Diversity has always been an issue in sports. The NFL is no exception. Yet, to its credit the National Football League has seen its ranks diversify over the years. Latino’s in particular, have become more interested in American football over the years and the influx of Hispanic players in the NFL demonstrates this. Latino’s in today’s modern NFL started with Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz who then paved the way for the likes of Tony Gonzalez. From there players such as Moses Moreno, the Gramatica brothers (Bill and Martin), and Joaquin Gonzalez, among others led in a new wave of Hispanic players to the gridiron such as Roberto Garza, Knowshon Moreno, Juaquin Iglesias, the recently retired Manny Ramirez and Anthony Gonzalez just to name a few.
Heading into this 2016 NFL season, Latino’s will once again make their presence know, however, what impact will they have on the field? Here’s a list of five players in particular that could turn heads in 2016…
5. Kiko Alonso, Linebacker for Miami Dolphins
As a rookie with the Buffalo Bills in 2013, Alonso made an impact on the linebacker position for Buffalo. Alonso totaled 159 tackles, four pass deflections, and four interceptions, resulting in a Defensive Rookie of the Year award, along with being named to the NFL’s All-Under 25 team. But after back-to-back ACL tears in 2014 and 2015 (with the Philadelphia Eagles), Alonso was traded to the Miami Dolphins this past offseason. Now healthy, Alonso has a new lease on life in South Florida.
With Pro Bowl defensive linemen Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh lining up in front of him, expect Alonso to have a resurgence in 2016.
4. Andrew Sendejo, Safety for Minnesota Vikings
Rice University isn’t exactly known for being a college football powerhouse. So its no surprise, that despite ranking second in school history with 318 career tackles, Sendejo went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft. After failing to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off of a tryout, he started his career with Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. From there he slowly worked his way up the NFL ladder by working on the practice squads of the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets.
In 2011, the Minnesota Vikings took a chance on the 28-year-old from San Antonio, Texas. The move paid off, from 2011 to 2014, Sendejo became one of the premiere special teams players in the NFL. After totaling 50 special teams tackles in that span, and after collecting 52 solo tackles with some brief starts in 2013, the Vikings finally promoted Sendejo to the starting lineup in 2015.
Last season Senedjo had the best season of his career with 74 total tackles, a ½ sack, three pass break ups and an interception. Those numbers forced the Vikings to reward Sendejo with a four-year, $16 million contract extension back in March. Opposing offenses in the NFL have now been put on notice.
3. Mark Sanchez, Quarterback for Denver Broncos
Overcoming adversity has been the story of Sanchez’s career. Now with the Dallas Cowboys (the fourth team in his career) he’ll have to do it again. In the wake of Peyton Manning’s retirement and Brock Osweiler’s departure in free agency, the Broncos made a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to bring Sanchez to the Rocky Mountains with the initial belief that he would be the starter. Yet, Sanchez poor pre-season play not only led to him losing the starting position to Trevor Siemian (last year’s No. 3 arm behind Manning and Osweiler) for the position, he was cut by the team altogether as Denver opted to keep Paxton Lynch (Denver’s 2016 first round draft pick) as it’s backup. Sanchez wasn’t out of work for long. Within 24 hours the Dallas Cowboy’s stepped in and scooped him up to be the back-up. Word around the NFL is Sanchez can no longer be considered a starter for any team. But that’s the tricky thing with QB’s, you can be a persona non grata one day and in the Super Bowl the next. Don’t believe us, just ask guys like Curt Warner and Jeff Hostetler. Point is, were not convinced its over for Sanchez. Look for Sanchez to put his eight years of experience to use and overcome adversity once again to hopefully have some good moments this year.
2. Tony Romo, Quarterback for Dallas Cowboys
Coming off of back-to-back injury riddled seasons, the Dallas Cowboys decided to give their franchise signal caller a little extra insurance this offseason. Armed with a younger and more athletic offensive line for better protection, an improved rushing attack with first round draft pick Ezekiel Elliot, and the veteran receiving threats known as Jason Witten and Dez Bryant, Romo could be primed for his first 3,000 yard passing season since 2014 – provided of course, that he can stay healthy. He’s already gone down in pre-season play and will be out for the first half of the season. If Dallas can stay competitive in the interim and Romo can bounce back, a twilight-years playoff run is possible.
1. Victor Cruz, Wide Receiver for New York Giants
Before last year’s season ending injury, consistency was the name of Cruz’s game. From 2011 to 2013, Cruz had 900 or more receiving yards for three years straight. Yet, 2014 and 2015 were not kind health wise for Cruz, with knee then calf injuries sidelining him from play. Even though the Giants have not made the playoffs since winning Super Bowl XLVI back in 2011, Victor Cruz is still one of the game’s best receivers and one of the NFL’s most entertaining players. Even in his abbreviated six-game season in 2014 he still averaged 14.7 yards per catch. Perhaps pairing a healthy Cruz with Odell Beckham Jr. is just the recipe that the Giants need to get back into the postseason.
Special Consideration
Ron Rivera, Head Coach for Carolina Panthers
Riverboat Ron accomplished about as much as a head coach could have last season, helping guide the Panthers to a 15-1 regular season record, a run through the playoffs which led to an appearance at the Super Bowl. Rivera and franchise Quarterback Cam Newton have hit their stride as far as head coach and QB go. The next step is to not only get back to the big game, but win it all this time. If he were to do so he’d be the first Latino Head Coach to win the Lombardi trophy.
Now that’s something to watch!
