Note...this is not related to fantasy, this is simply how great the runningbacks in the NFL are as of today. Ed The Sports Fan wants to thank Stefan Ming from The Sports Flow and Antone at All Hip Hop Sports along with our featured contributor Kenny and myself have compiled our own top 10 runningback list in our own minds. Ranked them 1-10, and came out with our certified list. There are some mild surprises and old reliable is #1 still, but #2? #3? We'll see...
#10. Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars (9th pick in the 1998 Draft)- A veteran running back and team captain who ranks among the NFL's all-time best, its a wonder that he's only been to ONE pro bowl (2007) and has shaken one moniker "fragile" for another moniker in "steady". Dude is a load at 6'1", 230 pounds and still can go step for step with his backfield mate Maurice Jones-Drew. Just like former Jag Jimmy Smith, he's going to go down as an all-time great but hopefully not become another afterthought, because he "puts on for his city and for the state of FLAWDA...His 4.7 career yards per carry average ranks 3rd all-time, behind only Jim Brown and Barry Sanders and his 85.5 rushing yards per game average is 6th all-time. Ahead of him are Jim Brown (104.3), Barry Sanders (99.8), Edgerrin James (92.9), Roger Craig (90.8) and Walter Payton (88.0).
#9. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills (12th pick in the 2007 Draft)- From free-wheeling the medical cart after his last game at Cal, to getting hyphy in Buffalo, the boy goes dumb. (tell me where to go, da duh da duh da duh da duh...) If "Purple Jesus" didn't declare for the '07 draft, Lynch would've easily been a top 5 pick. In just 13 games (?) he finished a successful rookie season with 1,115 total rushing yards and seven touchdowns. If he would just decide to stop getting into hit and runs and start hitting the hole and running...the NFL's gonna be real dumb on Marshawn real quick.
#8. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs (27th pick in the 2003 Draft)- LJ aka "Its the Roc!" is back and healthy, just one year removed from his second straight season of over 1,700 rushing yards. In 2007, Johnson was only able to play in eight games, but he was able to eclipse the century mark in rushing yards in three contests. Larry goes 6'1", 230 pounds and he runs mean. He's shown that he can put up numbers in a 2-back system (Priest Holmes) and with a very good but aging O-line, and put up numbers with a ZERO passing attack. So why would you doubt him now?
#7. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys (109th pick in the 2005 Draft)- His power running back style has earned him the nickname "Marion the Barbarian" and he has been the league leader in breaking tackles, which seems to reflect his personal mantra of "hit or get hit." From the words of Kenny Masenda (who ranked him #10), "As someone who is a DIE-HARD Dallas Cowboys fan, I have caught much flack for having Marion Barber ranked #10 on my top running backs list. In defense of my selection, here's exactly why I have him where I have him. He was #2, and while people are quick to jump on Julius Jones and call him trash, the bottom line is you still had to game plan for two backs. Bottom line is everyone else above him is the feature back in their offense. It's through no fault of his own, because when he got in the game, he did produce. If Barber is able to produce as the lead back this year (which I'm pretty damn sure he will), then he will move up, but until then, he's right where he needs to be."
#6. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts (30th pick in the 2006 Draft)- Probably one of the most underappreciated runningbacks in the league, Addai keeps the Colts offense a well-oiled machine. With 2 1,000 yard seasons under his belt, and while being injured last year, take his game to the next level. A phenomenal pass catcher, blocker out the backfield, and a great between the tackles runner, what more could you want? Well, one contributor...F it, Kenny said he ain't in the top 10. I have a problem with that and I HATE THE COLTS! Sorry, I had to let that out...
#5. Clinton Portis, Washington Portis (51st pick in the 2002 Draft)- Portis is known for often wearing various costumes at Thursday press conferences that represent fictional characters he has developed, including personas such as "Southeast Jerome", "Coach Janky Spanky", "Bro Sweets", "Choo-Choo", "Sheriff Gonnagetcha", "Dr. Do-itch Big," and "Dolemite Jenkins." Those characters are THE TRUTH! Spoken word from Antone, "My intial reaction of Clinton Portis was that he was old and didn't score a lot of TDs. After taking a closer look, I saw that Portis is just about to turn 27 and has scored more than 10 TDs in 4 out of his first 6 seasons. With an average of 92 yards per game rushing over his career, which is almost 1,500 yards a season, Portis is the most underrated running back in the NFL today. A new offensive system in Washington has Portis primed for a monster season and some of the respect he so rightfully deserves."
#4. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams (24th pick in the 2004 Draft)- Although he's been nicked up for the last couple of seasons, he's now had three 1,000 yard seasons, and he's not a fun player to tackle. At 6'2", 235 pounds and the ability to catch the ball out the backfield, you better tell those NFC West DB's to get out the way, quick. If Bulger gets his act together, and Mr. Holt continues to do what he does, then a HUGE season could be coming out of #39...but he couldn't crack the top three.
#3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (7th pick in the 2007 Draft)- Rookie of the year? Check. Single-game rushing record? (against the San Diego Chargers no less...) Check? New nickname? (Purple Jesus) Check. Future goals...rush for 2,500 yards. Wow. Be one of the all-time greats...getting there. Stay healthy for an entire 16? Working on it. All Day, I mean...Adrian Peterson is the truth, there's no other way of saying it. If the man is healthy then God please bless the opposing defense on Sunday. His rare talent as both a great breakaway and power runner has often raised comparisons to past legends, including Eric Dickerson, O.J. Simpson, Bo Jackson, and Jim Brown. As an Oklahoman, we stand up and salute you #28. Thank you.
#2. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles (91st pick in the 2002 Draft)- Westbrook cemented himself as one of the top backs in the league in his 2007 campaign. He had over 100 yards rushing and receiving combined in twelve of the fifteen games that he played. His 1,333 rushing yards were a new career high and his 2,104 yards from scrimmage led the NFL. Westbrook was named to his second Pro Bowl and first All-Pro team, after setting a new franchise record with 90 receptions. I personally rated him the #1 back in the NFL. Why? Because compared to LT, there are less offensive weapons around Brian, and Westbrook still wrecks in the return game. The man might catch 100 balls out the backfield this year, and I'm predicting right now that Westbrook goes 1,500 & 1,000 in rushing and receiving yards. It would be tough, but let me ask you this...would you be shocked if he did do it?
#1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers (5th pick in the 2001 Draft)- LaDainian Tomlinson has proven himself worthy of the title as the NFL’s best player. Year after year he has consistently gotten better. In just seven seasons, L.T. is already the Chargers’ all-time leading rusher, has been named to five Pro Bowls and has rushed for 1,200 yards in all seven of his NFL seasons. He can run it for a TD, he can catch one for a TD, he can THROW one for a TD, is this not why you are here? Are you not entertained? It will be very interesting to see how he starts to hold up as he just turned 29 in the off-season and has a lot of tread on those tires after running all up and down the state of Texas in high school and in college at TCU. Could he make a run at Jerry Rice's TD record? Could he make a run at Emmitt Smith's rushing yards record? (I hope so) Will he get his ring? I dunno, but I think LT's gonna do fine in the "where's my motivation" department.
Here is the final breakdown of the runningbacks.
**Sidenotes - Kenny voted Willie Parker #5 on his rankings yet not a vote from Antone, Stefan, or Ed...Marion Barber had the biggest difference in voting, from 5th (Ed) to 10th (Kenny)...interestingly no love for Jamal Lewis (2,000 yard rusher, former single game rushing record holder), Edgerrin James (11,000+ rushing yards), Darren McFadden (could be next Peterson, Lynch), Maurice Jones-Drew (Westbrook 2.0), or Ryan Grant (had as big a 1st year as Marshawn Lynch)...Would Shaun Alexander or Rudi Johnson make this list 2-3 years ago?**
Ok folks, this is our list. Doesn't mean you should agree. You DEFINITELY shouldn't agree, but give us your feedback and we'll get ready for some NFL football on Thursday night!
-Ed.
Comments
14 Responses to "The Top 10 Runningbacks in the NFL, We Think..."Good list. My only disagreement is Joseph Addai. He is the product of a great offense. Any one of 25 RB's could equal or better his numbers if they played for the Colts. He's dependable but not speedy or extroadinary in any way. Ever see him with a SportsCenter highlight? Didn't think so.
Frank Gore would be a better pick.
JAG
I disagree about Addai not being speedy. He killed the Patriots last season because of his speed, especially on that screen pass before half time, if I remember correctly.
I would have no problems with moving him down the list but the guys I ranked below him: Barber(not a full time back), Lynch(just one season to judge from), LJ(injury concerns) all have issues of their own. I had Gore 9th because he doesn't really get in the endzone all that much.
I would love to do this list again once the season is over. I think there would be a lot of movement because most of these backs are very young and don't have much of a track record yet. If Purple Jesus or Lynch goes nuts this season, they both could move up the list. Same thing with Barber, Addai, etc. If LJ gets hurt again, then he's probably off the list for good.
Also, I based my list on which backs I would want over the next 2-3 seasons or so, which is why Fred Taylor and Jamal Lewis didn't make my list. If we based the list on career numbers only, then most of these young guys would be no where to be found and the list would look a lot different.
Ed if you REALLY want to stir up some debate: Greatest RB of All-Time List ...I'm down.
JAG says it perfectly: Joseph Addai has absolutely no business being on this list. He's the product of the great Colts system, and nothing more. As seen, noone put EJ on this list, and at one time, people said he was the best running back in the entire league.
Maybe it's due to me not caring much for AFC East football, but I don't know why Marshawn Lynch is on this list, either. He didn't do anything great last season. I can hear Ed now, saying that the rest of his offense was doo-doo, but still. He was solid, but to put him on this list is absolutely ridiculous. YES, Fast Willie is better than him, and YES, McGahee is better than him, too.
Wow pimpin i cant believe LJ IS SO LOW ON THE LIST I THInk he should be top five but real talk im lovin the web site fam its hotter than baked clams keepin doing your thang
Marshawn Lynch is going to be a beast this season. You can't just look at stats with him, you actually have to watch him play to truly understand how good he is, similar to Marion Barber. Maybe I'm wrong and if I will then I will eat my words but I think Lynch will have big year despite playing on a crappy team. He did have over 1,100 yards last season in just 13 games.
Addai could be seen as a "product of the system" but I love his speed and I think Indy actually doesn't use him enough. He does have two 1,000 yard seasons without getting 300 carries in a season yet. He also is a good receiver out of the backfield.
I like MaGahee but he's overrated...he only averages 3.9 yards for carry for his career. Jamal Lewis has a better case than him.
Willie Parker is solid but he hasn't done anything spectacular to say he definitely belongs on the list anymore than any of the other guys. I think he got left out because people assume he's gonna lose carries to Mendennhall this year.
That being said...once you get past LT, Peterson, Westbrook, Jackson, & Portis...the rest of these guys are pretty interchangable. I think that Barber, Addai, and Lynch have the most upside of the rest of the backs though.
Okay 2 things...
One, I unofficially would want to take off Marshawn Lynch and put Jamal Lewis on this list. I'm sorry, Jamal's resume is too good and he had too good of a season not to get at least A VOTE! Man is a pro-bowler, offensive player of the year, MVP, has a 2,000 yard season under his belt, and has the #2 single-game performance on his resume. He put up his 2nd best season last year with Cleveland w/1300 yards and 9 TDs, and that team is going to be better. If i had to do it over, he's #9 or #10.
Now on Joe Addai, I think it is unfair to say that about a Colts runningback because then you have to knock down Clinton Portis and any other runningback who's played in Denver. Travis Henry, Terrell Davis, and Clinton Portis, are 3 pretty good backs. Olandis Gary, Quentin Griffin, Mike Anderson, and Selvin Young aren't really phenomenal backs. Addai runs a 4.41 40-time, has great hands, a great pass blocker, and breaks runs. He's the reason they beat New England in the AFC championship and he's only in his 3rd year. He's been over 1000 in both seasons, 1st season he didn't start A GAME! 2nd season he was nicked up and only played in 15 games with 261 carries. Most backs average 325 on this list. Again he's in his 3rd year, lets see what he does.
I hear ya Ed, but then you would be putting Jamal Lewis over EJ, and I don't think that's right, either.
Clinton Portis' name shouldn't even be associated with those other guys, because we went to another team, and has done work. Those other dudes haven't been heard from, since the Denver days.
Nice list ed!
Only complaint is I think i like AP over Westbrook with a 2-3 swap.
http://www.thesportsflow.blogspot.com
Ok, I agree with your list for the most part, but I definitely think Frank Gore should've made your list. He's been a beast for the Niners, and he's just going to get better.
And I would've loved to have seen my guy Reggie on this list, but I'll agree that he needs another year of solid production before he cracks the top 10.
Our lists match except Addai is 5 and Portis is 6.
I would agree with gritty, I'd like to see a 2-3 swap. And EJ should definitely get more respect than this. Cowboys all the way baby, Barbarian and Mr. Jones will be crazy. oh boy!!!
www.MrSwagger.com
yo ed, great article... once again thanks for havin me for this. this was a cool idea to have as a blog post.
but I feel westbrook deserves his number 2 status, he is underrated by many. he is the most complete back out there and he doesn't have the weapons that LT does.
I would have flip fopped portis and barber... the boy cant stay healthy... and really you had AP #3... I honestly think last year was a fluke... the kid is good... but definitely not going to have the year he did last year
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