The Top 20 Runningbacks In The NFL Are...

[BAZ]

Fine, rushing TDs (11 vs. 10), rushing yardage (you already said this but 1262 vs. 975), total yards from scrimmage (1651 vs. 1257), receiving yards (389 vs. 282), YPC (8.6 vs. 6.4), and catches (47 vs. 44). Keep in mind that including Barber's receiving yardage, he still can't beat Portis' pure rushing yardage out.

I like how you put all the stats head to head apart from carries and receiving TDs , Portis had 121 more, You would hope he did have quite a few more rushing yards then Barber.

Your posts grade C-

 

[tomson75]

Fine, rushing TDs (11 vs. 10), rushing yardage (you already said this but 1262 vs. 975), total yards from scrimmage (1651 vs. 1257), receiving yards (389 vs. 282), YPC (8.6 vs. 6.4), and catches (47 vs. 44). Keep in mind that including Barber's receiving yardage, he still can't beat Portis' pure rushing yardage out.

Wow. I asked for stats that provide evidence that Portis is "superior", and that is all you came up with?

I particularly like how you mention "rushing" td's, but fail to note that Barber had 2 receiving td's... 12 > 11.

You mention his yardage again, but fail to mention that Portis had to attain those numbers with 124 more touches. Thusly making him a far less effective player last year.

You keep hanging on to the "barber is inferior because he should have laid down at the 2 yard line" theory.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

The Barbarian or The CrossDresser......

Tough choice....

 

[Bob Sacamano]

lol, firehawk is getting filleted

 

[Hostile]

Hey, maybe if you find another way to say sour grapes, it might be funny this time...

Anyways, you act like this list is the end-all, be-all... How about this, you keep your media accolades and I'll take the production.

Too funny. You're up in arms with the results, I'm cracking jokes, but I'm the one acting like this list means something. That's rich.

Hey have you ever considered this...the list is about THIS point in their careers, not their overall careers?

Try cutting the sour grapes with some lemon juice.

 

[firehawk350]

Wow. I asked for stats that provide evidence that Portis is "superior", and that is all you came up with?

I particularly like how you mention "rushing" td's, but fail to note that Barber had 2 receiving td's... 12 > 11.

You mention his yardage again, but fail to mention that Portis had to attain those numbers with 124 more touches. Thusly making him a far less effective player last year.

You keep hanging on to the "barber is inferior because he should have laid down at the 2 yard line" theory.

Okay, so the best RB on the Skins roster in 2005 was... *drumroll* Rock Cartwright! 10.2 YPC and 1 TD (10 carries).

I can name a bunch of reasons why your post is so full of fail... First off, back-up RBs face worn down defenses, Barber got a lot of defenses after they've been playing for an entire half plus some. Portis got a lot of carries at the beginning of the games. There were plenty of games that Portis was reeling off some serious yardage towards the end. Do you not agree?

Secondly, whose right side would you take... RG Leonard Davis and RT Marc Colombo OR RG Jason Fabini and RT Todd Wade/Stephon Heyer??? I think that may have a lot to do with it too.

Thirdly, how many defenses keyed up to stop Portis? How many defenses gameplanned around Marion Barber? Defensive coordinators would gameplan to stop Portis and Marion Barber was an afterthought. That is all the "impact" I need.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

bunch of good backs in that group

 

[BAZ]

Barber has roughly a quarter (off by about 300 or so yards but bear with me) in half Portis' time. If Barber is lucky (and manages to play all 16 games a year like he has his first 3), at this pace, he'll have to sustain his career averages for 12 years to accomplish what Portis has done in 6. Bottom line, in order to catch up to Portis' career, he'd have to average 1860 yds and 12 TDs a year. He may end up getting the TDs, but you'd be an idiot to think he'll double his best season rushing for the next 3 years in a row. Oh yeah, Portis is only 26 BTW.

Interesting point, and I agree, all players should be based on past merits. Right now I am firing off an angry email to the author of that article for not including Shaun Alexander in his top ten. MY GODS MAN DOES HE NOT KNOW TWO YEARS AGO HE BROKE THE TD RECORD!!!!!!!111

Should I start the mail with dear toolbox or greetings office of idiots?

Portis is a good player, but not so good he can coast as one of the better backs in the league on past merits. Not being run into the ground by Gibbs this year should help his game. Fact of the matter is Barber did more with less touches last year and thats the kind of production that gains you praise. And I like how you use Portis' total career yards as some kind of benchmark, will that be a stat on NFL.com soon?

I don't see why you are throwing the toys out of the pram, Barber had a very good year, Portis had an off one. In a what have you done for me lately league it just shows so on this list.

 

[firehawk350]

Too funny. You're up in arms with the results, I'm cracking jokes, but I'm the one acting like this list means something. That's rich.

Hey have you ever considered this...the list is about THIS point in their careers, not heir overall careers?

Try cutting the sour grapes with some lemon juice.

I could really care less what the media thinks of Portis, dude has done nothing but produce even though nobody wants to give him any credit and just want to talk him down. But I just am flabbergasted that any Cowboys fan, with a straight face, can say that Marion Barber is the better RB. Marion Barber would be pretty damn lucky, by the end of his career, having the same numbers Portis does now.

 

[tomson75]

Okay, so the best RB on the Skins roster in 2005 was... *drumroll* Rock Cartwright! 10.2 YPC and 1 TD (10 carries).

I can name a bunch of reasons why your post is so full of fail... First off, back-up RBs face worn down defenses, Barber got a lot of defenses after they've been playing for an entire half plus some. Portis got a lot of carries at the beginning of the games. There were plenty of games that Portis was reeling off some serious yardage towards the end. Do you not agree?

Secondly, whose right side would you take... RG Leonard Davis and RT Marc Colombo OR RG Jason Fabini and RT Todd Wade/Stephon Heyer??? I think that may have a lot to do with it too.

Thirdly, how many defenses keyed up to stop Portis? How many defenses gameplanned around Marion Barber? Defensive coordinators would gameplan to stop Portis and Marion Barber was an afterthought. That is all the "impact" I need.

If Barber were the type of backup RB that you suggest he is/was, then you might have an argument here. He and JJ traded snaps throughout the entire game. You're backups, were exactly that type of backups...hence his YPC.

I'll give you the fact that our line is better, but our run blocking still leaves much to be desired. Our pass protection is our strength.

Did it ever occur to you that the fact that we actually have a passing game might take away from the numbers Barber is going to see. The reason teams focus on your running game is pretty obvious.

Got any more excuses? Say, enough to make up for a full yard per carry?

 

[firehawk350]

Interesting point, and I agree, all players should be based on past merits. Right now I am firing off an angry email to the author of that article for not including Shaun Alexander in his top ten. MY GODS MAN DOES HE NOT KNOW TWO YEARS AGO HE BROKE THE TD RECORD!!!!!!!111

Should I start the mail with dear toolbox or greetings office of idiots?

Portis is a good player, but not so good he can coast as one of the better backs in the league on past merits. Not being run into the ground by Gibbs this year should help his game. Fact of the matter is Barber did more with less touches last year and thats the kind of production that gains you praise. And I like how you use Portis' total career yards as some kind of benchmark, will that be a stat on NFL.com soon?

I don't see why you are throwing the toys out of the pram, Barber had a very good year, Portis had an off one. In a what have you done for me lately league it just shows so on this list.

I'm pretty sure you have to be signed to be on the list... The fact that Shaun Alexander hasn't been signed by ANYBODY and nobody is expecting him to be (and if he is, it'll be the vet min) shows how far he's fallen.

See, that's what I'm not understanding... He had a "down year" but still got over 1200 yds and 11 TDs which is good for 6th and 2nd respectively (the league overall had a down year rushing). All this with injury situations that nobody in the top-10 of EITHER category had to deal with on his line. So how is this cruising by on past merits???

I'm not sure what you mean by Portis' career yardage, yes, it is on NFL.com (7700ish if I remember correctly).

Barber did less (not more) with less touches but you can't chart these things linearly. Give him more touches and he'll wear down or put him in to begin the game and he won't be as effective...

 

[tomson75]

Barber did less (not more) with less touches but you can't chart these things linearly. Give him more touches and he'll wear down or put him in to begin the game and he won't be as effective...

First, you're speculating that he'd wear down. No one knows one way or the other. Secondly, as I've already pointed out, he IS in the beginning of games...and he's still ore effective than Portis (2007).

 

[firehawk350]

If Barber were the type of backup RB that you suggest he is/was, then you might have an argument here. He and JJ traded snaps throughout the entire game. You're backups, were exactly that type of backups...hence his YPC.

I'll give you the fact that our line is better, but our run blocking still leaves much to be desired. Our pass protection is our strength.

Did it ever occur to you that the fact that we actually have a passing game might take away from the numbers Barber is going to see. The reason teams focus on your running game is pretty obvious.

Got any more excuses? Say, enough to make up for a full yard per carry?

Wow, you are amazing. So you say that he didn't benefit from facing tired defenses with he himself being fresh? Let me see if I can find some concrete information, but I'm willing to bet that each successive quarter, league-wide, rushing YPC go up.

Still, is does it leave nearly as much as the combo of Fabini and Wade/Heyer leaves?

This is the exact thing I am trying to say. Yes, having a passing game is going to hurt his TOTALS but boost his averages. Less touches but more room to run. So if we just assume that this alone makes up for the discrepancy, you have to, logically, believe Portis is the superior back for producing despite inferior blocking and dealing with "fresher" defenses....

 

[BAZ]

Okay, so the best RB on the Skins roster in 2005 was... *drumroll* Rock Cartwright! 10.2 YPC and 1 TD (10 carries).

Ridiculous point, and I know you think YPC matter. It's one of the most judged stats in the league

I can name a bunch of reasons why your post is so full of fail... First off, back-up RBs face worn down defenses, Barber got a lot of defenses after they've been playing for an entire half plus some. Portis got a lot of carries at the beginning of the games. There were plenty of games that Portis was reeling off some serious yardage towards the end. Do you not agree?

Secondly, whose right side would you take... RG Leonard Davis and RT Marc Colombo OR RG Jason Fabini and RT Todd Wade/Stephon Heyer??? I think that may have a lot to do with it too.

Thirdly, how many defenses keyed up to stop Portis? How many defenses gameplanned around Marion Barber? Defensive coordinators would gameplan to stop Portis and Marion Barber was an afterthought. That is all the "impact" I need.

1st point- Barber and Jones split series, he would see action all game

2nd point- We are talking players, not lines, Im sorry the Skins don't have a good line. That doesn't take away from Barber as a player. If the Cowboys line was so good Julius Jones would be a hero. You may not know this but he isn't.

3rd point- Barber was hardly an afterthought with all the good press he was getting around the league, sure the Cowboys were a pass oreientated but they still relied on the run. You kidding yourself that the only reason Portis didn't play better because coordinators would see him on the pitch and suddenly wet themselves saying "OMG *** ARE WE GOING TO DO!!!". If he was so good why couldn't he overcome this? LT, Peterson and Westbrook seem to manage it.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I wouldn't put barber in the top 10 or 15 he would have to be around 19 or 20th IMHO. He still hasn't rushed for 1,000 yards hasn't shown he can carry the full load. Even if he doesn't rush for a 1,000 yards he isn't the receiver out of the backfield westbrook is so its kinda like he's in between. I would never put him before Frank Gore or any RB that has rushed for 1,300 + yards in this league. I would port Portis ahead of him the only RB i can see putting ahead of him on this list and it's legit is Turner because they basically the same type of backs.

 

[firehawk350]

First, you're speculating that he'd wear down. No one knows one way or the other. Secondly, as I've already pointed out, he IS in the beginning of games...and he's still ore effective than Portis (2007).

I'm not, he bust out in the playoff game but tapered off considerably. And given that's ONE game, one body of work, I don't think we can take it as a good indication. I could say he did very poorly in the first half he played against the skins, but we've already driven down this road...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Wow, you are amazing. So you say that he didn't benefit from facing tired defenses with he himself being fresh? Let me see if I can find some concrete information, but I'm willing to bet that each successive quarter, league-wide, rushing YPC go up.

don't you think the same is going to hold true for Portis?

so that would be pretty useless to use here

believe Portis is the superior back for producing despite inferior blocking and dealing with "fresher" defenses....

it's bad to have to use what if? scenarios in an argument

 

[tomson75]

Wow, you are amazing. So you say that he didn't benefit from facing tired defenses with he himself being fresh? Let me see if I can find some concrete information, but I'm willing to bet that each successive quarter, league-wide, rushing YPC go up.

Actually, I never suggested that at all. I simply dissagreed with your suggestion that the only reason his YPC is higher than Posrtis' is because he comes in the game late and faces tired defenses. Maybe you should reread posts before you respond.

Still, is does it leave nearly as much as the combo of Fabini and Wade/Heyer leaves?

I have no idea what that means.

This is the exact thing I am trying to say. Yes, having a passing game is going to hurt his TOTALS but boost his averages. Less touches but more room to run. So if we just assume that this alone makes up for the discrepancy, you have to, logically, believe Portis is the superior back for producing despite inferior blocking and dealing with "fresher" defenses....

Riiiight. "Logically" Portis would have at least 6 YPC if the rest of your offense didn't suck. Gotcha.

Somehow, I doubt you'd be absent from any threads saying that your offense sucks, yet you're hear throwing it under the bus to save face for Portis.

Look, I watch the Commanders every damn week. I'm not seeing the Portis of old anymore, and I doubt you will again this year either. If I were you I'd be praying he doesn't follow Alexander's lead.

 

[BAZ]

I'm pretty sure you have to be signed to be on the list... The fact that Shaun Alexander hasn't been signed by ANYBODY and nobody is expecting him to be (and if he is, it'll be the vet min) shows how far he's fallen.

Right that was a joke

See, that's what I'm not understanding... He had a "down year" but still got over 1200 yds and 11 TDs which is good for 6th and 2nd respectively (the league overall had a down year rushing). All this with injury situations that nobody in the top-10 of EITHER category had to deal with on his line. So how is this cruising by on past merits???

Could be other things like only having the same amount of 20+ runs as Julius Jones (ouch), having the fourth most fumbles in the league (eek!), and having a very low YPC. 1200 and 11 are impressive, but he did lead the league in carries, you would expect a decent back like him to put up decent numbers.

I'm not sure what you mean by Portis' career yardage, yes, it is on NFL.com (7700ish if I remember correctly).

That was another joke, I meant putting his career numbers on every stat page seeing as it counts for so much. But never mind, it seem I overestimated a few things.

Barber did less (not more) with less touches but you can't chart these things linearly. Give him more touches and he'll wear down or put him in to begin the game and he won't be as effective...

Now you are just getting silly, he won't do these things why? Because your cross dressing hero is Superman and it would be impossible for him to match up? I understand you are quite the homer, but Portis is the untouchable back you make him out to be.

 

[gbrittain]

Portis is not a scary back. He looks like a guy with some mileage.

Portis has averaged 4.3, 4.1 and 3.9 YPC in successive years. His longest run each year has also dropped each from 47 yards, 38 yards, and 32 yards.

He does not look like a play maker to me.

Portis was supposed to be a one of a kind back, the kind that average over 5 yards per play, pencil in 1500+ yards, 14+ rushing TDs, you would give up the best corner in the league for and throw in a 2nd round pick to boot.

Nope, not that good.

I will take Marion Barber and Champ Bailey over Clinton Portis all day long.