Bodog Beat

Colts running back Joseph Addai should increase his yardage and touchdowns in 2007. (AI Wire Photo)

The 2006-07 season was better than expected for many NFL rookies. Vince Young and Reggie Bush lived up to the hype, late first-round running backs like Lawrence Maroney and Joseph Addai were big contributors in their first year, and Marques Colston and Devin Hester were solid sleepers. But what will these kids do for an encore? We outline which sophomores will continue to break out in year two:

1. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts RB
   Can Addai top a season in which he ran for 1081 yards, seven TDs, and helped the Colts secure Super Bowl XLI? With Dominic Rhodes gone to Oakland and a solid rookie season under his belt, there's no reason why Addai shouldn't run for at least 1400 yards and 10 TDs in his sophomore season. The Colts should once again have a matador defense, making ball control imperative to their success in 2007.
2. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints RB
   He may not faze out Deuce Mcallister like everyone expects him to in year two, but Bush will get plenty more touches in the Saints offense. Will his TDs come from the pass or on the run? Who cares, his skills could make him an offensive force by year's end.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
   Do you really expect fragile Freddy Taylor to have another injury-free season? Taylor will go down, and Jones-Drew will continue to show he has the skills to be an every-down back in the NFL.
4. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons RB
   Last year Norwood emerged as a homerun threat in the NFL by averaging 6.4 yards per carry. You may worry about his ability to get goaline carries, but with Warrick Dunn nursing injuries and Michael Vick dealing with his federal charges he could be the best player on the Falcons' roster come the regular season.
5. Lawrence Maroney, New England Patriots RB
   If Maroney kept running the way he was early in the 2006, he would be top three on our sophomores list. Unfortunately, injuries slowed his amazing rookie year, and the additions of wide receivers Randy Moss and Dante Stallworth could cut into his TDs this year. However, if healthy, Maroney should crack 1000 yards rushing, making him solid starter.

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