Y2R's 1990 Off. Sleepers-n-Busts
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Part 1
Chicago Bears
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Sleeper: WR - Wendell Davis
The Chicago Bears are looking like they're going to focus with a slightly less running-oriented output by this years offense. What does this mean? Well Davis should be seeing many more balls coming his way. Last year he only had 26 catches for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns as the team's number two wide receiver. This year he is challenging Ron Morris for the potential number one spot. However, even if he doesn't claim the number one spot he should still have a much more admirable season thanks to Jim Harbaugh's change-ups this off-season, and the team's orientation.
Projected Statistics: 45 Rec - 653 Yds - 6 Td's
Bust: QB - Mike Tomczak
While It's not one-hundred percent set in stone, Jim Harbaugh will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears going into training camp. Mike Ditka feels that Harbaugh is ready to command this team and he will allow him the opportunity to prove himself. Tomczak struggled to a 16 touchdown, 16 interception season last year which left much to be desired. However there is still a chance, resting on a solid pre-season performance, that Mike could find himself back in the number one spot. However that seems highly unlikely due to Ditka's plain admiration towards Harbaugh. All signs are pointing to either just a few nominal starts, or a complete backup role for Mike Tomczak this season.
Projected Stats: 52 of 126 att - 697 yds - 5 td - 7 int
Cincinnati Bengals
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Sleeper: FB - Harold Green
Many believe that Harold Green is merely a runningback in a fullbacks body. There is a lot of potential for Green to cut into James Brooks carries. However it'll be hard for Sam Wyche to give up on Brooks after his solid 1989 performance. It is my belief that Harold Green will surprise some people and get many carries on 3rd down for the team, making him a valuable asset. He also has the raw talent to be a solid recieving back for the team which is just what Boomer Esiason ordered.
Projected Stats: 75 att - 320 yds - 5 td - 40 rec - 400 yds - 5 td
Bust: TE - Rodney Holman
It's going to be extremely hard for Rodney Holman to live up to the expectations he has on his back this year. Holman finished last year with a pro-bowl caliber 50 catches for 736 yards and 9 touchdowns. This amazing numbers for a tight end are going to be painfully hard to repeat for Holman this year. Esiason may not be throwing as many passes to Holman this year because of the late-season emergence of Tim McGee into the number one wide reciever spot. McGee finished the year with 65 grabs for 1,211 yards and 8 touchdowns. He had an amazing 18.6 yards per catch average that the Bengals are going to try and fully exploit this season.
Projected Stats: 40 Rec - 575 yds - 4 td
Buffalo Bills
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Sleeper: WR - James Lofton
The veteran wide-out, James Lofton, struggled last year after not only being in a non-starting spot on the roster, but also suffering injuries that kept him out of half-a-dozen games during the regular season. Lofton, as his career has proven, has all the tools needed to be a dominant reciever. While some may believe he doesn't have what it takes to compete anymore, I still believe that he still has some milage left in his tank. Jim Kelly's passing combined with the change of pace running by Thurman Thomas will give Lofton plenty of opportunities to shine. Andre Reed broke out last year with some big-time numbers, but who knows if he can be that consistent?
Projected Stats: 54 Rec - 1,080 Yds - 6 Td
Bust: TE - Keith McKeller
Keith already had a disappointing year last year, so this season would just add to the spiraling downfall. With Pete Metzelaars breathing down his neck for the starting job, it will be interesting to see how McKeller answers the pressure. His first starting year was last season, and it may end up being his only one as his 20 catches for 341 yards weren't enough to raise the eyebrows of Marv Levy. Levy is high on Metzelaars and we could easily see him overtake McKeller for the tight end spot as the Bills hope to get their tight ends more involved in the passing attack.
Projecte Stats: 20 Rec - 352 Yds - 1 TD
Denver Broncos
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Sleeper: WR - Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson only had 28 grabs last year, and this year, as the teams number two wide receiver, should at least double those numbers for the season. Elway and company still have a huge chip on there shoulder after their third super bowl loss, and that equates to Elway throwing more deep balls. Jackson has a great set of hands on him, and a good ability to run after the catch. Now with his newfound ranking in the depth charts he could easily find many more passes come his way this season.
Projected Stats: 56 rec - 896 Yds - 4 Td
Bust: QB - John Elway
While some may be thinking, how can John Elway be a bust? He's already thrown for over 3,000 yards 5 years in a row now. My answer is, he has not been as good as he could be. In the past seven years he has only thrown for more then 20 touchdowns once (22, 1985). He has also only thrown 4 more touchdowns then interceptions twice in his career (1986, 1987) and it is not quite what Denver has been hoping for. When the Broncos selecte dhim and got him to play they were under the impression that this kid would win them a superbowl. Well it's been seven years and he's brought the team too three super bowls. But he has chocked in every single one of them. None were within 19 points, the Giants, Redskins, and 49ers, single-handled dismantled Elway's team, and it doesn't appear that they will win one. Elway may end up being the best and worst thing ever to happen to Denver at this point. While he's putting up decent yardage numbers, and three super bowl appearances, he isn't scoring enough touchdowns to get them over the hump. After the embarrasing loss to San Francisco last year, I have a feeling Elway may have lost his confidence and may no longer be able to perform to expectations. Will he ever win a super bowl? Only time will tell.
Projected Stats: 306 of 514 att - 3,620 yds - 15 td - 14 int
Cleveland Browns
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Sleeper: HB - Kevin Mack
There are talks of switching Eric Metcalf's position this year with Kevin Mack. However it shall be interesting to see as Metcalf played pretty solid last year with over 600 yards on the ground and 54 catches as well for nearly 400 more. Kevin Mack believes he can take the bulk of the carries, and his hard-pounding running style could easily see him succeed. Reminiscent of Christian Okoye from Kansas City, Kevin Mack has a small-distance bursting ability that could make defenders pay. If Mack and Metcalf settle things before the regular season, and Mack comes out as the teams number one load back, then he will have a breakout year in comparison to 1989's 137 total yards.
Projected Stats: 205 Att - 902 Yds - 8 TD
Bust: FS - Felix Wright
Felix Wright had an unbelievable year last year defending against the pass. However great it was, the Browns are going to have to prepare themselves for nothing other then a let down. Wright finished last year with a team leading 9 interceptions! However this year he will be hard-pressed to try and match those numbers. Felix Wright still has the skills to put a decent year, and by no means will be an utter bust (barring a long-term injury), but he merely just will not be capable to perform to the standards he gave himself last year.
Projected Stats: 56 Tak - 2 Sack - 4 Int
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Sleeper: HB - Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson just came to Tampa Bay as a free agent this season. He did not play a single snap last season, therefore his last action was in 1988 with the San Diego Chargers. And it was some great running that year. Anderson have 1,119 yards on only 225 carries and 3 touchdowns, giving him a top-notch 5 yards per carry average. However his name seemed to slip under the radar among the elite backs that season. This one time pro-bowler (1986) made it there not on his running that season, 442 yards, 1 touchdown, but on his solid hands. (80 rec, 871 yds, 8 td). It is apparent that Tampa Bay was eager to aquired Gary Anderson to replace Lars Tate at the runningback spot. This year he will find himself starting and the Buccaneers are hoping that he manages to put up a similar ypc average as he did in 1988. His pass-catching ability will prove incredible usefull to quarterback Vinny Testeverde who has proven he likes to pass it out in the flats.
Bust: WR - Mark Carrier
Mark Carrier had the best year of his short career last season as he put up 86 catches, for 1,422 yards, and 9 touchdowns. However many are saying that with the addition of Gary Anderson to the lineup, Vinny Testeverde, along with the entire wide receiving corps will take a hit in their statistical output for the upcoming year. Carrier without a doubt will still be the top-notch guy, but with the added reliance on #2 Bruce Hill, and the pumped-up running gameplan, Carriers numbers can only faulter.
Projected Stats: 68 Rec - 1,180 Yds - 6 Td
Phoenix Cardinals
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Sleeper: HB - Johnny Johnson
The Phoenix Cardinals are extremely high on this rookie runningback, Johnny Johnson. Johnson will pretty much be handed the starting job by Phoneix, who had a hard time sticking to a single runningback the past season. Johnson is expected to come in and use his amazing abilities to help this ailing Cardinals team that is in much need of a consistant running game. He will not have an amazing season, but he will have a surprising year considering that he is just a rookie.
Projected Stats: 250 att - 1,000 Yds - 6 TD
Bust: WR - J.T. Smith
The Cardinals seem to have shunned what J.T. Smith produced last season when considering this years depth charts. Smith finds himself riding the number 4 wide reciever spot going into the pre-season. Last year, in just 9 appearances, J.T. Smith put up 62 rec, 778 yds, and 5 touchdowns. The veteran receiver showed what he was capable of in 1986 and 1987 with the Rams, and he should easily be the number one guy in Phoenix. However, Roy Green, Ernie Jones, and rookie Ricky Proehl have all been placed over J.T. Smith on the charts. Ricky Proehl is looking at a solid year, meanwhile Ernie Jones remains at his number 2 spot. The young Roy Green, who play well in J.T. Smith's absence last year, but not better than him, ended up being the number one guy. This odd musical chair recieving corps is talented, but the Cardinals seem to be wasting talent in J.T. Smith by placing him at the number four spot. Despite his skills, his numbers will greatly suffer without any further action being taken.
Projected Stats: 23 Rec - 382 Yds - 1 TD
