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spt_NFL_gamebreakers.appFooter = "Source: Steve Silverman, MSNBC.com";
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spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i-1].body = "Planning, preparation and practice. That’s the recipe that NFL teams follow in order to get the best possible team on the field for the 16-game, 17-week season that is the regular season.Planning means having sufficient strength at the backup spots throughout the roster, because a devastating injury is normally just around the corner. If a coaching staff doesn’t prepare an adequate game plan, it will cost a team on the scoreboard. Mistakes that are not corrected on the practice field turn into Sunday disasters.
That’s the regular season. Teams that have mastered those aspects of the game advance to the postseason -- and that’s where the gamebreakers take over.
There is an obvious gamebreaker like Drew Brees who carried his teams on their backs all year. But there are less obvious players who can also change a game in the blink of an eye. Here’s a look at the best ones.";
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i++] = new Array("","Tom Brady, Patriots","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060910/060910_brady_vmed_130p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Brian Snyder", "Reuters", "241", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i-1].body = "
There’s more pressure on Brady than perhaps any player in the postseason. While the Patriots still have a defense that can dominate, Bill Belichick has not give his superstar quarterback much to work with.
Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney are solid running backs, but neither one is going to carry the team at this point. Maroney may have that ability with more experience, but he’s still a role player at this point. The Patriots have a solid treat in tight end Ben Watson, but receivers like Deion Branch and David Givens are no longer in Patriot colors. Belichick is asking Brady to get it done with Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown and Jabar Gaffney as his top threats. D
on’t ever make the mistake of counting Brady out. He completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 3,529 yards and threw 24 touchdowns under those circumstances and has demonstrated he enjoys performing under the brightest lights throughout his career.";
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i++] = new Array("","Drew Brees, Saints","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/71465359rm013_baltimore_rav.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Ronald Martinez", "Getty Images", "276", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i-1].body = "
The Saints believed they were getting a solid quarterback when they signed Brees in the offseason. They were wrong. They got a great one who not only proved he could recover from offseason shoulder surgery but also adjust to his new surroundings, new teammates and new coaching staff without a hitch.
Brees has excellent command of the offense and has proven to be an inspirational leader to his new team. Brees throws an accurate pass and has a quick, compact delivery. He has a go-to guy in Marques Colston, who has shown he can get open in the NFL despite playing his college football at Hofstra.
Brees completed 356-of-554 passes for 4,418 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He does an outstanding job of keeping plays alive by buying time with his quick feet. Brees won’t hurt opponents with his running ability, but he can make tacklers miss and that allows his receivers extra time to get open.";
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i++] = new Array("","Reggie Bush, Saints","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061110/061110_ReggieBush_vmed_6p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Charles W Luzier", "Reuters file", "256", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i-1].body = "
Bush did not have a great rookie season running the ball, but his speed and explosiveness were a major factor every time he took the field. Opposing defenses have to prepare for him and he is capable of the highlight-film play every time he touches the ball.
Bush will be more of a threat in years to come, but he did have a 3-touchdown game in the Saints' Week 13 win over the 49ers and rushed for 126 yards in Week 16 against the New York Giants. Bush is the kind of player who makes opposing defensive coordinators and special teams coaches wish they were in another line of work.";
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i++] = new Array("","Devin Hester, Bears","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061211/061211_hester_vmed_9p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Kyle Ericson", "AP", "223", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i-1].body = "
Has there ever been a No. 1 seed going into the playoffs that had so many key questions? Can the Bears possibly make a serious run with Rex Grossman at quarterback? What has happened to the defense -- particularly the pass defense -- in the final month of the season?
Lovie Smith and his staff will have a couple of weeks to correct this issue, but they don’t have to worry about their return game. Hester scored an NFL-record six touchdowns on returns (three punts, two kickoffs and one missed field goal) and the Bears can try to get by with a conservative game plan if they so choose because of Hester’s ability to create big plays.
That may be very limiting, but it is probably better than letting the shaky Grossman decide their fate.";
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i++] = new Array("","Reggie Wayne, Colts","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070101/070101_wayne_vmed_3p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Brent Smith", "Reuters file", "270", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i-1].body = "
There are no shortage of superstars on the offensive side of the ball for the Colts, and Wayne usually has to take a backseat to Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. Make no mistake about it:
Wayne is a sensational receiver who brings the same kind of dimension to the Colt offense that John Taylor had as the No. 2 receiver in the 49er offense to Jerry Rice.
Wayne is a deep threat who can also go over the middle and make a tough catch. He is coming off another great season with 86 catches for 1,310 yards and 9 touchdowns"; spt_NFL_gamebreakers[i++] = new Array("spt_NFL_gamebreakers","Cast your vote","","","","", "lv2", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); // END editorial data