Breakthrough Players
who do you think will have breakout years in '07? make your predictions here. . .
C nick mangold (jets): i really wanted us to draft this kid. . . he's a talented athlete and a great technician, and has great work ethic and intensity. . . he was even better than expected as a rookie, outplaying #4 pick d'brickashaw ferguson according to scouts-- this is the year mangold will start to establish his reputation as one of the elite centers in the game. . .
TE david thomas (patsies): he'll get a chance to shine with dan graham and garrett mills both gone. . . not as fast or athletic as ben watson, but he's smarter and more reliable, and guys like that thrive in new england-- watch him develop into one of brady's go-to guys as the season progresses, especially on third downs. . .
WR santonio holmes (steelers): i've said for two years or more that holmes will be a better pro receiver than ginn-- this year he'll start to prove it. . . he really came on down the stretch last year, and i expect him to pick up right where he left off. . . he has explosive quickness and is technically sound for a young player. . . this will be hines ward's last year as the #1 option in the 'burgh. . .
WR mark clayton (vultures): another guy i liked a lot coming out of college. . . clayton may never be an elite WR in this league, but he's going to be very good. . . not as physically gifted as some top picks, but he's smart and hardworking. . . he's going to replace derrick mason as the crows' #1 option-- look for a career year statistically if he stays healthy. . .
LB kamerion wimbley (browns): a disruptive edge rusher, he quietly had a good rookie season-- this year it won't be quiet. . .
CB jonathon joseph (bengals): showed impressive cover skills as a rookie, and was in position to make quite a few plays-- if he can hold on to a few of those this year, he will make a real impact on a secondary that was brutalized most of last season. . .
OLT michael roos (titans): made the jump from division 2 as a rook, then switched from ORT to OLT last year-- he proved that he can play at this level, and now he'll get a chance to develop consistency and build on what he's done so far. . .
ILB matt wilhelm (chargers): a limited athlete who will be a big drop-off from donnie edwards in coverage, but an upgrade in run defense-- wilhelm is a smart, tough interior plugger. . . will never be a star, but is ready to show that he can be a reliable starter. . .
WR brandon marshall (broncos!): we all know how much potential he has-- still needs a lot of work, and he won't be a finished product this year by any means, but i expect him to step up and fill the void that we had behind javon last year. . .
QB jason campbell (redfaces): has the "it factor" you look for at QB-- campbell is a solid athlete with a big arm, and he has shown marked development as a decision-maker. . . he's still rough around the edges, but finally having some consistency at OC will really accelerate his learning curve. . . campbell will prove this year that he was worth trading back into the first round for. . .
DE darryl tapp (seagulls): undersized but relentless pass rusher is fighting for a starting spot-- should double his three sacks from last year, and will do better if he starts. . . will never be an elite lineman, but should develop into a reliable starter. . .
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Originally Posted by dogfish
) he has good balance along the sideline as well
