Let's face facts: When a player has a breakout season, there are always doubts as to whether he can do it again.
We consider if he is destined to join the many in one-year wonderland.
|
|
| Michael Turner's challenge? Following up on a monster season. (US Presswire) |
Now both are coming under great scrutiny and there is talk both might have been one-year wonders, although in fairness to Garrard his team's offensive talent was woeful last season in large part due to injuries.
Breakout seasons can mean breakout stars, but not always.
That's why we play the show-me game. Let's see it again. Until then, there will be doubts.
Michael Turner understands. He had his breakout season in 2008 for the Atlanta Falcons after signing as an unrestricted free agent. Turner came to Atlanta as a high-profile backup to LaDainian Tomlinson.
Some, including me, wondered if Turner was worth signing to a big contract. As it turned out he was, and I was wrong, something I've admitted many times to Turner and the Falcons front office.
Turner finished second in the NFL in rushing with 1,699 yards and scored 17 touchdowns to help Atlanta to the playoffs. Now the talk is he needs to prove he can do it again.
"It's going to be a big challenge every year," Turner said. "Now people know what I can do. Coaches will know better what to do to try and stop me. Everybody is going to be looking to see if you can repeat it. The more accolades you get, the bigger the target is on your back. I know people want to see if I can have another year like I had last season."
Turner went to his first Pro Bowl last season, but he carried the ball a league-high 376 times. The Falcons want to cut that number down, so his rushing totals might not be as high. As quarterback Matt Ryan develops, the passing game will become more of a factor than it was last season. Turner's totals probably will be lower, but the per-carry average is what will tell the story. He was at 4.5 last season, and needs to keep it near there. If it drops down closer to four, he could hear the one-hit wonder talk.
|
|
| Can Matt Cassel build on his surprising season in a different system? (US Presswire) |
They better hope like heck they aren't the NFL version of Dexys Midnight Runners and Come on Eileen.
Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs traded to get him from New England after his impressive first season as a starter playing for the injured Tom Brady. Cassel never started a game in college, but seemed confident and sure of himself last season for the Patriots. But was he a product of the offense, or a legitimate NFL starter? The Chiefs must not be so sure since they are playing a wait-and-see game with him, not giving him a long-term contract extension. His play against the good teams last season might give them cause for concern. He threw 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, but against playoff teams it was just seven touchdown passes and six interceptions.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: He stood tall in the face of all the Brett Favre talk last summer and turned in an impressive first season as a starter. Rodgers threw for 4,038 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He was not the reason the Packers missed the playoffs. But it will take a repeat of last season to put the Favre talk truly to rest. I, for one, think he's up to it.
Stewart Bradley, MLB, Philadelphia Eagles: In his first full season as a starter Bradley led the Eagles in tackles with 108. He was the star of the Eagles' linebackers. In his third season out of Nebraska, he has a chance to possibly move to the Pro Bowl level in 2009.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints: After catching 32 passes in 2007, Moore had 72 last season. He also had 10 touchdown catches. Now that teams know him better, it might be tougher to repeat. He isn't a big receiver, but he knows how to get open in the middle of the field.
Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals: He had eight catches as a rookie in 2007, which had many thinking he would be nothing more than a return man. Then he went for 77 catches for 1,006 yards last season, and he's now considered a real receiving threat. He did get more time because of injuries to Anquan Boldin, but with the Cardinals using a lot of three-receiver sets he should still get his chances in 2009. The numbers just might not be as good.
LaMarr Woodley, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers: He flashed as a rookie in 2007, getting four sacks, but he wasn't a starter. He started 15 games last season and responded with 11½ sacks. Woodley is a physical pass rusher who will get only better as he develops more moves. He might end up with more sacks this season than teammate James Harrison, who led the Steelers with 16 in 2008.
Harvey Dahl, G, Atlanta Falcons: The NFL's nastiest player -- as selected by this writer -- surprised a lot of people with the way he played last season. Dahl is a very good run blocker, but to truly become a great guard he has to improve his pass protection. If he does that, he will be in the Pro Bowl sometime soon.
Jared Gaither, T, Baltimore Ravens: When Jonathan Ogden retired, Gaither stepped in and started 15 games and did a good job in both pass protection and in the run game. Gaither started slow last summer, but quickly developed into a top player on the Ravens' line. With a little more seasoning, he could develop into an elite tackle for a long time.
Ryan Harris, T, Denver Broncos: While rookie Ryan Clady received loads of attention on the left side, and rightfully so, Harris developed into a good right tackle in his first year as a starter. The third-year player out of Notre Dame was one of the bigger surprises in the league last season. The right tackle spot isn't a strong one in the NFL, and Harris made a move toward being one of the best last season after not starting a game in 2007.
