Charlie Klein
With most teams opening their training camps in the next few weeks, it is about time that The Truth Blog began its NFL coverage in earnest. The following list is comprised of players who have much to prove following disappointing 2008's. There are surely players that I will neglect in this list, if you have one you think is deserving please leave a comment with your argument.
1. Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals). This guy is on the verge of becoming just another irrelevant arrogant wide receiver. With another year similar to his 2008 season, in which he caught 53 passes for 540 yards and four touchdowns. With arguably the best number two wide receiver in the NFL in T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Championship!) leaving for the Seattle Seahawks and a relatively unproven wide receiving corps, it is all on Johnson to be the guy for Carson Palmer this year. Is it not what Chad's been dying for for a few years now? This season he has to prove he is the player he was only a few years ago, when the skills that got him to the endzone were just as good as his dance moves in the endzone. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 70%)
2. LaDanian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers). I think we all were disappointed in LT last season, so much so that many were saying that Darren Sproles could be the RB of the future in sunny San Diego. Tomlinson did rush for over 1,000 yards again, but only averaged 3.8 yards per carry and scored only 11 touchdowns, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2001. He is only two years removed from 28 TDs but many are predicting that LT is done. Running backs typically start to drop off in terms of production around 30 and LT has proven to be no exception. Part of me feels like LaDanian still has it, but in my fantasy league I will not draft him No. 1 overall. Until he proves it, he is no longer that guy. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 60%)
3. Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears). Jay Cutler was so petulant and needy that he made Brett Favre look like a stand up guy. His childish fit with Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels resulted in him being traded to the Chicago Bears, who have been unable to find themselves a franchise quarterback really since Steve McMahon. The Bears leading receiver was rooking running back Matt Forte, followed by tight end Greg Olsen, and cornerback Devin Hester. What does this mean? THE BEARS HAVE NO WIDE RECEIVERS! Aside from Rashied Davis the Bears receiving corps is comprised primarily of rookies. I do not think Cutler is good enough to make those rookies play beyond his age. He has to prove that he can still throw for 4,000 yards without Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 40%)
4. Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints). When the Texans passed on Reggie Bush in the 2006 NFL Draft many in the NFL community believed that the Texans passed on THE talent for the next ten years. How could Charley Casserly, Texans GM, not draft the next Barry Sanders!?! Let's flash forward to 2009 and it is the player Casserly did take, Mario Williams is the better player. All of that aside, Reggie Bush has much to prove in 2009. The Saints released Deuce McAllister, the only real threat to Bush's carries for the past few years, so now it is time for Reggie to prove his worth. Pierre Thomas, who had a decent 2008 season, is waiting in the wings should Reggie be unable to carry the load. Is Bush just a 3rd down back/receiving running back? Or is he the feature back New Orleans drafted in 2006? (odds of proving doubters wrong: 50%)
5. Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers). If I failed to put a defensive player on this list, it would have definitely lost a bit of legitimacy. Honestly I am no fan of Shawne Merriman and all of his antics. Furthermore I believe he is a dirty player. His suspension for using a banned substance in 2006 is enough to prove that. What cannot be disputed is this man's ability to get to the quarterback better than almost any linebacker in the NFL. Merriman was out because of injury for all of 2008. In 2007 and 2006, he had 12.5 and 17 sacks respectively. This season Merriman has to prove that his horrible injury has been healed and that he can be the player he was. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 65%)
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