Paper Tiger Award

[Harlan Huckleby]

The players eligible for the competition are non-rookies who haven't quite made it yet, but who fans have high hopes for. Well documented stumblers like Tony Moll, Brian Brohm and their families are also not eligible. Aaron Rouse, Atari Bigby & DeShawn Wynn are barely eligible as "high hopes" is a bit of a stretch.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think it's a bit of a reach to put Hawk in here. He was a good player for two years. You might as well put Nick Collins, Daryn Colledge, Ryan Grant, Aaron Rodgers on the list also. I voted Jolly.

[GBRulz]

I would vote for Justin Harrell, but he isn't on the list. Or doesn't be count because people are losing their high hopes for him?

[MadScientist]

I think it's a bit of a reach to put Hawk in here. He was a good player for two years. You might as well put Nick Collins, Daryn Colledge, Ryan Grant, Aaron Rodgers on the list also. I voted Jolly.

I don't think "high" hopes and Jolly should be put together.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think "high" hopes and Jolly should be put together.

Jolly's probably already done as much as Ferguson did.


Hell, I had high hopes for Jolly last year. He looked pretty good in 2007, but he took a step back last year.

[pbmax]

I votes Jones. Injuries or no, he seems to have plateaued. Will be happy to be proven wrong. Second vote would be Rouse.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm still on the Jolly bandwagon, I expect a lot from him this year. He does present a strong case for a Paper Tiger Award because of the Fergy-like teases.

Justin Harrell lost his eligibility with the multiple injuries. Maybe Hawk has already proved himself as a solid player.

I voted for Jeremy Thompson because of the looks-like-tarzan-plays-like-jane high potential.

[Bossman641]

Doesn't a player have to go through 4-5 years of "breaking out" before he can be compared to Fergy?

Year 1 - was learning the playbook
Year 2 - was young coming out and hasn't matured physically yet
Year 3 - really worked out hard during the offseason and is ready
Year 4 - had eye surgery in order to correct vision

[sharpe1027]

I see J. Thompson as on that track. Please, prove me wrong!

[Freak Out]

I voted Finley....of course we all hope were wrong.

[bobblehead]

atm I'm all for J. Thompson as a bust (4th round bust?).

He looks great in shorts and drills, but can't make a play. Never even flashed brilliance with pads on that I'm aware of.

Guys like Finley show some flashes....Bishop blows up a guy once in awhile. Hawk still has that one hand pick in the endzone against SF and a couple instant line to QB sacks I recall.

Thompson...not one play that made me say wow. They say he looks good in shorts, but so does my wife.

[DonHutson]

Until he proves he can play through a sprained uvula, I have to vote for my pal, DeShawn Wynn.

[Fritz]

One of the key elements you all seem to be missing is the draft position. Most of the guys mentioned so far have been fourth round or lower picks. I believe Ferguson was a second rounder.

Thus, I vote for Brandon Jackson.

[Tarlam!]

Typical harlan poll, always focussing on the negative. You could just as easily have made a poll asking the opposite question. Namely, which of these players will make the Pro Bowl!

Edit:

[DonHutson]

You could just as easily have made a poll asking the opposite question. Namely, which of these players will make the Pro Bowl!

Excellent point, Tarlam.

From that list, I nominate Atari Bigby as a sleeper pick for the Pro Bowl. In the '07 preseason and the '07 post season he was making big play after big play. After in injury ravaged '08 I believe this D will take advantage of his skills to the point that he's making game turning plays every week.

I'm also fairly confident that we haven't seen the best of AJ Hawk. I won't predict a Pro Bowl this year, but I believe a healthier Hawk will be a more productive Hawk.