Yesterday I presented you with a list of the top 10 pleasant surprises in the NFL this year. And while that’s all well and good, today I think we’ll focus on those teams and players who have disappointed us. We anointed them with praise and high expectations only to watch them stumble through the first quarter of the NFL season — with a bleak outlook ahead.
10. Larry Johnson — Big contract extension this offseason, small play since. Not to mention he ripped the Chiefs’ coaching staff (though it wasn’t totally unjustifiable). Sorry, LJ, but a 3.3 yard per carry average isn’t getting it done for fantasy owners, or the Chiefs for that matter.
9. Chicago Bears — These “Monsters of the Midway” don’t resemble last season’s NFC Championship squad in the least bit. For starters, the decision to let Thomas Jones go in favor the duo of Cedric Benson and (the other) Adrian Peterson. Jones was a better runner and it’s becoming increasingly obvious as the season progresses. The Benson-Peterson combo averaged 3.2 yards per carry. And the defense? Fuggedaboutit, they haven’t stopped an offense since Dallas torched them for 34 points week 3.
8. Philadelphia Eagles – Ignoring week 3’s blowout victory over Detroit, Philadelphia has been awful this season. In their other three games, the Eagles have averaged 9.3 points per game/loss while McNabb has failed to spark the offense, throwing for 187 yards per game and only 1 total touchdown.
7. Denver Broncos — How does a team with so much talent play this poorly? The defense, which should probably be among the best in the league, hasn’t been able to stop the run (in five games this season runners have trampled the Broncos for 187.6 yards per contest) and the offense hasn’t been able to score, averaging 15 points per game (rank: 26) despite 365.2 yards per game (rank: 5).
6. Miami Dolphins — Some great potential in Miami, but all the team has to show for it is an 0-5 record and an injured quarterback. They too have been stampeded by runners all season long, giving up 175 yards per game on defense, while allowing nearly 30 points per game. All in all, the Dolphins might be the worst team in the NFL.
5. The AFC East – Okay, okay, New England is great. But what happened to the Jets team that made the playoffs last season? And how did Buffalo fold like an accordion against Dallas and blow a late game, two score lead? And, as #6 shows, the Dolphins are quickly becoming irrelevant.
4. New Orleans Saints — Playoffs last season = high expectations this season. So far, however, the Saints haven’t been so good at living up to those expectations. Deuce McAllister is out for the season, the team’s defense is as porous as they come, and with an 0-4 record, the Saints are quickly digging themselves a hole too deep to climb out.
3. Cincinnati Bengals — They lost a shootout to Derek Anderson and the Browns. Do I really need to go on? Oh, yeah, they’re also a half game behind Cleveland, sporting a 1-3 record.
2. St. Louis Rams — Explain to me how a team as talented as St. Louis — especially on offense — can kick off the season with an 0-5 record. Prior to last week’s loss to Arizona, the Rams averaged under 10 points per game on offense. Remember, this is the offense with juggernauts like Marc Bulger (ribs), Steven Jackson (groin), and Torry Holt.
Drum roll, please.
1. Travis Henry — Ah, Travis Henry. The Broncos signed him knowing there was some risk involved — he’s tested positive for marijuana on several occasions and one this season would mean a yearlong suspension — but he has talent and he fit the scheme. The plan has officially backfired. It began when he embarrassed himself and, to some extent, the franchise when we learned a tidbit of his personal life that’s just unreal.
He’s had 9 (that’s nine) illegitimate children with 9 (again, that’s nine) different women. He’s 28 years old. How does this happen? Seriously.
But he’s managed to nearly top it with yet another positive marijuana test. It means his suspension for the season, though he’s contesting the test.
There you go, my top 10 list. Any arguments? Anyone I left off? Leave it in the comments!
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4 Comments
Wrong, Saints are the number one disappointment
They have been disappointing no doubt about it, and an argument can be made. I just think that Travis Henry has been pretty pathetic.
rams, #2?
maybe, but who would have guessd possible NFL MVP Steven Jackson, Future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace, QB Marc Bulger, WRs Drew Bennett Isaac Bruce Dane Looker and Dante Hall (add on Holt’s previous injury which he isnt 100% from), Gs Adam Goldberg and Richie Incognito would all get hurt
thats just the offense, on defense, Tye Hill has missed time, Corey Chavous, James Hall, Leonard Little, Pisa Tinoisamoa have also been battleing injuries. Add on Fahkir Brown’s suspension and the team is weak
No shocker the team is 0-5 with all the issues.
I’m just waiting to hear:
“And with the number one overall selection in the 2008 Draft, the St. Louis Rams select…”
No doubt the Rams have been stricken with injuries.
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