Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Sporting News is literally run by King Taharqua


Fiz

Recommended Posts

Sporting News Top 20 Runningbacks

1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings. He is the best pure runner in the game, leading the league in rushing average as a rookie and rushing yards in '08. He'll get more chances to show his blocking and receiving skills this season.

2. Steven Jackson, Rams. New coach Steve Spagnuolo has made no secret of the fact he plans to build the team around Jackson. He probably is the best all-purpose back in the league, a candidate to lead the league in carries and yardage in '09.

3. Brandon Jacobs, Giants. His size and physical style set up everything the Giants do on offense, and his absence late in the season exposed some of the team's weaknesses.

4. Brian Westbrook, Eagles. He was hampered by injuries last season, but he has 37 touchdowns rushing/receiving over the last three seasons. He is a matchup nightmare for opponents. He should benefit greatly from upgrades along the offensive line and at wide receiver.

5. Frank Gore, 49ers. The hiring of new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and running backs coach Tom Rathman is good news for Gore. He has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and the Niners now are more committed to a power running game.

6. Clinton Portis, Redskins. He runs with power and vision, showing the ability to locate cutback lanes and burst to daylight. When healthy, he has been one of the most productive backs the last five years.

7. Michael Turner, Falcons. Turner led the NFL's second-ranked rushing attack with an NFL-high 376 carries last year, and he finished second in rushing yards (1,699) and rushing touchdowns (17). New TE Tony Gonzalez might steal some of Turner's red-zone touches, but Turner remains the focal point of a run-first offense.

8. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers. His 3.8-yard average and two 100-yard efforts in 2008 were among the worst numbers of his career, but he played through injuries that would have kept most of us in bed for weeks. When healthy, Tomlinson is one of the NFL's most versatile and explosive backs. And indications are L.T. will be able to carry the load again in '09.

9. Matt Forte, Bears. As a rookie last year, he accounted for an incredible 37 percent of the Bears' offense. He runs with power and vision, and he makes plays as a receiver. He will be even more effective behind an upgraded line and with QB Jay Cutler's powerful arm keeping the safeties honest. No more eight-man fronts for Forte. The future looks bright.

10. Chris Johnson, Titans. He is an outstanding open-field runner and a dangerous receiver. Titans coaches say the best is yet to come from Johnson. The plan is to use Johnson in more varied ways in '09, shifting him around the field to create mismatches and get him the ball in the open field. He could become a star this year.

11. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars. The departure of Fred Taylor leaves the bulk of the mail-carrying to MJD. He has the speed to attack the edge, is a tough inside runner and can make plays after the catch.

12. Darren McFadden, Raiders. Turf toe troubles behind him, he should have a breakout season in '09. He is a phenomenal athlete who can line up anywhere. He'll beat out Justin Fargas for the starting job, and it wouldn't surprise us if he led the Raiders in rushing and receiving.

13. Marshawn Lynch, Bills. Despite his impending suspension, Lynch still projects as a 1,000-yard back who will excel in Buffalo's zone-blocking scheme because of his one-cut running style. He also showed improved receiving skills in '08.

14. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers. He is a tough, instinctive runner with great vision and burst to make big plays. He rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. Teammate Jonathan Stewart added 836 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, and Carolina's run-first game plan doesn't figure to change in '09.

15. Willie Parker, Steelers. He missed five games last year because of knee and shoulder injuries but still shows great burst to the edge. With second-year man Rashard Mendenhall (broken shoulder) now healthy, too, Parker could be asked to split time in '09.

16. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins. The Dolphins brought along Brown slowly last year as he recovered from ACL surgery. This season, with an improved offensive line, another year in the system and well on his way to full health, Brown should improve over last year's so-so performance.

17. Thomas Jones, Jets. Jones is coming off his best NFL season (1,312 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) but is holding out for a new contract. He turns 31 in August, though, and Jets coaches figure to give backup Leon Washington a larger role and find work for rookie Shonn Greene.

18. Ryan Grant, Packers. Grant struggled early in '08 with the Packers' zone-blocking concepts but performed better in the second half of the season. Still, 2008 was a disappointment for Grant, and the coaches don't appear to have full confidence in him. He might not be an every-down back, and there is plenty of competition for carries.

19. Kevin Smith, Lions. Smith started as a rookie in '08, a bright spot on a winless team. He is a productive zone-scheme runner with a nose for the end zone and proved to be a capable receiver. He'll improve with the arrival of Jim Schwartz and new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.

20. Chris "Beanie" Wells, Cardinals. Wells is big and powerful, in the Jacobs mold. Wells is only a rookie but should overtake Tim Hightower as the first- and second-down back and get the call in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Wells must improve as a pass blocker and receiver, but that will come in time.

RealScouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News.

the only thing I can think of is that the success of stewart minimizes the success of DeAngelo in their eyes, which is an interesting argument, but is debunked by Footballoutsiders which has DWill ranked number one in 2008.

I guess without Deshaun Foster there to soften up the defense Williams just isn't the back we thought he was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5. Frank Gore, 49ers. The hiring of new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and running backs coach Tom Rathman is good news for Gore. He has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and the Niners now are more committed to a power running game.

6. Clinton Portis, Redskins. He runs with power and vision, showing the ability to locate cutback lanes and burst to daylight. When healthy, he has been one of the most productive backs the last five years.

7. Michael Turner, Falcons. Turner led the NFL's second-ranked rushing attack with an NFL-high 376 carries last year, and he finished second in rushing yards (1,699) and rushing touchdowns (17). New TE Tony Gonzalez might steal some of Turner's red-zone touches, but Turner remains the focal point of a run-first offense.

8. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers. His 3.8-yard average and two 100-yard efforts in 2008 were among the worst numbers of his career, but he played through injuries that would have kept most of us in bed for weeks. When healthy, Tomlinson is one of the NFL's most versatile and explosive backs. And indications are L.T. will be able to carry the load again in '09.

9. Matt Forte, Bears. As a rookie last year, he accounted for an incredible 37 percent of the Bears' offense. He runs with power and vision, and he makes plays as a receiver. He will be even more effective behind an upgraded line and with QB Jay Cutler's powerful arm keeping the safeties honest. No more eight-man fronts for Forte. The future looks bright.

10. Chris Johnson, Titans. He is an outstanding open-field runner and a dangerous receiver. Titans coaches say the best is yet to come from Johnson. The plan is to use Johnson in more varied ways in '09, shifting him around the field to create mismatches and get him the ball in the open field. He could become a star this year.

11. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars. The departure of Fred Taylor leaves the bulk of the mail-carrying to MJD. He has the speed to attack the edge, is a tough inside runner and can make plays after the catch.

12. Darren McFadden, Raiders. Turf toe troubles behind him, he should have a breakout season in '09. He is a phenomenal athlete who can line up anywhere. He'll beat out Justin Fargas for the starting job, and it wouldn't surprise us if he led the Raiders in rushing and receiving.

13. Marshawn Lynch

^^^^^^^^^^^^

williams is better than any one of them...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please, bless us with the Fiz top 20.

assuming you're serious, i think it's silly to do rankings, but grouping them in tiers is doable.

williams would obviously be in the first tier with Peterson, Jacobs, and Portis.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^^^^^^^^^^^^

williams is better than any one of them...

Since you won't say it I will, he's the best RB in the league. Period. Not only does he consistently get 10+ and 20+ yard runs, score touchdowns inside the 5 yard line, and still be consistent, he does it all while not fumbling at all and hurting the team. Ugh I normally try to remind myself that most writers know poo about our team but that is sheer idiocy on the highest order. Marshawn Lynch ahead of DWill? Seriously?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since you won't say it I will, he's the best RB in the league. Period. Not only does he consistently get 10+ and 20+ yard runs, score touchdowns inside the 5 yard line, and still be consistent, he does it all while not fumbling at all and hurting the team. Ugh I normally try to remind myself that most writers know poo about our team but that is sheer idiocy on the highest order. Marshawn Lynch ahead of DWill? Seriously?

I have been promoting Williams ever since we drafted him. I used to get called ignorant, williams lover, nut hugger, blah, blah, blah.....

I know he is the top 1 / 2 in the league with Peterson.

everyone else will just think I am being me...

but I agree.. Williams is our new "Steve Smith"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • In my view, the realistic expectation for this team to compete will start 2027.  At that time, I think we could be looking at the following (this is HIGHLY speculative):   QB:  You know, Bryce.  I am not a fan, but they don't ask me.  But there is reason for hope--and here it is.  Bryce will be entering his prime.  Since we are likely to pay him, there will be changes that I include throughout this exercise--I realistically speculate on what they are going to do with Bryce and then I realistically speculate on what means in terms of the cap and other positions. Bryce HAS IMPROVED.  The idea is that if you give him more weapons and protection, that will continue.  His career:   At this rate, if his growth continues, by 2027 we should expect nearly 30 TDs and about 12 Interceptions and a Rating of about 98.  His completion percentage should settle at 65-66% or so.  If that happens, you can win with it. The following stats demonstrate how the Panthers will be able to afford it (and re-sign Ickey) My guess is they will require about $60m per year. This is why rookies who can play are important.  It also helps us see the blueprint.  You may disagree, but this is the cruel realities of the salary cap. Robert Hunt:  Cut post June 1 and save $19m.  Who do you replace him with?  Ickey. Tershawn Wharton:  Cutting him saves nearly $15m.  We should all hope to see Aaron Hall (UDFA) make the roster and play well.  Regardless, this is a position we would likely have to address in the next draft. Trevin Moehrig:  Cutting Moehrig as the starting SS saves this team $16.5m.   Ransom will be on year 3 of a cheap rookie deal and should be more than ready to take the reins.  their styles are similar.  Furthermore, FS Wheatley (R, 4th round) will be starting. Taylor Moton:  So much depends on his knee, but I have an idea that he can play another 3 years.  extending him could save the team about $5m per year.  Cutting him outright would save the team about $21m. In the most drastic situation, we have to cut Moton and the other three players mentioned.   We would need (in all likelihood) a starting DT and RT.  It is possible that the DE would be addressed, but Wharton's production (so far) could be equaled by a rookie.  Look for a cut free agent and a 2027 draft pick here.  If you cut Moton, you save $21m, and that would be the only big hole to fill.  Having Ickey at RG gives you some depth at T, and Ickey could be the guy.  T could be pick in the 2027 draft (first round), fwiw.  It saves you $21m while costing you $5m, for example. We get younger, creating a core of Freeling, Hecht, and the RT first rounder in 2027) along with Ekownu (second contract in the $15m range, and Lewis, whose contract would be in the $16m range if not extended.)  The OL cuts (Hunt, Moton) would save $40m.  The OL would get younger and still solid with veterans at G.   By cutting Wharton (no brainer if his play stays the same) and Moehrig (good player--but we have Ransom on a rookie contract who would not be that much of a drop off--if any) in addition to Hunt and Moton, we would save over $70m in cap room. We would be able to give Bryce bag  and we would have enough to re-sign Ickey (if the knee is not too risky) to a Guard contract (probably at a discount, coming off that injury).  Furthermore, we could add a RT in the draft (or a RG if Ickey moves to RT) and that would be the only large hole to fill. Correct my logic if you see issues-- On defense, in addition to the aforementioned, Scott ($2m contract) is out, replaced by a 4th round rookie contract. CB Jackson's contract ($7.8m) expires and he is (possibly) replaced by a rookie contract.  At Edge, patrick Jones II's $10m contract expires and he is likely a reserve, and his role is absorbed by Phillips, Scourton, Princely, and possible an UDFA like Isaiah Smith or a 2027 draft pick.   These productive developmental players over the past 2 drafts will pay huge dividends.  On paper, I see the team getting much younger and possibly better while cutting nearly $100m and reallocating that money to get more production.          
    • If everything played out and that last thing happened, I probably just quit. 
×
×
  • Create New...