The Pro Bono team

Here is a quick list of skill position players that have underperformed so greatly for their teams this year that they should have played it for free...
(all stats are through Week 16)

QB: Jake Delhomme (CAR) After signing a fatty contract extension this offseason, Delhomme promptly rewarded the Panthers by throwing 4 interceptions and losing a fumble in their opening game of the season. Delhomme was a constant disappointment this season starting only 11 games before being put on season ending IR. He wound up throwing a meager 8 TDs to go along with 18 INTs and 3 lost fumbles.

QB: JaMarcus Russell (OAK) Talk about a Ryan Leaf type bust; JaMarcus Russell has been so bad this season that journeymen quarterbacks Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye both got the starting nod over him. This former #1 overall pick out of LSU has the big time arm (and big time body fat) but he has simply gotten worse in each of his 3 seasons in Oakland. In 11 games (9 starts) he has a completion percentage of 47.8, has thrown 3 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and lost 5 fumbles.

Honorable Mention: Jay Cutler (CHI), Jason Campbell (WAS)

RB: Matt Forte (CHI) Lovie Smith has always said the Bears get off the bus running. I guess someone didn't tell Forte. To say he has had a disappointing year is like saying Tiger Woods would never cheat on his wife. The Bears running back was looking to improve on his impressive rookie season where he rushed for over 1,200 yards and lost just 1 fumble. This year he's developed a case of fumbalitis, coughing up the ball 5 times, rushing for just over 830 yards with a paltry 3.4 average (2nd lowest for any back with over 100 carries).

RB: Brandon Jacobs (NYG) Coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons this gi-normous running back was expected to once again be the dominating back for the New York Football Giants. He figured to see an increase in carries and production with the departure of Derrick Ward in the offseason. Instead, Jacobs failed to produce a single 100 yard game so far this season (his high mark was 92) and has his worse yard per carry average since his rookie season (3.7). His disappointing season was finally put to rest when the Giants placed him on season ending IR this week.

Honorable Mention: Steve Slaton (HOU), Kevin Smith (DET)

WR: Terrell Owens (BUF) Did anyone NOT see this coming? TO (next question) has said all the right things this year up in Buffalo. He hasn't had his customary blow out like in San Fran, Philly and Big D. He also hasn't put up numbers close to his career averages. His current totals of 51/764/4 is one of his worst statistical seasons since his rookie season. Not everything can be blamed on him; he has had 2 horrific quarterbacks throwing him the ball, but when your name is Terrell Owens, a season like this is unacceptable.

WR: Eddie Royal (DEN) Royal did a little bit of everything last year for the Broncos. This year he's done a bunch of nothing (minus the 1 game he returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown; his only 2 scores of the season). The speedster out of VA Tech pulled down 91 balls for 980 yards and 5 TDs last year, a far cry from his 37/345/0 this year. He has been almost invisible, much like the Broncos offense this year, and has been an extreme disappointment as the #2 receiver behind Brandon Marshall.

Honorable Mention: TJ Houshmandzadeh (SEA), Braylon Edwards (CLE/NYJ)