Don’t Call it Comeback!!

By Steve O’Reilly

In the immortal words of LL Cool J, “Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years” applies to not only to hip hop but also Football. The difference is guys who have done it before need to comeback and show they can do it again! Each year the NFL gives the distinction of a player who has performed well after either being away from the game or returning from an injury. In this segment we are going to look at some players who fit that bill and might find themselves being the recipient of that distinction. For this article we are going to break it down into 2 segments, Offense and Defense with a little backdrop on each player.

Offense -

WES WELKER – The first name that jumps out when talking Comeback Player of the Year is Welker. In 2009 he suffered a major knee injury that sidelined him for the final 2 games of the season. Welker tore ligaments in his knee so severely that Doctors couldn’t really give a timeline as to when he would return. Many speculated that Welker would likely begin this season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list but so far that doesn’t look like the case. He’s already going full speed for the Patriots and seems to be a lock to be ready for Week 1 in September. Over the last 3 seasons there isn’t too may Wide Receivers that have been more dominant as the 5’9″ stud from Texas Tech. Since 2007, Welker has caught 346 passes and 15 TD’s. The Slot Machine out in New England should be ready to go and if he catches 100+ balls again in 2010 he’s probably a lock for the award. Fantasy Football owners everywhere know the value of Welker as does Bill Belichick and Tom Brady!

MIKE WILLIAMS – The big Wide Out out Seattle is back and out to prove all the naysayers wrong. The talented USC graduate has had his issues in the past but is ready to make amends and we believe him! At 6’5″ and very fast with great hands, Williams could prove to be one of the best WR’s in the game. Starting out in Detroit as the 10th Overall pick, big Mike had issues with his weight and admittedly didn’t work as hard as he should have. After two other teams both kicked the tires on Williams he found himself out of the league and after a 2 year hiatus is back and better than ever. His weight is under control and down to a tight 225-230. He is focused and mature and after speaking with him in this interview we know his head is in the right place and his heart and desire to succeed is right there with it. In the Seahawks first preseason game, Williams took a short pass down the right side, made an incredible juke move and busted down the sideline for a 51 yard TD in his only catch for the game. He had everyone talking with just one play and he definitely is a player you want to keep your eye on in 2010!!

RONNIE BROWN – The Wildcat Running Back from Auburn hurt his foot only 9 games into the regular season but is back and ready to roar. Consider this, in 2008 Brown was a Pro Bowl running back with a very shoddy passing attack that forced him to see 8-9 men in the box playing with a talented but still a Rookie Left Tackle and small Wide Receivers who didn’t exactly mash guys in the blocking department. Now he has a Left Tackle who has made the Pro Bowl in both seasons in the league, a new QB with a strong arm to stretch the field and a 6’5″ beast of a Pro Bowl Wide Receiver in Brandon Marshall. The Dolphin offense hasn’t had this many weapons in a long time and for Ronnie Brown that means you can’t key on him anymore. The blocking on the edges will be better and the Wildcat will be that much more dangerous. If teams stack the box to stop the Running Back tandem than they face one on one’s against Marshall on the outside. It’s an Offensive Coordinator’s dream to have matchup’s like this and look for Ronnie Brown to have a very nice season in 2010!

CLINTON PORTIS – I know this may sound like a stretch for an aging Running Back but Portis could just be the surprise Running Back in 2010. After only playing 8 games in 2010 Portis returns to a whole new Redskins! The Head Coach is now Mike Shanahan who brings with him the Zone Blocking scheme that Portis thrived in while playing for the Denver Broncos. In his Rookie and Sophomore year with the Broncos, Portis had over 1500 yards rushing in each of those two seasons before being traded away to the Redskins for Champ Bailey. The Skins also have a new 1st Round Left Tackle in Trent Williams who should help open up some holes when they pitch it wide. Also and probably the biggest reason for hope in Washington is the arrival of Pro Bowl Quarterback, Donovan McNabb. With McNabb defenses will have to respect his arm and his wonderful deep ball and will be leery to play to close to the line. In this system and with all of Mike Shanahan’s offensive prowess the Skins and Clinton Portis could really churn out good numbers. If it’s one thing Shanahan is known for it’s his ability to work wonders with Running Backs, couple that with the fact that former Broncos Running Backs Bobby Turner has reunited with Shanahan and one has to believe that Portis at least belongs in this conversation!

Defense -

BRIAN URLACHER – A wrist injury sidelined Urlacher early in the 2009 season but he’s back and ready to anchor the Bears Defense once again. This year he has some new help up in that front 7 in the form of Julius Peppers. The Bears have retooled some of their Ends and other key players on Defense but Urlacher’s presence as the signal caller for the Defense can’t go un-noted. The 5 time Pro Bowler has amassed 37.5 sacks in his career to along with 17 Ints and 816 tackles. He’s a machine in the middle and in the tough NFC North you can use all the tackling machines you can get when facing guys like Adrian Peterson, Ryan Grant and now Jahvid Best. The key for the Bears in 2010 is to find their identity again. Urlacher touched upon it a bit in 2009 that the Bears have to get back to doing what they do best, play tough Defense and pound the ball. It wasn’t too long ago that this team was in Miami for the Superbowl going to battle against the Colts. If Urlacher comes back healthy and is his old self again, the Bears Defense will once again have found it’s roar!

KRIS JENKINS – It’s kind of hard to believe that the New York Jets had the leagues best Defense in 2010 without the man that anchors the 3-4 scheme which they run. As a Nose Tackle, it’s hard to produce off the page numbers because you are guaranteed to see a double team each and every play. With that said, big Kris Jenkins still makes his presence felt and the Jets D’ will that much better with a healthy Jenkins back in form. In the Jets 3-4 scheme, they Blitz a ton. I’ve heard some say that 80% of the Defensive play calls were blitzes. Pressure brings quick throws and gives Corners a chance to shine but none of this is possible unless the centerpiece of the Defense is holding his ground and allowing the Linebackers to run around freely. If the Jets defense plays at the level it did in 2009 than the media, especially the New York media, will all be talking about the Nose Tackle that wears number 77!

FABIAN WASHINGTON – The Baltimore Ravens secondary is about as banged up as possible. First Fabian went down in 2009 with a torn ACL, then shortly following LaDarius Webb who was playing in Washington’s spot also tore his ACL. Then as soon as camp began this year the starter on the opposite side, Dominique Foxworth suffered a torn ACL as well. With all the hopes that the Baltimore faithful have, a lot of it depends on the health of the guys who can cover. Fabian has worked extremely hard this offseason and should be back in action this week for the Ravens 2nd Preseason game. It couldn’t come at a better time! The Bengals, probably the biggest challenger to Baltimore for the AFC North crown, just signed Terrell Owens. Coupled with Chad OchoCinco, the Cincinnati boys have a nice little duo of pass catchers and therefore Baltimore needs all the help they can get at covering these guys. Fabian is as physically gifted as it comes in the NFL. Not overly tall, probably about 5’10 to 5’11, Fabian displays exceptional speed. He can run with anyone in the league and with Ed Reed in the secondary with him, he doesn’t have to do too much! Fabian needs to work on getting his numbers up and work on his tackling but he comes back and provides Baltimore’s Defense with the cover man they need, that could be the key to their season!

TROY POLAMALU – One of the most gifted Safeties in all of football is back and ready to shine. Of all the players mentioned on the Defensive side of the ball no one has an impact like the former USC Trojan. His knack for the ball in the passing game is uncanny and he’s excellent in run support. A complete player who is the glue to one of the more complicated defenses in the NFL, without Polamalu the Steelers really suffered. Troy has been in the NFL for 7 years and made the Pro Bowl in 5 of them. The only time he didn’t was his rookie year and last season when he only played 5 games. Talking to Steeler fans about their 2009 season the first thing that they all point out was the absence of Polamalu and how huge of a blow that was for the whole team, not just the defense. With the Offense going through some changes, Willie Parker and Santonio Holmes are gone and Ben Roethlesberger is serving a suspension to start the season, Pittsburgh is going to rely heavily on the their always dominant D’! Look for Polamalu to be the impact player he always was and make a strong case for Comeback Player of the Year!

What’s the Skinny on the Comeback Player of the Year? Guys who traditionally and consistently put up huge numbers have the advantage over the field of eligible candidates. In the end, I can see Wes Welker or Troy Polamalu walking away with the crown but the other guys mentioned definitely deserve to be in the conversation. If not only for their talent but their importance to the team they play for!

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