The Sports Guru

Today the running backs get their turn.  With the RB’s it is a little more difficult since many teams, like the Broncos, have gone to a running back by committee approach.  I am going to look at the 5 best and 5 “worst” backs in the league to figure to be the starter when the season starts in September.

Top 5 Running Backs

1.  Shaun Alexander, SEA – I guess this was an easy choice since Alexander is the MVP of the league.  But what is more impressive to me is that he won that award in a contract year.  Had Alexander had a bad year last year he would not have been in the position to hit the jackpot he did in the off-season in re-signing with the Seahawks.  As it was, Alexander led the League in Rushing, broke the League Record for TD’s and help get the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.  Not to bad to say the least.  Now the challenge will be to see how Alexander handles his business after finally getting the money.  He will also have to deal with the loss of Steve Hutchinson on the Offensive Line and Joe Jurivicious outside.  All that said, Alexander has proven over time to be a dependable back with a nose for the End Zone.  He’s the best back in Football, bar none.

 2.  Larry Johnson, KC – After a tumultuous beginning to his NFL career including his head coach telling him to man up in the media, Larry Johnson finally got his chance when Priest Holmes went down early in the year.  Johnson took the opportunity and ran with it, literally, amassing 1750 yards rushing while only starting 9 games!  Behind the best O-Line in the NFL, Johnson proved to be tough inside, yet quick and decisive outside in helping the Chiefs nearly get into the playoffs.  Most of that O-Line returns, and with the addition of Kyle Turley, 2000 yards does not seem to be out of the question for LJ.  What will be the question is can the Chiefs defense keep the Offense from being forced to throw the ball.  Even then, Johnson is a factor in the passing game making him a dual threat.   Easily the Number 1 pick in most Fantasy drafts, Johnson will be the key if the Chiefs are going to make any noise in a tough AFC West.

3.  Clinton Portis, WAS – You gotta love a back that before the season starts you can pencil him in for 1500 yards and move on to the next guy.  That is Portis.   After “struggling” in his first year in Washington(1300+ yards), Portis regained his form to blast over the 1500 yard mark for the 3^rd time in his 4 years in the league.  I will always say that Portis had the chance to be a Legend had he stayed in Denver, but with Washington he remains one of the top backs in the game even though the passing game in the Nation’s Capitol leaves something to be desired.  Defenses will again stack the line this season to stop Portis, but when it’s all said and done you can write down 1500/10 TD’s and another trip to Hawaii for CP.

4.  Tiki Barber, NYG – Gotta give some love to the most underrated back in the League, maybe in history.  Every year it seems the Giants are looking to replace Barber, or split his carries(Ron Dayne, anyone?) and every year Barber puts up huge number.  Last season, easily his best, Barber rushed for 1860 yards with another 530 coming through the air.  Like a fine wine, Barber seems to get better with age.  At 31, however, the clock is ticking on Barber and many wonder if this is the year that we start to see a drop-off in production.  1800 yards is going to be tough to hit again, but I think another 1400+ yard season is still in Barber’s tank.

5.  LaDainian Tomlinson, SD – A year ago Tomlinson probably would have been #1 on this list, but after an up and down 2005 campaign, L.T. will need a big 2006 if the Chargers are to get back to the playoffs.  The best pure runner in the League, L.T battled injuries and odd-play calling to still rack up nearly 1500 yards rushing.  With Drew Brees off to New Orleans, the weight of the offense is going to fall to L.T. to take the pressure off of Philip Rivers, especially early in the year when teams will try to force the Chargers to throw the ball.  Equally dangerous by land or by air, I look for Tomlinson to be a huge factor early in the year as the Chargers try to keep defenses honest by utilizing the short passing game to set up the run.  If they are successful, expect L.T. to be back near the top of this list next year.

The Bottom 5 Running Backs–
This list is very subjective to say the least, and takes into account who I think will be the starter when the season kicks off.  All these teams could do better and probably will with their running games.

32.  Kevan Barlow, SF – Every year we think this guy is going to break out, and every year he doesn’t and ends up losing his job to some rookie.  Last year it was Frank Gore who came in and showed flashes.  The 49’ers however appear set to let Barlow start the season as the lead back leading to what will probably be another disappointing sub-1000 yard season.  Injuries are starting to become a factor with Barlow too, after only appearing in 12 games last season.  In his 5 years in the League, Barlow has managed to play every game only once(2003), having his best season rushing(1024 yards, 3 TDs).  Barlow can be a factor through the air, but his inconsistency and lack of passion make him the worst starting back in the game.

31. Jamal Lewis, Bal – It was a tough year last season for Lewis, the last player to rush for 2000 yards in a season.  After undergoing ankle surgery in the off-season, then spending time in the grey-bar motel, Lewis never seemed to get it going.  Worse, Lewis didn’t really show the power we had come to expect form him, and in my mind his toughness is in serious doubt.  A guy that big should not average a putrid 3.4 yards per carry.  Sure the Ravens couldn’t throw the ball to save their lives but backs on teams worse than the Ravens had much better averages.  With Steve MCNair in at QB, the excuses are now gone for Lewis.  Baltimore seriously considered letting him leave via FA, but signed him at the last minute hoping that Jamal can get IT back.  I doubt he can.  1000 yards is a definite possibility, but Lewis’ days as a top-notch back in the NFL are done.

30.  Curtis Martin, NYJ – Another victim of circumstance and “old age” Martin began to show the signs of high-mileage last season.  Injuries cut into the year and his productivity, but even when healthy Martin could only muster 735 yards and 3.3 yards per carry.  The Jets were a bad team overall and Martin took a lot of punishment.  He will try to come back this season, but the best idea may be to hang them up.  A sure-fire Hall-of-Famer, I would hate to see Martin tarnish his legacy by hanging around too long.  Don’t expect much from Martin this season.

 29.  LaMont Jordan, OAK – A fat contract.  Big Hype.  Little return for Oakland after signing Jordan to a FA contract last off-season.  Sure, he had “decent” numbers, getting over the 1000 yard plateau in only 14 starts, but only 3.8 yards a carry, 3 games over 100 yards, won’t get it done in the NFL, not at the money Jordan is making.  Sure, the Raiders were a bad team, but not as bad as let’s say the Texans where Domanik Davis missed 5 games and nearly outrushed Jordan.  Jordan was great at what he did in New York which was catch the ball out of the back field and come in on 3^rd down.  E isn’t an everydown back, and will continue to break down.  This is a big season for Jordan who will need to keep the pressure off of the worst QB in the game, Aaron Brooks.  The Raiders will only go as far as Jordan’s legs take them, and my guess is not very far at all.

28.  Reuben Droughns, CLE – The MO on Droughns is the same every year.  Start strong, and wear down as the season goes along.  It was that way in Denver, and was that way last season in Cleveland.  The last 5 games of the season Droughns averaged a paltry 3 yards per carry and didn’t break the 100 yard barrier after Week 11.  In that game against the Dolphins, Droughns ran 75 yards for a TD on the games’ first play.  His next longest run of the season was 31 yards.  Droughns scored only 2 Touchdowns all season, while coughing up 6 fumbles.  Couple the unimpressive numbers with a bevy of off the field issues(he just can’t seem to stop beating his wife) and Droughns is not a great option.  The Browns gave Droughns a nice extension this off-season and appear to be hitching their future to him, a bad mistake in my mind.  The Browns have improved their O-Line this off-season, so it will be interesting to see if Droughns can improve his production.  If the Browns want to be a surprise this season, he’ll need to.