http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ak4qd4IVEQASfgR6_9o_MyVDubYF?slug=jc-rbrankings053110 This is one of the most intriguing eras in NFL history when it comes to measuring running backs. First, this is a period of running back conservation, when getting 300 carries is considered too much – a huge shift from the thinking that a great back should touch the ball at least 350 times. Instead, most teams use some version of a two-back attack, if not more. As a substitute of the bell-cow running back who gets 20 to 25 carries a game, teams alternate backs, often playing to situations based on the different talents of the rushers. “You’re still looking for that 230-pound guy who can pound it out for you, they’re just hard to find,” Houston general manager Rick Smith, whose team will try to highlight depth this season with Arian Foster(notes) and Steve Slaton(notes) leading the way. Second, in the era of the salary cap, some teams just want to make sure they get their money’s worth. “Back in the day, a running back lasted three or four years and teams were good with that,” Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew(notes) said. “Now, you give a guy $15 [million] or $20 million on a long-term contract, you want to get that long-term out of him.” Third, the shift to greater use of wide-open, three-, four- and five-receiver sets has changed the function of running backs. Instead of grinding yards, the league has become more of a slash-and-dash affair with the running game. Open sets have replaced the I-formation. The fullback has disappeared almost completely. What that means is this is much more of a period for ranking teams and their running games rather than simply lining up the running backs themselves and putting them in order. There’s still some of that, but the need for depth may explain the rankings, particularly at the top: 1. Minnesota Vikings 2. Tennessee Titans 3. Carolina Panthers 4. Baltimore Ravens 5. Cincinnati Bengals 6. Jacksonville Jaguars 7. Atlanta Falcons: 8. New York Jets: If you’re a Shonn Greene(notes) believer, you’ll look at this ranking and say it’s idiotic. The Jets had the No. 1 running game in the league last season and simply pounded other teams into submission late last season on the way to the playoffs. Yeah, but a lot of that was based on the early-season work of Thomas Jones(notes), who has since been dispatched to Kansas City and replaced in the lineup by Greene and on the roster by LaDainian Tomlinson(notes). Greene looked great at the end of last season, but he has to prove it over a couple hundred carries before I’m sold. As for L.T., he hasn’t looked good for two years. It’s sad to say, but Jones was a better player than Tomlinson last season and probably will be again this year. 14. Miami Dolphins: If Ronnie Brown(notes) was healthy and/or Ricky Williams(notes) was younger, you might rank this duo higher, certainly higher than the Saints and the Bears. But Brown is trying to come back from a difficult foot injury (he had a significant knee injury earlier in his career) and Williams turned 33 earlier this month. That said, Brown is going into the final year of his contract, so he could be motivated, and Williams has been amazing in his ability to play like a guy who is still in his mid-20s. 18. Buffalo Bills: Frankly, this is almost embarrassing. The Bills should be ranked a lot higher based on the physical skills of Marshawn Lynch(notes), Fred Jackson(notes) and first-round pick C.J. Spiller(notes). But Lynch has gone backward over his three-year career, Jackson has the look of a souped-up backup and Spiller has star ability, but it may not be as a pure runner. The most important decision new coach Chan Gailey has to make is who will be the guy to make the running game really go because he doesn’t have a clear choice. 28. New England Patriots: It was a tad surprising when the Patriots didn’t spend a high pick in the draft on a running back. The Patriots have a collection of guys you might want on your team, such as Kevin Faulk(notes), Sammy Morris(notes) and Fred Taylor(notes). But even when you throw in leading rusher Laurence Maroney(notes), none of them stand out as a player you want to lean on. Maroney has been a huge disappointment and doesn’t even fit into the New England’s spread-offense philosophy anymore.
Yea I am not sure if I get the Bengals being ahead of us. I have no problem with us being eighth on that list. I get the quick judgment of losing TJ but I could not stand his running style and think we made the right decision letting him go. I think most of his yards were a product of the offensive line. The line is the key to our success. I feel confident with our backs. Cant wait to see McKnight on the field!:jets:
I'm with MB on this one. There's no way in hell that the Bengals should be ahead of the Jets or even in the top five. Benson's had one solid year in Cincy and he doesn't have a quality backup in Bernard Scott. Tennessee has the best back in the league, but who's backing him up? Javon Ringer was a heck of a college back, but he's unproven in the NFL. Carolina has an elite running back and a potentially elite player backing him up. They're my top team. Minnesota is right behind them. I think Gerhart is going to be a hell of a player in this league and he's backing up All Day Peterson. Ray Rice was excellent last year and the Ravens have a deep backfield with McClain and McGahee also on their roster. I'd put them ahead of the Titans too. Atlanta has a great starter in The Burner and his backup is pretty good too. Jerious Norwood could probably start on a lot of teams. Jacksonville's backfield has a lot of potential with late round guys like Reshad Jennings and Deji Karim backing up MJD. Once again, this is a team with a great #1 back and questionable depth.
I feel like the Jets have a great commitment to running the ball, a strong offensive line, and an offensive coordinator who will still want to avoid putting too much pressure on his young quarterback. HOWEVER, as a ranking solely of running back units, the Jets might not even be #8. Greene hasn't proven that he can handle being the #1, and LT is a diminishing question mark. Other than that, it's Joe McKnight, who struggled in minicamp and won't be expected to do too much. The Jets run game will be fine, but that's because of more than just their stable of running backs, which is, indeed, outweighed by a number of teams. I'm not sure who else I'd put above us, but I'd consider teams like St. Louis, Green Bay, and even San Francisco, just because they have good, proven backs. Do I expect Greene to replicate Jones' numbers? It wouldn't surprise me. But even though the Jets may have more weapons, they'll have more question marks as well.
It's fair to rank us there because of the unproven Greene starting. I am a Shonn Greene believer though, I think he'll get it done.
The only thing that Shonn Green has to prove, is if he can stay healthy. The offensive line will do the rest. Cedric Benson and the Bengals ahead of the Jets?
Benson proved himself over the course of the season and is a featured back he gave the Jets head problems during the playoffs, I have to agree with us being 8, if the War Machine proves he can be a full time back and LT runs aggressively and makes some plays we'll jump ahead that's for sure
You guys are complaining about not being ahead of the Bengals, there are a good 6 teams with a better RB core that are rated after you! Buffalo got boned on that list, 18th WTF?? we have 2 proven 1100 yard backs and a probowler and just drafted CJ Spiller! Add to the fact that Lynch and Jackson have had great seasons behind the worst O-line in football.
This. That's why you guys are 18th it's not just about the backs, but the line as well, and I guess they are anticipating a Lynch trade also, other then the line, the Bills have a very talented RB core, still don't know why they didn't take an offensive lineman in the first round though
Mr. Gambini? Yes, sir? That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection. Thank you, sir. Overruled.
Anyone complaining about the Bengals completely forgets what their rushing game did to us in the playoffs last year, on the league's #1 defense.
it's funny how theres a lot of people who are high on j.charles, and a lot of people saying we were dumb for letting t.jones go [including the guy who ranked this] but yet the chiefs are ranked 17th???????? keep contradicting yourself folks!
I'm not sure... I thought it was about the RBs not the OL and else, otherwise I would say Jets should be higher on there.
Whoever wrote that article obviously didn't see many Jets games last season. I'm a firm believer that the OL makes the RB so it was obvious that Greene hit the hole harder and faster and did more once he got to that second level than Jones did.
agreed, I love TJ don't get me wrong, but watching him last year there was an OBVIOUS decline throughout the season. I think greene is going to be a solid #1 back, but like someone posted earlier, he has to stay healthy. To me, thats the only thing that I can think of that would be unproven. Even though he didn't have a ton of carries to base stats on, what better place to judge performance than in the playoffs.
Ranking our RB's is wasting time at this point since we have question marks at all 3 roster spots. Greene has to prove he can stay healthy and carry the load for a full season Tomlinson has to prove that while his skills have deteriorated due to age he still can bring enough to the table, coupled with one of the best o-lines in the game,to be productive. McKnight is a rookie who hasn't done enough in college or anything in the pros to prove he can make it in the NFL So with all those questions i can't see how there's a basis for any argument no matter where we were ranked. I'll stick with the wait and see approach.
great point, im not trying to say its all o line but for the most part its true, look at all the old broncos teams...just plug in anyone and you got a 1000yard rusher...but with the o line we have and the skills we have seen from greene i cant see him having a bad season.
