The most successful sports operation in the country – also known as the NFL – will tighten its grip on the American landscape much the same way politicians grip power. Sunday August 5th marks the start of the pre-season. Fighting is futile; just ask wives, girlfriends and significant others. Bars love it. TV networks and commercial sponsors love it. Bookies really love it. For reasons only understood by millions of faithful fans, Sundays will soon deliver euphoria in the form of collisions, catches, touchdowns and eye-defying plays. In 2012, there is no shortage of story-lines among Latino NFL players that will keep millions captivated come game-time.
The Two-Headed Monster
Mark Sanchez, Quarterback – New York Jets
Many of the greatest athletes have wilted in the cauldron known as New York City. The pressure in the world’s premier market notwithstanding, add to it playing the most important position in professional football. Since being selected sixth overall by the Jets in 2009, Sanchez, a third generation Mexican-American, responded by leading the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship appearances in 2009 (rookie year) and 2010, all while winning an improbable four playoff road games. The 2011 season was the first time the Jets missed the playoffs since the Sanchez era began, amid a sea of team turmoil that bordered on rivaling Jersey Shore and Basketball Wives for “best reality show” honors. The response? The organization added back-up QB Tim Tebow in the off-season, under the guise of implementing a wild-cat offense. Or one could view it as grooming Sanchez’s replacement. Regardless, the 6’2″, 225 pound Sanchez will be under greater scrutiny than ever, especially if the Jets struggle out of the gate. By most media accounts, he has repaired a seemingly fractured relationship with star receiver Santonio Holmes and has no plans to relinquish the starting QB job. If you see him in less GQ-like spreads this season, it’s because Sanchez knows only one thing matters in New York: winning.
The Scapegoat
Aaron Hernandez, Tight End – New England Patriots
Who could forget Gisele Bundchen’s rant at the cameras after the Pat’s lost last years’ Super Bowl, claiming her hubby Tom Brady’s teammates have to catch the ball? Unfortunately for Aaron Hernandez, he was the receiver who missed the last catch that could have kept the Patriots alive. But amid all the TMZ moments, when opposing defenses must plan games to stop, or at least contain you, then you have arrived as an offensive star in the NFL. Such is the case for the 22-year old Hernandez, an easy 2011 Pro-Bowl selection following a remarkable season that helped the Patriots make their fifth Super Bowl appearance in the last 10 years. At 6’1″ and 245 pounds, Hernandez possesses a scary arsenal of power, speed and agility that gives the Patriots an offensive flexibility few teams can boast. When paired with TE teammate Rob Gronkowski, Hernandez is an absolute nightmare for linebackers to cover one-on-one because his speed and his size creates plenty of mismatches against most safeties and corners. At every level of football, this Puerto-Rican power house has been a winner – 2009 National BCS Championship with the Florida Gators – a trend with no signs of stopping anytime soon.
The Rookies
Evan Rodriguez, Tight End – Chicago Bears
Despite some off-the-field issues while at West Virginia and Temple, the Chicago Bears were impressed with Rodriguez’s versatility as a receiving and blocking TE to select him in the fourth round in 2012; and with good reason. Rodriguez’s combination of size, speed and playmaking abilities are ideally suited for an offensive system that is expected to see major changes under offensive coordinator Mike Tice. Though he’ll start the season as third on the TE depth chart, expect to see the 23-year old, Bronx-born, New Jersey raised Rodriguez in plays designed to give Chicago’s offense the vertical threat it needs at the TE position. That should give Jay Cutler, the team’s quarterback, plenty more to smile about and another viable target to aim at.
Kendall Reyes, Defensive Tackle – San Diego Chargers
Selected 17th in the second round of the draft, the former standout for the University of Connecticut Huskies and pride of Nashua North High School in New Hampshire was highest on this year’s draft. The 22-year old Reyes, who stands 6′-4″ and 300 pounds, will be asked to justify the Chargers’ high pick and four-year, $5 million deal by becoming a disruptive defensive force, particularly in pass rushing situations. He is slated to become the second-string DT when the season begins and, barring injury, can expect significant participation in certain defensive schemes within which his unique set of skills can be maximized.
The Elder Statesmen
Tony Gonzalez, Tight End – Atlanta Falcons
Widely regarded as the best to ever play the position, the 15-year pro is poised to add to an impressive resume that boasts all-time NFL records for TEs. Drafted in 1997 by the Kansas City Chiefs, the 36-year old Gonzalez amassed the majority of his record-setting numbers in 12 stellar seasons with the Chiefs before being traded to Atlanta in 2009. Beyond the physical and athletic prowess that will almost guarantee his entry into the Hall of Fame, the 6′-5″ and 247-pound Gonzalez, whose mother is Cuban, has a record of durability few players at any position can match having appeared in all but two regular season games since 1997. Though toying with retirement, Gonzalez is making one last attempt at the 2012 season. You can be certain he will be one of Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan’s prime weapons as they look to open downfield opportunities for their star receiver, Julio Jones.
Tony Romo, Quarterback – Dallas Cowboys
What’s it like to play the most elite position on “America’s Team?” For Romo, a second generation Mexican-American, it’s a pressure-filled opportunity he seized in 2006 after replacing then starting QB Drew Bledsoe due to injury. Since then, Romo has become one of the NFL’s highest rated passers during the regular season and is seeking to bring the Cowboys back to the prominence they achieved under Hall of Fame QB’s Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach, both responsible for the franchise’s five Super Bowl championships. After being sidelined during the 2010 season thanks to a broken clavicle and a disappointing 2011 campaign where the Cowboys failed to make the postseason, the 32-year old Romo will need to play much bigger than his 6′-2″, 230-pound frame in order to quiet the legion of skeptics and growing fan base desperate for a shot at another world championship. As if that wasn’t enough, don’t forget who Tony’s boss is and the $1.3 billion stadium investment from which big returns are expected.
Willie Colón, Left Guard – Pittsburgh Steelers
If you thought Willie Colón was only known for his contributions to Salsa music, you’re right. The other Colón stands at an imposing 6′-3″, a menacing 315 pounds and is the starting LG for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. Now entering his seventh season, the Bronx-born Boricua Colón carries the responsibility of keeping one of the league’s premier quarterbacks – Ben Roethlisberger – upright and opening inside lanes against opposing linemen to fuel the Steelers’ running attack. Sidelined by injuries the last two years, this will mark Colón’s first season at LG, a change he’s excited about given his athletic ability and quick feet. Make no mistake, like the celebrated salsero, Colón will “suit up” on Sundays except he’s not heading to the legendary Copacabana.
The Cinderella
Victor Cruz, Wide Receiver – New York Giants
Perhaps no story captivated the 2011 NFL season as much as this undrafted, free agent from the University of Massachusetts. Nearly cut by the Giants in the summer of 2010, Cruz’s life story (now a New York Times bestselling book “Out of the Blue”) is an inspiring, made-for-Hollywood account of a local kid persevering through socio-economic adversity, family tragedy and academic struggles to achieve his dream of playing professional football in his hometown. Cruz, the son of a Puerto-Rican mother and African-American father, wasted no time delivering signature performances against prominent teams and defenses. The feat propelled defensive coordinators to build schemes to keep him from his ‘salsa’ celebration, a move he performs as a tribute to his grandmother, after every touchdown. The 6′-0″, 204-pound Cruz could not have scripted the 2011 season any better. Now cemented as the Giants’ starting wide receiver opposite Hakeem Nicks, what will the 25-year old Cruz do for an encore? The Giants hope he remains on Cruz-control while opposing defensive backs pray they don’t get Cruz-ified.
Photo credits:
Mark Sanchez- John A. Angelilo/Corbis
Aaron Hernandez- Cliff Welch/Icon SMI/Corbis
Evan Rodriguez- Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI/Corbis
Tony Gonzalez- Tomasso DeRosa/Corbis
Tony Romo- Daniel Gluskoter/Icon SMI/Corbis
Willie Colon- Jason Pohuski/ZUMA Press/Corbis
Victor Cruz- Chris Szagola/New Sport/Corbis