Here are players who underperformed given the expectations going into 2007:

Quarterbacks

Bengals QB Carson Palmer – given the lofty expectations placed prior to the start of the season, he underperformed in 2007. Sure, he had 26 TDs, but 6 of those TDs were from one game. He also had many games that were sub-250 yard, and 1 TD type games. Much too erratic and not enough connections with his favorite target “Ocho Cinco” Chad Johnson.

Rams QB Marc Bulger – he was typically ranked about the 6th top QB. Through injuries and a decimated O-line, Bulger never got on track and reached the potential in this offense. 2,392 yards and 11 pass TDs were just not enough production in 2007, making Bulger a prime bust.

Running Backs

49ers RB Frank Gore – it was a bad year for Gore – and his owners – as he battled injuries, unimaginative play calling and a bad offensive line. He cleared 100 yards in a game only twice. The performance did not meet the hype after a solid 2006. All told he only scored 5 rush TDs, and rushed for 1102 yards.

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander – he suffered from injury, his own lack of aggressiveness in running and the offense’s shift from a running to a passing game. What’s worse is that backup Maurice Morris looked better than him on many occasions. 716 yards and 4 TDs were his final stats.

Broncos RB Travis Henry – he was typically a high second round draft pick in most fantasy drafts due to being traded to Denver’s running friendly offense and he got off to an excellent start, rushing for over 100 yards in 3 out of the first four games on the schedule. But injury, legal troubles, and Selvin Young began to affect his playing time and performance. He was not the same runner after week 4, and winded up with 691 yards and 4 TDs on the season.

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew – “MJD” did not regress in 2007, it’s just that Fred Taylor stole his thunder. Jones-Drew did not go over 20 total touches in any game except for one. Therefore, he would be a better #2 back than a number one, unless of course Fred Taylor were out of the picture. Still, MJD garnered 9 rush TDs and 768 yards rushing.

Bears RB Cedric Benson – he was supposed to be so good that the Bears let go of Thomas Jones, but he disappointed in a major way in ’07. He was unable to make things happen as a runner and many times he ended up running into piles. 4 rushing TDs and 674 yards later, no one will likely draft this guy in the first several rounds of their drafts again.

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson – “Mr. Consistent” was anything but in 2007, as injury, poor play by his offense, and competition from Kenny Watson rendered him ineffective until the end of the season. He essentially became a part-time back and ended up with a dismal 497 yards and 3 TDs rushing.

Saints RB Reggie Bush – the next big thing did not materialize in his second season. Even after running mate Deuce McAlister went down Bush could not take advantage of the additional snaps. He ended the season with an injured knee, glad to leave the 2007 season behind. Final stats: 581 rush yards, 4 rush TDs.

Falcons RB Jerious Norwood – although not the starter in Atlanta, many predicted he would get the production over Warrick Dunn. In 2007, Norwood was sparingly used and utilized, finishing with 613 rush yards and 1 TD.

Panthers RB Deangelo Williams – in very much a similar situation as Norwood, Williams did not get enough opportunities nor did he do enough with the ones he was presented with. We will see if he can overtake Deshaun Foster next season. 717 yards and 4 TDs.

Lions RB Tatum Bell – he was given the keys to the starting job while Kevin Jones was recuperating and he did little to hold onto it. He didn’t get another snap after week 6 and finished a poor 2007 with a pitiful 182 yards rushing and 1 TD.

Wide Receivers

Panthers WR Steve Smith – the inability of the stud receiver to get going in 2007 was one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Sure, he was missing his quarterback, as Jake Delhomme went down with a season-ending injury in week 3. Smith ended up with 1,007 yards and 7 TDs, way below what was expected of him.

Colts WR Marvin Harrison – injury was the main reason for Harrison’s poor season-long performance and raised questions about his viability as a stud for 2008. He did not play in a game from week 8 onward, and finished the season with a paltry 247 yards and 1 TD.

Bears WR Bernard Berrian – he was a surprise performer in 2006, but a regression in the Chicago offense hurt him in ’07. He ended the season with 951 yards and 5 TDs.

Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin – wildly erratic all year, he posted 2 TD games twice, but had sub-40 yard games on 5 occasions. He finished behind his receiving mate, Larry Fitzgerald, with 853 yards and 9 TDs.

Broncos WR Javon Walker – it remains to be seen, after the last several seasons, if Walker can make it through an entire season without injury. He missed 10 weeks of the 2007 season due to injury and finished the season with a pathetic 287 yards and no TDs.