DeAngelo Williams may be done with the Panthers

The economics of FA rb's is just not good under the current cba. On the flip side, drafting rb's is good cost/benefit. It's one position that does make sense to draft in the 1st or 2nd rounds if you think the guy can start right away. Paying a rookie rb a lot makes sense cause they can contribute immediately, unlike wr's & DEs that usually take a few years to develop, then start to play best at the end of their contract. Of couse rb's that are mid to late round picks that make the team are great value.

Given that Allen is a money ball guy & Shanny has a knack for finding mid to late rounders, I would think DW would not be on their wish list. Most rbs don't have better years beyond their rookie contract. Not saying he couldn't make it happen when healthy, but at 28 he's close to his ceiling & each injury speeds up the downward spiral.

Hopefully we are going into this offseason with the intent to better the team and not buy into big names. I personally would be all for the whole no name youth movement. Lets take young players and make them worth some value and not sign value players just to watch there value depreciate in D.C.

The blogger for the local paper here did an article on RBs in the upcoming FA and in it he stated that after researching the last 10 years, HE believes this will be the best FA group of running backs in the last decade. But that is his opinion, not sure yet if I fully agree. I do know though that there are a good number of starting capable RBs who should hit the market depending on the new CBA

There are quite a few backs potentially available this offseason, Addai, Michael Bush, Jerome Harrison, LeRon McClain, Ronnie Brown, Jarious Norwood, Marshawn Lynch, Darren Sproles, etc.

I would be all for Bush or Harrison. I'd say No to Williams, he's pretty good but he's injury prone and we need a consistent RB. Maybe Choice will be cut in Dallas.

I guess I am wanting to see what K Williams and Torrain can do. Clearly we might need to pick up another running back with Torrains health issues, but overall I would rather focus on interior OL and (ugh) WRs in terms of the offense.

I think we need to worry about WR before RB

This is what I found with free agent RBs:


2011 NFL Free Agent Running Backs
By: Roshan Bhagat
DeAngelo Williams, CAR – With Jonathan Stewart still locked up, will DeAngelo Williams become expendable? I doubt the Panthers allow Williams to leave via free agency, but he could very well become an acquirable commodity next offseason through a tag and trade.

Jamaal Charles, KC – Charles’ 1120 yards, 5.9 average, 7 touchdowns, and 40 receptions were all impressive numbers. On a per snap basis, few running backs were more productive last season. With his electrifying speed, Charles appears to be a big part of the Chiefs’ future.

Cedric Benson, CIN – The former first-round bust revitalized his career with 1200 yards for a Bengals offense that did the same. Though he’ll be 28 in December, Benson probably has one more good contract left in him if he can prove that 2009 was not an anomaly.



Jerome Harrison, CLE – After carrying all but 77 times in his first 3 years, Harrison rushed for 862 yards on 194 attempts last year including 3 straight 125 yard games to close the season. As a 5th round pick, Harrison still hasn’t made much money, which means this year will be even more pivotal for him.

Michael Bush, OAK – In a limited role, Bush has posted some eye-popping numbers behind a pedestrian offensive line and a nonexistent passing game. Bush was a potential first-round selection prior to his leg injury which sidelined him for his senior season. With 589 yards and a 4.8 average, Bush has shown glimpses that he could be a punishing starter elsewhere, if not in Oakland.

Darren Sproles, SD – Sproles has proven that he can’t be a starting back, but is exactly what most teams look for from their back-up. He’s a dangerous weapon on special teams and a threat to take any touch to the end zone.

Joseph Addai, IND – Joseph Addai was once one of the league’s promising backs, but injuries and a slowly deteriorating Colts’ offensive line have cut into that potential. Now at 27, Addai probably has one good contract left, but must first compete with Donald Brown to prove that he can still be the complete back he once was.



Ronnie Brown, MIA – Subtract the injuries from Brown’s career and many pundits may be rightfully comparing Ronnie Brown to Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, and the league’s other premiere backs. Unfortunately, he’s rarely fully healthy and has never had the opportunity to build off his previous seasons. For the Dolphins, the decision on Brown will boil down to matching money.

Ricky Williams, MIA – The years out of the league have spared Williams the damage that would have thrown a brick wall at most backs by this age. Williams is still a productive back, but anything more than a short term contract, or one that depreciates in value, would be a mistake. If the two parties can reach a deal, Miami will likely retain services until his body wears out.

Le’Ron McClain, BAL (FB) – McClain could easily become the league’s most valuable fullback over the next decade if he allows for it. However, given his recent comments requesting more carries, I very much doubt if he’ll stick around in Baltimore after the year is over.

Other Notable Free Agents:
Tim Hightower, ARI
Jerious Norwood, ATL
Kevin Smith, DET
Brandon Jackson, GB
Kolby Smith, KC
Fred Taylor, NE
Laurence Maroney, NE
Kevin Faulk, NE
Sammy Morris, NE
Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG
Mike Bell, PHI
Mewelde Moore, PIT
Mike Tolbert, SD
Leon Washington, SEA
Kenneth Darby, STL
Clifton Smith, TB
Willie Parker, WAS
Brian Leonard, CIN (FB)
Deon Anderson, DAL (FB)
Korey Hall, GB (FB)
Vonta Leach, HOU (FB)
Naufahu Tahi, MIN (FB)
Ahmard Hall, TEN (FB)

I think we need to worry about WR before RB

Tick for tat. It depends on the focus of the Offense. You need to have better WR's then you do RB's if you want to use the passing game to open the running game (the new trend in the NFL). You need better RB's then WR's if you want the running game to open your passing game.

Shanahan, from what I have seen, has always been a run first coach. To be really good at this, you need a good RB. I would rather get a really good RB and young WRs who can be groomed easily. WRs like DeSean Jackson would be really good.

DW is going to be big $$. Of course we need to upgrade the OL first and foremost, and it's nice for a change to actually have faith the front office is on the same page in that regard. Still, we definitely need to upgrade at RB as well.

I like Dengelo Williams, and at 27 he's got a few good years left. He's an upgrade over what we have now considering this will probaly be the last year for Portis. I'm not sold on Torian's ability to stay healthy though he has shown promise.

I'm in total agreement with your assessment on the O/L. Nothing is going to be an upgrade until we improve the most important part of the offense.

Until we get the line fixed, any resources directed at running back are wasted. I would only make exception for a back that brings a significant talent in the passing game.