referring to someone who is relatively unknown and has not yet had a great deal of success.

A few of these players have already put up some very good numbers; they just need to re-elevate their game. The others are still waiting for that season that puts them on the map as a great passer and field general.  

More than any other, the upcoming NFL season will be filled with both amazing and "awkward" performances.

The play of these signal-callers will most likely have a "make-or-break" impact on their teams' 2011 outcomes.

Chad Henne: Miami Dolphins

Chad Henne has been consistent in his first three years in the NFL....consistently mediocre.

In 32 games, Henne has thrown 27 TDs and 33 INTs. With Henne behind center, the Dolphins are 16-16 which is not bad.

Statistically, in 2010, he was in the middle of pack in terms of passing yards (No. 15 with 3,301 yds). But Miami was an inexplicable 1-7 at home last year.

His 75.4 QB rating in 2010 (No. 26) is a big concern. For the Dolphins to even be remotely competitive in the AFC East against the Pats and Jets, Henne has to improve.

Sam Bradford: St. Louis Rams

Yes, Sam Bradford had a very good rookie season (AP Offensive Rookie of the Year with the most completions by a rookie in NFL history), and he helped the Rams move from 1-15 to 7-9

So, you're thinking, "Sam Bradford? How in the world is he on this 'break out' list?" For St. Louis to take the next step, Bradford is going to have to take the next step.

His 3,512 yards (No. 12 in the league) puts him in the middle third of all starters, but Bradford's 76.5 QB rating (No. 25 in the league) was only two points better than Colt McCoy, who struggled most of the season.

He also threw 18 TDs/15 INTs and was sacked 34 times. Not great numbers.

If Bradford elevates his game, the Rams very well could win the NFC West. If he stays the same in Year 2, they will come up short.

Tony Romo: Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo had a rough 2010. He was injured early in the sixth game and was out for the remainder of the season. In those six games, the Cowboys were 1-5.

Up until that time, Romo had thrown 11 TDs and seven INTs. Not exactly setting the world on fire. If Romo is fully recovered from his broken left clavicle, then he will have a good chance to get back on track.

Still, the Cowboys don't need him to simply get back to where he was, they need him to move into the upper echelon of NFL QBs if they are going to be a playoff contender.

Donovan McNabb: Minnesota Vikings

Donovan McNabb is getting a fresh start taking over the QB role in Minnesota as things weren't working out so well for him in Washington in the Mike Shanahan era.

Last year, McNabb threw 14 TDs/15 INTs and 3,377 yards (No. 14 in the NFL; squarely in the middle of the league) and was sacked 37 times (No. 4 in the league).

The Vikings need McNabb to help them get things going again. Minnesota was No. 26 in passing yards per game (193.6) and No. 29 in scoring (only 17.6 ppg).

Mark Sanchez: New York Jets

The New York Jets are "right there." They have made it to the AFC title game the last two seasons with Mark Sanchez behind center. Mark Sanchez enters his third season in the NFL needing to step up.

In 31 regular season games in the league, Sanchez has thrown 29 TDs and 33 INTs. Last year, his yards per game average was 206 (No. 25 in the league), his QB rating was 75.3 (No. 27) and his completion percentage was 54.8 (No. 29).

Defensively, the Jets are tough as nails and dictate much of what happens in the game through toughness and pressure.

Offensively, the Jets rely on the run and had the No. 4 rushing attack in the league, so Sanchez doesn't have to put up big numbers; but he needs to be more accurate and cut down on the crippling turnovers. Period.