Patriots Finally Jettison Maroney

In the 2006 NFL Draft, 15 running backs were selected over seven talent-filled rounds. Of the 15 taken, 4 have made Pro Bowls, 3 have eclipsed 3000 career rushing yards, and 2 can be considered top-tier performers. True, hindsight is 20/20, but Laurence Maroney's career as a New England Patriot was far from successful. Fans have been calling for his head for over 2 years, and finally he has been dealt to the Denver Broncos for a fourth round pick. Maroney is probably the biggest bust from the 2006 draft running back class. Reggie Bush was always seen as a scat-back, with many purposes from kick returning to a backfield pass-threat. He has done just that, and helped lead the 2009 Saints to their first Super Bowl Victory. MJD and DeAngelo both have seasons of 15+ touchdown rushes, as well as seasons with over 1390 yards rushing. Addai has been the consistant, but not overly productive back that Indy needed to win the 2008 Super Bowl and has averaged 880 rushing yards in a role-decreasing career. Even LenDale White, Jerious Norwood, Leon Washington, and Jerome Harrison have found spurts of success in limited roles, with Washington making a Pro Bowl appearance as a kick returner.

Maroney's NFL career has seen him sharing time with other running backs, but he always was “going to be” their premier back. That never panned out, regardless of an abundance of opportunity. He never ran for more than 757 yards in 4 seasons with New England, and was unable to play a full season due to injuries. He found fumbling troubles in 2009, and since his shoulder injury in 2008 hasn't come close to being a premier (or even average) running back. With the Patriots' faith in the likes of Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, and Benjarvis Green-Ellis heading further into the 2010 season, they felt comfortable disposing of Maroney for a fourth-round pick, joining the likes of Matt Leinart, Bobby Carpenter, and Michael Huff as notable first-round busts from the 2006 NFL Draft class. Good bye and good riddance.

The Heisman Trophy: Does It Spell Doom?

Over the past 20 years, a common trend in the NFL has taken place. The coveted Heisman Trophy, given to the top-performing player in college football each year, has not always equated to NFL success. In fact, only 5 of the past 20 winners have made an NFL Pro-Bowl, and only 2 players have won a Super Bowl. True, the NFL is a much different game than college football, where stats are not inflated and defenses are more elaborate. From a football fan's standpoint, it isn't hard to see why many of the players couldn't duplicate their success in college. Whether it be lack of fundamentals, the inability to grasp concepts, or simply lacking the necessary tools, players have found plenty of ways to find themselves out of a job after exiting college at the top. Since 1990, only Eddie George has both won the Heisman and finished his career as an NFL Hall of Famer. Of the 74 Heisman winners in the award's history, only 6 have gone to have Hall of Fame careers. These facts do not at all suggest the winners weren't worthy, but shows that the transition is far from a guarantee, regardless of the time period.
The Heisman Trophy has always been awarded for a combination of leadership, statistics, and team performance, with no one trait outweighing another. Statistical leaders, national champions, and fundamentally sound players in college have many times been overlooked or passed up for the award because they did not possess the trait set of a true Heisman winner. There are more winners who benefited from the system, lack of competition, and peak performances than those who dazzled the college football scene day in and day out. Of the top 15 career rushing yard leaders, only 5 won a Heisman. Only 1 of the top 10 career passing leaders won a Heisman (Detmer), and his NFL career was far from successful. And even of the top 10 scoring leaders in college football all-time, only Ricky Williams and Ron Dayne were presented with the honor as the nation's best. So why are there so many of the NFL's greatest passed up during their college careers? Below is a list of examples of NFL MVPs, and why they didn't win the award, or often even become a finalist for it.

• Peyton Manning (4 MVPs) - He won 39 of 45 games at Tennessee, becoming their career leader in yards and touchdowns after spurning his father's alma matter, Ole Miss. His freshman year he took over due to injuries and led an 8-4 squad to a Gator Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. His sophomore year he defeated Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl, finishing sixth in the Heisman voting for the number three ranked Vols. As a junior, the Volunteers would lose their chance as national champions due to upsets against Florida and Memphis, where Manning threw multiple interceptions forcing the team to its second straight Citrus Bowl, which ended in another victory. Manning returned his senior year with unfinished business, but again was upset by Florida and got demolished by Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, missing out as National Champion and Heisman winner again. Manning inability to overcome Florida and also avoid mid-season upsets doomed his Heisman chances, and he lost out to Danny Wuerffel and Charles Woodson in back-to-back years, both of whom coming from national champions.
• Tom Brady (1 MVP)- Opening his college career 7th on the depth-chart, Brady backed up Brian Griese his first two seasons in Michigan. He beat out Drew Henson his final two seasons as the teams starting QB, winning 20 of 25 games and finishing will All-Big Ten honors both seasons. He played unbelievably in Citrus and Orange Bowl victories, but threw only 35 TDs in his college career and never garnished any Heisman consideration.
• LaDainian Tomlinson (1 MVP) - Not considered a top RB prospect in high school, Tomlinson played at TCU in his very successful college career. In his 1999 junior campaign, he led the nation in rushing yards and set an NCAA record with 406 rushing yards in one game, but his team finished 8-4 with TCU's victory over USC in the Sun Bowl, their first bowl victory in 41 years. Playing in the mid-major WAC conference certainly hurt Tomlinson, as we wasn't even a Heisman finalist, but it hurt him moreso in his senior year. Tomlinson again led the nation in rushing, as TCU finished 10-2. But the team was never a championship contender, and eventually lost to SMU in the Mobile Alabama Bowl. Tomlinson finished fourth in the Heisman voting, behind QBs Chris Weinke and Josh Heupel.
• Shaun Alexander (1 MVP) - Unlike Tomlinson, Alexander played at a high-profile school in Alabama. Unfortunately, he played in Bama during a transition period where the school won one SEC Championship. He ran for an impressive 1178 yards and 13 TDs his junior year, but after being a Heisman candidate heading into his senior season, he sprained his ankle and finished with 614 rushing yards, missing out on his final opportunity to take home the trophy.
• Marshall Faulk (1 MVP) - Faulk ran for 1429 yards and 21 touchdowns his freshman year at San Diego State, but never duplicated his success. Playing for a lesser-known football team and not generating outstanding statistics, Faulk was never close to Heisman consideration.
• Brett Favre (3 MVPs) - Southern Mississippi wanted Favre to play DB, but he refused and remained at his preferred position. Favre put up decent numbers his junior year, but SMU dropped from being ranked as high as 6th to miss all bowl games. His senior year was clouded by a near-fatal car accident which caused him to miss the majority of the season, thus missing out on any Heisman consideration.
  

2010 AFC East: Best Division in Sports?

Buffalo Bills

2009 Finish: 6-10 (2-4 Division) – Last in AFC East

Points Allowed: 326 (9^th in AFC)

Points Scored: 258 (14^th in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: WR Terrell Owens, WR Josh Reed, DE Aaron Schobel, LB Chris Draft, TE Derek Fine, OG Richie Incognito,

Key Offseason Additions: RB CJ Spiller, DT Dwan Edwards, LB Reggie Torbor, DT Torell Troup, DE Alex Carrington, LB Andra Davis, OT Cornell Green

2010 Outlook: The Bills did very little through free agency and instead focused heavily on drafting depth for the defensive line. They stole CJ Spiller in the draft, who will quickly pass Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson on the depth chart. The potential of their three-headed monster backfield is overshadowed by weaknesses at WR, where Lee Evans is the only viable option, as well as at quarterback. Buffalo failed to improve on one of the worst QB carousels in football, instead opting to stick with Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who sported a 69.7 QB rating in 2009. Their inability to shore up the passing game only takes away from the potential of the offensive backfield, and puts more pressure on an already over-worked defense. Buffalo was 30^th against the run last year, and although they finished 2^nd against the air attack, they had no answer for the likes of DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Chris Johnson, Ricky Williams, or Jamaal Charles. Facing Ryan Grant, Adrian Peterson, MJD, and Ray Rice (to name a few) only worsens their chances this year, and they will be hard pressed to win six games again. The won't likely upset the Jets or Dolphins again, will go win-less in the AFC East, and really only have cupcake games against Detroit and Cleveland.

Prediction: 4-12 (0-6 Division)

Miami Dolphins

2009 Finish: 6-10 (4-2 Division) - 3^rd in AFC East

Points Allowed: 390 (14^th in AFC)

Points Scored: 360 (7^th in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: LB Joey Porter, LB Reggie Torbor, DE Jason Taylor, FS Gibril Wilson, WR Tedd Ginn Jr.

Key Offseason Additions: LB Karlos Dansby, OG Richie Incognito, DT Jared Odrick, OLB Koa Misi, WR Brandon Marshall

2010 Outlook: Chad Henne got a much needed weapon when the Fins traded for Brandon Marshall. With a healthy Ronnie Brown and the emergence of Davone Bess and Brian Hartline, the passing attack and overall offense looks much healthier going into 2010. The defense is a whole different story. Miami was 24^th against the pass and 18^th against the run in 2009, problems they hope to address through the additions of Dansby, Odrick, and Misi. Mediocre pass rushing and the inability to capitalize on turnovers caused the defense to spend too much time on the field, and also forced the Fins to overpay for Dansby. Odrick will have a lot on his shoulders as he attempts to bolster the pass-rush, but in the end it comes down to the young defensive backfield and how much they can improve. The young DB trio of Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, and Will Allen have ample amounts of potential, but have yet to break out in the form of stardom. Only because of a bolstered offense will Miami win more contests this year.

Prediction: 9-7 (3-3 Division)

New York Jets

2009 Finish: 9-7 (2-4 Division) - 2^nd in AFC East, Lost AFC Championship to IND

Points Allowed: 236 (1^st in AFC)

Points Scored: 348 (9^th in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: OG Alan Faneca, RB Thomas Jones, DB Justin Miller, FS Brodney Pool, CB Lito Sheppard, RB Leon Washington, S Kerry Rhodes, K Jay Feely

Key Offseason Additions: DE Jason Taylor, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, RB Joe McKnight, WR Santonio Holmes, QB Mark Brunell, CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Kyle Wilson, OG Vladimir Ducasse, FB Jon Conner, K Nick Folk

2010 Outlook: Nothing needs to be said about the NFL's best defense in 2009, except that they may have gotten better. Jason Taylor, Cromartie and Wilson add speed, youth, depth, and veteran experience to an already stellar defense. The Jets probably lost 5 games that should have gone the other way last year, losing the division only due to early losses against Miami and Buffalo. Their run-first offense is bolstered by Tomlinson, granted he has something left in the tank, and Shonne Green enters his first season as the primary work horse. The WR corps is upgraded once Santonio Holmes returns from his suspension, and if Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery can fill his void in the mean time, then Mark Sanchez will remain the only question mark in the offense. With a QB prone to mistakes, a tougher schedule, and a super-team with egotistical question marks, New York should find both success and failures this season.

Prediction: 11-5 (4-2 Division) AFC Wild Card, Lose in Divisional Playoffs

New England Patriots

2009 Finish: 10-6 (4-2 Division) – AFC East Champions, Lost Wild Card Playoff to BAL

Points Allowed: 285 (3^rd in AFC)

Points Scored: 427 (2^nd in AFC)

Key Offseason Subtractions: LB Adalius Thomas, DE Jarvis Green, TE Ben Watson, P Chris Hanson, CB Shawn Springs

Key Offseason Additions: TE Alge Crumpler, TE Aaron Hernandez, TE Rob Gronkowski, DT Gerard Warren, CB Devin McCourty, LB Brandon Spikes, P Zoltan Mesko

2010 Outlook: Both the holdout and injury bug have already hit New England. Logan Mankins is preparing for a lengthy holdout, crippling the Pats offensive line. Ty Warren is lost for the season, the secondary is just as questionable as a year ago, and nothing changed at running back. The season could go one of two ways. The Patriots could flourish (as usual) on offense, hiding defensive weaknesses. Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Tom Brady should all excel as they have their entire careers. The young tight end duo is something the Patriots have lacked for almost a decade, and so far they have only impressed in the pre-season. One of the running backs MUST step up and solidify himself as the starter, as Maroney has been unable to do so. Fred Taylor is the most likely, if he can stay healthy, which Sammy Morris will not. The performance of the Patriots defense ultimately will decide their fate. Gerard Warren and Mike Wright step in to fill Jarvis Green and Ty Warren's shoes. The OLB combo of Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess is at best mediocre, as the Patriots were one of the worst pass-rushing teams in the game in 2009. The secondary should only improve with another year under the belts of youngsters Meriweather, Chung, Butler, Wheatley, and Wilhite. The most exciting part of the New England squad is the pair of inside linebackers, Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes. 24 and 22 years old, respectively, if both play to their potential and stay injury free, they will combine to be one of the most important defensive duos in the NFL. But depending on rookie linebackers is a big if. In the end, because of the loss of Warren and Mankins, the Patriots are almost the same team as 2009 talent-wise, but younger. And a younger team only means they can be volatile, either missing the playoffs or repeating as division champions. Some may call me bias, but there weren't enough changes in the AFC East to call for a shift in powers. The Patriots should take advantage of an easier schedule and win 11 games, taking the division through a tie-breaker from the Jets. They'll win the Super Bowl out of pure thirst for another.

Prediction: 11-5 (5-1 Division) AFC East Champions, AFC Champs, Super Bowl Champs