NFL
By: Joe “Cartright” Cardoso
The 2016 NFL season is about to kick off with training camps later this month. With that come expectations. For certain players coming off great seasons, or disappointing ones, the pressure is real. One has to wonder who is real and who was a flash in the pan. These 6 Quarterbacks are not the only ones facing the tough task of bouncing back, or improving off career years but in my opinion they are under the gun. No particular order, but one thing is for sure; fans of these teams are counting on these guys to show them what they’ve got.
Brock Osweiler:
Brock left the Super Champion Broncos to join the Houston Texans, a franchise that has NEVER had a top flight NFL quarterback. Is he the one? With only 7 starts under his belt and 5 years learning behind the legend, Peyton Manning, the 25 year old is set to prove his worth. His games last year were up and down but he has the size and arm strength to get it done. Having Lamar Miller in the backfield along with weapons such as DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Short, Jaelen Strong and Ohio State rookie Braxton Miller he is loaded. Can he depend on a rock solid D to keep him in games and not force things? How will he react to finally being “The Man”? All these questions will be answered quickly. He will face the Vikings, Patriots, and Chiefs all in the first 5 weeks of the season. It’s game on for Brock.
Robert Griffin III:
Where do we start with the former Washington Redskin? This has a chance to be a great comeback story, or a modern day Greek tragedy. RGIII was the toast of the town and the NFL poster boy during his rookie of the year season. We all know the rest. Now here he is in a city hungry for football success and a franchise QB. The Browns are starting a new era with head coach Hue Jackson and Offense coordinator Pep Hamilton? Can they bring back the stud from 2012 or is all lost? And better yet where and who are the weapons for Robert? Lots of questions and no answers yet. Watch this one closely.
Carson Palmer:
What’s left in the tank? Has he put the ugly playoff performance behind him? He threw six interceptions and lost two fumbles in the playoffs, and he’s 36 years old. But he was an MVP candidate for much of the year, and the pressure of the moment seemed to get to him. The Cardinals are loaded on offense and improved their offensive line. Does the former USC Trojan have one more Super Bowl or bust season in him?
Ryan Tannehill:
Tannehill is athletic, but does he have that something a QB needs? This is a make-or-break year for Tannehill. He needs to prove he’s a franchise quarterback. They went out and got gas face; aka Laremy Tunsil with the hope he helps a bad O line that had Tannehill running for his life. Since 2012 no QB has been sacked more than Tannehill. He hasn’t had the season that some of the others Rogers, Flacco or Brady have had where the light goes off. With the money invested and former Peyton Manning offensive coordinator Adam Gase leading that side of the ball he has to get better. Right?
Matt Ryan:
So this is what we have. The word elite is incredibly subjective. Does it mean a future hall of fame player? Or do we mean someone who is currently top 3 or top 5 or top 10 at the position? Matty Ice has so much talent around him year after year, but look at his record when it’s money time, known as the playoffs. In 5 career playoff games he’s totaled 9 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The time is NOW for the 31 year old. Even with all the hate he gets he is still a top 10 QB, but the Falcon faithful need and want more.
Kirk Cousins:
You like that? YES! Kirk, Redskins like winning the NFC East and having a Quarterback in the national spotlight for the right reasons. After the soap opera that was RGIII they want to see more before they hitch their wagon to Cousins. They used the franchise tag on him to allow a chance for both parties to get to know each other a little better. He must get better under pressure and use what he has. Which is, at least on paper, a high-powered offense with size and speed all around. Having a bruising back like Matt Jones should help as well. Redskin’s fans like what they saw at times last year but are they ready to give him the keys to the car?
Stay tuned for more NFL players who need to show us what they got!
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