AFC West Breakdown - Running Back
[I am going to break down the AFC West position by position to determine who holds the power in the conference. The top spot will be worth 4 points, second is 3 points, third is 2 points and fourth is 1 point. At the end of the article, I will post a running tally. These breakdowns are as of May 15th, and they assume that all draft picks will be signed and ready to play in 2008. If there are any additional free agent signings, this could affect the rankings.]
Before we dive into running backs, let me make one thing clear - this is about the starting running back for each team: not their entire corps of rushers. So don’t get bent out of shape (Denver and Oakland fans, I’m looking at you) when you read these rankings. Your team may have a better team rushing attack, but these rankings are based on who is the top tailback on the depth chart.
1.) LaDanian Tomlinson (San Diego)- He’s been the best player in the league for five years now - but after that disaster he had in the playoffs against Indianapolis, I wouldn’t be surprised if his teammates and the rest of the league are questioning his heart. I certainly am. His interview on ESPN where he said that he kept his helmet on that whole time because he was cold didn’t quite cut it - I mean, it wasn’t “I didn’t have sexual relations with that woman” bad, but LT certainly didn’t come out looking like a true team player. I think he’ll miss Michael Turner more than the Bolts realize right now, but Tomlinson is still the most dominant player in the game today. (4 points)
2.) Larry Johnson (Kansas City)- A prime example of why you don’t give players long-term contracts with guaranteed money the year after you work them to death. I am hoping that LJ reads this blog (not likely, but I’m holding out hope) and take my slights, digs and insults of him personally and runs for 3,100 yards and 45 touchdowns this year. That may be the only chance the Chiefs have to not finish 2-14. If Johnson is fully recovered from his foot injury, and Brodie Croyle can get the defenses to only keep 6-7 men in the box, then LJ should return to prominence as an elite NFL back. (3 points)
3.) Travis Henry (Denver) - Throw out the pot smoking, the illegitimate children, the fumbling and the injury problems, and you have a quality person and a big threat at running back. The only reason Henry is here is the Denver rushing scheme, and the fact that Oakland will feature multiple rushers, rather than a dominant single-rushing attack. Henry isn’t close to being the guy he was in Buffalo, or even Tennessee, but in the “Insert RB here and run for 1,000 yards” system Denver incorporates, he’s serviceable. (2 points)
4.) Justin Fargas (Oakland) - While Oakland may not have the best individual running back, they may feature the strongest rushing attack in the conference. However, there are two schools of thought on this matter - there is the “It’s a good problem to have” when you have four possible starters in your backfield…and then there is the “If you have two/three/four running backs, then you really don’t have one” philosophy. Personally, I think the more quality you have in the running back position, the stronger you are as a team. It comes down to keeping everyone happy, healthy, and satisfied with their roles. Are they an every-down back? A goal line/short yardage guy? The third-down change of pace back? If these roles are not clearly defined, then there could be trouble. (1 point)
Once again, San Diego has the best player at this position, and probably the best player in the league in Tomlinson. Johnson needs to return to form for the Chiefs to have any chance this year, while Oakland is counting on contributions from several sources to spark their ground game. Speaking of spark…Henry is going to just try to stay healthy, and maybe mix in a little celibacy now and then.
Running tally:
San Diego - 8 points
Denver - 5 points
Kansas City - 4 points
Oakland - 3 points
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14 Responses to “AFC West Breakdown - Running Back”
May 17th, 2008 at 8:18 am
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????, ok, first off where the hell do you get your information??,
Firtst I completely agree on LT He is the best in the league by far.
Second, LJ has been ruined by the chiefs game plans and extremely overworked, I personally believe his career is done because of it, but that aside you can’t base this list off what happened 2 years ago, it has to be done with who was the best last year and has the best potential to be the best this year, that being said, FARGAS RAN FOR 1009 YARDS IN 7 GAMES, seriously that is one hell of a feat. Sad part is that it’s going to be Bush and Mcfadden by mid season because they will outshine Fargas. and the fact that you put Henry there above fargas just shows that you have no idea what the hell you are talking about. After last year Fargas is 2 on this list no questions asked. Johnson is third, and you might as well put Selvin young 4th because Henry is done, if they start him this year it just proves that…. well they are the Broncos.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am
o.k. this is where you’ve gone off your rocker. Why is your running back ranking a completely different logic than your QB’s?
Obviously LT is#1 and yes I will still give you LJ as #2 but there could be an argument with that since KC has no line and he was a non factor last year even when healthy. So your going by career with that one and if you imporve the line and have a semi respectable passing game he may be #2 again.
Henry over Fargas?!! Why would you throw out the pot, the legal problem, the fumbles, etc? Those count. Especially since your not basing this on what happened and what could happen this year. Denver has a ton of questions and there running game is not as good as the Raiders. Raiders had no respectable passing game, had a committee of runners and still were the #6 rushing team in the NFL.
I will break it down for you. Fargas was the best RB in the NFL the second half of the season. Better than LT… 1009 yards in 7 starts. You should know better as LJ once had a season like that when Priest went down. He doesn’t fumble, he works and runs hard, he don’t smoke pot, no law problems… Now give him 16 starts, and guys to take the load off along with a cannon arm that you better respect as we have added top notch Speed at WR. The line was drastically better last year and should improve with a second year of influence under Tom Cable. Cable when he was with atlanta had the best Rushing team 3 years in a row. He’s got some cred!
In summary Fargas a much better option at Running Back than Henry and Until LJ bounces back I’m putting him up at #2
May 17th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
true,true. maybe coach sherm, i mean herm should be asked why they play the game. it wouldn’t be to win, would it?
May 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am
fargas will wear down the d so that dmac can get in their and get his carries and bust td runs like adrian peterson did last year with chester taylor they can also line dmac at reciever and have micheal bush in the backfield for some good quality carries and some short yardage burst the raiders have the most depth at that position and in a few years they will be the best in that position with dmac and bush as their future
May 18th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Ryan, we all know you have a knack for pissing off the Faders fans. But don’t dog on your own boys too! 2-14?!
It’s not that bad. Look at all the improvement already! Have a little faith in your team man.
May 18th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Cujo and salvy basically just summed it up for me right there.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Ryan I am a Raider fan as you probably know and I usually respect what you have to say. But this article is quite worthless. I don’t care that you put Fargas last because I can’t argue with that at all. But who really cares who has the best single runningback in the conference? I thought there would be some insight here. Everyone knows LT and LJ are the best in the conference in that order. They may be the best in the NFL for that matter. This is trite wasted space.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
To continue that thought; LJ may be the 2nd best RB but without the offensive line (and NO drafting two this year doesn’t solve that problem) and the downfield threat, he is in trouble. And overall view of the entire running game situation on each team would render an entirely different result here and actually prove something. This does not. Your QB order I agree with and that position can be judged more solely on the individual QB play.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Gotta agree with Ldizzle… you ketchup and mustard guys dont have an o-line, or a qb, or for that matter a team… if LJ isnt running for 100yds every game then you guys arent winning with Brodie Croyle throwing the ball and your defense is average at best…
May 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Pat.T are you kidding?, KC doesnt have a team.. lol, they posted a 13th Best Defense last yr, Adding to that good cover 2 defense this year, with probably the best player in the 2008 draft, a hard physical cover 2 defense, Let me remind you, they posted a 13th best D, considering they were on the field for 3/4 of the game. LJ is still a good back, just so happens that he has a unproductive year, right after a big contract signing, but that is just BS, 2 hall of Fame o-linement retire a year after each other, and a center getting old, leaving poor Brian Water’s all alone. IF u didnt hear about Branden Albert, hes a strong oline man who is amazing in Space, look for LJ to break out big runs on the left Side this Season,. and counters to the right, Also judging Brodie Croyle on a First season as a starter, running for his life 1/2 the time, you cant give him a fair assesment, so leave the young stud alone! Wait till this season, when KC proves everyone that they will be a dominant force in years to come
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Hey fleaR no are you kidding me do u really think Brandon Albert will have a productive year in his first season? Lets se if he plays guard he’ll be going against guys like Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands, Gerard Warren, Jamal Williams, Dwayne Robertson, and so on. If he plays tackle he’ll be going against guys like Derrick Burgess, Luis Castillo, Igor Olshiansky, Jamaal Andersen, and so on come one all these dudes are gonna eat his lunch… and Glenn Dorsey yeah! he’ll be good but dont expect much from him his first season against bigger and stronger guards… Brandon Flowers wont see nothing but Javon Walkers, Brandon Marshalls, Chris Chambers, and Vincent Jacksons dust… hahaha come on kid… dont expect much from your squad just yet, Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson had a good draft to bad they drafted it for a new head coach to work with… Edwards knows he regrets leaving New York for this crap… He’ll leave or be fired and Carl Peterson will definetly be fired soon… Flea you said the Chiefs had the 13th best defense rightttt? Well if my mind serves me correctly than didnt we run all over you when we played you… You CANT DARE PUT TRAVIS HENRY BEFORE FARGAS, MCFADDEN, AND BUSH… Hell you CANT PUT LJ BEFORE THEM… Your running game will be crap with 2 rookie o-linemen this year… and Brodie Croyle is some shit i think… wait he’s allways getting beat up so until some one protects him dosent matter who you have a WR.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Pat go cheer for ur Gay Raiders, who finish last in the AFC west every season, even with a chiefs CRAP year they couldnt finish above the chiefs, Get a Grip, the chiefs have been Average / Above average team for 2 decades, the raiders have always sucked, and the broncos are off and on, then theres the chargers. well i hate them too.
Are you in the NFL? are u a sports analyst.. no you arent. Rookies can have outstanding first years, just because someones a rookie into the nfl, it doesnt mean anything above and beyond the pressure they get before they even play a nfl snap.. Does Adrian Peterson ring a bell? how about dwayne Bowe… joe thomas…. list goes on and on my friend. LJ is 10x better than fargas first of all. Bush .. michael bush? the Bench warmer. the oakland raiders is a dumb Team, they draft a QB clearly better than mcowan yet, they bench him the entire season, after a losing SEASON yet again!!! i cant wait to see them Raiders at the bottom again this year, maybe next yr you can Draft a winning record for once, last time i checked the chiefs have lost to the raiders twice in the last 6 years
May 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Klear, I don’t even know where to begin. First off, the Raiders have one of the greatest franchises in NFL history. They’ve won 3 super bowls, which is as many as the broncos, chargers, and chiefs…combined. Michael Bush….bench warmer? How about former Heisman candidate who, before getting injured, posted over 125 yards, 3 touchdowns and 7.5 yards per carry…in ONE HALF. Fargas was a monster last year getting over 1000 yards in only 7 starts. And now we’ve added McFadden who will run circles around Dorsey for years. And I can’t believe your comparing Brandon Albert to Joe Thomas. Not even in the same league. He’s not gonna solve any o-line problems. The only way I see KC being a dominant force is if they leave the NFL and play pee-wee football. And as for seeing the Raiders at the bottom this year? Keep waiting, because the Raiders now have the #1 rushing attack in the league and have some weapons for J-Russ to throw to, we have the best CB tandem in the league, and possibly the best DB’s in the league. We’re headed to the top, and we’ll beat the chiefs both times on the way there.
May 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I think not only are you totally off your rocker, but there are more raider fans on your blog then chef fans:}
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