Here are my top 10 running backs going into the 2008 season:
1) LaDainian Tomlinson
2) Willis McGahee
3) Adrian Peterson
4) Brian Westbrook
5) Willie Parker
6) Jamal Lewis
7) Clinton Portis
8) Stephen Jackson
9) Marshawn Lynch
10) Laurence Maroney
Here's my reasoning.
LaDainian Tomlinson is still one of the greatest backs in league history. He did see a decline from his MVP season in 2006 to 1,474 yards. He held the San Diego Chargers together in 2007 and will again in 2008. He has tremendous play-making ability and that will never change.
Adrian Peterson and Willis McGahee are interchangeable at Nos. 2 and 3. I give McGahee No. 2 because of his durability and ability to run against great teams. He tore apart the Patriots and almost ended the perfection. He ran well last year and will do even better once the passing game gets set up with Joe Flacco at the helm of the offense.
Adrian Peterson is a tremendous player. His brutal running style makes him so hard to tackle and makes defenders have nightmares. He was on course to crack 2,000 yards rushing before the knee injury late in the season. As the Vikings become a better team, Peterson will only get better. If Adrian can stay injury-free and with help from Taylor, he will excel.
In my opinion Brian Westbrook is the most versatile player in the league since the retirement of Marshall Faulk. He has had 500-plus yards in both receiving and rushing for the past four years. His receiving threat out of the backfield makes him most dangerous. If he were a better runner between the tackles, he might even take McGahee's spot. He is small and quick and very dangerous.
With the season-ending knee injury of Willie Parker, his stock has dropped. I believe if he had stayed healthy the whole season, he would be in second place on almost every board. He has incredible speed and has been coined "Fast Willie." He also does his fair share of crushing blows to make the defender fear him. Look for him to excel this year with the continuing rise of the Steelers.
Jamal Lewis and Clinton Portis are getting old and inconsistent. Ever since Lewis broke 2,000 he has not been very solid. With the upstart Browns, this could be Lewis' chance to excel.
Stephen Jackson would be higher if not for the terrible state of the St. Louis Rams. He is a great playmaker on a terrible team. Lynch and Maroney are two young backs starting to develop into great players.
If there were a No. 11 spot on my board, Marion Barber would get it. He is a great bruising back with a lot of potential. With the departure of Julius Jones, the Barber will have sole ownership of the backfield.
As always, this is my own opinion, and I would love to hear what you all think.
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4 months ago
I think you have Magahee way too high. He tore apart a weak New England run defense. I think AP will be the #1 running back, and LT #2. I would take Westbrook over Magahee as well.
4 months ago
I can give you credit on not putting McFadden on there, for the simple reason: No single player in the running back is going to be the strong point for the entire season.
You look at LT, and as he goes, so goes the Chargers. In Oakland, if heaven forbid McFadden has some bad days, Bush takes over. if Bush goes out, and Fargas comes back, it all fills out the holes.
Right now, I'm wondering if San Diego is hoping LT doesn't follow in Alexander, or Johnson's shoes.....both just came apart at the seams.
4 months ago
Joseph Addai belongs on this list over Maroney or Lewis. The Pats won't even resign Maroney when his contract is up, because he's not that good. They like Sammy Morris better.
from 4 months ago
Fred Taylor goes on that list before Joseph Addai my friend. He had more yards on about 40 fewer carries than Addai did.
from 4 months ago
Only because the Jags can't throw the ball. Taylor and Jones-Drew are the Jags offense. Check receiving yards too. I know Addai had 41 catches, don't know yards off the top of my head.
Addai would have more yards if he wasn't in a pass-first offense, not that I have any complaints about the Colts O.
4 months ago
I wanna where is Ronnie Brown? You put Steven Jackson on your list and he was practically a no show for the Rams most of last year and Ronnie Brown was on pace for 1500 with no line to help.
from 4 months ago
there is plenty of people that deserve to be in the list but there is only 10 spots to fill. brown got hurt. end of story.
from 4 months ago
i understand that there is only ten spots and brown got hurt but at least he had a valid reason not to perform. i like jackson but brown is a better back than half of the ones on your list
4 months ago
McGahee? Durability? Huh?
4 months ago
Prediction: Ahmad Bradshaw will be on this list at this time next year.
4 months ago
Why don't I see Fred Taylor/Maurice Jones-Drew on here? I'm a Steelers fan, but they got a lot ahead of them.
4 months ago
Marshawn Lynch should be at the #1 spot
4 months ago
I know its tough rating players when they have been injured, but you should reconsider your top ten and rate them by how good they are, not by how durable they are or how good the team is. I personally think brown is top 5 and jamal lewis shouldn't make the top 10.
4 months ago
real rankings.......
4 months ago
Wow. No Maurice Jones-Drew or Joseph Adai? You also forgot to put "Any Denver Broncos Runningback" on this list. Whoever they use, they will finish a top 10 back.
4 months ago
good list, i'd argue joe addai should be on that list but it's arguable. that's the point of these lists anyway.
4 months ago
How about Ryan Grant?
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