Top 10 Running Backs In The NFL

My man Ed from Ed The Sports Fan blog asked me to participate in a post ranking the top 10 running backs in the NFL, so of course you know I was more than willing to throw my two cents into the discussion.

The way I approached my top 10 was if I was the General Manager of an NFL team, then what 10 RBs would I want the most this season and over the next two to three seasons. So I did take into consideration past performance, but also each running backs potential this season, their age and their injury history.

Here is who I picked for my top 10 running backs:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Brian Westbrook
4. Steven Jackson
5. Clinton Portis
6. Joseph Addai
7. Marion Barber
8. Marshawn Lynch
9. Frank Gore
10. Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson is a top 4 back if he's healthy and he's still young enough to put up a couple more big seasons, so I left him in the # 10 spot, but he could be right off the list next year if he doesn't put in a healthy season. Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, Marion Barber, and Joseph Addai are pretty interchangeable in my mind but at least one of them should break out from the pack this season. Clinton Portis one of the most underrated backs in the NFL today, even I didn't realize how good he's been. At # 4 we have Steven Jackson, who can run it or catch it with the best of them but has only put in one really great season. Of the top 4 backs, he probably has the most chance of slipping down the list. Brian Westbrook is Mr. Do It All and while he is not your prototypical RB, his production can't be overlooked, he quite simply is a game changer who is still underrated by some. Adrian Peterson is # 2 because even though he is an injury concern, he still led the NFL in yards per game among RB and has the most potential of anyone on the list. LaDainian Tomlinson is the clear cut number 1 to me because he is a full time back who does it all and has put up historic numbers and is showing no signs of considerably slowing down even though he is 29 years old.

So who gets left out? Fred Taylor, Jamal Lewis, Rudi Johnson, and Edgerrin James because they have no upside due to their age and heavy duty carry totals. Brandon Jacobs, Laurence Maroney, and Ryan Grant just didn't have enough game changing ability and consistency to get on my list, but they certainly could all make the list next season if they have breakout seasons this year. Ronnie Brown hasn't proven he can stay healthy and Willie Parker and Willis McGahee just don't get into the end zone enough for me. Plus, I'm assuming that both of them lose carries this season to rookie running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Ray Rice.

Ed also asked if I would write 100 words or less about one running back and I chose Clinton Portis:

My initial reaction of Clinton Portis was that he was old and didn't score a lot of TDs. After taking a closer look, I saw that Portis is just about to turn 27 and has scored more than 10 TDs in 4 out of his first 6 seasons. With an average of 92 yards per game rushing over his career, which is almost 1,500 yards a season, Portis is the most underrated running back in the NFL today. A new offensive system in Washington has Portis primed for a monster season and some of the respect he so rightfully deserves.

Here is the link to the rest of the blog post: Top 10 Running Backs in the NFL.

I highly suggest you check it out because there is some heated debate going on over the list. So go check it out and feel free to join in the debate and add to the comments sections