Put Up Or Shut Up

Put Up Or Shut Up
By Mike Brody
Posted: 3:00 am PDT 2006-06-29

As NFL teams prepare to sweat through the dog days of training camp, optimism reigns throughout the league. All the teams -- even the lowly 49ers and Texans -- believe they have a chance to improve and make the playoffs. Each player battling for a roster spot has high hopes too.

For some players, this could be a make-or-break season. Some guys are finally getting their chance to shine, while others need to prove themselves again. There will be some breakout seasons posted, but it will also be the end of the line for some. Knowing who is in what category makes for a good wager and a good fantasy draft.

Running Backs
Dallas Cowboys third-year back Julius Jones is poised for a huge season. Jones has shown flashes of brilliance the past two seasons -- putting up two games of more than 190 yards. He rushed for more than 800 yards in the final seven games of 2004.

The big issue for Jones is staying healthy. He has missed 11 of a possible 32 games due to injury, but has set a goal to stay healthy this season and rush for more than 1,000 yards. "I just want to make it through 16 games," Jones said. "If I can make it through 16 games, I'll be fine."

The addition of Terrell Owens and the healthy return of offensive lineman Flozell Adams should open up the running game for the Cowboys. Jones will lose a few carries to Marion Barber III, but when he's on, Jones is one of the most explosive backs in the league.

Chester Taylor has been running in the shadow of Jamal Lewis for his entire four-year career. When Taylor has gotten a chance, he has produced, as his 4.3 yards-per-rush average indicates. In 2004, when Lewis was injured, Taylor posted back-to-back 100-yard games.

Taylor signed as a four-year, $14 million free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason and is expected to be their feature back. Minnesota also signed Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson to help open holes for Taylor. It's time for Taylor to put up or shut up. The Vikings said they won't just hand him the starting job. If he doesn't produce, second-year players Mewelde Moore and Ciatrick Fason will push him for playing time. Minnesota has lost some key weapons over the past couple of seasons, however, and Taylor may be in for a rough year.

Other running backs who may take their games to the next level include: Ronnie Brown, Tatum Bell and Willie Parker.

Some guys who could be on their last legs include: Ahman Green, Jamal Lewis and Deuce McAllister.

Wide Receivers
Nate Burleson's move to the Seahawks looks to be a perfect fit for the 24-year-old Seattle native. Burleson struggled last season in Minnesota as he tried to replace Randy Moss as the team's No. 1 receiver. In 2004, however, Burleson had 68 catches for 1,006 yards and nine TDs as the second option.

With the NFC champs, Burleson will be able to return to the more comfortable role of being the second or third option as Seattle has Darrell Jackson as its top pass catcher. "I'm not going to press as much without being 'The Guy,' " Burleson said of his Seahawks debut. Look for a return to his 2004 numbers.

Another receiver moving to a great situation is Washington's Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd goes from one of the worst teams in the league in San Francisco to a Super Bowl contender (sportsbook odds on the Redskins to win Super Bowl XLI: 14-1).

Lloyd will be catching passes from the rejuvenated Mark Brunell. Brunell threw 23 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions last season, his best since 2001. Running back Clinton Portis is coming off a 1,500-yard season. Receiver Santana Moss has emerged as one of the NFL's best, grabbing 84 balls for 1,483 yards and nine TDs in 2005. H-back Chris Cooley also is a great weapon for the 'Skins. Lloyd should have no problem surpassing last season's numbers (48-733-5) while becoming a key member of Washington's potent offense.

Other receivers who could emerge this year include: Mark Clayton, Roy Williams and Reche Caldwell.

Some receivers who could be in for a long year include: Michael Clayton, David Givens and Ashley Lelie.

Quarterbacks
Despite being the face of the Falcons franchise and a star player in the league, the jury is still out on Michael Vick the quarterback. Everybody is in awe of his athletic ability and his highlight-reel plays, but Vick the passer has been just average in his five-year NFL career. He has never thrown for 3,000 yards in a season and has a career 75.8 QB rating.

Atlanta upgraded its defense in the offseason with the additions of Lawyer Milloy and John Abraham, but didn't address needs on the offensive side of the ball. Vick will lean heavily on tight end Alge Crumpler again as the Falcons are still without a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Look for much of the same from Vick and Atlanta's offense this season a lot of running. If they get off to a slow start or Vick suffers another injury, the Falcons might find out they're better off with promising backup Matt Schaub at the helm.

Another quarterback who will be pushed by the backup is Chicago's Rex Grossman. With Brian Griese waiting in the wings, Grossman needs to stay healthy and play well, or he may be out of a job. Everywhere Griese has been -- the Bears are his fourth team in five years -- he has arrived as a backup, with little expectations. Yet in Denver, Miami and Tampa Bay, Griese beat out the guy in front of him, usually pretty quickly.

Grossman has a lot of promise and sparked the Bears' dormant offense after returning from a broken ankle toward the end of last season. He still has a lot to prove, however. He has only played in nine games during his three-year career due to several injuries.

Bears coach Lovie Smith won't hesitate to go to Griese if their offense struggles like it did for most of last season. The job is Rex Grossman's. That's the way we're going to start up our football team, and we'll go from there," Smith said.

Look for these QBs to take advantage of their opportunities: Chris Simms, Philip Rivers and Billy Volek.

These QBs may be out of chances after this year: Chad Pennington, Aaron Brooks and J.P. Losman.

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