Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers He doesn't get the attention he deserves. He's a true superstar. Best all-round back in the game.
2. Clinton Portis, Redskins A speed runner who seemed to struggle some in his first year with the Redskins. Portis will have a big year if the line plays better this season.
3. Jamal Lewis, Ravens How much will the prison sentence affect him? That's the big question with Lewis. If he's mentally right, he's a 1,500-yard rusher.
4. Priest Holmes, Chiefs Injuries have started to slow him some, but he's still a big-time runner. Can he stay healthy?
5. Ahman Green, Packers The only knock on him is that he fumbles. He's a strong inside runner who can also excel in the passing game. Green doesn't get the due he deserves.
6. Deuce McAllister, Saints Slowed by an ankle injury last season, McAllister should bounce back in a big way. He has that home-run speed that scares defenses, yet he's strong enough to run inside.
7. Fred Taylor, Jaguars There is an injury concern with him heading into the season, but the team insists he will be there when the first game rolls around. When healthy, he's an explosive runner.
8. Edgerrin James, Colts The contract issue is a cloud hanging over him. Since he signed the one-year franchise tender, he will be playing for a big deal. The question is whether his skills have started to erode.
9. Curtis Martin, Jets He led the league in rushing last season, which is an amazing feat for a man his age. But eventually he will start to slow down and that could be this season.
10. Tiki Barber, Giants Barber had his best season in 2004 and should be even better with an improved Giants offense. He's a multi-dimensional player who can kill a team with his receiving skills.

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/positi...ankings/OFF/RB

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

LT and Portis are probably the two most talented and complete backs in the game, IMO, but I just doubt whether Portis can have any huge years while in Washington. I may be wrong, but unless something happens with that o-line I question how much he can do.

Jamal Lewis is a very solid back who I think will always put up big numbers b/c of the system he's in. You move Jamal to SD and he's average, IMO. You move LT to Baltimore and nothing changes for that guy.

I think Priest is on the way down. Maybe not, but injuries injuries, and there is other talent on that team.

I expect about the same from Ahman. Tiki, Curtis Martin, and Fred Taylor won't put up numbers like last year is my bet. Edge will.


All in all, if given a choice of those players as to who I wanted right now, I'd probably rank them like this:

1. LT
2. Portis
3. Deuce
4. Green
5. Lewis
6. Edge
7. Holmes
8. Taylor
9. Barber
10. Martin

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

I'll take a healthy Priest Holmes over anyone of them... they guy is an absolute beast on the field running and catching the football. Portis may be good but he's vastly over-rated... a product of Denver's line. You won't see the guy put up the numbers he did in Denver over there in Washington. Jamal puts up great numbers year in and year out... one of the best pure running backs, but he doesn't catch enough balls out the back field.

1. Priest
2. LT
3. Deuce
4. Green
5. Edge
5. Lewis
7. Martin
8. Portis
9. Tiki
10. Taylor

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

I don't feel edge is going to be all that this year.

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

72 TD's in 5 NFL Seasons, 1406 per season average the last 4 seasons, 4.4 YPC career average, 1309 rec. yards over the last 5 seasons: Shaun Alexander. Why is Tiki on here and not Shaun??

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

I have never been impressed with Edge (except his rookie season). He just never seemed to be that dominant.

I also agree with papz that Porits is overrated. Look at how many 1000 + yard rushers Denver has pumped out in the past few seasons.... (TD, Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns, Portis...) Porits is good, but he's a product of the system.

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

Buzwa... I agree. Judging from the list, that pretty much makes him one of the most under rated guys out there. Kind of hard to believe that knowing he's been to multiple ProBowls and scores 10 plus touchdowns every year. Not to mention he's an BEAST to have as a fantasy football running back.

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

Portis a product of the system? Didn't he have 1300 yards last year in an off year in a new system on a bad team with a new coach and a terrible o-line??? Portis is tremendously talented. Pick some random team and put these guys on that team - say TB or ATL. You do that and there aren't a whole lot of guys that I would expect to out-perform Portis on a level playing field.

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

No Dillon?


.. No Vick? :)

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

No one is questioning his talent WhoDat, but I don't believe he'll average anywhere near that 5.5 yards per carry and 15 touchdown seasons anymore. I guess we'll just have to wait and see won't we. Last year was the first year he had more than 300 carries... let's see if he can continue to take on that pounding.

"...but I just doubt whether Portis can have any huge years while in Washington"

You said it yourself.

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

Yeah, I did. But as I said, it's a result of the system, not of the man. I viewed that list to be one which weighed performance with talent. I put Portis' talent level in the top 3. His production over the last TWO years is in the top 5. If you're willing to put Deuce at 3rd, who is IMO, less talented and less productive, then how can you justify Portis at 8th?

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

Deuce is at six i have no problem with that. considering what he did last year i thought ppl woudl rank him lower.

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

Okay I see what you are saying WhoDat. I am being bias here since I'm ranking Deuce ahead of Portis after Deuce had a bad year. Based on performance from last year, Deuce wouldn't even be on that list now that I think about it. Like I said before, I'm not saying Portis isn't a good back... but Denver's system made him a great back. In Washington I doubt he'll be able to get back to those monster numbers therefore I rate him there at 8. Now if he was back in Denver, that would be a different story... definately a top 3 back. But we'll see... Washington make some moves this offseason to improve their line and they have some guys coming back from injury... maybe Portis will prove us all wrong and do what he did in Denver.

RE: Positional Rankings: Running Back By Pete Prisco
 

i say it like this about holmes. i take nothing away from the guys ability but blaylock did really well for them last year and so did larry johnson. they could have the best line in the game. i like what whodat said about the players he would like. i also think that priest is on his way down. might not show it this year but he does seem to be getting injured more and more. i wonder how good holmes would be on other teams. i think it will be shown most when you watch blaylock do nothing this year. i am sure i could be wrong but i don't expect blaylock to do anything at all and probally be replaced half way through the season. maybe before. LT is always good. he is a great back. without injury i would expect deuce to get 1500-1800 yards this year. of course that depends on our d and if we are out of games early like last year. i just think deuce comes back in a big way this year. even with last years injury the guy has been pretty healthy for us. he seems willing to play hurt and to me is a constant professional. i think it helps that he seems to have his life in order. he is financially intelligent and wont need to play football for money after his better days are behind him. i like him so much because of the little things you hear about him outside of football. the 1 million he donated to his old university. how he is getting involved with other financial opportunities. i have never heard a bad word about the guy. i remember i saw him two years in a row on draft day and he seems to have his act together. i look up to the man and he is younger then me. i think he a very positive roll model for many kids. he seems to be ok with that. every year i see his name as part of the saints caravan that goes around to communities. for everythiung you read about the careless athletes out there deuce seems to take his role as a role model serious and does everything he can to help other people.

would not put deuce at no.3

Green, Lewis, Barber are probbaly all better than deuce at this point. on the other hand that could change this season.

I agree with Who. Portis is in a crappy system and had good numbers. I expect the same from him unless the Skins change things. I also think McGahee is going to bust it open this year. Any thoughts?

Spkb I agree. You forgot one last thing. Deuce has put up exceptional numbers since the Ricky move. He is in the last year of a contract that does not pay him nearly what he is worth. Did he complain? No. Did he holdout? No. He showed up to camps and worked his butt off. He even said that he isn't worried about the contract, that he is confident it will get done. I can name a lot of other players who would not be participating in camps right now if they had produced like Deuce and were on the last year of a contract that paid them far below their worth. The guy is a class act. Can't say enough good about him. IMO he is a top 5 RB.

I think Portis is a talented back. You do have to wonder if he looked better in Denver because of the offensive playbook. Regardless, Portis is solid back that puts up great numbers every year. It's hard to argue with his stats.

It don't mean squat until the pads go on. Until they show me something he's just a good RB on an 8-8 team.

Hell, any good back could look great on an 8-8 team. Lets keep it real shall we?

thats silly danno

I know. And its getting sillier. Everytime you post anything someones gotta drop the "it don't mean nothing until the pads come on" or they'll say "they gotta show me something first"
Yep, its silly.