Back in early September, just before the NFL season kicked off, I made five bold predictions for the upcoming season. As with the MLB predictions, now that the end of the season is here it is time to review...
1. The Packers do not make the play-offs
Incorrect. The Packers did have a shaky start to the season, going 2-3 through the first 5 games with a tough matchup against a red-hot Texans team on the plate for week 6. That game turned out to be a defining moment in the season, as the AFC's best team got destroyed at home by Aaron Rodgers who threw for 6 TDs and picked apart the previously vaunted Houston defense. That win started a 5-game streak and the Packers have not looked back from there, securing another NFC North title and a first-round play-off game against the Minnesota Vikings.
2. Percy Harvin becomes a top 5 receiver
This wasn't a great prediction to make because it is so subjective, but Percy Harvin had a very strong first half, racking up 60 catches, 667 receiving yards and 3 TDs, with a smattering of yards and a score on the ground. On a team devoid of much talent, Ponder looked for Harvin early and often and he was rewarded with Harvin's excellent play-making ability. Unfortunately, Harvin injured himself week 9 and was later put on the injured reserve, cutting short what was set to be a breakout season. Had he played 16 games, he would have likely put up stat-lines on a par with or even above those of Reggie Wayne, but as has often been the case in Harvin's career, injuries were too much.
3. Rookies do well. Again.
Once again, this is a subjective prediction, especially as you could point at rookies like Mark Barron who have struggled and suggest they haven't succeeded as much. However, for the most part, rookies have had a phenomenal year in the NFL, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. 3 rookie quarterbacks will be taking the field in the play-offs, the most in NFL history. Andrew Luck has excelled for the revamped Colts, Robert Griffin III has been one of the best QB's in the league all season and Russell Wilson turned a poor first 6 weeks around to lead an all-conquering Seattle team into the play-offs with a genuine chance at the Superbowl. Trent Richardson and Alfred Morris have both become elite running-backs and while Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd took time to transition they have shown glimpses of top-level talent. Cool stat: The Jacksonville Jaguars took a punter before Russell Wilson had been drafted.
4. Sam Bradford becomes a top 10 QB
Sam Bradford continues to frustrate both Rams fans and me with his erratic QB play. I compared him to Matthew Stafford earlier this season but whilst Bradford has shown glimpses of being an elite quarterback he continues to disappoint with his slow progression. Bradford is unfortunate in many ways; he plays behind a patch-work offensive line and with no genuine threat in the passing game. However, the mistake-free football he played at college and in his rookie season has gone and whilst some games (310 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT v WSH and 377 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT v MIN) show he still has the ability to be elite, other games (152 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INT v CHI) show he has made little progression from his rookie year. He threw interceptions in an astonishing 12 of 16 games this season and whilst 21 touchdowns is a move in the right direction, he needs to find a way to reduce the turnovers and play more efficiently. With the development of Chris Givens as a legitimate deep threat, perhaps Bradford will break out in 2013 - I'm not expecting anything though.
5. Darren McFadden leads the league in rushing
Yikes! McFadden missed 4 games in November with an ankle injury, but it was the time on the field that was more alarming. In the 12 games he was active he piled up 216 carries for a meagre 707 rushing yards, a YPC average of just over 3. As part of a woeful Oakland offense, McFadden was a major disappointment as he struggled to adapt to the new zone-blocking scheme and was able to total just 3 100 yard games all season. After years of promise and waiting for the year McFadden would stay healthy, this year was a huge setback, and he'll need a big 2013 season if he wants to prove he's still an elite back.
So, there you have it. 3 pretty terrible predictions, 1 decent prediction and 1 bang-on prediction.
Saturday, 5 January 2013
Friday, 7 September 2012
5 Bold Predictions for 2012
So, finally all the pre-season nonsense is out the way and it's back to every-Sunday action in the NFL. The season kicked off in New York, where Tony Romo put on a Wednesday-night exhibition as he dismantled a weak Giants secondary and consigned the reigning champions to a losing start in 2012. As seems to be the case every season, there are more teams that could contend, more players who seem poised for breakout and more reasons why you cannot take your eyes off the action.
So, as was the case with my MLB blog, I will attempt to make 5 (varying levels of) bold predictions for the coming season...
1. The Packers do not make the play-offs
Bold indeed. A QB who is arguably playing better than any in history is a tough man to keep out of the post-season. However, increasingly Rodgers is being forced to carry this team. In many ways, this is a compliment to the fact that Green Bay can afford deficiencies elsewhere because of Rodgers brilliance, but if he keeps putting the team on his back then maybe that back is going to break. The GB defense is average at best, led arguably by one of the greatest young line-backers in the league Clay Matthews, but lacking quality elsewhere. Last season they had an extra-ordinary 31 interceptions, as teams were forced to air it out due to the metronomic offense. Despite this, in 9 of the 16 games they gave up more than 20 points, and bear in mind they had a number of easy match-ups (Minnesota twice, Tampa Bay, Denver, St Louis, Raiders, Chiefs, Bears twice). Unless they can repeat their phenomenal turnover record, it could be a long season for the D. The GB running game is also non-existent, so if teams can somehow find out a way to at least slow down Rodgers, the Packers may find themselves out of SB contention come January.
2. Percy Harvin becomes a top 5 receiver
There has never been a question of talent with Harvin. His elite speed, good natural hands, excellent elevation and improving route-running have always had him set out as a future no.1 receiver. However, problems with migraines, revolving doors at QB and more migraines have previously de-railed his career. Last season, he managed to finally put the migraine problem to rest, and when Ponder got frequent playing time the pair struck up quite a partnership - Harvin touched the ball 100 times, with Welker second with just 76 offensive touches. Ponder quickly found the weapon in this offense, and gave him the ball. A lot. If the pair can hook up for 80 receptions this season, then Harvin will have no choice but to become one of the top wide-outs in the game. Health is always a risk though.
3. Rookies do well. Again.
There were an unprecedented number of rookies thrust into immediate starting roles in the NFL last season and most of them thrived. The success of Cam Newton needs no describing, Andy Dalton played well for the Bengals, Aldon Smith and Von Miller played excellent defense and Julio Jones and A.J. Green both showed that they could be no.1 receivers. Undoubtedly last years rookie class was an unbelievable batch, but there are no reasons to think that players like Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson, Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne can fill immediate vacancies for their respective sides. There will always be some rookies who struggle with the jump up to the NFL (a certain Jaguars QB anyone), but in general we are seeing some of the most polished first-year players in history.
4. Sam Bradford becomes a top 10 QB
This is more of a gut feeling than a statement that can be backed up with facts and evidence. Something of Bradford's career so far just reminds me of Matthew Stafford. Bradford so far hasn't proved he is as good a pure passer - he doesn't have anything near the arm strength and as yet, anything near the 'football brain'. However, when the two were at college, Bradford was considered the more polished player, and the glimpses we've seen of him suggest that he can be a successful starter. Last season in the 10 games he started he was impressive, throwing for 300 yards in two of them with just 6 INTs. He didn't have the weapons to be a real gun-slinger, and being a QB for a team that has a run-first mentality will always limit his production. Once more, his receiving options are limited - Danny Amendola, Steve Smith and Mike Sims-Walker are unlikely to give defensive co-ordinators headaches. Not only that, but Bradford's offensive line is awful - truly dreadful - so Bradford is likely to spend more time on his ass than on his feet. But he's a talent just waiting to break-out, and I have a feeling this is his year.
5. Darren McFadden leads the league in rushing
So far in his NFL career, the only weakness that can really be levelled at him is his fragility. Injuries have plagued his career so far, and the glimpses of absolute brilliance he has flashed have only served to make those injuries more frustrating. In his first 6 games of last season, McFadden had 111 rushes for 610 yards and 4 TDs to go with 18 catches for 151 yards and a TD. Those are elite numbers, and with no Michael Bush around to hawk goal-line carries, the TD numbers will only increase. If he's on the field I expect the Raiders to try and give him the ball at least 30 times a game, and with his elite speed, superior vision and excellent strength, McFadden will be hard if not impossible to stop. If he plays all 16 games, then there is no doubt in my mind that he can lead the league in rushing.
So there you have it. Bold, brilliant or plain barmy, those are my picks!
So, as was the case with my MLB blog, I will attempt to make 5 (varying levels of) bold predictions for the coming season...
1. The Packers do not make the play-offs
Bold indeed. A QB who is arguably playing better than any in history is a tough man to keep out of the post-season. However, increasingly Rodgers is being forced to carry this team. In many ways, this is a compliment to the fact that Green Bay can afford deficiencies elsewhere because of Rodgers brilliance, but if he keeps putting the team on his back then maybe that back is going to break. The GB defense is average at best, led arguably by one of the greatest young line-backers in the league Clay Matthews, but lacking quality elsewhere. Last season they had an extra-ordinary 31 interceptions, as teams were forced to air it out due to the metronomic offense. Despite this, in 9 of the 16 games they gave up more than 20 points, and bear in mind they had a number of easy match-ups (Minnesota twice, Tampa Bay, Denver, St Louis, Raiders, Chiefs, Bears twice). Unless they can repeat their phenomenal turnover record, it could be a long season for the D. The GB running game is also non-existent, so if teams can somehow find out a way to at least slow down Rodgers, the Packers may find themselves out of SB contention come January.
2. Percy Harvin becomes a top 5 receiver
There has never been a question of talent with Harvin. His elite speed, good natural hands, excellent elevation and improving route-running have always had him set out as a future no.1 receiver. However, problems with migraines, revolving doors at QB and more migraines have previously de-railed his career. Last season, he managed to finally put the migraine problem to rest, and when Ponder got frequent playing time the pair struck up quite a partnership - Harvin touched the ball 100 times, with Welker second with just 76 offensive touches. Ponder quickly found the weapon in this offense, and gave him the ball. A lot. If the pair can hook up for 80 receptions this season, then Harvin will have no choice but to become one of the top wide-outs in the game. Health is always a risk though.
3. Rookies do well. Again.
There were an unprecedented number of rookies thrust into immediate starting roles in the NFL last season and most of them thrived. The success of Cam Newton needs no describing, Andy Dalton played well for the Bengals, Aldon Smith and Von Miller played excellent defense and Julio Jones and A.J. Green both showed that they could be no.1 receivers. Undoubtedly last years rookie class was an unbelievable batch, but there are no reasons to think that players like Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson, Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne can fill immediate vacancies for their respective sides. There will always be some rookies who struggle with the jump up to the NFL (a certain Jaguars QB anyone), but in general we are seeing some of the most polished first-year players in history.
4. Sam Bradford becomes a top 10 QB
This is more of a gut feeling than a statement that can be backed up with facts and evidence. Something of Bradford's career so far just reminds me of Matthew Stafford. Bradford so far hasn't proved he is as good a pure passer - he doesn't have anything near the arm strength and as yet, anything near the 'football brain'. However, when the two were at college, Bradford was considered the more polished player, and the glimpses we've seen of him suggest that he can be a successful starter. Last season in the 10 games he started he was impressive, throwing for 300 yards in two of them with just 6 INTs. He didn't have the weapons to be a real gun-slinger, and being a QB for a team that has a run-first mentality will always limit his production. Once more, his receiving options are limited - Danny Amendola, Steve Smith and Mike Sims-Walker are unlikely to give defensive co-ordinators headaches. Not only that, but Bradford's offensive line is awful - truly dreadful - so Bradford is likely to spend more time on his ass than on his feet. But he's a talent just waiting to break-out, and I have a feeling this is his year.
5. Darren McFadden leads the league in rushing
So far in his NFL career, the only weakness that can really be levelled at him is his fragility. Injuries have plagued his career so far, and the glimpses of absolute brilliance he has flashed have only served to make those injuries more frustrating. In his first 6 games of last season, McFadden had 111 rushes for 610 yards and 4 TDs to go with 18 catches for 151 yards and a TD. Those are elite numbers, and with no Michael Bush around to hawk goal-line carries, the TD numbers will only increase. If he's on the field I expect the Raiders to try and give him the ball at least 30 times a game, and with his elite speed, superior vision and excellent strength, McFadden will be hard if not impossible to stop. If he plays all 16 games, then there is no doubt in my mind that he can lead the league in rushing.
So there you have it. Bold, brilliant or plain barmy, those are my picks!
Friday, 6 January 2012
The Playoffs are Here!
So, another crazy NFL regular season under the belt, and once again it is the familiar names that are in the post-season picture - the Packers, the Patriots, the Saints, The Bronc-wait, what?!
Yep, you heard right, the Tim Tebow led Broncos are into the play-offs. First game up they have the Pittsburgh Steelers and well, that might get bloody.
So, anyway, 4 lucky teams have earned themselves first round byes, and they are the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers from the NFC and the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens from the AFC. The pick of the wildcard games appears to be Saints-Lions which should be a high-scoring affair - Drew Brees who is playing better than anyone in history, and has broken Dan Marino's passing yards record and Matthew Stafford, who has finally played a full 16 games and shown that when he does, he is fantastic.
Well, anyway, here are my predictions for the ol' playoffs:
Wildcard Games:
Houston v Cincinatti
Pittsburgh v Denver
Detroit v New Orleans
Atlanta v New York
Divisional Round:
New England v Houston
Baltimore v Pittsburgh
New Orleans v San Francisco
Atlanta v Green Bay
Championship Round:
Baltimore v New England
Green Bay v New Orleans
Super Bowl:
New Orleans v New England
With Drew Brees, naturally, as Super Bowl MVP.
Yeah, I'm going to be wrong, but it's worth a try anyway!
Yep, you heard right, the Tim Tebow led Broncos are into the play-offs. First game up they have the Pittsburgh Steelers and well, that might get bloody.
So, anyway, 4 lucky teams have earned themselves first round byes, and they are the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers from the NFC and the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens from the AFC. The pick of the wildcard games appears to be Saints-Lions which should be a high-scoring affair - Drew Brees who is playing better than anyone in history, and has broken Dan Marino's passing yards record and Matthew Stafford, who has finally played a full 16 games and shown that when he does, he is fantastic.
Well, anyway, here are my predictions for the ol' playoffs:
Wildcard Games:
Houston v Cincinatti
Pittsburgh v Denver
Detroit v New Orleans
Atlanta v New York
Divisional Round:
New England v Houston
Baltimore v Pittsburgh
New Orleans v San Francisco
Atlanta v Green Bay
Championship Round:
Baltimore v New England
Green Bay v New Orleans
Super Bowl:
New Orleans v New England
With Drew Brees, naturally, as Super Bowl MVP.
Yeah, I'm going to be wrong, but it's worth a try anyway!
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
It's the year of the rookie
The first pick of the NFL draft is typically a poisoned chalice. Many players go on to have hall of fame careers, but many go on to be remembered as massive flops. Notable flops such as JaMarcus Russell seem to have so much hype built up that it seems impossible to live up to it. Looking at the past 15 years, 11 of the first picks have been quarterbacks. This could perhaps be no surprise given the QB-dominant league the NFL has become. Several of those players have gone on to have superb careers - perhaps none more notable than future hall of famer Peyton Manning, but others like Eli Manning and Michael Vick have had excellent careers.
Now let's flip it around. Of the current starting NFL quarterbacks (as of 29/11/11), there are 8 that were picked in the 5th round or later. That means 1/4 of the quarterbacks were not taken in any of the first four rounds, never mind first pick, so that goes to show what a lottery the draft can be. The most notable of those late round steals is of course Tom Brady, perennial Pro-Bowler and future Hall of Famer.
What this all leads to, is unbelievable pressure on the first round selections. Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford were widely considered to be valid first pick selections, and both have played well enough to merit that decision. However, this year was different. To start with, many viewed this years draft as one of the finest in recent years, with plenty of fine players at important positions available. Defensive play-makers like Von Miller and Marcell Dareus were the early front-runners for the top pick, but with Carolina suffering a QB crisis, and Newton enjoying a meteoric rise to fame, it soon became apparent he would go first.
Coming out of Auburn College, the 21 year old was seen as somewhat of an enigma. He had performed fantastically at college, winning the highly prestiged Heisman Trophy, but he was a unique QB in that he was extremely mobile - passing was not his strongest feature. Many mobile QBs who had had highly successful college careers failed to make the grade in the NFL - Seneca Wallace and Tarvaris Jackson are two recent examples. This was viewed as a boom or bust pick, and many felt that Carolina would be better off taking one of the defensive superstars on offer, or a good pocket passer like Jake Locker.
In to week 13 now, and Cam Newton is widely viewed as a roaring success in Carolina. He hasn't given them the wins they wanted (they are just 3-8 - although they did go 2-14 last year) but he has given them the offensive spark they have been lacking. He currently has 10 rushing TDs, second most in the NFL for all players (so more than most running backs) and 12 passing TDs with a more than respectable 81.1 passer rating. With key players placed on the Injured Reserve like Jon Beason and Jeff Otah, the future looks only bright considering the connection Newton and veteran receiver Steve Smith have struck up.
Speaking of QBs and receivers striking up connections, no team can argue it packs a better rookie 1-2 punch than Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Picked 35th and 4th respectively overall in the 2011 draft, they entered the season with varying expectations. Dalton was not expected to go so high in the draft, particularly with quality QBs like Kaepernick and Mallett still on the board. He was assumed to play back-up to veteran Carson Palmer for the season, but when Palmer got cut by the Bengals, he was pushed into the starting role
Meanwhile, Green had entered the draft considered by many to be the best offensive threat available, and one of the best receivers to go into the draft for many years. He is a deep threat of the prototype of Randy Moss or Larry Fitzgerald. He is quick, but not elite speed, but he can go up and get it with the best of them. Extraordinary hands, and excellent 'football brain' for a 23 year old, many expected him to fall to the Browns for pick 6. Perhaps this explains a) Why the Browns were happy to trade away their pick and b) Why the Falcons traded up for Julio Jones - if they didn't he was gone.
Dalton and Green have struck up a repertoire not seen before between two rookies. They seem to have a supernatural understanding of each other, and play to each other's strengths. Dalton has a big arm, and he knows if he puts it in the right place, Green can go up and grab it. Which he does. With scary regularity. In 5 years time, this partnership will be the new Brady to Moss, and I think the Bengals have one of the scariest combinations in the game with those two and with them both so young (they have a combined age younger than Brett Favre. Well, close enough...) records are there to be broken...
However, it is not just those three prodigal talents that are enjoying success in their first year, other early picks Marcell Dareus and Von Miller have quickly made names for themselves are premiere pass rushing threats (10.5 sacks this season for Miller, 5th best in the league) Seventh overall pick Aldon Smith who plays OLB for the 49ers has proven to be a beast at his position, forming a strong partnership with Patrick Willis on his way to 9.5 sacks and a starting role as part of the no.1 defense in the NFL. The first cornerback taken off the board, Patrick Peterson has quickly lived up to his name as a pure physical phenomenon, playing well at the cornerback position and returning punts at an astonishing pace. He has already tied the record of 4 for most in a single season, including a walk-off 99 yard punt return against the Rams in week 9. He is an astonishing player, and looks destined to have a long, successful career. Julio Jones, another massive WR is enjoying a good rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons, but has had several fine performances marred by consistent injury worries. Rookie sensation DeMarco Murray has not as much burst on to the scene as smashed on to the scene, as he ran for well over 200 yards in his first ever NFL start, and has locked down the every-down running back role in Dallas.
It is not all rosy for the NFL rookies though. The step up from College to NFL is well documented as a difficult one to bridge, and one could certainly argue that rookie QB Blaine Gabbert (considered by many to be the best pure passer in the draft) has struggled mightily this year to fit in with his new surroundings. The 10th overall pick of the draft is not blessed with a receiving stud like A.J. Green or Steve Smith, and has been unable to consistently move the ball for the Jaguars this year, leaving them with a poor 3-8 record in a weak division.
So, I believe 2011 has been the year of the rookie. Several rookies have impressed me with the way they have played and conducted themselves on the field, with several late round gems like Mark Ingram and Ryan Mallett still to take a lead role for their teams. The future's bright, the future's orange (at least if you're Andy Dalton or A.J. Green!)
Now let's flip it around. Of the current starting NFL quarterbacks (as of 29/11/11), there are 8 that were picked in the 5th round or later. That means 1/4 of the quarterbacks were not taken in any of the first four rounds, never mind first pick, so that goes to show what a lottery the draft can be. The most notable of those late round steals is of course Tom Brady, perennial Pro-Bowler and future Hall of Famer.
What this all leads to, is unbelievable pressure on the first round selections. Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford were widely considered to be valid first pick selections, and both have played well enough to merit that decision. However, this year was different. To start with, many viewed this years draft as one of the finest in recent years, with plenty of fine players at important positions available. Defensive play-makers like Von Miller and Marcell Dareus were the early front-runners for the top pick, but with Carolina suffering a QB crisis, and Newton enjoying a meteoric rise to fame, it soon became apparent he would go first.
Coming out of Auburn College, the 21 year old was seen as somewhat of an enigma. He had performed fantastically at college, winning the highly prestiged Heisman Trophy, but he was a unique QB in that he was extremely mobile - passing was not his strongest feature. Many mobile QBs who had had highly successful college careers failed to make the grade in the NFL - Seneca Wallace and Tarvaris Jackson are two recent examples. This was viewed as a boom or bust pick, and many felt that Carolina would be better off taking one of the defensive superstars on offer, or a good pocket passer like Jake Locker.
In to week 13 now, and Cam Newton is widely viewed as a roaring success in Carolina. He hasn't given them the wins they wanted (they are just 3-8 - although they did go 2-14 last year) but he has given them the offensive spark they have been lacking. He currently has 10 rushing TDs, second most in the NFL for all players (so more than most running backs) and 12 passing TDs with a more than respectable 81.1 passer rating. With key players placed on the Injured Reserve like Jon Beason and Jeff Otah, the future looks only bright considering the connection Newton and veteran receiver Steve Smith have struck up.
Speaking of QBs and receivers striking up connections, no team can argue it packs a better rookie 1-2 punch than Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Picked 35th and 4th respectively overall in the 2011 draft, they entered the season with varying expectations. Dalton was not expected to go so high in the draft, particularly with quality QBs like Kaepernick and Mallett still on the board. He was assumed to play back-up to veteran Carson Palmer for the season, but when Palmer got cut by the Bengals, he was pushed into the starting role
Meanwhile, Green had entered the draft considered by many to be the best offensive threat available, and one of the best receivers to go into the draft for many years. He is a deep threat of the prototype of Randy Moss or Larry Fitzgerald. He is quick, but not elite speed, but he can go up and get it with the best of them. Extraordinary hands, and excellent 'football brain' for a 23 year old, many expected him to fall to the Browns for pick 6. Perhaps this explains a) Why the Browns were happy to trade away their pick and b) Why the Falcons traded up for Julio Jones - if they didn't he was gone.
Dalton and Green have struck up a repertoire not seen before between two rookies. They seem to have a supernatural understanding of each other, and play to each other's strengths. Dalton has a big arm, and he knows if he puts it in the right place, Green can go up and grab it. Which he does. With scary regularity. In 5 years time, this partnership will be the new Brady to Moss, and I think the Bengals have one of the scariest combinations in the game with those two and with them both so young (they have a combined age younger than Brett Favre. Well, close enough...) records are there to be broken...
However, it is not just those three prodigal talents that are enjoying success in their first year, other early picks Marcell Dareus and Von Miller have quickly made names for themselves are premiere pass rushing threats (10.5 sacks this season for Miller, 5th best in the league) Seventh overall pick Aldon Smith who plays OLB for the 49ers has proven to be a beast at his position, forming a strong partnership with Patrick Willis on his way to 9.5 sacks and a starting role as part of the no.1 defense in the NFL. The first cornerback taken off the board, Patrick Peterson has quickly lived up to his name as a pure physical phenomenon, playing well at the cornerback position and returning punts at an astonishing pace. He has already tied the record of 4 for most in a single season, including a walk-off 99 yard punt return against the Rams in week 9. He is an astonishing player, and looks destined to have a long, successful career. Julio Jones, another massive WR is enjoying a good rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons, but has had several fine performances marred by consistent injury worries. Rookie sensation DeMarco Murray has not as much burst on to the scene as smashed on to the scene, as he ran for well over 200 yards in his first ever NFL start, and has locked down the every-down running back role in Dallas.
It is not all rosy for the NFL rookies though. The step up from College to NFL is well documented as a difficult one to bridge, and one could certainly argue that rookie QB Blaine Gabbert (considered by many to be the best pure passer in the draft) has struggled mightily this year to fit in with his new surroundings. The 10th overall pick of the draft is not blessed with a receiving stud like A.J. Green or Steve Smith, and has been unable to consistently move the ball for the Jaguars this year, leaving them with a poor 3-8 record in a weak division.
So, I believe 2011 has been the year of the rookie. Several rookies have impressed me with the way they have played and conducted themselves on the field, with several late round gems like Mark Ingram and Ryan Mallett still to take a lead role for their teams. The future's bright, the future's orange (at least if you're Andy Dalton or A.J. Green!)
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