This is an exciting time of year as football gets going.

This is an exciting time of year as football gets going. In the Baltimore-Washington area, here are my top-five guys who will likely make headlines in 2010.

#5. Darius Jennings. The super athlete from the Gilman School in Baltimore put on a show in his teams opener against Archbishop Spalding. Four touchdowns in the first half, and for University of Maryland fans be glad your on his list, if he were two inches taller the entire SEC would be watching each Friday. He’s listed at 6-0 180, which means he’s probably closer to 5-10, 5-11 but he’s a quality kid and he will likely be a mean return man for someone in 2011.

#4 Ricky Dobbs- The Naval Academy quarterback has been a show since he had a 42-carry performance in his first major appearance in the Navy lineup in a monsoon against SMU. What strikes you about Dobbs is yes he’s a good football player, but he’s also a great kid. Vice-President of the senior class, respectful of his teammates, coaches, and his God. In an era where arrogance tends to pervade with many athletes, Dobbs thankfully sets a perfect example that many young men can follow. National media are even taking note and mentioning him in a candidacy for the Heisman Trophy. If there was a ever a model for college football’s top award, it is this young man from Georgia.

#3 Ralph Friedgen. The Head Coach at the University of Maryland as brought Maryland’s football profile back in his tenure at Maryland. Some will be critical of a lack of local star power on the roster as some have gone south, north, and west, though I’m not sure if Maryland has lost many players to Salisbury or Wesley College so I won’t see East. Though how did BYRON Westbrook end up on the shore. The problem on top of it for Friedgen is the fact that there is no Athletic Director, and oh yeah, the previous one made a deal that if the offensive coordinator James Franklin isn’t the coach after 2011, he gets a million dollars. There is a lot of inexperience on this team and the schedule has a stretch that is brutal with four on the road in a five game run. The opener is against Navy who some Maryland fans can’t believe is a 6 ½ point favorite. If they start off poorly, it will make for a long year and many empty seats on in College Park. I can see Ralph being a guy that backed into a corner will rally the troops.

#2 Joe Flacco- The 3rd-year NFL quarterback from Delaware via the University of Pittsburgh, has multiple weapons for the first time in his Ravens career. Anquan Boldin looks the part. He seems like he still has what made him a solid receiver in Arizona. Ray Rice is a game-breaking running back which would lead you to believe that the Ravens should score more points. They will have to. This is not your 2000 Ravens defense, but its not awful either. Flacco should make incremental improvements this year if given the chance by offensive coordinator Cam Cameron/ One wonders, if Flacco struggles, how long the leash would be. I don’t think it will come to that.

#1 Donovan McNabb-The quarterback of the Washington Redskins no matter who it is, is always the center of attention in the Nations Capital. He comes a division rival, he’s been to a Super Bowl, He’s won a lot of games. He’s somewhat inconsistent. He’s 33, He’s has an injured ankle, and he’s got questionable wide receivers. His play should be better than that of Jason Campbell, who led the Skins to four great wins a year ago. Will Clinton Portis revive his career with former Head Coach Mike Shanahan here? Will Anthony Armstrong play in the regular season like he has in pre-season and will Chris Cooley and Fred Davis look like Eagles tight ends with McNabb? The last 5 burgundy and gold regular season quarterback was a first round pick and turned out no too good. Here’s hoping this number five turns out better, because if it doesn’t, it will be a long season Washington.