Ten NFL Players under pressure in 2008

Some can already feel it. A month before training camp and a few more before the regular season kicks off, their seats are getting hot. There are lots of players in the NFL jockeying for position, fighting to keep their spot as new talent pours in from the draft, free agency and trades. Players who haven't yet lived up to their billing and are at risk of losing their jobs if they don't step it up quick. These players are on the hot seat. Although there are many players on the hot seat, these are the 10 with perhaps the most to gain or lose this season:

10) Rex Grossman - He's been in and out of the starting role in Chicago for a couple years now and Kyle Orton is pushing him even before training camp starts. He had a tough year last year partly because Thomas Jones left and they had to throw more and partly because he has poor decision-making abilities. We've seen flashes of a good QB out of Grossman, but nothing consistent. If he can't play well early, Lovie Smith will not hesitate to bench him for Kyle Orton.

9) Derek Anderson - He seems to be pretty secure after leading his team to the brink of the playoffs last year in the midst of a Pro-Bowl campaign right? Not so fast. Don't forget hometown boy Brady Quinn is chomping at the bit to get Anderson's job and he was drafted to be their QB of the future. If Anderson or the Brownies falter early in the season, I wouldn't be surprised to hear the fans in the Dog-Pound start chanting BRA-DY, BRA-DY.

8) Reggie Bush - Said to be the next Gale Sayers when New Orleans drafted him 2 nd overall in 2006, Bush hasn't come close to living up to the hype. He was a human highlight reel in college but that hasn't translated completely to the pros. He has made some great plays and helped the team but many are questioning his durability and if he's capable of being the franchise back. He can be game changer or a role player depending on the week. Sometimes he reminds me of Marshall Faulk and sometimes he reminds me of Kevin Faulk.

7) Orlando Pace - When healthy, he's one of the best in the game. But he's usually not healthy and the Rams are getting tired of seeing Pro-Bowl QB Marc Bulger get sacked 5 times a game. They drafted defense in the first round the last two years but another year of so-so offensive line play or another Pace injury and they might draft their left-tackle of the future in '09. That would make room for Pace to either be cut or retire.

6) Vince Young - Throwing twice as many interceptions as touchdowns isn't really living up to your expectations. A dynamic runner and playmaker, VY hasn't gotten the hang of NFL passing yet and, without any good receivers again this year, he might not for some time. He's supposed to be the Titans Franchise QB but he needs to produce and soon if they want to contend in a deeply talented AFC south. And if he wants to keep his job.

5) Tavaris Jackson - His Vikings are the trendy pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. (it will actually be the Cowboys) But he is the weak link in that talent-laden chain. He hasn't developed as well as many would have hoped and without Adrian Peterson, he would have cost them more games last year. If he can take his game to the next level, there's no telling what the Vikings can achieve. If he can't, well I guess we'll be seeing more of Kelly Holcomb.

4) Vernon Davis - Alex Smith will never be the second coming of Joe Montana or Steve Young. So it's up to the talented but injury-prone Davis to make plays for him. Vernon Davis' upside is tremendous but his off the field antics, poor attitude and injury problems keep him from realizing his true potential. If he can't keep his mouth shut or stay healthy, SF's offense might move on without him under Mike Martz.

3) Joey Porter - In my opinion, always overrated. A big mouth with average talent who was on a good team for most of his career. He causes trouble with his words and attitude and has been described as a poor teammate. He signed a big deal with the Dolphins in '07 and they proceeded to stink up the league and almost lost every single game. If he cant help contribute to a respectable program this year, he will become the latest casualty of the Bill Parcells Rebuilding Experiment.

2) Adam Jones - He has a second lease on life with the Cowboys and his revised name. After being nothing but trouble for most of his time in the league and even during his suspension last year he is hoping to revitalize once-promising career in Dallas. But he is living on borrowed time with everyone. One slip up and Roger Goodell will suspend him for at least another season and the Cowboys, even though they love convicts, will cut him for sure. If he makes even the smallest mistake, his career will be over.

1) Aaron Rodgers - Wow, talk about pressure. Being the man to replace a legend like Brett Favre can't be the easiest task in the world. Packers fans are of course expecting big things out of him, as is his coaching staff and teammates. If he can deliver, the Packers will remain NFC contenders and he will win over fans and critics alike. If not, rookie Brian Brohm will step in and take the reins for the Pack. In that case, you could mention Rodgers name with his Pac-10 counterparts Kyle Boller and Joey Harrington - all of whom had the same QB coach - in the bust category.