Player Capsules and Sleepers

Pierre Thomas jerseys, NO. No, I didn't forget to take my medicine. Pierre is in the perfect situation to excel this season. Primary back in an massively effective offense. Loss of Mike Bell and lack of other veteran backs being brought in means that Thomas will receive plenty of carries and opportunities. His 5.4 yards per carry suggest so. The best thing in Pierre's favor this season was the Saints refusal to sign him to a long-term lucrative contract. He has to play for his supper, so to speak, and has a plenty big chip on his shoulder and plenty to prove. I wouldn't draft him this early, because he'll likely fall into your early third round, but backs like Thomas make it much easier to draft receivers and other positions early on draft day.

DeAngelo Williams, CAR. When healthy, Williams is the primary ball carrier for a team that knows how to grind out the rushing stats. Even if he somehow fell behind upstart Jonathan Stewart and became second fiddle, Williams would still produce over 1,000 yards and double-digit TDs. Stewart did just that in the RB2 role last year. Plus, I have a feeling the Panthers run Williams into the ground before losing him to free agency next year. Just a hunch.

Rashard Mendenhall, PIT. Young back who could become elite this season, he also has a lot of red flags attached to his fantasy value in 2010. Loss of Big Ben to suspension means that the offense will be feeding the ball a lot to Mendenhall … but it also means that defenses will be keying on him. Mendenhall had some inconsistency issues from week to week last season, although his final stats were impressive considering he wasn't starting for the first quarter of the regular season. Still, his potential tied with the Steelers return to run-first football is a combination worth taking a risk on.

Steven Jackson, STL. There is no reason to think that Jackson won't continue to produce despite the mediocrity around him. Like Barry Sanders, Jackson makes the most out of his situation and shines. The Rams will be spoon-feeding Sam Bradford as much as possible, meaning a heavy reliance on the running game once again.

Michael Turner jerseys, ATL. I am not a Turner aficionado from a fantasy standpoint, and this is not a PPR ranking, but it is hard to discount what Turner can do when focused and ready to prove his critics wrong. Reports state that Turner basically lived at the Falcons practice facility this off-season and is in excellent shape. This all combined with what I feel will be a very nice bounce-back season for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta passing game, and Turner shouldn't slip too far on your draft board.

Frank Gore, SF. Age and injuries seem to have a better handle on how to slow Gore than opposing defenses. When he plays, he is a homerun threat. The Niners have a cupcake schedule, and Gore will be used plenty throughout the season.

Adrian Peterson, MIN. Not sure why I feel so strongly that Peterson will see a drop in stats … but every time Peterson fumbled, especially in the playoffs, I kept having violent flashbacks to Steve Slaton fumbling away my 2009 fantasy hopes. Brett Favre's presence keeps defenses more honest, and Peterson is still worthy of a top pick. I just worry that the fumbles and his bruising style of running will eventuall catch up to him. That's why I suggested, in one post, to consider trading Adrian Peterson in dynasty leagues .

 Ray Rice jerseys, BAL. The key to Rice's coming-out party in 2009 was his excessively impressive off-season work habits. This off-season? The Ravens are saying he's done even more and is one of the best conditioned backs in the league. We high school football people know that good conditioning is the best way to avoid injury. Some question whether some of Rice's receptions will be lost to newcomer Anquan Boldin, but even if he loses some catches, his incredible 9.0 yards per reception and respectable 5.3 yards per carry will keep Rice at the top of the rankings for the foreseeable future.

 Chris Johnson jerseys, TEN. The Titans did nothing major to bring in another back to spell Johnson. In fact, they got rid of LenDale White and brought in an even more questionable commodity in rookie LaGarrett Blount. I still worry about him replicating even a part of his amazing 2009 stats, but the upside makes it hard to pass at him at this slot.

Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX. Seeing his workload increase from 197 carries to 312, and being the only focal point of a team lacking star power, Jones-Drew continues to produce consistently impressive numbers totally under the radar. Chris Johnson hasn't proven he can maintain the sick pace he showed us last season. Adrian Peterson has a knack for dropping the pigskin, and rookie Toby Gerhart will take every opportunity he can get to show that he's the reliable goal-line option when Peterson struggles with more dropsies.

Who will Target in the First Four Rounds

Sidney Rice:   If Favre comes back then Rice is a must own; super talented and will repeat last years performance with ease.

Steve Smith jersey (CAR):   Now that Jake is gone, Steve can go back to engineering a 1,000+ yard, double digit season.  I love watching him play, the dude is seriously a power smurf.

Pierre Garcon:  Pardon me, do you have any Pierre Garcon... but of course I have two Colts on this list!  1,000+ yards and near double digit touchdowns.

Jonathan Stewart:  Touchdown machine!  If I could do the stanky leg or knew what that was, I would do that after drafting Stewart.  Double digit touchdowns 2010 season? Oh yes.

Roddy White:  I believe, I believe.  After three back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons and a double digit outing last year he is primed for another repeat.  I love this pick in any format.

Ryan Mathews:  Yes, believe it.  A rookie that found himself in an extremely lucky situation.  He is going to give us 1,000+ yards and near double digit touchdown in his rookie campaign.  This is probably the crazy pick on the list and maybe I am on something, but if he is there in the fourth round then snag him.

Adrian Peterson jersey:  If you have the first or second pick of the draft and AP is there, then take him; I love the consistency he produces every week.  I have won many a championship riding AP's shoulders; he never fails to disappoint.

Andre Johnson:  PPR monster!  This guys is a killer in PPR leagues and is an easy early first round selection.  Chalk up at least 15 points a week from yardage and catches along; he doesn't really do double digit touchdown seasons, but he is a PPR owners definition of solid.

Randy Moss jerseys:  Randy Moss is God's gift to double digit touchdowns seasons.  I love him in touchdown only leagues because of the near certainty that he will deliver a touchdown to the table weekly.  Brady to Moss is not going out of style in 2010.

Reggie Wayne jerseys:  I sleep easy with a player like Reggie Wayne; I am going to get at least five catches, 80 yards, and a touchdown 80% of the time. In a PPR league that's 13 to 19 points game and in a touchdown only league that's eight to 14 points a game. I love his consistency and the fact he plays on an offensively explosive team.

NFL Playoff Results That we Would Change

1995 AFC Championship Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts

First off: sorry Steeler fans for continually wishing losses on you. If it helps, this is the last slide featuring you guys.

The underdog Colts came just short of pulling off a miracle in the 95 AFC Championship. They entered the playoffs at 9-7, with a young Marshall Faulk, the comeback player of the year Jim Harbaugh, and a ragtag group of white collar yeomen.

No one expected them to go beyond the Wildcard round, but they beat the new Chargers jerseys, 35-20, then shocked the Chiefs (who were undefeated at home) 10-7.

You can take your pick in the AFC Championship. Take away Kordell Stewart's phantom TD, or have Aaron Bailey catch the Hail Mary pass that Harbaugh heaved at the end of the game, and you'd have a Colts victory and one of the most shocking playoff runs of all time, especially had the Colts managed to beat the 90s Cowboys at the peak of their power in the Super Bowl.

Three years later, the Colts would draft Peyton Manning, and the rest as they say is history.

2003 AFC Divisional: Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The 2003 Chiefs were another team packed with talent that deserved to win it all, but despite their mighty offense, fell short against the Colts in the Divisional round.

The first puntless game in NFL playoff history ended in a new Colts jerseys win, 38-31.

Had the Chiefs won the game, and gone on to win the Super Bowl, guys like Trent Green, Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez, and Dante Hall would have received a ring, and Dick Vermeil would have become the first coach in NFL history to lead three different teams to a Super Bowl.

I'm aware that Holmes and Green were backups on Super Bowl winning teams, but they both had spectacular seasons in 2003. Holmes set the NFL single season TD record with 27 (since been broken twice), and Green passed for over 4,000 yards with 25 TDs in his first Pro Bowl year. A Super Bowl win would have been a great ending for both guys.

Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

In a more recent, already classic, matchup the upstart Cardinals couldn't finish the job after mounting an amazing comeback in the 4th quarter.

A Cardinals win would have given not only deserving guys like Larry Fitzgerald jersey, Anquan Boldin, and Edgerrin James get a ring, but Kurt Warner (like the afore mentioned Joe Montana) would have been the first quarterback in NFL history to lead two different teams to a Super Bowl win.

It would have also been the perfect conclusion for Warner's career, an amazing up and down story in itself.

Any notable Steelers players had already won a Super Bowl three years before, and it's not like the Cardinals are going to get to the big game that often. With all due respect to the Steelers and their franchise, the Cardinals simply needed it more.

1991 NFC Championship Game: Washington Redskins vs. Detroit Lions

A surprising amount of people seem to forget that the Lions were fairly competitive in the 90s. They made the playoffs consistently, and in 1991, they went 12-4 and made the NFC Championship game.

Most people aren't even aware the Lions have ever made an NFC Championship. Probably for a good reason, as the Redskins walked all over them, 41-10.

But the game still proved to be the closest Barry Sanders ever came to getting a ring, an accomplishment that seems like a pipe dream for most Lions fans.

A Detroit new Lions jerseys Super Bowl would be even more shocking than an Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl, and perhaps Sanders would have found a Super Bowl win inspiring enough to play his entire career, and break Walter Payton's then rushing record.

The WEEI NFL Power Rankings

1. The Saints will try to be the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the 2003-04 Patriots. The pass defense certainly will need to improve if they want to repeat.

2. Indy goes into this season trying to win 12 or more games for the eighth straight season — an unprecedented run of success for Peyton Manning jersey and friends. Like many of the teams in the NFL, the defending AFC champs have some players threatening a holdout. Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis both are looking for new contracts despite the fact that two years remain on both of their current deals.

3. The Ravens finally have a big-name receiver to catch the ball. The addition of Anquan Boldin jerseys will make Baltimore a very difficult team to beat.

4. The Packers must protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked 57 times last season. Rodgers is turning into one of the premier QBs in the game and can lead this team to a championship if given the chance by his offensive line. Green Bay also has the luxury of playing Buffalo, Chicago and Detroit in three of the first four games.

5. The Cowboys clearly are the favorites to win the NFC East this year with their weapons on the defensive line and the array of talent ready to catch passes from Tony Romo.

6. Brad Childress visited Brett Favre in Mississippi on Monday, which probably means he wanted to find out when the 40-year old QB would be showing up to training camp. No one in football believes Favre won't be back. The NFC North race guarantees to be an exciting one between the Vikings and Packers.

7. Many are giving the Jets the AFC East before the season starts after the great offseason additions. But there are many question marks surrounding this team. Replacing Thomas Jones will be a difficult task. How will LaDainian Tomlinson perform in the cold weather? Can Mark Sanchez lead a team to a Super Bowl in just his second year?

8. Chargers GM A.J. Smith said he expects star receiver Vincent Jackson to hold out until Week 10. Philip Rivers is one of the best QBs in the game but doesn't have a lot of options when throwing the ball. Starting left tackle Marcus McNeill is holding out as well and it doesn't look like that issue is going to be resolved anytime soon.

9. The key to the Patriots' success in 2010 will be whether the defense has improved since 2009. Rushing the passer will be essential for New England to be successful this year. It will be interesting to see if rookies Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes will be able to make valuable contributions to the front seven.

10. The Giants jerseyswill have their work cut out for them in one of the toughest divisions in football. The G-Men finished 30th in the NFL last year in points allowed with 427.

11. Matt Ryan's play dropped off in '09, but that quite possibly could have been as a result of the poor running game the Falcons had. A healthier and rejuvenated Michael Turner should solve that problem. I fully expect Atlanta to compete for a playoff spot in 2010.

12. Miami has added some great talent on both sides of the ball with Brandon Marshall and Karlos Dansby, but Chad Henne still is an unproven quarterback who needs to demonstrate he can win games.

13. With Ben Roethlisberger suspended for 4-6 games, the window of opportunity for the Bengals to make it to the playoffs for a second straight year is very good. Rey Maualuga is just one of the leaders on a defense that should improve again in 2010.

14. It will be difficult for the Steelers to have a successful 2010 season with star QB Ben Roethlisberger suspended. Not only will they have to break in a new quarterback for the start of the season, but they'll also be battling in a division with a much improved Ravens team and a solid Bengals squad.

15. John Fox will be fighting for his job this season and could be one of the first coaches fired if the Panthers don't get off to a solid start.

16. The retirement of the Cardinals' Kurt Warner means the 49ers are the favorites to win the NFC West, a feat the organization hasn't accomplished since 2002. With the Niners possessing one of the best defensive players in the game in Patrick Willis, and tons of playmakers on the offense (Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree), the NFC West is theirs to lose.

17. The Texans will be one of the most interesting teams to watch in 2010. They finished their '09 campaign with the first winning season in franchise history, rattling off four straight wins and just missing the playoffs. However, the suspension of Brian Cushing and the discontent with Andre Johnson could be too much of a distraction to overcome in Houston.

18. There's relief in Tennessee, as Chris Johnson and the Titans have agreed in principle to a new contract. Never doubt the capabilities of Jeff Fisher. This team could surprise many this year.

19. If the Eagles couldn't get it done with Donovan McNabb jersey, they most certainly won't be able to win the NFC East with Kevin Kolb taking snaps behind center.

20. Any time a team trades for a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback, who has played in 16 playoff games, you know that team is headed in the right direction. Led by Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb, the Redskins now have an asset on their team they haven't had in a long time — players and coaches that offer leadership and have experience winning. Don't overlook the upgrades this team has made to its offensive line as well, adding Trent Williams and Jammal Brown.

21. The Seahawks had a very productive offseason, drafting players who can immediately make an impact on the team. The key to the team's success has always been protecting Matt Hasselbeck, and by drafting Russell Okung to do just that on the offensive line, it will greatly improve Seattle's chances of competing for a division title.

22. Not quite sure what to make of Josh McDaniels yet. In his one full season as Denver coach he has traded Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall and drafted Tim Tebow. Whether they are good moves or not … well, we'll see.

23. The start of the 2010 season means it's time for David Garrard to step up and prove he is more than just a mediocre quarterback. Ownership has made it clear it is expecting a playoff berth this season, so the heat is on for Jack Del Rio and Garrard to produce.

24. The loss of Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin will be too much for the Cardinals offense to recover from.

25. All eyes will be on Jay Cutler this season after a poor first year in Chicago, when he threw 26 interceptions and turned the ball over in the red zone repeatedly.

26. The Lions are finally doing things a little differently in Detroit and are adding solid talent to key positions. Kyle Vanden Bosch and first-round draft selection Ndamukong Suh makes up for a very solid defensive line. Detroit could be a team that surprises many and rattles off seven or eight wins.

27. The new Chiefs jerseys quite possibly could have the best 1-2 running back combo in football with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.

28. The Raiders finally gave up on JaMarcus Russell and replaced him with a competent quarterback who can help the team win games. However, Tom Cable lacks the leadership qualities a coach should have.

29. The Browns offense can't get much worse than it was in '09, but an improvement is not likely. Eric Mangini will be fighting for his job all season.

30. The Bills' 2010 season will be over before it begins, with it being a near certainty that the team will finish last in the AFC East division.

31. The youth movement in Tampa Bay doesn't excite fans now but could very well in the future. With young talented players including Josh Freeman, Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, the Bucs could be in a prime spot to compete in two or three years.

32. St. Louis and Sam Bradford are on the verge of making history by reportedly signing a contract giving Bradford the most guaranteed money in NFL history. Still, the Rams have a long way to go to being the "Greatest Show on Turf" again.

Will the "Bowe Show"And LB Derrick Johnson Be a Hit or a Flop in 2010?

This season, with Chambers and dynamic rookie Dexter McCluster, the new Chiefs jerseys have the best offensive weapons they've had since Bowe joined the team in 2007.

If the "Bowe Show" is ever going to be a hit, it needs to be this year

However, prior to week nine, the Chiefs signed Chris Chambers whose presence helped Bowe's numbers rebound somewhat.

Prior to his suspension, it became quite clear that Bowe's production was taking a definite hit without the presence of All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez jersey to take some of the defensive focus off of him.

Last season however, the "Bowe Show" went on hiatus for four weeks beginning in Week 11 due to a suspension for performance enhancing drugs.

Thus the "Bowe Show" was born in Kansas City.

During his first two seasons in the NFL, former first-round pick new Dwayne Bowe jerseys quickly earned a reputation as one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL.

Johnson's ability to drop into zone or play man up on the running back has never been in question, as he is the Chiefs best cover linebacker. If Johnson wants to nail down the starting job however, he'll need to prove to Haley and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel that he can be a force in stopping the run.

When Johnson did get his opportunities to play, he made the most of them, including his breakout performance at Denver in the season's final week. In that game, Johnson intercepted quarterback Kyle Orton twice, returning them both for touchdowns.

Not only did Haley's doubt of Johnson's work ethic cost Johnson his job, but it resulted in very few opportunities for Johnson early in the season. A former first-round pick, Johnson was relegated mainly to special teams duties.

Linebacker Derrick Johnson and new coach Todd Haley got off on the wrong foot in 2009  NFL.

what is the changing impact of the safety position?

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And the safety position continues to change because of it.

In reality, there is only so much you can do defensively and offensively on the field with eleven players. Schemes don't change as often as we like to think, but personnel is always evolving and the ongoing chess match that is played out throughout the week of game prep and in-between snaps on Sundays is the real part that separates the new NFL jerseys.

Eric Berry from Tennessee is this year's prime example. Way too early to tell if he will pan out and produce at the NFL level, but when you turn on his college tape, he projects as a safety who can cover — as well as make plays in the middle of the field. And that is why Kansas City drafted him 5th overall in April.

And, it is filtering down to the draft. We don't often see safeties taken in the top ten — because the money is just too big. But, this is a passing league now, and you need the proper talent in the secondary to be able to play over a removed TE or a slot receiver.

Because of that, NFL defenses want a safety that can not only make plays on the ball, fill the proper gap and take on a pulling guard or a fullback kick-out block, but cover as well. You want to keep your base defense on the field and we are seeing that throughout the league right now. Instead of bringing that nickel corner into the game, clubs are walking down the free safety from the middle of the field. Nick Collins in Green Bay, Baltimore's Ed Reed jersey, New Orleans' Darren Sharper and new Giant Antrell Rolle to just name a few safeties that also have cover skills.

Think about it. You are now looking at a defense with a linebacker standing on the sidelines. Easier to run the inside or outside zone, the inside trap, etc.

The easy and quick response from the defense: bring the nickel sub package onto the field. A good play in a third-down passing situation, but what about 2nd and medium or even a 1st and ten situation? Herein lies the issue. The offense spreads the field and forces the defense to bring in a third corner, or a nickel corner, and now the entire playbook of one-back (or "nickel runs") is at their disposal.

Eric BerryICONThe Chiefs used the 5th overall pick on Vols' safety Eric Berry.

Take the Indianapolis Colts as an example. They run their entire offense out of basically two personnel groupings: Ace, or 212 (2 WR, 1 RB, 2 TE), and Posse, or 311 (3 WR, 1 RB, 1 TE). And, when they run 212 onto the field, they use TE Dallas Clark jerseyas the No. 3 WR — aligned away from the core.

Last week, I wrote about the evolution of the tight end position in the NFL. These aren't just players who put a hand in the dirt and spend their entire offseason on a 7-man blocking sled anymore. Instead, they are becoming key factors in NFL game plans — and are looked at as valuable options in the passing game.

 Let's talk about the safety position today and why the NFL is putting such a premium on a position that was once an afterthought.

Betting:Vikings favored in NFC North

The Vikings jerseys finished the season on a 7-3-1 spread run and they have cashed at a 6-2-1 clip in their past nine as home favorites. They have thrived against division rivals as well, winning and 'covering' nine of 12.

Minnesota has taken advantage of the bye week recently, winning five straight (4-1 ATS). This year they face the New York Jets after their week off.

Last year the Green Bay Packers jersey narrowly missed a shot at the NFL's elite eight in a 51-45 overtime loss to Arizona. They made huge strides across the board, improving from six wins to 11, despite an offensive line that was ravaged with injuries.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,434 yards and 30 touchdowns with just seven interceptions last year. To become great, he must lower the number of sacks he took in 2009 (50). The return of Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher and the addition of first-round pick Bryan Bulaga provide stability on the offensive line and makes Rodgers job a lot easier.

The Vikings are the favorites to win a third consecutive NFC North title and compete for the home-field advantage necessary to reach Super Bowl 45. Minnesota has moped for months over their loss to the New Orleans Saints jerseys thanks to an uncharacteristic five turnovers, but appears to have moved on.

However, the Vikings' path to Dallas is paved with potholes, beginning with an opening night showdown with the Super Bowl champion Saints on Sept. 9. Minnesota draws the short end of the straw with its schedule outside the division when it takes on the NFC and AFC East.

Green Bay has been virtually invincible at Lambeau Field (32-6 since 1992) and against division competition. The Packers have won and 'covered' 17 of their last 24 against their Northern neighbors.

Green Bay has also been a solid investment on the highway, cashing 14 of 21 as road pups and eight of 12 as road favorites since 2006.

The addition of Julius Peppers should spice things up in the Windy City. The Chicago Bears jerseys defense will also benefit from the return of leader Brian Urlacher, back from the dislocated wrist that wiped out his entire 2009 season, and a healthy Tommie Harris at tackle.

Coach Lovie Smith is well aware that if the Bears don't improve this season, after going 7-9 in 2009, he can pack his bags. He has been allowed to promote good friend Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator and hire former boss Mike Martz to run the offense.

Kourtney Kardashian's boyfriend challenges Chad Ochocinco to a 'suit off'

Chad Ochocinco jersey recently exposed himself as a fan of "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami." Best known as the star wide receiver of the Cincinnati Bengals jerseys, Ochocinco gained even more notoriety on the last season of "Dancing with the Stars." But even the biggest Ochocinco jersey fans might be surprised to know that the NFL star is looking for fashion tips from Scott Disick.

Scott, boyfriend to Kourtney Kardashian, recently engaged in a brief Twitter exchange with Ochocinco about his legendary fashion sense. Notorious for dressing to the nines on "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami," Scott recently accepted a "suit off" challenge from his favorite Cincinnati Bengals star.

On Saturday, new Ochocinco jersey tweeted to Scott: "dude I'm watching the show, who  does your suits, very nice, send them my way, I'm ready for a suit off anytime!"

Not one to back down from a challenge, Scott replied: "I'm ready for a suit off anyday."

Do You Have A Confidence To The Level For Glen Coffee?

So he was behind one of the league's worst offensive lines with a quarterback who received zero respect from opposing defenses handing off to him in a system which proclaimed it was going to be a running system from day one. Can you really put so much on Glen Coffee?

So what then, are your thoughts? Coffee this past season is someone who is really hard to pinpoint. Was his poor performance (226 yards on 83 carries for a 2.7 average yards per carry with one touchdown) his fault, or the fault of circumstance? His first game where he gained significant playing time, he was going up against the new Vikings jerseys. Yeeeah... His other two starts were against the underrated defense of the Rams and then the Falcons. At the time, his quarterback was Shaun Hill. Also at the time, everybody knew that the 49ers were going to try and run it, Frank Gore or no Frank Gore.

I'm not going to shift the focus from the starters for a short while. How about a backup? How about a player whose backup position isn't even secure? How about HB Glen Coffee? Coffee is locked in a battle with sixth round pick Anthony Dixon for the primary backup role for Frank Gore football jersey. The loser of the battle isn't guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster, either. The team may feel like they can only take three, with special teams ace Michael Robinson being too valuable to let go.

So, since I've first started putting these posts together, the focal point has been the starters. What's your confidence level in Alex Smith? How about Frank Gore? Things of that nature. Spirits are high for 49ers fans, and the voting seemed to mediate around "Very High" and "High", and I truly believe that is for good reason. I like to think we're a smart bunch here, but we are, when it comes down to it, proudly biased.

Very High: Obviously we're not looking at 1000 yards here, not with new Frank Gore jerseyin front of him. But we can assume all of the things from the lower tiers as in beating Anthony Dixon for the primary role and getting some looks earlier in games. Coffee takes carries away from Gore not necessarily to keep Gore fresh, but because Coffee is running hot. He'll take some touchdowns from Gore as well, on his way to a pretty good yardage total among some of the better backups.

High: He'll get some more carries from Gore jersey to change things up and he'll play well. Even with the same amount of carries as last year (83), Coffee will get a much better average yards per carry than the 2.7 he was stuck with last year. He will have a couple good highlights, which is more than what you'd expect of your backup.

Medium: Coffee may or may not beat Anthony Dixon for the primary backup role, but does pull a better average than 2.7 per carry. When he does see the field, he is good enough to stay, is respected in the same vein that a DeShaun Foster is if he is the primary backup, and considered a decent number three option if he doesn't.

Low: Doesn't win the primary backup role and looks just as lost out there as he did in his rookie season. He'll have one good highlight, maybe two, in one solid performance but will ultimately be very inconsistent.

Very Low: Michael Robinson looks like a beast amongst boys out of the backfield in comparison.

Devin Hester's plan

Decision was a no-brainer

''It's just a perfect fit,'' Bears jerseys coach Lovie Smith said. ''I can see why a guy like Devin would reach out to a guy like Isaac.''

Hester football jerseys said the decision was a no-brainer.

He saw endless clips of Bruce running and executing his potential routes. Bruce thrived, racking up five 1,000-yard seasons and scoring 48 touchdowns in the seven seasons in St. Louis when Martz was either the offensive coordinator or head coach. The numbers would be even more impressive, if not for a foot injury that hampered him in 2005 and limited him to 36 catches for 525 yards and three touchdowns.

Hester also discovered that Bruce wasn't too far away; they both have homes in South Florida.

''I called him a couple of weeks ago, and we talked about it,'' Hester said.

Did someone put him up to it?

''It was my idea,'' Hester said matter-of-factly.

Smith said he was thrilled when an assistant coach told him that Hester reached out to Bruce.

''I know Devin is craving and trying to become the best possible receiver he can be, and I know Isaac Bruce,'' Smith said. ''He's one of the great ambassadors of the game, with a Hall of Fame type of career.

''Guys want to get better, and they want to talk to the best at the position. Of course, Isaac has had success in the position, and he knows it as well as anyone.''

In fact, Smith -- who coached in St. Louis football jerseysfrom 2001 to 2003 -- thinks Bruce has the potential to be an NFL coach.

Hester has plenty of questions to fire at Bruce, but he isn't going to rush through them all. The two plan to hook up for ''most of July,'' Hester said.

The new playbook -- which is constantly getting new entries -- has been a challenge to learn, Hester said, but he's starting to get a handle on it.

''Once you understand everything, it's so much easier,'' Hester said. ''I'm starting to get comfortable.''

Open possibilities

What excites him the most, Hester said, is that the playbook always manages to get someone open.

''And the guy who is going to get the ball, the majority of the time, is wide open,'' Hester said.

In space is where Hester thrives, empowering him to use his explosiveness and elusiveness.

After 13 practices, the players are ready for a break. But the praise heaped upon Martz isn't slowing down. Asked about the offense, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said, ''I love it.

''There's a lot to like about it. It's personnel-based, so we're trying to get guys open, trying to find spacing for them and create matchups for them.''

Smith said the Bears' offensive players are ''exactly where we need to be,'' although they're obviously not ready for an actual game.

But he's encouraged by the excitement from his receivers.

''You talk to all the receivers, most of them have a smile on their face,'' Smith said. ''It could be a lot of fun.''

the Players of Oakland Raiders will work miracles

Darren McFadden football jerseys was one of the most highly touted Doak Walker award winning RBs to come out of college in AWHILE.

His current trek in the NFL has been rough.

In his current career, he has amassed 856 yds on 217 carries with eight fumbles, four of which were lost.

His career started promising enough, in his second game when we played the Cheifs. Dmac rushed for 164 yards on 21 carries, with a TD to go with it. But after that, the injury bug has nipped at McFadden again and again.

Coach Cable has commented that McFadden has been "SO close to breaking out, only to be set back".

Well this year, he breaks out... and through... and then smiles... a lot.

With a healthy offensive line WITH DEPTH, a new QB who'll make defenders shy away from the box, MANY more carries, oh and did I mention Hue Jackson will be calling the plays?

Now, before my brothers in arms tell me that Campbell is already fixed to do well, and that it's not a surprise... hear me out.

Within five different Offensive Coordinators, within a terrible Oline, within terrible depth at receiver, within a fan base that absolutely called for his head... he improved? Every year?

EVERY SINGLE one of Jason Campbell's stats has increased during his career each season.

Last year he put up 3618 yds, along with 20 TDs and a QB rating of 86.4, without his favorite target the majority of the season.

Working with what you've got? Campbell has that down.

BONUS: His stats hold a priceless gem that needs to be recognized.

Playing sparingly as a rookie, Shaughnessy of new Oakland Raiders  jerseyshad play time in every game.

With two starts, this span was enough for the rookie to accumulate 29 tackles and four sacks.

Now, I honestly see him making the realistic push of the majority of the RE play time over rookie Lamarr Houston.

He stands 6'5", 270lbs. He doesn't make a GREAT swim cused on absorbing Tommy Kelly, John Henderson, and move, nor a GREAT spin move, but he did everything better than average, while having limited playtime.

ichael Huff had better hands than Nnamdi Asomugha coming out of college.

Not just that, but his man coverage skills were also WAY further along.

There IS a reason for his sudden desire to play corner; he knows he can do it.

Last year at FS, Huff recorded 59 tackles and three INTS.

Not stellar, but not terrible.

One thing I've noticed is that he's not a natural tackler. Another thing I've noticed is that he has GREAT coverage ability. He has the athleticism to keep up with any receiver in man coverage.

Darren McFadden football jerseys was drafted as our second rounder last offseason.

Throughout OTAs and Training Camp, he looked very lost in coverage. He ended up listed as the backup behind Tyvon Branch at SS.

Towards the later half of the season, he started seeing more increased playtime. He played in what looked like a Wolverine package, where he would come into the box and either mad rush or drop back into coverage.

Am I the only one who noticed how good he looked doing it? If he wasn't hitting the QB, he was absorbing a linemen.

He recorded 16 tackles and a sack while playing primarily special teams and pass rush situations. When he'd drop back to play the pass, there was no blown coverage. He did well; even against teams like Dallas and Baltimore.

Now you notice at the top of the screen, I have him listed as a FS rather than SS. Well there's part of the surprise.