NFL's Running Backs Are Overrated and Overpaid

Ari Horing

Columnist Written on August 14, 2008

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Backup: Earnest Graham—222 attempts, 898 yards, 4.0 YPC, 10 touchdowns, 49 receptions 324 yards 6.6 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaced already

Cardinals

Starter: Edgerrin James

Advantage: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Verdict: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Chargers

Starter: LaDainian Tomlinson—315 attempts, 1,474 yards, 4.7 YPC, 15 touchdowns, 60 receptions, 475 yards, 7.9 YPR, 3 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Michael Turner—71 attempts, 316 yards, 4.5 YPC, 1 touchdown, 4 receptions, 16 yards, 4 YPR

Advantage: Starter—because of his knack for getting in the end-zone and his receiving capabilities.

Verdict: Irreplaceable

Chiefs

Starter: Larry Johnson—158 attempts, 559 yards, 3.5 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 30 receptions, 186 yards, 6.2 YPC, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Kolby Smith—112 attempts, 407 yards, 3.6 YPC, 2 touchdowns, 22 receptions, 148 yards, 6.7 YPR

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Colts

Starter: Joseph Addai—261 attempts, 1,072 yards, 4.1 YPC, 12 touchdowns, 41 receptions, 364 yards, 8.9 YPC, 3 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Kenton Keith - 121 attempts, 533 yards, 4.4 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 13 receptions, 77 yards, 5.9 YPC, 1 receiving touchdown

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

Cowboys

Starter: Julius Jones—164 attempts, 588 yards, 3.6 YPC, 2 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 203 yards, 8.8 YPR

Backup: Marion Barber—204 attempts, 975 yards, 4.8 YPC, 10 touchdowns, 44 receptions, 282 yards, 6.4 YPR, 2 receiving touchdowns

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Dolphins

Starter: Ronnie Brown—119 attempts, 602 yard, 5.1 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 39 receptions, 389 yards, 10.0 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Backup: Jesse Chatman—128 attempts, 515 yards, 4.0 YPC, 1 touchdown, 27 receptions, 161 yards, 6.0 YPR

Advantage: Starter

Verdict: Irreplaceable

Eagles

Starter: Brian Westbrook—278 attempts, 1,333 yard, 4.8 YPC, 7 touchdowns, 90 receptions, 771 yards, 8.6 YPR, 5 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Correll Buckhalter—62 attempts, 313 yards, 5.0 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 12 receptions, 87 yards, 7.3 YPR

Advantage: Starter—because of Westbrook’s receiving capabilities.

Verdict: Irreplaceable

49ers

Starter: Frank Gore—260 attempts, 1102 yards, 4,2 YPC, 5 touchdowns, 53 receptions, 436 yards, 8.2 YPR.

Advantage: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Verdict: Not enough carries for backup to determine.

Falcons

Starter: Warrick Dunn—227 attempts, 720 yards, 3.2 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 37 receptions, 238 yards, 6.4 YPR

Backup: Jerious Norwood—103 attempts, 613 yards, 6.0 YPC, 1 touchdown, 28 receptions, 277 yards, 9.9 YPR

Advantage: Backup

Verdict: Replaced already

Giants

Starter: Brandon Jacobs—202 attempts, 1,009 yards, 5.0 YPC, 4 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 174 yards, 7.6 YPR, 2 receiving touchdowns

Backup: Derrick Ward—125 attempts, 602 yards, 4.8 YPC, 3 touchdowns, 26 receptions, 179 yards, 6.9 YPR, 1 receiving touchdown

Advantage: Nobody

Verdict: Replaceable

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