As LaDainian Tomlinson prepares to defend his rushing title, he enters the 2008 season without his famed and little-used backup Michael Turner. Don't worry: enter Darren Sproles who in week 15 filled in for Tomlinson and ran for 122 yards and got two touchdowns.
So does this give the San Diego Chargers the best 1-2 punch in the backfield? No.
While the Chargers will still dominate games on the ground, the Minnesota Vikings without question will enter the season with the best set of backs. Adrian Peterson will look to build on his successful rookie season and former 1,000-yard running back, Chester Taylor, will also continue to eat up yards.
The Jacksonville Jaguars finished second last season in total rushing yards and they again occupy that spot. Veteran Fred Taylor made his first Pro Bowl and Maurice Jones-Drew will continue to find the end zone.
The New York Giants should see more yards on the ground and provide Eli Manning with a more stable offense. If the three headed monster of Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw stay health, the Giants could see themselves deep in the playoffs again.
The one knock on the Pittsburgh Steelers running game was the fact that they only scored nine touchdowns, but look for an injury-free Willie Parker to find the end zone more. He will be relieved by rookie Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers top pick from Illinois.
The fifth spot belongs to the new-look Oakland Raiders and their running game that's four players deep. Darren McFadden wants to prove that his $60 million-dollar contract was no mistake. Next Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan and Michael Bush will give the team fresh legs throughout the game.
Tomlinson, Sproles and the Chargers get the sixth spot and should put up similar 2007 numbers of 2,039 yards, 19 touchdowns and a 4.2 yard per rushing attempt.
A mentally and physically healthy LenDale White and Chris Henry should power the Tennessee Titans to the seventh spot in the top combo's.
Now we know which teams will eat up the ground game, but which team will have the QB's screaming for more help?
Tops on the list of worst 1-2 punches are the Chicago Bears and their anemic ground game. Their three-headed monster of Matt Forte—rookie out of Tulane; Adrian Peterson—offseason appendectomy; and Garrett Wolfe—second year from N. Illinois.
The Bears only scored eight touchdowns on the ground last season and I wouldn't expect any improvement on that total.
Next on the worst list are the Detroit Lions and their 1-2 combo of Kevin Smith, rookie from UCF, and Tatum Bell. Their 10 win guarantee from last season didn't happen and I don't see them improving the ground attack.
The Houston Texans take the third spot with an aging Ahman Green, Chris Brown and rookie Steve Slaton out of West Virginia. The offensive line didn't improve and neither will their 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.
The Carolina Panthers are on this list for two reasons, they don't have a single runner on the depth chart that has ever rushed for 1,000 yards. Secondly, they only found the end zone seven times in 2007. However, Starter DeAngelo Williams created a new offseason workout that includes paintball.
All in all it should be an exciting 2008 season...unless you're a Chicago Bears fan.
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3 months ago
Two things:
1.) It's kind of contradictory to put the Chicago Bears as a "three-headed monster" if they're anemic. I picture a three-headed monster to be quite a menacing thing. The Bears defense, I think, would best be described as a three-headed Chihuahua: they'll probably end up being extremely useless and annoying.
2.) If your justification for mentioning the Carolina Panthers is because they do not have a guy on the depth chart who has run over 1,000 yards, where are the Atlanta Falcons? Or how about the Green Bay Packers?
And the new workout "regiment" for DeAngelo Williams including paintballing sessions is kind of useless information, and has no effect on this alleged culmination of potential running back tandems.
from 3 months ago
I'd said Bears "defense" I meant running game.
All Apologies.
from 3 months ago
Josh,
Thanks for the comments, about the Bears I was just joking around...but I guess it didn't work. Also, I included the new offseason workout for Williams because he's trying to get and stay in shape for the upcoming season and this is what he's doing to get ready.
And just for clarification the term is regimen...not "regiment". His offseason regimen is for health and exercise reasons.
Regiment means:
Military. a unit of ground forces, consisting of two or more battalions or battle groups, a headquarters unit, and certain supporting units.
2. Obsolete. government.
–verb (used with object) 3. to manage or treat in a rigid, uniform manner; subject to strict discipline.
4. to form into a regiment or regiments.
5. to assign to a regiment or group.
6. to form into an organized group, usually for the purpose of rigid or complete control.
Regimen means:
Medicine/Medical. a regulated course, as of diet, exercise, or manner of living, intended to preserve or restore health or to attain some result.
Thanks.
3 months ago
The Titans also picked up a very fast and quick RB in Chris Johnson with there 1st round pick. The Titans will have a VERY good running game with Johnson, Henry, White, and even Vince Young running the ball. This will be the Titans only source of offense with our lack of receivers and passing game.
I like this list from top to bottom.
3 months ago
You could consider putting the Skins ground attack amongst the top. Their line will be returning to form from injuries, they have Clinton Portis, and Ladell Betts did rush for over 1100 two seasons ago.
from 3 months ago
Jack,
You are right on with the Skins...they do have a good ground game. If Portis stays healthy they again will be very good and with Campbell improving they could compete for a playoff spot again.
Thanks.
3 months ago
I like the article by the way.
3 months ago
Yeah the biggest issue last season was lack of chemistry along the line when it came to pulling guards and run blocking in general. This year the RBs should have more room to run if the line stays healthy.
3 months ago
Going to be fun, seeing how many yards Bush, McFadden, and Fargas finish out with.
3 months ago
Just to go along with what Jack said, the 'Skins have a pretty decent running game with Portis and Betts which is going to get better because Portis likes the spread offense that Zorn is implementing which is the system which Portis was most successful in as he was in Denver. And the downhill running of Betts will help a lot if Portis gets injured as well.
3 months ago
It is going to be bad for me, I know.
3 months ago
Sorry I haven't seen this until now. Great stuff John!
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