Who on offense could have a very good year and why?

[Flasteel]

No doubt - Heath.

With all the downfield weapons we have now, that means the underneath routes are going to be open & I'll take my chances with him on a LB any day. I'll go on record with 64 catches for Heath.

Bingo.
The middle of the field is going to be wide open for Miller. If there is a person besides Ben that I would see having a Pro Bowl-type year it would be Big Money. I think Holmes will also have a chance for a free trip to Hawaii and maybe Marvel Smith if he stays healthy. I'm thinking that our other former Pro Bowlers, Ward and Parker, are going to be impacted by the addition of new talent and will see a decline in overall numbers (but not valuable contributions).

I also see a big rebound by Max Starks and like for Dallas Baker to make some significant catches this season. The fact that they are both Gators is no coincidence, but it doesn't weigh (too much) in my prediction.

[Oviedo]

No doubt - Heath.

With all the downfield weapons we have now, that means the underneath routes are going to be open & I'll take my chances with him on a LB any day. I'll go on record with 64 catches for Heath.

Heath and Spaeth both are the keys if Ben just throws to them. No LBs or Safeties can cover them because of their size.

[NorCal-Steeler]

PARKER . I dont think teams will be able to stack the box and if they follow through with that pony set i see willie getting his 50+ yard runs he got a couple years ago. The O-line can only get better and with Mendenhall i think Willie will be running wih chip on his shoulder.
If they ever decide to throw him the damn ball he could be a beast.

[Les 74]

PARKER . I dont think teams will be able to stack the box and if they follow through with that pony set i see willie getting his 50+ yard runs he got a couple years ago. The O-line can only get better and with Mendenhall i think Willie will be running wih chip on his shoulder.
If they ever decide to throw him the damn ball he could be a beast.

He needs to learn to catch the damn ball first!!!!

[AngryAsian]

Make no mistake folks... it will be Mendy or Russell catching balls out of the backfield. In the limited instances that a pass play went to FWP, he's not shown proficiency at using his hands other than tucking the ball in when handed to him.

[Oviedo]

Make no mistake folks... it will be Mendy or Russell catching balls out of the backfield. In the limited instances that a pass play went to FWP, he's not shown proficiency at using his hands other than tucking the ball in when handed to him.

I hope so because Russell IMO needs to get onto the field. IMO it is Moore who will the the man without a job in the backfield. He can play return specialist, but FWP, Mendenhall and Russell need to be the three players in the backfield.

I might even look to trade Moore to a team that needs a third-down back if Russell and RM prove they can do the job.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

My monster year goes out to a unit, not just a player. I see the O line having a big rebound year, for several reasons.

1) No Mahan at C. I also think that Hartwig will be pretty decent.

2) Smith healthy.

3) Experience under the ZB scheme.

4) No pouting or distractions.

A few more that I can think of, but you get the idea. I don't think that losing Faneca is as tragic as some think. While Faneca was elite prior to '07, I think that he just mailed it in last year. Of course, this will give us a domino effect. If the O line is solid next year, then every other aspect of our O should improve as well.

[BigLebowski]

I'm going with Willie Parker. I think the addition of Mendenhall will help Parker become more effective. If he has fresh legs late in the game, he will really become dangerous. The addition of Mendenhall should also lengthen Parker's career.

He's gotta raise that TD total! I think he will have a huge year as well.

I believe he IS going to raise his TD total while actually losing carries in short yardage. His "freshness" from hopefully sharing the workload with Mendenhall, will let FWP be the game breaker that we once thought he was.

[BigLebowski]

Make no mistake folks... it will be Mendy or Russell catching balls out of the backfield. In the limited instances that a pass play went to FWP, he's not shown proficiency at using his hands other than tucking the ball in when handed to him.

I still see a lot of plays for Willie in the passing game. I think touches is going to be the key in playing time for backs, not necessarily carries. Screens and dump offs, he can handle but I don't want him really running any sort of patterns. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see him ending up with 20-30 catches with maybe a few scores.

***I am praying Mendenhall signs early and does see plenty of action. Moore is the 3rd down back ala Faulk in Pats* land, he is a solid blocker and has great hands. I like Russell's potential but we will see exactly if head is on straight by how he responds in the offseason. Najeh's career is over in Pittsburgh, barring injury or a hold out.

[BigLebowski]

My monster year goes out to a unit, not just a player. I see the O line having a big rebound year, for several reasons.

1) No Mahan at C. I also think that Hartwig will be pretty decent.

2) Smith healthy.

3) Experience under the ZB scheme.

4) No pouting or distractions.

A few more that I can think of, but you get the idea. I don't think that losing Faneca is as tragic as some think. While Faneca was elite prior to '07, I think that he just mailed it in last year. Of course, this will give us a domino effect. If the O line is solid next year, then every other aspect of our O should improve as well.

Too be totally honest, you raise the best point. Without at least adequate Oline play nothing else in this thread can really occur.

Thanks for ruining the thread!