Position Ranking: The Rushers
by Khaled Elsayed
17/7/2009
The Diner's pre camp analysis of all the teams, ranking each unit they have, continues by turning an eager eye to the running backs.
Each unit is broken down before a cumulative set of results are provided to determine who in my opinion are the best teams heading out of last season and into this. This involves looking at the starter, and then who will be backing them up as and when this looks like becoming a factor.
32. Detroit Lions
 So in addition to struggling with their quarterback they're going to struggle with their running backs. Kevin Smith didn't look like a bad player, but he didn't look like anything special and signing Maurice Morris may give them a guy with a cool name but it's not really going to matter much when it comes to improving . Still the only way is up right?
31. Cleveland Browns
This isn't a pretty situation. Jamal Lewis is really starting to show his age and there isn't a player on the roster you think is capable of filling in as a starter. In fact they are a lot worse than most teams 3rd option.
Not pretty at all.
30. Cincinnati Bengals
Cedric Benson has a lot of talent, I'm pretty sure of that. But whether mentally he has it in him to follow through on that, I'm not sure. Brian Leonard could prove a very astute pick up depending on how he is used and brings with him a great deal of variety. The rest of the depth ... well let's just move on.
29. Denver Broncos
I'm not a fan of throwing as much mud at a wall and seeing what sticks.
Moreno may prove to be a good back but word is he won't be overly worked this year, and while Buckhalter looked useful in Philadelphia, but there just isn't anything special about this team. A case of having solid quantity, but 'meh' quality.
28. Seattle Seahawks
Julius Jones never really got a fair rap in Dallas but seems to be a nice fit in the Seahawks system where he was averaging almost 4.5 yards per carry. TJ Duckett is a nice complimentary back to him, but needs to be a bit more assertive in his running.
27. Arizona Cardinals
While Beanie Wells was great value and a massive upgrade on Tim Hightower, they're left with little in the way of variation and a feature back who has some durability concerns. They'll want to ease Wells in, but Hightower didn't show anything other than a nose for the end zone which is a concern if this attack is to improve.
26. Houston Texans
I feel almost guilty for putting Steve Slaton so low, but I don't think he has it in him to be a consistent feature back and there simply isn't the support around him to ease his workload without going more pass happy than they already can be at times.
25. Indianapolis Colts
Joseph Addai looked like a perfect fit in Indiana, but ever since a dream debut season he seems to have regressed to the stage that the Colts felt the need to spend a first round pick on Donald Brown. From what I've seen of Brown he's a solid back that should fill a role in the Colts system, but he's not going to do much in terms of moving this team away from being pass first.
24. Kansas City Chiefs
A team with Larry Johnson should not be this low down the list. But until LJ sorts his head out its hard to have any faith in him to deliver on his ability. Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith are both unconvincing, but can do a limited job.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
I have concerns as to whether Jones-Drew has the tools to be a feature back when it appears Jacksonville don't really have anyone to lighten his load.
Chauncey Washington, Rashad Jennings or Alvin Pearlman? Thought not. Maybe Greg Jones can handle more of the load, but with his injury history he seems better suited to blocking than carrying.
22. New Orleans Saints
Pierre Thomas is developing nicely as a feature back but there doesn't seem to be anyone to support him. This isn't helped by the Saints over reliance on the passing attack and really not developing any consistency with their attack. Bringing in Heath Evans at Mike Karneys' expense seems to indicate they're going to try and be more of a finesse running team as a 2nd resort when the pass has woefully failed.
21. Green Bay Packers
Averaging under 4 yards Ryan Grant wasn't quite the same player he was after his breakthrough 2007 season. A serviceable back, Green Bay will need more from him or for Brandon Jackson to step up and become a second option when Grant isn't working. It would almost be rude to ignore the talented full backs the Packers have on their roster in Hall and Kuhn especially.
20. Baltimore Ravens
Willis MaGahee has something to prove as he loses carries to Rice and McClain, both of whom provide a valuable role rushing the ball. It will be interesting to see just how the ratio of carries works out, whether the Ravens are preparing to give a bigger role to the high potential Ray Rice as opposed to at times disappointing MaGahee.
19. San Francisco 49ers
Frank Gore was on his way to becoming one of the best running backs in the NFC, but over the past two years he has fallen way down that pecking order and is coming off the back of a year where average best sums him up.
Flashes of skill combined with moments of futility. Backing him up there doesn't seem to be much to get excited about, though if he can get going then running behind Norris could yield good results.
18. New England Patriots
The Patriots have plenty of guys who can run, but with Brady back you wonder if they'll really need the help. Laurence Maroney is going to need to start delivering after a stuttering career, while Fred Taylor still (you would
think) has something left in the tank. Kevin Faulk is a very useful guy to come in on third downs.
17. Chicago Bears
The Bears definitely found something in Matt Forte, but he wasn't quite as good as people made him out to be rushing the ball (under 4 ypc). Kevin Jones looks to be the guy backing him up, and that's not such a bad thing considering he was a pretty talented back who seems to have struggled finding a home to display talents he obviously has.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
As much as the Eagles are McNabb's team, they have relied on Brian Westbrook for quite a while now. Truly the most versatile back in the NFL, he's a threat in any situation and on his day its probably only AD that rivals the impact he has on a game. But he's getting older. And he's not particularly big. And he's always got some form of health problem to the point where you wonder has he peeked and about to enter the downside of his career. Lesean McCoy is going to be asked a lot and as much of a steal as he may be, I'm hesitant to put the Eagles higher.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs made a big statement by spending big on Derrick Ward in the off season. Now it remains to be seen what kind of ratio of carries he gets to the solid runner and all round nice guy known as Earnest Graham. Perhaps the most interesting (and disappointing) thing this brings about is that the tremendously talented Cadillac Williams seems to have had his career somewhat ruined by injury, and we may never see just how good he could have been.
14. Oakland Raiders
You'd hope they would begin to use Darren McFadden more. Extremely talented, if he can go into the season fully fit then this ranking could be a fair bit higher. Justin Fargas is a solid starter but probably more the kind of guy you'd feel secure going to when you want to give your top guy a breather. Michael Bush, if he's finally recovered from his nightmare injury, is too good a talent to be ignored. Still it's going to be hard accommodating these 3 runners.
13. Dallas Cowboys
Why so low? Well I'm not a huge fan of Marion Barber and I really don't know what Felix Jones is going to be capable of once a season develops. On paper it seems like a solid combination, with excellent depth in Tashard Choice, but I don't know if they're going to be good enough consistently.
12. New York Giants
Brandon Jacobs is the kind of guy who can demolish defenders, but his style and size brings a lot of abuse onto himself and this has resulted in him missing time with injuries on a consistent basis. Losing Derrick Ward is a massive concern and you're left wondering what Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware are going to do if they're forced into leading the Giants rushing attack.
11. San Diego Chargers
I'm not quite ready to give up on LT yet, but there is a growing concern that the best has come and gone from him. Darren Sproles has third down back potential, but expecting him to even share a workload seems to be asking for trouble. Michael Bennett isn't a guy you want to be giving too many touches to.
10. New York Jets
The real problem could be ensuring the backs put in maximum effort if you're the Jets. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington both are in search of getting paid for their efforts, and if the trade up for Shonne Greene shows anything, its that the Jets aren't married to either of these players.
Jones was rejuvenated last year, but has had a real yo-yo career and you always wonder what kind of state he'll show up in. Washington is an exceptional change of pace and 3rd down back, and you'd look to get him on the field as much as possible.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
 This unit depends on the return of Rashard Mendenhall. As nice a story as Fast Willie Parker is, he seems to neither have the production or durability to be a true number one back and may be better served sharing the role with a bigger back. Obviously Mendenhall coming off IR is a concern, but he should compliment FWP which should worry those hoping to stop a Steelers repeat. Mewelde Moore is a great third down back, but may be wasted with Mendenhall and Parker ahead of him.
8. Buffalo Bills
Marshawn Lynch, presuming he has finally learnt his lesson, is the kind of back you can build your running game around. Tremendously effective and tough runner, he's supported well by Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes.
Jackson has continually done well when he's been given an opportunity and you expect the Bills to have a good enough rotation to keep players fresh and take pressure off their passing game with these ball carriers.
7. Tennessee Titans
The artists formerly known as Smash and Dash are a talented duo who complements each other well, but something about them just doesn't sit right for me. Probably has something to do when they open their mouths. In any case the Titans have found a great one-two punch that threatens to run over and around opponents.
6. Miami Dolphins
Ignoring all the hoopla of the Wild Cat (teams seemed to have caught onto it as the season developed) you still have a back, who if you could guarantee he'd stay healthy, you'd be very excited to have. Can pretty much do it all and has tremendous physical abilities, Ronnie Brown has threatened being an elite back on many occasions. Ricky Williams isn't the player he once was, but he's found the right role for himself at this stage of his career and is valuable in keeping Brown fresh.
5. St Louis Rams
Its almost a shame Steven Jackson is in St Louis as he seems to have fallen massively under the radar, despite talent wise being (in my opinion) one of the best 3 natural running backs in the league. Having him run behind a true full back like Mike Karney should really assist the Rams in finally developing a strong and potent running game. Antonio Pittman could be a nice change of pack back to watch out for.
4. Carolina Panthers
Finally realising his potential and getting better as the season went on, DeAngelo Williams may be the running back with the most momentum as he heads into the new season. The injury status of Jonathan Stewart could hurt this line up and the effectiveness of Williams who seemed to benefit from a lesser workload earlier in the season, and was suitably fresh for running right through late season defences.
3. Atlanta Falcons
What makes the Falcons rushing attack is the variation. You have Michael Turner powering through tackles and Jerious Norwood evading them to create nightmares for defences. What's more is both are versatile in their running style, able to run up the middle and out wide with their combination of speed and power. Ovie Mughelli leads the way for both men, and its as complete a backfield as there is out there. The worry is how Turner's body has handled such a tough work load, and whether if something happens to him Norwood has the durability to cope as a feature back.
2. Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis may be getting older but he's probably one of the best 3 backs in the league, and more than any other back is probably the leader of his offence. Ladell Betts has shown in years gone by that he can get a job done, but he'll do well to take carries off Portis. Portis, in the age of the running back by committee, seems to be something of a rarity, a clearly established number one back.
1. Minnesota Vikings
Some call him AD, some call him Purple Jesus, but last year every one recognised him as the most dominant running back in the NFL. A fantastic blend of power and speed we're no doubt watching something special when we watch Adrian Peterson. If he's able to correct his fumbling problems then you have to feel sorry for the Packers, Lions and Bears facing him twice a year. In the form of Chester Taylor you have a guy good enough to start for most teams and whose added versatility leaves teams worrying about more than just the most dynamic player in the NFL. A scary backfield.
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