NFL Preview: 10 Players With the Most to Prove in 2011

The NFL has proven to be one of the most difficult leagues to predict. Last season we saw plenty of players break out and become household names, while others simply didn't play the way fans expected them to.

People always talk about players needing to prove themselves. Some need to prove they can stay healthy. Others need to prove that they weren't just a flash in the pan last year. 

Whatever the reason, there are several players who need a great season in 2011. 

Kevin Kolb

Kevin Kolb finally received what he was asking for, a starting job. The Philadelphia Eagles shipped him out to the Arizona Cardinals where Kolb will having the top spot for sure.

Kolb needs to show that he does have what it takes to lead a team in the NFL. He played seven games for the Eagles last season and didn't really show anything spectacular.

I don't really see what the big deal about Kolb is. When he started for the Eagles he looked scared and usually just dumped the ball off for short yardage. He also turned the ball over 12 times, that's right 12, in seven games. He's in a weaker division now so maybe he can benefit from that.

Tarvaris Jackson

The former second-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings found his way to Seattle this offseason along with some familiar faces. Tarvaris Jackson will start for the Seahawks with the same offensive coordinator that he had in Minnesota, Darrell Bevell, and one of his former wide receivers, Sidney Rice.

Jackson has never played an entire season due to a lack of performance and other quarterbacks taking his spot. His starting job is safe for now, but if his regular season goes as poorly as his preseason has gone, we might see Charlie Whitehurst back under center.

Michael Vick

Michael Vick just signed a new $100 million contract, must be nice. The former No. 1 overall pick for the Atlanta Falcons has had a long road back to stardom, but he has made it.

Vick had a stellar performance this past season, putting up career highs in passing yards, touchdowns and accuracy. Can he do it again?

Team's will certainly be more prepared to face Vick this season, but he is clearly one of the most dangerous players in the NFL. He still has to prove he can repeat his success and avoid injuries.

Matthew Stafford

In two seasons in the NFL, Matthew Stafford has played 13 of a possible 32 games. We all know he has been as injury prone as they come.

Another No. 1 overall draft pick, Stafford has yet to show he can handle playing QB in the NFL. He has a cannon for an arm, but it doesn't do much good when your shoulder keeps getting pounded into the ground.

Hopefully he can figure out a way to start more than 10 games this season. If he does, the Detroit Lions could be a good team.

Peyton Hillis

Is that Madden curse real? I guess Peyton Hillis will have to wait and see.

Hillis surprised everyone when he became the star of the Cleveland Browns last season, rushing for over 1,000 yards, catching 61 passes and scoring 13 touchdowns. 

Hillis was a seventh-round pick, as he never stood out at Arkansas, so hopefully this wasn't just a fluke season. He was put on the cover of Madden 12 this year, so he better watch out for those injuries.

Arian Foster

Who knew Arian Foster was going to have a season like he did in 2010? If anyone thinks they did, they are lying. 

Foster was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, released and then re-signed to their practice squad in 2009. After seeing some late action in his rookie year, Foster started 2010 for the Texans and exploded for 231 yards and three touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans.

He has worked harder than ever to get to this point in his career, and I hope—like many others for the sake of our fantasy teams—that he can have the same success as he did in 2010.

Beanie Wells

Beanie Wells had a decent rookie year for the Arizona Cardinals only to follow it up with a year of injuries. Last season Wells went through multiple knee problems that kept him out of several games.

It was buyer beware when the Cardinals drafted Wells, as there had always been concerns about his health. The Cardinals apparently were tired of it after one season, as they drafted Ryan Williams in the first round.

So much for that plan. Williams went down in preseason with a torn patella tendon, an injury that will likely cost him the entire season. 

Here's your chance again Beanie. If Wells can prove that he does have what it takes to be an every-down back he can win the starting job for good or at least until Williams comes back.

Reggie Bush

Even if you weren't a huge USC supporter, you still enjoyed watching Reggie Bush play. The former Heisman winner (can we still call him that?) has been anything but impressive in the NFL.

He was taken at No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints, and after five years of injury woes, the Saints traded him to the Miami Dolphins. 

The only other viable option to start for Miami is Daniel Thomas, the rookie out of Kansas State. Thomas was a beast in college, so it may not take him long to surpass Bush in the depth chart.

Bush has always been a great receiving option, but if he can stay healthy and turn things around, he might just have the starting job.

Albert Haynesworth

The Washington Redskins signed Albert Haynesworth to a seven-year $100 million contract in 2009. This past July they traded him to the New England Patriots for a fifth-round draft pick in 2013. Talk about a complete misfire.

Haynesworth has had issues on the field and off. He criticized his coaches in D.C. and eventually received a suspension from the team. They were tired of his shenanigans, so they sent him packing.

Haynesworth will have a fresh start on a winning team this year, so let's hope he can get his act together and be the dominant defensive lineman everyone believes him to be.

Dunta Robinson

In March of 2010 the Atlanta Falcons made Dunta Robinson the second-highest paid cornerback in the NFL. Falcons' fans didn't quite get what they were expecting last season.

Robinson was part of an Atlanta secondary that was a weak spot for the team last season. Robinson has even admitted himself that he needs to improve in 2011.

Atlanta fans are waiting for Robinson to step up and be the star cornerback everyone thought he could be. Will the season be the year? Let's hope so. The Falcons need him.