http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10882613 There is nothing sexy about making an offensive tackle the NFL's biggest breakout player in 2008, especially when you consider my admiration for quarterbacks and the passing game. Then again, Stacy Andrews of the Cincinnati Bengals has a chance to be a special kind of player. He's no ordinary fifth-year offensive lineman, even though he has just 17 career starts. Andrews, who filled in for veteran Willie Anderson when Anderson was out with an injury in 2007, has developed a heck of a reputation despite his inexperience. The Bengals thought enough of him to place the franchise tag on him before the start of free agency to keep him off the market. From backup one year to $7.5 million in base salary the next is quite a leap, which speaks volumes about Andrews' potential. Andrews, the brother of Philadelphia Eagles' Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, came into the league in 2004 as a raw fourth-round pick known more for his ability to compete in track and field then on the football field. In four seasons, he has become a physical force who plays with a mean streak like his brother. The right tackle spot doesn't get the glamour of the left tackle position, but Andrews might help change that. He is a drive-blocking, power player who should help spring Rudi Johnson for big numbers this season. Andrews can still become an unrestricted free agent after the season if the Bengals don't give him a long-term deal. They would be wise to try to work something out before the end of the coming season. They have until July 15 to do something or he will play for the franchise tender he signed. You can bet if they don't do something he'll be one of the top free agents in 2009. For now, he's the top guy on my list of potential breakout players: 1. Stacy Andrews, T, Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals did the wise thing and designated Andrews their franchise player after the 2007 season. He went into that season as a backup, but injuries gave him 13 starts. He now goes into this season listed as the starting right tackle, ahead of 13-year veteran Willie Anderson. By season's end, he just might be the best right tackle in the AFC. 2. Haloti Ngata, DE, Baltimore Ravens: Playing on a front seven loaded with really good players, Ngata tends to get overlooked. That won't happen this season. In his second season in 2007 he started to flash star potential. This is the season it happens a lot. He is strong and quick. 3. Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets: He showed off smooth man-cover skills as a rookie last season. The Jets traded up to get him in the 2007 draft and he showed why. Revis might be ready to head to the Pro Bowl in his second season. 4. Justin Durant, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars: He started eight games as a rookie last season and showed explosive speed. In Gregg Williams' attacking defense, Durant should show up even more. He's a future Pro Bowl player. 5. Antrel Rolle, S, Arizona Cardinals: The scouts all said Rolle didn't have the hips to play corner. So even though he made some big plays last season -- including two picks for scores in one game -- Rolle moves to free safety this season. Look for Rolle to be much more of a fit at safety. He is a playmaker who will complement Adrian Wilson well.
^ I was going to say that. He's a legitimate stud. Really, anything less than a great year from him would constitute a step back... Seems to me that Prisco is using how much media/fan attention a player gets as an indicator of whether or not he has 'broken out' as opposed to play on the field...
I like D'Qwell Jackson being on that list. I really liked him in college and what I've seen from him in Cleveland thus far. I also like Steve Smith (the Giants one). I was certain he'd be a better pro than Dwayne Jarrett. I recall catching all sorts of flak about that here circa 2007 draft time.
Jarrett is a POS. I believe he recently got himself into some sort of off-the-field problem. I don't normally like judging WRs till 3 years have elapsed, but I am pretty confident Smith will have a better NFL career than Jarrett.
^ I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with that opinion, but the guys have a combined 14 career regular season catches... I think it's fair to wait before flaunting that you picked Smith to be the better pro...
A good breakout candidate not on the list is Stephen Nicholas. He may start at WLB. The Falcons have two LBs who are already good- Michael Boley (my #1 breakout candidate this time last year; only Tom Brady was more valuable on my fantasy team) and Keith Brooking. Nicholas and rookie Curtis Lofton could turn out to be good, too. If Lofton wows in camp, maybe they'll start him in the middle and move Brooking to the weakside. In that case, Nicholas would stay on the bench.
Yea...the Ngata thing is BS...the guys on my short list for best defender in the league right now. He's reason #1 why that Ravens D has dominated the run the past two years, and he's probably the largest reason that Ravens D will still be tough when their older guys retire. I like the Steve Smith call Cakes...I also thought he'd end up a better pro than Jarrett. Better game speed and he's just way more tough... I've been on Stacy Andrews for a couple years now...he's looked good whenever he's seen the field. He was probably the Bengals best linemen last year. I really want to see what Rolle does at S. Besides for the fact that he was too good a prospect to completely bust...maybe its a sign of things to come for Justin Miller. Spencer will be Ware's Shaun Phillips. What in the fuck is Chad Jackson doing on that list? Prisco comes out with a good article here...and has to sneak in a secret Patsy BJ in. Who else do I see breaking out...Justin Tuck should kick ass as a starter...but thats obvious cause he kicks ass in general....F Troy Williamson...I like Jacoby Jones on the Texans alot more...I expect Branch and Watson to be vital to a very talented Cardinals D...I still like Victor Abiamiri but since I didn't see much of him I'm just throwing his name out...I also like Stewart Bradley on the Eagles...Dwayne Bowe should be one of the better young WRs in the league again, but this time I expect he'll get some recognition for it...Ben Grubbs, Chris Chester, and Jason Brown should own the inside for the Ravens for a while...I REALLY liked what I saw from Antwan Barnes as a pass rusher last year...a healthy Manny Lawson should have a really good season...and Vernon Davis could really break out if the 49ers QB is simply competent...
Justin Durant will be just another piece of a Jacksonville D that is just way too big, fast, and mean for most teams.
I disagree with Rolle being so high. Also, there's a poll on the cbs.sportsline homepage, asking which player is better, and somehow Rolle has 37% of the vote! Ngata and Revis have 20% a piece. No way would I take Rolle over Ngata or Revis. Rolle is changing positions and hasn't yet shown he'll be a good player. I'd take Andrews, Revis, and Ngata over Rolle. Chad Jackson is always injured.
I still prefer Revis as the No. 1 CB in the draft last year, however, this Prisco is misguided not to also include Aaron Ross in the breakout year for 2008. The guy played his ass off for the NYG. Even though he made rookie mistakes early on, he played through them. Aaron Ross played through a separated shoulder and came up to tackle without a thought, over and over in the playoffs. The guy was a gamer through and through down the stretch. He ripped two INTs from us in the Giants game so we should have noticed him even then. Antrel Rolle, to me, is a rookie pussyfoot by comparison. He's got a couple of lightyears to catch up with Ross' and Revis' character show-up of 07.
BTW: D'Brick should be on this list. 24...started two full NFL seasons next to mediocre (at best) guards...has looked dominant when he's been on his game...now he's playing next to a guy whose at least close to elite if he's not elite anymore... Seriously...so many people seem to have forgotten just how talented D'Brick is and how highly thought of he was/is. He was a legit early first rounder in '05 had he chosen to come out...and NO ONE laughed at him being picked 4th in an '06 class that was just loaded. It's not like he's come in and blown chunks either...he's faced a who's who of pass rushers his first two years and still the only complaints about him remain mostly about his weight and endurance over a full seasons...two problems that usually just go away after a few years.
DWare, I'm with you on D'Brick. I would bet he graded out superlative last year even on Tony Wise's clip board. How many serious Pass Rushers did he actually stone in 07?
Taylor...Geathers...Cole...JVB...Suggs...Schobel... And he really only played downright terrible in week 1 when Green owned him.
Now that I've put some real thought into it though...why Revis over most? He was a vital part of a 4-12 team...how good can he really be?
