The Steelers QB is having a pretty hard time learning new offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s playbook. Word is Haley wants to keep Big Ben in the pocket more and focus on getting the run game back to where it used to be. My guess is that it won’t be happening this season.
2012 QB Rankings
Worthless QB Rankings. I’ll give you three guesses who is ranked #1 and the first two don’t count.
Newton failed to throw over 300 yards in any game after Carolina’s bye week last year. He only surpassed the 215 yard passing mark twice in the last eight games of the season. Opposing defenses started to shut down Newton’s pass game later in the season and forced him to run the ball. Teams will have a better idea of how to contain Newton after studying his 2011 game play. Newton will most likely lose the majority of his rushing touchdowns and short yardage work to recently acquired Mike Tolbert, who averaged 9.5 touchdowns in the past two years as a goal line back with San Diego. The Panthers most likely will use Tolbert instead of Newton at the goal line because they will not want to take a chance and have their franchise quarterback seriously injured.
Glad to see I wasn’t the only one who noticed those declining passing numbers.
Break Out WR: Greg Little. I loved this guy last year as a rookie. Like many rookies, he played pretty well, but was not really a reliable fantasy starter. That could easily change this year, especially if the strong-armed Brandon Weeden wins the starting QB spot. Top rookie RB prospect Trent Richardson will be keeping the D in the box as the Browns pound it, which could open up many big plays for Little.
Weeden and Richardson add instant offense for the Browns.
Rookie Stephen Hill is already lining up as the starter opposite Holmes in Jets camp.