Running backs falling out of first-round favor

Less talent, other than Richardson.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:10 AM ET  04.17 by Commerce Comet

When it comes down to it, everyone needs a running back."




You need a quarterback first

Other than Luck & RGIII, see comment #1.

There's talk that Fisher is enamored with TR and will choose him if he falls out of the top 5.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:10 AM ET  04.17 by Commerce Comet

When it comes down to it, everyone needs a running back." You need a quarterback first

Right. Surprisingly, there are probably more "elite" quarterbacks than "elite" running backs in the league, despite the serious shortage of QBs for struggling teams.

When you look at teams like the Patriots, you see that you can be successful with rookies and journeymen at running back, so why mortgage the farm for anything less than Adrian Peterson?

Last time I looked it is a pass league 60/40. Teams are using two backs. The 20 carry a game RB is nearly extinct.

The Giants had the lowest ranked running game in the NFL last year. The Packers the year before? who remembers their running backs outside of GB? The Pats are always in a superbowl or on the doorstep of one, what running game do you remember of theirs?

No team has it all, but if you are going to be short on offense, better to be short running the ball than anything else.

too many serviceable RB's later in the draft to blow a top pick on one, not to say some team won't do it though.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:12 AM ET  04.17 by Mangler.

too many serviceable RB's later in the draft to blow a top pick on one, not to say some team won't do it though.

Yup. You can make your quarterback and your running backs better by improving your offensive line. Wanna score more points? Look for the best guards and tackles.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:10 AM ET  04.17 by Commerce Comet

When it comes down to it, everyone needs a running back." You need a quarterback first

You need an o-line first. Whats up Mick.

Had to throw that in us o-line guys got to get some props.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:18 AM ET  04.17 by Debbie Does

Yup. You can make your quarterback and your running backs better by improving your offensive line. Wanna score more points? Look for the best guards and tackles.

Very well said. Give the big eaters some credit.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:18 AM ET  04.17 by Debbie Does

Yup. You can make your quarterback and your running backs better by improving your offensive line. Wanna score more points? Look for the best guards and tackles.

Couldn't agree more but it still amazes me how many teams fail to develop/create a sound O-line to work from. Seems like a simple concept. Building a defense is far more challenging.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:44 AM ET  04.17 by Lightly Salted Nuts

Building a defense is far more challenging.

Tell me about it. Belichick used to be thought of as a god on defense. Now our D couldn't stop a bunch of girls in plaid skirts coached by nuns.

Thats why most teams have 2 running backs now?

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:12 AM ET  04.17 by Mangler.

too many serviceable RB's later in the draft to blow a top pick on one, not to say some team won't do it though.

Well the only team that seems to have an interest in a first round running back is Cleveland, they have 2 first round picks so I can see where taking Richardson would be wise, they do need an every down RB.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:39 AM ET  04.17 by narrator

Well the only team that seems to have an interest in a first round running back is Cleveland, they have 2 first round picks so I can see where taking Richardson would be wise, they do need an every down RB.

Why? If CLE is really going to run the west coast, they need a better OL to protect McCoy for the crossing routes and other passes vital to that offense. Roger Craig, while serviceable, will never be confused with a workhorse like Sweetness or even Emmitt Smith. The Browns should take note.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 10:25 AM ET  04.17 by Debbie Does

Tell me about it. Belichick used to be thought of as a god on defense. Now our D couldn't stop a bunch of girls in plaid skirts coached by nuns.

Thats true, NY did beat you

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:53 AM ET  04.17 by 50yearfan

The Giants had the lowest ranked running game in the NFL last year. The Packers the year before? who remembers their running backs outside of GB? The Pats are always in a superbowl or on the doorstep of one, what running game do you remember of theirs?No team has it all, but if you are going to be short on offense, better to be short running the ball than anything else.

I don't know. Matt Forte, for example, was/is a huge part of a run-pass Chicago offense: he proved his worth when he went down last season and the Bears collapsed. Yes, Cutler's injury probably had greater impact, but the absolute mediocrity of the Chicago line blocking for years now for Forte shows what a back almost singlehandedly can do, whether running or catching out of the backfield or running a route. A good back can run, catch, block: I think Marshall Faulk - who by the way was at NE - is the prototype for the modern back. Then again, who's more important in short yardage situations, guys who follow their blocks or creative backs who see where a hole is or isn't and make their own plays? (Cedric Benson in CHI used to always run to where the hole wasn't; Forte seems to make his own way: he's got nothing to work with.) And it's very important - whatever the quality of the line you have - to have a good back on short yardage situations, especially around the goal line. Yep, there are a lot of mediocre backs out there, but Trent Richardson is not one of them. NFL management is pretty stupid a) for "falling in love" with players, and b) for "falling out of love." Emotion of any kind should have nothing to do with player evaluation. My God, people. Have we learned nothing from "Money Ball"?

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 10:30 AM ET  04.17 by VisionQuest

Thats why most teams have 2 running backs now?

Exactly.