DUELING 28′s: We’re nearing the end of our 2010 rankings series, with only four more positions to examine. Today, it’s the running backs. A pretty consistent batch of
Which 28 do YOU want?
guys stands out below. Predictably, the Fly does something inexplicable and the Commish skirts the format requirements. Read on, enjoy, and please check in with your thoughts, feedback and/or hate mail below. Still working on format issues here, so please…continue to bear with us. Enjoy!
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2010 NFL Running Back Composite Staff Rankings 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th Place Votes
- ADRIAN PETERSON .5/3.5/0/0/0
- CHRIS JOHNSON 2.5/.5/1/0/0
- MAURICE JONES-DREW 1/1/1/1/0
- RAY RICE 0/0/1/1/2
- STEVEN JACKSON 0/0/1/1/0
- MICHAEL TURNER 0/0/0/1/0
- FRANK GORE, RONNIE BROWN 0/0/0/0/1
1. CHRIS JOHNSON: Had you told me a year ago I would rank a running back ahead of Adrian Peterson, I would have politely suggested you stay off the drugs. Then CJ2K happened. His speed is other-wordly, especially on the football field. But he doesn’t get near enough credit for breaking tackles, or for his veteran’s patience and aptitude in setting up a play, or for his willingness as a pass protector. He led the NFL in yards after contact (let that sink in for a moment), and is an A+ receiver out of the backfield. Now that he’s got his money right, he’s all set for a big encore. I’m clicking the little orange button on my TIVO remote every time.
2. ADRIAN PETERSON: Still the more traditional football force, the “2” before his name here is simply a nod to the preposterously dynamic presence that is Chris Johnson. He needs to hang onto the ball better, particularly in big spots, but in comparison to his immense talents and productivity the fumble concern is basically a nitpick. Like everyone on this list, he’s a threat to take it to the house every time. Also, a much more well-rounded player than he’s generally given credit for. Little known fact: In addition to his nearly 1400 rushing yards and 18 TD’s, Peterson caught 43 balls for 436 yards in 2009. And don’t think he hasn’t noticed people calling CJ the best. Big things ahead still.
3. MAURICE JONES-DREW: As a UCLA alum, I am still outraged that the entire NFL passed at least once on one of the two best Bruin football players since Troy Aikman (Jon Ogden). Reggie Bush and his merry band of Trojan first-rounders got all the publicity, but Pocket Hercules dominated the competition on a relatively weak Bruin roster, and it comes as no surprise to me that he’s far and away the better NFL player. MoJo is crazy fast (former California 100M champion), impossibly powerful and has the best athletic balance in the league (it helps when the circumference of a single leg exceeds your waist measurement). A touchdown machine and a smooth receiver out of the backfield, MJD will continue to pile on the numbers for years to come.
4. STEVEN JACKSON: Another example of a supreme talent toiling amongst garbage support systems. If he had any of these other guys’ teams, we’d be arguing about him as the #1 running back in the NFL the past several years. All-around greatness, and the only issue has been injuries (from which I submit we might all hesitate to rapidly return in Jackson’s situation, where his reward for good health is further self-destruction). Beast, plain and simple.
5. RAY RICE: Ozzie wins again. Ray Rice reminds me of MJD, a LOT. He and Joe Flacco are the franchise going forward as we approach the end of the Ray Lewis Era, and though Balitmore’s backfield is deeper than those above, Rice is clearly The Man. An elite player for years to come, it won’t surprise me if Ray Rice is among the top vote-getters in the MVP race in 2010.
1. CHRIS JOHNSON: I have already made my opinion known about the contract status of CJ2K. He is the best and fastest running back in the game. He came from a little renowned school, and has made his own name. He has set a goal of 2500. Don’t count him out.
2. ADRIAN PETERSON: Really, he would be 1A, but his fumbling has knocked him down. We focus a lot on the pick that #4 threw, but APs fumbles were the main reason that NO was able to stay in that game. That said, his speed and vision are just sick for a back of his size. HOLD ON TO THE BALL!
3. STEVEN JACKSON: Well, no O-Line, QB, Defense or receivers. That is the reason that he is one of the best backs in the game but is still a relative no name to the casual fan. He his huge, yet has the hands and feet of a scat back. Nothing is better for a young QB, than knowing that he can turn and hand the ball off 30 times a game.
4. MAURICE JONES-DREW: MOJO! Pocket Hercules! Whatever you want to call him. Big things sometimes come in small packages. He was dismissed because of size starting in high school. All he has done is put UCLA football back on the map, and draw fans…OK a fan to see the Jaguars. He is a super stud on O and in the return game.
5. RAY RICE: I have to show some love for SUNJ- The State University of New Jersey. You know it as Rutgers. Ray Rice will be a large part of the Ravens offense, duh, making McGahee a change of pace back. Nothing is better for a good D, than ball control and special teams. Rice will have a huge impact on both.
1. MAURICE JONES-DREW: With the exception of one good year two years ago, MJD’s team has been by far the worst of of those who the others on this list play for. And yet, he is consistently at the top, in terms of yardage, touchdowns, and receptions. Not only that, he does it all with less than prototypical size. The guy is just a machine and, despite that fact that I hate the Bruins, I have no doubts about ranking him No. 1 in the NFL.
2. ADRIAN PETERSON: Seriously, how often does an offensive player decleat a defensive player? The only one that comes immediately to mind is MJD’s decleation of Shawne Merriman. It has been a long time since I’ve seen linebackers look to get out of the way of a running back, but Peterson does that to you. That Charger game two years ago was sick. Absolutely sick. He goes to no 2 only because of that ridiculous offensive line that he benefits from.
3. CHRIS JOHNSON: If he continues to play anything like last year, then he will leap frog AP in my rankings. For now, however, he has only done it for two years and this year is not looking very promising with his me first, second and third attitude. Still, is there another running back more fun to watch?
4. RAY RICE: – MJD Version 2.0, literally, except he has Sandra Bullock’s son and Jared Gaither blocking for him.
5. FRANK GORE: – Bowling ball pounder who only Chris Johnson surpassed in 50+ plus td runs last year. In other words, a bowling ball with jets who, like MJD, has consistently done it on a consistently crappy team.
Honorable Mention: Tom Jones. Had he not frittered away his Cardinal days, he would be very close to the top of my list. With that said, I love a guy who saves his best for last.
Pound the rock and work the clock! That¹s the way Cabeza de Vaca learned his football. To back it up, here are my top 5 (ish) guys to do it:
5. RONNIE BROWN: I know he hasn’t been on the field as much as he should, but the horsey, BIG BROWN, is what Cabeza de Vaca wants his ball carriers to look like; at 230 pounds of cut beef cutting up D-lines, I’m gonna give it to him again and again and when that is taken away from me I’m gonna throw him swing passes out of the backfield all day long cause his hands are as soft as cocoa butter! My only wish is that he could just stay out of the training room long enough so that I can live to see him throw for 300 yards and 3 TDs on top of all the rest.
4. MICHAEL TURNER: He’s a cross between Robert Newhouse and Tony Dorsett. If that is not clear enough, he’s a greased pig.
3. RAY RICE: He tries harder than all the rest… What they call a football player. Would play any position. He’s an every down Darren Sproles who can catch like Ashley Whippet and move like a sand flea in summer. I love this guy. He is half the size of most but he can put the whole team on his shoulders and carry them to a title. I really think that’s gonna happen. It’s like a Pop Warner game broke out whenever RAY RICE plays. The other team just seems to always look like it is moving one way while he is moving the other. Let’s go Bowling for Bengals:
2. MO JO DREW: He¹s a cross between TURNER and RICE. This guy was playing across town from Reggie Bush in college and nobody seemed to even notice. Yet, he was doing all the same things, breaking ankles, scoring form all over the field, and wowing the crowd, all while running between the tackles and without so much as a tent for his parents to sleep in.
1. CHRIS JOHNSON/ADRIAN PETERSON: Duh, they are 1 and 1a on everybody’s list, but go ahead, you take Adrian Peterson, cause all day long I’m taking “gettin’ away from the Cops” speed!
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