New NFL Stars to emerge in 2011

[EnglishBengal]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81fff422/article/rich-getting-richer-champs-have-more-emerging-stars?module=HP_spotlight

[size="5"][b]Rich getting richer: Champs have more emerging stars[/b][/size]

[i]By Bucky Brooks NFL.com
Published: May 24, 2011 at 08:31 p.m.[/i]

Each year, we see a few unheralded players grab the spotlight with their surprisingly spectacular play.

While some have already shown signs of promise, most rise from obscurity by building off the momentum established at the end of the previous season.

Let's take a look at a handful of players poised to experience a breakout 2011 campaign:

[b]Sam Shields, CB, Packers[/b]
The Packers have found their eventual successor for Charles Woodson in an undrafted free agent with remarkable speed and athleticism. Shields rose from the bottom of the depth chart to become a key contributor in the team's sub packages. With few cornerbacks capable of matching his speed and natural ball skills (four interceptions in 2010), he is poised to have a big second season.
[b]
Jacoby Ford, WR, Raiders[/b]
Al Davis has been tirelessly searching for the next coming of speedy WR Cliff Branch, but he might have found him in Ford. The former standout track star was sensational over the second half of the season as the Raiders' designated big-play specialist. He scored seven touchdowns on a combination of receptions, reverses and kick returns. He also flashed the potential to develop into more than a gimmick player in the offense.

[b]Jerome Simpson, WR, Bengals
The Bengals' willingness to part with Chad Ochocinco might be influenced more by Simpson's breakthrough at the end of the season rather than the addition of A.J. Green. He posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games to close out the year, and finally showed the promise that prompted the Bengals to select him ahead of DeSean Jackson in the 2008 draft.[/b]
[b]
James Starks, RB, Packers[/b]
Starks burst onto the national scene by carrying the Packers' running game in the postseason. He posted a 100-yard game in the team's wild-card matchup against the Eagles, and tallied 20 or more carries in three of the Packers' four playoff games. Although Ryan Grant is slated to return after sitting out most of last season with an injury, Starks' emergence could make him expendable when the league year commences.
[b]
William Moore, S, Falcons[/b]
Moore bounced back from an injury-plagued rookie season to become one of the team's standout defenders in 2010. He finished the season as the Falcons' fourth-leading tackler and recorded five interceptions as a first-year starter. With a full season of game experience under his belt, he is poised to make a Pro Bowl run.
[b]
Josh Wilson, CB, Ravens[/b]
Wilson has flown under the radar for most of his career despite being a solid contributor during a three-year run in Seattle. However, a trade to Baltimore provided him with more opportunities and a bigger stage to show off his emerging skills. As a ball-hawking corner with outstanding speed and athleticism, Wilson is on the cusp of becoming a household name as an upper-echelon cover man.

[b]Carlos Dunlap, DE, Bengals
In a few years, taking Dunlap in the second round of the 2010 draft might look like one of the biggest steals. He finished his rookie season with 9.5 sacks in only 12 games as a situational player. Given his combination of burst, explosiveness and rush skill, Dunlap is on his way to becoming a perennial double-digit sack artist as a pro.[/b]
[b]
Marcus Benard, OLB/DE, Browns[/b]
Benard quietly emerged as the Browns' most disruptive defender during his second season. Although the team's decision to move to a 4-3 could force him to shift positions, his natural rush skills and explosiveness will lead defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to come up with creative schemes to take advantage of his talents. If he can quickly acclimate to the change in position, he could be a critical part of the team's defensive makeover.
[b]
Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints[/b]
Sean Payton letting Jeremy Shockey go was largely due to the development of Graham. The former basketball standout quickly became one of Drew Brees' favorite red-zone targets. With more opportunities to snag balls as the No. 1 tight end, Graham could see his numbers double in his second season.

[b]Rodger Saffold, OT, Rams[/b]
The team's decision to keep Saffold at left tackle over former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith is indicative of his potential to blossom into a franchise-caliber player at the position. His sound footwork and fundamentals will make him a perennial Pro Bowler in St. Louis.

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

[texbengal]

Interesting list. I really like Josh Wilson - have since he was a collegian, and he's getting an opportunity in Baltimore. High-character kid who can really run.

The Ravens' CBs have been a sore spot for them the past few seasons, IMO.

Pretty cool that the Bengals have two on the list; I hope he's right about Simpson - he was really fun to watch at the end of last year. Super athletic guy.

[Tigris]

You know who I really like? TJ Ward in Cleveland. He gave Shipley a good lick once in the endzone. I wish we had him.

[Jason]

I like seeing Simpson and Dunlap on that list, but I think leaving Gresham off will look like a major oversight in a year or 2.

[claptonrocks]

[quote name='Jason' timestamp='1306429630' post='994885']
I like seeing Simpson and Dunlap on that list, but I think leaving Gresham off will look like a major oversight in a year or 2.
[/quote]

I agree about Gresham and Id add Jordan Shipley to the list....I thought his play was excellent for a rookie last season...
Shipley, to me, is another Welker in the making.....
Wouldnt be surprised if he had 80 plus catches this season barring injury....

[sparky151]

It's quite a reach to call Simpson an emerging star. I'd be happy if he can prove to be a solid #2 receiver (I think he can). He's been in the league for 3 seasons with not a lot of total production. A couple good games at the end of the year doesn't mean anything for the following year as all Bengals fans know from two decades of dead cat bounces.

[JC]

Rome's going to have 10+ touchdowns this year and after each touchdown he is going to don a real HOF jacket. They already gave it to him.

[BengalBacker]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1306452271' post='994928']
It's quite a reach to call Simpson an emerging star. I'd be happy if he can prove to be a solid #2 receiver (I think he can). He's been in the league for 3 seasons with not a lot of total production. A couple good games at the end of the year doesn't mean anything for the following year as all Bengals fans know from two decades of dead cat bounces.
[/quote]

It's hard to have any production when you're not on the field. I'm not saying he should have been on the field, just that you can't expect him to have numbers if he didn't play.

Besides those last two games, how many snaps has he taken and how many times did they throw him the ball? Can't be many. Probably partly because he's not that bright, and partly because of who was ahead of him, he just hasn't had much game experience. I don't know if those last couple of games were a fluke, or if he's just one of those guys whose instincts take over on game day, but he's not good in practice or the classroom.

It might be a reach to include him in the list, but I don't think it's a bad prediction. I get the feeling that Gruden is going to plan more to his player's strengths, and I think he'll find good ways to use Simpson.

[sparky151]

[quote name='BengalBacker' timestamp='1306476400' post='994961']
It's hard to have any production when you're not on the field. I'm not saying he should have been on the field, just that you can't expect him to have numbers if he didn't play.

Besides those last two games, how many snaps has he taken and how many times did they throw him the ball? Can't be many. Probably partly because he's not that bright, and partly because of who was ahead of him, he just hasn't had much game experience. I don't know if those last couple of games were a fluke, or if he's just one of those guys whose instincts take over on game day, but he's not good in practice or the classroom.

It might be a reach to include him in the list, but I don't think it's a bad prediction. I get the feeling that Gruden is going to plan more to his player's strengths, and I think he'll find good ways to use Simpson.
[/quote]

It doesn't make much sense to excuse Simpson's lack of production on the argument he couldn't beat out OchoCinco and Coles or Owens. His lack of production is from not being able to beat out Caldwell or Shipley.

[mongo]

[quote name='claptonrocks' timestamp='1306430185' post='994888']
I agree about Gresham and Id add Jordan Shipley to the list....I thought his play was excellent for a rookie last season...
Shipley, to me, is another Welker in the making.....
Wouldnt be surprised if he had 80 plus catches this season barring injury....
[/quote]

We're stacked with young, talented receivers. It's just tough to have high hopes for them this season with all of the turmoil.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1306476828' post='994962']
It doesn't make much sense to excuse Simpson's lack of production on the argument he couldn't beat out OchoCinco and Coles or Owens. His lack of production is from not being able to beat out Caldwell or Shipley.
[/quote]


and lets call a spade a spade. He largely didn't beat out Caldwell or Cosby (I don't think Shipley was an issue)because he didn't offer much as far as special teams go.

Simpson didn't see more time early for a combination of factors:


1) In 2008 he did start to get some time then got hurt

2) He was slow in being consistent in his route running

3) He wasn't good enough at special teams to beat out Caldwell or Cosby for a spot on the gameday roster

4) He was sattled down the depth chart for a long time behind the likes of Chad, TJ, Coles and Bryant

5) Both Carson and Brat have a documented history of preferring veteran WR's which is part of why vet WR's were continaully brought in rather than the young guys given a shot.

6) He was brought in to replace Chad, who never ended up leaving.


All played a part in what has been Simpson's career thus far.

[Jason]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1306497790' post='994970']
[b]and lets call a spade a spade[/b]. He largely didn't beat out Caldwell or Cosby (I don't think Shipley was an issue)because he didn't offer much as far as special teams go.

Simpson didn't see more time early for a combination of factors:


1) In 2008 he did start to get some time then got hurt

2) He was slow in being consistent in his route running

3) He wasn't good enough at special teams to beat out Caldwell or Cosby for a spot on the gameday roster

4) He was sattled down the depth chart for a long time behind the likes of Chad, TJ, Coles and Bryant

5) Both Carson and Brat have a documented history of preferring veteran WR's which is part of why vet WR's were continaully brought in rather than the young guys given a shot.

6) He was brought in to replace Chad, who never ended up leaving.


All played a part in what has been Simpson's career thus far.
[/quote]


[img]http://www.profilesupport.net/myspace-comments/funny/images/thats_racist.gif[/img]

[JC]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1306476828' post='994962']
It doesn't make much sense to excuse Simpson's lack of production on the argument he couldn't beat out OchoCinco and Coles or Owens. His lack of production is from not being able to beat out Caldwell or Shipley.
[/quote]
IIRC, Jerome only knew how to play the spot Chad did. I feel like they said as much when Chad was hurt and kept playing and they didn't activate Jerome in case.

He may not be too bright, but has insane potential. He looked like Chad with ability to go over the middle and break tackles. He even knows how to fumble like Chad. Caldwell looked pretty good at the end of the year too. Who knows, maybe if those two played all year, our record could have looked much different.

[sparky151]

I don't buy the special teams explanation since he did play on teams last year. It's sort of like when Kelley Washington was supposedly not able to play teams for the Bengals yet has made it the basis of his career with other franchises. You may remember after the Colts game late in 2008 when Marvin called Jerome out for not knowing the offense. Sure Brat's offense was overly complicated and crappy to boot, but the players still have to learn it.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1306509923' post='995034']
[b]I don't buy the special teams explanation since he did play on teams last year. [/b]It's sort of like when Kelley Washington was supposedly not able to play teams for the Bengals yet has made it the basis of his career with other franchises. You may remember after the Colts game late in 2008 when Marvin called Jerome out for not knowing the offense. Sure Brat's offense was overly complicated and crappy to boot, but the players still have to learn it.
[/quote]


was Marvin saying it not good enough?


And fwiw, which games did he play on special teams last year? I know they tried him in training camp, but don't recall an actual game.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='Jason' timestamp='1306498367' post='994972']
[img]http://www.profilesupport.net/myspace-comments/funny/images/thats_racist.gif[/img]



That's hilarious!! I damn near shot tea out my nose!













[/quote]

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='sparky151' timestamp='1306509923' post='995034']
I don't buy the special teams explanation since he did play on teams last year. It's sort of like when Kelley Washington was supposedly not able to play teams for the Bengals yet has made it the basis of his career with other franchises. You may remember after the Colts game late in 2008 when Marvin called Jerome out for not knowing the offense. Sure Brat's offense was overly complicated and crappy to boot, but the players still have to learn it.
[/quote]

Well here's what they said last December BEFORE the two break out games:

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Hard-work/ceb2aaf4-0be4-4e44-8e16-cae42758415d

It appears that it was a combination of things, and Special Teams was a big part of it, as well as them training him to just learn Chad's position.