Tigers#1
07-09-2003, 05:07 PM
TSN's 2003 offensive breakout team
July 8, 2003
Here is a look at the offensive players -- rookies not included -- at each position that could have breakout seasons this fall.
Quarterback
The light finally is burning brightly instead of flickering faintly for Matt Hasselbeck of the Seahawks. This will be Hasselbeck's sixth year in the same basic offense, so he has a tremendous advantage over most quarterbacks in the league. He also finally has realized he does not have to be Brett Favre and that he can rely on the system and his teammates to move the ball.
Hasselbeck played some of the best football of his life when he started the final nine games last season. In leading the Seahawks to victories in the last three games, he went 78-of-116 for 1,050 yards, including club records of 36 completions and 449 yards against the Chargers in the final game.
Running back
After a slow start, Browns rookie William Green averaged 24 carries and 106 rushing yards in the last seven regular-season games. He should be able to build on that momentum this year.
"He's typical of a lot of kids when things finally start to click," Browns coach Butch Davis says. "They begin to see it and feel the effects. He's eager to get the season started and pick up where he left off."
Receivers
Since there is a glut of promising young receivers, we're going with four wideouts and no tight end or fullback.
The most obvious pick is Josh Reed of the Bills. "If I were a fantasy football guy, I'd take him," Bills assistant general manager Tom Modrak says. With Peerless Price in Atlanta, Reed figures to catch a lot of Drew Bledsoe passes this season. Last year, four Bills players had more receptions than Reed, but none of them had a better average per catch than his 13.8 yards.
Ashley Lelie of the Broncos has too much ability not to break out. The knocks on him last year were that he was skinny and raw. Well, he's put on about 10 pounds, and he's not raw anymore. In fact, Lelie, who came on late in 2002, does something spectacular every time he has an opportunity. The Broncos marvel at how he never drops a ball in practice.
Although Donte' Stallworth had a hamstring problem that bothered him all season, he averaged 14.1 yards per reception and led Saints receivers with eight touchdowns as a rookie. If he can stay healthy, Stallworth can be one of the league's elite receivers. "If a DB isn't on him once Donte' gets the rock, it's over with," Saints wide receiver Joe Horn says. "I don't even have to block sometimes because I know he's going to take it to the house."
The popular choice from the Packers probably would be Javon Walker, the team's first-round pick last year. But Robert Ferguson has a one-year experience edge over Walker. Ferguson has improved his technique significantly since coming out of Texas A&M as an unpolished junior. He is the best of the Packers' receivers at running after the catch, but he still will need a strong camp to be a starter.
Offensive tackles
Bryant McKinnie didn't sign his rookie contract with the Vikings until nine weeks into last season and started only seven games at left tackle. Because McKinnie was too slow getting out of a three-point stance, he had to play strictly out of a two-point stance, and that hurt his run blocking. This year, McKinnie, who has freakish ability, will be able to play out of any stance you want. "His footwork is vastly improved," Vikings coach Mike Tice says. "He's been here every day in the offseason, and it shows."
Colts coach Tony Dungy is considering moving Ryan Diem from guard to tackle, and if he does, Diem should blossom. Diem played tackle at Northern Illinois, and he's better suited for the position. He has been a pretty good guard the last two years and started every game on the right side last season. But at guard, his lack of quickness sometimes is exposed against quick defensive tackles.
Guards
Dallas' Andre Gurode played pretty well as a rookie despite having to switch from center to guard nine games into the season. Now that he has been focused on one position since last November, Gurode should establish himself as one of the league's better interior blockers. He has the size and strength, and the game is important to him.
Rich Seubert of the Giants started out at Western Illinois as a tight end and came to the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2001. Last year, he became a starter on the left side. This year, he should become one of the league's better guards.
"If he was 6-6, he'd be in the Pro Bowl because of the stature that goes with that height," says Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, "but our people think he's something special. He and (left tackle) Luke Petitgout are our best linemen."
Center
In his first year as a starter for Detroit in 2002, Dominic Raiola showed excellent ability to move. He can reach linebackers and even the 3 technique tackle -- who lines up on the outside shoulder of one of the guards -- which is uncommon. If he can improve against power rushers, Raiola can be dominant. "He opens up the weight room in the morning and closes it at night," says Lions president Matt Millen. "And he bench-presses 160-pound dumbbells."
July 8, 2003
Here is a look at the offensive players -- rookies not included -- at each position that could have breakout seasons this fall.
Quarterback
The light finally is burning brightly instead of flickering faintly for Matt Hasselbeck of the Seahawks. This will be Hasselbeck's sixth year in the same basic offense, so he has a tremendous advantage over most quarterbacks in the league. He also finally has realized he does not have to be Brett Favre and that he can rely on the system and his teammates to move the ball.
Hasselbeck played some of the best football of his life when he started the final nine games last season. In leading the Seahawks to victories in the last three games, he went 78-of-116 for 1,050 yards, including club records of 36 completions and 449 yards against the Chargers in the final game.
Running back
After a slow start, Browns rookie William Green averaged 24 carries and 106 rushing yards in the last seven regular-season games. He should be able to build on that momentum this year.
"He's typical of a lot of kids when things finally start to click," Browns coach Butch Davis says. "They begin to see it and feel the effects. He's eager to get the season started and pick up where he left off."
Receivers
Since there is a glut of promising young receivers, we're going with four wideouts and no tight end or fullback.
The most obvious pick is Josh Reed of the Bills. "If I were a fantasy football guy, I'd take him," Bills assistant general manager Tom Modrak says. With Peerless Price in Atlanta, Reed figures to catch a lot of Drew Bledsoe passes this season. Last year, four Bills players had more receptions than Reed, but none of them had a better average per catch than his 13.8 yards.
Ashley Lelie of the Broncos has too much ability not to break out. The knocks on him last year were that he was skinny and raw. Well, he's put on about 10 pounds, and he's not raw anymore. In fact, Lelie, who came on late in 2002, does something spectacular every time he has an opportunity. The Broncos marvel at how he never drops a ball in practice.
Although Donte' Stallworth had a hamstring problem that bothered him all season, he averaged 14.1 yards per reception and led Saints receivers with eight touchdowns as a rookie. If he can stay healthy, Stallworth can be one of the league's elite receivers. "If a DB isn't on him once Donte' gets the rock, it's over with," Saints wide receiver Joe Horn says. "I don't even have to block sometimes because I know he's going to take it to the house."
The popular choice from the Packers probably would be Javon Walker, the team's first-round pick last year. But Robert Ferguson has a one-year experience edge over Walker. Ferguson has improved his technique significantly since coming out of Texas A&M as an unpolished junior. He is the best of the Packers' receivers at running after the catch, but he still will need a strong camp to be a starter.
Offensive tackles
Bryant McKinnie didn't sign his rookie contract with the Vikings until nine weeks into last season and started only seven games at left tackle. Because McKinnie was too slow getting out of a three-point stance, he had to play strictly out of a two-point stance, and that hurt his run blocking. This year, McKinnie, who has freakish ability, will be able to play out of any stance you want. "His footwork is vastly improved," Vikings coach Mike Tice says. "He's been here every day in the offseason, and it shows."
Colts coach Tony Dungy is considering moving Ryan Diem from guard to tackle, and if he does, Diem should blossom. Diem played tackle at Northern Illinois, and he's better suited for the position. He has been a pretty good guard the last two years and started every game on the right side last season. But at guard, his lack of quickness sometimes is exposed against quick defensive tackles.
Guards
Dallas' Andre Gurode played pretty well as a rookie despite having to switch from center to guard nine games into the season. Now that he has been focused on one position since last November, Gurode should establish himself as one of the league's better interior blockers. He has the size and strength, and the game is important to him.
Rich Seubert of the Giants started out at Western Illinois as a tight end and came to the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2001. Last year, he became a starter on the left side. This year, he should become one of the league's better guards.
"If he was 6-6, he'd be in the Pro Bowl because of the stature that goes with that height," says Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, "but our people think he's something special. He and (left tackle) Luke Petitgout are our best linemen."
Center
In his first year as a starter for Detroit in 2002, Dominic Raiola showed excellent ability to move. He can reach linebackers and even the 3 technique tackle -- who lines up on the outside shoulder of one of the guards -- which is uncommon. If he can improve against power rushers, Raiola can be dominant. "He opens up the weight room in the morning and closes it at night," says Lions president Matt Millen. "And he bench-presses 160-pound dumbbells."