NFL Ranking Running Backs

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Okay, I'm using Dallas as an example here and since there are no NFL team boards and no real place to put it, a new thread is necessary.

Two fold question:

1) How do you (personally) rank running backs? Average yards, first downs gained, touchdowns run in, speed, strength etc???

2) Marion Barber has been the main running back for the Cowboys but Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have got some decent game time as rookies.

In what order do you rank these guys from what you have seen?

Barber 872 yards at 3.7 and 7 TDs
Choice 416 yards at 5.3 and 2 TDs
Jones 266 yards at 8.9 and 3 TDs

I haven't watched the Cowboys the whole year but have seen good and bad games from Barber. He has a huge reputation though. Are we talking 3 very good RB's here and how many teams have such an even spread of RB talent? Or are these guys just overrated, mostly by Cowboys fans?

 

[Chism]

Good question ODN!! I really like Tashard Choice as he has blistering speed to burst through holes. Barber is good but dosent have the speed Choice has, Barber is more of a Bang and Crash type back ideal for short yard gains. I like them both though and it is a great 1-2 combination.

I dont rate Jones as highly as the other two yet allthough his stats are excellent.

In answer to the question i rate the RBs on Overall talent!( A bit Cliche i know) I suppose you need someone who has speed,great awareness and the ability to make something out of nothing!! Being strong in tackles is very important as theres nothing better than seeing a RB carrying 3 tacklers into the end zone!!!

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

How do you rate them aside RBs from all of the other teams? I know Barber can be awesome when at his best, but does some of the hype come from the Cowboys profile and increased media attention or is he really that good?

 

[JeffDunne]

Personally I don't rate players by stats. NFL is too much of a team effort to read stats alone.

For me the difference between good and great running backs is two things; 1) patience & 2) acceleration on change of gear.

What I mean by 1) is that they allow the play to develop. They don't get to the line too fast alah Reggie Bush and know how to read off lead blockers. Some RB's put up numbers simply because the offense can execute plays as designed. Others can change it up when the play breaks down.

As for 2) these are blokes that are electric after changing direction or juking a defender (that's what I mean by change of gear). Being quick out of the blocks is only useful on some plays, being able to do it once a hole opens is another thing. You'd think it's the same skill but some blokes do it better than others (see point 1) again)

Out of the Dallas backs, Choice would be my choice.

 

[Chism]

How do you rate them aside RBs from all of the other teams? I know Barber can be awesome when at his best, but does some of the hype come from the Cowboys profile and increased media attention or is he really that good?

I think increased Hype does surround Dallas and Barber for me would be anywhere from 5- 10th best in the league with a some excellent backs in front of him including

Peterson , Portis , Bush , Turner , Williams, just to name a few that i think are better than Barber.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I thought you might choose Choice (say that 5 times really fast). Definitely waits for the blocks to unfold, thinks quick and is gone.

Here is the rub though. How many of these runs does Choice make? 1 per 2 or 3 possessions? If you give Barber the ball, he will probably barge it up for a gain of 3-4 every time and gets you plenty of first downs. Choice's average yardage can be attributed to some big gains and plenty of gains just beyond the line of scrimmage.

If Romo is on, I prefer the Choice/Romo combination. If Romo is off I prefer the Barber/Romo combination as Romo can hand off all day and we can still get first downs.

Emmett Smith was a combination of the two IIRC.

 

[JeffDunne]

One thing with Dallas, even when you don't want to know about them you know about them. I've seen far too many Dallas games this year.

One thing I'll say, Barber 2008 is not a patch on Barber 2007.

There has to be a reason for this I reckon he's playing with something more than a sore toe. My guess is a knee. Sure the O Line isn't playing as well, but the passing game is as potent as ever and others aren't heving problems running behind the line.

If Barber can regain his 2007 form I'd pick him easily. But he's been a long way off this year. I'll reserve my judgement because he probably deserves the benefit of any doubt.

 

[Southerntakeover]

I think theres a bigger difference too JD... I think the impact of Jones is being seen here.

Barber is not a feature back IMO, hes best used as part of a committee in the way he was last season. The trend last season, was that Barber would come in the second half, when the defense was already a bit tired, and beat the hell out of them.

There was already a thought going in some of the matches i watched with the Cowboys, that the more carries he would have, the less effective he would be. With his running style, hes not going to be an every down back, hes better used as a guy who can come in for a limited time, and give everything hes got on every play. Over longer periods of time, and more carries, his fitness becomes an issue, as does the many hits that he takes himself when he tries to stiff arm his way through everyone on the field.

For what its worth, id still love to have him on my team, but id use him as part of a two punch running attack.

 

[fuey]

When watching a game, I rate the guys who are pumping their legs in a tackle, or turning in-field and not looking for the easy out, or on (for any player really) their second, and third efforts.

They're the guys who are prepared to fight for every inch, and they're the guys that I want on my team.

That's why I loved Ahman Green in his prime. He was only a small-ish guy, but geez would he give you 110% every play.

 

[marcuz]

Emmett Smith was a combination of the two IIRC.

Emmitt was more like choice, Emmitt had great vision and a quick first few steps. he didnt have enough gears to burn the secondary. Choice is the same, he'll make the first guy miss, explode, then get run down.

 

[marcuz]

I think theres a bigger difference too JD... I think the impact of Jones is being seen here.

Barber is not a feature back IMO, hes best used as part of a committee in the way he was last season. The trend last season, was that Barber would come in the second half, when the defense was already a bit tired, and beat the hell out of them.

There was already a thought going in some of the matches i watched with the Cowboys, that the more carries he would have, the less effective he would be. With his running style, hes not going to be an every down back, hes better used as a guy who can come in for a limited time, and give everything hes got on every play. Over longer periods of time, and more carries, his fitness becomes an issue, as does the many hits that he takes himself when he tries to stiff arm his way through everyone on the field.

For what its worth, id still love to have him on my team, but id use him as part of a two punch running attack.

I'd have Choice as my starting back, Barber as my short yardage back and main man late. Jones then can be worked in the rotation for 10-12 touches as a runner and in the passing game. His special teams work has been missed since he's been injured.

Choice - Starter
Barber - Closer
Jones - Big play guy.

 

[Southerntakeover]

I'd have Choice as my starting back, Barber as my short yardage back and main man late. Jones then can be worked in the rotation for 10-12 touches as a runner and in the passing game. His special teams work has been missed since he's been injured.

Choice - Starter
Barber - Closer
Jones - Big play guy.

I was actually talking about Julius...Didnt really make that clear.

 

[Carn Hawkas]

I'm jumping on the Tashard Choice bandwagon. This guy is a machine, and from what i've seen he is out performing Barber. Although Barber has had a toe complaint recently.

 

[Burningleviathan]

I think Barber is better then what he has been playing this year. I think he played quite a good one the other week unfortunately i didn't get to watchso i couldn't tell you much about it. I'd still rate him ahead of choice, mainly because of those 3rd and short situations, you really need someone to make that yard. Dallas's third down conversion has been terrible this year. I think it got a mention in the ravens game. I'd rate Barber ahead of Choice in that regard. It's an area we have been struggling with this year and i think a fit Barber would have helped far more significantly

 

[Wizard]

Barber > Jones > Choice.

Unfortunately all three are better then any RB @ the Cardinals.
At the Cowboys running is not really a problem, they would have the biggest O-Line in the game at the moment. Let by big Leonard Davis they are very good run blockers, they all block straight ahead very well. One of the easiest teams to be a RB for in the league i reckon, purely on the fact they with TO and Witten you must respect the passing game and the O-Line is so good.
Barber as has previously said is the ultimate closer, he probably isn't a starter. He was awesome coming in behind Jones last year and maybe he needs to work with Choice or Felix to be a success. He isnt an every down back.

Lets rank Running Backs around the league shall we, this is a few areas that i rate them. In no particular order.

Home run hitting ability - a good RB needs to have that raw speed to have the defense worry that every run could go for 6. (Best: Adrian Peterson)

Short yardage - 3rd and 1, 4th and 1. A good running back needs to be able to get the tough yards in 3rd/4th down situations or on the goal line. (Best: Brandon Jacobs)

Recieving threat - there is more to being a RB in modern day football then just running between the tackles, any RB worth his weight is a big threat in the passing game. (Best: Brian Westbrook / Reggie Bush)

Blocking - the most underappreciated role of the RB. Its all well and good to be the best runner but if you cant protect you QB then your going to have a short career. (Best: Clinton Portis)

1-4 the most important things to me. Stats dont mean shit unless your a fantasy player.

My rankings:
Peterson > Portis > Jacobs > Turner.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

I'd rather have a Barber closely followed by Jones before Choice in a playoff game.

 

[JeffDunne]

any RB worth his weight is a big threat in the passing game.

My rankings:
Peterson > Portis > Jacobs > Turner.

 

[footylover18]

It is not uncommon to see RB's have barely played throughout the season get opportunities late and produce outstanding numbers. Choice does look great, but he is very well rested, he simply hasn't got the mileage on his legs this season that the other RBs do. He is a fresh RB coming up against some tired defenses. Of course this doesn't mean his performances against, Pitts, Balti etc are worthless, it's just that it's hard to straight up compare it to other guys who have been playing the whole season.

 

[Southerntakeover]

It is not uncommon to see RB's have barely played throughout the season get opportunities late and produce outstanding numbers. Choice does look great, but he is very well rested, he simply hasn't got the mileage on his legs this season that the other RBs do. He is a fresh RB coming up against some tired defenses. Of course this doesn't mean his performances against, Pitts, Balti etc are worthless, it's just that it's hard to straight up compare it to other guys who have been playing the whole season.

Good analysis, and similiar to the conversation i was having with GG re: McFaddens ypc stats...

You should never underestimate the physical toll playing a full season takes on a RB.