12thMan
11-23-2007, 01:33 PM
I really had a tough time titling this thread, but this is the best one I could come up with. Every year in the NFL, there are new stars that emerge at every position, some fade and then some just fall off the radar all together. Here's my short list of Pro-Bowl caliber players that have been mysteriously quiet this season for one reason or another. In all honesty, this list could easily be 10 or 15 names long, but these are the top 5 names that jumped out to me that haven't had their usual dominant season.
Brian Urlacher: It seems like just a year ago, you couldn't flip on ESPN without hearing comparisons between Brian Urlacher and Dick Butkus or the Bears and the old Monsters of the Mid-way. Brian Urlacher is no doubt still the center piece of the Chicago Bears vaunted defense, and everyone is entitled to an off year. But this season Urlacher and the Bears defense, for that matter, has been really quiet. While everyone is entitled to an off year, this season Urlacher has slid to the middle of the pack in overall tackles among linebackers. I wonder if Urlacher is still out of breath from chasing Reggie Bush in that playoff game?
Philip Rivers: Conventional wisdom had it that once offensive guru Norv Turner arrived in San Diego, Rivers was all set to take another step forward and solidify himself as one of the upcoming quarterbacks in the NFL. Guess we'll have to wait another season for that to happen. Truth is, Rivers has thrown more picks than touchdowns this year and San Diego's offense has been wildly erratic all season as a result. Look I'm not making any excuses for a guy that has Antonio Gates and LT on his team. Which leads me to one of Rivers' teammates...
Shawne Merriman: Let's just get straight to it. I would hate to think that an "accidental" dosage of steroids contributed that much to Merriman's spectacular season in 2006. But through the first 10 games of 2007, Merriman has logged a very average 45 tackles and only six sacks (actually it's 5.5, but we won't quibble). I say only six sacks because here's a guy that would have had six sacks if he just blew on the opposting quarterback a season ago. I wonder if the real magic is in that little lights out dance that Merriman used to do after every sack?
Champ Bailey: I'm not suggesting that Champ Bailey is washed up over the hill, but we've seen a drop off this year in pass coverage. It could be partially due to injuries and Denver's defense in general hasn't been as good. Either way, Bailey is largely considered the best shutdown corner in the NFL and had a dominant 2006 to prove it. This year, however, Champ has struggled in one on one situations and has given up some big plays that have gone for touchdowns. Bottom line, Champ isn't coming up with the back breaking interceptions that he's been known for, and only has two picks so far this year. I hate to piss on someone's parade, but Portis versus Champ 'aint looking so bad if you ask me:)
Shawn Alexander: Still considered by many a marquee running back, I think Shawn Alexander is gradually slipping into the middle of the pack; at least that's what his stats bear out. This year Alexander has a paltry 3.3 yds per carry and only two touchdowns for just under 500 rushing yards. One could make the case that Alexander has been battling foot injuiries and such, but that seems to be the case for the past two seasons. The knock on Alexander has long been he's not durable, he runs too soft, and is more concerned about personal achievement than team accomplishments. You have to wonder, how many more mediocre seasons Seattle will tolerate from Alexander at such a hefty price tag before that put him on the trading block. Wouldn't it be just like New England getting Alexander next year for some ridiculous mid-round draft pick?
Brian Urlacher: It seems like just a year ago, you couldn't flip on ESPN without hearing comparisons between Brian Urlacher and Dick Butkus or the Bears and the old Monsters of the Mid-way. Brian Urlacher is no doubt still the center piece of the Chicago Bears vaunted defense, and everyone is entitled to an off year. But this season Urlacher and the Bears defense, for that matter, has been really quiet. While everyone is entitled to an off year, this season Urlacher has slid to the middle of the pack in overall tackles among linebackers. I wonder if Urlacher is still out of breath from chasing Reggie Bush in that playoff game?
Philip Rivers: Conventional wisdom had it that once offensive guru Norv Turner arrived in San Diego, Rivers was all set to take another step forward and solidify himself as one of the upcoming quarterbacks in the NFL. Guess we'll have to wait another season for that to happen. Truth is, Rivers has thrown more picks than touchdowns this year and San Diego's offense has been wildly erratic all season as a result. Look I'm not making any excuses for a guy that has Antonio Gates and LT on his team. Which leads me to one of Rivers' teammates...
Shawne Merriman: Let's just get straight to it. I would hate to think that an "accidental" dosage of steroids contributed that much to Merriman's spectacular season in 2006. But through the first 10 games of 2007, Merriman has logged a very average 45 tackles and only six sacks (actually it's 5.5, but we won't quibble). I say only six sacks because here's a guy that would have had six sacks if he just blew on the opposting quarterback a season ago. I wonder if the real magic is in that little lights out dance that Merriman used to do after every sack?
Champ Bailey: I'm not suggesting that Champ Bailey is washed up over the hill, but we've seen a drop off this year in pass coverage. It could be partially due to injuries and Denver's defense in general hasn't been as good. Either way, Bailey is largely considered the best shutdown corner in the NFL and had a dominant 2006 to prove it. This year, however, Champ has struggled in one on one situations and has given up some big plays that have gone for touchdowns. Bottom line, Champ isn't coming up with the back breaking interceptions that he's been known for, and only has two picks so far this year. I hate to piss on someone's parade, but Portis versus Champ 'aint looking so bad if you ask me:)
Shawn Alexander: Still considered by many a marquee running back, I think Shawn Alexander is gradually slipping into the middle of the pack; at least that's what his stats bear out. This year Alexander has a paltry 3.3 yds per carry and only two touchdowns for just under 500 rushing yards. One could make the case that Alexander has been battling foot injuiries and such, but that seems to be the case for the past two seasons. The knock on Alexander has long been he's not durable, he runs too soft, and is more concerned about personal achievement than team accomplishments. You have to wonder, how many more mediocre seasons Seattle will tolerate from Alexander at such a hefty price tag before that put him on the trading block. Wouldn't it be just like New England getting Alexander next year for some ridiculous mid-round draft pick?