Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

July b15 issue of Sporting News...

NFC:
[B]Falcons[/B] - A
[B]Seahawks[/B] - A-

[B]Cowboys[/B] - Julius Jones showed star potential last season. Anthony Thomas is a quality backup. Grade - B+

[B]Lions[/B] - B+
[B]Packers[/B] - B+
[B]Saints[/B] - B+

[B]Giants[/B] - Tiki Barber keeps getting better with age, but the backup situation is muddled. Grade - B+

[B]Panthers[/B] - B
[B]Bears[/B] - B
[B]Vikings[/B] - B

[B]Eagles[/B] - The three-headed attack is back, with playmaker Brian Westbrook as the headliner. Grade - B

[B]Rams[/B] - B
[B]Buccaneers[/B] - B

[B]Redskins[/B] - Clinton Portis can be a big play threat. Ladell Betts is a solid backup. Grade - B

[B]49ers[/B] - C
[B]Cardinals[/B] - C-


AFC:
[B]Ravens[/B] - A
[B]Colts[/B] - A
[B]Chiefs[/B] - A
[B]Chargers[/B] - A
[B]Patriots[/B] - A-
[B]Jets[/B] - A-
[B]Bills[/B] - B+
[B]Broncos[/B] - B+
[B]Bengals[/B] - B
[B]Dolphins[/B] - B
[B]Raiders[/B] - B
[B]Steelers[/B] - B
[B]Texans[/B] - B-
[B]Jaguars[/B] - B-
[B]Titans[/B] - B-
[B]Browns[/B] - C+

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

My problem with this analysis is how do we get ranked a B when we have 2 good RB's and Dallas gets a B+ with a 2nd year RB that missed half of last season, also how do the Giants get a B+ when the analysis even says that there backup situation is "muddled" the Giants do not have a good back up, yet they are ranked a B+....

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

Nonesense.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=Redskins8588]My problem with this analysis is how do we get ranked a B when we have 2 good RB's and Dallas gets a B+ with a 2nd year RB that missed half of last season, also how do the Giants get a B+ when the analysis even says that there backup situation is "muddled" the Giants do not have a good back up, yet they are ranked a B+....[/QUOTE]I had the same thoughts. If they were basing it on last season the lack of TD's maybe the reason for a B-.This year will be a diffrent story.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

We should at least have a B+. Portis is a top 5 RB, Betts could start for some teams, and the young guys ,White and Broughton (esp. Broughton), are going to be great short yardage backs with hands.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

No one is going to give us credit for jack until we start putting up points and winning games. Just the way it is.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

I am not going to argue with the grades. All I will say though is that the criteria for the grades seems to change from team to team. It seems they came up with a grade and then figured out how to justify it. Basically that is the silliest thing I have seen in SN.
Someone explain how a team with a RB who "showed star potential"(Jones) and a "quality backup"(Thomas) gets a B+ and a team with a star RB(Portis) and a potential quality backup(Betts) gets a B. Not arguing that both grades are wrong but at least one is. 2+1=3 just like 1+2=3. Dumb idiots at SN...

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=FRPLG]I am not going to argue with the grades. All I will say though is that the criteria for the grades seems to change from team to team. It seems they came up with a grade and then figured out how to justify it. Basically that is the silliest thing I have seen in SN.
Someone explain how a team with a RB who "showed star potential"(Jones) and a "quality backup"(Thomas) gets a B+ and a team with a star RB(Portis) and a potential quality backup(Betts) gets a B. Not arguing that both grades are wrong but at least one is. 2+1=3 just like 1+2=3. Dumb idiots at SN...[/QUOTE]No, with political correctness 2+1=2 as long as you tried to answer it.LOL

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

forget it the season is coming and none of this will change our team, we know how we are and that is all we should care about. The media likes to pick on us, it is ok we will prove them wrong next year. Means nothing, the thing that makes me mad is that alot of the media agrees that we have now a solid line. And everyone knows CP is a good RB top 5 but didn't thrive due to our short passing game. This is a judge of the RB alone and in that sense we are a Definate A.
Julius jones rushed 2.3 yards per carry against us by the way

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=jacobyfan]No one is going to give us credit for jack until we start putting up points and winning games. Just the way it is.[/QUOTE]


Exactly.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=Redskins8588]July b15 issue of Sporting News...

NFC:
[B]Falcons[/B] - A
[B]Seahawks[/B] - A-

[B]Cowboys[/B] - Julius Jones showed star potential last season. Anthony Thomas is a quality backup. Grade - B+

[B]Lions[/B] - B+
[B]Packers[/B] - B+
[B]Saints[/B] - B+

[B]Giants[/B] - Tiki Barber keeps getting better with age, but the backup situation is muddled. Grade - B+

[B]Panthers[/B] - B
[B]Bears[/B] - B
[B]Vikings[/B] - B

[B]Eagles[/B] - The three-headed attack is back, with playmaker Brian Westbrook as the headliner. Grade - B

[B]Rams[/B] - B
[B]Buccaneers[/B] - B

[B]Redskins[/B] - Clinton Portis can be a big play threat. Ladell Betts is a solid backup. Grade - B

[B]49ers[/B] - C
[B]Cardinals[/B] - C-[/QUOTE]
The Falcons have a great running [u]attack[/u] - take Mike Vick's 900+ yards away and their RB's are pedestrian. "A" is a little overreaching.

The Seahawks have Shawn Alexander... who has vowed to holdout the season without signing his tender offer. Maybe "A-" is a little premature.

The Cowboys have a very good combination of RB's, but as has been previously stated, the starter has 7 starts and less than 200 carries under his belt. The overall grade seems right, but I'd be careful preordering Jones's Canton bust.

The Lions have another possible star in Kevin Jones, especially considering the trio of wideouts will keep defenses fron focusing on him. As with the Cowboys, I'm wary of grading solely on potential - and with only 14 career starts, that's what Jones has in abundance.

The Packers have a great 1-2 punch, but to say Ahman Green had an off-year last year would be understating things (720 fewer yards and 8 fewer TD's than in 2003). Presuming Najeh "Didn't I take a $#!+ in my girlfriend's closet?" Davenport is the backup, I'd take their 1-2 over any of the previous teams, however.

The Saints have Deuce McAllister, who is coming off of a mediocre year (1074 yards), and Antowain Smith, who has a career average of 3.8 yards a carry. They also have Jim Haslett coaching their team, which all but guarantees they'll be throwing late.

The Giants have Tiki Barber, who saved my fantasy team in the sixth round last year, so I'll be nice. Like a fine wine, he does get better with age. Also like a fine wine, he will eventually turn to vinegar and ruin everything he touches (There. I said it.). The backups currently listed on NFL.com have a grand total of 21 carries. No way they get ranked as high as a B.

Rating the Panthers RB combo could take some time, as injuries tend to make their 1-2 run about 6 deep. Stephen Davis will likely never carry the ball 150 times a season again. DeShaun Foster, in his three year career, has 172 carries. Nick Goings (a converted FB) was the closest thing to a workhorse in Carolina last year, and he had a 3.8 YPC for 821 yards. They get an incomplete, based on medical reasons.

The Bears get a B? When the starting RB hasn't had his first training camp, that's a sign the team has questions at the position. I think Thomas Jones is a great backup, but a rookie is a rookie, so don't evaluate the platoon based on how much Benson whooped up on A&M.

The Vikings had a great three headed attack, but since one of the heads is suspended for the season (not including the fake plastic head his frozen urine came out of), perhaps the other backs should be taken at their own value. and not as part of the whole. Bennett is brilliantly fast, and historically fragile. Williams is durable, but advancing in age (Happy Birthday, Mo! You'll be 30 in two weeks!). He's also never started more than 7 games in a season, so pray that Michael (Mr. Glass) Bennett can keep himself together.

The Eagles have scatback Brian Westbrook on the roster, who does his best work with about 10 carries a game. Buckhalter should return for some meaningful between-the-tackles runs, but he has missed 2 of his four seasons with suspensions or injuries, so perhaps we should put him on the roster in pencil. As for the third head of the "three-headed attack", it is expected he'll retire this year, as he's older than me.

The Rams have a young playmaker in Stephen Jackson, and a proven veteran backup in future HOF'er Marshall Faulk. Probably the best overall combo in the NFC.

The Buccaneers have the same problem as Chicago, only worse. They are starting a rookie (who split carries in college!), and backing him up with a guy who has never run for more than 1000 yards - and beat up his girlfriend, to boot. Remember when Jon Gruden was a genius? Me neither.

Here's my big problem with the Redskins assessment: Did Portis look bad last year? I would characterize him as having an off year, but it was like a Shaquille O'Neal off year - bad for him, but most guys in the league would kill for it. Here's the list of guys in the NFC who ran for more yards: Shawn Alexander and Tiki Barber. That means he outperformed a dozen other guys with meaningful carries, and he did it in fifteen games (fourteen if you count the game against Pittsburgh where he had 6 rushes). Given his talent, [u]I[/u] could back him up and the team should get a "B". Betts, by the way, is measurably better than me.

The Cardinals and the 49ers are the only teams I'd definitely agree with - but you should be able to look at a turd and know that it stinks.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

The Eagles have scatback Brian Westbrook on the roster, who does his best work with about 10 carries a game. Buckhalter should return for some meaningful between-the-tackles runs, but he has missed 2 of his four seasons with suspensions or injuries, so perhaps we should put him on the roster in pencil. As for the third head of the "three-headed attack", it is expected he'll retire this year, as he's older than me.


Who is this third back that is old and ready to retire?

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=manicd]The Eagles have scatback Brian Westbrook on the roster, who does his best work with about 10 carries a game. Buckhalter should return for some meaningful between-the-tackles runs, but he has missed 2 of his four seasons with suspensions or injuries, so perhaps we should put him on the roster in pencil. As for the third head of the "three-headed attack", it is expected he'll retire this year, as he's older than me.


Who is this third back that is old and ready to retire?[/QUOTE]
Dorsey Levens. He was 35 in May, and though that is hardly old, in Running Back years, it's ancient.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

How in the hell do Da Bears and Lions get graded with a B? That is saying that Portis is no better than the Bears rookie running back that has not even carried the ball in the NFL

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=BrudLee]The Falcons have a great running [u]attack[/u]
The Cardinals and the 49ers are the only teams I'd definitely agree with - but you should be able to look at a turd and know that it stinks.[/QUOTE]

I could see J.J. Arrington making a case for rookie of the year, he is very underated and Kevan Barlow is a good back he just needs some kind of passing game to open things up.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

Are you kidding me? I spit in their face! The nerve of having the Giants and Cowboys rated higher than us. Total BS!!!!

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

average grade would be a C, yet only 3 teams are average and 29 are above average?? whoever did these things needs to go back to school...

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

eh, there just ratings, i'll wait for portis' play to prove them wrong.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=mooby]eh, there just ratings, i'll wait for portis' play to prove them wrong.[/QUOTE]

1300+ yards = proven

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=saden1]Are you kidding me? I spit in their face! The nerve of having the Giants and Cowboys rated higher than us. Total BS!!!![/QUOTE]

calm down, it's okay. you guys traded the best CB in the league for a talented, but not top 5, RB that had a down year because he was out of the denver system that made him LOOK liek a top 5 RB. i think he rebounds with a 1200 yard but yuo guys won't see anything near his production in denver.

that's just my opinion so don't ban me like some boards do.

as for jj, if he stays healthy he could be a beast. i have seen many mags saying he leads the league in rushing. now i know you guys will say if he can stay healthy and i agree. before i proclaim him the next big thing i want a full good year and i think and hope he gives it to us.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

You're not paying much attention are you? How does one rebound from a 1300+ season with a 1200 yard season?

I wonder why you get banned from the other boards? Maybe posting on a Redskins board to talk about the Dallas Cowboys? Just a hunch...

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=wrnboysfan]calm down, it's okay. you guys traded the best CB in the league for a talented, but not top 5, RB that had a down year because he was out of the denver system that made him LOOK liek a top 5 RB. i think he rebounds with a 1200 yard but yuo guys won't see anything near his production in denver.

that's just my opinion so don't ban me like some boards do.

as for jj, if he stays healthy he could be a beast. i have seen many mags saying he leads the league in rushing. now i know you guys will say if he can stay healthy and i agree. before i proclaim him the next big thing i want a full good year and i think and hope he gives it to us.[/QUOTE]
wrnboysfan, we welcome the informed opinions of all fans, even those of the (shudder) Cowboys. However, Portis is capable of a lot more than 1200 yards, as his (admittedly substandard) 1315 yards last year will attest.

As for banning you, we will hold you to the same standard as Redskins fans - don't be an A-hole, and you'll be just fine.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=skinsguy]You're not paying much attention are you? How does one rebound from a 1300+ season with a 1200 yard season?

I wonder why you get banned from the other boards? Maybe posting on a Redskins board to talk about the Dallas Cowboys? Just a hunch...[/QUOTE]

i see him rebounding with 1200 or 1300 with a higher average. his average was horrible last year and he also couldn't find the end zone, but like i said he is not going to get anywhere near where he was in denver.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=wrnboysfan]i see him rebounding with 1200 or 1300 with a higher average. his average was horrible last year and he also couldn't find the end zone, but like i said he is not going to get anywhere near where he was in denver.[/QUOTE]

So you see him getting fewer carries?

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=wrnboysfan]i see him rebounding with 1200 or 1300 with a higher average. his average was horrible last year and he also couldn't find the end zone, but like i said he is not going to get anywhere near where he was in denver.[/QUOTE]


I am assuming you mean higher average - yards per carry. That I can probably agree with you, but you have to consider this: our OL was without Jon Jansen - one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL - for the entire year. His presence back on the OL will be a vast improvement - and will help open more holes for Portis. For Portis to gain over 1300+ yards with an OL that wasn't completely healthy, was an outstanding achievement. Keep in mind also that he missed the last couple games of the season and could have easily gained another 1500+ season if he had played.

I think if you're expecting the Redskins' to be push-overs this year, you're going to be sadly disappointed.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

portis should easily rush for at least 1300 yards. i personally think he'll rush for over 1600 yards and have another 550 yards receiving. he'll lead all rbs in the nfc in all total yards.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

don't know about lead the nfc especially with deuce mcallister and shaun alexander there as well because they are bigger parts of their O's than portis is of ours

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

I wouldnt worry about Alexander much, the way he is going, he is gonna be a hold out and just might loose his job to that Morris guy...

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I agree. Dammit, I hate not being on for a while and being behind on all the gossip.

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[QUOTE=Redskins8588]I wouldnt worry about Alexander much, the way he is going, he is gonna be a hold out and just might loose his job to that Morris guy...[/QUOTE]

no way alexander loses his job as he is too important to the seahawks

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

I think the Seahawks will actually crash and burn this year. They have been so streaky with their marginal talent only lying with Alexander.

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[QUOTE=RedskinsNo.1]no way alexander loses his job as he is too important to the seahawks[/QUOTE]
I agree that he is too important to the Seahawks, but if he was really that important then they would have found a way to sign him long term and not just to a tender...

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

I think they don't really want to sign him long term because he's a complete outsider on his own team... not as bad as ricky williams, but still not the guy you'd want to rush to commit all your cap and your entire offenssive to long term since he seems a bit flaky.

don't get me wrong, the production and talent is there...

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=Redskins8588]I agree that he is too important to the Seahawks, but if he was really that important then they would have found a way to sign him long term and not just to a tender...[/QUOTE]
Some pundit (I can't recall who) said that lots of teams are looking toward franchising their RB's in the future. The risk of injury and the dropoff that most RB's show make tying up long-term dollars in the position too risky.

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

[QUOTE=RedskinsNo.1]don't know about lead the nfc especially with deuce mcallister and shaun alexander there as well because they are bigger parts of their O's than portis is of ours[/QUOTE]


i believe portis will have a larger roll in the skins offense this year.

here is a look at last years stats for portis, alexander and mcallister.

gp ru.yds rec.yds total yds.

1) portis 15 1315 235 1550
2) alex. 16 1696 170 1866
3) mcall. 14 1074 228 1302

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

tiki barber was as follows 16....1518......578....total..2096

but i really dont see him even coming close to those numbers again.

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[QUOTE=Redskins8588]My problem with this analysis is how do we get ranked a B when we have 2 good RB's and Dallas gets a B+ with a 2nd year RB that missed half of last season, also how do the Giants get a B+ when the analysis even says that there backup situation is "muddled" the Giants do not have a good back up, yet they are ranked a B+....[/QUOTE]

The Giants are the media darlings.........and although Barber improved last year, what about his tendency to fumble.................

Re: Unit Analysis: Running Backs
 

He had fewer fumbles last year than any year previous I believe...