A taste of success in his rookie season doesn’t mean a player has it all figured out. These five high-profile NFL sophomores know what they need to do to be better in 2010.
Colts RB Donald Brown
What he did: Rushed 78 times for 281 yards and three touchdowns playing behind starter Joseph Addai.
Donald Brown, a star back at UConn from 2006-08, skipped his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
What he wants to improve: "Just my knowledge of the game. Being that much more familiar with the offense, being that much more familiar with my opponents and just having my tools sharpened and being ready to go. Making my weaknesses my strengths and making my strengths even greater."
Lions FS Louis Delmas
What he did: Became the first rookie in NFL history to return an interception for a touchdown, return a fumble for a touchdown and record a safety.
What he wants to improve: "Communication with the front seven. Last year, once I lined up I kind of got tunnel vision and didn’t always get my teammates in the right position. I’ve got to see the whole field, sideline to sideline."
Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno
What he did: Led all rookies in rushing yards (947), yards from scrimmage (1,160) and touchdowns (nine).
What he wants to improve: "There are a lot of things: My running reads, pass protection, everything. It’s never one thing you can improve on; it’s a lot of things you can get better at — even the things you do well.
49ers WR Michael Crabtree
What he did: Caught 48 passes for 625 yards and two touchdowns even though he didn’t play until Oct. 25 because of a contract dispute.
What he wants to improve:"Probably my whole overall game. There’s not one aspect of the game you want to get better on. You just want to get better overall and take that next step in your second year and establish yourself as a top-five receiver.
Redskins LB Brian Orakpo
What he did: Tied for the team lead in sacks (11) and made 60 tackles.
What he wants to improve: "I want to harass the quarterback a lot more often than I did in ’09."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
A taste of success in his rookie season doesn’t mean a player has it all figured out. These five high-profile NFL sophomores know what they need to do to be better in 2010.
Colts RB Donald Brown
What he did: Rushed 78 times for 281 yards and three touchdowns playing behind starter Joseph Addai.
Donald Brown, a star back at UConn from 2006-08, skipped his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
What he wants to improve: "Just my knowledge of the game. Being that much more familiar with the offense, being that much more familiar with my opponents and just having my tools sharpened and being ready to go. Making my weaknesses my strengths and making my strengths even greater."
Lions FS Louis Delmas
What he did: Became the first rookie in NFL history to return an interception for a touchdown, return a fumble for a touchdown and record a safety.
What he wants to improve: "Communication with the front seven. Last year, once I lined up I kind of got tunnel vision and didn’t always get my teammates in the right position. I’ve got to see the whole field, sideline to sideline."
Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno
What he did: Led all rookies in rushing yards (947), yards from scrimmage (1,160) and touchdowns (nine).
What he wants to improve: "There are a lot of things: My running reads, pass protection, everything. It’s never one thing you can improve on; it’s a lot of things you can get better at — even the things you do well.
49ers WR Michael Crabtree
What he did: Caught 48 passes for 625 yards and two touchdowns even though he didn’t play until Oct. 25 because of a contract dispute.
What he wants to improve:"Probably my whole overall game. There’s not one aspect of the game you want to get better on. You just want to get better overall and take that next step in your second year and establish yourself as a top-five receiver.
Redskins LB Brian Orakpo
What he did: Tied for the team lead in sacks (11) and made 60 tackles.
What he wants to improve: "I want to harass the quarterback a lot more often than I did in ’09."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
