The Next Generation: Young NFL Teams to Watch in 2011
Every year there seems to be a team that surprises everybody in the NFL playoffs. In recent memory we have witnessed such teams as the '05 Steelers and '08 Cardinals squeak into the first round as a low seed and suddenly hit a hot streak all the way to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, for every one of those teams there is also a good team that does not get invited to the post-season party.
2010 was no exception when it comes to late-season surprises. Several of the NFL's younger teams sitting at home this January wrapped up the year with wins. They were also very competitive throughout their respective regular season campaigns. If these teams can carry over that momentum into 2011 they could go from this year's "coulda woulda shoulda's" to next year's Super Bowl contenders.
NFC
Detroit Lions (6-10)
Analysis: In 2010 this team played its best football in three years, beating some tough teams (Packers and Bucs) and narrowly losing to others (Eagles, Jets, Bears, and Giants). Injuries to the top two quarterbacks on the depth chart was detrimental to any offensive cohesion and the defense was forced to scramble in order to fill holes all over the defensive back seven. The D-line and passing game have emerged as strengths but there are still a few holes that need to be filled, particularly at offensive line and linebacker. Head Coach Jim Schwartz and General Manager Martin Mayhew have done a great job improving the overall talent level and if they continue to draft like they have over the last two years this team will continue to add more checks in the win column.
Top Returning Players to Watch in 2011: QB Shaun Hill, QB Matt Stafford (IR), RB Jahvid Best, TE Brandon Pettigrew*, WR Calvin Johnson*, WR Nate Burleson, DT Ndamukong Suh*, FS Louis Delmas*, MLB DeAndre Levy, DE Cliff Avril, DE Lawrence Jackson, CB Alphonso Smith (IR), SS Amari Spievey
Early Draft Analysis: With the 13th pick in the draft the Lions will most likely go after one of their top needs but do not be surprised to see them take another defensive tackle, as there are some very good ones that could be available. If they can get the top player at any position it should go a long way towards building a playoff team in the near future. Schwartz and Mayhew have done a great job in the two drafts that they've orchestrated so there is no reason to think they will blow this one too.
Prospects for the 13th pick include CB Prince Amukamara - Nebraska, DT Marcel Dareus - Alabama, DT Stephen Paea - Oregon St, OL Mike Pouncey - Florida, CB Janoris Jenkins - Florida, DE Adrian Clayborn - Iowa, LB Bruce Carter - UNC, OT Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin, OT Derrick Sherrod - Mississippi State
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)
Analysis: The NFL's youngest team, which started eight rookies in 2010, surprised everybody this year by competing for a playoff spot all the way to the final week of the season. The Bucs' winning record did come at the expense of a very weak schedule but the team continued to overcome devastating losses due to injury and even beat the playoff-bound Saints on the road in week 17 with several of their top starters on IR. The team at least appears to be set at quarterback for a long time as long as Josh Freeman, a second year player, continues to play at the level he did in 2010 (25 TD's, six INT's).
Top Returning Players to Watch in 2011: QB Josh Freeman*, RB LaGarrette Blount, WR Mike Williams*, TE Kellen Winslow Jr.*, OG Daven Josheph* (IR), DL Gerald McCoy* (IR), DT Roy Miller, MLB Barrett Ruud*, LB Geno Hayes, S Cody Grimm, S Tanard Jackson (suspended in 2010), CB Aquib Talib* (IR)
Early Draft Analysis: It can be argued that no other team has drafted better than the Bucs over the last 15 years and if that trend continues this should be a title-contending team for the next decade. This year the Bucs are picking 20th, which is the same spot they took emerging star corner Talib. Some of the team's top needs this year include offensive line and defensive end, and they particularly need another run-stopper at end to help the 28th ranked rush defense.
Prospects for the 20th pick include DE Ryan Kerrigan - Purdue, OT Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin, OT Anthony Costonzo - Boston College, OT Derrick Sherrod - Mississippi State, WR Julio Jones - Alabama, DE Cameron Jordan - Cal, DE Cameron Heyward - Ohio State,
AFC
Miami Dolphins (7-9)
Analysis: The 'Fins finished 1-7 at home and 6-2 on the road. That is simply unheard of in the NFL but is just another sure sign of the parity throughout the league. Inconsistent play at quarterback and offensive line really kept the offense from gaining any momentum and the defense, despite putting up some good-looking statistics, broke down at some critical moments and did not hold up well in the last few weeks of the season. This team is stocked with quality talent though and they could be very close to being a post-season spoiler for somebody. The biggest problem this year may have been the schedule as six of their nine losses came at the hands of playoff-bound teams. Only one of their seven wins came against a team with a winning record (week 14 @ Jets).
Top Returning Players to Watch in 2011: QB Chad Henne, RB Ronnie Brown*, WR Brandon Marshall*, WR Davone Bess, TE Anthony Fasano, OT Jake Long*, OLB Koa Misi, LB Cameron Wake*, SS Yeremiah Bell, CB Vontae Davis, CB Sean Smith
Early Draft Analysis: The 'Fins have done a good job selecting players in the last few drafts. They have hit home on most of their high round picks and the team is young. With a couple more solid drafts this team could develop into a persistent contender out of the AFC East division. Their biggest needs at the moment include offensive line and running back. Starting RB Ronnie Brown has worn a lot of tread off his tires the last six years and backup Ricky Williams is 33 years old.
Prospects for the 15th pick include OT Nate Solder - Colorado, OT Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin, OLB Von Miller - Texas A & M, OLB Akeem Ayers - UCLA, RB Mark Ingram - Alabama, DE Cam Jordan - Cal
San Diego Chargers (9-7)
This one is a bit of a no-brainer. The Chargers have been one of the most talented and underachieving teams in the league for several years now. It just seems that at some point the organization will hit its stride and make a real run at a Super Bowl. Statistically, the Chargers were #1 in the NFL in both total offense and total defense! There is no real excusable reason why this team is not competing in the playoffs this year and they should be among the favorites to make a run in the AFC next year.
Top Returning Players to Watch in 2011: QB Phillip Rivers*, RB Ryan Mathews, WR Vincent Jackson*, TE Antonio Gates*, OT Marcus McNeil, OG Kris Dielman*, NT Antonio Garay, DE Jacques Cesaire, DE Louis Castillo, OLB Shaun Phillips, ILB Kevin Burnett, CB Quentin Jammer, CB Antoine Cason, FS Eric Weddle
Early Draft Analysis: San Diego has the 18th pick in the draft. The team does not have a lot of holes to fill as this team is already stocked with talent. The biggest need is at linebacker but the team could always stand to add another offensive lineman to the mix to protect Rivers and open holes in the running game. At the very least, a draft that adds some quality depth at several positions, including O-line, linebacker, safety, and receiver would be ideal.
Prospects for the 18th pick include OLB Akeem Ayers - UCLA, WR Julio Jones - Alabama, C/G Mike Pouncey - Florida, DE Cam Heyward - Ohio State, OT Derrick Sherrod - Mississippi State, LB Bruce Carter - UNC, LB Greg Jones - Michigan State
(* Denotes all-pro caliber player.)
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