NFC Central
8/1/01
Email Quentin
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A complete, up-to-date, in camp look at all the NFL sleepers - just
in time for pre-season.
NFC CENTRAL
Chicago Bears
Despite all the attention the Chicago quarterbacks are getting,
there also is supposed to be a Bear running back competition, with
starter James Allen, free agent Skip Hicks, and rookie Anthony Thomas
vying for the halfback job.
Although the Bears seem determined to take that job from Allen (who
rushed for 1120 yards and caught 39 passes last season), he refuses
to yield it. The 5'10, 215 pound Sooner, may not have Anthony Thomas'
size, but few have Allen's work ethic. His off-season workouts and
initial camp showing have all but quelled any talk of a running
back competition or committee. Allen is in top shape and appears
a step faster.
Several factors point to Allen's continued, and improved, success.
First, the Bears should have a passing game. Marcus Robinson will
miss at least two months, but Bobby Engram is healthy, and David
Terrell is in camp. If Shane Matthews can settle the quarterback
position, defenses will have to respect the Bears' aerial attack
on the perimeter. This should open up the middle for short passes
to Allen.
Head Coach Dick Jauron also intends to give Allen 20-25 carries
per game, a figure he only reached twice last season. Although Thomas
may get the goal line carries, three of Allen's five touchdowns
in 2000 came from receptions. Allen should get the ball more, and
more touches should mean more yards given the Bears' upcoming opponents.
If he can survive week one against the Ravens, Allen faces a 2001
schedule which boasts a 24th place rushing defense (allowing almost
120 yards per game). That, combined with a solid Bear line, should
allow Allen to improve his 2000 numbers (70 rushing yards per game).
One interesting note: Allen is the last back to run for more than
100 yards against Baltimore. He racked up 163 yards late in 1998.
Super Sleeper: Even if Allen does
hold the job (watch how his sore ankle holds up during preseason),
Anthony Thomas could eventually take it. Like Allen, Thomas is a
hard worker, and the Bears love his 6'1, 225 frame. Although criticized
for having "average" speed, Thomas has shown the ability
in camp to hit - and make - holes, and then punish defenders as
he earns an extra four to five yards. Getting those tough, inside
yards is why the Bears got him.
Still, Thomas will need time to develop. A real concern will be
his adjustment to the Bear passing schemes. Thomas may have decent
receiving skills, but his suspect, pass blocking is a valid concern.
Once Thomas learns to adjust, he will challenge Allen, a free agent
after this season. If the Bears fail to resign Allen, Thomas should
take the starting halfback job in 2002. If the Bears keep both players,
new general manager Jerry Angelo will have the same type of thunder
and lightening backfield he had in Tampa Bay. That's a fantasy nightmare.
Detroit Lions
Hampered by a foot injury in 2000, Germaine Crowell should be an
elite receiver once again this season. At 6'3, 217 pounds, Crowell
possesses the size and speed defenders fear. Even though Herman
Moore resigned with Detroit, and Charlie Batch is still their quarterback,
Crowell's numbers should resemble 1999, when he posted 81 catches
and 1338 yards. Although Crowell has been hampered by minor injuries
in Lion camp, he shows no ill-effects from last season's injury.
Super Sleeper: There are several Lions
worth watching. At 6'2, 200 pounds, Rutgers quarterback Mike McMahon
may be the heir apparent to Batch's job. It is no secret that if
Batch doesn't impress management this season, someone else will
get a shot at the job. McMahon could be that player. He has a terrific
arm and is an outstanding athlete. If he has a drawback, it's his
ego, not his skills. Coach Marty Mornhinweg is outstanding with
quarterbacks (look what he did with Jeff Garcia), and should help
McMahon develop into an outstanding NFL prospect. If McMahon shows
promise, he could be the Lion quarterback next season. If he doesn't,
I believe Mornhinweg will go after another outstanding, and familiar,
quarterback prospect . . . San Francisco's Tim Rattay.
Watch Larry Foster, especially since new General Manager Matt Millen
has targeted him as a player who could be a future star. With both
Moore and Johnny Morten becoming free agents in 2002, odds are the
Lions may sign one, but probably not both. There will soon be an
opportunity in Motown for a receiver to get considerable playing
time.
Foster could be that receiver. He was considered an excellent NFL
prospect until LSU dismissed him from the team in 1999 for theft.
Despite that mental lapse, the Lions took a chance on the 5'10,
196 pound receiver. Foster responded, playing well on special teams,
and when getting the opportunity to play (8 catches and 106 receiving
yards in week 14). He also has explosive speed and excellent receiving
abilities. Now he must work on being consistent. If he shows maturation
in 2001, watch out for him in 2002.
Green Bay Packers
At 6'6, 252 pounds, Bubba Franks has the size and ability
to be a premier tight end in the NFL. Unfortunately, Franks spent
his rookie season impersonating a fly swatter.
This season, Franks appears to have turned the corner. He has shown
a marked improvement in Packer mini-camps and training camp. His
ability to get open in the red zone is quickly becoming a staple
for Brett Favre. Given the Packer receiving situation, Franks should
get the opportunity to double his rookie output of 34 catches. Although
Green Bay signed Troy Dayton for depth at tight end (Tyrone Davis
is out), Dayton's bum knee will prevent him from posing a serious
threat to Franks.
Super Sleeper: Since signing a huge
contract in 1998, Antonio Freeman's numbers have gotten worse every
year. While Freeman's questionable work ethic hasn't helped, Green
Bay's black hole at split-end has allowed defenses to double team
Freeman into obscurity. Add a less than healthy Favre to the mix,
and it's little wonder he has underachieved. If Bubba Franks can
assert himself, and anyone other than Bill Schroeder can emerge
at the receiver position, Freeman could return to form. If not,
Freeman's low value still makes him a quality, fantasy pick.
Also, watch Charles Lee. At Central Florida, Lee was Duante Culpepper's
favorite receiver. At 6'2, 210 pounds, he is bigger than Schroeder
or Donald Driver. Although he lacks Corey Bradford's speed, Lee
is a solid receiver, excellent route runner, and able to accelerate
after the catch. After spending the off-season pumping iron, Lee
has been impressive in Packer camp, playing both flanker and split
end. He should challenge Antonio Freeman at flanker, although Freeman
still has the talent to fend him off. Lee could enter the season
as the Packer's third receiver if Bradford and the very raw Robert
Ferguson continue to struggle.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are hoping Michael Bennett can replace Robert
Smith. While Bennett has Smith's running ability, he lacks the retired
Buckeye's receiving skills. Smith averaged 31 catches over the last
four seasons. Factor in the combined 47 receptions three Viking
tight ends had last season, and suddenly, former Bronco, and newly
signed Norseman, Byron Chamberlain has a real chance at catching
50-60 passes in 2001. Granted, Chamberlain only has 59 career receptions,
but playing behind Shannon Sharpe in Denver didn't help. A talented
player, Chamberlain's mishaps off the football field have always
held him back from achieving on it.
Tampa Bay
Bear-castoff, and converted halfback Frank Murphy is turning heads
at wide receiver. Murphy's size (6'0, 205 pounds) and speed (4.44)
have the Buccaneer coaching staff drooling. Right now, he's all
potential, but the Bucs intend for Murphy to challenge Jacquez Green.
Should he succeed, he could be explosive.
» NFC
West
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