6 NFL Superstars Destined for Regression

The term "superstar" can be hotly debated, come and go or be a permanent title to a Hall of  Famer. While the deeming of these six NFL stars is subjective, what I predict through three weeks of football are the monumental fall of these six players essential to their team.

The cover, of course, is no surprise to fans after watching their trouncing at the hands of a maligned quarterback and LeSean McCoy having a phenomenal game. These six players are deemed to regress, whether it be the players around them, the system they play in or their own personal performance. Read on, and whether you are shocked or not, only time will tell whether I am right or wrong.

What better way to enjoy the slideshow than tune in every Sunday and debate the results at the season's end.

6: Cameron Wake

As an avid Dolphins fan and a focused writer on their team stream, it hurts me to write this. This is one of those issues that is not entirely centered on Wake, but the team around him. The highly vaunted defensive line had Miami fans excited. Not only was the 3-4 line anchored by a franchise nose tackle in Paul Soliai, but the defensive ends do not hurt the effort either.

First-round draft pick Jared Odrick looks decent, but the well described depth and talent at the line have not panned out. This leaves tackles and mostly backs as increased assistance to focus on Wake and Jason Taylor in passing situations.

Wake has an immeasurable motor, a violent and aggressive demeanor and never misses a quarterback once he gets a finger on him.

Once the eventual struggle with a top tier tackle is finished, a fullback gives Wake a hit to the mouth. With all the solid quarterbacks the Dolphins face, along with the attention given to Wake, he is helpless when everyone else underperforms. 

5: DeAngelo Williams

An improving offensive line and an improving passing attack should mean great things for DeAngelo Williams. These two facets of a football team open up running lanes for him, with the threat of dual attacks from accomplished runner and passer Cam Newton.

Fans should take the Panthers and Newton with a grain of salt. Sam Bradford is a perfect example right now of what a year in the NFL can mean: nothing. I figured Bradford's shoulder issues would damage his ability, but he just looks afraid and lacks the weapons.

Back to Williams, it seems the Panthers FO has something to prove, so they are throwing Newton's arm out with all the passing calls. Steve Smith will possibly fizzle out, Newton will likely be figured out and the offense will once again close its jaws despite solid players on every unit of the team. 

Williams has been and is a great back, but in no way do I see him making a Pro Bowl like he did in 2010 for a multitude of reasons, some on him and many on his team. 

4: Jake Long

Yes, I am a miserable Dolphins fan. But there is absolutely no reason why an offensive lineman cannot be viewed as a superstar. This is another depressing casualty to awful management by the idiots at the Dolphins' front office and coaching staff.

The pieces are in place (besides Andrew Luck) but the egregious mismanagement by whoever is responsible of Jake Long's shoulder is leaving him ineffective as the second or third best offensive lineman in football. 

Long could go down as the best offensive lineman ever, making the Pro Bowl every year of his career. With hands more like crane clamps, a captivating smile (but the edge of a rhinoceros) and the mass and muscle of a... well... rhino, Long could be incredible. The effects of giving it his all on a bum shoulder could harm his career.

I would rather see Long sit out a bit, as most 'Fins fans are hoping they lose each game to finally get a quarterback anyway.

3: Peyton Manning

It is really hard to pick on an injured guy, but this is not about the neck. Manning has been one of the most durable quarterbacks in the history of football. Manning sits on the sideline for the first time in his career while the Colts suffer miserably under the greybeard Kerry Collins.

For years, Manning carried the team, behind a great offensive line and excellent receivers. The one year his defense was capable of making an impact, the Colts won the title.

Reggie Wayne is nearing age 32, and Manning is now 35. At age 35, everything goes downhill. There is no doubt that Manning will continue to be one of the most cerebral players ever to play the game. At his age, and the aging of his top receiver, there are less options for Manning as his hand cannon cannot keep up with his fast moving mind in the pocket.

Offensively, the Colts in general are getting old. Jeff Saturday may have left his best years behind him. Even though he is serviceable, and can still anchor this line, he may be aging as well. There is a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the ball (and defensive), and the Colts may need to shop off some of their decent players for draft picks and young blood.

2: Mark Sanchez

Most fans think (or know) that Mark Sanchez is overrated. He posts less than stellar numbers in a team ripe with offensive talent. He has a wonderful offensive line despite the injury to Nick Mangold, great receivers and a decent one-two punch in the running game. Why can't he complete 60 percent of his passes? Why does he throw so many picks? 

The reason I bill him as a "superstar" is due to my family and friends up north being Jets faithful and confiding in me that Mark Sanchez is the second coming of Dan Marino, only to have me spit up my whiskey into my lap in a fit of laughter. 

Jets fans are (according to them) the authority and omniscient presence in the knowledge of football, so I am sarcastically forced to place him here, thinking that he will do even worse than last year, despite his seemingly meteoric rise to decency in the playoffs each year. 

All I have to say is, watch out for Buffalo.

1: Michael Vick

Did anyone really not guess that Vick would not be on this list? Every week he gets hurt, and somehow thrown back in the game. Every week dating back to last year's playoffs, he looks more and more like his Atlanta form, running early, only going through his first read and getting rocked each time he lunges for an additional yard.

Vick is getting banged up and hurt each time he sets foot on the field. There is a point where a man's pride has to be overruled by his medical professional before he causes permanent damage. Now the 1-2 "Dream Team" sits at the bottom of the barrel, behind even the the Redskins who have surprised everyone, nearly going 3-0 against a determined Dallas team.

Vick is aging, as is his thought progress as he sits in the pocket. There were decent plays, but how many times can we hold our breath until he fumbles again? He holds the ball out there like it does not matter, and pretty soon will be losing a lot more than just a possession.

Vick will find his way back in the doghouse pretty soon.

(I just had to.)