kelly
07-15-2003, 01:09 PM
Breakthrough Players: Defense
By Ryan Early
NFL Insider
Monday, July 14
Updated: July 15
8:14 AM ET
Our look at 2003's breakthrough players continues today with the defenders. These are young, talented athletes who either showed flashes of potential last year or are stepping into larger roles with their team in the upcoming season. While it is harder for defensive players to receive national recognition, their hometown fans will quickly recognize these players to be among the best defenders on their team.
While it is impossible to predict a story like that, here are several players poised to emerge as headline makers in the 2003 season.
Defensive Players
~ ~ ~ Matt Bowen, S, Redskins - Up until this season, NFL teams almost never considered bidding on another team's restricted free agents because of the draft pick compensation. This year, the Redskins turned that thinking on its ear by deciding that a known quantity in a veteran player was better than the guessing game that takes place in the NFL Draft. Bowen wasn't even drafted in 2001 and instead joined the Packers as a free agent. He had all the physical ability to succeed on this level, but had never been asked to do much pass coverage and was extremely raw. After the Packers spent years developing and teaching their young safety, Bowen was called on due to injuries to others last year and showed that he had learned quite a bit from his coaches. He finished the season strong, especially in the playoffs when he made 15 tackles against the Falcons. When the Packers gave him the low tender offer as a restricted free agent, the Redskins pounced knowing they would not have to give any draft pick compensation at all since the Packers had never spent a draft pick on him. Because of this, the Redskins think Bowen could be the steal of this year's free agency class. While he should play the free safety spot which requires more speed, the Redskins have had him learning both the free and strong safety spots.
> http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/benefits?redir=%2Finsider%2Fstory%3Fid%3D1580321
By Ryan Early
NFL Insider
Monday, July 14
Updated: July 15
8:14 AM ET
Our look at 2003's breakthrough players continues today with the defenders. These are young, talented athletes who either showed flashes of potential last year or are stepping into larger roles with their team in the upcoming season. While it is harder for defensive players to receive national recognition, their hometown fans will quickly recognize these players to be among the best defenders on their team.
While it is impossible to predict a story like that, here are several players poised to emerge as headline makers in the 2003 season.
Defensive Players
~ ~ ~ Matt Bowen, S, Redskins - Up until this season, NFL teams almost never considered bidding on another team's restricted free agents because of the draft pick compensation. This year, the Redskins turned that thinking on its ear by deciding that a known quantity in a veteran player was better than the guessing game that takes place in the NFL Draft. Bowen wasn't even drafted in 2001 and instead joined the Packers as a free agent. He had all the physical ability to succeed on this level, but had never been asked to do much pass coverage and was extremely raw. After the Packers spent years developing and teaching their young safety, Bowen was called on due to injuries to others last year and showed that he had learned quite a bit from his coaches. He finished the season strong, especially in the playoffs when he made 15 tackles against the Falcons. When the Packers gave him the low tender offer as a restricted free agent, the Redskins pounced knowing they would not have to give any draft pick compensation at all since the Packers had never spent a draft pick on him. Because of this, the Redskins think Bowen could be the steal of this year's free agency class. While he should play the free safety spot which requires more speed, the Redskins have had him learning both the free and strong safety spots.
> http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/benefits?redir=%2Finsider%2Fstory%3Fid%3D1580321