Who Will Rise Back from the Ashes in 2010?
We know about the teams that recover from a bad season to go into the next year and shock the league. We also can’t forget that at least one player invariably does the same thing. Last season saw several key injuries in the NFL prevent better performances and we saw some underachieving seasons by some of the league’s best. The question is who will rise back up from the ashes and once again take the league by storm?
There is a list of candidates that can pull it off as many players begin 2010 with new beginnings and will have a shot at redemption.
Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme is one guy who desperately needs a resurrection to his NFL career. Ever since that dreadful playoff game a couple of seasons ago, that he may forever be remembered for in Carolina, Delhomme’s performance has never recovered. In the NFC divisional round against the Arizona Cardinals, Delhomme committed six turnovers including five interceptions as the Panthers suffered a disappointing end to a great season, getting shellacked 33-13 by the Arizona Cardinals.
Last season, Delhomme’s performance continued its downturn. Delhomme did receive a five year contract extension despite his poor finish to the 2008 season worth $42 million. His struggles continued as he threw for only eight touchdowns and 18 interceptions through 11 games. His passer rating was a mere 59.4 before a season ending injury gave the reigns to Matt Moore who finished the season strong for the Panthers. Delhomme was then released in the offseason and the Panthers drafted Jimmy Clausen to lead them into the future.
Delhomme signed with the Cleveland Browns this offseason. Cleveland continues to look for answers at quarterback. A great season from Delhomme would make him a favorite to be the comeback player of the year.
Michael Vick
Michael Vick may also eventually get an opportunity to regain his former status. As we know Vick spent two years in jail after being the Atlanta Falcons franchise quarterback for the early part of his career. Upon his release from prison he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was used sparsely last season as the third string quarterback. He did get some snaps in the wildcat formation and showed some flashes of his former self.
This year with Donovan McNabb getting traded to Washington, that moves Vick up to the backup position behind Kevin Kolb. Vick will have to be patient in his backup role and wait for an opportunity to start. An injury to Kolb or poor performance would bring Vick the opportunity to finally be a starter in the NFL again.
If Vick gets the opportunity, don’t think he can’t be the electrifying player we all remember.
Osi Umenyiora
Osi Umenyiora suffered a season ending injury the very season after he helped the New York Giants to their first Super Bowl. He was injured in a preseason game against the New York Jets and sat out the whole season.
Umenyiora returned for the 2009 season but the dominating defense of the Giants from the two previous seasons had disappeared. While it was not all Umenyiora’s fault, his performance was a little disappointing by his standards and he’ll probably want to do better this coming season to lead the Giants back to the playoffs.
The Giants play in a very tough NFC East division and their defense will have to regain their old form. Umenyiora has to lead the way for the defense if they have any hope of reclaiming the division crown.
Those are just a few possibilities heading into the 2010 NFL season but with the unpredictability of this league, don’t be surprised if any of these players win the Comeback Player of the Year award. You can also anticipate someone completely out of nowhere swooping in and taking the league by surprise. This is the fun part of the NFL.
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