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I think this season shook it up a bit, what does your list look like?
This is how I see it, and I'm definitely open to hearing more opinions as I know I don't have the best list on here. I admit that I haven't seen every down of every game, so I'm interested to know how others feel. Here's what I know so far.
1. Chris Johnson - Set himself apart this season by breaking 2,000 yards and taking the 5th spot for most RB's in the league. He's as fast as it gets, and has good moves. He's got a really good burst at the line of scrimmage. He's not the most powerful runner but he fights for yardage well and can make the initial defender miss with ease. Anybody who says they will break 2,000 yards early in the year and walks the walk, is a fucking bad ass. I don't think he'll get 2,000 next year, but he'll get his yards. 1,700 and 13 total tds to go with another 650 receiving.
2. Adrian Peterson - Could have fallen off even more if not for his high number of touchdowns. He has proven to have fumblitis which IMO was the biggest reason for the Vikings loss to the Saints. He has plenty of power, speed, quickness, and pretty much every tool in the book for a RB, except he can't hold onto the damn ball. I think 1,700 yards and 20 TD's sounds about right.
3. Steven Jackson - I hate puting him this high to be honest with you. I predicted he would fail this season, but what I saw of him he was dominating as the only damn thing the Rams had on offense. Often facing 8 man fronts, hell I'd throw 9 or 10 man fronts at this team, he still put up 4.4 ypc and 1400 yards. I don't look at his 4 TD's as a big problem, it's not his fault that the passing game can't support long drives. He's a big powerful back with some moves and top notch explosion at the line of scrimmage. He's had some injury concerns, but he's a dominating workhorse when healthy. I think he'll have around 1,500 yards and 6 TD's.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - This little cannon ball can do it all. He's a powder keg of sorts, deceptively strong, great explosive technique and low center of gravity at the line of scrimmage. He's impressive in the passing game, and scores in bunches. He plays larger than his 5-7 208 lbs frame, and he's been slowed down at times from minor injuries, but he's still worthy of nearly gaining 1,400 yards with another 500 receiving and 15 total touchdowns. I'd consider Rice over MJD if Rice were alone, but I think MJD could outscore him.
5. Ray Rice - If you didn't know 5.3 ypc on 254 carries is really good. He has excellent power and he can outrun many defenders. He also had a great year receiving with 702 yards and was second in yard from scrimmage behind Chris Johnson. If he wasn't sharing the work with two other good backs I shudder to think of the numbers Ray would put up. He lost several scoring opportunities to his teammates, but the great news is he didn't look worn out by seasons end. I expect 1,400 yards to go with another 500 receiving, and 10 total TDs if his bench has anything to say about it...if he were alone I'd expect much more.
6. Michael Turner - Burner missed some action this year but can easily bounce back to have a great season next year. He's got good speed, power, explosive talent and has proven to me at least to be adept on short yardage downs and on the goal line. I think he should be the first option next year for the Falcons, and Matt Ryan only makes it easier to find daylight as teams can't stack the box on Burner. Expecting 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns.
7. Frank Gore - An excellent all around back, he can outrun and/or run over most defenders. He's deceptive enough to break ankles and strong enough to run through tackles. I've never liked his short yardage/goaline ability, but he makes up for that with very good pass catching skills. He missed some playing time this season (5 games) but still ran up 1120 yards with a 4.9 average, on top of his 13 total touchdowns. I expect 1,300 yards and 12 total touchdowns.
8. DeAngelo Williams - Stewart takes away a lot of carries and yardage from Williams, but he also keeps Williams fresh and running strong throughout the year. Williams has top talent, speed, explosion, good hands and is in a good system to pick up plenty of yards next season. I expect 1,250+ yards and double digit touchdowns.
9. Rashard Mendenhall - Now that he's taken over as the full time starter he should put up good numbers next season. He's a thumper, running with authority and has enough speed to outrun many defenders. He had 1,108 yards and 7 tds on 13 starts. He only had 25 receptions for 261 yards, but his 10.4 average was tops among starting backs. I expect 1,240 yards with 10 touchdowns next season.
10. Ryan Grant - The most unknown/underrated top 10 RB's in the league as I see it. He's very consistent. He uses his speed to takes advantage of backed up defenses in fear of Rodgers. He can score on the goaline or from 60 yards out. I expect another 1200 yard season with 9+ TDs.
Outsiders in no particular order, and why.
Jamaal Charles - Amazing true, but undersized and could wear down. Bad o-line. Blew up against not so good run D's.
Jonathan Stewart - Williams. He could have more yards and TD's again next year, but I think it's Williams turn next year. If they were on different teams they would both be top 10 I think.
Tomlinson - Age. Future team?
Thomas Jones - Age. Shonn Green, Leon Washington. Future with Jets?
Cedric Benson - Larry Johnson could absorb some of the work. Not a good pass catcher/scoring back.
Ronnie Brown - injuries. Ricky Williams.
Ricky Williams - Ronnie Brown.
Westbrook - Concussion city. McCoy.
Shonn Green - Jones.
Joseph Addai - Low average, and won't get the carries to have big yardage.
Knowshon - Could have a good second year, but failed to have one 100 yd game, with only a 3.8 average.
Marion Barber - One of if not the best thumpers in the game, which takes a toll. He's never had 1k yards and taking a beating like he does I don't expect him to have top 10 numbers next year.
There are more but I'm done.
This is how I see it. I welcome any discussion and debate. Discuss.
This is how I see it, and I'm definitely open to hearing more opinions as I know I don't have the best list on here. I admit that I haven't seen every down of every game, so I'm interested to know how others feel. Here's what I know so far.
1. Chris Johnson - Set himself apart this season by breaking 2,000 yards and taking the 5th spot for most RB's in the league. He's as fast as it gets, and has good moves. He's got a really good burst at the line of scrimmage. He's not the most powerful runner but he fights for yardage well and can make the initial defender miss with ease. Anybody who says they will break 2,000 yards early in the year and walks the walk, is a fucking bad ass. I don't think he'll get 2,000 next year, but he'll get his yards. 1,700 and 13 total tds to go with another 650 receiving.
2. Adrian Peterson - Could have fallen off even more if not for his high number of touchdowns. He has proven to have fumblitis which IMO was the biggest reason for the Vikings loss to the Saints. He has plenty of power, speed, quickness, and pretty much every tool in the book for a RB, except he can't hold onto the damn ball. I think 1,700 yards and 20 TD's sounds about right.
3. Steven Jackson - I hate puting him this high to be honest with you. I predicted he would fail this season, but what I saw of him he was dominating as the only damn thing the Rams had on offense. Often facing 8 man fronts, hell I'd throw 9 or 10 man fronts at this team, he still put up 4.4 ypc and 1400 yards. I don't look at his 4 TD's as a big problem, it's not his fault that the passing game can't support long drives. He's a big powerful back with some moves and top notch explosion at the line of scrimmage. He's had some injury concerns, but he's a dominating workhorse when healthy. I think he'll have around 1,500 yards and 6 TD's.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - This little cannon ball can do it all. He's a powder keg of sorts, deceptively strong, great explosive technique and low center of gravity at the line of scrimmage. He's impressive in the passing game, and scores in bunches. He plays larger than his 5-7 208 lbs frame, and he's been slowed down at times from minor injuries, but he's still worthy of nearly gaining 1,400 yards with another 500 receiving and 15 total touchdowns. I'd consider Rice over MJD if Rice were alone, but I think MJD could outscore him.
5. Ray Rice - If you didn't know 5.3 ypc on 254 carries is really good. He has excellent power and he can outrun many defenders. He also had a great year receiving with 702 yards and was second in yard from scrimmage behind Chris Johnson. If he wasn't sharing the work with two other good backs I shudder to think of the numbers Ray would put up. He lost several scoring opportunities to his teammates, but the great news is he didn't look worn out by seasons end. I expect 1,400 yards to go with another 500 receiving, and 10 total TDs if his bench has anything to say about it...if he were alone I'd expect much more.
6. Michael Turner - Burner missed some action this year but can easily bounce back to have a great season next year. He's got good speed, power, explosive talent and has proven to me at least to be adept on short yardage downs and on the goal line. I think he should be the first option next year for the Falcons, and Matt Ryan only makes it easier to find daylight as teams can't stack the box on Burner. Expecting 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns.
7. Frank Gore - An excellent all around back, he can outrun and/or run over most defenders. He's deceptive enough to break ankles and strong enough to run through tackles. I've never liked his short yardage/goaline ability, but he makes up for that with very good pass catching skills. He missed some playing time this season (5 games) but still ran up 1120 yards with a 4.9 average, on top of his 13 total touchdowns. I expect 1,300 yards and 12 total touchdowns.
8. DeAngelo Williams - Stewart takes away a lot of carries and yardage from Williams, but he also keeps Williams fresh and running strong throughout the year. Williams has top talent, speed, explosion, good hands and is in a good system to pick up plenty of yards next season. I expect 1,250+ yards and double digit touchdowns.
9. Rashard Mendenhall - Now that he's taken over as the full time starter he should put up good numbers next season. He's a thumper, running with authority and has enough speed to outrun many defenders. He had 1,108 yards and 7 tds on 13 starts. He only had 25 receptions for 261 yards, but his 10.4 average was tops among starting backs. I expect 1,240 yards with 10 touchdowns next season.
10. Ryan Grant - The most unknown/underrated top 10 RB's in the league as I see it. He's very consistent. He uses his speed to takes advantage of backed up defenses in fear of Rodgers. He can score on the goaline or from 60 yards out. I expect another 1200 yard season with 9+ TDs.
Outsiders in no particular order, and why.
Jamaal Charles - Amazing true, but undersized and could wear down. Bad o-line. Blew up against not so good run D's.
Jonathan Stewart - Williams. He could have more yards and TD's again next year, but I think it's Williams turn next year. If they were on different teams they would both be top 10 I think.
Tomlinson - Age. Future team?
Thomas Jones - Age. Shonn Green, Leon Washington. Future with Jets?
Cedric Benson - Larry Johnson could absorb some of the work. Not a good pass catcher/scoring back.
Ronnie Brown - injuries. Ricky Williams.
Ricky Williams - Ronnie Brown.
Westbrook - Concussion city. McCoy.
Shonn Green - Jones.
Joseph Addai - Low average, and won't get the carries to have big yardage.
Knowshon - Could have a good second year, but failed to have one 100 yd game, with only a 3.8 average.
Marion Barber - One of if not the best thumpers in the game, which takes a toll. He's never had 1k yards and taking a beating like he does I don't expect him to have top 10 numbers next year.
There are more but I'm done.
This is how I see it. I welcome any discussion and debate. Discuss.
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