TSN: Top 25 RBs

[skinzzfan25]

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=434762

We need a little discussion goin on in the NFL forum.


Notes on the rankings:

Too high:
Parker
Ronnie Brown
McGahee (a tad)
Rudi Johnson


Too Low:
MBIII
Portis
Jamal Lewis

[Go_Eagles77]

I like the Westbrook love.

[wicket]

I am disguted to just plainly agree with someone, since it's no fun whatsoever but i looked over the article and looked which names jumped on me and i had exactly the same names with the only addition that i think edge has lost more of a step than reflected by these ratings.

[Burns336]

McGahee at 6 and Parker at 4 don't seem right to me

[UKfan]

Portis a bit low and Parker high stand out to me initially.

[Bills2083]

It's nice to see Westbrook getting some recognition.
BTW, Willis is too high up, IMO, and MBIII is too low.

[StrongSide97]

Personally, I think Jackson should be in front of Parker, but it's anybody's argument.

Also, Marshawn Lynch in front of Joseph Addai, Fred Taylor and Marion Barber flabbergasted me.

Willis McGahee is way too high.

[keylime_5]

McGahee way too high, Parker just a little too high. Jackson is better than that, he had a bad line last year. Westbrook should be #3 and Jamal Lewis should be higher too, he had arguably the best year of any AFCN last year and is 29 years old, not that old.

I will say this, with Stalloworth and Edwards keeping teams from putting 8 men in the box and with that O-Line, Lewis is gonna have a huge 2008 season.

[CC.SD]

Lynch over Fred Taylor????

[Pb&j]

Even though I am a massive homer, I don't understand Jamal Lewis at 21... he is going to be 29 years old and is coming off of a 1304 yard and 11 TD season on one of the best offenses in the league.

At the same time the article fawns over Fred Taylor who is several years older and Tomlinson, who has more career carries than Lewis and is the same age.

[Gay Ork Wang]

McGahee way too high, Parker just a little too high. Jackson is better than that, he had a bad line last year. Westbrook should be #3 and Jamal Lewis should be higher too, he had arguably the best year of any AFCN last year and is 29 years old, not that old.

I will say this, with Stalloworth and Edwards keeping teams from putting 8 men in the box and with that O-Line, Lewis is gonna have a huge 2008 season.
why should Westbrook be 3?

[no love]

Even though I am a massive homer, I don't understand Jamal Lewis at 21... he is going to be 29 years old and is coming off of a 1304 yard and 11 TD season on one of the best offenses in the league.

At the same time the article fawns over Fred Taylor who is several years older and Tomlinson, who has more career carries than Lewis and is the same age.

Different style runners. Taylor and Tomlinson are more elusive than Lewis. Plus because of their versatility in the pass game they can always become very productive 3rd down backs even when they begin to lose a step.

But the magic age for rb's does seem to be 30 years of age. While of course it will differ slightly from player to player, Jamal has been a workhorse for his whole career. He may have a few good years left, but history suggests that it's downhill from here.

[kmartin575]

To say Larry Johnson is just a straight line runner is ridiculous. This writer obviously doesn't know LJ very well.

[scottyboy]

lolz at Grant that high.

And note on the bottom: Brian Leonard and Raymell Rice were both left off list due to their extreme awesomeness and they'd shame everyone else

[Gay Ork Wang]

I like the explanation for Grant:

16. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers. Grant's '07 success was no fluke. The Packers' line play is solid and he is a strong runner who can attack between the tackles and cut to daylight.

So he is success was no fluke because he says so? nice

[yo123]

Honestly, Lynch is a very good RB, but no way is he better than Fred Taylor, Addai, Portis, and Barber.

Mcgahee and Parker are also too high.

[Sniper]

Westbrook should be #3

Sacrilege. Brian Westbrook is a God amongst boys. Brian Westbrook could defeat Brian Leonard, Ray Rice, Courtney Greene, Tiquan Underwood AND Mike Teel in a fight. Right Scotty?

[keylime_5]

why should Westbrook be 3?

B/c I think Peterson should be #2

[Sniper]

B/c I think Peterson should be #2

No way, Westbrook's versatility is nearly unmatched. He's a better all-around back than Peterson.

[Pb&j]

Obviously Jamal Lewis is a powerback, but he is no Earl Campbell. He is very fast, and his game is to get through the hole and into the secondary, where it is very hard for cornerbacks to tackle a 250 lb man running at full speed. Plus he is no slouch as a reciever, so to make him out to be that different than Tomlinson is a bit of a stretch.

[yo123]

Westbrook/AD is basically a tossup imo.

[Sniper]

Obviously Jamal Lewis is a powerback, but he is no Earl Campbell. He is very fast, and his game is to get through the hole and into the secondary, where it is very hard for cornerbacks to tackle a 250 lb man running at full speed. Plus he is no slouch as a reciever, so to make him out to be that different than Tomlinson is a bit of a stretch.

Jamal Lewis is very fast? Yeah right.

And Lewis has 190 career catches. Tomlinson has 458. Yes, it's that big of a difference.

[scottyboy]

Sacrilege. Brian Westbrook is a God amongst boys. Brian Westbrook could defeat Brian Leonard, Ray Rice, Courtney Greene, Tiquan Underwood AND Mike Teel in a fight. Right Scotty?

If he was a Giant, maybe. He'd probably tie. Becuz he's an iggle, he loses, but puts up a damn good fight. Probably knocks out Teel...

He's an iggle, and I still respect and like him. That's saying something

[619]

MJD gets no respect again. Much too low. Maybe next year for Stewart? How bout Run DMC?? :)

[wicket]

Honestly, Lynch is a very good RB, but no way is he better than Fred Taylor, Addai, Portis, and Barber.

Mcgahee and Parker are also too high.
I've seen it a couple of times now, I don't get all teh love barber is getting, he is fine but i honoustly think the difference between him and lynch in the ypc is at least partly due to the ol of the cowboys and the fact he splits the carries. To put it in another way, lunch has had one good year as a starter, barber has had no year as a starter whatsoever. do agree on addai and portis though.

[Pb&j]

Jamal Lewis is very fast? Yeah right.

And Lewis has 190 career catches. Tomlinson has 458. Yes, it's that big of a difference.

In Baltimore they never used him much as a receiving option, but he showed to be capable.

About his speed, just ask the Cincinnati secondary as he runs right by, and then away from them. I guess that they must be slow too.

[PACKmanN]

wow Grant is really becoming overrated. He is replaceable and is being seen as a great back, which isn't the case.

[Sniper]

In Baltimore they never used him much as a receiving option, but he showed to be capable.

About his speed, just ask the Cincinnati secondary as he runs right by, and then away from them. I guess that they must be slow too.

Well they are. Use better examples than Cincy's D

[Gay Ork Wang]

i could outrun the Cincy D

[PACKmanN]

i could outrun the Cincy D

Cincinnati's Police Force can outrun the Bengals d.

[skinzzfan25]

In Baltimore they never used him much as a receiving option, but he showed to be capable.

About his speed, just ask the Cincinnati secondary as he runs right by, and then away from them. I guess that they must be slow too.

You're right though. In Baltimore he would shuffle his feet in the backfield constantly and fall ahead for 2 yards. In Cleveland he has hit the hole hard every time.

[Pb&j]

I think part of that is a very good offensive line coming together and great fullback play. When Mckinney went down and Ryan Tucker stepped in at right guard the running game really took off and Jamal had a dominant second half of the season.

[GB12]

wow Grant is really becoming overrated. He is replaceable and is being seen as a great back, which isn't the case.
Your post there is very wrong.

1. Since when is 16th considered great?

2. Show me who we could have replaced him with this offseason

3. Him at 16th is not overated. He was 19th in yards (7th in YPC), 9th in TDs, and 3rd in runs of 20 or more yards in half a season

[BlindSite]

Westbrook is above AD if for no other reason his experience gives him an edge.

[LonghornsLegend]

I think its amazing how just a season or two can shake up rankings so much...LJ was hurt last year with literally no line at all, and all of a sudden he is on the outside of the top 10, had this list been made after the 2006 season there would be no way he didn't make the top 5...I don't think guys should move up or down that fast due to a down season, his talent level is still better then where he is ranked.

[PACKmanN]

Your post there is very wrong.

1. Since when is 16th considered great?

2. Show me who we could have replaced him with this offseason

3. Him at 16th is not overated. He was 19th in yards (7th in YPC), 9th in TDs, and 3rd in runs of 20 or more yards in half a season

explain how he better then MJD.

[GB12]

explain how he better then MJD.
He's not, but that has nothing to do with what you said.

[scottyboy]

Westbrook is above AD if for no other reason his experience gives him an edge.

WRONG-O! AD has had one good season, Westbrook's had what like 7? Westbrook is also a better blocker, reciever and quicker. Yea, AD is great, but c'mon, the amount of people who under-rate Westbrook is just cruel. And I'm a Giants fan for ***** sake

[neko4]

I like the explanation for Grant:

16. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers. Grant's '07 success was no fluke. The Packers' line play is solid and he is a strong runner who can attack between the tackles and cut to daylight.

So he is success was no fluke because he says so? nice

I laughed at that too.

Also Clinton Portis gets no respect and Julius Jones at 25 is hillarious

[Sniper]

WRONG-O! AD has had one good season, Westbrook's had what like 7? Westbrook is also a better blocker, reciever and quicker. Yea, AD is great, but c'mon, the amount of people who under-rate Westbrook is just cruel. And I'm a Giants fan for ***** sake

Well, Westbrook has only been the starter for two years, but he's been very productive even as a backup early in his career. Oddly enough, he's started two years, and owned bitches two years. He split carries with Staley and Buckhalter early on (when we actually ran the ball) and his career YPC is 4.7. Not too shabby.

And yes, he's a very good blocker, awesome receiver and is definitely quicker and shiftier than AD. He has also learned to run inside a LOT better and is a true triple threat (Inside, outside, receiving)

[Burns336]

I laughed at that too.

Also Clinton Portis gets no respect and Julius Jones at 25 is hillarious

Julius Jones should be at 125

[StrongSide97]

From a deserving standpoint, Westbrook should be ahead of Peterson. It honestly won't last through mid-season though, as long as AD/P stays healthy til mid-season.

Here's my Top 10:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Brian Westbrook
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Steven Jackson
5. Willie Parker
6. Ronnie Brown
7. Frank Gore
8. Fred Taylor
9. Marion Barber III
10. Larry Johnson (I'm not giving up on him yet, haha)

[skinzzfan25]

My top 10 based on 2008-09 production:

1. LT
2. Brian Westbrook
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Steven Jackson
5. Clinton Portis
6. Marion Barber III
7a. Frank Gore
7b. Joseph Addai
8. Marshawn Lynch
9. Willis McGahee
10. Jamal Lewis

EDIT: Dammit, forgot Addai... cheatin a little :(

[703SKINS202]

Damn am I the only one who thinks Addai at 10 is too low? I know hes in a good system and all but hes still an exceptional back whom I'm sure could excel in a lot of other offenses.

[Brent]

No one is as high on Frank Gore as I thought they would be. Guess that is what happens when you're on an awful team.

[PACKmanN]

He's not, but that has nothing to do with what you said.

well him rated over MJD is what made me say he becoming overrated....if someone is rated higher then a player, who they are not better then, that makes them overrated.

[GB12]

well him rated over MJD is what made me say he becoming overrated....if someone is rated higher then a player, who they are not better then, that makes them overrated.
So I guess Brian Westbrook, Willie Parker, Willis McGahee, Marshwn Lynch, Edgerrin James, Thomas Jones, Laurence Marony, among others are all overated too because there are players lower than them that are arguably better .

[yo123]

No one is as high on Frank Gore as I thought they would be. Guess that is what happens when you're on an awful team.



True, Frank Gore is a top 5 back.

1. LT
2/3. AD/ Westbrook
4. Stephen Jackson
5. Frank Gore

[steelernation77]

MJD>Marion Barber IMO

[kalbears13]

I think part of that is a very good offensive line coming together and great fullback play. When Mckinney went down and Ryan Tucker stepped in at right guard the running game really took off and Jamal had a dominant second half of the season.

He picked up the slack when DA was sucking and they needed him.

[PackerLegend]

For those who say Grant at 16 is overated...why? Grant was essentialy a rookie like AD. The Vikings had an amazing o-line with a poor passing game last year. The Packers had a good o-line with a great passing game last year. Both RB's had about the same amount of help. AD had an amazing year except for a few games. Ryan Grant turned the Packers rushing attack from awful to one of the best. While having one of the best second half's of football over any other RB. Grant also rushed for what 220 yards against the Seahawks in the playoffs. Yes AD probably faced more 8 man fronts then Grant.

If your saying Grant's season was a fluke then AD's could be a fluke as well seeing as there both essentialy rookies. Remember the Packers had no rushing attack at all until the arrival of Grant.

Maybes hes too high, maybe ranked above someone you dont agree with, but like always its debatable. I think he got a fair rating.

[scottyboy]

For those who say Grant at 16 is overated...why? Grant was essentialy a rookie like AD. The Vikings had an amazing o-line with a poor passing game last year. The Packers had a good o-line with a great passing game last year. Both RB's had about the same amount of help. AD had an amazing year except for a few games. Ryan Grant turned the Packers rushing attack from awful to one of the best. While having one of the best second half's of football over any other RB. Grant also rushed for what 220 yards against the Seahawks in the playoffs. Yes AD probably faced more 8 man fronts then Grant.

If your saying Grant's season was a fluke then AD's could be a fluke as well seeing as there both essentialy rookies. Remember the Packers had no rushing attack at all until the arrival of Grant.

Maybes hes too high, maybe ranked above someone you dont agree with, but like always its debatable. I think he got a fair rating.

He's overrated by quite a few. He's an average talent who broke out behind an outstanding line. When teams keyed on him, and figured him out(ala Giants) he got stuffed. granted they didn't run all that much, but still. He was fresh due to not playing the full season(which makes a difference) and teams will catch on to him. I like him, good kid, but over-rated by quite a few

[yo123]

For those who say Grant at 16 is overated...why? Grant was essentialy a rookie like AD. The Vikings had an amazing o-line with a poor passing game last year. The Packers had a good o-line with a great passing game last year. Both RB's had about the same amount of help. AD had an amazing year except for a few games. Ryan Grant turned the Packers rushing attack from awful to one of the best. While having one of the best second half's of football over any other RB. Grant also rushed for what 220 yards against the Seahawks in the playoffs. Yes AD probably faced more 8 man fronts then Grant.

If your saying Grant's season was a fluke then AD's could be a fluke as well seeing as there both essentialy rookies. Remember the Packers had no rushing attack at all until the arrival of Grant.

Maybes hes too high, maybe ranked above someone you dont agree with, but like always its debatable. I think he got a fair rating.




Don't ever compare AD to Ryan Grant ever again plzkthx

[Cunningham]

I think its amazing how just a season or two can shake up rankings so much...LJ was hurt last year with literally no line at all, and all of a sudden he is on the outside of the top 10, had this list been made after the 2006 season there would be no way he didn't make the top 5...I don't think guys should move up or down that fast due to a down season, his talent level is still better then where he is ranked.
that's what i thought when i first saw the rankings........
anyways my rankings would be:

tomlinson
westbrook
peterson
---
jackson
---
portis
parker
brown
mcgahee
addai
gore

[GB12]

Don't ever compare AD to Ryan Grant ever again plzkthx
The comparison is valid and it is one that I have used before. He's not saying that Grant is as good as Peterson, It's that Grant and Peterson have the same amount of experience. Peterson has started only one more game than Grant yet Peterson is completely proven and the second best back in the NFL, and Grant unproven. That's quite a double standard.

[yo123]

The comparison is valid and it is one that I have used before. He's not saying that Grant is as good as Peterson, It's that Grant and Peterson have the same amount of experience. Peterson has started only one more game than Grant yet Peterson is completely proven and the second best back in the NFL, and Grant unproven. That's quite a double standard.



Because Peterson was a big time prospect coming out, and while no one expected him to be as good as he was last year, most people expected him to be a very good RB. That's not the case with Grant. He came out of nowhere.

[umphrey]

edit: read a few above posts, deleted

[SenorGato]

Yea...as much as it sucks Ryan Grant has alot more to prove to people than AD.

[nobodyinparticular]

Wow, Lendale White--he of the 3.8 yards per carry--is ranked higher than Justin Fargas (4.5 yards per carry)? And Julius Jones? Come on... I'm not saying Fargas should be considered a star, but these two scrubs certainly are worse than him.

[PACKmanN]

So I guess Brian Westbrook, Willie Parker, Willis McGahee, Marshwn Lynch, Edgerrin James, Thomas Jones, Laurence Marony, among others are all overated too because there are players lower than them that are arguably better .

what are you talking about?

[wicket]

that's what i thought when i first saw the rankings........
anyways my rankings would be:

tomlinson
westbrook
peterson
---
jackson
---
portis
parker
brown
mcgahee
addai
gore

I second your rankings, or the tiers should be in order as well than i would swap gore and mcgahee. I think that barber is overrated by a lot of the people on this forum tbh

[no love]

Wow, Lendale White--he of the 3.8 yards per carry--is ranked higher than Justin Fargas (4.5 yards per carry)? And Julius Jones? Come on... I'm not saying Fargas should be considered a star, but these two scrubs certainly are worse than him.

Justin Fargas is disgustingly underrated. He is one of the toughest runners in the league and definitely has some breakaway ability. His one knock is his durability, which those other two guys have also had to deal with.

[Paranoidmoonduck]

Justin Fargas is disgustingly underrated. He is one of the toughest runners in the league and definitely has some breakaway ability. His one knock is his durability, which those other two guys have also had to deal with.

I love Fargas. Runs so hard I even feel the hits he receives on gameday. That said, it's tough to completely fall for a kid who's first big year was in the first year his offense utilized the ZBS, and someone who put up their biggest games against some of the poorest running defenses. He's also lost a lot of that 4.3 speed that he entered the league with after his injuries.

I like the kid a lot, but I see why people aren't jumping all over the guy.

[Brent]

True, Frank Gore is a top 5 back.

1. LT
2/3. AD/ Westbrook
4. Stephen Jackson
5. Frank Gore
Exactly. And I am hoping this year people see that he is better than Jackson. And should be seen as such considering he hasn't ever had the benefit of a passing game to help him out.

[fenikz]

Jackson is about 30% of the Rams passing game

Even the Miami homer that I am, can admit that Gore will never be as good as Jackson is and can be

[Caddy]

Wooo Earnest Graham makes a top 25 list.

[Rob S]

Westbrook/AD is basically a tossup imo.

I agree, but if u tell me that I can only have one this season assuming good health....I take AD without a question. I could see going the other way too tho.

[skinzzfan25]

He's overrated by quite a few. He's an average talent who broke out behind an outstanding line. When teams keyed on him, and figured him out(ala Giants) he got stuffed. granted they didn't run all that much, but still. He was fresh due to not playing the full season(which makes a difference) and teams will catch on to him. I like him, good kid, but over-rated by quite a few

Teams did the exact same thing to AP as well. In his last 4 games, he was held to 2.6 YPC 2 TDs and didn't break 80 yards.

16 is about an appropriate position for Grant in this list. The only people I'd consider moving in front of him would be Jamal Lewis and MJD.

[xooberon]

a bit surprised that williams didn't make the list (and of the comment that's made about him). personally i'd take him over julius jones and lendale (and possibly graham)

[Sniper]

I agree, but if u tell me that I can only have one this season assuming good health....I take AD without a question. I could see going the other way too tho.

And I take Westbrook without a question. He runs, catches, blocks, returns punts on occasion...

[neko4]

The comparison is valid and it is one that I have used before. He's not saying that Grant is as good as Peterson, It's that Grant and Peterson have the same amount of experience. Peterson has started only one more game than Grant yet Peterson is completely proven and the second best back in the NFL, and Grant unproven. That's quite a double standard.

DId you count the 2 playoff games?
Just curious

[NY+Giants=NYG]

wow Grant is really becoming overrated. He is replaceable and is being seen as a great back, which isn't the case.

After breaking down the GB game, I agree. Good back, but sicker system! He fits it perfectly, which is a reflection on your GM and scouts for recognizing that.

[no love]

After breaking down the GB game, I agree. Good back, but sicker system! He fits it perfectly, which is a reflection on your GM and scouts for recognizing that.

While it is a great system and a lot of his runs came on cut backs in the zone scheme, he deserves all the credit that he gets. He runs hard, never fumbles, doesn't take many yards for loss and came up big when he needed to. What more can you ask for. Most of his runs came on long plays too, so he is explosive.

Also, Brandon Jackson and others did not do nearly as well in the same system.

[PACKmanN]

While it is a great system and a lot of his runs came on cut backs in the zone scheme, he deserves all the credit that he gets. He runs hard, never fumbles, doesn't take many yards for loss and came up big when he needed to. What more can you ask for. Most of his runs came on long plays too, so he is explosive.

Also, Brandon Jackson and others did not do nearly as well in the same system.

towards the end of the season Jackson started putting up 100 yards rushing, also Wynn was doing good before his injury. And 2 years ago, Ahman and Morency were doing well for themselves in the system.

[DLionALL]

Really happy to see Westbrook at #2. People are finally starting to come around and see just how good he is. Peterson ahead of Westbrook is nuts. Peterson is a monster, but let's hold off on the Hall Of Fame Ballot until he plays some more.

[PackerLegend]

towards the end of the season Jackson started putting up 100 yards rushing, also Wynn was doing good before his injury. And 2 years ago, Ahman and Morency were doing well for themselves in the system.

Jackson put up 100 yards once against the Lions, other then that he averaged about 2 yards a carry, granted after week 1 and 2 he was rarely handed the ball he was so ineffective. DeShawn Wynn did alright but no where close to Ryan Grant's production/effectiveness.

Ahman Green was one of the top backs in the NFL during his prime and Green Bay didnt run a zone blocking scheme for most of his time here. Morency did good 2 years ago but didnt play last year or match Ryan Grant's production. Grant may be another Samkon Gado who knows.... just want him signed to a fair deal and see what he can do with a whole season.

[GB12]

Jackson put up 100 yards once against the Lions, other then that he averaged about 2 yards a carry, granted after week 1 and 2 he was rarely handed the ball he was so ineffective. DeShawn Wynn did alright but no where close to Ryan Grant's production/effectiveness.

Ahman Green was one of the top backs in the NFL during his prime and Green Bay didnt run a zone blocking scheme for most of his time here. Morency did good 2 years ago but didnt play last year or match Ryan Grant's production. Grant may be another Samkon Gado who knows.... just want him signed to a fair deal and see what he can do with a whole season.
I do, and he's nothing like Samkon Gado

[PackerLegend]

I do, and he's nothing like Samkon Gado

I wasn't saying he is Samkon Gado or similar just that he could be a one year wonder. Seeing how ineffective our rushing attack was until Grant showed up, leaves me hope that he was part of the reason it improved so much.

[GB12]

I wasn't saying he is Samkon Gado or similar just that he could be a one year wonder. Seeing how ineffective our rushing attack was until Grant showed up, leaves me hope that he was part of the reason it improved so much.
I know you weren't, but I've seen people say it before and there's nothing behind it. They were both in RBs that started midseason for the Packers; the similarities pretty much end there. They are completely different runners and Grant has a lot more talent. I'm amazed that Gado had the success that he did because he really wasn't good.

[abaddon41_80]

Parker and McGahee are certainly too high and am I the only one who thinks Marshawn Lynch is overrated? I mean he had a decent rookie season but nothing worthy of top ten recognition

[NY+Giants=NYG]

While it is a great system and a lot of his runs came on cut backs in the zone scheme, he deserves all the credit that he gets. He runs hard, never fumbles, doesn't take many yards for loss and came up big when he needed to. What more can you ask for. Most of his runs came on long plays too, so he is explosive.

Also, Brandon Jackson and others did not do nearly as well in the same system.

He has great vision, and good speed, and very good agility, which is why the Packers wanted him for that specific zone system. They run alot of formations with 2 full backs, and run inside zone, and outside zone playside, and they run a simple lead backside, and all grant has to do is read playside, and if he doesn't like what's going on, just follow the backside FB leading on the backside LB.

And they do this from every formation, and tag their TE and bring him back into the backfield as a full back. While Grant is a good back for that system, it's really the creativity on offense, in terms of plays drawn up, and formations installed they use. Also, a good o-line helps make it even easier for Grant.