Many factors go into a player having a breakout season. Sometimes guys higher on the depth chart leave via free agency or get hurt in training camp or early in the season, providing the opportunity for increased playing time and production.
Little Eli Manning, fresh off a Superbowl victory against the Patriots, has been promised a seat at the adult table this upcoming Thanksgiving in what promises to be the most heartwarming, gratifying, and uplifting story of 2008.
It’s been a few months since we updated our rankings as we allowed the NFL Draft and some last-minute free agent moves to settle into each of the league’s cities. As workouts continue and the summer heats up, these rankings will likely shuffle often.
Why is Art Monk in the Hall now, and Cris Carter isn't? Well, you have to understand the selection process first, where media representatives make the case for their players.
While everyone focuses on the marquee players that will be drafted on day one this Saturday, the key to building a winning team is by acquiring 5-7 impact makers. It was Marques Colston last year, who will it be this year?
RealGM Search
By Christopher Reina
1. New England Patriots: 68.3%
From the regular season, the numbers 50, 23 and 16 will be remembered for a very long time, but Wes Welker’s 112 receptions is a very important fourth memorable number.
2. Indianapolis Colts: 63.2%
For the first time since 2003, Peyton Manning finished the season with a sub-100 passer rating, but Joseph Addai’s 4.1 yards per carry, and Kenton Keith’s 4.4 made the Colts’ offense as potent as ever.
3. Green Bay Packers: 59.9%
Ryan Grant rushed for 956 yards (5.1 ypc) and eight touchdowns, giving Brett Favre a highly useful ground game.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers: 59.4%
Willie Parker rushed for 1,316 yards but just two touchdowns in 2007.
5. San Diego Chargers: 59.2%
The Chargers join the rare company of making the playoffs following an 0-2 start.
6. Dallas Cowboys: 58.3%
The great running back debate turned out to be a dud as Marion Barber rushed for more than a yard per carry better than Julius Jones and had eight more touchdowns.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: 57.5%
Fred Taylor rushed for 5.4 yards per carry in 2007 while Reggie Williams caught 10 touchdowns.
8. Seattle Seahawks: 57.5%
With Shaun Alexander in the lineup, Seattle was 7-6 and 3-0 without him.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 55.3%
For the first time in 11 seasons, the Buccaneers are not sending a single player to the Pro Bowl despite winning the NFC South.
10. Minnesota Vikings: 54.0%
Adrian Peterson rushed for 5.6 ypc while Chester Taylor rushed for 5.4, giving Minnesota a lethal ground game.
11. Philadelphia Eagles: 52.8%
Because of their 8-8 record, the instinct might be for the Eagles to panic this offseason, but they were the best team in the NFC East over the final three games of 2007.
12. Washington Redskins: 51.9%
Clinton Portis was a true workhorse back, carrying 325 times for 1,262 yards and 11 touchdowns.
13. New York Giants: 51.5%
Tiki Barber retired, Eli Manning is still not where New York wants him, but they yet again made the playoffs.
14. Cleveland Browns: 51.3%
There is clearly no team left out on the outside of the playoffs that deserve to be there more than the 10-6 Browns. That blocked Phil Dawson field goal in Oakland is extremely haunting for Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage.
15. Tennessee Titans: 50.3%
LenDale White rushed for 1110 yards despite 3.7 yards per carry while Vince Young only threw for nine touchdowns.
16. Arizona Cardinals: 50.3%
Kurt Warner had his best QB rating since the 2001 season while filling in for Matt Leinart.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: 49.7%
An offseason from Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, and Rudi Johnson made the problems on Marvin Lewis’ defense increasingly magnified.
18. Houston Texans: 49.7%
For the first time in their six year history, the Texans finished the season .500.
19. New Orleans Saints: 49.4%
The Saints’ defense yielded 32 passing touchdowns in 2007, which was the most in the NFL.
20. Chicago Bears: 49.0%
The Bears were better than advertised despite a host of injuries and severe uncertainty at the quarterback position.
21. Denver Broncos: 43.9%
This is where the real drop off begins. Jay Cutler’s sophomore season was riddled with inconsistency, from the excellent (Week 11 and 14 against the Titans and Chiefs) to the horrible (Week 13 against Oakland and Week 16 against San Diego).
22. Detroit Lions: 43.8%
Jon Kitna’s prediction came up three wins short, and Mike Martz is hunting for another job because of it.
23. Carolina Panthers: 43.5%
Will the Panthers finally go with the superior DeAngelo Williams (5.0 ypc versus DeShaun Foster’s 3.5 ypc) in 2008?
24. New York Jets: 43.0%
Thomas Jones rushed for 1,119 yards but just one touchdown for the Jets.
25. Baltimore Ravens: 41.7%
Steve Bisciotti’s decision to give Brian Billick a four-year extension was about as bad of a business decision as was made last year.
26. Buffalo Bills: 41.6%
The Bills were 7-9 and had several bad luck losses, but they weren’t as good as their record indicated.
27. Oakland Raiders: 41.6%
As 2007 was another wasted season for Al Davis, it was disappointing that Lane Kiffin couldn’t give JaMarcus Russell more reps at quarterback.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: 40.3%
The Chiefs lost their final nine games, and Offensive Coordinator Mike Solari was rewarded with a prompt dismissal. The only real bright spots on offense were Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. Carl Peterson is not paying Larry Johnson to rush for 3.5 ypc and 3 touchdowns.
29. Atlanta Falcons: 38.5%
As is the case in Carolina, it is time to give Jerious Norwood and his 6.0 ypc more opportunities in 2008.
30. Miami Dolphins: 37.9%
What will Jeff Ireland and Bill Parcells do to improve the very bad Dolphins?
31. San Francisco 49ers: 37.6%
The 49ers aren’t even close to being a true 5-11 team, and their late season wins will only lower their draft position.
32. St. Louis Rams: 37.5%
The Rams will likely address their offensive line through the draft, which should make life easier on Matt Bulger and Steven Jackson.
