10-Pack: Old guys in new uniforms with big expectations

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10-Pack: Old guys in new uniforms with big expectations

Mike Florio

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 - 11:39 a.m. ET


As the first official extended weekend of the preseason approaches, let's look at 10 key players wearing new uniforms, who'll be expected to help improve significantly the fortunes of their new teams.

Bears QB Jay Cutler

No quarterback will be more scrutinized this season than Jay Cutler. The first true franchise quarterback that Chicago has had since Sid Luckman, Cutler wanted out of Denver — and got out of Denver.

He's now charged with pumping up an offense that has a potential superstar running back (Matt Forte), a converted kick returner who has a long way to go before becoming a high-impact receiver (Devin Hester), and a tight end with the potential to become one of the best in the game (Greg Olsen).


In past years, a so-so offense was sufficient in Chicago, since the defense was so strong. But the prior strength of the franchise has weakened, requiring something more from the offense.

If success is going to happen in 2009, it'll happen because of Cutler.

Bills WR Terrell Owens

The good news for T.O. is that he gets a clean slate in Buffalo. The bad news for Buffalo is T.O. doesn't think he needs one.

It remains to be seen whether he's an effective player and (perhaps more importantly) whether he's a responsible teammate.

The early-camp toe injury isn't a good sign. It could be a sign that the 35-year-old player is starting to experiencing things that afflict people who are 35 years old.

And that would be truly ironic. At a time when everyone is braced for T.O. to cause trouble with his mouth, the time possibly has arrived for his body to betray him.

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel

A year ago, folks were clamoring for Cassel to be cut, reasoning that the Patriots would face doom if Tom Brady were to suffer a season-ending injury.

He did, and Matt Cassel delivered one of the best performances from a quarterback not to deliver a playoff berth.

Cassel faces an even bigger challenge in 2009, as he tries to work the same magic with a supporting cast not nearly as accomplished as the Patriots — and as he tries to justify a huge contract.
Lions LBs Julian Peterson and Larry Foote

"The Extreme Makeover: Crappy Football Team Edition" that's unfolding in Motown includes a couple of high-end linebackers who have experience with winning, and who possess a healthy amount of much-needed skill.

It might not be enough to immediately turn a terrible team around, but it's a great start.

The bottom line here is that Peterson and Foote are in a position to help lead the Lions to something a lot better than 0-16.

Then again, even 1-15 is a lot better than 0-16.

Patriots RB Fred Taylor and WR Joey Galloway

In past years, New England has added over-30 veterans to its defense. This year, there are two new geriatric (relatively speaking) weapons on offense.

Running back Fred Taylor and receiver Joey Galloway have landed in Foxborough, beefing up an already potent offense.

Galloway still has plenty of speed, and Taylor still has plenty of gas in the tank, even after 11 years in the league.

And so they're two of the big reasons why it makes sense to assume the 2009 edition of the Patriots offense will be scoring as many points as its record-setting counterpart from 2007.

Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh

The former Bengal has been aiming high and talking big regarding his potential impact in Seattle.

Some believe the career No. 2 receiver won't be the same without Chad Ochocinco to draw double coverage.

So it remains to be seen whether Houshmandzadeh will emerge as a threat for the Seahawks, or whether he'll be the next Alvin Harper and/or Peerless Price.

For now, I'll assume it's the latter.

Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth

After chasing a big, fat carrot for two full seasons, this big, fat defensive tackle has pocketed a $100 million contract. (Actually, it's only a four-year, $48 million deal.)

Now the question becomes whether he can still bring it like he brought it in 2007 and 2008.

Haynesworth recently told Sirius NFL Radio that he has had a chip on his shoulder throughout his pro career and the money won't change him.

Fine, but he was a mediocre player until he began to push for his payday. With that goal achieved, it remains to be seen whether the supposed shoulder chip will get him to play as hard as he did while going for the green.

Bucs TE Kellen Winslow

He entered the league in 2004 with high hopes and enormous potential. A broken leg early in his rookie season kept Kellen Winslow from having an immediate impact, and a serious motorcycle accident in May 2005 created a knee problem with which he still struggles.

But Winslow has at times been stellar, and new Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski likes to throw the ball to his tight ends.

Still, Winslow is a mercurial player, whom coach Raheem Morris already has called out for being "too up and down emotionally."

Look for plenty of "down" this year in Tampa, once the losses begin to pile up.

Bengals WR Laveranues Coles

The former Jet, Redskin, and Jet has thrived without a having franchise quarterback for most of his career.

He's now in Cincinnati, where Carson Palmer is healthy and ready to erase bad memories of a 2008 season marred by elbow problems.

With a motivated Ochocinco on the other side of the field, Coles could see plenty of favorable matchups — and he could have a huge year with the Bengals.

Titans WR Nate Washington

The Titans compiled the best record during the 2008 regular season based on a stout defense and a powerful running game.

Nate Washington was caught in the background in Pittsburgh, behind Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.

But Washington has performed well when he has gotten opportunities. He could provide a much-needed spark to a Titans offense that needs to get better in order to get beyond the first round of the playoffs.