Jermichael Finley has next.
has always been more than a game of inches. Heart, soul and determination fueled by
blood, sweat, and tears is what makes up the composition of the modern day gridiron gladiator. The offseason is for those who play the game, but for those who rule it, there is no such thing as time off. True students of the game are students year round. They sacrifice free time, family and friends and immerse themselves in their craft with reckless abandon, a thirst for knowledge, and the hopes of gaining the all-important never underestimated edge. This isn’t because they have to, it is because they want to. These guys are the reason we watch, they are the reason we cheer, they are the reason we care. They are the All-Pro’s. Names like Manning, Peterson, Gates and Jones-Drew roll off the tongue when it comes to calling out a few. But who lurks in the shadows like a panther waiting to pounce on the opportunity to take their game to the next level?
Jermichael Finley- Last year was Driver’s year to be the receiving stud in Green Bay, but Finley came almost out of nowhere. Dominating fantasy minds and hearts across leagues waiver wire lines mid-season, we never looked back at the awesomeness of his potential. One thing is for certain, he ain’t gonna be around in this year’s draft, and if he is, then he won’t be for long. Gobble Gobble!
Michael Crabtree- Hailed as a diva to his organization for holding out longer then Ghandi on a hunger strike, Crabs took his sick skills and came into his own quickly with seven catches in his first game, which came begrudgingly halfway through the season. No 40-yard dash time you say? The only fool who thought that was an issue is still trying to figure out how he dropped 45 mil on Jamarcus “Pancake” Russell and DeAngelo “Which way did he go” Hall over the last three years. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Ponsky has no way of knowing this, but my position on DeAngelo Hall is well-established, to the point where a Raiders fan friend of mine once purchased the domain name “DeAngeloHallSucks.com” for me as a gift. True story.) As long as Crabtree is on the field Alex Smith might just have a chance to keep his starting job. But having players like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and a sick ass Defense also help too. Uh-oh, did someone say playoffs?
Jerome Harrison- This little dude runs like a champion- quick, fast, decisive, and powerful. He is always going to be subject to “what?” because he plays for Cleveland, but that is an organization who is about to join the 500 club. Yeah it’s unfortunate they are in the division they are in but Harrison keeps other teams honest. You have to respect his game and the second you don’t, he will remind you that you should have. Holmgren’s influence on the head coach should keep this guy in position to have an impact weekly. Except maybe when he is playing within his division…For now.
Robert Meachem- All this guy did last year was make big play after big play after big play. And in what week did he finally get picked up? Sure, Brees makes most receivers and running backs in his corps look tasty. They are, and there are a lot. Even so, Meachem is tall, smart and has great hands. His uncanny ability to time his jump balls reminds some of Randy Moss. Though Meach is not nearly the athlete that Moss is, they do both share some hops and when you have Drew Brees as your QB, that may be all you need.
Felix Jones- With all the talk about the receiving corps in Dallas being so elite, let’s not forget that the run opens up the pass. Still, when you have a running back who can catch as well has he runs then you have “a little something pretty.” Jones is pretty. He is fast, quick, smooth and slick. He will rope-a-dope linemen with ease and knockout DB’s with his power. A threat to hit a home run every time he touches the ball, his points double in my book because he is Dallas’ best return game as well.
