| The Franchise |
08-23-2012 10:02 AM |
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Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Flacco is a top-five quarterback, his agent, Joe Linta, said as he began negotiations with the Ravens on a new contract this offseason. Flacco certainly has all the physical attributes and a deep (and, more important, familiar) supporting cast around him. This is primed to be a breakout year. You’re going to see more no-huddle offense this year as the Ravens hand more responsibility of the play-calling to Flacco. Flacco showcased his skills in the AFC title game against New England as he passed for 306 yards and two TDs. The next step is for Flacco to make those types of performances commonplace.
Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
Sanchez seemingly regressed last season, the first of his three seasons as a pro that he didn't lead the Jets to the AFC title game. An offseason that could have been spent solely dissecting how Sanchez can get his development back on track was overshadowed by the Jets' addition of Tim Tebow. The media circus that followed hasn’t changed the fact Sanchez plays behind an inferior line with few weapons at receiver or in the backfield. And having to now look over his shoulder at Tebow certainly won't help, either.
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Romo is an easy target for the Cowboys’ .500 record in 2011 — a season that ended without a playoff berth. (Truth be told, the defense should get at least some of the blame.) The fact remains, however, that Romo has maneuvered the Cowboys out of the first round just once since he took over as QB in 2006. "I'm still advancing," Romo told FOXSportsSouthwest.com this summer. "I still think the ceiling is still there, and I'm learning new things all the time."
Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
The tools are definitely there for Schaub — at least when he stays on the field. He missed the final six regular-season games in 2011 after a foot injury. His season also were cut short in 2007 (concussion, shoulder injury) and 2008 (knee injury). "There was a little bit of rust," Schaub told FOXSportsHouston.com about his return to practice this offseason. "That's worn off now, so we're just back in a groove." If he stays there, the Texans could be set for the franchise’s most promising season, and maybe Schaub can shake that "injury-prone" label in the process — and in a contract year, no less.
Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders
The architects of Palmer's acquisition from Cincinnati are no longer around, but the current regime has high hopes for the two-time Pro Bowl selection. Palmer, whose career peaked six years ago with the Bengals, is looking to resurrect a career under a new offense that calls for more rollouts and zone blocking. "He has great poise, great leadership," first-year Raiders coach Dennis Allen told FOXSports.com. "He already has a command for the offense. I think he's done a nice job working with some of the young receivers in trying to get them on the same page."
Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
The expectations of being the No. 1 overall pick, as Bradford was, come with the caveat that the team that selected you got that pick for a reason. Bradford, taken first overall in 2010, was sacked 36 times last season and would have vied for the “most sacked” designation had he not suffered a high ankle sprain that forced him out of six games. The Rams, with a new head coach (Jeff Fisher) and new offensive coordinator (Brian Schottenheimer), are an improved team, and Bradford will be expected to help raise the franchise to at least respectability.
Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Freeman impressed in 2010, his first full season as a starter, when he tossed 25 TDs with just six interceptions. But the Kansas State product went full reverse last season with 16 touchdowns and 22 picks as the Bucs lost their final 10 games. He slimmed down about 20 pounds in the offseason, so a leaner Freeman will attempt to maneuver the Bucs into the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals
Kolb might not even be chosen the starter, a jarring realization when you figure in how much the franchise has committed to him. (Kolb agreed to a since-restructured five-year contract worth $63.5 million after he was acquired in the summer of 2011 from the Philadelphia Eagles for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick in this year’s draft.) Kolb muddled through his first season as a starter, and his play so far this preseason has left open the very real possibility that John Skelton could take the snaps in Week 1.
Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs
This will be Cassel’s fourth season since he left New England after a stellar season filling in for injured Tom Brady. He’s shown in the years since he can be more than just a guy who can adequately carry a clipboard, at least before a broken hand cost him the final seven games of last season. With the Chiefs predicted by some to win the AFC West, Cassel will have to at least hang in there against the division's two favorites and their starting QBs in Denver (Peyton Manning) and San Diego (Philip Rivers).
Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
Durability, not talent, has been the knock on Vick going back to his Atlanta Falcons days. He has played all 16 games in a regular season only once (2006 with Atlanta). He missed three starts last season and has left both preseason games in 2012 with injuries. (X-rays on his ribs were negative after he left Monday night’s game against New England.) At 32, Vick certainly isn’t getting any younger. That not only means it takes longer to heal, but his window (along with that of the Eagles and coach Andy Reid) is closing.
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There you go. |
