2011 NFL Predictions: Reggie Bush and 10 Players with the Most to Prove

As the years pass, it seems we, the fans, have more and more knowledge of NFL offseasons, the contracts and just the overall players themselves. Through social media, we can see when players are upset, angry or even happy because of Twitter or Facebook. 

One such player is Reggie Bush, who tweeted after the Saints picked up Mark Ingram in the draft that it had "been fun," talking about his probable leave from the Big Easy.

This is significant because this make players feel like there is a chip on their shoulders and they have something to prove. Now, not all are due to free agency or trades, but sometimes it is just the criticism of the fans and of the year before. 

There are quite a few players who have something to prove in 2011, but there are 10 who have more to prove than the rest. Here we go. 

Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins

Chad Henne has a lot to prove, especially after the tumultuous offseason the quarterback has had. The Broncos and Dolphins were said to have been in heated talks to trade Kyle Orton to South Beach, meaning Henne would have been a holding a clipboard.

Once those talks died, the Dolphins still had Henne to deal with. Fans at a recent scrimmage chanted, "We Want Orton," which cannot help the psyche of a quarterback, and it didn't. 

Henne admitted it hurt his feelings, and that obviously puts a huge chip on the kid's shoulder. Henne opens up with the New England Patriots this year, a tough task no matter who you are. He is going to have to step up in a big way this year and connect with Brandon Marshall if he wants to fall in the good graces of Miami fans.

Albert Haynesworth, New England Patriots

Everyone knows about the once-million dollar man; how he didn't want to play in certain schemes and how he just lies like a dead fish on certain plays. 

Albert Haynesworth was not motivated then.

Are you kidding me?! How does $100 million not motivate someone?

I am not denying he was the most dominant defensive player in the league a few years back, but now he is far from it. Bill Belichick took him in from the Redskins, but this will be by far his toughest task to turnaround. 

Haynesworth has a lot to prove this year if he wants to be taken seriously again in this league.

Donovan McNabb, Minnesota Vikings

Donovan McNabb and the Redskins did not work.

McNabb hits the jackpot in Minnesota though, with a whole new belt of weapons to work with that include Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Visanthe Shiancoe, etc. 

McNabb does have a lot to prove and not a lot of room for error, else Christian Ponder will come in and assume the position. McNabb has the parts around him to win, but he is going to have to prove he still can win. 

Plaxico Burress, New York Jets

Plaxico Burress has been in jail for two years and away from football for what seems like even longer, but it seems he has found redemption in New York. 

Do not think the Jets will keep him the whole year if he doesn't produce, though. The Jets have been to the AFC Championship game two years in a row and feel, like others, that this year is theirs. Burress has a lot to prove at 34 years old, like if he can still run with the young guns and make plays the way he did when he won the Super Bowl with the Giants. 

It took Mike Vick a year to make a splash again, though he is younger, but Burress may not have that kind of time, so he better get to work.

Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions

The Lions are rebuilding and years away from the Matt Millen debacle, but now Detroit is hoping another Matt can stand the test of time and deliver for the Detroit Lions. 

Matt Stafford has shown flashes of how good his potential can be, but he has been injured for a good portion of his career and unable to lead the Lions back to the playoffs. 

Stafford has the weapons and youth head coach Jim Schwartz has instilled through draft picks and free agency, both on offense and defense. Stafford has a lot to prove this year to show to his fans and doubters that the Detroit Lions can be a a dangerous team on a weekly basis. 

Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals gave up an arm and a leg to get quarterback Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles, and now all the pressure is on No. 4's arm. 

Kolb had a chance in Philly last year, but was unable to last a whole game after a concussion in Week 1 that kept him out of the lineup and eventually off the team. Kolb has a lot to show this year after the contract he was given and the value given up to get him. 

He better become friends with Larry Fitzgerald if he wants to prove he can be the Cardinals' leader and finally be the next Kurt Warner fans have been looking for. 

Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos

Kyle Orton was on the trading block, now he is not. The Broncos and their fans were all smiles when Orton was on the trading block, not because they do not like him, but because it was the thought that Tim Tebow would finally be the savior in Denver. 

Orton has had a career-high past two years throwing 41 touchdowns for the Broncos. Even though it was in a pass-happy offense with Josh McDaniels, that is still an impressive stat. Orton has to prove he can play efficiently in a John Fox offense, otherwise here comes Tebow.

The first bad game Orton has, expect to see Tebow in action (see: The quarterback carousel in Carolina last year). 

Braylon Edwards, San Francisco 49ers

Braylon Edwards was the outcast for the Jets in the offseason, especially after Santonio Holmes got the big contract and Edwards did not. He wanted the money that he felt he earned,—just as much as Holmes—but the Jets would not do it. 

Edwards finally found a home in San Francisco with a one-year contract, so hopefully he gets a fat contract next year with a relevant team. Edwards has the most to prove this season if he wants to truly get paid the money he feels he deserves. 

Expect him to be snagging all the balls from Alex Smith this year, if Smith can get them there. 

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo is the one quarterback who has the most to prove on a team that is losing patience with every day that passes.

Last year was supposed to be the year with the Super Bowl in Dallas and Jerry Jones being Jerry Jones. 

Romo has been given the tough rap ever since that botched snap he had in the playoffs a few years ago cost the 'Boys. He has not been able to deliver in recent memory when it counts, and breaking his collarbone last year did not help the situation.

Head coach Jason Garrett is hoping that after years as the offensive coordinator, he and Romo can combine and produce an efficient offense. Romo needs to prove that he, along with the 'Boys, are a force to be reckoned with when it matters—the playoffs.

Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

Reggie Bush wants to prove he can be a feature back for the Miami Dolphins, who just lost Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to free agency. Bush knew his time was up with the addition of Mark Ingram to the backfield, and he expressed his dismay via Twitter. 

Bush wants to be an every-down back, something he was not in New Orleans with the already-crowded backfield. He was due an absurd amount of money as a third-down back and punt/kick returner. Now he may be able to earn or show he deserves that kind of money to be an every-down back in the NFL.

Durability may be an issue, but that is what Bush will have to prove this year, and it's why he is one of the players who has the most to prove.