NFC East rankings: running backs

[JonJon]

NFC East rankings: running backs
Sporting News correspondents

In the latest installment of NFL offseason position rankings, SN's correspondents break down the running backs in the NFC [East].

1. VIKINGS

2. EAGLES: Brian Westbrook is the NFL's most dangerous all-around back. He's almost unstoppable in the open field. Correll Buckhalter is a reliable power runner, and newcomer Lorenzo Booker is a pass-catching threat.

3. Commanders: Clinton Portis can still break open a game on any carry. Ladell Betts hits the holes quickly, has good acceleration and is an excellent receiver. Fullback Mike Sellers is a powerful blocker and capable short-yardage back.

4. GIANTS: Few teams can match the depth in the Giants' backfield. Brandon Jacobs is a load but must become more durable. Derrick Ward averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 2007, and Ahmad Bradshaw has the speed to become a star.

5. COWBOYS: Marion Barber will get his shot to start. He's a battering ram who can get the tough yards and close out games. The team hopes rookie Felix Jones will provide the big-play threat it lacked the past couple of years.

Did I miss a league realignment? Anyhow, I expect this list to change dramatically by seasons end. The only reason the Cowboys are so low is because two of the running backs are unknowns at this point. Early reports indicate that both will have big impacts on the offense though.

 

[Rampage]

yOU just gotta love our combo of four rb's

who's the 4th?

 

[tomson75]

who's the 4th?

Lattimore?

 

[Tobal]

I'd say

1 Commanders, they have a bell cow and a great backup

2 Eagles, They have the best back in the conference and solid depth

3 Cowboys, I'll take Barber over Jacobs and Jones should be a perfect compliment to Barber

4 Giants, Jacobs still hasn't proved he can carry the load, less durable than Barber

 

[Gryphon]

Did I miss a league realignment? Anyhow, I expect this list to change dramatically by seasons end. The only reason the Cowboys are so low is because two of the running backs are unknowns at this point. Early reports indicate that both will have big impacts on the offense though.

Here is the link with the rankings for all of the NFC teams

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=423517

 

[malone1970]

Some may argue with this but this is how I see it:

1. Cowboys - Just for the simple fact that Marion Barber is a beast and Felix Jones/ Tashard Choice will compliment him perfectly

2. Giants - Brandon Jacobs needs to prove he can carry the load/ Ahmad Bradshaw/Reuben Droughns quick, powerful backs good compliment to Jacobs

3. Commanders - Clinton Portis good back to injury prone, but there depth is a lot better than the Eagles and I say this because if Portis goes down the rest of the backs could carry the load: Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright, Eric Shelton, and Marcus Mason

4. Eagles - Brian Westbrook great back, very versatile probably one of the top 5 backs in the NFL, but one thing is he goes down Philly falls; Lorenzo Booker, Correll Buckhalter, Tony Hunt, Ryan Moats in my opinion just can't cut the mustard.

 

[kinderwords51]

I agree with the original ranking. Jones and Choice have yet to prove anything.

 

[the kid 05]

If Felix and Choice perform to their expectations than it will be tough to beat our rushing attack but it also depends on our O-line.I would rank it as(right now)-

1)Giants
2)Cowboys
3)Reskins
4)Eagles.

haha giants number 1? i must have been in a comma when did Brandon Jacobs do something other then run his mouth? Eagles number 4? they have one of the best running backs in the nfl....Commanders have no depth behind Mr. Glassknee

Eagles
Cowboys
Commanders
Giants

 

[JBond]

This is a joke! Right. It's a joke. Some one is just kidding around.

 

[Disturbed]

This is a joke! Right. It's a joke. Some one is just kidding around.

Yes, but some of these guys are the most serious when they are just kidding around.

 

[dooomsday]

who's the 4th?

Coleman until further notice...

 

[Redskins2008]

Some may argue with this but this is how I see it:

1. Cowboys - Just for the simple fact that Marion Barber is a beast and Felix Jones/ Tashard Choice will compliment him perfectly

2. Giants - Brandon Jacobs needs to prove he can carry the load/ Ahmad Bradshaw/Reuben Droughns quick, powerful backs good compliment to Jacobs

3. Commanders - Clinton Portis good back to injury prone, but there depth is a lot better than the Eagles and I say this because if Portis goes down the rest of the backs could carry the load: Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright, Eric Shelton, and Marcus Mason

4. Eagles - Brian Westbrook great back, very versatile probably one of the top 5 backs in the NFL, but one thing is he goes down Philly falls; Lorenzo Booker, Correll Buckhalter, Tony Hunt, Ryan Moats in my opinion just can't cut the mustard.

No word for you. But you need to check yourself into rehab for whatever you was on while making this ranking

 

[Biggems]

im surprised no one has mentioned the Giants RB who just got busted for some shady goings-on

 

[Spectre]

Those of you with the Giants ranked #1 have got to be kidding me.

Westbrook is by far the best RB in the division with MB3 clearly the second best. The mere potential of Felix Jones being an improvement over Julius raises Dallas' backfield grade.

Portis is garbage and has-been. Betts is a solid backup and no more.

Finally, the Giants bring up the rear with a very overrated back in Brandon Jacobs and a couple unproven role players.

 

[cowboyuptx]

3. Commanders: Clinton Portis can still break open a game on any carry
.

Can he? If so, then why did he only have 3 runs of 20+ yards and 0 runs of 40+ yards? He's probably faster than Barber, but somehow Barber managed 8 runs of 20+ yards and 2 runs of 40+ yards, with 121 less carries...

The Clinton Portis that this guy's thinking of hasn't been seen since Denver...

In the NFCE it should look like this....

1. Philadelphia - Westbrook's an elite RB...

2. Dallas / New York - Very similar philosophies... Too close to call...

3. Washington - Portis is more of a work-horse than the other RB's in the division, but those extra carries aren't producing that many more yards...

 

[burmafrd]

Westbrook is still the best back in the Division. Portis is slowly sliding. WHich means MB3 is the second best back in the division. Philthy has no real backups of anywhere near the quality of the starter. Right now we have rookies. So if you go by starters its Philthy, Us, Skins, Giants.
If you go by depth- Skins have the most, with the Giants second and us and Philthy tied for last. BUT if one of our rookies shows something we could move right up to 2nd.

 

[dooomsday]

He's probably faster than Barber, but somehow Barber managed 8 runs of 20+ yards and 2 runs of 40+ yards, with 121 less carries...

I know. Somehow MB had more long runs than a lot of guys who are supposed to be better/faster. Makes me believe he steps right in as a feature back. He ind holes and gets ghru them like a guy much smaller and faster. Just has to learn his own limitations and set up his blockers a bit better...

 

[starfrombirth]

Anyone else remember Jimmy Johnson talking about how when they drafted Emmitt, that he wasn't fast but he kept breaking long runs? Remember? I wonder if Barbarion isn't that type. NO! I'm not saying he is as good as Emmitt (he's the best ever in my opinion) I'm just wondering if he is that TYPE of back. What do you think?

 

[bedlamvr]

Anyone else remember Jimmy Johnson talking about how when they drafted Emmitt, that he wasn't fast but he kept breaking long runs? Remember? I wonder if Barbarion isn't that type. NO! I'm not saying he is as good as Emmitt (he's the best ever in my opinion) I'm just wondering if he is that TYPE of back. What do you think?

No Barber on what he has shown is not anything like a Emmitt back . He isn't like Westbrook either , he is closest to Jacobs but more healthy .

What surprises me for such a big back he doesn't seem to make his money running though the middle of the line, he is a one cut and go or edge runner, he can demolish DB and safeties but equally if he gets stood up on at the line he goes nowhere .

The kinds of numbers he should be putting up if he is as great as everyone says should be around the 5 + yards per carry mark that both Westbrook and Portis have accomplished .

As for the comments about Portis average coming down as his carries go up, lets see how Barber deals with being a starter after his -1 yard per carry average last season as a regular starter.......

 

[Ren]

As for the comments about Portis average coming down as his carries go up, lets see how Barber deals with being a starter after his -1 yard per carry average last season as a regular starter.......

Barber didn't start until the post season last year,..

as for his bad game against the skins he only had 6 carries, the o line was without both starting tackles and no one with a star on their helmet seemed to care to much about that game.