The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots?)

[PATRIOT64]

What players in the whole NFL do you see under severe scrutiny this year?

What players will be considered a likely bust if they don't contribute in a positive way this year and put their football career in jeopardy which was supposed to be great but into being in danger of being extinct?

There are 3 guys that stand out in my mind this year of being under the microscope

The first guy that stands out as a must in this critical year for him in my mind is ..

ELI MANNING - This guy has not done what the Giants thought was going to happen when they stole his rights out from under San Diego plus the fact that his brother is a future Hall Of Famer and will be considered one of the best ever when his career is done and his father Archie who in his career was also pretty good overall - The pressure is on Eli as the #1 guy in do or die scrutiny this year.

J.P. LOSMAN - This is now his job to hold and secure ever since he took over from Holcomb and Bledsoe and if he is going to be anything but a speed bump in what has been a rough run at the QB position in Buffalo since Kelly left,this will be his do or die year,He played well most of last season and now must take a step forward or succumb to the next QB in Buffalo in 2008 - If he does not do well this year you can rest assure he will be cut or traded next year.

MARIO WILLIAMS - O.K. He is just a very young player and sometimes it takes a couple of years to develop but I think the Texans took the biggest risk of any NFL team that I can remember going way back since Indy took James over Williams several years ago - If he does not perform like a total beast this year I think the Texans will be scratching thier heads of passing on a possible future HOFer in Reggie Bush IMO to a guy that was very quiet in his rookie year - YES,once again only his second season is coming up but what lies behind with the choices that Houston made makes it a pressure packed situation for Mario to become very good on the defensive line and faster than he probably would like to progress.


As far as any Patriots go ,you can say maybe CHAD JACKSON if he plays this year and does not show much maybe thought as a bust but its too early IMO to tell,and besides,with this receiver corps we have it may not even be necessary for him to be a factor or major contributor anyway.

Another Patriot maybe looked at in a critical time to make or break his career is BEN WATSON who showed a sloppy handling of the ball and a dissapointing year in 2006 IMO especially when just about all Patriot Nation thought he was going to be a monster with a lousy receiving corps like we had last year,However he was not able to get open as often as I thought he should have been able to and when he did catch the ball he just did not look as good as in his previous year,of course those dropped balls did not help either.

With an emerging star TE in David Thomas which I think is going to be a very good TE in this league for along time and Kyle Brady right there in the mix it might be critical for Ben to distance himself from the TE pack or sink down the roster at that spot and put himself at a crossroads in 2008 - time will tell.
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Who do you see on the Patriots as a make em or break em guy in 2007?

Who do you see as a make em or break em guy on any of the other teams?

 

[JDP111]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

Watch a baseball game or something. . . . . . . . . . . .:bricks:

And, BTW, for good measure there is no T.J. Losman in the league. His name is J.P. Losman. Now that I read your thread, and you have proclaimed Reggie Bush a future HOF after one year in the NFL, and labeled Mario Williams as a potential bust after one year in the league!! Are you kidding me!?!?!? In the span of one paragraph you have one second year player labeled as a future HOF'er, and have labeled another a potential bust. Can you get a little consistency in your argument for us?

 

[PATRIOT64]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

Watch a baseball game or something. . . . . . . . . . . .:bricks:

And, BTW, for good measure there is no T.J. Losman in the league. His name is J.P. Losman. Now that I read your thread, and you have proclaimed Reggie Bush a future HOF after one year in the NFL, and labeled Mario Williams as a potential bust after one year in the league!! Are you kidding me!?!?!? In the span of one paragraph you have one second year player labeled as a future HOF'er, and have labeled another a potential bust. Can you get a little consistency in your argument for us?

Shut up if you don't have a brain to answer the question without attack,your ignorance shows - :bricks:

Do us a favor,Root for another team and attack those forums,jerk

 

[PATRIOT64]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

By the way some guys in this forum have said they think Maroney will be a possible future HOFer and patriot great,I guess because he is a Patriot those guys predictions are right?

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

While I don't agree with everything you said, there are players that will need to show why they got drafted/payed so high/well.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

By the way some guys in this forum have said they think Maroney will be a possible future HOFer and patriot great,I guess because he is a Patriot those guys predictions are right?

I actually thought that Maroney didn't have that great of stats last year. I do realize that he was hurt, but I was expecting more (oh well).

 

[PATRIOT64]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

While I don't agree with everything you said, there are players that will need to show why they got drafted/payed so high/well.

True,Its early but Bush looked increasingly more consistent as an NFL player as his rookie season went on while Williams stayed in neutral.

its only thier 2nd season but from what I seen I think the Texans made a mistake - We shall see in about 3 years or so whats up.

Many others in media ect: agree with my thoughts on those 2,albeit way too early to know exactly.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

I actually thought that Maroney didn't have that great of stats last year. I do realize that he was hurt, but I was expecting more (oh well).

I think from what I saw early in his rookie season,Maroney will be a good player when healthy but I will wait before saying he is going to be another Curtis Martin or even a Robert Edwards right now until I see him in a full time position and getting in some nice runs without always getting help from his OL making holes for him,I would like to see him plow thru defenders like he did in Cincy.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

Under the microscope: CJ, for obvious reasons.
Adalius Thomas, to see if he can hold up vs. the run (the one criticism of him coming into camp).
Randy Moss, because he's Randy Moss, and apparently he'll have the guys in the locker room killing each other by Week 2
Ellis Hobbs, to see if he can handle CB duties in Asante's absence (either this year or next)
And, dare I say it, Tom Brady: he did an amazing job last year overall, but he did have games where his accuracy was uncharacteristically lacking. Was that because of a dearth of proven receivers, or was it an off year for him on an individual level?

Plus, for me, the Boston media: will they ask more engaging, thought-provoking questions of BB, or will they stick with what he won't answer and maintain the tension (e.g., how many times will they ask about Asante after the first response of "I'll only discuss players that are here"?)

 

[JDP111]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

Shut up if you don't have a brain to answer the question without attack,your ignorance shows - :bricks:

Do us a favor,Root for another team and attack those forums,jerk

Yeah, I'm gonna root for another team because you tried to rebuttle my post with some more half-ass-I-wish-my-opinion-mattered-BS.

Who died an made you an NFL scout?

BTW, I didn't call you any names or attack you. I simply corrected a mistake in your OP, and disagreed with your opinion regarding Bush/Williams. Act your age and not your shoe size.:snob:

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

Under the microscope: CJ, for obvious reasons.
Adalius Thomas, to see if he can hold up vs. the run (the one criticism of him coming into camp).
Randy Moss, because he's Randy Moss, and apparently he'll have the guys in the locker room killing each other by Week 2
Ellis Hobbs, to see if he can handle CB duties in Asante's absence (either this year or next)
And, dare I say it, Tom Brady: he did an amazing job last year overall, but he did have games where his accuracy was uncharacteristically lacking. Was that because of a dearth of proven receivers, or was it an off year for him on an individual level?

Plus, for me, the Boston media: will they ask more engaging, thought-provoking questions of BB, or will they stick with what he won't answer and maintain the tension (e.g., how many times will they ask about Asante after the first response of "I'll only discuss players that are here"?)

Randy Moss, because he does not have a multi-year deal. One would assume he would like one, whether with the Patriots or elsewhere.

Donte Stallworth, because he has a deal heavily, heavily loaded on year 2. If he ends up not clicking with the offense for some reason, gets the dropsies, etc., don't look for him to skate into an $11M second year. That's WHY you don't load the whole payday on year 1.

All other receivers, other than Wes Welker. Welker's deal is structured to provide some measure of security; he's evidently structured to stay a while and develop further with the team.

Not Brady, Hobbs, or Thomas, none of whom are structured in a "prove it" way. Losing a shot at the Super Bowl within the last couple of minutes isn't a "dismal failure" around the league; Brady is not "on the block," guys. Hobbs showed flashes last year, and it wasn't til the middle of last year that people started thinking Samuel was even any better... and I believe that was after injury? Thomas hasn't even gotten started, and his deal is front-loaded. Do we really throw away a $12M signing bonus if he isn't incredible the first year? He has to flop to be considered cuttable/tradeable, notwithstanding his $8M bonus in 2008. All bets are off if, God forbid, a blood vessel in Brady's heart gets sheared, and Matt Cassel leads the team to victory throughout the season and in Super Bowl XLII. I prefer to think Tom will continue to be the terriffic one in NE.

Junior Seau We need him as long as he can keep doing it, but with the amount of time he's been missing to injury, you have to ask, what's in it for him? I would love, love, love to see him in there all 16 games or close to it, I just don't think we will... God love him, let's get him his ring. It seems cruel not to at this point.

PFnV

 

[BHSL2]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

MARIO WILLIAMS - O.K. He is just a very young player and sometimes it takes a couple of years to develop but I think the Texans took the biggest risk of any NFL team that I can remember going way back since Indy took James over Williams several years ago - If he does not perform like a total beast this year I think the Texans will be scratching thier heads of passing on a possible future HOFer in Reggie Bush IMO to a guy that was very quiet in his rookie year - YES,once again only his second season is coming up but what lies behind with the choices that Houston made makes it a pressure packed situation for Mario to become very good on the defensive line and faster than he probably would like to progress.

Mario will pretty much be up for extreme criticism if he doesn't become a probowl player. Can you imagine the criticism he would get if Bush actually became a hall-of-famer? I think Kubiak took him over Bush because he knows he can develop talent from the later rounds at the runningback position. Also, it all seemed fine until Dom. Williams was unable to play for the rest of the season.

As for players with something to prove, I guess maybe Brodney Pool of the Browns or something...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

Junior Seau We need him as long as he can keep doing it, but with the amount of time he's been missing to injury, you have to ask, what's in it for him? I would love, love, love to see him in there all 16 games or close to it, I just don't think we will... God love him, let's get him his ring. It seems cruel not to at this point.

I'm still torqued that the #%@%ing refs in Denver half-stole the Pats' chance to get Doug Flutie a ring.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

Yeah, I'm gonna root for another team because you tried to rebuttle my post with some more half-ass-I-wish-my-opinion-mattered-BS.

Who died an made you an NFL scout?

BTW, I didn't call you any names or attack you. I simply corrected a mistake in your OP, and disagreed with your opinion regarding Bush/Williams. Act your age and not your shoe size.:snob:

After reading both of your posts, I think you're right about Mario Williams, but I do think that a lot of thoughtful NFL followers believe that Reggie Bush is a potential HOFer. I also think that people out here will be more inclined to listen to youi if you tone it down a bit.

 

[Remix 6]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

why Mario Williams? You cant expect a 2nd year player to be dominant all the time.he did well in 2nd half of last year. Mario is fine.

 

[Oswlek]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

I have a funny feeling that this is going to be a make or break year for Bam Childress.

 

[stinkypete]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

why Mario Williams? You cant expect a 2nd year player to be dominant all the time.he did well in 2nd half of last year. Mario is fine.

I agree. A player should be given three years to prove himself before meeting too much criticism. If he doesn't make it by year four, then he's labeled a bust.
For my list, I will look to the 2004-2005 drafts to find my do or die players.

QB - Eli Manning. Partially because of the loss of Tiki Barber, patrially because of the shadow of his brother. Eli has developed slower than Peyton, and must show substantial progress for the Giants to get a sniff of playoff contention.

QB - Jason Campbell. Year 3 was when Carson Palmer and Phillip Rivers broke out. Campbell is working with big offensive talent around him. If he can't keep thestarting job, the Skins may move on.

QB - Ben Roethlisburger. Despite his success as a rookie and sophomore, Roethlisburger regressed badly last year and is now learning a new system. If he struggles again he might pick up the system quarterback label.

WR - Troy Williamson. Attributes his struggles to vision problems that have been supposedly coreected. Will be labeled a bust if he doesn't emerge as a competent starter.

DT - Travis Johnson. Has struggled since day 1. Kupiak is obviously trying to build a team around his defensive line and Johnson is in danger of falling to the bottom of the depth chart.

DE - Erasmus James. Was drafted to be a pass rusher. Generated zero sacks in 2006.

CB - Marlin Jackson. Should be elevated to #1 CB is Indy. Nick Harper was an underrated player and Jackson's play in 2005-2006 represent a major downgrade.

 

[Spirit of '76]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

As for the original question...........

Byron Leftwich is at a career making/breaking point.

As is Kevin Jones of the Lions, and Jamal Lewis of the Browns.

Here's another one for you.......... Deion Branch! If he doesn't perform as a #1 WR and DJ Hacket ends up with more catches and YD's, Seattle will be looking to dump that contract (i.e. release him).

 

[JDP111]

Re: The NFL players under scutiny this year - Do or Die - Star or Bust (any Patriots

My original point was that it as absolutely foolish for any second year player to garnish any HOF consideration. C'mon, it is utterly disrespectful to the guys in the HOF. Karim Abdul-Jabar (the football player) posted comparable (better?) #'s to Bush in his rookie season. Was anyone EVER saying his bust would end up in Canton. NO, no they weren't. Now someone such as Sydney Crosby deserves talk of the HOF. But that being said, he could get injured tomorrow and never play again.