Minnesota Vikings
Running back
2007 stats: 238-1,341-12; 19-261-1
Excitement factor: He has the speed of an impressive wide receiver but it is his power and ability to run through and over bigger men that make him so dangerous. The combination of speed and power give him what scouts call “explosion” at the point of attack. Give Peterson the ball and watch the bodies fly.
Can’t miss TV game: at New Orleans, Week 5 (Monday night), Oct. 6 – The Saints have plenty to watch themselves with Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey and this game should turn into a track meet. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, Peterson could have an entire nation oohing and ahhing.";
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i++] = new Array("","Randy Moss","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Most_Exciting/Moss_Randy_78506892.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Elsa", "Getty Images", "345", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
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New England Patriots
Wide receiver
2007 stats: 98-1,493-23
Excitement factor: It’s still hard to comprehend the number of touchdowns that this \"has-been\" put on the board last year. Combine Moss with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and he turned out to be better than ever. Simply put, Moss is faster, stronger and more athletic than the defensive backs asked to cover him on an every-week basis. Additionally, with his sense of timing when the ball is in the air, Moss knows how to position his body to make a spectacular play.
Can’t miss TV game: at San Diego, Week 6 (Sunday night), Oct. 12 – This game begins a 4-game stretch in six weeks in which the Pats will perform in prime time. The Chargers will take over from the Colts this year as the Pats’ top rival in the AFC. The idea of watching Moss go up against Charger stud CB Antonio Cromartie makes this one worth the anticipation.";
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i++] = new Array("","Tony Romo","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Most_Exciting/romo_tony_77587432.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Ronald Martinez", "Getty Images", "358", "234", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
2007 stats: 335-of-520-4,211-36-19
Excitement factor: Never mind the Entertainment Tonight and TMZ factors with girlfriend Jessica Simpson, Romo has plenty of the wow factor on the field. He is a gunslinger on the field who can buy time with his feet, escape from the pass rush and then make an eye-catching throw 40 yards downfield. On top of that, noted egomaniac Terrell Owens absolutely loves playing with Romo and has defended him from criticism until the tears started flowing. Romo may not have the classic over-the-top throwing motion, but he gets it to his receivers with zip and accuracy and he is ready to contend for MVP honors. However, he will still have to prove himself in the playoffs because he has yet to lead the Cowboys to a postseason victory.
Can’t miss TV game: at Pittsburgh, Week 14, Dec. 7 – There will be other games against division rivals that might mean more in the standings, but watching Romo perform on the road against a tough (perhaps) AFC team on the road could tell you quite a bit about what Romo is made of. The Steelers have always been a physical team that lives to punish its opponent. Bring the hated Cowboys into the ’burgh in what is likely to be winter conditions and Romo will have to step up and prove himself once again.";
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i++] = new Array("","Maurice Jones-Drew","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Most_Exciting/jones_drew_78116752.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Sam Greenwood", "Getty Images", "358", "259", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
Jacksonville Jaguars
Running back
2007 stats: 167-768-9; 40-407-0
Excitement factor: Watching Jones-Drew run with the ball in the open field is like watching a pinball bounce off the bumpers and fly into bonus territory. Jones-Drew makes Fred Taylor, David Garrard and the receiving crew better and he does plenty on his own because he’s so tough for defenders to bring down. At 5-7, Jones-Drew likes to hide with the ball behind his offensive line before bounding out into the open. His lower-body strength allows him to run out of arm tackles and it also makes him a big factor around the goalline.
Can’t miss TV game: vs. Minnesota, Week 12, Nov. 23 – Don’t be surprised if NBC flexes the schedule and turns this one into a primetime affair. The idea of Jones-Drew and Taylor vs. Adrian Peterson should draw plenty of eyeballs to the test. Jones-Drew will be challenged by a Viking defense that prides itself on its ability to stop the run and that should bring out the best in the running back. This game could have huge playoff implications for both teams at the start of the season’s home stretch.";
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i++] = new Array("","Devin Hester","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Most_Exciting/hester_devin_78012300.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Otto Greule Jr", "Getty Images", "358", "236", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
Chicago Bears
Wide receiver-return specialist
2007 stats: PR 42-651-4; KR 43-934-2; REC 20-299-2
Excitement factor: Hester is almost certainly the best return man in the HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL after his first two seasons. The Bears have a dearth of big play makers so they have decided to make him one of their primary wide receivers. While that decision is logical, how much will they lose when they are not using Hester quite as much in the return game. If Hester doesn’t knock them out with his play early at wide receiver, look for the Bears to return him to his specialty.
Can’t miss TV game: vs. Tampa Bay, Week 3, Sept. 21 – Give Hester and the Bears three games to find out what he is really all about as a wide receiver. After opening the season with two road games at Indianapolis and Carolina, the Bears return home to face the Bucs. If Lovie Smith’s potentially punchless attack can’t get the ball to Hester unless he is running a trick play he should be a fulltime return specialist and this game could be the tipping point.";
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i++] = new Array("","Terrell Owens","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Most_Exciting/owens_terrell_78070710.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Ronald Martinez", "Getty Images", "304", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
Dallas Cowboys
Wide receiver
2007 stats: 81-1,355-15
Excitement factor: His outsized personality is matched by his achievements on the field. He has never been happier than he is right now in the way his career has progressed. The unpleasantness during the Philadelphia years and the friction with Bill Parcells are in the rear-view mirror. He’s getting his cash and he is probably the most dangerous man in the league once he makes the catch. Owens demands the football and defenses shiver when he catches it in full flight. While he is 34, Owens is in remarkable condition and shows no signs of slowing down.
Can’t miss TV game: at N.Y. Giants, Week 9, Nov. 2 – The Cowboys had their way with the Giants in two regular-season games before dropping a game to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Owens will be exciting to watch throughout the season, but a date at Giants Stadium against the defending Super Bowl champs tops the list. Get your popcorn ready!";
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spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
New England Patriots
Quarterback
2007 stats: 398-of-578-4,806-50-8
Excitement factor: The Patriots should be silently seething all season after their 18-0 season turned into 18-1 following their Super Bowl loss to the Giants. Brady will have a very hard time matching the numbers he put up last year but he is the game’s most accurate passer and he has the weapons to properly take advantage of those gifts. There is nothing like watching Brady when his team has just surrendered a touchdown. He comes out on the field like an assassin, firing bullets all over the field and always hitting his target.
Can’t miss TV game: at Indianapolis, Week 9 (Sunday night), Nov. 2 – The Chargers may have surpassed the Colts as the Patriots’ top challenger for AFC supremacy, but the idea of a Brady-Peyton Manning is still first-class entertainment and world-class football. This game will become a shootout at one point or another and both quarterbacks could put three or more TD passes on the board.";
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i++] = new Array("","Antonio Cromartie","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Most_Exciting/Cromartie_Antonio_77849578.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Donald Miralle", "Getty Images", "358", "216", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
San Diego Chargers
Cornerback
2007 stats: 44 tackles, 10 interceptions, 3 TDs
Excitement factor: Great hands and huge confidence. Cromartie’s improvement in the second half of the season and into the playoffs gave the Charger defense a significant boost. He is a long-strider who can catch up to the receiver in a heartbeat. This allows him to set up opposing quarterbacks and bait them into interceptions. Cromartie not only makes the big play, but he does it in heart-stopping fashion because his hands allow him to intercept passes that other players couldn’t even dream of making.
Can’t miss TV game: vs. Jets, Week 3 (Monday night), Sept. 22 – A certain quarterback named Brett Favre comes to Qualcomm and Cromartie may make Favre wish he never entertained the idea of ending his brief retirement. The matchup against Favre is exactly the kind of situation that should bring out the best in Cromartie, who is rapidly becoming one of the best cover men in the league.";
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spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
Philadelphia Eagles
Running back
2007 stats: 278-1,333-7; 90-771-5
Excitement factor: Remember Priest Holmes when he was in full flight for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001 through 2003? That’s just what Westbrook brings to the Eagles. Westbrook is a special runner who has quickness, agility and speed and has become a lifesaver to the Eagles. They would clearly be a drowning team if he hadn’t stayed healthy the last two years. Not only does he have great talent, he is a film-room savant who can pick out areas to exploit and then sets up his opponents with regularity.
Can’t miss TV game: at Dallas, Week 2 (Monday night), Sept. 15 – The NFC East is probably the toughest division in football and the Cowboys are the odds-on favorite to win the title and perhaps make it to the Super Bowl. The Eagles have hopes of rebounding from last year’s 8-8 season and making it to the playoffs themselves and this would be a great game to make a statement. As tough and hard-hitting as the Cowboys are, Westbrook’s quickness and agility give him an opportunity to have a great game on Monday night and serve notice on the rest of the league that his one of the best players in the league.";
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i++] = new Array("","Adam Jones","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Most_Exciting/jones_adam_82393566.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Doug Pensinger", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_exciting_players[i-1].body = "
Dallas Cowboys
Cornerback
2007 stats: Suspended
Excitement factor: Much of it has to do with his off-the-field issues that have been well-documented since Jones entered the league in 2005. Does Jones really understand that this is his last chance to play NFL football and that if he encounters any more off-the-field problems he will be let go? Time will tell. However, there’s no doubt he is a skilled cover man with great speed who is itching to prove himself on defense and as a return specialist. His performance in training camp with the Cowboys indicates some rust, but he has also shown that he is willing to do whatever the team asks and that is a big change from his days with the Titans.
Can’t miss TV game: at Cleveland, Week 1, Sept. 7 – There will be bigger and more important games for the Cowboys later in the season, but the opening game against the Browns probably means more to Jones than anyone else. He missed all of last season and he will be up against a sensational receiver in Braylon Edwards (if healthy) in his first game. Jones does not lack for self-confidence but he must show he can shake off the rust and hold his own. The longer it takes for him to establish himself as a great athlete and player, the more pressure he will face.";
// END editorial data