Instead of a full-season preview we decided to profile the teams that we thought would be in the bottom 16 and picking in the first half for the 2012 NFL Draft.
In doing the analysis, we listed one player from each of the last 3 drafts that we think is most important for their respective team this year. It should not surprise you that most of those players were their first round picks because those are the most likely to be starting and the most likely for a team to hold on to after investing a lot of money in them.
In addition, we listed two reasons why they could surprise fans and have a successful season, and then two reasons why they might be likely to fail. In the NFL, any team could win on any given week and thus there truly is no bad team, but someone has to lose each week and thus someone has to be the worst. So here it goes:
-
San Francisco
- 2011: Aldon Smith- They need a pass rush badly, and it will be up to Smith to give them any hope
- 2010: Anthony Davis- If he could stabilize the right side of their offensive line, they could have one of the best in the NFL, and it won’t matter who their quarterback is. If not, they could be in trouble.
- 2009: Michael Crabtree- Even though they got Braylon Edwards, for them to have any success in the passing game, they need Crabtree healthy and productive
-
Why they could surprise:
- Jim Harbaugh- There’s no doubt he’s a good coach, and unlike many other college coaches who come to the NFL and fail, he played in NFL for a long time, ran an NFL offense while coaching in college, and has a brother who is a very successful NFL coach.
- Offensive Line- As mentioned above, they have the potential to have the best offensive line in the league. There is not much question at tackle with Joe Staley and Anthony Davis, nor should their be any uncertainty at guard with Mike Iupati and Chilo Rachal. The center position is their only question mark. They are starting Adam Snyder who is a tackle and has yet to play center for the 49’ers in his 7 year career. There were thoughts that undrafted rookie Chase Beeler could take over since he was the center for Harbaugh last year at Stanford, but that might take some time.
-
Why they could fail:
- Alex Smith- How many times are they going to try to make this work? In a different draft class he might have went 2nd or 3rd round and people would have given up on him by now.
- Lack of pass rush- This could be nullified if Aldon Smith shows them what he’s capable of, but if they hold him back, it’ll hold the team back too.
-
Tennessee
- 2011: Akeem Ayers- Tennessee will need Ayers to make a smooth transition into the NFL and hold his ground. If he could provide some pass rush as well, it gives the defense a chance.
- 2010: Derrick Morgan- They desperately need him to stay healthy and provide a consistent pass rush, one in which they lost when Jason Babin went to Philadelphia.
- 2009: Kenny Britt- In his third year, Britt needs to become the dominant force at wide receiver that the Titans thought he could become when they drafted him. He showed glimpses last year, like in the Philly game where he went for 225 and 3 tds, but he needs to stay on the field and not follow up those games with duds.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Consistency on Offensive Line- This line started together last year and has now played together for quite some time. There is nothing more beneficial to the success of an offense than consistency along the offensive line
- Above average defense- They might not have stars on their defense but every starter is just above average. Put them all together though and they could have an above average defense that keeps them in games and helps them win a few.
-
Why they could fail:
- Inexperienced coach- He was a great player, and a great offensive line coach, but being a head coach is an entirely different ballgame especially when you haven’t even been a full-time coordinator first.
- Above average defense- An above average defense will only take you so far with an average offense. They would need this to be an elite defense for it to impact the game.
-
Buffalo
- 2011: Marcell Dareus- Buffalo needs Dareus to anchor a defense that desperately needs help in stopping the run.
- 2010: C.J. Spiller- Fred Jackson will not wear down a defense, but Spiller can at least keep them on their toes. He’ll need to show off some of that dynamic ability early, so that defenses have to account for him every single time he’s on the field
- 2009: Eric Wood- Wood is the centerpiece of this line, and it’ll be up to him to hold his own in the middle, so that the two other guards from his draft class, Levitre and Urbik, could provide extra help to a potentially weak set of tackles on the outside.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Secondary: Even though in some sense Jairus Byrd may have seemed to take a step back last year, he should continue to develop as an elite safety. Yet it’s the pieces around him that should make his job a little easier. If Aaron Williams could take over at one of the cornerback spots, it will allow Leodis McKelvin and Terrence McGee to fall into a more comfortable role taking the 2nd and 3rd receivers. This will allow the safeties, including a more comfortable George Wilson and rookie Da’Norris Searcy to roam a little more.
- Chan Gailey: The Buffalo Bills head coach knows how to run an offense, and last year we were able to see some small glimpses of what it could develop into. If that development continues and Ryan Fitzpatrick shows why he’s stuck around the league all this time, despite the shallow talent pool, they might be able to win some games in the air
-
Why they could fail:
- Questionable pass rush- Chris Kelsey is going on his 9th season yet never had more than double digit sacks. It looked as if Shawne Merriman’s knees might have been done two years ago, Danny Batten was lucky to be drafted, and Arthur Moats is mostly notable because he knocked Brett Favre from his consecutive streak.
- Running game: Fred Jackson has hovered around 1,000 yards the last two years but never busted through in a big way, and C.J. Spiller has yet to prove anything. Their offensive line still has a lot to prove, which might make it difficult for their backs.
-
Cincinnati
- 2011: Andy Dalton- This is obvious. He’s getting the start at quarterback, so their offense is going to run through him on every play. With this team he’ll need to be much more than a game manager and actually spread the ball around.
- 2010: Jermaine Gresham- This offense needs him badly to develop into a receiving threat for Dalton to throw to. He has the potential to do that, but he needs to stay healthy.
- 2009: Andre Smith- It’s Smith’s turn to man the right side of their offensive line, and the Bengals are expecting him to live up to his potential as the number 6 pick. They’ll need him to if they want their quarterback to have any chance of succeeding.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Defensive Line. This team could have a very strong defensive line if their youth allows them to. Carlos Dunlap emerged as a pass rushing threat last year, and Michael Johnson could do the same this year. Roberts Geathers, Frostee Rucker, and even Dontay Moch present them with a lot of depth if help is needed. Sandwiched in between them could be even stronger with a group of 3 defensive tackles in Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, and Pat Sims that could truly emerge this year.
- Wide Receivers: A.J. Green has as much potential as any wide receiver in the league. It’s the other guys who give this unit the most potential though. When Jerome Simpson finally got the start last year in the last two games he caught 18 balls for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. There aren’t many wide receivers who had a more productive 2-game stretch. Andre Caldwell wasn’t that far behind him as a slot receiver in his final 3 games, and then add in 2nd year man Jordan Shipley, and Dalton will have a potentially dangerous unit to throw to.
-
Why they could fail:
- Quarterback: Starting a rookie quarterback is always a crap shoot, but he could have used a backup like Carson Palmer to help show him the ropes, as opposed to a journeyman in Bruce Gradkowski who will be gunning for his job. By Carson Palmer threatening to retire for the lack of winnable talent around him, he might have knocked some of the confidence out of the Bengals players.
- Cedric Benson: Benson is a force when starting, but he has to stay out of trouble in order to show that. They'll need him more than ever to stay in the game and have a successful season to take pressure off of Andy Dalton.
-
Minnesota
- 2011: Christian Ballard-He might not be getting the start right away, but he’ll be very important for that defensive tackle unit. The Williams wall has finally been torn down with Pat not coming back and Kevin suspended for the first few games, so it’ll be important for an undersized Ballard to prove he has what it takes in stopping the run and putting some additional pressure on the opposing QB’s.
- 2010: Everson Griffen-Part of the reason why they let Ray Edwards walk was not because of Brian Robison. It was because of the potential they know they have in Everson Griffen, and after a year off from injury, the Vikings want him to prove them right.
- 2009: Phil Loadholt-After getting rid of Bryant McKinnie, they are hoping that Loadholt, even from the right side can keep this line strong, and they’ll need him to.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Adrian Peterson: The year Chris Johnson rushed for 2,000 yards, the Titans still lost 8 games. It was the year before when they had LenDale White busting up defenses, when they only lost 2. Well Adrian Peterson gives a team both dynamics; The ability to gain a ton of yards, and the ability to wear down a defense throughout the game and get in the end zone.
- Linebackers: Chad Greenway had an underratedly phenomenal season last year (although not by the Vikings who just gave him a big extension). E.J. Henderson came back healthy and ready to anchor this unit once again. The difference is he is going to have his brother playing right next to him. While it may not seem like much since Erin wasn’t even drafted, he had a ton of success at Maryland, and the communication that the two of these players have when playing together could be better than any two players in the league. If that happens, they could transcend the normal role of linebackers.
-
Why they could fail:
- Williams Wall knocked down-One of the reasons why the Vikings have been so successful the past 5 years was because they had an inpenatrable wall at defensive tackle that left running backs sleepless at night. Since the opposing team’s offensive line had to focus so much energy on them, they also allowed their defensive ends around them to be successful, most notably Jared Allen and Ray Edwards.
- Questionable secondary: The Vikings have been reaching for second tier secondary players in their draft for the past 5 years, and unfortunately that has left them with marginal talent back there. Some of them will need to prove their worth
-
Jacksonville
- 2011: Will Rackley- The Jaguars will be looking for Rackley to step right in and control the interior of their offensive line. Fortunately for him he’s got great protection on the outside with Eugene Monroe next to him.
- 2010: Tyson Alualu- Probably the only starter right now from this class, but he’s an important piece to their defense, and if he has another productive year, they could be in good shape.
- 2009: Mike Thomas- At 5’8” Thomas was a question mark for the NFL, yet he took off last year. After getting rid of Mike Sims-Walker, they’ll be expecting him to do so again.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Marcedes Lewis: The sky was always the limit for Lewis since Jacksonville drafted him out of UCLA. It wasn’t until last year when he finally started showing some of that potential, and if he could replicate and surpass last year’s performance, he can give Jacksonville an extremely value weapon on offense.
- Offensive Tackles: If Eben Britton continues to develop and Eugene Monroe has a season that he is capable of, defenses will have a hard time rushing the passer giving Luke McCown some time to adjust to his role as a full-time starter, and Maurice-Jones Drew will be able to have a productive season.
-
Why they could fail:
- Luke McCown: All the McCown’s have shown that they could play football, yet none of them have shown that they should start for a full season. Luke is no different at 30 years old, so it would be a great story if he actually makes anything out of his opportunity.
- Pass rush uncertainty- Matt Roth has never surpassed 5 sacks in a season, and last year he was playing as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, so to expect him to produce at defensive end might be asking a lot. Aaron Kampman hasn’t shown that he’s got anything left in the last two years, and behind them is more uncertainty with Austen Lane and Aaron Morgan just getting their toes wet.
-
Cleveland
- 2011: Phil Taylor- Cleveland doesn’t have much on their defensive line besides their other rookie Jabaal Sheard, so they’ll need Taylor to make some noise and hold his ground, because otherwise they’ll get run into the ground every game.
- 2010: Joe Haden- As teams become more and more reliant on their passing game, it is getting increasingly important to have reliable corners to stop that game. Haden is their one reliable player at corner, and it’ll be important for him to hold his own against his receiver so that the Browns do not have to send another player over to help double cover his guy.
- 2009: Mohamed Massaquoi- They’ve been hoping he’d break out and turn into a reliable target, and while he’s shown he has the potential to do so, he hasn’t done so with enough regularity. It will be important for him to give Colt McCoy a target downfield.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Halfbacks: Peyton Hillis was a fullback for much of his time in college and the NFL. Now imagine you are a defensive tackle where after dealing with Alex Mack, one of the best centers in the league, you have to then deal with one of the best fullbacks in college football last year, Owen Marecic, running down your throat, followed by another fullback Hillis who just happens to be playing running back. That’s over 800 pounds of mass coming at you on every running play. Their backup Montario Hardesty is no string bean either and should be able to sail smoothly when he gets into the game.
- Colt McCoy: McCoy has the leadership ability to turn a team into a successful one, and despite the lack of proven weapons on the outside, he could turn guys like Evan Moore, Massaqoui, Greg Little, and Josh Cribbs into household names for receiving yards.
-
Why they could fail:
- Defensive Tackles-Just because Phil Taylor is the size of two men, does not mean he will be able to do the work of 2. Considering he underachieved during his college career, the Browns are putting their hands in a questionable pot.
- Defensive Ends-Jabaal Sheard is their only real hope to get to the quarterback, and he’s no sure thing. Behind him or even on the other side there is not much hope, unless one thinks that Jayme Mitchell severally underperformed during his first 5 years.
-
Miami
- 2011: Daniel Thomas- Miami needs him to stay healthy after losing both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, because if they plan on starting Reggie Bush or Larry Johnson (just re-signed) they might be in trouble.
- 2010: Koa Misi- Cameron Wake needs some help, and that help needs to come from Koa Misi who has so far had a hard time transitioning to outside linebacker. If he could give them a pass rush, he’ll be a key to a successful defense. Otherwise they’ll have to rely on Jason Taylor on that side and they won’t be happy.
- 2009: Sean Smith-Vontae Davis made a claim about he and Sean Smith being the best cornerback tandem in the league, and while they may not be the best, they have the potential to be among the best. However, for that to happen they’ll need Sean Smith to play consistently and allow Miami to utilize his height on matchups.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Consistency: In a shortened year, the one thing that will help many of the teams will be consistency. With less time to learn new playbooks and schemes, the teams that have the least turn
- Cameron Wake: We’ve seen defenses that become great with one dominant pass rusher leading the team (Carolina with Peppers, San Diego with Merriman), and after tallying 14 sacks last year, maybe he can turn into that dominant defensive leader.
-
Why they could fail:
- Chad Henne: His questionable skill-level and leadership has not given Dolphin fans, nor his wide receivers, much hope. Anything could happen in a make-or-break year, but the odds are against him.
- Tony Sparano-The coach was as good as gone last year, yet they decided to bring him back. How much credibility will he still have in the eyes of his players?
-
Washington
- 2011: Ryan Kerrigan- If Kerrigan can make a smooth transition to outside linebacker and provide a valuable pass rush, he could single-handedly alter the team’s success.
- 2010: Trent Williams- The Redskins will need Williams even more this year with a somewhat weak interior of their offensive line. It’ll be up to him to keep some of the dominant pass rushers in the division off of his quarterback’s back.
- 2009: Brian Orakpo-One of the few starters from this draft class, Orakpo has shown that he could be among the elite pass rushers in the game, but he'll have to stay healthy and do it year after year, because the success of Washington's defense now runs through him.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Rex Grossman- Grossman wasn’t always bad. He led the Chicago Bears to a 13-3 regular season record and took them to the NFC championship game.
- Dominant Pass rush-It’s hard enough to stop one great pass rusher, but to worry about a second one can keep an offensive coordinator very busy.
-
Why they could fail:
- Lack of established weapons: Santana Moss and Tim Hightower are their two main weapons on offense. Yet they do not strike fear into opponents. While their backups, Roy Helu, Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson have a lot of potential, they still have to prove themselves
- Quarterbacks: There was a reason why Rex Grossman was let go from the Bears, and there's also a reason why John Beck was just about out of the league. It might be tough for any team to be an elite team with either one of those players as their quarterback.
-
Arizona
- 2011: Patrick Peterson- When Arizona traded away Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie they not only put the secondary in Peterson’s hands, but also the special teams.
- 2010: O’Brien Schofield- The Cardinals do not have much of a pass rush, at this point potentially relying on an aging Joey Porter and Clark Haggans, but if Schofield can develop into a viable option, they'll be in much better shape.
- 2009: Beanie Wells-Beanie Wells had a disappointing first two years, but it did not matter much since Tim Hightower was there and going into this year rookie Ryan Williams was going to help out. However, now that neither are here, the running game is in his hands.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Kevin Kolb- Kolb showed glimpses of what he was capable of, but if he could exceed those expectations it could take the Cardinals offense to a potent level
- Strong Defensive Line-Dan WIlliams anchors a 3-4 defensive line that has a ton of potential. Calais Campbell has proven that he could hold his blockers but also get to the quarterback if he needs to, and Darnell Dockett has proven that same thing over his previous 7 years.
-
Why they might fail:
- Offensive line: Outside of maybe Levi Brown, who was almost off the team a few years back, no one else on their line drives fear into a defensive opponent.
- Pass rush: For a 3-4 defense to truly be successful they need a formidable pass rush from their outside linebackers, but the two starters don’t offer much. The backups in Schofield and rookie Sam Acho have a lot of potential, but haven’t proven anything yet, and may not get the opportunity to do so this year.
-
Oakland
- 2011: Denarius Moore- The Raiders could use a big season from Moore, so that they don’t have to rely on Darrius Heyward-Bey as their go-to guy.
- 2010: Jared Veldheer- Veldheer proved to be a diamond-in-the-rough last year, beginning at center and then taking over at left tackle. Now it’ll be his full time job to protect the blindside of a quarterback who will certainly need some help.
- 2009: Matt Shaughnessy- He’s been potentially thrust into a starting role, and after 7 sacks last year should be able to capitalize on the starting role and continue to improve on that number.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Defensive Front-7: The Raiders go 4 deep at defensive end, yet can also utilize some of their linebackers such as Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves for some additional pass-rush. As linebackers those two provide valuable sidekicks to Rolando McClain who is one of the best young linebackers in the league. At defensive tackle they have ample veteran leadership with Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly, and John Henderson, and should allow their defense to play efficient ball.
- Running Backs: Darren McFadden proved last year that he could be a dominant back, and Michael Bush showed that when given the opportunity he can produce. Yet, Oakland drafted another running back in Taiwan Jones who displayed a nice set of wheels during a preseason game rattling off 81 yards and a td.
-
Why they could fail:
- Questionable corners: The Raiders have a great set of corners, but that is if they are the 2nd or 3rd cornerback on a team. As guys who will be expected to take out the top one or two offensive weapons on a team, they will struggle. As with the players already there, they drafted two corners who are known for their speed, but not necessarily their coverage ability.
- Right-side of Offensive line: Khalif Barnes was never the answer in Jacksonville, nor was he in Oakland last year, but apparently they thought highly enough of him to give him the starting right tackle job over Langston Walker. While Cooper Carlisle has been a starter for some time, and Samson Satele has held his own at center, they are not the strongest inside protectors.
-
Seattle
- 2011: James Carpenter-Carpenter is playing next to another rookie in John Moffitt, but Moffitt at least has Max Unger next to him for extra protection. Carpenter is all alone on the right side and will have to show that he can handle the load.
- 2010: Earl Thomas- After a successful rookie campaign, Thomas will have to continue to make his presence felt in the secondary
- 2009: Aaron Curry- Curry has not had the type of impact that was expected of him when he was drafted #4 overall. He’ll need to not only meet expectations, but turn into an elite linebacker for Seattle to truly be successful.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Offensive Line- This is a very strong offensive line unit that, assuming the rookies play well, could provide a lot of time for their qb and a lot of holes for their running backs.
- Tall Pass catchers- The average height of an NFL cornerback is around 6’0”. Yet Seattle has three wide receivers who are 6’4”, 6’5”, and 6’6” respectively, two of whom are starting in Mike Williams, who is relatively just getting started, and Sidney Rice. Even worse for a defense though is the fact that they have 3 very capable pass-catching tight ends over 6’5” in their offense as well. Dominique Byrd might see a resurgence playing under his old college coach and Anthony McCoy might find the same kind of success. Add in Zach Miller who has averaged over 750 yards per season the last three years, and they could be almost impossible to stop.
-
Why they could fail:
- Tarvaris Jackson- So what, if he knows Darrell Bevell’s offense. He wasn’t great at running it, so how high could his ceiling really be. Despite him being named captain, this move could also be bad for chemistry if he struggles, and the players from last year recognize that Whitehurst is the better talent.
- Defensive Tackles- Alan Branch had a ton of potential coming out of Michigan, but he never came through on it, and Brandon Mebane has just been ok in his 4 years with the Seahawks. They’ll need guys to step up to keep that defense stable.
-
Denver
- 2011: Rahim Moore-Brian Dawkins continues to defy logic and keep playing, but he’s not what he once was so they need Moore to help him out at safety, and possibly even replace him.
- 2010: J.D. Walton- Walton will be in the middle of a young offensive line who will need him to take charge and help recognize coverages.
- 2009: Knowshon Moreno- The Broncos will need Moreno to stay healthy and perform consistently enough where they could rely on him as their starting tailback for each game this season. If he performs well, it will open up the outside of their offense and potentially bring them close to the level of passing they had last year.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Pass rush: Dumervil will be going back to a 4-3 defense, but he’s succeeded there before. Robert Ayers apparently has started to crack his potential, and add in Von Miller who’s expected to be great, and their pass rush could be lethal.
- Protection: The Broncos will offer their playmakers great protection and time on offense with Ryan Clady back as one of the rising offensive tackle talents in the league, and rookie Orlando Franklin ready to shine on the right side.
-
Why they could fail:
- Defensive tackles: Relying on Kevin Vickerson and Broderick Bunkley going into a season at defensive tackle should not be a comfortable feeling
- Aging Cornerbacks: Champ Bailey is now in his 13th year and Andre’ Goodman is in his 10th. While they are both still effective, they are bound to start breaking down and losing a few steps. In an ever-increasing passing league they need some insurance behind them and they do not have much.
-
Indianapolis
- 2011: Anthony Castonzo-Protecting the blind side of a 38-year old could be a daunting task as a rookie, but then protecting a guy who had surgery on his neck could be even tougher. The moment either of them goes down with a big hit, it will be Castonzo’s fault, so he’ll need to learn fast.
- 2010: Pat Angerer- Angerer showed a lot of promise last year, and Indianapolis wants him to be the key to the middle of their defense for the next many years. It’ll start with this year where he’ll have to take upon a more active role in several areas.
- 2009: Fili Moala- The Colts’ ability to stop the run has been a problem for quite some time, and they need strong defensive tackles to solve this problem FIli Moala was supposed to be the answer, but he’s left them with some questions, so it will be up to him this year to show what he is capable of and solidify his position on that line.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Dwight Freeney & Robert Mathis- Any team with these two holds a fighting chance to win games. They may not be as young as they used to be but they have two young, hungry defensive ends behind them in Jerry Hughes and Jamaal Anderson who are dying to prove themselves.
- Pass-Catchers- This year will be a true test to see how good all the receivers on this team are. Is it them or is it Peyton that makes them good. Reggie Wayne can still catch passes with the best of them, and Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, and Anthony Gonzalez can no doubt do the same. At tight end, Dallas Clark has clearly proven his case, and Jacob Tamme proved that Kentucky was no joke and showed that he could still catch a pass when given the opportunity.
-
Why they could fail:
- Cornerbacks-They let Kelvin Hayden go, and put the outside of the secondary in the hands of a few youngsters.
- Quarterbacks-Who would have ever thought that we’d be discussing quarterbacks as an area of concern for the Indianapolis Colts, but that’s what happens when Peyton Manning goes out and a veteran comes out of retires to start.
-
San Diego
- 2011: Corey Liuget- When Antonio Garay proved to be a valuable nose tackle replacement for Jamal Williams, they had most of their line set with Luis Castillo to the right of him. It was the left side with Jacques Cesaire that needed some upgrading.
- 2010: Ryan Mathews-Mathews had a decent first year, but for the number 12 pick, people expected much more. This year he’s bound to produce at a higher level, and between him and Mike Tolbert, they’ll open up a potent passing game even more.
- 2009: Larry English-When the Chargers drafted English 2 years ago they expected him to be able to compliment and possibly take over for Shawne Merriman. Yet he’s underwhelmed thus far, and they need more than just Shaun Phillips to get to the quarterback
-
Why they could surprise:
- Philip Rivers- Rivers passed for 4,710 yards and with a consistent offensive line in front of him and his receivers back, he could do even better. With those kind of numbers, it’s almost impossible for a team not to do well, so if he can come close to the productivity he had last year, he’s good for a few wins by himself.
- Norv Turner- Who would have thought with the way his head coaching career started that he would be a key to success, but he now is. He has taken a team and adapted the players to his style and made them overachieve on a consistent basis. With consistency key to a shortened off-season, he’ll be able to capitalize in areas that other teams will not.
-
Why they could fail:
- Takeo Spikes-Takeo has only been on one winning team in his 14 year career. Either he’s a cancer or just unlucky, but considering he was the leader and most productive tackler on a lot of those teams, he should take some of the blame.
- Questionable Pass Rush-Shaun Phillips came into his own last year, but it'll be tough for him to repeat his performance. The other side is shaky with Larry English not yet living up to his 1st round status, and Travis LaBoy never showing much more than a few glimpses during an entire season.
-
Carolina
- 2011: Cam Newton-Carolina’s season will be in the hands of Cam Newton. Fortunately, even if he is not the most accurate passer, he is a winner and a tough player, and we’ve seen that success with similar players such as Vince Young in the games he started at Tennessee, and even glimpses with Tim Tebow when he started.
- 2010: Brandon LaFell- Steve Smith is just about done and it’s important for Brandon LaFell to establish himself as a credible threat for Cam Newton this year and into the future.
- 2009: Captain Munnerlyn- Captain was known more for his special teams early on but he moved into the starting cornerback role, and it will be necessary for him to stick there and play sound coverage in a division that plays Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and Josh Freeman twice.
-
Why they could surprise:
- Offensive Line- Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah have been solid bookends for this offensive line for quite some time, and Ryan Kalil has been just as good manning the middle for this line. With solid guard play as well, they will not only allow their running backs to succeed once again, but will allow Cam Newton some time to utilize his strengths and make something happen with his legs if a play breaks down.
- Defense-Carolina once again has a strong defense all around. With Thomas Davis back at outside linebacker, it allows Jon Beason to move back to the middle where he is strongest both in play and in leadership. Dan Conner got valuable experience last year, and Omar Gaither and Lawrence Wilson provide some good depth behind James Anderson. At defensive end Charles Johnson is back, and between Greg Hardy and Eric Norwood, they’ll be sure to solidify the other side of the line. The secondary continues to improve with an always steady Chris Gamble pairing with some good young cornerbacks, and an improved Charles Godfrey pairing with Martin to form a nice duo at safety.
-
Why they could fail:
- Defensive Tackles: Carolina has been looking for strong defensive tackles ever since Kris Jenkins left, and this year they drafted two in the hopes of ending that search. Yet they will test their findings early on, starting two rookies in Sione Fua and Terrell McClain right from the season opener. It’s risky to start two rookies anywhere on the field
- First time coach: Ron Rivera will be an outstanding coach, and he has proven that by the amount of success he has reached as an assistant and the amount of interest he has garnered for open positions the last few years. But this is a shortened year, and there is a lot more that goes into being a head coach than just letting your players play. Unfortunately for him too he has no one on his staff who has been an NFL head coach either, which would have lessened the learning curve. This will not be an easy first year being in a division consisting of New Orleans, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay, where each team is at it’s height.
