Here we go!...If you want to win your Fantasy league than pay attention. This is the position that wins Fantasy Football Leagues. Say what you want but the fact is that these guys do all of the heavy lifting for their real teams, so expect nothing less out of this position on your FFL Team. They run, they catch, and they score...problem is that they are in short supply and you must have two of them to fill your starting rosters...not even figuring what you need for backups. Let's get to examining the Juiced News' Top 24 Running Backs:
1. LaDainian Tomlinson: When he's not rushing for the single season TD Record he's catching for TDs...and occasionally throwing for them, too! He is the most versatile athlete in the NFL and he gets to play in an offense that is totally designed around him. He will get the ball and he will lead virtually every Fantasy Football League in points barring injury. He will also go #1 in your draft so if you don't have the first pick just skip on down the list.
2. Steven Jackson: After waiting for his chance behind former League MVP Marshall Faulk, Jackson was cast into the starting lineup in 2006. Let's just say he was solid.
He posted over 1500 yds, which ranked in the top five, and then he added 90 receptions and racked up another 800 yds receiving. All in all, he actually had more total yards than Tomlinson in 2006. There are no signs of him slowing down in 2007 so look for him to duplicate his numbers from a year ago.
3. Larry Johnson: Diamonds are forever...LJ's TD celebration is called the Diamond Cutter (Shown Here). He is the Kansas City offense: noted by his league leading number of rush attempts in 2006. However, there may be a QB controversy brewing in Arrowhead Stadium between D. Huard and B. Croyle. The Chiefs parted ways with Trent Green for what seemed to be Huard, but rumor has it that the coaching staff is very high on Croyle's potential. Johnson will get touches regardless, but if Croyle gets the nod look for Johnson's touches to increase. No one wants to put all the pressure on a young, developing QB.
4. Shaun Alexander: This is a toss up for the #4 spot, but I am gonna give this former MVP the benefit of the doubt and trust that he will return from his 2006 injury riddled campaign and put up numbers closer in compairison to his 2005 season. Look for a rebound year for the "Pride of Boone Co., KY".
5. Joseph Addai: The LSU product served as part of the Championship Indianapolis Colts backfield in 2006. He posted very solid numbers for a rookie and that was with Dominick Rhodes taking half of his carries. Even while splitting carries he cracked the 1000 yd. mark. Now that he's the only RB in Indy, look for those numbers to reach new levels in 2007.
6. Frank Gore: Gore shocked the world with his emergance in 2006. He was without a doubt the steal of most drafts at the RB position. Now that teams know what they are up against can he repeat his 2006 season? I am guessing no, and based on his constant injury problems when he was with the Miami Hurricanes in college I do not want to bank my first round selection on a guy that really is unproven. With all that said, if healthy, he will have the opportunity to once again be the man in San Fran.
7. Brian Westbrook: The poor man's Tomlinson. Westbrook does it all for the Eagles. He's been doing it for years. Problem is that he has a tendancy to get knicked up due to his lack of size. Normally these injuries do not knock B-Dub out for long periods of time, but you can bank on one popping up at somepoint. He will rush for over 1000 yds, and he will be effective out of the backfield catching passes...no matter who is quarterbacking the team.
8. Rudi Johnson: Run Rudi Run! That's what they chant in the Jungle, so that's what he does. He ran for 1300 yds in 2006. He doesn't really get involved in the passing attack, but he is good around the goal line and has the ability to outrun most defenders. Solid pick.
9. Willie Parker: "Fast" Willie will have a great opportunity with the new coaching staff in Pittsburgh. Coach Nolan has already said that he wants to spread the ball around more than previous Steeler teams. This plays right to the strengths of Parker. He is a much better runner in space rather than between the tackles, so if Big Ben can get him the ball in stride look out!
10. Travis Henry: My Sleeper pick. Henry managed to put up some very strong numbers in a stagnant offense in Tennessee. Now he gets to go run behind the best offensive line in the league...especially in regards to run blocking. He posted over 1200 yds for the Titans in 2006 so look for that number to increase for Denver. He'll have the Mile High Salute down in no time.
11. Reggie Bush: I would rank him higher if he wasn't still splitting carries with D. McAllister. He has the ability to become a top 5 back, but his numbers won't say that until he quits splitting carries. He will catch alot of balls, and like W. Parker, once Bush gets in space he'll be looking at defenders in his rear view mirror. Great Keeper League Pick...depending on the league format.
12. Willis McGahee: The move to Baltimore will be very good for Willis. Instead of having to run against N.E. and Mia. twice a year, now he gets to run against Clev. and Cincy. twice. This should due wonders for his legs and his stats. It was tough sledding for him in Buffalo, but he still managed to gain over 1000 yds of offense in only 14 games in 2006.
13. Clinton Portis: Another player from "Running Back U", aka Miami University. Portis has been injury plagued for a couple of seasons now, but when he's healthy he has Pro Bowl ability. If he's not healthy you could wind up with "The Mad Scientist; Southeast Jerome; Dr. I Don't Know; Sherriff Gonna Getcha; Dolla Bill; Reverand Gonna Change; Kid Bro Sweets; Inspector 2-2; Angel of S.E. Jerome; Dolamite Jenkins or Coach Janky Spanky". These were the numerous characters that Portis portrayed in his 2006 press conferences when he was unable to play on the field. If you take Portis be sure to lock up Ladell Betts as well.
14. Ronnie Brown: Ronnie was hampered on and off all season by hand and ankle injuries. He played through them for awhile, but eventually wound up missing time and whn he came back to the lineup he was splitting carries with backup Sammy Morris. Morris is now a Patriot leaving Brown to due all the heavy lifting by himself. It will be nice having a QB in South Beach which should take some of the focus off of Ronnie in 2007. Look for numbers more like his 2005 rookie campaign.
15. Edgerrin James: Edge found out the hard way that money doesn't always lead to happiness. Edge got paid in 2006 by moving to Arizona, but his stats took a beating. The line has been upgraded via the draft and some free agent signings. Perhaps this could be the year for Edgerrin to soar in the desert.
16. Lawrence Maroney: Sleeper Pick #2. While splitting carries with the aging Corey Dillon as a rookie in 2006 Maroney still managed solid, but not eye popping numbers. Look for his touches to increase in 2007. He has the fresh legs that the N.E. offense needs and with the additions this team made at WR in the offseason, that should free up some room for the running game to run through.
17. Thomas Jones: He was the better half of the NFC Champion Bears' running game in 2006, but Chicago felt comfortable enough with Cedric Benson to let Jones go to the Jets. The Jets have been needing someone to step in since Curtis Martin went down in 2005. Now they've got someone, but can Man-genious actually use him? Time will tell, but Jones landed in a tough division for rushing the football. (Ask Willis McGahee)
18. Carnell Williams: Gruden's Cadillac will have to be tuned up and ready to go in order for coach Gruden to keep his job in 2007. The addition of former Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia at QB will help the entire offense and hopefully take some pressure off of Cadillac as well.
19. Marshawn Lynch: This is the rookie that may have the best chance to succeed right away.He landed in Buffalo and he has Zero/none/nada competition for his spot in the starting lineup. I would not expect big things as far as eye popping numbers, but he will get all the touches for the Bills.
20. Cedric Benson: The Bears waived goodbye to Thomas Jones because of Benson. Hopefully that will pay off for Chicago. Benson has shown the ability to be a tough runner, but he's also shown that sometimes he's just not interested in what's going on. He'd better be focused in 2007 because the Bear's season is riding on him.
21. Jamal Lewis: Some say he's washed up, but the fact is that he is still better than anything Cleveland had in 2006. With the Browns' O-Line addition of "Big" Joe Thomas things could get better for the Cleveland running game. Welcome to the Dogg Pound, Jamal.
22. Maurice Jones-Drew: One year in the league and he's already been inducted into ESPN's Fantasy Football Hall of Fame. He did come out of nowhere to be the Jaguars best option at running back in 2006, but he will still be splitting time with Fred Taylor. Look for him to get the brunt of the touches near the goal line due to his unique size and shape.
23. Ahman Green: Green was traded to Houston this offseason, and scene by the Texans as a sizeable upgrade. Problem is that Houston still doesn't have an O-line to speak of, and they also have a new starting QB...one that doesn't have much experience as a starter in the NFL...Uh-Oh! While this team could be exciting if all goes well, more than likely they won't be as improved as they need to be to compete. Tough spot for Ahman at this stage of his career...similar to Emmitt Smith in Arizona. (Whince)
24. Chester Taylor: Taylor would be a good running back for most NFL teams. He had a good 2006 season. But the Vikings did draft the second best offensive player in the draft in Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson. Peterson will be involved in the offense, so look for Taylor's value to depreciate in 2007. If you take Taylor, try to lock him up with Peterson. There may be a switch atop the depth chart in Minnesota by midseason.
There you have it. The Running Backs worth talking about. There are a few others that could've been thrown on here, but the ones listed are probably your safest plays. Guys like Deuce McAllister; Warrick Dunn (Currently injured) and Jerious Norwood; Kevin Jones and Tatum Bell; Julius Jones and Marion Barber III; Deshaun Foster and his backup DeAngelo Williams. While these guys are all capable, they are all splitting carries or they are in a situation where the starter has not even been decided upon.
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