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Bears RB
Curtis Enis
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Last year players such as Tony Brackens, Marcus Coleman, Stephen Davis, Kurt Warner and
Grant Wistrom came into their own and proved to be difference-makers. Anyone who says he
could have predicted Warner’s rise to fame would be worth a $20 million-a-year salary
to any NFL club. However, with Brackens, Coleman, Davis and Wistrom, there were signs that
they might emerge. What follows is a look at some players who could experience
breakthrough years in 2000.
RB Ricky Williams/Saints
As a rookie, Williams was never healthy. He played on a team without a top quarterback
or receiver, and he had a poor attitude that grew worse as the season went down the tubes.
Also, the running plays most frequently called for him did not best suit his talents. This
year, with a new coaching staff and several new players, all of the things Williams
can’t control are much better-suited to help him. Hopefully, he will realize that the
NFL is not like college and that acting like a selfish front-runner is not going to endear
him to his teammates. Plus, he will be running behind a very good offensive line, and the
team still wants to make him the focal point of the offense.
DE Andre Wadsworth/Cardinals
As a rookie, Wadsworth held out until one day before the regular-season opener. Then
when he was starting to come into his own, he got hurt. Last year I don’t think he
was ever close to 100 percent. With his quickness, strength and non-stop motor, Wadsworth
could turn into a dominating player this year if he can avoid the type of injuries that
held him back the last two years.
WR Torry Holt/Rams
Holt really started to come on down the stretch last year, but his team never fully
trusted him because he had too many drops and fumbles. However, in terms of ability, Holt
is even more gifted than Isaac Bruce. Holt has great running skills with the ball,
excellent speed and the ability to make acrobatic receptions on poorly thrown passes.
OLB Joey Porter/Steelers
The Steelers let a very good outside linebacker go in Carlos Emmons because they are
convinced that Porter is ready to step up and become the team’s best outside pass
rusher since Kevin Greene. Porter has 4.5-4.6 speed and remarkable quickness for a
240-pound man.
OT L.J. Shelton/Cardinals
Despite a prolonged holdout and some injury problems, Shelton showed immense promise
and ability as a rookie during the span of games in which he was not entirely hobbled by
injuries. Shelton is a 340-pounder who is light on his feet and very athletic. If he
displays the necessary toughness, tenacity and work ethic, the sky is the limit.
RB Curtis Enis/Bears
Enis knows he needs a big year after two injury-marred seasons. Unlike last year, when
arm tackles were bringing the 225-pounder down, Enis appears to have his size and strength
back, as well as confidence in his surgically repaired knee. In short, this is his
make-or-break year.
WR David Boston/Cardinals
Boston is big, fast, can make the great catch and run and is a tremendous all-around
athlete. The keys for him are growing up and realizing what it takes to be a great player
in the NFL.
DT Anthony McFarland/Buccaneers
McFarland did not play much as a rookie with Warren Sapp and Brad Culpepper starting in
front of him. But with his quickness, athleticism and explosiveness, McFarland should play
a much bigger role this fall.
LB Chris Claiborne/Lions
As a rookie, Claiborne was out of shape, overweight and generally underachieved, but he
still performed OK in most games. This year he should have a better understanding of what
it takes to be a pro and enough pride to do something about it.
DE Duane Clemons/Chiefs
The Vikings may regret giving up on this former first-round pick, who has shown slow
but gradual improvement. With Bob Karmelowicz coaching him, Clemons could really come into
his own and be a double-digit sacker this fall.
RB Antowain Smith/Bills
The Bills plan to run the type of one-RB offense Smith feels most comfortable in.
Hopefully, he will not be nagged and slowed by injuries again.
OT John Tait/Chiefs
Tait was really hurt by his holdout as a rookie, but by year’s end he was starting
and more than holding his own. He’s the best athlete the Chiefs have had at left
tackle in a long time, and he’s a good worker with better toughness than some give
him credit for.
OG Randy Thomas/Jets
Thomas is a very, very athletic player who had a good but erratic rookie year. He
should only get better considering his overall athletic skills, growth potential and
seemingly solid work ethic.
OLB Warrick Holdman/Bears
There were times late last year when some scouts believed Holdman was the best
defensive player the Bears had. He has exceptional movement skills and seems to have the
instincts to go with them.
QB Rob Johnson/Bills
This is the year the Bills will find out if giving up a first-round pick to acquire
Johnson from the Jaguars was a good or bad investment. If he does the job, there will be
no big push for Doug Flutie. But if Johnson struggles and reverts to holding on to the
ball too long, watch the Flutie movement take wings.
CB Duane Starks/Ravens
Starks could be an Aaron Glenn/Darrell Green type of corner if he stops guessing and
gambling so much and improves his concentration and attention to detail.
QB Kerry Collins/Giants
The Giants have done everything possible to help Collins succeed, but this is the year
he needs to cut down on costly turnovers and improve his consistency and ability to read
coverages.
FS Darren Sharper/Packers
From a physical standpoint, Sharper is all a team could want. He has a
cornerback’s athleticism, a linebacker’s size and good hands. However, he keeps
missing tackles, taking poor angles to the ball and getting caught out of position against
the pass. His older brother, Jamie, was an underachieving linebacker in Baltimore until
last year. Darren is one year younger than Jamie, so maybe this is the year the light goes
on for him.
DT Jamal Williams/Chargers
As a part-time player, Williams was very effective against the run last season. With
Norman Hand now in New Orleans, Williams knows a full-time job is his if he stays in shape
and works hard.
OG Solomon Page/Cowboys
The only Cowboys offensive lineman with more talent than Page is Larry Allen. If Page
can develop Allen’s work ethic and focus, the sky will be the limit.
Everyone is wondering who this year’s Kurt Warner will be, but the truth is that
there probably will not be another Warner for many years. The last time we had a
Warner-type scenario was when the Colts signed Johnny Unitas in 1956, and Unitas really
did not emerge as a great quarterback until ’57. |
