ESPN NFL Preview 2008

Originally Published: September 4, 2008

Boss, Kelly, O'Neal among stand-ins under pressure

Aaron Rodgers is not the only man on the spot as a new starter. Kevin Boss, Tommie Kelly and Tamba Hali are among the new headliners replacing departed stars.

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By Jeffri Chadiha
ESPN.com
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US PresswireMiami's Channing Crowder, New York's Kevin Boss and Oakland's Tommy Kelly (l-r) have big shoes to fill on their respective teams.

The offseason drama between Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers dominated the headlines so much that it was easy to ignore all the other high-profile changes in the NFL.

Boss

Shockey

Player On The Spot: Kevin Boss, tight end, Giants
Replacing: Jeremy Shockey
What they lost: Shockey is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He'd been a valuable weapon in the Giants' passing game and his underrated blocking had been helpful to New York's rushing attack. He also brought substantial energy to the huddle, even though his offseason pouting and complaining eventually drove the Giants to trade him to the New Orleans Saints in July.

What they gained: Boss proved to be one of the most pleasant surprises in the Giants' championship run last season. He made the big catch -- including a 45-yarder in the Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots -- and the spotlight didn't intimidate him after a broken leg ended Shockey's season in late December. That experience alone gives Boss great confidence coming into this year.
What they should expect: Boss isn't as dynamic as Shockey, but the Giants don't need him to be. He's shown he has the size and athleticism to be a dependable underneath target for quarterback Eli Manning. Now he has the chance to show his potential for an entire season. "It's a great opportunity for being such a young player," Boss said. "A lot of guys don't get this chance this early in their careers."

Tuck

Strahan

Player On The Spot: Justin Tuck, DE, Giants
Replacing: Michael Strahan

What they lost: Strahan was the undisputed leader of the Giants. He was their best player for nearly his entire career and he set the tone in the locker room. The Giants realize you don't replace a guy who produced 141½ sacks over 15 years. You just hope his successor doesn't feel threatened by stepping into such big shoes.
What they gained: Tuck was becoming a force in the NFL before Strahan left town, so there shouldn't be a major decline in production at this spot. Tuck had 10 sacks in 2007 and he was instrumental in the Giants' Super Bowl win over New England. Look at it this way: The Giants didn't give him a five-year, $30 million extension last season because of his great personality.

What they should expect: Tuck already has proven he can rush the passer. Now, he's going to see plenty of double-teams without another established rusher on the other side. Osi Umenyiora's season-ending knee injury was such a huge blow to the defense that the Giants were begging Strahan to return. Even before Umenyiora went down, Tuck understood he'd be asked to provide more leadership without Strahan around. "We all know Michael left a big void," Tuck said. "But we still have other people. I guess it will be leadership by committee."

Crowder

Thomas

Player On The Spot: Channing Crowder, LB, Miami
Replacing: Zach Thomas
What they lost: Thomas -- along with former teammate Jason Taylor -- was the heart of the Dolphins' defense. He played in seven Pro Bowls and he's also one of only three players in NFL history to record at least 100 tackles in each of his first 10 seasons.

What they gained: Crowder has started 43 games in his first three years and he's learned plenty from watching Thomas. He also loves throwing his body around to make plays. "I play fast and I try to make the most out of every single play," Crowder said. "The new thing for me will be the leadership role. I've always been a leader in high school and college, but I didn't have to do that with Zach here. Now that's my job again."

What they should expect: Crowder has some experience at the "mike" linebacker spot because he's filled in for Thomas at various times over the past three seasons. He has the athleticism to be a difference-maker at that spot, and Thomas helped him understand how to study opponents. Crowder also has the right attitude. "I don't say that I'm replacing Zach," he said. "I say I'm taking over the 'mike' spot. What does Zach have, seven Pro Bowls? I won't be replacing him until I get eight of my own."

Porter

Taylor

Players On The Spot: Joey Porter/Charlie Anderson/Quentin Moses, DL/LB Dolphins
Replacing: Jason Taylor
What they lost: Taylor has played in six Pro Bowls and been as consistent as any defender in the NFL. He's had at least 11 sacks in each of the past three seasons and he has 117 sacks for his career. Oh yeah, he's also started every game over the past eight seasons.

What they gained: The Dolphins have run through various options since trading Taylor to Washington in July. A hamstring injury slowed Anderson's progress during camp and Moses basically has been a project. Now Porter seems like the best choice, even though he's been hampered by a back injury. If he moves over from the strong side to the weakside linebacker spot that had belonged to Taylor, the Dolphins need converted defensive end Matt Roth to adjust to life as an outside linebacker. The Dolphins like Roth's run support at the position, but he needs to find a comfort level with being a stand-up pass-rusher.
What they should expect: Porter will produce if he moves into Taylor's old job. He had 60 sacks in eight seasons in Pittsburgh while playing on the weak side and he'd love to handle that job again. "I've always like playing that spot," Porter said. "It's a position that is made for a playmaker and I feel like that's what I am."

Gaither

Ogden

Player On The Spot: Jared Gaither, OT, Ravens.
Replacing: Jonathan Ogden
What they lost: The Ravens are about to see what life is like without one of the best left tackles in NFL history. Ogden went to 11 Pro Bowls and served as the foundation of the Ravens offensive line since his arrival in 1996. In fact, he was their best offensive player for nearly his entire career.
What they gained: The main advantage Gaither has is that he learned a few things from Ogden. Gaither already has tremendous size (6-foot-9, 350 pounds), but Ogden implored him to be a true student of the game on the field. Gaither also isn't intimidated by succeeding a future Hall of Famer. "By no means am I trying to replace a Jonathan Ogden," Gaither said. "My objective is to make my own legacy."

What they should expect: First, a sprained ankle in the first week of camp sidelined Gaither until late August. Then there were reports that his immaturity had tested the patience of the Ravens coaches. And even though Gaither says he's eager "to bring some energy" to the offensive line, the reality is that he's still just in his second season and he'd only played four years of organized football before entering the NFL. The Ravens obviously should brace for plenty of growing pains.

Kelly

Sapp

Player On The Spot: Tommy Kelly, DL, Raiders
Replacing: Warren Sapp
What they lost: Sapp was declining at the end of his career so this isn't a huge loss for the Raiders. Sapp had to play out of position -- as a 3-4 end -- at the start of his tenure in Oakland and he really never made an impact there. Once he returned to his natural spot as a 4-3 tackle, he couldn't generate the consistency that produced 96.5 sacks during his career. Aside from a 10-sack season in 2006, Sapp didn't do much to remind people in Oakland why he's a future Hall of Famer.
What they gained: Good question. Kelly has the size (6-6, 300 pounds) to play inside, but he's moving over from defensive end after a season that ended with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. "He's a big, strong guy who really isn't as skilled as Warren was," said Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters. "Warren had a lot of little tricks, but Tommy is the complete opposite. He's a big, physical presence who's going to beat on you all game."

What they should expect: The Raiders may have made Kelly one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the league during the offseason -- they signed him to a seven-year, $50.5 million extension -- but it's hard to see Kelly being an instant sensation. Remember, this team ranked 28th in the NFL in sacks (27) and 31st in rush defense (145.9 yards a game). Even if Kelly can succeed inside -- and he's bounced between that spot at various times during his five-year career -- he doesn't have much help around him.

Hali

Allen

Player On The Spot: Tamba Hali, DE, Chiefs
Replacing: Jared Allen
What they lost: Allen was the Chiefs' best defensive player. He earned team Most Valuable Player honors in 2007 while producing a league-high 15½ sacks and earning his first Pro Bowl nomination. Kansas City dealt him because they didn't want to give a big contract to a player with a history of off-field problems -- Allen has two DUI convictions -- but they will surely miss his productivity. Along with 43 career sacks, Allen's high-energy personality made him a leader in the locker room.
What they gained: The Chiefs literally need more than one man to make up for Allen's loss. His old spot at right end now belongs to the 6-3, 275-pound Hali -- a third-year veteran who moves over from the left side -- but the entire defensive line has been overhauled to generate pressure. Both Boone and McBride moved from defensive tackle to left end, where the Chiefs are hoping they can be an effective combination. First-round pick Glenn Dorsey also needs to draw some double-teams to open up opportunities for others.
What they should expect: Hali is not going to provide the same level of run support that Allen supplied. It also wouldn't be surprising if Hali struggled against the more athletic left tackles he'll be facing, especially since he admitted to feeling awkward rushing from the right side early in the preseason. That being said, he has 15½ sacks in two seasons and he learns fast. "Tamba has something like six moves," Boone said. "Most guys have two, but he has a bunch of them."

Kemoeatu

Faneca

Player On The Spot: Chris Kemoeatu, OG, Steelers
Replacing: Alan Faneca
What they lost: Faneca was the foundation of the Steelers' offensive line for a decade. He had the agility to pull and the toughness to wear out interior linemen with brute force. He also played in six Pro Bowls and offered valuable leadership in the locker room.

What they gained: The Steelers know Kemoeatu can't move like Faneca nor will he be expected to become the face of the offensive line. They do believe he has more strength and a meaner streak than his predecessor. "He's not the same athlete as Faneca, but he's aggressive and he makes people go backwards when he hits them," said one AFC North scout.
What they should expect: There's no question Pittsburgh will miss Faneca's ability to pull on running plays. He was as good as it gets in the league in those situations. But they should be able to get by with Kemoeatu plugged into a rebuilt offensive line.

Lewis

Jenkins

Player On The Spot: Damione Lewis, DT, Panthers
Replacing: Kris Jenkins
What they lost: Jenkins has played in three Pro Bowls, but he hadn't lived up to expectations in a few years. He missed 27 games with injuries between 2004 and 2005 and he's also battled weight problems in the past. Still, there's no question he could be an interior force when he was motivated and healthy.
What they gained: At 6-2 and 301 pounds, Lewis plays an entirely different style than the 6-4, 335-pound Jenkins. Lewis relies more on quickness to make plays and he's known primarily as a solid interior pass-rusher. He might not ever live up to the expectations that came with being a first-round pick in St. Louis, where he disappointed, but he's proven to be a valuable role player in Carolina.
What they should expect: Lewis won't dominate like Jenkins but the Panthers likely will get a more consistent effort from him. In other words, this is addition by subtraction. As one NFC South executive said, "The longer they had Jenkins around there, the less they probably liked having him around."

O'Neal

Samuel

Players On The Spot: Lewis Sanders Terrence Wheatley and Deltha O'Neal, CB, Patriots
Replacing: Asante Samuel
What they lost: Samuel made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2007, but he should've been to Hawaii twice by now. His 16 interceptions over the past two seasons in New England were the most in the NFL for that time frame.
What they gained: The Patriots had hoped that Fernando Bryant would've stabilized the position, but he never impressed the coaches in four preseason starts. Now that he's been cut, the Pats will go with either rookie Wheatley, nine-year veteran Sanders or two-time Pro Bowler O'Neal -- whom they signed on Monday -- in Samuel's old spot. Sanders (25 career starts) and O'Neal obviously have the edge in experience, but the Patriots haven't been afraid to start rookies in the past. They did just that with Samuel back in 2003.

What they should expect: Whoever lines up opposite Ellis Hobbs at cornerback is going to see plenty of balls thrown his way. This will be a position of weakness all season.

Jeffri Chadiha covers the NFL for ESPN.com.