There is always a player or unit on each NFL team that has that extra chip on their shoulder. The have extra motivation to prove something to their franchise, fans, and the league. Here’s a look at the AFC players or units.
Baltimore Ravens: HB Willis McGahee – LeRon McClain was a very pleasant surprise in the Ravens rushing attack, as well as Ray Rice. Where does that leave McGahee? The injury problems that scared a lot of teams away from him coming out of Miami have reared their ugly heads the last season. The Ravens have parted ways with quite a few high priced veterans in recent years, and McGahee could be next if he doesn’t have a season like had in 2007 (Over 1200 rushing yards).Buffalo Bills: WR Terrell Owens – Is there really any other choice here? Unlike most of the people on this list, T.O. doesn’t have to prove his ability or that he can stay healthy. He has to prove that he isn’t productive poison to a team. No one has ever questioned his ability to play or desire to win, it is his attitude that has been questionable to say the least. If he has a productive, QUIET season, Buffalo may resign him or another team may want to sign him. If not, he may be blackballed out of football á la Barry Bonds.
Cincinnati Bengals: QB Carson Palmer – Some may be surprised to see him on the list, but Palmer is coming off of a season ending injury. He’s already lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco could be making his way out of town as well. That would leave him with an over-the-hill Laveranues Coles as his go to guy. If it plays out that way, people may have jumped the gun in predicting he would win Comeback Player Of The Year.
Cleveland Browns: WR Braylon Edwards – You could take your pick here, but I’ve got to go with Edwards. Edwards’ performance has been very average for what you expect from a #1 receiver. Even more pressure will be on him with the losses of Donte Stallworth and Kellen Winslow. He will be expected to carry the WR corps, but in order to do that, he needs to work on the “receiving” part of wide receiver.Denver Broncos: WR Brandon Marshall – Marshall simply has to prove that he can stay out of the police lineup so he can stay in the starting lineup. Everyone recognizes his talent, its his common sense that’s in question.
Houston Texans: QB Matt Schaub – Schaub simplay has to prove that he can stay healthy. He’s played some good football when he has been healthy as a Texan. And the Texans better hope that he stays healthy, because their new backup likes to run for safety when he is being pressured by the opposing defense (Dan Orlovsky).
Indianapolis Colts: HB Joseph Addai – With the departure of Marvin “Six Shooter” Harrison, Addai will be called upon even more to bring balance to the offense. But he has to stay healthy in order to do that.
Jacksonville Jaguars: HB Maurice Jones-Drew – With the departure of Fred Taylor and the continued turmoil at the wide receiver position, a ton of pressure will be on MJD. He will have to prove that he can be a full-time back and take the pounding of the eight man fronts the Jaguars will face until they can get someone with straight line (not sniff line) speed who can catch.
Kansas City Chiefs: QB Matt Cassel – Cassel played so well in relief of Tom Brady last season that he cost one QB his starting job (Tyler Thigpen) and caused another QB to cry until he got traded (Jay Cutler). Much is expected of Cassel, maybe even more if Larry Johnson isn’t Larry Johnson anymore.Miami Dolphins: WR Ted Ginn, Jr. – The Dolphins drafted Ginn where you normally draft a #1 receiver (9th overall) but he has not been a #1 receiver. Even in the Dolphins run-oriented offense, Ginn to stand to step it up.
New England Patriots: QB Tom Brady – Coming back from a major injury is the only thing that Tom Brady HASN’T done in his NFL career. He gets his chance this season.
New York Giants: QB Eli Manning – Manning looked lost at times without Plaxico Burress last season. He will have to find his way this season, as the Giants gave the self-shooting mercurial wideout his walking papers. The Giants also lost Wind (Derrick Ward), so now they’re left with just Earth and Fire. Manning will be expected to do more, but barring any major moves, he’ll have to do more with less.
New York Jets: LB Vernon Gholston – The Jets selected Gholston to be a pass rushing force. Problem is, Gholston finished with the same number of sacks that I had last season. ZERO. The Jets were thinking he was the second coming of Lawrence Taylor, but right now he looks like the second coming of Brian Bosworth. He has to prove that he can play in the NFL and that the Jets knew what they were doing when the took him sixth overall.
Oakland Raiders – QB JaMarcus Russell – With the recent addition of Jeff Garcia, JaMarcus Russell has even more to prove this season. If he is not consistent, he could find himself being like Vince Young – a high draft choice holding the clipboard for an aging veteran.Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Max Starks – The Steelers tagged the mammoth left tackle to keep him from walking. He must continue to improve in order to get the extension he seeks.
San Diego Chargers: HB LaDanian Tomlinson – Tomlinson had one foot out of the door this offseason. Now that he’s back in San Diego, they are hoping that the LT of Old is back, and not an old LT.
Tennessee Titans: QB Vince Young – Jeff Fisher said VY would have to earn his starting job back (ouch!), so he has the opportunity to do so this season. He has to show he can be an NFL quarterback this year are the Titans will likely unload him and start over. It wouldn’t hurt them to draft a QB on Day 2 this year.
more
