2008 Dark Phoenix - Preseason Week 2

  Posted 8/24 by Cecil Lammey, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Another week of preseason NFL action is in the books, and once again there are players making an impact that may have lasting effects. This is the preseason Dark Phoenix, where we examine a few of the lesser-known players, so that you can know everything about these deep sleepers. Today we look at a couple of Cal Bears that could be future stars, another great Hokies WR, a RB that bounced from the Jets to the Giants, plus more!

Lavelle Hawkins - WR6 - Tennessee Titans

5'11" 190 lbs. - California - 4th round draft pick (Titans 2008 - 126th overall)

The Cal Bears had a great WR corps with DeSean Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins, and Robert Jordan. All three players were electric with the ball in their hands, but it was Hawkins that was the deep ball threat. He originally enrolled at Louisiana State, but soon transferred to City College in San Francisco. His 72 catches as a senior rank 4th all time for receptions in a season for the Golden Bears. He led California in catches, but only started 2 games - lining up primarily as a slot receiver.

Hawkins is so good he can make the highlight catch seem routine. He had a fantastic Senior Bowl, and I got to see him make plays against some of the best CBs in college football while down in Mobile. His hands are natural and he instinctively catches the ball at the highest point with arms extended away from the body. He shows great field awareness, and can consistently catch the sideline routes inbounds while getting both feet down. Lavelle is a fantastic athlete that is a work in progress as a wide receiver. As his route running improves he should make the most out of his potential.

The Titans need somebody - anybody - to step up in the WR corps. Hawkins is a big play receiver who may have what it takes to be Vince Young's go to guy. He is currently buried on the depth chart in Tennessee, but that doesn't mean he'll be there for long. Hawkins is the type of consistent player that this team needs at WR. He may not do much in his rookie season, but the sky is the limit for this talented Cal Bear.

Justin Forsett - RB4 - Seattle Seahawks

5'8" 194 lbs. - California - 7th round draft pick (Seahawks 2008 - 233rd overall)

At Cal it was Justin Forsett who was taking advantage of defenses geared to stop the outstanding passing game. He only started one season, after backing up Marshawn Lynch yet he finished as Cal's #3 all time leading rusher. In his limited playing time throughout his career, Forsett made the most of his opportunity rushing for over 100 yards in a game 15 times.

Forsett excels at all the little things that smaller backs must do to be successful runners. People may think that he's too small to carry the load, however Forsett had over 300 carries for the Bears in 2007 and has never missed a game due to injury. While not a bruiser, he is a very willing inside runner. But he's more than just willing, he's very able at picking up yardage between the tackles when it seems like nothing is there. He's able to avoid defenders with his small stature, and he has the vision to see holes before they open fully.

It may be a while before Forsett can see significant playing time during the regular season, but he's shown us that he has the ability to be an effective player. While he's not Marshawn Lynch, he's not J.J. Arrington either. THE PRESEASON MATTERS, and Forsett has gone from a player that might not make the team, to a player that looks to be on the opening day roster with a bright future ahead of him.

Danny Ware - RB4 - New York Giants

6'0" 225 lbs. - Georgia - undrafted free agent (Titans 2007)

While at Georgia, Danny Ware flashed a powerful running style that looked NFL ready. He looked very impressive early in his Bulldog career, becoming the first freshmen RB to start on opening day since 1943. He went on to earn All-SEC Freshmen honors despite not being at 100% due to lung, hand, knee and ankle problems. In his junior season he lost the starting job to Kregg Lumpkin and decided to jump to the pros rather than go to a lower level of competition and reprove himself.

Ware is powerful and runs with a good forward lean. He is a strong inside runner that can run through arm tackles while avoiding trash at the line of scrimmage. Speed is not the name of his game, and Ware doesn't have that much wiggle - but we've seen that a "take it and go" style can work in the NFL. He has a good feel for running the football, and has what you can't coach - RB instincts. His vision is good, and even though he lacks suddenness, he can get to the cutback lane on time.

He was originally an undrafted free agent for the Titans, he then went to the New York Jets, and then went on to the New York Giants. He has been performing well for the defending Super Bowl champs and could make the final roster. His emergence in the backfield could mean that veteran Reuben Droughns is now expendable. Ware has an injury history - and isn't the most dynamic back in the league. He does show a dedication to the game, and may have a role as a short yardage specialist with upside if the injury bug strikes in front of him on the depth chart.

Josh Morgan - WR3 - San Francisco 49ers

6'0" 219 lbs. - Virginia Tech - 6th round draft pick (49ers 2008 - 174th overall)

Too bad the Hokies didn't have a more experienced QB to make the most out of weapons like Josh Morgan or Eddie Royal. Josh was somewhat of an enigma during his time with Virginia Tech. He would make a spectacular catch and then would drop an easy one thrown right at his numbers. His up and down play was frustrating for the coaching staff, and thus Josh didn't show his full potential in college. Despite his inconsistencies he finished with 122 career receptions - 2nd most in Virginia Tech history.

Morgan may not be as athletic as coaches would like, but when it comes to consistency and determination there are few rookies that can match Josh. He is a thicker WR, and may remind some of a young Anquan Boldin. With his bigger frame he is very adept at shielding defenders from the ball, and can "box out" in the zone. He has good straight line speed and can get to his top gear in a hurry. His route running needs improvement, but the athleticism is there. Morgan is not afraid to go over the middle and once the ball is in his hands he can be tough to bring down with his size/speed combo.

Josh Morgan has been playing and practicing like the best receiver in San Francisco, and we know this staff isn't afraid to play rookies early and often. It remains to be seen if Morgan can mature as a player and not get frustrated when passes don't come his way. The future is bright, and his opportunity might come very soon. We shall see if Josh is ready to take this opportunity and run with it.

Honorable Mentions

Kevin Walter - WR2 - Houston Texans

6'3" 215 lbs. - Eastern Michigan - 7th round draft pick (Giants 2003 - 255th overall)

Kevin Walter came over from the Bengals in 2007 and many people didn't know what to expect from this raw prospect. Kudos to Kubiak for taking Walter in and turning him into the Texans version of Ed McCaffrey Walter has worked hard on becoming a better route runner, and his concentration and receiving mechanics have improved as well. Andre Johnson is one of the best WRs in the league - when healthy. It appears that Walter may be more involved in the passing game than people expect regardless of whether Andre is in or out of the lineup.

Steve Slaton - RB3 - Houston Texans

5'9" 201 lbs. - West Virginia - 3rd round draft pick (Texans 2008 - 89th overall)

As Joe likes to say, "things change pretty quickly around here." This holds true with Steve Slaton who only a week ago was fumbling too much for the Texans to rely on. Now there are some in the Houston coaching staff that are calling Slaton a "key contributor." Slaton's athletic ability is evident when you break down his game film. He is shifty, elusive, and has natural instincts for running the football. In the game versus the Saints you also saw good patience and pad level from the talented Mountaineer. History has shown that you want a piece of this Houston rushing attack - Ron Dayne could put up stats in this system - and right now the back you may want to gamble on is Steve Slaton.

Zach Miller - TE1 - Oakland Raiders

6'5" 255 lbs. - Arizona State - 2nd round draft pick (Raiders 2007 - 38th overall)

I know what you're thinking, "How could a #1 TE be considered a Dark Phoenix?" It's true, most of the time I look at players with a long view. However, I feel that Zach Miller is still being overlooked in fantasy leagues. Miller is a favorite of JaMarcus Russell, and their chemistry is apparent on the field. Zach also started from day one as a rookie, which foreshadows a great career. The WR corps in Oakland is well below average, so that means JaMarcus will be looking to his backs and TEs when it comes to moving the ball through the air. Russell is not the most accurate QB, and you saw it in the game versus the Titans. What you also saw was Zach Miller skying, reaching, and diving to make catches. It's this type of play that will build even more trust between these two. Miller could lead the Raiders in receptions and TD catches, thus making him a top 10 - maybe even top 5 TE in 2008.