The Woof: Super Sophs

[Chris Raiden]

Super Sophs
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By Chris "Raiden" Grewe, NFL Columnist
Volume 3, Issue 3

Setting aside those rookies who had major impacts in their initial NFL Campaign, I see the following ten guys as the top super sophs poised to make major contributions as second year studs in the National Football League.

-RD

[ThomasTomasz]

I have to say, I was about ready to protest.

First, two Browns on this list. And no specific Redskin who should be on the list.

Until, I read the last one, and I thank you for putting him first. He should also be appearing on my defensive breakout lists.

One thing you forgot to mention about Rogers that could make all the difference is, not only is he an unassuming talent (you did bring that up) who has great size and speed, but look at who the new DB coach is. Jerry Gray, a former Pro Bowl DB, and widely regarded around the league as a DB guru. He should help Rogers development immensely.

[YoHoChecko]

I really want to comment on this article other than just saying "good list." I want it to spark debate and controversy. However, I agree with a lot of it. I mean, these break-outs just make sense. My one qualm is with number 10, Chris Canty. He was unassuming last season, but he already had quite a good year. 3-4 DEs don't really make much news since they aren't tackle or sack machines, but those of my family who are Cowboys fans (mom from Dallas; extended family all still lives there) all talked about how he was playing better than Spears and playing very good football on the outside. So he may not break out... he may just be noticed more.

That's about the best controversy I can get. Though I could also argue that when Mark Brunell gets hurt and misses a couple weeks, Jason campbell will give the offense new life and be hard to take out of the lineup, breaking out through the second half of the season. Haha

[Chris Raiden]

That's why he was number 10 Yoho ;) Honestly, I knew a lot about Canty through the scouting process, and in fact, he was one of the guys who really stood out to me while watching the Virginia defense in the MPC Computers Bowl in '04. I was watching that game more to get a glimpse of the big timers from UVa (D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Ahmad Brooks), and Canty really stood out on a talented defense as a guy who could make an impact as a rookie in a 3-4 alignment. Luckily, he was drafted by a guy in Bill Parcells who uses the same defensive system as his college coach Al Groh, and in fact, Groh learned Parcells' 3-4 from the man himself during his time as a pro coach. I think that really helped him from a standpoint of him already knowing the system quite well from having played in it for a few years in college.

-RD

[|(evin|(olb|(ritik]

Ok ummmm, nice list.

A little tune up though, our defensive coordinators name is Jim Johnson not Joe Johnson. I'll leave the rest alone for now.

[Azazel]

echoing what phil said...it is JIM...( i know, it sickens me sometimes that he has THAT name as well...lol)

GREAT stuff Raiden, Patterson should conitnue to break out this coming year, he showed us some great stuff. Him and cole are going to look great again this year in their sopmore performances. not to mention having kearse and darren howard bracketing them, it should be fun to watch.

a few things i will say so i am not a total good guy on this....lol

I don't buy into Roddy White, I think that he is over hyped and he still dosen't have a QB there that can actually THROW to him.

I dont get the rankings, but I can imagine it was hard to RANK such a list. I especially take protest to the #1, what makes him so much better than the rest, I know that I will get the homer stamp here, but I believe that Patterson and even COLE have a brighter future.

besides that small argument, great list, and thanks for taking the time you spent putting together!

[Chris Raiden]

Me put together an unranked list? C'mon, when the hell would that ever happen ;)

-RD

[ThomasTomasz]

echoing what phil said...it is JIM...( i know, it sickens me sometimes that he has THAT name as well...lol)

GREAT stuff Raiden, Patterson should conitnue to break out this coming year, he showed us some great stuff. Him and cole are going to look great again this year in their sopmore performances. not to mention having kearse and darren howard bracketing them, it should be fun to watch.

a few things i will say so i am not a total good guy on this....lol

I don't buy into Roddy White, I think that he is over hyped and he still dosen't have a QB there that can actually THROW to him.

I dont get the rankings, but I can imagine it was hard to RANK such a list. I especially take protest to the #1, what makes him so much better than the rest, I know that I will get the homer stamp here, but I believe that Patterson and even COLE have a brighter future.

besides that small argument, great list, and thanks for taking the time you spent putting together!

Michael Vick is working with a quarterback genius in Bill Musgrave, which is a huge reason why I think Michael Jenkins will break out (which is where Raiden and I disagree on the Falcons wide receivers.)

I don't know why Rogers shouldn't be #1. He's got size, speed, and a great coach, who is a former Pro Bowl defensive back. He can continue learning the ins and outs this year, considering Taylor is matched against #1's, and Springs against #2's. There won't be as much pressure on Rogers to excel as there are others, so that will be an extra bonus.

[|(evin|(olb|(ritik]

I'll tell you why I dont like Rogers at #1, very simply put because hes a cornerback. The man is mad talented, I dont want to take anything away from the man himself but as was stated before in here it must have been difficult to make a ranking system such as this. With that taken into account I would think that a corner would rank lower than some of these other positions. I mean if Patterson enjoys an 8 sack season and becomes a force in the middle of Philly's line the ripple effect that he will have on the overall defense being a DT will be much larger than the one a cornerback will have. A great corner isnt making your front 4 any better but a great player on that front 4 sure can make everyone behind him better.

That isnt to say that I think Patterson should be #1, he was just my example because he is a DT a position that not only do I believe it to be easier to enjoy a breakout season early in your career, but also has a larger effect on the overall production increase of the entire unit.

[Wolverine]

That leads me to this: the Browns legitimately have a chance to start the season off 4-1, despite tough games in Oakland (need I remind you, they won there last year in what could be described as a 9-7 defensive struggle or a really crappy offensive game), Carolina, and Cincinnati, which is where Palmer comes into play. If Palmer's not 100%, the game could be a breakout one for the upgraded Cleveland pass rush, which could in turn spell trouble for Cincy's hopes of repeating in the North, which could be so tought its worst team might not finish with less than 7 wins.

Ben said he is ready for the first practice.. He won't miss 1 minute of time. Sorry to crush your brownie dreams of having Batch in the backfield :)

[Azazel]

Ben said he is ready for the first practice.. He won't miss 1 minute of time. Sorry to crush your brownie dreams of having Batch in the backfield :)


hey raiden, when called a "brownie" deep down....does it hurt? I would sniffle if it was me...thats all I am saying.:D

[Chris Raiden]

Michael Vick is working with a quarterback genius in Bill Musgrave, which is a huge reason why I think Michael Jenkins will break out (which is where Raiden and I disagree on the Falcons wide receivers.)

If the article was about breakout third year players, Jenkins would have been up there...I don't disagree with you on Jenkins at all actually, I think he's going to have a great season as well.

-RD

[|(evin|(olb|(ritik]

If the article was about breakout third year players, Jenkins would have been up there...I don't disagree with you on Jenkins at all actually, I think he's going to have a great season as well.

-RD

So then what you are saying here is that Michael Jenkins, who showed flashes of brilliance last season is going to have a great season (by great im guessing you mean a 1000 yard season) and Roddy white will experience a breakout season placing him somewhere in the neighborhood of a 1000 yard season correct? Combine that with the proven production of Alge Crumpler and contributions from Brian Finneran I gotta figure that you are predicting a pretty strong season for the Falcons this year.

I mean why not? With their great run game, Vicks legs, and a defense that by all acounts could develop into a monster this season all they were missing was the production in the passing game. Well if this production you speak of here comes to fruition the Falcons could very well be one of the most dangerous teams in the league next year. I know ive got them penciled in as my sleeper.