sporting news
by dan pompei
Quarterback
Joey Harrington always had the talent, and now, in his third season, he has the talent around him. The Lions have drafted potentially excellent complementary players in receivers Charles Rogers and Roy Williams and running backs Artose Pinner and Kevin Jones. They also upgraded their line with the signing of guard Damien Woody.
Harrington was sharp during offseason drills, and his conditioning level is the best on the team. Now he must allow the offense to come to him; one of his problems last season was not letting plays develop. But Lions president Matt Millen says, "Joey is doing everything he can to get it right."
Running back
Thomas Jones of the Bears could be the second coming of Priest Holmes. Jones' ability led the Cardinals to draft him with the seventh overall pick in 2000, but it went into hibernation shortly thereafter. That talent started to show through last season in limited opportunities with the Bucs. Now that Jones is on a team that will keep pumping him the ball and in a system that will highlight his skills, he should emerge as one fine player. The only questions scouts have about Jones: durability and toughness.
Fullback
Now that the Falcons are going to a West Coast offense, look for Justin Griffith to become the NFC South version of Fred Beasley. Griffith had a promising rookie year, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and showing potential as a receiver. He'll get more passes thrown his way in the new system.
Wide receivers
Donte' Stallworth of the Saints was our 2003 selection for breakout receiver. He makes this unit again for 2004, which is as much a reflection of his failure as it is his potential. The flashy receiver struggled in his second year, in part because of continuing hamstring problems. For the first time, though, Stallworth is taking his conditioning and diet seriously. He has dropped nine pounds, to 196, and has lowered his body fat from 9.0 to 3.6 percent.
Few players are presented with the kind of opportunity staring Tyrone Calico in the facemask. The Titans have the league's co-MVP in quarterback Steve McNair, but they need a starting receiver to step up after the trade of Justin McCareins to the Jets. As a rookie last year, Calico showed he has big-play potential. All he must do now is beat out Drew Bennett.
Tight end
Here's a player 98 percent of the country never has heard of -- Antonio Gates of the Chargers. An undrafted free agent who played basketball -- not football -- at Kent State, Gates became a starter early last season and was one of the Chargers' few pleasant surprises. "He's already at least the fifth-best tight end in the AFC," one pro personnel man says. What's to like about Gates? He's 6-4, 260 and runs a 4.62 40-yard dash. He also averaged 16.2 yards per reception as a rookie.
Tackles
Because expectations were so high for the Bills' Mike Williams, the fourth overall pick of the 2002 draft, he has been perceived as a mild disappointment. Though Williams has been inconsistent, he has flashed dominance. Last season, for instance, he handled Jevon Kearse of the Titans. Williams has continued to get better, and his improvement should be accelerated this season. Playing next to him will be a rock in right guard Chris Villarrial, and coaching Williams will be Jim McNally, one of the best in the league.
Langston Walker of the Raiders also should benefit from changes in his team's offense. A second-round pick two years ago, Walker will get a chance to start at right tackle with the expected retirement of Lincoln Kennedy. Walker has rare athleticism for his size (6-8, 345) and showed it in eight starts last season.
Guards
Ability alone isn't always the best indicator of who will become an effective player, but if it were, Eric Steinbach and Andre Gurode would be future stars.
Steinbach had a strong rookie season for the Bengals but has yet to fully realize his potential. He has worked hard in the offseason to better understand his responsibilities and tailor his body for the NFL. He should become an upper-echelon player.
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells benched Gurode for a game late last season. It was a wakeup call for Gurode, who was thinking too much and failing to let his talent show. With his work ethic and athleticism, he should start playing like a veteran in 2004.
Center
As a rookie, Jeff Faine of the Browns played exceptionally well in spots; he should attain that level more this season. His teammates have noticed that Faine is showing more personality, confidence and leadership this offseason, and the result should be a more aggressive player.
by dan pompei
Quarterback
Joey Harrington always had the talent, and now, in his third season, he has the talent around him. The Lions have drafted potentially excellent complementary players in receivers Charles Rogers and Roy Williams and running backs Artose Pinner and Kevin Jones. They also upgraded their line with the signing of guard Damien Woody.
Harrington was sharp during offseason drills, and his conditioning level is the best on the team. Now he must allow the offense to come to him; one of his problems last season was not letting plays develop. But Lions president Matt Millen says, "Joey is doing everything he can to get it right."
Running back
Thomas Jones of the Bears could be the second coming of Priest Holmes. Jones' ability led the Cardinals to draft him with the seventh overall pick in 2000, but it went into hibernation shortly thereafter. That talent started to show through last season in limited opportunities with the Bucs. Now that Jones is on a team that will keep pumping him the ball and in a system that will highlight his skills, he should emerge as one fine player. The only questions scouts have about Jones: durability and toughness.
Fullback
Now that the Falcons are going to a West Coast offense, look for Justin Griffith to become the NFC South version of Fred Beasley. Griffith had a promising rookie year, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and showing potential as a receiver. He'll get more passes thrown his way in the new system.
Wide receivers
Donte' Stallworth of the Saints was our 2003 selection for breakout receiver. He makes this unit again for 2004, which is as much a reflection of his failure as it is his potential. The flashy receiver struggled in his second year, in part because of continuing hamstring problems. For the first time, though, Stallworth is taking his conditioning and diet seriously. He has dropped nine pounds, to 196, and has lowered his body fat from 9.0 to 3.6 percent.
Few players are presented with the kind of opportunity staring Tyrone Calico in the facemask. The Titans have the league's co-MVP in quarterback Steve McNair, but they need a starting receiver to step up after the trade of Justin McCareins to the Jets. As a rookie last year, Calico showed he has big-play potential. All he must do now is beat out Drew Bennett.
Tight end
Here's a player 98 percent of the country never has heard of -- Antonio Gates of the Chargers. An undrafted free agent who played basketball -- not football -- at Kent State, Gates became a starter early last season and was one of the Chargers' few pleasant surprises. "He's already at least the fifth-best tight end in the AFC," one pro personnel man says. What's to like about Gates? He's 6-4, 260 and runs a 4.62 40-yard dash. He also averaged 16.2 yards per reception as a rookie.
Tackles
Because expectations were so high for the Bills' Mike Williams, the fourth overall pick of the 2002 draft, he has been perceived as a mild disappointment. Though Williams has been inconsistent, he has flashed dominance. Last season, for instance, he handled Jevon Kearse of the Titans. Williams has continued to get better, and his improvement should be accelerated this season. Playing next to him will be a rock in right guard Chris Villarrial, and coaching Williams will be Jim McNally, one of the best in the league.
Langston Walker of the Raiders also should benefit from changes in his team's offense. A second-round pick two years ago, Walker will get a chance to start at right tackle with the expected retirement of Lincoln Kennedy. Walker has rare athleticism for his size (6-8, 345) and showed it in eight starts last season.
Guards
Ability alone isn't always the best indicator of who will become an effective player, but if it were, Eric Steinbach and Andre Gurode would be future stars.
Steinbach had a strong rookie season for the Bengals but has yet to fully realize his potential. He has worked hard in the offseason to better understand his responsibilities and tailor his body for the NFL. He should become an upper-echelon player.
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells benched Gurode for a game late last season. It was a wakeup call for Gurode, who was thinking too much and failing to let his talent show. With his work ethic and athleticism, he should start playing like a veteran in 2004.
Center
As a rookie, Jeff Faine of the Browns played exceptionally well in spots; he should attain that level more this season. His teammates have noticed that Faine is showing more personality, confidence and leadership this offseason, and the result should be a more aggressive player.
