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Put up or shut up
Top 20 players who need to produce now — or very likely face the consequences soon — Part 1
By PFW staff
July 25, 2007
While it’s true that we live in a very forgiving society, the time frame for meeting expectations among today’s high-profile pro football players continues to shrink significantly.
In the tightly wound, high-speed, “What have you done for me lately?” environment in which they exist, performing in a sport where teams are instantly transformed from pretenders into contenders, and vice versa, with increasing frequency, the pressure to prove their worth has become more intense. Plus, there's more scrutiny by the media than ever before.
Grace periods are few and far between. The No. 1 draft pick with the megamillion-dollar signing bonus regularly runs the risk of being considered a massive waste of money by impatient fans following even the slightest slip-up.
Same goes for the high-priced free-agent or trade acquisition expected to immediately provide a meaningful impact in his new surroundings.
Ditto for the designated franchise centerpiece burdened by chinks in his armor that are exposed 24/7, both on and off the field.
Clearly, more name players are facing what seems like a crucial crossroads in their careers with training camps just around the corner.
What follows is an up-close look at 20 players, in particular, who find themselves on the proverbial hot seat this coming season, with the summer heat just starting to reach its peak.
Can Randy Moss make up for his disappointing tenure in Oakland and successfully fit into the “team” concept Bill Belichick has so effectively employed with the Patriots, this year’s early Super Bowl favorites in most league circles?
Can Eli Manning take a giant step in his fourth season and follow in the footsteps of his brother, Peyton, the fearless conductor of the Colts’ Super Bowl Express last season?
These are just a few of the special “put up or shut up” cases in this four-part feature that promise to make the 2007 NFL season another heavyweight drama destined to keep us on the edge of our seats.
20. RB LenDale White
Tennessee Titans
NFL experience: 2
Age: 22
How acquired: 2006 draft
When LenDale White slipped to the 45th pick in 2006, the reasons were mostly because of maturity. Teams were scared that he was not mentally ready to commit fully to a daily NFL program and become a hard worker overnight.
So far that assessment has been dead on. The Titans were disappointed in White’s progress as a rookie, and though he had a few nice moments on the field early in the season, he saw his opportunities dry up as the year went on and Travis Henry took the driver’s seat as the team’s lead back.
Now Henry is in Denver, and the Titans were prepared to give the talented White a great chance this offseason to wrest the starter’s job. But he rewarded his coaches by showing up considerably overweight (251 pounds instead of 235) to the offseason program and missing a practice after a mixup with head coach Jeff Fisher.
The team felt the need to perhaps reach for untested Chris Henry in Round Two and then re-sign Chris Brown to fill out the suddenly shaky RB spot.
On a team that has suffered through Pacman Jones’ tribulations, the coaches need White’s lack of focus like they need an Albert Haynesworth kick to the head. White’s recent humility suggests that he knows he won’t be handed anything and that he needs to take control of his own situation. With the Titans preferring to return to a power-running style to complement Vince Young’s unique skills, that would be most welcome.
19. WR Deion Branch
Seattle Seahawks
NFL experience: 6
Age: 27
How acquired: 2006 trade
When a team exchanges a precious first-round pick to obtain a particular player, the pressure on that player to put up or shut up is understandably magnified. Such is the case with Branch, the former Super Bowl MVP obtained from the Patriots last September after sitting out the entire offseason and training camp in a contract dispute.
Adding to the pressure on Branch is the trade of Darrell Jackson, Seattle’s leading receiver four of the last six seasons, to the division-rival Niners.
Jackson and Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck had developed a terrific chemistry in their time together. The rapport between Branch and Hasselbeck, however, very much remains a work in progress.
While Branch had his moments in his first season in Seattle — his two-TD effort vs. St. Louis in Week Six stands out — a lot more production than the four total TD catches and only one 100-yard receiving performance he registered in 2006 figures to be needed for the Seahawks to continue riding the crest in the NFC West.
Branch admitted he needed another season to become completely comfortable in Mike Holmgren’s diverse offensive system, especially considering Hasselbeck’s right knee injury in ’06 that forced the QB to miss four games and abruptly terminated the rapport he was just starting to develop with his newest weapon.
This season there will be no excuses.
18. QB Jake Delhomme
Carolina Panthers
NFL experience: 9
Age: 32
How acquired: 2003 free agent
Delhomme is coming off his most inconsistent season since becoming the Panthers’ starter in 2003. And now Delhomme will face the most competition of his Carolina career for his starting job.
The Panthers signed former No. 1 overall pick David Carr, who was released by the Texans after they brought in Matt Schaub, to replace unspectacular veteran Chris Weinke.
Delhomme is still the starter, but Carr was brought in as insurance in case Delhomme’s struggles from last season resurface. The Panthers will have a shorter leash on Delhomme than ever before because Carr possesses many of the physical skills — strong arm, accuracy and mobility — that are liabilities for Delhomme, who has survived with his intangibles and leadership skills.
Delhomme’s numbers from ’06 were not that far off from his career-average totals, but his errors were more glaring, especially late in games. In his first three years as a starter, Delhomme had developed a reputation as a clutch performer with the game on the line, but last season he tossed fourth-quarter interceptions in three nail-biting losses.
In Delhomme’s defense, he played behind a patchwork offensive line; he was without All-Pro WR Steve Smith for the first two games of the season; No. 2 WR Keyshawn Johnson failed to demonstrate the sure hands he had in the past; and the running game plodded along with DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams.
17. WR Mike Williams
Oakland Raiders
NFL experience: 3
Age: 23
How acquired: 2007 trade
In recent years, the Lions have not shied away from taking prolific college wide receivers with their first-round pick. They’ve done it four times since 2003. One has worked out, two have not and one they’re crossing their fingers on. Williams is one of those who did not.
Williams played just two years at USC, but they were a glorious two years. He caught 176 passes for 2,579 yards and 30 touchdowns, setting a school record for TD catches and earning first-team All-America honors in the process.
After a court reversed a decision that would have allowed him to enter the NFL early, his request to re-enroll at USC was also denied, forcing him to sit out the 2004 season. The Lions made him the 10th overall pick a year later, but despite his size (6-4, 229) and hands, he has yet to develop into any kind of a consistent presence. A serious lack of quickness and speed was only accentuated by his poor conditioning in Detroit, which didn’t sit well with the coaching staff there.
After two sluggish seasons that saw him start just six games, accounting for 37 catches and two touchdowns, Williams was dealt to Oakland this spring. He is reunited with new head coach Lane Kiffin, who was an offensive assistant at USC during Williams’ time there and runs a similar system. It’s a second chance, but one in which Williams will have to fight for playing time with the likes of Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, Travis Taylor and others.
16. WR Troy Williamson
Minnesota Vikings
NFL experience: 3
Age: 25
How acquired: 2005 draft
It’s bad enough that WR Troy Williamson has to live up to the expectations of being the No. 7 overall pick of the 2005 draft. Even worse is the unenviable position of filling the considerably fleet cleats of legendary Vikings WR Randy Moss, who netted Minnesota that lofty draft pick in a trade with the Raiders.
Williamson, in many eyes, has already busted. In his second season, he improved only modestly on his lackluster rookie totals. He finished just third in receiving on a team that was downright begging someone to step up out wide. And most disturbing were his 11 drops, which tied for second-most in the NFL last season. The other four wideouts with double-digit drops averaged 83.5 receptions and nine touchdowns; Williamson recorded 37 catches and zero scores.
Despite their lack of options, the Vikings did little to improve their lot out wide this offseason, putting the pressure on the third-year South Carolina product to finally step up. Williamson has spent the offseason working with Nike on correcting his vision non-surgically, hauling in an estimated 15,000 balls and making perhaps the most important reception of all — he’s recently caught the eye of not-so-easily impressed coach Brad Childress.
Williamson still has to contend with inexperience under center, but as he enters his third season, further excuses will not be tolerated.
cont'd...
Top 20 players who need to produce now — or very likely face the consequences soon — Part 1
By PFW staff
July 25, 2007
While it’s true that we live in a very forgiving society, the time frame for meeting expectations among today’s high-profile pro football players continues to shrink significantly.
In the tightly wound, high-speed, “What have you done for me lately?” environment in which they exist, performing in a sport where teams are instantly transformed from pretenders into contenders, and vice versa, with increasing frequency, the pressure to prove their worth has become more intense. Plus, there's more scrutiny by the media than ever before.
Grace periods are few and far between. The No. 1 draft pick with the megamillion-dollar signing bonus regularly runs the risk of being considered a massive waste of money by impatient fans following even the slightest slip-up.
Same goes for the high-priced free-agent or trade acquisition expected to immediately provide a meaningful impact in his new surroundings.
Ditto for the designated franchise centerpiece burdened by chinks in his armor that are exposed 24/7, both on and off the field.
Clearly, more name players are facing what seems like a crucial crossroads in their careers with training camps just around the corner.
What follows is an up-close look at 20 players, in particular, who find themselves on the proverbial hot seat this coming season, with the summer heat just starting to reach its peak.
Can Randy Moss make up for his disappointing tenure in Oakland and successfully fit into the “team” concept Bill Belichick has so effectively employed with the Patriots, this year’s early Super Bowl favorites in most league circles?
Can Eli Manning take a giant step in his fourth season and follow in the footsteps of his brother, Peyton, the fearless conductor of the Colts’ Super Bowl Express last season?
These are just a few of the special “put up or shut up” cases in this four-part feature that promise to make the 2007 NFL season another heavyweight drama destined to keep us on the edge of our seats.
20. RB LenDale White
Tennessee Titans
NFL experience: 2
Age: 22
How acquired: 2006 draft
When LenDale White slipped to the 45th pick in 2006, the reasons were mostly because of maturity. Teams were scared that he was not mentally ready to commit fully to a daily NFL program and become a hard worker overnight.
So far that assessment has been dead on. The Titans were disappointed in White’s progress as a rookie, and though he had a few nice moments on the field early in the season, he saw his opportunities dry up as the year went on and Travis Henry took the driver’s seat as the team’s lead back.
Now Henry is in Denver, and the Titans were prepared to give the talented White a great chance this offseason to wrest the starter’s job. But he rewarded his coaches by showing up considerably overweight (251 pounds instead of 235) to the offseason program and missing a practice after a mixup with head coach Jeff Fisher.
The team felt the need to perhaps reach for untested Chris Henry in Round Two and then re-sign Chris Brown to fill out the suddenly shaky RB spot.
On a team that has suffered through Pacman Jones’ tribulations, the coaches need White’s lack of focus like they need an Albert Haynesworth kick to the head. White’s recent humility suggests that he knows he won’t be handed anything and that he needs to take control of his own situation. With the Titans preferring to return to a power-running style to complement Vince Young’s unique skills, that would be most welcome.
19. WR Deion Branch
Seattle Seahawks
NFL experience: 6
Age: 27
How acquired: 2006 trade
When a team exchanges a precious first-round pick to obtain a particular player, the pressure on that player to put up or shut up is understandably magnified. Such is the case with Branch, the former Super Bowl MVP obtained from the Patriots last September after sitting out the entire offseason and training camp in a contract dispute.
Adding to the pressure on Branch is the trade of Darrell Jackson, Seattle’s leading receiver four of the last six seasons, to the division-rival Niners.
Jackson and Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck had developed a terrific chemistry in their time together. The rapport between Branch and Hasselbeck, however, very much remains a work in progress.
While Branch had his moments in his first season in Seattle — his two-TD effort vs. St. Louis in Week Six stands out — a lot more production than the four total TD catches and only one 100-yard receiving performance he registered in 2006 figures to be needed for the Seahawks to continue riding the crest in the NFC West.
Branch admitted he needed another season to become completely comfortable in Mike Holmgren’s diverse offensive system, especially considering Hasselbeck’s right knee injury in ’06 that forced the QB to miss four games and abruptly terminated the rapport he was just starting to develop with his newest weapon.
This season there will be no excuses.
18. QB Jake Delhomme
Carolina Panthers
NFL experience: 9
Age: 32
How acquired: 2003 free agent
Delhomme is coming off his most inconsistent season since becoming the Panthers’ starter in 2003. And now Delhomme will face the most competition of his Carolina career for his starting job.
The Panthers signed former No. 1 overall pick David Carr, who was released by the Texans after they brought in Matt Schaub, to replace unspectacular veteran Chris Weinke.
Delhomme is still the starter, but Carr was brought in as insurance in case Delhomme’s struggles from last season resurface. The Panthers will have a shorter leash on Delhomme than ever before because Carr possesses many of the physical skills — strong arm, accuracy and mobility — that are liabilities for Delhomme, who has survived with his intangibles and leadership skills.
Delhomme’s numbers from ’06 were not that far off from his career-average totals, but his errors were more glaring, especially late in games. In his first three years as a starter, Delhomme had developed a reputation as a clutch performer with the game on the line, but last season he tossed fourth-quarter interceptions in three nail-biting losses.
In Delhomme’s defense, he played behind a patchwork offensive line; he was without All-Pro WR Steve Smith for the first two games of the season; No. 2 WR Keyshawn Johnson failed to demonstrate the sure hands he had in the past; and the running game plodded along with DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams.
17. WR Mike Williams
Oakland Raiders
NFL experience: 3
Age: 23
How acquired: 2007 trade
In recent years, the Lions have not shied away from taking prolific college wide receivers with their first-round pick. They’ve done it four times since 2003. One has worked out, two have not and one they’re crossing their fingers on. Williams is one of those who did not.
Williams played just two years at USC, but they were a glorious two years. He caught 176 passes for 2,579 yards and 30 touchdowns, setting a school record for TD catches and earning first-team All-America honors in the process.
After a court reversed a decision that would have allowed him to enter the NFL early, his request to re-enroll at USC was also denied, forcing him to sit out the 2004 season. The Lions made him the 10th overall pick a year later, but despite his size (6-4, 229) and hands, he has yet to develop into any kind of a consistent presence. A serious lack of quickness and speed was only accentuated by his poor conditioning in Detroit, which didn’t sit well with the coaching staff there.
After two sluggish seasons that saw him start just six games, accounting for 37 catches and two touchdowns, Williams was dealt to Oakland this spring. He is reunited with new head coach Lane Kiffin, who was an offensive assistant at USC during Williams’ time there and runs a similar system. It’s a second chance, but one in which Williams will have to fight for playing time with the likes of Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, Travis Taylor and others.
16. WR Troy Williamson
Minnesota Vikings
NFL experience: 3
Age: 25
How acquired: 2005 draft
It’s bad enough that WR Troy Williamson has to live up to the expectations of being the No. 7 overall pick of the 2005 draft. Even worse is the unenviable position of filling the considerably fleet cleats of legendary Vikings WR Randy Moss, who netted Minnesota that lofty draft pick in a trade with the Raiders.
Williamson, in many eyes, has already busted. In his second season, he improved only modestly on his lackluster rookie totals. He finished just third in receiving on a team that was downright begging someone to step up out wide. And most disturbing were his 11 drops, which tied for second-most in the NFL last season. The other four wideouts with double-digit drops averaged 83.5 receptions and nine touchdowns; Williamson recorded 37 catches and zero scores.
Despite their lack of options, the Vikings did little to improve their lot out wide this offseason, putting the pressure on the third-year South Carolina product to finally step up. Williamson has spent the offseason working with Nike on correcting his vision non-surgically, hauling in an estimated 15,000 balls and making perhaps the most important reception of all — he’s recently caught the eye of not-so-easily impressed coach Brad Childress.
Williamson still has to contend with inexperience under center, but as he enters his third season, further excuses will not be tolerated.
cont'd...