Running Back is an interesting position

[Galian Beast]

Devalued and underestimated, it is a very interesting position.

I think that Zeke has Hall of Fame potential, and I think most people would agree at this point. The real question is can he remain healthy. That's the biggest question when it comes to running backs and what their numbers will look like at the end of their careers.

It's a pipedream to consider surpassing Emmitt on pure numbers, but I think Zeke can be more productive year to year, without having the same kind of longevity.

In a somewhat quiet career, Frank Gore put together more yards rushing than Adrian Peterson. He accomplished this by staying healthy (coming into the league a couple years earlier didn't hurt either). Gore is currently 9th in the league all-time in rushing yards... The only running back with more yards who isn't in the Hall is LaDanian Tomlinson. That brings us to an interesting question. Are Tomlinson and Gore Hall of Fame running backs? My guess is yes on both counts, but Gore is I think more interesting because his career has been much quieter.

It takes us to people like Edgerrin James and Fred Taylor and then Steven Jackson and Corey Dillon.

I think it'll be interesting to watch Zeke's career and see what he needs to do in order to reach the Hall. I think he is a special back with a special offensive line, and that will separate him from guys like Dillon, Jackson, Taylor, or even James and Gore.

The only things I could see hurting him are

A) If he can't stay healthy
B) They try to use the line against him

 

[pancakeman]

Not much use predicting Zeke's career on this score, as only time will tell. Your point about loud vs. quiet RBs (and the illustration of Gore vs. Peterson) is an interesting one though.

 

[AdamJT13]

It's a pipedream to consider surpassing Emmitt on pure numbers, but I think Zeke can be more productive year to year, without having the same kind of longevity.

Emmitt sometimes gets shortchanged when people think his numbers were all about longevity. (I'm not saying you do, but some people do.) That certainly helps -- and might make his record unbreakable -- but he also was the most productive running back in NFL history from ages 22-27, the typical prime of a running back's career. Asking Elliott to be more productive than that is a tall order.

 

[Proof]

Never cared for Gore and IMO longevity is overrated unless it's coupled with sustained excellence.

Elliot's a great back in a great position and I'm thrilled to have him on our team but have zero expectations for his career.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Emmitt sometimes gets shortchanged when people think his numbers were all about longevity. (I'm not saying you do, but some people do.) That certainly helps -- and might make his record unbreakable -- but he also was the most productive running back in NFL history from ages 22-27, the typical prime of a running back's career. Asking Elliott to be more productive than that is a tall order.

From 1991 to 1995 he averaged over 100 yards a game. Im not sure if anyone outside of maybe Sander and Dickerson have done that

 

[Super_Kazuya]

Tomlinson is a slam dunk HOFer. You can ring that one up.

Gore wouldn't be in my HOF, but when they put in Bettis that pretty much tore down the wall for any back to make it in. Neither guy led the league in rushing even once.

 

[Plankton]

From 1991 to 1995 he averaged over 100 yards a game. Im not sure if anyone outside of maybe Sander and Dickerson have done that

Jim Brown averaged 105 ypg for his career, IIRC.

 

[Bullflop]

Galian Beast certainly has a point about RBs being devalued and underestimated. I'm wondering if that perception might change with some of those like Ezekiel Elliott producing such dramatic effects with their team's offensive success.

Perhaps the copycat tendency might take hold as it does so frequently in the NFL, as other teams witness us enjoying such offensive success.

I also think having success over a substantial period of time would likely tend to make Zeke a successful candidate for the HOF, assuming he's able to prove durable enough through the years. There's no question but what he's off to a good start, as far as that goes. Give it time.

 

[Macnalty]

Tomlinson is a slam dunk HOFer. You can ring that one up.

Gore wouldn't be in my HOF, but when they put in Bettis that pretty much tore down the wall for any back to make it in. Neither guy led the league in rushing even once.

That is a great point about Bettis, it also makes a case as to why Eli Manning will be inducted even though the eye test is never passed.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Its interesting you bring up Edgerrinn James. IMO he is a slam dunk HOF RB. He and LT pass the eyeball test of what HOF RBs look like in terms of game and production. I'm sorry, Gore just doesn't do it for me. Nothing against him at all. Great and extremely productive player. Reminds me of Ottis Anderson. Extremely productive player, but short of HOF worthy.

If you tell me there are 3 college RBs, one is an LT clone, one is an Edgerrinn clone and the third is a Gore clone, and you can pick one. Gore is the odd man out 10 times out of 10.

 

[Galian Beast]

Galian Beast certainly has a point about RBs being devalued and underestimated. I'm wondering if that perception might change with some of those like Ezekiel Elliott producing such dramatic effects with their team's offensive success.

Perhaps the copycat tendency might take hold as it does so frequently in the NFL, as other teams witness us enjoying such offensive success.

I also think having success over a substantial period of time would likely tend to make Zeke a successful candidate for the HOF, assuming he's able to prove durable enough through the years. There's no question but what he's off to a good start, as far as that goes. Give it time.

We're going to see a lot of teams drafting running backs in the first trying to get lightning in the bottle next year. Large crop of running backs out there too. I think this will be the heaviest first couple of days for running backs in a long time.

 

[Galian Beast]

Tomlinson is a slam dunk HOFer. You can ring that one up.

Gore wouldn't be in my HOF, but when they put in Bettis that pretty much tore down the wall for any back to make it in. Neither guy led the league in rushing even once.

Jerome Bettis is 6th in NFL history in rushing yards and tied for 11th in rushing touchdowns...

 

[Supercowboy1986]

The only running back I'm eager to see out of college this year is Christian macafree (sp?)

I thought Leonard fornette was going to light the world on fire. He might of been overhyped last year.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Devalued and underestimated, it is a very interesting position.

I think that Zeke has Hall of Fame potential, and I think most people would agree at this point. The real question is can he remain healthy. That's the biggest question when it comes to running backs and what their numbers will look like at the end of their careers.

It's a pipedream to consider surpassing Emmitt on pure numbers, but I think Zeke can be more productive year to year, without having the same kind of longevity.

In a somewhat quiet career, Frank Gore put together more yards rushing than Adrian Peterson. He accomplished this by staying healthy (coming into the league a couple years earlier didn't hurt either). Gore is currently 9th in the league all-time in rushing yards... The only running back with more yards who isn't in the Hall is LaDanian Tomlinson. That brings us to an interesting question. Are Tomlinson and Gore Hall of Fame running backs? My guess is yes on both counts, but Gore is I think more interesting because his career has been much quieter.

It takes us to people like Edgerrin James and Fred Taylor and then Steven Jackson and Corey Dillon.

I think it'll be interesting to watch Zeke's career and see what he needs to do in order to reach the Hall. I think he is a special back with a special offensive line, and that will separate him from guys like Dillon, Jackson, Taylor, or even James and Gore.

The only things I could see hurting him are

A) If he can't stay healthy
B) They try to use the line against him

Tomlinson is a first ballot HOFer, Gore I'm not so sure he gets in. Numbers aren't everything, Drew Bledsoe or Vinny Testeverede have more yards and TDs than most non hall of fame QBs, but neither will get in. Gore had a run where he was a pretty good RB, but arguably 1 season where you could argue he was great (2006, 1600+ rushing yards), after that season, he was normally around 1200 which is only okay. Just for comparisons sake, Emmitt had a lot of only okay seasons as well, but he had several great, and record breaking seasons as well. I'd also say Edge won't get in. Had he stayed in Indy and won the SB, he'd have a shot, but still a weak one. Just too much time injured (but he also had more great seasons than Gore). Fred Taylor won't get close either, and neither will Steven Jackson. Corey Dillon actually could. Depends on how much credit he gets for that SB run in (1600+ yards that year and 12 TDs, team went 14-2). He has 4 seasons above 1300 yards, compared to Gore's 1. But *if* he gets in, I'd expect it to be down the line.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

Jerome Bettis is 6th in NFL history in rushing yards and tied for 11th in rushing touchdowns...

All accomplished at a rate of 3.9 yards per carry. He's a sheer longevity candidate, which is fine, just not fine for my HoF.

 

[tyke1doe]

Tomlinson is a slam dunk HOFer. You can ring that one up.

Gore wouldn't be in my HOF, but when they put in Bettis that pretty much tore down the wall for any back to make it in. Neither guy led the league in rushing even once.

Bettis shouldn't be in the hall. He was a compiler. But his legendary "send off" played on the heart strings of HOF voters. That and he's a Steeler. I mean, you can't have enough of them in the HOF.

Gore has quietly piled an impressive resume. But would anyone really miss Gore if you had to recount the history of the NFL? I wouldn't. He never really did anything to make you consider him as one of the greats of the game. LT? Sure. Terrell Davis? Yes. I think he should get in the HOF not only because of his 2,000 yards but because without him John Elway - one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history - doesn't sniff a Super Bowl ring, let alone two. Gore? Uh, no. And I actually like him. Just not HOF-worthy.

 

[xwalker]

Devalued and underestimated, it is a very interesting position.

I think that Zeke has Hall of Fame potential, and I think most people would agree at this point. The real question is can he remain healthy. That's the biggest question when it comes to running backs and what their numbers will look like at the end of their careers.

It's a pipedream to consider surpassing Emmitt on pure numbers, but I think Zeke can be more productive year to year, without having the same kind of longevity.

In a somewhat quiet career, Frank Gore put together more yards rushing than Adrian Peterson. He accomplished this by staying healthy (coming into the league a couple years earlier didn't hurt either). Gore is currently 9th in the league all-time in rushing yards... The only running back with more yards who isn't in the Hall is LaDanian Tomlinson. That brings us to an interesting question. Are Tomlinson and Gore Hall of Fame running backs? My guess is yes on both counts, but Gore is I think more interesting because his career has been much quieter.

It takes us to people like Edgerrin James and Fred Taylor and then Steven Jackson and Corey Dillon.

I think it'll be interesting to watch Zeke's career and see what he needs to do in order to reach the Hall. I think he is a special back with a special offensive line, and that will separate him from guys like Dillon, Jackson, Taylor, or even James and Gore.

The only things I could see hurting him are

A) If he can't stay healthy
B) They try to use the line against him

Look at Emmitt's stats years 2-6. Look at the receiving numbers also. It will be hard to be more productive than Emmitt.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/72/emmitt-smith

 

[tyke1doe]

That is a great point about Bettis, it also makes a case as to why Eli Manning will be inducted even though the eye test is never passed.

Many Cowboys fans hate Manning, but the reality is, he'll get in the Hall of Fame. Why?

1. He has two Super Bowl rings.
2. He beat arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history in the Super Bowl twice (yes, I know he didn't go against Brady, but the way the NFL narrative is written, it's generally QB vs. QB)
3. He is brother to arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history - Peyton Manning. He won a Super Bowl MVP he shouldn't have because the NFL wanted both Manning brothers to be Super Bowl MVP, and the voters will want both brothers in the HOF.

 

[xwalker]

We're going to see a lot of teams drafting running backs in the first trying to get lightning in the bottle next year. Large crop of running backs out there too. I think this will be the heaviest first couple of days for running backs in a long time.

Because of the Cowboys success? Many GMs will attribute Zeke's success to the Cowboys OLine. I think OLinemen are going to have increased value in the upcoming drafts.

 

[tyke1doe]

The only running back I'm eager to see out of college this year is Christian macafree (sp?)

I thought Leonard fornette was going to light the world on fire. He might of been overhyped last year.

He's legit. He's in a Todd Gurley situation. Nothing around him so everyone gangs up on him. He's also been injured for that very reason.
If he goes to a team like the Browns, he'll get beat up. If Philly somehow manages to draft him to pair with Carson Wentz - watch out!
If the Bengals (who would pick sixth if the draft were held based on the current standings) pick him to pair with Dalton, Eifert and A.J. Green - watch out!