NFL - Prisco's Top 10 RBs

thugnificence · Jul 7, 2009

Originally Posted by The Wizard

Peterson, Williams, Turner, LT, I can't pick between SJax & Portis, imma side with Portis bc he's my favorite back.

but you gotta also put into consideration, Gore, CJohnson, Jacobs, Westbrook, Thomas Jones, Ronnie Brown, Willie Parker, Lynch, Forte, MJD, Slaton. I'm probably leaving some people out.

i can rock with every name you've posted so far... but IMO there are tiers even in the top 5/6

Peterson

Williams
Turner

LT
Portis
SJax

but seriously, AD needs to get the fumbling under control

the wizard · Jul 7, 2009

Originally Posted by Thugnificence

Originally Posted by The Wizard

Peterson, Williams, Turner, LT, I can't pick between SJax & Portis, imma side with Portis bc he's my favorite back.

but you gotta also put into consideration, Gore, CJohnson, Jacobs, Westbrook, Thomas Jones, Ronnie Brown, Willie Parker, Lynch, Forte, MJD, Slaton. I'm probably leaving some people out.

Click to expand...

i can rock with every name you've posted so far... but IMO there are tiers even in the top 5/6

Peterson

Williams
Turner

LT
Portis
SJax

but seriously, AD needs to get the fumbling under control

that's my point exactly. the dropoff from 5 to 15, isn't that significant in my opinion.

TheGift23 · Jul 7, 2009

Originally Posted by airmaxpenny1

Derrick Ward will be there by the end of the year

[alfromhomeimprovment]I don't think so Tim. [/alfromhomeimprovment]

DeadsetAce · Jul 7, 2009

Originally Posted by TheGift23

Originally Posted by airmaxpenny1

Derrick Ward will be there by the end of the year

Click to expand...

[alfromhomeimprovment]I don't think so Tim. [/alfromhomeimprovment]

651akathepaul · Jul 7, 2009

Originally Posted by SCuse7

No way of those guys are ahead of Westbrook

He won't be able to stay on the field this year.

My opinion on LT, is this is going to be his bounce back season, but that's it. He's going to get great numbers this year then fall off and fade intooblivion after this season.

Gut feeling tells me Williams and/or Turner won't have a huge season this year. One of the two, if not both, will have a subpar season.

champcruthik · Jul 7, 2009

This computer/Yuku are really pissing me off - had aresponse typed up but lost it again. Let's try one more time...

How on God's green earth can u even justify having Frank Gore as your #2 RB? you dont like Steven jacksons situation but you like Gore's? Huh?

You're telling me that SF and STL aren't going in two completely differentdirections? Singletary got them boys playing hard while Spags and the Rams are pretty much in rebuilding mode, man. Prisco has Jackson too high - you can citeinjuries and an off year but he's still not deserving of the #3 spot IMO.

I wrote "if Singletary uses him right - dude should get at least 300 carries on the season." If that's the case and Gore gets that kind ofworkload, we can expect numbers like: 1600 rushing yards, 8-9 TDs, and 400 receiving yards. That would appear good enough to make him the #2 RB overall. Ifully expect this to happen which is why I'm selling Gore so high. His YPC has always been high, a good sign for sure. I fully recognize the TD count couldbe higher but it shouldn't make that big a difference - same goes for CJ because of LenDale. The fumbling is a secondary issue to keep an eye on throughoutthe season. Moving on, the 49ers offense will be largely dependent on pounding the football with Gore to stabilize the passing game and more importantly tosettle the QB. It all makes sense because we know that's the style of football Mike Singletary wants to play. The past has shown SF using Gore improperlyand certainly not enough carries-wise. This year will be different as the 49ers finally commit to the run wholeheartedly.

The main argument you could make is the unresolved QB situation in San Francisco, but do you have that much faith in Marc Bulger at this point??

If you recall, in my original post I specifically felt it important to mention that Turner could be higher (above Gore) and a solid arugment could be made forDeAngelo Williams as well. Likewise I shared the tough time I had with placing CJ over Jackson, but that's the conclusion I arrived at after much thought.These lists are always hard but I think the only certainty is that everyone has AD, Turner, and Williams in their top 4. That leaves room for a wildcard ofsorts - mine was Gore. I don't have a problem with CJ or Jackson in the top 4 either. Comes down to a matter of preference/personal opinion after all.

And if you mention AD having a fumbling problem, which he certainly does, Gore and Jackson both could be included in that same category albeit to a far lesserextent.

I'll rest my case if SJ can match or even come close to his numbers from '06. I don't see it happening, Gunna. Not this upcoming season at least.Also, let's not forget that Jackson has missed 8 games the past two years.

champcruthik · Jul 7, 2009

[h1]As more teams split carries, these five backs stand above the rest[/h1]

By Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
Analyst

As the game shifts to more two-back platoon systems, the number of the elite backs running roughshod through the league has seemingly diminished.

[h3]Position rankings[/h3]

Bucky Brooks takes a look at the top five players at each position:

» Top running backs | Photos | Video
» Top cornerbacks | Photos | Video
» Top safeties | Photos | Video
» Top inside linebackers | Photos | Video
» Top edge rushers | Photos | Video
» Top defensive tackles | Photos | Video

Last season, only five rushers logged more than 300 rushing attempts, and six of the league's top ten rushing attacks employed some form of a running back by committee system. With more teams opting to diversify their rushing attacks by using multiple runners, the presence of an elite feature back stands out prominently in today's game.

In describing the ideal workhorse running back, most coaches would cite consistency and durability as key factors. Moreover, they would point out that the top running backs in the league possess special qualities that forces defensive coordinators to build their game plans around minimizing the star's impact.

For some backs, their game consists of an assortment of big-time running skills, which force defenses to stay in eight-man fronts on most downs. Others are exceptional receivers with the ability to create mismatches in the passing game. Regardless of their skill set, these special players have the talent to take over the game in a variety of ways.

With impact, consistency and durability as the critical factors for their inclusion on this list, let's examine the top five running backs in the game:

[h3]1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings[/h3]
The two-time Pro Bowler has set the league ablaze during his first two seasons. He has terrorized defenses with his exceptional combination of speed and power. Though defenses have routinely employed eight- and nine-man fronts to stop him, Peterson has averaged 103.4 yards per game in his career, which ranks only behind Jim Brown as the highest single-game rushing average in league history. Peterson's 3,104 rushing yards ranks fourth all-time for the most yards gained during the first two seasons of a career. With a resume that already dwarfs some of the greatest players to ever man the position, it's indisputable that Peterson deserves his place at the top of the list.

[h3]2. Clinton Portis, ********[/h3]
Affectionately known as "Southeast Jerome" in D.C., the seven-year pro has been a model of consistency at the position. He has rushed for over 1,250 yards six times and finished as the league's fourth-best rusher last year with 1,487 yards. As a superb "one cut" runner with explosive power and pop, Portis still flashes big-play ability at 27. His 13 runs over 20 yards last season were tie for the third-most in the league and equaled his career high. While others on this list may have garnered more headlines throughout their respective careers, Portis' consistent production justifies his standing as one of the top rushers.

[h3]3. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers[/h3]
The ultra-productive veteran still occupies a spot on this list despite coming off his worst season. Although Tomlinson only averaged 3.8 yards per carry, he went over 1,000-yards rushing for the eighth straight season and ranked 10th in the league in the category. Even more impressively, the five-time Pro Bowler put up those numbers while battling through a nagging toe injury for most of the season. While he has missed parts of the playoffs the past two years, Tomlinson remains a double threat out of the backfield at 30.

[h3]4. Michael Turner, Falcons[/h3]
His stellar first season in Atlanta will lead some to peg him as a one-year wonder, but those who closely examine his game see a burgeoning star taking advantage of his opportunity to be a feature back. After averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry in a reserve role with the Chargers, Turner broke out for 1,699 rushing yards last season and earned a Pro Bowl nod. The hard-nosed workhorse excels at running between the tackles, but, with 11 carries over 20 yards, also possesses the ability to bust a long run. Turner will have to display the consistency of others on this list to remain among the elite, but his outstanding debut with the Falcons has put him in the conversation.

[h3]5. Brian Westbrook, Eagles[/h3]
An absolute terror since assuming the role as Philadelphia's featured back in 2004, Westbrook has amassed 8,106 yards from scrimmage in that span, which ranks as the second-best total in the league. Moreover, Westbrook's exceptional skills as a runner/receiver have made him the league's premier all-around back. Though his expansive role has resulted in numerous nagging injuries, Westbrook's continual dominance as a dual threat make him worthy of inclusion on this list.