5 NFC West Offensive Players Set Up For Success In 2013
Every season there are the players who have a lot of potential yet have disappointing seasons. Normally it’s because of the situation the player is in and lack of a supporting cast. Therefore GM’s go out and try to get that player a supporting cast in the offseason. The NFC West is a tough division, but here are five let down players of 2012 that are set for success in 2013.
Larry Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald has been in a tough situation ever since Kurt Warner left, and you have to feel bad for the guy. He is a great player, but the team doesn’t have a quarterback that can get him the football. Even though Fitzgerald hasn’t had a quarterback that can let him do what he can do, Fitzgerald still managed to pull in 1400 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2011. Last season was a disappointment however. After five consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving, Fitzgerald only pulled in 798 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. With Carson Palmer throwing the football, Fitzgerald should be able to play more freely. Palmer will be able to get Fitzgerald the ball anywhere on the field. Had it not been for an ACL injury in 2005, it could have been the Bengals in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks instead of the Steelers. If Palmer and Fitzgerald can build good chemistry, Fitzgerald should be able to put up the Hall Of Fame numbers everyone expects him to get.
Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford didn’t have a bad year in 2012, in fact it was the best year he has had so far. However, it still was not enough and the Rams missed the playoffs once again. Like Fitzgerald, Bradford hasn’t had a great supporting cast. The Rams finally went out and got him some weapons in the offseason, bringing in Jared Cook and Tavon Austin. The Rams also have rising stars in Chris Givens and Brian Quick. If Bradford didn’t have a supporting cast before, he sure does now. Bradford should the best season of his short NFL career this year. Barring injury Bradford should be able to throw for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Now that Bradford has the supporting cast, expect him and the Rams to do good things.
Percy Harvin
Percy Harvin was the only offensive weapon in Minnesota other than Adrian Peterson. Harvin was in a tough situation last year with Christian Ponder under center. However, with Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks, Harvin could very well post the best numbers of his career. The Seahawks have a lot invested in Harvin and will get him the ball as much as possible, Harvin could very well become Wilson’s favorite target. If Harvin can stay healthy and play a full season, Harvin could do good things for the Seahawks and be what they need to get over the hump to get to the Super Bowl.
Anquan Boldin
Boldin played some of the best football in his career in the playoffs last season, coming up big on multiple occasions. Boldin had a good career in Arizona, and played solid for the Ravens in three season. Boldin is now back in the NFC West, only this time in San Francisco, where at first he thought he may be the number 2 or 3 guy. However, with Crabtree out with a torn Achilles for at least the first half of the season, Boldin could become the number one guy and be one of Kaepernick’s go to guys. Boldin hasn’t pulled in over 1,000 yards receiving since leaving Arizona, but with Crabtree out Boldin could very well pull in 1,000 this season.
Jared Cook
Jared Cook has the physical attributes to be a dominant TE in the NFL. However, with Jake Locker throwing the football, that can be hard to do. Cook now has Sam Bradford who has been begging for a weapon like Cook ever since he was drafted. Cook could become Bradford’s favorite target and according to sources Cook has been lighting it up in OTA’s and has a good connection with Bradford. Cook will be a nice red zone threat for the offense as well. Don’t be surprised if Cook posts the best numbers of his career and has over 1,o00 yards receiving as well as leading the team in touchdowns.
These are only five guys on a list of players in the NFC set for success in 2013. All of these players have been expected to do great things their entire career and they might be able to finally do it this season. All of these players could very well post the best numbers of their careers this season. With that said, Larry FItzgerald, Sam Bradford, Percy Harvin, Anquan Boldin, and Jared Cook are the five NFC West players that are set up to succeed in 2013.
