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Breakout Players: Defensive Backs

Aaron Resnick, Playmaker Intern

Last year Leon Hall and Brandon Meriweather were some of the defensive backs that broke out and took their games to another level. With the evolution of the passing game, defensive backs are more important than ever and these players should have huge impacts on their teams.

Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions: Delmas was all over the field as a rookie with 94 tackles two interceptions and a sack. With an improved front seven, Delmas should take his game to the next level and begin to earn national attention as the Lions defense improves.

Derek Cox, Jacksonville Jaguars: Cox became a starter right away for the Jaguars and didn’t disappoint. For the year, he recorded 72 tackles along with four interceptions. Cox should continue to get better and as Rashean Mathis gets older, should be the Jaguars top corner for years to come.

Vontae Davis, Miami Dolphins: Davis started in nine games as a rookie but played very well. He recorded 51 tackles and four interceptions. With the Dolphins slowly building into a contender in the AFC, Davis will need to build on his success and develop into the team’s number one corner.

Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders: Entering his third year, Branch is one of the most underrated players in the league. Last year he recorded 124 tackles a sack and two forced fumbles. The Raiders should be dramatically improved from last year and Branch should start getting the recognition he deserves.

Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers: Goldson started all 16 games for the first time in his career and made the most of it. He was all over the field recording 94 tackles four interceptions, two sacks along with three forced fumbles. Goldson should continue playing at a Pro Bowl level this year and with the 49ers being a trendy playoff pick, should start getting some national attention.

Zack Bowman, Chicago Bears: Bowman was impressive with six interceptions last year, but he developed as an overall corner as the year went on. With a combined four matchups between the Vikings and Packers, the Bears will have lots of faith in Bowman as he will most likely develop into their number one corner.

Terrell Thomas, New York Giants: Thomas was one of the main bright spots on a Giants defense that struggled last year. He recorded 85 tackles to go along with five interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble in his second season. Now entering his third year, Thomas should thrive in an improved Giants defense and while many fans know about the elite cornerback on the other team in New York, an elite one is blossoming in the shadows.

Breakout Players: Defensive Linemen

Aaron Resnick, Playmaker Intern

Last year, defensive linemen such as Ray Edwards and Aubrayo Franklin burst onto the scene and made big impacts against both the pass and the run. With so many teams playing in a 3-4 defense, it is usually outside linebackers who come out of nowhere to put up double digit sacks. Here are some defensive linemen who should have big impacts on their team this upcoming season.

B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers: As a top ten pick last year, Raji will be looked at to play a large part in the Packers defense this upcoming year at nose tackle. He played well in limited action recording 25 tackles and a sack even though he only started one game. In a division where you play Adrian Peterson twice, it is important to have a nose tackle that can stop the run and Raji has shown the ability to do just that.

Terrance Knighton, Jacksonville Jaguars: Outside of Jacksonville, few casual fans know who “Pot Roast” is. What they are missing out on is one of the best young defensive tackles in the league. Knighton started all 16 games for the Jaguars as a rookie last year and was a bright spot on an otherwise weak defensive line. With the signing of Aaron Kampman and the selection of Tyson Alualu in the draft, Knighton now has some quality pieces around him. Regardless of if fans come to know he is, you can be sure that offensive coordinators already do.

Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals: At 6’8 300 pounds, Campbell fits the prototype of what you would want a pass rusher to look like. While he was viewed by many as a top five pick entering the 2007 season, Campbell ended up falling to the second round in 2008 where early indications are that the Cardinals got a steal. Starting 15 games last year, Campbell recorded seven sacks and has just begun to tap into his potential. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had double digit sacks in his third year.

Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers: With the departure of Julius Peppers via free agency, Johnson will be looked at to fill his shoes as a pass rusher. Last year even though he only started two games and played in 13, he recorded four sacks. That is also with a Panthers defensive line that struggled with injuries throughout the year. Johnson has the opportunity to put up big numbers for the Panthers in his fourth year.

Jacob Ford, Tennessee Titans: Even though he has only started in three games the past two seasons, Ford has been a passing down specialist recording 12.5 sacks in that span. If Ford becomes a starter, he could become a very effective player in a division where he plays the passing oriented Colts and Texans a combined four times.

Tyson Jackson, Kansas City Chiefs: Considering he is a defensive end in a 3-4, many thought Jackson was a reach with the third pick last year. However, he enters his second year in a very good situation. The Chiefs new defensive coordinator is Romeo Crennel who was with the Patriots where Richard Seymour, another 3-4 end developed into one of the NFL’s elite players. While Crennel won’t be of much help when it comes to conditioning, he knows what it takes for a player to be successful in this situation.

With an underrated pass rusher in Tamba Hali around him along with a young and improved secondary, this could be the year where Jackson begins to take his game to a level worthy of a top five pick.

Breakout Players: Tight Ends

Aaron Resnick, Playmaker Intern

This past year, tight ends Jermichael Finley, Vernon Davis and Brent Celek were players who took their games to the next level. Most of the guys who could breakout this year didn’t have many opportunities previously so it will be interesting to see if any of them turn out to be diamonds in the rough.

Zach Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars: As a converted quarterback out of Nebraska-Omaha, Miller did fairly well adjusting to the position. He is very athletic as he showed on a 62 yard catch against the Texans and got better as the year went on. Miller saved his best game for last as he scored his first two career touchdowns against the Browns in week 17. The Jaguars have always said they want to get the tight ends involved in the offense and with the way Marcedes Lewis played last year and the promise Miller showed, there is no time better than the present.

Jared Cook, Tennessee  Titans: Cook was the workout warrior of the 2009 combine checking in at 6’5 with a 41 inch vertical and running a 4.50 forty. However, that didn’t carry over to the games as he only recorded nine catches on the year. Cook now has a year under his belt and with his impressive attributes should become one of Vince Young’s favorite targets. It wouldn’t be surprising if he caught 40 passes this year.

Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions: Before having his season end with a torn ACL, Pettigrew was showing promise as a receiver recording two games where he had 70 yards or more. He is a very strong blocker and is a key piece in the Lions rebuilding stage. The Lions acquired multiple weapons on offense in Nate Burleson, Tony Scheffler and Jahvid Best to go along with Calvin Johnson and quarterback Matthew Stafford. With it appearing likely that the Lions will be playing from behind frequently, Pettigrew could be able to catch 50 passes this year.

Gary Barnidge, Carolina Panthers: Other than Steve Smith, the Panthers haven’t had many options in the passing game which is why it is surprising that they don’t use Barnidge more often. While he only caught 12 passes last year he averaged over 20 yards a catch which is ridiculous for a tight end. He has very good hands and at 6’5 could be the big target the Panthers have been looking for to compliment Smith in the receiving game.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2010-2011 Scouting Report

Interview with Dave Razzano by Playmaker Mobile intern Aaron Resnick.

Dave Razzano is a former NFL scout and Playmaker Mobile correspondent with more than 22 years of professional scouting experience with the San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals under NFL coaches including Bill Walsh, George Seifert, Chuck Knox and Dick Vermeil. He's been a part of five Super Bowls with three Super Bowl wins (49ers, 1989, 1990; Rams, 2000).

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Q: What did you think of the Jaguars offseason?

A: They have a good offensive line. I think they got better in the front seven picking up Aaron Kampman and Tyson Alualu. They still don’t have an elite pass rusher. I probably would have gone with Brandon Graham from Michigan myself. I think their linebackers got better getting Kirk Morrison that obviously helps. So there is a lot they got better at and I think their young tight end Zach Miller is outstanding.

Q: How do you feel about the way Gene Smith is building the team through the draft by taking high character guys and the best available player?

A: I think it is smart as you really have to get mature guys. There jobs are on the line that team needs to get better. The problem that I have with them is how they haven’t improved the quarterback position. They go from Leftwich to Garrard to me these are average, lower level starters. That’s their problem. They have gotten better on defense, have a nice young offensive line, the running back some nice tight ends and receivers. The pass rush and the quarterback position those are key spots. Even the corners are young guys. They need to continue to get better but I think Gene is on the right track.

Q: About David Garrard, he had a fluke year where he threw only three interceptions and the team gave him a new deal. Where do you think he ranks among the current quarterbacks and do you think the team regrets the deal now?

A: I think they do. I think he’s better than Leftwich but they really didn’t have a lot of choices. He’s one of those guys that always did well in practice and he was much better than Leftwich in terms of the locker room. They gave him the big money and were a little hasty in doing that. Again, I think he is a lower level starter in our league and they are definitely need to improve on that if they want to get anywhere.

Q: The national consensus seemed to be that Tyson Alualu was a reach at the tenth pick overall. What did you think of the selection and how do you think he will fair?

 

A: Well I think he’s a good football player. They wanted to move down and get him but when they couldn’t they just took him. I think he is a solid player that will contribute. He is a little bit of an in between guy not an elite pass rusher and you want to take the pass rushers high. I think they might have pulled the trigger a little early on him but they were sort of in a bind. Nobody wanted to move up and they wanted to move back so they just took the kid. I think he will help them and be a solid player for them just not an elite type of pass rusher. In the long run, I think he will be a solid pick for them. He is very productive, relentless and I think they took the best player on their board. So a little early, but they obviously loved the guy.

Q: What do you think about the current receiving corps? Last year Mike Sims-Walker broke out but he wasn’t as productive towards the end of the year once defenses keyed in on him. How do you think they will fair with a bunch of younger players?

A: Well Jarett Dillard needs to step up, Mike Thomas to me is a good 3rd, 4th, 5th receiver an underneath guy, they do need help. I don’t like Williamson, Tiquan Underwood is average. So yeah they almost do need another veteran type receiver. I think Zach Miller if you can flex him out a little bit and develop a role as a slot guy in some situations. The receiver position is awful young and they don’t have a lot of depth there.

Q: Since the division realignment in 2002, other than the year the Titans got off to a hot start, the Colts have won the division every year. How would you build a team to win in this division?

 

A: Well you have to start on defense with the pass rushers and the corners. You have to stop Manning he will still be there for a while. That’s the key you have to put pressure on the opposition, you have to go with defense. You’re not going to outscore Indy very often so you have to load up on corners and pass rushers.
Secondary is a big issue and I know Reggie Nelson is a big topic due to the fact he is a Florida guy. He is a former first rounder entering his fourth year

 

Q: What do you think he will end up doing?

 

A: Well I think he is limited mentally and that’s one of the reasons. Derrick Harvey and Reggie Nelson, they really need to get out of the University of Florida and hit on some of these guys. I mean Nelson is a guy that has the physical tools, but the mental part has always been a problem for him. That is one of their weaknesses. To me Gerald Alexander is a backup and Nelson’s a backup. They tried getting Darren Sharper from the Saints and that didn’t work out. They are coming into the season and need a safety back there. I wouldn’t have a lot of confidence in Nelson.