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Five offensive players who may surprise

They’re not superstars, but their teams will depend on them. Matt Bowen

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As we inch closer to the start of training camps next month, who are the players you should keep an eye on? The players who could have breakout seasons for their respective clubs?

Today, let’s look at five on the offensive side of the football who could surprise us in 2009 with their production.

1. Kyle Orton, QB, Denver

Kyle OrtonAPKyle Orton

I’ll be the first to admit that I was tough on Orton during his tenure in Chicago, but let’s be honest: He wasn’t the right fit for an offense that’s predicated on running the ball and using play action to expose defensive secondaries down the field. But Orton steps into Josh McDaniel’s new offensive system in Denver, where he has a big-time WR in Brandon Marshall, plus some talent in the backfield in rookie Knowshon Moreno — someone who can be an excellent dual-threat back at this level.

Orton operates best when he’s in the shotgun, when he has time to throw and when the offense requires him to make short-to-intermediate passes to an area on the field. It worked for Matt Cassel last season in New England, and it should work for Orton in ’09. Remember, the Broncos brought in Orton for a reason — to run this exact system.

2. Patrick Crayton, WR, Dallas

I have always liked Crayton’s game at the wide receiver position, and with the departure of Terrell Owens, I expect him to play a major role in the passing game for the Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo. Yes, we can all agree that Romo’s No. 1 target in any down-and-distance situation will be TE Jason Witten, but the ‘Boys still need a receiver who can make plays down the field on first and second downs.

Crayton averaged more than 14 yards a catch in ’08, and although WR Miles Austin might be the ultimate deep threat for this Cowboys team, he’s still a No. 3. Crayton should fit nicely into the No. 2 role and might even be more productive by season’s end than expected No. 1 Roy Williams.

3. Ladell Betts, RB, Washington

Ladell BettsAPLadell Betts

The Redskins can’t afford to run Clinton Portis into the ground again this season, and they can’t afford to stall on offense again in the second half of the season. For those reasons, I expect Betts to carry a more prominent role in the offense and share more of the workload in the backfield.

He has a different style than Portis, and although he doesn’t have the exact burst and top-line speed of Portis, he can break tackles and is a valuable receiver out of the backfield. We’ve heard the coaching staff has been high on Betts all offseason, and I don’t see why that would change come training camp. He should be a player in the fall and see his share of touches if this Redskins’ team wants to make any sort of playoff push come late November and early December.

4. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago

It’s hard not to focus on the tight end position in Chicago, especially when you talk to Bears GM Jerry Angelo, who’s confident Olsen will produce in offensive coordinator Ron Turner’s scheme with Jay Cutler now at quarterback. If the Bears don’t make any last-minute adjustments at WR — which seems to look more probable with every day that passes — I expect Olsen to be the type of target for Cutler that Witten is for Romo in Dallas.

Turner does get creative with Olsen, especially when he and fellow TE Desmond Clark are on the field at the same time. Olsen has the athletic ability to line up removed from the formation on the backside of 3x1 sets, matched up against a corner or a safety on an island — where he can use his body to shield defenders and run inside breaking routes. He should and will be one of the featured attractions in this offense and could have a big season.

5. Joey Galloway, WR, New England

Joey GallowayAPJoey Galloway

I like the idea of Galloway in New England because it allows the Patriots to be even more creative on offense -- and with the return of QB Tom Brady, the former Buc should have a major effect on this entire unit. At this level, it’s all about match-ups when it comes to running a successful passing game — and Galloway will not only win most of those, he will allow New England to feature three wide receivers, counting Randy Moss and Wes Welker, with speed on the field at all times. Team will have to counter with sub packages, and this is when New England is at its best in both the run and pass.

Plus, Galloway is still a deep-ball guy — and a good one. Any time you have a player on the field who can change the outcome of a ballgame with one play, he’s worth every dollar spent. Don’t expect huge numbers from Galloway, but do expect him to be the difference in a couple of victories for the Pats this season.

Comments

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Mr.Murder
Jun 30, 2009
05:20 PM

Galloway doesn't have a track record of playing every game. Reps he gets keept he football away from Moss and Welker. Please throw to him!

Olson should be awesome. It might be very similar to what Dallas does on offense with Witten. A lot of ways to get the ball to one person.

I'm a big fan of Ladell Betts but is there is much left? He got injured and his main style is to run people over, hard to do that hurt. His career season he was on my FF team, let's hope he finds those reps and yards in his game again.

Don't know about Dallas, their star wideout gets no YAC and scares nobody. The other guys always had Owens taking away the attention of safeties. Doubtful anyone does that enough now to scare a DC into having to show the hand before the snap. Muddied reads don't help QB ratings, protections, or WR adjustment.

Orton is another player whose game is appreciated, he does more with smarts and guts than with his arm. Merrimen may welcome him with some new sack dance on his return to AFC West football. Is there enough in his arm to keep blitzing teams off him?

Men of Troy
Jun 30, 2009
05:43 PM

Finally, someone who isn't putting the whole Skins franchise on CP's shoulders... That guy is worn down and will not have the same burst after week 6 if they ride him again,

Danny
Jun 30, 2009
06:34 PM

Who MAY surprise me? Come on, Matt. I want conviction--tell me these guys WILL surprise me!

Igor
Jun 30, 2009
08:29 PM

Orton will be much better in McDaniels system in Denver.

Olsen, on the other hand had best not drop any balls. Cutler will point the finger, hollar and ignore him if he does. Reign him on so he doesn't try for the home run every play? Hah!

The biggest problem I see with Chicago can be Cutler and his immature self-centered actions on the field. Worst possible scenario would be if Orton and Denver end up with a better record than him and the Bears. Every week that Denver has a better record or Orton does better than him, Cutler will become worse by trying to hit the big ESPN Highlight every play. That is Cutler's nature, unfortunately. Look at the stats, Lots of yards, few points. Most turnovers in the Red Zone and sitting and pouting by himself instead of leading his team.

Galloway and Moss are every DB's biggest fear this year. Ouch. Who do you double? Oh no Watson just burned you! He he he I love it.

b roo
Jun 30, 2009
08:43 PM

Bowen just wrote the best fantasy football article on the site all year. Hopefully Tipper didn't spend his whole check on Goose in Vegas last weekend. Comparing Olsen to Witten is just a bit of a stretch though...

Da Coach
Jun 30, 2009
09:27 PM

Gotta agree that Olson could have a breakout season, but I do worry that Cutler will try and chuck it down the field to D Hes all of the time... which usually equals a dropped pass.

Romo4MVP
Jun 30, 2009
09:29 PM

Crayton, huh? I am sort of banking on Roy Boy having a monster year, but I see your point...

Witten, however, will continue to dominate....

NECutlerFan
Jun 30, 2009
10:45 PM

Orton will be without Marshall, don't you guys read your own headlines when you write an article? This huge perception of Orton as a game manager is a bunch of hooey. His turnover percentage (interceptions and fumbles lost) per attempt is higher than Cutler's.

Frank the Tank
Jul 01, 2009
07:28 AM

NECutlerFan-

You really think the Broncos are going to let go of Marshall? Why, because he said he didn't like the city after drinking 15 beers and getting pulled over for a DUI?

Please. That guy ain't going anywhere.

Like the list Matt, not sold on Crayton, but I like this list.

Romo4MVP
Jul 01, 2009
07:58 AM

Have to agree that Marshall isn't going anywhere... who would trade for this headache and risk losing him to yet another suspension?


MiamiMike
Jul 01, 2009
09:44 AM

Great article I found that gives stats and facts: it is interesting.


Since Kyle Orton is forever going to be compared to the quarterback he is taking over for in Denver, Jay Cutler, I thought it would be appropriate to compare their numbers from last season and try to decide how Orton would fair going into his first year with the Broncos.

Last year for the Bears (9-7), Orton played in 15 games compiling 18 Touchdowns, 12 picks, threw for almost 3,000 yards, a QB rating of 79.6, and completed 59 percent of his throws. Okay, admittedly those numbers are not outstanding but they are by no means horrible.

When you look at these numbers, you need to keep a couple things in mind.

First off his leading receiver in catches, was a rookie running back. Taking nothing away from Matt Forte, who had an amazing rookie season, a quarterback's go to receiver should never have to be a rookie running back.

Second, his leading receiver in yards was Devin Hester, who wasn't used as a receiver until his second season in the league (2007). Hester was converted from solely a kick/punt returner to wide out mainly because the Bears had no better options to run out there to catch balls.

He improved last year as a receiver but by no means should be a number one receiver in any offense.

Jay Cutler on the other hand, was throwing to a Pro Bowl receiver in Brandon Marshall and rookie sensation Eddie Royal. Not to mention tight end, Tony Scheffler, who caught over 600 yards and had 3 touchdowns.

Cutler's numbers: 25 touchdowns, 18 picks, over 4,500 yards, a QB rating of 86 and a completion percentage of 62. Immediately, the only stat that is considerably better than Orton is the yards.

But you have to remember the Broncos' defense was constantly putting the offense in a position where Cutler had to pass, pass, pass. Add in the fact that every Broncos running back that stepped on the field got hurt, its no wonder Cutler was able to pile up the yards.

For all these extra yards Cutler threw for, he only managed seven more touchdown passes than Orton. In fact if you break down their numbers further, Cutler averaged a touchdown every 24 attempts.

Orton, every 26. This tells us that if Orton were to throw as many attempts as Cutler, their numbers, touchdown to interception ratio, would have been very comparable.

And all this comes with Cutler throwing to SUBSTANTIALLY better receivers! There is just simply no arguing that. Cutler had a clear cut No. 1, a No. 2 and a decent tight end. Orton was chucking the ball to a bunch of No. 3's and a couple good tight ends!

The Linc
Jul 01, 2009
10:59 AM

I agree about Olsen. With Cutler there and a lack of big time WR's I can see him getting a ton of targets.

I think Miles Austin is more likely to breakout than Crayton.

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