Bleacher Report - Articles by Graeme Thornton

NFL: Top 10 Running Backs

Graeme Thornton — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:32:34 -0400

While reading these, please remember that they are ranked based on skill. I did try to take into account which running back had the best O-line, other offensive playmakers, etc. These are not fantasy rankings, but rankings on pure ability, talent, and poise at the RB position.

1) LaDainian Tomlinson

The easiest pick on this list. LT led the league in rushing yards with 1,474 in 2007, and rushing TDs with 15. His credentials over the last two years solidify his value as a RB, and to some he is seen as the best running back of all time (a bit of a stretch in my opinion).

2) Brian Westbrook

Despite missing a game in 2007, B-West led the league in yards from scrimmage, with 2,104, and put a team on his back. Not only can he run between, and around, the tackles, but he is also an explosive receiving threat.

3) Willie Parker

Had Willie not gotten injured last year, he probably would have led the league in rushing yards. The Steelers are a hard-hitting, smash-mouth football team, and Willie Parker is not only that as well, but also fast around the edge and excells at catching the ball.

4) Adrian Peterson

The rookie sensation known as A.D. lit up the gridiron in 2007, setting the single-game rushing record with 296 yards against the Chargers. This year he predicted 2,000 yards. This might be a bit of stretch. Defenses know that Jackson can’t throw on them, so they will be putting eight or nine in the box. However, if Jackson can find his groove, then I believe so can A.D.

5) Joseph Addai

Addai complements Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and that explosive Colts air attack so well, all the while racking up 1,072 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs. He is only this high because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

6) Steven Jackson

After Steven Jackson’s 2,500 all-purpose yard prediction in 2007, which predated the decimation of his O-line by injury, and which he followed up with 1,273 yards from scrimmage and only six total TDs, Jackson is ready to bounce back. St. Louis is reportedly ready to make their offense run through Jackson, so statistically he should be great again.

7) Edgerrin James

The Card’s RB may not be his old self statistically, but he is working with a far inferior O-line, which might explain his low yards per carry average of 3.8. He still managed to put up 1,222 yards and seven TDs last year.

8) Marion Barber

Marion breaks tackles like it’s his job, which it is. He not only made the Pro Bowl, but also while splitting time with Julius Jones still ran for 975 yards and 10 TDs.

9) Clinton Portis

Clinton Portis may not get the sort of numbers that he did when he was in Denver, but he bounced back nicely from his injury in 2006, and ran for 1,262 yards and 11 TDs in 2007. This probable hall-of-famer has a history of powerful running and making defenders miss, which earned him the No. 9 spot on my list.

10) Frank Gore

Frank Gore is San Francisco’s only offensive weapon, and defenses know it. Despite running behind a sub-par O-line, he still managed 1,102 rushing yards and five TDs.

Honorable Mention: Brandon Jacobs, Maurice Jones-Drew, Willis MaGahee, Larry Johnson

Cowboys-Eagles: A Rivalry Revamped

Graeme Thornton — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:01:09 -0400

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys have one of the most storied rivalries in professional sports.

Recently, instead of two closely matched teams battling on the gridiron, it has been one heavily favored team over an underdog fighting an uphill battle, with the occasional upset sprinkled in.

Last year, the underdog was Philadelphia. In the first game, the Eagles got trounced 38-17 at home in Week 9. Yet during Week 15, still as the underdog, the Eagles stunned the NFC's numero uno 10-6 in Dallas.

In the '90s, Dallas was favored, yet that all changed when Donovan McNabb was in his groove. Only recently has Dallas regained the advantage.

This year could prove to be different than years past, because both teams appear stacked on paper and should be more than evenly matched; they should be competing for playoff seedings.

The Cowboys (13-3 in 2007) will return most of their star-studded roster, which includes such big names as Tony Romo (All-Pro QB, who threw for 4,211 yards, 36 TDs, and 19 interceptions), Terrell Owens (All-Pro WR, who had 1,355 yards and 15 TDs), Marion Barber (All-Pro RB, who ran for 975 yards and 10 TDs), Jason Witten (All-Pro TE, who had 1,145 yards and 7 TDs), and Demarcus Ware (All-Pro LB, who made 84 tackles and had 14 sacks).

They also brought in Zach Thomas and Pacman Jones and lost Julius Jones (now with Seattle) to free agency. This roster, despite not winning in the playoffs, was the NFC's number one seed in 2007 and is driven to repeat in 2008.

One of their bigger challenges will come from within their own division, not from the world champion New York Giants or last year's feel-good playoff wildcard Washington Redskins.

The Eagles also return such playmakers as Brian Westbrook (All-Pro RB, who had 2,104 yards from scrimmage and 13 total TDs), Donovan McNabb (the 5-time Pro Bowl QB, who had 3,324 passing yards, 19 TDs, 7 interceptions, and 236 rushing yards), and Trent Cole (All-Pro DE, who had 12.5 sacks).

Philadelphia (8-8 in 2007) has upgraded their roster and is ready to make one last push for a Super Bowl with Donovan McNabb as their quarterback. They have added the top free agent in Asante Samuel, as well as speed pass-rusher Chris Clemons (8 sacks in 2007).

They added more impact in the draft with DT Trevor Laws from Notre Dame and speedy WR/PR/KR DeSean Jackson. They also franchised a now healthy L.J. Smith and will have McNabb at 100 percent for the first time in 18 months, when he tore his ACL against the Titans.

The Eagles not only added impact players, but they also added them in the right positions to cripple their biggest divisional competition: Dallas. Asante Samuel has proven over the last two years that he is an excellent playmaker at cornerback, with 16 interceptions (tied for the most during that period), and Chris Clemons should be able to pressure Tony Romo.

These two additions should be able to do more than contain an explosive Dallas offense; they should be enough to SHUT IT DOWN. The Eagles proved last year that when they get turnovers they win, like the three interceptions they got against Dallas during their second meeting.

With a high powered secondary and improved pressure in Romo's face, the Eagles are ready to face the Cowboys and NFL fans can prepare for two great games next year.

Phildaelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb Having Fun Again

Graeme Thornton — Sat, 10 May 2008 11:39:39 -0400

Philadelphia Eagles fans are obsessed with obtaining a No. 1 wideout, feeling that Donovan McNabb has underachieved since the T.O. debacle.

During that 2004 season, McNabb had a passer rating of 104.7 while throwing for 3,875 yards, 31 TDs, only 8 interceptions, and running for another 220 yards and 3 TDs. It is true that since then he has failed to even approach those numbers, yet it might not have as much to do with his receivers as everyone thinks.

Since the Super Bowl, McNabb has faced injuries and controversies circulating around his future in Philadelphia. However, with the quarterback of the future already on the roster, McNabb no longer has to wonder if he will remain and rather how long. He is now motivated to secure his future contract, no matter which team gives it to him.

McNabb knows he must prove that he still has the durability, flair, talent and speed that was so prevalent early on in his career. It seems that McNabb is taking a very lighthearted approach to it all though, and that could translate into a huge year on the field. McNabb has consistently played at high level when he is happy, and it would once again appear that he is content.

More than 18 months removed from his ACL tear, McNabb is poised to have a huge breakout year and hopefully keep the Eagles playing deep into January. Maybe they will even earn a trip to Tampa.

The Philadelphia Eagles Star-Studded Secondary Stands Out

Graeme Thornton — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:26:29 -0400

Philadelphia fans do not yet know what their secondary is going to look like in September when the season begins. They do know that regardless of whether or not Lito Sheppard is on the team, they will be better than last year.

If Sheppard leaves, then they are left with newly-acquired Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and Joselio Hanson. Asante is clearly an upgrade over oft-injured Sheppard and is the playmaker that the Eagles so desperately needed last year. Brown is the same guy he was last year, and Hanson, who took over at the end of last year for the now released William James, is a solid nickelback.

However, if Sheppard stays and plays on the right, across from Samuel, then the Eagles are left with a star-studded upgrade over last year, and the best secondary in the NFL.

Sheldon Brown is an excellent nickel, and has expressed interest in playing as the nickelback instead of on the outside. With Hanson as their fourth cornerback, who could easily come in and play in dime, dollar, and quarter formations, Jim Johnson could unleash blitzes the way he likes, and not have to worry about receivers being covered man-to-man.

The Eagles currently use a nickelback in approximately half of their plays, so getting all of their playmakers on the field would not be a challenge. Combine these cornerbacks with a faster linebacking corp than last year, and you are left with a serious pass-stopping defense. Since teams are throwing the ball more now than in the past, this is a valuable asset for any team. The Eagles are poised to strike deep into the postseason, barring any major injuries.