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Feature
Who has broken out in 07?
by Paul Rimmer
16/1/2008
With the 07 regular season in the books, the focus is now on the playoffs and the four teams left playing for an NFL Championship. But every team regardless of its record had individuals who experienced success in one form or another this year, and we’re here to tell you about them.
Who were the NFL’s class of 2007 breakout players? Check out our team by team guide to find out:
NFC East
Giants Justin Tuck
Being a DE behind Pro Bowlers Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan does not make it easy to make an impact. Add to that a second season ruined by injury. This year however, Tuck has come into his own and has made a big impact. Tuck originally benefited from Michael Strahan’s no show at camp, being given snaps with the 1st string in his place. Giants defensive co-ordinator Steve Spagnuolo has used his wealth of pass rushing talents to great effect which has given Tuck a stage to shine. It was always going to be difficult for the Giants to replace a player of Strahan’s talents when he finally hangs up the cleats. Giants fans are feeling much better however after seeing the play of Justin Tuck in 07.
Eagles Trent Cole
Another young DE who has shone this year in the NFC East is Trent Cole. Javon Kearse is no longer a Freak but the Eagles needn’t worry as Trent Cole has emerged to pick up the slack and become the Eagles premier pass rusher. It is unfair however to label Cole as purely as pass rusher because of his impressive sack total. Cole is the complete DE. He has an excellent motor and plays very well against the run too.
Cowboys – Marc Colombo
There are a few contenders for the Cowboys and I felt I could have made a case for the majority of the offensive line. Andre Gurode has been dominant despite his humorous snaps when in shotgun. Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier have also been excellent but I decided to go with the Cowboys RT. Colombo arguably played at a Pro Bowl level, something which is extremely surprising to me as he seemed to struggle last year and looked the week link of the Cowboys line. This year however he had great showings against top pass rushers such as Michael Strahan and Aaron Kampman. Credit to the Cowboys for sticking with him, though he’ll rue costly false start penalties in the NFC divisional playoffs.
Redskins – Sean Taylor
This was a difficult one. I thought about bottling it and going with their whole D as a until as it is so much improved on last year. I then looked at the individuals and thought who has the biggest turn around in performance from last year. One name came to the front and that is Sean Taylor, a player unfortunately no longer with us. Taylor was always a great athlete who was great to watch because of his liking for massive hits. This year however up until his sad passing I felt he had developed his game and was a complete safety who was playing the pass game as good has he always has played the run. He was on his way to the pro-bowl and it is a shame we will not get to see how good this guy could have gone on to be.
NFC South
Buccaneers Barrett Rudd
Earnest Graham has stepped out of nowhere to lead the Bucs and deserves a mention. It will be interesting to see what happens when Cadillac Williams comes back, is Graham too good to be a backup? Anyhow, on to Barrett Rudd. The Bucs defense has been brilliant this year, and Barrett Rudd has been the leader. The second year inside linebacker took the place of Quarles and was an instant upgrade. Rudd is a tackling machine who should feel harshly treated to not be off to Hawaii this February.
Saints David Patten
It was actually really difficult to think of a player this year for the Saints who has had a breakout year. I have gone with wide receiver David Patten, but in truth he would be better suited to being labelled the Saints comeback player of the year after being MIA for the last few years. Pattern was an important part of the Patriots Super Bowl winning teams who but seemed to be finished when he wasn’t even getting a look in as a Redskin. After being released by the Redskins however he signed for the Saints prior to the start of the 07 campaign and has been rejuvenated. He has had a solid season moving up the depth chart and is currently the number 2 wide-out in New Orleans.
Panthers Jon Beason
Playing on a very average Panthers team Jon Beason, the rookie linebacker out of Miami is having an excellent under the radar year. Replacing Dan the concussion Morgan as the Panthers middle linebacker Beason looks to be destined to become a star in the NFL. If it wasn’t for Willis in San Francisco, Beason may have been looking at DROY honours.
Falcons Michael Boley
3rd year linebacker Michael Boley has raised his game this year, so much so that even surrounded with names such as DeAngelo Hall, Keith Brooking and John Abraham he is now the Falcons playmaker. Boley broke into the limelight on Thanksgiving when he sacked Payton Manning three times. Boley has been making plays all season long. He plays the run and pass equally well and should have gone to the pro-bowl in my opinion.
NFC North
Packers Greg Jennings
After an excellent rookie season which could have been even better if Jennings had not suffered injury, the usual 2nd year wide receiver questions were raised, will he do a Michael Clayton and drop of the face of the planet? The answer is an emphatic NO. Jennings is a stud and it could be argued that he has already joined the elite receivers in the NFL in just his second year. On a Packers team full of receiving talent it is Jennings who has shone the brightest. This is no mean feat considering Donald Driver is amongst the Packers receiving corps.
Lions Ernie Sims
Sims is one of those guys who seems to be around the ball on every play. He would have been given much more credit than he has got for his performances this season had he been on a better football team. Sims is tackling machine from the OLB spot. Another players to have a pro-bowl standard year only to be shunned for the big name’s in the Pro Bowl popularity contest.
Vikings Adrian Peterson
This years rookie sensation. Peterson looks to be a true superstar and has lit up the league with his awesome performances this year. His style is great to watch and he will fight to the death for any extra yardage he can get. Will need to show he is no flash in the pan by producing again next year but if as I expect he will, I’m sure he will be put alongside LT as the best at his position.
Bears Greg Olsen
There weren’t many positives for the Bears in 07 on a team that regressed badly after the heights of the previous campaign in which they went to the Super Bowl. Devin Hester was again superb but he cannot fit the bill of breakthrough player as he was already regarded as the most dangerous return man in the game. Olsen was the Bears 1st rounder in 07 and was a bit part player this year for the Bears. When he was on the field however from what I saw he looks to have lots of potential to be a dominant pass catching tight end. He seems very Dallas Clarke like to me and his athletic ability will allow him to be lined up in the slot to create the miss matches which the Colts so often benefit from. Having a player like this can be massive for a team and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Olsen become the focal point for the Bears offense in 08.
NFC West
Seahawks – Marcus Trufant
Trufant has stepped up a level this year and has made his first Pro Bowl. Trufant ranked third in interceptions (seven) and fourth in passes defensed (22) in the league. It also just so happens that this year is a contract year for Trufant. It will be very interesting to see if Trufant can repeat his performances and solidify himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league. Another question is will he still be in Seattle next year?
Cardinals Darnell Dockett
The Cardinals DT has had a great season. He started the season like a house on fire and registered 8 sacks in his first 8 games, which is extremely impressive for a DT. Docket creating a pass rush up the middle has been a bonus and is what is causing people to sit up and look at Dockett. Arizona fans will know he has been a quality player for a while, his numbers this year have however propelled him into the lime light.
Rams O.J. Atogwe
In an injury plagued season for the Rams Atogwe certainly seems to be the brightest point. Before the season Atogwe was only bit part player. Atogwe played in all 16 games while leading the NFC with eight interceptions whilst stating his place in the Rams starting lineup. Atogwe is a free agent and it will be interesting to see if the Rams feel he was good enough, interceptions aside to give him the pay day he will now demand.
49ers Patrick Willis
Willis just lead the league in tackles and earned a pro-bowl place in his first season in the league. He was a cert for DROY in what was an amazing rookie campaign. What Willis brings to the table is no nonsense ILB play. He isn’t the greatest pass rusher or doesn’t possess exceptional coverage skills but he is an unbelievable side-line to side-line tackler. Willis is already a star in the NFL and could go on to greatness.
AFC East
Jets David Harris
In a dismal season the Jets haven’t had a great deal to be optimistic about. The play of their rookie inside linebacker however is certainly something to write home about. Harris was thrust into the starting line-up following an early season injury to star MLB Jonathan Vilma. The second round pick has amassed over 100 tackles and already has the poise of a season vet calling the plays and leading the team. For me Vilma is no longer the star on the Jets D, he has struggled ever since Mangini arrived and changed to a 3-4. With Harris’s emergence it will be interesting to see if there is room for both or if the Jets will look to ship Vilma out.
Patriots Wes Welker
Probably harsh to say he has broken out this year as he also had an excellent 06. Welker however is now in the limelight at the Patriots and has stated his place as the best slot receiver in football. He is such a versatile weapon for the Patriots who can create endless mismatches in coverage. How could the Dolphins let this guy escape to a division rival? He is also a dangerous return man, a true nightmare for opponents.
Bills Marshawn Lynch
I did consider Trent Edwards who has come in and done better than expected at QB. I am far from convinced with Edwards however and have gone for Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has done exactly what he was advertised as going into the draft. He is good in the passing game out of the backfield and an excellent runner. Despite missing games through injury he is on course for 1000+ yards in his rookie year. For me the Bills have managed to upgrade at RB by replacing Willis McGahee.
 Dolphins The Cheerleaders
I had to rack my brains to come up with a positive in this awful season that the Dolphins are having. The Cheerleaders above is a little tongue in cheek and my breakout player for the Dolphins is Samson Satele, a rookie centre having a very solid season. I also give a mention to Matt Roth who I have to hold my hands up and say I had never even heard of until the Wembley game. His name seemed to be mentioned on every play and since then I have looked out for him and he seems to have had a very solid year.
AFC West
Raiders Thomas Howard
Howard is an excellent LB who is able to play the run and pass equally well. His linebacking partner Kirk Morrison also had a good season and was also a consideration as the Raiders breakthrough player. Howard got close to 100 tackles on the season as well as 6 interceptions on the year.
Chiefs Dwayne Bowe
I can’t remember the last time the Chiefs had a true big play number one receiver, no disrespect to the solid if not spectacular Parker and Kennison. Bowe looks to be that player and in only his rookie year he quickly became the Chiefs go-to wideout and finished the season just 5 yards shy of a 1000 receiving yards. What makes this even more of an achievement is the fact that the Chiefs struggled at both QB and O-line. If the Chiefs can find a way to improve the QB and O-line, watch out for Bowe to post some very impressive numbers next time out.
Chargers Antonio Cromartie
A big play waiting to happen. Cromartie has had a great 2nd year displacing Drayton Florence from the starting lineup and leading the league in interceptions. As well as being a ball hawk Cromartie is good in coverage and also makes impact plays on special teams. Cromartie was in the running for defensive player of the year. We have waited a while for anybody to get anywhere near the play of Champ Bailey at CB. Whilst Cromartie is not in his league yet, he is young, hungry and still learning. He could be the one to break through and stop the question of who is the best CB in the league being a given.
Broncos Brandon Marshall
Selvin Young also came into consideration here who had a great season for an undrafted free agent. Marshall however looks special. He has stepped up and become the Broncos play maker. With Broncos WR Jimmy Smith not figuring through injury/likely retirement the Broncos looked a little light heading into the season at wideout. Marshall has been explosive and is extremely fun to watch, for my money this guy is on course to become one of the elite WRs in the NFL.
AFC South
Texans Mario Williams
This is hard to write without just stringing together endless clichs about how he was number 1 overall in front of Reggie Bush and Vince Young blah blah blah.. So I won’t bother, you’ve heard it all elsewhere and super Mario is turning into a beast of a DE.
 Colts Gary Brackett
Also considered was Freddie Keiaho and Marlon Jackson, both whom have stepped in for big money free agents, filling the gaps so you wouldn’t even know they had gone. Brackett however has been brilliant. He has been playing at a high level for a while but this year the Colts Defensive captain has the stats to match and is hammering home the fact that he is one of the better ILB’s in the NFL.
Titans Michael Roos
Is there a better LT in the league? It’s a hard question to answer if you are honest and put aside big names and reputations. Basing this answer on performance alone I think the answer is no. Third year tackle Roos certainly isn’t a household name and gets nowhere near the credit his play deserves. Roos is a stud however and it can’t be long before the media sit up and take notice.
Jaguars – David Garrard
My opinion was that the Jaguars had made an error when favouring Garrard over Leftwich. I felt that Leftwich was ultimately the better QB and that Garrard was a career backup albeit a very good backup. How wrong my opinion looks now. Leftwich has attempted unsuccessfully to fill the void left my Mike Vick in Atlanta whilst Garrard has had an excellent season for a flying under the radar Jags team. He had an amazing streak going where he had not threw an interception for over 300 games (maybe a slight exaggeration) at one point too. Garrard has truly had a breakout year and is firmly in place to lead the Jaguars deep into the playoffs and into the future.
AFC North
Steelers Ike Taylor
Taylor has arguably been the best player on an excellent Steelers D in 07. Taylor is very good in coverage but is also physical enough to make an impact in the running game. He is a solid tackler and a player who has an eye for a big play. He has emerged this year as the Steelers number 1 corner for me. No longer is the Steelers secondary all about Troy Polamalu.
Bengals – Nedu Ndukwe
The 7th round pick from the 07 draft has proved a steal of mass proportions. The Safety out of Notre Dame has had a great season adding 44 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions. Not bad from a 7th rounder hey!!
Browns Derek Anderson
I did want to have Leigh Bodden for the Browns who has been excellent at defensive back, but it is impossible to look past Derek Anderson who has caused the Browns a real Rivers/Brees type headache after they drafted Brady Quinn. Anderson looks to have turned the Browns from a team of very talented players full of potential to a team that should now be looking to get to the playoffs on an annual basis.
Ravens Haloti Ngata
Ngata is the bright spot on a defense which has regressed at alarming pace from the 06 side who dominated so many games. The young stud defensive tackle has had a great 2nd season and is a monster in the run game. Teams have found it very difficult to run between the tackles against the 07 Ravens and Ngata is a major reason why. He also racks up the tackles and can generate some penetration, a great all-round tackle who is also athletic enough to play some 3-4 DE. He has truly emerged this year.
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