Top 50 Running Backs

[Carolina Crazy V2]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/416183-top-50-running-backs-in-the-nfl-today

Make sure you look in the comments.

By the way, I wrote this so constructive criticism is welcome.

[Argus Plexus]

As long as our boys are in the top ten, where they belong, I'm happy.

[OneBadassCat]

Somebody is a Vikings fan. AP does not deserve #1.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Somebody is a Vikings fan. AP does not deserve #1.

i agree.

chris johnson is the reigning champ.

[Brokenbad]

i agree.

chris johnson is the reigning champ.

THIS. Less fumbles + more yards - strength of supporting cast = Chris Johnson over AP.

[Jackofalltrades]

CJ should be top of the board, but personally I don't think any rookies, at this point, should be ranked any higher than Vets, even sophomores.

[panthers55]

MY personal opinion is go with top 20 backs and do better research. I can find no stated or implied rationale for your list. Surely it isn't yards per carry or AP would be around 20 and not 1. Also some of the commentary is way off. For example you say that CJ's yards per carry were in large part due to his offensive line. That isn't necessarily the case as over 1000 of his 2000 yards were gained after contact by the defense. Here are a few links which shed light on the issue.

http://stats-dont-lie.blogspot.com/2010/01/look-at-yards-gained-after-contact-for.html

http://www.profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2009&pos=HB&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1

Even with Williams and Stewart the order should be reversed. Granted Williams had 1/10 of a yard more per carry but if you look at yards after contact, Stewart gained an average of 3.3 while Williams gained 2.6. And Stewart caused 44 missed tackles while Williams caused 27.n The one area that Williams did better was blocking which wasn't mentioned.

Honestly if this list was based on who did the best per opportunity, Jamal Charles should be number 1 not number 10. Certainly he shouldn't be below 3 IMO.

I am not trying to give you grief but you asked for constructive criticism. I give you an A for ambition and willingness to stick your neck out but honestly you need to state your criteria for rating them up front so people have a perspective for agreeing or disagreeing. Like rate them on elusiveness or power or who will get the most yards per carry or even total yards rather than just top 50 backs for 2010. It is too subjective and random for comparison.

[panthers55]

CJ should be top of the board, but personally I don't think any rookies, at this point, should be ranked any higher than Vets, even sophomores.

Agree with the rookies. Don't know why you would rank rookies at all at this point. They haven't done anything to rate them on. That could be another good article on who among the rookies will have the best year.

[Swarly]

Ray Rice, Chris Johnson, Jones-Drew, and DWill(in that order) are all better than Adrian Peterson.

[Jackofalltrades]

Agreed, the article would be especially good if proper research was done. Offensive scheme, opposing schedule, strength of supporting cast, etc, etc should all be considered. There's a reason team took certain players, the why's are as compelling as the players themselves.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Ray Rice, Chris Johnson, Jones-Drew, and DWill(in that order) are all better than Adrian Peterson.

rice and drew? maybe.

[Swarly]

rice and drew? maybe.

Adrian Peterson isn't even a top 5 running back anymore. Yeah he might give you a highlight real stiff arm or run every now and then, but then 2 plays later cough the ball up. If he fixes his fumbling problem he can take back #1 again, until then there are running backs that might not have his insane genetics but don't give the ball away all the time.

edit- Rice, Drew, Johnson, and DWill all run without a hall of fame quarterback sitting behind them, too.

[Frizzy350]

why is mendenhall 11th??

[Davidson Deac II]

Looking at Peterson's number of carries, can't help but wonder if Fox is smarter than most coaches regarding how he has used Stewart and Williams. Peterson is getting 350 or so carries a year compared with Williams 200+. Peterson seemed to be running out of gas towards the end of last season. Maybe he was overused.