7 Underperforming NFL Players Who Will Vastly Improve in 2012

The 2011 NFL season is winding down, and I wanted to take a look at seven players who have underperformed this year and who will vastly improve in 2012. 

Fans have high expectations from their stars and become frustrated when they don't perform up to the high standard they expect. But I guarantee you that there are no harsher critics than the players themselves. 

They won't go home after the season and mope about a sub-par season. No, instead, these professional football players will put their nose back to the grindstone, pushing themselves to get better.

Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden

Joe Haden has hit a sophomore slump. He has been burned more than a few times this year, and while he does get his hands on a lot of balls (17, T-4 in NFL), he has not managed to pull a single one in for an interception.

Last year's rookie campaign was a revelation about just how talented the Cleveland Browns' cornerback really is. He possesses all the physical tools to be a star in the NFL. 

This year has been a disappointment, but Haden will have an entire offseason to get back to work and polish up his game. 

Miami Dolphins: Cameron Wake

Cameron Wake showed promise in his rookie campaign for the Miami Dolphins, starting one game and picking up 5.5 sacks in 2009. He followed that up with a dominant sophomore season, collecting 14 sacks (third place in NFL) and forcing three fumbles.

This season has been underwhelming for Wake and the Dolphins. Through 13 games, Wake has only managed to pick up 6.5 sacks and hasn't forced a single fumble. 

With a new coaching staff coming in and with 2012 being a contract year for Wake, you can be sure of a better performance next year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman

Just last year, everyone was calling Josh Freeman the next Ben Roethlisberger. He's had a terrible 2011 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but I expect him to turn things around in 2012.

Freeman and the Buccaneers were one of the teams that the lockout hurt the most. Freeman is a young quarterback, and his offensive coordinator Greg Olson isn't exactly considered in the same breath as Norv Turner. 

Freeman needs an entire offseason to work with his teammates, and he needs an offensive coordinator that can be more creative with that roster. The Buccaneers are falling into the same kind of predictable pattern that the San Francisco 49ers fell into with Mike Singletary at the helm.

I think he gets both, and I think he will return to form next year. 

Destination Unknown: DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson did an admirable job of completely sabotaging his season in a convoluted pursuit of a big contract extension from his current team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite his childish behavior, you can be sure that multiple teams will throw some big numbers his way after the season, attempting to appease his ego in trade for his phenomenal abilities on the football field. 

Jackson will be a happy camper somewhere next year, and you can bet he'll blow up the stat sheet in response. He's a remarkable athlete and rare playmaker, and he will play to his abilities once he feels valued for those abilities.

Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson

2011 has been an embarrassing season for Chris Johnson. He has been held under 50 yards six times this year and has been a laughingstock all year long after holding out for a big contract extension only to flop.

If there is one thing I know about Johnson, it is that he has a large regard for himself. 

He won't allow himself to have another year like 2011, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him challenge the 2,000-yard mark next year with Jake Locker running the show.

St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford

To say that Sam Bradford has had a rough year would be akin to saying that Jose Canseco may have used steroids. It's been tragic in St. Louis this season. The injuries, the injuries and then they had those injuries...

Bradford showed he can be a deadly passer in the right offense in his rookie campaign. He simply needs time in the pocket enough to drop back and get into his first read. Many times this season, Bradford was running for his life even before he was all the way back into his drop.

The Rams will have time to get healthy. They will also have an opportunity to bolster the offensive line through the 2012 NFL draft and through free agency. 

Brandon Lloyd and Bradford have already developed good chemistry in short time, so imagine how good it could be after an entire summer's worth of practice.

Bradford hasn't changed, and he'll be back with a vengeance next year. 

San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers

2011 has been particularly cruel to Philip Rivers, and it has been the worst year of his career. Rivers has turned the ball over 22 times this season.

There is still time for Rivers to redeem himself this year, however. The Sunday Night Football game on the road against the Baltimore Ravens will determine whether or not that ship has sailed.

Norv Turner will be gone, but Rivers will stay on. I predict that he gets re-energized by whomever the San DIego Chargers bring in and has an epic year in 2012.