most scrutinized players in 2005???

[AMC]

Give the top 5 players you think are going to be the MOST SCRUTINIZED this season.....

5) Randy Moss (alot of expectations)

4) Alex Smith (if he starts from day one)

3) Lamont Jordan (all that money and???)

2) Eli Manning (again)

1) Joey Harrington (is it justified?)

[jditty47]

1. joey harrington

2. randy moss

3. terrell owens

4. kyle boller

5. ben rothlesburgerler

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

1. Kyle Boller - They gave him the receivers, they gave him the running game. If he doesn't produce the media will TORCH him, and we will enjoy every moment of it.

2. Eli Manning- The job is his, but did he really earn it or get it because of his brother? He had a season to learn, can he get the job done? Because Peyton Manning is his brother, he will be watched like a hawk.

3. Carson Palmer - If the Bengals go to the playoffs, it will be because we are winning. If we are winning, we will be the Cinderella team the media will talk about. Marvin Lewis, Carson Palmer, and Chad Johnson are a great story, and Carson Palmer is the guy who will get the credit and the attention because of it.

4. Randy Moss - If he fails to produce as well as he did for the Vikes, he will be crucified. The media attention will be on him since the Vikings got a great deal to get rid of him and the Raiders are retiring Tim Brown at the beginning of the season too.

5. Michael Vick - If this isn't his year, there are no more excuses.

[Arizona]

I agree that Boller goes at the top of the list. Although the media is claiming now that Harrington has more pressure, nobody really expects anything from the Lions. The Ravens are supposed to be Superbowl contenders.

I would disagree with some of the others, b/c although there are high expectations (see Moss), I don't expect the media to dissect these guys if they aren't amazing.

Let me add:

Ray Lewis - People are saying he's lost a step, and there a lot of people who don't like him and would love to say "he's back in the 4-3 and he sucks"

Chad Pennington - There are whispers he can't get it done. He's seen as an elite QB when he really isn't, and of course the demands of NY fans are very high.

Clinton Portis - got a bye last year b/c of a new system, but now that the Redskins claim they are going to structure their offense around him, he will be dissected if he can't perform.

Fat Head Ben - When, not if, Pittsburgh struggles, fingers will point at him. Teams really did figure out late last season that you don't blitz the kid, you run your normal defense, and let him try to find the holes when 7 guys drop into coverage.

Champ Bailey - like Portis, he got a bye last year based on past performance, and is still claimed by many to be the best corner in the league. Another poor year, and he'll lose that title.

[thefrazz]

I would have to agree with Zona on his explanations.

However, I think these are the top 5.

1) Kyle Boller - Same as listed many times before

2) Joey Harrington - 3 top draft choice WR's and 1 top draft choice RB...this fellow would be the "weakest link" if they don't win 8 or 9 games.

3) Chad Pennington - Needs to show consistency or New York will run him into the ground. He would not be on this list if he were in another city IMO.

4) Ray Lewis - Didn't think about this one till I read Zona's post. So I agree with him on this.

5) Ben Rothlisburger - Ben will be expected to improve his game, QB rating and % in order to win the division. I don't see it happening this year, however in the future he should be a great QB.

Also should be on this list: Carson Palmer - has the tools just like Boller, Harrington, Pennington, but if he doesn't perform the finger will be squarely in his face. Justin Smith will be on this list in Cinci (not like he already is). With Geathers as the other book-end, he should not be double-teamed as much and -should- excel. If he doesn't, there is a problem.

If you ask me, the entire NFC (with exception of the Eagles) are on this list as well! LOL, I'm kidding...kinda...