Running Back Situation Report
Kevin has requested a situation report on running backs from me, so here is my take on the current running back battles for teams without a sure #1 starter:
CAR Deshaun Foster vs Deangelo Williams
Foster is the #1 running back, and coaching staff won’t go with RBBC since he has the size and speed. However, he’s had a very bad injury history, so Deangelo Williams is the insurance policy. Williams has had a mediocre preseason so far, he hasn’t really shown much explosiveness or ability to block. He hasn’t worked with the first-team much either.
CHI Cedric Benson vs Thomas Jones
Benson is tabbed by many to be the starter due to his huge contract, but he still has lingering injury issues and hasn’t even played in the preseason. Both Jones and Benson could play next week in the tune-up game at home vs. Arizona, it’ll be a mano-a-mano competition for the starting spot. Adrian Peterson lurks in the background as a sleeper candidate.
DAL Julius Jones vs Marion Barber
We’ll get a better picture after tonight’s game. Right now, Julius Jones is the starter, but Bill Parcells feels that both RBs are too small and so neither one can carry the rock full-time. Marion Barber is definitely a handcuff pick if you have Julius Jones.
DEN Mike Bell vs Tatum Bell
Terrell Davis. Clinton Portis. The answer to the question “Who were the last 2 rookie running backs Mike Shanahan started?”. After a week 2 performance with 2 TDs (goal line carries), Mike Bell looks legit as the #1 RB for the Broncos. A position that pretty much guarantees 1000+ yards and 10+ TDs. Tatum Bell may get carries between the 20-yard lines, so he may be handy in leagues that reward big plays. Watch the third preseason game carefully to confirm this current picture.
GB Ahman Green vs Najeh Davenport / Sam Gado
Even though Green Bay did well in Week 2 of the preseason, this club has major issues with its O-line. Green is starting to practice with the first team, but didn’t play in the game.Najeh Davenport is in front of Gado in the depth chart, he may be worth a late round pick.
HOU Domanick Davis vs Antowain Smith / Vernand Morency
Domanick Davis is nicked up with a bum knee, Antowain Smith has limited upside and injury issues himself but is the official backup. Vernand Morency has sleeper potential thanks to his preseason performance so far, but most of it was against backups.
IND Dominic Rhodes vs Joseph Addai
Rhodes is currently beating Addai in the battle for the #1 spot. Addai didn’t look as sharp in the game vs. the Seahawks, and this is a complicated offense given all the audibles and blitz pickups required of a RB. Unless Rhodes gets a serious injury, it looks like he’ll get the majority of the PT this season. Watch out, Addai may be overrated in non-keeper league drafts.
MIN Chester Taylor vs Mewelde Moore
Chester Taylor is the #1 RB, and he has a big-name OL in front of him. Minnesota’s new coaching staff also not going with RBBC approach like what happened with the last regime. Taylor will get the carries, but may not get that many goal line opportunities given the Vikings’ shaky WR situation.
NE Corey Dillon vs Laurence Maroney
Dillon the #1 starter. He got a lot of carries for a preseason game last Saturday, and Maroney may not get much PT until second half of season. Maroney has had a very good preseason so far, however, and will probably cut down on the number of carries for Dillon. It’ll be skating close to a RBBC situation unless Dillon goes down. But Maroney is in a great position to succeed if he becomes the #1 RB.
NO Deuce McCallister vs Reggie Bush
NO Coach Sean Payton was OC for the Giants during their Thunder/Lightning years. He was also the RB coach for San Diego State back when they had some kid named Marshall Faulk. So even if it’s RBBC, it’ll be quality RBBC. If Bush gets close to last week’s performance tonight, he’ll be picked relatively early in any kind of draft, though Deuce may be a bargain pick.
NYJ Kevan Barlow vs Derrick Blaylock /Cedric Houston
Blaylock may be the front-runner here after his good game against the Redksins, but I’d be very wary about picking any Jets RB this season. Somewhat a toss-up now that Barlow is also in the mix.
SF Frank Gore vs Maurice Hicks
With Barlow traded to Jets, pending a physical, Gore is the undisputed #1 back in a Norv Turner offense. Hicks is a career backup. SF O-line not bad when healthy, but that’s a big if. Also, Alex Smith hasn’t shown any reason for opposing defenses to respect the pass.
TEN Chris Brown vs LenDale White
Chris Brown is the #1 starter until he gets injured. White is reportedly having some minor health issues, looked decent but not great in Saturday’s game vs. Broncos. Even if White eventually becomes the starter in the second half, by then Tennessee may be playing Vince Young as QB and White will be facing those 8-men fronts.
Kevin has requested a situation report on running backs from me, so here is my take on the current running back battles for teams without a sure #1 starter:
CAR Deshaun Foster vs Deangelo Williams
Foster is the #1 running back, and coaching staff won’t go with RBBC since he has the size and speed. However, he’s had a very bad injury history, so Deangelo Williams is the insurance policy. Williams has had a mediocre preseason so far, he hasn’t really shown much explosiveness or ability to block. He hasn’t worked with the first-team much either.
CHI Cedric Benson vs Thomas Jones
Benson is tabbed by many to be the starter due to his huge contract, but he still has lingering injury issues and hasn’t even played in the preseason. Both Jones and Benson could play next week in the tune-up game at home vs. Arizona, it’ll be a mano-a-mano competition for the starting spot. Adrian Peterson lurks in the background as a sleeper candidate.
DAL Julius Jones vs Marion Barber
We’ll get a better picture after tonight’s game. Right now, Julius Jones is the starter, but Bill Parcells feels that both RBs are too small and so neither one can carry the rock full-time. Marion Barber is definitely a handcuff pick if you have Julius Jones.
DEN Mike Bell vs Tatum Bell
Terrell Davis. Clinton Portis. The answer to the question “Who were the last 2 rookie running backs Mike Shanahan started?”. After a week 2 performance with 2 TDs (goal line carries), Mike Bell looks legit as the #1 RB for the Broncos. A position that pretty much guarantees 1000+ yards and 10+ TDs. Tatum Bell may get carries between the 20-yard lines, so he may be handy in leagues that reward big plays. Watch the third preseason game carefully to confirm this current picture.
GB Ahman Green vs Najeh Davenport / Sam Gado
Even though Green Bay did well in Week 2 of the preseason, this club has major issues with its O-line. Green is starting to practice with the first team, but didn’t play in the game.Najeh Davenport is in front of Gado in the depth chart, he may be worth a late round pick.
HOU Domanick Davis vs Antowain Smith / Vernand Morency
Domanick Davis is nicked up with a bum knee, Antowain Smith has limited upside and injury issues himself but is the official backup. Vernand Morency has sleeper potential thanks to his preseason performance so far, but most of it was against backups.
IND Dominic Rhodes vs Joseph Addai
Rhodes is currently beating Addai in the battle for the #1 spot. Addai didn’t look as sharp in the game vs. the Seahawks, and this is a complicated offense given all the audibles and blitz pickups required of a RB. Unless Rhodes gets a serious injury, it looks like he’ll get the majority of the PT this season. Watch out, Addai may be overrated in non-keeper league drafts.
MIN Chester Taylor vs Mewelde Moore
Chester Taylor is the #1 RB, and he has a big-name OL in front of him. Minnesota’s new coaching staff also not going with RBBC approach like what happened with the last regime. Taylor will get the carries, but may not get that many goal line opportunities given the Vikings’ shaky WR situation.
NE Corey Dillon vs Laurence Maroney
Dillon the #1 starter. He got a lot of carries for a preseason game last Saturday, and Maroney may not get much PT until second half of season. Maroney has had a very good preseason so far, however, and will probably cut down on the number of carries for Dillon. It’ll be skating close to a RBBC situation unless Dillon goes down. But Maroney is in a great position to succeed if he becomes the #1 RB.
NO Deuce McCallister vs Reggie Bush
NO Coach Sean Payton was OC for the Giants during their Thunder/Lightning years. He was also the RB coach for San Diego State back when they had some kid named Marshall Faulk. So even if it’s RBBC, it’ll be quality RBBC. If Bush gets close to last week’s performance tonight, he’ll be picked relatively early in any kind of draft, though Deuce may be a bargain pick.
NYJ Kevan Barlow vs Derrick Blaylock /Cedric Houston
Blaylock may be the front-runner here after his good game against the Redksins, but I’d be very wary about picking any Jets RB this season. Somewhat a toss-up now that Barlow is also in the mix.
SF Frank Gore vs Maurice Hicks
With Barlow traded to Jets, pending a physical, Gore is the undisputed #1 back in a Norv Turner offense. Hicks is a career backup. SF O-line not bad when healthy, but that’s a big if. Also, Alex Smith hasn’t shown any reason for opposing defenses to respect the pass.
TEN Chris Brown vs LenDale White
Chris Brown is the #1 starter until he gets injured. White is reportedly having some minor health issues, looked decent but not great in Saturday’s game vs. Broncos. Even if White eventually becomes the starter in the second half, by then Tennessee may be playing Vince Young as QB and White will be facing those 8-men fronts.
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