Sorry for the delay, my summer class has consumed my life this past week.
Running backs in the NFL are a dime a dozen, because there are so many factors that come into play for a productive running back. The system in which a running back plays in plays a major role to their successes as a player. For example, the Denver Broncos, under Mike Shanahan, used a zone-blocking scheme. This blocking scheme is as simple as it sounds each man has a zone to block instead of a man. During this time Shanahan was using late round draft pick and undrafted free agents but no matter who was plugged in at running back they were gain at least 1,000 every season. The reason for this was that Shanahan knew the type of back he was looking for which was a patient/slasher type running back. Guys who fit this type are Chris Johnson, Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Jamaal Charles and two Hall of Fame backs Barry Sanders and Walter Payton. A great an example of a running back coming out of nowhere was Adrian Foster, who was an undrafted free agent. Last year, Foster led the NFL in rushing with 1,616 yards; he fits the system in which Houston runs. For a running back to be good, they just need to play within the system. Not looking to completely devalue running backs, but the exceptional ones are rare.
The two running back system is becoming a commonplace in the modern day NFL. This is a good thing for the players because it prolongs their careers, as there is less ware and tear on their bodies. Teams tend to look for two different types of backs, a slasher and a downhill runner. Downhill guys are more short yardage as they are looking to run someone over rather then make them miss like a slasher. The reason teams look for two different guys is because it ‘changes the pace of the game’; in the sense this is true. The slasher is looking to hit a home run every time he touched the ball, but the downhill guy is looking to get a few yards and inflect pain on the defense.
These rankings are going to be based off the two back system, since every team in the NFC North uses a two back system. Please keep in mind that these are as of the day posted so if the team cuts a guy or signs a guy it will not be reflected in the rankings. Even thought this late in free agency there are not many guys left that will change the rankings.
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| Peterson might be the only bright spot for the Vikings this year |
1.) Minnesota Vikings- This was another easy one; Adrian Peterson is a top five running back. In his four years in the NFL Peterson has averaged 4.8 yards a carry, 13 touchdowns a year, and 1445.5 yards a season. He set a career low for rushing yards last year with 1,298 yards, he also missed one game. The Vikings also have a promising back in Toby Gerhart. He only had 81 carries last year but he averaged 4 yards a carry. The biggest question mark here is can the aging offensive line continue to open up holes for these backs. Another question to throw around is does McNabb still have the ability to throw the deep ball to make teams respect his passing or will there be eight guys in the box most of the year?
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| Can Forte improve on last season? |
2.) Chicago Bears- The Bears have a top ten running back in Matt Forte. He had a great rebound last year after being unhealthy most of the 2009 season. He was fifthteenth in the league with 1,069 yards. That is a very respectable number since he was running behind what can be consider the worst offensive line in the NFL. Forte was also only the second Bear in franchise history to have at least 1,000 rushing and 500 receiving, the other was Walter Payton. The Bears backups are . Now I am going to talk about both guys because I am unsure whether they will both be on the opening day roster or not. I cannot see the Bears keeping two running backs who do not play special teams. Taylor was with the Bears last year and was a major disappointment; only gaining 267 yards on 112 carries for an average of 2.4 yards. Taylor was the third down/ short yardage back, he failed miserably at that last year but not all of it falls on him. The Bears offensive line was terrible, in all types of short yardage situations last year. Barber played for the Cowboys last year as their short yardage back. He faired a little better then Taylor but not much better, Barber set career lows in every offensive category. The Bears running backs are loaded with talent only question is can they live up to their potential?
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| Can Grant return to form? |
3.) Green Bay Packers - Hard team to judge because their starter, Ryan Grant, was hurt in the first game last year. Grant has had three productive years, but it is hard to tell how he will come back from his ankle injury. If he can return to form, the Packers will have a lethal running game to join their lethal passing. The passing game will really help the running game, as teams will try to stop the passing game, which will leave a ton of room for the running backs. James Starks should be the backup running back this year came on strong late last year after he returned from an injury. His coming out party was the Packers first playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in which he gained 123 on 23 carries for an average of 5.3. Starks has a load of talent, but his biggest issue will be his health, he missed his senior year at Buffalo because of a shoulder injury and did not play until week 13 last year because of another injury. The Packers are also one of the few teams that will run the ball with their fullback, John Kuhn. Kuhn is their short yardage back and is very productive in that role. The questions here are; how does Grant come back from the ankle injury and can Starks play the whole year?
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| Can Best stay healthy? |
4.) *Detroit Lions- The theme with this team so far has been health. Jahivd Best is their starting running back and as a rookie last year, he had his coming out party in week two against the Philadelphia Eagles. During this game he had 78 rushing yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns had 154 yards receiving and a touchdown. Best got hurt in the following week and was not the same the rest of the year. As the turf toe injury lingered all season. If Best can stay healthy all season, he could have a big year. The Lions drafted Mikel Leshoure in the second round of the 2011 draft; he will fill the third down/short yardage back role. These backs complement each other very well, Best is the fast/nimble/slasher and Leshoure is the downhill/run-you-over back. This could be a great tandem for years to come. Look for the Lions to run the ball a ton this year. Question here is can Best stay healthy all year?
*Will update in due time once they figure out who the new back up is with Leshoure out for the year. I know they signed Mike Bell (former Broncos/Texan/Saint/Eagle/Brown) and Jerome Harrison (Former Brown/Eagle) today but hard to tell if they will have any impact as of now
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