Rookie Running Backs

"BrazForPhins wrote:

Ok, giving a break with the "Grade my awesome team" threads, I'd like to discuss about the rookie backs.

OAK Darren McFadden
DAL Felix Jones
CAR Jonathan Stewart
DET Kevin Smith
CHI Matt Forte
PIT Rashard Mendenhall
DEN Ryan Torain
TEN Chris Johnson

I'm intrigued about Torain because if Selvin Young can't prove his value to Shannahan (which I think it's very possible) the kid may get a chance and that is a great scheme to run. I just have a problem with him long term cause Denver always seem to easily find great runners but no one keep the job for more than 2 years..

McFadden has the hype and the /supposed/ ability. They've been saying that he'd be more like a Reggie Bush than a Adrian Peterson, in terms of "use" way in his rookie year.

Mendenhall will beat out Parker? Willie dissapointed a bit last year but if he can regain his form he's a TOP 5 runner...though on the other hand thats a great place to run too and if Mendenhall is given real chances, he may impress..

How'd you rank these backs LONG TERM and how'd you rank them for their ROOKIE year?

So here's my humble opinion, Long T:

1-McFadden
2-Mendenhall
3-Stewart
4-Smith
5-Forte
6-Johnson
7-Jones
8-Torain

Rookie Year:

1-Mendenhall
2-Stewart
3-McFadden
4-Forte
5-Smith
6-Torain
7-Johnson
8-Jones

Any other back to bring into discussion?

Braz

Willie was leading the league in rushing yards before he got hurt. How is that disappointing?

I feel felix will do a lot better then some of the others. I know they have Barber but i would expect them to still run a 2 back system. I really don't expect much from McFadden however i guess if he starts he'll get about average stats. Stewart on the other hand i feel will be the best out of the bunch..with his combo of size and speed.

Long term:
Stewart
Mendenhall
Jones
McFadden
Smith
Forte
Johnson
Torain

Rookie:
Stewart
Forte
Smith
Mcfadden
Jones
Mendenhall
Torain
Johnson

"PeaTearGriffin wrote:

Willie was leading the league in rushing yards before he got hurt. How is that disappointing?

That stat is not disappointing, but his YPC decline for ther fourth year in a row is.. and his goal line stats too..his 2007 stats:

Games 15
Carries 321
Yards 1316 (good)
YPC 4.1 (declining)
TD 2 (bad)

For a guy who ran for 1.400 yds with 16 Total TDS and 1.716 TotalYds in 2006 thats not disaster but it's dissapointing to my rankings

McFadden's the best bet for a big rookie season, but I am really liking Jonathan Stewart's chances for a big 2008. It seems he's completely healthy now, and I think he's going to shove DeAngelo Williams aside.

Agreed with Phil. (Damnit, not this again. YOU STILL OWE ME MY ROSTER BACK!)

I think Mendenhall will wind up getting the bulk of Pittsburgh's rushing TDs, while Jonathan Stewart will wind up being probably the best rookie RB this year. I predict he'll be starting by week 6.

"BrazForPhins wrote:

That stat is not disappointing, but his YPC decline for ther fourth year in a row is.. and his goal line stats too..his 2007 stats:

Games 15
Carries 321
Yards 1316 (good)
YPC 4.1 (declining)
TD 2 (bad)

For a guy who ran for 1.400 yds with 16 Total TDS and 1.716 TotalYds in 2006 thats not disaster but it's dissapointing to my rankings

well i have to ask are we talking real football or are we talking about fantasy?
Do you play in leagues that use YPC as a stat? I agree the TD total is something to worry about however if you had Barber as your other back last year they kinda balanced out.

"BrazForPhins wrote:

Any other back to bring into discussion?

Braz

There are a couple others that wouldn't shock me if they came out of this group as one of the better backs.

Steve Slaton i could see being okay his first year. Who else do they have to carry the ball?

What about Ray Rice? Yeah hes behind Willie but what if Willie gets hurt again? Same can be said with Jamaal Charles.

Even with are team, how is Parmele going to fit in? Will he be our goal-line/short yardage guy? If so he will rack up some TDs

"PeaTearGriffin wrote:

Steve Slaton i could see being okay his first year. Who else do they have to carry the ball?

Slaton is their #3. Kubiak sees Slaton as a 3rd down back, nothing more.

What about Ray Rice? Yeah hes behind Willie but what if Willie gets hurt again?

McGahee's been fairly durable as of late. Rice will see the field, but McGahee is the focal point of that offense now, and I don't see McGahee getting seriously hurt to the point where Ray Rice is worth having on your bench.

Even with are team, how is Parmele going to fit in? Will he be our goal-line/short yardage guy? If so he will rack up some TDs

You're presuming he makes the team over Patrick Cobbs or an RB picked up from waivers. Even then, he'll simply be the backup. Ricky Williams is our #1 guy until Ronnie is fully healed, and then Ricky becomes the #2. (I hope.)

"Desides wrote:

You're presuming he makes the team over Patrick Cobbs or an RB picked up from waivers. Even then, he'll simply be the backup. Ricky Williams is our #1 guy until Ronnie is fully healed, and then Ricky becomes the #2. (I hope.)

Sure if he makes the team but isn't he a big body that would be very useful in short yardage and goal line?

"PeaTearGriffin wrote:

well i have to ask are we talking real football or are we talking about fantasy?
Do you play in leagues that use YPC as a stat? I agree the TD total is something to worry about however if you had Barber as your other back last year they kinda balanced out.

We're talking fantasy :up:

you're right the YPC stat isn't translated to fantasy, but if he's on this decline trend, chances are that he may be off the starting line up soon! :hi5:

"PeaTearGriffin wrote:

There are a couple others that wouldn't shock me if they came out of this group as one of the better backs.

Steve Slaton i could see being okay his first year. Who else do they have to carry the ball?

What about Ray Rice? Yeah hes behind Willie but what if Willie gets hurt again? Same can be said with Jamaal Charles.

Even with are team, how is Parmele going to fit in? Will he be our goal-line/short yardage guy? If so he will rack up some TDs

I like Ray Rice a lot too, because of the injury bug surrounding McGahee as you said!

Ahman Green has age and durability issues but I doubt Slaton will be given many carries this year..

"PeaTearGriffin wrote:

Sure if he makes the team but isn't he a big body that would be very useful in short yardage and goal line?

Given the man-love professed for Ricky by Parcells and Sparano to this point, I think goal-line touches are Ricky's. He's going to finish drives.

I think I've told you this before but Lane Kiffin said that McFadden will be used at the slot, RB, possible PR and there are some packages for him at QB. They are expecting around 500 yards rushing from him.