Chad Ochocinco’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus believes that Chad “is really on a mission” this year to reestablish himself as the best receiver in the league. Ochocinco claims that his previous year’s slipup was due to lack of preparation and has reworked his offseason workout in order to return back to primetime shape. Of course, Rosenhaus supports his clients 100% in any positive publicity and therefore states that Ochocinco “will be tougher [than] ever to cover.” You should take everything an agent says about his client with a grain of salt, especially Rosenhaus. No one is Ochocinco’s biggest fan than the man that makes money off the contracts Ochocinco receives. Come to think of it, Ochocinco is probably his own biggest fan, with Rosenhaus and Ochocinco’s mother following close behind. Regardless, although Ochocinco is most likely preparing better than he has in previous years, I would not buy into Rosenhaus’ comments; they seem to be nothing more than garnered hype to spring him back into the spotlight he once engulfed.

If Ochocinco does play up to Rosenhaus’ bold statements (tougher to cover than ever before), we should see yardage and touchdown totals surpassing 1400 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, these numbers seem unreasonable for the 31-year-old Ochocinco who recently lost his partner TJ Houshmandzadeh; Ochocinco will now become a greater focal point of the offense and in turn will receive more defensive attention as well. Although I do see Ochocinco’s numbers returning to form, I do not see a career year in store for him.

Gabe Pinchev

There is a new disciplined culture in San Francisco stemming from the transition to ‘Samari’ Mike Singletary as head football coach. The 49ers tradition of excellence has been everything but that since Steve Young retired back in 1999. Sure the team had a successful filler in Jeff Garcia for a number or years, but he never proved the ability to take the team to the next level. After Garcia, enter incumbent journeyman Tim Rattay, whose inconstancies continued to contribute to the demise of this once proud organization. After finishing with the league’s worst record in 2004 and being ‘rewarded’ the consolation of the first overall selection in the NFL draft, the 49ers had their franchise quarterback in sight.

San Francisco took Utah quarterback Alex Smith with the first pick, hoping he would fill the role as Steve Young’s successor. Four years later, after posting a cumulative 63.5 passer rating, being marred by injury, and failing to deliver a winning season, Smith has failed to grasp the job and run with it.
As the 2009 season approaches, the San Francisco 49ers are once again looking for someone to take hold of the quarterback position. In the competition are Smith, Shaun Hill, and Damon Huard. While no decision has yet been made, all signs point to Shaun Hill. Hill has been given end of the year scrap duty each of the past seasons, and quite frankly has played exceptionally well. Hill started two games at the end of the 2007 season, throwing for 5 touchdowns with only 1 interception in two 49er victories. This past season it was more of the same for Hill who compiled an 87.5 passer rating in eight starts. Hill helped save the 49ers season, in which they were arguably the league’s worst team for a period of time. I personally believe that with some of the offseason moves San Francisco made, they can compete for the NFC West crown if Shaun Hill is indeed the man. Look for the 49ers fortunes to take a dramatic rise this coming season.

Robert Ourisman

Martellus Bennett, 2nd round pick from Texas A&M, catches balls from Tony Romo behind All-Pro tight end Jason Witten. Although Bennett’s role was somewhat limited last year as a rookie playing behind arguably the best tight end in the league, he was still able to account for four touchdowns, tying with Jason Witten. One of these touchdowns, an athletic grab over the head of Redskin’s defender Horton, sealed the deal in a clutch situation against a division rival. But this was only as a rookie and has many years to grow even further into the NFL. Putting Bennett’s rookie season into perspective, Witten caught 35 balls for one touchdown in his rookie season.

So where’s his upside? Not only does Bennett have a monstrous 6’6 265-pound frame, but his basketball background highlights his athletic leaping ability. Bennett can move like a receiver, while still being able to block well. Jerry Jones drafted Bennett to “add a new dimension” to the offense. As you see, Jones has great confidence in his athletic ability and hopes to utilize Bennett more effectively as he further develops.

The loss of Terrell Owens may boost opportunity for Bennett to shine. Last season, Tony Romo did not have enough footballs to feed all the stars on the team including Owens, Witten, Williams, and Barber, leaving even less touches to rookie Martellus Bennett. Not only will more opportunity arise for Bennett with the departure of Owens, but more defensive focus may be tuned towards Jason Witten, opening up Bennett in the two tight-end set.

Ultimately, look for Bennett’s production to open up this year with development and more opportunity spawned from the release of Terrell Owens. Bennett’s size and leaping ability make him a dangerous red-zone threat leading to more touchdowns and fantasy value. I am expecting Bennett to pick up the slack on the amount of touchdowns Terrell Owens gives up with his departure.

Follow Martellus Bennett on Twitter at: MartyBTV

Gabe Pinchev

Let the soap opera start again. The Brett Favre saga is slowly gaining momentum as his name and the potential of a comeback are once more making headlines. Favre, who retired from the NFL for what seems like the 83rd time after this past season, may very well be playing on Sundays once more. Everyone figured he was serious this time when he said he was truly walking away. However, skepticism grew when the New York Jets released Favre, giving up his rights. If you recall from last year, the Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre had a mutual crush on each other—but being bitter division rivals there was zero chance Green Bay would have dealt him there. Now that Favre has no ties to any team, the idea of Favre finally ending up in Minnesota went from fantasy to reality. It seems like every offseason people claim Minnesota is just one quarterback away from becoming a championship caliber team. It seems too perfect to be true for Favre who will most likely have the opportunity to get his revenge on Green Bay.

While Favre probably could be an effective starter for a run-oriented offense like Minnesota, I think people just want him to stay on his tractor in Mississippi. He is making a mockery of the NFL in my opinion and, to be very blunt, he is flat out annoying. If he still has a desire to play the game he should keep playing, it’s the second-guessing and games he plays with his fans that is obnoxious. Favre has nothing more to prove; he has a championship, all the records, and some amazing stories. It was obvious he wasn’t himself last year during the second half of the season through his play and attitude. He has a 40-yearold body that had trouble with the grind of the football season. Nothing good can come out of yet another return (aside from the millions of dollars which isn’t too shabby) just to spite the Packers organization. However, all of us know deep down inside he is coming back; it is just a matter of time…

Robert Ourisman

The 2009 draft class saw a large quantity of talented players with impact portential selected early and often. Household names such as Aaron Curry, B.J. Raji, Malcolm Jenkins, and Brian Cushing were off the board after the first 15 selections. While these players are sure to make an immediate impact for their respective ball clubs, it is a second round pick that I believe will make the biggest impact this season. Louis Delmas, the first pick of the second round taken by the Detroit Lions, is my pick for defensive rookie of the year. Considered a second or third round prospect at safety coming out of Western Michigan, some considered Delmas a reach at 33. However if you turn on college game film, he plays with great speed, instincts, and aggression. Undersized at 6’0” and only 195 pounds, he appears and plays strikingly similar to Indianapolis Colts all-pro safety Bob Sanders. Delmas stands out more than any player on the field when you watch him play, as his unique ability to be a force in both run and pass defense makes him extremely valuable. Detroit’s defense has been an absolute disgrace for several years, giving up a league high 404 yards of total offense per game. Delmas can come in on day one and instantly make this defense substantially better. Detroit is also in dire need of a middle linebacker, and with Rey Maualuga on the board at 33 it looked like a done deal. However, the Lions brass saw enough in Delmas to take him over Maualuga.

People tend to forget how dismal the Colts defense was before the arrival of Bob Sanders and the team’s performance when he was injured and missed a majority of the 2006 and 2008 seasons. Sanders’ mere presence energizes the Indianapolis Colts defense and forces opponents to scheme around him. Now I am not saying Delmas is Bob Sanders or will have a career as established as Sanders’ career, but I think he has a chance to be in that same ballpark. I see Detroit’s defense climbing up into the top 15 within the next 2 years, in large part because of their new missile in the secondary.

Robert Ourisman