5 lists of five
Published 10:28 pm Wednesday, August 22, 2007
RB EDGERRIN JAMES, Arizona
James, who didn’t live up to expectations in his first season in the desert, should feel more comfortable in his second season with the arrival of coach Ken Whisenhunt.
RB LADELL BETTS, Washington
Clinton Portis has trouble staying healthy so Betts, who averaged 128 yards in six games after Portis got hurt in ‘06, should get a lot or carries and you can get him for a bargain price.
WR LEE EVANS, Buffalo
Evans had a breakout season in 2006 and should back that up by putting up stats that will place him among the top five wideouts this season.
TE VERNON DAVIS, S.F.
Davis lost six games to injury last season, but is poised for a breakout season.
QB TONY ROMO, Dallas
The Dallas quarterback will struggle in his sophomore campaign and you’ll most likely have to overpay to get him.
RB LARRY JOHNSON, K.C.
So the running back who had the most carries in one season ever held out for most of training camp? Yeah, not a good combination. Since you’ll have to take him in the top three of your draft, don’t do it.
RB CEDRIC BENSON, Chicago
Benson has never been able to stay healthy as a No. 2, so it’s a little risky to think he’s going to do it as a No. 1.
TE ALGE CRUMPLER, Atlanta
With his favorite QB headed to jail, Crumpler is going to struggle. Throw in the fact that Joey Harrington is his new QB and his new coach largely ignored the TE position in college.
QB KELLEN CLEMENS, N.Y. Jets
Who was the only player on the field practicing in the rain and lightning before the Jets’ preseason game last Friday? Clemens. If Chad Pennington is injured, the second-year QB from Oregon should fill in nicely.
RB MICHAEL TURNER, San Diego
Turner, who rushed for 502 yards as the backup to LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006, so expect a lot more if LDT goes down with an injury.
RB KOLBY SMITH, Kansas City
Smith, who rushed for 862 yards at Louisville last season, has impressed Chiefs coaches in training camp and is an injury to Larry Johnson away from being the main man in K.C.
WR PATRICK CRAYTON, Dallas
The Cowboys’ Nos. 1 and No. 2 WRs, Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, are both injury prone. So Crayton, who had a nice season (586 yards, 4 TDs) as a backup in ‘06, could double those numbers.
RB JAMAL LEWIS, Cleveland
The Browns’ new running back is just 27 years old. That’s not a misprint. He’s got something to prove and running behind an improved Cleveland O-line should help.
RB LAMONT JORDAN, Oakland
Last year Jordan was only as good as his horrific supporting cast. But with a new coach and new system, Jordan will revert to his 2005 form.
WR RONALD CURRY, Oakland
The Raiders WR has trouble staying healthy, but when he is, the former North Carolina football and basketball star is an athletic pass catcher.
DEF/ST GREEN BAY
The Packers’ defense finished last season strong and with LBs like Nick Burnett and A.J. Hawk there should be turnovers and sacks aplenty.
RB LEON WASHINGTON, N.Y. Jets
The Jets running back is a Brian Westbrook clone. If Thomas Jones continues to battle injuries, Washington could have a nice year.
WR DWAYNE BOWE, Kansas City
Eddie Kennison is a year older, so Bowe, a first-round draft pick out of LSU, could be a No. 1 guy.
WR SINORICE MOSS, N.Y. Giants
Giants wide receivers are already getting hurt at an alarming rate and their No. 2, Amani Toomer, is coming off knee surgery, so the electrifying Moss could do a nice impersonation of his older brother, Santana.
TE ERIC JOHNSON, New Orleans
The Saints won’t entirely overlook the TE position this year due in large part to Johnson. The former 49er has proven that when healthy he can be great: 82 catches, 825 yards in ‘04.
