Looking back - the Runningbacks from the 2006 Draft

[Fox1994]

Runningbacks from the 2006 NFL Draft

2nd Pick - Saints, Reggie Bush, USC
21st Pick - Patriots, Lawrence Maroney, Minnesota
27th Pick - Panthers, DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
30th Pick - Colts, Joseph Addai, LSU

45th Pick - Titans, LenDale White, USC
60th Pick - Jaguars, Maurice Jones-Drew, UCLA

74th Pick - Lions, Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin
79th Pick - Falcons, Jerious Norwood, Mississippi State

117th Pick - Jets, Leon Washington, Florida State

145th Pick - Browns, Jerome Harrison, Washington State

246th Pick - Titans, Quinton Gaither, Utah

Italicized players are non-factors. Calhoun isn't in the league anymore. Gaither is just a non-factor.

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As far as gadgets/all-purpose backs I'd rank them this way (2006-2009):
Reggie Bush, Saints
Leon Washington, Jets
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

Jerome Harrison, Browns
Jerious Norwood

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As true runningbacks (going into 2010):
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers

Jerome Harrison, Browns
Joseph Addai, Colts

Lawrence Maroney, Patriots
Jerious Norwood, Falcons
LenDale White, Titans

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Now, I'd say DeAngelo might be better than MJD because he plays on a team that has had two guys around 1000 yards two straight years, and will probably have two guys with 1000 yards this year.

LMo is ahead of LenDale because, despite the fact that he sucks, he's sort-of the Pats feature back. I mean, he's not terrible, but I don't really see a 1000 yard season in his future.

LenDale has been phased-out thanks to Chris Johnson and a lack of production in 2009... He could bounce-back to being the change-of-pace guy he was in 2008...

Jerious Norwood is an interesting case. With 99 carries his rookie year, he had 633 yards, and a 6.4 average - two touchdowns. His sophomore season, he carried 103 times for 613 yards - one score. In 2008, he had 489 yards and four touchdowns, with a 5.1 average... But, in 2009, as Burner regressed, he seems to as well, with only 252 yards and a 3.3 average. I have no real prediction for him next year... He had over 1000 yards kick-returning in 2007 and 2008. Last year he had one return for 39 yards.

Now, I have MJD as an all-purpose/gadget for 2006-2009 and as a true runningback because, from 2006-2008, he was more of a mutli-purpose player. He was a better straight runner than Reggie and Leon, but he's not the return man either of them is... Granted, his receiving numbers were comparable, even if he doesn't have quite the touchdowns they do. This year he was more a pure runningback and he could have around 1500/1600 yards this coming year.

Jerome is listed in a similar vein because he's been a spell/change-of-pace back up till this year.

As far as Reggie, the Saints are doing now what the Pats were doing just a little while ago - a committee of multi-purpose backs with different talents and skill sets. Pierre Thomas and Reggie are both good runners, and good return men. Pierre has - thus far - proven to be the stronger runner, and Reggie's proven to be one of the league's most exciting return men. If he plays this season like he played the game against the Cardinals, he could continue to improve. I think people are under the impression that he regressed somewhat this year. That's strange to me because his average was 1.8 yards better than last year (3.8 to 5.6) - 106 carries for 404 yards, 2 touchdowns to 70 carries for 390 yards, five touchdowns. His receiving numbers were decent. I just think of him as an all-purpose back, and I'm impressed with him as such. He's not Barry Sanders, he's not Jim Brown, he's Reggie Bush...

Tell me your thoughts...

Credit to "pro-football-reference.com"

[NAHSTE]

Joseph Addai and Reggie Bush are the ones with Super Bowl rings, so they are the best.


/every qb thread

[Fox1994]

Hahaha. Indeed. I was, frankly, disappointed with Reggie's production in the Super Bowl... I loved how he played against the Cards and he was good against the Vikes, though...

 

I'm a Reggie fan, because he's from SC.

[NAHSTE]

As for Norwood, he's just too fragile to be an every down option. He put on some weight but he's still built like a greyhound. I love the guy, he's one of my favorite Falcons, (Florida fans should love him too as he played a big part in getting Ron Zook fired) but he's not on the field enough.

[zack54attack]

1. MJD
2. DeAngelo.

[Fox1994]

Well, ya, if you're looking at pure every-down backs...

But DeAngelo has a spell guy and whatnot...

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

Now, I'd say DeAngelo might be better than MJD because he plays on a team that has had two guys around 1000 yards two straight years, and will probably have two guys with 1000 yards this year.

I'd say MJD and DeAngelo are almost identical, except I like MJD's toughness and pass catching more.

LMo is ahead of LenDale because, despite the fact that he sucks, he's sort-of the Pats feature back. I mean, he's not terrible, but I don't really see a 1000 yard season in his future.

I'd say LMo is better overall, and What is only a situational back at best. LMo isn't great by any means, but he's got more uses I think.

LenDale has been phased-out thanks to Chris Johnson and a lack of production in 2009... He could bounce-back to being the change-of-pace guy he was in 2008...

I wouldn't consider it as much of a "bounce back" as much as I'd expect Johnson to take it easy and carry the load less next year. I'd throw a lot more carries at White just to keep Johnson healthy and lengthen his career.

Jerious Norwood is an interesting case. With 99 carries his rookie year, he had 633 yards, and a 6.4 average - two touchdowns. His sophomore season, he carried 103 times for 613 yards - one score. In 2008, he had 489 yards and four touchdowns, with a 5.1 average... But, in 2009, as Burner regressed, he seems to as well, with only 252 yards and a 3.3 average. I have no real prediction for him next year... He had over 1000 yards kick-returning in 2007 and 2008. Last year he had one return for 39 yards.

Burner is the back in Atlanta. Norwood can do, but Burner is the back.

Now, I have MJD as an all-purpose/gadget for 2006-2009 and as a true runningback because, from 2006-2008, he was more of a mutli-purpose player. He was a better straight runner than Reggie and Leon, but he's not the return man either of them is... Granted, his receiving numbers were comparable, even if he doesn't have quite the touchdowns they do. This year he was more a pure runningback and he could have around 1500/1600 yards this coming year.

Like I said before, he had three small leg injuries this season, and as I see it he had fewer yards rushing because of it. If he can stay close to 100% next season he'll have 1,500 yards no doubt. He just can't get banged up. His heart is bigger than any back in the league, so he'll never take a play off, even when banged up. He reminds me of Curtis Martin that way. (Marting BTW one season had two high ankle sprains for more than half the season and still ran for 1k yards without ever being listed on an injury report.)

Jerome is listed in a similar vein because he's been a spell/change-of-pace back up till this year.

Screw this cat. He's had one three game stretch in his career worth noting, he's nothing special. I wouldn't doubt if he improves next season, and maybe, just maybe he'll approach 1k yards, but I'm very skeptical.

As far as Reggie, the Saints are doing now what the Pats were doing just a little while ago - a committee of multi-purpose backs with different talents and skill sets. Pierre Thomas and Reggie are both good runners, and good return men. Pierre has - thus far - proven to be the stronger runner, and Reggie's proven to be one of the league's most exciting return men. If he plays this season like he played the game against the Cardinals, he could continue to improve. I think people are under the impression that he regressed somewhat this year. That's strange to me because his average was 1.8 yards better than last year (3.8 to 5.6) - 106 carries for 404 yards, 2 touchdowns to 70 carries for 390 yards, five touchdowns. His receiving numbers were decent. I just think of him as an all-purpose back, and I'm impressed with him as such. He's not Barry Sanders, he's not Jim Brown, he's Reggie Bush...

I think if Reggie Bush can enter every game the way he entered the Arizona game, "bringing the wood" he could be one of the best backs in this league. Unfortunately I think he has a tiny heart, and doesn't do the best he can in every game. He's inconsistent, and lacks a season long concentration. That said, he's fucking amazing when he's on.

[Leftwich]

Mo Jo owns that whole fucking draft class

/thread

[Fox1994]

Calhoun was a great Madden back

So's McFadden

Mo Jo owns that whole fucking draft class

/thread

Ya, I know... But I like discussion.

I'd say LMo is better overall, and What is only a situational back at best. LMo isn't great by any means, but he's got more uses I think.

I wouldn't consider it as much of a "bounce back" as much as I'd expect Johnson to take it easy and carry the load less next year. I'd throw a lot more carries at White just to keep Johnson healthy and lengthen his career.

Burner is the back in Atlanta. Norwood can do, but Burner is the back.

Like I said before, he had three small leg injuries this season, and as I see it he had fewer yards rushing because of it. If he can stay close to 100% next season he'll have 1,500 yards no doubt. He just can't get banged up. His heart is bigger than any back in the league, so he'll never take a play off, even when banged up. He reminds me of Curtis Martin that way. (Marting BTW one season had two high ankle sprains for more than half the season and still ran for 1k yards without ever being listed on an injury report.)

Screw this cat. He's had one three game stretch in his career worth noting, he's nothing special. I wouldn't doubt if he improves next season, and maybe, just maybe he'll approach 1k yards, but I'm very skeptical.

I think if Reggie Bush can enter every game the way he entered the Arizona game, "bringing the wood" he could be one of the best backs in this league. Unfortunately I think he has a tiny heart, and doesn't do the best he can in every game. He's inconsistent, and lacks a season long concentration. That said, he's fucking amazing when he's on.

Appreciate the insight.

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

Calhoun was a great Madden back

Somebody else besides me should make a top 10 shitty real life RB's who everybody used in Madden thread.

I loved Tatum Bell, Justin Fargas, Rod Smart, and a few others I can't remember right now.

[Fox1994]

Every Raider back in the last five years not named Michael Bush would make that list.

[Fox1994]

Ya. I had LaMont Jordan at 99 OVR several times... Good times...

[Archer]

Addai helped us win a superbowl in his rookie year

That's all I care about :D

[Golden Taters]

Screw this cat. He's had one three game stretch in his career worth noting, he's nothing special. I wouldn't doubt if he improves next season, and maybe, just maybe he'll approach 1k yards, but I'm very skeptical.

He also wasnt a starting runningback for the team until then. Ever since he was drafted he was never used because they wanted him to become a better pass blocker. He even had 100+ yards on MNF last year, but didnt even play the next week. He did lead the nation in rushing yards (1900 yards) his senior year, and it was with Washington State. When he gets a chance to actually play and run the ball he doesnt disipoint.

Harrison is extremely explosive and ellusive and I will go as far as to call him a Pro Bowler next season, and at the very least a pro bowl snub.

[SuperKevin]

Quinton Ganther did well in limited touches with the Redskins this season.