NFL Comeback Player Canidates

Ricky Williams used to be one of the best players to play the game. Then of course we all know his life went down the tube when the magic dragon came around. After going to the CFL and then coming back, Ricky Williams could be THE comeback player. Now he is running behind Ronnie Brown, one of the best RB in the league. With Ronnie Brown's injury in week 9, that ended his season, the Texas star is getting one more chance. Williams made the best of this situation showing a little of the past. Thursday night Williams ran for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns. I know it is a long shot for Williams to win it but he is showing potential and could be a sleeper pick when the votes go in. No Williams was not hurt last year nor benched, but he was the back up until Brown got injured. Going from being the best to being a backup to being the best again tells me he is the comeback player of 2009. But can Williams keep up with running backs like Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson? The only way he will win this award is if he does, so he is going to have a lot of week 10's if he wants this thing.

Brady had much to prove coming into the 2009 season due to the season ending injury in 2008 from a blow to the knee. Things were not looking good for Brady during his recover because of an infection that occurred. Many people and fans were wondering if the future Hall of Famer would ever come beck. Because of Matt Casile's performance in 2008 as a rookie football fan's including myself were wondering what the Patriots would do. The even bigger question was, would Brady be the same. He proved everyone wrong though, Brady came out of the gates hot throwing 378 yards and two touchdowns. He has 20 touchdowns with over three thousand yards this season and the numbers are still climbing. Yes, he is not doing as good as he did in 2007 with those 50 touchdowns but he is on pace to break his yardage record which is 4,806. So could it be Brady?

Shawne Merriman was one of the most feared defensive ends in the league and a quarterbacks nightmare. In 2007 this machine recorded over 39 sacks and was a huge threat to the offensive game on any team. After his 2007 peak he then went to an all time low, being accused of steroid use and then injuring his knee. Like Brady his return was extremely questionable. In 2009 Merriman has not been performing like he used to. So far he has recorded 30 tackles with only 4 sacks, but the second half of the season is where I see Merriman excel. If he records at least 10 sacks this year I believe he has a great shoot at winning the title. Could he pull it off?

On September 21, 2008 Carson Palmer injured his elbow against the New York Giants. He then frayed a ligament in his right elbow, which then concluded his 2008-2009 season. IN 2007 Carson Palmer was one of the more dominant quarterbacks in the league and was a must have Fantasy player. He recorded 26 touchdowns with 4,131 yards with 373 completions. Now in 2009, Palmer seems to be back on his feet. He has recorded 2327 yards with 15 touchdowns. With 5 more games to go his predicted numbers will look like this; 22 touchdowns and 3,557 yards. Not the best numbers in the league but defiantly acceptable for comeback player. Does he have enough juice to pull through though?

The 26 year old Cedric Benson out of Texas University has shown a lot of potential in Cincinnati. Through 9 games Benson has exceeded his career high of 747 yards in one season, which was in 2008. Now, in 2009 he has 859 yards which is 9th in the league and has also recorded 6 touchdowns. Benson's ability to look up the field and gain extra yards has helped the Bengals lead the AFC North at an unexpected 8-3 record. Each year, since his debut in the league, Benson seems to be getting better and better with every year and 2009 appears to be his break out season. Benson isn't just staking up his stats against weak opponents. In week 9 Benson ran for 117 yards against a tough Baltimore defense. Benson was the only player to run for over 100 yards against the Ravens this season. If Benson can stay healthy and keep up the good work he will be a top contender for the 2009 Comeback Player of The Year.

The former quarterback for The University of Texas, is now shining in the spot light again. Right after his college career he began playing for the Tennessee Titans, where he was awarded the Rookie of the year in 2006. With mediocre number though Young defiantly had to step up his game in the National Football League. He did not follow through in 2007 with great numbers, he ended the season throwing a little more than 2,500 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. In 2007 young actually did worse than his Rookie year rushing wise and passing. In 2008 it wasn't to much surprise when the runner-up Heisman of 2005 got benched for most of the season due to stats 0f 07 and personal problems. Now in 09 young is back and looks very strong. He is 5-0 in first 5 starts of this season (starting at week 8 against the Jaguars). Since Young returned to the starting lineup the Titans have been undefeated. In his last game he threw for almost 400 yards and one touchdown. Young seems to be at his peak right now in the National Football League. So could it be young who runs away with the award?

Terrel Owens, WR, Buffalo Bills

T.O. has cleaned up his act this year and is not talked about a lot. Could this be a new T.O. After having problems in Dallas and then being released Owens has the fire in his eyes to redeem himself.

Joesph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Coming off an injury from 2008 Addai seems to be powerful again. With Manning throwing and Addai back on his feet, its not a surprise the Colts are undefeated.

Chad Ocho Cinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Ocho Cinco finished the 2008 season with 53 catches for 540 yards and 4 touchdowns. Which was his worst statistical season since his rookie year. He is back this year with Palmer throwing him the ball, and its safe to say he could win the Award if his teammate does not.