Deuce # 6?
 

This morning on cnnsi.com Duane Cross ranked the best running backs in the league. Deuce came in at number 6 behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes, Ahman Green, Shaun Alexander, and Jamal Lewis. Now as a Saints fan I am a little pissed about this order but as an all around football fan I think my list can be unbiased. I think LT is deserving of the number one spot and Priest at number two. However, Deuce should be at number three ahead of Ahman "fumbles" Green, Shaun "a four year old can knock me down" Alexander, and Jamal "my quarterback and receivers suck so I have to carry the ball 700 times" Lewis. Deuce has the size, speed, hands, and blocking abilities that overall outweigh the competition. Oh yeah for anyone that says the Saints made a mistake by sending Ricky to Miami, his rank is number 9.

Deuce # 6?
 

I agree with you. Deuce is an awesome all around back. I agree 3rd best is about right. I don\'t think that\'s Saint\'s bias. I can see how people may want to put Jamal Lewis in fromt of him due to his season last year, but Sh. Alexander and Ahman Green.....I just don\'t see it. I even think I\'d take Fred Taylor over Ahman Green in Fantasy League.

But do not get pissed, my man, if the Deuce gets loose this year (if he stays healthy) then email Duane Cross this article he wrote, at the end of the season, and remind him about it.

Deuce # 6?
 

Don\'t worrry. At the end of the season when Deuce holds up the SuperBowl MVP trophy, will anyone care what some writer ranked him.

Deuce # 6?
 

It all depends on how you look at it.

If it\'s potential for the future, give me:
LaDainian
Deuce
Clinton Portis
Jamal Lewis


If it\'s right now today, then that list isn\'t so far off. It\'s off, but it\'s hard to argue.

If it\'s over the last couple of seasons...
Well then where is Stephen Davis on that list? Hell Travis Henry is deserving depending on the time frame.

Finally, if it is career stats then where the hell is Faulk?

That\'s a fun exercise though, since it\'s off-season. Let\'s do this:

Rank your top ten RBs of the future.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Deuce McAllister
3. Clinton Portis
4. Jamal Lewis
5. Priest Holmes (as long as he can hang around)
6. Ahman Green
7. Ricky Williams
8. Stephen Davis
---- Now for the shockers ----
9. Rudi Johnson
10. Moe Williams

Deuce # 6?
 

If its just for the 1st 12 games of the season Deuce is top 2 or 3.
If you count all 16 games I\'d have to put him about 6th or 7th.

Deuce # 6?
 

What are you talking about? He was 4th in the league in yards last season, and as we all know from the Brooks debate - yards is one of the only two stats that matters. Hehehe. ;)

Deuce # 6?
 

You know Danno, I just checked on a few things, and your \"Deuce fades down the stretch theory\" seems like a load of \"ish\" to me.

Consider.

2002 - the TEAM tanked and Deuce was injured (high ankle sprain). Now, if you want to talk about Deuce over that stretch let\'s not forget that we were one dimentional b/c Brooks has successive games with a QB rating under 30 and our defense was about as bad as it gets.


2003 - OK, no tank job and no injury. His production WAS down over the last 4 games. Why is that? Danno says it\'s b/c he doesn\'t work out in the off-season and fades.

Sure. Maybe it was b/c in the last four games of last season we faced three of the best defenses in the NFL. Dallas (1st), Jacksonville (6th), and Tampa (5th) are solid on defense and against the run - Dallas was 2nd in the league and Jacksonville was 3rd in the league against the run.

Further, Deuces carries dropped. The guy averaged under 20 carries a game over the last quarter of the season - you think he did that by choice? Might it have something to do with playcalling? Further, in the one game that wasn\'t against an elite defense (the Giants), Deuce carried on 15 times for 80 yards - an average of 5.3 yards per carry. If you call 5.3 yards per carry fading give me a fade job every game!

I think your logic is off Danno - what say you?

Deuce # 6?
 

I see you took the bait. :)

Injuries are no excuse. Was it perhaps just bad luck?

Look at our win-loss dude! Its a team game and we (he) faded.
The proof is in our record. 8-8 sucks, and always will suck.
Until he shows me something in December, he\'s just a good back.

Every team is good. Should we just count his games against only weak defenses when evaluating his greatness?

A true leader would have demanded the ball.

His numbers against the Giants were good only because they were concentrating on stopping the pass. If they concentrated on deuce it may have been a different story.



Man, this is easy!

Deuce # 6?
 

Joke all you want my friend - you\'ve been saying this for a while now Deuce Hater!!!

Hey here\'s an idea - Top 5 Results, Not Top 5 Money. As compared to the opposite.

There\'s nothing Deuce can do when the linemen don\'t block. Obviously that\'s what happen. His linemen didn\'t block for them. I mean, it could never be Deuce\'s fault. He\'s perfect.

It\'s not Deuce\'s fault Carney can\'t make an extra point, but you Deuce Haters want to blame EVERYTHING on him. The Saints wouldn\'t have won a single game in the last two years if it weren\'t for Deuce!

Say what you will Danno, but you\'ve had a grudge against Deuce ever since he got here. You simply don\'t like the guy personally and nothing he does will ever be good enough for you!

LMAO. :)

Deuce # 6?
 

Dang it! I forgot to put in anything about \"the WHOLE picture\". :)

Nuff said.

Deuce # 6?
 

I would put him about even with Green as it stands now..with the potential to be a LOT better than any of them..people keep talking about what this team needs to pick up to go to the promised land...well we have what we need...and his name is DEUCE..give \'em the ball and watch us get it done

Deuce # 6?
 

But...if you\'re a hater, then you can\'t possibly...love Deuce...but you do...so that would make you...a sunshiner....but....you won\'t....suck the sunshine....out of AB\'s ass...so that makes you...a hater...but then...you can\'t love Deuce...but you do...so that............................... :casstet:

Deuce # 6?
 

Deuce will only get better and has a better upside than any of the others. The coaching staff here has already went on record as saying with better downfield blocking by our receivers Deuce would have had over 2000 yards this past season. Look for McCarthy to spread the field and keep the 8th man out of the box which will allow Deuce better opportunities to reach the second line of defense more often before being hit. They will also get him the ball more often in the passing game. I expect Deuce to lead the league in total yards from scrimmage this year.

This page was lagniappe with the source article for this thread. Check it out.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...btn/index.html

Deuce # 6?
 

I tend to believe that Portis will not do nearly as well in Washington and is more a benefactor to the system in place in Denver. Whoever becomes the #1 back in denver this year will get 1400+ yds regardless. I also think that outside of the touchdowns, Holmes is at best a number 5. Jamal Lewis is a tank and reminds me of Okoye, and only had 36 more carries than Deuce did last year to reach 2000+ yds, however he is not the complete threat that the backs I rank ahead of him are. Think how scary LT would be if he had even the slightest threat of a passing game to keep his defenders honest. Edgerrin James is on the decline, and Rudi Johnson had 3 great games but has a lot to prove this year.

My rankings:

1 - LaDanian Tomlinson
2 - Ahman Green
2 - Deuce Mcallister
4 - Jamal Lewis
5 - Priest Holmes
6 - Clinton Portis
7 - Shaun Alexander
8 - Steven Davis
9 - Ricky Williams
10 - Fred Taylor

Deuce # 6?
 

While I agree with this completely, I just think Portis way too talented to fade to average. The guy is ridiculously explosive. I have no doubt that Tomlinson is the best back in the league (it\'s such a shame the guy is stuck in SD). Portis is the next closest thing in my mind, which makes him number 2. I expect Portis\' number to drop this year as everything in DC get scrambled and then has to gel again. That said, over his career, the guy with be fierce.


His upside is huge, but I\'m not sure he has the greatest potential. I will agree that the guy is most complete. He has the speed and elusiveness of just about anyone other than Tomlinson and Portis (Foster might be on that list as well), but the power of an Ahman Green, Stephen Davis, or Jamal Lewis.

Saying Deuce WILL have 200 yards from scrimmage - that\'s ballsy. I like it, and thinkhe\'s got a good shot - just don\'t know that I would promise that with the memories on this board.

Deuce # 6?
 

You have got to be kidding me. The only logical way you can have Moe Williams in your top ten running backs is if you are talking about fantasy football or more likely, you are actually Moe Williams. You made a point for Travis Henry earlier and then you left him off in favor of Rudi Johnson and Moe Williams. He isnt even the best running back on his own team. Well, i just want to let you know that while i am not upset, I do not agree with your asessment of the leagues 10 best runners. Thank you for listening Mr. Williams.

Deuce # 6?
 

I am Moe Williams. ;)

Hey man, you gotta throw a long shot or two in there. Ontario Smith might be the guy in Minnesota, but what\'s the fun in picking the obvious? I didn\'t put Henry in there b/c I feel more confident in a certain ex-Miami Hurricane taking his spot in a year or two.

Deuce # 6?
 

well WhoDat, I too am a firm believer in longshots. I probably would have gone another route with my longshot. And when i said that Moe Williams isnt even the best on his team, I wasnt referring to Onterrio Smith, i was referring to Michael Bennett. So i guess that makes you the third best on the team. I do like Rudi Johnson as a longshot though. That was a nice pick if it makes you feel better. My other longshot would have been Kevan Barlow. I hate the Niners but the guy can play.