Stretching the Field: Something to Prove
by Luke Paul Chandler
Every team has a player whose fate on the field could change their season. Who could change your team’s fate?
With NFL training camps opening up, questions are flying. Teams have their rosters set, and now need to look internally to fix their problems. Each team has a player who’s on the field product will be tested, and could be a huge factor for their success in 2008. These are the players and their questions.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - Paul Posluszny MLB - Can Posluszny be a factor against the run this year?
Miami Dolphins - Channing Crowder ILB - Which Crowder will show up in a contract year, the impact 2006 player or the so-so 2007 player?
New York Jets - Kris Jenkins NT - Is Jenkins able to stay motivated enough to anchor the Jets 3-4 defense?
New England Patriots - Nick Kaczur ORT - Problems off the field aside, is Kaczur going to be able to handle speed rushers better than he did in 2007?
AFC West
Denver Broncos - Dewayne Robertson DT - Is Robertson going to be able to stabilize one of the league’s worst run support units?
Kansas City Chiefs - Branden Albert OLT (R) - As a rookie, will Albert be able to transition to left tackle?
Oakland Raiders - Michael Huff SS - Will the presence of free agent Gibril Wilson allow Huff to play more aggressively and instinctively?
San Diego Chargers - Darren Sproles RB - If needed, can Sproles be counted on to run the ball should Tomlinson’s knee problems continue?
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Brendon Ayanbadejo ILB - Will Ayanbadejo’s production on special teams justify his contract?
Cincinnati Bengals - Chad Johnson WR - Will the only person to shut down No. 85 this year be No. 85?
Cleveland Browns - Donte’ Stallworth WR - Can Stallworth provide a yards after catch presence for one of the league’s worst yards after catch teams from 2007?
Pittsburgh Steelers - Lawrence Timmons ILB - Is Timmons primed to breakout, and become an impact inside linebacker after playing special teams primarily in 2007?
AFC South
Houston Texans - Duane Brown OLT (R) - Will Brown be the perfect left tackle for Alex Gibbs’ zone scheme? Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Gonzalez WR - If Marvin Harrison is lost due to injuries or legal troubles, will Gonzalez be able to produce consistently?
Jacksonsville Jaguars - Brian Williams FS - Can Williams be a stabilizing force at free safety under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams?
Tennesse Titans - Chris Johnson RB (R) - Is Johnson the check-down receiving threat that Vince Young needs to grow as a passer?
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Anthony Henry DB - Is Henry going to accept a move to safety if the team’s glut at cornerback comes through?
New York Giants - Justin Tuck DE - Is Tuck going to be able to produce as consistently as a pass rusher now that’s he a full time player?
Philadelphia Eagles - Stewart Bradley MLB - Will the Eagles finally get stability at middle linebacker not named Trotter with Bradley?
Washington Redskins - Jason Campbell QB - Will new head coach Jim Zorn’s West Coast Offense fit Campbell the same way Al Borges’ offense when Campbell was at Auburn?
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Matt Leinart QB - Has the star quarterback’s personal life and star off the field started to affect his play?
San Francisco 49ers - Kentwan Balmer DT (R) - Does Balmer have the technique to convert to playing nose tackle in the Niners 3-4 defense?
Seattle Seahawks - John Carlson TE (R) - Is Carlson the perfect West Coast Offense tight end that Mike Holmgren had needed all along in Seattle?
St. Louis Rams - Drew Bennett WR - Can the disappointing Bennett play live up to the contract he earned a few seasons ago?
NFC North
Chicago Bears - Matt Forte’ RB (R) - Will Forte’ be ready to carry the Bears’ struggling offense on his back as a rookie?
Detroit Lions - Jordan Dizon MLB (R) - Is Dizon going to be able to live up to his draft stock, or will he always be a limited player?
Green Bay Packers - Brandon Chillar OLB - Was Ted Thompson’s marquee free agent acquisition be able to crack the starting lineup?
Minnesota Vikings - Tarvaris Jackson QB - Did Jackson always need a true No.1 receiver to flourish?
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Chris Houston CB - Will Houston be able to replace DeAngelo Hall’s production as the leader of the secondary?
Carolina Panthers - Charles Johnson DE - With his promotion to the starting lineup, will he help stabilize the line the way the retired Mike Rucker did?
New Orleans Saints - Jeremy Shockey TE - Will Shockey be able to handle a quarterback who distributes the ball evenly?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Aqid Talib CB (R) - Is Talib going to be mature enough to eventually inherit a future Hall of Fame cornerback’s job?
Contact Luke at Luke@newerascouting.com.