NFL running backs

[NLSoldier]

How valuable are they? Who is the best starting running back and who is the worst? It seems like lately the gap has become smaller and smaller. Is there a team in the league that would say they have serious problems at the running back position?

The broncos are an obvious example of the fact that a teams offensive line is more important the the guy running behind it. The chiefs are another. One "great" RB goes down, and another comes in and has very similar success. It makes you wonder what it was that made the first RB so "great" in the first place.

Sure there are a few exceptions, and there seems to be a common theme among the exceptions. They are the running backs who are also great recievers. LT, Edge, Faulk in his prime, etc. But other than these exceptions, the difference between the best and worst running backs is very minimal. If you put any on of them in a given play, considering the quality of blocking they get and how good the defense is, the results are all going to be very close to the same. Add in the fact that running backs are so often injured, and you have even more reason not to shell out top dollar for a premier back. Especially if theres a good chance the only reason they became known as a "premier back" in the first place is due to their offensive line and the system they played in.

I know none of this is anything new. But my conclusion is one that I'm sure not many will agree with. My conclusion is that reggie bush should not be the first overall pick. I am as big of a fan of him as anyone. But his value relative to other players at his position is simply not as big as as Top QB such as lienhart. There are tons of teams with problems at quarterback (Browns, Lions, Bears), as well as other positions, but like I said before, I cant think of one team that would say their lack of a premier running back is their biggest problem.

Thoughts?

[bottomset]

LT
Shawn Alexander
Edge

all easily the MVP of their respective teams .. players like that can make an average QB look better than they are(obv not the case with Peyton, but Brees/Hasselbeck aren't nearly as productive with an ave rb)

Bush will be in that class of gamebreaking RB's, not the generic 1100yd/yr rb

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]
LT
Shawn Alexander
Edge


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Alexander is not the second best running back in the NFL. He should be ranked something like 7th to 12th. If he leaves Seattle in the offseason, it will be plainly obvious next year that he was made to look a lot better by the Seattle o-line.

[Victor]

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Alexander is not the second best running back in the NFL. He should be ranked something like 7th to 12th.

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have you ever watched football?

[Dynasty]

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Alexander is not the second best running back in the NFL. He should be ranked something like 7th to 12th.

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have you ever watched football?

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Yes. And, I actually pay attention to the guys who aren't carrying the football sometimes.

Shaun Alexander is like Clinton Portis. He looks much better than he actually is due to an awesome offensive line. A few years ago, everybody thought Portis was at least a top 3 NFL running back. Very few consider him even in the top 10 now.

There's a good chance Alexander will be playing elsewhere next season. He will be exposed then.

[Daliman]

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Alexander is not the second best running back in the NFL. He should be ranked something like 7th to 12th.

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have you ever watched football?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. And, I actually pay attention to the guys who aren't carrying the football sometimes.

Shaun Alexander is like Clinton Portis. He looks much better than he actually is due to an awesome offensive line. A few years ago, everybody thought Portis was at least a top 3 NFL running back. Very few consider him even in the top 10 now.

There's a good chance Alexander will be playing elsewhere next season. He will be exposed then.

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Wow, do I disagree. Since when has the Seattle O-line been considered otherworldly. Emmit Smith ran behind a great O-line, but he was STILL a great back, just not the best of his time. He has 82 Td's the last 4.7 years, and I bet there aren't more than 5 players EVER that have that beat. Now, saying he's 2nd best isn't a slight to him, as LT is an all-timer, but Shaun is a great RB, and pretty easily the 2nd best MINIMUM in the game right now. Whether he is in the future, I think he is, but he may not be. Your opinion is yours, but you have zero numbers backing it up. Barring injury, I'll take a 1300 yards and 14 TD bet with you for next season for him should he move.

[mblax10]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
LT
Shawn Alexander
Edge


[/ QUOTE ]

Alexander is not the second best running back in the NFL. He should be ranked something like 7th to 12th. If he leaves Seattle in the offseason, it will be plainly obvious next year that he was made to look a lot better by the Seattle o-line.

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And by playing San Fran, Arizona & St. Louis twice a year. Alexander is finally playing a defense this week that is not below average at stopping the run. With 2 minutes left he's under 100 yards and 4 ypc.

[Jack of Arcades]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
LT
Shawn Alexander
Edge


[/ QUOTE ]

Alexander is not the second best running back in the NFL. He should be ranked something like 7th to 12th. If he leaves Seattle in the offseason, it will be plainly obvious next year that he was made to look a lot better by the Seattle o-line.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the smartest thing you've ever said in the Sports Forum.

Mo Morris runs for 1500 yards and 15 TDs next season.

[brettbrettr]

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Mo Morris runs for 1500 yards and 15 TDs next season.

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Care to put your money where your mouth is?

[Jack of Arcades]

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Mo Morris runs for 1500 yards and 15 TDs next season.

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Care to put your money where your mouth is?

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I'd be stupid to, considering rb injuries.