NFL Preview 2011: Something Every Team Can Look Forward to This Season [Part I]

Not every team could draft Cam Newton, sign Nnamdi Asomugha, or have had the preseason that the Patriots have had.

But, this season even Bengals fans should be excited.Every team has a player that will make games exciting from week one through week seventeen.

Let's take a look at the players that will keep fans of even the lowliest franchises watching this year.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals made two decisions this off-season that will dictate their style of play for the next few seasons. First, and foremost, they traded for quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Kolb is both young—he turned 27 this week—and talented. He had his ups and downs when filling in for an injured Michael Vick, but scouts say he has the intangibles and could become a great quarterback. Luckily this year, he will have the best target in the league in Larry Fitzgerald.

Mr. Fitzgerald recently signed an eight-year, $120 million dollar extension with Arizona. He is widely considered the best receiver in the game today and will make Kolb's transition smoother.

Arizona is banking on Kolb becoming the franchise quarterback with the help of his new teammate and target.

The Cards are hopeful that the Kolb-Fitzgerald connection will lead them deep into the playoffs this year, and who are we to doubt them?

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons fans will expect another divisional crown and another playoff appearance and Matt Ryan is the primary reason for these expectations.

At 26, Ryan has already thrown for over 10,000 yards and 66 touchdowns. In just his third year, Ryan had a quarterback rating of 91.0 and 28 touchdowns.

Many predict greatness for Ryan, as well as continued growth. After all, the league has witnessed a sharpened accuracy from Ryan each year, and this year should be no different.

If the Falcons want to get to the next level, the maturation of Matt Ryan is the key. 

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens may have lost trusty wide out Derrick Mason to the Jets, but they also acquired a human-highlight-machine in Lee Evans.

A former Buffalo Bill, Evans is nothing short of extremely entertaining. As a fervent Jets fan, I saw firsthand how dangerous Evans could be. Take a look for yourself. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sxkXH6gZ08)

Baltimore will appreciate the speed that Evans brings, especially when Evans and quarterback Joe Flacco begin to mesh.

Despite worries about the Ravens' offensive line, fans can rest assured that Evans will entertain this year in Baltimore. 

Buffalo Bills

Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman has had his share of issues and controversies in his career, but Bills fans should look forward to his punishing style of play this season.

If Merriman is healthy and stays out of trouble he could be a true force for the Buffalo defense. 

After all, Merriman is only 27 and should have enough left in the tank to,at least partially, resurrect his career.

There is little doubt that it will be a another cold, playoff-less winter in Buffalo, but hopefully Bills fans will be entertained by Merriman on the gridiron.

Carolina Panthers

Let's be honest. Did you expect to see someone else?

First overall pick Cam Newton should captivate the attention of the entire league, let alone the folks in North Carolina.

Newton is big, athletic, and charismatic. Carolina games will be nationally televised, if he starts.

Whether tall expectations reach higher than actual results is neither here nor there. Cam Newton will be a show for all.

Chicago Bears

True defensive play makers are few and far between. Julius Peppers is one.

Peppers has rare natural ability, and Bears fans hope he can continue to put it to good use.

In 2010, Peppers had over 50 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, and forced three fumbles. At the age of 30, he has proved that he still has a few dominant years left.

While Bears fans may wait for the occasional Devin Hester highlight, they should be paying attention to the man on the defensive line who makes things happenMr. Julius Peppers.  

Cincinnati Bengals

Losing longtime entertainer/wide receiver Chad Johnson may sting, but Bengals fans have a new reason to watch in 2011: A.J. Green.

Green was the top wide receiver in the draft and for good reason. His numbers were spectacular in his three seasons at Georgia and he ran a 4.48 (40 m dash) at the combine. 

Green has incredible speed for his height and good hands. He will develop into a good, potentially great, receiver.

Whether Green is consistent or not, he will still keep Bengals fans interested in football in 2011.

Cleveland Browns

Peyton Hillis was one of the most surprising players of 2010. Hillis rushed for over 1000 yards and proved that he belongs as a starting running back in the NFL.

The question is whether he can produce similar numbers in 2011 with a bigger target on his back. For instance, after running over the Ravens in week 3 (144 yards, one touchdown), Baltimore came back and kept Hillis under 50 yards the second time the two teams met.

Browns fans will want to see Hillis develop and continue to surprise teams, even with added pressure.

Dallas Cowboys

With the release of Marion Barber comes Felix Jones' time to shine. Jones rushed for 800 yards last season and has shown exceptional speed thus far in his career. If he can avoid injury, something he has had a tough time doing, he can become an elite running back.

The Cowboys made a decision to let go of Barber with confidence that Jones will be a more than suitable replacement. Jones will be the starter and now all eyes will be on him and his performance in 2011.

Denver Broncos

Last season Denver's Brandon Lloyd lead the league in receiving yards. Lloyd is a burner plain and simple. It is this speed, combined with great hands and route running, that allows him to be the deep threat that he is.

As of today, Orton is still the starting quarterback, and if he wants to keep his job away from Tim Tebow, he better keep throwing the ball deep to Lloyd.

Lloyd was arguably the most entertaining player to watch in 2010 and Broncos fans should expect to see a lot more from him in 2011.

Detriot Lions

In his impressive rookie campaign, Javhid Best had over 1000 all purpose yards and scored six touchdowns. Defenses around the league should be scared for what he will do in his second year in Detroit.

Best has ridiculous speed (4.35 40-meter dash) and great instincts.

Since teams must respect the pass—namely wide receiver Calvin JohnsonBest was sometimes overlooked last year. This makes his upcoming season similar to Peyton Hillis'. Both will have high expectations as well as more attention from opposing defenses.

Best is a very entertaining player with the ball in his hands and he should put on another show this year for the Lions.  

Green Bay Packers

Over the past two summers a lot of statements have been made about the premier cornerbacks in the NFL. Nnamdi Asomugha and Darelle Revis both received huge contracts and have each been labeled the best cornerbacks from different sources. In that time Charles Woodson "flew under the radar" and won himself a Super Bowl.

Of the three cornerbacks, Woodson may be perceived as the weakest, as he is thrown at more, but still has more interceptions in the past four years than the other two.

At 34, Woodson probably isn't in his prime anymore. He is still a major defensive play maker and will continue to make the defending champion Packers a successful team. 

Houston Texans

The leagues leading rusher last season, Arian Foster, is an upcoming free-agent. In his breakout season last year Foster racked up over 2,200 all purpose yards and 18 touchdowns. If he comes anywhere near those numbers this season he will be a big ticket item on the free agency market in 2012. Yes, he is a restricted free-agent, but his output in 2011 will dictate his future income.

It is not common for a player to be in a contract year this early in his career with such a great season only one year back. Foster is only 24 with his best years, hopefully, still to come. He is a natural talent, very fun to watch, and this year he will be an even more interesting story due to his contract situation.

Indianapolis Colts

After seven seasons with the Chicago Bears Tommie Harris signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Colts.

Harris was once considered an up-and-coming defensive lineman. In 2007, he recorded a career-high eight sacks. Harris is viewed as undersized, but exceptionally quick for his position.

The Colts are not known for relying too heavily on free agency, but Harris should fit in well with the Indianapolis defensive strategy because Chicago's defensive schemes are very similar.

It will be interesting to see if Harris will be able to get his career back on track. He is only 28 and should have plenty left in the tank, despite a few knee injuries. If he can, he will make the Colts defense relevant again.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The 2011 NFL season will be Mike Thomas' third in the league and fans should expect continued growth out of the 5'8," 198 lbs. receiver.

Thomas improved his statistics considerably in every category in his sophomore season last year. He is also a dangerous return man given his blistering speed.

Because Mike Sims-Walker left for St. Louis so the ball will be thrown Thomas' way more often. He is, by far, the best wide receiver on the team and the Jaguars coaching staff will be looking for a lot from him this season. It will be exciting to see this young wide out develop into a top-notch player.

Kansas City

With their first round pick, Kansas City selected Jonathan Baldwin from the University of Pittsburgh. Baldwin is a big receiver, 6'4," 230 lb., with great hands. 

While he is not seen as explosively fast, Baldwin has a knack for snagging high or off target passes. The Chiefs will likely look for him to be a target in the red zone.

Baldwin will have to work his way up the depth chart, but he would complement Steve Breaston and Dwayne Bowe very nicely.

Miami Dolphins

Remember this guy?

Say what you will about his productivity in his early career or his injuries, but this was a great move by the Dolphins. Miami has Bush under contract for two years and expect great things from him. The word around Dolphins training camp is that Bush is motivated and playing great.

Miami has a creative offense and will find a way to incorporate this versatile running back/return man. He will be an upgrade from the disappointing Ronnie Brown and the aging Ricky Williams.

Expect to see big things from Bush this season, as well as plenty of highlights. 

Minnesota Vikings

Since joining the Vikings in 2008, Allen has been the leader of the team's defensive unit. During three years in Minnesota, Allen has recorded 40 sacks and 164 tackles. These are the numbers of a true defensive superstar.

Allen has been a rare consistent force for the Vikings the past few years. While Minnesota's offense has gone through its ups and downs, Allen has anchored the defense.

With some new additions, the Vikings look to improve on last season's record and get back into the playoffs. Vikings fans can rest assured that Allen will get sacks in the double digits and hold things down on the defensive side of the ball.

New England

Do you think Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson is washed up? Maybe it was a mistake for the Patriots to trade for him? He's 33, that's way too old to play football right?

Child, please.

Johnson is entering an ideal situation for an aging wide receiver. He now joins a winning team with one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It would not be outrageous for Johnson to have a Randy Moss-esque season in Foxborough.

When Moss was considered washed up, he made the move to New England and had a record setting year with Tom Brady.

Patriot fans have the right to be ecstatic heading into the 2011 season. If nothing else, fans will receive a full dose of entertainment from Johnson each week.  

New York Giants

The departure of Steve Smith stung the Giants faithful. The only cure for New York will be a whole lot of No. 88, Hakeem Nicks.

In just his second season in the league, Nicks racked up 1,025 yards receiving, 79 receptions, and 11 touchdowns. Expect Eli Manning to look to Nicks as his number one option and for Nicks numbers to soar.

In 2011, Nicks will be the Giants number one receiving option and this will allow him to bring his game to the next level. 

New York Jets

With the contract situation behind him, and some added job security, Antonio Cromartie will look to have a big year in New York.

Cromartie is a playmaking cornerback and is electrifying with the ball in his hands. The Jets may utilize Cromartie more in the return game now that Brad Smith has left for Buffalo.

Cromartie is a topnotch cornerback and overall a very exciting player. Jets fans will enjoy another season with Cro and Revis Island on the same team.  

To Be Continued

Part II coming soon!