Quote:
Originally Posted by freddyg12
CP isn't top 5 by running ability, but let's first establish the criteria. If you want an all around back he's likely one of the top 5. Westbrook as well, he does a lot for his team. Peterson has had issues w/pass protection & they don't use him on 3rd downs unless he's running the ball.
I think Steven Jackson is often overlooked, and I hate to say it but Marion the barbarian is solid in about every phase of the game, just lacks breakaway speed.
Running back has become a tough position to rate IMO, there are so many guys in the nfl racking up yards that any given week somebody random looks like a hall of famer. I think it's safe to say that this is a position that most teams have no trouble finding talent in the mid rounds of the draft. Kind of funny, when I grew up rb's were among the highest paid, most celebrated players. They still have the name recognition, but free agency has reduced their per capita value.
|
Yeah, HARD to judge RBs these days. Seems like the best running teams platoon their backs, which seems to make a lot of sense for several reasons. Portis is good, but RBs seem to be a dime a dozen with rookies coming in every year and putting up ridiculous stats from day one.
If blocking is weighted heavily, Portis is close to the top, but if being a threat in the passing game, being able to score from anywhere on the field and showing the ability to be a "game-changer" are important factors then I can see how Portis was left off the list. I like Portis, but he's a "3 yards and a cloud of dust" kind of back at this stage in his career.
There are dozens of backs that would rack up 1500 yards if they were given as many carries as Portis. Just doesn't happen that much anymore, because teams are smarter about how they use their weapons. I hope the Skins coaching staff gets with the program this year, so teams have to defend our entire offense and Portis is fresher at the end of the season.