Unknowns/Surprises who may have impact this season

[Mogriffjr]

JETS

OFFENSE
TE Jeff Cumberland- This guy is a freak. He's 6'4", 260lbs and runs abot 4.5 40...he's been doing great against 2nd teamers and the Jets really kept him on the roster last year to avoid having him hit the practice squad where they were sure he would get scooped up. With Tom Moore aboard to advise, I hope he plans to have both Keller and Cumberland in 2TE sets...both are essentially WR's in the sense...only thing right now is his blocking isn't as good, but the current backup TE is a decent blocker but has hands of stone.

DEFENSE
DT Ropati Pitoatua- This is another freak of nature. He's 6'8", 315lbs and he's been manhandling on 2nd unit. the jets have tons of big bodies on the defensive line and Rex plans to use all 6-7 guys down there to keep the bodies fresh. We have tons of depth here but this guy just stands out blows up plays in the backfield.

 

[j.hen]

Falcons Offense: Jacquizz Rodgers

Falcons Defense: Dominique Franks/Darrin Walls

 

[Blick]

Offense: RG Jon Asamoah - Nasty. Put Ngata on his ass in the Ravens game.

Defense: LB Justin Houston - Great physical skills. Dropped in the draft cuz he likes to puff the ganja. Could have an 8-10 sack season opposite Tamba Hali just playing on 3rd downs.

 

[St. Francisco]

I have high hopes that Kendall Hunter can significantly contribute to this offense, especially with Gore's contract status questionable to say the least.

 

[PEYMAN18]

Lions

Offense: Jason Fox
Jason Fox was drafted in the 4th round last year by the Lions and has the size to be a monster tackle at 6 foot 7 303 Lbs, he's going to be a solid backup this year behind Backus and Cherilus.

Defense: Aaron Barry
Jim Schwartz thinks highly of Barry, he trained offseason with DRevis and is much stronger and faster than he was last year when he signed on with the Lions as an undrafted free agent, He started last week vs the Browns with Houston out and will probably be the Lions 3rd or 4th CB when the season begins.

 

[Buzzman]

Lions

Nate Burleson- he is going to have a huge year getting single coverage all season long and a QB that can actually get him the ball more than 15 yards down the field.

Speivey - He had never played safety before, yet was good at the end of the season. With a whole camp of learning, I think he'll be good.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Jaguars

Offense - Cecil Shorts, WR - I think he could end up being the second leading receiver on the team this season.

Defense - Austen Lane, DE - He's starting and going to see a lot of time. There is an opportunity for him to make a name for himself. Big guy, athletic. Hopefully he ends up being the goods.

 

[Mogriffjr]

Offense: RG Jon Asamoah - Nasty. Put Ngata on his ass in the Ravens game.

Defense: LB Justin Houston - Great physical skills. Dropped in the draft cuz he likes to puff the ganja. Could have an 8-10 sack season opposite Tamba Hali just playing on 3rd downs.

I remember picking Houston for the Jets in the draft on these boards...really felt he could rush the passer...i'll be following him.

 

[BigBucs]

Offense: WR Desmond Briscoe

Defense: CB E.J. Biggers

 

[Bmore]

For the Ravens I'll say.

Offense : Ed Dickson

Defense : Pernell McPhee

 

[JBregz]

Possibly Roy Helu?

 

[BazookaJoe5]

For the Ravens I'll say.

Offense : Ed Dickson

Defense : Pernell McPhee

Good picks, I would agree with Dickson for offense and say Arthur Jones for defense.

 

[Diivox]

Every year, people want to talk about Jermichael Finley, saying he's going to have a big year, predicting huge numbers from him.... and then he gets hurt. I'm really not convinced he can stay healthy. For this reason, I think Andrew Quarless on offense is going to be a big deal, he's looked great so far and just seems to really want it.

On defense, depending on how he heals, Frank Zombo could snag 6-8 sacks opposite Clay Matthews. He's a try hard defender, plays with Clay's passion, and is a self made man in the mold of Cullen Jenkins and Aaron Kampman, guys who loved to play in Green Bay and loved the community and leave it all on the field.

 

[Goober]

Eric Decker-WR.

 

[Obst]

Jaguars

Offense - Cecil Shorts, WR - I think he could end up being the second leading receiver on the team this season.

Defense - Austen Lane, DE - He's starting and going to see a lot of time. There is an opportunity for him to make a name for himself. Big guy, athletic. Hopefully he ends up being the goods.

I agree with Cecil Shorts but I can't agree with Lane. We signed Roth to be the starter across from Kampman and Mincey has been a monster this preseason while Lane has disappeared.

My pick for defense is Courtney Greene, S - This year Greene doesn't have to be the best safety on the field (sorry Don Carey and Sean Considine). This is going to allow him to be in the hard hitting in the box safety and not have to worry about coverage as much. I'm expecting a big year from him.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Redskins offense: No one name really stands out to me. Obviously, this could be Beck, or Fred Davis, or Tim Hightower (but everyone is now expecting him to do well.) I think that Beck is named the starter and has a passable season. But I still don't think he's an answer beyond this season.

Redskins defense: Jarvis Jenkins' loss was huge- I would have said him up until this point. Ryan Kerrigan is going to put up a good season rushing the quarterback- Brian Orakpo and Barry Cofield will be drawing double teams and that is going to leave room for Kerrigan to face one blocker, and with his motor, he won't give up on any play. But the real surprise is going to be Kevin Barnes, our current nickel corner. He has played well so far and speculation is that he could overtake Josh Wilson as the starter opposite Deangelo Hall.

 

[Tailback U]

Rookie Denarius Moore looked was the Raiders best WR in the preseason with Jacoby Ford out. He showed more in a couple preseason games than DHB has in 2 years. He could be really good.

Last year, I predicted Lamarr Houston and Matt Shaughnessy to breakout. Houston had a great rookie season but Shaughnessy kind of fell off the radar. I expect better play for him. I also think this is the year Michael Huff makes a name for himself as he is finally showing sings of developing into a complete free safety.

 

[cf24]

Cardinals

Offense- :jonesy: this isn't 2008, we don't have an offense. But I'll say Lyle Sendlien, Center. He's been one of the only consistent guys on the line the past few years.

Defense- O'Brien Schofield/AJ Jefferson. Schofield is coming back from his knee injury (that occurred before the draft last year in the Senior Bowl) and is looking REALLY good. He needs to work on his coverage skills, but he is a legit pass-rusher. And Jefferson will make the team and can hopefully move into the nickel-back over Michael Adams (decent player, but too short and his speed isn't what a nickels speed should be). He's tall, got some good arm length, and has been working his ass off this camp. I'm impressed.

 

[NAHSTE]

LSU:

 

[corbin]

Cardinals

Offense- :jonesy: this isn't 2008, we don't have an offense. But I'll say Lyle Sendlien, Center. He's been one of the only consistent guys on the line the past few years.

Defense- O'Brien Schofield/AJ Jefferson. Schofield is coming back from his knee injury (that occurred before the draft last year in the Senior Bowl) and is looking REALLY good. He needs to work on his coverage skills, but he is a legit pass-rusher. And Jefferson will make the team and can hopefully move into the nickel-back over Michael Adams (decent player, but too short and his speed isn't what a nickels speed should be). He's tall, got some good arm length, and has been working his ass off this camp. I'm impressed.

Right on with Schofield. I think he will surprise a few Cardinals fans and provide a legitimate pass rush. Offensively, I'm going to lean towards Stephens-Howling. He's going to be our 3rd down back now and work his ass off on punt/kick returns. I'm just hoping his small frame can keep right and avoid the injury bug.