10 NFL Running Backs Ready to Break Out in 2011

First and 10 at the 27-yard line.  The lone running back lines up behind the signal-caller and surveys the defense.  The middle linebacker shouts instructions and points toward the rusher.  The signal is called and the ball is snapped flawlessly.  

The right guard pulls back and heads left as the quarterback falls back and pushes the ball into the back's hands.  The back floats left as a hole opens between the left tackle and guard.  

The back sees the hole fill quickly with a 6'3" 245-pound linebacker.  As the ball-carrier braces for contact, the right guard pulls into the hole and levels the linebacker in question.

The running back bursts through the hole opened by his guard and hits second gear.  He jukes the incoming strong safety, stiff-arms the middle linebackers and burst into the open field.  He hits the 50 yard line...the 40...the 30...a corner is closing in from behind...the 20....the corner dives...the rusher high-steps out of the tackle...the 10....TOUCHDOWN!

Nothing is more exciting than a running back breaking free and taking it to the house. The league is full of fantastic rushers who provide excitement to fans and scores for their teams.

But for every Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles or Ray Rice there is a Felix Jones, Reggie Bush, Jahvid Best or Cadillac Williams—rushers with all the potential in the world who, for whatever reason, aren't what they were expected to be when they were drafted.

And then there are those that are just ready for the spotlight.  These are the rookies coming into teams with needs and the young players who have been waiting for their chance to shine.

Those are the men we will look at today—those with the talent and opportunity to have a breakout year this season.

Let's have a look at the 10 running backs with the highest probability to burst into the spotlight in 2011.

Ryan Mathews: San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews was the 12th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.  The Chargers weren't let down.

Though his rookie campaign was hindered by injury, Mathews put on an impressive show when he was on the field.  

The 6'0", 224-pound rusher has impressive speed and power running technique to boot.  Add in the fact Mathews will see more carries this season because the Chargers will want to use him to force defenses to play honest, instead of focusing on their aerial attack. and Mathews has all the makings of a breakout season on his hands.

And Mathews seems up for the task. He not only has the ability to push the pile from the middle and to run over opposing defenders, but he can break the game open from the outside with his 4.37 40 speed and flashed ability to be a receiver out of the backfield, as well.

With the talent at his disposal and the opportunities provided by his offense, Mathews is poised to burst into the forefront in 2011.

Daniel Thomas: Miami Dolphins

Daniel Thomas is a big back.  Listed at 6'0" and 230 pounds, he's an explosive downhill runner and will have his opportunity to start in Miami.

Not the fastest back out there, Daniel will nonetheless get his yardage pounding the ball through the middle, and has enough speed to break big runs if he gets to the second level.

Miami offers an ideal situation for the young bruiser to shine.  The Dolphins will need a back who can carry the burden of clock management and grinding out tough yards as the passing attack tries to right itself.

And Thomas can be that guy much more so than Ronnie Brown can be.

Look for Thomas to become a respected pile mover in 2011.

Knowshon Moreno: Denver Broncos

Knowshon Moreno has not had a lot of luck since coming into the league as the 12th overall pick of the 2009 draft.

Misuse and injury have hampered the young tailback since and his reputation has taken a hit.

Many felt he would be demoted on the depth chart coming into 2011, but recent rumors have him entering the season the feature back.

Expect Knowshon to come into the season on fire in a revamped offense.  Mike McCoy, the Broncos' offensive coordinator, was hampered last season by the presence of Josh McDaniels and has been freed by McDaniels' firing.

This bodes well for Moreno, as he should see his skills more properly used under an unencumbered McCoy's offense.

The skill-set that earned a first-round draft grade for Moreno is still there, and 2011 should give Knowshon plenty of opportunity to display it.

LeGarrette Blount: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blount might have technically broken out last season.  He did rush for 1,007 yard on 201 carries in 2010.

But the best has not yet come from Blount. And his exploits were not exactly heralded last season.  The media was far more focused on Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman and the emergence of their young wideout Mike Williams than on the surprise display by the second year back.

Blount, who was previously known mostly for his infamous punch when he was at Oregon, went largely unnoticed.

But he put on an impressive show last season, and at least some of Josh Freeman's success can be credited to the undrafted Blount forcing defenses to account for him. 

Make no mistake about it, while the spotlight may have missed him last year, defensive coordinators didn't, and 2011 will see him getting more attention.  Funny enough, this is precisely why Blount makes this list.

That attention is cyclic and will open up more opportunities for Freeman and the Bucs passing game. That, in turn, will open up more holes for Blount in the running game.  

The Bucs offense will continue its roll forward, and Blount will be a big part of the reason.  Expect to see his face, and his highlights, more frequently in 2011.

Ryan Torain: Washington Redskins

Ryan Torain has been waiting to bust loose, and this could be the year.

His biggest problem might be his team.  His offense is in shambles and the quarterback situation is a mess.

But Torain could just succeed despite the adversity. 

He's a solid back with good vision and is a punishing ball carrier.  And so far, he's made the most of the opportunities that the Redskins gave him last year, posting 4.5 yards per carry on 164 attempts with eight starts.

His receiving ability will help him, as well.  Though rarely used last year, he is a good option for whoever the 'Skins place behind center and will provide a reliable relief valve.

Torain's arrow is pointing upward, despite the Redskin's woes last season.  And it should continue the climb in 2011.

DeMarco Murray: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have been searching for the answer to their running back woes since Emmitt Smith left town for Arizona.  In DeMarco Murray, they may have found that answer.

Felix Jones put up another lackluster season in 2010, compelling the Cowboys to draft Murray.

With quarterback Tony Romo returning, the Cowboys need a rushing attack that can take some of the heat off of the battered signal caller, and Murray figures to be the guy.

The fastest of the top rushers in this year's draft, Murray is more than just a speed back.

Murray has great vision and patience to go with it.  His agility is top shelf and his work ethic is too.  He's known for giving every play 100 percent.

Even though he's a bit on the smaller side, and won't break a ton of tackles, he is also known for his pass blocking ability, which should come in handy for the Cowboys, as well.

Murray is coming in to an offense that has only been a solid rusher away from being a force to be reckoned with.  All things point to DeMarco being that rusher.

CJ Spiller: Buffalo Bills

Last season was a disappointing year for former Clemson standout CJ Spiller.  Stuck behind Fred Jackson on an offense that was atrocious, Spiller did far worse in his rookie campaign than backs taken behind him in that year's draft.

But 2011 is a new year, and Spiller will get a chance to prove that the Bills weren't mistaken in making him the ninth overall selection.

Spiller is in possession of incredible speed and was among the most productive college backs in history.  

His biggest problem may be that the Bills did little to improve their offense by way of the draft, and unless they make a splash in free agency, there will be little in the way of help to take the pressure off of CJ and the rushing attack.

That said, expect CJ's sophomore season to be his breakout year.  This kid has talent and athleticism to spare, and he's set to show it off in 2011.

Alex Green: Green Bay

Green was likely drafted as an insurance policy in case third-down back Brandon Jackson leaves via free agency.  But the Pack stand a fantastic chance of being pleasantly surprised by a new starting rusher.

Green fits what the Packers do incredibly well, and for a team that hasn't had consistency at the running back spot since the days of Ahman Green, this Green will plug that hole for a long time.

What about Ryan Grant?  Grant is a good back, and Green will have his work cut out for him.  But his usefulness in this scheme, as well as his skill set, will have Grant sitting on the bench before the Packers Week 8 bye.

Green is a larger back with 4.45 40-speed who became only the third rusher to exceed 1,000 yards in Hawaii's pass-oriented history, and the first since 1982.  He's a good pass blocker, a hard-charging rusher who is difficult to bring down and can receive out of the backfield.

Call me crazy (and some surely will) but Green will be starting in Green Bay before long, and the Packers will be better for it.

Shonn Greene: New York Jets

Shonn Greene will break out in 2011.  

So far, he's been hampered by the presence of veteran rushers in Thomas Jones and then LaDainian Tomlinson. 

But 2011 will be Greene's year to shine.  The Jets have plenty of offense through the air to take pressure off of the running attack, and opportunities will be present for Greene to take over as the Jets' feature back. 

And Tomlinson has come out and said he's willing to be a third-down back in favor of Greene getting the early-carry work.

Greene should honestly have been starting last season.  He's a never-say-die type of rusher who delivers punishment to defenders and has the ability to move the ball in chunks, but still break away for the big runs.

Will 2011 be the year that Greene finally moves out of the veteran shadow and becomes an NFL star? Bet on it.

Mark Ingram: New Orleans Saints

Mark Ingram is walking into an ideal situation for a young first-round running back.

The Saints passing attack will always be the focus of the opposing defense.  His offensive line is established and well put together.  And the team is looking to the rookie to produce.

Ingram doesn't have game-breaking speed and his pass blocking will likely keep him out of third-and-long situations.  

But those are the only glaring flaws in his game.

He is smart, patient and physical—the ultimate sledgehammer to counterbalance the katana that is the Saints passing offense.

Ingram is fantastic at setting up his blockers and has great vision on the field.  Yet he isn't hesitant.  He hits the hole with authority and will make the most of every opportunity.  Despite not having elite speed, he is fast enough to make something happen in the open field.  And he has good agility to boot.

It's been a while since a rusher with Ingram's abilities and skill set have walked into a situation so well suited to become an immediate star.  That is exactly where Ingram finds himself.